Emory Baptist Church

Lousy Tenants but a Good Landlord

We are at the end of Tuesday of Passion Week, and Jesus has just refused to answer the questions and accusations of the Jewish Religious Leaders because of their refusal to answer His return question about John the Baptist.

 

Jesus then began to speak to them in a parable.  This is the first parable in Mark’s gospel since 4:30 and the parable of the Mustard Seed.  Today’s parable is called the parable of the wicked vinedressers or the parable of the wicked tenant farmers or the parable of vine-growers or the parable of the householder and the heir.

 

Remember, a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  Generally speaking, Jesus used parables to reveal mysteries, to conceal realities (render judgement), and to fulfill prophecies.

Parable

1 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.

 

It was not uncommon for wealthy landlords to own large land estates which they leased to tenant farmers or vinedressers.  The tenants would agree to cultivate the land and care for the crops while the landlords were away. 

 

In return for their care, the landlords would give a portion of the crop to the tenants while keeping a portion for themselves.  When harvest time came, the landlords would send agents on their behalf to collect their portions. 

 

In telling this parable, Jesus was quoting from Isaiah 5.

 

1 Now let me sing to my Well-beloved

A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard:

My Well-beloved has a vineyard

On a very fruitful hill.

2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones,

And planted it with the choicest vine.

He built a tower in its midst,

And also made a winepress in it;

So He expected it to bring forth good grapes,

But it brought forth wild grapes.

 

In verse 1, them was the Jewish Religious Leaders.  The man was God, and His vineyard was the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, and the vinedressers were the Jewish Religious Leaders or the chief priests, scribes, and elders.

 

The hedge was most likely a rock wall that served to keep out animals.  The wine vat was underneath the winepress and caught all of the juice that was squeezed from the grapes.  The tower was used for protection to see intruders and animals from afar.  It also served as storage and a place for the vinedressers and their workers to stay.

 

 

2 Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. 3 And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 4 Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. 5 And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.

 

In verse 2, it was harvest time and so the owner sent one of his servants as his agent to get his portion of the vineyard’s produce.  Remember, their produce was supposed to be their rent payment. 

 

However, the lousy tenants or vinedressers took the slave and beat him and sent him home with nothing.  He sent another slave, and the turnout was the same.  He sent another, and they killed him.  He sent more and more, and all of them were either beaten or killed, but none returned with any crop.

 

These servants represent the prophets and messengers of God that God sent throughout history as His ambassadors to the nation of Israel.  In the Old Testament, even before Israel, I think of Noah whose message fell on deaf ears.  I think of Elijah who was driven into the wilderness by Ahab and Jezebel and ready to commit suicide.

 

1 Kings 19:4, 4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

 

I think of Zechariah was stoned to death near the temple.

 

2 Chronicles 24:21, 21 So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord.

 

In the New Testament, I think of John the Baptist who was beheaded.

 

Matthew 14:10, 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.

 

Stephan who was stoned to death.

 

Acts 7:58, 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him.

 

God has sent countless messengers to His people, and they have rejected them. 

 

 

6 Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ 7 But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ 8 So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

 

The wonderful landlord had one last idea.  He decided not to send any more slaves or servants.  He decided to send his son, his beloved son.  He thought surely the lousy tenants would respect his son and send back his portion of the vineyard crops. 

 

However, the lousy tenants saw the son coming and took their opportunity to remove the heir of the property.  They took him and killed him and threw him out of the vineyard.

 

We see in these verses that God did not send another prophet.  He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, and what was true of true of the prophets turned out to be true with Jesus.  They God’s Son and crucified Him. 

 

 

9 “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not even read this Scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.  11 This was the Lord’s doing, And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”  12 And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

 

Jesus then asked a rhetorical question in verse 9, “What will the owner of the vineyard do?”  He went on to answer it for them.  He will come and destroy the vine-dressers and give the vineyard to others.

 

Again, the owner is God.  The vineyard is the nation of Israel but could also be seen as the Kingdom of God.  The vinedressers were the chief priests, scribes, and elders. 

 

Who are the others?  The others are the Gentiles.  Because Israel rejected Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah, God temporarily set them aside and has turned His attention to the Gentile world. 

 

That doesn’t mean that He is done with Israel.  It does mean that He will wait to resume that relationship with Israel until all the Gentiles who are going to be saved are saved.

Jesus further indicted the leaders of Israel in quoting Psalm 118:22-23.  The stone is Christ.  The builders are Israel and her leaders.  They rejected Christ, but Christ became the chief corner stone or the foundation stone of the Gentile Christian Church. 

 

As verse 12 says, obviously the Jewish Religious Leaders understood fully what the spiritual meaning was for this earthly story.  The parable spoke against them and further fueled their fire against Jesus.

 

 

Conclusions

From this parable, we learn at least three truths about God and His character.

 

First, He is patient.  In this parable, the landowner didn’t just send one servant to collect the harvest.  Look at verses 2-5.  He sent one and another and another, and verse 5 says many others. 

 

God didn’t just send one prophet to Israel.  He sent one and two and three and many others.  God hasn’t tried just once to get your attention.  He has tried once and twice and three times and many others because God is patient. 

 

2 Peter 3:9, 9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering (or patient) toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

 

Second, not only is God patient, God is also love.  The landowner didn’t just send his servants and multiple ones at that.  In verse 6, he sent his one and only beloved son. 

 

God didn’t just send His prophets to Israel and multiple ones at that.  God sent His one and only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to Israel and the world because of His love. 

 

John 3:16, 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

 

Finally, not only is God patient, and not only is God love, but God is also just.  Eventually in the parable, Jesus said of the vinedressers in verse 9 that the landowner would come and destroy the vinedressers.

 

Yes, he was patient, and yes, he was love, but in the end, he was just, and he held the vinedressers responsible for their actions.

 

Here me this morning.  Yes, God is patient, and yes, God is love, but you need to also know that God will hold you responsible and accountable for your actions, specifically how you respond to His Son, Jesus Christ. 

 

Is Jesus your Savior this morning?  Remember, God is patient, and He is love.  However, don’t presume too long on His patience and disregard His Son because if you don’t receive Jesus as Savior, you will be held responsible for your sin, and your sin will send you to an eternity in hell without Christ.

 

Luke 13:3, but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

 

Is Jesus your Lord this morning?  Remember, God is patient with you sin, and He is love and will give you another chance today to repent, but don’t presume too long on His patience and disregard His Son.

 

God will never bless a life that is habitually characterized by disobedience instead of obedience. 

An Easter Like No Other...Easter 2020

To say that this Easter is like no other is the understatement of the year.  Never in a million years could I have ever dreamed that a microscopic virus would affect the entire world without exception and require that the body of Christ gather online rather than in person on Easter Sunday.  However, here we are, and I want you to hear me say that I love you and miss you and wish that our circumstances were different.

 

However, I also want you to hear me say that the tomb is empty, and Jesus is alive.  Happy Easter to you and your family!

 

With Easter being more different than it has ever been this ear, I want to share with you a different Easter sermon.  I want to share with you why I’m thankful or what I’m thankful for about Easter. 

 

 

1. This Easter, I’m thankful for the message, John 20:1-10.

Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”  3 Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. 8 Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. 9 For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

 

Chapter 20 begins with Sunday morning, and Mary Magdalene was on her way to the tomb with spices to help cover the odor that she anticipated in finding Jesus’ body.  We know from the other gospels that Mary was not alone.  There were at least two other women with her if not more. 

 

When she arrived, she was surprised to see the stone had been rolled away.  We know from Matthew’s gospel that it was rolled away by an angel after an earthquake, and it was rolled away not to let Jesus out but to let the disciples come in. 

 

Evidently, Mary didn’t take time to listen to what the angel had to say.  She was simply able to see or concluded that Jesus’ body was gone, and she immediately left to find the leaders of the disciples, Peter and John.  Once they were found, she reported what she had seen and or what she thought. 

 

Mary’s report to Peter and John sent them to the tomb to see for themselves.  Verses 3 and 4 are somewhat comical as we see John describing himself as a faster runner than Peter.  I can’t say why he did this, but nonetheless, John beat Peter to the tomb but decided not to go in after initially seeing the linen grave clothes from a distance. 

 

However, once Peter arrived in verse 6, he went in and examined the wrappings.  In verse 8, John entered the tomb and saw that it was empty and the graves clothes were left. 

 

Much has been made about the wrappings, but the simple point is that Jesus was no longer wearing them.  Perhaps He passed right through them.

 

Notice what John did after seeing the empty tomb and the wrappings.  Again, in verse 8, He saw and believed.

 

It is interesting to see the different uses of “saw” in these verses.  It is found in at least verses 5, 6, and 8.  However, in the language of the NT, these three verses contain three different words that we translate all as “saw.” 

 

In verse 5, John saw in a glance.  In verse 6, Peter saw and observed.  In verse 8, John saw and understood and believed.  He believed the message of the resurrection was true.  Jesus was alive!

 

We also know that the message of Easter is true today.  How do we know?  We know the message of Easter is true because of Sunday worship.  Because of the resurrection and for 2000 years, Christians all over the world, including today, have worshipped on Sunday rather than Saturday.

 

Second, we know the message of Easter is true because of the empty tomb.  That sounds obvious, but it is the proverbial smoking gun.  It was empty then and still is today. 

 

Third, we know the message of Easter is true because of the testimony of a woman.  If you were going to make up a believable story in first century Jewish culture, you would not have it rise and fall on the testimony of a female.  Needless to say, our sisters were not highly regarded in this day and age.

 

Fourth, we know the message of Easter is true because of eyewitness accounts.  The Bible tells us that over 500 witness saw Jesus alive after His crucifixion.  Think about that. 

 

Fifth, we know the message of Easter is true because of changed lives. The men who were found scared for their lives later in this chapter are preaching the gospel in the face of death in the book of Acts.  This Easter, I’m thankful for the message.

 

 

2. This Easter, I’m thankful for relationships, John 20:11-16.

11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. 12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13 Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”  She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.”  14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?”  She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”  16 Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).

 

In verses 11-13, we see that Mary thought that Jesus’ body had been stolen.  She was the cross so she saw Him die.  The only option was that He had been stolen. 

 

However, Jesus was alive and in the garden.  He called Mary by name, and Mary knew the voice of her Shepherd.

 

I’m thankful for the relationship that Mary had Jesus, and I’m thankful for relationship she had with Peter and John to the degree that they had to be told first when she found the empty tomb.

Brothers and sisters, I’m thankful for my relationship with you and our relationships with one another.  In many ways, our personal relationships have been hindered this Easter, but I’m thankful they still exist and long for the day they can be renewed personally.

 

 

3. This Easter, I’m thankful for family, John 20:17-18.

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.’”  18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her.

 

Apparently, when Mary recognized Jesus and that He was alive, she probably fell at His feet.  He asked her to refrain because He hadn’t ascended to His Father.

 

Jesus had a Heavenly Father.  They were family, and COVID-19 has allowed many of us to spend more time with family.  For some that has not been good, but for me, it has been good. 

 

This Easter, I’m thankful for Jesus and His family, His heavenly Father.  I’m also thankful to be a father and a husband.

 

 

4. This Easter, I’m thankful for salvation, John 20:19-20.

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

 

In verses 19-21, the early disciples were gathered on Sunday night out of fear.  When those that had Jesus crucified heard that the tomb was empty, they would first suspect His followers of stealing the body in an effort to validate His claims of resurrection.

 

Jesus went to them and showed them in the flesh His hands that had been nailed and His side that had been pierced. 

 

On two occasions, Jesus assured their peace and then sent them out as messengers. 

 

If you are saved this morning through a personal relationship with Jesus, you have peace with God, and Jesus is sending you out as a messenger of the gospel.  Go and tell what Jesus has done in your life.

 

This Easter, I’m thankful Jesus has graciously and mercifully saved me.

 

 

5. This Easter, I’m thankful for security, John 20:22.

22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

 

In verse 22, Jesus gave a foreshadowing of Pentecost when He told them to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit would be there strength as He sent them, and He is our strength today.

 

However, not only is He our strength, He is also the seal on our hearts if you’ve been saved.  Therefore, we are secure in Christ.  It is not that we secure ourselves in what we do or don’t do, but the Holy Spirit is our security as He secures those who have received God’s Son, Jesus, as Savior and Lord of their lives.

 

This Easter, I’m thankful for security.

 

 

6. This Easter, I’m thankful for forgiveness, John 20:23.

23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

 

In verse 23, Jesus gave His disciples the authority to announce forgiveness not to create forgiveness.  Only God can do that, but the body of Christ is to announce the glorious message that all who are saved by receiving the Son of God as Savior and Lord will receive forgiveness of sins: past, present, and future. 

 

Praise the Lord!  This Easter, I’m so thankful the forgiveness that I have because of Jesus.

 

 

7. This Easter, I’m thankful for Thomas, John 20:24-28.

24 Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord.”  So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”  26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”  28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

 

In verses 24-28, we see the man often called, “Doubting Thomas” and rightfully so.  Thomas doubted the report of Jesus’ resurrection because he had not seen Jesus personally.  I can understand that. 

 

In verse 25, Thomas said what many of us would have said if we were in the same situation.  He wanted to see the proof.  Eight days later, he did.

 

The disciples were again together, and the Lord came too.  Thomas saw and believed. 

 

This Easter, I’m thankful for Thomas and his honesty. 

 

 

8. This Easter, I’m thankful for faith, John 20:29.

29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 

In verse 29, Jesus praised Thomas’ faith, and what was true of Thomas, is true of me and of you if you are saved this morning.  Blessed are those who haven’t seen and yet believed.

 

However, understand that faith is a gift from God.  Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that it is not of ourselves.  Again, it is from God.

 

This Easter, I’m thankful for faith.

 

 

9. This Easter, I’m thankful for the Bible, John 20:30.

30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book.

 

John tells us in verse 30 that the Bible is not an exhaustive work, but it is only because of the Bible that we know anything about Jesus today. It is only because of the Bible that we know that the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive.

 

This Easter, I’m thankful for the Bible and my own copy and in my own language.

 

 

10. This Easter, I’m thankful for Life, John 20:31.

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

 

When we believe that Jesus is the Christ and received Him as Savior and Lord of our lives, we receive and anyone can receive eternal life in heaven. 

 

It is not life that I have earned or deserve.  It is life that I am given.

 

This Easter, I’m thankful for eternal life though Christ.

 

 

Invitation

Today, on Easter, I want to invite you to receive forgiveness of sins, heaven, and eternal life if you haven’t been saved already. 

 

If you have, I want to remind you that just as Jesus sent these first-century disciples out in to the world with the message of forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name, He is sending you out into the world with the message of forgiveness of sins through Jesus’ name.

By Whose Authority?

I want to return to Mark’s gospel, chapter 11, this morning and Passion Week, the final eight (8) days of Jesus’ life.

 

On Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey’s colt.  A small crowd was in front of Him and a small crowd was behind Him hailing Him as the Messiah.  He went back to Bethany to spend Sunday night.

 

On Monday morning, He and His disciples went back into Jerusalem.  On their way, we saw the cursing of the fig tree which was a foreshadowing of God’s judgment on Israel and a warning to us that our faith must bear fruit to be saving faith.

 

Also on Monday, Jesus cleansed the temple.  He drove out the money changers and refused to allow the temple to be used as a shortcut for travelers.  This particular event drew the ire of the chief priests and scribes because they felt that Jesus was subverting their authority.  Monday came to an end and back to Bethany they went for the night.

 

On Tuesday, Jesus and His disciples headed back into Jerusalem.  They passed the withered fig tree on the way, and Jesus took the opportunity to teach on prayer.  He talked about the effectiveness of prayer being connected to fruit and faith and forgiveness. 

 

In today’s text, we are still on Tuesday and still in Jerusalem, and Jesus is going to be confronted with what happened the previous day particularly regarding the temple.  I invite you to turn to Mark 11:27 as I share a message with you entitled “By Whose Authority?”

 

 

1. Some Inquiring Minds, Mark 11:27-28

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?” 

 

Jesus and His disciples had gone back to the temple on Tuesday, perhaps to see if what had taken place on Monday was still intact.  They were met by the chief priests and scribes and elders. Notice this group “came to Him,” which ought to give us a clue about their intentions. 

 

Collectively, this group was known as the Sanhedrin, and they were in charge of Jewish Religious Life, and that included the temple.  Furthermore, the chief priests would be similar to our executive branch.  The scribes would be similar to our legislative branch, experts in the Law, and the elders would be similar to our judicial branch. 

 

They then asked Jesus two questions.  The first was “By what authority are You doing these things?”  “These things” surely referred to cleansing the temple on Monday and Jesus’ teaching about prayer.  After all, the Sanhedrin saw themselves as the highest authority in matters regarding the temple. 

 

The second question was similar to the first.  It was “Who gave You this authority to do these things?”  Jesus had done something different from anyone else. He acted without asking the Sanhedrin for their permission.  He didn’t consult them.  He didn’t clear it with them.  They wanted to know by whose authority was He acting or in other words, they wanted to know Jesus’ credentials.

 

 

 

 

1. An Implied Message, Mark 11:29-30

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

 

Instead of answering their questions with a statement, Jesus asked a question of His own.  He answered their two questions with one question.  Jesus was good at this and did it often.  His answer to them was dependent on their answer to Him.

 

Verse 30 contains His one question.  He asked about John’s baptism, and this also included his ministry and authority.  Was it from heaven, meaning divine origin or God, or from men, meaning of human origin.  Notice how direct He was as verse 30 ends with “Answer Me.”

 

Now, what was the implied message?  The implied message was that wherever John’s baptism was from was the same place that He received His authority, and that was from God.  John the Baptist was God’s Messenger, and Jesus was and is God’s Son.  Another way to put it is that Jesus was saying that He and John were on the same team.  They were working for the same boss and working for the same goal.

 

 

• Some Ignorant Men, Mark 11:31-33

31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From men’”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.”  And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

 

Now, the ball was in the Sanhedrin’s court.  They had to answer Jesus’ question, and the answer to Jesus’ question would be the answer to their questions so they began to talk through their options.

 

Their first option was to say that John’s baptism was from heaven and God.  However, if they said that, then Jesus would ask them why they didn’t believe him and follow him because in effect, they were not following God. 

 

If they said heaven, they would stand condemned for rejecting God’s messenger. They would also be saying that Jesus’ authority came from heaven and God and therefore acknowledging Him as the Messiah. 

Their other option was to say that John was simply human, and therefore had no divine authority what so ever.  However, if they said that, they were afraid of how the people would respond because John was considered to be a true prophet, a prophet of God. 

 

As with the first option, to say that John was from human origin was to say that Jesus was from human origin.  Needless to say, they were in a quandary.

 

By the way, here is a great illustration of the truth that peer pressure is a real issue for adults as well teenagers.  Don’t be fooled into thinking it just happens in junior high or high school.  These adults feared their reputation over telling the truth, and it is always right to do the right thing even if it costs your reputation.

 

There answer recorded in verse 33 simply says, “We do not know.”  They pled ignorant.  As a result, Jesus then refused to answer the questions.

 

 

Conclusions

First, ignorance isn’t always bliss.  That is a cliché that simply means that sometimes it is better not to know.  That may be true in some instances, but not in the case of your relationship with Jesus. 

 

You can’t just not accept Him and be ok.  If you don’t accept Him, you are rejecting Him.  It was true for the Sanhedrin, and it is true today.  If you don’t accept Jesus, you reject Jesus.  There is no third option or middle ground.

 

Second, if you received Jesus as Savior, you are also receiving Him as Lord.  If you are saved, He is the ultimate authority in your life. 

 

Tradition may carry some authority.  Experience may carry some authority.  Family may carry some authority, but at the end of the day, Jesus must sit on the throne of your heart.

 

Luke 6:46, 46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?

 

Continuing in Crazy Times: COVID-19, Part 2

 

As we enter our second full week on not meeting together in person because of the COVID-19 crisis, I felt like we needed to finish out this 4^th chapter of Philippians as Paul continued some good words for us in our particular situation.

 

Please remember from last week that the Philippian Church had their own crisis.  It certainly doesn’t seem to be of the same magnitude as ours, but it was a crisis nonetheless.  Two ladies were at odds with one another and dividing the church.  Paul called on them to be of the same mind and for others to bring them together.

 

For us, we were encouraged in our own crisis to resolve to endure, rejoice in the Lord, respect others, rest in Jesus coming, and request of God in prayer. 

 

This morning, beginning in Philippians 4:8, Paul finished his letter, and I want you to see how this text applies to us.  Next Sunday, I plan to be back in Mark 11 to finish that chapter. 

 

 

1. Dwell on the good, and the result will be God’s presence, Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

Beginning in verse 8, Paul gave a list of 6 descriptions in identifying what is good.  True is that which is honest.  Noble is that which worthy or respect.  Just is that which is right compared to wrong.  Pure is that which is free from sin.  Lovely is that which promotes peace rather than conflict.  Good report is that which is positive rather than negative. 

 

When we can identify such, Paul said to meditate or think or dwell on these things. 

 

Perhaps there are other things in our world that meet all of these criteria, but the one that immediately comes to mind is God’s Word. I read this week that Billy Graham said toward the end of his life that if he could live life all over again, he would spend more time studying God’s Word.

 

For many because of COVID-19, we have more time than we had previously, and it is certainly important to be informed on all that is going on, but don’t miss this opportunity. 

 

Not much new is on TV right now.  There are no sports, and we need to take a break regularly from all of the dark and grim statistics of COVID-19.  Therefore, instead of more time on Facebook or Pinterest or Social Media or NetFlix, let’s spend more time in our Bibles.

 

Meditate, think on, dwell on God or in God’s Word as it is true and noble and just and pure and lovely and of good report and praiseworthy.  Then notice the result of such action in verse 9: God’s presence. 

 

When we dwell on the good and live out what we have learned, Paul said the God of peace will be with us. 

 

Brothers and sisters, perhaps more so than anyone alive today can remember, we need God and we need Him to intervene.  Dwell on the good, His Word.

 

 

2. Discipline yourself to be content, and the result will be God’s Provision, Philippians 4:10-20.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

Beginning in verse 10, we see another personal experience of Paul’s that involved a love offering for him from the Philippian Church. 

 

Paul’s was on house arrest in Rome.  More than likely, he was even shackled to a Roman Guard as he penned this letter.

 

Before he was arrested, he was in need of financial assistance, and the Philippian Church was the only church that helped him. 

 

However, notice what happened before Paul got their offering.  He disciplined himself to be content or satisfied.

 

In verse 11, Paul said he learned or disciplined himself to be content.  Again, in verse 12, he said he had learned this position.  It is not our natural disposition. We want and want and want.

 

However, Paul said in verse 12 that he had been abased or without, and he learned to be satisfied in that state, but he also learned to be content and satisfied when he abounded or was full.

 

Verse 13 is the key to learning or disciplining yourself to be content.  You can do anything and all things when Christ is your strength. 

 

So there are several applications here before we move on.  First, we learn that our contentment is independent of our circumstances.  We think that we will learn contentment when we have a lot.  No, Paul said he learned contentment when he had a little and had a lot.  Therefore, discipline yourself today independent of your current state.

 

Can this apply to our situation with COVID-19?  Absolutely.  There is no reason to hoard or stock pile hand sanitizer and toilet paper.  Learn to be content. 

 

Second, we so often quote Philippians 4:13 out of context, and therefore render it null and void.  When you’re doing what God’s want you to do, yes, you can succeed and will succeed because of Christ strengthening you. 

 

However, when you’re doing what you want to in contrast to what God wants you to do, Philippians 4:13 does not and will apply to you. 

 

When Paul disciplined himself or learned to be content, it was then that God provided for Him through the Philippian Church. 

 

Verse 15 says the Philippian Church was the only church to help Paul, and a man named Epaphroditus delivered the assistance.  Notice that Philippian Church was a pleasing aroma, a sacrifice to God, as they assisted Paul. 

 

Again, brothers and sisters, I have shared this with you in recent days how essential it was during these times if you can to continue to give, please do.  Your ministers here depend on it, and our missionaries around the world depend on it, and it is a sweet-smelling aroma unto the Lord. 

 

When we learn to be content, God promises to meet all of our needs through Christ Jesus, and we praise the Lord for that wonderful promise as Paul did in verse 20.

 

To God and our Father be glory forever and ever.  Amen. 

 

 

3. Deliver a greeting to your brothers and sisters, and the result will be God’s Partners.

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you.  22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.  23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

Don’t miss these last three verses. Paul encouraged his Philippians brothers and sisters to greet everyone on his behalf. 

 

Brothers and sisters, it is imperative in times like this that we stay connected as a body of Christ.  It may be harder right now because of meeting restrictions, but you know what, we have this great tool called a phone.

 

Yes, it can send emails and text messages and Facebook messages, but you know that else it can do?  It can call others. 

 

You know that benefit that brings to you?  It reminds you that you are not alone.  We are all in this together.  COVID-19 has affected everyone.  No one is immune. 

COVID-19: How Do We Respond?

Please forgive me for being redundant and stating the obvious, but these are crazy times.  I’m so sorry that we are not gathering together in this room this morning, but after a very crazy two weeks or so, I wanted to share with you from God’s Word how we as the Body of Christ that is Emory Baptist Church can and should respond to the COVID-19 Crisis.  Next Sunday, we will return to Mark 11.

 

In Philippians 4, Paul addressed a crisis in the Philippian Church.  Now don’t get me wrong.  On paper, it certainly doesn’t seem like their crisis is of the same magnitude as our crisis. 

 

However, for them, I’m sure it was.  For Paul, I’m sure it was.  Certainly, Paul experienced his own different crises throughout his life.  Remember his experience in this same place, Philippi, from Acts 16:11-25. 

 

In verses 16 and 18, he encountered a girl who was demon-possessed.  In verses 19-21, he and Silas were arrested.  In verses 22 and following, they were stripped, beaten, and locked-up in prison.  Paul knew crisis.

 

At this time, there was significant division in the Philippian Church.  Two women in particular were at odds with each other.  Again, that doesn’t sound like a big deal, but to them, it was. 

 

We see Paul address them in verse 2.  They were Euodia and Syntyche, and Paul implored them, begged them, pleaded with them to be of the same mind in the Lord.

 

In verse 3, Paul even called on others in the church to help these two sisters in Christ come together.  The NKJV translation says “true companion,” but more than likely, this was the proper name of a man that Paul was calling on to help.  His name was Suzugos, and his name literally meant yokefellow, and Paul wanted the yokefellow to yoke these two ladies together or bring these two ladies together.  Paul also called on Clement to assist as well.

 

It is hard for me to wrap my brain around COVID-19.  People are sick.  Thousands have died.  Jobs have been lost.  Seasons are over.  Semesters are done.  Retirements are gone.  Churches will never be the same, and all because of something that we cannot see but has, in many ways, wrecked the entire world, and we are told, its only going to get worse.

 

From God’s Word, how do we respond?

 

 

1. Resolve, Philippians 4:1

1 Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. 

 

Verse 1 begins with Paul reminding the Philippian Church of his affection for them, and I need to do so as well.

 

Emory Baptist Church, I love you, and I miss you.  You are loved by the Lord and by me and your staff, and I long for the day that we can gather together again soon.  May we never take that for granted ever again.  Don’t be at the lake when you can be at church.  Don’t be at the deer camp when you can be at church.  Don’t be at the ball fields or court when you can be at church.  Don’t sleep in when you can be at church.

 

You are my joy.  I love seeing you and shaking hands with you and hugging you and hearing what is going on in your lives. 

 

You are my crown.  It is my honor and my undeserved reward to be your pastor.  Again, you are loved by me and your staff, but more so by the Lord.

 

Therefore, stand fast or resolve.  Decide that we are going to make it through this crisis because we will.

 

Ultimately, we know that our home is in heaven according to Philippians 3:20.

 

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…

 

The nation of Israel knew what a crisis was, and they were resolved to endure because of who their God was.  Listen to Habakkuk 1:5-13.

 

5 “Look among the nations and watch—

Be utterly astounded!

For I will work a work in your days

Which you would not believe, though it were told you.

6 For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans,

A bitter and hasty nation

Which marches through the breadth of the earth,

To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.

7 They are terrible and dreadful;

Their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.

8 Their horses also are swifter than leopards,

And more fierce than evening wolves.

Their chargers charge ahead;

Their cavalry comes from afar;

They fly as the eagle that hastens to eat.

9 “They all come for violence;

Their faces are set like the east wind.

They gather captives like sand.

10 They scoff at kings,

And princes are scorned by them.

They deride every stronghold,

For they heap up earthen mounds and seize it.

11 Then his mind changes, and he transgresses;

He commits offense,

Ascribing this power to his god.”

12 Are You not from everlasting,

O Lord my God, my Holy One?

We shall not die.

O Lord, You have appointed them for judgment;

O Rock, You have marked them for correction.

13 You are of purer eyes than to behold evil,

And cannot look on wickedness.

Why do You look on those who deal treacherously,

And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours

A person more righteous than he?

 

Remember, even in crisis, and resolve to live by faith.  Listen to Habakkuk 2:4.

 

4 “Behold the proud,

His soul is not upright in him;

But the just shall live by his faith.

 

And listen to Israel’s resolve in Habakkuk 3:17-19.

 

17 Though the fig tree may not blossom,

Nor fruit be on the vines;

Though the labor of the olive may fail,

And the fields yield no food;

Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,

And there be no herd in the stalls—

18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will joy in the God of my salvation.

19 The Lord God is my strength;

He will make my feet like deer’s feet,

And He will make me walk on my high hills.

 

Brothers and sisters, times are tough, and again, they may only get worse before they are better.  However, resolve to endure.

 

 

2. Rejoice, Philippians 4:4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

 

Secondly, we can and should rejoice.  But what is there to rejoice about?  Notice the text.  Rejoice in the Lord.  Paul even said it twice.  We are to rejoice in and because of the Lord.

 

To rejoice is to make an intentional decision of choosing joy rather than being slave to our feelings and letting our circumstances determine our emotion. 

 

Rejoice that God is in still in control: Psalm 103:19.

 

9 The Lord has established His throne in heaven,

And His kingdom (or sovereignty) rules over all.

 

Rejoice that God is working all of this for our good and His glory: Romans 8:28.

 

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

Rejoice that God promised to see us through this: Psalm 1:1-3.

 

1 Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

3 He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

 

And brothers and sisters, please, please, please during these crazy times, hear from God each and every day through His Word.  If you have never done this before, now is the perfect time to start.  If you have been doing this, please continue. 

 

Read 5 Psalms a day and one chapter of Proverbs daily.  Find a Bible reading plan on your favorite Bible App, and if you don’t have one, consider YouVersion and hear from God.

 

Rejoice that God will meet our needs: Philippians 4:19.

 

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

And rejoice that God cares for us: Matthew 6:25-34.

 

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?  28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

In times like this, resolve and rejoice.

 

 

3. Respect, Philippians 4:5a

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men.

 

Our English translations don’t seem to have an exact way to translate Paul’s sentiment in verse 5, but the NKJV says let your gentleness be known to all men.  Your translation may say graciousness or kindness.

 

This morning, I’m saying respect.  Let your respect be known to all men and women in the church and in the world even if you don’t share the same perspective or opinion.

 

No one has ever been through what we are experiencing.  President Trump hasn’t.  Governor Abbott hasn’t.  Our doctors haven’t.  Our nurses haven’t.  Our employers haven’t.  Our schools haven’t.  Our churches haven’t.  I haven’t.  You haven’t. 

 

So be respectful.  Let your respect and gentleness and graciousness and understanding and patience be known to all on Facebook and Instagram and by email and text message.  We are doing this best we can to navigate these challenging and unchartered waters. 

 

 

4. Rest, Philippians 4:5b-6a

The Lord is at hand.  6 Be anxious for nothing…

 

Number four may be one of the hardest because these times are so crazy, but Paul encouraged the Philippians and us to rest or be anxious for nothing because the Lord is at hand. 

 

Paul believed then, and we certainly know this to be even more true now, Jesus is closer to returning today than yesterday.  Therefore, rest or be anxious for nothing or stop worrying if at all possible.  Even COVID-19, the Lord’s got this.

 

These verses serve us well here and allude to a greater truth coming.  Listen to Isaiah 26:3 and John 14:27.

 

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You.

 

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

In crazy and uncertain times because of COVID-19, resolve to endure, rejoice in the Lord, respect others, and rest in Christ.

 

 

5. Request, Philippians 4:6b

…but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

 

Instead of being anxious or worrying, we need to make our requests known unto God through prayer. 

 

Thanksgiving should be our attitude in prayer.  In all things, we are to be thankful for the fact that God is good, and He does good to us and for us.

 

It is hard to distinguish the last term of requests from supplication.  They both mean to speak or ask for definite answers to prayer. 

 

Instead of worrying about your marriage, request of God in prayer to fix you and your spouse.  Instead of worrying about your finances, request of God in prayer to fix your income and expenses.  Instead of worrying about your job, request of God in prayer to fix you coworkers and your employer.  Instead of worrying about your health, request of God to fix your family and your loved ones.

 

In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 

 

 

Conclusion

Perhaps the best part of today’s text is verse 7, and it is our conclusion.

 

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 

In verse 7, Paul described the result of all that he instructed in verses 1-6: resolve, rejoice, respect, rest, request.  It is the peace of God…which is hard to explain that surpasses all comprehension. 

 

Peace doesn’t make sense to the outside world.  When you’re in a crisis, it makes sense to panic and worry. However, the follower of Christ can have the mysterious peace of God.

 

Furthermore, it is that peace of God that stands as a guard over our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, the center of who we are.

 

John MacArthur wrote in his NT commentary on Philippians about this text, “The real challenge of the Christian life is not to eliminate every unpleasant circumstance; it is to trust in the good purpose of our infinite, holy, sovereign, powerful God in every difficulty.”

 

Finally, for some of you this morning, I want you to notice one caveat that pervades this passage of Scripture.  If you are not in Christ, what we have talked about today will be impossible for you. 

 

4:1 speaks of standing fast in the Lord.  4:4 speaks of rejoicing in the Lord.  4:7 speaks of being in Christ Jesus. 

 

You can’t have the peace of God until you are at peace with God.  And that only comes through a personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1 says it like this.

 

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Today, if you are a follower of Christ, I hope you are encouraged from God’s Word. 

 

If you’re not, will you admit that you are a sinner?  Will you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins?  Will you call on Him as Lord and Savior and be saved?

 

At this time, please bow your heads and close you eyes.

A Deacon is Who and Does What?

Answered Prayer Requires What?

Introduction

If you have your Bibles, take them and turn to Mark 11:25.  This morning, I’m going to reach back a few weeks, and bring some unity to these verses that have had us looking at Monday and Tuesday of the final week of Jesus’ life on earth.

 

Probably everyone in the room has prayed at one time or another.  If you have, you probably also know that answers to prayer are often yes, no, or not yet otherwise known as wait.

 

I don’t want to present today that this some magical formula to getting prayers answered affirmatively.  God is not our Jeanie in a Bottle.  However, the Bible tells us on multiple occasions to pray to God in certain ways, and He will answer.  Therefore, I want us to see this truth this morning. 

 

 

Exposition

In the recent weeks, we saw that Jesus in the Jerusalem area for Passover.  He staying the nights in Bethany but came into Jerusalem each morning.  On Monday, He cursed the fig tree and cleansed the temple.  On Tuesday, He explained why He cursed the fig tree, which goes along with getting our prayers answered.

 

 

1. Answered Prayers require manifesting fruit, Mark 11:20-21.

20 Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

 

Jesus cursed the fig tree because it promised fruit but didn’t deliver.  It had leaves but no fruit. 

 

If we understand that fruit is the outward manifestation of virtues because of our inward reality of being born again, we can know that answered prayer requires demonstrating fruit on our part. 

 

In other words, God blesses our obedience, and God never blesses our disobedience. We see that with this fig tree.

 

However, the Bible tells us that elsewhere.  Consider John 15:7, 1 Peter 3:17, and James 5:16.

 

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

 

7 Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

 

16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

 

Answered prayers require demonstrating fruit.  By the way, praying according to God’s will would be considered demonstrating fruit.

 

 

2. Answered Prayers require demonstrating faith, Mark 11:22-24.

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

 

If our prayers are going to be answered affirmatively, we must demonstrate faith in God.  Verse 22 cannot be any clearer. 

 

Verses 23-24 say it again.  We must pray and believe and not doubt.  If we do, God will honor our demonstration of faith in Him because it shows our dependence. 

 

We cannot make things happen on our own, but He can.

 

 

3. Answered Prayers require practicing forgiveness, Mark 11:25-26.

25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

 

Our last two verses for day will most likely be the hardest to receive.  If we want answered prayers, we must practice forgiveness to others. 

 

In verse 25, the context of prayer is certain and applies to believers and nonbelievers alike.  If you are mad at or holding a grudge or harboring bitterness or withholding forgiveness to a Christian brother or sister or a nonchristian neighbor or coworker, don’t expect God to forgive you or answer your prayers. 

 

Dr. Charles Stanley has said that forgiveness means: first, to give up resentment about the wrong; second, to give up resentment toward the wrongdoer; and third, to give up plans for retaliation.

 

And Jesus’ words here were not an isolated occasion.  See Matthew 6:14-15, Ephesians 4:32, and Colossians 3:13.

 

14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

 

And if there was any confusion or misunderstanding about us forgiving others because the Lord has forgiven us, see Matthew 18:21-35.

 

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.  28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.  35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

 

Brothers and sisters, we must forgive others if we want the Lord to answer our prayers, but more than that, we must forgive others if we want the Lord to forgive us. 

 

 

Illustration

The timing of Evelyn Fuller’s funeral was providential for me.  I needed to forgive some others before I was ready to preach a sermon on forgiving others. 

 

 

Conclusion

First, has God forgiven you?  Second, who have you not forgiven?  Third, what is keeping you from that today?  Answered prayers require fruit, faith, and forgiveness.

What Should the Temple Be?

This morning we continue in the gospel of Mark looking at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  Today’s text is Mark 11:15-19.

 

If you were here the past two Sundays, you will remember that we have been looking at Passion Week.  That was the last week of Jesus’ earthly life. We saw His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.  We then saw His interaction with a fig tree on Monday morning and Tuesday morning. 

 

This morning, we are going back to Monday.  After Jesus had gotten into Jerusalem and before He went back to Bethany to spend the night probably at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, He cleansed the temple.  Notice I said cleansed the temple instead of cleared the temple. 

 

In today’s text, we are going to look at what Jesus saw, what Jesus had seen, and what Jesus wanted to see or in other words…what the temple should be.

 

 

1. What Jesus Saw, Mark 11:15-16

15 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.

Jesus and His disciples had passed the fig tree and had finally gotten to Jerusalem and the temple.  What He saw when He got there was infuriating!  Here we see the passion of the Christ.  We see the Lord being emotional.  We see the Lord’s anger and wrath.  By the way, we see this prophesied in Malachi 3:1-3.

 

“Behold, I send My messenger,

And he will prepare the way before Me.

And the Lord, whom you seek,

Will suddenly come to His temple,

Even the Messenger of the covenant,

In whom you delight.

Behold, He is coming,”

Says the Lord of hosts.

 

2 “But who can endure the day of His coming?

And who can stand when He appears?

For He is like a refiner’s fire

And like launderers’ soap.

3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver;

He will purify the sons of Levi,

And purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer to the Lord

An offering in righteousness.

 

In cleansing the temple, I think you see three primary groups that were guilty of corruption.  First, there were those who were selling animals.  Rather than travel with their animals for sacrifice, they began to buy their animals for sacrifice here in Jerusalem in the court of the Gentiles.  However, the prices were less than fair.  They were greatly inflated as demand was high and supply was low.

 

Second, there were those who were changing money.  Not only were animals being sold for sacrifice, but Jewish currency was required to pay the annual taxes.  Therefore, many needed to exchange their Roman currency for the currency accepted in the temple.  Therefore, currency exchange was available but at a high cost.  This place of worship for Gentiles had been turned into a first-class racket. 

 

Third, there were those using the Court of the Gentiles simply as short cut to the Mount of Olives so they wouldn’t have to carry their wares or merchandise or vessels any longer than necessary. 

 

So think about this: in the temple, you have cows, sheep, doves, and all of their food and water and waste.  You had tables with coins stacked and piled high, and then you had folks coming and going carrying whatever trying a shorter route from point A to point B. 

 

This is all that Jesus saw, and He was angry and heart-broken because of what He had seen.

 

 

1. What Jesus Had Seen, 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 & Isaiah 6:1-3

When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house. 3 When all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord on the temple, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord, saying: “For He is good, For His mercy endures forever.”

 

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”

 

When I say Jesus had seen, I am speaking of Jesus as second person of the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost or Spirit.

 

Certainly, the pre-incarnate Christ was well aware of 2 Chronicles 3 and Isaiah 6. 

 

He had a holy vision and directed how He felt and how He responded here in Mark 11 which takes us to what Jesus wanted to see.

 

 

• What Jesus Wanted to See, Mark 11:17

17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’”

 

He quoted from Isaiah 56 and Jeremiah 7 and told those who were still there that the temple was to be a house of prayer for all nations.  What Jesus said implied worship through prayer and evangelism of all people.  If the temple was to be a house of prayer for all nations, all nations would need to hear and respond to the gospel.

 

When Jesus cleansed the temple and declared what it should be, He was claiming to have higher authority than the high priests. As you can imagine, claiming rightful authority didn’t go over very well. 

 

 

Conclusion

In verses 18-19, the chief priests and scribes who thought they were in authority began to plot how they might kill Him because they were afraid of His influence.  Therefore, Jesus left the city presumable going to back to Bethany to spend the night at the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

 

 

Applications

First, let’s talk about the temple.  The temple was to be a place of worship that included prayer and preaching and singing and giving.  However, it had been turned into a market place.  The temple was being used differently than what God had intended, and we saw the Lord’s anger. 

 

If this facility and these buildings ever become something different than tools for reaching persons or Christ and this building something different than prayer and preaching and singing and giving, you can be sure that God will be angry and discipline His church.  1 Corinthians 3:16-17 also use this temple language and affirm this truth of the local church being the temple of God.

 

16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

 

However, individually, Christians are also the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are to honor God with our physical temples.  See 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.

 

12 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 13 Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.  15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.  18 Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

 

Finally, when we come to this house of prayer on Sunday mornings and Sunday nights and Wednesday nights, if we are going to honor Jesus in what He desired this place to be, we must pray adoring God for who He is and what He has done, confession our sin, thanking God for all of His blessings and praying for ourselves and interceding for others. 

 

However, please remember, this is a house of prayer for all nations.  In this context, it implied coming to Jesus out of every racial and ethnic and socio-economic background conceivable. Would you come to Jesus today if you are lost? 

 

What Can a Barren Fig Tree Teach Christians Today?

This morning, we continue in the gospel of Mark looking at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.  Today’s text is from Mark 11. 

 

If you remember from last week, we began looking at Passion Week or the last week of Jesus’ earthly life, and we witnessed some events of Palm Sunday.  Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and His disciples were with Him.

 

As we return to Mark 11 this morning, it is now Monday morning, and Jesus was on His way back to Jerusalem.

 

 

Exposition

In verse 12, Jesus and His disciples were on their way into town on Monday morning, and they came from Bethany.  Most likely, this was where Mary and Martha and Lazarus lived, and Jesus was probably staying with them. 

 

Verse 12 also tells us that Jesus was hungry.  These lessons today don’t rise and fall on this fact, but Jesus being hungry sets up the lessons.  By the way, Jesus being hungry reminds us that Jesus was not only fully God, but He was also fully man.  He got hungry like we get hungry, and John 4:6 tells us that Jesus got tired as we get tired.

 

John 4:6, 6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour.

 

In verse 13, He saw a fig tree.  He then went to the tree to see if He could find some fruit because He as hungry.  However, this particular tree was full of leaves but had no figs.  It had no fruit.

 

At the end of this verse, Mark adds a comment that when read initially could concern us.  However, with further explanation, we can rest easy.  These particular fig trees bloomed twice a year, and Mark was referring to the later bloom.  Because this tree was full of leaves, it should have also been full of figs consistent with the first bloom.

 

However, because it had no figs, Jesus in verse 14 said, “Let no one ever eat fruit from you again.”  The disciples heard what He said, but perhaps didn’t realize all of the ramifications until the next day.  By the way, this is Jesus’ only miracle of destruction. 

 

Move to verse 20.  It is now Tuesday morning, and Jesus and His disciples pass by the same fig tree again, and it had completely withered from the roots up.  Jesus, according to Peter, had cursed the fig tree.  Peter wasn’t blaming Jesus but perhaps didn’t understand how this had happened so quickly. 

 

Jesus then responded beginning in verse 22 with some comments about faith and prayer. 

 

What do we make of all this?  What can a barren fig tree teach Christians today?

 

 

First of all, for every Christian, fruit is required for proof.

 

Throughout the OT, the fig tree was a symbol for Israel, God’s chosen people.  What you see here with the cursing of the fig tree was a foreshadowing of God’s future judgment on Israel. 

 

But why?  Because Israel was chosen by God and possessed unlimited potential to be all that God had called them to be, but they, like the fig tree, were not bearing fruit.  They had great promise like the fig tree full of leaves, but they didn’t produce fruit, and they were judged.  See Isaiah 5:1-5.

Isaiah 5:1-5, Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill.  2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine.  He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes.  3 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard.  4 What more could have been done to My vineyard That I have not done in it?  Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes?  5 And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.

 

However, the fig tree not only had application for Israel, it also has application for the Church.  When a person is born again, he or she is born again to bear fruit, and if we don’t, it is might be a sign that actually we have never been born again.  See John 15:1-6.

 

John 15:1-6, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.

 

Spiritual fruit is the external manifestation of an inward reality.  More specifically, spiritual fruit are virtues present in a believer’s life that are there in a person’s life because of his or her saving and personal relationship with Christ.  See Galatians 5:22-23.

 

Galatians 5:22-23, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

 

So what about you?  Is there fruit in your life?  Don’t just trust your heart…ask someone else if they can see fruit in your life.

 

If there is none, I invite you today to be born-again.  I invite you today to call on the name of the Lord to save you.

 

For every Christian, fruit is required for proof.

 

 

Second, for every Christian, faith is rewarded through prayer. 

 

When Jesus saw the disciples’ reaction to the withered fig tree, it seems as if it reminded Him of a second lesson.  That is the fruit of faith. 

 

Jesus then described how faith could move mountains.  Jesus was standing on the Mount of Olives and could see the Dead Sea. 

 

Was He saying they could literally move mountains with their prayers?  No, He was comparing mountains to the difficult circumstances in life.  His point was to have more faith in the mountain mover than we have in the mountain.  That is what was meant in verse 22 by “Have faith in God.”

 

Some people discount faith as simply positive thinking for the week minded.  However, everyone exercises faith in some capacity.  You have faith that the brakes in your car will work. You have faith that the airplane won’t crash.  You have faith that the bank will have money in your account to pay your bills.  You have faith that medication will make you better.  Everyone has faith, but the believers’ faith is seen most easily in his or her prayer life. 

 

How is your prayer life?  Are you faithful to prayer and are your prayers prayed in faith?  If you go back to John 15, in verses 7-8, you will see that fruit and faith are naturally connected by prayer. 

 

John 15:7-8, 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

 

For every Christian, your faith can be and is rewarded through the means of prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

As many of you know, tonight is our February Members’ Meeting, and we are voting a recommendation to purchase the only property on this block that we don’t already know.

 

If I may, I want to share a little of the back story, but please understand, I can only go back so far.

 

Story of our deacons and others praying for 5+ years and 60+ months to have the opportunity to acquire this property.  I believe our prayers are being rewarded through faith, and I hope we will pray for God provide a cure for cancer in the same way and to remove the blinders from the spiritual eyes of family and friends who are lost in the same way.

 

If you’re here this morning and God has removed your spiritual blinders and convicted you of your lostness today, I invite you to call on the name of the Lord to save you, and He will.

 

Humble King on a Borrowed Donkey...