Emory Baptist Church

The Baptizer and Baptism...

This morning, I want you to take your Bibles and find the second book in our New Testament, the gospel of Mark.  I will be reading Mark 1:1-11, and I invite you to stand for the reading of God’s word.  God bless you, and you may be seated.

 

Well, we have begun a new year, and on Sunday mornings, we are beginning a new book of the Bible.  I want to give you some brief introductory comments about Mark’s gospel and then share with you a message entitled The Baptizer and Baptism. 

 

Mark’s gospel is obviously second in our New Testaments.  However, it actually might be the first gospel that was written.  Regardless, it was one of the earlier ones written possibly being dated in the 50’s AD.  It was penned by John Mark. 

 

John Mark is probably best remembered, outside of a gospel writer, as having a sharp disagreement with Paul.  As a result, Paul refused to take him on his second missionary journey. 

Even though John Mark penned this gospel account, it was more than likely dictated to him or at least the experiences of Peter.  If John Mark did not actually write down exactly what Peter told him, he at least remembered well what Peter had told him.  Therefore, even though the second gospel bears Mark’s name, it is from Peter’s vantage point. 

 

The final truth that I want to share with you is that Mark was written primarily to Gentiles, specifically Roman readers.  Whereas, Matthew’s gospel was written for a Jewish Audience, Mark wrote for a Gentile audience of which you and I would be included.

 

 

1. The Baptizer who was John

 

Now, let us consider the Baptizer and baptism.  Actually, before we get there, consider verse 1.  It is interesting to note that Mark began his gospel without including any details or mention about Jesus before His baptism.  He doesn’t mention His parents or His birth or His childhood or anything else.  That doesn’t mean all those truths aren’t important.  It simply means that Mark and Peter chose to include other vital and important truths.

 

John the Baptist or John the Baptizer is the focal point beginning verse 2, and we see that his life and ministry are fulfillments of OT prophecy.  Marked quoted from Malachi 3:1 and Isaiah 40:3 in confirming that John the Baptizer was the messenger to come before the Messiah, and he will prepare his way.  His message will be one of repentance and straight paths and clean living.

 

Let’s look more in depth at John the Baptizer, the messenger, his message, and his method.  First, who was this messenger?  By modern accounts, we would consider the Baptizer a strange and peculiar fellow.  Verse 6 tells us that he wore camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist.  Mark also told us that his diet consisted of locusts or grasshoppers and wild honey.  Again, to us, John the Baptist would have been a bird of a different feather, but remember he was the God-ordained messenger preparing the way for the Messiah.

 

John the Baptist is often seen or pictured as this hard-nosed crazy guy who preached against sin but didn’t have any compassion.  Actually, the Baptizer was a very humble man, and you see his humility in verse 7 as he always remembered his condition in light of Christ. 

 

Mark 1:7, 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.

 

He said that he was not even worthy to bend down and untie Jesus’ sandal.  It was also John the Baptist who spoke in John 3:30.

 

John 3:30,   30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

 

Secondly, what was his message?  Simply put, his message was repentance.  Repentance is a word that means to change direction or change your mind or change your life. 

 

That was also the message of Jesus Christ.  The very first instance that we have of Jesus preaching is in Matthew 4:17, and what was his message?  Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

 

Matthew 4:17, 17 From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

Repentance is a great message here at the beginning of 2019.  For those who are lost, repent, and turn your life toward Christ and receiving him as Lord and Savior.  For those who are saved, repent, and turn from your sins and the ways of the world and more toward the ways of God.  Again, John’s message and Jesus’ message and my message for today is repentance.

 

Thirdly, what was his method or methods?  I first want you to see that the Baptizer was a preacher.  In verse 4, he was preaching, and in verse 7, he was preaching.  Matthew’s gospel tells us that he preached to anyone who would listen, and he didn’t waver in his preaching regardless of who was in the congregation.  He didn’t mind preaching to the Pharisees.  He didn’t mind preaching to the Sadducees. 

 

However, not only was John a preacher, he perhaps is better knowing for being the Baptist or the Baptizer, and his preaching and his baptism are directly related.  John preached a baptism of repentance according to verse 4.  We see from verses 5 and 8 that in response to John’s preaching, that many (all the county of Judea…and all the people of Jerusalem) were coming to him to hear him preach and then be baptized in the water of the Jordan River as they confessed their sins. 

 

Now, I need to try to answer some questions regarding John’s theology and John’s baptism.  Did John believe that baptism could save?  No, he did not.  Look at verse 4.  It wasn’t the baptism of verse 4 that resulted in the forgiveness of sins.  It was the repentance, and that message is the message that I am preaching today. 

 

It isn’t saying a sinner’s prayer that saves you or walking an isle that saves you or being baptized that saves you or joining a church that saves you.  It is repentance and faith in Christ alone that saves you, and if you have never repented of your sins and turned to the ways of Christ, you are not saved and can’t be saved until you do just that.  

 

Another question that often comes up is how is John’s baptism different from Jesus’ baptism.  First of all, John’s baptism was physical with water.  Jesus’ baptism was and is spiritual with the Holy Spirit and your heart. 

 

John’s baptism looked forward.  Jesus’ baptism looks back to the life of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

 

One final question is how is John’s baptism different from believer’s baptism?  Again, John’s baptism looked forward to the Messiah.  Believer’s baptism looks back to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the spiritual death, burial, and resurrection of the individual being baptized, and that is the Baptizer: the messenger, his message, and his methods.

 

 

1. Baptism of Jesus.

 

Now, we turn our attention to verses 9-11 and to baptism and specifically the baptism of Jesus Christ.  We see in verse 9 that Jesus was baptized by John even though according to Matthew’s gospel that John originally rejected this idea.  In verse 10 as Jesus came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended upon him, and in verse 11, God the Father announced that this Jesus was and is God’s beloved son in which he is well-pleased.  In these three verses, you a see another great picture of tri-unity or Trinity of God.  There is one God in three persons.  There are three persons in one God.

 

The next question that is on many minds is why was Jesus baptized.  Let me suggest at least three reasons.  First, Jesus was baptized out of obedience to God’s complete plan and the part that John the Baptist played in it.  Second, it was an act of identification with the nation of Israel and humanity as sinners.  He would be the one to offer salvation to Israel and the world through his death and resurrection, and therefore, he would leave an example for sinful man to follow in his steps.  Finally, it was act of initiation into his gospel ministry.  He accepted his roles as Messiah and Savior and Lord, and he would fulfill them. 

 

I now want to look at the issue of baptism and answer three questions.  First of all, when is a person to be baptized?  Many churches today baptize individuals as infants.  However, is that the pattern of the New Testament? 

 

What about Acts 8:34-38? 

 

34 So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”  37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”  And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”  38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

 

According to verse 37, the Ethiopian Eunuch believed and then was baptized. 

 

In Acts 9:18, Paul first believed and then was baptized. 

 

18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

 

In Acts 16:31-34, the Philippian jailer believed and then was baptized. 

 

31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.

 

Finally, in Acts 18:8, we have the example of a Jew named Crispus who believed and then was baptized. 

 

8 Then Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household. And many of the Corinthians, hearing, believed and were baptized.

 

My point is this.  There is a biblical order that is set forth, and that order is belief, which includes repentance and faith, then baptism.  In the New Testament, you don’t ever see baptism then belief.  Therefore, the pattern of the Bible is believer’s baptism not infant baptism or another baptism.

 

The second question answers why should believers be baptized.  First and foremost is because Jesus himself was baptized.  He wasn’t baptized because he believed, but he was baptized nonetheless.  Secondly, Jesus commands it according to Matthew 28:19.  The Great Commission means baptizing them or converts in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

 

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

 

The final question is how should a believer be baptized.  Is pouring the biblical model?  Is sprinkling the biblical model?  Is immersion the biblical model? 

 

Consider the evidence.  The word baptize literally means to plunge or immerse.  Again, notice the description of Jesus’ baptism.  Mark 1:10 speaks of him coming up out of the water.  That is not possible with pouring or sprinkling. 

 

In Acts 8:38, Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch both went down into the water and both came up out of the water.  The biblical mode of baptism is immersion.

 

 

Conclusion

My invitation this morning is two-fold.  First of all, I am issuing a call for repentance.  If you have never received Christ as your Lord and Savior and do not have assurance of where you will spend an eternity when you die, God, through His word, is calling you to repent and believe and be saved this morning for the very first time. 

 

Secondly, if you are here this morning and are a believer already, but you are living in sin, God is calling you to repentance, turning from your sin and to Him and His ways.  On the first Sunday of a New Year, He wants a new you! 

 

The second part of my invitation is for you to examine your own baptism experience.  Does it follow the biblical model?  Were you baptized after salvation as a believer by immersion to demonstrate your new life?  If not, I am calling you today to come forward and begin the process of making that right. 

 

Make sure that you were baptized as a believer after salvation by immersion.  That is the biblical way.  That is God way. 

 

If your baptism experience is right and God is leading you to join this church, today’s invitation is for you as well.  The doors of church membership are open this morning.  If God is leading you this morning to make a public decision with your life, you come during this time of response.

 

What is a Daughter-In-Law Worth?

Hope for the Hopeless...

Introduction

This morning, I want to share a message with you entitled, “Hope for the Hopeless.”  Many folks in our world today and maybe even in our church this morning feel like their situation is hopeless.  Your situation may be health related or loved-ones related or job related.  Regardless, you feel hopeless.

 

Where do we look for hope?  Some look to family, but family will disappoint.  Some look to finances, but finances will discourage.  Some look to favor.  Our hope today is often tied up in likes and retweets and followers.  However, favor will disappear. 

 

As we continue in our study of Ruth, I want to show you a picture of hope for the hopeless.  In Ruth 1, Naomi and Ruth could be seen as hopeless.  Evil was dominating because there was no king in Israel.  Nature was destroying in the form of a 10-year famine, and loved ones were dying.  Naomi lost her husband and her two sons of which one was married to Ruth.  Therefore, Ruth lost her husband too. 

 

At the end of chapter 1, God brought Naomi back to Bethlehem, and Ruth went with her, and it was the beginning of barley harvest.  That lets us know that good is coming.  There is hope for the hopeless.

 

In chapter 2, Ruth met Boaz, and hope for hopeless begins to materialize.  The grace and favor that Boaz gave to Ruth and Naomi foreshadowed and was symbolic of the grace and favor that God gives to anyone who receives His Son, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior. 

 

 

1. A Certain Plan: Ruth 3:1-4

 

In these first two verses, we see that Naomi recognized a need that Ruth had.  Ruth had the need of a husband.  Ruth had the need to be cared for and loved.  Naomi described this need as “security.” 

 

Related to this need of a husband is Ruth’s deceased husband’s need.  Mahlon had a need for someone to carry on his legacy since he and Ruth didn’t have a son.  He had a need for a relative to father a son with Ruth to carry on his name and family history.

 

Another need we see from the text is Ruth’s need for happiness or sense of wellness.  Most certainly this would come with a new husband and parenting an heir to her family name. 

 

Beginning in verse three, Naomi outlined a certain plan that would bring hope to the hopeless so Ruth and Boaz’s relationship could continue to progress.  She was to take a bath, anoint herself, put on her best clothes and go find Boaz.  She was to wait for him to finish eating and drinking and after he goes to sleep, lay down beside him. 

 

Naomi outlined a certain plan to bring hope to the hopeless, and God has outlined a certain plan for you to bring hope to the hopeless, and it is called the Bible. 

 

Yes, the Bible can give hope to your hopeless family situation.  The Bible can give hope to your hopeless financial situation.  The Bible can give hope to your hopeless favor situation.

 

And hope for the hopeless begins with a certain plan.

 

 

1. A Submissive Posture, Ruth 3:5-8

 

Beginning in verse 5, Ruth’s response is worth noting.  Remember that Ruth had every reason to feel hopeless, but with Naomi’s plan, she began to have hope for her situation. 

 

Consequently, notice Ruth’s posture started with obedience.  In verse 5, she told Naomi that she would do all of her certain plan, and in verse 6, we see that Ruth did all of her certain plan.  Ruth was obedient. 

 

Brothers and sisters, make sure that in the midst of your hopelessness that you don’t walk away from God’s plan but remain committed to obeying God and His Word.  Obedience and bearing fruit as a follower of Christ must be at the top of our priority list if we are going to find hope for the hopeless.

 

Notice also that Ruth’s posture included making herself vulnerable to Boaz in verse 7.  In this text, according to what goes on in our world in the 21^st century, this may all sound somewhat suspect, but bear with me.  Ruth waited for Boaz to go to sleep and then went to lie down at his feet.  This verse says she came softly.  She didn’t come demanding or announcing her entitlement.  She came vulnerable because she trusted Naomi’s plan.

 

Thirdly, as a part of her submissive posture, Ruth not only was obedient and vulnerable, but she was surrendered.  Verses 7-8 tell us that Ruth lay down at Boaz’s feet.  She wasn’t standing, but she got low.  She had surrendered to Boaz and whatever he might do to her and for her.

 

Even though all of this interaction might sound strange to our 21^st century ears, you can’t point to any place in this text and find immorality.  However, Ruth’s submissive posture was one of obedience, vulnerability, and surrender as she sought to follow Naomi’s certain plan.

 

 

• A Specific Provider, Ruth 3:9-17

 

In verse 9, Ruth indirectly proposed marriage to Boaz, and Boaz agreed so that he was willing to become her kinsman-redeemer or her special provider. 

 

“Kinsman” meant relative or family member.  “Redeemer” meant to buy or purchase or pay for or provide.  Boaz would be Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer or her special provider which brings us to the topic of levirate marriage. 

 

In the Old Testament, levirate marriage took place when a man died with no male children like Mahlon and Chilion did.  As a result, his brother or another relative was to marry his widow and father a son for the deceased brother.  In short, it was the practice of raising up a son for a deceased relative.  This is exactly the context when Jesus was questioned in Matthew 22:23-28.

 

23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him and asked Him, 24 saying: “Teacher, Moses said that if a man dies, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were with us seven brothers. The first died after he had married, and having no offspring, left his wife to his brother. 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 Last of all the woman died also. 28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.”

 

The kinsman-redeemer had specific responsibilities.  He was to redeem property: the kinsman acted on behalf of an impoverished relative to purchase and return the land the poor man or woman was forced to sell. 

 

He was to redeem persons: the kinsman redeemed a relative who was forced to sell herself into slavery.

 

He was to redeem blood or justice: the kinsman acted as an avenger.  When a relative of his was murdered, as the kinsman-redeemer, he was to avenge the death.  It was his duty to protect the honor of the family and exact vengeance.

 

The kinsman-redeemer also needed specific qualifications.    He must be related by blood.  He must be able to pay the price.  He must be willing to redeem.  Boaz would become Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. 

 

Brothers and sisters, we have a kinsman-redeemer today, and his name is Jesus Christ.  His is related to us by blood because he was not only the Son of God but also the Son of man.  He is able to pay the price because of His sinless life.  He was willing to redeem as evidenced by His voluntary death on the cross.

 

 

Conclusion

If the hopeless is going to find hope, and we have a certain plan and a submissive posture and a specific provider, what else do we need?

 

We need a special patience.  After the arrangement of levirate marriage was set in motion, Boaz gave Ruth a large quantity of barley for her and her mother-in-law to last them some time, and Ruth returned to Naomi in verses 14-17.

 

Verse 18 shows us the need for special patience.  Naomi told Ruth to sit still or wait or be patient.

 

Brothers and sisters, when we are hopeless, it is not in our nature to sit still or wait or be patient, but we must and as we wait, trust God to provide through His Son, our specific provider. 

 

Where are looking for hope this morning?  My invitation is for you to look to Jesus Christ, who is the hope for whatever is your hopelessness this morning. 

 

What Does That Church Believe: Catholics?

Where did they come from?

• Roman Catholics believe in an unbroken continuity from the early New Testament church to modern Catholicism.  Peter is believed to be the first Pope of Rome (Matthew 16:18).  However, there is no historical evidence to this assertion as well as no evidence of Peter ever having been to Rome.
• Roman Catholic belief about the unbroken continuity is very similar to historic and traditional Churches of Christ and Landmark Baptists. 

 

Where did the Pope come from?

• In its beginnings, individual churches were led by elders.  Bishops were in authority over a particular city and all of the elders in that city.  A bishop became prominent when his city became prominent such as Alexandria, Antioch, Rome, and Carthage. 
• Leo the Great (440-461) perfected the theory of papal power over other churches.
• Gregory the Great (590-604) may be considered the first of the absolute popes.
• The Roman Catholic hierarchy includes: pope, members of the college of cardinals (70), archbishops presiding over one or more dioceses, bishops, and priests.
• As successor to the apostle Peter, the pope exercises authority over the 3200+ bishops in the church.  When he speaks ex cathedra on issues pertaining to faith and morals, he is believed to be infallible (Romans 3:23) and considered as the third source of authority with the Bible and tradition (teachings of the apostles apart from the Bible).

 

What are their significant historical events?

• 4^th century: authority of the bishop of Rome increased.
• 5^th century: Pope Leo I (Leo the Great as mentioned above) claimed authority over all other churches.
• 1054: Eastern and Western churches split.
• 1517: Martin Luther calls for reform regarding power of the pope, the sale of indulgences, and the doctrine of purgatory. 
• 1545-1563: The Council of Trent defined many Roman Catholic doctrines for the first time.
• 1565: First Catholic parish began in what is now St. Augustine, FL. 
• 1869: The Vatican Council I met in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and formulated the supremacy and infallibility of the pope.
• 1962-1965: The Vatican Council II met in Rome and decided that all who are named “Christian” are a part of God’s family regardless of membership in the Catholic Church.

 

What do they believe?

1. Word of God: includes the Bible and oral tradition; the Roman Catholic Bible includes the 66 books from Genesis to Revelation plus the apocryphal books including 7 complete books and 4 partial books that were written in the inter-testamental period.  However, the Jews of Palestine never accepted the inspiration of these books, and Jesus never quoted from them.  The Apocrypha teaches that salvation depends on deeds of virtue.  See Deuteronomy 4:2, Revelation 22:18-19.
2. Salvation: all humans are born with original sin of Adam and Eve; salvation comes through sanctifying grace; God reaches out to individuals and gives them the grace to seek him; individuals must respond to this grace that is given by performing certain acts that prepare his/her soul for baptism and justification; salvation is further realized through the administration of the 7 sacraments (see below).
3. Sin: Catholics distinguish between two types of sin. The two types of sin are mortal and venial, CCC #1854. Mortal sin destroys the sanctifying grace of God within the individual and necessitates forgiveness through a sacrament of reconciliation, CCC #1856. It causes exclusion from heaven and results in "the eternal death of hell," CCC #1861. Catholics classify a sin as mortal when it meets the following conditions: the sin is serious or "grave" (murder, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, etc.), is committed with "full knowledge and complete consent," CCC #1857-59. A venial sin is a sin that either is not serious or grave, or does not involve full knowledge or complete consent, CCC #1862. Unlike mortal sin, venial sin does not destroy the saving grace of God in the individual. "Venial sin does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness," CCC #1863.
4. Veneration of Mary: viewed as “immaculately conceived” and therefore sinless; is a co-redeemer and mediatrix of grace (Luke 1:46-47).  She is also considered to have remained a virgin throughout her life (Matthew 12:46, Matthew 13:55).  However, she is not considered to be part of the Trinity. 
5. Purgatory: exists for those who die in God’s friendship but are still imperfectly purified, so that, following a time of purging, they can finally enter the joys of heaven (2 Corinthians 5:8).
6. Baptism: removes original sin and infuses sanctifying grace; performed on infants as well as adults and the person baptized experiences “initial justification”; immersion was practiced until the twelfth century.
7. Church: up until the Vatican Council II, believed that salvation was not available outside of the Catholic Church.
8. Eucharist/Mass: it is believed that during the Mass, the bread and wine miraculously turn into the actual body and blood of Christ called transubstantiation (John 6:52-58). By receiving the Eucharist, Catholics believe they are receiving Christ.
9. Sacraments: a visible sign instituted by Christ, by which grace is conveyed or dispensed to souls; the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “The Church affirms that for believers the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, New York: Doubleday, 1994) page 249.
   1. Baptism: all sins are forgiven, original sin and personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin, CCC #1263.
   2. Confirmation: completes baptismal grace by increasing the gifts and strengths of the Holy Spirit in the recipient, CCC #1303.
   3. Eucharist/Mass: see above.
   4. Penance: confession of sin and sorrow for failure; assigned acts of penance for all mortal sins and instructed to say an Act of Contrition; the priest then extends his right hand toward the parishioner and absolves him of his sins (Hebrews 10:19-25; 1 Peter 2:9; 1 John 1:9).
   5. Holy Orders: Catholics believe this sacrament confers sacred power of service, CCC #1592.
   6. Anointing the Sick: may be given when a Catholic is in danger of death because of illness or old age, CCC #1592.
   7. Marriage: remarriage by a divorced Catholic while the lawful spouse is alive is not allowed, CCC #1665.

 

Name	Founded	Members	Congregations	Website
Roman Catholic Church	1st century	More than 62,000,000	More than 19,000	www.vatican.va
Eastern Rite Catholic Church	1500-1700	500,000	Unknown	Unknown
Old Catholic Church	1871	More than 600,000	Unknown	www.oldcatholic.org
Polish National Catholic Church of America	1897	270,000	More than 150	www.PNCC.org

What Does That Church Believe: Episcopalians?

Where did they come from (Church of England/Anglican)?

• King Henry VIII of England wanted a son, and when Pope Clement VII denied his divorce from Catherine, he took matters into his own hands and influenced the English Parliament in such away that they denied the pope any authority or jurisdiction over the Church of England; the COE declared its independence from the RCC, and Henry VIII declared himself to be the chief authority.
• Henry forced the selection of Thomas Cranmer as the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cranmer granted Henry an annulment.
• Edward VII took the throne after the death of his father; however, being only 9 years of age, his uncle Edward Seymour guided the decisions of Edward’s throne taking the COE in a very Protestant direction; Bloody Mary returned the COE back to the RCC as she oversaw the burning at the stake of at least 300 Protestants, including Thomas Cranmer; Elizabeth I tried to find a “middle way” between the RCC and Protestantism.

 

Where did they come from (Episcopal Church)?

• Anglican Churches were seen in the 13 colonies as earlier as 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia; by 1775, there were over 400 Anglican Churches in the colonies.
• The Revolutionary War caused a split between those clergy who supported England and those who supported freedom for the American colonies.
• In 1789, two clergy, William White and Samuel Provost, sailed to England and were consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury; earlier, the English Parliament had met and rescinded the requirement that all bishops must swear allegiance to the British crown; this previous requirement no longer applied to bishops who resided in “foreign parts” (like America); the Protestant Episcopal Church or the Episcopal Church in America was officially started in 1789; they were separate from the RCC and ruled by bishops.

 

Where can their doctrines be found?

• The Apostles’ Creed
• The Nicene Creed
• The Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion
• The Book of Common Prayer

 

What are their unique beliefs?

• Reject RC doctrines of the pope’s authority over the church, the infallibility of the pope on Christian doctrine and moral truth, the doctrine of purgatory, and the doctrine of transubstantiation (Lord’s Supper).
• Baptism is necessary for salvation (baptismal regeneration).
• Church government is Episcopal in nature; the local parish is the basic unit of worship; a diocese is composed of not less than six parishes in a specific geographical region and is overseen by a bishop; each bishop is elected by a diocesan convention; the diocesan convention meets annually and is composed of all clergy and lay representatives of the local parishes; every three years, the General Convention meets to make broad decisions about policy and worship; the House of Bishops is composed of all diocesan bishops; the House of Deputies is composed of four priests and four laymen from each diocese. 

 

 

 

Major Points of Contention

1. Physical baptism does not remove or forgive sins: a better understanding of Acts 2:38; John 1:12, 3:16, 5:24, 11:25-26; Acts 10:43; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 9:22.  George W. Truett, “Immersion only does not constitute scriptural baptism.  One must be immersed because he is already saved, and not, in any sense to secure salvation.”
2. Election of Katharine Jefferts Schori in June 2006 in Columbus, Ohio to the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church is contrary to 1 Timothy 2:12.

1. Is a marine biologist with a doctorate specializing in squids and oysters.
2. Preached at the convention’s closing Eucharist, “Colossians calls Jesus the firstborn of all creation, the firstborn from the dead. That sweaty, bloody, tear-stained labor of the cross bears new life.  Our mother Jesus gives birth to a new creation—and you and I are His children.”

1. Homosexuality is sin regardless.

1. ECUSA confirmed Bishop V. Gene Robinson in 2003, openly homosexual bishop.
2. ECUSA leaders have viewed the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah as having nothing to do with sex, but rather with their lack of hospitality; have said that Paul condemns temple prostitution in Romans 1:18-32, not loving, committed same-sex relationships.
3. Interpreted properly, Scripture presents no impediment to the inclusion and celebration of homosexuality.

 

Who have they been?

• Two-thirds of signers of DOI were Episcopalians.
• At least 9 presidents including Washington and Jefferson.

 

Name	Founded	Members	Congregations	Website
Episcopal Church USA	1789	1,877,271	7364	www.ecusa.anglican.org
Reformed Episcopal Church in America	1873	6400	125	www.recus.org
Episcopal Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of America	1963	6000	200	Eoc.orthodoxanglican.net
Anglican Catholic Church	1977	12,000	200	www.anglicancatholic.org

 

 

 

What Does That Church Believe: Mennonites?

Where did they come from?

They emerged out of the radical reformer movement of the 1520s, which involved a number of individuals who went far beyond the teachings of Swiss Reformer Ulrich Zwingli.  For example, Zwingli allowed infant baptism, but the radical reformers argued staunchly for believer’s baptism.  Because of their emphasis on rebaptism, these individuals came to be known as Anabaptists, which means “to rebaptize.”  Since they weren’t Roman Catholics, the RCC was against them.  Since they took a stand against Zwingli, the Protestants were against them.  Since they advocated a separation of church and state, the state was against them.  Enter Menno Simmons.  He was an influential Dutch leader of radical reformation born in 1496 in the Netherlands.  He was educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood and ordained in 1524, but he converted to the Anabaptist movement in 1536.  Persecution and harassment caused the Anabaptists to flee to America, specifically Pennsylvania where many of them settled in Germantown, PA in 1683.  Distinctive among the Mennonites were the followers of seventeenth-century Swiss Mennonite bishop named Jakob Amman.

 

What are their unique beliefs (Mennonites)?

• Believer’s Baptism; Symbolic Lord’s Supper, Separation of Church and State
• Foot washing: see John 13:1-17.
• A Cappella worship
• Major emphasis on leading quiet lives, uninvolved in secular society, and godly living.

 

What are their unique beliefs (Amish)?

• See above.
• Men ought to wear untrimmed beards and modest attire, including broad-brimmed hats.  Women ought also to wear modest clothing, including bonnets and aprons.
• They are to refrain from using electricity, alarm clocks, motorized vehicles, telephones, mirrors, and the like.

 

Pacifism

Mennonite Confession of Faith; Article 22: Peace, Justice and Nonresistance

We believe that peace is the will of God. God created the world in peace, and God's peace is most fully revealed in Jesus Christ, who is our peace and the peace of the whole world. Led by the Holy Spirit, we follow Christ in the way of peace, doing justice, bringing reconciliation, and practicing nonresistance even in the face of violence and warfare.

Although God created a peaceable world, humanity chose the way of unrighteousness and violence. 1 The spirit of revenge increased, and violence multiplied, yet the original vision of peace and justice did not die. 2 Prophets and other messengers of God continued to point the people of Israel toward trust in God rather than in weapons and military force. 3

The peace God intends for humanity and creation was revealed most fully in Jesus Christ. A joyous song of peace announced Jesus' birth. 4 Jesus taught love of enemies, forgave wrongdoers, and called for right relationships. 5 When threatened, he chose not to resist, but gave his life freely. 6 By his death and resurrection, he has removed the dominion of death and given us peace with God. 7 Thus he has reconciled us to God and has entrusted to us the ministry of reconciliation. 8

As followers of Jesus, we participate in his ministry of peace and justice. He has called us to find our blessing in making peace and seeking justice. We do so in a spirit of gentleness, willing to be persecuted for righteousness' sake. 9 As disciples of Christ, we do not prepare for war, or participate in war or military service. The same Spirit that empowered Jesus also empowers us to love enemies, to forgive rather than to seek revenge, to practice right relationships, to rely on the community of faith to settle disputes, and to resist evil without violence. 10

Led by the Spirit, and beginning in the church, we witness to all people that violence is not the will of God. We witness against all forms of violence, including war among nations, hostility among races and classes, abuse of children and women, violence between men and women, abortion, and capital punishment.

We give our ultimate loyalty to the God of grace and peace, who guides the church daily in overcoming evil with good, who empowers us to do justice, and who sustains us in the glorious hope of the peaceable reign of God. 11

Commentary

1. The biblical concept of peace embraces personal peace with God, peace in human relations, peace among nations, and peace with God's creation. The Old Testament word for peace (shalom) includes healing, reconciliation, and well-being. Peace is more than the absence of war; it includes the restoration of right relationship.

Justice and peace belong together, since right relationship involves both. According to Greek and Roman ideas of justice, people should get what they deserve. According to the Bible, justice involves healing and restoring relationships. That is a reason for the special concern for the poor and the oppressed evident in the Bible (Deut. 24:10-22; Matt. 20:1-16; James 2:5).

Nonresistance means "not resisting." Our example is Jesus, who endured accusation and abuse without retaliating. Jesus did sometimes confront wrongdoers (Matt. 23:1-36; John 2:13-22), but he did so in a nonviolent way that shows us how to overcome evil with good (Rom. 12:21; see 1 Pet. 2:21-24).

2. Peace and justice are not optional teachings, counsel that Christians can take or leave. They belong to the heart of gospel message. Sometimes the Mennonite peace position has been based only on the teachings of Jesus. A biblical understanding of peace is also based on the atoning sacrifice of Christ: the atonement is the foundation for our peace with God (Rom. 5:10) and with one another (Eph. 2:13-16). Similarly, justice is based not only on Jesus' teachings (Luke 4:18-19), but also on his atoning death. Jesus' death on the cross accomplished justice. His crucifixion brought forgiveness and thus restored sinners to right relationship with God. On the cross Jesus cried out to God on behalf of a world mired in sinful, unjust relationships. This cry was amplified by the shedding of his blood, which creates a just, forgiving community of the new covenant (Heb. 5:7-10).
3. In continuity with previous Mennonite confessions of faith, we affirm that nonparticipation in warfare involves conscientious objection to military service and a nonresistant response to violence. Our peace witness also includes peacemaking and working for justice. Peace witness is needed even when the nations in which we live are not at war. Ministries of mediation, conciliation, and nonviolent resolution of everyday conflict can express our commitment to Christ's way of peace.
4. There is no simple explanation for the practice of war in the Old Testament. The Old Testament repeatedly points toward peace (Exod. 14:13-14; Judg. 7:2; Ps. 37; Isa. 31; Hos. 2:18). Both the Old and New Testaments proclaim the vision of a coming peaceable kingdom (Isa. 9:1-7), preached and revealed by Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36).

The Widow's Might...

When Life Stinks...

Introduction

This morning and for the month of December, Bro. Ronnie and I will be teaching through the Old Testament book of Ruth.  It has four (4) chapters, and there are five (5) Sundays in December so we will look at each chapter plus the Sunday immediately preceding Christmas.

 

If you look across the room this evening, you will find 250 or so different and unique individuals.  Some of you are very different compared to the rest of us. 

 

However, even in our diversity, we have multiple commonalities.  We are all currently at EBC.  We are all alive.  For the moment, we are all awake.  We are all clothed.  We are all human. 

 

And for our purposes this morning, we all will experience tragedy in this life sooner or later.  The reality is that in this life on earth, we have either just experienced a tragedy, we are currently experiencing a tragedy or we will experience a tragedy in the very near future.  This is true for every person in the room, both young and old, male and female.

 

When we think of “life stinking” in the Bible, we often think about Job. Have you ever found yourself in a situation like Job?  The Scriptures tell us that Job was a righteous man but also a man who lost house and home, family and health.  And when tragedy strikes, how many of us have said or thought, “Life stinks?” 

 

In our text this morning, I want to show three scenes to you and ask three (3) questions regarding “When Life Stinks…” 

 

 

1. When Life Stinks, where is God?

 

In verse one (1), this phrase “when the judges ruled” serves as a chronological marker letting us know that the date of this story is approximately 1,000-1,300 years before Christ.

 

And judges judged or governed or ruled when there was no king in Israel.  They functioned as military leaders and local rulers administering political and legal justice.

 

And the very last verse in the book of Judges tells us that when there was no king in Israel, evil dominated.  See Judges 21:25.

 

Judges 21:25, 25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

 

May I remind you of how much evil dominated during this time?  We get a very graphic picture of this culture and society from the last five (5) chapters of the book of Judges.

 

In Judges 17-18, we find grave idolatry.  Chapter 17 tells the story of Micah, a man involved in idolatry.

 

Judges 17:4-5, 4 Thus he returned the silver to his mother. Then his mother took two hundred shekels of silver and gave them to the silversmith, and he made it into a carved image and a molded image; and they were in the house of Micah.  5 The man Micah had a shrine, and made an ephod and household idols; and he consecrated one of his sons, who became his priest.

God’s people had turned their backs on Yahweh and turned to grave idolatry.

 

However, in chapters 19-21, there is more.  In these three chapters, we see gross immorality. 

 

In Judges 19, we see a Levite married who married a prostitute.

 

And in Judges 19:22-25, we find an incredibly horrific scene involving this Levite, his daughter, his wife or concubine and a neighborly old man.

 

Judges 19:22-30, 22 As they were enjoying themselves, suddenly certain men of the city, perverted men, surrounded the house and beat on the door. They spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, “Bring out the man who came to your house, that we may know him carnally!”  23 But the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, “No, my brethren! I beg you, do not act so wickedly! Seeing this man has come into my house, do not commit this outrage. 24 Look, here is my virgin daughter and the man’s concubine; let me bring them out now. Humble them, and do with them as you please; but to this man do not do such a vile thing!” 25 But the men would not heed him. So the man took his concubine and brought her out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until morning; and when the day began to break, they let her go. 

 

Can you believe what we just read?  Accounts of militant homosexuality, gang rape and murder?  But the story doesn’t end there.

 

Judges 19:26-30, 26 Then the woman came as the day was dawning, and fell down at the door of the man’s house where her master was, till it was light.  27 When her master arose in the morning, and opened the doors of the house and went out to go his way, there was his concubine, fallen at the door of the house with her hands on the threshold. 28 And he said to her, “Get up and let us be going.” But there was no answer. So the man lifted her onto the donkey; and the man got up and went to his place.  29 When he entered his house he took a knife, laid hold of his concubine, and divided her into twelve pieces, limb by limb, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. 30 And so it was that all who saw it said, “No such deed has been done or seen from the day that the children of Israel came up from the land of Egypt until this day. Consider it, confer, and speak up!” The Levite took his concubine and dismembered her body and sent the members to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 

 

I don’t think I need to go any further, but chapters 20-21 tell of the evils specifically of the tribe of Benjamin.

 

If you watch any television news or read the newspaper, you know that our world still witnesses evil dominating every single day. 

 

Where is God when evil dominates?

 

In the rest of verse one (1) we not only see that evil is dominating, but we also see that nature destroys. 

 

There was famine in Bethlehem.  It is interesting that in the city that means “house of bread,” there was no bread.

 

So Elimelech and his family headed out of town east to Moab.  What is even more interesting and also sad is that Elimelech and his wife and his sons, who were faithful Jews, headed to Moab. 

 

Do you know about Moab?  Moab is seen throughout the OT as the archenemy of Israel.  This country originated when Lot fathered Moab by an incestuous union with his oldest daughter, and it was the Moabite women in Numbers 25:1-5 that led the Israelite men into idolatry. 

 

Numbers 25:1-5, 1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab. 2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel.  4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and hang the offenders before the Lord, out in the sun, that the fierce anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.”  5 So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor.”

 

Moab should have been the last place any Jew would go, but isn’t that how sometimes it works?  When life stinks, good religious people often do that which hurts them instead of helping them. 

 

Was there a reason for this famine?  Did it happen “just because” or was there actually a message within the famine?  In light of what we just read in Judges 17-21, it is certainly a possibility that God was sending judgment upon His people.

 

Deuteronomy 11:13-17, 13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, 14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil. 15 And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock, that you may eat and be filled.’ 16 “Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them, 17 lest the Lord’s anger be aroused against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there be no rain, and the land yield no produce, and you perish quickly from the good land which the Lord is giving you.

 

Do you see that it is very likely that Israel was suffering during the time of this famine because of their own spiritual rebellion?

 

Life stinks when evil dominates and when nature destroys, and when loved ones die. 

 

In verse three (3), we see Naomi lose her husband and her two sons.  She outlived her three (3) closest male relatives.  She virtually had no chance of survival in this Jewish, patriarchal society. 

 

When life stinks, where is God?  For the follower of Christ, He is right by your side.

 

John 14:16-17, 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

 

If you are Believer this morning, the answer to our first question is that God is right by your side. 

 

Jesus promised us another helper, not another of a different kind but another of the same kind.  Once the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost, believers from that point forward received Him upon conversion.  So when you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, at that very moment, God began to dwell within you.

 

The picture of the Holy Spirit as a helper is one who walks along side you lifting you up like a medical trainer or coach or teammate would help an injured athlete off of the field or court.  The Holy Spirit comes along side us and helps us along.  And Jesus says He is with us forever. 

 

 

2. When life stinks, can anything good come?

 

Yes, God can bring good from your situation that stinks.  First, see that Naomi had adoration of God in verse six (6).  While in Moab, she heard that the Lord had visited His people, and He had delivered them from famine and drought.  God had given them bread again.

 

When life stinks, God often reminds us that He is still at work, and life could always be worse…especially if we consider others and keep matters in perspective.

 

Second, notice that Naomi had appreciation for others.  Naomi’s daughters-in-law had dealt with her kindly.  They could have kicked her to the curb, but they didn’t. 

 

When life stinks, we often begin to appreciate others for how they treat us, how they help us, how they minister to us. 

 

Third, notice that when life stinks, God can bring alteration of our behavior.  Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth, who the books is named after, didn’t leave her.  As a matter of fact, in verses 16-17, we see the most famous verses of this book.

 

Naomi tried on three occasions to convince Ruth to go back to her parents and start a new life with a new husband, but Ruth wouldn’t go.  And in 1:16-17, we find those remarkable words.

 

At the end of 1:16, we see Ruth’s salvation experience or alteration to her behavior.  Remember, she was a Moabite, a Gentile pagan.  But in 1:16, she said to Naomi that your people will be my people and your God, my God.  She surrendered her life to Yahweh. 

 

There is no question in my mind that Ruth had observed how Naomi responded to tragedy.  She saw Naomi depend on God in the midst of losing a husband and two sons, and that caused Ruth to want what Naomi had.  She was saved.  Her life and her behavior changed. 

 

A little side note needs to be said about Ruth’s conversion.  When Ruth recognized who the true God was, Yahweh and not Chemosh, she turned her back on everything she knew to answer God’s calling for salvation, including family.  She had the opportunity to choose her family and as a result her family’s god, Chemosh.  But she chose Naomi, and Naomi’s God, Yahweh. 

 

When we answer the calling of God on our lives for salvation, it often times can mean turning our back on our family and on our family’s religion.  It means giving up everything for Him. 

 

When life stinks, God can bring good.

 

 

3. When life stinks, what does God ultimately want from us?

 

In a word, He wants us to turn to Him or return to Him.  You may not have caught this, but there is word dominates verses 6-22, and it is the word, “return.”  In these last verses of Ruth 1, you find it six times in one form or another. 

 

Return is once in 6, 7, and 8.  It is then in verse 15 and twice in verse 22.  When Naomi returned to Bethlehem from Moab, she was returning to the God of Bethlehem from the God of Moab.

 

When life stinks, we are prone to wonder.  We wonder from the Lord, and we wonder to that which is not of the Lord.  If your life stinks today, God wants you to return.

 

In the language of the New Testament, the idea of return is captured in the word repent.  This morning, I want to close with the first few verses of Luke 13.

 

Luke 13:1-5, 1 There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

 

Because life stinks, does that mean God is punishing you?  Not necessarily, but regardless, He wants you to return to Him.

 

 

Conclusion

Regardless of where you are this morning or how your life stinks, my invitation for you is to turn to God for the very first time or return to Him again.  I am not saying that He will solve all of your problems, but I am saying that He will help you get through whatever problem concerns you the most. 

Finally, Hello!

God's Mission for Emory Baptist Church...

We have now come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans, and we will finish this study on the last Sunday of this month.  Remember that chapters 1-8 were more theological.  Chapters 12-16 are more practical. 

 

Today begins Paul conclusion, and last Sunday, I shared with you “My Vision for Emory.”  Today, we are going to look at “God’s Vision for Emory Baptist Church.”

 

1. God’s Vision, Romans 15:20-21

20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”

 

We could not see a clearly picture of God’s heart expressed in His Word through Paul than in verses 20 and 21.  Simply put, it is to take the Gospel to those who haven’t heard.

 

Paul had no interest in going were the others have gone.  His desire and God’s desire is to take the Gospel to the unreached peoples of the world.  That was true for Paul.  It is true for God, and it is His desire and mission for us.

 

Emory Baptist Church, God wants us to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.  We have been attempting that in recent months by going to Maricopa, Arizona.  Our formal partnerships with them and with the Point Hispanic Mission ends at the end of 2019.

 

Today, I am letting you know that I believe that God is opening up an opportunity to go further than Point and further than Maricopa in potentially in 2019 and 2020 and beyond.  Are you ready? 

 

On Sunday evening, December 16, Adam Hailes, IMB Missionary, will be us in our evening worship to tell us about opportunities in the years to come in Madagascar.  Adam is the former pastor of Ridgecrest BC in Commerce and the son of Johnny Hailes, pastor of Park Street BC in Greenville. 

 

I don’t have all the answers this morning, but I do believe that God wants us to go to those who are unreached and unengaged, and Adam seems like a great partner for our future.  As for now, understand clearly that God wants us to go, and make plans to be here on Sunday night, December 16 to hear about future possibilities.

 

How do we accomplish God’s Mission?  By preaching, giving, and praying, and everyone can do something.

 

 

1. Preaching, Romans 15:14-22

14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written: “To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand.”  22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

 

Paul began by assuring the Roman Christians that he was very aware of their spiritual maturity.  Even though he did not plant this particular church, he did know many of the members personally as we will see in the coming weeks.  He knew of their moral goodness and of their spiritual knowledge in verse 14. 

 

He also was aware that they were very capable of admonishing, encouraging, warn, advising, and counseling each other in verse 15.

 

However, he wrote to them to remind them of those foundational doctrines that we studied in Romans 1-8.  Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.  Paul knew that repetition is a most effective way of learning so he repeated what they already knew. 

 

But not only did Paul write to remind them of the doctrines of the faith, he wrote them in order to recruit them for God’s mission.  Paul’s mission was to minister to the Gentiles, and he took it seriously. 

 

We know from Galatians 2 that Peter was the apostle to the Jews, but Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.  He was a minister, and that word for minister in verse 16 is the word from which we take our English word “liturgy.” 

 

Paul was a minister or priest, and the Gentiles converted under his ministry were given to the Lord as an offering, made acceptable by the sanctification of the Holy Spirit. 

 

Paul’s mission was to minister to the Gentiles, and that was God’s mission as well, and Paul wanted that to be mission of this Roman Church, and God wants that to be the mission of the Emory Church.

 

What is Paul preaching?  See 15:19-20.  He wasn’t preaching his own agenda.  It is not about a particular pastor or particular church or particular denomination.  It is about the gospel, the one and only gospel. 

 

What is the gospel?  The gospel means that there is a holy God, and there is unholy man.  Our sin separates us from the holy God.  However, Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross in our place that made a personal relationship with God possible, but we must repent of our sins and receive Jesus as Savior and Lord.  We must call on Him to be saved.  That is the gospel, and that is what Paul preached.

 

And what happened when Paul preached?  Gentiles obeyed and were saved.  Signs and wonders authenticated this ministry, and the power of Holy Spirit was made known in the preaching and in the conversations. 

 

Where did Paul preach?  He preached from Jerusalem to Illyricum.  That phrase literally reads from Jerusalem and in a circle.  He preached all over.  Jerusalem to Illyricum, which is the former Yugoslavia, is about 1400 miles, and in the first century, that was by foot.  He took the gospel everywhere.

 

Why did he preach the gospel?  He preached because there were those who hadn’t heard.  Look at 15:20-22.  He wanted to go to the unreached people.  He didn’t want to go where the gospel had already been.  He quoted Isaiah 52 regarding the unreached.  They had no news and they had not heard so Paul went.

 

How did Paul go and preach?  He went in humility.  Look back at 15:17. He recognized that his entire ministry was by the grace of God.  It wasn’t his preaching skills or his creativity or his boldness, but God’s grace manifest in his life.

 

Now God’s mission that was evident in Paul approximately 2000 years ago is still God’s mission today.  God’s mission is for His followers to preach the gospel. 

 

Don’t stumble over the verb preach.  Use share if that is better for you.  God’s mission is for you to share the message.  His mission is for you to share the message wherever He has sovereignly placed you. It may be in a particular neighborhood or at a particular job or with a particular customer or merchant.  God’s mission is for you to share the gospel with those who aren’t saved, and be sure not to equate church attendance or church membership with salvation. 

 

And like Paul, we must be bold in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The people of Madagascar are unreached and unengaged for a reason.  It is far away.  There are physical, spiritual, and financial obstacles that will stand in our way, but we must be bold to go and preach or share.  We must preach the message to those who aren’t saved and those who haven’t heard. 

 

 

1. Giving, Romans 15:22-29

22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. 

 

In verses 22-25, Paul told the Roman Christians of his future plans to visit with them on his way to Spain.  He had wanted to visit them previously, but God prevented him with multiple opportunities to preach the message.  When he does come to Rome, Paul anticipated them helping him get to Spain.

 

In the meantime, he had been collecting an offering in the Gentile churches that would go toward helping the impoverished Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.  He applauded the Macedonia and Achaia churches for doing their job in helping out their Jewish brothers and sisters in Christ.  See his original commendation in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

 

Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

 

Notice that their financial giving gave them joy even though they didn’t have hardly anything to give.  They gave according to their ability and beyond.  They sacrificed.  They gave themselves to the Lord and the Lord provided for them to give to the saints in Jerusalem.

 

EBC has a long history of being a giving church, and that is still true today.  We give to multiple ministries throughout the year, but we put a lot of emphasis on our World Missions Fund which is 25 families giving $25 a week for 52 weeks a year.  50% of that goes to the International Mission Board.  In 2020, I hope our annual budget will include the partnership with Madagascar and Adam Hailes that introduced previously.

 

Keep giving because financially providing for ministries is part of God’s mission whether it is to the IMB, NAMB, Reach Texas, Military Bible Sticks, Raffa Clinic, Gideons International, Mission Dignity, Pure Water Pure Love, Operation Christmas Child, or something else.

 

You can be a part of God’s mission by giving financially to for practical ministries.

 

 

1. Praying, Romans 15:30-33

30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

 

The final four verses of this chapter include Paul’s request for the Roman Christians to pray for him.  See verse 30. 

 

He asked that they pray for his protection in verse 31.  He also asked for them to pray for his profitability in verse 31. 

 

He finally asked for them to pray for providence, for God’s will to be done.  And he leaves them with peace.

 

Are you praying for missionaries today?  Again, don’t stumble over that word.  Use other Christians if it fits better.  Are you praying for God to use you to share the gospel?  Are you praying for God to use me and Ronnie to lead our church?  Are you praying for your Sunday School teacher?  And yes, you can pray for vocational missionaries like Luke and Emily Panter, Bro. Adolpho, and Adam Hailes.  I need your prayers.  We need your prayers.  They need your prayers.

 

 

Conclusion

I close with one question.  Will you make God’s mission your mission?  Will you preach?  Will you give?  Will you pray?