Emory Baptist Church

Parables of Kingdom Growth

If you have your Bibles this morning, and I trust that you do, please take them and find Luke 13:18.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Parables of Kingdom Growth.”

 

We are studying Luke’s Gospel verse by verse and chapter by chapter. Today is also Back in the Game Sunday, and today’s text in Luke fits perfectly for this time and this Sunday in the life of our church.

 

Luke 13 is all about the kingdom of God.  We will even see that wording in today’s verses 18 and 20.

 

So far, we have talked about entrance into the kingdom of God.  It happens by or through repentance.

 

We have also talked about opposition to the kingdom of God.  The ruler of the synagogue filled that role last Sunday, and Jesus called him a hypocrite.

 

Next Sunday, we will look at the triumph of the kingdom of God.  Said another way, we will see the ultimate victory of the kingdom of God.

 

However, today’s parables, and there are two, speak to the growth of the kingdom of God.  This was encouraging word to these disciples because they had just heard Jesus confront opposition to the kingdom of God, and perhaps, they were worried.

 

When we talk about parables, we need a working definition.  A parable is an earthly story or a familiar story that had a double meaning.  It had the normal, earthly meaning, but it also had a spiritual or heavenly meaning.

 

Also, from past studies, please remember Jesus’ purposes in using parables. He used these stories to conceal realities from those who were opposed to Him or didn’t want to understand.

 

He also used parables to reveal mysteries like He did in today’s text.  He did this for His disciples and those who received Him and wanted to know and understand more.

 

Third, Jesus used parables to fulfill prophecies.  That could also be said about today’s parables about kingdom growth.  Jesus was predicting the future through these two earthly stories.

 

 

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

In other instances, Jesus has used the mustard seed to teach us about our faith.  See Matthew 17:20.

 

20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

 

In another instance, Jesus used the mustard seed to teach us about our forgiveness.  See Luke 17:3-6.

 

3 Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”  5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”  6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

 

In Luke 13, Jesus used a mustard seed to teach about the kingdom’s future.  Remember, He had just talked about opposition to the kingdom.  Therefore, I believe these parables speak positively and are meant to encourage us.

 

In verse 19, the kingdom of God was compared to a tiny, black mustard seed.  It was the smallest seed known to this audience.

 

In the parable, a man took this seed and put in his garden, and surprise!  Picture in your mind a fleck of pepper.

 

The tiniest of seeds grew into such a large tree, that birds of the air could nest in its branches. This tree would have been between 10-15 feet tall.

 

In other words, the kingdom of God may start off in seemingly small fashion.  However, take heart.  It will grow in enormous capacity. 

 

We see this reality illustrated in Jesus’ life.  See Isaiah 53:1-2.

 

1 Who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,

And as a root out of dry ground.

He has no form or comeliness;

And when we see Him,

There is no beauty that we should desire Him.

 

But do you remember how Jesus will return?  See Revelation 19:11-16.

 

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

 

KING OF KINGS AND

LORD OF LORDS.

 

This first parable was agrarian in nature.  The primary audience was probably men, and it speaks of the kingdom’s future, external growth even through it started small.

 

Apply this parable to ministry opportunities here at EBC.  You might think of them as small or insignificant.  However, don’t underestimate the kingdom of God growing enormously from small acts or humble beginnings.

 

This is true for being part of our Celebration Choir.  It is true for praying in our Prayer Room.  It is true for sewing quilts or Backpack Buddies or handing out candy at our Fall Festival.

 

The kingdom of God WILL grow mightily.  Will you commit to small acts or planting seeds of ministry?

 

 

The Parable of the Leaven

Your Bible may say yeast.  However, look at verses 20 and 21.

 

Again, Jesus asked what the kingdom of God was like.  Keep in mind that in other instances, leaven is used to represent evil.  That is not true here.

 

This parable is not about agriculture but cooking.  It doesn’t involve men but women.  It doesn’t focus on the external that you can see.  It focuses on the internal that you can’t see.

 

In this parable, a woman takes a pinch of leaven because that is all that is needed.  She then kneads it into 60 pounds of flour, and that small amount leavened the entire batch.

 

Think of about this parable as it relates to discipleship.  When you allow the kingdom of God or the Gospel to affect just a little of your life, because of the nature of the kingdom and the gospel, it will begin to infect all of your life.

 

Follow Jesus in your marriage, and then Jesus will infect your parenting.  Follow Jesus in your parenting, and then Jesus will infect how you handle money.  Follow Jesus in how your handle money, and Jesus will infect how you live your life at work and school and how you recreate.

 

The kingdom of God and the Gospel, though small and working internally, can affect and infect every area of our lives and our church and our community and our county.  Our job is get the gospel inside of us.

 

You will get the Gospel in a Sunday School Small Group and our study of Luke.  You will get the Gospel in our Sunday night study of 2 Samuel. You will get the Gospel in Wednesday Worship and Grief Share and Celebrate Recovery and WOM and TEL and our reading groups.

 

When you get it, it will affect and infect every part of your life.  Will you get as much as you can?

 

 

Conclusion

Our invitation today is twofold.  First, will accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior admitting you are lost and in need of Savior?  He is the only qualified Savior period.

 

Second, will you get back in your game taking in the Gospel through discipleship and sowing the seeds of ministry?  My challenge for you today is for you to do that in our church and in our community and in our county.

The Scandal of a Sabbath Healing

Take your Bibles this morning and find Luke 13:10. I want to share message with you entitled, “The Scandal of a Sabbath Healing.”

 

Last Sunday, we resumed our study of Luke’s Gospel, and we started back in Luke 13.  This chapter is all about the kingdom God. 

 

Remember, that wording is used in our text for next Sunday.  See 13:18 and 13:20.

 

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

 

20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

 

In the first nine verses, Jesus spoke about entrance into the kingdom of God.  How do you enter?  You must repent or perish.

 

Today, we are talking about opposition to the kingdom of God.  The rest of the chapter speaks to the growth of the kingdom of God and the triumph of the kingdom of God.

 

In our text, I want to make three observations with you.  They are a demonstration by the Healer, indignation about the healing, and the humiliation of the hypocrites.

 

 

1. A Demonstration by the Healer, Luke 13:10-13

10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 

 

In verse 10, we see Jesus was teaching the synagogue.  It was the Sabbath. 

 

That means it was Saturday, and we know what the 4^th Commandment is.  See Exodus 20:8-11.

 

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

 

Verse 11 introduces another main character.  This woman shuffled into Jesus’ sight hunched over because a demon had afflicted her with a physical condition for 18 years.  The end of the verse says she was bent over and could not straighten up.

 

Her three strikes were she was a woman.  Second, it was thought that she was suffering for her sin.  Third, she had endured this for 18 years.

 

BTW…It seems that this woman may have been like Job.  God may have been testing her faith.  She wasn’t demon possessed at this time, but Satan had definitely caused her sickness.  God may be testing your faith as well.

 

But Jesus saw her, and called out to her in verse 12.  He spoke her healing, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” 

 

The language of the NT indicates she was healed and would be healed permanently.  That mirrors our salvation.  When God saves, He saves us for eternity. 

 

Then, in verse 13, laid His hands on her.  She was then made straight.  Her back was no longer bent over or double.

 

BTW…Long before this woman saw Jesus, He saw her.  Before she spoke to Him, He spoke to her.  Long before you chose Jesus, Jesus chose you.  Long before you wanted to be saved, Jesus wanted to save you.

 

Immediately, she was healed.  Then, she glorified God who healed her and for her healing.  

 

BTW…When Jesus answers our prayer, we should praise Him and glorify Him with our words and lives.

 

 

1. Indignation about the Healing, Luke 13:14

14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore, come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” 

 

The ruler of the synagogue saw what happened, and it greatly displeased him.  That is what indignation means.

 

However, keep in mind that healing on the Sabbath is nowhere prohibited.  Jesus spoke, and Jesus touched. 

 

Instead of speaking to Jesus, he spoke to the crowd, and insinuated that work had been done, and Jesus was guilty.

 

 

• The Humiliation of the Hypocrites, Luke 13:5-17

15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? 16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” 17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

 

In verse 15, Jesus responded. He not only spoke to the ruler, but to the people as well.

 

He called them hypocrites.  Why?

 

He asked a rhetorical question at the end of verse 15 regarding treatment of their animals.  If their animals were thirsty on the Sabbath, would they lead them to water to drink?  The answer is an implied yes.

 

Guess what?  If that is true of animals, it should be true for human beings.  This woman was a faithful Jew, but Satan had attacked her for 18 years.  However, she was more important than animals.

 

BTW…So are you.  I get it that we love our pets, and they become family.  However, they are not as important or more important and valued as humans are.  God loves those He created in His image more than animals. 

 

In verse 16, should this woman be loosed the same way these animals should be?  Yes, of course.

 

Consequently, Jesus opponents were put to shame.  They were humiliated.  However, there were others who rejoiced at what He had done.

 

 

Applications

So what do we take away?

 

First, there will always be opponents of the kingdom of God.  Make sure that is not you.  Will call on the name of the Lord to save you today?

 

Second, Jesus wants ultimately heal you spiritually.  However, I believe He also desires to heal you physically.  Will you all on Him to heal your sickness and disease and condition today?

 

Finally, when you question God or God’s people, make sure your standard and final authority is God’s word, the Bible.  In other words, recognize your preferences for what they are.  They are just preferences.

 

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

If you have your Bibles, please take them and find Luke 13:1.  I want to share a message with you entitled, “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?”

 

Back in May, we took a break from our study of Luke’s Gospel.  Today, we are returning, and we are returning with an age old question.

 

Haven’t we asked this question in our own lives?  Haven’t we asked that question about our own family and friends?  Haven’t we asked that question about ourselves?

 

We look at different persons and wonder why they got that cancer diagnoses.  We look at different parents and ask why their kid was in that accident. We even look at different places and ask they had that storm.

 

In 2005, I know for a fact that people said Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgement on New Orleans.  Really?

 

Then was Hurricane Harvey God’s judgement on Houston?  Was last month’s flooding God’s judgement on the Hill Country?

 

In Luke 12, Jesus was talking about end time events and our needs to be at peace.  We need to be at peace with God and at peace with one another.

 

Luke 13 is all about God’s Kingdom.  Notice that wording in verses 18 and 20.

 

18 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it?

 

20 And again He said, “To what shall I liken the kingdom of God?

 

In 13:1, there were some present with Jesus at that season or during that time who told Him an incident involving Pilate and some Galileans.

 

Considering Jesus’ answer starting in verse 2, it seems that their question is our question for the day.  Why do bad things happen to good people?

 

 

1. The Tragedy at the Temple, Luke 13:1-3

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.

 

This is an extra biblical event.  That means the only record of it is here from Dr. Luke.  However, it does seem consistent with Pilate’s character.

 

Some Galileans had come to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices.  While they were participating in a religious activity, Pilate had his soldiers execute them.

 

Can you even imagine?  This would be akin to a mass shooting at a church to synagogue or mosque today.

 

Notice what Jesus asked at the end of verse 2.  Did this happen because God’s was punishing them?  Did this happen because they were worse sinners than the other Galileans?

 

 

2. The Tragedy from the Tower, Luke 13:4-5

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.”

 

In verse 4, Jesus spoke of a second tragedy. This one involved a tower.

 

18 Jerusalemites were killed when a tower in Siloam fell on them.  Siloam was a part or section of Jerusalem.

 

The end of verse 4 askes the same question that Jesus asked regarding the temple.  Were these 18 worse sinners than other Jerusalemites who didn’t die?

 

 

3. The Tragedy of the Tree, Luke 13:6-9

6 He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 Then he said to the keeper of his vineyard, ‘Look, for three years I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree and find none. Cut it down; why does it use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’”

 

In verses 6-9, Jesus told a parable.  A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, and this parable involved a tree.

 

In the Bible, the fig tree often symbolizes Israel and the people of God.  The certain man in verse 6 is God the Father.  The keeper of the vineyard in verse 7 is Jesus Christ the Son.

 

The certain man who planted the fig tree for the sole purpose of growing figs came to the tree for three straight years expecting fruit.  However, for three straight years, he found nothing.

 

He wanted to cut it down, but the keeper of the vineyard talked him into being patient and waiting one more year.  In that time, the vineyard keeper would tend it and fertilize it.  Then, if there was no fruit, it would be cut down.

 

 

Application

So what is the answer to our question?  Before I go any further, it is important to recognize the question as flawed.

 

As Bill Beasley used to say, no one is good.  He was right, and that is exactly what the Bible says.  No one is good.

 

1 Kings 8:46, 46 “When they sin against You (for there is no one who does not sin), and You become angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, and they take them captive to the land of the enemy, far or near.

 

Psalm 14:1, 1The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”  They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.

 

Psalm 143:2, 2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous.

 

Romans 3:23, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 

Romans 6:23, 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

However, what did Jesus say specifically in this text?  He gave three answers.

 

First, we live in a fallen world, and bad people experience good, and good people experience bad.  When He asked rhetorical questions about the people murdered in the temple and the people killed by the tower, in both instances, He said, “I tell you no.”

 

We can’t always blame individuals for the tragedies of life.  See Matthew 5:45.

 

45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

 

Second, instead of worrying about others and comparing yourself and your experiences to others, repent and bear fruit today! 

 

To the “some” who told Jesus about the Galileans in verse 1, Jesus told them the same thing twice. See verse 3 and verse 5.

 

Repent or you will perish.  Repent means to turn from something and go in the complete opposite direction, and the implication is urgency.  Do it now!

 

As it relates to salvation, repent.  Turn from your lie that you can save yourself and turn to Christ alone who can save.

 

As it relates to sanctification or becoming more like Jesus, repent.  Turn from your sin of coveting or disobedience or immorality or lying or pride and turn to Jesus and His way.

 

In the parable of the fig tree, bearing fruit is equivalent to repenting.  God saved you to bear fruit.  If you aren’t bearing fruit, has God saved you?

 

Apart from the rapture, every single person will die and be judged. Either you will be judged for your sins or Jesus will be judged for your sins.  See Hebrews 9:27.

 

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.

 

Third, repent today, and God is patient not wanting anyone to be judged for their own sins.  See 2 Peter 3:9.

 

9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

 

God’s desire is for you to repent today.  Turn to Jesus today.

 

 

Conclusion

Why do bad things happen to good people?  The truth is that it is hard to know, but rather than getting stuck there, will you turn from your sin and self and turn to Jesus today?

Back in the Game Revival Meeting #1 Sunday Morning

Painful Sins

Introduction

We have come to our last sermon in this summer sermon series on a life full of pain.  We have talked about painful decisions, painful finances, painful health, painful losses, painful relationships, and, now, painful sins.

 

Don’t forget, while this earthly life will always be full of pain, Jesus promises eternal life free from pain.  That will be in heaven and only for those who made a personal decision to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.

 

Also, please remember that we haven’t been only identifying painful experiences.  We have also identified how we as followers of Christ can survive.

 

Here in John 21, Jesus and seven of His closest disciples were in Galilee.  The 7 had spent all night fishing and caught nothing. 

 

Jesus told them to throw their net on the right-hand side of the boat.  They did and caught 153 large fish.  They then sat down with the post-resurrected Christ for breakfast.

 

Today’s verses focus on Peter.  Peter was the unofficial leader of the 12 and was the second closest to Jesus next to, John. 

 

Remember how Peter had recently failed the Lord?  Peter denied Jesus on three different occasions late Thursday night and early Friday morning before Jesus was crucified. 

 

John 18:17 17 Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?”  He said, “I am not.”

 

John 18:25 25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore, they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”  He denied it and said, “I am not!”

 

John 18:26 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

 

As we talk about painful sins this morning, we are not going to talk specifically about any one sin of SEVEN DEADLY SINS or breaking any of the TEN COMMANDMENTS.  We are talking about denying Christ.

 

However, don’t think you are off the hook.  Every sin is ultimately a denial of Jesus’ Lordship in our lives.  When you disobey parents, you are denying Christ.  When you lie, you are denying Christ.  When you lust, you are denying Christ.  When refuse not to witness, you are denying Christ.  When you are sexually immoral, you are denying Christ.

 

The good news is that in today’s story, Peter is forgiven and restored.  You can be too.

 

 

17. Jesus Restored Peter’s Past Failures, John 21:15-17.

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”  He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”  He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”  16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”  He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”  He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”  17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”  And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”  Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

 

In verse 15, Jesus turned to Peter and asked him this question, “Do you love Me more than these?”  Remember that they are probably sitting around the fire that cooked their fish, and it was around a fire that Peter first denied Jesus on Thursday night. 

 

Notice that Jesus called Peter “Simon, son of John.”  It was this name that Jesus first called Peter to follow Him in John 1:40-42.

 

40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.  Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

 

As for His question, Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him more than these.  Jesus asked this question of Peter three times to mirror the three times that Peter denied Jesus, and Jesus used the word “agape” to describe that perfect, total, complete, all-encompassing love that He desired.

 

What did He mean by “more than these?”  Was He talking about the fish and fishing and Peter’s former profession?  Was He talking about Peter’s love for the other disciples?  Was He talking about Peter’s love for Jesus compared to the other disciples’ love for Jesus? 

 

I would contend that Jesus was talking about Peter’s love for Him compared to the other disciples’ love for Him. Peter had said previously that he would follow Jesus regardless, but we know that didn’t happen.  It was important for Jesus to remind Peter what he said and then what he had done.

 

BTW…Before we glorify in God’s grace, we have to be reminded of our wretchedness.  The wages of sin is death!

 

I believe Peter grieved his failures in verse 17.  Jesus had asked him three times if he loved Him.  Three times, Peter said yes, and three times Jesus restored him to ministry after his three denials.

 

There is not a person in the room this morning that hasn’t failed in some form or capacity.  Some have failed as employees.  Some have failed as friends.   Some have failed as parents.  Some have spouses. We have all failed as Christians and church members.  I have failed as a pastor and your pastor.

 

However, I have good news for you today.  Peter failed, and yet, Christ restored him completely to ministry and service and to lead the first century church when He was gone. 

 

 

19. Jesus Revealed Peter’s Painful Future, John 21:18-19.

18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.” 

 

In verse 18, Jesus continued His conversation with Peter, and reminded Peter of what life was like when he was young.  When you are young, you make decisions for yourself and go your own way. 

 

However, when Peter would get older, Jesus revealed that others would lead Peter were they wanted him to go, and he would do what others decided he would do.

 

BTW, if you are here today and you are adult children caring for your elderly parents, be considerate of the decisions you make for them on their behalf.  More than likely, what you do with your parents when they are old will likely come back to you from your children when you are old.

 

 

Verse 19 tells us that Jesus was talking about how Peter would die.  His arms would be stretched out in order to be tied to or nailed to a cross, and he would be crucified like Jesus was. 

 

Church history confirms this fact as Jesus was correct in His revelation.  Peter indeed was led away against his will and crucified on a cross but upside down at his own request as Peter believed that he was not worthy to die in the exact same fashion that Jesus had died.

 

 

• Jesus Rebuked Peter’s Premature Focus, John 21:20-23.

 20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”  22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”  23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

 

In light of what Jesus had to say about Peter’s future, Peter was curious about John’s future.  Peter saw John there close by and asked Jesus about him in verse 21. 

 

Notice Jesus’ response in verse 22.  He rebuked Peter’s premature focus. 

 

Peter shouldn’t be worrying about John.  Peter should be worrying about Peter, and Jesus told him that.  Don’t worry about John.  You worry about Peter and just keep following Me. 

 

In verse 23, Jesus then corrected some misinformation within the group.  He didn’t say that John wouldn’t die.  He simply said that if He wanted John to live that was nobody’s business but His.

 

It’s real easy to worry about everybody else except the person in the mirror.  We can point fingers and name names and criticize everyone else’s actions and words and failures. 

 

Jesus said stop.  You worry about you, and let Jesus take care of everybody else.

 

 

 

Conclusion

What is the antidote to painful sins?  How can we survive painful sins?

 

Twice in our text, Jesus said these two words, “Follow Me.”  He said it at the end of verse 19 and the end of verse 22.

 

Here is how Jesus said it in in Luke 9:23. 

 

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

 

First, deny self.  Second, prepare to die to self daily.  Then follow Jesus. 

 

Submit to His leadership in your life.  That is how you survive painful sins.

Painful Relationships

We’re still talking about a life full of pain here at Emory BC.  This our Sunday morning sermon series for the summer.

 

We’ve talked about painful decisions, and painful finances, and painful health, and painful losses.  Today, we are talking about painful relationships.

 

Please remember, we are not just identifying painful experiences.  We are also trying to identify means of surviving a life full of pain.

 

Everyone’s life in the room is full of relationships.  We have family relationships. We have work relationships.  We have school relationships.  We have relationships with friends and neighbors.

 

However, sometimes, relationships can be painful.  Relationships can hurt, and hurt really badly.

 

This morning, I want to remind you of a relationship in the book of Acts that went experienced a lot of pain.  It was a relationship between Saul or Paul and Barnabas.

 

I suspect that many of us know quite a bit about Paul.  However, we might not be as familiar with Barnabas.

 

 

Barnabas and Saul/Paul

Let’s find out more.  Turn to Acts 4:36.

 

Acts 4:36 And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus.

 

Barnabas was an early convert to Christianity from the ministry of Peter and John.  We also note something of his character.  He was encourager and came from a family of encouragers.

 

Acts 9:27 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

 

He was one of the first Christians to welcome Saul.  This is key.  Their friendship was long.

 

Acts 11:22 22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.

 

In a sense, he was a local-church missionary sent out from Jerusalem to Antioch.

 

Acts 11:25 25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.

 

He and Paul were ministry partners.

 

Acts 11:30 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

 

The two of them carried an offering back to the Jerusalem Church and their missions.

 

Acts 12:25 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

 

They welcomed John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin, to minister with them.

 

Acts 13:1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

 

Barnabas become an official and recognized leader in the church at Antioch.

 

Acts 13:2 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

 

He was then sent out, along with Saul, on their first missionary journey.

 

Acts 13:50 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.

 

These two were persecuted for their faith in Christ.

 

Acts 14:12 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

 

Barnabas was involved with miracle that Paul performed at Lystra.

 

Acts 15:2 2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.

 

He was part of the Jerusalem Council that welcomed Gentiles into the first church.

 

Acts 15: 12 12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.

 

He then confirmed how God was working in their lives.

 

Acts 15:22 22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.

 

He and Paul then want back to Antioch.

 

Acts 15:35 35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

 

They stayed there in Antioch teaching and preaching the Bible until they were set to leave on their second missionary journey.

 

Do you see how connected these two were?  Barnabas was one of the first to welcome Saul.  They then traveled all over making disciples and starting churches.  When they are named in Acts, it is often together.

 

Acts 15:36-41 36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

 

But then, Acts 15:39 happened, and it was painful.  It was all over John Mark.

 

Make no mistake about here.  This argument was bad. 

 

Most English translations use the word sharp to describe their contention.  The word in the New Testament is paroxysm. 

 

It means a sudden outburst.  It means a fit of rage.  These two men were mad!

 

They were so mad, they severed their ministry partnership.  Barnabas and John Mark went their way, and Paul and Silas went theirs.

 

BTW…God promises to bring good from evil.  God brought two mission teams from this sharp contention and more people heard the gospel.

 

But what was the deal?  Why did they get so mad?  Let’s find out about John Mark.

 

 

John Mark

We are introduced to John Mark in Acts 12.

 

Acts 12:12 12 So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.

 

He lived in Jerusalem.  His mother was a Christian, and we learn from Colossians 4:10 that he was Barnabas’ cousin.

 

Acts 12:25 25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

 

On their way to Antioch and on to their first missionary journey, they invited John Mark to come with them.

 

However, something happened on the trip.

 

Acts 13:13 13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

 

Why did John leave them?  Was he a momma’s boy and couldn’t be away from home?  Was the persecution so tough that he couldn’t take it? Did he not like Paul?

 

The bottom line is that we don’t know.  However, we do know this.  It made Paul mad!

 

It made him so mad that he would rather part ways with Barnabas than take him on another trip.  This just became a painful relationship. 

 

 

Reconciled

However, I have great news!  Paul and Barnabas and Paul and John Mark were reconciled.

 

Paul included Barnabas in statement he made to the Corinthian Church about how they should be paid.

 

1 Corinthians 9:6 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?

 

Colossians 4:10 10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

 

Paul told the Colossians Christians to welcome Mark when he came to them and mentioned him with other faithful brothers in Philemon 1:24.

 

Philemon 1:24 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.

 

His most significant statement about John Mark came in 2 Timothy 4:11.

 

2 Timothy 4: 11 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

 

He called the one who once deserted him now useful to him.

 

Let me share one other comment that Peter made about John Mark.

 

1 Peter 5:13 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.

 

Peter called him his son. 

 

BTW…we assume that John Mark quit the ministry for whatever reason, he obviously came back.  In other words, just easily as you stop a ministry, you can start a ministry. 

 

Peter took John Mark under his wing, mentored him, and who wrote the second Gospel?  It was John Mark from Peter’s eye-witness accounts.

 

 

Application

So here’s my question.  What happened to bring these folks back together after their paroxysm?

 

First, relationships are painful.  They hurt.  They cause us to get mad and angry.

 

Second, relationships are messy.  Disagreements happen between best friends.  Disagreements happen between family.  Disagreements happen between Christians and Christian leaders.

 

Third, relationships that are painful and messy can be reconciled. How?

 

Acknowledge that it takes two to tango.  Who was right between Paul and Barnabas?

 

There was Paul’s take, and there was Barnabas’ take, and somewhere in the middle was reality.  Or, there was Paul’s truth, and there was Barnabas’ truth, and somewhere in the middle was THE truth.

 

Ask for forgiveness.  In other words, be willing to say “I am sorry.”  I can’t tell you how many times I have needed to say I was wrong and needed forgiveness, and it was mostly to Christy and my daughters.

 

Finally, accept an apology.  In other words, be willing to forgive.

 

From Jesus lips to our ears:

 

Matthew 6:12 12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

 

Matthew 6:14-15 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.

 

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.”

 

Luke 6:37 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

 

And from Paul and Peter:

 

Ephesians 4:32 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

 

1 Peter 4:8 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

 

If you want to be godly, forgive like God.  If you call yourself a Christian, forgive like Jesus.

 

And there is not pain or hurt in the room that is as bad as our how bad and hurtful our sin is to a holy God.

 

Painful Losses

Today, we return to our summer sermon series on Sunday mornings entitled, “A Life Full of Pain: How Can Believers Survive?’  If you have your Bibles, find 2 Corinthians 1:3, and let’s talk about “Painful Losses.”

 

In the recent weeks, we have talked about painful decisions.  We looked at King Saul in 1 Samuel 15.  Our encouragement was to obey God completely instead of partially.

 

Next, we talked about painful finances.  We looked at the Apostle Paul’s experience in Philippians 4.  Our encouragement was to learn the spiritual discipline of contentment.

 

Then, we talked about painful health.  We looked at a man born lame who encountered Peter and John in Acts 3.  Our encouragement was to pray to God asking for healing and ask others to pray for our healing as well.   

 

Before I move on, remember that even though this life is full of pain, there is a time and place that is free from pain.  That place is heaven, and that time is eternity, but it is reserved only for the followers of Christ.

 

This morning, we are talking about painful losses, and everyone can relate.  There is no one who is immune to loss.

 

Generally speaking, losses can be grouped into three broad categories.  First, there is loss of position.  This may mean loss of job or loss of status.

 

Second, there is loss of possession.  This may mean income, retirement, home, etc.  Multiple families lost many possessions in the 2017 EF-3 tornado in Rains County.

 

Third, there is the loss of person and or pets.  Even though my message today speaks primarily to the loss of person, losing a pet is painful.

 

I used to not think this was true.  Early on as a pastor, when church members asked me to pray for them because their dog died or cat died, I did, but I was laughing inside.

 

However, in the past 15 years or so, I have lost three Labrador Retrievers, and I have cried every time.  Losing a pet is painful!

 

When we talk about losing a person, the Bible is not silent.  There are multiple examples of the death of a spouse, death of a child, death of a friend.

 

Remember Abraham who lost his wife Sarah.  See Genesis 23:1-2, 17-20.

 

1 Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years; these were the years of the life of Sarah. 2 So Sarah died in Kirjath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

 

17 So the field of Ephron which was in Machpelah, which was before Mamre, the field and the cave which was in it, and all the trees that were in the field, which were within all the surrounding borders, were deeded 18 to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the sons of Heth, before all who went in at the gate of his city.  19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 So the field and the cave that is in it were deeded to Abraham by the sons of Heth as property for a burial place.

 

Notice that Abraham mourned and wept and secured a burial for his wife.  Responding in kind to a loss of person is normal and right.

 

Naomi did the same in Ruth 1.  She lost her husband named Elimelech.

 

3 Then Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 Now they took wives of the women of Moab: the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth. And they dwelt there about ten years. 5 Then both Mahlon and Chilion also died; so the woman survived her two sons and her husband.

 

However, she not only lost her husband, but she also lost her adult sons.  They were also spouses to Orpah and Ruth.

 

I’m sure you know the shortest verse in the Bible.  See John 11:35.

 

35 Jesus wept.

 

Why did Jesus cry?  His dear friend, Lazarus, had died.

 

Finally, even though we are prone to skip this one obvious example.  God the Father experienced the death of His Son, Jesus Christ.

 

Personally, I have not experienced the losses that many of you have.  However, I experienced my own losses.

 

My family and I were set to adopt a set of brothers in the summer of 2014.  We had gone through all of the paperwork and home studies, and then found out another family had adopted them because our paperwork got misplaced.

 

I lost three of my closest friends on September 11, 2014 when three deacons at my previous church wanted me to change the gospel message that I was extending to blacks in our community.  I wasn’t going to change my message so I changed churches and landed here at EBC.

 

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, I lost a father-figure when Dr. Jimmy Pritchard died due to complications with COVID.  He wasn’t my biological father, but he was my spiritual father and mentor.

 

 

Exposition

In 2 Corinthians 1, I want to comfort you as God wants to comfort us through Paul.  Notice that Paul used that word 6 times in verses 3-6.

 

Paul experienced his own trials and tribulation and suffering according to verse 5.  They were so bad that verse 8 describes them as beyond measure, above strength, and made them think they weren’t going to live through them.

 

What were they?  2 Corinthians 11:24-27 lists some.

 

24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

 

In this letter to the Corinthians and in effort to comfort them, Paul began by reminding to praise God for His mercies and comfort.  Certainly, that is a strange place to start because we think that we should be immune from loss.

 

Then, when we suffer loss, we are thinking about praising God.  We are thinking about cursing God.  However, the truth is, no one is immune from loss…no one.

 

We also see in verses 3-4 that God wants to comfort us in any and every loss.  Notice the use of the word all and any.

 

After praising God for His mercy and comfort, Paul says come to God for comfort again and again.  That word comfort in verse 4 is present active participle that means God will comfort over and over and over again.

 

In verse 5, we actually see that this idea has a financial connotation.  When our loss is this much, His comfort is always more. 

 

Finally, after praising God and coming to Him for comfort, we should recognize that He gives us opportunities to share that same comfort with others in our same situation. 

 

So here is the idea.  God comforts us in our loss.  We then comfort others in the same way that God comforted us. 

 

Therefore, our challenge is not to waste our loss.  Of course, we wouldn’t choose it.  However, we can choose to use it according to God’s plan to comfort others in need like we were and are.

 

 

Invitation

Our invitation is always first to trust Christ. If you have never made that personal decision to follow Jesus, I’d invite you to do so today.

 

Also, I’d invite you to connect formally to EBC.  If you are just visiting, what’s keeping you from making that next step?

 

Lastly, you just may need to be comforted today.  Just sit in silence and be comforted by the HS within you.

Gideons International Report

Painful Health

If you have your Bibles this morning, please take them and find Acts 3:1.  I want to continue in our summer sermon series on Sunday mornings talking about “Painful Health.”

 

This summer, we are talking about a life full of pain.  So far, we have talked about painful decisions in Saul’s life from 1 Samuel 15, and painful finances from Paul’s life in Philippians 4.

 

BTW…Please remember that life on this earth will always be full of pain.  However, a life in heaven for eternity will be painless and pain-free, but you can only experience such through a personal and saving relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

 

When we talk about painful health, almost all of us can identify.  So many of us have had the dreaded cancer diagnosis.  Others have diabetes.

 

You can add arthritis to list and migraines torn muscles and tendons and ligaments. We can all identify.

 

BTW…I want to publically thank EBC for the insurance that you provide for me and my family and our ministers.  If it were not for our very good insurance, my wife and I would have had to declare bankruptcy after two hospital stays last summer and trying to pay for college. Thank you!

 

 

1. A Man Who was Hopeless, 3:1-3

1 Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; 3 who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms.

 

Here in Acts 3, Peter and John were on their way to the temple to pray.  It was 3 PM.  The ninth hour refers to from 6 AM.

 

They met a certain man who had been unable to walk since his birth.  Acts 4:22 says this man was 40 years old. 

 

Friends and family took him to the temple every day for him to be seen and cared for with the donations of others.  Of course, because of his physical handicap, he couldn’t work and couldn’t provide for himself.

 

Alms were offerings that were being given.  In our day and time, he would be considered a “panhandler.’

 

BTW…Was this man’s condition because of his sin or his parents.  John 9:1-3 tells us that this man’s handicap simply could have been a situation to demonstrate glory of God. 

 

Verse 3 says he saw Peter and John.  Maybe he hadn’t seen them previously.  Regardless, he requested assistance from them.

 

Otherwise, his situation was hopeless.  He had been lame for 14,600 days with no sign of change.

 

 

2. A Miracle of Healing, 3:4-7

4 And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” 5 So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

 

Verse 4 says that Peter caught his eyes and began to converse with him.  Since many had probably ignored him, when Peter began to talk, the lame man expected that Peter and John were going to help them, and they did, but not in the way he was expecting.

 

Peter commanded him to get up in the name and authority of Jesus.  Then Peter helped him up, and he was healed instantly and completely.

 

BTW…It was God’s plan for this man to be healed.  It was also God’s plan for Peter to play his part, to fulfill his role.

 

God can save anyone and everyone instantly.  However, His plan is use us in sharing the gospel.  Brothers and sisters, God left you on earth for a specific purpose, and that purpose is to share the gospel with anyone and everyone that He brings in your path. 

 

 

3. Magnifying the Healer, 3:8-10

8 So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God. 10 Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

 

What happened once he was healed?  The who was limping went to leaping. 

 

He praised God, and he showed others what had happened. 

 

Consequently, those in the temple were filled with wonder and amazement. They saw for themselves that a miracle had taken place, and they too knew that God had done it.

 

 

 

Application and Conclusion

First, God still performs miracles of healing today.  He can heal cancer, and He can heal diabetes, and He can heal anything and everything.

 

If you are in need, I invite you to do what the James invited the first-century Christians to do.  See James 5:14.

 

14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

 

As the single elder of Emory Baptist Church, I have prayed for and anointed multiple people with oil.  I would love to do the same for you.

 

Second, when God does heal, we should praise Him.  We should praise Him personally, and we should praise Him publically. That’s what this man did.

 

BTW…If God doesn’t heal, He is still God, and He is still good.  See Job 2:10 and 13:15.

 

10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

 

15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.

 

Third, this example of physical healing is a picture and symbol of our need for spiritual healing. We are all spiritually lame, and we need Jesus, and only Jesus, to heal us and save us.

 

And this is Jesus’ first priority.  It is no good for Jesus to heal physically and then healed men and women spend an eternity in hell because they haven’t been healed spiritually.

 

This morning, I invite you to let Jesus heal your heart.  Will you trust Him today as Lord and Savior?

 

O Magnify the Lord with Me!