Sermon Notes & Videos
2022-09-09 | Deuteronomy 21-25 | Seeker Friendly
Weekly Scriptures | Sermon Notes | Sermon Video
Look what the cat dragged in! Now, I don’t have a cat and maybe you don’t either, but we are all familiar with what that implies. Cats don’t drag into the house anything desirable. Maybe it’s a dead mangled mouse, or a decapitated lacerated lizard, or a limp bleeding bird. Either way it’s a disgusting scene and somebody’s got to clean up the bloody trail.
I guess the picture I wish to paint is that sometimes things are dragged into the house that simply shouldn’t be there. In this case, although it’s nasty, it’s nothing that can’t be remedied without a baby wipe and a little spray disinfectant. And if the bad habit prevails, a trip to the vet for some declawing action and your problem is likely resolved.
But, it gets much more complicated if the feline is instead a Christian, and the house is instead the house of the Lord, and the refuse dragged in is not an unfortunate rodent, reptile, or feathered creature. Christians drag all sorts of nasty refuse into the house of God, His holy sanctuary. They do so and plop it down right under their seats, and it sits there—marinating, fulminating. Many times it goes unnoticed; the feline human has crafted all sorts of diversions from their bloodied dead animals. It’s like someone spraying air freshener in a bathroom just after the most foul deposit. You can’t quite smell the worst of it, but you know something went wrong in there, horribly wrong. Nevertheless, exactly what took place remains hidden, for now. Yes, there are diversions, but if you care to sniff around, you’ll figure it out soon enough.
Other times it’s not so well hidden; sometimes there’s not even an attempt to hide the offending guest below the seat. Maybe this is the worst type of all. It’s the obvious sexual immorality, the idolatry, the slander, the gossip, the greed, the physical and chemical abuse, the unchecked desires, the consumerism, and the preoccupation with selfish gain. Need I continue?
Neither the bearer of such carcasses, nor those sitting nearby, nor the orator in the pulpit cares enough to do anything about it, to even say a word. “They are here aren’t they? And isn’t that good enough; isn’t that the goal; isn’t that what’s most important?” The seat is occupied and the more seats occupied the better job we’re doing filling seats! What does it matter what they dragged in and plopped down below the surface!
Look the other way; no empty seats is the objective here. It’s all about the numbers. It’s the seeker friendly church, and God needs us to compromise in order to find seekers. Evangelism is so much easier when you ignore the sin. So, don’t say a word, the refuse under the seat is fine, as long as they keep coming.
2022-09-02 | Deuteronomy 16-21 | Impersonating a Christian
Weekly Scriptures | Sermon Notes | Sermon Video
It can be very funny to watch a talented comedian do impersonations. They are skilled at capturing the essence of someone who most people would recognize. They accentuate their mannerisms, facial expressions, voice, body language and talk about subjects this famous person is known for. They truly capture the outer expression of a person’s character. It might be said that imitation is a great compliment. Of course, this is true if it is all done in clean fun, as the Bible warns us against course jesting.
Yet, it is far from funny and rather offensive, even dangerous, when we find someone impersonating a Christian. What does that even look like? Too often, you cannot easily identify such “comedians” simply by their mannerisms, facial expressions, voice, body language or the subjects they talk about. Those all appear authentic. But it’s their inner character that ultimately exposes them. Out in the open they appear as Christians, but in the secret place of the heart they are just frauds.
I’d invite you to use a few key parameters and see if you can spot them. They are much more popular than you might think; they are actually everywhere, lurking just below the surface. They love their idols. You’ll notice what’s most important to them on the inside by what gains most of their time, attention, and resources. Another key giveaway is effort. It takes a lot of effort to be accomplished at anything; and you will recognize counterfeits by their cheep imitations; they simply never put God first, never give Him their best of anything. Something else is always more important than God. And we all know that actions speak louder than words, so if you keenly observe what people are doing, you will know. In this high tech world in which we live, virtual reality and social media have become major brands of entertainment. Strap on the headset and dive into a wondrous and expansive fake world.
Fabricate any persona you desire and propagate it on your channels, feeds and posts. People have become experts at fake! Practice your fake Christianity in that world and no one will care; no one gets hurt. But, when you take off the blinders and step back into reality, you will get exposed. The divinely inspired words of the Bible insure you will have no plausible deniability if you say one thing and do another. It’s there in plain sight, so you do not turn aside from God’s ways to the right or to the left. “Catch Me If You Can” was a movie released in 2002 in which the main character successfully performs all sorts of cons. He convinces everyone that he is someone else, someone he’s not. He is a great impersonator, an imposter. It seems like an exciting ride all along, but deep inside he is actually tormented by his true identity. In the end, all his pretense is exposed anyway. You can’t hide the truth forever! Is that you? Others may not have noticed yet, but deep down inside, you know! Are you impersonating a Christian?
2022-08-26 | Deuteronomy 11-16 | Indomitable Grace
In some circles in the Christian faith it is believed that God’s grace is irresistible. What does that even mean? I think it best we consider the idea of grace first, before we decide if it is so overwhelming, overpowering, and compelling, as to be involuntarily unavoidable. I like to think of grace as the brilliance that might reflect off the perfect diamond, if you were to shine the brightest light imaginable in its direction. Yes, that’s a great word picture, especially if you are the diamond. In spiritual vernacular, grace is God’s supernatural power. God directs His power towards us in all its indomitable magnificence, and it has no choice but to reflect.
And that inspires a second question. Do we have a choice to encounter grace? I’m not thinking about the reflecting back part; that’s should be self-evident. If the brightest of lights is blasted toward an object, it will illuminate that object as the light reflects from it. I’m thinking, instead, of the diamond. How perfect is the diamond, how polished? Sure light will reflect off a lump of coal if it’s in the path of that light, but it won’t be brilliant. And the question remains; can the diamond (or coal) run and hide, or is the brilliance unavoidable…inescapable? I’ll leave that for you to ponder, as my true concern for now is you, the diamond itself, the object doing the reflecting, assuming it has encountered God’s grace. And let’s make a clear distinction, as there are some who believe God’s grace excuses abhorrent behavior. That is like hijacking God’s power in some slimy back alley transaction. Note to self: it won’t work!
2022-08-19 | Deuteronomy 7-11 | The Great Paradox
The most expensive thing in the universe is free. Make sense? Let me say it in another way to clear up any contradiction; it will take every resource you have to buy something infinitely valuable that cost nothing. Is that better? No? Okay, try this; the faith that you were given for free, which guaranteed your eternity with God for free, will cost you everything. Still confused?
These are what are known as paradoxical statements. A paradox is a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when further investigated and explained proves to be well founded or true. I assure you, the above statements are true. Yes, they are absurd on the surface and seemingly contradictory, but they are nevertheless accurate; they are indeed fact.
It’s the great paradox. You come to the Lord naked and ashamed, and deserving of nothing. You are a helpless child and have nothing to offer Him. Yet, the Lord says, come buy bread with money you don’t have; use what is in your empty pockets to purchase living water from the fountain of life—an absurd paradox! Do you see it now? It is the most valuable thing in the universe and you do not have a single asset to offer in exchange. Yet, you partake freely. And suddenly something extraordinary happens. Your eyes are opened and you see everything before you that must be left behind you. Everything you were, all you held as sacred, each dear thing from which you crafted your persona, formed your identity, and derived your self-worth, you must now let die. Everything? Yes everything! You have become a new creature; it had cost you nothing and now it will cost you everything.
“What must I do to become a disciple?” That becomes the burning question; that becomes the only relevant question. And the answer becomes the only thing that matters. Y’shua said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit.” In other words, the fruit one produces is the evidence that one has become a true disciple. But, unless a seed falls into the ground and dies, it cannot produce fruit. Those who received that free faith, who freely ate the bread and drank from the fountain must now forsake all, even their very lives. If that is you, it will cost you everything for this thing that cost you nothing. It’s obviously absurd and seemingly contradictory. But, now that we’ve further investigated, it has proven to be well founded and true. It’s the greatest of all paradoxes!
2022-08-12 | Deuteronomy 3-7 | Ten Commandments – Who are they for?
In our Bibles, “Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not” can be found hundreds of times. Undoubtedly, Yahweh’s intention was to provide fresh revelation to Moses in the form of His finger-scripted stone tablets. And God was not just revealing His commands to be a cosmic kill-joy. They were meant to be a blessing! It is well established and agreed that the Ten Commandments are the underpinning of western civilization. They are the bedrock for our cultural morality. However, as time passes since the revelation to Moses, and the further we get from its message, the greater the erosion of societal behaviors. Have we lost our ethical moorings?
The Church, unfortunately, has not been the guide rod and moral compass it was meant to be. A very prominent pastor recently published a book in which he writes, “The Ten Commandments have no authority over you. None. To be clear, “Thou Shalt not obey the Ten Commandments.”” If this is the message well-known pastoral figures are preaching from their platforms, why should the unbelieving world have any desire to surrender their humanistic agendas? Why not just live life according to how things make you feel? If it feels good, do it; if it doesn’t, don’t. What a simple and self-satisfying way to live. And isn’t this precisely what we are witnessing all around us today?
Because of its wish-washy doctrine, the western church is largely to blame for this phenomenon. As an institution, it has bowed to what people want to hear. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and the church has been all too accommodating to supply greasy grace to the loudest complaints! One of only two things can occur. Either the culture is shaped around God’s Word, or God’s Word is shaped around the culture. Trust me, no one complains when they get to do whatever they wish. It only gets noisy when people are taught to fit their lives into the narrow parameters of God’s instructions.
As such, it is no accident that the world is behaving the way it is. It should be no surprise that morality is at an-all-time low. Why? Because when humans are left to determine what is right, the outcome is always the same! If it feels good, do it; if it doesn’t, don’t. What a simple and self-satisfying way to live.
As Christians, we should be asking everyone this question. “Ten commandments, who are they for?” You might not win the “most popular” title, or the “most likely to succeed” award, but you will leave a lasting imprint. No, it is not your job to convince or change anyone’s mind, but it is your duty to challenge their way of thinking.
We are now experiencing the ramifications of living in a pluralistic society, one in which Christians are encouraged, even forced, to keep their opinions to themselves. Moses was handed down stone tablets and told to openly proclaim the truth written upon them. But, it is the enemy’s desire that their powerful meaning stay sealed behind closed doors. Ultimately, who are the ten commandments for? They are for all of humanity, because in the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. And until that day comes, be sure that “teaching others to obey!” is part of your disciple-making agenda.
2022-08-05 | Deuteronomy 1-3 | Anti-discombobulated
It’s the elephant in the room, so let’s first stop pretending and settle the issue. “I didn’t know” is not the reason. It’s not a viable excuse. Okay, now that we have that out of the way, we can get down to business. His voice is loud and clear, no interpretation necessary. And His instructions are straightforward and unambiguous; nothing to clarify. Now, the only question remaining is, “Will you go?”
There is probably no more challenging directive in the Bible than the one that instructs the hearer to “Go!” That type of command can be very destabilizing. Comfort zones are comfortable for a reason. It’s like a mother’s warm and confined womb. A child floats in utter bliss with every provision on automatic. But, birth changes things; birth disrupts things. It’s time to leave the comfort zone through the canal of transition. Your mission is to enter a whole new world, an exciting world, but an uncomfortable one. It’s time to go!
Abraham was told to go. Isaac was told to go. Jacob was told to go. Jacob’s ten sons were told to go. Moses was told to go. Israel was told to go. David was told to go. Elijah was told to go. The disciples were told to go. Paul was told to go. You also were told to go. Go therefore! What simply remains is your response. Israel went, but opted for the forty year plan. Even after all the proof that Yahweh would provide every step of the way, they chose the round about route. The disciples went at first and saw miraculous things; after witnessing the crucifixion they scattered like cockroaches in the light.
After the resurrection, the disciples were again told to go; then they went back to fishing. You also were told to go. It’s the elephant in the room, so let’s first stop pretending and settle the issue. “You didn’t know” is not the reason. You have no viable excuse. And now that we have that out of the way, all you have to do is make a choice. His voice is loud and clear, no interpretation necessary. His instructions are straightforward and unambiguous; nothing to clarify. Go or don’t go. But, let’s not fool ourselves, “You didn’t know” is not the reason.
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