Sermon Notes & Videos
2021-09-03 | Deuteronomy 29-30 | Critical Roots Theory
There are a few perspectives that can explain ignorance of any matter. The first, and most obvious, is that you know what you don’t know. The other, which is more insidious, is that you don’t know what you don’t know. So, as we launch into this teaching, pay attention, not only to what you are certain you don’t know, but be on the lookout for things you didn’t even know that you didn’t know.
I called this teaching “Critical Roots Theory”, obviously to play off the controversial Critical Race Theory. I would venture to say that regarding the latter there is so much that you don’t know that you don’t know about it. It’s much like that beacon of light movement call “Something” Lives Matter. I am purposely leaving out the proper name as to not be censored. But, you all know that to which I am referring. That organization cares about anything other than that for which it is named. Nevertheless, most people don’t even know that, nor do they know that they don’t know that.
And that leads us to our current topic at hand. You may not actually know the Hebrew roots of your faith, and you may have not even realized you don’t know them. Moses looked forward and said it like this. “This covenant that was made between you and Yahweh, it’s not just for you. It is also for everyone who will come after you.” That’s a powerful idea. Y’shua made a similar promise at His last meal before He was crucified. “My prayers today are for all these men sitting before Me, as well as all those who will come to faith because of what they are about to bring into the world.”
There is an unbroken link between Christians today, and those who came before us, all the way back to Abraham. Paul even told the Corinthians that all of their forefathers passed through the sea, even though they were clearly of Greek origin and not Hebrews. What connected them? And why is it appropriate to say we are all from the same root? Did you even know we were; or better yet, did you even know that you didn’t know how critical it was that you should know? And more so, what controversies have arisen over the centuries because of this ignorance? Hence, “Critical Roots Theory.”
2021-08-27 | Deuteronomy 26-29 | Self-Inflicted Wounds
“Do you honestly think you will get away with that?” You could ask this of anyone who is openly, or even unknowingly, mocking Yahweh’s truth and justice. If you further inquired about their beliefs and practices, I bet you would sense one or more of these sentiments in a majority of them:
• They don’t consider God because they don’t even believe He exists.
• They openly deny Yahweh in favor of some false god.
• They don’t consider God because what is perceived as beneficial today far outweighs the unknown consequences of tomorrow.
• They do consider a god, but they are completely deceived; they worship a false god, while believing they serve Yahweh.
• They do consider a god, but for expedience, they have changed who He is to fit their own beliefs.
What we are seeing today, in many instances, are those who proclaim to follow Jesus, while simultaneously violating so many of His teachings. And worse yet, they actually believe they will escape His judgment.
As the psalmist warns, “Yahweh laughs at the wicked, for He sees that his day is coming; their own sword shall enter their heart.” Oftentimes, that “sword” is comprised of the very people and institutions who once supported the mocker.
I like to say it like this; “Satan has no allegiance to those who worship him. He will chew them up and spit them out once they are no longer effective for him.” Well, look no further than the current events of today and you will witness the destruction coming upon those who mock God. Their usefulness for Satan has run its course and Yahweh is laughing.
2021-08-20 | Deuteronomy 21-25 | Prophetic Implications
What does it mean to be “duty bound?” And what does Yahweh do when one is not willing or aware of the need to fulfill that duty? I pray you realize there are no idle words in the Bible and every historical event has implications, well beyond the narrative itself. In other words, the history of what actually took place is important, but what it means prophetically is far more significant. The best way to investigate what is the deeper message hidden in biblical narratives is to consider the Scriptures as a type of divine web of interconnections and revelations. For instance, in one area of Scripture Yahweh gives a command; in another we read a seemingly unrelated historical account. Then, in yet a third area, He reveals the prophetic nature in which that command was fulfilled in that story. To appreciate it, you must become a student of the Scriptures.
And what is most fascinating is that when man is not willing to fulfill his commanded duty, or not even aware of it, Yahweh steps in and makes it happen. He simply will not be denied. Good thing for us, as you will certainly see shortly!
And could we agree on one final point? If we can weave together a few fibers of this divine tapestry, might we then become more useful in bringing the Kingdom to earth? We can do so by recognizing the prophetic significance of God’s Laws. Let me defer to the words of Y’shua to describe what I’m saying; “Every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”
2021-08-13 | Deuteronomy 16-21 | The Justice League
Throughout human history, has there ever been a time when those in power DID NOT intend to manipulate and deceive the unsuspecting masses? First instigate division among the people and help them develop a goodly amount of contempt for one another. Then control them like puppets. Divide and conquer! There’s nothing new under the sun and, no surprise, it’s happening even now. Could there be more deception, more division?
The question I want you to ponder today is this; has this insidious problem ever been remedied by revealing the truth behind the curtain? Does exposing the corruption ever bring justice? Or, instead does it further the twisted deception? Simply observe what is happening. The louder the truth-tellers scream, the harder the deceivers dig in and the more bizarre their stories become. And if the truth is just too difficult to twist, censor it, or delete it, or just rewrite history altogether and publish a new narrative.
I don’t write this to depress you or make you afraid, quite the contrary. And I’m not saying there is no value in screaming the truth from the rooftops. People do need to hear the truth. What I am saying is this…there is a better remedy. The solution is spiritual! The Church must act like the Church. God’s righteous elect are the remedy, if we would just take our proper seat of authority! Let me paraphrase the prophetic Psalmist. God will not tolerate corrupt rulers who kill the innocent and make injustice legal forever. True justice will indeed return to the courts, governed by righteous men.
It’s time for the JUSTICE LEAGUE to arise. No, not a lineup of fictional superheroes. JUSTICE is righteous judgment. And a LEAGUE is a collection of people who collaborate, cooperate, align, and conspire for a particular purpose. Sure, keep shouting the truth for the few who will listen, but more importantly, become a people through whom Yahweh can administer HIS JUSTICE!
2021-08-06 | Deuteronomy 11-16 | Easy Entanglements
How tempted are you to become enmeshed with the things of the world? Do you feel yourself drawn to your old life? Are you still enticed by the pleasures of your past? We are warned throughout the Holy Scriptures that we should not even entertain the thoughts of our past idolatries because we can become so easily ensnared by them! Enticed and ensnared speak of desire; enmeshed and entangled paint the picture of a sticky spider web that so easily ensnares its prey.
Now, there are two possible ways you can guard yourself from becoming trapped in your past temptations. One is the self discipline approach. This involves your body and soul. Become strong and practice self-control and fight against those desires.
That’s not a terrible idea, but there is an even better way, the spirit-discipline approach! “Fix your eyes on Y’shua, the author and finisher of your faith!” This approach gives your spirit top billing. I’d like to encourage you to make your spiritual disciplines your first priority, without neglecting your self-discipline.
2021-07-30 | Deuteronomy 7-11 | Who, What, When, Where, How and Why?
I was reminded this week about an important concept. I’d like you to meditate on this idea. “The quality of your life is only as good as the quality of your questions!” I know that is a loaded statement that we can literally take in a thousand directions, but play along with me here. And let me add, “If you don’t like your life, ask better questions!” Moreover, to both of these provocative statements, might we affirm that having the correct answers to life’s all-important questions is as essential as the questions themselves! In other words, asking the right questions, but getting the answers wrong, is as detrimental as asking the wrong questions or asking no questions at all!
Let me give you a simple example. Can’t we all agree that asking where we will spend eternity is a critical question? Additional essential questions would be, “What determines where, and how do we know?” Getting these answers wrong is as damning as not asking them in the first place!
In our Scripture readings for today there are many answers. And I think we can safely infer that these are the questions: who, what, when, where, how, and why?