The Cross and my Response, Part 2

September 15, 2013
"The Cross and My Response" part 2
1 Corinthians 1
Scott Howard

The theme of the entire book of 1 Corinthians is the Cross.

Last week we studied just the first way the Cross forms the Christian: The Cross Humbles us.

Six Ways the Cross forms the Christian:

1.  The Cross Humbles us.
2.  The Cross Satisfies us.  See 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

• Because of the Cross all of our guilt is gone
• Because of the Cross all His gifts are ours

3.  The Cross Unifies us.  See 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

• The Cross erases any reason for division among you
• The Cross exalts the only One who died for us

4.  The Cross Transforms us in Christ.

• Christ is our righteousness: Meaning, He has saved us from sin's penalty.
• Christ is our sanctification.  He is saving us from sin's power. 
• Christ is our redemption.  He will ultimately save us from sin's presence altogether.

5.  The Cross Compels us.

• We want to reflect the Holiness of God
• We want to proclaim the Hope of the Gospel

6.  The Cross assures us.  See 1 Corinthians 1:8

• The Christ who came to die on a Cross is the Christ who is coming to usher in a Kingdom.
• The Church is not living for our best life now; the Church is living for our best life later.

The Cross and My Response

September 8, 2013
"The Cross and My Response"
1 Corinthians chapter 1
Scott Howard

• What makes the Church distinct is the Cross of Jesus Christ

Ways the Cross forms the Christian:

• The Cross humbles us.

   1.  The Contrast: 1 Corinthians 1:18

• To those who are perishing (not saved), the Cross seems absurd.
• To those who are being saved, the Cross evokes awe.

   2.  The Cause:  1 Corinthians 1:26-28

• It's not the specific quality of those who are called.
• It's only the sovereign mercy of the one who calls.

The mercy of God (and our acceptance of it) is what allows us to view the Cross with awe.

   3.  The Caution:  1 Corinthians 1:30

• Recognize the initiative of God. He called, and chose us.
• Remember the responsibility of man.  Everyone is responsible for how he/she responds to the invitation and call to salvation.

Charles Spurgeon pondered these thoughts as well:

 "I am quite certain that, if God had not chosen me, I should never have chosen Him; and I am sure He chose me before I was born, or else He never would have chosen me afterwards; and He must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why He should have looked upon me with special love."

   4.  The Conclusion:  1 Corinthians 1:31

• We don't revel in the wisdom or the ways of this world
• We only revel in the Grace and Glory of our God

Again, let's look at a portion of writings by Charles Spurgeon:

"How then can we be proud? Stand at the foot of the cross, and count the purple drops by which you have been cleansed; see the thorn-crown; mark His scourged shoulders, still gushing with encrimsoned rills; see hands and feet given up to the rough iron, and His whole self to mockery and scorn; see the bitterness, and the pangs, and the throes of inward grief, showing themselves in His outward frame; hear the thrilling shriek, "My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" And if you do not lie prostrate on the ground before that cross, you have never seen it: if you are not humbled in the presence of Jesus, you do not know Him. You were so lost that nothing could save you but the sacrifice of God's only begotten. Think of that, and as Jesus stooped for you, bow yourself in lowliness at His feet. A sense of Christ's amazing love to us has a tendency to humble us more than even a consciousness of our own guilt. May the Lord bring us in contemplation to Calvary, then our position will no longer be that of the pompous man of pride, but we will take the humble place of one who loves much because much has been forgiven him. Pride cannot live beneath the cross.
Let us sit there and learn our lesson, and then rise and carry it into practice." 

Food for thought: Before God made the heavens, before he laid the foundations of the earth, He sought and chose you to be His child.  You are that important to Him!  Yes, man sinned and chose independence from God, but He made a way.  God opened up a pathway, through the Cross of Jesus Christ, for us to be reconciled to Him and to be made righteous through His sacrifice.  All we need to do is respond.

Our Ways or God's Ways

September 1, 2013
Our Ways or God's Ways
Isaiah 55
Scott Howard

Are we really following God's ways, or are we making our own plans, walking our own path?

• The Lord is saying through the prophet Isaiah - Five times- "Come"

This is an invitation for us all.  In Isaiah chapter 53 it is talking about Jesus coming to be our salvation.  In chapter 54 God is telling us all is forgiven.  And now in chapter 55 He is inviting us to find our fulfillment and satisfaction in relationship with Him.

• Who is this invitation extended to? "Come, everyone who thirsts..."  It's for you!  If you are searching for fulfillment, purpose, hope, joy, forgiveness; if you are brokenhearted, if you're complacent, if you are worn out, etc.

There are two types of people:

1.  They are thirsty and they know they are thirsty.
2. They are thirsty but they don't know it.

We may be chasing dreams, looking to other things in this world to satisfy any of our needs.  But they cannot and will not satisfy, we will always come back feeling empty.

• Satisfaction is found at the banqueting table of the King.  Our text talks about the feast with the King.  It represents taking care of all our tastes and our needs, and we are guests that do not have to pay!  All the costs have been taken care of, through the Good News of the Gospel.

Three pictures of the Gospel; of this invitation:

1. Water - Represents Life--in the text it is plural to imply a never ending abundance of what God provides to quench our thirst.  It is life sustaining.
2. Milk - Represents Spiritual Milk, to strengthen our weak souls.  Just as milk to an infant has all the right ingredients to strengthen muscles, bones, and nerves, this spiritual milk gives us what we need to grow.
3. Wine - Represents the enjoyment and delight of our God.  This is not a necessity for life or growth, it is for celebration and enjoyment. 

The three are specific to satisfy us in Life, Strength, and Joy.

Paul says, "For our sake he [God the Father] made him [Jesus Christ the Son] to be sin, who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God." --2 Corinthians 5:21

The way has been made.  This invitation which is extended to us is extended to us free of charge, right?  "Come buy without money and without price." Isaiah 55:1b

But it is still conditional.  There is still an element that must take place in our own lives, and that's the element of Surrender.  We must forsake our own ways and turn to the Lord.  It may be beyond our comprehension, but God's ways are higher than our ways.  Isaiah 55:8-11. 

In Isaiah 55:12-13, This part of the text is our future in Christ: joy and peace--no more death, no more pain, but paradise with God: everlasting joy and peace!

Let us align our ways and our paths to God's ways, and allow Him to fulfill and satisfy us completely.

I Have Been "Born Again;" Now What?

August 25, 2013
I Have Been "Born Again;" Now What?
John 3:1-21
Scott Howard

--How can the Gospel become a reality in our lives?
--Are you "Born Again?"

"Jesus replied [to Nicodemus], 'I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.'" 
--John 3:3

Nicodemus had been a Pharisee, and had studied the Jewish religion all his life.  He spent his life learning (intellectually) how to "do" his religion.  But after Jesus came, all his "religion" (his rules and law to live by) became meaningless.  It was a cover-up for his isolation and independence from God.  He had no spiritual life or relationship with God.  In our text, Jesus is telling Nic that he needed to be born, spiritually, to a new life and relationship with God.  This has everything to do with God and His Grace.

-God is the Supreme actor in salvation.
-God's grace permeates the whold picture of what it means to be "Born Again."  It cannot be done without His grace.
-Faith, at its core, is a gift of grace.
-Your faith is based on a God whose grace has totally captivated you and transformed your life.
    
---What happens when we are "Born Again?"

-God reveals our need
     --The new birth is necessary to know God
     --The new birth is impossible without God
     --The new birth is dependent on God  (it's not about what you do, but what God does in you!)

The phrase "born again" literally meant "to be born from above."  What a neat picture.  This is a different birth than physical, it is definitely a spiritual birth.

The Gospel is a picture of God coming to you right where you are!  God doesn't require you to "clean-up" your life first.  He comes to you in your darkness and shines His light on you.  And it's the righteousness of His Son that cleans you from the inside out.  There is no one who is beyond God's reach.

-God changes our heart.  He gives us a new heart, and fills us with His spirit which ultimately changes our lives. 

Like Nic, we tend to spend our lives trying to reform our lives on the outside, in order to look religious.  But we need God to change us from the inside out.  If we try to do things on our own and keep on failing, we lose our joy and run back to our old lives.  But it's not about improving our old nature, it's about God giving us a new nature; new likes, new dislikes, new desires, and new goals.  It may not be all at once, but if we give up our control, and let Him do the work, He will change us and mold us bit by bit, into the sons and daughters we were made to be.

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
--Matthew 19:26

The Forgiven

August 4, 2013
The Forgiven
Luke 7:36-50
Scott Howard

God saves both the wayward and the uninterested. 

In our text, Jesus is dining at the house of a Pharisee and a "woman of the city" (or a town harlot, as The Message calls her) found out that Jesus was there.  She was so overcome by the shame and guilt of her sinful life that she wept at Jesus' feet.  When she realized she had drenched his feet with her tears, she dried them with her hair and then bathed his feet in perfume.  Probably the most expensive thing she had. 

The Pharisee, thinking silently to himself, wondered if Jesus was who he said he was because, surely he would know that this was a sinful woman touching him.  Jesus knew what he was thinking and called him out on his self-righteous attitude, adding that the woman was a better host than the Pharisee also.

"Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said. 
"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender.  One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both.  Now which of them will love him more?"
Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.  Then he turned toward the woman but said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?  I came into your house.  You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven---for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
---Luke 7:40-47

Even though the woman  had many sins to be forgiven of, she was not too far into sin that forgiveness couldn't reach her.  Isaiah 59:1 says, "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear."  He hears even the silent cry for help, and reaches as far as we can go in order to save us!

God's just desserts:  Jesus leaves a few words for the woman after the meal. 
"Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." 
--Luke 48-50

• Be Forgiven -- Released from  guilt
• Be Saved -- by Faith accept His forgiveness
• Go In Peace -- Walk through life with an inner tranquility

Worship always happens at the feet of Jesus.  Worship is a preoccupation with Jesus, not some form or ritual.  And worship is more concerned about giving something than getting something.

Points of Grace

July 28, 2013
Points of Grace
Luke 15:11-32
Charles Patton

How can you explain something that is inconceivable, incomprehensible to our finite and human minds?  I'm not sure we can really ever comprehend the depth of God's unending grace.

GRACE = God's favor given to undeserved people. 

God's Riches At Christ's Expense

We can see a beautiful picture of grace in the story of the Prodigal (or Lost) Son in Luke 15:11-32.

Three Points of Grace:
1.  God's grace is Free! --see also Romans 3:23-24, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

• This free gift is attained when we admit we are sinners and ask God for forgiveness.
• When we ask for this gift we are admitting our sinful state.

Point of Grace: Though it is free, it is not cheap.  Grace is a valuable gift.  To receive this gift of grace we must realize we are sinners and ask God to forgive us.  We cannot earn it and we don't deserve it, but that is the definition of a gift.

2.  God's grace is Huge!  Luke 15:21-24, "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son."  But the father said to his servants...'Let's have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

• At his lowest point, when the son was lost, dirty, broke, starving, he realized there would be grace at his father's house, at least as a servant.  But he did not realize the depth of the grace he would receive after admitting his wrongs.

Point of Grace: There is no sin too big or too evil for God's grace to cover.  God's grace is bigger!

3.  God's grace is All Sufficient!  Luke 15:22, "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'"

• God's grace will dramatically change you.

Point of Grace: God will receive us "just as we are" but will not leave us in that condition.

Even when the son came home in dirty rags and no shoes, his father hugged him and accepted him.  Then he got him a clean (the best) robe, sandals, and a ring to show he was still given the riches of the family.

God will help us become His holy people.  "For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace." --Romans 6:14

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.  T'was grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved, how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed." --John Newton

Cracked Pot Christianity

July 21, 2013
Cracked Pot Christianity
2 Corinthians 4:7-12
Scott Howard

Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 51:17, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, oh God, you will not despise."

What does it mean to be broken hearted, or broken in spirit?

In Hebrew, the definition of "heart" is made up of the mind, emotions and the will.  The mind is made up of your value system.  The emotions are made up of your passions.  And the will is made up of your actions based on your value system and passions.

Spiritual Brokenness = The spiritual state by which one is disarmed of one's self-dependence and pride, therefore leaving one disabled and in desperate need of help, thereby making one a viable conduit for the glory of Christ.

Signs of a person that needs to be broken:

• A life that's marked by independence  (does not need to depend on anyone)
• A life that's marked by prayerlessness  (does not need God to hear their prayers)
• A life that's marked by dry eyes  (does not cry)
• A life that's marked by isolation  (does not interact with people, or God)
• A life that's marked by being unteachable  (does not wish to learn more)
• A life that's marked by being unsynchronized  (is not in sync w/ God or His Word)
• A life that's marked by busyness  (is too busy for the things of God)

1.  God put power in the vessel (the vessel is you and I).  2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in jars of clay (earthen vessels) to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." 

• What is this treasure?  2 Corinthians 3:18, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
• The Glory of God through the Gospel---expressing the power of God, His Glory, through our weakness.  If we are broken before God, it will be His power alone that others see, not any of our own power.

2.  God puts pressure on the vessel.  2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."

Areas that God will break you in:  God will break...

• Your Plans -- He will make sure our plans don't out weigh His plans for our lives.
• Your Relationships -- if our goals for the relationship do not line up with God's goals for the relationship, some relationships need to be broken in order for there to be growth.
• Your Will -- example: Jonah put his trust in a ship that would take him away from what God was telling him to do, so God hurled a storm at that ship and caused Jonah to turn back.

3.  God pushes Jesus out of the vessel.  2 Corinthians 4:10-12, "We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you."

We are broken so that the life and glory of Jesus, who is in us, can be seen through us, or rather, that Jesus is what comes out of us.  This is "Cracked Pot Christianity."

Jesus is stronger than your life---if you let God break you, He will build you back up again and restore you with Jesus' life so that you are stronger.