www.warrenapologeticscenter.org

I am privileged to have the opportunity of being involved in this project, and I will be able to keep you informed on the latest happenings.  Right now, the most critical need is for funding to endow the Center (the architect’s sketch is on the website).

indicated.  You can get the schedule from the following

link:  www.cocfridaynightsing.blogspot.com.

Go unto the ant, O slothful one, See her ways and be wise (Young’s Literal Translation).

1- It’s clear that he is speaking of the slothful, or the lazy, or those who simply have no ambition for God. Webster’s Online Dictionary also defines the term as: “A person habitually lazy, idle and inactive.”

2- A number of other passages speak of the same problem.
9 For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:9 (NASB77)
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we might not be a burden to any of you; 9 not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, that you might follow our example. 10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone will not work, neither let him eat. 11 For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13 (NASB77)

2. Now, we are supposed to learn from the ant how to live better than the sluggard. And, we are supposed to gain wisdom from our study.



1. Ants are incredibly resourceful.

1) If you block their path, they will go around the obstacle, over it, or under it. If they can do none of those things, then they will try to move it.
2) If they can’t accomplish any of those ways around the obstacle, they will try to move it. If they can’t move it, they will seek help from their fellow ants.

3) They are extremely resourceful.

2. Ants are very, very strong.

1) An Olympic weightlifter recently set a world’s record in the Olympic Games by lifting 580 lbs.

2) If he were an ant, he could have lifted well over 10,000 lbs. Ants are very, very strong.

3. There are many species of ants, and they have different characteristics.

1) Some are predators, and eat other ants.

2) Some eat only rotted fruit.

3) One particular variety takes a special type of leaf into its nest, where it gets it to grow a fungus. They feed off the fungus.

4) Some varieties sleep all winter long and do not eat; others feed during the winter on food they have put up during the summer.

5) Ants can also move very quickly. If a man could run as fast as an ant, he could run faster than a racehorse.



1.First, ants are courageous!
1) If the ants space is invaded, they will attack virtually anything. And, their bites sting. Have you ever been bitten by ants?
2) They are also very determined. They don’t give up easily. In fact, they rarely give up.

3) We often give up on our goals and dreams too easily. If we were like the ant, we would find a way to succeed. We would also do so courageously.
7 For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you. Proverbs 23:7 (NASB77)


2.Second, ants are creative!

1) Ants don’t need a supervisor, or, as the text says: having no chief, officer, or ruler (vs. 7).

1- Ants create their own opportunities. They do not need to have someone push them, or make important decisions for them!
2- Certain things that we do in the church are things that need to be approved by the elders of the congregation.

3- However, many things just need to be done. It is that way in our regular lives as well. If we always wait to be told, or to be pushed and prodded, then we are not creating opportunities. Someone else is creating the opportunities, and they are using us to help them achieve those goals.
15 Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NASB77)

4- Is there something about making the best use of our time that is a sign of wisdom?? Is that part of what is God’s will for our lives???

2) Next, Ants never quit!
1- When there is an obstacle in their path, they never quit trying to find a way around the obstacle.
2- What a terrific philosophy of life. Never quit looking for a way to get where you are supposed to go.

3) Next, Ants think winter all summer!

1- If the particular species of ants hibernate during the winter, then they don’t eat. So, they are busy gathering their food for spring, summer, and fall. And, they make the best of their time to do so.

2- Another species of ant eats during the winter. Those ants gather their food as the others, but they also gather enough to feed them through the winter.

3- Either way, summer doesn’t last forever. So, one has to make sure that adequate preparation is made for the future.

4- We need to plan ahead as well.

4) Next, Ants think summer all winter!

1- This is so important. During the winter months, the ants are deep underground. But, when spring and summer comes, they are back at it again. They have only so much time to gather their food. They have only so much time to get it right.
2- It’s a time during the winter for exercising patience. One needs to stay positive, and be eager to seek those fresh opportunities again.
5) Finally, how much will Ants gather during the summer to prepare for the winter?
1- All that they possibly can! What a tremendous outlook on life. The “all-that-you-possibly-can” philosophy.

2- How many of us are selling ourselves short because we aren’t doing all that we possibly can; we aren’t stretching ourselves; we aren’t seeking to get better, learning more, or climbing higher. How many of us are short-changing ourselves in the game of life?

3- The Wise Man calls us “sluggards” if we aren’t taking full advantage of what God has provided for us.

3Third, ants are cooperative!

1) Ants are notorious for being cooperative with other ants. They are not as popular as toys any more, but many of us, when we were young, enjoyed “ant farms.”

1- Children could sit for hours and watch the ants at work and watch them cooperate with one another.

2- You have all likely seen ants try to move a dead grasshopper. One may be trying it himself. But, if it is too much of a challenge for one to accomplish, he will soon find many other cooperating to move the fallen insect.

3- For greater results in the Kingdom, we need to cooperate–to work together for the common good.

1 And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NASB77)
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! Psalms 133:1 (NASB77)

4- Think of how much good we can do if we cooperate in all things. Think of how much damage is done when brethren cease to cooperate with one another!!

4. Fourth, Ants Communicate Effectively.
1) When an ant locates a good food supply, he sends out signals to other ants to come and help him take that food back to the colony.

2) They are exceptionally good at communicating a food source, danger, or when another ant needs help moving an object, etc.

3) When we need help from our brothers and sisters, it needs to be communicated. When we know of a danger, or know of something to celebrate, etc., it needs to be communicated.

5. Fifth, Ants are Constant.

1) You don’t see “Lone Ranger” ants. They are determined as individuals, but they are also single-minded as a colony.

2) Just as the ants, we need others in our live. And, as Christians, we have common goals. The greatest of these common goals is to glorify God and to tell others the message of salvation through Christ.

25 that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27 (NASB77)

6 Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no chief, Officer or ruler, 8 Prepares her food in the summer, And gathers her provision in the harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8 (NASB77)

II. LESSONS TO BE LEARNED ABOUT ANTS.

I. SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT ANTS.

INTRODUCTION: Prov. 6:6-8.

INTRODUCTION:  Ps. 103:17-18.

1.  The burden of my lesson today is how we should understand and follow the Bible’s command to fear God. 

2. Some number of years ago we went up into the CN Tower in Toronto. It was fascinating to stand on a glass floor and look 1815 feet down through it to the ground below.

1) Sheila and I stood on the glass floor. It was a little more difficult getting Shannon and Jimmy to do so. Jimmy never did. There were still 30 stories to go to get all the way to the top of that tower.

2) Shannon, Sheila and I went up to the very top; Jimmy did not. When we arrived, we were 146 stories above ground in what was then the tallest man made structure in the world.

3. Sheila and I also visited the Grand Canyon. There were places where no fence or railing existed, and you could feel the fear of looking 6000 feet down to the bottom, where over 50 people have fallen to their deaths.

I. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEAR GOD??

1.  When the Bible tells us to fear God–as it does multiple times–does it mean the kind of fear that some of us had at the CN Tower, or does it mean the kind of fear we had at the Grand Canyon?

1) For most of my Christian life, people have told me it’s like the CN Tower; a thrill of reverence, but there’s no real reason to be afraid.

2) But, in the first few pages of the Bible, Adam says to God, “I heard the sound of Thee in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10 (NASB77)

3) Moses see a bush that’s on fire, but is not being consumed. He hears God’s voice speaking to him from out of the bush. The Bible says, Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Exodus 3:6 (NASB77)

4) The people gather at Mt. Sinai. God comes down, and the mountain is covered in smoke. The ground is rumbling under their feet. The Bible says: 18 And all the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.  Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.”  Exodus 20:18-19 (NASB77)

5) Job flat out says, 11 “Will not His majesty terrify you, And the dread of Him fall on you? Job 13:11 (NASB77) AND

20 “Only two things do not do to me, Then I will not hide from Thy face: 21 Remove Thy hand from me, And let not the dread of Thee terrify me. Job 13:20-21 (NASB77

6) Isaiah is praying in the temple, and God appears to Him in His glory. Isaiah says:  “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5 (NASB77)

 2. You may be thinking, Well, some people actually did feel fear, but God is good, merciful and gracious, and He would not want us to feel that way!

1) Indeed, in the New Testament, God’s people are told to: contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 1:3 (NASB77

2) We are commanded to Fight the good fight of faith 1 Tim. 6:121 (NASB77)

3) And, Paul says of Christians: 6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NASB77)

4) All of these things take courage. So, the thought is that we are no longer to fear God, but instead, we are to be courageous.

1- But, I once heard a person argue that the opposite of courage is not really fear, but rather, conformity. People who are courageous are also non-conformists.

(1) They do not conform to the world’s ways, thoughts, and goals

(2) They conform instead only to the Lord.

1 I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (NASB77)

 2- Is it possible for courageous people to also be people of fear? Not only is it possible, I would insist that it is so. Moses, Job, and Isaiah were great men of courage. But, listen to Isaiah’s advice:

13 “It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, And He shall be your dread. Isaiah 8:13 (NASB77)

3- And, just to make sure that we don’t think that this is just an OT, NT thing, listen to the advice of our Lord:  28 “And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28 (NASB77)

II. FEAR OF GOD IS MORE THAN JUST AWE AND REVERENCE.

1. When the Bible talks about fearing God, it’s not just talking about a sense of awe. It’s talking about fear.

ILLUSTRATION: In the old days, people of faith were said to walk in the fear of God and to serve the Lord with fear. Whenever God appeared to people in Bible times, the results were an overwhelming sense of terror and dismay, a terrible sensation of sinfulness and guilt. The self- assurance of modern Christians, and the shocking disrespect shown for the Person of God are evidence of a deep blindness of heart.

2. When the Bible talks about the fear of God, it’s talking about the fear that we feel at the Grand Canyon, in which there is a realistic danger. And yet, it is such a beautiful thing, such an awesome grandeur, that you are drawn to it.

1) The fear of God is not a fear that drives you away; it is a fear that draws you in.

2) We don’t like that fact that God is scary, but the Bible pictures Jesus as both the Lion and the Lamb.

III. FEAR OF GOD IS HEALTHY AND RESTRAINING.

1. Why does the Bible tell us to fear God?

1) In the case of the people of Israel, it was to prevent them from sinning.

20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.” Exodus 20:20 (NASB77)

 1- What sorts of rules would we break if we can do it without fear of penalty or punishment?

2- One fellow said, “My dad used to say, ‘If one of you kids gets picked up for shoplifting, you can just save that one free phone call from the police, because I’m not coming to get you out.’ So, he said, I didn’t shoplift, because I knew I would have to deal with my dad.”

3- The fear of God is a healthy, restraining fear and force in your life.

17 But the lovingkindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To those who keep His covenant, And who remember His precepts to do them. Psalms 103:17-18 (NASB77)

4- Fear of God leads us to do what He says. The person who does not fear God thinks, I know that this isn’t really right, but I know that God will forgive me. The moment you use God’s grace to excuse your sin, you are no longer really following the God of the Bible.

2) Fear of God leads us to mercy.

1- We have to ask a question: If God is so “fear-inspiring,” why would I ever want to draw near to Him.

2- The Psalmist says that God: pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; 4 Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; 5 Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. Psalms 103:3-5 (NASB77)

3- This may not be what you would expect from a God who inspires fear and who could strike you dead as He has done to many people in the past.

4- But when you come to Him humbly, you will find that He showers you with benefits and forgives all your sins.

ILLUSTRATION: A Christian in the 600’s by the name of Marterius, said: “Let us ponder how we who are mortal beings, continually bespotted with the mud of sins, have been held worthy to stand before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”

(1) No wonder the Psalmist says, Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name (Psalm 103:1).

(2) I am not surprised that he reflects upon the Lord’s concern for people: 

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us; Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:8-12 (NASB77)

(3) This Psalm keeps repeating the word mercy!The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. He crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness.

4) Who is this mercy for?  So great is His lovingkindness (mercy) toward those who fear Him (Ps. 103:11).

(5) If you fear God, there’s a “waterfall of mercy” pouring down from God all over you!!

(6) When you realize that God heals all that junk in your soul, you just have to rise up to say, Bless the Lord, O my soul. And forget none of His benefits.

-1- Suddenly you realize that all those good things in your life are from God.

-2- Some day, one we do not know and when we least expect it, Jesus Christ will return. Every knee will bow to Him in awe and reverence and-YES-in fear!!. And your heart will lift up and you will say, bless the Lord, O my soul.

1. If I have a healty and proper fear of God, then you won’t find me being flippant about worship assemblies.

IV.  SOME PRACTICAL LESSONS.

1) I won’t let games, family, friends, vacations, jobs, or anything else, keep me from meeting with the saints and worshipping my Lord.

2) Someone may say, “yes, but there are a lot of things that are more fun than coming here to sing a few songs, pray, and listen to some man talk.”

1- You’re probably right!

2- But, I want you to hear me now. Listen carefully! God is NOT in the entertainment business; God is in the salvation of souls business.

2. If I have a healthy and proper fear of God, then you won’t find me making excuses for not talking to my friends, and particularly, my family about Jesus Christ and their salvation.

1) If I told you some of the things I’ve been told in my preaching career concerning reasons why some have not (and probably will not) become Christians, you would be flabbergasted.

2) Some don’t want to push too hard for fear of driving them away. Some don’t want to overpersuade others. Some don’t want to ….. (you name it). How can a person who is convinced of the truth be overpersuaded??????

3. If I have a healthy and proper fear of God, then I would watch how I dressed, how I act in public, who I choose as my friends, etc. In short, I would NOT be conformed to this world, but rather, I would be transformed by the renewing of my mind toward God!

CONCLUSION

13 “You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him, and swear by His name. Deuteronomy 6:13 (NASB77)24 “So the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. Deuteronomy 6:24 (NASB77)

6 “Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. Deuteronomy 8:6 (NASB77)

Abraham explaining his lie to Abimelech

11 And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely there is no fear of God in this place; and they will kill me because of my wife. Genesis 20:11 (NASB77)

The plight of the Israelites

34 To this day they do according to the earlier customs: they do not fear the LORD, nor do they follow their statutes or their ordinances or the law, or the commandments which the LORD commanded the sons of Jacob, whom He named Israel; 2 Kings 17:34 (NASB77)

19 Then they said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, lest we die.” Exodus 20:18-19 (NASB77)

 1. The burden of my lesson tonight is how we should understand and follow the Bible’s command to fear God.

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ILLUSTRATION: G. K. Chesterton noticed that the best fairytales teach us how to live as grown ups. Chesterton said that Beauty and the Beast teaches us that unlovely things must be deeply loved before they become lovable.

1. Notice what Paul wrote: God demonstrates His own love . . .

2. Unlovely things must be deeply loved before they become loveable. Is this true??

1) Well, John said: We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

2) And, Peter said: Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Pet. 4:8).

1. Peter used the word agape for love.

I. AGAPE LOVE IS UNPROVOKED LOVE.

 1) The Greeks had four primary words for love:

1- stogei–love of a family member for another family member.

2- philia–love of a friend for another; strong friendship ties;

3- eros–erotic love, often linked with the sexual experience.

4- agape–which is essentially a NT word. It is the highest form of love. It is NOT an emotional response, but a volitional one.

2) Often, agape has been described as unconditional love–a love that is not earned.

2. Most love that operates in the human realm is conditional!

1) Jesus gave two statements on love in the Sermon on the Mount, BOTH of which were designed to contrast human love and divine love.

1- agape love is an imitation of divine love, because that is precisely how God loves us 

2- Human love, on the other hand, depends on the person who is loved: i.e., we tend to love people who are beautiful and/or who have great personalities.
 

ILLUSTRATION: A couple asked their preacher to approve their divorce, because, as they put it, “there’s no feeling left.” The preacher told the husband to love his wife as Christ loved the church. He said, “I can’t do that.” The preacher continued to ask him to love her as he would love himself. Again, he said that he couldn’t. So the preacher said, “The Bible says to love your enemies. Start there.”

2- Jesus loved His enemies, and died for them. There were really no friends surrounding the cross on that awful day (except a few women and disciples). He gave Himself for His enemies.

3- Paul said that Christ died for us even when we were enemies of God. God loved us when nothing within us was deserving of that love. We were completely:

4- So, what does God do? He loves us! Divine love says, I may not need this, but you do, and I’ll put your needs above mine. This is exactly what our Lord did for us.

 3. THIS is agape love!

1) agape is a choice to love; the emotion comes after that decision.

2) agape actually pursues the object of its love. It is loving in the face of resistance. It is love even in the face of behavior where an entirely different emotion might be expected.

3) Here is a simpler way to understand it: agape is unprovoked love. And, just as with unprovoked violence, when we seek to understand unprovoked love, we look for the explanation NOT in the person who is love BUT in the person who does the loving.

4) God the Father is an agape lover. He loves, NOT based upon the loveliness of the object (you and me), BUT because of something within Himself!

II. WE NEED AGAPE LOVE FOR THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE:

 1. The losers (”the least of these”), the winners (”the greatest of these”), and the enemies (”the worst of these”).

2. First, we need agape love for the least of these–the LOSERS.

1) The least of these are the people you’re most likely not to notice. Or, if you do notice them, you’re tempted to avoid them!

2) They drain you! There’s absolutely no gain in loving these people, and there’s no loss to you in not loving them.

3) So, we need to suppress our sense of superiority, our love of comfort, and our need for security, in order to serve them.

4) We need to overcome our disdain, our disgust, and our weariness with the presence of the least of these–the LOSERS of the world.

5) Just before he was beheaded, John the Baptizer sent his disciples to Jesus. Listen to the record:

3. Second, we need agape love for the greatest of these–the WINNERS.

3) What we need here is to gain freedom from our sense of inferiority and insecurity so that we can become the winner’s biggest fan.

2) You have cause to despise them. They have hurt you. They have betrayed you. They have taken something precious from you. They have exploited you.

3) Listen to Jesus in a parallel text to the Sermon on the Mount:

32 “And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 “And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 “And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount. 35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. 36 “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36 (NASB77)

 4) What exactly is it that we think the Father has done for us? His unprovoked love for me came when everything in me provoked anything but love on His part! There has certainly been no measuring up on my part!

5) The love for me came from the One who is doing the loving–my Father in heaven.

CONCLUSION

 1. The opposite of love is NOT hatred, but fear!! It has been a long time coming for me to understand what John was saying in 1 John 4:18:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 (NASB77)

1) Now I think I know what John was saying. Fear will block the love of God from controlling me and then coming out of me for you!

2) Fear says: “You don’t measure up. You’re not worth it. If people really knew you, they wouldn’t like you.”

3) That’s what fear says. The reality is:

1. One of the most popular object lessons of recent years is called “the trust fall.” I went with a group of my colleagues to a rope climbing facility, and we actually did “the trust fall.”

1) One of us would stand on a rock, a table, or an elevated surface of some sort (in our case, it was a rock). We had to be willing to fall backwards.

2) We were to trust a gathered group of friends who would interlock their arms and hands, to catch us. It is just fine to either watch this happen, or to be one of the persons doing the catching.

3) It’s very different when you are the one who is to close your eyes and fall backwards into the human net created by your friends. Once it’s all over, you realize that your friends were there when you needed them most.

2. There is a very important transition in our thinking during this process.

1) When you were the one to fall, you were asking “can I trust them?”

2) When someone else is falling, you are asking, “can they trust me?”

3. In the lesson of the hour, BOTH these important relationships will be explored.

4. But now, let’s get on with the lesson itself.

I. THE APOSTLE JOHN TRUSTED JESUS.

1. One of the most important relationships in Christianity was the one between Jesus and the apostle John.

1) John learned to trust Jesus in so many very significant ways.

2) They grew so close that John was actually the last one of the apostles to die, and was, in some ways, one of the most important figures of the entire New Testament.

2. For one thing, John trusted Jesus enough to forsake prosperity.

1) There are a number of passages in the New Testament which indicate that, when John chose to follow Jesus, he walked away from what could have been a very lucrative family business.

10 and so also James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” 11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him. Luke 5:10-11 (NASB77)

2) Luke 5:1-11 makes clear that James and John were partners with Simon, which meant that all of them worked for James and John’s father Zebedee.

1- There were several boats in this fishing business, and, like most trades of the day, the fathers would pass their skills and their business on to their sons.

2- This means that James and John were going to inherit the family business. But remember what we’ve learned when Jesus came on the scene: they immediately left the boat AND their father, and followed Him (Matt. 4:22). 3) Think of those who have made incredible sacrifices in life to follow Jesus!

3. In the second place, john also trusted jesus enough to risk his life.

1) Jesus told His disciples prior to the crucifixion:

27 And Jesus * said to them, “You will all fall away, because it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP SHALL BE SCATTERED.’ 28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.” Mark 14:27-28 (NASB77)

2) And, we know that all of them were hiding behind closed doors for fear of the Jews (John 20:19). So, it is extremely significant that John was the only disciple bold enough to be among those witnessing the crucifixion.

3) When I was growing up, I took music lessons from a lady who attended the church where my parents and I went. Her son had served as a Missionary to a foreign country. They had gone to work with primitive natives who were cannibals, because they believed that it was important to change them from heathen killers to people who loved the Lord. They were all killed.

4) Any one of the apostles could easily have been killed on numerous occasions, and John exposed himself to such a danger on Mt. Calvary.

3. John not only trust Jesus enough to forsake prosperity and enough to risk his life, but he also trusted Jesus enough to remain completely anonymous.

1) John’s name is never mentioned once in the Gospel of John. It is not mentioned in the 3 epistles that John also wrote. His name is only mentioned in the book of Revelation.

2) You know how touchy most of us are about our names. We want people to know who we are, and sometimes we will go to extreme lengths to make sure that they do.

3) Even though John is prominently mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, he is only described as the disciple whom Jesus loved in the Gospel of John.

4) It was as if John wanted Jesus to occupy center stage completely, and so much so, that he never even gave anyone the chance to allow him to compete for that attention.

T.S. But now, we are moving forward to an absolutely incredible concept

II. JESUS TRUSTED JOHN.

1. You have likely heard this 10,000 times before: Do you trust Jesus?

1) Perhaps it was formulated as a statement: We all need to learn to trust the Lord, or some such expression as that!
 
2) We have sung countless times the invitation song, “Trust and Obey.”

2. But, there is more for us to learn from the relationship between Jesus and John than that. What is absolutely amazing is that Jesus trusted John! 

1) For one thing, when it came time to write a Gospel record intended for all men, Jesus chose John to do it.

1- The Gospel of Matthew is primarily for a Jewish audience, and is designed to tell them Your Messiah and King is Here!

2- The Gospel of Mark is essentially for a Roman audience, and is designed to tell them The Christ and King is Powerful!

3- The Gospel of Luke is primarily for a Gentile/Greek audience, and is designed to tell them that The Christ and King is Completely Man!

4- But, the Gospel of John is intended for everyone, and is designed to communicate that The Christ and King is Completely God!

(1) Jesus needed someone to include information that was not included in the other Gospels.

(2) Consequently, it begins and ends quite differently.

14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NASB77)

18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:18 (NASB77)

30 Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:30-31 (NASB77)

2) Secondly, Jesus also trusted John with His love.

1- John was called the disciple whom Jesus loved. But,John wasn’t always a man of love himself. James and John were known as “The Sons of Thunder.”

17 and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); Mark 3:17 (NASB77)

(1) They received this nickname because of the way they behaved.

(2) For instance:

35 And James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, * came up to Him, saying to Him, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 And they said to Him, “Grant that we may sit in Your glory, one on Your right, and one on Your left.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 And they said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 And hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. Mark 10:35-41 (NASB77)

(3) Some have suggested that this incident shows the ambition of both James and John. However, the fact that the others began to feel indignance toward them indicates instead that they lacked the ability to work with people and to make people feel better just having them around.

51 And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem; 52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him. And they went, and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make arrangements for Him. 53 And they did not receive Him, because He was journeying with His face toward Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."] And they went on to another village. Luke 9:51-56 (NASB77)

(4) I think that Jesus interpreted their actions here as betraying a lack of love on their part.

2- But, I want you to see what John became:

1 The elder to the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not only I, but also all who know the truth, 2 for the sake of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 2 John 1:1-3 (NASB77)

3- Jesus needed a best friend who wouldn’t abuse such a relationship. Imagine the temptation that would come with being Jesus’ best friend. Some would probably sell books and go on tour if that was our designation in life!

3)Thirdly, Jesus also trusted John with the care of His mother.

2- Jesus obviously couldn’t do that because His time on earth was done.

3- There was one man whom He knew He could trust in His absence, and that man was John.

26 When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He * said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then He * said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own household. John 19:26-27 (NASB77) 

4- When other disciples spread out throughout the world, John stayed put in Jerusalem to care for Mary.

CONCLUSION

1. You have been asked many times, “Do you trust Jesus?”

2. But let there be this one time at least when the question is asked, “Can Jesus trust you?”

3. Can Jesus trust you with His gospel.

In 1990, Life Magazine published an article naming the 100 most significant individuals of the 20th century. Many of the names are familiar, but one may be new to you—Karl Menninger. You may not recognize his name unless you are a student of modern psychiatry. Dr. Menninger wrote a number of very influential books, probably none more influential to the modern consciousness than a book he wrote some 20 years ago entitled Whatever Became of Sin? In that book, Dr. Menninger says these words:

“The very word ’sin,’ which seems to have disappeared, was a proud word. It was once a strong word, an ominous and serious word. It described a central point in every civilized human being’s life plan and lifestyle. But the word went away. It has almost disappeared—the word, along with the notion. Why? Doesn’t anyone sin any more? Doesn’t anyone believe in sin? (p. 14)”

The whole burden of his book is to document the disappearance of sin from American society. He basically argues that in place of the historic concept of sin, we now speak of crime and symptoms.  (MINE)  There is a third concept, being widely used by almost everyone–including many within this audience this morning.  Sin has been replaced with the word “mistake.”

1.  The sooner you and I embrace the fact that we are sinners and that we have sinned, the sooner we can engage in receiving God’s forgiveness.

2.  Sin is such a pesky word; many people don’t even use the word anymore.

1)  Sin makes me think of God and judgment.  It means that I might have to beg for mercy and forgiveness.

2)  But, moodern man has rejected God–either through a militant resurgent atheism (called by some the “new atheism”) or what I call “pratical atheism.”

1-  The first is found in academic circles.

2-  The second–”practical atheism”–is found in the hearts and lives of millions of people who believe in God, but act as if He does not exist at all and makes no difference in their lives.

3)  Modern man says, “I didn’t sin; I just made a mistake.”

1-  A young girl gets pregnant out of wedlock.  She’s a good girl; but, she’s just made some bad choices.

2-  A family breaks up, and we reject the idea of sin as the cause.  It’s just that some people weren’t meant to be together.

3-  When you catch me, I can simply say, “Aw, my bad; my mistake.”

4)  The dictionary defines sin as “a transgression of divine law.”  Scripture defines it as follows:

4  Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
1 John 3:4 (NASB77)

4  Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.  1 John 3:4 (KJV)

17  All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. 1 John 5:17 (NASB77)

5)  The dictionary defines mistake as “an error in action, calculation, opinion or judgment caused by poor reasoning.”

I.  THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SINNERS AND MISTAKERS!

1.  There is a huge difference between a sin and a mistake.

1)  If everything I do wrong can be dumbed down to just a mistake, then that makes me a “mistaker”–which really means that I don’t have sin in my life.  I’m just a good person who makes mistakes.

2)  If I don’t have sin, then I’m not a sinner.  And, if I’m not a sinner, then I don’t have any need for a Savior.

3)  If you are just a “mistaker,” then all you have to do is to do better.  If, on the other hand, you’re a sinner, then simply trying harder is not going to get the job done.

2.  You and I both know that what you often do is intentional–it isn’t just a mistake!

1)  No one feels much guilt about a mistake.  But, you do feel guilty over sin.

2)  If there was no sin, and you’re not a sinner, and there’s no need for a Savior, then where is all that guilt coming from???

3.  This is not just a modern problem.  Jesus identified it clearly in the text we have read this morning.

1)  Many of the Jews saw themselves, not as sinners, but as mistakers!

2)  They didn’t think of themselves as being all that bad.  But, Jesus came along to tell them plainly:  You think that you’re only a little bad; no, you’re really bad–through and through.  But, God loves you and wants you to be right with Him.

1-  The people who thought of themselves as mistakers hated Jesus, because He made them aware of their incredible guilt and hypocrisy.

2-  But, the people who saw themselves as sinners loved Him because He caused them to take an honest look at themselves in the mirror of God’s Law.  And, while it condemned them, it also furnished hope.

3-  In Matt. 5:17, Jesus insisted that He didn’t come to dumb anything down, but to fulfill all that was taught in the Law of Moses.

4-  In Matt. 5:19, He was calling all men back to God’s standard.

5-  In a series of contrasts between their standard of righteousness (we just make mistakes) and God’s standard of righteousness (we are really all sinners who come short of the glory of God), He seeks to restore God’s order of things in the lives of men.

(1)  There were two messages in this section of the Sermon on the Mount.  Message number one:  You’re a sinner and you’re in trouble.

(2)  Message number two:  God knows that, but He loves you anyway, and has sent a Savior on your behalf.

(3)  But, this Sermon wasn’t just intended for them.  The two messages to them are the same two messages to you and me!!

-1-  We’re sinners and we’re in trouble!

-2-  But, God knows that, and He sent the Savior to save even me!!

3)  As an example of just how much the “mistaker” thinking has permeated our society, consider the prayer before the Kansas House of Representatives by Joe Wright, a minister in a conservative Christian Church.

The Truth:  This event actually happened in the Kansas House (not Senate) in Topeka on January 23, 1996. Joe Wright is the pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita and was guest chaplain that day. He prayed a prayer of repentance that was written by Bob Russell, pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. According to an article in the Kansas City Star from January 24, 1996, his prayer did stir controversy and one member of the legislative body walked out. Others criticized the prayer. The controversy didn’t end there. Later that year in the Colorado House, Republican representative Mark Paschall angered lawmakers by using Joe Wright’s prayer as the invocation. Some members there also walked out in protest.   Paul Harvey did air the story and the prayer. He got such a large response that a phone number was set up to handle the calls. He’s aired it a couple more times since.

“Heavenly Father,
We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ”Woe to those who call evil good,” but that’s exactly what we have done. We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism; We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism; We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle; We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery; We have neglected the needy and called it self preservation; We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare; We have killed our unborn and called it choice; We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable; We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem; We have abused power and called it political savvy; We have coveted our neighbor’s possessions and called it ambition; We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will.

I ask in in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ.”

In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India, Africa, and Korea.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on “The Rest of the Story” on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

4)  We all know how much heat Bill Cosby has been taking for his incessant preaching about taking individual and personal responsibility for our actions.

1-  His comments have been aimed mainly at the Black community, but who can refuse to recognize the universally applicable message in his speeches.

2-  And, wonder of wonders, Barak Obama has recently made a similar stand concerning personal responsibility.  Perhaps there is a little hope after all.

II.  YOU SEE, ONLY SINNERS ARE CANDIDATES TO NEED A SAVIOR.

17  And hearing this, Jesus * said to them, “it is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Mark 2:17 (NASB77)

1.  If we’re only really good people who make mistakes–the “mistakers”–we don’t need a physician, because we’re not sick.  We don’t need a Savior, because we’re really just righteous mistakers.

1)  But, if we’re sinners, then the story is quite different.

2)  You and I need Jesus Christ.

2.  READ Luke 15:11-32.

1)  The Prodigal son doesn’t say, “I made a few mistakes; I’m young and stupid.”

2)  And, the Father doesn’t say, “well, everyone is expected to sow their wild oats.”

3)  The Prodigal son says, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

4)  The Father, while acknowledging this fact, in His grace and mercy, embraces him and celebrates his return immediately.

3.  The moral of the story:  the sooner you and I embrace our sinfulness, the sooner you and I are candidates to receive God’s grace.

1)  Until you embrace the fact that you’re a sinner–and not just a mistaker–you’re not open to embracing the fact that God sent you a Savior!!

4.  Years later, the apostle Paul would say:  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

1)  You might expect the next verse to say:  “And boy, is God mad, and He’s going to make you pay.”

2)  Instead of that, here’s what it does say:  being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:24).

5.  As long as I’m making mistakes, I can make up for them, but when it becomes sin, I know that there’s a debt I owe!

CONCLUSION

On a recent Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

“Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.

“The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the fi eld. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart.

“In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don’t believe that they are responsible for my daughter’s death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel’s murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy — it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air
You’ve stripped away our heritage,
You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question “Why?”
You regulate r estrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation’s history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine’s tragedy occurs — politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him.. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA — I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter’s death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!”

1. I wonder whether or not the young people of this country will be as strong as this man believes.

2. Will you continue to be mistakers? Or, will you recognize yourselves as sinners, needing salvation from our Lord Jesus Christ?

                                                                                       Dick Sztanyo

On the first Pentecost feast after the resurrection and subsequent ascension of Christ back to the Father (see Acts 1:8-11), His Church was established.  Pentecost feasts were always on Sunday, so, the Church was established on Sunday.  And, its worship, unlike the worship of the Old Testament, also commenced on Sunday.    When this church was established, the terms of entrance into the Church-Kingdom, and the terms of salvation were announced as well:

Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ–this Jesus whom you crucified.  Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”  And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  (Acts 2:38, NASB)

They had been convinced by the preaching and teaching of Peter (and earlier, by all of the Apostles) that Jesus was indeed their Messiah (the Christ).  Consequently, they became believers.  And, these believers were informed by Peter that they must both repent and be baptized in order to obtain the forgiveness of their sins.  This is the way persons were saved then; it is also the way people must be saved today!

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.  (Acts 2:41, NASB)

And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.  (Acts 2:47, NASB)

Notice that the same things necessary to bring salvation to these people was required also for them to become members of His Church.   Thus, the Church of Christ was begun on that day!  In the beginning, there were no denominations at all, only the one Church that Jesus built (see Eph. 1:22-23; 5:23; 4:4-6; 2:16).  It was not until much later,  when men began to add things that neither Jesus nor His Apostles taught that denominations were begun.  Today, several thousands of such denominations exist that were not begun by the Lord at all (see Matt 15:1-14).  Man-made names and man-made creeds/doctrines separate people today from their Lord.

The Churches of Christ seek to call men and women back to the simplicity which is the New Testament Church established by Christ and His Apostles.  There was simple worship engaged in by all Christians.  There was a simple plan of salvation which we have briefly discussed above.  And, there was a simple organizational structure for the church, which eliminated any earthly headquarters.  Such was restricted to the local congregations, since Jesus is the only Head of the Church.  No dioceses existed then; as a result, neither must they exist today.  Only then, we believe, will Christ’s prayer for unity amongst His followers, actually be answered.  We must go back to the simple pattern of New Testament Christianity found in the pages of our Bibles (specifically, the New Testament Scriptures).  We invite you to investigate the Church of Christ.  And, like the commendable Bereans of the first century, we urge you to search the Scriptures daily to see whether these things are so. (Acts 17:11, NASB)

Dick Sztanyo