Jesus Only

"This shall be their inheritance: I am their inheritance: and you shall give them no possession in Israel; I am their possession. (Ezekiel 44:23-24, 28 ESV)

Observation: The possession of the priests was the Almighty. The boast of the christian is Christ. As David wrote in the Psalms: 

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry. But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works." (Psalms 73:25–28 NKJV)

There is no better possession than Jesus. No better proximity than His presence. It is good to draw near to God. Good to be in his midst. Good to know that when the glory of mountain heights has faded, we still have Jesus only (see Matthew 17:8):

The best thing after all for Peter, was not the excessive strain of the transfiguration, nor the delectable company of the two great spirits who appeared with Jesus, but the equally glorious, but less exciting society of "Jesus only." 

Depend on it, brethren, that ravishing and exciting experiences and transporting enjoyments, though they may be useful as occasional refreshments, would not be so good for every day as that quiet but delightful ordinary fellowship with "Jesus only," which ought to be the distinguishing mark of all Christian life. As the disciples ascended the mountain side with Jesus only, and as they went back again to the multitude with Jesus only, they were in as good company as when they were on the mountain summit, Moses and Elias being there also; and although Jesus Christ in his common habiliments and in his ordinary attire might not so dazzle their eyes as when they saw his raiment bright as the light, and his face shining as the sun, yet he really was quite as glorious, and his company quite as beneficial. When they saw him in his everyday attire, his presence was quite as useful to them as when he robed himself in splendor. "Jesus only," is after all upon the whole a better thing than Jesus, Moses, and Elias. "Jesus only," as the common Jesus, the Christ of every day, the man walking among men, communing in secret with his disciples, is a better thing for a continuance while we are in this body, than the sight even of Jesus himself in the excellence of his majesty.

A Sermon

(No. 924)

Delivered on Lord's-Day Morning, April 3rd, 1870, by

C. H. SPURGEON,

At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington

Application: 

What I need is not always a greater revelation… 

What I need is a greater appreciation. 

An appreciation that through the Spirit my Humble Savior indwells. 

An appreciation that the everyday is amazing, and the mundane a blessing. 

Yes, there is glory to be seen in the simplest of things. 

Wonders to behold in the same old same old. 

For when Jesus only is my creed, 

All of life glows with the hue of grace. 

When Christ alone is my plea, 

He changes everything. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus be my prayer today. Be my plea. Consume my thoughts and actions. Be the Friend closer than a brother. My heart is filled with wonder at the beauty of Your name. My eyes are filled with tears to think You're here with me. I want to bow before Your Splendor and sing thanks for Your quiet strength. To think that You would condescend. To think that You would stoop sow low. Who am i? 

Who Am I

by Casting Crowns

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name,

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wandering heart?

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow.

A wave tossed in the ocean.

A vapor in the wind.

Still You hear me when I'm calling.

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.

And You've told me who I am.

I am Yours, I am Yours.

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin

Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow.

A wave tossed in the ocean.

A vapor in the wind.

Still You hear me when I'm calling.

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.

And You've told me who I am.

I am Yours.

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done.

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are.

I am a flower quickly fading,

Here today and gone tomorrow.

A wave tossed in the ocean.

A vapor in the wind.

Still You hear me when I'm calling.

Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.

And You've told me who I am.

I am Yours, I am Yours, I am Yours.

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours. 

153 Fish

"This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead." (John 21:14 NKJV) 

John's three accounts of Jesus appearing to the disciples have three lessons. First Jesus appears to the disciples in the upper room after meeting Mary at the tomb. The Scripture says: 

"Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."" (John 20:19–23 NKJV)

In this first appearing, Jesus Bestows His Spirit. And in granting the Spirit He is allowing them to participate with Him in the ministry of reconciliation. His words about forgiveness bring to memory His promise regarding the Spirit in John 16: 

"Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged." (John 16:7–11 NKJV)

The judgment message which the apostles would proclaim would be a message of death to life, and hope for despair. The same Spirit that was instrumental in raising Christ from the dead, would work through the disciples to bring newness of life to generations of believers. 

In Christ's second appears to the disciples He Strengthens their Faith by inviting Thomas to touch the scars in His hands and side. Then He gives this affirmation to every disciples who would follow: 

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."" (John 20:29 NKJV)

What a blessing to know that not only did Jesus pray for us in John 17, He also speaks to us in John 20 saying, Blessed are you because you have not seen, and yet believed. Hallelujah, we see Jesus not with our physical eyes, but through the eyes of faith. As Paul writes: 

"We do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV) 

By faith, we see the eternal. By faith we see Jesus. And soon, as Chris Tomlin sings, our faith shall be our eyes: 

There's a day that's drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light

And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

The faith eyes of those who have never seen Christ offer the assurance of things hoped for and bring the conviction of things not yet seen. In appearing to Thomas, Jesus was strengthening the doubters faith, He was opening blind eyes, that after the Savior was ascended on high, Thomas would still be able to see. And the Savior still opens the eyes of blind doubters today. 

In his third and epic appearing, Jesus made a breakfast by the sea. His purpose was to Offer Forgiveness and Confirm Calling. In Luke 5 we find the account of Jesus stepping into Simon Peter's boat and telling him to let down his nets. After hauling in a catch that was so big their net was beginning to break, Peter cried out to the Lord saying, ""Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"" (Luke 5:8 NKJV). 

Praise Jesus, He doesn't leave when we are experiencing the warm wash of shame. Instead of walking away, He invites us to walk with him. More than that, even after we have denied Him, Jesus meets us by the see once again with an offer of forgiveness and an invitation to follow. Three times Peter had denied Christ, and after his belly was full and his heart glad, the burley fisherman was given opportunity to confess His love to Christ three times. More significantly, He had the opportunity to acknowledge that Jesus knew him better than he knew himself: "And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You."" (John 21:17 NKJV) 

I suppose that if Peter had understood Jesus' understanding of his own insecurities and fears, the disciple might have found the courage to stand for Christ in the face of inquisition as he stood outside the judgment hall. Nevertheless, his opportunity would come. He would be counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ: 

"Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish."" (John 21:18 NKJV)

O to go where we do not wish… to have the courage to stare death in the face, and be unshaken because with eyes of faith we see past the portals of the tomb to the coming of Christ in glory. O to say with Job, though He slay me, I will trust in Him. O to know that God is good come what may. 

In Bestowing the Spirit, Strengthening the Faith of the Doubter, and Offering Forgiveness and Confirmation of Calling to the one who denied him, Jesus reassures us today that He can prepare us for the end. Dark days lie ahead, but we can know that even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Christ of the cross will walk with us. His promise still stands, "I will never leave you, nor forsake You, I am with you to the very end of the age." 

So take courage brother, and dear sister be of good cheer. As Jesus has said, "in this world you will have tribulation," but we can rejoice in the knowledge that He has overcome the word. He who is the resurrection and the life hold the keys of Hades and of death. We are more than conquerers through His love and the power of His resurrection. Come what may, in Christ we shall be victorious. And because God is for us, none shall stand against us. We shall triumph through suffering because Jesus stands beside us. Praise be to His name! 

The Entitlement Cure

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." (1 Peter 2:11–17 NKJV)

Entitlement has become an epidemic in our land. We no longer live as sojourners and pilgrims. The lusts of our souls have caused us to forget that this is not our home. We have lost sight of our mission, to manifest the glory of our Father:

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 NKJV)

We are not here to loose our cool with tech support. We are not here to chew out the customer service rep when we feel our cell rates are too high or our overage charges are unfair. The way we carry ourselves before unbelievers matters. Our mission is to manifest the goodness of God in our words and actions so they may give glory to God on the day He returns in the clouds of glory. And because of our mission, the exhortation of Scripture is: 

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13–17 NKJV)

This is truly a high calling… to honor all people! Even those who are taking advantage of us? Even Corporate America with all her greed and lust? Even the government which seems to be ever tightening the belt of control and meddling in the personal liberties of Americans everywhere? 

But how do we stand for justice justly? How do we live humbly without becoming the people others walk over? Is there a balance between honoring officials and defending the victims of injustice? There is. It's not always easy to see. But it is always about the glory of God and honoring others. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I may honor all people. Cause me to submit myself to every ordinance of man for Your sake. For Your glory Lord Jesus. If I ever must go against the law of the land, let it only be because it goes against Your law.

Change my attitude toward those who call asking for my money. Teach me to be kind but committed to what I believe in. I don't have to be rude or unkind. Help me to realize there is a person with a family on the other end of the line. It may be a single mother or father. It may be a young college kid just trying to get ahead. It might be a retiree who has lost his spouse and is grieving and just working to keep himself distracted from the sorrow and loss. 

Jesus, You and I know it is all about people. Give me Your heart Lord Jesus so I may live as a Son of the King in these last days. O Jesus I ask for Your heart for me and our church and this valley. Pour out Your Holy Spirit I pray. 

I'll Give the Nations to You...

For the Scripture says, Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved... 

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:11-13, 15 NKJV)

Observation: This morning I am reminded of the mountain top experience above Eden Valley on June 29th, 2008. I am reminded of God's call to preach. Here is what I wrote in my journal on November 3rd, 2008… 

I prayed through Zechariah 12 & 13 on the mountain above Eden Valley the Sunday after I found out from Roger that we would be leaving The Adventure.  Roger and I talked on Friday, June 27th, and on Sunday the 29th I went to the mountain.  There in the warm sunshine the Lord led me to Zechariah 13.  And I felt as if He was saying to my heart:

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."  (2Timothy 4:1-5 NAS95S) 

I remember asking for His Spirit. Crying out:  "Lord Jesus give me Your Holy Spirit. Make me a minister of the word. Lord I feel You calling me to preach the word.  Calling me to lift up Jesus as Christ our Creator, Christ crucified, Christ risen, Christ ascended, Christ reigning as our High Priest, Christ our vindicating judge, and Christ our Coming King... That is the message I hear You calling me to proclaim."

And here we are in the San Luis Valley.  At the time I didn't know where I would be going. I just knew I felt God calling me to proclaim the message in word and song. I felt like He was saying to go make disciples... baptizing and teaching them to observe all things which I have commanded You.

Lord Jesus I thank You for bringing me full circle this morning. I thank You for bringing me back to the mountain. Reminding my heart of what You said to me that sunny June afternoon. Thank You Jesus for affirming me in this calling here to the valley.  I remember that young spidering and the verse your brought to my mind as I watch the wind carry him to his home... "Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles."

O Jesus, You are a good God. You are a Holy God. Lord Jesus fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. Father give me the words to say this weekend. Father help me to teach with power and great authority of Your Spirit. Father I pray that You will bring us to a place of corporate repentance through this Refiner's Fire series. Purge us Lord Jesus. Cleanse us.  Make these words of Zechariah a reality in our lives:

""I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10 NAS95S) 

Yes Lord Jesus, pour out Your Spirit of Grace and Supplication upon us.  Pour out Your wisdom and power in our midst.  Lord Jesus may we weep bitterly as we look upon You, the one whom we have pierced.  May we weep for the pain we have caused You.  May we weep for the pain we have caused each other.  Lord I think of the prayer of Daniel and I think it applies to myself and Your churches here in the valley:

""Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. "Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all the people of the land. 

"Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame, as it is this day—to the men of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far away in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which they have committed against You. "Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. "To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him;" (Daniel 9:4-9 NAS95S)

Yes Lord, compassion and forgiveness belong to You. Refine us Lord Jesus, purify us through power of Your blood. You who live to make intercession for us, plead Your life, plead Your righteousness in behalf of Your people. Plead for Your Spirit to be poured out upon us that we might weep over our sin, turn from it, and then rejoice in Your salvation.  Turn us around Lord God that we might begin to proclaim Your message with boldness and great power. Father may we become like a city set on a hill. May we as Seventh-day Adventists shine the light and hope of Your soon return upon this valley that lives in the darkness of poverty, doubt, and despair. Send Your Spirit so we may shine with the glory of You. Awaken us, use us, empower us Jesus. We put our lives in Your hands!!!

Application: When we return from Fiji it will have a week shy of four years since the Lord spoke to my heart on the mountain above Eden Valley. In those four years we will have remodeled our dream home, been to Africa, and been to Fiji. During these years, we have not only preached to a peasant family on a hillside outside Opouwo, Namibia, but to prayer warriors in Innisbrook, FL, our family around Granny Steinmetz' bedside, and a prayer team in Southern Cal. 

In these four years I have also had the privilege of speaking to the grieving family of a mother who was taken from her child (Angelica), people at a homeless shelter who were grieving the loss of their friends, and many other grieving families. My heart is humbled as I think of all the ways that Jesus has answered my prayers. I am humbled to think He has taken a man who through a royal temper tantrum with his senior pastor in January of 2008, saying, "Don't get dogmatic with me," and used him in all of his weakness and insecurity to bring glory to His name. I am so thankful to Jesus for all He has done. And I know there is still miles to go.

And now it is on to Fiji. As I was driving back from Jack's Market yesterday, I was thinking of the song by Darlene Check entitled, You Said: 


You said ask and you will receive 
Whatever you need 
You said pray 
and I'll hear from heaven 
And I'll heal your land

You said Your glory will fill the earth 
Oh like water the seas 
You said lift up your eyes 
The harvest is here 
The kingdom is near

You said ask and I'll give the nations to you 
O Lord that's the cry of my heart 
You said distant shores and the islands will see 
Your light as it rises on us

When this song first grabbed my heart I wasn't quite sure why. Now I see. God is was birthing something in me for this Fiji trip. I now I must ask for the nations. I must ask for Fiji. Namimbia, and the most distant reaches of earth's wide bounds.

Prayer: Lord Jesus give us Fiji. I am asking the nations this morning. Let the distant shores… let the islands be alive with the light of Your grace. Father pour out Your favor on the country of Fiji. Use this trip as a catalytic moment for Your kingdom. Call forth missionaries from this Island land of "christian people" and make them more than those who simply profess Your name. Father make them a nation on fire from the nations. 

Make the mission of Adventure Outreach Ministries to raise up and send missionaries from the Islands to the mainlands of our world. O Father, start a movement in Fiji that will reach the farthest corners of the globe. Send out Your Spirit from this equator land. Like shock waves may He awaken revival wherever these Fijian missionaries go. Do it for Your glory Lord Jesus. Do it for Your honor. Do it because You are in the business of starting great things in little places. Magnify Your name Lord Jesus. Magnify Your name.

Dim Eyes and Brighter Blessings

Genesis 48:10-11 ¹⁰ Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them.  ¹¹ And Israel said to Joseph, "I had not thought to see your face; but in fact, God has also shown me your offspring!" 

Genesis 48:15-16   "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long to this day,  ¹⁶ The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads; Let my name be named upon them, And the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; And let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth." 

Observation:  Like the eyes of his father Isaac, Israel's eyes were dim when he gave the blessing to his grand children.  

Genesis 27:1-4  Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." And he answered him, "Here I am."  ² Then he said, "Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death.  ³ "Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me.  ⁴ "And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die." 

It is important to note the difference between Isaac and Israel, for there was no mistake on Jacob's part in blessing the younger child.  He intentionally crossed his hands to give Ephraim the greater blessing.  What is it about dim eyes and blessing?  Why was their deception in one case and intention in another?  Why was Joseph the younger more blessed than all of his older brothers?  Could this be God choosing the weak things of the world to shame the strong?  

I think of the old hymn that says:  

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

Dim eyes and brighter blessings.  Could this be what God is calling us to?  To eyes dim to the ways of this would.  Eyes ready to close in sleep to the wickedness of sin.  After healing the blind man, Christ declared:  

John 9:39  "For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind." 

It appears that there is a sight that comes with blindness and a blindness that comes with sight.  I want the spiritual sight that comes with a blindness to sin. 

Prayer:  O Jesus, change my gaze.  Give me an eye for Your glory.  Make me blind to this world that I might bring blessing to it's inhabitants.  Let my eyes be glazed over with thoughts of You and Your kingdom come; not with the the illure of addiction, lust, and deception.  

Reign on the throne of my imagination Lord Jesus.  Come captivate me with visions of You.  Show me the way You would have me to go. Dim my eyes and with brighter blessings.

He Gives Again and Again

For if by the one mans offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one mans offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Mans righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Mans obedience many will be made righteous. Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:17-21 NKJV)

Observation: The reason God is not threatened by sin is because He gives again and again. For the suffering and pain which come with sin, He gives again and again. For the heartache, He gives again and again. For the regret, He gives again and again. For the remorse, He gives again and again. For everything sin touches, the Lord gives again and again. For everyone sin betrays, He gives again and again. For everywhere sin reaches, the Lord gives again and again. Praise the Lord, where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more.  

Satan would point to sin and suffering and say, "There you have it, if the world is so bad, how can God be so good?" 

Paul points to a world of sin and suffering and says, "Listen, it is the presence of grace in the midst of this very dark planet, that declares in an even greater way the goodness of God."

In Romans 8:18 he declares: 

"The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18 NKJV)

And in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 we are told: 

"We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NKJV).

Sin is temporary. Glory is eternal. Sin might seem ominous, but Christ has conquered. He has overcome the grave. There is nothing to fear. As Hebrews says, 

"Since the children have flesh and blood, he too (Jesus) shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2:14–15 NIV)

Hallelujah, His life, death, and resurrection forever declare, 

 "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:31–32 NKJV)

Application: God's invitation today is to focus on grace. Sure there is all kind of havoc because of sin. The world is messy. Life is messy. Hurt and heartache are all around. Injustice and bigotry abound. But let us no fear, let us not fret, let us not ring our hands in regret. Instead, let us raise our hands in worship. Let us raise our hands to the One who has overcome the power of the enemy; raise them to the One who has conquered sin and death; and raise them to the One whose glory overwhelms the grave. As Christ Tomlin sings, 

Jesus has overcome,
and the grave is overwhelmed.
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead.

And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles wings
Before my God, fall on my knees, and rise

Prayer: Lord Jesus I give You praise for grace that overcomes. Praise for resurrection power available through the Holy Spirit. Praise for power to press on. Praise for giving again and again. You alone are worthy. You alone are good. You have all power and authority. You have the keys of Hades and of Death. You have defeated our foe, dispelled his lies… Jesus You are the King… Conqueror… Redeemer… Friend. You are my Savior and I worship You. I fall on my knees… And one day with all the saints made perfect… I will rise. Thank You Jesus. Thank You for the assurance of that day… Assurance even in the midst of hardship:

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

(Romans 5:1–5 NKJV)

The Lord Reigns

"The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.

Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory." (Psalms 97:1–6 NIV)

Observation: This one thought, The Lord reigns… What a glory. What a declaration. The Lord reigns. He reigns over all the earth. He reigns over the kings of the earth. He reigns over the widows and orphans. He reigns in the palaces and nations' capitals. He reigns in the humble shanty's of ghettos and slums. He reigns over all and in all. How?

Through humility. The Almighty became a man. He lived and suffered and died. He breathed our air and walked our sod. He came to rob our sin and make us holy… He is the perfect Son of God. The Lord reigns.

Hebrews says, "It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings."

(Hebrews 2:10 NRSV)

My Savior reigns and rules on high because He descended to the depths. His perfect rule is the result of a perfect outpouring of His soul unto death. As He declared to Nicodemous under the starry night sky: 

"No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." (John 3:13–15 NRSV)

Lucifer's aspiration was ascension. To be like God. To sit on heaven's thrown. What He didn't understand was condescension. What He didn't understand was incarnation; laying oneself down. Lucifer had been blind to the beauty of the gospel. His vision was clouded by the murky darkness of personal pride and ambition. He could not see the way of greatness, because he had made greatness all about himself. To be like God in the truest sense would not be taking the place of God, but rather excepting the place God had given. To be God is an impossibility. To be like him, to serve, to surrender, to love, to embrace and bless. This is God's design.

Prayer: Lord Jesus thank You for the affirmation of Your glory this morning. A glory that hung from the tree. A glory that emptied itself and came as a humble babe. You are glorious Lord Jesus. You are high and lifted up… The whole earth is filled with Your Glory. You are my only reason for boasting.

Jesus I love You. I adore You. Magnify Your name Lord Jesus. Your name be glorified. For You are all honor. All Praise. All Goodness. All Majesty. All Power. Your's is the power that breaks the shackles of sin and set's the captive free. Your's is the power that fills week men like myself with boldness for Your kingdom.

Give Your Servant an Understanding Heart

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered; and they feared the king, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice. (1 Kings 3:28 NKJV)

Observation: Ability to lead is not dependent on what we have in ourself, it is a gift from God: 

"Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?"

The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days."" (1 Kings 3:9–14 NKJV)

The reason for Solomon's great discernment, the reason he had the courage and ability to delegate, and the reason people respected him was because he sought wisdom from on high.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." (James 1:5–6 NKJV)

Application: Do I truly believe God can give me the kind of wisdom needed to lead in this district? Is my faith in His faithfulness ready to receive His wisdom?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I believe, help Thou my unbelief. Grant to me confidence in Your providence. Lord fill my heart with faith, hope, and love. Teach me trust and teach me wisdom. Show me Your ways. 

When I don't know what to do as a Pastor, help me to call upon Your name. Lord there are so many books, so many resources, so many people saying this is how you do it. Lord, show me the way. Call me to prayer when I feel stumped and uncertain. Lord call our church to prayer and let us ask wisdom of You.

I Would Rather be a Doorkeeper

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 NKJV)

We have been appointed for salvation. God's design, His desire, His intent for us is life. And what are we to do with these words? Comfort and edify. 

Ours is not a message of shame. Ours is not a message of "You bad, bad person."

Ours is a message of grace. The message we have been given is… "God's design for You is life. You are worthy to Him. So worthy that He gave his son Jesus. So worthy that even though You are guilty, You are not worthless. Your guilt doesn't change Your worth."

Wow. How humbling. How amazing. How gracious of our God. He does not hold our sin against us. The psalmist declared:

"If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared." (Psalms 130:3–4 NIV)

The reason we have comfort… the reason our message brings courage is because the Lord keeps no record of wrong… He hopes all things, believes all things, and bears all things for His children:

"Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4–5 NKJV)

In Christ we have been reconciled to the Father. Jesus is God's declaration of worth over our lives. He is the ONE and only. I love what I read in Alex Bryan's book The Green Cord Dream this morning: Primal Adventism - was about men and women who longed to be with Jesus!

Why do we long to be with Jesus… because he longed to be with us… in the midst of all our shame, and guilt, and sin… Jesus longed to be with us. For the sake of the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken His seat at the right hand of the Father until all of His enemies are made a footstool.

That is who I want to be… a footstool. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my Lord than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Just make me a stool Jesus. Let me hold the door for You. This is enough.

The Prison House of Praise

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them (Acts 16:25).

Observation: In the prison house of their pain and suffering Paul and Silas gained the victory through praise and worship:

Terrible is the struggle that takes place between the forces of good and of evil in important centers where the messengers of truth are called upon to labor. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood," declares Paul, "but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world." Ephesians 6:12. Till the close of time there will be a conflict between the church of God and those who are under the control of evil angels. {AA 219.1}

In this conflict with the "rulers of the darkness of this world," our weapons are not guns and knives:  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Co 10:4–5). 

The battlefield of the Great Controversy is the mind.  It is thoughts and feelings that the enemy of souls is seeking to capture and hold hostage.  He wants to turn out minds to worry, doubt, and fear.  Satan would have us to concern ourselves with trivial matters, important matters, or whatever matter would keep our focus off of Jesus.  The enemy knows that if he can keep us from looking to Jesus, from trusting in the Savior's promises, and depending on the Savior's guidance, than he has us.  The devil's chief agenda is to distract and lead astray. And the distractions he sends us don't have to be wicked things.  They just need to keep us from Jesus.  Even the best of things can do that.

Application: Today my distraction is feeling like I must get to work.  It is feeling that I don't have time to spend with Jesus.  Last night it was thinking that I deserved a break and reward for a hard weeks work.  Last week it was worry and concern over the Foster Care Presenter's training.  Any number of things can keep me distracted.  

Prayer:  Lord Jesus I thank You for ministering to my heart this afternoon.  Thank You for bringing me here to this place of fellowship and worship.  Jesus thank you for the gentle breeze and the inspiring message of Paul and Silas' faith in the prison cell.  I think of the words of Sara Groves which are such a blessing:

I see Paul and Silas in the prison yard

I hear the songs of freedom rising to the stars

And when the Saints go marching in

I want to be one of them.

Jesus this is my prayer.  I want to be a person of praise in the midst of my pain.  I want to worship You through the good and the bad.  I want to bless Your name when others curse me to my face.  Lord I want to be worthy of suffering for Your name.  And even as I pray this… I'm a bit bewildered.  Because I know who I am.  I know how selfish I am Lord Jesus.  I know my pride.  And if I am to bring glory to You.  Then I must die.  I must be buried. It must be You living and shining and moving and breathing in me.  Lord Jesus take my life.  Take it all. Drown me in Your Holiness.  Surround me in Your love.  Overwhelm me in Your glory.  Engulf me in Your mercy.  Have and hold and bless and break me.  Do all You must do to make my life Your temple.  I surrender to You.  Amen.

The Pause and the Pursuit

As by faith Abraham went forth at the call of God, "not knowing whither he went" (Heb. 11:8); as by faith Israel followed the pillar of cloud to the Promised Land, so did these Gentiles go forth to find the promised Saviour. The Eastern country abounded in precious things, and the magi did not set out empty-handed. It was the custom to offer presents as an act of homage to princes or other personages of rank, and the richest gifts the land afforded were borne as an offering to Him in whom all the families of the earth were to be blessed. It was necessary to journey by night in order to keep the star in view; but the travelers beguiled the hours by repeating traditional sayings and prophetic utterances concerning the One they sought. At every pause for rest they searched the prophecies; and the conviction deepened that they were divinely guided. While they had the star before them as an outward sign, they had also the inward evidence of the Holy Spirit, which was impressing their hearts, and inspiring them with hope. The journey, though long, was a happy one to them. (The Desire of Ages, p. 60).

Observation:  In this paragraph we find a blessed prescription for spiritual joy and fulfillment... pause and pursuit, following and resting, doing God's bidding and abiding in His love.  When we walk with Christ, we should also expect to rest with Christ.  Jesus said to His disciples:

"Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while."" (Mark 6:31 NKJV)

The answer in success is not the pursuit of greater success, it is first and foremost... Rest.  Before we can move on, we must stop moving.  Before we can take the next step, we are invite to take off our sandals... maybe sit beside a quite stream, and put our feet in the water, and feel the warm sun, and the gentle breeze, and let our hearts be filled with the favor our Father.  Before we can conquer again, we are invited to submit to the silence... to be still and know that He is God.  This is the invitation of our Savior.

And so, as the wise men stopped to rest, they would search the prophecies Desire of Ages tells us.  What is your quest in rest? What is mine?

Prayer:  O Jesus, in moments of rest teach me to seek Your face.  Often I am tempted to turn to worldly pleasures.  And certainly there are blessings in this world that you provide for my moments of rest.  But Jesus, I want more then moments in front of the tube, more than just Facebooking and channel surfing.  Teach me to rest in You.  Teach me to find my solace and retreat at Your feet.  Teach me to come apart to a quiet place.  Teach me in those moments to sometimes search the Scriptures and sometimes be still and know that You are God... to be still and know that I am loved by You... to be still and know that every success is a gift from Your hand.  Teach me to give all the glory back to You as I rest in Your finished work.  Teach me to embrace Your invitation:

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28–29 NKJV) 

One Thing is Needed

Outside of the Jewish nation there were men who foretold the appearance of a divine instructor. These men were seeking for truth, and to them the Spirit of Inspiration was imparted. One after another, like stars in the darkened heavens, such teachers had arisen. Their words of prophecy had kindled hope in the hearts of thousands of the Gentile world. 

For hundreds of years the Scriptures had been translated into the Greek language, then widely spoken throughout the Roman Empire. The Jews were scattered everywhere, and their expectation of the Messiah's coming was to some extent shared by the Gentiles. Among those whom the Jews styled heathen were men who had a better understanding of the Scripture prophecies concerning the Messiah than had the teachers in Israel. There were some who hoped for His coming as a deliverer from sin. Philosophers endeavored to study into the mystery of the Hebrew economy. But the bigotry of the Jews hindered the spread of the light. Intent on maintaining the separation between themselves and other nations, they were unwilling to impart the knowledge they still possessed concerning the symbolic service. The true Interpreter must come. The One whom all these types prefigured must explain their significance. (The Desire of Ages, p. 33).

Before the first coming of Christ, the Lord poured out the Spirit of Prophecy on those who were diligently seeking the Scriptures to give them insight and understanding as to the time in which they lived and the certainty of the Messiah's appearing.  These seekers were experiencing the fulfillment of what Peter describes in his first epistle to the church: 

"Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into." (1 Peter 1:10–12 NKJV)

As these teachers "outside of the Jewish nation... foretold the appearance of the divine instructor," they demonstrated that they were recipients of the ministry of prophets of old.  And by doing so, they were carrying on in the ministry of those who had come before.  There message was not a new one.  Rather it was the renewal of the call of Amos: "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!"" (Amos 4:12 NKJV)

Today we are faced with the same challenge and calling as those seekers before the coming of Christ... to prepare the way of the Lord.  And, at the Mid-America Union Pastor's Meetings this month, Pastor Randy Roberts of the Loma Linda University Church showed us the how to fulfill this calling through a simple challenge to read The Word.  Randy's timely message was a stark contrast to Martha experience that we so often live in ministry:

""Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed," (Luke 10:41–42 NKJV)

Martha was distracted with many things.  She was busy, busy, busy.  And she resented her sister Mary for sitting at the feet of Jesus.  But at the feet of Jesus was really the one thing Martha needed most.  It's the thing we ministers need most.  It's the thing that reminds me of my Nani.  

Early on in my life, my Grandmother Moon taught me to memorize Scripture.  I called her Nani.  And the first Scripture I can remember Nani teaching me was Psalm 19:14:

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalms 19:14 NKJV)

Nani knew how important it was for us to meditate on Christ.  She new it must be a prayer request; that we must cry out to Jesus saying, "Lord draw me close to Thee;" Keep me at your feet.  In fact, Nani's favorite hymn was: Sitting at the Feet of Jesus.  It was played at her funeral.  And I praise God for the legacy of sitting she left me.  I praise God that my Nani choose the one thing she needed most.

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Sitting at the feet of Jesus, 

Oh, what words I hear Him say!

Happy place! so near, so precious!

May it find me there each day;

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

I would look upon the past;

For His love has been so gracious,

It has won my heart at last.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

Where can mortal be more blest?

There I lay my sins and sorrows,

And, when weary, find sweet rest;

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,

There I love to weep and pray;

While I from His fullness gather

Grace and comfort every day.

Bless me, O my Savior, bless me,

As *I sit low at Thy feet; [*I'm waiting]

Oh, look down in love upon me,

Let me see Thy face so sweet;

Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,

Keep me holy as He is;

May I prove I've been with Jesus,

Who is all my righteousness.