The Plowman

Introduction
In 1985, Joe Simpson and his friend Simon Yates decided to climb a 21,000 foot high mountain in Peru.  About halfway through the ascent, Simpson fell and smashed the bones in his right leg.  Yates tried to lower him down the mountain on a rope, but it soon became clear that Simpson’s weight was pulling them both off the mountain.  What was Yates to do?  Eventually he made the agonizing decision to cut the rope.  Yates cut the rope and watched his friend plummet into the darkness below.  Heartbroken, Yates returned to the base camp.  Astonishingly Simpson survived the fall and spent the next three-and-a-half days inching torturously down the mountain.  With no food or water he drug his broken body toward safety.  It was excruciating.  Simpson later said later the one thing that kept him going, the thing that drove him through unbearable pain was the knowledge that he would die alone.  He said, “I’ve never gotten over it and I never will.  I kept fighting, I kept crawling because if I was going to die I wanted someone to hold me.”

Later when asked if he would have done the same thing Simon Yates had done, Joe Simpson replied, “Simon put his life at risk to save mine, and then got in a situation where he knew he was likely to die.  No one you know – or ever will know – will die for someone else in those circumstances.”  Thankfully Joe Simpson was wrong – and that is what is at the heart of the Christian Gospel.

Text: Ephesians 2:1-7
This is a glorious passage.  Paul with the skill of a surgeon cut through the trappings of religious life and got to the heart of the matter.  This is the heart and soul of the Gospel message.  In this passage you can build a sound doctrine of biblical salvation.

Even when I hear a preacher calling on people to “come to Jesus” I wonder if they have heard the Gospel.  I wonder if they have any biblical notion of what he is asking of them.  In this text Paul lays out for us the biblical Gospel.  From this text we learn…

Thesis: The biblical doctrine of salvation addresses man’s great need and God’s gracious provision.
As the biblical doctrine unfolds we will discover three great facts about salvation.

1. Man’s Problem  (2:1-3)
2. God’s Gracious Provision (2:4-6)
   There are three things God has done for us.
   1. He has loved us – “…because of the great love with which he loves us…”
      1 John 4:8 tells us this is one of God’s intrinsic attributes. It is part of His essential being. When that love is expressed towards us it becomes grace and mercy. Grace = giving us what we do not deserve — Mercy = not giving us what we do deserve — It is the love of God that makes salvation possible.
   2. He has quickened us – “…made us alive…”
      This is the work of regeneration. This is spiritual resurrection. He breathes life into those who are spiritually dead.
   3. He has seated us in heavenly places – “seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…”
      From the grave to glory. This is the Gospel.
3. Salvation’s Purpose (2:7)
   Now, why did He do it? Look carefully at 2:7. God’s purpose is not just to save you from Hell. He saves you so that for all eternity you can be a trophy of His grace. He saves you so that He can lavish His grace upon you forever!!!

This is our glorious salvation.  Those who are fully deserving of his wrath and judgment become the objects of His eternal love and devotion!

Introduction:
I was embarrassed for them. There they were on national television making fools of themselves. All that ranting and raving. Outlandish accusations. Anger. Hateful words. Attacks. You would have thought it was the Jerry Springer Show instead of a “news/talk show.” Sophisticated, intelligent “scholars” red-faced and nearly incoherent. The subject being debated was the claims of Christianity. The Jewish rabbi kept interrupting the seminary president with claims of his being a “spiritual nazi” engaging in a “spiritual holocaust.” The other “Christian” scholar put distance between himself and the seminary president, making it clear that he did not want to be identified with such a “spiritual Neanderthal.” The point of contention? That salvation was to be found in Christ and in Christ alone.

We are living in changing times. We have experienced a major shift in philosophical thinking. We have move from “modernism” into “postmodernism.” Modernism began in the 18^th century with the Enlightenment. Modernism is based on the idea that there is such a thing as truth and that it can be known. Modernism said, “Truth exists outside of us and is always true.” Scientific experimentation was a search for truth. Philosophy was a search for truth. Truth that was always true in every generation and in every circumstance. Postmodernism says, “Truth is what we make it.” Truth does not exist outside of us. We all have our own truth. What is true for me may or may not be true for you. What is true in this circumstance may not be true in that circumstance. In such a world there can be no absolutes. Because there are no absolutes there can be no judgments made. As a sign on a college campus recently said, “It is okay to think you are right. It is not okay for you to think someone else is wrong!” Thus the greatest sin in our culture is to declare someone is wrong. Tolerance no longer means that I respect another person’s point of view but that I accept another’s point of view as equally valid. Their view though contradictory to mine is just as true as mine!

Such is life in a pluralistic world. Our culture, once monolithic, has now become multi-cultural. America is no longer a “melting pot” we are a “mosaic.” We are no longer Americans we are hyphenated Americans. We are African-American, Irish-American, Asian-American, and Native-American etc. We are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhist, New Agers, atheist, pantheist and anything else you can think of! The question we must face is – how do we present the Gospel to such a culture?

Text: Acts 4:1-22

Thesis: In the face of our pluralistic culture the church must faithfully, accurately and passionately preach the Gospel.

That sounds simplistic – but it is not. Much is made today of the need to be “innovative” and “cutting edge” in evangelism. But the truth of the matter is the power is and always has been in the Gospel itself! Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it (the Gospel) is the power of God unto salvation.”

Three things we must keep in mind about the preaching of the Gospel in our pluralistic culture.

1. Faithful preaching of the Gospel in today’s culture inevitably results in conflict. (4:1-3)
2. Faithful preaching of the Gospel in our pluralistic culture demands an honest, clear, complete telling of the whole Gospel. (4:5-12)
3. Faithful preaching of the Gospel is our only hope for reaching our culture for Christ. (4:13-22)

In a culture very much like the one we are living in. A culture filled with gods. Worship whoever or whatever you please as long as you recognize that one is as good as the other. Through the faithful, accurate and passionate preaching of the Gospel their world was changed. May we be found faithful in the preaching of the Gospel.

Introduction:
I don’t know about you but I’m finding the older I get the more cynical I become. Nothing shocks me – I’ve come to expect the worst. People come to me with a problem and I want to say, “What do you expect?  People are jerks – you can’t trust anybody – life is hard and then you die – get over it.” This of course is comforting to those who come to their pastor for encouragement and support!

Now, while I am becoming increasingly cynical – I am becoming more and more angry with those folks who are always upbeat.  The ones who never see a problem, who just know things will get better.  You know, perky – upbeat – optimistic people – they’re so irritating!  You know what kind of person I’m talking about?  You could throw them into a room full of manure and they would get excited because there must be a pony around!

I guess that is why I find the apostle Paul’s upbeat demeanor in the book of Philippians so amazing.  Here is a man literally staring death in the face saying – “Rejoice”.  Here is a man who can talk about those responsible for his being in prison and say – if it serves the cause of the Gospel, so be it – I rejoice in that.  That is a most extraordinary thing.  The only explanation I can find is that the apostle Paul saw things differently.  He had a unique perspective on life.

Let’s explore that perspective together beginning in verse 12 of chapter 1.

Text: Philippians 1:12-26
Background:

Paul is writing to this beloved congregation from prison in Rome. The church sent a love offering to help with his needs upon hearing of his imprisonment. Epaphras had delivered the gift along with greetings from the church. Some time after arriving he became quite ill. After recovering Paul sent his back to the church with this letter of gratitude. It is a warm, pastoral letter. Free of rebuke and full of love and devotion.

Let me ask – how do you respond when you are wrongfully treated? How do you react when life “dumps” on you? When your life comes crashing down around you through no fault of your own? Why is it some grow bitter and others grow better? Same struggle, same hardship, same pain – very different response. How is it some can sing – while others can only wail? I suspect it has to do with this idea of perspective. The word perspective means literally – “to look through”.  Implied however is the notion of using some device to help clarify.  To enable you to see clearly.

From the great apostle’s life we learn:
Thesis: Genuine joy demands that you view life from a divine perspective.

• Lesson 1 – Barnyard 101 – Masham and the livestock judging.
  Same animals different outcome why?
  1st judge = Ag teacher.  2nd judge = a meat producer.
  Different perspective.
• Lesson 2 – Art 101 – Mr. Berlin.
  Horizon line and the perspective point.
  Everything must come back to the perspective point.
  That point gives meaning and depth to the picture – without it there is chaos and the picture makes no sense.

In this text we find 2 characteristics of the person of perspective.

1. The person of perspective looks to see God’s hand in every circumstance of his life.  (1:12-18a)
2. The person of perspective desires above all else that Christ be glorified in their life.  (1:18b-26)

Real joy.  Genuine joy.  Lasting joy demands a divine perspective on life.  Such a person looks for the hand of God in every circumstance in life and desires above all else to see Christ glorified in their life.

Introduction:
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but good relationships require hard work!  They do not come “naturally.”  They require constant maintenance and it is an unending battle.  You may be thinking, “What kind of relationships is he talking about?  What kind of relationship requires constant battling?  It must be a mother-in-law thing.”  No, I mean common, ordinary, run or the mill relationships.  If you are going to maintain a good, healthy relationship with anyone, you will have to work at it.  Whether it is a relationship with a spouse, a child, a parent, a friend, and a coworker – relationships are work.  There will be hurt feelings, differences of opinion, different perspectives and that leads to conflict.  The question then is how do you respond to conflict?  How do you respond to strained relationships?  That is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching recorded for us in Matthew chapter 18.

In the early part of the chapter our Lord instructs us about “greatness” in the Kingdom of heaven.  He says we must become child-like if we desire greatness.  He then warns about our actions causing others to stumble or falter in their faith.  Then in verses 15-20 he deals specifically with seeking restoration for fractured relationships.  He tells us that, as individuals, we must be willing to pursue every avenue of reconciliation.  And he says that as a church, we must be willing to safeguard the fellowship.  The driving force or concern about each of these actions is the sake of the Gospel and the extension of God’s Kingdom.  In our text this morning this thought is taken a step further.

Text: Matthew 18:21-35
Do you ever struggle with forgiveness?  Not asking for it – granting it.  Do you easily forgive others?  Are you quick to forgive?  Keep in mind we are talking about forgiveness and not probation.  There is a difference.

Do you get “historical” whenever someone asks you for forgiveness?

Note the context of this passage.  It is found in a question asked in verses 21-22. Remember the issue in 15-20 was reconciliation. It related to dealing with a brother who had sinned against you. How must you respond?

Immediately Peter came to Jesus with a question.  I’m convinced Peter was a Baptist preacher – he asked and then answered his own question!
“Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me?  Up to seven times?”

The typical rabbinical teaching of the day suggested that you are to forgive your brother three times.  For the fourth there is no forgiveness.  The conventional wisdom of the day had set a standard.  And given the attitude of the world of that time it was fairly generous.  The ancient world was not a “forgiving place.”  Character traits such as humility, service and self-restraint were not considered virtuous by most folks.  The rabbis taught that you must forgive – three times.

Peter doubled that and threw in one more for good measure.  That brought the number up to seven – the perfect number.  The number representative of the divine.  You can almost see the smile of self-satisfaction on Peter’s face.  He was proud.  You know he has given a good answer before.  He is confident he has done it again.  He is fully expecting another, “blessed are you Simon son of John.  Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but rather my Father in heaven.”  But our Lord’s response shocked Peter and his fellow disciples as our Lord laid down one of the principle laws of kingdom living.

Through this passage we are reminded that:

Thesis: Kingdom living demands a life of perpetual forgiveness.

There are two things I want us to note in this text.  We’ll note the principle laid down and then the rationale behind the principle.

1. The principle stated (18:22)
2. How are we to fulfill this command?  (18:23-35)

As the people of God we are called to a life of perpetual forgiveness.  We can do this because we have experienced the grace of God.  We forgive because we are forgiven.  I am forgiven by the grace of God and it is by the grace of God I forgive others.  Relationships are work.  I am responsible before God to do all within my power to be right with others.  That will demand a life of forgiveness and grace.

Introduction
“And they lived happily ever after,” isn’t that how stories are supposed to end?  Don’t you like it when, by story’s end, everything is wrapped up in a neat little package and you can put a bow on top?  That’s nice for story books but life is not a fairy-tale.  God’s dealing with His people is not a fairy-tale either.  That is obvious throughout the book of Jeremiah.  Jeremiah ministered during the dark days of Judah.  His 40 year ministry was characterized by his message of judgment.  He repeatedly warned of impending doom.  He consistently called the nation and its leaders to repentance.  His words went unheeded and thus judgment finally came.  The end of the story is not pretty.  Listen to Jeremiah’s own words regarding life after the fall of Jerusalem:

How lonely sits the city
that was full of people…
She weeps bitterly in the night,
with tears on her cheeks;
among all her lovers
she has none to comfort her;
all her friends have dealt treacherously with her;
they have become her enemies.
Judah has gone into exile because of affliction
and hard servitude;
she dwells now among the nations,
but finds no resting place;
her pursuers have all overtaken her
in the midst of her distress.

The enemy has stretched out his hands
over all her precious things;
for she has seen the nations
enter her sanctuary,
those whom you forbade
to enter your congregation.

“For these things I weep;
my eyes flow with tears;
for a comforter is far from me,
one to revive my spirit;
my children are desolate,
for the enemy has prevailed.

The prophet wept over the city he loved and lost.  So much for “happily ever after.”  Chapter 52 is the work of an editor.  The last words of the prophet occur in chapter 51 (51:64).  Chapter 52 is the work of a careful historian.  Even a casual reading of the chapter reveals the historian’s eye for detail.  It is not an impassioned account - it sounds a bit like Joe Friday - “Just the facts mam.”   The historian is not weeping over Jerusalem’s fall he is merely reporting it.  Our text is found in the last chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecy.

Text: Jeremiah 52:1-34
As we move through the passage we will discover that…

Thesis: God’s judgment of Jerusalem and her subsequent fall causes us to consider our ways and yet be assured of His continuing mercy and grace.

1. The fall of Jerusalem serves to remind us that sin will be dealt with.
2. The fall of Jerusalem serves as a call to faithfulness.
3. God’s providential kindness to king Jehoiachin serves to remind us that the promises of God cannot fail thus we have a future and a hope.

Introduction
Have you ever found yourself rocking along – things are okay, they’re not spectacular, but then they’re not horrible either.  But you know things could be better in fact they should be better – but you just can’t put your finger on it?  You’ve got that uneasy feeling something is just not quite right.

That’s how it was for me when I hooked up the portable dishwasher.  Rheadon was gone and I was watching the kids.  This was while we were living in Ponca City.  We had one of those portable dishwashers.  I rolled it across the kitchen floor.  Loaded it.  Put the soap in.  Made the proper connection at the sink.  Turned it on and nothing!  It just sat there.  I reset the dial and did it again.  Still nothing.  I checked my connection.  I looked it over carefully.  I carefully, thoughtfully, thoroughly reviewed everything.  Then I gave it a swift kick!  I started talking to it.  “Let’s be reasonable.  There is no good reason for you not to work.  What is it?  What’s wrong?”  I then began to “brow-beat” the machine.  I tried to shame it into performing.  I knew it had to be something obvious.  There was something missing.  If I could only figure out what.  In stumbling around this stupid machine I finally said to it – and “why is your stupid power cord lying in the floor?”  Oops.

There are a lot of folks rocking along in their walk with Christ doing the best they can, thinking they’ve got everything lined up – but yet something is missing.  Where is the joy?  They know it should be there.  They are sure there is a simple explanation.  If they could just find that one piece of the puzzle things could really take off.  Life would take on new dimensions.  Maybe that is where some of you are.  The apostle Paul is going to help us discover a very important fact about our salvation in Philippians 2:12-16.

Text: Philippians 2:12-16

• Paul is in prison.
• Near the end of his life.
• He is rejoicing – what is his secret?
• Paul has just lead us to one of the mountain peaks of scripture 2:1-11.
• You would expect him to launch out into the deep.
• To boldly go where no man has gone before –But he comes back to reality.
• For Paul, mountain peaks are of little value if they do not help you live in the valley.
• Doctrine always leads to practical Christianity.

Thesis: You can face life with joy when you discover God’s gracious work in you.

There are 2 things I want you to note as we look at this text.
As we seek to apply the great doctrinal truths Paul has been preaching.

1. You must recognize that God is at work in your life.  (2:12-13)
2. You must demonstrate the fact God is at work in you.  (2:14-16)
   1. Your life will be characterized by cheerful obedience.  14
   2. Your life will be characterized by purity.  15
   3. Your life will be characterized by missionary activity.  15-16