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Psalm 42:5 (For I Shall Yet Praise Him)

Charlie Garrett Moments, Old Testament (written), Sermons, SERMONS (write up), Special / Holiday, Special / Holiday (Written)

Artwork by Douglas Kallerson.

Psalm 42:5
For I Shall Yet Praise Him

Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. -Job 1:13-22

In 1776, and under a completely different context, Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet called The American Crisis. It was a call to stir up the American army, which had faced defeats as they faced the British during the Revolutionary War. In his words, Paine wrote, “These are the times that try men’s souls.” It was such a poignant and stirring line that it has remained embedded in the American psyche ever since. It was also a key impetus for inspiring the army to cross the Delaware and attack the Hessian Army stationed at Trenton, New Jersey, becoming the American’s first significant victory of the war.

Job faced the times that tried his soul, and he prevailed over the battle that Satan brought against him by remaining steadfast in his faithful devotion to God, despite the inordinate amount of loss he faced.

But Satan was not through with him as Chapter 1 closed out. Rather, he continued to incite Job to sin against the Lord by attacking his physical body, covering him with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. All he was left with was potsherds to scrape his miserable, festering skin, pain from each swipe of a boil, and a nagging wife who implored him to “Curse God and die.” The latter being the greatest punishment of all. And yet, his words back to this treacherous woman vindicated his faith that God was just –

“But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job 2:10

In 1979, Steve Martin starred in the movie The Jerk. He was a white boy born as a poor black child, lacking any skills or abilities that could elevate him out of a life of mediocrity. And yet, through a series of events, he became extremely wealthy. But as such things go, it was all lost just as quickly as it appeared. When their downfall came about, he said to his wife, played by Bernadette Peters, that it was just money, and they could make more of that. Her response was, “I don’t care about losing all the money. It’s losing all the stuff.”

Is that what our life is to be remembered for? Stuff?

For me, it is Monday, 7 October. It is 4:30 am, and I have walked the dogs, read the Bible (over two cups of coffee), and quickly surveyed a property that has been our home since 1993 and the home of my father for another fifteen or so years beyond that.

In the previous ten days, we have gone through the most significant flooding of our lives. Dad moved onto the island in 1948. There have been storms, and there have been times of green grass and then high tides, but there was never a time where the high tides overflowed the island and completely swept away the green grass as it retreated… until late September of this year. And yet, within just a few days of that ending, we are set to face another hurricane, most likely as a direct or near-direct hit. Monday morning at 2 am, the forecast places the storm upon arrival as a category 3 with a significant storm surge.

The only question is whether it will veer a bit south, a bit north, or come directly at us. Each has positives and negatives concerning winds and tides, but none appear appealing at this point. And more, this storm will not just affect the coastal homes of the west coast of Florida as Helene did. Rather, every person in this church – even Ron and Shannon, who live many miles north and far inland will be on my mind because of the track once landfall is made.

Every person in this church is a burden upon my mind as I sit in the dark and type. Along with them are family and friends throughout the area. But what else does this day represent? A storm lies ahead, but 365 days ago, on this day, a storm of a different kind swept through parts of Israel when they were brutally attacked by a terrorist force bent on killing the people of Israel.

The Islamic forces of Hamas murdered, raped, and tortured the people they encountered. We have time to at least prepare for the next few days and decide what we will do as the storm approaches. Those people, like Job, simply faced the satanic onslaught as it came about, and they had to face the consequences of it once it had passed by. Many in Israel found out what was truly important at that time. And the nation as a whole had to decide what to do about what transpired. Their response, and the battles they continue to face, are a part of the unfolding drama of the prophetic scenario known to God all along.

As for those of us in the path of Hurricane Milton, time will tell what the result of its passing will be. As for Helene, we – meaning my father, Hideko, and I – have gone through that. It was a truly trying ordeal. As we watched the house fill with water, we heard appliances – one after another – fail. The washer-dryer unit, which wasn’t even running, came on and started to churn. Within a couple of minutes, it burned up. A freezer in the garage sparked and died.

The waters rose more and came into the house. Suddenly, there was a heavy smell of ozone, and the refrigerator gave off some scary rattling noises and died. What could we do? I got Dad to come from his house to ours, we all retreated upstairs, and we waited to see what the outcome would be.

Throughout the night, something kept happening that I will never forget. I called it “the sound of car death.” Different houses have been built on different levels of dirt brought in from the mainland in hopes of beating such an event, but for most, it wasn’t enough.

As the minutes turned to hours, again and again, there would be the steady beeping noise of a car alarm as the waters began to reach the electronics. The beeping would continue for a while and then become erratic, like a child who wasn’t getting his way over the toy he wanted Mommy to give him. And then, within a few minutes, the whining would stop… the car had died.

The next morning, and for the next days afterward, we saw Porches, Lamborghinis, Maserati’s, and other cars worth more than our house towed away to be made into other useful things, like razor blades and tin cans. One could almost hear the repetition of the words of Bernadette Peters… “It’s losing all the stuff.”

Along with the cars, tons and tons (and tons) of household goods were carried out to the roadside and heaped unceremoniously in piles that I eventually called “the walls of sorrow.” Scrappers came through each day, taking whatever their eyes alighted on. That reduced the level of junk a bit. But the walls of sorrow continued to grow for the next week as people came into town to survey the damages in these, their winter homes.

As a side note to highlight our own situation, and something you might find comical, as we watched the things stored up for a lifetime slowly being destroyed by the waters, I remember seeing a brand-new pack of Bounty paper towels bobbing around in the garage. Hideko had bought them just a couple of days before, and they were unopened when the storm hit. The ruin of those paper towels affected me more than almost anything else. We had used the washer/dryer for a year (it was Hideko’s retirement present).

We had used the refrigerator for eons. It was set to go anyway. The sofa had been slept on innumerable times, and every dog we had with us for thirty years probably threw up on it a dozen times in order to stake its rightful claim over it. But those Bounty towels were never opened. It was like taking $20.00 and just lighting it on fire. The waste seemed so… so… so pointless. Surely, these are the times that try men’s souls. The loss of the HMS Bounty didn’t seem as important to me as the loss of those paper towels call Bounty.

We have to consider each event as it comes, process it in whatever way it affects us, and then live with what happened. This is true for something as insignificant as a big pack of Bounty towels that wound up on the side of Midnight Pass Road without ever having served the purpose for which they were made.

As I sit here on Monday morning, I wonder if the coming storm will lift up those towels and the tons and tons of other things sitting out there, as yet uncollected, and deposit them, once again, all over our property.

And what about the people in the church? The storm is coming, and each one of them will probably face it to some extent. Will these, my family in Christ, be ok? All I can do is type, pray, and place my hope in the Lord’s hands for each of them.

The psalmist gave us words to consider in such times –

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”
4 When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.
6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.
9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42

The rest of the week, like our very next moment of existence of each moment we live, is unknown to me. And so, shall I fret as we await the coming storm? Shall I call out and curse God if things don’t go well? Shall I throw a temper tantrum at the God who created all things and who temporarily gives them to us to enjoy?

Rather, I have determined now that in whatever comes, I shall yet praise Him. He alone is worthy of that. He alone determines the end from the beginning. When Sunday morning arrives, if it arrives for us as individuals and for us as a church gathering, I would hope that regardless of what transpires, each of you will say, “The Lord is my Rock. He is my Fortress, my Defense, my Hope, and my Hiding Place. Through the days of my life, I shall yet praise Him.”

What is stuff? For the most part, it is a distraction from our relationship with God. If we are wise, we can incorporate the things of our lives into that relationship. When a large and delicious meal is set before us, we can thank Him for it. Should we be in a foxhole with C-rations, we can thank Him for that. And if the week ahead finds any of us eating a meal provided by Samaritans Purse as we sit under a tent, having lost everything, we can thank Him for that as well.

Life, the spark of life that impels us forward, is not about stuff. Our lives will be judged based on our response to the things that occur around us and the situations in which we interact throughout our days, not on the amount of stuff we collected and idolized. If our responses and interactions acknowledge the goodness of the Lord while we are in the land of the living, He will justly and adequately reward us according to His goodness in relation to our faith. It is Monday morning for me as I type.

I am already trying to process the week ahead in ten thousand possible permutations of what could be. I am already mourning with those who are mourning. I am already burdened with those facing loss. I am already grateful for the storm that… that didn’t happen (oh! To pray and dream!).

To pass this week, as with each day of our lives as they occur, I am looking forward to it with the Lord as a part of it. Cursed God and die? It shall never be! You speak as one of the foolish women speaks!

In the Revolutionary War, many men gave everything to secure a land and a freedom for those who followed. On October 7th, 2023, many of Israel saw the futility of life without God as loved ones were taken from them.

When Hurricane Helene pushed north in late September, lives were uprooted, towns and villages were swept away, and many lives were lost. Some were faithful Christians, while others rejected that path. Eternal destinies were set as lives were extinguished through raging floodwaters.

In Butler, Pennsylvania, a president was spared while Corey Comperatore lost his life protecting his family. Corey was a saved believer in Christ, no one is really sure about President Trump. Which is in the better position right now? Life is about choices.

Now, another storm is just ahead. And if this sermon is given on Sunday, the 13th of October, it will be just behind. It has been my main goal and purpose in life these past years to prepare people for just such an event, actually, for the choices that should be made before such an event. Why do bad things happen to “good” people? First and foremost, the question is flawed. Jesus Himself told us this –

“Now behold, one came and said to Him, ‘Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?’
17 So He said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.’” Matthew 19:16,17

The words of Jesus speak of an ultimate standard of goodness. The same word, translated as good, is used to speak of people elsewhere in a comparative sense. Jesus says in Matthew 12 that a good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth good things. Barnabas is called a good man in Acts 11:24.

These and numerous other examples are given as comparative uses of the word good. But in the eyes of God, apart from His Son, there are none truly good. The defect of sin remains in us, and we are prone to being anything but good.

However, if we go by the comparative sense of the word, we can and do ask why God allows the good to suffer. We question how God can be just when evil things happen to us. But consider the premise! Where do we live? Some of us chose to live in Florida. Now that… that is good.

We enjoy the benefits of the land we have chosen to live in. And. yet, there is not a person with a modicum of reason in his head who doesn’t know that Florida is prone to hurricanes. Should we move here and suddenly expect to be exempt from such an ordeal now that we have graced this land with our presence? What about those in Asheville, North Carolina? They moved in, and all was good. They lived their lives with God or apart from God as they so choose. Their choice of home was “good,” and they were “good” in whatever comparative sense filled their heads.

But is it reasonable to expect God to send the floodwaters upon Asheville and exempt the “goodest of the good” while sweeping away the less “good” because they weren’t quite as good as those gooder than them?

When a person goes water skiing, there is a chance that he will –

Have a heart attack.
Get bit by a shark and bleed out.
Get run over by the boat that is supposed to pull him along for a day of fun.
Hit a rock or a dock and come to a sudden end.
Etc.

Are these things God’s fault? Is God expected to bubble-wrap humanity so that they are free from such things? If God said, “No, I don’t want you water skiing. It’s just too dangerous,” you would shake your fist in His face and tell Him to mind His own business.

You probably did it with your own parents a time or two when they told you “No” over something not so intelligent that you were planning to do. But when your boyfriend slams into a dock and dies from sudden trauma, there is always God to blame… to question… to be angry at for allowing such a thing to happen. “I hate God. He took my wife from me.” I have personally heard this. Maybe you have, too. It is always God’s fault when tragedy arises, but it is almost never to His credit when the good things of life come about. “I achieved!” “I won!” “I earned!” “I built!”

How rare and wonderful it is to the ears of the Lord when someone gets his “I’s” corrected, and he finally sees things properly and as they should be. Why do bad things happen to good people? They don’t. Good things happen to us despite our lack of any true goodness.

Only in Christ, and only by the power of His goodness, can we even be looked at by God with the slightest hint of favor. If you don’t believe that, try reading Genesis 6. In fact, let’s see about all those comparatively “good” people and what God thought of them at that time –

“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So the Lord said, ‘I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.’ 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.” Genesis 6:5-8

After only fifteen hundred years of man on earth, he had so corrupted his ways that there was no remedy left but to destroy him. And so, in the year 1656 Anno Mundi, the rains fell, the great storehouses of the deep, filled with the wrath of God, exploded forth, and the world went into a cataclysmic period of complete destruction.

All of the “good” people, comparatively speaking, on the planet didn’t measure up. Today, there are “good” people in Tel Aviv. Mom says, “He’s a good boy, and I am so proud of him and his husband.” In Los Angeles, there is a “good” District Attorney, respected by his colleagues and by every criminal he fails to prosecute. His walls are lined with awards and accolades, he wields power and authority, and he is a “good” man, comparatively speaking. In North Korea, there is a “good” leader, worshipped by his people as a living god and who wields complete authority over his “good” people.

Kamala Harris is a “good” person who will defeat evil Trump, who has come to destroy the “good” way of life introduced by those on the left. Donald Trump is a “good” person who wants to protect the “good” values of Americanism and democracy.

Each person before the flood was “good” on some unknown curve that was established within his own mind or within the minds of those around him. Each person on the planet today thinks he is “good” in some comparative way.

Why do bad things happen to “good” people? Ask those of the pre-flood world. Ask those who were in the seats of United Airlines Flight 175 that flew into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001, at 9:03 am. Or better yet, ask those who flew that plane into the tower.

Why did some of us suffer loss this past week? Why are my father and Doctor Bridges 91 years old while others have died at 87 or… 21, or… 3? Where does our standard of “good” come from? If it isn’t from God, then we have a faulty impression of goodness. And when we carry this impression around, of course, we will blame God when our favorite animal dies. “O God is so cruel.”

We have spent the entire life of that dog, from the moment it was a newborn puppy until the last moment of its life thinking about how great it is that we have this dog, never considering thanking the God (the God we don’t believe in) for allowing us to enjoy it while it is alive.

But the moment the dog dies, we blame God, tell Him that we hate Him (even though we don’t believe in Him!), and angrily and sadly bury it in the back yard. And then we go in and have a big steak for dinner, never considering that the cow on our plate was just as much a unique animal as the dog we just buried.

Last year my “good” wife (the best in fact ☺️) got cancer. Should we have blamed God for interrupting our “good” life? Last year, our house plumbing – all of it, water and sewer – exploded. Our “good” lives were upheaved. Should we have blamed God?

Twice in three weeks, we are facing possible complete annihilation of our home. Should we just give up, raise our fists to the heavens, and blame God? We are “good” people. Why doesn’t God give us a break? What about the “bad” guy down the road? Should God put up a wall to protect us and wash him away?

Why do bad things happen to “good” people? Because we make choices in a world of uncertainty. We choose to live in Florida. We choose to live in Sarasota. We choose to live on Siesta Key. We choose to continue to stay in a house that was built 76 years ago with substandard building materials. We choose the cars we drive, the workplace we go to each day, the route we take to get there, the store we shop at, and so much more. Life is a stream of choices in a world that is preset for certain events to occur at certain times to direct the course of history as it marches toward an inevitable conclusion that is already recorded in the pages of God’s word.

We have the overall blueprint, but we lack the details. And so, we make choices… “good” people (well, comparatively) in a fallen world. Many chose not to come to church today, or any Sunday in fact, and worship the Lord who created them.

Some choose to rob, murder, rape, and so forth. And yet, there is someone out there who will say, “He is a good person. He didn’t mean it.” They will rationalize away the crimes based on their past lives, the unfairness of the skin color they were born with, or for a thousand other reasons, and they will appeal to society that they are “good” people.

What happened to you this past week? Did you suffer loss? Praise the Lord for what you had. Thank Him it wasn’t worse. Did someone you know die? Thank the Lord that you were blessed to know that person. Did you come out unscathed completely? Praise Him for the blessing and pity those who were dealt a different hand.

It’s Monday morning. I’m sermon typing. I was just sent photos from a friend in Israel. Twice this week, he had to go into a bomb shelter while missiles flew in from the north. He sent pictures of bomb craters, a bombed-out car, pieces of shrapnel, windows pelleted with holes, etc.

In the next message, he said, “So I hear that the hurricane that’s coming tomorrow will push 18 feet of water from the shore line and 2-3 feet up beyond sea level. Are you guys evacuating?” He’s being bombed from the skies at random times and from random angles, and he is concerned about us in Florida. Does this “good” guy deserve the hatred leveled against him simply because he exists as a Jew (a Jesus-believing Jew, BTW) in the land of Israel? Is his concern for us in Florida rational while he actually faces greater uncertainty from moment to moment than we will in the days ahead? One thing is for sure: if we are alive and able, on our respective days of worship, that is where we will be – Yosi and me, on other sides of the ocean, praising the same Lord who has granted us the time and places of our lives in His presence.

We will be worshiping, praising, and serving the Lord who gave us this temporary, uncertain life. It is a life filled with loss – floating Bounty paper towels, if you will – that is completely uncontrollable. But it is a life worth living in the presence of God no matter how bad it gets, and no matter how good it can be.

We will praise Him in the storm, and we will thank Him for the abundance. He is the Creator and we are the created. The pot has no right to complain against the potter, “Why did you form me like this?” He formed us. We must live within the parameters of existence for which we are formed.

These may be the times that try men’s souls, but these are the days of our lives. We have to live them. And so, let us live them in a way that honors God. We have every right to mourn. Jesus wept. He surely wept over the madness of rejecting Him for the things of this world. He has come to show us the very heart of God the Father. Instead, we blame God the Father… for everything bad. And we ignore Him during the times when all is good.

Jesus wept. We, too, can mourn. Abraham mourned for the loss of Sarah. David mourned over the loss of Absalom. Why? Everyone else thought he was a loser, and indeed he was. He usurped his father’s throne, came after him to kill him, and wound up dead himself. And in his dying, David mourned –

“O my son Absalom—my son, my son Absalom—if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33

What prompted David to so tenderly love such an unlovable person? What force, what thought, what eternal love impelled God to send His Son to die for such unlovable, unworthy, unholy creatures as us? What kind of love impelled the God who destroyed the entire world by the flood to send Jesus to die for billions and billions of Absaloms?

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell.
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell.
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall;
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call;
God’s love, so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
-Frederick M. Lehman

For some, these indeed are the times that try men’s souls. But is our life about a bunch of stuff? Is it about petting puppies while having steak? Is our life about the house we live in, the refrigerator we possess, or the car we drive?

And why do bad things happen to good people? It’s because God has allowed it to be so. Though He slay me, yet I will trust Him. He is God, I am the work of His hands, and so I will trust Him. May this be your state as well? Today and every day, let us entrust our souls to God, who formed and fashioned us for His purposes.

And may He be glorified on our lips, in our actions, and throughout our days. May it be so. We have a meeting with Him in due time. May that day be one of joy and rejoicing because of the simple faith that pleases Him more than anything else.

Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! Thank God for Jesus, who truly makes us “good” in the sight of God. Because of Him, we can forever plumb the mysteries of why things are the way they are, knowing that all things meet a plan and a purpose that extends far beyond our current days of uncertainty, sadness, and loss.

Closing Verse: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  -Romans 8:28-30

Next Week: Judges 20:36-48 An amazing story to tell, line by line… (No King in Israel, Part IX) (56th Judges Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. It is He who judges His people according to their deeds. So, follow Him, live for Him, and trust Him, and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

Hallelujah and Amen…

 

John 10:22 (The Feast of Dedication)

Charlie Garrett Other, Sermons, SERMONS (write up), Special / Holiday, Special / Holiday (Written), Writings

Artwork by Douglas Kallerson.

John 10:22
The Feast of Dedication

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 24 ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.’” Leviticus 23:23-25

“Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, ‘How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.’

25 Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.’” John 10:22-30

Admittedly, I have heavily plagiarized my Leviticus 23 sermon, which detailed the Feast of Acclamation for this sermon. I made an incorrect statement in that sermon, which has always bugged me. Whenever I tell someone about it, the normal response is, “That’s not a big deal.” But to me, it is.

Precision with the word is important. Therefore, to retell the details of the feast without that blunder is a great relief to me. There are also new details included in this sermon. But even if there weren’t, reviewing all that was previously said is a wonderful reminder of the marvel of what God has done in Christ for us.

Text Verse: “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.” John 1:9, 10

The most important question a person can ever be asked is, “Do you know Jesus?” In this case, the question is not “Have you heard of Jesus?” or “Do you know about Jesus?”  Rather, it is “Do you know Him for who He is and believe that what is known is true, accepting by faith that He is the Savior of the world?” John explains that in John 1:11-13 –

“He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Who is this Child of Christmas that we celebrate each year at this time? What does the Bible have to say about His coming, His work, and how that pertains to us? The marvel of what God has done is clearly and precisely laid out by God, and yet, it requires much study and careful analysis to fully appreciate the unfolding of the story.

We will see a part of that in today’s sermon. I pray that it will bless you, even if you have heard some of the details before. The Christmas story never gets old because it is the story of the love of God in Christ.

Such great things are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again, and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. The Feasts of the Lord

Leviticus 23 details the eight feasts of the Lord. In Leviticus 23:2, these feasts are called moade, the plural of moed, signifying an appointed time, place, or meeting. Specifically, they are called moade Yehovah, or Feasts Yehovah. Then the Lord again specifically says, eleh hem moaday – “These, they, My feasts.”

Thus, these are not Feasts of Israel nor Jewish feasts. They are Feasts of the Lord. It is true that these were proclaimed to Israel and observed by the people, but the Subject of the feasts is the Lord. For a detailed analysis of each of the feasts, to the Leviticus 23 sermons by Superior Word, you are commended. It is an offer now extended. If by you the offer is attended, as recommended, you will find them splendid.

If you choose not to follow this path, they will remain unapprehended or maybe incorrectly comprehended. Set yourselves, therefore, to do as rightly intended, and your time will have been well expended. And with that, my urging on this matter has ended… but perhaps it should be rescinded J

As these are the feasts of the Lord, they are given in anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, the Lord God incarnate. Everything about them will give us insights into His work or how that work is lived out in His people.

Of these eight Feasts, the first is a weekly feast, the Sabbath. Its observance is detailed in Leviticus 23:2. The Sabbath was first given as a sign to Israel in Exodus 16. It was given to no other people on earth, and it was given to anticipate greater truths to be found in Christ Jesus.

As it is designated as a Feast of the Lord, it will be realized and fulfilled in the coming of Christ Jesus.

The next seven feasts are annual feasts. They are:

The Passover. It is mandated in Leviticus 23:3. However, the details of Passover observance are given great attention elsewhere in the books of Moses, beginning with the record of the Passover from Egypt starting in Exodus 12.

Immediately following the Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. It is instructed in Leviticus 23:6-8. Its rites and rituals are detailed elsewhere as well.

That is followed by the Feast of Firstfruits, which is directed in Leviticus 23:9-14.

The next is the Feast of Weeks. It is commanded in Leviticus 23:15-22. This feast is also called the Feast of Harvest in Exodus 23.

That is followed by the Feast of Acclamation. As we saw in the opening, it is detailed in Leviticus 23:23-25. Quite often, it is incorrectly called Rosh Hashanah or the Feast of Trumpets. Rosh Hashanah signifies the beginning of the year. That is based on the original calendar used in Scripture. It is also the Regal calendar (that of the kings of Israel) and the modern calendar used by Israel.

The name Feast of Trumpets is given because it was common for the people to blow trumpets on this day of the year in fulfillment of the words given in Leviticus 23. However, the words read zikron t’ruah, “memorial acclamation.”

In Scripture, the word t’ruah includes the blowing of trumpets at times, but it also signifies a shout of joy, a shout of alarm, etc. In other words, it is a loud acclamation. For example –

“And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts [t’ruah] of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.” Psalm 27:6 (ESV)

Thus, the Feast of Acclamation more appropriately describes the feast.

That is then followed by the Day of Atonement as specified in Leviticus 23:26-32. Extremely detailed instruction for the Day of Atonement is found in Leviticus 16.

Finally, the eighth feast, and the last annual feast, is the Feast of Tabernacles. That is stipulated in Leviticus 23:33-43. It is also called the Feast of Ingathering in Exodus 23:16.

Of these eight feasts, an additional word is used to describe three of them, khag. It is a festival, coming from the verb khagag, to make a pilgrim feast. Specifically, however, it means to move in a circle as if marching in a sacred procession. Further implied in the word is to be giddy and dance, whirling with joy.

These three feasts typologically anticipate the work of the Lord, but being pilgrim feasts, they anticipate the believer’s life in the Lord. This is why the people were specifically mandated to attend these pilgrim feasts each year.

Their participation in them was an anticipation of our participation in the full, final, finished, and forever work of Christ. Each of them is shown to be completed in the work of Jesus as described by the apostles in the New Testament. Paul specifically gives details on their fulfillment –

1) Colossians 2:16, 17 (The Sabbath), “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” It is also noted in Hebrews 4:3, where it specifically explains the typology of the Sabbath, “…for we who have believed do enter that rest.”

2) 1 Corinthians 5:7 (Passover), “Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.”

*3) 1 Corinthians 5:8 (Unleavened Bread), “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

4) 1 Corinthians 15:20 (Firstfruits), “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

*5) Ephesians 1:13 (and elsewhere – Pentecost), “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.” Weeks, or Pentecost, is literally shown to be fulfilled in Romans 16:5 and 1 Corinthians 16:15 –

“Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ.”

“I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia…”

The presentation of the two loaves with leaven in Leviticus 23:17 provides a typological example of what those verses are speaking of – one a Jew, one a Gentile. There is one gospel message that is realized in the saving of all.

6) 1 Corinthians 15:47 (Day of Acclamation), “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.”

7) Romans 3:24, 25 (Day of Atonement), “…being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood.”

*8) 2 Corinthians 5:7 (Tabernacles), “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

*The three pilgrim feasts are highlighted with an asterisk.

The particular feast noted as the Day of Acclamation is held in the September/October timeframe. So, one might question why that is especially highlighted. What can we derive from a feast that occurs in the fall that could help us appreciate what we have come to celebrate in the dead of winter concerning the day we call Christmas?

With the snow piled up outside the church doors, we can sit warmly inside and discover for the first time, or remind ourselves again, of the wonderful details outlined in Scripture that lead us to the celebration of this wonderful day.

Shout to the Lord! Shout with acclamation
It is He who is our King, and He who rules over us
Shout to the Lord, you holy nation
Shout to the King, our Lord Jesus

Let the sound be loud; shout joyfully
Let the land be filled with noise to herald the King
Don’t sit and be silent; don’t act so coyfully
Get up, people, raise your voices and sing

It is He who has created and He who has redeemed us
It is He who sits as King upon the throne of heaven
It is He who rules, even our King Jesus
So shout aloud at the beginning of month number seven

II. The Feast of Acclamation

Earlier I noted that the Feast of Acclamation was fulfilled in Paul’s words of 1 Corinthians 15:47, “The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.” Of all of the fulfilled Feasts of the Lord, it is the only one that requires a bit of speculation to demonstrate its fulfillment. However, it is sufficiently evident from Scripture that it is fulfilled in the birth of Christ.

It was to be held on the first day of the seventh month, according to Leviticus 23. There are two distinct calendars in the Bible. The first is the creation calendar, and the second is the redemption calendar. This same pattern of creation/redemption is seen throughout the Bible. God creates, and then He redeems.

For example, the reason for giving the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments in Exodus is based on creation, “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth…” (20:11). However, it is based on redemption in the giving of the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy, “And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm” (5:15).

Overt examples of the fulfillment are found elsewhere in Scripture, such as in the book of Revelation, where a doxology of praise to the Lord was uttered in Revelation 4 based on His effort in creation, whereas in Revelation 5, another doxology of praise to Him is given based on His effort in redemption.

Briefly, the seventh month was originally the first month of the year based on creation, but that was changed at the time of the exodus when the Lord declared the first month to commence in the springtime in the month of Aviv (later known as Nisan). That is recorded in Exodus 12:2, and it is based on redemption.

It is the redemption calendar that is used in designating the Feasts of the Lord. Although citing non-biblical sources is not something I like to do, the commentary on the 1st of Tishri, provided by Chabadba, gives invaluable insight into what we need to know –

“The 1st day of creation, on which G-d created existence, time, matter, darkness and light, was the 25th of Elul. (Rosh Hashanah, on which we mark “the beginning of Your works”, is actually the 6th day of creation, on which the world attained the potential for the realization of its purpose, with the creation of the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Rosh Hashanah is therefore the day from which the Jewish calendar begins to count the years of history; the 1st day of creation thus occurred on the 25th of Elul of what is termed -1 from creation.” Chabadba

In other words, man was created on the sixth day, according to Genesis 1. This would be the first day of the first month of the creation calendar and, later, the first day of the seventh month of the redemptive calendar.

The words of the commentary from Chabadba are actually supported by an anagram that occurs between the first word in the Bible. This anagram is concerning creation and the first day of the month of Tishri. They are both spelled with the same letters, but when rearranged, the Hebrew letters reflect one or the other. “In the beginning,” bereshit, is an anagram of “the first of Tishri,” aleph b’tishri.

בראשית
אבתשרי

As noted earlier, Tishri is also the first month of the regal calendar, as detailed in the books of Kings and Chronicles. That this is the first month of these calendars is significant, as will be seen.

As for the first of this month, it is seen three other times in Scripture. In Genesis 8:13, it is the day that the waters were dried up from the earth, and Noah removed the covering of the ark, looking upon the new world.

Ezra 3 mentions that this is the day Jeshua and Zerubbabel, after their return from Babylon, built the altar of the God of Israel and began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord. It is also the day in Nehemiah 8 when Ezra brought forward the Law of Moses and read it to all the people.

Each instance anticipates Christ. Noah, looking upon the new world, looks to new life in Christ, our Ark of safety. The building of the altar and sacrifices on it anticipate Christ, our Altar of sacrifice, and our Sacrifice. The reading of the Law pictures Christ, the fulfillment of the law.

As this is the first of the month, it would coincide with New Moon celebrations, which are mentioned at various times in the Bible. However, this day in Leviticus, the first of the seventh month, is certainly what is being referred to in Psalm 81, where the word rua is used –

“Sing aloud to God our strength;
Make a joyful shout [rua] to the God of Jacob.
2 Raise a song and strike the timbrel,
The pleasant harp with the lute.
3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon,
At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.” Psalm 81:1-3

Thus, the New Moon solemn feast coincides with the Day of Acclamation, the darkest night of the month. The full moon solemn feast, the brightest night of the month, would be at the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which immediately follows the Passover. It was on these holy convocations, and others like them, that joyful shouts were to be raised.

It is on the first day of the seventh month that Jesus would have been born. Some claim Christ was born in the spring. This conclusion results from a poor analysis of what Scripture is saying, faulty tradition, and incorrect assumptions. It has no basis in reality.

Others claim that Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles, stating that His coming in the flesh to tabernacle among us is fulfilled in His birth. This is also incorrect.

As noted, the Feast of Tabernacles is a pilgrim feast. It signifies believers’ lives in Christ, not the birth of Jesus. It is a common mistake based on a misunderstanding of the Hebrew word khag, which points to believer’s participation in what He has done.

To understand the proper timing of the birth of Jesus, it needs to be fleshed out from what is provided in Scripture. First, Acclamation is the only feast that falls on the first of the month, the time of the New Moon. As noted, this is when the skies are the darkest, having no light from the moon to illuminate them, the significance of which will be seen later.

As for the precise dating, to see the proper pattern develop, we first go to 1 Chronicles 24. This reveals the order of the 24 details of priests who served at the temple in Jerusalem. The division of Abijah was the 8th division –

“And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
7 Now the first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah…” 1 Chronicles 24:6-10

Next, Luke 1 reveals that Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was of the division of Abijah. He was serving at the Temple and was given the promise of a son –

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1:5-25

Later, in Luke 1:36, it is revealed that Mary was visited by Gabriel in the 6th month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.” From this point, we have the details to know the timing of Jesus’ birth –

Mar/Apr       Apr/May      May/June         Jun/July

Month        Nisan            Iyar              Shivan              Tamuz
Division     1 & 2            3 & 4            5 & 6                7 & 8 Abijah

*Zechariah would have been at the temple in Jun/Jul (Tamuz)
*Add 6 months until Gabriel spoke to Mary – Dec/Jan (Adar)
*Add 9 months until Christ the Lord was born – Sep/Oct (Tishri)

However, an obvious assumption must be made, which is that Zechariah got his wife pregnant rather quickly. And yet, that is hardly an assumption at all. First, he couldn’t speak until the child was born, something that may have made Elizabeth quite happy, but it is something he would want corrected right away.

Second, if they had been hoping for a child for so long, they would have wasted no time in getting started with the tough work. The assumptions are obvious. Further, Luke, under inspiration of the Spirit, continues the timeline in an uninterrupted fashion, asking us to look at the dates based on the other time frames he provided, meaning in a united fashion.

Based on the evidence, it is clear that Christ Jesus was born in the September/October timeframe. This corresponds to the Hebrew month of Tishri. From that, we can reasonably determine that Jesus was born on the first of Tishri. We can do this in several ways.

First, we look to 1 Corinthians 15 to see a pattern based on the tradition showing that Adam was created on the first day of Tishri, the 6th day of creation. It would follow reasonably that Jesus, the “second Adam,” was born on the same day, 4000 years later, thereby completing a biblical pattern. 1 Corinthians 15:45-48 tells us Jesus is the last Adam –

“And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.”

When Adam was created, the Lord who created him became, in effect, his King at that moment. That He is a King is reflected, for example, in the 47th Psalm –

“God has gone up with a shout,
The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises!
Sing praises to our King, sing praises!
7 For God is the King of all the earth;
Sing praises with understanding.” Psalm 47:5-7

However, the man turned from his King. God knew this would happen from the beginning. Both Peter and John state this unambiguously. Speaking of Christ Jesus, 1 Peter 1:20, 21 says –

“He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you 21 who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.”

And so, in order to redeem man, God sent Christ into the world, using the same pattern as is found throughout Scripture – creation and then redemption. He created Adam on the first of Tishri, and He sent the Redeemer on that same day. It was the first of the month of the creation calendar and the first of the seventh month on the redemption calendar.

And, as noted, this is the only feast designated specifically as occurring on the New Moon, which is the first day of the month. It is the darkest day of the month. Thus, it was the best day for the glory of the Lord to be highlighted –

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.” Luke 2:8, 9

These words of Luke are used to claim that Jesus had to have been born in the spring, saying that it was too cold for flocks to be out in December. As such, the claim is that Jesus could not have been born then.

First, He wasn’t. The details demonstrate that He was born in the fall. But more, the claim is ignorant. The animals are never sheltered away from the weather. They remain in the fields throughout the year. Thus, the entire argument for this Cahn-job is rendered false.

As I said, such analyses result from a poor analysis of Scripture, faulty tradition, and incorrect assumptions. As for the heralding of a king, in 1 Kings 1:34, it is seen that the shofar, the ram’s horn trumpet, is blown at the coronation of the king. In that case, it was Solomon.

It then becomes obvious why the Lord mandated this feast on this particular day. It is the day when all of Israel would be joyously shouting with acclamation and blowing shofars throughout the land. On this day, the King of the Universe was being born among men. Little did they know that they were heralding in the true, great King of Israel – Jesus Christ.

The patterns are too rich, too many, and too well orchestrated to be by mere chance. Again, in Numbers 23:21, we read these words –

“He has not observed iniquity in Jacob,
Nor has He seen wickedness in Israel.
The Lord his God is with him,
And the shout of a King [t’ruat melekh] is among them.” Numbers 23:21

This is the same word, t’ruah, used in Leviticus to signify this particular day in the redemptive calendar. This was certainly fulfilled in the praises of the heavenly host at the birth of the great King, Jesus! And again, Psalm 47, a psalm read on the first day of this particular month in synagogues around the world, it says –

“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout [rua] to God with the voice of triumph!
2 For the Lord Most High is awesome;
He is a great King over all the earth.” Psalm 47:1, 2

Without Israel even now understanding the significance of what they are proclaiming, the idea of rua, shouting to the King, is identified with this day. Three verses later, the psalmist says –

“God has gone up with a shout,
The Lord with the sound of a trumpet.” Psalm 47:5

There, the t’ruah, or shout of acclamation, is combined with the sound of the shofar, all pointing to this one particular day in history when Christ was born, and the King of the universe was made manifest among us.

Again, it is certain that Christ was born on the same day that Adam was created, on the first day of the first month of the creation calendar, which is the first day of the seventh month of the redemption calendar.

But we can ask, “Did anything happen in the Bible on the first day of the first month of the redemption calendar?” The answer is, “And it came to pass in the first month of the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was raised up” (Exodus 40:17).

The tabernacle, every detail of which points to Christ and His ministry, was erected on the first day of the first month of the redemption calendar. Thus, we again have, as has been seen many times in Scripture, the pattern of creation being followed by redemption. The Creator is our Redeemer.

The King has come; shout aloud and rejoice
He has come to redeem fallen man
Let your shouts be heard with a resounding voice
Blow the trumpets aloud, as hard as you can

He has come! The King of the ages is here
We gather around Him, the King of the Jews
Yes, all people come, see the sight, draw near
And then go forth and spread the glorious news

The Baby born in a manger is the King of Israel
This Child lying helplessly shall rule all the world
It is the most marvelous news; go forth and tell
May joy from the heart now be unfurled

III. The Significance of Christmas

We are gathered here in December to celebrate Christmas. But why are we doing so if Jesus was born in the fall? Couldn’t we just stay home and not plow the driveway before driving in all this miserable snow? No! We have gathered at this time for a reason.

When you ask a Korean person how old he is, he will give you an answer that doesn’t fit with the Western notion of age. The reason why is they consider their age from conception, not from birth out of the womb.

Understanding this will help you grasp why what they tell you at one time doesn’t seem to match with what you might find out at other times.

Even though Christ, the second Adam and the King of the universe, was born on the first day of the seventh month of the redemption calendar, there is another point that needs to be addressed. What is the significance of our coming together to celebrate on 25 December?

Traditionally, people have said this was a Catholic attempt to align the holiday with a pagan festival to accommodate older beliefs for those who were assimilated into the faith. Whether this occurred or not has nothing to do with what Scripture tells us concerning Jesus.

The equinoxes and solstices were created by God, and they reflect what He is doing in the world of creation and redemption. If this has been misused by other religions, it doesn’t change the true intent for when these things occur. The significance of 25 December is far more beautiful than some crude attempt by Roman Catholicism to harmonize pagan beliefs with those of Christianity.

The human gestation period is approximately 270 days. It does vary, but this is right at the average. If you go back 270 days from the first of Tishri, you will at times come to 25 December.

What this means is that Christ was conceived on this day, approximately 270 days before His birth into the world. And so, the true celebration on this day is not the birth of Jesus from the womb. Rather, what we’ve been celebrating is the incarnation of Jesus in the womb, when God united with human flesh.

Understanding that, eight times in the past one hundred and seventeen years, both Christmas and Hanukkah (the Festival of Lights), have occurred at the same time – 24/25 December. In 2024, it will occur again on 25 December, and in 2027, it will occur on December 24.

This same day is known as the Feast of Dedication, mentioned in John 10:22, and which was included in our opening verses.

Elsewhere in the gospel of John, John cites Jesus’ words concerning His fulfillment of that feast. Although it was not a Leviticus 23 feast, it is noted as a feast nonetheless in the New Testament. Along with our Text Verse today, there are other clearly stated verses that tell us this –

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’” John 8:12

“Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.’ These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.” John 12:35, 36

As incredible as it might seem, Jesus was probably conceived on the Festival of Lights (Hanukkah), also known as the Feast of Dedication, and He was certainly born on Yom T’ruah. The prophetic patterns of the Bible completely and amazingly support the wonderful fulfillment of the Feasts of the Lord in Jesus!

Scripture has carefully recorded special circumstances that occurred in one particular line of priests, that of Abijah, for a reason. It then carefully and methodically gives other time frames necessary to pinpoint the time of year Christ was born.

It also gives numerous patterns that confirm the exact date within this time of year for us to know, with all certainty, that He was born on the 1st of Tishri and that he was conceived at what we call Christmas. The Light of the World has come to dwell among us!

None of this is by chance. Rather, these things are recorded because God is alerting us to the fact that Jesus is the Messiah anticipated in every type and picture given in Scripture. And more, He is the fulfillment of them all. As this is so, then He is obviously asking us to follow through with what the Bible says is necessary for our lives concerning Christ.

It says that He is God’s gift to the world and that all who believe in Him will be saved. It further says that He is the only path to salvation and that no one can come to the Father but through Him. He is the one and only Mediator between God and men. In other words, God only acknowledges those prayers that are directed to Him through Jesus.

If you have never accepted Jesus, I would ask you today to consider your eternal state. Think it through, look at what God has done in Christ, and call out to Him for salvation. All He asks is that we simply believe that He has done all the work. Salvation is God’s gift, appropriated by faith in the work of Jesus.

He was conceived at the time of the Feast of Dedication (aka, the Festival of Lights, Hannukah).

He was born on first of the seventh month of the redemption calendar which is the first month of the creation calendar, at the time of the New Moon, the darkest night of the month. God’s glory lit up the heavens, and the heavenly host proclaimed the event. Scripture is revealing to us that the true Light had entered into the spiritual darkness of the world to accomplish all that God had set before Him.

Remarkably, He then died just before the start of the brightest night of the month, the night of the full moon. Again, a spiritual picture was given to us – our Hope is not extinguished by darkness. As it says in John 1:5 –

“And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Let us remember this and carry the true Light with us. May the hope of the Christmas Child remain with you always. And may the Light of Christ shine upon you now and forever. May it be so! Amen.

Closing Verse: Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12

Next week: Judges 6:1-10 To Me alone you shall worship and applaud… (I Am the Lord Your God) (17th Judges Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. He sent His own Son into the world to reconcile you to Himself. Remember the enormity of what that means each day of your life. And then, follow Him and trust Him as He continues to do marvelous things for you and through you.

The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts

 

Unto us a Child is born
A time to rejoice and not to mourn

Unto us a Son is given
The One to lead us from death to a’livin’

And the government will be upon His shoulder
Every eye will see Him; every soul will be His beholder

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom’s realm
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever – He at the helm
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this

And His name will be called Wonderful
The Counselor and Mighty God is He
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, pure and white as wool
Of the increase of His government and peace, no end shall we see

Do not be afraid, for behold
I bring you good tidings of great joy
Which will be to all people, forever told
The wondrous story, the birth of a Boy

For there is born to you this day
In the city of David, a Savior, it is He
Christ the Lord whom heaven’s hosts obey
The Messiah has come; and now you may go and see

And this will be the sign to you:
You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes
Lying in a manger, a glorious view
The Christmas Child whom our Heavenly Father bestows

A Child like no other has come to dwell among us
He shall lead us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake
And His name is called out, His name is JESUS
Come, and of the Heavenly Child partake

He is God’s gift and heaven’s treasure
He is Immanuel – God with us
And He bestows upon us grace without measure
The Christmas Child, our glorious Lord – JESUS!

Hallelujah and Amen…

Matthew 1:21 (You Shall Call His Name JESUS)

Charlie Garrett General Writings, Gospel (written), Gospels, Matthew, Matthew (written), Sermons, SERMONS (write up), Special / Holiday, Special / Holiday (Written), Writings

Artwork by Douglas Kallerson

Matthew 1:21
You Shall Call His Name JESUS

Read Matthew 1:18-25. The old saying “You can’t see the forest for the trees” is true of many things in our daily lives. And it is certainly true in the spiritual life of man as well.

All over the world, there are “trees” that have been planted by people throughout the ages. They have actually stolen away man’s ability to perceive what the root of the problem between God and man is. Every new religion introduced is like a tree that man may look at and say, “This is the answer.”

And every offshoot of every religion only further blocks the view of the main issue. People go from tree to tree – or even from branch to branch – looking at what they can do to be pleasing to God, but the main subject, the overall forest, is never considered.

The same is also true with the Bible. The Bible talks about salvation, and so we will also talk about it today. But what people think about salvation as defined in the Bible can be as far from the main issue as are the teachings of Buddha.

This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with the contents of the Bible. Rather, it means that the focus is on a lesser point and it, therefore, misses the main point. To ensure that would not be the case with the announcement to Joseph of the coming of Jesus, the angel was clear, precise, and succinct in his words.

There is one main subject, a problem, that is addressed by the Bible that needs to be tended to. And there is one Man who came to tend to it.

Text Verse: “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’

55 ‘O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?’

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Paul’s words get to the heart of the issue and they tell what the effect of dealing with that issue is. If it isn’t dealt with, a completely different outcome will be the result. All of this is minutely explained in the Bible. We just need to make sure that the main issue isn’t obscured.

Once it is seen for what it is, then understanding the remedy for it is the most wonderful thing a person can ever grasp. We look at the cross and we know that Jesus died for us, but we may not appreciate the magnitude of the event.

God Himself was willing to deal with the problem so that we could be handed the blessing. The story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is the most important story in human history. It is so important that God has put the total focus of His word on this event.

And so, it is good for us to come together each year and highlight this most magnificent occurrence. There is passion, pain, and death involved, and there is a price that God did not need to pay. And yet, He voluntarily accomplished this through Jesus Christ in order to bring us back to Himself.

May we consider this and remember, with awe and appreciation, what occurred when Jesus was nailed to the cross of Calvary, when He was buried, and when He rose again. Let’s consider this most incredible event in all of human history.

The revealing of the majesty and perfection of God in Christ is to be found in His superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again, and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. Conceived of the Holy Spirit

Does it seem odd that on Resurrection Day we would begin with the birth announcement of Jesus? But considering that the words in Matthew 1 are the first recorded words in the New Testament of one individual speaking to another, and considering that those words explain the nature of and reason for Jesus’ coming, it should no longer seem surprising.

Of His nature, the text is clear. The child in Mary’s womb was conceived of the Holy Spirit, meaning the Spirit of God. How the Spirit is presented in Scripture should lead a person to no other conclusion. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God. For example, it says in Genesis 1 –

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:1, 2

The Spirit of God is who God is. But more, He is God made known in an expressible way. To get an understanding of this, we can evaluate the word translated as spirit. In Hebrew, it is ruakh. Being translated as “spirit,” one would think it is used specifically in reference to the spirit of a being, be it God, man, or animal.

But the word is variously translated. It means wind, breath, and spirit, and is also translated other ways depending on the context. The same is true with the Greek word pneuma. It is also translated as wind, breath, and spirit.

If one thinks of breath, that is an extension of the life of a person. A person without breath is dead. Wind is an extension of something else. There wouldn’t be wind unless something caused it to go forth. These physical expressions of the words ruakh and pneuma are given to help us understand what is being conveyed when we consider what the spirit of a being is.

A review of the phrase “my spirit” from the Old Testament gives us insights into what is being said concerning the spirit of man or of God. The spirit of man can be afflicted (Job 7:11), it can be entrusted to another (Psalm 31:5), it can seek out something (Isaiah 26:9), etc. Such descriptions are expressions of who the person is, what the person is feeling, and so on.

The same is true with God. In Genesis 1, the Spirit of God is God expressing Himself as He hovered over the face of the waters. The word translated as hovered comes from a root signifying “to brood.” It was as if God was fluttering over His creation, beginning to express Himself in it.

This would be the first note of what we term General Revelation in Scripture. This is a way of God expressing Himself in the creation so that we can understand things about Him, meaning what He is like.

In Genesis 6:3, the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever.” The words reveal an expression of God, telling us of His nature toward the wickedness of man. In 2 Samuel 23, it says –

“Now these are the last words of David.
Thus says David the son of Jesse;
Thus says the man raised up on high,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
2 ‘The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.’” 2 Samuel 23:1, 2

This means that the Spirit of the Lord was expressing Himself through David. It is an example of Special Revelation, a way of the Lord specially revealing Himself. It is something that cannot be known or deduced from General Revelation, but it must be imparted by God directly from Himself.

Thus, the term Holy Spirit is referring to the Spirit of God, but it is expressing the Spirit of God in a particular manner. The word qodesh, or holy, signifies sacredness and apartness.

A sanctuary is set apart as a place for the things of God. Holy people are to be set apart from what is common or profane. Thus, the Holy Spirit is the sacredness and apartness of God in relation to other things. For example, after David sinned, he wrote this –

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:10, 11

The Holy Spirit had been imparted to David, but because of his sin, he was concerned that God would remove Himself, meaning His Spirit, from him. As noted before, the Spirit of God is who God is. In asking for God to not take His Holy Spirit from him, David was asking Him to not remove the expression of His presence from him.

As God is omnipresent, He cannot actually be removed from David in the absolute sense. But it is the special presence and expression of Himself that had been imparted to David that he was concerned with.

Now we come full circle to the statement of the angel to Joseph, “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” The sacredness and apartness of God’s Spirit, this special presence of God, is the instrument of conception in the womb of Mary.

The word used to describe this is the verb gennaó. It means to beget; to procreate a descendant. It is the same word used 40 times in the genealogical listing from Matthew 1:2-16, one person begetting the next, beginning with Abraham and ending with Jesus.

In Matthew 1:20, we have something similar to, but far more intimate than what was said in Genesis 1:2. There, God was hovering over the waters, preparing to express Himself in the creation in a general way.

However, in Matthew 1:20, God’s Holy Spirit would actually beget a Child. This, then, is not General Revelation but Special Revelation. God is personally and intimately revealing Himself to the world in a unique way. Luke’s record of the account provides another point of view –

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” Luke 1:35

In understanding these things, we can then make several logical deductions concerning what is being said. It is the heart of what God is telling us in this word:

  • Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a human being. As all things beget after their own kind (Genesis 1), then this Child is a human being.
  • The Holy Spirit, the sacredness and apartness of God, is the Father of this Child. As all things beget after their own kind, then this Child is God.

These are obvious conclusions that can and must be made from what we are being told in the text. This coming Child, who had been prophesied since the very beginning of man’s need for Him, is to be God incarnate; the God/Man.

To say otherwise would be to ignore the very purpose of using the word gennaó 40 times in a row, from Abraham to Jesus. The 40th time, it said, “And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ” (Matthew 1:16).

The wording plainly indicates that Jesus was born of Mary, but it in no way implies that He was begotten of Joseph. Rather, He is begotten of the Holy Spirit and of Mary. Despite the clear and unambiguous meaning of what is conveyed there, the nature of Jesus Christ, being the God/Man, is often denied as such.

But the record stands and it is verified in Matthew’s words which explain what the angel had told Joseph –

“So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: 23 ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’” Matthew 1:22, 23

The type was given to direct us to the Antitype. Someone would be named Immanuel, indicating that the parents believed that God was with them and their people. However, the prophecy, anticipating the fulfillment in the Messiah, wasn’t merely indicating that God was with the people in a general way, but in a specific way.

These words are not being used as a name but as an explanation of the nature of Jesus, the One conceived of the Holy Spirit. God entered into a special relationship with His creation, meaning humanity, uniting with it. The magnitude and importance of this are then realized in what Jesus was born to do…

You are He who took me out of the womb
And You have been with me all the way
You shall deliver me from the tomb
Death will be defeated in that day

I was cast upon You from birth
And from my mother’s womb, You have been my God
To You, O King of infinite worth
The nations shall stream and the peoples applaud

You are enthroned in the praise of Israel
They cried to You and were delivered in that day
Now to the nations, this story we tell
That You, O God, have provided the way

II. He Will Save His People

The reason why we want to focus on the conception and birth of Jesus is to explain the life of Jesus. John said in his gospel narrative –

“And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.” John 21:25

As John wrote an entire gospel about Jesus, and as he concluded his gospel with these words, we can conclude that Jesus did a great deal of things. But everything recorded about Jesus had to have an initial reason for it to be.

How would you explain what God was going to do in the Person of Jesus as that initial thought? We find the answer right in the text itself. After the angel explained that Jesus would be both God and human, he continued by saying He would be a male. “And she will bring forth a Son.”

Until this point, Joseph could not have known that. All he could have known was that Mary was pregnant and yet she claimed she was a virgin and that her Child would be the Son of God. Joseph obviously didn’t believe this, because the Bible says that he was minded to “put her away secretly.”

However, with the angel’s words to Joseph, the matter is now settled. He would be both a human male and the Son of God. And, as a summary of what He would come to do, the brief words of the angel continue, saying, “and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people.”

The name is designated by God to reflect the nature of the Person. In Greek, the name is IESOUS, but the name would have been conveyed to Joseph in Hebrew, YESHUA.

This needs to be explained though. The Greek name Iesous is transliterated from the Hebrew Yehoshua or Joshua. That is derived from the divine name YHVH and yasha which means to save. Combined the name means The Lord is Salvation.

However, it is generally (but not universally) accepted that the shortened form of Yehoshua was what the angel spoke to Joseph, YESHUA. This simply means He Will Save. Thus, as often occurs in the Bible at the naming of a child, a pun is made: “and you shall call His name He Will Save, for He will save His people.”

An obvious question that arises is, “What do the words ‘His people’ signify?” It could be speaking of a person belonging to a group, such as, “Charlie is an American.” Or it could be referring to a group belonging to another, such as, “These are God’s people.” For example, the latter is used in Luke 1 –

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways,
77 To give knowledge of salvation to His people
By the remission of their sins.” Luke 1:76, 77

The answer, based on a reading of the New Testament, must be the latter. For example, John says –

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:10-13

These and other verses show us that “His people” is referring to those who belong to Him. As He is God, it is referring to any who are God’s through Him. Though this is inclusive of Israel, it is not limited to them. As Paul says –

“What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
25 As He says also in Hosea:
‘I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.’
26 ‘And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
“You are not My people,”
There they shall be called sons of the living God.’” Romans 9:22-26

Unless Joseph was a true scholar of the words of Scripture, he probably would not have known such references as Paul cites, but it was revealed at various times in the Jewish Scriptures, such as Job’s inclusion in the Hebrew Old Testament even though he was a Gentile. Isaiah stated it even more explicitly –

“And now the Lord says,
Who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant,
To bring Jacob back to Him,
So that Israel is gathered to Him
(For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the Lord,
And My God shall be My strength),
6 Indeed He says,
‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant
To raise up the tribes of Jacob,
And to restore the preserved ones of Israel;
I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles,
That You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’” Isaiah 49:5, 6

Understanding these things, that Jesus is God incarnate and that He came to save His people, we are left with a final thought to consider from the words of the angel…

What a wonderful, marvelous thing that God has done
He has brought us back to Himself this day
Through the giving of Jesus, His only begotten Son
We have the smooth path; He has paved the way

In Him is found life and length of days
To Him we look and call out His name
To God, through Jesus, we shall give all our praise
He has removed our guilt and taken away our shame

Praise God all you saints of His, praise Him today!
Rejoice in the marvelous thing that He has done
God Himself has made the way
Through the precious gift of Jesus, His only begotten Son

III. From Their Sins

The idea of salvation can mean various things in Scripture. One can be saved from his enemies in battle, or saved from oppression, or from famine, violence, injustice, or death.

Because the Hebrew writings focus so much on salvation from such physical things as these, and because the writings are so heavily focused on the people of Israel, it would be only natural for them to assume that the Lord was going to send the Messiah to deliver them in such a manner.

But the underlying problem that Scripture focuses on, and which the many battles and trials of Israel only typologically represented, is the problem of sin. Standing back and taking a global look at Scripture, this becomes perfectly evident.

The first problem introduced in Scripture is sin. The reason for the destruction of the entire world apart from Noah and his family was sin. The introduction of the Law of Moses was to highlight sin.

Detailing the conquest of Canaan and the eradication of the inhabitants in the land was because of their sin. The record of the judges, kings of Israel, and the people continuously highlights their lives in relation to sin. The writings of the prophets regarding the state of the people time and again were to highlight their sin.

It is the primary issue found in Scripture when properly considered. If the angel came to Joseph and told him that the Child would save His people and stopped there, Joseph would probably have thought, “Israel is going to be freed from her enemies!”

Those who ruled over them, physically oppressed them, and of whom they were afraid in many ways, would have been on the mind of Joseph and anyone else within Israel.

The angel could not just say that this Child would save them. Rather, he had to explain what that meant, because a greater enemy stood against the people. The angel’s explanation comes in four words in the Greek which equate to three words in our translation – apo tōn hamartiōn autōn, “from their sins.”

The Child was sent to save His people from their sins. This is what God directed the angel to say –

“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20, 21

And that is all he said. If Joseph sat down and thought about the magnitude of those words, he would have been as amazed as we are today. God was entering into the stream of human existence in order to save His people from their sins.

The reason why this is such an incredible statement is because Israel was ostensibly saved from their sins. The Law of Moses provided for that. How could they need to be saved from their sins if the law, at least in part, was intended to save them?

To this day, observant Jews look at the law as fully capable of doing this. And, unfortunately, many people in supposed Christian churches believe this as well. If that was true, the record of Israel’s history would have been completely different.

In fact, there would have been no need for a Messiah. Israel, through the law, would have been the Messiah. The promises of the Law of Moses tell of the exaltation of Israel for obedience. Does one need a Messiah if already in a place of exaltation?

One only needs a Messiah to be saved. Who needs to be saved if sin is dealt with, the people are secure and free from oppression, and they have been accepted by God?

This was an ideal of the law that was never realized. Hence, Israel anticipated the coming of a Messiah. But their thoughts concerning Him and His coming were skewed. They failed to consider the first words concerning sin recorded in Scripture –

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” Genesis 2:16, 17

Sin results in death. Man sinned and thus he died. The spirit of the man was separated from God, spiritual death. Man’s separation from God led to physical death. If the Law of Moses could correct that, then people would no longer die. That is even explicitly stated in the law itself –

“You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 18:5

But every person in Israel who was there at the giving of the law died. And every person since that time also died. Thus, they needed salvation from sin that the law could not provide, at least not by themselves. It is this thought that highlights the enormity of what God in Christ would do.

Suppose someone under the law actually did what the law demanded, year after year, never sinning. He fulfilled every precept of the law on his own. Would that be sufficient to save Israel? No, he would only save himself.

The same is true if lots of people never sinned under the law: They would only be able to save themselves. And their lives under the law would only continue until they sinned, at which time, they would die. Thus, they wouldn’t have really saved themselves. Rather, they would have merely prolonged their existence.

But more, there is the problem of original sin. Suppose a person didn’t sin under the law for a long, long time. If he confusedly thought, I am tired of living under the law and so I am going to die by my own hand so that I don’t have to live under the law anymore, then he would obviously not continue to live.

But more, he would not come back to life free from the constraint of the law. This is because he did, in fact, have original sin. He may have lived a long time because he never broke the law, but he would remain dead (spiritually separated from God), because of the sin in him that occurred apart from the law.

Paul explains how this is by using the example of someone who was never under the law –

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.” Romans 5:12-14

So because of sin death reigned in all men until the time of Moses. With the introduction of the Mosaic Law, a provision for life was given, but if that life ended, the original sin in him still kept that person from restoration with God, and thus, from resurrecting.

All of this is tied up in the angel’s words that Jesus would save His people from their sins. We know this is so because it has already been established that “His people” is referring to those who are His through what He would accomplish, not merely the nation of Israel.

God Himself would have to enter into the stream of human existence in order to save His people. In this occurrence, the Child to be born would cut the line of sin that began in Adam. He would be born without sin.

As He was born to Mary, the espoused bride of Joseph, He was born under the law. Think on that for a moment! The law that He gave to Israel, and which no person under that law had been able to fulfill – attested to by their continued deaths – is the burden that He placed Himself under.

As He was born without sin, He could – like Adam – potentially live forever. Unlike Adam, however, he didn’t have one simple command to obey. Rather, He had the entire Mosaic Code to live out without erring, even once.

As long as He continued to do this, He would not die (meaning spiritual death leading to physical death) because, as Leviticus 18:5 noted, the man who did the things of the law would live. This was the task set before Him.

This, then, is the purpose of the gospels. They are not merely provided to show us what Jesus came to do, but what He did. They are a written testimony to the life of the sinless perfection of Jesus Christ. So confident was He in this that He told it to Israel –

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. 12 But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. 13 The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. 15 As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.
17 Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. 18 No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:11-18

If Christ laid down His life knowing that He had the power to take it again, then He knew that He was in a state of sinless perfection. And more, He didn’t just say that He would lay down His life, but that He would do it for His sheep. The meaning is obvious: His death would be for rescuing their lives.

He was telling them that the Law of Moses, with its inability to save the people from death, was only a foreshadowing of what He came to do.

In His perfect life and subsequent death, the law would be considered fulfilled in Him. This could not be the case with a person who bore original sin. His eventual death would bear the stain of that original sin.

Jesus, on the other hand, died in sinless perfection, fulfilling the law. In this fulfillment, God – through Him – offers a New Covenant. What is behind this thought requires a thorough study of the book of Hebrews, but Chapter 7:11-28 gives the gist of it.

Within those verses, the most precise explanation is found in verses 11-19 –

“Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:
‘You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.’
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” Hebrews 7:11-19

This is the error in thinking possessed by observant Jews and those Gentiles who put themselves under the Law of Moses. They reject the only hope for rescue from sin. Sin is the problem. All of the other things we think we need deliverance from are merely a part of a fallen world.

We think we need rescue from enemies, from debt, from an abusive father, a tedious job, or whatever else is harming a hoped-for state of contentment. But it is sin, leading to death, that we need deliverance from. Without that, there can never be a state of contentment in our lives.

This is what God came to do when He united with humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. And this is what He offers to anyone who will accept the premise that He has done just that.

Entrance into the New Covenant is what brings freedom from sin, and it can only be obtained through Christ Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. It makes no sense to assume that God has made any other path to restore man to Himself. This is why Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

Sin! Sin is the problem. If sin is not addressed, then there can be no restoration. But God in Christ has made the way available for us. He Himself has dealt with the sin issue, and all He asks is for us to believe, as is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 –

  • Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
  • Christ was buried.
  • Christ rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.

This is the message that we proclaim. God in Christ has done it. He alone prevailed over sin because He had no sin. And He offers His sinless perfection to anyone who will come to Him by faith. In Christ is:

  • The gift of God. A gift cannot be earned.
  • The grace of God. Grace is unmerited favor.
  • The mercy of God. He withholds what we deserve because it has already been meted out in the crucifixion of Jesus.

In Jesus’ dying humanity, God poured out His wrath on all the sins of mankind.

Think of it! In the flood of Noah, the entire world was destroyed because of God’s wrath at sin. And yet, that outpouring was insufficient to do what the cross of Jesus Christ accomplished. An entire world full of people perished and yet the sin debt remained unpaid. But in the giving of Jesus, it is finished. The proof of that is an empty tomb and a risen Savior.

Thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord. May we submit to Him and be cleansed according to the promise of God that is realized in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has saved His people from their sins. Hallelujah and Amen.

Closing Verse: “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29

Next Week: Joshua 19:10-16 You will probably be amazed when the sermon is done… (The Inheritance of Zebulun) (39th Joshua Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. It is He who has defeated the enemy and who now offers His people rest. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.

A Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

This is the gospel which was preached to you
It is also the one you received and on which you stand
It is the gospel of salvation, providing life that’s new
And which will carry you to the promised Holy Land

What is delivered to you is what was before received
That Christ died for our sins according to God’s word
He was buried and He rose, and so we have believed
And many witnesses testify to this message you have heard

Now, if Christ is preached that He is risen from the dead
How can some among you say the resurrection isn’t true?
If there is no resurrection after Christ was crucified and bled
Then our faith as well as yours is certainly askew

And if so, we are found false witnesses of God
Because we have wrongly testified of this mighty deed
And our faith is futile, no heavenly streets we’ll trod
And we are still dead in our sins; fallen Adam’s seed

Even more, those who have fallen asleep in the Lord are gone
And we are the most pitiable creatures the world could ever look upon

But indeed, Christ is risen from the dead
He is the Firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep
And as death came through one man, Adam, our federal head
So Christ will make all alive; our souls He will keep

There is an order to the Resurrection call
Christ was first, the pattern for the rest when He comes
When He does, He will make a shout out to us all
And we will rise as if to the sound of heavenly battle drums

Then comes the time, when He delivers the kingdom to the Father
When all rule, authority, and power have come to an end
The last enemy to be destroyed is death, never more to bother
Then the Son will to the Father eternal rule extend

But you ask, “What will we be like after our time of sleep?
After we have been buried in corruption’s pit so deep?”

Our body is sown in dishonor, but it will be raised in glory
It is sown in weakness, but raised in power – the resurrection story

The first man Adam became a living being, it is true
The last Adam became a life-giving Spirit, life to me and you

And as was the man of dust, created so long ago
So are those likened unto him, also made of dust
And as is the Man, the Lord from heaven, you know
That we shall bear His image for eternity just as we’ve discussed

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God
Nor can corruption inherit that which is incorrupt
Be we shall all be changed, and so, heavenly streets we’ll trod
In the twinkling of an eye, the change will be abrupt

When the last trumpet sounds, we will be taken to glory
We shall all be changed, completion of the gospel story

Where O Death, O where is your sting?
When Christ our Savior, us to Himself does He bring

Where O Hades, O where is your victory?
When Christ translates His children to eternal glory

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin the law
But thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord
My beloved brethren be steadfast in all you’ve heard and saw
And cling confidently to God’s eternal word

Know for certain that your labor is not in vain
Be of good cheer, Christ is coming again

Hallelujah and Amen…

 

 

 

 

Luke 1:27 (The Virgin’s Name Was Mary)

Charlie Garrett Gospels, Luke, Sermons, SERMONS (write up), Special / Holiday, Special / Holiday (Written), Writings

Artwork by Douglas Kallerson.

Luke 1:27
The Virgin’s Name Was Mary

(Read: Luke 1:26-38) One aspect of churches that hold to a literal interpretation of Scripture is, obviously, their focus on Jesus. He is the Grand Subject of everything going on in the Bible. Therefore, Bible-believing men and women will naturally direct their attention and adoration toward Him and what He has done.

Take Paul, the tireless apostle of Jesus Christ, who stated his thoughts on the matter clearly and precisely in several ways. Concerning the Person of Jesus, he said –

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:7-11

Concerning the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, he says –

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14

And this is not unique to Paul. Everything about the gospels, the book of Acts, and the other epistles finds its greatest focus on the Lord Jesus and what He has done. All other aspects of Scripture point to Him in one way or another, calling out for us to direct our eyes, our hearts, and our attention to Him.

The unnamed author of Hebrews states the matter so exactingly and concisely, that it is hard to imagine how people miss it –

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (BSB)

Let’s consider these words. Elsewhere, Paul says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Peter then explains that, specifically saying it is the third member of the Godhead, the Holy Spirit, by whom the men of God spoke (2 Peter 1:21).

As for Hebrews 12:2, we were instructed to fix our eyes on Jesus and that it is He who sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. It is Jesus, the God/Man, who is to be our focus even though Jesus is sitting at the throne of God.

And this is testified to by the Holy Spirit. In other words, the Holy Spirit inspired what is written, and Hebrews 12:2 says that we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, it means that the Holy Spirit is instructing us to do this. But more, even the Father has explicitly instructed us concerning the Son –

“While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!’” Luke 9:34, 35

Nothing could be clearer. Jesus! It is all about Jesus! We are to hear Him. We are to fix our eyes on Him. We are to boast in His cross. We are to consider Christ as our Source of gain. We are to know Him and the power of His resurrection, and even to fellowship in His sufferings. This is what Scripture tells us.

Text Verse: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:1-5

John begins his gospel narrative with a note concerning Jesus, the Word of God, tying Him directly to the Creator God, Elohim, of Genesis 1:1. Notice the unmistakable connection –

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

John’s introduction of the Word, Jesus, and his note of the creation wrought by Him is to tell us plainly and unambiguously that Jesus is the Lord God of the Old Testament, having come in the flesh. No wonder the other writers of the New Testament admonish us as they do concerning where our attention is to be directed.

And yet, being misdirected away from this fundamental truth is the main goal of the devil to this day. It may be a direct attack, such as that of the Jehovah’s Witnesses denying the deity of Christ. It may be a diversionary attack, such as that found in the Mormons where Jesus was a man who became a god and that we too can be a god someday, ruling our own little universe.

It may be a subtle dismissal of the authority of Christ as is occurring in almost every mainstream denomination of the church today. Idols of perverted sex or the diminishing the God-ordained church hierarchy have become a substitute for allegiance to Jesus, the Lord God.

Instead, He is relegated to a sappy figure who will tolerate whatever evil inclination of the heart arises to permeate the congregation and, indeed, the entire denomination.

Sadly, another approach is to exalt others to positions of spiritual recognition that belong to Christ Jesus alone. This is a principal tenant of the Roman Catholic Church where the Pope assumes a primary role in mediatorial aspects of the faith, something that directly contradicts Scripture.

This is followed by lesser mediatorial roles assigned to saints and priests as well. But of all of their violations of Scripture, the most damaging is that of the worship and adoration of Mary. It is, literally speaking, a fatal flaw of their faith.

The amount of attention focused on her is so genuinely demeaning of the Lord that it is hard to imagine how those who are caught up in this overt cult will escape their just condemnation. She has supplanted Jesus in innumerable ways through their rites, rituals, and doctrines.

Sadly, this will bring condemnation on many who have never come to a saving knowledge of the only One who can bear their sin debt and who will then mediate for them before the Father. It is truly heartbreaking how misdirected people have become. And the prophetic word exactingly showed us in advance the state of the church as the end times approaches.

Let us hold fast to the faith we profess, meaning the eye-directed, ear-hearing attention that comes through embracing Jesus Christ as the Object of our hope and the Subject of our faith. This is the doctrine that is to be found in God’s superior word. And so, let us turn to that precious word once again, and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. What About Mary?

For simplicity’s sake, I went online and typed the words, “All References to Mary in Scripture.” The obvious meaning is “Mary the mother of Jesus.” Google, being rather slow at 5am, took 4.77 seconds to come up with “about 7,050,000 results.”

The first site that came up was maryimmaculate.tripod.com and the following was pulled from there. If it is incorrect in one place or another, please blame them. I like to be precise in everything I do, especially in regard to Scripture, but for the sake of the sermon today it isn’t of critical importance if they missed a reference or two.

My guess is that they did not. If they are trying to exalt Mary, they will do their best to ensure they have every possible detail available for that purpose. They appeal to the Old and New Testaments in order to exalt her to a point of adoration and worship. For example, they say that she is noted in Genesis 3:15 –

“And I will put enmity
Between you and the woman,
And between your seed and her Seed;
He shall bruise your head,
And you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15

Unfortunately for their argument, this is not speaking of Mary, except in an incidental manner. Mary is a woman and she would bear the Messiah, but the focus is actually on the Seed of the woman as opposed to the seed of man.

In other words, this is speaking less of a particular woman than it is speaking of One born of a woman but not of a man, meaning not having a human father. Therefore, woman is not the relevant point of the verse at all. It is the process involved and the theology behind the coming of the Seed of the woman that is being highlighted.

This is not discernable at this early point in the redemptive narrative, but in understanding the overall context of Scripture, this is what is being conveyed. No matter what, however, the focus is on the Seed, not the woman. This then follows along with the prophecy of Isaiah –

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Again, the focus is on the Son. The sign is a virgin who conceives. A sign stands for something else; it is not the thing itself. In other words, her virginity is highlighted, not who she is. And even her virginity is only given to highlight and direct attention to a theological point being made. To understand the limiting nature of Genesis 3 and Isaiah 7, we can cite the words of Jacob from Genesis 49 –

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,
Until Shiloh comes;
And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” Genesis 49:10

The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 excludes the seed of man. Hence, no person born of a union between a man and a woman will be the Messiah. Thus, all such unions are excluded. As noted, this will later be confirmed by Isaiah 7:14 where it explicitly states that a virgin will conceive. No non-virgin will bear the Messiah.

As every female ever born was born as a virgin, it could ostensibly be any woman up until the point that she was no longer a virgin who could bear the Messiah. However, we know from Scripture that a descendant of Abraham would bear the Messiah. Thus, no virgin outside of the line of Abraham could be the Messiah.

From there, that was further refined when Isaac was chosen as the son of promise. One must descend from Isaac to be considered as the Messiah. Again, that was later refined to mean one born of Jacob, who is Israel. Only someone born from the line of Israel could be the Messiah. Any virgin of Israel could potentially be the bearer of the Messiah at this point in the narrative.

With that clearly presented in Scripture, Jacob’s prophecy narrowed this down to the tribe of Judah. Therefore, any virgin of Judah, who is descended from Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham could potentially be the bearer of the Messiah. But this is then further refined in 2 Samuel 7 where the promised seed was to come through the house of David –

“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-16

This is why, just before uttering his prophecy concerning the coming Son who would be born of a virgin, Isaiah said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?” (Isaiah 7:13).

Isaiah specifically addresses the house of David because it was clearly understood from the words of 2 Samuel 7 that the Messiah would come through David’s house. Thus, any virgin of the house of David, which was of the tribe of Judah, and who came from Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham could potentially be the bearer of the Messiah.

Other prophecies within Scripture further refine the timing of the coming of the Messiah, the place where He would be born, and so on. But the focus is always on the coming Messiah.

Identifying Mary as a person to be worshiped based on these and other Old Testament references would be no different than identifying Bethlehem as a place to be worshiped. The attention is on neither. They are simply incidental necessities to identify the Messiah based on the prophetic utterances.

For example, in their quest to exalt Mary as worthy of worship, maryimmaculate.tripod.com cites Micah 5. Think on who is being highlighted and why the other references are given, such as Bethlehem –

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”
3 Therefore He shall give them up,
Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth;
Then the remnant of His brethren
Shall return to the children of Israel.
4 And He shall stand and feed His flock
In the strength of the Lord,
In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God;
And they shall abide,
For now He shall be great
To the ends of the earth;
5 And this One shall be peace.” Micah 5:2-5

The claim by the website is that “she who is in labor” is referring to Mary. Even if this were true, the mentioning is incidental to the One who is being highlighted, just as Bethlehem is. But this incidental entity is not Mary at all. It is a reference that builds upon what was said in the previous chapter –

“And you, O tower of the flock,
The stronghold of the daughter of Zion,
To you shall it come,
Even the former dominion shall come,
The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.
Now why do you cry aloud?
Is there no king in your midst?
Has your counselor perished?
For pangs have seized you like a woman in labor.
10 Be in pain, and labor to bring forth,
O daughter of Zion,
Like a woman in birth pangs.
For now you shall go forth from the city,
You shall dwell in the field,
And to Babylon you shall go.
There you shall be delivered;
There the Lord will redeem you
From the hand of your enemies.” Micah 4:8-10

It is probable that, like Isaiah 7, the prophecy has a dual meaning. Hence, it could be speaking of the virgin birth. But in this case, Mary as an individual is not even a consideration at this point.

The website pulls out six references that they claim highlight Mary in Scripture. Actually, they only incidentally mention her but the main subject of each verse is the coming Messiah. Mary is never directly a consideration in any of them. After this, the website states –

“I have only included prophetic statements here, not the Old Testament types of Mary such as the Ark of the Covenant and the Daughter of Zion. I omitted the latter from this list because they are only implicit foreshadows – not explicit prophecies – of the Mother of the Messiah in Scripture.  However, they are still part of what God’s holy Word has to tell us about the Mother of Jesus, so the complete Old Testament revelation of Mary is by no means limited to the above six verses!”

This is a person that understands nothing of Old Testament typology. Referencing the Ark of the Covenant as being a type of Mary is as far from reality as would be saying that the Table of Showbread was a type of John the Baptist. The only thing these things foreshadow is Christ, His work, and His church in relation to His work.

The approach of the website’s author is what we might term “pick and choose theology” mixed together with “The Bible says what I want it to say.” In the site’s concluding statements, it claims –

The Old Testament prophesies of Mary in six verses. [Not correct]
The New Testament stories of Mary comprise about 129 verses in all, scattered over seven books. [Incorrect – Mary is incidental in most of them and the references in Revelation are not speaking of Mary.]
Mary’s own words are recorded in a total of fifteen verses. [Mostly magnifying the Lord.]
She is explicitly given seventeen names and titles. [Incorrect – the list repeats some and many are just descriptions.]
So she clearly appears in Scripture a lot more than just “three or four times”! [True, but when she is, it is never to exalt her personally. For example, when she says, “all generations will call me blessed,” it is because she was the bearer of the Messiah. Her favor is a result of her relationship to Him.].

Such evaluations of Mary are forced, they ignore the context of what is being presented, and they violate Scripture by redirecting the focus and attention which should be directed to the Lord and placing it on her instead.

Mary, like Abraham or David, was a person who was used by God to lead to Jesus, nothing more. The adoration and exaltation of Mary is no different than if someone were to adore and exalt one of these men. Let us consider this and never fail to offer our prayers, our praises, and our glory in spiritual matters to God alone, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I shall put enmity between you and the woman
An on-going battle through lengths of ages
Your seed, the unregenerate human
Who against me reviles and rages

But there shall come One, a Promised Seed
Who will crush your head for what you have done
Your days are numbered so take heed
In my mind the battle is already won

Jesus is coming to make all things new
This word is faithful, and it is true

 In the cross, a victory you will assume
A victory – yes – but not for you
After His cross and His tomb
He will arise and make all things new

Man’s redemption will have been wrought
By the Seed of the woman, My own Son
With His blood He will have bought
The right to man’s soul, the victory won

II. Mary’s Virginity. Why It Matters.

Some years ago, I was working at the wastewater plant on Siesta Key. At the time, we were very short-staffed, and I was working double shifts, sixteen hours a day, seven days a week. This lasted for about three months. In the evenings while working in the laboratory, I would have Christian radio on one of the shows that came on each day, Renewing Your Mind with RC Sproul.

Because of his clear thinking and depth of biblical knowledge, the areas of doctrine that he failed in were really maddening to me. I would often ask myself, “How can he not get this right?” But that goes back to his training in theology.

Unless you are grounded in your understanding of the word you will usually follow the ones who teach you. He did this to a T. Jim once went to a conference where R.C. was speaking and I said to him, “If you see R.C. Sproul while you’re there, please give him a big hug from me and then sock him in the jaw.”

One of the things he talked about one night while I was working in the lab was the virginity of Mary. He used several verses from 1 Corinthians 15 to make his point. There, Paul speaks of the resurrection of Christ and the importance of that to our lives as Christians. Those verses say –

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

R.C. then essentially said, “If you consider the virginity of Mary using this same logic, you understand how important this issue is.” Without attempting to change Scripture, but to make a theological point, he then substituted the resurrection with the virginity of Mary. His thoughts went something like this –

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if Mary was not a virgin, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact Mary was not a virgin. For if Mary was not a virgin, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

Again, this was not an attempt to change Scripture, but to make a point about Mary’s role in the process of man’s redemption. The virgin birth is actually that important. The main reason for this is that of the doctrine of Original Sin. Essentially, this doctrine teaches that our first father, Adam, fell. And in his falling, we fell with him. This is confirmed by David in the Psalms –

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.” Psalm 51:5

As the psalms are a different type of literature, one might be able to say that David was speaking in a poetic manner about the level of corruption he felt in his soul over the offense he had committed. This would be incorrect, but it could be argued if there were no other clear indications of this doctrine in Scripture.

The story of Cain and Abel is strategically placed and carefully worded to reveal the doctrine to us. Immediately after the record of the fall and then man’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the first account we read is that of the births of Cain and Abel –

“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.” 2 Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.” Genesis 4:1-5

Without any record of sinning on the part of either son, the narrative immediately notes that the sons brought an offering to the Lord, implying that appeasement between God and them was required. This becomes more evident when it notes that one offering was accepted and the other was not.

Unless there was a purpose and an intent that extended beyond the offerings themselves, there would be no need for the statement. As this is readily discernible, and because the record indicates no sin committed by either of the sons, the implication is that they were fallen, just as their parents were.

But these things are only implied in the passage, and it could be argued that we just don’t have the details right in our minds, or we missed some other point that shows this wasn’t the intention of Scripture at all. That would be incorrect, but it is not definitive enough to clearly express the doctrine of Original Sin.

However, we are not left without a clear treatise on the subject. That is found in Paul’s letter to the Romans. There are several key verses, but they are interspersed in an overall context that should be considered –

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned— 13 (For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. 16 And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. 17 For if by the one man’s 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.)
18 Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:12-21

The point of Paul’s words is clear and explicit and it tells us that because Adam sinned, all in Adam have sinned. Because all have sinned, all stand condemned. Adam’s one act of disobedience has spread both sin (the doctrine of Original Sin) and condemnation (signifying the universal need for a Savior) to all human beings. Paul’s words are built upon the theology that is clearly presented in Scripture, and which is explicitly stated by Jesus –

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:16-18

Jesus did not simply pull this out of the wind. He derived it from what is clearly taught from the very first pages of Scripture. With the introduction of the law, this state of sin and condemnation is only highlighted. That is why Paul said in Romans 4, “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound” (5:20).

Original sin is implied in the requirements of the Levitical sacrifices in numerous ways, chiefly in the Day of Atonement observance, and it is hinted at in other ways as well. It is also seen and highlighted in the rite of circumcision as detailed in Scripture. The reason I say, “as detailed in Scripture,” is because other cultures circumcise, but not at the set time found in Scripture nor for the reason given in Scripture. The rite of circumcision was given as a sign –

“And God said to Abraham: ‘As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. 10 This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; 11 and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant.’” Genesis 17:9-12

As stated earlier, a sign is not a thing in and of itself. Despite this, it is how the Jews treat circumcision. In essence, they say, “I am circumcised, and thus I am right before God.” In this, they use the physical cutting of the flesh and equate it directly to their right standing.

This is neither the purpose nor the meaning of circumcision. Rather, circumcision is given as a sign anticipating the coming of Christ, and it is why the virgin birth is absolutely essential to what God has done in Him.

Paul has shown that Adam sinned, that death is the result of sin, and that all die because all have sinned. Thus, all stand condemned. This is a simple one plus one type of equation. Adam sinned. Adam knew his wife and they had children. Adam’s sin spread to his children. His children died and their default position is condemnation.

Adam’s sin has continued to spread to each child that has been born since. Each child is born in sin and each child’s default position is condemnation. This is what Jesus explicitly stated in John 3:18 and it is what Paul lays out in detail in Romans 5.

But Jesus is a Man. If Mary was not a virgin, the sin of Adam would have transferred to her child. Her being a virgin is where the sign of circumcision finds its fulfillment. The account in Luke clearly details this –

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, ‘Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!’
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.’
34 Then Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I do not know a man?’
35 And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:26-35

The record of her virginity stands as a witness that the Child born from her did not have a human father. It is also a witness that, like Bethlehem being the geographical point of Scripture’s fulfillment, she is the human focal point of the prophecies fulfilled in Scripture. And more, because the Holy Spirit, who is God, overshadowed her, the Child born to her is the sinless Son of God.

No sin transferred to the child because the sin comes from the union of a man and a woman. Hence, the sign of circumcision. As I said, a sign points to something else. The cutting of the male, in the spot where sin transfers during a union between a man and a woman, is a sign that points to the cutting of that line of sin in the coming of Christ.

Hence, you can see where R.C. Sproul’s logical statement applies. If Jesus Christ had sin, He would not have risen. But sin is not merely something that is committed. It is also something that is received. Hence, the doctrine of Original Sin is what is evident in Scripture, and it is what evidently needs to be corrected.

Jesus Christ was born without original sin, and Jesus Christ – as testified to in the gospel narratives – lived without sinning. As such, death could not hold Him. The first part of the equation is what is dealt with in the virginity of Mary. As stated before, without attempting to change Scripture, but to simply make a theological point about the virgin birth –

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if Mary was not a virgin, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact Mary was not a virgin. For if Mary was not a virgin, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”

Without the first half of the sin equation (original sin being imputed), there would be no need for even considering the second half, meaning that of committed sin. But with the first half out of the way, the Child of Christmas was conceived in the womb of Mary, at this exact time of year.

Nine months later, He was born in Bethlehem in the land of Judah. The sinless Son of God was born of a woman under the law to redeem those who were under the law. With that, God’s Christ continued to live without sinning, perfectly fulfilling the law that God had given to Israel.

And in His fulfillment of the law, He gave up His life in exchange for our sins. Thus, He alone fulfills the typology of the Ark of the Covenant. He is the embodiment of the law contained within. He is the incorruptible Man pictured by the acacia wood.

He is the divine God, pictured by the gold covering. He is the place of propitiation, pictured by the golden mercy seat. He is the One revealed in the two testaments of Scripture, pictured by the poles by which the ark is carried. And so on. To ascribe these things to Mary is the epitome of blasphemy because it deprives Jesus of the glory He alone is due.

We can remember Mary and consider the honor she had as the mother of the Son of God, but we can also remember Bethlehem and consider it in light of its honor as the birthplace of the Son of God. Where is our attention rightly focused? It is not to be on such things that are mentioned only in relation to Christ Jesus. Rather, it is to be on Christ Jesus alone. Indeed, let us fix our eyes on Him.

The story of Christmas is twisted, maligned, and misunderstood by so many. The story of Christmas is the moment when the sinless life of Jesus Christ was conceived in the womb of a virgin. He was the hope of Adam, the anticipation of Eve, the point of the rejoicing of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Jesus was the One David eagerly expected and He was the Glory heralded by all of the true prophets of God since the world began. He is the point upon which all of time and creation pivots. Without Him, nothing matters. But with Him, everything finds its purpose and value. He is our hope, our joy, our point of rejoicing in all things. He is the Child of Christmas. He is JESUS.

Closing Verse: “So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29’Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel.’” Luke 2:27-32

Next week: Joshua 12:1-6 It’s a place where there’s lots of fun… (An Inheritance Toward the Rising of the Sun) (25th Joshua Sermon)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. He sent His own Son into the world to reconcile you to Himself. Remember the enormity of what that means each day of your life. And then, follow Him and trust Him as He continues to do marvelous things for you and through you.

The Zeal of the Lord of Hosts

Unto us a Child is born
A time to rejoice and not to mourn

Unto us a Son is given
The One to lead us from death to a’livin’

And the government will be upon His shoulder
Every eye will see Him; every soul will be His beholder

Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom’s realm
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever – He at the helm
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this

And His name will be called Wonderful
The Counselor and Mighty God is He
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, pure and white as wool
Of the increase of His government and peace, no end shall we see

Do not be afraid, for behold
I bring you good tidings of great joy
Which will be to all people, forever told
The wondrous story, the birth of a Boy

For there is born to you this day
In the city of David, a Savior, it is He
Christ the Lord whom heaven’s hosts obey
The Messiah has come; and now you may go and see

And this will be the sign to you:
You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes
Lying in a manger, a glorious view
The Christmas Child whom our Heavenly Father bestows

A Child like no other has come to dwell among us
He shall lead us in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake
And His name is called out, His name is JESUS
Come, and of the Heavenly Child partake

He is God’s gift and heaven’s treasure
He is Immanuel – God with us
And He bestows upon us grace without measure
The Christmas Child, our glorious Lord – JESUS!

Hallelujah and Amen…

 

 

 

 

From the Chamber of the South Comes the Whirlwind

Charlie Garrett Moments, Other, Sermons, SERMONS (write up), Special / Holiday, Special / Holiday (Written), Writings

Artwork by Doug Kallerson

From the Chamber of the South
Comes the Whirlwind

Florida is a marvelous state. Its summers are not any hotter than most other places, they just go on and on (and, at times, on) longer than other places. The more difficult part of the summer weather is the humidity, but even that isn’t terrible once you acclimate to it.

On the other hand, while people up north are freezing in long, snowy winters, we are on the beaches or living out our lives in marvelous temps with low humidity and constant sunshine. While their ground is unproductive and their trees are void of leaves, we are coconutting in still-lush surroundings.

We are almost free of the things that many other states must constantly dread – droughts, earthquakes, blizzards, and so on. However, there is one calamity that Floridians joke about in the wintertime and fear its coming during the summer: the hurricane.

But even hurricanes are isolated events, and they have been shown to serve their own purpose in the bigger scheme of things. Because of the incredible devastation they bring, we normally only see their negative effects, but that is looking at God’s world with a myopic view of things.

After every such major event, people leave their classrooms and laboratories and head out to where the hurricanes have hit to study the effects of what occurred on the ecosystem. Scientific findings have shown us that there is a positive effect on the surrounding environment. Where we see carnage, the system that God has set in place finds benefit from these giant whirling storms.

Learning these effects will help us to better understand God’s healing powers that arise from the very storms that bring destruction and death. For example, from PNAS.org, we read one benefit derived from hurricanes –

“Despite the destructive effect of hurricanes on mangrove forests in tropical and subtropical latitudes, hurricanes are major drivers controlling soil fertility gradients in the Florida Everglades mangroves, and therefore represent a positive influence in maintaining observed mangrove spatial distribution and productivity patterns. Hurricane-induced mineral inputs to near-coast mangroves in the Everglades enhance phosphorus (P) concentrations in soils, increase plant P uptake, promote soil elevation gains relative to sea level, and facilitate rapid forest recovery following disturbance. The response of mangroves to large-scale P fertilization from hurricanes may be an important adaptation of neotropical mangroves in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean region to withstand the impacts of both sea-level rise and P limitation.”

Text Verse: God thunders marvelously with His voice;
He does great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’;
Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength.
7 He seals the hand of every man,
That all men may know His work.
8 The beasts go into dens,
And remain in their lairs.
9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind,
And cold from the scattering winds of the north.
10 By the breath of God ice is given,
And the broad waters are frozen.
11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds;
He scatters His bright clouds.
12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance,
That they may do whatever He commands them
On the face of the whole earth.
13 He causes it to come,
Whether for correction,
Or for His land,
Or for mercy. Job 37:5-13

God is aware of all things. Nothing happens apart from His knowledge, and nothing happens that is apart from His will. For those who understand this, even in our times of greatest trial, distress, sickness, or loss, that is a great and reassuring comfort. It is also something that we can cling to as we live out these lives in days that are uncertain, often confusing, and surely filled with trouble.

Mangroves are where so much life in the bays and coasts of Florida occur. Little creatures make their homes there, fish spawn in them, soil is captured by them, and new lands arise from the waters because of them.

Apparently, God knows when something is needed to help things like mangroves along and He has developed a means of providing that help on a massive scale. That is scary to humans who think we must somehow correct the natural cycle of things because we think we know better than He does.

We already know hurricanes are an expected danger. And yet, we still move onto the coastal islands and along the rivers and flood plains, hoping for the ideal spot to settle down, catch some fish, and show how “in control” of our surroundings we are. We can’t blame God for our choice of home. But that is often the voice that is heard just before, during, and after a hurricane. “Why, O God, did You allow this to happen?”

For my own part, and certainly for those who shared in last week’s events, I can honestly say that a lot of good came from what we might consider bad. Our house sure has a lot more sunshine coming down upon it now. The trees that might have died over the next few years, causing occasional interruptions in the regular routine of life all perished at one time.

Things that were old and no longer of use have been sorted out and eliminated from our lives. Lots of things that just needed to be done are all jammed into one quick event, and then life goes on. As a result, the mangroves have enough phosphorous to go wild for the next number of years, known to God, before He again sends another whirling monster upon our little haven by the Gulf of Mexico to rejuvenate things once again.

But something more than the surrounding natural effects upon the environment has occurred as well, hasn’t it? We have seen the better and worse sides of those we encountered. We have readjusted our priorities, at least temporarily. We have considered our end, at least for a span, so that we can contemplate what is most important. And, hopefully, we have brought the Lord God into more focus in relation to our lives.

Things such as these are indirect consequences of living through a large catastrophe. The wise will take heed and learn. The foolish will try to return to their vapid existence as quickly as possible without a moment of consideration concerning what might be learned and improved upon. The wicked will attempt to cheat others in their time of distress. And so on.

For those who have readjusted and determined to figure out what their lives mean in relation to both God and their eternal state before Him, there is the hope that they will do it right away before normality returns and life goes back to its regular, dull beat of daily tedium.

When that happens, the comfort of routine will steal away their current ponderings about what it all means. Hopefully, they will seek God while He is fresh on their minds and while He may be found. Or it may be that some now realize they need to get closer to the God they already know. That would be a nice bonus after the time of terror. “O God, I haven’t put you first lately. I want to correct that going into the future.”

If this is you, the only way you will really ever do this is by seeking Him out through His word.

God is.
God has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is revealed through the word of God.

One cannot intimately know God without knowing and understanding who Jesus Christ is, and we cannot know a thing about Jesus Christ without knowing the word that tells of Him. Therefore, if you are that person who wants to know God, or if you are that person who wants to readjust and get closer to God, you will need to pick up your Bible and start reading it.

And because the Bible is a big and, at times, complicated book, we will be here to help you to learn it and revel in its treasures all your days. This is the ultimate purpose of the Superior Word. Everything else we do is in hopes of meeting that main goal.

As an example, the weekly Prophecy Report we do that seemingly has little value beyond a weekly reminder of how bad things are in the world was started for one reason and for one reason only.

When Mike the Webguy suggested we do it over a decade ago, I told him, “No, I want to focus on the word. I want people in the sermons because they are based on the word.” His response was, “If you do these weekly reports, people will watch your channel and start watching your sermons.”

That was all I needed to hear. We started them that week and we have done them every week since. And he was right. I can’t tell you how many people now read their Bibles every day who first started with clicking on the ear-tickling Prophecy Reports.

The ultimate purpose of sharing the word of God was met, even through these reports. The irony is that many of them who started by watching the reports no longer do so. Instead, they watch the sermons and Bible studies. Mission accomplished!

If we will just look, great things are to be found in His superior word. And so, let us consider that precious word once again and… May God speak to us through His word today, and may His glorious name ever be praised.

I. Never Alone in the Storm

After Ian passed, many of us here in Florida had a lot of clean-up to do. Some more than others, but I don’t think any of us was spared a bit of backache. Along with that, most had the inconvenience of either no power or no water or maybe both. For some south of us, power will not be restored for many months.

This is life. This is how it is, and it is inconvenient, but it is what we get in a fallen world. The ease of life is overthrown by the calamity of the moment, and we are left wondering when normal will return.

But what is normal anyway? As bad as we may currently have it, what we have – right now in our time of “deprivation” – is actually much more than billions around the world have on the best of their days. We should consider that and thank the Lord for each blessing we do have. With that in mind, I will tell you a story from my own interaction with Ian…

Having driven around Sarasota, I can attest that our property suffered about as much damage as any in town. No complaints, just stating how it is. While Hideko and I sat in the house and heard really big trees split in two and fall around us, and as large branches snapped and bounced off of the roof, I remember thinking, “It will take months to clean this all up.”

I couldn’t imagine how it would all get done. I even thought, “It’s the beginning of October. I will need to tell people I probably won’t be answering emails until as late as November.”

Really, that’s what I was thinking as another and then another tree fell over. Palms are heavy and hard to cut. Those alone would be backbreakers. And several fell over. That was just the start of the mess.

Despite that, when the storm passed and it was quiet enough to drive on the road safely (well, almost), I loaded up the truck and started winding my way around downed trees. First, I went to check on my uncle’s house. It looked ok, but with lots of branches down. They’ll be fine. They can get a crew to take care of things when they return to Florida.

Then I headed up to the mall I take care of. It is my responsibility and so it needed to be tended to before our own home. Several trees were down, one huge light pole was lying in the middle of the road, and lots of massive branches had to be cleared off the parking – both in front and out back.

The light pole was first. It was dangerous to have that in the road. It weighed about 500 pounds, so it took a tad out of me trying to move it, but eventually, the Davidson brothers who grew up with me on the island showed up and we got it out of the way.

As 7-11 is right next to the mall and that is my responsibility too, I got to work getting the small stuff out first, working from north to south. A strong north wind helped expedite that. From there, I removed all the branches in the parking lot and continued on the trees until I ran out of chain oil (don’t forget the chain oil, Charlie!).

While working there, a visit from Sergio helped lighten the morning mood. We were both glad the other was ok. It was by God’s grace that he still has my home address on his driver’s license. Otherwise, he would not have been allowed on the island. After he left, and with the mall at least safe, I headed back home to begin cleaning things up there.

Hideko was up and doing what she could and I started in with the chainsaw, trying to figure out how to organize absolute chaos into a manageable situation, starting at the road and working back the 250 feet to the bay, every inch of which was covered in so much damage that we had to cut a path just to take the dogs out without losing them.

We worked and we worked. After that, we worked some more. Hideko never stopped, from sun up to sun down, and did more physical work than any person I have ever seen – an eighty-five-pound dynamo. What I cut, she dragged, piling it up into a massive pile. This was Thursday.

At the end of the day, four friends from church came by, and we talked on the dock. That was a really special time for me. The property was safe and clear enough to finish the job in the morning. Each of us shared our stories and we were happy that all were ok. Praise God for His tender mercies.

Friday, Hideko had to go back to work and so I first went to the mall at about 6:00 AM and continued clearing the trees that were down but not any threat to public safety. Then, back home to hopefully get most of the big trees and other things I had left from the day before done.

By 5:00 PM Friday, a lot was done. I was out front cleaning the driveway so that Hideko could safely pull in when a silver truck pulled up by the road. I figured it was a line man or something. I was so tired, I couldn’t gather the strength to walk out and offer help; he was on his own.

It is for this point that everything I have said so far has been included. My work schedule is irrelevant, but I needed to lead you to understand how we can miss the important things in life over that which is actually unimportant.

I get myopic in relation to whatever I am doing. If it is sermon typing day, that is all I can think about. If it is Sunday afternoon, I focus on the sermon editing and nothing else. If I am cleaning up debris, that is all I can think about. But there are more than broken branches in life…

Rather than a line man being in the silver truck, a familiar face suddenly peered around the fence – Jim Dwyer. He was a welcome sight and I figured he was there to check up on things. I thought, “Thank God, I have no strength left for any more work. We can talk like the day before.” But no, after a short greeting, he said, “I’ve come to get the sermon for Sunday.”

I was so mentally exhausted that I didn’t even know what he was talking about. After him re-explaining it, I thought, “I don’t even know where it is!” I said, “They’ll have to do without it this week.” He said, “I can just get it off your computer. I’ll copy it and then send it out.”

The prospect of using one more brain cell to think almost made me collapse on the spot, but I said, “Let me finish this, and then we’ll get it.” I didn’t want Hideko to pull in and run over something and pop a tire. Suddenly, I remembered, we don’t have power.

I said to Jim, “They’ll have to do without it; there is no power.” He looked bummed to have come all that way just to be turned away, but I couldn’t think of anything we could do. So, he got in his truck and started to pull away. Just then, my brain fired one small synapse. I pounded on his truck and told him to wait.

I thought I could email it to him from my iPad because I always save sermons by emailing them to myself in case my computer crashes. Then, I realized, no internet, so that won’t work either. I stood there trying to come up with any solution at all so that his trip would not have been in vain.

Finally, I realized that Sergio has all my passwords. He could get the sermon. But I was so tired, I couldn’t remember his name. I think I said, “Jim has access to everything.” Something wasn’t right with that. “The… well, the… Sergio! Sergio can access my things. Email him and have him search for ‘Sermons and devotionals.’ Then he can send you what you need.”

Jim asked, “Is it the most current revision?” I thought, “What is a revision? This guy is just making that up.” True story. Then I remembered what a revision is and said, “Probably not, but it will have to do.”

He seemed happy with that and off he went. Had he asked one more question, I may have had a brain aneurism and died on the spot. I walked to the shower and then that was the end of the day. Hideko and I ate out of cans in the dark and went to bed.

The entire point is that Jim felt it was important enough to get the word into people’s hands that he drove 15 miles through traffic lights that didn’t work and down the island street that was still filled with trees to simply get that sermon for those in the online church to have for Sunday.

But he said something else to me that I could not get out of my head until today. He could see how tired I was and he said, “You know, so many people are praying for you right now.” I was too tired to cry, but that alone changed my perspective on everything else that I did and have done for these past days.

I was so overwhelmed with the responsibilities for the mall, the house, and the church that I never thought about people praying for our strength, knowing that their prayers included Hideko, and – indeed – everyone here at the Superior Word.

People around the world were praying for us as we were facing uncertainty before the storm and uncertainty after it passed. What a thought to consider. And there was more…

To worship and to serve the Lord our God
Eternal fellowship in a land of Delight
On hallowed soil our feet will trod
And the Lord shall always be in our sight

In His light, to walk and also to praise
The Lamb of God who was slain
Illuminated by His ever-glowing rays
No tears, no fear, no sorrow, no pain

Come to the waters and be restored
Drink and receive Grace from the Lord

II. Tender Mercies

While I tell you about the events in this section, I don’t want to use any names, not because I don’t want to recognize people, but because I don’t want to single anyone out and pass over others who also do so much throughout the year to bless the church.

In other words, if I mention anyone, I would have to mention everyone because everyone is a part of this group, whether in Japan or in Arizona, Sarasota or Michigan. If you are a part of this church, you are included in this section by name, by deed, and through hearing this sermon today. So, thank you.

On Saturday, I did something I have not done without a reason for many years. I did not go to the projects. There was still a lot of work to do at the house and – if the power came back on – there would be a lot to do to be ready for church.

Normally, I only miss going to the projects if there is a funeral, a wedding, or a baptism on Saturday. But this clean-up needed to be done and I knew others would be at the projects to fill in. So I got back to work, finally finishing at about 1:00 PM. Amazingly, the power came back on within about twenty minutes of the clean-up being done.

Opening up the emails, there were 214 to sort through, a large number of which were people telling me they were praying for us. I answered each one with a short note so that they would know we were ok and to thank them. Along with that, there were many people who offered to help in any way they could, including financial needs for us or those in the church.

I tried to reassure folks that we were ok, and that I would check with church members to see if there were other needs. The only one I became aware of is that Claudia had some damage to her house, but she was unable to come to church last Sunday. She is being sorted out, and her place will be repaired.

On Sunday, a few people still did not have power, but they still came to church. I was actually amazed that more than a handful of people would come, but people at the Superior Word seem to understand the priority of church. For that, I am grateful. It is a lifeline at all times. How much more of a lifeline when times are difficult?

One tender mercy I saw is that Jay and Joan, who lost power for 11 days after Hurricane Irma, the last hurricane in our area, never lost power during this one. What a blessing for them! We really felt for them during Irma as we all sat in nice air-conditioned houses J.

Another tender mercy of our Lord is that—maybe for the first time in the history of the universe—the last days of September and the first days of October have actually been cool and not so humid. As I sit typing on Monday morning, it is 66 degrees F out.

Instead of suffering through heat, humidity, and exhaustion caused by them, we have been able to put things back together in fall-like weather. The Lord knows how grateful we all are for that.

Also, on Sunday, I learned of another expression of real compassion, not only in prayers and in financial help by those who offered it, but in genuine human care when two guys who attend online drove from Illinois and Maryland just to help out with the clean-up at the house. They brought a generator, chainsaws, and other things. Who could imagine such an offer of mercy!

Someone brought in a cake for the October birthday people, someone brought in an entire bag of avocados, while others brought in love and cheer, hugs and blessings. Every person can do something in a church to bless others, even it if is to pray for those who have needs.

And the sharing in thanks and help does not need to end at the church. We talk about who the heroes of society are. During times of war, we talk about the soldiers who fight to keep those of the nation free.

For those who respect the right to life, religion, and peaceful existence, we may have a civilian leader that is a hero to those causes. When things are prosperous and all is going well, we make false heroes, even idols, of those who are not heroes. Movie stars and sports figures become our heroes when all they are doing is serving themselves and profiting off the masses. Those are not, nor are they ever, heroes.

But think about your own situation right now. Do you have electricity at your home? In Sarasota, people have given up nights of sleep to work restoring power to the homes and businesses in Florida that do not yet have power.

Water, sewer, electric, traffic lights, and so on, all have to be restored. In the past few days, some of these utility workers have had people come up to them and yell at them for not working fast enough.

Instead, they should be thanking them, bringing them something to eat, and encouraging them. How is it that we can’t consider that they are tired, frustrated, and deprived of their own free time and sleep while doing their best to serve others? They may not all be good people, but they are doing a good service. Consider that as you head out to a store or restaurant that is open this week because of their efforts.

As for the church itself, I often get emails about the sermons, the weekly reports, the commentaries, and other things that have been put out. They include compliments and praises that are wholly undeserved. I do my job because it is the job I do.

But these things would not be if someone hadn’t first filmed the sermons, set up a YouTube channel, and posted them there. I didn’t do that and I am unqualified to figure out those things now. Someone, years ago, set up the website for the church.

He has maintained it for eleven years, checking on it every single day, he QC’s everything I type, he converts the sermons into podcasts, and he won’t even tell me his real name or even give me his address so I can send him a thank you in the mail. None of those things would exist if it wasn’t for him.

Others have developed other websites, podcasts, or YouTube channels to promote the church. They don’t ask for anything except permission to do what they do. Some quality check my pitiful grammar and spelling for the daily commentaries and weekly sermons.

One person does a unique painting for every sermon we have done since Exodus. Some help out monetarily, some come early and help clean, others bring food for the church to eat, while others stay after church or Bible class and clean up. Some have prayer groups or fellowship groups that are specifically linked to this church. Some send money to buy pizza or treats for class or church.

Of all of these things, and so many more that I haven’t mentioned, I have never asked for any of those things to be done. Rather, they have asked to do them, all because they love the word, they love the church, and they want to be a part of it. This is the meaning of tender mercies.

I am fortunate if I can find my way to the door or figure out how to turn on a computer. None of these things that we all take for granted would be happening if these wonderful people didn’t come together and want to be a part of what the Superior Word is doing.

I am just grateful that the word is being looked at, that it is being cherished, that it is being read, and that it is being shared. An example of the benefit of people’s help came to my inbox on Monday morning before I started typing these words.

Some months ago, a man in Pakistan emailed me with questions about Jesus and the Trinity. I responded and continue to respond by answering his questions. He and his wife accepted the Lord Jesus and began to email about their faith. He asked for a Bible. A friend in the UK sent him one. He then asked for some money for local Urdu Bibles.

That was sent. When he got the money, he sent us a picture of them holding their Bibles. He told us he wanted to tell others about Jesus, but it is dangerous in Pakistan to do so. There was an internal conflict going on in him concerning what to do. But the witness of the word won out.

He started to tell his neighbors. Some accepted Jesus; more Bibles needed. He then got the idea to invite people to a screening of the Jesus movie. But he would need money for that. He would have to rent a TV, a generator, buy the movie, and so on. Would we help?

I could have just sent the money, but it was Thursday and Sunday was just around the corner. Maybe people would want to participate. I would not want to deprive others of this honor. So on Sunday morning, I asked during the livestream.

I told the people that we would only accept money for that. The first people to respond making up the needed amount would be accepted and anyone else I would tell them not to send anything as the need was met. I didn’t know it at the time, but someone sitting in the church sent the money while I was still speaking.

So when I got home, I had to tell all the people who offered to provide the needed funds that the need had already been met. However, the Lord already knew they had offered, and so their offer, even if not accepted, still counts for what happened. I will read you from the email my now-friend from Pakistan sent, including a picture. All names have been changed –

——————————-

Regards to you in the name of Jesus Christ,

First of all, my wife [Ruth] and I are very excited to share with you that the recent meeting called “Life Outreach” went very well by the Grace of God. We give praise & honor to God for all the success by His help. We want to thank Brother and Sister [Kermit and Frog] for their support to which made this possible to do the meeting successful. We also want to thank you Brother [Abbott] and Brother [Costello] for your precious prayers for us. We are always encouraged by your love and prayers in Christ.

We share things about the Life Outreach as below:

–          I led this meeting by praying the prayer of thanks in beginning
–          We invited about 40 people to attend this meeting
–          We found 38 people came to attend it
–          They were all very happy and enjoyed the meeting
–          We showed a part of Jesus movie about “Creation”
–          This led the people to learn about how God created the World
–          Then we showed another part of the movie about Jesus’ death on Cross
–          People were touched by the death of Christ
–          We found 3 people were weeping when they saw Jesus hanged on Cross
–          7 people came to believe in Jesus as their personal Lord & Savior
–          There were some others who are near to accept Jesus and they need more prayers
–          We had very nice time of prayers at the end of the meeting
–          We also had wonderful time of taking tea and refreshment at the end of this meeting
–          This remained very good time of fellowship to each other

We found some people want to come to attend this meeting again and they want to bring their family friends to enjoy to learn about God, His creation and His Salvation plan. This is very helpful to people understand the whole picture of God’s plan for human.

I had some people who raised questions to learn more at the end of the meeting, and there was good discussion with them.

A man from Hindu background told me that he only believed in Jesus as prophet and never knew that He is son of God. He came to believe in Him and committed his promise to follow true and only one God.

This was very encouraged to us by faith and we rejoiced in the Lord by prayers for the success and His safety. It is how wonderful that God helped 7 people to know Him and they believed in Him, 3 of them secretly believe in Jesus because of fear from their own family.

We are praying for your safety from the Hurricane that’s going on in your area and believe that you are doing well and safe.

——————————-

From a man and a wife who were fearful to speak about Jesus, to two people who have thrown caution to the wind for the sake of Christ, we have people willing to open their mouths and speak out about the goodness of God toward the people of the world. You can see their photo in the kitchen, proudly holding their Bibles, confident in the salvation of God that is found in our Lord.

Someone had to make this possible. The Lord opened the doors, He provided the way, He placed the burden on people’s hearts, and He is glorified through those who responded. Our Pakistani friend’s words in the middle of his email will need attention –

“We found some people want to come to attend this meeting again and they want to bring their family friends to enjoy to learn about God, His creation and His Salvation plan.”

Surely this means they will want to show this film again. That will require the same help as before. If it fits your budget, and if he asks, I will offer you the opportunity to assist. Thirty-eight people came. Seven accepted the Lord. Maybe we can all talk to thirty-eight people this week in our own circle of life. Maybe we can help this young evangelist in Pakistan to do it for us as well.

Here he is, risking his own life to share the gospel and how did he close? He was thinking of us here in Sarasota – “We are praying for your safety from the Hurricane that’s going on in your area and believe that you are doing well and safe.”

And, indeed, we are. We were inconvenienced for a moment in a world of convenience and prosperity, and we are being prayed for by people that are so poor, they cannot afford a $7 Bible in their own language without compromising their own budget for the month’s expenses. Praise God for His tender mercies.

Heaven’s door is open for all to go through
But it’s guarded with cherub and sword
So, to pass through the gate, this you must do
Follow the gospel and call on the Lord

By faith in His work and by faith alone
Access is granted past heaven’s sword
His blood was shed for your sins to atone
Again, I beg you, call on the Lord

 I implore you, call on the Lord

III. A Heart for the Lord

The next time you feel the need to encourage me, I will accept your words. The next time you have the desire to compliment me, please don’t. What you experience each week has very little to do with me. Pray for those who actually make this church run. Pray that the Lord will give them wisdom, skill, ability, and stamina.

Have a heart for the Lord. In all you do, fix your eyes on Him, cherish Him, and remember His cross. We are servants, temporarily granted the honor and privilege of serving the King of the universe until our days are spent.

For those who spend them wisely, they will not only rise to everlasting life, but they will do so to rewards for their faithfulness that they cannot even imagine right now. So stand fast in your faith, persevere in doing good, and be sure it is good that is done by faith in Jesus.

A good deed not done in His name has no lasting meaning. It may benefit for a moment, it may temporarily ease a pain or a sorrow, but it will not be remembered beyond this tearful path we trod each day until we return to dust under our feet.

But a good deed done in Jesus’ name will endure. It will find an eternal reward, and its purpose in this life will surely extend beyond the deed itself. Eyes will hopefully be opened to the Source of what you have done, and the recipient will then find joy in the everlasting arms of the Lord.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9, 10

A hurricane is a difficult thing to get through, but it is also a time when the storm around us will help us to reconsider the storms within us. We have things raging inside that can be calmed by the compassionate hand of the Lord, we have conflicts that can be eased by the knowledge of His word, and we have pressures and burdens that we can cast upon the Lord because He cares for us.

Let us spend our time wisely. Let us endeavor to get into the word of God and find out about Jesus because in finding out about Jesus, we can then find out about the very heart of God. But you must first start with the word. Nothing else can replace this and nothing else will be found as an acceptable substitute.

We are the Superior Word not simply because we happen to be on Superior Avenue, but because we understand that God’s word is superior. It is the light to dispel darkness. It is a place to find hope for the human soul. It is our guide when we are on the right path, and it is the way to get on that path in the first place. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Have a heart for the Lord by having a heart for His word. And in that, you will then have a properly directed heart for how to conduct your lives in accord with His word.

This life is short, your time was set before the first grain of sand came into existence, and God already knows how things will end up for you. But you do not. Hence, it is up to you to find out by first expending yourself for Him. The reward awaits and the reward is Jesus. How much does what He offers matter to you? I encourage you today, have a heart for the Lord.

“Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
2 For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the Lord.
“But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit,
And who trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:1, 2

Closing Verse: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8, 9

Next Week: Joshua 8:1-20 Jay got a practice week last time, by and by… and yes, he makes it so fun (The Fall of Ai, Part I)

The Lord has you exactly where He wants you. He has a good plan and purpose for you. Though the storms of life may rage around you, the Lord is your hiding place and your safe refuge. So, follow Him and trust Him and He will do marvelous things for you and through you.