"CHRISTIAN LIVING WITH A PURPOSE"

EPHESIANS 5:15-18

INTRODUCTION

          Four pastors were discussing the merits of the various translations of the Bible. One liked the King James Version. Another liked the American Standard Version best because it is more literal and comes nearer the original Hebrew and Greek. The third liked the Moffatt’s translation best because of its up-to-date vocabulary. The fourth minister was silent. When asked to express his opinion, he replied, “I like my mother’s translation the best.” The other three expressed surprise. They wondered what he was driving at. “Yes,” he replied, “Mother translated the Bible into everyday life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.”

          A Hindu student said to Billy Graham in Madras, India, “I would become a Christian if I could see one!” Said Graham, “And when he said that, he was looking at me! That was the greatest sermons ever preached to me!”

I.      THE CHRISTIAN’S BEHAVIOR V. 15

Looking back at what he has said in verses 11-14, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to pay special attention to our behavior as Christians. Why is this necessary? Because of the illumination that Christians have received from the Holy Spirit, we are to be mindful of the way we behave. In other words, we are to give great attention to the way we live our lives as Christians. When you became a Christian, you changed masters. Before you were a Christian you used to be in charge of your life. Now you are no longer in charge. Now Jesus Christ is your Master, who has given His Holy Spirit to help and guide you to live the Christian life. As a Christian, you have transferred allegiance and devotion to Christ. God has given you a new way of life and perspective. The Apostle Paul presents two assumptions in this verse. First, he says that Christians are wise people, not fools.

Second, Paul says that Christian wisdom is practical wisdom, for it teaches us how to behave. The Hebrew concept for behavior is the phrase to walk or to love. Our Christian walk or behavior must no longer be according to the world, the flesh and the devil (Eph. 2:1-3), or like pagans (Eph. 4:17). I like what Chip Ingram, Life on the Edge, says, “It is not what you think that is important, but the way you behave.” The world has produced many thinkers or philosophers whose lifestyle contradicted everything they said or wrote.

          Paul says that you must be careful how you behave or how you live your life, not as fools but as wise Christians. We who follow Jesus Christ must live life worthy of God’s call, in love, and as children of light (Eph. 4:1:5:1; 5:8). Be careful how you walk, live, or behave is a general exhortation to you and me, who are credited with the wisdom of God. In other words, everything worth doing requires care. You give great importance to things that matter to you—your job, education, dress and appearance. Is your Christian life important to you? If your Christian life is important to you, you will watch the way you behave toward others, especially outsiders or unbelievers.

          Someone has said that, “the Devil is willing for a person to confess Christianity as long as he does not practice it.” In the New Year 2012, which is just around the corner, are you going to be wise by the way you behave or live your life? Christians are not to behave as simpletons or fools because God’s wisdom is available to us. Make a great difference in the way you live the Christian life. Your life as a Christian can attract or repel others from Christ. You must live the Christian life on target, the target being that which pleases Christ and fits His purpose. The Christian life is a life that is focused on Christ. If Christ is the center of our lives, the circumference will take care of itself.

          What therefore are the marks of Christians who take time to cultivate their Christian discipleship?

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S USE OF TIME V. 16

          First, wise people make the most of their time. Paul is saying that we should make profitable use of every passing opportunity. We are to use time well. You are to make your time count for Christ. Time is going by, and evil will use it if Christians do not. Our contemporary society is the hurried society. We have drive-through restaurants, drive-through banks, drive-through ice cream and snack bars, etc. We are too busy for life. Nevertheless, we must reconsider how we use time. Most households in our society spend at least four to five hours a day watching TV, though we may not care for what we watch. Today the Internet has become some husbands and wives’ companion as such their children don’t know whom to talk to about things going on in their lives. There is no wonder many people are lonely today more than any time in history. We are surrounded by people and yet many feel lonely because nobody is ready to listen. We are busy for nothing that makes eternal difference.

          Many of us pray to God for children, and God blesses us with children, yet we don’t have time to chat with our children. Many of us have been bachelors and spinsters for so long. We have fasted and prayed and God has blessed us with spouses, yet we do not see each other. In some Christian home as the wife is coming home, the husband would be leaving. Our children barely see us. The question you and I need to answer is this, is our work more important than our children? Is the Internet more important than the welfare of your children? Is the big house you are building more important than the education of your children? Some school children come home with work from school, but sadly, none of the parents is there to help them do their work. When you are home, you are always on the telephone. When something is happening to your children in the house, you are not even aware of it. Some of you have time for everything, except prayer. Some of you have time for everything, except the reading and studying of the Bible. There is no wonder many Christians are stressed out. You have time for everything but you don’t have time for prayer and devotion with your family. You have time for everything but no time to tell your neighbor about Jesus Christ. How much time do you give to life with God, or to learning about the Christian life? How much time do you invest in people or do something beneficial? You must invest time in your Christian faith if your life is to have great impact on your family and others.

          Certainly, wise people know that time is a precious commodity. All of us have the same amount of time at our disposal, with sixty minutes in every hour and twenty-four hours every day. None of us can stretch time. But wise people use it to the fullest advantage possible.

          A driver stopped his car at an intersection and waited for the green signal. When the green light came, he waited further to confirm it. That is, he waited until the light turned green a second time! After that, he waited still further until the green light flashed a third time, before he proceeded on his way. Absurd! Of course, No one would drive like that. But are there not Christians who live like that driver? They are so overcautious that they wait for signs from God, wait to reconfirm the signs, and then wait for an auspicious moment to act. They are waiting almost perpetually and can never redeem the time they wasted or opportunities they lost. Let your life count for God and your family in the coming year. Invest time in God's Word, work, and people's lives and you will be fulfilled.

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S DISCERNING OF GOD’S WILL V. 17

          Second, wise people discern the will of God. Christians, who are wise, are aware that willfulness is folly, but wisdom is found in God’s will and nowhere else. Nothing is more important than to discover and do the will of God. Moreover, in seeking to discover the will of God, it is essential to distinguish between God’s general and His particular will. God’s general will is the same for all Christians. For instance, one of God’s general will is to make us like Christ (Rom. 8:29). His particular or specific will is different for each of us, for example, what career you should pursue, whether you should marry, and if so whom. What school you should attend and why.

          Only after distinguishing these can you find out what the will of the Lord is for your life. God’s general will is found in Scripture; the will of God for the people of God has been revealed in the word of God. But you shall not find his particular will in Scripture. To be sure, you will find general principles in Scripture to guide you, but detailed decisions have to be made after careful thought and prayer and the seeking of advice from mature and experienced believers. If your life is in tune with the Holy Spirit, it won’t be difficult to discern God’s will for your life.

IV. THE CHRISTIAN’S SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE V. 18

          God’s word warns against the folly of overindulgence in alcohol or any strong drink. Drunkenness was common in the pagan world and cautions in the NT show that it presented a serious temptation to Christians. The prohibition of drunkenness is directly applicable and possibly even more needed now than in Paul’s day. The danger of drunkenness lies not only in itself, but also in what it may induce. Drunkenness has no place in the life of a Christian. How can you watch closely how you live when you are drunk? Drunkenness, to say nothing of alcohol addiction is a major problem in our society. A person who is drunk is under the influence of alcohol; and certainly, a Spirit-filled Christian is under the influence and power of the Holy Spirit. Under the influence of alcohol, you lose control of yourself. However, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, you do not lose control; rather you gain it. Many families have become casualties to drunken drivers. Some people use drunkenness as a form of escapism. Our society has a strange notion that to have fun we ought to get drunk. Drunkenness impairs your judgment. You are not to get drunk because it causes dissipation (the story of the prodigal son). Drunkenness causes you to let down your guard (e.g. the terrorist attacks). The Ashanti adage, "When a chick is drunk, it soon forgets that it is within the reach of the hawk." The Police would arrest many people in December 31st night because of drunkenness. Drunk drivers would put many people's life in serious jeopardy on December 31st night. Therefore, be sober minded and focus on Christ in the New Year that is soon to dawn on us. Why are you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not get drunk with wine? The answer is found in Ephesians 6:10-20. There is a formidable adversary who is prepared to destroy you. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God and resist his every move in your life during the New Year. Happy New Year.

"GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE DESPISED"

“GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE DESPISED”

LUKE 2:8-20

INTRODUCTION

          What a sad commentary on what the birth of our Lord has come to mean is this all-too-true parody of the wonderful words of Luke’s Christmas narrative.

          “And there were in the same country children keeping watch over their stockings by the fireplace. And, Lo! Santa Claus came upon them; and they were sore afraid. And Santa said unto them: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people who can afford them. For unto you will be given great feasts of turkey, dressing and cake; and many presents; and this shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the present, wrapped in bright paper, lying beneath a tree adorned with tinsel, colored balls and lights. And suddenly there will be with you a multitude of relatives and friends, praising you and saying, ‘Thank you so much, it was just what I wanted.’ And it shall come to pass as the friends and relatives have gone away into their own homes, the parents shall say to one another, ‘Darn it! What as mess to clean up! I’m tired, let’s go to bed and pick it up tomorrow. Thank goodness, Christmas only comes once a year! And they go with haste to their cold bed and find their desired rest.”

I. GOD’S MESSAGE TO THE SHEPHERDS VV. 8-14

          In the ancient world, if someone had asked if there was any person more important than Caesar, the ruler of the Roman Empire, the answer would have been no. Yet, it is the birth of a boy in Judean rural town that launches the Angel into chorus of praise. The circumstances of Jesus’ birth are so basic and humble that it is difficult to appreciate the person who is born there. The promise of Jesus’ birth was made to Mary by the angel Gabriel. After Jesus is born, an angel carries the good news to the shepherds who are keeping watch over their flock nearby. It is believed that during the night the shepherds take turn in watching the sheep. In other words, one would watch the flock while the others sleep. And when the unexpected happened he would wake up the rest. In one of their normal routine, an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them. There is no wonder the shepherds were terrified. The glory of the Lord shone around them. This glory is the splendor that is associated with God’s perceptible presence. Fear is the standard reaction to divine manifestations. Overcome by the unexpected and supernatural occurrence, fear came upon the shepherds. Shepherds in the presence of angels that is incredible! As a class, shepherds had a bad reputation in those days. Their vocation as shepherds prevented them from the observance of ceremonial laws, which meant so much to religious people.

          Shepherds were considered unreliable and were not allowed to testify in a court of law. Shepherds were a despised people. There is no need to think that these shepherds were devout men of God. The angelic visitation and message to them were all a part of God’s grace. What is grace? Grace is the unmerited favor of God. You cannot earn it; you cannot work for it; all you need to do is to accept it from God. Shepherds represent the lowly and humble who respond to God’s message. God chooses the weak things to confound the wise.

          Verse 10, the angelic messenger deals with their fear provoked by this supernatural visitation. The angel could see these shepherds shaking all over their body like a tree caught in tornado or hurricane. The angel then commands them, do not be afraid. That statement literally means stop being afraid. The angel does not just command them to stop being afraid. He also gives them the reason they need not to be afraid. He brings them the glorious news that in Bethlehem, the city of David the Savior, who is the Christ, has been born. The angel is saying to the shepherds the greatest event in history has just happened! The Messiah has been born.

          For many years, the Jews had watched for this event, and when it finally occurred, the announcement came to humble shepherds. The hope of the centuries has been fulfilled. What Abraham, Job, King David, and all the prophets of the Old Covenant had expected to happen in their life time has finally arrived. God has now moved in complete grace to the human race. The shepherds have nothing to be terrified. You and I have nothing to fear when God moves in grace. The titles the angel uses for the newborn child are significant. Savior reflects the call of Jesus to deliver His people, as Mary and Zechariah’s hymns had declared (1:46-55; 67-79). Christ is from the Greek word for Anointed One. This term is indicative of Jesus’ role as the promised Messiah. The term Lord deals with His lordship and authority. The Gospel narrative bears witness to the lordship of Jesus in His earthly ministry.

          Verse 12, the angel gives the shepherds a sign, which implies that he wants the shepherds to go and see the child for themselves. The sign is that when they make their way to the little town of Bethlehem, they will see a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. The sign is not the swaddling cloth, but the baby in the manger. This is the third sign in the infancy narrative (1:19-20, 36). You see, when the shepherds make their way to Bethlehem they will not find the baby in a palace; they will not find the baby in a castle; they will not find the baby in a mansion, but in a manger. The shepherds will not find the child surrounded by outward glory and splendor, but wrapped in swaddling cloth and lying in a manger. This is simply the humility of divine condescension. The angel gives the shepherds this sign not that they may believe him, because they already believe. Rather the angel explains how the shepherds may recognize the baby. Many newborn babies may be wearing swaddling clothes, but only one may be found lying in a manger.

          As if the announcement were not enough, the heavenly choir strikes up in praise to God, giving Him honor for what is taking place. In words intelligible to the shepherds, the angelic host burst into praise on the nature, significance, and consequences of the event of which the heavenly messenger has brought tidings to the shepherds. What has happened, the birth of the Redeemer is the outcome and revelation of the glory of God, for in the coming of Christ the zenith of the divine self-revelation has been reached. Therefore, to God belong the honor and the glory and to Him who is in the highest heaven praise should be accorded for the event. The birth of the Christ bears the richest significance to the world—it brings peace, real peace on earth. When Christ was born some form of external peace was already in place (the pax Romana), “the peace of Rome.” While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from suffering, grief, and envy. The emperor cannot give peace of heart, for which many yearn more than even for outward peace. Through the coming of Christ, however, as the angel’s message depicts, true peace will come on earth.

          Do you have this peace in your heart? This baby born in a humble environment is the source of peace for the human race. He is also the One who brings peace between God and man. There is no real peace apart from Jesus Christ. Yes, Jesus is the Prince of peace. Are you going through some turmoil in your life? Come to the Prince of peace and He will change you and your situation. The angelic praise in verse 14 makes it clear that salvation and its fullness is not automatic for everyone. Only those who respond to God’s grace and follow the path lit by the rising sun will experience the peace into which that path leads (1:78-79).

II. THE SHEPHERDS’ TRIP TO BETHLEHEM VV. 15-17

          As the host of angels ascend to heaven, the shepherds make their way to Bethlehem to see the miraculous birth. The shepherds know that the event has actually taken place, and they realize that it is God who has sent the angel to give them the good news. Today our local and national papers are filled with bad news. National and international news on radio and TV are full of bad news, but the birth of Jesus is the good news for the human race. This Christmas you can be a recipient of this good news when you invite Jesus to come into your life. We hear more about terrorist attacks today; we hear of violence in the Middle East. We hear of the bombing of Afghanistan. We hear more of killings in Syria and bombings in Baghdad but these are not the only news that are going on in the world. Today you and I do not hear of the thousands of people who are being saved and added into the Kingdom of God. When people flood stadiums, convention centers, and churches for crusades and revivals, the numbers of people whose names are added to the Lamb’s Book of Life do not make the headlines.

          Therefore, if you are not a realist and a believer, you may think that all we have going for us is bad news. The outcast, the look-down-upon, the downtrodden, and humble shepherds became the recipients of the good news. One thing you and I do not know is whether the shepherds left their flock under the direct protection of God when they took off to Bethlehem. If you were one of them, would you stay behind to care for the flock? I don’t know about you but I would not stay behind. Upon this angelic visitation I would go to see this special and unique baby whose birth was announced by heavenly messengers.

          When the shepherds get there, they find the child in the manger as the angel has said. Again, God has kept His word. Our God is faithful to His word. God is not like you and me that He should tell a lie. You can bet your life on God’s word. God’s word is His bond. Now do you see what I see in verse 16? Do you see the tremendous contrast? The miraculous announcement of the birth of this baby and the poor humble circumstances in which the shepherds find Him! God’s ways are different from our ways. God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours are. This is no normal setting for the birth of a King; for Jesus’ birth is almost a story of rags of royalty. Importance is not a matter of one’s environment or the supposed status that things bring. Rather, importance is a function of your role in God’s work. Jesus is important not because of the setting of His birth, but because of who He is before God. For one moment, the center of God’s activity resides in animal trough. The dignity of this event comes from the person lying at the center. Sometimes God’s work goes on quietly in hidden places. The Son of God is born in a place of obscurity.

          The shepherds cannot keep this good news to themselves. They share their story with the people present. How long have you been a Christian? When did you tell someone about Jesus Christ? When did you share the good news with a family member, a friend, a coworker, or a neighbor? The shepherds know that this news is too good to keep to themselves. The shepherds respond with obedience and cannot contain themselves from testifying to what God has done in making Jesus’ presence evident to them. Now get this; the shepherds share what God has shown them when they witness the birth of the promised Messiah in the manger. You should also follow where God leads and with grace testify to His direction in your life. When God guides you through trial, a vocational crossroads, or a decision involving a mate, your future, your children, you should be prepared to speak about how God has impacted your life. These shepherds were fresh eyewitnesses and yet, they shared what they had seen and heard. Why are many Christians silent about Jesus? Why do many Christians gossip, but can’t tell others about Jesus Christ? Why are many Christians tight-lipped when it comes to give a testimony to Christ? Are their experience of salvation not real? Why can’t you get excited about Jesus and what He has done for you?

III. THE REACTION OF WITNESSES TO  

THE BIRTH OF JESUS VV. 18-20

          Those who heard the testimony of the shepherds were amazed. The reaction of this miraculous event was that of amazement. A regular response to a divine initiative is amazement, which indicates the impressiveness of what is encountered. In one group, the reaction is astonishment. But Mary treasured all these things in the inner recesses of her being, but she has seen nothing yet and neither have we. God has just begun to reveal the story of His involvement with the human race. Mary did not say anything; she internalized the whole event of Jesus’ birth. The shepherds on the other hand, could not be silenced. They went back glorifying and praising God. In my sanctified imagination, I could see the shepherds dancing and jumping in praise of God. They praised God for the news from the angels. They praised God for what they had seen, just as the angel told them. The news of the birth of Jesus is the best thing that has ever been told men and women, boys and girls. The birth of Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened to the human race—you and me.

          The Good News about Jesus is that He comes to all, including the plain and the ordinary. He comes to everyone with a heart humble enough to accept Him. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you can have Jesus in your life. Don’t think that you need extraordinary qualifications—He accepts you as you are. God is involved not just with the special or the great but with all people. The note of humility surrounding the birth of Jesus issues a major challenge to our contemporary culture where braggadocio and self-promoting is the way of life. Churches can face similar situations. A church can exaggerate her significance by the number of people who attend and the amount of money she has at bank. There are some churches where rich people have special seats. Such churches have backslidden from the teaching of the Bible. How does a church meet the humility test? How do you and I meet the test of humility? The Bible tells us that we are all special and we have a role to play in the body of Christ. Competition is something God abhors. If the Lord is doing something in you, with you, and through you, be careful that you don’t blow your own trumpet. Trumpets are best left in the hands of angels not us.

          The birth of Jesus also demonstrates to us that greatness is not a function of the size of your bank account or your social résumé. Status does not make the person, for God recognizes the quality of the inner person. God did not inform Caesar of Jesus’ birth. The angel did not tell Herod of Jesus’ birth. God did not tell the Sanhedrin of Jesus’ birth. God did not tell the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ birth, but God informed the ordinary shepherds, the despised of the society. The Incarnation displays that the most powerful person ever born entered the world in total simplicity and humility. Simplicity has a divine power all its own. God shows His greatness walking with us where we are, not in elitist isolation and insulation, which is often the way powerful people live in the world.

          In a real sense, the story of Jesus is our story; told to us and for us just as we had been among the angels on that night near Bethlehem. What the angels announced that night to the shepherds is announced on behalf of all humanity. The shepherds’ journey to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus should be every person’s journey to see what God is up to in Jesus. Perhaps after two thousand years of publicity about Jesus, you have taken the amazing involvement of God with us for granted. Now get this, who the baby Jesus was, is nothing compared with who He is. His birth and the testimony surrounding it reveal to us that He was special. But His life, ministry, death, and resurrection secure the fact that He is unique.

THE MIRACULOUS BIRTH AND DEDICATION: A FULFILLMENT OF REVELATION

“THE MIRACULOUS BIRTH AND DEDICATION:

A FULFILLMENT OF REVELATION”

LUKE 2:21-35

INTRODUCTION

          An obstetrician approached an anxious father in a waiting room of a New York City hospital and said, “I am sorry to inform you that your baby lived but two hours after his birth, though we did everything we could to save his life.”

          As the sympathetic doctor was about to leave, the quick thinking father said, “I read only recently that human eyes are needed on corneal operations. Could my baby’s eyes be used to enable someone to see again?”

          The next day the Red Cross carried an eye each to two different hospitals. In one, a corneal graft restored the sight of a working man with a large family. In the other, sight was given to a mother. A baby, who lived only two hours, gave physical sight to a grateful father and a mother.

          Some 2000 years ago, a Babe came into our sin-darkened world to give spiritual sight to all who will receive it without money and without price. At His coming, “the people that walked in darkness saw a great light.”

I. THE CIRCUMCISION OF THE BABY V. 21

          Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day in accordance with Jewish law (Gen. 17:12). He was born under the law to redeem those who were under the law (Gal. 4:4f.). In view of this, Jesus was subjected to the requirements of the law. Circumcision symbolized the Jews’ separation from Gentiles and their unique relationship with God. The actions that Joseph and Mary take are evident that they are people of faith. As devout Jewish parents, they obey the Mosaic Law by subjecting the baby to the law of circumcision. They also call the baby Jesus a name the angel gave before the conception of the baby even took place.

          The emphasis in this verse is the significance of the name Jesus. While there were other Jews called Jesus, none was born of a virgin. None received the name Jesus from an angel of God; and none was conceived of the Holy Spirit, except Jesus of Nazareth. The name Jesus means Jehovah is Salvation. Jesus’ name corresponds with His mission on earth. He has come to save His people. The divine purpose is seen in the name given to the Son of Mary.

I.                  THE PRESENTATION OF THE BABY IN THE TEMPLE VV. 22-24

          Joseph and Mary are law-abiding Jews. They bring their baby to the temple to do the ceremonies required by God’s law. The parents have come to the temple to fulfill three requirements recorded in God’s law (1) The purification of a woman forty days after the birth of a male child (Lev. 12:2-4, 6); (2) The presentation of the first born to God (Ex. 13:2, 12, 16; 34:19; Num. 18:15-16); (3) and the dedication of the first born into the Lord’s service (1 Sam. 1-2). Though this dedication is like many that took place in Israel for centuries, this one is unique because of the call of this child. Prior to the purification, the mother is not free to touch anything sacred or to enter the temple (Lev. 12:1-8). Jesus’ parents bring Him along though that is not necessary. Jewish parents were not bound by any law to bring the child to the temple to observe these ceremonies. The Jewish parents were allowed to go through the ceremonies alone. But in the case of Jesus, they bring Him to the temple. His presence in the temple has a divine and prophetic purpose, but the parents are not aware.

          Joseph and Mary offer a pair of doves or two young pigeons. This offering recalls Leviticus 12:8. Since this offering is the one usually made by the very poor, Jesus is identified with the very poor He reached out to save (Luke1:52; 4:18-19; 6:20; 7:22-23). However, Joseph and Mary do not live in abject poverty, since Joseph is a carpenter (Mk. 6:3). The offering that Joseph and Mary present could be the offering of someone from a middle-class background as well. Regardless of their social status, Luke is making it clear that Jesus parents are not spiritual renegades, but Jews who are faithful and sensitive to the Mosaic Law. This shows that Joseph and Mary have a heritage of devotion to God. While God’s choice of Joseph and Mary was on the basis of grace, the couple was not a dirty vessel, but devoted to God. Jesus is God’s Son, but His earthly parents carry out these ceremonies according to God’s law. Jesus was not born above the law; instead, He fulfilled it perfectly.

III. THE PROPHECY OF SIMEON ABOUT THE BABY VV. 25-35

          When Jesus was born the spiritual condition of the Jews at the time was generally low, but there were some that were genuinely pious and upright, who served God faithfully. These faithful ones were expecting the consolation of Israel—the salvation to come through the Messiah. One of the faithful people in Israel was the devout Simeon.

          As Joseph and Mary proceed, they meet a pious old man, Simeon, in the temple. We are not told of Simeon’s vocation; all we know is that he is righteous and devout (v. 25). Simeon is a commonly used Jewish name, but this Simeon is otherwise unknown. His name appears only here in the entire NT. Yet, he is another witness to Jesus who possesses a vibrant walk with God. In the drama of Jesus’ birth, God includes many people who play important roles. For instance, the shepherds symbolized the average person on the street, while Simeon represents the testimony of a wise elder, who has walked with God. Part of Simeon’s wisdom is that he is looking for the hope of the nation, the consummation of God’s promise. Saints in touch with God’s heart often await expectantly the completion of God’s promises. This revered saint is led to see what the arrival of this child means. The Bible says The Holy Spirit was upon him. This is a continual presence of the Holy Spirit. In the OT times, the Holy Spirit would come upon people on special occasions, but a continuing presence was rare. Simeon’s endowment was something special. The Spirit had indicated to him in some way not specified that he would see the Messiah before his death. This is the way we can distinguish true prophecy from a false one. True prophecy will always be fulfilled no matter how long it tarries. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus’ birth 700 years before it was fulfilled (Is. 9:6-7). Jesus predicted that He would rise again from the dead three days after His death and He did. Jesus promised us that when He ascends to the Father, He will send us the Holy Spirit, and He did on the day of Pentecost. Jesus has promised us of His return. And one of these days He will descend from the clouds and all eyes will see Him.

Simeon, like Zechariah and Mary is expectant that God will deliver Israel. He has not given up believing that God will complete His promise, and his living in light of that hope brings perspective to the present event.

          The Holy Spirit leads an old man to the temple to greet Jesus. The Spirit of God directs this scene because He has revealed to Simeon that death would not come until he has seen the Lord’s Christ. When God promises you something, He will fulfill it. God always directs you to the fulfillment of His promise. He is not a God of confusion or disappointment. Simeon takes the baby Jesus into His arms, and blesses God. Now that this long awaited promise has been fulfilled, Simeon is content to die in peace, because his eyes have seen the salvation of the Lord. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy many of the OT saints and prophets had anticipated. God allows an unknown Simeon to see this splendid prophecy come true. There is something about Simeon that I would like you to notice. It is one thing for the Spirit to come upon a person; it is another to be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Simeon was sensitive to the Holy Spirit as such; he went to the temple as the Holy Spirit directed him. Are you sensitive to the Holy Spirit? Are you in tune with the Holy Spirit? When the Holy Spirit speaks, do you recognize His voice? Do you go where the Holy Spirit leads you? Are you surrounded by all kinds of noises as such when the Holy Spirit speaks, you cannot hear His voice? You and I are to learn to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that we can be in the center of God’s will.

          Simeon praises God and says I am now ready to die. He says my work is finished because I have seen the baby Jesus, who has come as the way of salvation. To see Jesus is to see God’s salvation. They are inseparable. To see Jesus is to see God’s light and revelation. There is joy even in the face of death, when you have seen the way of life. Simeon’s work as a sentinel for the Messiah is done. The Lord can take him home. While some run away from death, Simeon welcomes it. While some plead to God for a second chance, Simeon joyfully invites it. While some bargain with God when it comes time for them to die, Simeon is ready to go to be with his maker. This tells you and me that Simeon was a man who was identified with doing God’s will. His willing surrender to the timing of his death shows his commitment to God’s timing. Here is a servant who seeks to do only what God has called him to do. The timing of his life and death are in God’s hands. Furthermore, having seen Jesus and knowing Him, Simeon is at peace. Everything else in his life pales in comparison. Death is not a terror to the child of God.

          The statement that Simeon makes in verse 29 literally means the freeing or releasing of a slave from a long task after the task is completed. The place where Simeon makes his prophecy is significant to Jewish readers. The temple was the most sacred place for the Jews. Perhaps the high priest and other temple workers heard Simeon’s testimony about Jesus. Simeon says that this salvation is for all peoples. Here he is not referring to universalism—a belief that everybody will be saved whether you believe in Jesus or not. Rather, he is saying that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to the Jews; it includes the Gentiles. Jesus is a light of revelation to the Gentiles, which means that He opens the way of salvation to the nations in a way unknown before His coming. If it were not for Jesus, you and I would have not known the way of salvation, and we would have died in the darkness of sin. Jesus is also glory to Israel, for through Him they would perform their service of ministry to the world. All eyes will be drawn to Israel through what the Messiah achieves. Jesus is the magnet that makes Israel great. When the promises of God come, they come through the Promised One of Israel. Jesus did not come exclusively for the Jews; He came for the Gentiles as well.

          Exclaimed little four-year-old Terrie, “He is not!” Startled, the mother asked, “He is not what, Terrie?” Terrie replied: “That man on the radio said he was going to sing ‘Jesus Is Mine,’ and He is not, because Jesus is everybody’s!”

          This four-year-old is right. Nobody has exclusive claim on Jesus. No one race has a corner on Jesus. Jesus came for all peoples, black and white, yellow and red; all are precious in His sight. Jesus came to provide salvation to every person who gives Him room in his/her heart.

          Verse 33 says Mary and Joseph were amazed at what Simeon said concerning Jesus. The parents are amazed that Simeon knows all these things. Moreover, what Simeon says goes beyond the message of the shepherds. Our God is wise because He gets many and different people involved in the drama of Jesus’ event. God does not reveal everything about the birth and mission of Jesus to one person. He involves several persons. For instance, He involves Elizabeth and Zechariah. God involves the shepherds, Simeon and Anna the prophetess. God also involves the Magi, who were not from Israel. This implies that Jesus has come for all people, races and ethnicity, genders, and people of all ages. That is why I have a strong conviction that nobody has a corner on God. God is prepared to use anyone who surrenders completely to Him.

          Joseph and Mary marvel because when the angel Gabriel made the promise of the conception, Simeon was not there. Joseph and Mary marvel for three reasons. (1) Simeon says that Jesus is a gift from God. (2) Simeon recognizes Jesus as the Messiah; and (3) Simeon says that Jesus will be a light to the entire world. The couple is amazed because what Simeon says is a confirmation of what God has revealed to them and others, example, Elizabeth, Zechariah, and the shepherds. But Simeon has not finished with Mary and Joseph. He adds that the baby Jesus is appointed for the rise and fall of many in Israel, and a sign to be opposed. Simeon is saying that Jesus’ life will be a paradox. In other words, Jesus will be the cause of division. The imagery Simeon uses comes from Isaiah 8:14-15 and 28:13-16. Jesus will split the nation in two. Some will see Him as someone to be opposed. Some will fall because of Him, while others will rise (Malachi 4:2). Some will respond to Jesus but others will oppose Him. People will contend for and against Him. With Jesus, there would be no neutral ground. You either joyfully receive Him or totally reject Him. You are either for Jesus or against Him. You either love Him or hate Him. Tim Tebow has caused quite a stir in the United States because of his love and stance for Jesus and I admire him for his conviction.

          The road to promise-fulfillment is not smooth. The whole story of Jesus’ life is not sweetness and light. Salvation will be purchased at a heavy cost, and Simeon somberly records this. In His earthly ministry, Jesus Himself said that I have come to bring division—a father against his son, mother against her daughter. Unless you lose all pride in your own spiritual achievement, there is no place for you in the life, which Jesus brings. Before you can rise, you must first fall and take the lowly place; then you can rise (Micah 7:8). As a parenthetical thought, Simeon adds, and a sword will pierce your own soul—to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed (v. 35).

          The rejection that Jesus will experience from people will be like a sword that will pierce Mary’s soul. Mary will feel a mother’s pain as she watches her Son go His own way and suffer rejection. But the sword also reflects the pain you and I who have identified with Jesus feel as people reject what Jesus has to offer them. Mary’s soul will feel the severest pain when her Son is nailed to the cross. Ladies and gentlemen identifying with Jesus have painful personal consequences. Even when I preach and teach the word of God and nobody responds, it is sometimes painful, because I know in my heart that not everybody who sits under the sound of my voice knows Christ. There are some of you who are not living right yet you are not prepared to rededicate your life to Jesus Christ. What you are saying indirectly is that you are content with your life. However, deep down your soul you are not content. There is something missing in your life. That missing link is Jesus.

          In effect, Simeon is saying that the suffering of Jesus will not leave Mary untouched. Mary would be grieved by the widespread rejection Jesus would face. This is the first note of sorrow in Luke’s Gospel. All along, the news about Jesus’ birth and mission has been glorious, but now it has a grim element. All the prophecies of Jesus’ birth and mission have been sweet, but now it is sour.

          Ladies and gentlemen, you cannot remain neutral when it comes to Jesus Christ. Jesus is the litmus test of God for where you are. When you see Christ suffer, your reaction shows on which side you are. Since the coming of Christ, the human race has been divided into two; those who believe in Him, and those who do not. My concern is about those who go to church but are indifferent to Jesus Christ. There is no neutral ground when it comes to taking a stand for Jesus Christ. Do you sense the need to depend on God and come to Him to walk in the light, or you don’t? Your response to Jesus reveals where you are before God, just as one day Jesus will reveal where everyone’s heart is (Acts 10:42-43). Young people are you going to take a stand for Jesus in school or are you going to join the crowd who uses His name in vain? Adults are you going to identify yourselves with Jesus or you are going to take a back seat as some of you have always done? Don’t be a chameleon Christian. When you are with other Christians, you behave like one, but when you are with unbelievers, you are one of them. A chameleon changes according to its surroundings. Are you going to share Jesus in the year 2012, or are you going to keep Him to yourself and allow many to die without Christ? Jesus is the great divide between the human race. To receive Him is to have eternal life; to reject Him is to embrace eternal loss and death. The choice is yours to make. Choose Christ and live. And if you have already chosen Him, determine to make Him known to people around you and those you come into contact.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SAVIOR'S BIRTH

LUKE 1:26-38

INTRODUCTION

          I like what Edith Deen says about Mary. “As the mother of Jesus Christ, Mary stands apart from all women in history. In art, music, and literature she has become the embodiment of all that is fine and noble in womanhood. Even to unbelievers she is the subject of adoration. No woman in the entire history of the world has been so honored and revered.

          The world’s most majestic poems, novels, and plays have had Mary and her son as their central figures. In the most magnificent cathedrals she is depicted on canvas, in stained glass windows, in bronze, marble, and stone. Through the centuries the most triumphant hymns and best-loved carols, lullabies, and folk songs have told of her preeminence among women.

          Though she never exalted herself, literature has raised her to the highest pinnacle of any woman in history. Though she never entered a palace, her picture has graced the most magnificent palaces. Though she never traveled to any farther than from Palestine to Egypt, and then by donkey, her story still travels to the farthest corners of the earth.”

          For our time together this morning, I would like us to visit a familiar scene in the Gospel of Luke concerning “The Announcement of the Savior’s Birth.”

I.                  THE SELECTION OF MARY VV. 2-29

During the sixth month, after the angel Gabriel had appeared toZacharias in the temple (verses 5-25), he was again sent by God to the earth. God did not send Gabriel to the house of Caesar. God did not send him to the house of Herod in Jerusalem. He did not send Gabriel to the house of the high priest; neither did God send him to the house of the chairman of the Sanhedrin. Rather, God sent Gabriel to the Galilean village of Nazareth. God sent His angel to an insignificant town or village to an obscure teenager, Mary, who was a virgin, betrothed to a humble carpenter called Joseph. Spiritual greatness is not a matter of social class, monetary clout, or noble background; it is a function of the heart.  God’s approach stands in contrast to the type of credentials our world seeks and honors. External appearances count little in the sight of God.

          Nazareth was situated about seventy miles to the northeast of Jerusalem in a hollow valley of a mountain on the northern side of the plain of Jezereel. Nazareth was surrounded by hills on all sides except on the southern side, so that it could not be seen from the surrounding territory. From the hills around Nazareth one has a very extensive view in all directions. Winding in and out among the hills the great highways from Egypt to Damascus, from Jerusalem to the north, could clearly be seen in the New Testament times, white ribbons of road now floating in the dust of merchant caravans. Towering skyward in the distance were three of the most noted mountains in Scripture—the rounded dome of Tabor, Hermon’s snow clad peak, and the historic heights of Carmel. To this Galilean village Gabriel was sent to the Virgin Mary. God takes the initiative when He sends Gabriel to Galilee. The Scripture says that Mary was a virgin, betrothed to a man called Joseph. Betrothal in the ancient world was a part of two-stage marriage process. Betrothal unlike engagement today could not be broken, except through divorce. 1. The initial phase, the betrothal involved a formal witness agreement to marry and the giving of a bridal price (Mal. 2:14). At this point, the betrothed bride belongs to the groom and could he call his wife. 2. About a year later, the actual marriage followed, and the husband took his wife home. In the first century betrothal could take place starting at age thirteen.

          Mary’s virtuous character is evident; she is described as a virgin. Mary had grown up with a sense of personal responsibility and integrity. We can imagine that as a young girl in Nazareth, Mary was more serious and pious than other girls of her age and more giving to believing in the wonders of God. Yet, she was too humble to think that she will be the center of humankind’s greatest miracle, the birth of the Christ Child. The virgin birth is one mark of superiority for Jesus over John the Baptist. It makes Jesus totally unique. It shows that Jesus was born without sin.

          The angel greets Mary and calls her “highly favored.” The phrase “highly favored” had caused a great controversy in Roman Catholic theology. The term “highly favored” does not mean that Mary confers favor; rather, it means that Mary has received favor. God has given her His free and unmerited favor in a unique measure by choosing her as the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. God’s choice of Mary to bear this child comes from His grace, not from inherent merit that she possesses. Mary is the object of God’s unmerited favor and goodness. Mary brings nothing on her résumé other than her availability and willingness to serve. The words of the angel agitate Mary because she feels that such a greeting is not suitable for her.

II.   THE SANCTITY OF MARY VV. 30-34

          Then, Gabriel, the heavenly bearer of great tidings again reassures the agitated Mary with these words, “Fear not!” That is the same words that Gabriel used to reassure Zacharias (v. 13). As the reason Mary needs not fear, the angel declares once again that God regards and treats her as the special object of His favor. Mary needs no fear because of her humble circumstance and personal unworthiness. God has chosen her in His mercy to bring forth a Son who is to be called Jesus. This is God’s grace, pure and simple. Grace is the result of a magnanimous act of a superior as an expression of favor to an inferior. Here, the superior is God and the inferior is Mary. That is what God’s grace is all about. In Hebrew the name Jesus means, “The Lord is Salvation.” The greatness of Jesus will be different from John the Baptist. Of John it was foretold: “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord.” However, of Jesus it is declared, He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” His greatness will therefore excel everything and everybody. To Him as the One exalted above all, God will give Him the throne of His father David. The throne of David is a symbol of supreme power.

          The announcement of the angel is too overwhelming and incomprehensible to Mary. Unlike Zecharias, Mary does not doubt the veracity of the announcement; neither does she ask for confirmatory sign, but only for light on how God will accomplish this miracle or wonder. Mary asks this question because she is a virgin. She has not known any man. In other words, she was not sexually active. The virginity of Mary is emphasized to reflect the magnitude of the miracle behind the conception.

III.           THE SUBMISSION OF MARY VV. 35-38

          In the news the angel brought from God to Mary, we have an impressive testimony of the divine greatness of Jesus—a greatness completely different from that of any human being. In His existence as a man, Jesus will be of unique origin (v. 35). Born of the Virgin Mary through the overshadowing of the power of the Most High, He will be—as He eternally is—the only begotten of God the Father (v. 32). His God-given name will be Jesus, Savior; for He will save His people. Therefore, He is the one who will appear as the divine Redeemer. Unlike all other human beings, He will be without sin. He will be the holy one in an absolute sense (v. 35). Therefore, He will also be the divine King, who will reign over His spiritual kingdom unto all eternity (v. 34).

To assure Mary of the supernatural nature of the conception, the angel tells her of the pregnancy of Elizabeth, her relative. Elizabeth was barren and advanced in age, but God had healed and revived her womb. She has become pregnant. That revelation was to put Mary’s heart to rest. Then in verse 37, the angel makes one of the most remarkable statements in all of Scripture. “For nothing will be impossible with God.” The angel Gabriel who has been on several missions for God assures Mary that nothing will be impossible with God. Gabriel ("God is Mighty") was the angel that God dispatched to Daniel to tell him that his prayer has been answered (Daniel 8:16 & 9:21). God sent Gabriel to Zacharias and Elizabeth who were both impotent and barren, and have passed childbearing age. God promised that he will give them a son and they were to call him John. Zacharias doubted but the word of God came to pass. The same God has sent Gabriel to Mary this time and the promise will soon become a reality. Perhaps a doctor has declared your situation hopeless, but with God all things are possible. The great Physician can reverse the doctor’s prognosis. What man says it is impossible, God says it is possible. Whose testimony do you believe?

          Mary demonstrates the proper response of anyone who has been called by God with no credentials other than availability and a responsive heart. Mary is the Lord’s servant, and so are you, if you truly know Him. You have the right attitude and perspective to accomplish great things for God if you say: “Use me as You will. I will not refrain from serving because I do not feel qualified or usable.” Behind the availability to service is an attitude that trusts God for direction and empowerment.

          Furthermore, with God there is no need to be plagued with an inferiority complex about how He may use you and what you bring to the task. More than willing to go where God wants to take you is the realization that God can help you to overcome whatever limitation you bring to the effort. There is spiritual strength in faithfulness. Mary is not the only humble mother of Jesus, but also an example of faith in God. Mary paints a portrait of going wherever God leads, knowing that he will supply whatever is lacking.

          When the angel brought the message to Mary, she did not say, “Give me some time to think about it.” Mary did not say, “Let me consult Joseph whether we can go through this together.” Mary knew all the implications that were involved in her affirmative response to Gabriel’s announcement. She knew the gossip that would spread in the town of Nazareth. She knew the eyebrows that would be raised at her. She knew the stare and dirty looks that the town folk will give her. She knew the talk behind her back that would go on in Nazareth. She knew the stigma that would accompany her. Mary consenting to the divine assignment of carrying the holy seed of God in her womb was a risky business. She could be mistaken for an adulteress and stoned to death according to the demand of the Jewish law (Lev. 20:10; Exod. 20:14; John 8:14).

          Nevertheless, Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to your word.” This is no trivial matter. Mary was a young woman of humility, submission, and extraordinary faith. She was willing to commit her life to God’s divine purpose. She was willing to take God at His word and let God handle the outcome.

          Mary’s simple and steadfast faith in God puts many people to shame today. Today, when you present Christ to some people, instead of giving their lives to Him, they say, “We would like to think about it.” God wants to give you the best gift you can ever have. He wants to save you, give His Holy Spirit to live in you, and change your eternal destiny. And all that you can say to God is, “I need time to think over it because I am not ready.” God wants to save people through your testimony, but when the church meets to go on outreach you are nowhere to be found. This small and harmless assignment God has entrusted to you and me, and yet many Christians shy away from it. I thank God that Mary was ready to go on mission with God.

          I have two questions for you today. First, are you available to God? Second, are you ready to receive God's Son into your life? Jesus is the best gift you would ever have. Receive Him as your Lord and Savior this Christmas.

"QUALIFICATIONS FOR KINGDOM CANDIDATES" PART III

MATTHEW 5:9-12

INTRODUCTION

          Last week I promised to give you the historical setting and context to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is the most profound sermon in all of Christian history. There is no sermon ever preached that is comparable to the Sermon on the Mount. As we go through it you will understand what I mean by the uniqueness, power, and beauty of the Sermon on the Mount.

          When Jesus came to the scene the stakes were high and the anticipation of the Jews for the promised Messiah was at its climax. John the Baptist has come to prepare the way with a call to repentance and denunciation of sin. John has assured the people that he is not the Prophet or the Messiah but there is one coming after him “Whose sandals he was not worthy to untie.” Recall that the Romans are controlling the world at that time. Yes, Palestine at that time belongs to the Jewish people, but like Ghana and Nigeria in the early 1950s, the country has been colonized by the Roman Empire. Wherever the Jews go they see these Roman soldiers, and sometimes they are forced to carry the bags of traveling soldiers. The Jews have to pay taxes to the Romans in exchange for better roads. What is even more resentful to them is that their own countrymen are the tax collectors who work for the Roman government.

          About twenty or more Jewish males cannot converge in a market or public place without Roman soldiers coming to disperse them and sometimes harassing them. Yes, they have the freedom to practice their religion, but they don’t have the freedom to govern themselves and they resented these political restrictions. At the height of this political and social tension, Jesus comes to the scene, and John the Baptist introduces Him as the promised Messiah, the One who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. So the crowd floods Jesus with the expectation that He is coming to get rid of the Romans and restore the Davidic Kingdom. After all, King David was the one who conquered all the enemies of the Hebrew people and gave them rest. They have read their own interpretations into the biblical prophecies of the coming Messiah. Thus with this historical background Jesus launches His public ministry and He states the qualifications for being a disciple in His Kingdom. So, the Beatitudes set the context for Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. And through this message the Jewish people will learn that Jesus did not come to expel the Romans but to set up the Kingdom of God in the hearts of men and women, boys and girls. They will learn that Jesus’ Kingdom is very different from what they were expecting. So let’s continue where we left last Sunday.

VII. CONCILIATORY IN SPIRIT V. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.”

          In a world characterized by conflict, rivalry, and war, a keeper of the peace is rare, a peacemaker even rarer. Now if God does not intervene there is a cloud of war forming in the horizon and precious lives would be destroyed. If there were need for peacemakers in our world it is today.

          The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that firefighters in Genoa, Texas, were accused of deliberately setting more than forty destructive fires. When caught they stated, “We had nothing to do. We just wanted to get the red lights flashing and the bells clinging.” The job of firefighters is to put out fires, not start them. The job of Christians is to help resolve conflict not start more of it. Does it look like there is war going on in your life? Does your house look like a war zone where bullets are being fired everywhere? Then you need the Prince of Peace in your life. You need the Prince of Peace in your home. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. When He comes into your life, He brings an end to the enmity between you and God producing true peace. And when He comes into your life, then He can make you a peacemaker. Jesus made peace by the blood of His cross. He achieved this by allowing His own peace to be broken. The disciple is to follow the train of His Savior. God is the supreme Peacemaker and this quality marks out disciples as sons and daughters, for the sons and daughters share the characteristics of the Father. To be a lover of peace is good. To be a promoter of peace is better. They shall be called sons of God.

          How good are you at sowing seeds of peace? You may not be called to ward off international conflict, but you will have opportunities to do something more vital; that is to bring inner peace to troubled hearts. Is your heart troubled today? You can experience the peace of God that comes through the forgiveness of sin through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus modeled peacemaking for us. We see Him cultivating inward harmony through acts of love. He washed the feet of men he knew would betray Him. He had lunch with a corrupt tax collector. He embraced the sinful woman whom society had scorned and rejected. He built bridges by healing hurts. He prevented conflicts by touching the interior. He cultivated harmony by sowing seeds of peace in fertile hearts.

          Do you want to see a miracle? Plant a word of love heart-deep in a person’s life. Nurture it with a smile and a prayer, and watch what happens. Sowing seeds of peace is like sowing beans. You don’t know why it works; you just know it does. Seeds are planted, and top soils of hurt are shoved away. Don’t forget the principle. Never underestimate the power of the seed of peace. The push for power has come to shove. And most of us are either pushing or being pushed. There is a difference between the quest for excellence and the quest for power. The quest for excellence is a mark of maturity, but the quest for power is childish. The Serpent deceived Adam and Eve because of their quest for power. They wanted to be like God. And he continues to deceive many today with the same lie. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God. “Be a power broker,” the Serpent lied, “and you will be like God.” “Be a peacemaker,” the King promised, “and you will be a son of God.” Which would you prefer, to be a king of the mountain for a day, or to be a child of God for eternity? There is a side benefit to Sonship. If you are a child of God, then what does the world have to offer? Can you have any greater title than the one you have? Let me ask you this question: A thousand years from now, will it matter what title the world gave you? No, but it will make a whole lot of difference whose child you are. Can you say you are a son or daughter of God when you go around setting fire in people’s home, people’s marriages, people’s businesses, and people’s life? Jesus says that a son or daughter of God is the one who is a peacemaker and such a person is blessed.

VIII. UNSWERVING IN LOYALTY VV. 10-12 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

          What was done to the Savior will be done to the disciple. But even insult, reviling, injury, and persecution can work blessing—not in the persecution itself but in the divine compensations it brings. The tense of the verb conveys the sense. “Blessed are those who have been persecuted. The blessing is in the results that flow from it. Suffering is the authentic hallmark of Christianity. “Even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed,” said Peter (1 Peter 3:14). But not all persecution is blessed. Sometimes Christians bring it on themselves through unwise and unchristian actions. There are three conditions for persecution to result in blessing from the Lord: First, it must be for righteousness sake, not as a result of fanaticism or tactlessness. Second, the evil speaking must have no basis in fact; it must not be something that is the outcome of your sin or failure. Finally, it must be for Christ’s sake—suffering that arises from our consistent loyalty to Him. Let me give you an example from the New Testament. He was a child of the desert. He had a tanned skin, wore the clothing of animal skins. What he owned in life fit in a pouch. His walls were the mountains and his ceiling the stars, but not anymore. His frontier is walled out, his horizon hidden. The stars are memories; the fresh air is all but forgotten. And the stench of the dungeon reminds the child of the desert that he is now a captive of the king. Who is this person?

          In anyone’s book, John the Baptist deserves better treatment than this. After all, isn’t he the forerunner of the Christ? Isn’t he a relative of the Messiah? At the very least, isn’t his the courageous voice of repentance? But most recently that voice, instead of opening the door of renewal, has opened the door to his prison cell.

          John’s problems began when he called the king on the carpet. On the trip to Rome, King Herod succumbed to the enticements of his brother’s wife, Herodias. Deciding Herodias was better off married to him; Herod divorced his wife and brought his sister-in-law home. The gossip columnists were fascinated, but John the Baptist was infuriated. He pounced on Herod like a desert scorpion, denouncing the marriage for what it was, adultery.

          Herod under guilt might have let John get away with it, but not Herodias, the Jezebel of the NT. This steamy seductress wasn’t about to have her social ladder removed. She doesn’t want her social climbing exposed. She persuaded Herod to have John the Baptist thrown into the dungeon. Herod was reluctant to execute that plan but Herodias was persistent. Herod procrastinated but Herodias was insistent. Then Herod gave in to her wish. But that wasn’t enough for the mistress.

          She arranged for her daughter to strip-dance before the king and his generals, who were drinking their hearts out in a stag party. Herod, who was easily duped as he was aroused promised to do anything for the pretty strip dancer. “Anything?” “You bet.” You name it and it would be yours. She had a brief conference with her mother, Herodias, who was waiting in the wings. Then she returned with her request. “I want John the Baptist.” “You want a date with the prophet?” I want his head, replied the dancer. On a nod from her mother, she added, “On a silver platter, if you don’t mind.” The king responded, you want what? Herod then, turned and looked at the faces around him. He wished he could retract his promise. He wished he could eat his word. He knew the request wasn’t fair, but he also knew everyone was looking at him. He had given his word. His word is his bond. He had promised her anything. He could have said no, but he valued the opinion polls more than he valued John’s life. So he concluded, after all what is more important, to save face or save the neck of an eccentric prophet? Therefore, John the Baptist’s head was separated from his shoulders and brought on a silver platter to the stripped-teased dancer.

          John dies because of Herod’s lust. The good man is murdered while the bad smirk. A man of God is killed while a man of lust is winking at his niece. Is this how God rewards His anointed? Is this how God honors His faithful ones? Is this how God crowns His chosen, with a dark dungeon and a shiny blade? The inconsistency was more than John could take. Even before Herod reached his verdict, John was asking his questions.

          “When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples to ask Him, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” (Matt. 11:2-3). Note what motivated John’s question. It was not just the dungeon or even death. It was the problem of unmet expectations; the fact that John was in deep trouble and Jesus was conducting business as usual. Why are many people flocking to false teachers and prophets today? Why do the cults have many followers today? Why is pornography very attractive today? Why is pornography a multi-million dollar industry today? Why would a lady living in a mansion involve herself with a person who lives in a ghetto? They are all because of unmet expectations.

          In his mind John was asking, is this what Messiahs do when trouble comes? Is this what God does when His followers are in a bind? Jesus’ silence was enough to chisel a leak into the dam of John’s belief. Are you the one or have I been following the wrong Lord? Are you the one, or have I been deceived? Have you asked a similar question in your own suffering?

          Such questions are asked anytime the faithful suffer the consequences of the faithless. Anytime a person takes a step in the right direction, only to have her feet knocked out from under her, anytime a person does a good deed but suffers evil results, anytime a person takes a stand, only to end up flat on his face. The questions fall like rain: “If God is so good why do I hurt so badly?” If God is really there, why am I here?” “What did I do to deserve this?” “Did God slip up this time?” “Why are the righteous persecuted?”

          Disappointment demands a change in command. That is why the cults are popular today. Clouds of doubts are created when the warm moist air of our expectations meet the cold air of God’s silence. Before I conclude, I want you to listen to Jesus’ response to John’s inquiry (Matt. 11:4-6). Are you disappointed with Christ? Do you expect all your rewards here? You may learn as John did, that the problem is not much in God’s silence when you suffer unjustly for Christ as it is in your ability to hear what He is saying to you. Ladies and gentlemen, we are not yet home. I wish I had time to expound to you what heaven would be.


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THE DISCIPLES' INFLUENCE IN A TWISTED WORLD

MATTHEW 5:13-16

INTRODUCTION

          Charles Colson and several other Christian leaders once met with President Borja of Ecuador to discuss prison Fellowship International’s ministry in Ecuadorian penitentiaries. They had no sooner been seated in luxurious leather chairs than the President interrupted the conversation with the story of his own imprisonment years before being elected to the presidency.

          He had been involved in the struggle for democracy in Ecuador. The military cracked down, and he was arrested. Without trial, they threw him into a cold dungeon with no light and no window. For three days he endured the solitary fear and darkness that can drive a person mad.

          Just when the situation seemed unbearable, the huge steel door opened, and someone crept into the darkness. Borja heard the person working on something in the opposite corner. Then the figure crept out, closed the door, and disappeared.

          Minutes later the room suddenly blazed with light. Someone, perhaps taking his life into his hands, had connected electricity to the broken light fixture. “From that moment,” explained President Borja, “my imprisonment had meaning because at least I could see.”

          Even more important than the light we see with our eyes is the light that Christ brings to our hearts, giving our lives the understanding and meaning only He can give.

I.      BELIEVERS WHO PENETRATE AND PROVIDE

     FLAVOR TO THE WORLD V. 13

          In light of the counter-cultural perspectives which Jesus teaches in the Beatitudes, it would be easy to assume that Jesus was calling His disciples to a life of isolation and disconnection from the world. Here Jesus proclaims precisely the opposite. The medieval times or the Middle Ages were rightly called the “Dark Ages” when many of the Christians built monasteries and became monks. They concluded that there was too much sin in the world. Therefore, it was better for them to retreat from the world and live separate lives. This has become the standard practice of some contemporary cults in the world. But how wrong they are. Even in His High priestly prayer, Jesus prayed to His Father saying, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15).

          In order for the disciples of Christ to impact and influence their world for Christ, Jesus uses two metaphors to describe them. What is a metaphor? A metaphor is a comparison of two different objects by the use of direct assertion. The first metaphor that Jesus uses for those of us who are His genuine disciples is salt. In the biblical times salt served many useful purposes. It was used as a condiment to season food (Job 6:6). It was used to preserve food from being spoilt (Exodus 30:35). Because of its medicinal values, newborn babies were bathed in it and rubbed with it (Ezek. 16:4). Some pacts or covenants were sealed with the gift of salt (Numb. 18:19; 2 Chron. 13:5). Salt symbolized loyalty, commitment, and fidelity.

          Jesus is therefore teaching us that if we are to be His disciples then we are to be the spiritual seasoning and the flavoring element in a pagan world that has lost its way. Not only that but we are also to be life-saving element in a spiritually decaying society. In other words, Christians must permeate society as agents of redemption. We are to arrest corruption and prevent moral decay in a world gone awry. What influence are you having on people in your circle of friends? What impact are you making in your world?

          Salt also has the capacity to create thirst, and has the idea of purity. When you and I live an exemplary Christian life we create a thirst among non-believers for the higher life in Christ. If we are to make impact in our world we must preserve our distinctive character as undefiled disciples of Christ. Jesus is saying that true disciples of His cannot lose their effectiveness. The danger lies in a salt that has lost its flavor. The moral failures of Christians and the politicizing of Christian causes are but two of the many reasons people perceive the church to be insipid and useless. If there are bickering and hostility among those who claim to be the followers of Jesus Christ, then the Christian community has become defiled. If you claim to be a believer and you make no effort to affect the world around you, you are of little value to Jesus Christ. If there is no distinction between the way you live your life and people of the world, if you are too much like the world, you are worthless to Christ. You should not blend with everyone else. Instead you should affect others positively. The positive qualities of your life should rub on others as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.

          While it is true that persecution is inevitable for faithful disciples of Christ, it is also evident in the Book of Acts that the Christians turned the world upside down for Christ. The positive influence of the Christian community could not be denied wherever they went. Do others recognize you as a Christian? If your coworkers, classmates, and business associates were here could they testify that you are a Christian? It was said of the commander of the astronaut crew of the Columbia spacecraft that he signed his autograph with Proverbs 3:5-6. This was a man who was not ashamed to identify himself as a believer. Are you a secret Christian? Secret Christians do not make any impact in their world. They are like salt that has lost its flavor. It is good for nothing. We live in a world where people are always trying to change the moral standards. We live in a world where people are always pushing the envelope to see how much they can get out with it, but Christians are to be moral and spiritual disinfectant in an immoral and corrupt world. However, believers who fail to arrest corruption in our world become worthless as agents of change and redemption. Christians may make peace with the world and avoid persecution, but we become impotent and useless to fulfill our ordained role. And the sad thing is that the corrupt world with which we have sought compromise will eventually reject us.

II. BELIEVERS WHO SHINE IN A DARK WORLD VV. 14-16

          In verses 13 and 14 the pronoun “You” is emphatic and contrastive. It is also plural. In other words, Jesus was not speaking to a single disciple or a few of the disciples. He was speaking to all His disciples, the then and the now. He was saying, you, “My followers and none others” are the light of the world. The next metaphor that Jesus uses is light. I think that when Jesus said that the disciples are the light of the world, they were more startled than when He declared them to be salt. For all ancient people revered light and saw darkness as dangerous and foreboding. Light and darkness had darkness and mysterious dimensions about them and symbolized good and evil. Light and darkness also symbolized knowledge and ignorance. Light and darkness depict truth and error. Light symbolizes divine revelation and presence, while darkness depicts reprobation and abandonment by God. Obviously the primary purpose of light was, and is, to illuminate. Since Jesus is the Light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5), so also are His disciples to reflect that light. If Jesus is the fluorescent light, we are the incandescent light. If Jesus is the lamp, we are the candles of the world. If Jesus is the sun, we are the moon. The purpose of light is to illuminate so that we can see and walk without falling into a ditch.

          Centuries ago in England lanterns were hung in some of the church staples at night. They were also hung in front of homes. When the lantern was missing or had gone out, the night watchman would cry, “Hang out your light, or “Light your lantern.” The lighted lanterns helped to guide those walking at night through London’s fog and darkness. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”  Lights are made for dark places. Jesus has made you light so that you will bring others to His Light. But many Christians have hidden their lights under tables. Jesus did not save you to hide your identity from the world. You are a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. Often the city built on a hill was built with white limestone that gleamed in the sun and could not easily be hidden. If that is the case why is it that only a few Christians are sharing their faith? If that is the case why is it that only a few Christians are witnessing to others about Christ? Today we live in fear of war and terrorism. Many Christians are constantly praying that we will not go to war or terrorists will not attack United States again. While I applaud such prayers, my concern, however, is how many are sharing the good news of Christ? How many are becoming true light to illuminate this present world of darkness? The apostle Paul captures the essence of Jesus’ declaration here on the Sermon on the Mount when he recounts his mission to the Gentiles (Acts 26:17-18). The caution is that in your effort to be an influence on others, make sure you do not call attention to yourself. You should let your light shine before the rest of the world so that others may praise God. You do not go out there to parade your own attributes and say to the world look at me. There are some Christians who draw attention to themselves instead of pointing others to Jesus Christ. And they wonder why the people they invite to church do not stay. They wonder why their impact on others does not last long. Your duty as a believer is to shine so that others may see your good works and glorify God, not you. Do you sing your own praises, or do you sing the praises of God? There is a whole lot of difference between the two. Notice that the good deeds of Christians are to draw attention and praise to God and not the Christian. If done for self-glory, then the deeds do not glorify the heavenly Father. Christians not only do the right things, but they do them in the right spirit for the right purpose.

          We are not called to control secular power structures; neither are we promised that we can Christianize the legislation and values of the world. But we must remain active preservative agents, indeed irritants, in calling the world to heed God’s standards. We dare not form isolated Christian enclaves to which the world pays no attention.

          A Christian girl found it difficult to be true to her Christian principles where she worked. One day she told her pastor about it. “Where do you put lights? In a bright place?” “Why, no,” she said, “in a dark place, to make it light.” Then she saw that the Lord has put her in those difficult surroundings, and she resolved to be faithful and let her light shine. Students let your light shine in school and you will have the opportunity to point other students to Christ. The first people who made impression on my life for Christ were not pastors. They were twin brothers in my school. Their Christian life was vibrant and contagious. One of them was my classmate. He took interest in me and we became close friends. It was through them that I started going to church and was eventually saved. It is only as Christ lives within our hearts and radiates His grace and love through us that we can be the light of the world. The best way for you to evaluate your Christian life is to ask the question, “Am I allowing Christ to radiate His light through me?” Is my life winsome and attractive? Christians who shine like light are conspicuous in our witness and penetrate the darkness.

          Let me ask you a question: “Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill?” Its lights can be seen at a distance. If you live for Christ, you will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. One of the ways you hide your light is by being quiet when you should speak for Christ. Many Christians can participate in politics, social chitchats, business transactions, and all kinds of arguments, but when it comes to the most important thing of sharing Christ with others their lips are sealed. They begin to give excuses like Moses, who said to the LORD “I am slow of speech.” Some of you are like that. When it comes to a topic or subject of your interest you emerge as the most eloquent lecturer, but when it comes to sharing your faith all of a sudden you are stricken with a disease of the cleft pallet that you cannot open your mouth. Some too, hide their light by going along with the crowd, whether the crowd is marching straight to hell or not. Some also let sin dim the light that Christ has given to them. If your light is covered with dirt and particles that blur its illumination what do you do? You cleanse them. You do the same thing when sin comes into your life by confessing and asking God for forgiveness. Don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world. Shine for Jesus wherever you may be.

          This reminds me of the children’s chorus. “This little light of mine I will let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.” Let your light shine and don’t hide it under a bushel.