"Walking with God" - Doug Rehberg

In his book, The Magnificent Defect, Frederick Buechner writes: “For what we need to know, of course, is not just that God exists, not just that beyond the steely brightness of the stars there is a cosmic intelligence of some kind that keeps the whole show going, but that there is a God right here in the thick of our day-by-day lives who may not be writing messages about Himself in the stars but in one way or another is trying to get messages through our blindness as we move around down here knee-deep in the fragrant muck and misery and marvel of the world.  It is not objective proof of God’s existence that we want but the experience of God’s presence.  That is the miracle we are really after, and that is also, I think the miracle that we really get.”  And to that, I think we’d all agree.

Several decades ago Brennan Manning was conducting a three-day silent retreat for some women in Virginia Beach, Virginia.  As the retreat opened, Manning met briefly with each woman and asked them to write on a sheet of paper the one grace that they would most like to receive from the Lord.  A married woman from North Carolina, about 45-years-old, with an impressive biography of prayer to God and service to others, said that more than anything else she’d actually like to experience, just one time, the love of God.  And when Manning heard it he assured her that he’d join her in that prayer.

The following morning this woman got up early, before anyone else, and headed to the beach less than fifty yards from the house.  As she walked along the sand on the seashore, with the chilly waters lapping up against her feet and ankles, she noticed some one-hundred-yards down the beach was a teenage boy walking in her direction, followed closely by a woman about her age.  In less than a minute the boy had passed by to her left, but the woman, seconds later, made an abrupt ninety-degree turn, walked straight toward her, wrapped her arms around her, kissed her on the cheek and whispered, “I love you.”  She had never seen this woman in her life.  Within less than twenty seconds the stranger turned and walked away.  The woman from the retreat continued her walk for another hour before returning to the house.  When she arrived, the first thing she did was walk to Brennan’s room and knock on the door.  When he answered she was smiling and said, “Our prayer was answered!”

This week we begin a new, 13-week series called, “The Signature of Jesus.”  And our intent is to examine in considerable detail the profound truth of Jesus’ presence in our lives.  Indeed the whole of the New Testament points to the power of the risen Christ in the lives of all believers.  In short, He writes His signature on our lives.

We’ve selected a theme text for the series from the Old Testament.  It’s from the prophet Micah, Chapter 6:  “He had  told you, o man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”  And it’s only in Christ that anyone is able to do that.  Thus, we begin this first Sunday of the Fall Grove Semester with a message entitled, “Walking with God.”  How is it that we are to walk with Him?  What shape does such a walk take?  What evidence is there that we are walking with Him?  And how will walking with Him produce through us justice and kindness?  There are a number of wonderful answers that we begin to examine this week.  In preparation for Sunday you may wish to consider the following:

 

1.      What did Jesus mean when He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you?”

2.      How is Jesus’ call in Matthew 4:18-22 a recapitulation of Micah 6:8?

3.      What was the nature of God’s charge against His people in Micah 6:1-5?

4.      What does Micah 6:6-7 say about our basic tenderness toward God?

5.      How could you build a case from Scripture that walking with God is the essence of life?

6.      How do justice and kindness flow from walking with Him?

7.      What does it mean to walk humbly with God?

8.      In what ways are we to humble ourselves?  (See Romans 3:10-12; Romans 5:6; Isaiah 29:13-16; Romans 9:14-23)

9.      Who is G.K. Chesterton?

10.  What did C.S. Lewis learn from him?

See you Sunday for the beginning of “The Signature of Jesus.”

"Rest from Your Labor" - Tim Williams

On a recent road trip through Ohio my grandson and I pulled into a couple of rest areas.  The facilities were appreciated along with the opportunity to stretch, take a break from driving and check out the vending machines.

Periodic rest stops on a trip are often helpful as are rest periods in our lives.  They can take the form of vacations, slowing our schedules, or just taking a nap.  Preaching on Mark 6:31 (KJV), "Come ye yourselves apart and rest awhile," evangelist Vance Havner said, "Come apart or you'll come apart." Rest periods are important even in the Bible!

In Genesis God rested on the 7th day after 6 days of creating the world.  I don't believe God was tired, but in doing so He set a pattern for us.  In the 4th Commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) the Israelites were told that the Sabbath day was holy and no work was to be done.  God intended that no person or work animal should labor on that day but have a day of rest.  Travel and meal preparation were limited as well to insure rest.  Extremists took the point of Sabbath rest too far in that they wouldn't even allow emergency help or acts of compassion to be performed.  (Jesus rebuked such misunderstanding with His teaching that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath).  God even required the Israelites to give their farmland every 7th year off for rest. (Exodus 23:10)

Not only do we need physical rest periods but emotional ones as well.  The Bible speaks of "being still" as we lay our fears and frustrations aside and rest in the love, wisdom, and power of the Lord. (Psalm 37:4; 46:10)  Emotional rest can also come as we pause from concentrating so hard to figure it all out and take a moment to do something we purely enjoy or appreciate a moment of beauty, quietness, or humor.

In our text today, Jesus speaks of spiritual rest for our souls.  What a joy to realize we can't earn our salvation but that we can rest in the finished work of Christ to save us. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:25)  What a delight to know that even when we don't know the future or life brings the unexpected, that we can be led of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 8:14)  What a peace to know that even when the world seems to be "out of control" that God's Word teaches us of His sovereign plan. (Proverbs 19:21) What a blessing to know that following the will of Christ brings greater rest to our heart, mind, and conscience than any worldly pathway. (Matthew 11:30)  What an encouragement to know that our future in Heaven provides permanent rest from the heartaches, hurts, struggles, and sins of this life. (Revelation 21:4)

See you Sunday.  (Just don't rest too much during the sermon!)

1.      Read about that first day of rest.  Genesis 2:2-3

 

2.      What is the intended result of rest?  Exodus 23:12

 

3.      Ancient Israel often failed to give the land the rest God commanded in Exodus 23:10. What was the final result of that?  2 Chronicles 20:21

4.      Where can we find peace and rest?  Jeremiah 6:16; Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-7

 

5.      Note some of the rest periods of Jesus.  Matthew 14:13a; Mark 4:38; John 4:6

 

6.      In our text Jesus speaks of wearing His yoke (worn by an animal working to pull a plow or wagon) and yet having rest for our souls rest.  How do these 2 concepts work together?

7.      How does Jesus indicate completion of His work of salvation?  Hebrews 1:3

8.      Study Hebrews 4:1-11...a fascinating passage about spiritual rest.

"The Pharisee, the Publican, and the Prophet" - Doug Rehberg

One of the great servants of Jesus and His Gospel was Jack Miller of Philadelphia.  Jack taught practical theology at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia and was founder of World Harvest Mission and New Life Presbyterian Church.  Someone has summed up Jack’s theology this way:  “Cheer up; you’re a lot worse than you think you are, but in Jesus, you’re far more loved than you could have ever imagined.”

I have a lot of friends who run in conservative political and theological circles, including one man who describes himself as “right of Genghis Khan”.  Back in the 1990s he was speaking to a large crowd of conservative Christians and he was saying how angry the exploits of President Clinton had made him.  As soon as he said it the audience erupted in applause.  “No, no,” he said.  “You don’t understand.  I’m not talking about Monica.  The thing that really bothers me about the President is the way he has given so many Christians the opportunity to be self-righteous.  We had a great opportunity to say, ‘Given the right opportunity and that much power, it could have been me.  I’m just like the President – seriously needy and sinful.  But let me tell you about Someone who loves me anyway.  In fact, He loves me because of my failures and failings.  He came to save me because of all my junk.  And the good news is that he came to save you for the same reason.’  You see, we blew a wonderful opportunity big time!”

The truth is, it doesn’t take much for any of us to move in the direction of self-righteousness.  And it’s against self-righteousness that Jesus railed time and time again. The reason is plain – there’s always a choice – will I trust in His righteousness or my own?

For weeks this summer we have been exploring the implications of Jesus’ post-resurrection Bible study; it’s the one in which He said, “All the Scriptures speak of me.”  And we’ve seen Him in  the story of David and Goliath and in the story of Joseph and his brothers.  We’ve seen how the words of the law and the prophets speak of Him.  But what about the writings in the Book of Proverbs?  For most, they are simply a compendium of moral statements and axioms.  How do we see Jesus in all the Proverbs?

This week we’ll focus on Proverbs 17:15, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.”  If I had to guess I’d say that everyone who reads those words immediately has the same thought – “It’s talking about the crooked scoundrels who call evil good and good evil.  It’s talking about what we see all around us today – defining deviance down.  Anything goes these days.”

But to see only that is to miss Jesus.  In fact, when you take this proverb and place it against  Luke 18, you suddenly discover that the words of the proverb are the best good news you’ve ever heard!  It’s just as Jack Miller said!  It’s just as Bill Clinton proved.  And this Sunday we’re going to talk about it.

In preparation for Sunday’s message and the Lord’s Table, you may wish to consider the following:

1.      How do you measure the purity of a church?

2.      What are the links between the two parables Jesus tells at the beginning of Luke 18?

3.      Why does the judge finally relent to the widow’s demands?  (Luke 18:4-5)

4.      What does the Bible tell us about our responsibility to widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor?

5.      What is the connection between the Pharisee in parable # 2 and the judge?

6.      How does the Pharisee display self-righteousness?

7.      How does the tax collector display a lack of self-righteousness?

8.      How is the tax collector justified?

9.      What do you think is a bigger problem in the church today – cheap grace or cheap law?

10.  How does the cross demonstrate the truth of Proverbs 17:15?

See you at the table this Sunday!

"Taking Another Look at Our Joseph" - Doug Rehberg

What do Paul Azinger, Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, R.C. Sproul, the Egyptian Pharaoh, and Joseph have in common?  Answer:  Sunday’s sermon.

The late Mexican novelist, Carlos Fuentes, though no friend of Christianity, wrote of the “epochal shift” in the theology for native cultures in the Spanish Conquest:  “One can only imagine the astonishment of the hundreds and thousands of Indians who asked for baptism as they came to realize that they were being asked to adore a God who sacrificed himself for men instead of asking men to sacrifice themselves to the gods, as the Aztec religion demanded.”

The good news of the Gospel is such stupendously good news because God completely and perfectly fulfills what His holiness requires.  Christ sacrificed Himself for men and thus God’s law which required perfect, unremitting obedience was thoroughly fulfilled.  The law of the Holy God allowed no exceptions, no mitigating circumstances, no discounts, no rebates, no compromise, no grace.  The law bluntly pronounces the bad news: blessings if we obey and curses if we fail to obey (Deut. 27-28).  And we all miserably fail to obey.

But that’s where the good news comes to our rescue.  Paul declares that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Rom. 10:4).  Christ took our place.  He paid our legal debt.  He bore our guilt and punishment on Himself.  He gave to us (imputed) what God’s holy perfection required of us, what we were utterly incapable of offering – perfect obedience.  And all of this is based on Christ’s perfect performance, not ours.  As Tim Keller writes, “It’s not only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that you get the verdict before the performance.”  By the grace of the Gospel, performance will follow, but in justification the verdict is already in: we are forever righteous in Christ.  And that’s immeasurably good news!

Now many of us know these things with our head.  Many of us have heard this truth of the Gospel for years.  And yet, what is clear to me, in my own life, is that what’s comprehended by my head often dissipates substantially before reaching the heart.

Last week Tim preached a message entitled, “E is for Evangelist”.  And in it he talked at length about the role of the evangelist in presenting the good news of the Gospel by which we are saved.  And yet, for so many Christians the trouble is not that they’re unsaved, the trouble is that they haven’t gone very far in realizing just how much!

Someone has said, “The principle problem for Christians in living the Christian life is their inattention to the goodness of the Gospel.  They fail to grasp the amazing scope of His grace because they fail to hear of it, to read it, to think of it.”  This Sunday I want us to read, hear, and think about the magnitude of His grace by taking another look at our Joseph.

Remember, two weeks ago we were looking at Joseph and his brothers at the end of the biblical account – Genesis 50.  And in that look we saw Jesus!  What Joseph does there is exactly what Jesus did for us.  He doesn’t punish his brothers he saves them by a flood of overwhelming grace.

This week I want to go back in the story to Genesis 45 where Joseph reveals his true identity to his brothers.  For here, in Joseph’s words to his brothers, he clearly and powerfully articulates some of the same features of divine grace we too have received.  Here again, Joseph is just like Jesus.  We are just like those brothers.  And interestingly, Pharaoh is a lot like God the Father.
In preparation for Sunday’s message, “Taking Another Look at Our Joseph,” (Genesis 45:16-28), you may wish to consider the following:

1.       Why does Paul reference Isaiah 52:7 in Romans 10:15 when he’s talking about preaching the Gospel?

2.       What is the meaning of Isaiah’s words?

3.       What would you say if you were to ask someone, “Are you saved?” and they replied, “From what?”

4.       What is meant by the statement:  “The trouble with most Christians is not that we’re unsaved, it’s that we just don’t know how much.”

5.       Why would Pharaoh extend all those privileges to Joseph’s brothers and father and all their households?

6.       What does Pharaoh mean when he says through Joseph, “Leave all your stuff behind.” (v. 20)

7.       What is the significance of the clothes and the money in verse 22?

8.       How important are the wagons or carts sent from Pharaoh to Jacob?

9.       How is every one of these benefits a response to the sin of the brothers against Joseph?

10.   How is a deeper appreciation of all our Joseph has done an antidote to every problem we have?

See you Sunday!

E is for Evangelist

It is almost here! For the last 2 years many Christians in the Pittsburgh area have been preparing for the Festival of Hope. This 3 day event (August 15-17) at the Consol Energy Center is focused on bringing individuals into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Billy Graham EVANGELISTIC Association is the lead on the event and Franklin Graham is the EVANGELIST. Just what do the words evangelist and evangelistic mean?

The word Gospel is "euangelion" in the Greek language of the original New Testament writing and means "good news". It can be translated into English as the "Evangel". Consequently, to be an evangelist is to be a messenger of the good news. To be evangelistic is to be focused on sharing the good news and to evangelize is to actually communicate the good news.

In our text we are taught that the Lord gave some people the gift of being an evangelist. Apostles are foundational to the whole church, prophets have special messages from the Lord, pastors and teachers instruct local congregations while evangelists travel to various places to share the good news of Jesus. Often these places are where there is little or no gospel influence. Many commentators equate evangelists with missionaries. In today's Christian world the evangelist is often seen as someone who works with local churches to proclaim the Gospel to unbelievers with the goal of conversion. An evangelistic church is one that has a focus not only on instructing the saints and doing good works in the community but also concerned that unbelievers come to a personal faith in Jesus.

We meet one individual in the Scripture who is identified specifically as an evangelist. This is Phillip in Acts 21:8. We see Phillip travelling from Jerusalem to Samaria to the desert to the sea coast preaching Jesus wherever he went. Though Timothy is considered a pastor, Paul instructs him to do the work of an evangelist in 2 Timothy 4:5. This would indicate that we should be sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving grace right where we are.

This is what we sometimes call personal evangelism. We may not be an evangelist but we can share/show the Gospel in various ways to those around us who do not know the Lord.

See you Sunday!

1. If someone were to ask you what an evangelist is...what would you answer?

2. The church of Jesus was evangelistic early on. Read Acts 8:1-4. Who is out preaching the word? So is evangelism just for the "preachers" (compare vv.1 + 4)?

3. We see some evangelistic folk in John 1.In other words, folk who wanted their loved ones and friends to meet Jesus. Who were they? John 1:40-42; 44-47

4. What are some ways we can share the good news that Jesus saves with others?

5. What prayer request for evangelism did Paul have in Colossians 4: 2-4

6. Can we share in evangelism by providing support for evangelists/missionaries/evangelistic pastors and teachers? 1 Corinthians 9: 14; Philippians 1:5 + 4: 16, 17

7. Who shared the good news of Jesus with you as our Lord brought you to salvation? Have you had the joy and privilege of sharing the good news of Jesus in some way with someone else?

 

"Seeing the Big Picture" - Doug Rehberg

The HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers” follows a company of U.S. paratroopers through the preparation and experience of invading Europe on D-Day.  Based on real-life interviews of survivors, the series captures both the intensity of war and the heroism of the troops.

In one scene, immediately after the paratroopers hit the ground in France, Lieutenant Winters and Private Hall wander through the countryside before meeting up with the rest of the Americans.  The private radiates fear and insecurity because he lacks the exact knowledge of where he is.  The lieutenant, however, speaks with a calm confidence coming from his careful study of the maps and from the maturity of his training.  He sees the big picture, and following his leadership, they soon find their other comrades and make it to the rendezvous point with the rest of the Americans.

 

Here’s the conversation Winters and Hall have as they walk through a dark, sparse forest with the echo of gunfire in the distance:

The private asks, “Do you have any idea where we are, sir?”  “Some,” says Lieutenant Winters.  “I need your help to locate some landmarks to get our bearings.  Keep your eyes peeled for buildings, farmhouses, bridges, and roads.”  “I wonder if the rest of them are as lost as we are?”  “We’re not lost, Private.  We’re in Normandy!”

Every one of us has been like that private.  And nothing reduces us to that status any more than brokenness.  It may be physical brokenness.  It may be relational and emotional.  It may be any number of other deprivations.  But what is common in the midst of our affliction is an inability to see the big picture.

This week we are going to re-examine one of the choice passages in all of Scripture in which the myopia of Joseph’s brothers runs headlong into his big picture perspective.  Indeed, Derek Kidner, in his commentary on the last chapter of Genesis, notes that what we find in Joseph’s big picture perspective is the clearest, most unvarnished presentation of biblical faith in all of the Scriptures.  For here in the wake of his father’s death, the brothers who had betrayed Joseph, the brothers who repeatedly seek after their own selfish desire are scared to death of what Joseph would now do to them.  So they make up a lie and transmit it to Joseph through a messenger.  They say, “Your father…”  Now get that!  He’s their father too, yet they say, “Your father gave strict orders before he died that you were to forgive us…”

And yet in the face of his brother’s dereliction and fear, Joseph exhibits in the essence of the true faith.  Kidmer calls it the pinnacle of faith.  Joseph makes three statements that reflect the power of the Holy Spirit on his life.  Indeed, Kidner is right.  There is no greater synthesis of godly trust than the three declaratives Joseph makes in the face of his troubled brothers.

These three declarations are not the product of radical spontaneity.  They are, rather, the product of a life lived on the battlefield of torment, in justice, abuse, and loss.  Like that lieutenant, Joseph knows exactly where he is.  He knows exactly where his brothers are.  And his declarations reveal it.

In preparation for Sunday’s message, “Seeing the Big Picture”, you may wish to consider the following:

1.      Briefly review Joseph’s life from chapter 37 when he’s sold into slavery by his brothers.

2.      How long is Joseph away from his brothers?

3.      How does God use the sin of his brothers’ betrayal for His purposes?

4.      How does God use the death of Jacob for his purposes?

5.      How long does Jacob live in Egypt before he dies?

6.      Why do the brothers doubt Joseph’s forgiveness in the face of their father’s death?

7.      What three things does Joseph say in the face of his brothers’ lie and fear?

8.      What is he saying in verse 19?

9.      What is he saying in verse 20?

10.  What is he saying in verse 21?

11.  How do these three declarations demonstrate the pinnacle of biblical faith?

12.  How able are you to say them and mean them?

See you Sunday!

"A Cup of Cold Water" - Tim Williams

Have you ever been really thirsty for a drink of water?  Seems like there is nothing else that quenches our thirst like water.  A drink of water is not only refreshing but actually a necessity! Experts say you can only live a few days without water.  Interestingly, a drink of water is often offered as a courtesy as well.  Many restaurants provide a glass of water with your meal (at no cost) and often when you visit someone's home or business they offer you a choice of beverages including water.  So many public places have water fountains and so many businesses have a water cooler.  Many of us keep a bottle of water nearby. . . (Are you thirsty yet?)  :)

In the Bible there are some references to a drink of water.  The unique story in 1 Chronicles 11 of David wanting a drink of water from the Bethlehem well is stirring.  Three brave men fought their way through enemy territory to get it for him; and then he offered it as an offering to the Lord.  (I can relate to his specific thirst as there is a mountain river in Colorado that I used to drink from 40+ years ago, and I can still taste it!)  Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water (John 4).  In Hell the rich man longs for even a drop of water but there is none. (Luke 16).  In this week's text Jesus teaches us that sharing a drink of water can be a blessing to both the giver and the recipient. 

Giving someone a drink of water seems like a very small deed, and yet Jesus says it can bring eternal reward!  Often folk help in ministry in seemingly "small" ways but without them services and programs would be difficult or ineffective.  I can't begin to list all the "cups of water" that get served in the work of God, but HE knows each one and honors them.

Listen to what Jesus said about the "drink of water" that He offers.  "…but whoever drinks the water that I give them will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

So next time you offer or are offered a drink of water, remember that behind that small kindness are lessons of courtesy, necessity, ministry, and the Gospel!  

So grab your favorite cup and come to church.  See you Sunday!

1.  Who are the little ones who are given the cup of cold water in Matthew 10:42?

2.   What guarantee does Jesus make in Matthew 10:42?

3.  In Matthew 10:41 Jesus mentions other rewards...any ideas what they might be?

4.  Besides the Samaritan well, where else is Jesus thirsty?  John 19:28

5.  Study the Old Testament Gospel call of Isaiah 55:1.

6.  We have been learning a lot about how Jesus is so powerfully displayed throughout the Old Testament.  How does the Apostle Paul do that with ancient Israel and their wilderness wanderings?

1 Corinthians 10:1-3; Exodus 17:1-6

7.  In our text Jesus says that giving a drink of water can be an important ministry.  Where else does He teach this same truth?  Matthew 25:34-40  

8.  Can you think of the equivalent of some simple "cups of cold water" that people share in serving our Lord?

9.  What is the final Gospel call of the Scriptures?  Revelation 22:17