2 cor 5:16&17 “A New Beginning”

2 cor 5:16&17  “A New Beginning”

Steve Wozniak designed and built the first personal computer in his garage workshop. Since he worked for HP at the time he had to get them to give him the rights to his computer. The people at HP could not see the opportunity that the personal computer presented and they gave Steve the rights to his computer design and Apple Computer was born.
            You have most likely heard a lot of sermons on 2 Corinthians 5:17 that center on the forgiveness of your past, I want to focus on the opportunity of the future.

1.      Personal opportunities
a. choose who or what you will be. 2 Corinthians 5:15
b. being transformed 2 Corinthians 3:17
c. be transformed Romans 12:1&2
d. be conformed to the likeness Romans 8:29

2.      Opportunity in others
a. Where do we focus when we look at people?
b. the lostness of people, how broken and sinful they are?
c. Do we look at what they can become?
d. the stake thief

e.      Jesus looked at a tax collector but saw a disciple
f. Jesus looked at a fisherman and saw a leader
g. approach and treat people as possibilities

3.      Opportunity in the church
a. we do not have to be what we have always been
b. we have opportunities to transform who and what we are
c. focus on the newness that is ours in Christ.

This new life in Christ is more than erasing our past it is an opportunity for the future, our future. The people we meet every day also have an opportunity to become something new. So let us set our sights on what and who we and others can become and let Jesus transform our world.

Matthew 2:1-12 “A New Kind of King”

Matthew 2:1-12 “A New Kind of King”

Today is the fourth Sunday of advent. The day of the kings. The Wise men come from the east and announce Jesus as King and present gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.  

1.      The Story
a. wise men, “Magi” magicians or astrologers.
b. seeking a great King of the Jews,
c. they cause trouble for Jerusalem and Herod
d. Chief priests and Scribes
e. summoned the wise men
f. learned of the time
g. The wise men go and worship
h. Leave another way
i. Joseph, Mary, and Jesus leave for Egypt
j. Herod kills the children

2.      A king of hearts and lives not nations
a. They looked for a king for the nation
b. God knew something different was needed
c. Tony Evans “the messed up man”.
d. The key to the nation and world is the heart of the individual

3.      How do you change the world?
a. We allow God to be our King, transforming our life
b. We help Jesus to become the King for our family and neighbors
c. Is Jesus your King, does He rule in your life?
d. a simple prayer and a big decision.

Jesus did not come to be the King of a nation that would conquer the world, Jesus came to be King of the individual and transform the world.

Luke 2:8-19 Why the shepherds?

Luke 2:8-19 Why the shepherds?

We can with just a little imagination put ourselves out on the hillside watching the stars, listening to the murmur of the sleeping flock in the dark. No campfire because you need your night vision to keep watch for predators. Then suddenly one angel appears and announces the birth of the savior, the Messiah. Then just as suddenly a host of angels to sing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is well pleased.” And then they are gone. Your eyes still blinded to night slowly adjust to the darkness, and then your mind starts to think.

“Did you see that?” “What about you?” Then they decide to go off and find Jesus.

I wonder why Shepherds? I have often focused on the ordinariness of the shepherds, people like you and I. Not people of great power, influence, or affluence.  But the shepherd has been used throughout Israel’s history to talk about spiritual leadership.

1.      A shepherd
a. Psalm 23
b. King David
c. Zechariah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Micah, the spiritual leadership

2.      The worthless shepherds
a. Zechariah 11:15-17
b. Matthew 9:36
c. Ezekiel 34:1-10

3.      The Good Shepherd
a. Isaiah 40:9-11 proclaim the good news from the hills
b. Micah 5:4
c. Ezekiel 34:11-24
d. John 10:7-16

 

Jesus is the Good shepherd, He searches for the lost, carries the weak, Heals the broken, He lays down His life for His sheep. This is why the angels come to proclaim the news to Shepherds and not to kings. And it is why with faith we can say. (Read Psalm 23)   

Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7

Bethlehem Luke 2:1-7

Mica 5:2

Bethlehem means house of bread, Ephrathah means fruitful. It is a little town south of Jerusalem. The town was considered too little to even be considered among the clans of Judah. David came from Bethlehem and when Judah brought out his sons to Samuel (1 Samuel 16), David was not brought to see Samuel. David was left to watch the flock while his more prospective brothers are presented.

Bethlehem sat for the next 700 years after Mica makes his prophecy about the coming Messiah. People who studied the scripture knew of Bethlehem but paid little attention to what went on there. The people of Bethlehem they do not pay attention or look forward to the coming Messiah. You might think the little town would take hold of the prophetic message and name their football team the Messiahs. Perhaps build a home for the coming King. But they do not.

Into this normally sleepy, forgotten town come Mary and Joseph. The town is full now because all the descendants of David the King must come there to be counted in a Roman census. Mary and Joseph have no place to stay but they do find a place that has a manger or feeding trough to use as a crib for Jesus to lie in.

2. Jesus is coming again
a. John 14:1-3 “I go to prepare a place for you”
b. many of the messianic prophecies have yet to be fulfilled.
c. Rev 22:7-14 “Behold I am coming soon”
d. Matthew 24:30-44 All will see it and no one knows the day
e. Jesus warns of not being ready
f. The man who comes to the wedding not dressed properly Matthew 22:11-14
g. Matthew 25:13 watch and be ready
h. the Talents (14) and the caring for the king (vs 44)

3. Are we ready?
a. year 2000 and a friend
b. Are we ready?
c. Are the people we know ready?
d. The man with cancer in LV I waited too long.
e. 1 peter 3:15 always be ready

Bethlehem the forgotten sleepy little town had forgotten itself. They stopped believing or looking for the messiah.  Let us be ready in our hearts and lives to meet Jesus face to face with Joy and thanksgiving. Let us meet him with our friends and neighbors by our sides singing and rejoicing in praise to Jesus’ forgiveness and grace. Let us be ready when the King comes back.