“Calling the Disciples” Matthew 4:18-22

“Calling the Disciples” Matthew 4:18-22

Last week we looked at the message Jesus preached “Repent the Kingdom of God is at hand.” If Jesus calls people to repent and turn away from their old life, then what are they being told to turn to? Jesus is on the north end of the sea of Galilee where the Jorden river enters it. John the Baptist is baptizing and preaching there. John’s Gospel tells us that two disciples of John the Baptist hear John point out Jesus and say, “behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” One man is identified as Andrew, Peter’s brother. The other is most likely Philip. Andrew and Philip leave John and start walking behind Jesus.

Jesus notices the men following Him and stops and ask, “What do you want?” How do you reply to this question? We are searching but for what? I love to fix things and make things. I know what I want of get done but not sure of a way to do it. I go to the hardware store and start walking around looking at things until the answer hits me. Usually a sales person will want to help me. “What are you looking for?” they ask. “I’m not sure but I will know it when I see it.”

Andrew and Philip have no idea what they are looking for, but they will know it when they see it. Andrew put on the spot says, “where are you staying?” “Come and see” Andrew and Philip spend the rest of the day with Jesus.

That evening Andrew goes to his brother Peter telling him he has found the Messiah, so Peter goes with his brother to meet Jesus. Jesus gives him the nickname “The Rock”.

The next day Jesus tells Philip “follow Me” to which Philip goes and gets his brother Nathanael. Jesus makes the proclamation that Nathanael is an “Israelite in which there is no deceit”. “I saw you under the fig tree a little while ago”. The response is “only God could know that.”

This takes place before Jesus comes walking by the boats and calls Simon, Andrew, James and John to leave their nets and follow Him full time.

As we look at the calling of these disciples we see for some a process, with time spent with questions and investigating the message of Jesus, like Andrew, Peter, James and John. For others God wow’s them into following like Nathanael. In the curious case of Benjamin button, and Old man keeps showing up saying, “I’ve been struck by lighting nine times, one time I was just walking to the mail box when pow, it hit me.

Each of us are called by God. For some there is a time of questions or spiritual struggle. Others will have a lighting bolt experience, like the old man hit by lighting. Then there are those who are born believing. They never really know anything else. God calls each of us to be a disciple in different ways, and we are wrong to insist on a formula approach to the how’s and whys of Jesus’ call to us.

Though there are different ways we receive our call to follow each of us must answer, drop our nets, leave our old life and take up a new one that is given by God. I know when I enlisted in the navy. You sign the paper, raise your hand, repeat the oath, you did it, then they tell you what to do. Each of us must join Jesus, repent, take the oath to live the new life, ask Jesus what to do and do it.

The question today is Have you answered the call? Have you made a choice to follow Jesus? Maybe this whole idea is foreign to you.  If you are unsure you can do it today.

Pray this prayer with me. “Lord Jesus forgive me a sinner. I turn away from my old life and I want to follow you from now on. Jesus, show me what you want me to do and how you want me to live. My life belongs to you now. Amen”

If you have prayed that prayer you have joined Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, James and John, as disciples of Jesus. In the coming weeks Jesus is going to show us what it means to follow Him.

Matthew 8:18-22

Matthew 9:9-13

Matthew 10:1-4

Luke 5:1-11

John 1:29-34

John 1:35-51

Jesus’ ministry Matthew 4:12-17

Jesus’ ministry Matthew 4:12-17

1 Isa 9:1-9

2 Isa 42:1-9

3 Mal 3:1-5

4 Zach 9:9-17

5 Zeph 3:14-20

6 Amos 8:1-14

7 Joel 2:23-32

 

Having faced the temptations and proven His righteousness, Jesus begins His ministry. Matthew gives us in the short passage we have today the overall focus of Jesus’ message to us. “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” This statement is a key to understanding what Jesus says and what Jesus does in His short time on earth. So today we will look at this statement.

 

The Jewish people were looking the messiah to bring justice and relief from oppression. If you read the passages listed in your bullion this last week you will have a feel for the expectations of the people.

 

Isa 9:1-9  “For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end,”

 

Isa 42:1-9 “I have put my Spirit upon him;  he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.”

 

Throughout the Old Testament you read “in that day”, “on that day”, or “the day of the Lord”. The people were taught that the Messiah would bring social and political justice to Israel, in the same way as Christians view the second coming of Jesus. This kingdom of God, Jesus says is at hand, it has finally arrived.

 

“Is at hand”. Drawing near. Close by. Near you. The idea that the kingdom is close to you, not far from you, is meant as much as “it’s time has come.” You do not need to wait any longer, or travel some great distance, the Kingdom of God is here and now.

 

Not only is Jesus teaching that the “Day of the Lord” has come, but the “Kingdom of Heaven” can be entered right now in the present tense. Jesus seems to say you can enter the Kingdom of Heaven like entering a room or walking from one town to another.

 

Now let’s look at the key to the kingdom, “repent”. If you want to live in this kingdom you need to repent of your sin. This is more than simply confessing what you have done wrong. Repentance is turning your back on a sinful way of life.

 

Isaiah 1:16-19 sums up the idea of repentance:    “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

 

This is something new to the Messiah. The way the Jews thought of the messiah was a coming king who would force the unjust to change their ways through judgement. Jesus is teaching that this “Kingdom of God”, comes through each person turning away from their sinful actions and desires. You not only enter the Kingdom of Heaven through repentance, you bring that kingdom into existence through repentance. Jesus’ Kingdom exist wherever and whenever people repent and take up the kingdom life.

 

It is true that the “Kingdom of God”, will not fully exist until Christ returns, it is also true that a small part of that kingdom exist wherever and whenever a person repents and chooses to live in the kingdom life.

 

In Christ, you do not start living in the “Kingdom of Heaven” in the sweet by and by, you start living in it now, in this moment, through repentance.  What Jesus is saying is “stop looking for someone to change the world for you, change it yourself through repenting of your sinful actions and start living the kingdom life now.”

 

Everything Jesus says and does relates back to this idea, “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

Do you long for the kingdom of God? Do you look forward to a time when God will set all things right? You do not have to wait. You can start living in His kingdom today. The key to this kingdom is repentance. “Stop doing wrong, start doing what is right, come let us reason together though your sins are like scarlet they shall become white as snow.”

 

Start living in the Kingdom of Heaven, today.

Isa 40:3-5 “Preparing the Way”

Isa 40:3-5 “Preparing the Way”

The classic prophet, Camel’s hair, leather belt, Locust and Honey

Live in the desert near where the Jorden meets the dead sea.

A day’s journey from Jerusalem (30-40 miles)

Speaks out about Herod’s sin

Speaks out about the sin of the religious system.

Repent, not just atone for.

The Kingdom of heaven is at hand, present yet not complete

Baptism of repentance, normally used for converts to Judaism

Atonement was the end for Jews, John teaches there is something more

Our forgiveness just prepares the way.

The roman’s builders of roads. Precursor to our modern highway.

The filling of the Holy Spirit was reserved for prophets and special people

Prepare the way in our own lives.
repentance, seeking more, relationship with God.

Prepare the way for others.
there is something more than forgiveness

Every day there is something new, more to be learned, more to be experienced.

“Young Jesus” Luke 2:41-52

“Young Jesus” Luke 2:41-52

Not much is known about Jesus’ childhood.

On the 8^th he is circumcised
On the 40^th day Jesus is presented to the Lord
Simeon and Anna
The visit of the Magi
The flight to Egypt
They return to Nazareth

Nazareth is in Galilee
Galilee is the northern most province of Israel given to Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Nazareth is a small town on a trade route. When Nathanael hears that the messiah is from Nazareth John 1:46 tells us he remarks “can anything good come from Nazareth.” 
Jesus is called a Nazarene, not to be confused with a Nazarite, a person who has taken a special vow to the Lord. The town could have adopted the name in honor of the term Nazarite, but we have nothing to prove this. Some say the town was known for making of ox yokes and this was Jesus’ trade, again nothing we have really supports this.

Jesus’ boyhood is summed up by Luke 2:40, “and the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.”

This leads us to my first take away from this time in Jesus’ life. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from as much as that God’s grace is upon you.” While the world will tell you, you’re are a nobody from nowhere, God says you are my child. God see you as His tool for His work in the world around you.

In the passage we read today the story jumps to Jesus at twelve. He stays at the temple and in home alone style is left behind. They finally go back to get Him and find Jesus in the temple. Jesus listens to the teachers and ask questions, giving answers to their questions and amazing everyone. I would have liked to sit in on that Sunday School Class, as God posed questions to the teachers of the law.

When confronted by his parents Jesus says, “did you not know I would be in my father’s house?”

My second take away from this time in Jesus’ life is a question. “Where would people know to find you?” “What would people say you would be doing?”

Fuzzy’s Bar
Gone Fishing or Hunting

The final words about Jesus as a boy is “and was submissive in all things.”

My last question is: “are we submissive to God in all things?” Is there a part of our lives that we are less than submissive to God? Will we make a vow to be submissive to God this year? Would someone describe you as submissive to God? Say that you are a Jesus follower?

Tithe was the first thing (Jerry)

This coming year what would people say of us? How would the describe us, where would they say we are and what we are doing? The past we can not change but we can work on changing this year. It starts tomorrow!

King of Kings Matthew 2:1-12

King of Kings Matthew 2:1-12

The word used to describe the wise men is Magi, from which we get our English word Magician. As the Christmas story wondered away from what the Bible says, they are assumed to be Kings. Because they bring three mentioned gifts, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, it is assumed that their must be three of them. Matthew says nothing about how many came to find Jesus.

The wise men were Astrologers, they read and sought meaning from the stars. They have traveled a long way to honor the birth of the King, which would require a large group of people with them. When they start asking questions people start getting upset. Herod is well known for killing his rivals, as well as innocent bystanders.

They ask “where is he who has been born King of the Jews” they seemed to expect everyone to know. Perhaps they thought Herod had a newborn son.

The star leads them to a specific house. A change in the star takes them from a general area to the exact spot. Through the years many scientific ideas have been put forth to explain what they saw. Some suggest a supper nova, others a conjunction of stars. None can account for the star leading them to a specific house.

The ironic thing is that the King, Herod, the Chief Priest, and the scribes, all fail to realize the Messiah has been born while the gentile magicians do. It is these Magi from Persia who lead the Chief Priest and Scribes to a 700 year old prophecy from Micah 5:2 which tells them Bethlehem is where the child is.

Now I come to the question I have to ask us. Is Jesus really our King, or are we still as much in the dark as the leaders of Israel were?

Submission, do we recognize and submit to Jesus as our king? In our lives do we seek to follow the commands of Jesus? Do we seek and support the agenda Jesus has for our lives, for the church, and for the world?

Confession, do we publicly proclaim Jesus to be our King? NRA bumper sticker, Obama, Trump. Do we confess that Jesus is our king, both in words and actions?

Respect, do we show respect to Jesus as our king. In the presence of the King one is to bow. This is to show both subservience and respect. Winston Churchill and Queen Elizabeth. The wise men they fell down and worshiped Him. How do we show our respect to Jesus, do we worship Him? When we come to church is it about letting Jesus be honored by our presence, or are we honored to be in His presence? Attendance at Worship is a sign of respect to God, a lack of attendance is a sign of disrespect toward God.

Gifts, the wise men brought gifts to honor the King. Gold, frankincense and myrrh. What have we given Jesus? Our time? Our treasure? Will we honor a waitress with a tip that is more than we have given to God? Will we give our family members more for Christmas than we give to God?

I put these questions to myself as well as to you, not for the spreading of guilt, but as an evaluation. Questions to seriously reflect on so that our lives will truly reflect what we believe. The Bible says that every knee in heaven and on earth will bow to the name of Jesus.

Is Jesus Your King? Is Jesus My King? Is Jesus Our King? Is there something in our lives that needs to change? Perhaps you have never confessed Jesus as King, never asked Him for forgiveness….

 

Why Shepherds? Luke 2

Why Shepherds? Luke 2

You might wonder why shepherds would play such a part in the Christmas events. But if we take a look at shepherds in the Bible we see why the angels are sent to them and not others.

In Genesis 48:15 Jacob describes God as “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,” David’s psalms are filled with pictures of God as the shepherd. Psalm 32 gives that wonderful picture of God’s love and care as the shepherd.

Jacob is a shepherd and he married Rachel a shepherdess. The traditional manger scene has men and boys, but it’s just as likely that woman and girls were at the manger as well. The site of Rachel’s grave is in Bethlehem.

David the spiritual king of Israel by which all others are measured, was a shepherd.

Throughout the Old Testament God presents the priest and leaders of Israel as shepherds.  Zechariah 11 tells of the spiritual leadership of Israel as worthless shepherds who eat the sheep. Many of the other prophets repeat this judgement.

Yet God tells the people a good shepherd is coming who will care for the sheep.

Isa 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,  and gently lead those that are with young.

Jeremiah 10 & 11     “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away;      say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

We are told in Matthew 9:36 Jesus saw the crowds coming to Him “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

John 10 is devoted to Jesus being the Good Shepherd who has been sent to care for the sheep.

In sharp contrast to the worthless shepherds who kill, abuse and eat the sheep, Jesus lay’s down His life for the sheep.

So we can understand why the angels are sent to the shepherds. God calls on them to welcome one of their own. God announces that the great shepherd, the good shepherd has been born. The words of God spoken and looked to for ages have been fulfilled, the Messiah has been born. In a city of shepherds like Rachel and David, Bethlehem, Jesus Christ is born.

Each of us are shepherds, to our children, our family or even some larger group. We have a responsibility to shepherd those God has put in our care. Can you picture yourself on that hillside with the angels to numerous to number singing out “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!”

God into all the world and share the good news, the Good Shepherd has been born in the city of shepherds, and the sheep who follow Him will be blessed and need not be afraid. Jesus Christ is born!

 

1 Peter 2:25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1 Peter 5:2-4 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Genesis 48:15 Jacob describes God as “the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,”

Isa 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom,  and gently lead those that are with young.

Jeremiah 10&11     “Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the coastlands far away;      say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and will keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock.’ For the Lord has ransomed Jacob and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

Ezekiel and Micah, repeat the coming shepherd

Zechariah 11 tells of the worthless shepherds of Israel who “does not care for those being destroyed, or seek the young or heal the maimed or nourish the healthy, but devours the flesh of the fat ones, tearing off even their hoofs.

Matthew 9:36 Jesus saw the crowds coming to Him “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

John 10: 1-15 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”

This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

 

The Life of Jesus: John 1:1-18

The Life of Jesus: John 1:1-18

John 1 

The Word Became Flesh

  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.

He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.

He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.

He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

(John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”)

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

 

There is so much to look at in today’s scripture. John’s us of “The Word” to describe Jesus. Jesus is not a happy accident, He is the declaration of God, a declaration of God’s love and will on earth. John’s use of light and darkness, Christmas the celebration of light held at the darkest time of our year. John’s connection of light and life is also an interesting thing to consider. But for today I will look at something else.

 

It is Advent, and on this the first Sunday of Advent we start the story of Jesus. If we are to understand who Jesus is and what Jesus does we must start at the beginning, before history. Jesus is not just a man, Jesus is God the creator, and only from this prospective can He be understood.

 

Advent also is a season of waiting, we wait for the Christmas Day celebration and at the same time we wait for that day we see Jesus return a second time.

 

How many of you enjoy waiting? What no hands?

Wait for the light to change color.

Wait for the person with 20 items in the express checkout, then something needs a price check!

Wait for that pokey truck who at best is doing the speed limit on a downhill.

Wait for our computer to load a new screen.

 

But consider for a moment starting “in the beginning” with a course of action all chosen and yet having to wait for thousands of years for it to happen. Children get more rambunctious each day as Christmas approaches. A car ride to a favorite place becomes “are we there yet”. Grown ups are not much better at waiting. Yet God had to wait from before He said, “Let there be light” until that night in Bethlehem when He would enter our world to save us. Now God waits again until that day when He will come again to bring history to a close.

 

2 Peter 3:8-10 reminds us; “But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.”

 

Imagen how it feels to be God who wants you to understand His love for you, yet He must wait for you to understand. When you must wait a day can seem like a thousand years. How much love God must have for us, for you, to wait this long. How can we ever understand Jesus and what He does without the waiting, without the beginning?

 

As you wait for Christmas Day, wait for the family to come together, wait for them to all go home, remember the loving wait of Jesus for you. He waited for your eyes to open to see Him, He waits for the day you will be with Him face to face. Jesus waits for you, waits for your friends, and waits for your family. Celebrate the patience and Love of God for you.