AUGUST 5,
2007
“THE
MISSION OF THE MESSIAH”
SCRIPTURE
READING: ISAIAH 42:1-9
SCRIPTURE TEXT:
ISAIAH 42:6-7
I
the LORD have called thee in righteousness,
and will hold thine hand, and will keep
thee, and give thee for a covenant of the
people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open
the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners
from the prison, and them that sit in
darkness out of the prison house.
INTRO:
The characteristics of the Messiah prepared
and equip Him for His mission.
Jesus
spent 30 years in preparation for the task
His Father had sent Him to fulfill.
There is a
time of preparation and equipping that each
of us must go through before God thrust us
forth into His vineyard.
The time of
preparation can weigh heavy upon us.
LUKE 2:41-52
(49) And he said unto them, How is it
that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must
be about my Father's business? (18 years
latter Jesus began His so called earthly
ministry)
At the
right time, God will send us forth to
fulfill His will.
Galatians 4:4
(KJV) But when the fullness of the
time was come, God sent forth his Son, made
of a woman, made under the law,
Jesus was
sent forth to fulfill a particular task, we
as His Church have also been set forth to
fulfill a particular task.
Jesus said,
“I am the light of the world,” He further
stated, “Ye are the light of the world.”
It is our
responsibility as His Church to reflect the
Light that He brought into the world, HIS
MISSION.
I. UNDER
WHOSE AUTHORITY WAS THE MESSIAH SENT?
ISAIAH 42:5-6
God, the LORD, created the heavens and
stretched them out. He created the earth and
everything in it. He gives breath and life
to everyone in all the world. And it is he
who says, "I, the LORD, have called you to
demonstrate my righteousness. I will guard
and support you, for I have given you to my
people as the personal confirmation of my
covenant with them. And you will be a light
to guide all nations to me
NOTE: It
is the authority behind the mission that
makes the mission legitimate.
It is the
power and resources behind the authority
that determines the success or failure of
the mission.
A. THE
CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE.
Speaks of His
power and wisdom.
B. THE
SOURCE OF ALL LIFE.
Speaks of His
control over life and death.
NOTE: The
Church has been sent by Jesus Christ.
Matthew
28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and
spake unto them, saying, all power is given
unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have
commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway,
even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Church
has been sent under the same power and
authority that Jesus was sent.
The Church
can expect the same success that Jesus
experienced.
II. THE
MISSION OF THE MESSIAH.
NOTE: The
mission of the Messiah was fourfold.
- TO BE A
COVENANT (an agreement between God and
man)
NOTE: The
Old Covenant (the Law) was incapable of
meeting the need of fallen man, so God
introduced a new Covenant.
Isaiah 42:9
(KJV) Behold, the former things are
come to pass, and new things do I declare:
before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Matthew
26:26-28 And as they were eating,
Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and
gave it to the disciples and said, "Take,
eat; this is My body.“ Then He took the
cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them,
saying, "Drink from it, all of you. For
this is My blood of the new covenant, which
is shed for many for the remission of sins.
- TO BE A
LIGHT TO THE GENTILES
NOTE: The
world dwells in the darkness of sin.
John 3:19
(KJV) And this is the condemnation,
that light is come into the world, and men
loved darkness rather than light, because
their deeds were evil.
Isaiah 9:2
(KJV) The people that walked in
darkness have seen a great light: they that
dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined.
NOTE: The
darker the place the brighter the light.
John 8:12
(KJV) Then spake Jesus again unto
them, saying, I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in
darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Matthew 5:14
(KJV) Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
- TO OPEN
BLIND EYES
NOTE: Sin
blinds the eyes.
2 Corinthians
4:4 (NIV) The god of this age has
blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that
they cannot see the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ, who is the image of
God.
- TO SET
FREE THOSE IN BONDAGE BECAUSE OF THEIR
BLINDNESS.
NOTE:
There are those who are blinded by
unbelief.
Ephesians
4:18 (NIV) They are darkened in their
understanding and separated from the life of
God because of the ignorance that is
in them due to the hardening of their
hearts.
There are
those who are blinded to whom God is and
what He can do.
Proverbs
29:18 (KJV) Where there is no vision,
the people perish:
There
are those who are blinded to what God wants
to do through them.
III.
THIS MISSION CAN ONLY BE FULFILLED ONE WAY
NOTE:
The redemption of fallen man can only come
through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 42:8
(KJV) I am the Lord: that is my name:
and my glory will I not give to another,
neither my praise to graven images.
NOTE:
There are many who would have us believe
that there are many ways to obtain freedom
from sin and acceptance by God.
John 14:6
(KJV) Jesus saith unto him, I am the
way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.
CONCLUSION:
What a great privilege we have as God’s
Church to carry on the work that Jesus
started.
ILL: The Old
Rocking Chair.
A professor
and his wife were visiting her parents on
the front porch. An old rocking chair in a
state of disrepair was sitting in the
corner. The conversation turned to how best
to get rid of it. A car drove up the lane.
Its occupant, unbeknownst to the family, was
an expert on antique furniture. He saw the
chair and asked what price they might ask
for it. The family was speechless. It was
valueless and ready for the dump. But the
visitor proceeded to tell them all about the
chair and its history.
When the transaction was concluded, it
led the professor to make a comment: “Until
someone came along to recognize the chair’s
value, and real the price, the chair was
valueless.“Lord, please open our eyes so
that we will see the value you see in us,
and the value you see in others.”
AUGUST 19,
2007
“GOD KNOWS
YOUR NAME”
SCRIPTURE
READING: ISAIAH 43:1-7
SCRIPTURE TEXT:
Isaiah 43:1 (KJV)
But now
thus saith the Lord that created thee, O
Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel,
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have
called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
INTRO:
This is one of the great “FEAR NOT’S”
of the Bible.
This verse is
filled with tremendous truths.
Truths that
will hold us fast during the most difficult
times.
The Christian
walk is a walk of Faith. (We must choose to
believe)
Mark 9:24
(KJV) And straightway the father of
the child cried out, and said with tears,
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
If we own
these Truths for ourselves there will be no
situation, no circumstance, and no trial,
nothing that allows fear to remain in our
hearts.
There are four
things stated in this verse that we need to
own for ourselves.
I. WHO IT IS
THAT IS SPEAKING:
NOTE: We
must recognize God as our creator, this is
the foundation of our faith.
If we fail to
believe that God is the Creator we erode the
very foundation we stand on.
Genesis 1:1
(KJV) In the beginning God created
the heaven and the earth.
John 1:3
(KJV) All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that
was made.
Colossians
1:16 (KJV) For by him were all
things created, that are in heaven, and that
are in earth, visible and invisible, whether
they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were
created by him, and for him:
When we
accept God as the Creator, we accept His
power and authority to rule as He sees fit.
Isaiah 45:9 (NLT)
"Destruction is certain for those
who argue with their Creator. Does a clay
pot ever argue with its maker? Does the clay
dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
`Stop, you are doing it wrong!' Does the pot
exclaim, `How clumsy can you be!'
Those who
refuse to live under God’s authority deny
Him as Creator.
Psalm
139:12-17 (KJV) Yea, the darkness
hideth not from thee; but the night shineth
as the day: the darkness and the light are
both alike to thee. For thou hast possessed
my reins: thou hast covered me in my
mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous
are thy works; and that my soul knoweth
right well. My substance was not hid from
thee, when I was made in secret, and
curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the
earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet
being unperfect; and in thy book all my
members were written, which in continuance
were fashioned, when as yet there was none
of them. How precious also are thy thoughts
unto me, O God! How great is the sum of
them!
God has
created us to bring Him honor and glory.
Isaiah 43:7
(KJV) Even every one that is called
by my name: for I have created him for my
glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made
him.
II. WHAT HE
HAS DONE:
For I have
redeemed thee
NOTE:
Before God redeemed us the devil had placed
us on the slave block of sin.
Romans
6:16-18 (KJV) Know ye not, that to
whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,
his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether
of sin unto death, or of obedience unto
righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye
were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine which
was delivered you. Being then made free
from sin, ye became the servants of
righteousness.
God redeemed
us because He loved us.
John 3:16-17
(KJV) For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not
perish, but have everlasting life. For God
sent not his Son into the world to condemn
the world; but that the world through him
might be saved.
Stop for a
moment and think of Who it is that loves us
so very much He paid the highest possible
price for our redemption.
1 Peter
1:18-19 (KJV) Forasmuch as ye know
that ye were not redeemed with corruptible
things, as silver and gold, from your vain
conversation received by tradition from your
fathers; but with the precious blood of
Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and
without spot:
III. HE
KNOWS OUR NAME:
I have called
thee by thy name.
He has entered our name into the
Book of Life.
Luke 10:20
(KJV) Notwithstanding in this rejoice
not, that the spirits are subject unto you;
but rather rejoice, because your names are
written in heaven.
He
knows the number of hairs we have on our
head.
Luke 12:6-7
(KJV) Are not five sparrows sold for
two farthings, and not one of them is
forgotten before God? But even the very
hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear
not therefore: ye are of more value than
many sparrows.
If God knows
our name and counts our hairs, will He not
meet any need that we may have?
God knows:
- Our
name
- He
counts our hairs
- He
knows our situation & circumstances
- He
knows our strength & weakness
We can
bring to Him any need we might have and
trust Him to do what will best bring Him
glory and honor.
1 Peter 5:7
(KJV) Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you.
Deuteronomy
31:6,8 (GW) Be strong and courageous.
Don't tremble! Don't be afraid of them! The
Lord your God is the one who is going with
you. He won't abandon you or leave you."…
The Lord is the one who is going
ahead of you. He will be with you. He won't
abandon you or leave you. So don't be afraid
or terrified."
Hebrews 13:5
(GW) Don't love money. Be happy with
what you have because God has said, "I will
never abandon you or leave you."
IV. WE ARE
HIS:
ILL: Twice mine.
Romans
8:31-32 (NLT) What can we say about
such wonderful things as these? If God is
for us, who can ever be against us? Since
God did not spare even his own Son but gave
him up for us all, won't God, who gave us
Christ, also give us everything else?
Deuteronomy
14:2 (NLT) You have been set apart as
holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen
you to be his own special treasure from all
the nations of the earth.
Galatians
4:5-6 (NLT) God sent him to buy
freedom for us who were slaves to the law,
so that he could adopt us as his very own
children. And because you Gentiles have
become his children, God has sent the Spirit
of his Son into your hearts, and now you can
call God your dear Father.
1 John 3:1-3
(NLT) See how very much our heavenly
Father loves us, for he allows us to be
called his children, and we really are! But
the people who belong to this world don't
know God, so they don't understand that we
are his children. Yes, dear friends, we are
already God's children, and we can't even
imagine what we will be like when Christ
returns. But we do know that when he comes
we will be like him, for we will see him as
he really is. And all who believe this will
keep themselves pure, just as Christ is
pure.
CONCLUSION:
God has created us, He has redeemed us,
He knows our name, He has made us His own;
there is nothing to fear.
AUGUST 26,
2007
“WATERS OF
AFFLICTION, RIVERS OF SEPARATION, FIRES OF
ADVERSITY”
SCRIPTURE READING: ISAIAH 43:1-7
SCRIPTURE
TEXT: ISAIAH 43:2
When thou
passest through the waters, I will be with
thee; and through the rivers, they shall not
overflow thee: when thou walkest through the
fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither
shall the flame kindle upon thee.
There are those who contend that when we
accept Christ as our Savior, we will no
longer face adversities.
John 16:33
(KJV) These things I have spoken unto
you, that in me ye might have peace. In the
world ye shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world.
The word
tribulations means: pressure (literal
or figurative) afflicted (-tion), anguish,
burdened, persecution, tribulation,
trouble.
But
God told us not to fear but rather be of
good cheer.
- He
would be with us in the Waters of
Affliction
- He
would carry us over the Rivers of
Separation
- He
would protect and deliver us from the
Fires of Adversity.
I. WATERS OF
AFFLICTION
NOTE:
There is no need to fear when we pass
through the waters of affliction.
Psalm
34:19 (KJV) Many are the afflictions
of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth
him out of them all.
NOTE:
Affliction means to distress so severely as
to cause persistent suffering or anguish, to
inflict on a person something that is hard
to bear.
Flood can
come in several different ways:
- A
gradual rising of water until it
overflows
- A flash
flood, sometimes is cause by rain far
away
- A
torrential down pour such as through a
great storm.
Sometimes
it is God that sends these waters of
affliction.
Isaiah 30:20a
(KJV) And though the Lord give you
the bread of adversity, and the water of
affliction…
God did not
tell us we would not face waters of
affliction but He did promised to be with us
during these difficult times.
Isaiah 59:19
(KJV) So shall they fear the name of
the Lord from the west, and his glory from
the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall
come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord
shall lift up a standard against him.
II. RIVERS OF
SEPARATION
NOTE: NOTE:
Through out the Scriptures the river
Jordan has been a place of separation.
In our
Christian walk we come to points of
decision, we must chose to either stay where
we are or cross the Rivers of Separation in
order to follow the leading of God.
ILL: Changing
Pastures
There are
many who are afraid to cross the Rivers of
Separation.
- From
Sin unto cleansing (Naaman II KINGS 5)
NOTE:
Naaman was repulsed at the thought of
dipping into the Jordan River.
2 Corinthians
6:15-18 (KJV) And what concord hath
Christ with Belial? or what part hath he
that believeth with an infidel? And what
agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
for ye are the temple of the living God; as
God hath said, I will dwell in them, and
walk in them; and I will be their God, and
they shall be my people. Wherefore come out
from among them, and be ye separate, saith
the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you, and will be a Father
unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
- From
wandering in the Wilderness to entering
the Land of Canaan.
NOTE:
Crossing the River of Separation requires
faith.
-
Crossing from being a follower to being
a leader. (Elisha I KINGS 2)
-
Crossing from this world into the next.
(Elijah I KINGS 2)
ILL: The
Parable Of The Twins
1 Corinthians
15:54-57 (KJV) So when this
corruptible shall have put on incorruption,
and this mortal shall have put on
immortality, then shall be brought to pass
the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory. O death, where is
thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength
of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ.
III. FIRES OF
ADVERSITY
NOTE:
When fiery adversities threaten to overwhelm
us, the flames will not burn us, for the
Lord’s presence and power will protect us.
ILL: Daniel 3
1 Peter
4:12-13 (KJV) Beloved, think it not
strange concerning the fiery trial which is
to try you, as though some strange thing
happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as
ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings;
that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye
may be glad also with exceeding joy.
NOTE: It
is by our going through our testing and
trials that our lives bring honor and glory
to God.
Revelation
7:13-14 (KJV) And one of the elders
answered, saying unto me, What are these
which are arrayed in white robes? and whence
came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou
knowest. And he said to me, These are they
which came out of great tribulation, and
have washed their robes, and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb.
There are
many Believers today who are going through
great tribulation.
No matter how
deep the trial or hardship and no matter how
fiery the oppression or persecution, the
Lord promises to be with His people.
Matthew 23:37
(KJV) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou
that killest the prophets, and stonest them
which are sent unto thee, how often would I
have gathered thy children together, even as
a hen gathereth her chickens under her
wings, and ye would not!
CONCLUSION:
Most of us expect life to be smooth and
we get upset when things go wrong.
Job 13:15
(KJV) Though he slay me, yet will I
trust in him: but I will maintain mine own
ways before him.
No
matter what we may face there is no reason
to fear because God is with us.
PARABLE OF THE TWINS
Adapted from
Doug Murren’s book,
LEADERSHIP
Once there
was twin boys who were conceived in a
mothers’ womb. Days and weeks passed, and
the twins developed. As their awareness
grew, they laughed for joy: “Isn’t it great
that we were conceived? Isn’t it great to
be alive?”
Together, the
twins explored their world. When they found
their mother’s cord that gave them life,
they sang for joy: “How great is our
mother’s love, that she shares her own life
with us!”
As weeks
stretched into months, the twins noticed how
much each was changing. “What does it
mean?” asked the one.
“It means
that our stay in this world is drawing to an
end,” said the other.
“But I don’t
want to go,” replied the first twin. “I
want to stay here always.”
“We have no
choice,” said the other, “but maybe there is
life after birth!”
“But how can
there be?” responded the one. “We will shed
our life cord, and how is life possible
without it? Besides, we have seen evidence
that others were here before us, and none of
them has returned to tell us that there is
life after birth. No, this is the end.”
And so the
one fell into a deep despair, saying, “If
conception ends in birth, what is the
purpose of life in the womb? It’s
meaningless! Maybe there is not a mother
after all.”
“But there
has to be” protested the other. “How else
did we get here? How do we remain alive?”
“Have you
seen our mother?” said the one. “Maybe she
lives only in our minds. Maybe we made her
up because the idea made us feel good.”
And so the
last days in the womb were filled with deep
questioning and fear. Finally the moment of
birth arrived.
When the
twins had passed from the only world they
had every known, they opened their eyes and
cried because what they saw exceeded their
fondest dreams.
1 Corinthians
2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath
not seen, nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love
him.
