"Our Weakness, God's Strength, and the Gospel" by Joel Michaels [LEFC Sermon Notes]

"Our Weakness, God's Strength, and the Gospel"

Joel Michaels

2 Corinthians 4:7-18

As the apostle Paul starts into Ch.4 of his 2nd letter to the Corinthian church, he paints a picture of what it is like to be an apostle, or in our day a missionary or to make it a little more personal, a Christian telling others about Jesus Christ.  We need to spread the Gospel to our family, our friends, our

neighbors, coworkers and on down the line.  If we don't have a burden for others, we made need to check our relationship with Christ.  It's not easy to do, tell others about Jesus, but maybe this passage will help you and me to have some courage and realize God is with us in the work.

Paul speaks the Truth, so here we go.  

Follow along in your Bible as I read  2 Corinthians 4:7-18.

Let's look at vs 7 and the phrase “ But we have this treasure.”

Paul was an apostle and a missionary out starting churches, but Paul had the thing that it took to start these churches, a treasure.  We need to know what this “treasure” was.  To find out jump back to vs. 5-6 in this same chapter.  

What is the treasure?  It's the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That is the “treasure “ Paul is giving out. It is the treasure that is in Paul.  People need the Gospel treasure to become Christians and when you have Christians you have a church.  That is how it works.

So that is the treasure.  Jesus Christ and the Gospel of salvation.  Make a note of that.

A question for you: What do you keep a treasure in?  A vault? A safe? A treasure chest on a deserted island with a big X marking the spot?  Those things make sense.  Maybe not the deserted island.  Something safe and secure and strong.  Locked up.

What does Paul say God keeps his treasure in?  Look at vs. 7 again.   A jar of clay, a human.  

Genesis 2:7 “ the Lord formed man from the dust of the earth”

Paul is a jar of clay, so were the other apostles, so are our missionaries, so is our pastor, and you and me.

Think about a jar of clay.  It's not something we would keep a treasure in.  A jar of clay is weak, brittle and fragile.  If it has a lid it can't be locked.  If you drop it, it breaks.

Let me ask you another question:

Who told you about the good news of Jesus Christ?  Who passed the treasure on to you?  Were they super humans or just regular people, who were Christians?  Did they have frailties, faults, maybe an illness that held them back physically?  I can answer that question for you, yes they did. They are or were jars of clay.

So at this point you may be asking:

  

Why would God do that? Why would God put this treasure in a jar of clay, a weak, frail human.

Why would God leave this important thing up to people like Paul, Peter, Timothy or our missionaries?  They get sick, they have bad days, they get down.

Why would he leave it up to us?  There are lots of days I feel broke and fractured.  I'm not the best of anything, the best dad, the best husband, not the best technician at work, and not the best Christian.

So why would God put his treasure in us, in me?  The crazy thing is, he did.  God's thoughts and his will are on a so much higher plane than ours, what doesn't make sense to us is his perfect plan.

Read vs. 7 again.

God chose to make it this way to show us and everybody else, it's not about the container the treasure is in, but the treasure itself and God's all surpassing power.  It is God who made the light to shine.  It is Jesus Christ, God the Son, who saved us from our sin.  Remember that treasure from vs' 5 and 6.  It is for His glory.

When humans have earthly treasure, something of value, it typically comes with power and pride.  We hold it to ourselves.  In God's wisdom he wasn't having that, so his treasure is in a jar of clay.

Another note for you.

God shows his power through our frailty and weakness.  I was thinking something else, jars of clay can't be locked, there is no point, you could just smash the jar.  They are made to hold something until you need it.  A cookie jar is made to give out cookies.  We have this jar of clay, all are different, but they are made to give out the treasure God put in them.  It begs the question.  What are we doing with the treasure? Are we giving it out?  A question I wrestle with.  Am I telling people about Jesus?

Now if it was left up to us.  This work of giving out the Gospel from this jar of clay, we would crack.  We would break and fall apart from the stress.  Remember how in vs 7 this was to show God's power.  It is God who holds it all together.  His strength, his power hold the jar together, after all He made it.    He kept Paul together, He keeps our missionaries together, He will keep us in one piece.  So, His treasure, the Gospel will continue to spread through this world, his power is moving it along from Paul right on down the line.

Look what God does for Paul, this jar of clay in vs 8-9.

Does the work of an apostle sound easy?  Is it easy to be a witness for Jesus, to tell people the Gospel?

Not usually.  Sometimes it's severe hardship.  Paul knew something about that, read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, in this same letter.  Sometimes with us it's not hardship or persecution,  it's just us not wanting to offend, maybe scared, or worried about what people will think.  God will give the strength and the courage.   

The struggles of being a Gospel spreading Christian are real.  You may have experienced struggles yourself, if not read some biographies about missionaries or gospel workers.  It is a burden for the lost and a trust in God's provision that motivates.

It is God that keeps His workers in one piece. It is his plan to show His power. It is His strength not ours. 

I don't care how tough we think we are, we will crack.  Only God prevents it and does it faithfully.  We don't need to wonder if He might help us to give out the treasure.  He will help us.  God chose weak vessels to give out His treasure to other weak vessels.

The point here is God holds us together to to do the work he has called us to do, that is to tell people about Jesus.

I need to bring this to a close but I want you to see a few more things like vs 15. 

Friends, Paul is not around anymore, maybe the person who gave you the treasure, who told you about the Savior, is not around anymore, but grace is reaching more and more people.  It does because it is through these jars of clay that God shows His power, and His glory and this treasure that He wants out in the world goes forth.

 

A few points for you to think on.

-We are weak jars of clay, but God is exceedingly powerful

-We have a treasure to give, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

-It's all about God's power and glory.

Lets read vs 16-18 to close.

We press on. We fix our eyes on the eternal.

Read More

"What the Angel Said" by Joel Michaels [LEFC Sermon Notes]

"What the Angel Said"

Joel Michaels

Luke 2:8-20

A simple message with big meaning!

Read with me Luke 2:8-20.

We just read, what I hope, is a very familiar story.  It was a portion of Luke's gospel telling us about the birth of Christ.  The Christmas story.  I want to focus on just a small portion dealing with the shepherds and the angel, what that discussion was and what it means.  We have two participants, the shepherds and an angel of the Lord.  We know what a shepherd is, but what about an angel.  The word angel simply means “messenger” in this case it's just not a messenger but a messenger from the Lord. An angelic being with something to say.

I want to focus on verses 8-11 especially verses 10 and 11 and the massive implications of what the angel is saying.

“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people.  Today in the town  of David a Savior has been born to you:  he is Christ the Lord.”  (NIV)

Lets start with verse 10.

The shepherds are scared but the angel has some good news.  Not just good news but good news of great joy.  It's 2020 sometimes good news is hard to come by.  You know what, I bet these shepherds needed some good news too.  They are people and people have problems and stress and anxiety.  They needed this good news of great joy.  But, what I want us to notice is who exactly it was for.  Who was it for? “all people”.  Who are all people?  Shepherds in a field outside Bethlehem? Jerusalem maybe? Yes, but for all people.  Israel, Chad, New Guinea, Mexico, United States, State College, Lanse.  People in every corner of the earth.  Also, for all time.  It is for shepherds 2,000 years ago and  for you and your great, great grand kids and their kids.  The good news of great joy is eternal for all people, it doesn't diminish or fade.  Past, present, or future.

I guess we better find out what this great news is and what this angel of the Lord had to say.

Let's read verse 11 again.

“Today in the town of David” a baby has been born. A town called Bethlehem “the house of bread” is what that means if you want the origin,  also known as Ephrathah, the town where David was born.  This part should sound familiar.  Pastor Matt taught about this a couple of weeks ago in Psalm 132.  If you missed it go check it out on the church website.  It will help you start putting this Christmas story and this good news together.

Anyway, the angel says a baby has been born.  Not just a baby, but what? A Savior.

Let me stop.  This is what I want us to get, these next three things mentioned in verse 11.  This is what the angel was saying, the point of this great and wonderful message sent to the shepherds and to us.

So first thing a Savior. “ A Savior has been born”.

What is a savior? If you want to define the word you could say a deliverer, a healer, and a rescuer.  Somebody who saves you.

If you are in Luke 2 look over in Luke 1: 68-75.  This is Zechariah's song.  John the Baptist's dad had something to say about this Savior.  You see words like redeemed, salvation, mercy and rescue.  Those are things a savior does.  Zechariah is talking about this same person the angel is.  Jesus.  A  rescuer from enemies.  A deliverer, not only does he rescue us from our enemies, he delivers us from ourselves our own sins.  We see the redemption and mercy.  And we see the promise to Abraham to do these things.  Look at verse 74 this savior will enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness.

Who is this Savior for?  All people.  That's what the angel said. The opportunity of being rescued, redeemed and delivered is for all people.    How does this baby in Bethlehem do this?  Look at the end of this Gospel of Luke you find the cross, resurrection and ascension of Jesus.  Look at the end of your Bible.  What do you find? Revelation.  The Revelation of Jesus Christ.  Don't miss the point of Revelation, it is about Jesus.  It is part of this same proclamation, Jesus' saving work continues for his people.  

A Savior is something these shepherds needed and so do we.  Our family needs it, our friends need it,  the total stranger needs this Savior.

The second thing we want to look at is, the angel reports is he is the Christ (Christos) in the Greek or Messiah in the Hebrew.

What does Christ mean?  In a general sense it means an anointed one, or a consecrated one,  somebody who has been declared sacred.  Along with that it gives you a sense of a job, a purpose.  The person anointed  has something to do.  This Child announced to the shepherds has an anointing and a  purpose.

Let's back up a little for some context and precedent.  

There were 3 main groups anointed or consecrated with oil in the Old Testament. Prophets, kings and priests.  If you want a few examples try 1 Kings 19:16 and Exodus 40:12-14.  Each had a God given job and a purpose.  

Now we have the angel proclaiming this child is Christ.  Capital C.  The Christ.  It is a simple word, Christ, but it has meaning.  This is what the the Old Testament was trying to tell us.  This is the promise made to those Old Testament guys, remember David.  Psalm 2 from last week with Pastor Matt.

Lets think about this a minute.

Jesus is the anointed prophet.  Prophets proclaim the Word of God.  Prophets and their words have to be true if they are not true then you are not a prophet.  Jesus' words are true and he backs it up with his life.  Jesus himself proclaims “ I am the way, the truth, and the life.” in John 14:6.  I said a prophet proclaims the Word of God.  Jesus takes this a step further.  Look at John 1:14.  This is John's Christmas story.  Maybe you didn't know the Gospel of John had a Christmas story but here it is.  “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  There it is, John's Christmas story.  What does it say?  Jesus is not only proclaiming the Word of God, he is the Word of God and he has come. Jesus is a prophet on a level the world has never seen.

Jesus is the anointed priest.  If you want to find out about Jesus as the great high priest, Hebrews is the place to go.  Hebrews 4:14 says Jesus is the great high priest.  Hebrews 4:16 says “ Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  In the Old Testament the priests were the only ones who did sacrifices and entered the holy places.  Now through Christ (Jesus) we have access to God.  We can have confidence, to receive mercy and grace because of the Anointed One. It's almost unbelievable that we can approach God but we can and he wants us too.

 Jesus is the anointed king.  Just like the Old Testament kings, Jesus is anointed king.  The one on the throne who rules.  Sorry to disappoint but there are no election cycles, voting or politics when Jesus rules.  He has the say and final decision.  He is a king.  Look at Rev. 19:11-16 “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  No questioning those words, that is a statement that has power that is unimaginable.  Jesus is everything earthly kings aren't because of their falleness and sin.  He is righteous, true, good, kind, loving.  Don't miss the righteous part.  Like a good king he does not tolerate evil.

What was the angel telling the shepherds to go see?  Christ.  The Prophet, The Priest, The King not anointed by man with oil, but by the Holy Spirit (check out Acts10:34-38).   It was Jesus the baby in Bethlehem 2000 years ago.  If you are reading or watching this today it is the same Christ, the same Jesus.

One more for you.

The angel says he is the Lord.  He is the one who is supreme, who is overall, total authority, the creator.  This little baby the shepherds are to go see, the good news of great joy the angel is proclaiming is the Lord.  These shepherds will see the Creator who created them.  They get to look at the one who knitted them together.  The Alpha and Omega.  Pastor Matt has been leading us through the Psalms, and I want to give you a portion of my favorite Psalm.  Psalm 139:13-16. Jesus was there when we were put together.  This child is God, John 1:1 “The Word was God.”  KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  “ In the beginning GOD” That was the message the angel was bringing.

That is a lot in the few words the angel spoke.  “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  Remember those words were for all people.

2020 by most accounts was not a great year and we have no idea about 2021 or 22 or beyond

but...

We have a Savior.

We have the Christ.

We have the Lord.

That sounds like hope to me and a bright future.  Listen to what the angel said.

We have Jesus.

Merry Christmas and a hope filled New Year!

Read More

"Too Much of a Good Thing" by David "J.B." Miller

This is a guest post from David "J.B." Miller of Life Letter Cafe:

"There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts his foot down he finds a rock beneath him." - F. B. Meyer

Hi Friends:

We all know that in this wonderful world God has made, life offers nearly an infinite list of simple pleasures . . . pleasures . . . when experienced in modest doses . . . add joyful spice to life.

Some of my simple pleasures . . . watching a desert sunset by the side of a quiet, serene outdoor swimming pool . . . or having the "child-size" ice cream cone at the Bandon, Oregon cheese factory (you have to try the free cheese and curd samples first) . . . or watching people and planes in airports . . . or tacos . . . or hot-out-of-the-oven San Francisco sourdough bread with fresh steamed crab . . . or watching DVD's on our home theater with surround sound . . . or a great live concert including artists like Casting Crowns, Boston or Shania Twain . . . or a cool roller coaster . . . by now you know I treasure writing . . . and I could go on and on.

Toxic Obsessions

However, all of these "simple pleasures" can be become overwhelming when we obsess and "gorge" on them. Too much time in the sun . . . experience and research tell us that our skin will become damaged and look like a dried prune. Ice cream and cheese by the pound . . . schedule your heart attack for next week. Airports for more than 2 hours at one time can cause anyone to panic.

Tacos . . . okay, you can never have too many tacos . . . can you?

Sourdough . . . who wants to look like the Pillsbury dough boy? Movie marathons . . . my backside and knees can't sit that long . . . without a loud protest. Too much country-western music at one sitting has proven to create irreversible medical consequences. Have you seen the guy who broke the world record for longest continuous ride on a roller coaster? Does he have a life . . . at least one that includes a job? Put pen to paper without necessary "breaks" . . . and writer's cramp happens to both hand . . . and brain!

Never a more clear example of "too much of a good thing" caught me quite unprepared recently when I had the "privilege" of attending a Pug party . . . admission ticket? . . . my own sweet little 4 month old pug puppy . . . "Ellie". 61 pugs in one yard . . . oh, the smells . . . oh the slime . . . oh the cacophony produced by snorting, nasal challenged pit bull wannabes.

There were sweet, tender, touching moments . . . like watching adult (human) guests become targets for male pugs with full bladders. And do you know what it is like to be in a room when 5 pugs pass gas in short succession? Did you know there is such a thing as a pug toothbrush? . . . and I won it in a mystery guessing contest! What is cute and adorable . . . by itself or in pairs . . . can become a major health hazard when bundled in groups by the dozen.

Can't Get No Satisfaction

We realize that life's greatest pleasures really only satisfy for a short time . . . but yes . . . we are still tempted to gorge ourselves on more of the same activity. We are still prone to frantically fill our time with additional indulging activity that serves to do little more than leaving us feeling . . . like we just ate 3 entire bags of potato chips while watching reruns of "I Dream of Genie" . . . you know . . . bloated and "checked-out".
Fortunately, we are made by a God who knows that there are certain things we need in unlimited doses . . . His love, faithfulness and goodness. His very word reminds us to train our minds towards all of the "good things" that are ours in Christ,

"Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases . . . who satisfies your desires with good things." (Psalm 103)

It is during times of failure, loss, short-sightedness and uncertainty about the future . . . and it is even on days that I find myself in the shower (de-sliming from the latest massive pug-fest) . . . when I am reminded that . . . in Him and only Him . . . we can never receive . . .

. . . too much of a good thing!

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."  (Psalm 100)

[Originally posted at Life Letter Cafe]

Read More