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Sermons preached at the Hinckley Evangelical Free Church (Hinckley, MN)
Episodes
Wednesday Dec 28, 2016
Wednesday Dec 28, 2016
The Gift of Jesus: Everlasting Father
Isaiah 9:6; Various Texts
The Child’s Father
- This child who comes to rule is named ʾăbîʿad: “My father is Eternal”
- It is not necessarily a claim that this child is the Eternal Father
- But rather that he is Son of God
- The only human ever to be called God’s eternal son is the promised Messiah (2 Sam. 7:16; see Ps. 2; 89)
- The Eternal Davidic King = The Christ
The Gift of the King
- This Eternal King comes to give access to His Eternal Father (John 14:6; Eph. 2:18-19)
- A relationship with the Eternal God of the Universe
- And to have this relationship is to have Eternal Life (John 17:3)
- The gift that Jesus gives us is God Himself
- And with Him, Eternal Life
The Gift We Can Give
- If we have this relationship with the Eternal Father through Jesus
- We have Eternal Life to offer the world
So What?
- This Christmas, have you received the gift of Jesus?
- And if so, are you sharing Him with the world?
Meditation Verse: Luke 1:32
Monday Dec 19, 2016
Monday Dec 19, 2016
The Gift of Jesus: Mighty God
Isaiah 9:6; Various Texts
The Child who is God
- Isaiah describes this coming king with a unique name:
- “Mighty God” (ʾēl gibbôr)
- Mighty: Strength of the king to overcome his enemies
- Isaiah often uses names symbolically
- ) In Isa. 7:14, Immanuel is not the actual name of the child, but rather what his presence represents, “God with us”
- When one looks at how Isaiah uses this name in 10:21, “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.”
- It is obvious that the prophet understood this child is to be identified as God Himself
- And yet, Isaiah describes this Mighty God as:
- A child who will be born
- To a monotheistic Jewish prophet:
- How can the eternal God be born some time in the future?!
- How can God became a man?!
- And not just appear as human
- But be born as a child?!
Who is this Mighty God?
- The answer came 700 years after Isaiah wrote it
- Not in a castle, where you would expect a king to be born
- But in a stable
- Not to the rejoicing of the nations
- But to sounds of animals
- And the praise of angels
- When this king was born, who is Mighty God
- He came into the world like every other human being (Phil. 2:6-8)
- Because this Mighty God came to carry the name Jesus (Matt. 1:21)
The Gift of the Mighty God
- Jesus came to show us who God is (John 14:7-9; see also 10:30; Matt. 11:27)
- But, because Jesus is Mighty God, He came to give us what God in His might provides in Isaiah (Isa 63:1; see also 1:24; Isa 49:26; Isa 60:16)
- He comes to provide us with salvation
- And not just from our earthly foes
- But from sin and death itself
- He comes to provide us with salvation
The Gift We Can Share
- If we have received Jesus as Mighty God, the Giver of Salvation
- Then we have a gift to give to the world (Luke 2:10-11)
So What?
- Have we received the Gift of Jesus, Mighty God, Giver of Salvation?
- Are we giving that gift to others?
Meditation Verse: Luke 2:10-11
Monday Nov 14, 2016
Monday Nov 14, 2016
Refocus: Community
Acts 2:42-47 & Various Texts
Community as Central to the Church
- As the Church, we are, by definition, to be in community with one another
- Sharing life together
- The commands to Christians in the NT are overwhelmingly communal in nature
- There are 56 verses that center on how the church is be in community by using the expression ‘each other’ or ‘one another’
- Love (21), encourage (8), be patient (6), be at peace (5), build up (2), be kind (2), serve (2), be concerned (1), accept (1), carry burdens (1), forgive (1), don’t lie (1), confess (1), pray (1), be devoted (1), don’t judge (1), instruct (1)
- There are 56 verses that center on how the church is be in community by using the expression ‘each other’ or ‘one another’
The Early Church as an Example (Acts 2:42-47)
- They learned together
- They prayed together
- They ate together
- They worshipped together
- They did life together!
- And they shared everything they had with one another
- Not out of compulsion
- But out of genuine love
- And because of the work of the Holy Spirit through that community, they grew constantly!
- There is nothing that the early Church had that we lack
- In fact, we have greater opportunities and less hardships than they did
The Need for Community
- We are not created to live life alone (Gen. 2:18)
- We do not only have a God-shaped hole, but also a people-shaped hole in us
- We only reach our potential as individuals when we share life together (Rom. 12:4-5)
- Community keeps us humble and grounded in the truth
- And it allows us to be alone without falling into despair or pride
- Because it keeps us accountable to one another
The Enemy of Community
- The number one thing that keeps us from doing life together: Busyness!
- We let other things get in the way
- The irony is busyness leads to emptiness
- Community leads to fullness
- The solution is intentionality!
Opportunities for Community
- Sunday mornings
- Not just about worship, but also about fellowship
- Bible Studies/Small Groups
- Men’s group, Women’s Bible Study, Adult Bible Study (Th)
- Events
- Thanksgiving Event
- Monthly events to be planned
- Serving
- New ideas:
- Small groups based on the sermons
- Celebrate Recovery
- Others?
- Always open to suggestions
- It doesn’t have to always be events
- Eat meals together
- Go visit those you haven’t seen in awhile
- Visitation ministry?!
So What?
- Let’s do life together!
- Let’s be intentional about it!
- Make a point to connect with someone from the Church this week that you haven’t before
- Let’s share some of those stories next Sunday night!
Meditation Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Monday Nov 07, 2016
Monday Nov 07, 2016
Refocus: Vision
Various Texts
• As Jesus’ Church we are called to be something more than simply a collection of believers
• We are called to be and build God’s kingdom in this world
• And stand as a witness for Christ in the world
o The light in the dark (Matt. 5:14-16)
• God gives us vision to keep us on task (Pro. 29:18)
The Need to Refocus
• We know who we are called to be
• Every time God calls His people to something
o He needs to remind them of that calling
o Because we are forgetful
• The Israelites needed this reminding constantly
o Thus, God gave them feasts, symbols, and instructions
• Feasts: Annual reminders of God’s promises and actions
• Ex.) Passover (Ex. 12:14ff), Tabernacles, Pentecost (Duet. 16), The Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27-32), etc.
• Symbols: Stones of Remembrance (Josh. 4:6-7), Phylacteries (Deut. 6:8; Matt. 23:5), the Temple, etc.
• Instructions: The Law as central to life (Deut. 6)
• When the Israelites struggled most was when the Law was least central in their lives
• The Church needs reminders too
o Feasts: The Lord’s Supper (1Co 10:16)
• Easter, Christmas, etc.
o Symbols: The Cross, Baptism, etc.
o Instructions: The centrality of Scripture to the life of the Church
• When the Church struggles most is when the Word is least central in our lives
What We’ve Been Lacking
• But these things alone are not enough
o We must make a point to be intentional about living out God’s calling on our lives
• Last week we looked at how we are unfocused
o This is not necessarily due to a lack of knowledge in these areas
• Though it may be for some of us
o But rather, a lack of intentionality to practice these areas of our life together
Our Vision
We seek to be a community of loving, praying disciples of Jesus Christ where:
• The Lost are reached through relationships (Evangelism)
• The Word is faithfully proclaimed and Christ is glorified (Worship)
• The Body is edified through intentional training (Discipleship)
• Our lives, hurts, struggles, and victories are shared with one another (Fellowship)
• Christ is shown to our community through our intentional acts of love (Service)
So What?
• Let’s get refocused on what we are called to be
o Keeping His vision for His Church before us at all times
• This is God’s work in and through us
Meditation Verse: Matthew 5:14-16
Monday Oct 31, 2016
Monday Oct 31, 2016
Letters to the Church: Hinckley
Various Texts
Recap
· As we have examined Jesus’ letters to the 7 churches of Asia Minor in Rev. 2-3
· We have been seeking the Lord to see what He wants to say to us
o This is a process that the Elders have been going through
· From this process, God has shown us some areas that we are doing well in
o And others that we need to focus or refocus on
A Vision of Jesus
· Each letter opens with a vision of Jesus
o A reminder of who is leading the Church
· Jesus is:
o Present with the church (Rev. 2:1b)
o The eternal & victorious One (Rev. 2:8b)
o The Conqueror (Rev. 2:12b)
o The all-knowing, Ancient of Days (Rev. 2:18b)
o The Possessor of the Holy Spirit and the churches (Rev. 3:1b)
o The holy One who gives us unlimited access to God (Rev. 3:7b)
o The faithful Ruler of all creation (Rev. 3:14b)
Jesus would commend us for:
· Our commitment to the Word, which includes:
o Sound Biblical teaching & doctrine
§ Like Ephesus (Rev. 2:2)
§ “But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)
o Staying focused on the ‘majors’
§ Not being divided by ‘minor’ theological differences (Rom. 14:1)
§ “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.”
· Our unity (1 Pet. 3:8a)
o We are not easily divided
o But tend to focus on the One who brought us together
· Our welcoming and gracious spirit
o “Come as you are” mentality (Rom. 15:7, NIV)
o Allowing people to fail and still feel loved
Areas to Grow
· Like Ephesus (Rev. 2:3) & Laodicea (3:15) we have lost focus in some areas
· Community
o Being the church beyond Sunday mornings (Acts 2:46)
o Something that used to come naturally
§ But has faded as we have grown
· Service & Giving
o Ministering to one another and our neighbors
o Through our time, talents, and tithes (1 Pet. 4:10)
· Prayer
o Both individually and corporately coming before the Lord (Jas 5:16)
o Not just to talk, but to listen
o And moving beyond our comfort zones to before the throne of God
· In a word, what we have lost focus of is our Vision (Pro. 29:18)
o We need to return to the vision that God has for us as a church
The Good News
· Just like the churches in Revelation, Jesus is not done with us
o This is a wake-up call!
o There is hope and healing for us in all these things
· We need to return to that which we know God has called us
o While not abandoning that which we are doing well
· We will spend the next few weeks with this as our aim
So What?
· Are we ready to let God refocus us on His vision for His church?
· Are we willing to be challenged and changed by His word and His Spirit?
· We don’t do this alone!
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:1b
Monday Oct 24, 2016
Monday Oct 24, 2016
Letters to the Church: Laodicea
Revelation 3:14-22
Laodicea (v. 14a)
· Very wealthy city
o Where travelers would exchange their money for higher quality currency
· Suffered a major earthquake on AD 60
o So wealthy that they refused aide from Rome to rebuild
· Despite their wealth, the city had no good water source
A Vision of Jesus (v. 7b)
· Jesus describes Himself as:
o The ‘Amen’: The affirmation of God
o Thus, He is the faithful and true witness to who God is
o The beginning of God’s creation: Referring to him being the source & ruler of all of creation
§ Arche: beginning, source, or ruler (see John 1:1)
“I know…” (v. 15-17)
· Jesus’ knowledge of the Laodiceans work leads to His rejection of it
· The city piped in water from the Colossae & Hierapolis
o Colossae had a cold spring of water that issued forth from the side of the nearby mountain which was the most refreshing water in the region
o Hierapolis had hot mineral springs, which were used for healing purposes
o By the time it got to Laodicea, it would be lukewarm, and mineral laden
§ Thus, nauseating
· Like their water supply, the Laodicean church’s works were nauseating to Jesus
o Thus, His declaration that He is about to spit them out
o This is a declaration of the worthlessness of their work
§ Not that Jesus desires that His people be on fire for Him, or be apathetic toward Him!
· And they think that they are rich spiritually
o When they are really the poorest of the poor
· Like their city’s self-sufficiency
o The church had become prideful, boastful, and complacent
Jesus’ Offer (v. 18-20)
· He counsels the church to invest in Him
o To exchange their worthless works for something of real value
§ Like travelers would exchange their inferior currency for the better Laodicean kind
· This call to exchange is to trade their self-sufficiency for reliance on Jesus’ own righteousness
o Which will heal their shame and spiritual blindness
· He reminds them that His discipline is an act of love
o And calls them to repent and rekindle a zeal for God
· This is not a call of first belief
o But rather a call back to intimate fellowship with Jesus (Song 5:2)
The Call to Conquer (v. 21-22)
· Jesus promises those who persevere in their faith:
o That they can sit on His throne with Him
§ Sharing in His rule
§ For their work will be done
So What?
· Are we lukewarm; complacent in our relationship with Jesus?
o Or are we growing and investing in that relationship?
· Are we relying on ourselves or on Jesus?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 3:18
Monday Oct 17, 2016
Monday Oct 17, 2016
Letters to the Church: Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13
Philadelphia (v. 7a)
· Suffered a devastating earthquake in AD 17
o Along with Sardis
· Was once the hub for the spread of Hellenism in Asia
o Hellenism: Greek language & culture
· Known for their vineyards
o Large temple to Dionysus
A Vision of Jesus (v. 7b)
· Jesus describes Himself as:
o Holy: Something other than creation
o A term used exclusively for God
· True: Both trustworthy and the source of truth
o The holder of the key of David
o A reference to the one who alone had unfettered access to the king (Isa. 22:20-23)
o Jesus alone gives unlimited access to God
“I know…” (v. 8-10)
· Jesus commends the Philadelphians for their works
o Including not denying Him despite pressure to do so
§ Especially from those of the Jewish synagogue
· He tells that He has opened a door for them
o Probably a reference to opportunity for them to spread the Gospel
o Much like the city was used to spread Hellenism
· For their endurance Jesus promises to reward them by “keeping them from the hour of trial” that is coming (v. 10)
o This is seen by some as a reference to the Rapture
o But may also be a reference to His protection of His people throughout the coming tribulation (see John 17:15)
o Τηρέω (tareo): keep watch over, guard
§ keep, hold, reserve, preserve
§ keep, observe, fulfill, pay attention to
o Regardless of how you interpret it, Jesus is promising to protect His people
§ Either by removal or perseveration through trials
§ A theme throughout Revelation
· “sealing” (7:1ff.), “measuring” (11:1–2), and “nourishment and protection in the wilderness” (12:6, 14–17)
The Call to Conquer (v. 11-13)
· To those that persevere in their faith in Christ, Jesus offers:
o A crown: The stephanos/victor’s crown
§ Having it taken is not a reference to loss of salvation
§ But rather, loss of reward
o To be a pillar in God’s Temple: A place of permanence before God
§ In order to bring Him glory
o Names written on them (1 King 7:12; 2 Chr. 3:15, 17)
§ The Father’s name: Showing that they belong to Him
§ The New Jerusalem: Their new place of citizenship (Ezek. 48:35)
§ Jesus’ new name: Reflecting their special relationship with Christ (Isa. 62:2)
So What?
· Are we walking through the ‘open door’ that God has set before us?
o Are we looking for opportunity to share the Gospel with others?
· Are we comforted by the protection that God offers?
o As He calls us His own
Meditation Verse: Revelation 3:8
Monday Oct 03, 2016
Monday Oct 03, 2016
Letters to the Church: Thyatira
Revelation 2:18-29
Thyatira (v. 18a)
· Located on a vast plain
o The modern city of Akhisar
· Ancient defensive city for the kingdom of Pergamum
· Known for their trade guilds
o Lydia (Acts 16:14, 40)
o Including their metal working
A Vision of Jesus (v. 18b)
· Jesus is described as being the Son of God
o Having eyes of fire: All-knowing
o Feet of burnished bronze: Symbol of strength
· Daniel’s Ancient of Days (Dan. 10:6)
“I know…” (v. 19)
· Jesus commends the church for their:
o Love
o Faith
o Service
o Endurance
o Maturity: They had not become stagnant (2:4-5)
o But were growing in their relationship to Christ
“But I have this against you…” (v. 20-23)
· Thyatira’s sin was tolerance of false teaching and immorality
o Much like Pergamum
· This came via a false prophetess called ‘Jezebel’
o May be an allusion to Ahab’s wife who encourage idol worship and led Israel astray
· This represents the dangers of assimilating to the culture around us
· Jesus claims that judgment will come upon her and those who follow her
o Though He desires repentance (v. 21 & 22b)
o The result of such judgment is to act as an example to the Church (v. 23)
“But to the rest…” (v. 24-25)
· Jesus gives comfort to the faithful
o Who have not fallen under such false teaching
§ “Deep things of Satan”: Probably a reference to Jezebel’s teaching and/or Gnostic heresy
· He encourages them to continue doing the good work in which they have been growing
The Call to Conquer (v. 26-29)
· To those that persevere in their faith in Christ, Jesus offers:
o The authority to rule* with Him (see Ps 2:9; Isa 30:14; and Jer. 19:11; see also Mark 25:21; Rev. 20)
§ Sharing in Jesus’ authority from the Father
§ Rule: To shepherd or pastor
o The Morning Star: Jesus Himself (22:16)
So What?
· Are we assimilating to our culture?
o Going along with idolatry and immorality of the world around us
o Or are we acting as lights in the darkness?
· Are we letting Jesus prepare us to shepherd like He does?
· Do we live like Jesus Himself is our great reward?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:28
Monday Sep 26, 2016
Monday Sep 26, 2016
Letters to the Church: Pergamum
Revelation 2:12-17
Pergamum (v. 12a)
· Located about 10 miles inland from the Mediterranean
· Contained an ancient citadel and fortress
· Atop the citadel was the temple to “Zeus the Savior”
o Also known as the throne of the city
· It also contained the temple to “Aesculapius the Savior”
o The Greek god of healing
o Which included a hospital
o And a doctrine of personal salvation
A Vision of Jesus (v. 12b)
· Jesus describes Himself as having a “sharp two-edged sword”
o A reference to His role as conqueror (see 1:16; 2:16)
“I know…” (v. 13)
· Jesus assures the Church that He understands their circumstances
· They dwell where “Satan’s throne” is
o Possibly a reference to the temple to Zeus or Aesculapius
· Yet, they remain true to their faith in Christ
o With some (Antipas) even dying as a result
“But I have this against you…” (v. 14-16)
· Yet, Jesus reprimands the Church for a few things
· They have some in their midst who have fallen under false teaching
o Balaam (see Num. 22-24; 31:15-16)
§ Eating food sacrificed to idols & engaging in sexual immorality
o The Nicolatians
§ Possibly a form of Gnosticism
• Salvation through secret knowledge
§ And/or a group of false Apostles
· Jesus’ concern is not just with Orthodoxy, but with Orthopraxy
o Orthodoxy: Right belief
o Orthopraxy: Right practice
The Call to Conquer (v. 17)
· Jesus promises that those who overcome by persevering in their faith in Him will receive:
o Hidden manna: God’s provision (see Ex. 16:32-34)
o White stone: May be a reference to the stone used in a vote of acquittal (see Acts 26:10)
§ Or a reference to an invitation to the Jesus’ banquet (see 19:9)
§ Or to being a stone in the Temple of God (see 3:12)
• White marble was only found in temples in Pergamum
o New name: Either a reference to believer’s new identity in Christ
§ Or the name of Jesus Himself (see 3:12; 14:1; 19:12; 22:4)
So What?
· Are we known for our orthodoxy & orthopraxy?
· Is our identity found in Christ?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:17
Monday Sep 19, 2016
Monday Sep 19, 2016
Letters to the Church: Smyrna
Revelation 2:8-11
Smyrna (v. 8a)
· A major city in Asia Minor
o Ismir, the third largest city in modern Turkey, is built on the rubble of ancient Smyrna
· Contains a protected harbor and was built upon the slopes of Mount Pagus
· Contained temples to Cybele, Apollo, Aesculapius, Aphrodite, and Zeus
· It was the center of Imperial worship for all Asia
A Vision of Jesus (v. 8b)
· Jesus describes Himself as “the First and the Last” (see Rev. 1:8, 21:6; 22:13)
o A reference to His eternal nature
o Which stands against the temporality of the Church’s suffering
· He is the one who ‘has become dead’ and lives again
o A reference to His ultimate victory
o One in which the Church will share (v. 11b)
“I know…” (v. 9)
· Jesus commends the Smyrnan Christians for their:
o Endurance under persecution
o Perspective in their poverty
§ Because they are rich in Christ
o Fortitude while being slandered
· “Synagogue of Satan”
o Possibly a reference to the “Curse of the Minim” (c. 90 AD), which expelled Jewish Christians from synagogues
Encouragement (v. 10)
· This letter has no correction
· But rather, an encouragement to continue to endure under the growing hardships the Church will face
o Including imprisonment
o And even death
§ Gladiator games
§ Martyrdom of Polycarp (Feb. 23, AD 155)
The Call to Conquer (v. 11)
· Those who endure such tribulation will experience need not fear death
o Because Jesus has conquered it
So What?
· Are we known for our faithful endurance? Have we ever really experienced tribulation?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:11