SERMON: INTO THE FIRE

30 June 2013

I.  Introduction

            -- turn in Bibles to Daniel 3:1-7

Daniel 3:1-7 (NIV)

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.
3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language:
5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

            -- in the life of every person there comes a time -- a moment of decision -- when we must choose how we will live our lives -- a time when we are called to choose whether we are going to follow Christ or follow this world, even if the choice may cost us everything -- our hopes -- our dreams -- our freedom -- even our lives

            -- it is a moment that no one longs for -- that no one wants -- but that is thrust upon us, seemingly by chance, because of situations beyond our control -- it is our response in these moments that define who we are as a people and as Christians
            -- many before us have faced such defining moments in their lives

            -- I may have mentioned to you that I am currently a biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a Lutheran minister who was a contemporary of Hitler -- Bonhoeffer was ordained and began serving in the Lutheran church at the same time Hitler and his Nazi party began to gain power in pre-World War II Germany

            -- and as Bonhoeffer began to see civil rights eroded -- as he watched Germany face a moral crisis unlike anything every experienced before -- as he began to see injustice and prejudice spread throughout his beloved country -- Bonhoeffer was faced with a decision -- would he take a stand and actively oppose the evils of the Hitler government? -- would he flee the country to live in safety until Hitler was defeated? -- or would he maintain neutrality and concern himself solely with the business of the church and not with the affairs of state?
            -- at the urging of his friends, Bonhoeffer took a professorship at a seminary in America, determined to wait out Hitler's regime so he could participate in the rebuilding of German society following the fall of the Third Reich
            -- but within two months, Bonhoeffer returned to Germany -- he could not, in good conscience, sit on the sidelines in safety while so many of his brothers and sisters in the church suffered under the oppressive Nazi regime -- he returned to actively oppose the evils of Hitler -- to take a stand for what was right instead of what was expedient
            -- in the end Bonhoeffer was imprisoned by the Gestapo for his role in an attempted assassination of Hitler and other crimes against the state -- and he was hanged by the Germans in April 1945, just 23 days before Germany's surrender
            -- his final message to the church of Christ were these short words: "This is the end -- for me the beginning of life"

II.  Our Defining Moment

            -- while we are certainly not facing the same situation that Dietrich Bonhoeffer faced in Nazi Germany or the Apostle Paul or the other Christians faced in the first century, we are facing our own moment of decision here in this country
            -- it is no secret that we have been faced with momentous moral decline in this country over the past several decades
            -- there have been 1.3 billion abortions worldwide since 1980 -- student healthcare plans at our local universities include coverage for sex-change operations
            -- the so-called "morning after" abortion pills are now available to 15-year-olds over the counter without parental approval, even though schools cannot administer aspirin to these same students without parent's permission
            -- Jason Collins, the pro basketball player who left his fiancee and proclaimed he was gay was lionized by the media and applauded in a personal phone call from the President -- we are told we can no longer just tolerate homosexuality, but we must celebrate it¹
            -- and just this week we saw the U.S. Supreme Court rule on two major cases that have the potential to affect the moral climate of this country and the very practice of religion -- the Defense of Marriage Act or DOMA and California's Proposition 8, which outlawed same-sex marriage
            -- key aspects of DOMA were repealed by the court and they refused to hear the California case, in essence affirming the decision of the 9th Circuit -- but what does this mean to us?
            -- it means we are treading on the legalization of same-sex marriage throughout this nation, regardless of the will of the voters -- but, more importantly, in the decision on DOMA, the Supreme Court castigated those who would stand for traditional marriage between a man and a woman and who oppose same-sex marriage, defining them, as Justice Scalia wrote in his dissent, "enemies of the human race"²
            -- if our country takes this next step and follows those nations around the world that have legalized same-sex marriage, it is likely that in the very near future, a sermon such as this would be characterized as a hate crime and I could be imprisoned for standing up for biblical principles in this area

            -- how did the church respond to these major decisions by the Supreme court? -- by and large, with silence -- while there were a few commentaries by groups such as Focus on the Family and the Southern Baptist Convention, the majority of the Christians in this country either chose not to comment on this issue or they simply did not care

            -- I like to use what I call the Walmart Test to get my finger on the pulse of America -- if you want to know what this country really thinks about an issue, you don't turn to the Gallup Poll -- you turn to Walmart and Facebook and Twitter -- you peer into the lives of real people and you see what's important to them -- you listen to what they talk about -- you read their lives
            -- I will be the first to admit my choice of friends on Facebook is somewhat biased -- it is not representative of this country as a whole -- many of my friends are what I would term strong conservative Christians with one token liberal thrown into the mix
            -- and there was not a single comment on Facebook or Twitter or any of the social media I follow about the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA or Proposition 8 -- even earlier than that, no comments on the NSA eavesdropping scandal or Benghazi or the trial of the notorious Philadelphia abortionist Dr. Gosnell -- nothing -- not one word and no response to anything I posted about these landmark cases

            -- Dante Alighieri of The Divine Comedy fame wrote: "The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis"

            -- when is it time? -- at what point does the church finally stand up and proclaim from the pulpits and in the streets of America and in the halls of power in this land, "Thus saith the Lord, 'This is wrong.'?" -- when will the church stop turning a blind eye to these breath-taking cultural and sociological changes and start taking a stand for what is right?
            -- the moment is upon us -- the time is now -- and we must make a choice as to what we are going to do
            -- this same choice faced Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as they gazed upon the golden idol of Nebuchadnezzar from this passage in Daniel Chapter 3
            -- let's look at their story and see what we can learn about our own through their eyes

III.  Scripture Lesson (Daniel 3:1-30)

            -- look back at verse 1-7

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.

2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up.
3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.
4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language:
5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up.
6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

            -- so here the scene is set -- King Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian Empire -- the first world empire -- stretching from the Mediterranean Sea in the west through modern-day Turkey and down through the Persian Gulf -- Babylon had conquered Israel in 597 BC and brought back the leaders of the nation along with their best and brightest young men and women as captives and servants of the king

            -- Daniel, the author of this book, was one of the captives brought to Babylon from Israel, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who we will read of in this passage
            -- here at the height of his fame and glory, we read that Nebuchadnezzar erected a great statue on an open plain near his royal city -- nine feet wide and 90 feet tall -- about the height of the pine trees you drive past every day -- we don't know what the image was, but more than likely, it was an image of himself -- an idol to his fame and prowess since many early leaders considered themselves to be gods or the sons of gods
            -- Nebuchadnezzar passed a law and commanded that everyone would gather in front of this idol and when they heard the music, they would bow down and prostrate themselves before his image and worship the great idol
            -- so think about what this would mean to Daniel and the other Jews in this land -- in Exodus 20:3-5 God told the Israelites, "I am the Lord your God -- you shall have no other gods before Me -- you shall not make for yourself an idol or graven images -- you shall not bow down and worship them"
            -- a moment of decision had arrived -- a defining moment for the Jews in this land -- would they follow the law of the land or would they follow the law of God?

            -- verse 8-15

Daniel 3:8-15 (NIV)

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews.

9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!
10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold,
11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace.
12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon--Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego--who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."
13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king,
14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?
15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

            -- neutrality was not an option -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were turned in by the other officials in the land for not following the law -- they were summarily hauled before the court of Nebuchadnezzar and questioned, "Why have you disobeyed the law? -- Why have you not bowed down before the idol?"

            -- Nebuchadnezzar gave them one more chance -- they would be carried before the idol, and when the music played, if they refused to bow down and worship the image, they would be thrown into the fire
            -- neutrality was no longer an option -- the choice before these men was clear -- either they follow the law of the land in violation of God's clear command and live in peace and safety or they choose to take a stand and go into the fire, facing certain death

            -- verse 16-18

Daniel 3:16-18 (NIV)

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.
18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

             -- the decision is made -- the men choose God over Nebuchadnezzar -- instead of doing what is expedient -- instead of compromising their values and reasoning within themselves, "It's only a statue of wood and gold -- it's not real -- bowing down before it really wouldn't mean anything, anyway -- God knows our true hearts and wouldn't want us to risk our lives on this issue" -- these three men chose to stand for what they believed -- the chose to stand for God in spite of the risks to their personal lives

            -- verse 19-30

Daniel 3:19-30 (NIV)

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual

20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace.
21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.
22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego,
23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire,
27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.
28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.
29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

            -- true to his word, Nebuchadnezzar had the men bound and thrown into the furnace -- but God chose to rescue the men from their fate -- God joined them in the fire and freed them from physical death and Nebuchadnezzar began to appreciate the power of God

            -- but, let me caution you here -- God chose to rescue Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the flames, but not everyone is rescued in this same way
            -- Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged by the Nazis in the Flossenburg Concentration Camp
            -- the Apostle Paul was martyred by the Roman emperor Nero
            -- many, many men and women have lost their lives over the years because they chose to stand for God against the evil of their generation

            -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to go into the fire regardless of the cost -- they chose to offer their lives as a sacrifice to doing what was right and in opposition to the evil of Nebuchadnezzar -- they went into the fire believing they would die

            -- the decision to stand for what is right should be made based upon faith in the promise of God, not upon a hope for rescue in the midst of calamity -- the decision to stand for what is right should be made regardless of our fate -- simply because it is the right thing to do and because God commands it
            -- as Paul wrote in Romans 14:8, "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."

IV.  CLOSING

            -- one of Bonhoeffer's friends and allies in his stand against the Nazis was Martin Niemoller, who left us with this powerful quote before he was martyred by the Nazi Regime:

"First they came for the communists,

 and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,

 and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

 and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics,

 and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Catholic.
 
Then they came for me,
 and there was no one left to speak for me."³

             -- If the church does not speak, who will? -- if you do not speak, who will?

 

            -- the time of passive Christianity is past -- the time of silent witness is no more -- it is time for us, as God's people in this place, to stand up for the gospel and proclaim the message of Christ to the people and leaders of this nation -- to speak up against injustice and immorality in the name of Christ

            -- for we stand on the precipice of destruction and if we do not sound the warning, this country will face the wrath of God and will be no more 

            -- an old Chinese curse says, "May you live in interesting times." -- folks, we are living in interesting times -- the lines are being drawn -- the temptation for neutrality and compromise afflict us -- but the word of God is clear -- we must choose to pick up our cross and die to self and follow Him -- there is no other option -- the time is upon us 

            -- let us pray

 

¹Andree Seu Peterson, "The Morning After," World Magazine, 15 June 2013

²http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/06/scalias-blistering-dissent-on-doma/277245/

³http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came...

SERMON: NO FEAR

23 June 2013

I.  Introduction

            -- turn in Bibles to Philippians 1:27-30

Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.
29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

            -- as everyone here probably knows, tonight at 8:00 pm on the Discovery Channel, Nik Wallenda is going to attempt to do something no one has ever done -- walk across the Grand Canyon on a wire

            -- as you remember, it was exactly one year ago when Wallenda came into the public spotlight by walking across Niagara Falls on a tightrope -- and while his feat of walking 1,800 feet in the fog and mist rising from the Niagara River was certainly amazing -- it in no way compares to his endeavor tonight

            --last year, Wallenda's walk across Niagara Falls was sponsored and shown live by ABC, but as part of their coverage of the event, they required Wallenda to be tethered to the cable with a harness so if he fell, he would not perish on live national TV

            -- because of this, many people criticized Nik Wallenda's walk across Niagara Falls and said it was not a real attempt because of the harness and tether
            -- therefore, in Wallenda's latest feat of daring, Wallenda contracted with the Discovery Channel with the stipulation that he would not be required to wear a harness and would not be tethered to the wire in any way -- if he falls, he falls -- if he falls, he will probably perish
            -- the only concession Wallenda had to make with Discovery Channel was to allow a 10-second delay in the broadcast so if he does fall, it will not be shown on national TV
            -- I've heard several interviews with Wallenda this week, and in every interview, the same question has been asked, "Aren't you scared of dying?" -- his answer has always been the same, "I would say the only thing I fear is God"¹

            -- we live in a world driven by fear -- fear of uncertainty -- fear of the future -- fear of personal and national financial and economic disaster -- fear of losing our homes and our jobs -- fear of natural disasters and terrorist actions -- fear of accidents and death

            -- our lives are governed by fear -- many of our laws were put into effect because of real or perceived fears -- just think about all the safety rules in place for automobiles -- these were all put in place in response to a fear of injury or accident -- even the recent scandal in the news about Verizon and the NSA monitoring of our calls -- if you think about it, the reason for this invasion of our privacy in this way was driven by fear -- fear of terrorism and another attack like 9-11 or the Boston Marathon       -- without a doubt, we live in a world of fear

            -- perhaps that's why the Bible talks about fear so much -- the most common command in the Bible is not one of the Ten Commandments -- the most common command in the Bible is not even "Love one another" -- no, the most common command in the Bible is "fear not"

            -- 366 times, in one form or the other, we are told by God, "Fear not" -- from the beginning of man in the Garden of Eden to our end in the Book of Revelation, over and over God has repeatedly told us, "Do not be afraid -- trust in Me -- Believe in Me -- Have Faith in Me"
            -- when God came to Abram to establish a covenant with him, His first words were "Do not be afraid"
            -- when the Israelites faced enemies on their way to the Promised Land, God told Moses, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you"
            -- when Joseph found out Mary was pregnant and thought of divorcing her, God told him, "Do not be afraid of taking Mary to be your wife"
            -- and when the women first encountered Jesus after His resurrection, the first words He said to them were, "Do not be afraid"
            -- Jesus had earlier taught His disciples in Luke Chapter 12 to not fear the world -- He told them in verses 4-6, "Don't be afraid of those who can kill the body but do no more -- not a single sparrow is forgotten by God -- so don't be afraid -- you are worth more than many sparrows"
            -- God knew that this was a scary world -- He knew that there were times when our mortal frames would quake in fear and when our hearts would be in our throats -- He knew that there were going to be times that we would be terrified with life and with the future -- and, for that reason, He tells us time and time again in His word, "Do not be afraid"
            -- fear is part of life -- but so is conquering fear

II.  Scripture Lesson

            -- the Apostle Paul knew well the feeling of fear -- without a doubt, he had faced it time and time again during his ministry and missionary journeys -- in fact, it is almost certain that Paul felt fear on the road to Damascus when the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in a blinding light as he was going to Damascus to persecute Christians, leaving him blind and shaken to the core of his belief

            -- as Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11, he had been flogged and beaten numerous times, shipwrecked three times -- he spent a night and a day out in the open sea -- he had been in danger from bandits and from Gentiles and from his own people -- he had gone without food and water and clothing -- he had even been stoned to death

            -- if anyone knew fear, it was Paul -- and yet over and over Paul writes in his letters to the churches and to his disciples Timothy and Titus, "Do not fear, but trust God"

            -- we see these same thoughts here in this letter from Paul to the church at Philippi -- let's look at this again and see what we can learn from Paul about fear from his instructions to the Philippians

            -- verse 27-28a

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

            -- "Whatever happens" -- what an open-ended statement -- no matter what -- even if you face persecution -- even if you face the loss of your home or your job or your finances -- even if you face the loss of your health or suffer injury or even death in your family -- even if a natural disaster destroys all that you know -- even if a terrorist threatens your way of life

            -- whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel -- what does it mean to conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel? -- it means standing firm in the face of fear -- it means standing in faith no matter what happens
            -- as Nik Wallenda pointed out in his answer to those who asked him if he feared death, the opposite of fear is faith -- the opposite of fear is trusting God

            -- most of us are familiar with the name Stonewall Jackson, the legendary Confederate War General -- other than Robert E. Lee, no other confederate general is as well-known as Stonewall Jackson, but do you know how General Thomas Jonathan Jackson got the nickname "Stonewall?"

            -- General Jackson was "a strong Christian with a rock solid faith -- [he] had a strong unshakable belief in the sovereignty of God -- that God is always in control even when it seems the world around is falling apart -- at the first battle of Bull Run, while shells and bullets were flying [all around him], Jackson [did not take cover in the bunkers or behind the obstacles his men and painstakingly constructed -- instead he stayed on his horse in the midst of battle and calmly watched the battle unfold]
            -- "Brigadier General Bernard Bee saw this and told his own troops, “There stands Jackson like a Stonewall.  Men, let’s determine to die here with him.”  -- After that battle Jackson’s brigade became known as the Stonewall Brigade, and he would forever be known as Stonewall Jackson."
            -- time and time again, Jackson displayed remarkable courage in the face of great adversity -- while lesser men cowered in fear, Jackson refused to give in to fear but chose to face his challenges head-on
            -- "Others saw this and were amazed at his composure when danger was all around -- Someone asked him how he could do it" -- Jackson’s response gets to the heart of the message of the Bible -- he said,  “My religious belief teaches me that I’m just as safe on the battlefield as I am in my bed -- the Lord has already appointed the day of my death so I need not worry about that -- I live my life and prepare myself so I will always be ready to meet my Lord, when death does overtake me.” ²
            -- or, to put it another way, whatever happens, I trust in God

            -- how do we conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ? -- what do we do in the face of fearful situations? -- we stand -- we face down our fears

            -- think about the advice we give our kids when they face a bully on the schoolyard -- we tell them if you stand up to the bully, he will probably back down -- bullies operate on fear -- they depend on the fact that fear paralyzes people -- but if you stand up to them, they back down -- that's the same thing Paul is saying here
            -- Paul says stand firm -- stand up to your fear knowing that God has your back -- stand up to your fear through faith in the promise and power of God
            -- that's the same advice he gave Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, or love, and of self-discipline"
            -- the key to overcoming fear is to think and act eternally rather than temporally -- what if we face losing our homes? -- what if we face losing our jobs? -- what if we face not being able to buy food? -- Jesus tells us in Luke 12:29-31, "do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it -- For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them -- But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well"
            -- what if we face the threat of death? -- Paul wrote right here in Philippians 1:21, "For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" and in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that to be absent from the body is to be with the Lord
            -- what let's men like Nik Wallenda and Stonewall Jackson face adversity and possible death with a peace and calmness this world cannot understand? -- it is because they are not living for this world but for the world beyond -- they are trusting in faith in the promises of God and know that He will take care of them, in this life and in the life to come

            -- this ability to stand in faith in the face of fearful situations comes only through the Holy Spirit within -- Paul says here we have to stand firm in that one Spirit and we have to rely on our brothers and sisters in Christ to hold us up

            -- this is one of the reasons we need the church -- we need the church -- not only as a place to come together to learn about God -- not only as a place to join together in worship -- but we need the church to be for us a body of believers who will stand with us in times of trial -- in the face of adversity and fear -- and support us and keep us strong

            -- Paul tells the Philippians here to not be frightened in any way by those who oppose them, but to stand firm, united in faith and in the Spirit and trusting in the promises of God

            -- look back at the second part of verse 28b-30

28b This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved--and that by God.

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,
30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

            -- when you stand up to a bully, they back down -- when you stand up to fear, it dissolves

            -- this last part of verse 28 always reminds me of those movies where the bad guy had captured the hero -- he's standing there gloating -- he's telling him it's all over -- evil has won the day and there's nothing the hero can do about it

            -- and, invariably, the hero will start to smile and shake his head and stand up tall and the bad guy starts to lose his bravado -- he starts to falter and begins to look worried -- and every time, the hero says something like, "you may think you've won, but you don't know the big picture -- you may think you've won, but you don't know who's coming through that door in five seconds" -- and then the cavalry arrives and the bad guy is vanquished
            -- when Satan and his demons whisper fears into our ears -- when they try to make us focus on the natural disasters and economic uncertainties and threats and rumors of wars and violence -- but see us respond with faith and stand firm in the power and presence of God, fear is reversed
            -- our faith in the midst of fear is a reminder to them that they have already lost -- that Christ won the victory on the cross -- and there is nothing they can do or nothing they can promise that can erase that victory
            -- our salvation is secure -- our victory has been won -- and fear has no place in our lives

            -- the church at Philippi had been living in fear of persecution -- when Paul had visited them, he had been arrested and put in chains with Silas -- they lived in the very real fear that suffering and persecution would also come their way

            -- but Paul says suffering is not a sign of God's displeasure -- it is not a sign of God's judgment -- instead, Paul says it is a blessing from God because it is a proving of our faith
            -- true faith is evident only in the midst of adversity -- and the Philippians were going to have the opportunity to demonstrate their faith in the midst of the suffering God had granted them
            -- their witness and their faith would be seen by all -- their lack of fear would be noted -- and the gospel of Christ would be exalted
            -- faith overcomes fear, especially in times of trial and trouble

III.  Closing

            -- when God tells us in His word, "Do not be afraid," He is not telling us that we will never face fearsome things -- when He tells us, "Do not be afraid," He is not telling us that we will be able to conquer giants on our own -- that is not the message of the Bible
            -- no, what God is saying when He says, "Do not be afraid" is "Trust Me -- have faith in Me -- allow Me to take care of this problem for you"
            -- no matter what the situation is that you are facing -- no matter how hopeless it might seem -- no matter how big or fearsome it might look, God says, "You don't have to face it on your own -- don't fear -- I will take care of it for you"

            -- how do you conquer fear? -- you conquer fear through faith -- through trusting God and standing on His promises -- John tells us in 1 John 4:18, "perfect love drives out fear" -- God is love -- and His perfect love drives out our fear

            -- we know we don't have to fear the future, because God will take care of it for us -- He has promised to never leave us or forsake us -- and no matter how big the obstacle may seem -- no matter how scary the future may look -- God says, "Do not be afraid -- trust in me"

            -- in his book "Riding the Heavens," Max Meyers tells the story of the time he had to fly four Papua New Guinea natives from their village to a hospital in a larger town -- the men were extremely sick and desperately needed help -- and even though they had never flown before, they agreed to go with him on the 20 minute flight to the regional hospital

            -- Max writes that the weather turned bad, and right after takeoff, rain began to fall and the clouds grew ominous -- he was worried that if he tried to rise above the clouds he might not be able to find a way down again -- so he threaded his way through the clouds down the narrow valleys in that mountainous region
            -- suddenly, he heard a low drawn-out moan coming from the backseat -- he glanced back, and looked at the terror-filled eyes of the three men in the backseat -- they were locked in a speechless embrace of abject fear -- he glanced at his fourth passenger who was sitting in the front seat by him -- in contrast to the three in the backseat, this man was staring ahead, contemplative and detached -- he even looked casual
            -- Max asked him, "aren't you afraid?" -- the man responded, "only my skin is afraid" -- "what about the rest of you?" he asked
            -- pointing out the window, the native answered, "I see the mountains -- they are so close -- I see the trees and the rocks as they rush by -- I see the rain and I hear it beating on the glass -- I see the clouds all around us -- I didn't know that this big bird of yours shook like this -- there is much to be afraid of here -- but, my fear is only as deep as my skin."
            -- "What about under your skin?" Max asked.
            -- "I'm not afraid under my skin -- I know the One who made the mountains -- I know the One who made the rocks and the trees -- I know the One who made the clouds and the rain -- He's told me that I don't need to be afraid -- Why? -- Because He lives inside my skin.  -- And He has promised to never leave me.  -- Because of that, I am not afraid"

             -- God knew that there would be times in our lives when we faced fearsome things -- He knew that if we let them -- if we looked at them only through our fleshly eyes -- if we only faced them in our own strength -- that we would be overwhelmed and paralyzed by fear

            -- He knew that we would be afraid in our skins from time to time
            -- so that is why He told us, "Do not be afraid" over 366 times in His word -- one for each day of the year, even leap years
            -- This command is a promise to us -- a promise that He will take up our battles for us -- a promise that we will never have to face giants alone -- a reminder of the victory we have in Christ
            -- so whatever fears you may be facing -- whatever worries may be coming your way -- stand firm in the Spirit -- join together with your brothers and sisters in Christ -- and face your fears through faith -- knowing that Christ is with us and that the victory is secure

            -- Let us pray

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¹http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/daredevil-nik-wallenda-wire-walk-gorge-grand-canyon-article-1.1379406

²Modified from a story on Arlie Whitlow's Blog: http://www.arliewhitlow.com/?p=295

 

SERMON: WEEDS OR FLOWERS?

16 June 2013

I.  Introduction

            -- turn in Bibles to Matthew 9:35-38

Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV)

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

            -- for the past couple of weeks, you might have heard Kim making fun of me about her lawnmower -- you see, we don't have a lawnmower at home -- haven't had one in years -- so I borrowed her lawnmower from work -- now Kim will tell you the reason we don't have one in the first place is because we don't have any grass, although I have pointed out to her I need her lawnmower every year or two to just cut back the bushes and mulch up the leaves

            -- but the real reason I don't own a lawnmower is that I just don't like to mow the grass -- well, that's not totally true -- it's not that I really dislike it -- it's that I just don't like the time it takes

            -- it's like getting my haircut -- I know it's something that I need to do from time to time, but I just hate stopping what I'm doing and taking time out of my day to get it done -- I just feel like there's more important things I could be doing
            -- but everyone doesn't share my thoughts on this -- when we lived in Tennessee, those folks up there were serious about their yard work -- they were constantly out on their riding mowers, mowing the grass -- at least once a week -- usually on Saturday morning -- it seemed like everyone in town would get out and mow their grass
            -- well, I didn't follow their pattern -- for one thing, I didn't think grass needed to be mowed that often -- and, for another, I just didn't want to do it -- and so I just kept putting off mowing the grass from week to week
            -- now our house in Tennessee was built on the side of a hill -- and we had a deck that came off the back of the house that actually was about 20 feet up above the back yard -- and one day I got up early on a Saturday morning and walked out there just to take a look around and I saw the most beautiful thing in the world -- my back yard was literally covered in yellow dandelion flowers -- they were beautiful -- the dew was glistening on them and with the rising sun, the back yard just looked like it glowed -- it just radiated beauty
            -- and I stood there and I thought to myself, "See, this is why we shouldn't mow our yards -- if everyone didn't mow their yards so  much, every back yard in our town could be filled with flowers"
            -- after a little while, I went back in the house and, sure enough, it wasn't long until I heard the sound of lawnmowers cranking up outside the house -- I was watching TV or something and I got to listening and I thought, "You know, that lawnmower sure is loud this morning -- it sounds like it's real close to the house"
            -- and so I walked back out on my deck -- and you know what I saw? -- my neighbor was cutting my grass -- all of those beautiful flowers were being chopped down -- he didn't even ask -- he just went out and started cutting my grass in my backyard
            -- so I flew the stairs and stopped him and asked him what he was doing -- he said, "I'm cutting your yard since you obviously won't do it -- you can't just have weeds growing up in your backyard -- did you know that your yard was full of dandelions? -- do you know what they would do to our yards if you didn't cut them down?"
            -- I just stood there, dumbfounded -- where I saw flowers, he saw weeds -- but, since public opinion was against me, I joined with him and grabbed my mower and helped him finish my yard

            -- isn't it amazing how people can look at the same thing and see something entirely different? -- I've always been fascinated by that -- when me and Kim go out on a drive somewhere, she's calling out every dog that we see and I'm pointing out every bird -- she never sees the birds and I never see the dogs

            -- we are traveling on the same road -- looking at the same thing out our windows -- but seeing something entirely different
            -- that's what this passage in Matthew is all about -- nestled in between a series of stories about the conflicts between Jesus and the Pharisees and the sending out of the twelve disciples is this little nugget of wisdom -- just four verses, but four verses that really portray what Jesus was all about
            -- so, if you would, let's spend a few moments thinking about this passage this morning and let's see if we can learn anything new about weeds and flowers

II.  Scripture Lesson

            -- before we turn back to the scriptures again, let me flesh out the context for you a little better -- in Matthew Chapters 8 and 9, Jesus is doing a lot of miracles -- these are the chapters where we read of Jesus healing the lepers -- calming the storm -- casting the demons into the herd of pigs at Gadarenes
            -- this is where we read of Jesus healing the paralyzed man who was dropped through the roof into the meeting hall -- of Jesus healing the woman with the issue of blood -- and raising a little girl from the dead
            -- but, at the end of each of those accounts, we see conflicts start to rise between Jesus and the Pharisees -- they watch what He's doing, and they start to murmur and grumble to themselves and to Him
            -- when Jesus told the paralyzed man that his sins were forgiven and to rise and take his mat and go home, the Pharisees accused Jesus of blasphemy -- when He healed the blind and the mute, they claimed Jesus was healing through the power of the prince of demons -- and they questioned Jesus and His disciples on their religious practices -- why they weren't acting and behaving like the Pharisees thought they should
            -- and then, right before Jesus sends out His disciples to minister in His name in the countryside, we find these four verses -- let's look at them again in a little more detail

            -- look back at verse 35

35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.

            -- now, why is that in there? -- why did Matthew choose to include that sentence in his gospel? -- isn't it really obvious? -- isn't it a little redundant? -- can't we just read Chapters 8 and 9 and see for ourselves that this is what Jesus did? -- why put that in there again?

            -- maybe it's because what Jesus was doing was something different -- something out of the ordinary -- something that made Him stand out from the other religious people in His day

            -- notice that Matthew says that Jesus went through ALL the towns and villages -- now that was something different

            -- the Jews didn't have missionaries in Jesus' day -- they didn't have people going around from town to town or from village to village evangelizing and spreading the word -- they didn't have tent revivals with guest preachers -- that's simply not the way Jewish worship worked
            -- the people knew where to go to worship -- they knew they were supposed to go to the temple to make their sacrifices and to attend synagogue every Sabbath to attend to the public reading and interpretation of God's word -- the religious people knew that they were the only game in town -- "if these people want to see God, then they're going to have to come to us" -- and so the Rabbis and the Pharisees hung out at the temple and the synagogue and waited for the people to come
            -- but not Jesus -- Matthew says that He went to ALL the towns and villages -- every single one -- He didn't miss a single town or village, but He went to every one of them and He taught in their synagogues -- He preached the good news -- and He healed EVERY disease and sickness
            -- it's almost like Jesus saw a need in every town and village that wasn't being met by the churches and the religious people who lived there

            -- verse 36

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

             -- isn't that curious? -- when Jesus looked out on the crowds, He saw something entirely different than the rest of the people with Him -- where the Pharisees saw weeds, Jesus saw flowers

            -- we saw a good example of that a few years ago -- do you remember the story of Susan Boyle from Britain's talent show, "Britain's Got Talent?" -- her story has been played on Fox News and CNN and it's gone around the world on You Tube and by e-mail millions of times
            -- Susan was a contestant on the show back in 2009 -- she shows up to sing before the crowd and she doesn't look like a singer -- honestly, the only way I can describe her is "frumpy" -- she was only 47 years old, but she looked 20 years older -- she was very matronly -- her hair was unkempt -- her dress nothing to speak of -- very unattractive -- nothing appealing about her at all
            -- when Simon Cowell asked her what her talent was and why she was there, she said that she was going to sing and wanted to be a professional singer -- the people in the audience chuckled -- Simon rolled his eyes -- everyone knew that this was going to be horrible -- there's no way that this person was going to have any value at all
            -- we've all seen these shows -- you know, just like I do, that a lot of times they put people on that are simply horrendous -- just to let them make a fool of themselves and to give us something to laugh at -- and it was obvious that Susan Boyle was going to be one of those -- honestly, in the garden of life, she was a weed -- and everyone knew it
            -- but then she started to sing -- and as the first notes of "Cry Me a River" came out, the audience quieted and then erupted in admiration -- her voice was like that of an angel -- and as the people listened to her audition, we watched as a weed became a flower on the spot
            -- now there's a couple things about Susan's performance and our reaction to it that are interesting -- first, it took her amazing voice lifted in song before we realized that this frumpy, matronly woman standing before us was actually someone of value -- before we realized that she wasn't really a weed but a glorious flower after all
            -- but, secondly, that's not why the clip of her audition has been viewed over 100 million times on You Tube -- that's not why this clip has made the rounds on the national news or is being forwarded over and over again on e-mail -- it's because we all want to be Susan Boyle
            -- in our heart of hearts, we are all searching for validation -- we all just want someone to look at us and say, "You're not a weed -- you're a flower"

            -- a few months ago I passed out copies of a book by Donald Miller, "Searching for God Knows What" -- I don't know if any of you actually read it or not, but I knew when I gave it to you that it was going to be challenging to a lot of you -- it's not your normal Christian fare -- you typically don't find Christian books with chapter titles like "Santa Takes a Leak" -- but, if you did wade into the book and make it past the first couple of chapters, Miller makes some profound points in there about life and about weeds and about flowers

            -- he talks in there about the fact that Jesus liked everybody -- Jesus didn't discriminate -- Jesus wasn't prejudiced -- He looked at the people in the Bible -- He looked out at the crowds -- and He saw them for more than what they were -- where the world saw weeds, Jesus saw flowers -- where the world saw no value at all, Jesus brought value

            -- Miller sums this up quite nicely with this quote -- listen to this -- "I kept wondering about the people who met Christ who were losers in the lifeboat -- the crippled and the blind -- the woman at the well -- Mary Magdalene and Zaccheus -- Entire communities had shunned them and told them they were no good -- but God, the King of the universe, comes walking down the street and looks them in their eyes -- holds their hands -- embraces them -- eats at their tables, in their homes, for all the town to see -- That must have been the greatest moment of their lives...to have somebody [especially Jesus] look you in the eye and say you are worth something"

            -- look back at verse 36

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

-- Jesus saw the crowds and saw something different -- He saw their bruised spirits -- He saw their wounded hearts -- He saw their needs and their longing for value -- He saw that they were harassed and helpless and hopeless -- and He took compassion on them

            -- a lot of times, we misuse that word "compassion" -- we use it interchangeably with "empathy" -- but they're not the same
            -- empathy is the capacity to share feelings -- to understand another's emotions and feelings -- to sympathize with them and to share in their hurt and their pain
            -- but compassion is a desire to act in response to a person's pain -- it is a human emotion that drives us to reach out and to do something for someone else who is hurting -- if you have true compassion for someone else, then you not only understand the pain and the hurt another person is feeling, but you actively work to remove that pain and to help that person as much as you can

            -- Jesus looked at the crowds and knew they were weeds -- He knew that was how the world saw them -- He knew that was how they saw themselves -- and He had compassion on them -- He wanted to help them -- He wanted to validate them -- let them know that they weren't weeds, after all -- He wanted to tell them that they were o.k. -- that God not only loved them, but that He liked them -- He liked who they were and He really liked who they could be once they received the love that He had for them

            -- Mark Lowery once talked about how difficult it was for him as a kid with ADHD in school -- none of the teachers wanted anything to do with him -- they shuffled him from class to class because he was a disruption -- but one teacher took time with him, and when it was obvious Mark needed a break from sitting still in his desk, this teacher would take him outside

            -- Mark said she told him something one day that changed his life -- she said, "Mark, I want you to know that Jesus and I both love you and like you for who you are" -- and Mark says that really affected him -- he knew Jesus loved him -- Jesus loved everybody -- but to hear that Jesus liked him, now that was something different -- that meant Jesus didn't mind him -- that meant Jesus wanted to be around him -- that meant Jesus thought he was someone of value

            -- that's why Jesus went to EVERY town and village to heal the sick and to teach in their synagogues -- Jesus went to preach the good news that God was here and that, not only did God love them, but God liked them

            -- where others looked out and saw a field of weeds -- where others said, "It's not worth our time -- they're not worth our time -- why go out and speak to them about God?" -- where others said, "they are nothing but sinners and tax collectors -- why bother?" -- where others said, "Someone needs to do something about all those weeds," -- Jesus said, "Look at the flowers God has created"

            -- verse 37

37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."

            -- I don't know if Jesus had any regrets or not about His time here on earth, but I think He probably did -- if I had to guess -- based on the Scriptures -- I would say that Jesus probably got frustrated a lot -- you see, Jesus looked out on the crowds and saw flowers ready to be gathered -- He saw people who needed a word -- a touch -- an encouraging thought -- a healing of body, mind, and spirit -- and even though Jesus went to every town and village -- He couldn't get to everybody

            -- never forget, Jesus was a man -- as the incarnate deity -- as God clothed in flesh, Jesus was limited in what He could do -- as a man, Jesus couldn't be everywhere at the same time -- He couldn't do everything -- touch everybody -- heal every heart -- He couldn't meet every need
            -- oh, He tried -- He about wore Himself out trying to touch hearts and change lives -- the Scriptures tell us that He would come into a town or a village and be surrounded by people needing Him -- and that He would heal them and talk with them and love them until early in the morning -- until all had been seen -- He'd reach the point where He would have to go away to the mountains or to a garden to rest and be recharged and reenergized before He could start again
            -- and I think it probably frustrated Him -- I think that's the point of this passage -- I think that's why Chapter 10 opens with the sending forth of the 12 apostles to minister -- I think that's why Jesus says here that the "harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few"
            -- Jesus looked out on the crowds and saw them for what they really were -- He saw flowers that needed gathering -- and He knew that He couldn't do it alone
            -- that's why He had the apostles -- that's why He has us -- Jesus needs workers to go into the fields and minister to flowers who think they are weeds

            -- notice verse 38 -- Jesus doesn't tell the disciples to just go on out into the field and get started -- but to pray and ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His field

            -- why is that? -- why would He direct the disciples to pray rather than to go? -- well, if you think about it, it makes perfect sense

            -- you see, when we look at the field with our human eyes, we see weeds -- when we see others -- when we meet others -- immediately, we judge them -- we place a value on them based on something that we deem of worth -- their looks -- their intelligence -- their wealth -- their fame -- their job -- their position -- their talent -- something

            -- and, if they are equal to us or better, then they have value -- they're a flower
            -- but, if they don't meet our standards -- if we don't deem them attractive enough -- or smart enough -- or wealthy enough -- if they don't have talent or fame or an important job -- if they live under a bridge -- then immediately we dismiss them -- they're nothing more than a weed
            -- and don't try to say that you don't do this -- you do -- and I do -- and so does everybody else -- everybody, that is, but Jesus

            -- and that's why He says to pray to the Lord of the harvest first -- so that we will see with God's eyes rather than our own -- so we will hear with God's ears rather than our own -- so we will love with God's heart rather than our own

            -- Jesus says to pray to God first so that we can see the flowers instead of the weeds -- and then He bids us to "Go," and to be His hands and feet and to share His message and His love with the world

III.  Closing

            -- since 1940s, the Ad Council has been the leading producer of public service announcements here in America -- they have produced thousands of ads -- but the "Don't Almost Give" campaign was probably the most powerful ads they ever produced
            -- one ad shows a man with crutches struggling to go up a flight of concrete stairs -- the narrator says, "This is a man who almost learned to walk at a rehab center that almost got built by people who almost gave money" -- after a brief pause, the announcer continues -- "Almost gave -- how good is almost giving? -- about as good as almost walking."
            -- another ad shows a homeless man curled up in a ball on a pile of rags -- one ratty bed sheet shields him from the cold -- the narrator says, "This is Jack Thomas -- today, someone almost brought Jack something to eat -- someone almost brought him to a shelter -- and someone else almost brought him a warm blanket -- after a brief pause, the narrator concluded, "And Jack Thomas? -- Well, he almost made it through the night"
            -- another ad shows an older woman sitting alone in a room, staring out a window -- the narrator  says, "This is Sarah Watkins -- a lot of people almost helped her -- one almost cooked for her -- another almost drove her to the doctor -- still another almost dropped by to say hello -- they almost helped -- they almost gave of themselves -- but almost giving is the same as not giving at all"
            -- each ad ends with this simple, direct message -- "Don't almost give -- Give"

            -- Jesus would have put it a little differently -- He would have said, "You see that person over there you think is a weed? -- that man who can't walk -- that homeless man who needs a meal -- that older woman who needs a friend

            -- they're not weeds -- they're flowers -- they are beautiful and valuable in My eyes -- now go and tell them that and give them My love"

            -- our challenge this morning is to see with new eyes -- to see with eyes of faith -- to look out on the crowds -- on the sick and the homeless and the lonely -- on the Susan Boyles of this world -- and to love them with the love of Christ -- to tell them that they're not weeds but that they're flowers, and that God not only loves them, but He likes them, too -- to tell them that they are wanted -- that they are needed -- that they are welcome in God's house with God's people -- and if they won't come to us, then we must go to them

            -- what flowers have you overlooked this week? -- what flowers have you cut down because you thought they were weeds?

            -- as we close, I want to invite you to ask God to give you His eyes this week -- to give you His heart this week -- so that you can see the shining splendor in the grass -- the flowers of God's kingdom -- and I want you to talk to them about the God who loves them just as they are

            -- let's pray

SERMON: FAMOUS LAST WORDS

9 June 2013

I.  Introduction

            -- turn in Bibles to 1 Kings 2:1-4

1 Kings 2:1-4 (NIV)

1 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said. "So be strong, show yourself a man,

3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go,
4 and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'

            -- The story is told of an old man named Fred who had been a faithful Christian all of his life and was in the hospital, near death -- the family called the preacher and asked them to come and be with them at this time

            -- when the preacher arrived, the room was quite crowded and the preacher had to make a place to stand near the head of the bed -- immediately after he got there, Fred's condition appeared to deteriorate and he motioned frantically for something to write on
            -- the preacher handed him a pen and a piece of paper -- and Fred used his last bit of energy to scribble a note -- he handed the note to the preacher and just a few moments later, he died  -- in the chaos and aftermath of Fred's death, the preacher took the note and put it in his pocket without reading it
            -- later, at the funeral, as the preacher was finishing his message, he realized he was wearing the same jacket that he was wearing when Fred died -- and he thought about that note Fred had given him
            -- he said, "You know, Fred handed me a note just before he died -- I haven't looked at it, but knowing Fred and knowing the man he was, I'm sure his last words will be an inspiration to all of us"
            -- he slowly pulled the note out of his pocket and opened it up and read the last words of Fred out loud to the congregation -- "Move! -- You're standing on my oxygen tube!”¹

            -- as you all know, I am active in the Emmaus and Chrysalis moments and I have served on the spiritual team on many of these three-day spiritual weekends -- now the weekends are built around a series of talks -- there are ten talks by laypeople and five talks by clergy -- and while we say that each one is important and builds upon the next, to be honest, there are some talks that are just more coveted because they seem more important and there are some talks that no one wants to give because they seem to be less important -- the last talk of the weekend is one that no one ever wants to give because the weekend has basically wrapped up by this time -- everyone is getting ready to go home -- and no one is listening

            -- but my thoughts on this talk changed a few years ago when I heard a young man at a Chrysalis Journey make a point about this talk -- when he got assigned Talk #15, one of his friends said, "Man, that's a bummer -- you got the last talk"

            -- He replied, "Are you kidding? -- that's the best talk -- I get to speak into these men's lives the last words they will hear before they leave this weekend"

            -- last words are important -- last words can be profound -- they can sum up the life of a person who is passing away on their deathbed -- they can be the final legacy of a life well-lived

            -- history records for us the last words of many great men and women -- some last words are quite profound, like the last words from John Newton, the former slave trader turned Presbyterian minister and author of the hymn “Amazing Grace” -- as he was preparing to die, Newton said, “I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon.”
           -- other times last words are not quite that profound
            -- Lady Nancy Astor, the first woman member of the British Parliament, woke up for just a moment from her deathbed to see her entire family surrounding her -- she looked around and said, “Am I dying or is this my birthday?”
            -- The very last words of P.T. Barnum, the world famous circus promoter and entertainer, were, “How were the receipts today in Madison Square Garden?”
            -- Just before he died, Pancho Villa, the Mexican Revolutionary General, said to a friend, “Don’t let it end this way. Tell them I said something.”
            -- and the last words of Marie Antoinette, spoken as she stepped on the toes of her executioner on the way to her death, are recorded as “Pardon me sir”²

            -- in this passage we see recorded for us the last words of King David as he passed the throne to his son Solomon -- as you know, David had been given the throne of Saul by God, and had taken a divided nation beset by war on all sides and barely clinging to life, and had unified it and strengthened it and expanded its borders and won peace with all his neighbors

            -- David had gone from being a poor shepherd boy in the hills of Judea to the king of the most powerful nation in the world -- and now, as he lay dying, he had some final last words of advice for Solomon -- be strong -- be a man -- and be faithful
            -- even now, almost 3000 years later, we find these words to be good advice for us as we seek to live our lives in this 21st century
            -- let's take a moment to look at David's last words and see what we can learn from them to apply to our lives today

II.  Scripture Lesson (1 Kings 2:1-4)

            -- verses 1-2a

1 When the time drew near for David to die, he gave a charge to Solomon his son.

2 "I am about to go the way of all the earth," he said.

            -- as this chapter opens we see David preparing to die -- or, as he puts it, going the way of all the earth

            -- it is a fact of nature that all things on the earth today are going to die -- this is not something we like to talk about -- it's certainly not something we dwell on -- but it's a fact -- we are all going to die at some point -- which begs the question, "What is the purpose of life?"
            -- as Christians we live to die -- as Christians we should be living this life in preparation for the next -- as John Newton said in that quote I just gave you from his deathbed, "I am still in the land of the dying; I shall be in the land of the living soon"
            -- physical death is not the end -- it is only the beginning of our eternity -- and the lesson to learn from David at the start of this chapter is to live life with eternity in mind -- to not live life only for what you can enjoy at the moment -- to not live life only for what you can get out of it -- but to live life as a preparation for what is to come
            -- to put your effort and energy and time into the things that will last -- your spirit -- your character -- your integrity -- your legacy

            -- just a couple of weeks ago, Zach Sobiech passed away -- Zach was only 18 years old when he died from terminal bone cancer -- when he received the diagnosis at 17, Zach knew he did not have long to live, so he sought to make the most of it -- to prepare himself for eternity and to leave a legacy of inspiration and direction to those who were left behind

            -- Zach wrote the song, "Clouds," as his swan song -- as his anthem to living life to get ready to die -- let me share with you the opening verse:
            -- "Well, I fell down, down, down, into this dark and lonely hole -- there was no one there to care about me anymore -- and I needed a way to climb and grab a hold of the edge -- and you were sitting there holding a rope
            -- "and we'll go up, up, up -- but I'll fly a little higher -- we'll go up in the clouds because the view is a little nicer"

            -- in these verses we see that David has realized what Zach was singing about -- all of his accomplishments -- the kingdom he had built -- the wives that he had -- the life he had lived -- all of this was going to fade away -- the only things that mattered here at the end of his life were the things of eternity -- and so he tries to pass this knowledge on to his son Solomon in his final words

            -- look back at the second part of verse 2b-3a

2b "So be strong, show yourself a man,

3 and observe what the LORD your God requires:

            -- David left Solomon with the charge to do three things with his life -- let's look at these separately

            -- first, be strong

            -- what is strength? -- I see guys at the gym chasing that elusive word, "strength" -- they spend hours at the gym, working out, toning their muscles, building up their strength -- they think that big muscles is what makes them strong
            -- but is that what David is talking about here? -- I don't think so -- I think the strength David is talking about here is strength of character -- doing what is right in the eyes of God regardless of the cost
            -- in the Bible, when it talks about strength, it begins and ends with God
            -- Exodus 15:2 says, "The Lord is my strength" -- Psalm 18:32 says, "God has equipped me with strength" -- and, of course, Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"
            -- to be strong means to stand up in the power of God -- it implies resilience and perseverance in times of adversity -- to be strong means that when the times get tough, you don't give up, you stand and fight and overcome through God's power in your life
            -- David knew Solomon would be tested -- already two of David's sons had tried to usurp the throne -- one by force and one by favor -- and it was likely the others would try to wrest the kingdom from Solomon once David had passed -- Solomon would have to be strong to keep the kingdom intact
            -- but Solomon's tests were not just going to be limited to the throne -- he would be tested spiritually -- and David tells him to be strong in the power of the Lord

            -- second, be a man -- David tells him, "Man up, Solomon" -- don't forget, Solomon was not like David -- he was as different from David as Jacob was from Esau

            -- David was a man of the fields -- a shepherd boy who became a warrior-king -- a man's man
            -- Solomon was not -- Solomon was a man of the palace -- he was raised in the palace of the women and only knew the palace life -- he had never been to battle -- he had never fought in anger -- he had never spent time outside doing manly things -- his was the world of politics -- the world of pleasure -- the world of comfort
            -- David tells Solomon, "It's time to grow up -- it's time to be a man -- it's time to accept the mantle of responsibility that being a man and a king requires"

            -- I hate to go all Duck Dynasty on you again, but I've been watching that show a lot and there's a lot of wisdom on that show -- one thing I have noted time and time again is the grandfather Phil's concern for his grandchildren -- he is concerned they are growing up "citified" -- he is concerned they do not understand the culture they come from and have lost the appreciation for the things of nature and God's creation that most men his age grew up with -- time and time again I have seen Phil carry his grandsons out into the woods or in the swamps and basically tell them the same thing David is telling Solomon here, "Be a man -- learn what it means to stand up and take on the mantle of leadership and responsibility for your family"

            -- being a man doesn't just mean you are big and strong -- it doesn't just mean you can make a fire without a match -- being a man means you protect and care for your family -- you put their needs above yours -- you serve them and defend them from this hostile world

            -- for the men here, that means we stand up and take care of our family -- but for Solomon, when David told him to be a man, he was reminding him of his responsibility as king -- Solomon was accountable, not only for his family, but also for the nation -- every person in the kingdom of Israel would look to Solomon to lead them and protect them and serve them
            -- the best picture we have of this is Jesus -- Jesus was a man's man -- He gave of Himself for others -- He led those who followed Him -- He showed them what it meant to live a life fully sold out for God -- and He paid the ultimate price by giving up His life and suffering the punishment of the cross so we would not have to
            -- this is what it means to be man -- and this what David was trying to get Solomon to understand

            -- finally, be faithful -- David tells Solomon to "observe what the Lord your God requires"

            -- look back at verse 3-4

3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go,

4 and that the LORD may keep his promise to me: 'If your descendants watch how they live, and if they walk faithfully before me with all their heart and soul, you will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.'

            -- God had made a covenantal promise to David that his descendants would always sit on the throne of Israel -- this promise would be ultimately fulfilled through Jesus -- our Messiah and King -- but it also had an immediate fulfillment

            -- David had taken a divided nation, unified it under his leadership, and expanded its borders, making it the most powerful nation in the world at that time -- and now the time has come to pass that kingdom on to his successor -- the promise of God was to be fulfilled
            -- but the promise of God was not in reference to a specific individual -- the promise to Solomon to hold the throne of David was a conditional promise that depended on his relationship with God -- if Solomon did not walk in the ways of God -- if he did not keep God's decrees and commands -- he would be removed and another would replace him
            -- this charge to Solomon to be faithful is a charge to all of us -- to enjoy the blessings of the inheritance -- to step into the grace God has bestowed upon us through Jesus -- we must uphold our part of the covenant

            -- we must be faithful in our lives -- we must walk in the ways of God -- to walk in the ways of God means more than just coming to church on Sundays and Bible studies during the week -- in the Bible your walk is synonymous with your life -- we are to live in the ways of God Sunday through Saturday -- 24/7 -- 365 days a year

            -- to walk in the ways of God means to obey His commands and His decrees -- to do what He says -- as we talked about a couple of weeks ago, we don't live on legalism -- we don't live our lives on the written commandments -- but we base our lives on the law of God written on our hearts and on what He tells us to do as we spend time with Him
            -- David tells Solomon that being faithful is the key to life -- it is the key to prosperity and success -- not necessarily worldly success -- but eternal success
            -- walk faithfully before God with all your heart and soul and God will bless you and pour out His grace on you and the legacy you leave behind will be everlasting

III.  Closing

            -- the Bible tells us that Solomon did not heed the final words of his father David -- although he was the richest king to ever live -- although he maintained David's kingdom and strengthened Israel's alliances with other nations -- although he built God's temple in Jerusalem and many palaces -- although he was known as the wisest man in the world -- although he was deemed a success by this world, Solomon failed in what truly mattered

            -- he allowed his heart to be turned to other gods by his wives and did not walk in the ways of God all his life -- he spent his life chasing wealth and power and prestige -- and at the end of his life, as he reflected on all that he had done and all he had created and what he was leaving behind, he summed it up in these words from Ecclesiastes, "Meaningless, meaningless -- a chasing after the wind"

            -- the quality of a life is not measured by the size of your checkbook -- the quality of a life is not measured by the things you have accumulated or the accolades of your career -- all of this will pass away at the end

            -- no, the quality of a life is measured by how well you fulfill the charge of David to be strong -- to be a man or, if you prefer, to be a woman -- and to be faithful
            -- these are the components of a well-lived life -- these are the legacy you want to carry on into eternity
            -- be strong -- be a man -- be faithful

            -- let us pray

 

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¹Illustration modified from sermon by David Owens, "Famous Last Words," [http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/famous-last-words-david-owens-sermon-on-examples-of-faith-138882.asp]

²Modified from sermon by Scott Carmer, "Be Strong, Be Courageous, Be Faithful" [http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/be-strong-be-courageous-be-faithful-scott-carmer-sermon-on-david-91723.asp?page=0]