Sermon #3: Your Pastor: Leadership At Bethany Church
Notes
Transcript
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Introduction
Introduction
[Slide - 2] *William Carey (Father of Modern Missionary Movement)
I. Attempt Great Thing For God + Expect Great Things From Him
I. Attempt Great Thing For God + Expect Great Things From Him
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Early Life
York, ME
Early Life
Grandmother Church
York, ME
First responded to the Gospel at a young age
Grandmother Church
Fully surrendered
A. Put God To The Test
A. Put God To The Test
First responded to the Gospel at a young age
Fully surrendered
Fully Surrendered + God-Given Desire to Pastor (July 2012)
[Slide - 3-4] I felt like Peter telling God if I could walk on water
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
Two meanings of “test”
[Slide - 5] Unacceptable kind of testing - Test God b/c one lacks faith
Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.
Israelites were in need and their immediate reaction was to grumble against God and fight with Moses (cf. :3)
This showed a lack of trust in God to take care of them
But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?”
[Slide - 6] Acceptable kind of testing - Test God b/c one has faith in Him
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Only situation given in the Bible in which God tells His people to “test” Him
God invites Israel to test Him in tithes and offerings and see that He proves His faithfulness in response
I sought out that day to see whether “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things” would really “be given unto me”
Transition: [Slide - 7] That meant that I had to...
The Israelites in Malachi’s day were invited to test God because they had faith in Him.
Answer: In the Bible, there are examples of both an acceptable and unacceptable kind of testing God. It’s acceptable to “test” God in regard to tithes and offerings, for example, but unacceptable when the test is rooted in doubt.
This is the only situation given in the Bible in which God tells His people to “test” Him. Interestingly, the Hebrew word used for “test” in this verse is bachan, which means “to examine, scrutinize, or prove (as in gold, persons, or the heart).” Just as gold is “tested” with fire to prove its quality, God invites Israel to test Him in tithes and offerings and see that He proves His faithfulness in response.
B. Hold Nothing Back - I Had To Get Out Of The Boat
B. Hold Nothing Back - I Had To Get Out Of The Boat
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Going to PCC
18yrs. old first time on a plane (Momma’s boy)
Homesick at school
You might say going to college and deciding not to transfer to a different school is not a follow Jesus’ or not decision. For you it might not be, but for me it was.
PCC = Pastoral training + abandoning everything for Christ’s call on my life
Leaving = Saying “No” to God’s clear plan for my life
Going to a strict school taught me to say “Yes” to God
While there God gave me a “help-meet”, my wife Rachel (from York, ME + w/intertwined past)
Gave me an opportunity to get to do things I would never do otherwise
Taking position at Calvary Bible Church
Said “No” to free housing and Rachel guaranteed teaching position at PCC
Leaving West Campus
260 acres w/nearly 1/2 mile of waterfront property
Sailing, kayaking, etc.
Less than 30 minutes from the College, a little-known oasis on Perdido Bay awaits college students who are up for a Saturday adventure. With 260 acres and nearly a half-mile of waterfront property, West Campus provides students with scenic views and a variety of land and water activities.
May before finals - Dr. Barnhart’s reaction in class
Wonderful 5-years at CBC + MVBC
Following God’s leading “home” to New England + Bethany
Felt Lord’s leading summer 2014
Gave resignation March 2015
Left end-of-June 2015 w/o a position
God has provided a position, home, proximity to family and friends
Transition: Now, if you know your Bible, Peter’s walking on water is not the end of the story, is it? No, Peter began with great faith but he found himself scared of strong waves around him and lost faith in Christ. [Slide - 8]
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
I too, during this journey, have doubted. So how did I persevere, you might ask? How did I continue? How did I keep going in the face of strong opposition?
These questions led me to the next Biblical Principle that has guided me through life. [Slide - 9] It’s a simply yet profound principle:
II. Jesus Is Enough
II. Jesus Is Enough
The Church Became My Family
The Church Became My Family
A. Jesus Didn’t Promise It Would Be Easy
A. Jesus Didn’t Promise It Would Be Easy
[Slide - 10]
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The cross was an instrument of shame and suffering (even death)
You might say going to college and deciding not to transfer to a different school is not a follow Jesus’ or not decision. For you it might not be, but for me it was.
When Jesus said that the way to follow him was to take up our cross, he was telling me:
PCC = Pastoral training + abandoning everything for Christ’s call on my life
Leaving = Saying “No” to God’s clear plan for my life
To be willing (without murmuring, or God-criticism, or cowardice) to do whatever God has called me to do, all for your allegiance to him
Church friends became my family
During
[Slide - 5 Total] What would it signify if you were to take up your cross (not someone else’s)? At least four things:
[Slide - 11] Endure voluntary hardship for Jesus!
Opposition: A cross was used to execute criminals who had the state of Rome in opposition to them.
Shame: This execution was reserved for the worst criminals, and the victim was usually naked on a cross for hours.
Suffering: This kind of execution was designed to prolong excruciating pain.
Death: The aim of crucifixion was death, not torture followed by release.
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
When Jesus said that the way to follow him was to take up our cross, he meant at least this:
Phil
To treasure Jesus more than we treasure human approval, honor, comfort, and life.
Be willing (without murmuring, or God-criticism, or cowardice) to be opposed, to be shamed, to suffer, and to die — all for your allegiance to him – endure voluntary hardship for Jesus!
treasure Jesus more than we treasure human approval, honor, comfort, and life.
To “take up your cross” meant to treasure Jesus more than we treasure human approval, honor, comfort, and life.
Our suffering is not a tribute to Jesus unless we endure it because we cherish Jesus.
We do right, we follow Jesus even when it’s hard and not in our “best interest” on the service
College + Seminary wasn’t easy
Calvary Bible Church was a challenging ministry
Moving up homeless was tough (Andrew’s comment - apartment)
Transition: And through these times Jesus has shown me over and over that He is “enough”
B. Jesus Promised That He Was Enough
B. Jesus Promised That He Was Enough
Mark 9:14-
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Slide - 12-13] Jesus gave me the faith I needed to persevere
Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Mark 9:21-
Faith has come to me, to my family through His Word, by His Spirit + by His Church
When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Matthew 14:
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Jesus + His ways has always been enough
Conclusion
Conclusion
Mark
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.