The Power of Believing!

 10^th Sunday after Pentecost

Focus statement:    This sermon will show that, if we believe and expect God to work miracles in our

                   church and lives, God will.

 

Function statement: As a result of this sermon, the congregation will understand that we can make a

                difference today if we believe and will leave with more of a determination to make that

               difference.

  

                         Matt. 13:53-58

 

Text:

"And he did not do many deeds of power there, because

 Of their unbelief." v. 58

 

                            Prayer

 

1st movement

When I taught High School math, I made some interesting observations about students.  Let me tell you one of their stories.  We will call this student Bill.  The first year I had Bill, I observed that he could be a pretty likeable person.  He minded reasonably well, and he was pretty respectful, which was different than some that I had.  He wasn't very strong in math, and before it came time for parent/teacher conference, he had begun to fall behind in his work.  He had several assignments that he had not turned in.  For parent/teacher conference, both of his parents showed up which is always a good sign.  They asked me how he was doing and what his current grade was;  I told them, and they were not pleased.  They assured me that he would catch up and that I would see a difference because they were going to take his truck keys away until they got a positive report from me. He had a nice, pretty new model truck, that they had bought him.  He got to work, and his grade came up very rapidly.  When I sent the note home and he was able to get his keys back he let up, but he did pass that year by the skin of his teeth.

The next year I had Bill again.  He began to follow the same pattern again.  Parent/teacher conference came and his mom showed up.  I shared how he was doing, and she said, "I don't know what we are going to do with Bill."  "There doesn't seem to be anything that we can do!"  She followed this with many excuses about his behavior.  She no longer expected or believed that Bill would succeed, and Bill dropped out of school that year!

 

2nd movement

I can see a connection between what happened to Bill and what happened in Nazareth in our scripture for today.  The people did not expect or believe that Jesus would work any miracles, and Jesus did not.  They didn't trust in Him or put faith in Him because He was just the carpenter’s son!  They knew Him from birth; they did not believe He was any different than them!  They had watched Him play in the streets as a little child.  They had heard all the stories and talk about His questionable birth!  He couldn't be the Messiah!!  They didn't believe Jesus could work the miracles of which they had heard.  They didn't get to experience his miracles because they  didn't believe!  Jesus was no different; He had worked many miracles in other places, but the people were different.  Jesus is not an at-risk student who if we do not motivate will not perform, but the message in this scripture is that Jesus does not work miracles where there is unbelief. 

Some of us have known Jesus a long time; we have grown up with Jesus. I, for one, have gone to church most of my life! Have we gotten use to not seeing much church growth or not seeing many be saved to the point that we no longer believe that Jesus can work these miracles?  We no longer expect it?  We have heard all the stories about rural decline, lack of growth, lack of Jesus working many miracles in rural churches. Have we become disillusioned by people who claim to be Christians but have taken advantage of us or who we see taking advantage of others?  Have we experienced churches really not making much difference in our world?  Have we seen Christians who seem to be only concerned with themselves and what they can get?  Are we going to believe these stories and the realities of what we have seen in other people and talk about what Jesus cannot do, or are we going to look around at all the people who could be in church and believe and expect Jesus to be able to make a difference through us?  Are we going to expect and believe Jesus can do something about the situation in which we live?

 3rd movement

Jesus said in John 4:35, "But I tell you, look around you,  and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting."  Let's believe in what Jesus says here!  Let's believe or continue believing that Jesus can work miracles through us! Let’s continue to believe that if we love people, letting Jesus love through us, it will make a difference and people will respond. If we do, I believe we’ll continue to see God do some miracles in Forsyth!  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever!  We can count on it!  Claim the promises of God as we encounter Christ at the table this morning and let’s leave this morning expecting Jesus to work some miracles!

 

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

No Imitation Pearls, Thank You!

 9^th Sunday after Pentecost!

 

                            Prayer

                         Matt. 13:45-46

Introduction

A.   If you heard a commercial on T.V. for genuine pearls from the Mediterranean Sea, an exclusive offer, for a limited time and never to be offered again, for only $14.95.

1.   It wouldn't take a jeweler to realize that the

product you would be getting would be far from

genuine pearls.

2.   If you didn't know the difference, you might not

mind.

3.   But when the lacquer began to flake off of these

genuine pearls, chances are, you would know the

difference.

B.   We live in a day of imitations: imitation jewelry,

     imitation furs, imitation wood furniture, imitation body parts, imitation websites that are developed to scam you, and yes imitation Christianity, church, and people.

C.   The scripture we read this morning reminds us that there is a ONE OF A KIND "pearl,"  there is no imitation that comes close, and it is worth everything we possess to have this Pearl.

D.   What is this Pearl?  Let's look into this parable of Jesus and see what we can learn from it this morning.

 

I.   The Parable.

A.   Parables were the "life stories" Christ used to get his  message across to the people.

B.   He shares the Parable of the Pearl.

1.   There was a merchant with many fine pearls and jewels.

2.   But, he is not satisfied because he knows there is this special, unique, unmatched pearl out there somewhere.

3.   So all of his life and in all of his travel he is constantly seeking for this precious pearl.

4.   One day, perhaps unexpectedly, he sees it: the rarest, most exquisite pearl he has ever seen. There is no doubt that finally he has found this one of a kind pearl.

5.   Without further thought or question, he goes out and sells all he has and buys this pearl.

 

II.  The Lessons of the parable.

A.   The kingdom of God is the loveliest, most precious and  unique pearl in the world..

1.   True, there are many imitations: fakes, rip-off artists, and con-people.

2.   But, when the TRUE LOVE OF GOD is found, it cannot be equaled.

3.   It is also true that many times we as Christians act as if it is something to take for granted.

4.   Sometimes we act as if it is not important at all.

5.   Sometimes we act as if it is a terrible burden to serve God when in reality our service is a means of grace through which we encounter God!

6.   Because of the preciousness of the Love of God, we should never forget that God's love and forgiveness     are never just "a so-so part of life!"

B.   There are other Pearls, but only one PRECIOUS PEARL.

1.   People search in many good ways to find meaning.

a.   Some get educated.

b.   Some follow after the arts.

c.   Some try to be very athletic.

d.   Some try to do many good works.

e.   Some try to do nice things for many people.

2.   All of these within themselves are truly pearls.

     They are good things for us to do. None of these

are bad!

3.   But, until we have found the GREAT AND PRECIOUS

     PEARL, we will always feel a void and a need for the  real meaning of life.

C.   We must be willing to pay the price.

1.   The merchant invested his time and effort searching; then, he gave all he had to obtain the Pearl.

2.   So many times today, we as Christians are undisciplined.

a.   In our commitment to God.  Too many times

     today, we commit ourselves to things that we

     think will make us happy or that we feel

     others expect of us and God and Christian

     growth come in at the bottom of the list.

b.   In our commitment to the church.

1)   Too many times, we are spectators and not  participators.  We enjoy the worship but fail to see the need to get involved in  the other ministries of the church.

2)   If our church is to grow and expand, each  of us needs to be willing to do our part  to that no one will be over burdened and so our church can keep making a positive                        difference in people=s lives.

c.   In our commitment to share financially.

1)   Sometimes, we do this and never give of  our time and talents.  This is admirable,  but God and people need the special touch hat each of us can give.  They need our                        hands, our feet, and our love.

2)   Sometimes, we work in the church and feel that we have done our part and fail to give financially.

3)   In the Old Testament, we are told to give  a tithe of all that we have.  We can still use this as a guideline, but in the New  Testament, we are told to give as much as                       we honestly can, or we're taught 100% commitment.  In giving our tithe or as much as we honestly can, we show that we know that God owns it all; our giving is a reflection of our commitment in all parts of our lives.

a)      If we throw a $5 in the plate to ease our conscience, then we probably aren=t very committed beyond our Attendance, unless that is truly all we can give.

b)      On the other hand, if we are pushing ourselves to give the 10% or more or at least as much as we can right now and we are working on getting our finances in order so that we can better support the Lord=s work, then it is a pretty good indicator that we are making Christ the Lord of all areas of our lives.  We are a Christian that God can count on!

3.   We as Christians today must learn that the only

way to ever be happy with Christ is to get

disciplined and do whatever it takes to find the

great pearl. It takes 100% commitment of time,

talents, and finances!

 

III. What the parable leads us to do.

A.   Give ourselves to Christ totally!

1.   No "good road Christians" here.

A missionary (David Livingston) was once asked 

(by a missionary society) if he had found a

good road to where he was ministering.  They

said, if he had, they would send others to join

him.  He replied, if all they had were people

who would come only if there was a good road,

he didn't want them to come.  He needed people

who would come regardless of the condition of

the road.

2.   Just so, the church needs people who are willing to give, care, go, and do whatever it takes regardless of the circumstances.

B.   Also, this parable leads us to be joyful people at

peace with God, others, and self.  This is the

attitude that shows the true nature of God and makes people want to come to God.

C.   Thirdly, it calls us to examine our lives, all of us, and ask if we want all of God's blessings but are seldom ready to assume our Christian responsibilities.

 

Conclusion

A.   God gave Jesus.  God gave love.  God gave God's all for

us! 

B.   On this 9^th Sunday after Pentecost as we examine ourselves

for growth, are we ready to come to God this morning and

not just give an imitation but to give God the real thing:

our lives?

     C.   As we encounter Christ at the table this morning, we can

 do that!

Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

 

The Hidden Treasure!

 8^th Sunday after Pentecost!

 

Introduction:  Things of interest about the book of Matthew.

 

     A.   It is believed to be the second gospel written.

          1.   Mark being the first!

          2.   Matthew having Mark as a source, so most of what is

in Mark is also in Matthew with some added!

 

     B.   It was written by Matthew who was a tax collector and

          also a disciple of Jesus.

 

     C.   Being accustomed to bookkeeping it may be that he kept           notes on the works of Jesus.  It seems he gave a more

          detailed account of the Sermon on the Mount and the              teachings of Jesus.

 

     D.   It is arranged topically thus chap. 13 is concerned

          with parables; Matthew is not writing Chronologically!

 

     E.   The chief purpose for which Matthew wrote his gospel

          was to convince the Jewish people that Jesus was the

          Messiah predicted int their scriptures.

 

     F.   Thus he speaks a lot about the kingship of Jesus and

          his kingdom!

     Trans.

          Let's look this morning at one of these parables about           the Kingdom and see what we can learn about the Kingdom          of God from it!

                            Prayer

                          Matt. 13:44

 

I.   First let's look at what the Kingdom of Heaven is.

 

     A.   Vines dictionary says about the Kingdom:

          "The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God's rule.

          Since, however, this earth is the scene of universal

          rebellion against God, the Kingdom of God is the sphere          in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged."

 

     B.   Thus the kingdom of God is in a believer!  When we

          acknowledge his rule and become a Christian, we are a

          part of the kingdom!

 

     C.   And the Kingdom of God is in Heaven where his rule is

          acknowledged.

 

II.  Let's look at the Parable!

 

     A.   The Treasure hid in the field is Christ!  Through Christ         all the real treasures are found!

 

          1.   All fullness.

              Col. 1:19 "For it pleased the Father that in him

                        should all fullness dwell:"

 

              John 1:16 "And of his fullness have all we

                        received, and grace for grace."

 

              In Christ, we can have the fullest life!

 

          2.   wisdom and knowledge

              Col. 2:3  "In him are hid all the treasures of

                        wisdom and knowledge."

 

          3.   righteousness, grace, peace, love and many more.

 

     B.   This treasure is hid in a field!  The field could be the         Bible!

          1.   The treasure is there to those who search.

          2.   The treasure is there for whomsoever (John 3:16)!           3.   Search the scriptures to find the treasure!

 

     C.   Because it is hid in a field only those who search will          find it!

          1.   The field looks to be of no value at first!

          2.   The Bible looks like any other book at first glance              until we open it and Search the Scriptures!

              John 5:39 "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye

                        think ye have eternal life: and they are                        they which testify of me."

 

     D.   Those who realize the value of the treasure in the

          field will sell all to attain it!

          1.   So it is with Christ!  When we realize the value

              of Christ we will make him 1st priority!

              Phil. 3:8      "Yea doubtless, and I count all

                             things but loss for the excellency                              of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my                             Lord: for whom I have suffered the                             loss of all things, and do count

                             them but dung, that I may win

                             Christ."

          2.   And when we do everything else will fall in place!

              Matt. 6:33     "But seek ye first the kingdom of

                             God, and his righteousness; and all                             these things shall be added unto

                             you."

 

     E.   The field could be the world!

          1.   People search throughout the world to find meaning               in life.

 

          2.   There are lots of options to try to find meaning in

life: pleasure, wealth, popularity, etc.

 

          3.   The real treasure in the field is Christ!

 

          4.   Once one finds Christ, they will sell out to attain

it!

Conclusion:

     A.   Have we found this treasure?  Christ?

 

     B.   Do we even realize the value of Christ?  OR does He

          not really seem that important to us?

          1.   Are we willing to make Christ first priority?

          2.   Are we willing to sell out for Christ?

 

     C.   What this parable seems to be saying is that once we've          found Christ he will be worth it all! 

 

     D.   I can honestly say that I don't regret following Christ          or living for Christ at all! 

1.   I don't regret anything I have done for Christ! 

2.   I regret some things that I have done outside of

Christ, the times I have not sold out to Christ!

3.   Christ has made a difference in my life!

 

     E.   How about you?  Have you accepted Christ?  Are you

following Christ fully?  The Kingdom of Heaven is where

Christ reigns; does Christ reign in you?  As we encounter

Christ at the table today, you can sell out to Christ, you

can let Christ reign!

 

                      Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion

Perseverance!

 7^th Sunday after Pentecost

                          

Introduction:

     A.   For an athlete to be good at a particular sport, he/she

          has to practice many hours!

     B.   For a musician to be good at playing a musical

          instrument, he/she has to practice many hours, and for

          him/her to remain good, practice must be continued.

     C.   He/she has to stick-to-it or persevere!

     Trans.

          In our Christian lives we need this "perseverance" also, so let's look today at "Perseverance" and see what it really means to persevere!

 

                            Prayer

 

I.   What is Perseverance?

     A.   Websters def. =     Steadiness in seeking a goal;  persistent effort! Some synonyms                              are persistence, endurance, stick-to-it-iveness, staying power, determination, and resolution.

     B.   Persistent Effort:

          through thick and thin a continuous, persistent effort!  Not half-hearted but persistent!  Not just when things are going good!

     C.   Ray, or Marie didn't get good at playing a musical instrument without a lot of practice. It takes

          persistent effort!

 

II.  Let's look at some examples of perseverance from the Bible!

     A.   Negative.

          1.   Matt. 13:20-21

              Here through the Parable of the Sower Jesus

              explains how some will receive the word but when

              trials come they will give up!  They won't

              persevere!

          2.   Matt. 26:69-75

              Peter broke under the pressure; he didn't

              persevere!

     B.   Positive.

          1.   Gen. 6:11-22  (don't read)

              Noah persevered 100 years building a boat because

              God said to and it hadn't even rained before.  He

               had to have had some discouragements, but he

               persevered!

          2.   Heb. 12:1-3

              Jesus persevered until the end in spite of what

               men/women did to him!  “He endured the cross!”

III. We need "Perseverance" today because, like our Biblical examples, we have all kinds of pressures today to cause us to   break!

     A.   pressure imposed by time:

          1.   If you are a doer, you probably don't have enough

              time to get done what you'd like to do!

          2.   As we see things that need done and as we get more

               and more jobs and the same amount of time, it is

               enough to make us throw up our hands and say "I

               can't do it; I quit!"

     B.   personal discouragement:

          1.   This is one that Satan breaks a lot of people with!

          2.   He does it 95% with no help from the outside of

              your mind.  He does it with negative thoughts like:

              a.   You can't do that!

              b.   You can't do anything right; look at that!

              c.   You are a failure!

              d.   Everybody thinks you are a failure!

     C.   Unfavorable circumstances:  (another pressure)

          1.   Things that we can't control:

              a.   people treat us badly!

              b.   a tragic death!

              c.   people who we have confidence in letting us

                   down!

          2.   These things can really turn our world upside down

              and can break us if we haven't learned

              perseverance!

 

IV.  How can we learn perseverance?

     A.   First, God's Word!  Study!

          1.   Do you give up easy?  From God's word, we learn not to give up!  We learn that we can make a

              difference!

              a.   We can still reach people in Forsyth if we

                   persevere and don't give up! 

                   1) evidence – the 2/3 to 3/4^th of you have

                      come to the church in the last 5 years!

                   2) evidence - those who have been baptized,

                      reaffirmed your baptisms and joined the

                      church in the last 5 years.

                   3) evidence - Those of you who are serving in

                      new ways in the last 5 years!

              b.   We can still grow as Christians if we don't

                   give up!

          2.   Are you easily discouraged?  God's word has the

              answer!  "I can do all things through Christ which

              strenghteneth me."  (Phil. 4:13)

          3.   Does it seem like Satan is winning?  The Bible

              Shows us that we are on the winning side:  that is

              the main theme of Revelation. Don’t get bogged down

              in the metaphoric language but realize the main

              point; we are on the winning side!

          4.   We need a clear vision of our goal so we will not

               get side-tracked and bounce around with no

              direction.  We get it in God's word!

     B.   Secondly, Prayer!

 

          We can persevere as we keep the communications open with  Christ, our greatest example of perseverance!

 

V.   Are you a "persevering" person?

          Do Self-Evaluation!

 

Conclusion:

     A.   There's an adage:

              "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."

     B.   Can that be said about you in your spiritual life?

     C.   Like the person that plays a musical instrument, if we

          are going to attain our goal of Christlikeness, it is

          going to take some perseverance (persistent effort) on

          our part.

     D.   Do you need to grow in this?  As we encounter Christ at

          the table this morning, ask Christ to help you to better

          live out this virtue of perseverance!

 

                      Prayer of Confession

Service of Communion