Hebrews 2 - But We Do See Jesus! (Part 1)

Luke 2, Matthew 2, Hebrews 2
Title: "But We Do See Jesus!"

1. In Luke 2, God reveals the beautiful side of Christmas!

2. In Matthew 2, God reveals the dark side of Christmas!

• Matthew 2:12-23
• Hebrews 2:8

3. In Hebrews 2, God tells the completed story of Christmas!

•  Hebrews 2:9-11
•  God perfected the author of our salvation through sufferings. 
•  God perfects the saved through sufferings. 

Audio:

John 10:10 - Jesus came to give Life (Part 4)

Advent, Part 4

Jesus came to give Life

John 10:10

John 10:10: “Jesus came to give Life”
 - Jesus Referred as the Shepherd: “I am the good shepherd” (John 10:11)
 - “I am” proclamations point to His exclusive, divine character and purpose.
 - Ezekiel 34, fulfilled by Jesus.  There are a number of places where Jesus is referred to as that  Good Shepherd.
 - New Life is the Spiritual Life:

John 5:24. Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life”

We need Life because we were dead in our sins:
 - I. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcised of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses”, Colossians 2:13
 - II. “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:5

How do we receive His Gift Of Life
 - I. To receive Christ, you must recognize him for who he really is, “If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority”. John 7:17
 - II. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.. John 1:11–13
 - III. Receiving him is to believe in all that he is.

Benefits of a New Life in Jesus:
 - I. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthian 5:17.
 - II. We are reconciled with God and found blameless,  “21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” Colossians 1: 21-22
 - III. No longer living in darkness, the people dwelling in darkness  have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death,  on them a light has dawned.”

Audio:

2 Corinthians 5:14-21 - Christ Came To Fulfill Righteousness (Part 3)

Advent

2 Corinthians 5:14-21

Christ Came To Fulfill Righteousness

I. Jesus came to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15) What was missing?
    A. What was missing from God's character? NOTHING! All righteousness is God's character.
        -Only Righteous God (Psalm 25:8; Isaiah 45:21; 2 Peter 1:4)
        -The Word (Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Psalm 33:4)
        -All that is necessary (2 Timothy 3:14-17)

    B. What was missing from the old covenant? NOTHING!
        -The Law (Romans 2:13 "doers of the law will be justified")
        -Old covenant (Hebrews 8:7-13 the fault was with the people)
        -OT Roll of Faithful (Hebrews 11 "heirs of righteousness according to faith;" "performed acts of righteousness;")

    C. What did Jesus bring that righteousness required? EVERYTHING!
        -Jesus didn't abolish the Law, the old covenant, He completed the promise of God to Abraham.
       -The Law made obsolete (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Hebrews 8:13)
        -Way, Truth, Life (John 14:6 "no one comes to the Father but through Me."
        -Resurrection and life (John 11:25-26 "Do you believe this?" John 3:16)

II. Our righteousness is fulfilled in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
    A. Why do we live and struggle as though Christ is not enough?
        -Our internal conflict (Galatians 5:17 the Spirit and the flesh are opposed to each other)
        -Our separating sin (Isaiah 59:2 "your iniquities have made a separation between you and God")
        -Our wake up call (1 Corinthians 15:34 "I speak this to your shame.")
        -Reconciling crucible (2 Corinthians 5:20b "We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God")

    B. Christ is enough (2 Corinthians 12:9 "my grace is sufficient for you")

CONCLUSION

2 Corinthians 5:21 "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God."

Audio:

Matthew 10:16-39 - Jesus Came to Bring A Sword (Part 2)

Advent, Part 2

Jesus Came to Bring A Sword

Matthew 10:16-39

I. The Sword of Advent
A. WHAT: There will be separation between Christians and the world (10:34-36)
- We are different, but we are sent into the world.
B. WHY: Jesus calls us to supreme love and allegiance.
- Greater than family relationships (10:37)
- Complete and All-encompassing (10:38)
- Not because we are jerks (10:16, 1 Peter 3:15-16)
- Not because we are better.


II. The Security of Advent
- We will be saved - therefore we endure. (10:22)
- He knows all - therefore we don’t fear. (10:29-30)
- He will acknowledge us - therefore we acknowledge him. (10:32-33)
- He will give true life - therefore we give him our life. (10:39)

Audio:

Mark 10:45 - Jesus Came to Serve (Part 1)

Advent series, Part 1
Jesus Came to Serve
Mark 10:45

A: Jesus came to this world to serve us
• He came to die for us
• He chose to suffer
• His death was intentional

B: Jesus came to pay a ransom for many
• He came to pay the payment we were unable to pay
• Jesus came to become substitution for many
• The price for the ransom was His life

C: Jesus came so sinners can become friend of Jesus
• I Timothy 1:15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
• John 15:15, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you”.
• Friends of Jesus will do what He commands to do, John 15:14.
• Friends of Jesus bear fruit, John 15:16

Audio:

1 Samuel 30-31 - God for All Seasons (Part 19)

King of Kings, Part 19
1 Samuel 30-31
God for All Seasons

1. Time of Preparation.

2. Time of Suffering.

3. Time of Strengthening.
- God’s promise.
- God's presence.

4. Time of Yearning.
- Priests Fail.
- Prophets/Judges Fail.
- Kings Fail.


Audio:

1 Samuel 28 - Seeking Guidance (Part 18)

King of Kings, Part 18
Seeking Guidance

1st Samuel chapter 28

A: God is silent (1-7)

1. I: The Philistines are waging war against the Israelites and Saul knows that he is in serious trouble Samuel is dead, David is among the Philistines, and he is not able to get any response from God.
2. II:  Saul is not used to seek God’ guidance, Saul had forced himself to offer the burnt offering chapter 13: 8-12.
3. III: Saul had hastily brought the ark of the Covenant, (14:18) and he had also stoped the priest in the middle of his inquiry into God’s will (14:19) and (14:36-37).

B: Saul did not know what to do in a desperate situation, (8-9)

1. I: Saul runs to seek help from a medium which was forbidden by God. (Deuteronomy 18:10-14).
2. II: By seeking guidance from a medium he contradicts his know ordinance, (28:3)
3. III: Although he had removed the sin of witchcraft from the land, he did not remove it from his heart.

C: Hopeless and misdirected, (11-19)

1. I: Saul heard from Samuel which he already knew, (v16).
2. II: He was seeking for information instead of  seeking for God.
3. III: He wanted the security that comes from having a relationship with God more than  enjoying a relationship with God.

D: Hope in hopeless situation:

1. I: David expressed his feeling to God and found strength, (Psalm 13)
2. II: God delights more in our obedience than our sacrifices, (1st Samuel 15:22-23)
3. III: The promise of God.

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Audio:

1 Samuel 25 - Restraining Grace (Part 17)

King of Kings, Part 17
Restraining Grace
1 Samuel 25

How to Escalate
- Instigate
- Retaliate

How to Mediate
- Be courageous
- Be resourceful
- Be respectful
- Be reasonable

Audio:

1 Samuel 24:1-22 - Wait for God (Part 16)

King of Kings, Part 16

1 Samuel 24:1-22

Wait for God: 

When Taking Action Seems to Make Sense but Waiting Is the Correct Response

Introduction (24:1-3)

I: We are more than bystanders! (24:3-11)
 1. God defines our roles in HIS kingdom. (3b)
   - Good Works: Ephesians 2:6-10
 2. Circumstances do not determine God's plan. (4a)
   - Self-Centeredness: Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 29:11; Mark 4:36-41; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
 3. Our pride draws attention away from God's plan and toward our own role. (5-7)
   - Cleverness: Isaiah 42:8; Jeremiah 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:27-31; Romans 12:6; James 4:6
  a. It is not for us to judge who is and who is not God's anointed. (8-11)
   - Saul: 1 Samuel 10:1,9-10; 13:14; 15:35; 16:13-14
   - Jesus Christ: Luke 4:18-19 (Isaiah 61:1-2)
   - Believers in Christ: 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27
   - Judging vs Discerning: Matthew7:1-3; 15-20; John 13:35 1 John 2:19; 1 Chronicles 16:21-22 (Genesis 20:7)

II: We are more than conquerors! (24:12-19)
 1. Our active submission magnifies God's character. (12-13)
   - Jesus Christ: John 12:27, 28
 2. Our declaration of active submission magnifies God's character. (14-15)
   - Apostle Paul: Philippians 1:20; Romans 14:9; 1 Corinthians 1:27-31
 3. Our passionate submission magnifies God's transforming character. (16-19)
   - Believers in Christ: Romans 8:37; 1 John 5:4-5, 11-12

III: We will reign with God! But not yet! (24:20-22)
 1. We recognize that we are anointed as priests and kings.
   - Our Reign: 2 Corinthians 2:21-22; Romans 5:17; Revelation 1:5-6, 5:9-10, 20:6, 22:5
 2. Jesus' suffering teaches how to live as holy aliens.
   - Our Preparation: 2 Timothy 2:10-12; 1 Peter 2:9-11; 5:4
 3. Until we reign with Christ, we rely on the strength of God!
   - Our Stronghold: Psalm 18:1-3; Nahum 1:7

Audio:

1 Samuel 22 - Sin & Sovereignty (Part 15)

Kings of Kings, Part 15
1 Samuel 22
Sin & Sovereignty

1. God’s Providence and Sovereignty
- Caring for David’s parents (22:3)
- Removing Eli’s line (22:18, 2:31-33)
- He fulfills his word always (Prov. 30:5)

2. Saul’s jealousy and pride.
- You make yourself the center of everything (Col. 3:5).
- You act in anger as your own sovereign (22:17-18).
- You make yourself an enemy of God (22:19).

Conclusion: God is our refuge (Psalm 57:1-5)

Audio:

1 Samuel 20 - Covenant Friendship (Part 14)

Kings of Kings, Part 14
Covenant Friendship
1 Samuel 20

I. Covenant friendship (20:1-9)

1. Covenant between David and Jonathan (18:1-4)
2. Covenant Provides resort in uncertainty
3. Jonathan’s relationship with God gave him the ability to face conflicting loyalties.

II. Covenant may demand costly commitment (20:24-34)

1. Friendship with David complicated Jonathan’s life
2. He had to balance between friend and his father
3. He knew loyalty to David will cost him the good will of his father and future kingship

III. Covenant provides peace in the middle of confusion (20:35-42)

1. Faithfulness to God’s promise provided peace in a difficult time
2. The biblical concept of peace does not focus on the absence of trouble. Biblical peace is unrelated to circumstances
3. Perfect peace comes when our focus is off the problem, off the trouble, and constantly on Christ.

Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”


Audio:

1 Samuel 18-19 - Our Lord's Provoking Spirit! (Part 13)

"OUR LORD'S PROVOKING SPIRIT!" 1 Samuel 18-19

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17:57-58; 18:1-16

• INTRODUCTION
• The Heavy Undercurrent (13:8-14; 14:24; 15:8-11, 23, 35)
• Why?
• The Spirit of the Lord (16:13-14)

1. OUR LORD'S SPIRIT SEEKS TO PROVOKE RELATIONSHIPS OF AGAPEITE.

• Covenant of Agapeite  (1 Samuel 18:1-4; Philippians 2:3-5)
• What about Friendship? (John 15:13-15; Proverbs 17:17; John 15:13; Romans 5:7-8)
•  What about Loneliness? (Psalm 25:16; 68:6; Proverb 18:24; James 4:8; John 16:7; Hebrews 13:5)
• Intimacy with our Lord (Matthew 22:37-40; Psalm 23:4; Philippians 3:10)

2. OUR LORD'S SPIRIT CAN PROVOKE JEALOUSY.

• Stages of malignant jealousy

    -Anger (18:8)

    -Jealousy (18:9)

    -Rage (18:10-11)

    -Fear (18:12, 29)

    -Murder by proxy and manipulation (18:17, 21)

    -Murder with personal intent (19:9-10)

    -Stalking by proxy (19:11, 20, 21)

    -Personal stalking with intent to murder (19:22)

• Apostle Paul's lists of vile sins include jealousy. (Romans 1:28; Galatians 5:21)

• We have effective weapons against jealousy.

 -  (1 Samuel 2:7; Romans 11:33)

 - (Romans 12:5, 10)

 - (Galatians 5:13-16)

 - (1 Timothy 6:11)

3. OUR LORDS SPIRIT Will PROVOKE DIVISION.

•  Division turns family members into objects. (18:17, 20-21, 19:1, 6, 17)

• We have effective weapons against division. (19:2-6; Matthew 18:18-20; Romans 12:14-21)
• Some divisions clarify (Luke 12:51; John 14:6; Hebrews 4:12)

4. OUR LORDS SPIRIT PROVIDES PROTECTION

•             Multiple formats (19:1-7; 8-10; 11-17; 18-24)
•             Hidden protections (Job 1:10; Psalm 125:1-2)
•             Acknowledging God's protections (Romans 8:35-39)

Audio:

1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath (Part 12)

King of Kings, Part 12

1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath

1. GOD WORKS FOR HIS GLORY.

– Goliath defied. (vs. 10, 25, 36, 45)

– David stood up. (vs. 27)

2. GOD WORKS IN SPITE OF WEAKNESS.

– Youngest (vs. 14)

– Not at the battlefield full time (vs. 15, 28)

– Untrained (vs. 33)

– Small (vs. 42-43)

– 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

3. GOD WORKS THROUGH OUR FAITH.

– Faith and works (vs. 37, 40)

4. GOD WORKS FOR HIS PEOPLE.

– The people receive the reward (vs. 52-53)

– Jesus and David (vs. 34-36)

– The Good Shepherd (John 10)

Audio:

1 Samuel 16 - God's Sovereign Plan (Part 11)

King of Kings, Part 11
God's Sovereign Plan
Samuel 16

1. God's Glory and Honor are worth mourning for
2. God is not Blindsided
3. When God Plans, He Provides
     a. Appearance isn't everything
     b. Inner Righteousness is visible to others
     c. His Provisions Satisfy

Audio:

1 Samuel 15 - Full Obedience (Part 10)

King of Kings, Part 10

Full Obedience

1 Samuel 15

1. God's Command
- Why so severe?
- History of Amalek and Israel
- Future of Amalek and Israel
- Does God command hard things of us?

2. Saul's Action & Excuses
- Obedience isn't partial
- Obedience isn't good intentions
- Obedience isn't surface level
- Repentance isn't shallow

3. Samuel's Action
- Obedience is radical, heartfelt, complete
- Jesus hacks our sin to pieces

Audio:

1 Samuel 13-14 - Duty or Desire of a Heart (Part 9)

King of Kings
Duty or Desire of a Heart
1st  Samuel chapter 13 and 14

A: Saul’s Response to adverse situation: Chapter 13: (11-12)
I: People were scattering from me
II: You did not come within the days appointed
III: Philistines will come down against Gilgal
IV: So I forced myself and offered the burnt offering

• Saul had received clear instructions from Samuel: Deuteronomy: 17: 14-20.
• “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them”.

1st Samuel 10:25

• “Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the kingship, and he wrote them in a book and laid it up before the Lord”.

B: Jonathan’s response to adverse situation: Chapter 14: (14: 6-7)
I: Come, let us go
II: The Lord will work for us
III: Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few

Application:
I: God commandments serve as a test of our faith and obedience to His instructions.

• “Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”. James 1: 2-3

II: Adverse situation should not be used as an excuse to disobey God.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”, James 4:7

I Peter 5: 6-11

• 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

III God uses imperfect people for His kingdom:

• “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Corinthians 12:9.

Audio:

1 Samuel 12 - A Plea for the Failures (Part 8)

King of Kings

1 Samuel 12

A Plea for the Failures

1. Reminder of The Past - Where we've been (1 Sam. 12:1-12)

2. Warning of God's Power - What we deserve (1 Sam. 12:13-18)

3. Assurance of God's Love - What God Gives (1 Sam. 12:19-25)

- Follow me (1 Sam. 12:20-21)

- I Will Not Forsake You (1 Sam.)

- Someone will intercede (1 Sam.)

Audio:

1 Samuel 8-10 - A Kingdom Called Church (Part 7)

King of Kings
A Kingdom Called Church
1 Samuel 8-10

INTRODUCTION

• God's servant leaders have the essential function of pointing God's people to God's presence (Hebrews 13:7).

1. God's selection of our leaders is not about the leaders. It's about God's people. (1 Samuel 8)

• Samuel's Graduate School of Godly Leadership
• Set the example of your leadership model (8:5a; 12)
• Reject leadership models that are reactions to what doesn't work (8:5b)
• Reject leadership models that are based on what seems to work (8:5c)
• Reject leadership models that are designed to make you fit in (8:5c)
• Don't take it personally when God's leadership is rejected (8:6-8)
• But I Want My King! Prepare for the Coming Tyranny (8:10-18)
• God's Word on Godly Leadership (Deuteronomy 17:14-20; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 23:8-12; 1 Timothy 3:1-10)

• God's Leadership Objective: "Christ is the head of the body, the church." (Colossians 1:18)

2. God's leadership selection process might surprise you. (1 Samuel 9:1-20a)

• First impressions may be over emphasized.  (9:1-2)
• God's plan is in the hum-drum of our lives. (9:3-14)
• We work with God on a need-to-know basis. (9:15-20a)

3. God's leadership selections often seem like unlikely prospects. (1 Samuel 9:20b-10:27)

• God makes his point bluntly about His kind of leadership. (9:20b-21)
• Reluctant candidates may or may not be expressing Godly humility. (9:22-10:16)
• God's Word is relentlessly proclaimed for the guarding and guiding of His kingdom citizens. (10:17-27)

CONCLUSION

• the point of Godly leadership is to serve and encourage the body to follow the way of the head, our Lord Jesus Christ. (John 4:34-38)
• Our Sovereign Lord desires all people to be saved and come to know the truth about the King of kings. (Ezekiel 18:23; 1 Timothy 2:4-6)
• Our Lord is long-suffering, but He is not eternally patient. (Luke 13:6-9)

1 Samuel 7:1–17 - Repentance (Part 6)

King of Kings

Repentance involves...

1 Samuel 7:1-17

1. Suffering

• The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? Psalm 90:10-11

2. Observable Change

• The LORD sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. 1 Sam. 2:7

3. Sincerity and Truth

• Repentance prepares us for Trial

Audio:

1 Samuel 5-6 - When God Defends Himself (Part 5)

King of Kings Part 5
1 Samuel 5-6
When God Defends Himself

1. God suffers defeat.

2. God displays His glory.
- Supremacy
- Severity
- Holiness

3. We behold God's glory in Jesus.
- John 1:14 - Glory of the Father
- 2 Cor. 4:6 - Shone in our hearts
- Heb. 10:19-31 - We draw near reverently

Audio