Sunday, August 11, 2013

Matthew and Friends (My Hope America) Matthew 9:9-13

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:9-13
 
A sermon preached on Sunday, August 11, 2013 at Hebron Baptist Church in Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain.
The story of Matthew inviting his friends to his home for a meal and to learn about Jesus is at the very heart of the "My Hope America" emphasis this November, an emphasis that each one of us can participate in to reach our friends and neighbors for Christ. Most Christians want to share their faith, but they just don’t know how to get started, where to begin. Matthew’s story helps us to understand how each of us can do something very simple to reach our friends for Christ, as well as showing us how to overcome some of the barriers we have in sharing our faith.

We find Matthew’s story in Matthew 9:9-13. His story answers the most common objections that we face in sharing our faith.

1. Meeting Jesus (9:9)Objections: #1: Some people are to sinful for God to forgive. #2: People are not interested in the Gospel of Christ and will not respond.

Matthew was a tax collector and as such he would have been considered a traitor by his people. When Rome annexed territories they naturally sought to tax the people. They had an effective way of doing this, they hired people in the lands they conquered. They would bid out the jobs to the highest bidder. Tax collecting became a profitable business for both the government and the individuals collecting the taxes. Because of the way the job was set up, the unscrupulous and greedy were the ones who ended up being your tax collector. Whatever they charged above what Rome required was theirs, so tax collectors were typically well off.

Tax collectors were hated by their fellows Jews and from the Jewish perspective they were in a separate class of "sinners" (see 9:11). In their eyes, Matthew had betrayed his people by becoming a tax collector. He had sold his soul to the devil for money. Tax collectors were shut out from God’s people and they were seen as too sinful to forgive. They had crossed a line that no one could cross. Of course, Matthew knows he’s hated, he knows he’s crossed the line, he most certainly feels the burden of being estranged from both God and his fellow Jews. His only friends are other outcasts like himself.

But Jesus loved Matthew in spite of his betrayal and sinful lifestyle. Jesus came for sinners like Matthew. "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (9:13). The truth is, God loves the people of this world and does not want them to perish in their sins (Jn. 3:16). "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through him" (Jn. 3:17). The only people too sinful to forgive are the ones who will not come to Jesus and be saved. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son" (Jn. 3:18).

Jesus saw Matthew at his tax collecting booth and said to him, "Follow me." Immediately, "Matthew got up and followed him." We don’t know what was going on in Matthew’s mind when Jesus came his way that day, but we know that he was interested in the Gospel and he did respond. We can only imagine that his lifestyle must have weighed heavy on him. He must have come to the point in his life where he began to question, "Is this worth it? Is my lifestyle worth sacrificing my family, my people, my peace, my God?"

I’m sure Matthew looked as if he had everything together, most people can put up a pretty good front. People become good at hiding their needs and problems so that others do not see them, but Jesus sees, and He knows how to help those who are hurting. Inside Matthew’s struggling, he’s seeking and when Jesus comes by his tax booth that day, he sees hope, he sees forgiveness, he sees that a different life is possible. Jesus looked into his lonely life and spoke to him, "Follow Me." There are many people today who can not see how their life could be any different than what it is today. They don’t know the truth, that in Christ they can become a new person, their old life and sinful lifestyle can be washed clean by God (2 Cor. 5:17). They do not know that there is hope in Jesus.

Following Jesus in the New Testament always meant a literal following him as a disciple, hearing and doing what he did. Following Jesus still means watching and listening to Jesus and doing what he did. To follow Jesus is to respond to his call, it is to attach yourself to his person, and it is to imitate him.

The Gospel of Matthew emphasizes the decisiveness of following Jesus. Matthew "got up and followed him." This does not suggest that Matthew’s decision was made hastily. Jesus does not call us to make "hasty" and "quick" decisions, but he does call us to be "decisive." We cannot be neutral on Jesus. To follow Jesus is a decision of the will, it’s to be a well-thought-out decision, it’s a clear break from your past life of sin, it’s putting your hands to the plow as Jesus said and not looking back. Jesus gave Matthew an imperative, to follow Him and Matthew did. And Matthew’s decision implies a continuing to follow Him. This decision to follow Jesus has a decisive beginning point (aorist), but it continues on.

After he met Jesus, Matthew shared Jesus. Here we discover two more objections to sharing our faith and how Matthew’s story addresses those concerns.

2. Sharing Jesus (9:10-13)Objections: #3: I am not trained to tell people about Jesus. It is too hard for me to do. #4: I will be criticized by others or embarrassed if people do not respond.

Apparently, Matthew in gratitude to Jesus threw a dinner party and Jesus was the guest of honor (v.10)! In attendance were "many tax collectors and sinners" (presumably Matthew’s friends and associates), and they ate alongside Jesus and his disciples. It was a tax collector’s convention and Jesus was the key note speaker! Matthew never went through a personal witnessing class, he wasn’t trained, he simply used what he had to introduce others to Jesus Christ: his home, his food, and his relationships. What better way for Matthew to show his gratitude than to throw a party in Jesus’ honor. And Matthew wants his friends to know Jesus too. He did not forget his old associates.

Word got out about Matthew’s party and the critics chimed in. The Pharisees were critical of the fact that Jesus and his disciples were at Matthew’s home eating with "tax collectors and sinners." And yet, who better to have at your home to meet Jesus than people who need Jesus? Jesus tells the critics "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

When you take the Gospel seriously, when you seek to live it out, when you follow Jesus you will face criticism. Don’t listen to your critics. When criticized for his way of reaching people for Jesus, the man asked his critic, "what plan for reaching people do you have?" To which the man replied, "I don’t have a plan." The man being criticized replied, "I like my plan better than yours." Matthew apparently did not let the cold water committee ruin his party. From what we know of Matthew he only continued to grow in the Lord and he influenced many more for Christ during his life. God used him to give us the Gospel that bears his name.

Evangelism (Verb): Eu/angel/izoOur fear of sharing Jesus can be overcome when we understand what evangelism is and what it is not. In the biblical language two words make up the word "evangelism." One word ("eu") means "good" and is found in many of our English words. For example, Eu/phoria is a "good" feeling. Eu/reka is a "good" discovery. Eu/logy is a "good" word about someone who is deceased. The other word is "angel" and means message or messenger. So evangelism is "saying a good word about Jesus." And what good word do we have to say? That word of his death and resurrection! We do not save anyone and we’re not responsible for how people respond. We simply speak a good word about Jesus and what he’s done for us and what he will do for them.

Do people need to hear about Jesus? Are there still "sick" people? There are people all around just like us with the same struggles, the same anxieties, who feel overwhelmed by life’s problems. We don’t look down on them, instead, we want to lift them up, we want to bring them hope, and a good word about Jesus brings hope to the hopeless. You can do this! You do not have to be a pastor or teacher. You can bring a good word about Jesus to your friends and neighbors. If you’ve met Jesus you can share Jesus.

Let me encourage you to watch the video explaining the "My Hope" emphasis this November at the website, myhopewithbillygraham.org. Pray about becoming a "Matthew" and hosting an event at your home or other place the week of November 3-9. You can sign up to be a "Matthew" in the church’s foyer. A "Matthew" training event will be held on Sunday, September 22nd at 5:00 p.m.

 

For His Glory!

Pastor Joe

Monday, July 29, 2013

God of This City (Matthew 9:35-10:1)

A sermon preached on July 21, 2013 at Hebron Baptist Church in
Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35-10:1
On the road to Angola State Penitentiary, as you’re coming in to Tunica there is a slightly faded homemade sign on the right side of the road on a small bluff that says, “Jesus Is Lord Over Tunica.” I’ve often thought about that sign over the years as I have passed by it. I think I know what they are trying to say, that we are God-fearing people.

I’ve also wondered, “is that really true in Tunica?” And I’ve thought about how Jesus is so much more than Lord over Tunica, He’s Lord over all creation! Paul echoes Psalm 24:1 when he says “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (1 Cor. 10:26). In one of God’s conversations with Job, the Lord asks, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4). And Isaiah says that the whole earth is full of his glory (Isa. 6:3). Jesus is Lord over all but are all people acknowledging his Lordship in their lives? It’s pretty obvious that many are not. And I can imagine I wouldn’t have to look very far in Tunica to find someone who is not. But what about our city? Is Jesus the Lord of our city? And is Jesus the Lord of my life?

What does it mean to live under his Lordship? And how do we bring the Lordship of Jesus to bear to the people of our city? How do we who know Jesus claim our city for God? Matthew 9:35-10:1 is a good place to begin for we have Jesus’ example of how he brought his life and message to the cities of his day.

Claiming our city for God means we . . .
1. Follow Jesus’ Pattern (v.35)
In one sentence we see the threefold activity which was the heart of the life of Jesus: teaching, proclaiming, and healing. I want to reverse the order of teaching and preaching and begin first with the fact that Jesus was a preacher. The word “proclaim” or “preach” here means to “herald” and a herald is one brings a message from the king. Jesus was the one who brought a message from God, a message of good news – salvation is here! He announced that reconciliation with God was now possible, sins would be forgiven.

The job of the herald was to proclaim or to announce things that were certain. As Jesus proclaimed the certainties of God, so we have the privilege of announcing the certainties of salvation. There never was a time when this certainty was more needed than it is today. We must announce with clarity and certainty God’s salvation. It’s been said that in our day we are standing at the crossroads and the signposts have fallen down. We don’t know which way to go. You and are to announce the certainty of truth and good news to a world in confusion.

Jesus was a preacher, but he was also a teacher. It is not enough to simply proclaim the Christian certainties we must be able to show the significance of these certainties for life and living. But to do that, we must teach, and teaching is not only talking but living. We must show people what Christianity is by how it impacts our life. We show that Jesus is Lord more by how we live rather than what we say. In a world that has grown skeptical of Christianity and is all too familiar with how Christians have fallen short, we need to show people how Christ makes a difference in our life.

Jesus preached, taught, and healed. Jesus was a healer. Healing disease and sickness was the visible evidence that the kingdom of God had broken in. The curse of sin had been reversed. The Gospel did not stop at words alone, it was translated into deeds. When we look at the Gospels it’s pretty amazing to see how much more time Jesus spent healing the sick, feeding the hungry, comforting the sorrowful, welcoming the outcasts than he did just talking about God. He spoke the Word of truth and He lived out the healing Word. He put words into actions.

There is a world before us that is sick and in need of a healing touch. Desperation, hopelessness, loneliness, hunger, confusion, – these are but a few of the sicknesses of our age that need the Gospel’s healing touch, a touch that you and I can bring. If we are to claim our city for God, we must follow Jesus’ pattern of proclaiming, teaching, and healing.

2. Embrace Jesus’ Passion (v.36-37)
Passion comes from seeing and feeling. The word here for “compassion” is the strongest word available to express “pity” and it is only used of Jesus in the Gospels. When we follow Jesus in the Gospels we see what moved Jesus most of all. William Barclay notes the following:
    (1) He was moved to compassion by the world’s pain. For the sick (Matt.14:14), the blind (Matt. 20:34), for those in the grip of demons (Mk. 9:22).
    (2) He was moved to compassion by the world’s sorrow. Widow at Nain who lost her son (Lk. 7:13).
    (3) He was moved to compassion by the world’s hunger (Matt. 15:32).
    (4) He was moved to compassion by the world’s loneliness. Lepers (Mk. 1:41).
    (5) He was moved to compassion by the world’s bewilderment. Jesus saw the people as they really were, “harassed and helpless,” or as the HCSB says, “weary and worn out.” Jesus saw people as “sheep without a shepherd,” living confused and aimless lives. The Jewish leaders should have been offering people strength to live, but instead they only added to the law and their burden. They had no comfort to offer. They only piled more crushing requirements. “We must always remember that Christianity exists, not to discourage, but to encourage; not to weigh people down with burdens, but to lift them up with wings.”

Seeing people as Jesus did and being moved to compassion is the passion of evangelism. We see people hurting and we have an emotional response that leads to action. This compassion caused Jesus to see the magnitude of the harvest (v.37). Certainly the disciples at this point did not see the great mission field all around them. And yet Jesus says that “the harvest is plentiful.” The needs have never been greater. People still need Jesus today just as much as they did in past days. We are not lacking for hurting people in our community that need Jesus. In fact, they have only increased.
It is true that our culture has changed and we may not know the people in our area, they may not be from here, they may be different culturally than us. But they are here. And we as God’s church are planted here to continue impacting this city for Jesus. We may have to use different methods to reach people. There is nothing wrong with methods that once worked, it’s just that our world has changed. And God is saying to you and I, will we believe that “Greater things have yet to come. Greater things are still to be done in this city? Will you believe that God is the God of this city? That he’s the king of this people? That he’s still the Lord of this nation?”

Follow Jesus’ Pattern, Embrace Jesus’ Passion, . . .
3. Offer Jesus’ Prayer (v.38)
Making an impact in our world begins but does not end with prayer. The ESV and HCSB have the word “Therefore” at the beginning of verse 38. Jesus is saying, “Based on what I have just told you, here’s what you are to do first in light of this situation – pray!” And the ESV has “pray earnestly” or seriously, fervently. We are to pray to the Lord of the Harvest and our prayer is very specific, that He would “send out workers into his harvest field.”

Here is a simple but profound truth. The harvest will never be reaped unless there are reapers to reap. Jesus needs people to do His will. God desires all men to be saved (2 Pet. 3:9) but for that to happen they will have to hear and they will never hear unless other people tell them. Paul says “How, then, can they [unreached people Jews and non-Jews] call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Rom. 10:14-15a).

This is a prayer for the multiplication of people involved in meaningful ministry to people who do not know Christ. This is heartfelt prayer for people to be involved in teaching, proclaiming, and healing ministries.

Follow Jesus’ Pattern, Embrace Jesus’ Passion, Offer Jesus’ Prayer, . . .
4. Go in Jesus’ Power (10:1)
To the surprise of the disciples, they will become the answer to their prayers for workers in God’s harvest. Although we begin with prayer, it’s never enough to only pray, prayer without works is dead. We must not be content to only pray, to give, to offer support as good as these things are. We must go in Jesus’ power.

Jesus called the disciples, empowered them with his authority, and sent them out into the harvest field. They will take up the work that he has begun; that of teaching, proclaiming, and healing. This is the work that you and I are called to do. When you pray, “Do it Lord . . . let your kingdom come, let your will be done,” you are asking that God would “Do it” in you! 

Why does it matter so much? Because it’s true, Jesus does love us all and He came so that everyone would know how much. Jesus said that you are like a city (Matthew 5:14), you are “the light of the world, a city on a hill that can’t be hidden. God doesn’t want you to hide or be quiet. He made you to shine!” Let’s determine to shine, to go in Jesus’ power. He is the God of this city!

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
"Phil. 1:3"




Change for Good (Acts 10:34-36, 43-46a)

A sermon preached on July 28, 2013 at Hebron Baptist Church,
Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain
.

Peter is in the city of Caesarea at the home of Cornelius where a gathering of family members, friends, and coworkers has been assembled, all anxious to hear what Peter has to say to them.
Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-36, 43-46a

A Self-Evident Truth
Your willingness to grow, to change determines what kind of impact you will make for good on people the few short years that you are on this planet. Change for good is self-evident and true in every area of our lives. Your ability to grow, to change impacts the field that you work in. If you continue to grow, to adapt, to change, to learn, your vocation will more than likely remain fresh, you will enjoy your work more, and consequently you will make a greater impact on your job.

If you have a positive attitude towards learning, if you’re open to grow, you will probably enjoy school more, it will be more rewarding and you will have a better overall experience. In your relationships, if you remain open to change, to learn some new skills, to grow, your relationships can grow and be more enjoyable rather than becoming stagnant. One of the keys to healthy  relationships is your ability to grow, to learn some new skills, to change. Healthy personal relationships, solid marriages, parenting skills, these are not dropped down from on high, they are learned and they can be improved, and if you will let God work in your life and remain open to change, if you will seek to learn some new skills, your relationships can improve, your parenting can be more of a joy.

This truth of changing for the good is also evident in our spiritual growth, our spiritual relationships. Your willingness to let God work, to grow, to change determines what kind of Christian life you will experience, and what kind of impact you will make in the lives of people for the Lord. Jesus came to give us life and life to the full (Jn. 10:10), but we have to let God work, we have to be willing to change to experience God’s abundant life.

We see this principle of Change for good at work in the life of Peter. Peter, we know him as impulsive, he tends to engage his mouth before his brain, he’s a little hard-headed and stubborn. But what we forget about Peter is that he was passionate for God, he was completely sold out to Jesus and His kingdom, and he was willing to change his mind, his thinking, his prejudices, he was willing to grow, to change life-direction, to change for good.

Growing Up Jewish
Peter was Jewish and being Jewish he had been raised as a Jew with all of the cultural trappings of Judaism, including very detailed laws on what was considered clean and what was considered unclean. There were strict regulations that governed what one could eat and what one could not eat, even what you could touch. These regulations about what was considered clean and unclean were originally designed as a teaching tool to show God’s people that God is holy, he’s different, he has a claim on the lives of His people, and as such, his people are to be different, they are to reflect holiness in every aspect of their lives. “Be holy,” God says, “for I am holy.” But somewhere along the way, these ideas of clean and unclean became rationalizations for accepting some people while rejecting others.

God choosing Israel was to lead them to great gratitude and humility, but instead they felt as if they were the privileged while the Gentiles or non-Jews were considered unclean, they were outside of God’s realm. Non-Jews even at best were considered 2nd class members. The temple area complex where the people worshiped had a special reserved section for Gentiles called the Court of the Gentiles. This was the outermost part of the complex and no non-Jew could come any farther (see Acts 21:27-32). So no Gentile could ever hope to have complete access to God. God of course had nothing to do with this. His people had misinterpreted his Word.

Things have changed now that Peter is a Christian. His life has been changed, his heart has been opened to the truth. Peter is growing, he’s changing his preconceived views, he’s open to God and he wants to follow Jesus. And because he’s open to God’s truth and willing to yield to Him, he’s going to be used greatly to bring the Gospel to new places.

Peter’s Story from Prejudice to Acceptance
Here’s the story. In Acts 10 we discover that Peter is in Joppa (v.5). Peter has had a busy week in Joppa for it was here that his prayers for the healing of Tabitha were answered by the Lord and she was raised back to life (9:40-42). Peter stayed on in the port city of Joppa in the house of Simon, perhaps for a little seaside R & R on the Mediterranean.

One day while he was in Joppa Peter went up to the roof to pray, a common practice (v.9). As is often the case for Christians worshiping, and seeking God through the spiritual disciplines, these things seem to bring out the hunger in us. So Peter while he’s praying falls off into a sleep of sorts and he begins to dream about Sunday dinner. In this trance he sees a sheet let down from heaven and it is filled with all kinds of critters (v.12). There’s steak and pork roast and gator tail and duck! And then he hears a voice telling him to “Get up . . . Kill and eat” (v.13). It’s dinner time.

But there’s a slight problem because much of what Peter sees is not on the authorized Jewish menu. Peter interrupts and confidently affirms, “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean” (v.14). Peter was known for his “I never” statements, some of which he had to eat. Be careful about those “I’ll never . . .” statements, you may have to eat your words. But Peter is going to discover that God is not simply changing Peter’s lunch options, God is teaching him about people, people who God created, people for whom Christ died. “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean” (v.15). Maybe because Peter is a little hard-headed, he had to tell him three times (v.16).

Now while Peter is pondering all of this there’s a knock at the door (v.17). A man named Cornelius has also had a visit from the Lord telling him to send men to find Peter for he has something very important to tell him. The next day Peter and some of the “brothers from Joppa” as well as the three men who were sent by Cornelius started out towards Caesarea (v.23). Cornelius had been expecting them and had called all of his relatives, close friends, even people he worked with together (v.24). This God-fearing devout man was ready to hear the story of Jesus. It is beautiful how God works and prepares people to hear the Gospel. How many people are willing to hear about Jesus but are just waiting for someone to tell?

Peter was taken aback when Cornelius bowed in reverence to him. Peter made him get up telling him he was just a man himself (v.26). And when Peter went inside he found a large gathering readied to hear the message of Jesus. To ease the tension that probably Peter was feeling, the first thing Peter said was that he reminded them that according to Jewish law he shouldn’t even be there, “But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean” (v.28). Peter has been listening and learning and growing.

Peter then begins to share his journey of discovery, how God has shown him that every man is equal in the sight of God. “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (vv.34-35). This truth too is self-evident but sometimes it takes some time to arrive at this conclusion. Our founding fathers arrived at this conclusion, a conclusion that was shocking then and one we’re still trying to figure out how to practice. The opening of the United States Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, states as follows: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”

Tearing Down the Wall of Partiality
Even though Peter had been raised to be prejudiced towards Gentiles, non-Jews, he had been open to learning from God the truth about other people. Jesus, Peter discovered is “Lord of all” men (v.36). He is the one mediator who makes us at peace with God and with each other (“peace through Jesus Christ,” 36). It is partiality, favoritism that divides us, that causes us to build fences rather than bridges. Partiality threatened the expansion of the Gospel and for the Gospel to spread to all people, hearts and attitudes would have to change and they did. And this is why God speaks so much on the subject of partiality. It is partiality, favoritism that continues to divide us not only in our church but in Christendom as a whole. God must be grieved because of sinful hearts and inability to come together under the banner of the cross of Jesus! If we cannot treat one another with love and respect, how will we love people who are on the outside?

God’s been talking about this problem of favoritism for a long time. God told his people in Leviticus 19:15, “Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.” God specifically told his people to look after the aliens (no, not the ones from outer space but), the strangers, to welcome them, and to remember that they too once were outsiders. “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt” (Ex. 22:21). To welcome outsiders is to fulfill the whole law, the royal commandment as James calls it, the great or first command that Jesus issued to love God and love your neighbor. To the question that the Jews asked, “who is my neighbor?” is the simple answer – every human being is your neighbor. “My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism” (Jas. 2:1). Showing partiality, playing favorites destroys the common love relationship that God desires to see exist between us. 

Because Peter was willing to change, to accept truth even when it contradicted what he had been taught was true, he was able to leave a legacy of love of impacting countless people for Jesus. Peter was able to tell Cornelius and all who had assembled the wonderful story of Jesus and his love. This Jesus, Peter said was anointed by God and went about “doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil” (v.38). He was killed by “on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day” (v.39b-40). We are witnesses of these things (vv.39, 41). And what we saw was the salvation that the prophets saw with the eye of faith. “All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (v.43).

He’s Our God Too!
While Peter was speaking “The Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message” (v.44). This was a visible demonstration of salvation coming to those who heard and accepted the message. It was both to show to these “hungry-for-God Gentiles” (non-Jews) that the living God was their God too. This was also visible confirmation to the Jews who were there that the Gentiles were being welcomed by God Himself into His kingdom. The Jewish believers that witnessed this outpouring of the Holy Spirit were seeing something very similar to what had happened in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost.

God was visibly saying, “My Gospel is for all people!” And Peter affirms their equality in the kingdom by saying to both Gentiles and Jews, “Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have” (v.47). They were then “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (v.48). They are part of the one family of God where “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Gal. 3:28-29).

Life Evaluation
Your willingness to grow, to change determines what kind of impact you will make for good on people the few short years that you are on this planet. Here’s few questions to help you evaluate what kind of impact for good you will make. 

1. Are you willing to grow, to change for good?
Are you willing to be adaptable, flexible? To be like the clay in the potter’s hand? When we understand that the Gospel is bigger than us and our needs, when we understand that this is really not all about us, then we won’t have a problem growing and changing. When Peter understood there were countless lives at stake, people that God Himself created and loved, how could he do anything else but be willing to grow, to change? 

2. Will you begin to relate to God on a deeply personal level?
Peter prayed, he talked to God, he walked with the living Jesus, he listened to God’s voice and followed His will. He grew and was changed because he related to God on a deeply personal level. God uses the spiritual disciplines of prayer and fellowship with Him and his word to grow us, to conform us, to change us into his image. Jesus has to change us from the inside out. Paul says we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God, then he says, “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). Why does it seem that some people make a greater impact than others? It is because they relate to God on a deeply personal level. They live their daily life before the presence of the living God. They want to grow and they are relating to God, letting Him shape them.

Some people put a cap on what God is going to do in their life, their stuck in a rut which is really just a grave with the ends kicked out. You can make an impact in the lives of others but you have to be willing to grow, to change. And that happens as you relate to God on a deeply personal level. Your willingness to grow, to change determines what kind of impact for good you will make on people the few short years that you are on this planet. You don’t have long to get this right. There’s no time to waste. It’s time to let God work in you!



For His Glory!
Pastor Joe
"Phil. 1:3"


Monday, July 15, 2013

Paul, Apostle of the Heart Set Free (Acts 9:1-21)

A sermon preached on July 14, 2013 at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Sprisngs, LA by Pastor Joe Alain.

Scripture Reading: Acts 9:1-21

How people face adversity can have a huge impact on us. Heroic deeds inspire us. For instance, when 19 firefighters near Prescott, Arizona lost their lives in the line of duty, we celebrated their heroism. Their everyday bravery in the face of great danger inspired us. The way that a man named Stephen died must have weighed heavily on the mind of Saul. Saul was present and gave his approval for the death of Stephen (Acts 8:1). But as Stephen was being stoned for his faith he prayed for his murderers, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (7:60).

A Campaign of Rage and Terror (9:1-2)
To numb the reminder of seeing Stephen’s calmness in the face of death, Saul plunged headlong into a campaign of rage and terror to blot out followers of Jesus from the earth. In 9:1 Luke tells us that Saul went on a rampage to route out “the Lord’s disciples.” Luke uses his Jewish name of Saul in this account, but we know him better by his Roman name of Paul.

Not content with persecuting believers in Jerusalem, Saul went to see the High Priest about what he sees as the ever-increasing “Christian Problem.” “The Way” as he refers to them (19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22) is a threat to Judaism. And so He seeks extradition papers from the high priest to go to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found any “who belonged to the Way,” he could have them arrested. Damascus, about 140 miles from Jerusalem, was a place of refuge for believers who had fled the persecution of Jerusalem and there was a sizeable Christian community there.

Saul is zealous and he’s convinced that he is serving God but he is in fact opposing God. He’s moving full speed ahead into the darkness, religious but lost! You can be convinced that a way of life, a belief is correct, but if it does not align with truth, it will only lead to further darkness and confusion. Some of the most unhappy people on the planet are religious people who hold on to error. What should bring joy brings them anger. If your religion makes you angry, you need another religion!

Blinded by “The Light” (9:3-4)

On his way to Damascus to carry out his misdirected plan Saul was blinded by “a Light” which he would soon discover was “The Light” (v.5)! So that Saul could not easily dismiss what was happening to him, God used two senses (sight and hearing) to get Saul’s attention. He might dismiss one or the other, but he could not easily dismiss them both. Saul fell to the ground, how we don’t know. But he heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” At this point the voice is not identified, but it is clear that Saul’s persecution of “the Lord’s disciples” (v.1) has brought him to this experience. To his surprise, Saul discovers that to persecute believers in Jesus is to persecute the Lord God Himself!

Shock and Awe (9:5-9)
When Saul asked “Who are you Lord?” (v.5) we shouldn’t understand his use of the term “Lord” to mean what we would understand it to mean. Later on Paul will record many times the signature expression of the Christian’s profession of faith, “Jesus is Lord!” (See, Rom. 10:9; Phil. 2:11), but here he’s using it in the sense of “Master,” or “Sir.” He’s not too sure “who” is speaking or “what “is happening at this point. But the Lord God made it very clear who he was, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” The historical Jesus, the one who died and rose again, the one whose followers are being persecuted by Saul, He is alive and the one who is speaking.  I wonder what must have gone through Saul’s mind at that time.

The Lord told Saul to get up and go into the city, “and you will be told what you must do” (v.6). This was a radical change for Saul. He’s used to giving orders not taking them. The humbling of Saul continues. It’s been said that, “A Christian is a person who has ceased to do what he wants to do and who has begun to do what Christ wants him to do.” That’s a pretty good description of what it means to be a Christian – Jesus is Lord! “He’s in control of my life. It’s no longer my will, but His will be done in my life.”

Now, there were others with Saul as he traveled to Damascus and Luke tells us that they were “speechless.” I think Saul was too! These men with Saul only heard “the sound but did not see anyone.” Perhaps, Saul saw Jesus as he heard him speak (“I have appeared to you,” 26:16). The others neither saw or understood the message of the sound. How long he was on the ground we do not know, but now he gets up but when he does he can see nothing (v.8). Those with him “led him by the hand into Damascus.” Saul who was charging in to arrest believers and drag them back to Jerusalem is now being led humbly by the hand like a little child by others to Damascus. And for three days Saul was blind and he did not eat or drink anything (v.9). Saul has met his match in the risen Jesus and is in a state of shock and awe.

From Chief Persecutor to Chief Preacher (9:10-17)
But God has plans for Saul. Instead of condemning him on the spot, he will commission him. God has people in Damascus and he has a specific job to do for a disciple named Ananias (v.10). While Saul said, “Who?” Ananias said “Yes, Lord.”

The Lord gave Ananias some specific instructions (vv.11-12).
    – The specific address to go to, “the house of Judas on Straight Street.” He won’t need a GPS, God tells him exactly where Saul will be.
    – The specific words to say when you arrive, “ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.” It’s interesting that we are told that Saul was praying. I’m sure his prayer life was greatly enhanced by this whole experience. There are some things that happen in life that will make even the hardest man humble and prayerful. Telling Ananias that Saul is praying may also be a way to ease the moment for Ananias. Praying people generally are less likely to kill you!

All of this is good and well, but now Ananias chimes in (vv.13-14), “Lord, . . . I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.” Emphasis on “many reports” and “all the harm he had done,” meaning “I’m not too sure if you realize what you are asking me to do. Haven’t you heard?” Furthermore, I know that this man has come with “authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name” (v.14). Ananias is doing what we sometimes do when we’re not sure we really want to do what he’s asking us, he’s attempting to inform the Lord.

Here’s the Lord’s response (v.15), “Go!” “Don’t argue with me, don’t lean on your own understanding. I know what you are telling me and I know what I’m doing” (v.15). Ouch! God has seen in Saul what neither Saul or Ananias have yet to see, that Saul will be God’s “chosen instrument to carry” the Lord’s “name before the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” That’s a pretty tall order, but with God all things are possible. God is going to take the chief persecutor and make him the chief preacher.

Maybe what God says in verse 16 would also be an encouragement to Ananias and the other believers in Damascus. Saul is going to suffer greatly, but in an ironic twist, he will “suffer” for the very name of Jesus, the one he is persecuting! The people he sees as his enemies will become his greatest friends. This is the reconciling power of the Gospel! The people he hated, he will come to know and love. Only God can do that!

Apparently this satisfied Ananias and he went to where Saul was staying (v.17). He addressed Saul as a brother in the Lord, “Brother Saul.” He also makes it clear that it was the Lord Jesus who appeared to him on the way to Damascus and it was the same Jesus who sent him to lay hands on him so that he would be able to “see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (v.17).

Once I Was Blind, But Now I Can See (9:18)
When Ananias carried out God’s plan, “Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see” (v.18). Seeing and being filled with the Holy Spirit is synonymous with salvation. And in salvation (reconciliation with God) God removes the blinders so that we can truly see. Paul was blinded by his rage, his hatred of believers, and his religious zeal. Now, Jesus has opened his eyes to see. Once I was blind, but now I can see!

Paul is a new man, a man who has been set free, free from himself, from his hatred, and from his empty religion! Immediately Saul was baptized, baptism showing the radical nature of repentance and change of direction in his life. Saul has begun for the first time in his life to do what Jesus wants him to do. And baptism says “I am showing that in my life, I am doing what God wants me to do.” The amazing change of Saul is seen in verse 20 where Luke says, “At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God” (v.20). No wonder the people were astonished at the change in Saul. He really is a new man in Christ.

Life Applications:
1. God uses circumstances in your life to bring you to the truth.
God used circumstances in Saul’s life to cause him to be dependent upon him and the very people he hated. This was a humbling experience but we too must become humble before we are willing to get to the place where we will truly say, “Jesus is Lord of my life.” Sometimes you have to get to the end of yourself before you are ready to trust the Lord. And God will use the circumstances of your life to draw you to himself and to help you see others in a different light. What if you had to trust with your life the very people that you don’t like? What if God used that to bring you to the truth?

2. The Lord of love and light can conquer any hatred you might have.
Love conquers hatred. Hatred only takes you to the dark side. The cure for rage and hatred (which is darkness) is yielding to the Lordship of Christ (to walk in the light). Only the Lord of light can calm the raging dark storm of your soul. Only Jesus can set you free from the darkness of hatred and bring you into the light of love.

The reconciling power of the Gospel is on display in Saul’s life. He has become a “brother” to those whom he hated. Paul will later write that it is Jesus who is our peace, He’s the one who breaks down the walls that separate us (Eph. 2:14). Only love can do that.

3. Where you are now is not an indicator of where you could be.
God has plans for your life and your present life circumstances are not indicators of your future circumstances. Who would have ever in a million years said “Saul is going to be the greatest missionary of the Gospel!” He’s full of hatred, darkness, and thoughts of murder occupy his mind. And yet God had a plan for Saul and his present circumstances, rather than indicating his future will be a platform for him to use to help others who are also in darkness. He will share his testimony around the world, a testimony we still share! God never wastes anything. Your life experiences, what God has brought you to and through, He will use in your life if you will allow Him to.

4. Will you believe in a God who is big enough to do anything?
Ananias did. He followed the Lord’s instructions by faith. It didn’t make sense to do what he did, and it took great courage, but he went anyway by faith believing God is big enough to do anything. What would happen if we began to see what God sees. What would happen if we pray for the conversion of people who may be the most opposed to Christianity today? God can change anyone. Do you believe that? If you do, you will pray for people.

Will you do what God wants you to do rather than what you want to do? Saul did. Ananias did. Will you? This is what it means to be a Christian and to be truly free!



For His Glory!
Pastor Joe









Monday, June 17, 2013

"Becoming Men of Steel"

A sermon preached on Father’s Day, June 16, 2013, at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain

It was a case of mistaken identity. Paul and Barnabas were sharing the Gospel, the message of Jesus and God was showing up and doing miraculous things, things like healing a crippled man. The people were so impressed by the healing of this man that they said, “The gods have come down upon us in human form” (Acts 14:11). They believed that the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes had visited them, Barnabas as Zeus and Paul as Hermes. In Greek mythology, Zeus is the “Father of Gods and men” who rules the Olympians of Mount Olympus as a father rules the family. He is the god of sky and thunder. So he’s Superman and Thor all wrapped up in one! Hermes is the son of Zeus. He was the messenger of the gods, intercessor between mortals and the divine, and conductor of souls into the afterlife.

They thought that this miracle could only be attributed to “supermen,” but Barnabas and Paul, mere mortals, were quick to say, “We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them” (14:15).

The qualities that made these Greeks take note of Barnabas and Paul as “supermen” were actually qualities that God worked in their lives. It was Jesus alive and working in them. Today, men (especially Christian men), fathers, are expected to be supermen, men of steel, gods in human form. But we’re just men, we struggle as other men. And yet, God is developing our character, he desires to make us into men of steel, not in the sense of hardened men able to deflect bullets, cold or unfeeling, but men of steel, men of character.

Barnabas was that kind of man, he wasn’t Zeus or Superman, but he was a man with “God-like” qualities, he was a man of steel. His life was one of character, it was a life that was committed to God.

The first time we see Barnabas is in Acts 4:36-37 where Luke tells us of his generous gift to his fellow believers. Barnabas sold a field that he owned to help the poor believers in Jerusalem. There were no strings attached to his gift. He simply laid it at the apostle’s feet for them to use it anyway that they saw fit to help others in need. His name means “Son of Encouragement” and what an encouragement to the early church to have a man like Barnabas who had sympathy for the condition of others and gave generously. Barnabas was a man of sympathy and generosity. He could not stand by when others were in need and he had the power to help. That is a man of character. A man of action. A man of steel. He’s sympathetic to those in need and generous in meeting needs.

The next time we find Barnabas is in chapter 9:26-27. Saul has just been dramatically converted to Christ. And now Saul has begun preaching the Gospel with great power. After escaping Damascus by being let through an opening in the wall, Saul “tried to join the disciples” in Jerusalem (9:26). Problem is, Saul has a past and it’s not too godly or too friendly towards Christians. The disciples don’t want any part of Saul. “They were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple” (9:26).

That’s when Barnabas steps in (9:27). He befriends Saul, and he vouches for him before the disciples telling them of his conversion and bold preaching of the Gospel. Barnabas knows the hand of God is upon Saul and he introduces him to the disciples. He puts aside his fear and befriends Saul. Barnabas is open to accepting new believers, even believers who have a dark past. He’s willing to believe in grace, grace that makes it possible for a man to change, to do a 180 turn. That is a man of character. A man who can see what God sees in others. He believes in a big God, a God who can do anything. Barnabas is a man of great faith, great confidence in the ability of God. He’s a man of steel.

The next time we find Barnabas is in Acts 11:19-26 where we find him helping the new and growing church at Antioch. He was sent to Antioch by the Jerusalem church. At Antioch he (1) encouraged the believers to be true to the Lord, (2) he brought others to personal faith in Christ, and (3) he brought Paul to Antioch to help teach the new believers. Barnabas had an effective ministry at Antioch and Luke shows us a side to Barnabas that is very telling about his character. Barnabas was a man who knew who he was in Christ and he was not insecure in his ministry. He invited Paul to join him, to help him. A man of steel, a man of character understands that he’s really not a “superman” in the sense that it’s all on him, he has to do it all by himself. He knows that other men have gifts too that can be used by God to help others. Obviously, it was wise to get Paul to come and help. And Barnabas was a big enough man to see that and make it happen.

Finally, we find Barnabas in Acts 15:36-41 where he and Paul are discussing their trip of visiting the believers in the places that they had previously established churches. But there was a sharp disagreement concerning who would go on this mission trip. Barnabas wanted to take John Mark, but Paul did not think it was wise to do so because Mark had deserted them on a previous trip (15:38). Barnabas was willing to give Mark a second chance, Paul was not. So they parted company and Barnabas took Mark and Paul chose Silas to go with him. In that moment, Barnabas saw the possibilities in Mark that Paul did not. Barnabas mentored Mark, he came alongside him to get him back in the work, he restored him, and later on Paul himself would count Mark among his trusted friends and associates in the work of God (Col. 4:10).

Qualities that God Wants to Develop in Men
There’s much that I could focus on concerning the character of Barnabas, but I want to mention two “steely qualities” that he had that God wants to develop in men.

1. Generosity: In every area of his life, Barnabas was generous, not simply with his finances, but his time, his gifts. Barnabas invested himself in the work of Christ, to people in need, he invested his life into the believers at Antioch. He gave godly counsel. He taught God’s truths. He introduced others to Christ. He mentored and restored Mark. Barnabas generously invested in the lives of others with his finances, time, and gifts.

How will you be generous with your self? Will you love generously your family? Your wife (if married)? Your children need the investment of your time, your love, and your energy especially as they are growing in those formative years. And what about the work of Christ? Of sharing the Gospel? I’m thankful for the men who generously gave of themselves to help me spiritually. I’m grateful for godly men who counseled me, who taught me in words and actions the character of God, who mentored me, who prayed for me. What kind of investment are you making in the kingdom of God? Men, you have a lot to give but you have to learn to be generous. Because we find so much of our identity in our work, it’s easy to burn up all of our energy in our work and leave little for the people we love. You will have to be intentional with sharing yourself. Make sure you’re carving out time for your family. Discover what you’re passionate about in life and let that be used generously for God.

2. Grace-Filled: God’s grace overflowed in Barnabas’s life and allowed him to see the needs around him with sympathy. He saw firsthand the poor believers, he sympathized with them. And when God gets your heart, everything else becomes easier. Grace-filled people are people who know that they are forgiven and that God is big enough, sovereign enough to change anyone. There is nothing that God cannot do. Barnabas knew this and was able to befriend Paul when no one else would. Barnabas was not afraid of grace. His heart is wide open. He has a great faith because he knows God is a great God.

We also see his grace-filled sympathy at Antioch where there are many new believers and he knows that they need help, help that he can provide. As a result he’s willing to plant his life at Antioch for a time to teach the new believers. And we see his grace-filled life at work with the way that he takes in Mark and gives him a second chance. Barnabas is a friend to the friendless, but he’s also a friend to those who fall short, who have failed.

Barnabas looks a whole lot like Jesus! And no wonder, it is Jesus who has made him who he is, a man of steel, a man of godly character. It’s knowing Jesus and following Him that will make you a man of steel, a man of character. I’m grateful for the godly examples that we have of men in our own fellowship, men who are generous, men who are grace-filled, men of encouragement. That’s the kind of man that I want to be, a man of steel, a man of character. For God’s glory!

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Day After Easter

A sermon preached on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain.

April 7, 2013, The Second Sunday of Easter

Scripture Readings: Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8


What happened to Easter? Just last week, stores were stocked full of “Peeps,” “Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs,” and chocolate bunnies; Easter dresses were paraded in newspaper inserts, churches were full, and Charleston Heston made his annual appearance on TV, along with an assortment of specials on the life of Jesus. But now hardly a trace of Easter remains. And yet, Easter isn’t over, it’s  just begun!

Easter is what gives us hope, it’s what keeps us going, it declares that we are forgiven, it’s what makes our new citizenship in God’s kingdom possible. What John says is true (Rev. 1:4-8). Easter means we’re loved, we’re freed from our sins, and God has made us a people, a kingdom, “priests to serve” our God and our Father (Rev. 1:5-6). Our world puts Easter in a nice colorful and comfortable box (somewhat like a box of chocolates), and views Easter in terms of nice friendly Easter bunnies and vibrant Spring flowers.

But Easter cannot be contained in a box, it’s not a weekend or even a season, Easter means Jesus is alive, the powers of death have been conquered, and God’s people are now empowered to share God’s story, they are His witnesses proclaiming the forgiveness of sins through repentance, turning to God. Easter means that we give witness of the reality of the one “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev. 1:8).

However, if you take the day after Easter very seriously, you might get into some trouble as did the early disciples in our first reading from Acts 5:27-32. The disciples had previously been instructed (commanded is a better word) “not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus” (4:18). But to Peter’s credit, even then he wasn’t making any promises saying, “how can we not speak about what we have seen and heard!” (4:20).

Not deterred by this troubling development, the church set themselves to praying, and what did they pray about? For deliverance from persecution? For a more comfortable accommodating existence? No, they prayed that they would be able to speak God’s word with boldness (4:29). They prayed that when the time came, they would be courageous in the face of adversity. And empowered by God’s Spirit they did teach and preach in the name of Jesus and they turned the world upside down which was turning it right side up. The world takes notice of people who take Jesus seriously.

Now, before the Sanhedrin the “Lordship” test has begun, the apostles are being questioned about their illegal activities by the high priest (5:27). The Sanhedrin was attempting to silence the proclaiming of the name of Jesus, but how does one go about silencing the voice of God, the voice of truth? Can “the Almighty” really be silenced? It’s often been lamented that God has been removed from society and in certain cases and with certain groups, there is an aggressive attempt to remove all vestiges of Christianity from the public square. However, can God be removed from the world that He created? You can no more silence God than you can silence the conscience! The name of Jesus, the name that the Sanhedrin would not even mention (they depersonalized Jesus referring to him as “this name,” v.27), this name has been declared by the Father to be “the ruler of the kings of the earth . . . the Alpha and the Omega . . . the Almighty” (Rev. 1:5, 8). The heavens continually declare the glory of God (Ps. 19) and no man, no council can silence His voice!

The real problem that the Sanhedrin had with the apostle’s teaching was that their teaching about Jesus was true which put them squarely on the wrong side of history. John makes this clear when he says, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him” (1:7). Ultimately, history has a way of revealing the “crucifiers,” then and now. Here’s my paraphrase of verse 28b. “You are making us feel bad about what happened and we want to ‘feel’ ok but you are making it hard to do that.” Strangely, the Gospel that heals the brokenhearted, cuts deeply the soul of the hardhearted. The Gospel that proclaims freedom to the captives, threatens the oppressors of this world. The Gospel that elevates the humble and downtrodden, destroys the haughty and self-righteous. The Gospel that feeds the hungry gives heartburn to the “full” of this world. The Gospel that brings comfort to the afflicted, afflicts the comfortable.

Human authorities and powers are quite comfortable with a human-only Jesus, a Jesus who loves with limitations, who heals the well-healed, who forgives the faithful. The world loves a Jesus who can be controlled on demand. But the world’s powers cannot accept the Jesus that loves without limits, who touches the untouchables, who forgives the unredeemable, the Jesus who holds all people accountable, personally and morally, the Jesus that calls all people to repentance, the Jesus that demands costly obedience to a higher authority, the authority of God Himself. No, the Sanhedrin was insistent,  “You must not teach in this name! We will have none of ‘this man.’”

The early disciples are beginning to experience what Jesus foretold, “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. . . They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me” (Jn. 15:20-21). The truth is,  ministry is always going to be a struggle. It’s going to be struggle to live holy, to live godly, to do the right things in life. There will always be forces at work to restrain you from doing what’s right and godly. 

You are prophets and “priests,” but there are forces at work that would restrain your voice and service, but you might be surprised where those restraining forces lie. In the case of the early disciples in our text, the restraining powers were human authorities, and in some settings there are still human authorities restraining the Gospel. In some places speaking truth may be considered “hate speech.” But more often the restraining forces at work are inward forces. Our ignorance of the Gospel, what it entails, and what it demands, restrains our mission. Our love of comfort, of ease, the pride of life, the giving in to our fears, restrains the giving of ourselves to God with all of our being. The fact that living out the Gospel requires costly obedience and change hinders our “priestly” efforts.

The apostles were able to face these internal and external restraining forces because of their prayers and the prayers of the saints. They stood because they first prayed! Remember, they were bold in their preaching and in their stand because they had prayed and the church had continually brought them before God. Obedience to God follows our prayer life. If you do not “feel” like obeying God, pray and pray some more! Radical obedience to God is never easy and can never be measured in terms of how you feel. “What you feel,” is never a fully adequate voice to heed because much of the time “what you feel” may be contrary to God’s kingdom.

What did the apostles do in the face of these outward threats and opposition? They could have done what would have been expedient, back down, give in, retreat and wait to fight another day. But to retreat from this stand would be to forfeit soul freedom and the essential Gospel profession of faith, “Jesus Is Lord!” And so faced with this dilemma, they said, “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (v.29). Likewise, for us to not exercise our priestly ministry of preaching and service is to forfeit the Gospel. We too must obey God rather than give in to the voice of reason, or the voice of our feelings, fears and excuses.

What would bring these early believers to express such a depth of commitment? Jesus is alive! He is Lord and Savior! God has raised Him from the dead (5:30)! And they cannot help but speak His name for they are “witnesses” of marvelous things (vv.30-31). Here is the real insight into their power, their depth of commitment – personal experience, they are “witnesses” (v.32). In the reading from Revelation, John also highlights the personal experience of himself and all believers. Believers know that God “loves us and has freed us from our sins, . . . and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve” Him (1:6).

You do not place your life on the line for second hand truth. You don’t sacrifice comforts, prestige, lands, family, friends for beliefs of no consequence. No, you only lay your life on the line, you only lose your life for that which is all-consuming reality, for that which you hold to with every breath and fiber of your being, for something that you have personally experienced. They can only obey God because He alone is worthy of that ultimate obedience, for he has shown Himself to be “the Almighty!” Stop preaching, teaching, ministering in the name of Jesus? Try telling the sun not to shine, or God to cease being God. “We are witnesses,” (v.32) and can do nothing less than give our lives completely to telling His story and serving humanity in His name.

Today, we make our bold stand and we serve unashamed as “priests” to all people because history belongs to the people of Easter. Easter is not over, it’s just begun! “Look!”, John said, “He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him” (1:7). The powers that now restrain will ultimately be loosed when heaven is loosed. “To him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen” (1:6).

Monday, March 11, 2013

Lessons from the Vine (John 15:1-8)



“Lessons from the Vine”
I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” John 15:5

Scripture Reading: John 15:1-8

A sermon preached on March 10, 2013 at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, Louisiana by Pastor Joe Alain.

John 15:1-8 deals with the intimate and living relationship that believers share with Christ. Believers as God’s branches are vitally connected to Christ. As a result, we draw our life from Christ. The promise of this text is that in an abiding relationship with Jesus, we bear “much fruit” (v.8) which brings glory to our Father. However, without Him (i.e., Christ) we “can do nothing.”

There are some powerful “lessons from the vine” for disciples in this passage of Scripture.
1. Jesus is the true source of life
Here we have another one of the great “I am” statements made by Jesus in the Gospel of John that clearly identifies Himself with God, the great “I am.” When Jesus used the symbolism of the Vine, his listeners knew exactly what he meant. The vine had become the symbol of the nation of Israel. It was the emblem on the coins of the Maccabees. One of the great treasures and glories of the Temple was the great golden vine upon the front of the Holy Place. When Jesus calls himself the “true vine” (v.1), he is saying, “I am the vine of God and you must be branches joined to me. It is not because you belong to Israel that you are saved, but it is faith in Me as the true source of life.” The first lesson of the vine is crystal clear, Jesus is the true source of life – He is God!

What is the significance of this truth for us? Because Jesus is the true source of life,
2. Life results from being connected to Jesus
We draw our life from Christ as Paul said, “‘For in him we live and move and have our being’” (Acts 17:28). Jesus is the true source of life. Common sense tells us that oranges do not grow on apple trees and strawberries are not produced from pear trees. Like begets like. It is terribly frustrating, in fact it is impossible, to try to live the Christian life if you are not one. The life you were created to live is impossible to see realized without Jesus, the true source of life. Because Jesus is the true source of life, it is imperative that I am connected by faith to Jesus Christ, “the true vine” (v.1). Are you connected to God through Christ?

The fact that Jesus calls Himself the “the true vine” implies that there are other ways that a person may try or depend upon but that they are false sources of life rather than true. Many of Jesus’ listeners believed that they were connected to God by being part of Israel, the vine. But Jesus says we are God’s “children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (Jn. 1:13). Some people think they are saved because they were born in America, or because they joined a church, or because they do “good” deeds. But it’s faith in Christ that connects us to Him. This results in the new birth, as Jesus described it to Nicodemus in John chapter 3. “Any other way but God’s way in Christ will not lead to spiritual growth and fruit. Jesus alone is the true source of life and life results from being connected to Him.

Are you connected to God through the Vine – Jesus? Here God’s promise to you. “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (Jn. 1:12). God is calling you to receive Him, to believe in His name. When you do that, new life results from being connected to Jesus, the Vine.

A third lesson from the vine is that,   
3. Remaining in Christ produces change (fruit)
There is a relationship between our remaining in Christ and our producing fruit. Jesus refers to the importance of remaining in him at least six times in these eight verses (vv.4, 5, 6, 7). To remain in him is to see fruit produced in your life. To fail to remain in him is to remove yourself from the source of life and wither and die!

This brings up several questions. First, what does it mean for us to remain in him? Second, what kind of fruit is produced in our lives when we do remain in him? First, to remain in Jesus means that discipleship (your life in Christ) is not a passive process. Your part in the process of seeing fruit produced is to remain or abide in Christ. The language used in this word “Remain in me, and I will remain in you” means to continue in a relationship that has already been established. Jesus is talking to people who are “in Christ.” He reminds them in verse 3, “You are already clean” signifying that they are already in a living relationship to God the Father through Christ. Jesus is not saying, I want you to “keep on” establishing a relationship with Me as if our relationship with Christ is “on again” and “off again.”

God is saying continue in the relationship that has already begun (It’s an aorist, active, imperative). For example, if you are married and I say remain in that marriage, I’m not saying become married, you’re already married. I’m saying continue in that state, develop that relationship. That’s what Jesus is saying to us. Remain in me, continue following Me, develop this relationship that has begun. Jesus says to us. If we will do that, we will bear “much fruit”. Branches never “strive” to produce fruit, they simply abide in the vine. Your job is to “remain” in the vine – Jesus!

What kind of fruit can we expect to see when we remain in Christ? This is important because Jesus said in verse 8, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (v.8). It’s equally important because God’s kind of fruit makes a difference in our daily lives. If bearing fruit pleases God, I need to know what this fruit is. It is true that like begets like, meaning Christians beget other Christians, so in one sense the fruit produced through us is other Christians. But fruit is not limited to reproducing other Christians. The NT says much about the kind of spiritual fruit that results from our relationship with Christ. This spiritual fruit is most clearly described in Galatians 5:22-23, although it’s not limited to what Paul mentions.

This list of nine qualities is merely representative of the “kind” of fruit that is produced through the believer’s relationship with Christ. A fuller picture of the fruit of the Spirit is found in simply observing the life of Jesus. He is not only our substitute (to many people stop there), he’s our great example. The logical question for me to ask is, “is my life exhibiting the fruit of Christ?” Am I becoming “more” loving? Patient? Kind? Merciful? Gracious? Compassionate? At peace? Jesus demonstrated these and more in His life. This is the measure of our lives!

There’s another important aspect to this remaining in Christ. To be connected and remain in Christ is to be connected to other believers. In Christ we are connected to one another “for better or for worse.” You cannot remain in Christ and be disconnected from other believers any more than you can be married and never relate to your spouse. Why is this important to know? Because we learn to bear fruit in the context of human relationships. How else are we able to learn how to love others, how to have patience, how to serve, etc. unless we do so in the context of living in connection with others?

Jesus said what you do to others, you are doing to him! And it’s also true that what you do to others, you’re doing to yourself, for we are all members together in the body of Christ. Now if you are a branch, if you are connected to Christ the vine, you’re connected to all of Christ’s followers. So when you love others, you are loving yourself, when you are gracious to others, you are being gracious to yourself. However, when you criticize your brother or sister, when you tear them down, or speak evil of them, you are in effect “hacking” away at your own limb. You’re committing spiritual suicide. Remember, when you point one finger forward, there are three pointing back to you.

Remaining in Christ produces fruit, and fruit is the proof of our discipleship. There is a fourth lesson from the vine and it may be the most difficult for us to grasp.  
4. God prunes us in order to conform us to His character
The vine cannot produce the crop which it is capable of producing without occasional pruning. Fruitful branches are pruned, not to kill the branch, but to produce even more fruit. While our part in the process of discipleship is to remain in Christ, God’s part is the pruning away in our life of all that does not look like Jesus. God prunes us to conform us into the character of Christ.

Spiritual fruit is produced and maximized in your life over time through the process of spiritual pruning (v.2). Here is something that from a logical standpoint does not make sense. “Every branch that “does” bear fruit he trims clean so that it will be even more fruitful” (v.2). You would think if a branch is bearing any fruit, leave it alone, that’s great. But God is not content for us to bear a “little” fruit, he wants you bear “much fruit.”

Spiritual pruning is for your benefit. It will bring more fruitfulness in your life. The word here translated “clean” or “prune” (v.2) is related to the verb “katharizo,” – to cleanse as in the cleansing of a disease or making one pure. This word is used in the following ways: Matthew 8:3; Luke 17:14, 17 – lepers who are declared cleansed (Aorist, passive, indicative). Hebrews 9:14, 22 – of the blood of Christ that cleanses us (Future & Present act. ind.) 2 Corinthians 7:1 – Out of reverence for God, we are to purify ourselves from all contamination (Aorist, active, subjunctive).

If cleaning (spiritual pruning) means removing that which is diseased and harmful to your spiritual growth, is that not a good thing? When the surgeon cuts out the cancerous tissue from your body, is that not a good thing? Of course it’s good! So it is with spiritual pruning. In pruning, God is removing the diseased and dead wood from your life. It’s all for His glory so that you will be able to produce more fruit.

God is one determined gardener and He is committed to do the pruning in your life and mine. Anger, bitterness, impatience, unmerciful, unloving, critical judging spirit, all dead branches that ruin my relationships and have to go in my life, but all for my good! And if you’re willing to learn from the Lord, you will grow through the pruning process. But if you don’t let God work in your life and respond to his judgment (which spiritual pruning is a form of), you’re going back around the track again. How long God? God says, “until you get it!” Israel wandered for 40 years, going around that same old track. Don’t be like a mule that has dug in and won’t budge, or the horse that has to have a heavy bridle placed upon him (Ps. 32:8-9). Let God do a work in your heart and life!   

If a branch bears no fruit there is nothing else you can do except remove the branch. There’s no hope for a dead branch (Jn. 15:6). The only branches that can be improved are the branches that are producing fruit. So if you are being spiritually pruned, that’s good news. That means God is at work in your life removing all that does not look like Jesus. But if you’re not going through some occasional spiritual pruning, you’re already kindling (v.6)! No pruning means no life!

In our backyard we have tree that to me looks completely dead. I almost pulled it up the other day, but Rhonda peeled back a little of the bark and said, “It’s still green it’s just dormant, give it a little bit more time.” Maybe there’s not much fruit in your life, but there’s still a little bit of life left somewhere underneath, you’re not dead yet, but your spiritual life is dormant. Jesus says to you, it’s time to get back to remaining in me, you can still be fruitful, I’m not through with you. There’s really only two possibilities, remain in Jesus and produce fruit, or become kindling for the fire. Which will it be? “The one who remains in me . . . produces much fruit” (Jn. 15:5). 

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe





Monday, March 4, 2013

The Door That Leads to Life (John 10:9)

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” John 10:9

A sermon preached at Hebron Baptist Church, Denham Springs, Louisiana on March 3, 2013 by Pastor Joe Alain.

Scripture Reading: John 10:1-10 (Focal Verse, 10:9)
One of the most common occurrences of our daily life is going in and out of various doors. Just think of how many doors we go through in a day and we really don’t give much thought to it. Just today you probably went through a bedroom door, a bathroom door, maybe a closet door, your front door, or garage door, then your car door. And that’s just before you left the house. Then when you arrived at church you exited your car through the car door, you entered the church through the foyer door, you walked through the sanctuary door and here you are. And when you leave you will go through all of those doors again.

Doors come in all shapes and sizes. There are wooden doors and glass doors, there are elaborate cathedral doors and colorful doors. Some doors are locked while other doors are opened. Some doors even take you to special places. In John 10:9 (also in verse 7), Jesus said that He was “the door.” He obviously meant a different kind of door than a literal door. Furthermore, he said, “If anyone enters by Me [i.e., this door], he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” This verse has to do with Jesus being “the door,” but what do doors have to do with shepherds and pastures, which we also find in this larger passage (vv.1-10?

Sheep and shepherds were very important in Israel. Sheep were mainly used for wool rather than food in Israel. This explains why the shepherd would name his sheep. It’s not a good idea to name animals you plan on eating. But animals that are going to be around for awhile you name. The special relationship between the shepherd and his sheep explains how the sheep would also know the voice of their shepherd and would not follow a stranger. Sheep would be startled by a stranger’s voice and run off. Every once in a while the shepherd would call his sheep just to let them know that he was nearby. God our Shepherd does that for us! He let’s us know by the Holy Spirit that He is near.

The shepherd’s job required constant vigilance, fearless courage, and patient love for his flock. He had to always be on guard against wild animals, especially against wolves, and there were always thieves and robbers ready to steal the sheep. And the shepherd was always seeking to lead his sheep in those “grassy pastures” and besides “still waters.”

In the OT God is often pictured as a shepherd. “The Lord is my shepherd,” David says (Ps. 23:1). Psalm 77:20 says that God leads his people like a flock. And Psalm 80:1 calls God the “Shepherd of Israel.” Believers are called “the sheep of his pasture” and in Psalm 95:7 the people of God express praise to Him, “For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” (see also Ps. 100:3).

In the NT Jesus is the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11) who will risk his life to seek and to save the one straying sheep (Matt. 18:12; Lk. 15:4). As the Good Shepherd, Jesus sees people as sheep without a shepherd (Matt. 9:36). Jesus is the shepherd of the souls of men (1 Pet. 2:25) and in Hebrews 13:20 he is the “great Shepherd of the sheep.” His disciples are his “little flock” (Lk.12:32) and when the Shepherd is struck down, the sheep will scatter (Mk. 14:27).

Because the shepherd and the sheep spent many nights out in the fields, a sheep pen would be built where the sheep and the shepherd would spend the night. These hillside sheep folds were just open spaces enclosed by a rock wall. There was an opening for the sheep to come in and go out but there was no door of any kind. At night the shepherd himself lay down across the opening and no sheep could get out or in except over his body. Likewise, no hungry wolf could get in either without first meeting the shepherd (see Jn. 10:27-29)! In the most literal sense the shepherd was the door. This is what Jesus meant when he said that he was the door. Through him and him alone people find access to God! And through Him and Him alone we as His sheep find protection.

“For through him [i.e., Jesus],” Paul said, “we have access to the Father” (Eph. 2:18). And in Ephesians 3:12, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” Romans 5:2 says, “Through whom [i.e., Christ] we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Hebrews 10:20 describes Jesus as the “new and living way” into the presence of God. Jesus and him alone makes God accessible for He is “the Door,” He is the point of access.

“If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” What a promise! And a promise made to “anyone”! I am glad that I am an “anyone,” and a “whosoever” too! If you will come in simple faith, simple trust in Jesus the Son of God, you will be saved. To enter through the door is to trust in Jesus. To be saved is to be reconciled to God the Father. It is to trust Jesus who became your substitute (2 Cor. 5:21). To do this is to be saved forever secure in Him! Have you come to Jesus? Is He “your Shepherd”? 

The wonder of God’s salvation is highlighted in the next phrase, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” We come in one way (a sinner), and we go out changed by God’s grace! This phrase describes a life that is absolutely safe and secure and full and meaningful. We use the expression sometimes that we have the freedom to “come and go as we please.” What we mean is that we are totally free! The person who comes to Jesus, “the Door” is totally free! They are able to “come in and go out and find pasture” which speaks of a changed life and God’s full and meaningful life.

The saved person experiences the promise of Deuteronomy 28:6, which says that we are blessed when we come in and we are blessed when we go out. This is the “abundant life” that Jesus said that he came to bring (10:10). The phrase “abundant life” means to have a superabundance of a thing. To be a follower of Jesus is to have a superabundance of life, it is to truly be alive! To know Jesus is to experience superabundant love, joy, and peace. The story is told of a Roman soldier who came to Julius Caesar with a request for permission to commit suicide. This was an unusual request but it had to do with preserving honor. The man was known as a miserable kind of person, a wretched man with little vitality. Caesar said to him, “Were you ever really alive?” The question could be posed to us, “are we really alive?” Or “are we just existing”? There’s a big difference. When you live your own life, life is dull, lacking in vitality. But when you walk with Jesus, when you go through “the Door,” life becomes superabundant. In fact, it is only when you live with Christ that life becomes really worth living and you begin to live in the real sense of the word. If Christ is not the center of your life, you’re just marking time.

To go any other way is to only lead farther and farther away from God. The thieves and robbers that Jesus refers to specifically were the men who continually rose up in Israel promising salvation another way, usually through blood and war. Jesus is saying there have been men who claimed that they were leaders sent to you by God, but their way only leads for ever farther and farther away from God.

All ways that fall short of trusting in Jesus as Lord are doomed to fail. They will not lead you to God. Only Jesus is “the Door.” This abundant life is conditional in that Jesus said, “If anyone enters by Me.” Life is a choice, you must exercise your freedom to choose to enter into true life through Jesus, a choice that “anyone” can make, but still has to be personally made. In the once popular game show, Let’s Make a Deal, contestants that won the preliminary rounds were able to play for larger prizes. Three doors were presented and the contestant had to pick one of the three, but only one door contained the real prize! 

This abundant life (salvation) is only experienced when you chose to enter the right door – Jesus. At Walmart and other stores too, invariably you can see people continually going through the wrong entrance or exit. The doors will open on both sides, although it does annoy people like myself. But if you are going to be saved, you will have to go through the right door, and that door is clearly marked. Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.” John 10:9

For His Glory!
Pastor Joe