Beach Life - Life-Changing Truth

Throughout this “Beach Life” series, we will explore Jesus' mission and values and how he calls us to follow him and make his mission and values our own. Last week, we kicked off this series by discussing Beach Church's mission. Our mission is to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Our Mission is the answer to the question of “Why we do anything around here.”

Why we gather together for worship each weekend.

Why we serve in our community.  

Why we have children’s ministry.

Why we go on mission trips. 

Why we provide stoves in the Mayan jungles.

Why we have student ministry.

Why we have LifeGroups.

Why we plan for the future.

Why we have an online presence.

The “Why” behind everything we do is answered by our Mission, “To lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.”

We have five Guiding Values that I believe will help us fulfill our mission.

1. Life-Changing Truth

2. Transparent Living

3. Captivating Celebration

4. Uncomfortable Grace

5. Selfless Service

For the next five weeks, I encourage you to embrace these guiding values as your own. Today – we are going to talk about the first Guiding Value of Life-Changing Truth.

You might have noticed that we begin every sermon with an invitation to take a Bible home…and then say something like, “At Beach Church we believe…”

IF WE READ AND APPLY THE WORD OF GOD, GOD WILL CHANGE OUR LIVES

That is not just a cute saying.  That statement is developed from the life of Jesus in Matthew 4 when Jesus used God’s word to resist the temptation of the Devil and in Second Timothy. I have never met anybody that didn’t want to experience some level of change in their life…

They want a better marriage. 

Better relationships at work. 

Better relationships with their family members…

They want to be better off financially. 

They want to have more peace, more joy, and give more love in their lives.

And the BEST and most PRACTICAL way to experience life change is found in 2 Timothy 3:16.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT2) 

16  All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. In the original language, Paul used the word “inspiration,” which suggests the Bible was “breathed out” by the mouth of God.

THE BIBLE IS GOD BREATHED AND TEACHES RIGHT AND WRONG

The Bible is not merely a religious book. The Bible is not just a collection of churchy books smashed together. The Bible is a collection of 66 books. God, the Creator of the world, BREATHED out into the minds of men, who recorded His words.

For the first season of Human History, God walked and talked with His creation – until Adam and Eve – the first man and woman, rebelled against God and sinned.  They preferred living for themselves rather than living for their Creator. Then, God communicated with his creation through the Prophets, through Jesus and his Apostles. His communication and interaction with humans are recorded in this Book.

The Bible is God Breathed.  

Just like these words you are hearing right now are Joe-Breathed.  I am forcing air out of my lungs into my vocal cords; they vibrate, and you hear these words I am saying – God spoke into the minds of the Prophets and Apostles and gave us words that have endured for the past 4,000 years. God loves Human Beings enough to communicate with us. We have not been abandoned by our Creator.

 Even when we FEEL alone – our feelings are wrong.  Through the Bible, we are encouraged and comforted by the heart of God.

The Bible tells us what is right and wrong.

I love hearing an ATTABOY, and I love words of affirmation when I am doing something right. It motivates me to continue to do right, but not many people like to be told when they are living or doing something wrong… 

Today, the culture of the world EMBRACES what is WRONG and REJECTS what is RIGHT. If an athlete or a politician is a follower of Jesus and uses his platform to be a role model and point others to Jesus – he/she is ridiculed and mocked by the culture. But if an athlete or politician uses their platform to promote anti-Christian views, they are hailed as heroic status symbols. The reality is this: if you enjoy doing wrong, the Bible is going to offend you.

If you enjoy doing wrong and do not want to be corrected, sermons here at Beach Church are going to offend you. They are going to step on your toes and get all up in your business. 

I will offend you because, from time to time, I will teach something from the Bible that goes against what you value and embrace. There is RIGHT, and there is WRONG.  

I acknowledge that since the Bible is GOD BREATHED, it has authority over our lives. We can depend on it as the foundation upon which we can build our lives. I don’t preach sermons wagging my finger at you. I look in the mirror, point the truth of God’s Word at myself, and seek to apply the truth to my life before I ever preach, and I ask you to do the same.

My focus when I preach is to help YOU apply God’s Word to YOUR life. We believe that Spiritual Growth is evident when each of us individually applies God’s Word to our lives. So, how can you train yourself to apply God’s Word to your life?

In 1996, five years after I became a follower of Jesus. Five years after I understood that there was a right and wrong. Five years after I surrendered my life to Jesus, received Christ as my Savior, and became a born-again believer in Jesus…

I was taught how to READ my BIBLE and develop an application from it… If we do accept the Bible as the living and active Word of God – then we have to figure out how to read it and apply it. How do we read the Bible without falling asleep? How do we read the Bible without our minds drifting off?  It happens to all of us.  We open up the Bible to read it…and our minds drift off, and we begin to think about other things.

Today I want to give you a tool to help you be able to read God’s Word and apply God’s Word to your life: If you do not have a Letter or Book of the Bible that you are currently reading on a regular basis, I want to invite you to begin reading the shorter letters in the New Testament. The letters were written to followers of Jesus and gave instructions on how to live as followers of Jesus. How to raise their children, get along with their neighbors, and LIVE out their faith as followers of Jesus.

When I read the Bible, I typically read these shorter letters in one sitting. As I read them, I underline all the verses that make me go, “Hmmm.” Or strike me in a particular way…

That’s all I do in that first sitting. I read the letter, and when a verse stands out to me…I underline and move on. The next morning, I typed out the first verse that stood out to me, and I began to meditate on it and let it sink into my life. I ask myself, did this verse leap out to me because there is a…

SIN TO AVOID or CONFESS

Is there a sin I have been thinking about doing (robbing a bank, committing murder, overeating tacos) that I need to avoid? Or have I murdered somebody, and I need to confess it to God, admit it was wrong, and stop doing it? Mostly, I don’t struggle with temptation in those areas – but I am tempted in areas of lust, gossip, greed, selfishness, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness…

If there is, I will write about it.  I journal about it. Then, I ask myself if this verse leaped out at me because there is a…

PROMISE TO CLAIM

Within the New Testament, God has made over 250 promises to followers of Jesus.  Here are a couple of them as examples:

Jesus promised rest in 

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT2) 

28  Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Jesus promised abundant life to those who follow Him 

John 10:10 (NLT2) 

10  The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 

There are many more promises of God, and every single one of them find their ultimate fulfillment in a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. If there is a promise, I write it down and CLAIM it. I pray it into my heart and life.

Third, I ask myself…did this scripture pop out to me because there is an…

EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW

Am I supposed to follow the example of somebody I am reading about? Is there an example I am supposed to follow about somebody’s strength, faithfulness, or obedience? Does somebody inspire me to walk with God more closely?

If so, I will write about it, and I will seek to follow their example. Fourthly, I ask myself, is there a…

COMMAND TO OBEY

Is there an area of my life that I need to bring into alignment with the Word of God?  What is it?

I write about it and begin to apply it to my life. I often find commands I once obeyed that I have become relaxed about continuing to do. Am I no longer generous like I once was?

Do I love others as I once did?

Am I being patient and kind and tenderhearted with my family and friends?  Am I following Jesus like God expects me to?

Then, finally – I ask myself if the verse leaped out at me simply because it has some bit of… 

KNOWLEDGE TO GAIN

…about God or my fellow man that I need to be reminded of, tuck away, and even pass along one day.  

You will never know how much of an encouragement you can be to others by simply passing along an encouraging thought from the Bible to others. Now, I have given you solid questions you can ask yourself as you read the Bible. These things will help your mind stay focused and alert as you read God’s Word.

I want you to ask yourself,

WHAT IS MY DAILY PLAN TO READ GOD’S WORD?

Will you wake up thirty minutes earlier daily to read the Bible and pray?

Will you go to your bedroom thirty minutes earlier to read God’s Word and to pray?

Devise a plan for the next thirty days and stick with it. I guarantee you will never regret developing a plan to read and apply the Word of God.

Beach Life - Our Mission

Today, we are launching our Beach Life Series. Throughout this series, we will explore Jesus' mission and values and how he calls us as a church to follow him and make his mission and values our own. If you are interested in joining our church or if you are already a partner or member, this series is going to be very appealing to you. As we begin, it is so important to address the question, “Why?” Why should we spend 7 weeks in a series called Beach Life?

As followers of Jesus, ultimately, when our life is finished here on this earth, and we stand before God, we all want to hear Jesus say to us: Well done, my good and faithful servant.

Most of us want to be a part of something significant. We want to leave our family, friends, community and even the world a better place when we pass on from this life. The only way we will hear those words from Jesus is if we value what Jesus values and make his mission and values our mission and values—personally and together as a church.

The Bible calls Solomon the wisest man who ever lived. Solomon was a great “people reader.” He knew how to read and motivate people. Read through the Proverbs, and you will discover incredible God-breathed wisdom. In Proverbs 29, Solomon wrote about the importance of leaders casting vision for God’s people. 

He writes:

Proverbs 29:18 (NLT2) 

18  When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful. 

If you grew up in church, you may be familiar with other translations. The King James version reads:

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) 

18  Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 

And the English Standard Version reads:

Proverbs 29:18 (ESV) 

18  Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. 

In other words, without divine guidance and vision, God’s people will not hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  

Without vision, God’s people will run wild.

Without vision, God’s people will cast off restraint.

Without vision, God’s people will perish.

The direct result of not living with a clear direction and mission will result in God’s people running wild. I really like the emphasis on “running wild.”  During my college years, I worked in an after-school program for elementary-age children. If we didn’t have a plan, those kids ran wild! 

Cliques of kids would do whatever they wanted to do. Some would try to play kickball on the same field others were trying to play football. Kids would swing on the swings, and other kids would play tag in between.  Girls were playing, dancing, and getting smashed by others playing football. 

Without direction – there would be bumps, bruises, and tears.

That’s how it is for the church or any organization without a clear mission. Without unity around a clear mission, God’s people can be playground bullies and hurt others. So, that’s why, for the next seven weeks, we will do this series on “Beach Life.”

At Beach Church, we are…

Leading People to a Life-Changing Relationship with Jesus.

Our mission, our purpose, is to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus, and our mission is formed by Jesus's life and mission. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus' mission is very clear. Before he was born, an angel appeared to Mary and told her his purpose:

Matthew 1:21 (NLT2) 

21  And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Jesus described his mission early on in his ministry and said:

Luke 5:31-32 (NLT2) 

31 …. “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32  I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” 

And he made his mission even more clear in Luke 19:10

Luke 19:10 (NLT2) 

10  For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”

50-60 years later, the apostle Paul described the mission of Jesus to Timothy and said:

1 Timothy 1:15 (NLT2) 

15  This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all.

The mission of Jesus was to seek and save the lost.  

The mission of Jesus was to save sinners.

The mission of Jesus was to save people from their sins.

That is why our mission as a church could not be any clearer. Our Mission is to lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus. If you are a follower of Jesus, that is your mission as well because the mission of Beach Church is the mission of Jesus. Over the last few weeks, we have looked at the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.  Now, before Jesus ascends into heaven, Jesus passed his mission on to his followers:

Let’s read together From Acts Chapter One.

Acts 1:6-11 (NLT2) 

6  So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7  He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9  After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10  As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” 

Jesus left the earth because his part of the mission, to save people from their sins, had been fulfilled. There is only one way a person can be forgiven for their sins, and that is through Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus' role in his mission had been completed, but his mission is ongoing. He told his followers that His mission to seek and save the lost now rested in their hands.

The timing of when Jesus invited these men to participate in his mission is crucial for us to understand how we are supposed to fulfill Jesus's mission. Jesus did not wait until he ascended into Heaven to select the people to fulfill his mission; he selected them at the very beginning of his ministry. He had already shown them how to fulfill their mission and how to lead people to a life-changing relationship with him.  

He did not ask them to do something he had not already shown them how to do. In Jesus's culture, when a teacher invited people to follow him and be his disciple, the teacher was inviting them to become LIKE HIM. 

The reason he invited them at the beginning of his ministry is because Jesus knew…

A follower of Jesus reflects the character of Jesus.

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John describe roughly three years of Jesus's life. They describe how he interacted with religious leaders, prostitutes, the worst of the worst, and the best of the best. Jesus spent time in the slums with the poor, and he went to the parties of the rich. Jesus taught people who went to the synagogues, and he taught in the streets and fields.

The Gospel writers provide accounts of Jesus working miracles: He healed people with leprosy, brought the dead back to life, made the sick well, and made the paralyzed run and skip. For three years, Jesus engaged with people and taught them how to love God with all their hearts and love their neighbors as they loved themselves. His disciples were right there watching him every step of the way. 

Jesus knew their observation of his life would transform their lives. He knew that before he could assign them the responsibility to fulfill his mission, they must be prepared, and the preparation happened partly through their observation of his life and as they became more like him.

Growing up, I acted just like the friends I hung out with. The more time I spent with them, the more I became like them. If they spit spitballs from a straw in the cafeteria, I spit spitballs from a straw in the cafeteria. If they superglued their fingers together, I superglued my fingers together. If they did dumb things, I did dumb things. My teachers always told us that we acted just like each other. If you are a follower of Jesus, the more you observe the life of Jesus through prayer and reading the Bible, the more you will reflect the character of Jesus. When we reflect the character of Jesus, we will lead people to a life-changing relationship with Jesus.

In other words, the character of Jesus rubbed off on his disciples. The disciples became like Jesus – not just in regard to their mission, but in regard to their character.

We have Five guiding values that guide our decision making at Beach Church, these guiding values are reflected in the life of Jesus.  The more we grow in these values, the more we reflect the character of Jesus, and the more we fulfill his mission:

Our first guiding value is…

GUIDING VALUE #1: LIFE-CHANGING TRUTH

“We believe if we read and apply the Word of God, He will change our lives.”

Matthew 4:1-11 tells the story of Jesus being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Despite being hungry and weak, Jesus stood firm and resisted the temptation to sin by quoting Scripture and applying the truth of God's Word to His life. In doing so, Jesus demonstrated the power of God's Word to overcome temptation and sin.

GUIDING VALUE #2: TRANSPARENT LIVING

“We believe God desires us to be real, open, and honest about who we are and allow others to do the same.”

In John 11:35 and Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus is vulnerable. He wept at Lazarus' tomb and experienced anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane. We cannot be transparent without being vulnerable.  It is okay not to be okay.  

GUIDING VALUE #3:  UNCOMFORTABLE GRACE

“We believe followers of Jesus give the same limitless grace they have received from God.”

In Matthew 9:10-17, Mark 2:15-22, and Luke 5:29-39 and throughout the Gospels, Jesus ate with prostitutes, tax collectors, and other notorious sinners.  In that culture, sharing a meal was the greatest way to demonstrate love and acceptance.

We must make allowance for the personality clashes, sins, and faults of other people and show the same type of grace Jesus did. 

GUIDING VALUE #4: CAPTIVATING CELEBRATION

“We believe following Jesus results in a joy-filled life that draws people to Jesus.”

Throughout the Gospels, when Jesus healed people, the healings led to joy for the person healed and spilled over to others who saw the change in their lives. The joy and celebration that followed the healing would draw more people to Jesus.

We intentionally celebrate during the hardships that living in a broken world brings.

GUIDING VALUE #5: SELFLESS SERVICE

“We believe followers of Jesus best demonstrate love to others through acts of kindness and service.”

In John 13:1-17, Jesus washed his disciples' feet, a powerful act of humility and deference that indicates servanthood is a defining characteristic of Jesus, and he calls his followers to become servants to one another and the world.

We demonstrate selfless service by serving our community with no strings attached. Throughout his ministry, Jesus reflected the value of the Word of God, Grace, Transparency, Joy, and Serving others. These values were blueprints for how we, as followers of Jesus, fulfill his mission. When first-time guests walk into our church, we want them to see that we live with purpose and encounter Jesus's values through each and every one of us.

So, invite!

We are building a culture in which each of us strives to exemplify the values of Jesus. We are developing followers of Jesus who strive to live their lives like Jesus did.

1 John 2:6 (NLT2)

 6  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

We are developing a culture where people are not ashamed to invite their family, friends, and neighbors who don’t yet know Jesus. Regardless of their lifestyle, political views, and past, all people are welcomed at Beach Church because all people are welcomed to the cross.

So, invite others!

And finally, 

Jesus will return, are you ready now? (Acts 1:10-11)

I am ready for Jesus to return because I know Him as my Savior.  

By faith, I have been made a new creation through the GRACE and FORGIVENESS of Jesus death on the cross.  By faith, I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, that he rose from the dead, went up into heaven and will one day return.

But I am not ready based on what BELIEF.  I am ready because I have RECEIVED the free gift of forgiveness. In 1991, I knelt beside my youth pastor, and I asked Jesus to forgive me, and I invited Jesus into my life.  I had already KNOWN what Jesus had done for me.  But I never received him as my Savior.

Paul writes in Romans 10:9

Romans 10:9 (NLT2) 

9  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

If you have not yet made a decision to follow Jesus, I invite you to pray with me right now and surrender your life to God and accept Jesus to be your Savior and Lord. Wherever you are.  In your car. At the beach. In an RV. In your House. You can get ready for the return of Jesus, right now.  

So let’s pray together.

You can pray something like this:

Dear God,

I am ready to receive Jesus as my Savior.  I believe that Jesus paid the punishment for my rebellion and sin. I believe he suffered and died on the cross for me.  I believe he rose from the dead. I believe he went up into Heaven and will one day return.  God, I give you my life and accept Jesus as my Savior.  Thank you for forgiving me!

The Ascension

Last week, we examined the Resurrection, and this week, we will examine Jesus's ascension.

Let’s read together:

Luke 24:36-53 (NLT2) 

36  And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37  But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38  “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39  Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40  As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41  Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43  and he ate it as they watched. 44  Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46  And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ 48  You are witnesses of all these things. 49  “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” 50  Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51  While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52  So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53  And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. 

If you are a follower of Jesus, you made the decision to trust your life to Jesus at some point. If you surrendered your life to God, you understood that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin, you asked him to forgive you, and you accepted him as your Savior.

That only happened because, as we see in verse 45…

GOD HAS OPENED YOUR MIND TO UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE v. 45

The disciples had seen Jesus do some pretty amazing things. He healed people who were disfigured. He fixed the sight of people who were blind. He healed the deaf, and they could hear. Over and over, he healed people with diseases. 

Miracle. After Miracle. After Miracle.

Now, in order for his disciples to become fully convinced that Jesus was truly the Savior that the Old Testament prophets had prophesied about, Jesus opened their minds. These disciples had heard the Old Testament prophecy.  In fact, by the age of 10, boys had to have memorized the first five books of the Old Testament. Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy.  In the Jewish language, that was roughly 80,000 words! Most likely, these men had memorized these five books of the Bible, and they attended the synagogues each week to worship God and hear the teaching of God’s word on the Sabbath.

But even though they had memorized 80,000 words. Even though they attended the synagogue for worship every week of their lives. Even though they spent roughly three years with Jesus. They were still limited in their understanding of scripture. They knew God created them. They knew that Adam and Eve chose to sin, and sin entered the world. They knew that all descendants of Adam and Eve sinned. They knew THEY were sinners…and they knew they were separated from God…but they did not UNDERSTAND why JESUS died on the cross and rose from the dead.

They heard but did not understand. They HEARD but did not truly get it. Hey, parents, does that remind you of anybody? 

We spend half our time parenting, reminding our children of what we have already told them to do. But honestly, our kids get it from us! It is a common problem throughout the history of man.

Ezekiel 12:2 (NLT2) 

2  “Son of man, you live among rebels who have eyes but refuse to see. They have ears but refuse to hear. For they are a rebellious people. 

I grew up Catholic. I understood that God created me. I understood Jesus paid the price for sin on the cross. I understood he rose from the dead. But nothing in me changed until God opened my mind to understand how to surrender my life to Jesus. If you have surrendered your life to Jesus, it is only because a miracle has occurred. God has opened your mind to understand the hope found in the Bible, that means God loves you and has chosen to open your mind to HIS TRUTH about your life. You have been FORGIVEN.

And we also see in this passage…

FORGIVENESS IS DEMONSTRATED THROUGH CHANGE v. 47

In verse 47, Jesus said,  “There is forgiveness of sin for all who repent.”

REPENTANCE and FORGIVENESS are two separate words that communicate one idea.  Some people need clarification about the word repentance. They live their lives thinking repentance means living a life filled with remorse, guilt, and shame from their past. They don’t allow themselves to become the person God has created them to be because they do not understand what repentance actually is. Repentance is simply a “change in direction.”  

Suppose you are in your car on the 501 headed to Conway. But instead of going west on the 501, you are driving east!  Instead of heading to Conway, you are driving to the Coast. You must change your direction to arrive in Conway. If you want to get to Conway before you drive into the Ocean, you make a UTURN and change your direction…

That is what it means to REPENT. When you repent and surrender your life to Jesus, you make a UTURN in life. If you have been forgiven, you will WANT to please God.  

You will show signs that you reject the sinful lifestyle you have been living, and you will stop doing those things. Some things you will stop doing immediately, and other sins may take some time, but the difference is…but there has been an inward change because you have been forgiven.

The word FORGIVEN is actually a mathematical term. 

In the days of Jesus, when an individual borrowed money from a lender, their name was written down in a book or ledger. As the person made payments on what he owed, the payment was subtracted, and a new balance would be recorded. But if the lender FORGAVE the debt, they would open the book, find the name, and completely blot out that individual's name and amount due. It was erased. It was as though it never existed in the first place. The person who owed that money was no longer bound to the lender. They were no longer loaded down with debt…they were free.

God has dealt with sin the same way. If you have surrendered your life to Christ and received Jesus as your Savior, it is now as though your sin had never existed in the first place. Your sin has been erased through the sacrifice of Jesus. Your sin has been removed from existence. You do not need to live like you are still loaded down with the guilt and the weight of your past lives.  You have been set free. So live like it. Embrace the freedom that God has given to you through Jesus.  Demonstrate the freedom of forgiveness through a visible change in your life.  

LIVE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT v.49

This is the fantastic part of what happens when you become a follower of Jesus. When you receive forgiveness for your sins, you also receive the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples he was sending the promise of his Father to the disciples and for them to…

Luke 24:49 (NLT2) 

49  “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” 

We see this incredible promise fulfilled in Acts 2.  After Jesus ascended into heaven, these men and women gathered in a room. They were praying, then…

Acts 2:2-6 (NLT2) 

2  Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3  Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4  And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit…

If you are new to following Jesus, please understand. The HOLY SPIRIT of God does not live inside a church building, a statue, or a painting on the wall.  The Holy Spirit of God lives inside YOU. Growing up, I was told the church building was God’s House.

I had to speak reverently and quietly. I had to dress nice. I couldn’t wear a hat. I was told to behave in God’s HOUSE. I now know that God does not live inside brick, steel, and drywall. The house of the Holy Spirit is reserved for God’s most incredible creation—you and me.  

What a blessing to know that we are not abandoned and left to figure out life on our own! You have been changed not through your decision but through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Lean into the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Let Him Guide you to be baptized, serve, or invite others to worship with you. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in your generosity and your relationships.

So, since God opened your mind, you have been changed and now have the Holy Spirit. You can live under the influence of the Holy Spirit! That means…

JESUS BLESSED OTHERS, AND SO CAN YOU. v. 50

Luke 24:50 (NLT2) 

50  Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 

The word BLESSED can be hard to understand. I was an altar boy. I remember the Priest taking Holy Water and flicking it on people in the church – and they considered that a blessing.   

In the movie Rocky…right before his big fight, Rocky asks Father Carmine for a blessing. Father Carmine says a prayer in Italian and makes the sign of the cross. We say God Bless you when somebody sneezes. But what does it mean to bless others biblically?

A BLESSING means:  TO SPEAK WELL OF, TO THANK, OR TO ASK GOD’S FAVOR UPON AN INDIVIDUAL. 

So, as Jesus was leaving, he wasn’t telling his disciples that they better have their rooms clean when he got back home. He did not threaten to punish them if they did something wrong while he was gone. Before he ascended into Heaven, Jesus spoke well of his disciples, thanked them, and asked God’s favor upon them.   

He BLESSED them through ENCOURAGEMENT.  He Spoke words of LIFE over them. He didn’t point out all their flaws – and certainly could have – instead, he focused on using his words to cause their hearts to swell with joy…not just joy – GREAT JOY. Typically when somebody is saying goodbye to a loved one headed out for a long trip, moving away, or even passing from this life…most don’t waste their breath being critical. Some might.  But most people will not waste their being critical and talking about how much their loved ones have disappointed them. 

It reminds me of the Seinfeld episode in which Frank Costanza creates a holiday called Festivus, and at the Festivus dinner, he goes around the table and tells everybody why he is sick of them! The sad truth is that while many people may not have a Festivus tradition like that, many choose to live every day like that.

They use their words to criticize, tear down, and destroy others.   

They use their words and influence to hurt others…and who knows why?   

WORDS of BLESSING can bring great JOY to others. 

Don’t you feel good when others speak well of you?  

Don’t you feel good when somebody goes out of their way to say THANK YOU to you and appreciate and value you?   

So, let's model our lives after Jesus and bless others, encourage them, and say words that will help them, not destroy them.

Easter - 2024

Growing up, my family had a tradition in which the Easter Bunny had hidden our Easter Basket filled with candy around the house, and we had to find it.  Sometimes, the baskets were hidden so well that I was certain The Easter Bunny had forgotten about me.

Every Easter, Kristy hides Easter Eggs in the yard, and the girls search for plastic eggs filled with money, candies, and jellybeans.

Can you imagine explaining Easter egg hunts to someone who's never heard of them before? 'So, we celebrate the resurrection... by hiding chocolate eggs... laid by a bunny? Perspective can make our traditions seem a bit quirky. Have you ever noticed that we all respond differently to events?

For instance, if your wife gets a speeding ticket, some husbands will get mad, and some of you will laugh at her.  Wives, If your husband stubs his toe or steps on a Lego in the middle of the night, some wives will laugh, others will hide their giggle, and some won’t wake up. We have different responses to almost everything, including the most incredible event in history, the resurrection of Jesus. Some people respond with belief. Some people respond with disbelief. Some people may not care one way or another.

Today, we celebrate Easter, and I think people respond to the resurrection of Jesus the exact same way.  Some refuse to believe.  Some have doubts. Some fully believe. That is precisely how it was at the time of the resurrection. Many of the followers of Jesus did not believe he had risen from the dead. Even after they talked with him, they still struggled to believe he was actually alive. Today, we will examine Luke 24 and discover how those who did not believe Jesus had risen came to the conclusion that he was indeed alive. 

We will do that because you may relate to the people who could not believe that Jesus was alive, and I want to help you move from unbelief or ambivalence to belief and faith in Jesus. So, Let’s read about the events that happened three days after Jesus had been killed on the cross and buried in a tomb.

Luke 24:1-11 (NLT2) 

1  But very early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2  They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3  So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4  As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5  The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6  He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7  that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8  Then they remembered that he had said this. 9  So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10  It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. 11  But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. 

“Very early on Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb.” 

Now, I don’t know about you, but getting anywhere very early on a Sunday is miraculous in itself, especially if you have kids. It makes sense to me that if anybody ever wanted Jesus to be alive – it would have been the men who followed him for three years of their lives. When somebody you love dies tragically and suddenly, you miss them and want them to be alive. The disciples aren’t any different. This wasn’t a long, drawn-out battle with cancer or disease.  One moment, Jesus was healthy and enjoying dinner with his closest friends; the next moment, he was arrested and murdered. They saw him work miracles and change lives. They ate with him, learned from him, and saw the hope he brought to people. 

I am sure they wanted Jesus to be alive more than anybody.  Yet,

THE DISCIPLES REFUSED TO BELIEVE.

The word Luke used in verse 11 that describes where the friends of Jesus were on their journey to belief was:

Apisteo (aw pis tay o:) to have no belief, to disbelieve

The disciple's first response was not “Hurray! He is alive!”  

Their first response was, “No way! That’s not possible!”  

They thought the women were nuts! They refused to believe Jesus was alive. That may be where you are today.  

You believe Jesus existed, that he did good things, and that you may even appreciate what he taught about forgiving others, loving those who do not deserve it, and the kindness and compassion he showed. You believe that he was put to death by execution on the cross…but like the disciple’s early response, you refuse to believe that Jesus rose from the dead.

It is important to note that the disciples changed.  Their minds were changed. They went from “refusing to believe” to fully surrendering to Jesus.

How did they get there? 

Well, between verses 12 and 36, Jesus made a few special appearances.  

• Jesus appeared to a couple of men walking down a road and talked with them.

• Then he appeared to Peter.  

• Then he appeared to his disciples to show them the nails in his hands and feet.  

And the disciples got together, and they were talking about it.  Jesus appeared to me, me too! He showed us his hands and feet…We had an entire conversation with him…

Luke 24:36-41 shows us that the disciples moved from refusing to believe that Jesus was alive…they conceded a little ground…

And now…

THE DISCIPLES DESIRED TO BELIEVE (v. 38, 41)

Luke 24:36-41A (NLT2) 

36 And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. 37 But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! 38 “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? 39 Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” 40 As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder…

When Jesus said, “Why are your hearts filled with doubt?” He used the word:

Dialogismos (dē-ä-lo-gē-smoss): the thinking of a man deliberating with himself.  A deliberating, questioning about what is true.  Hesitation, doubting, disputing, arguing.

They desired to believe. They made eye contact with Jesus. They saw the wounds on his hands and feet. They wanted to believe, but they were torn by what they saw happened to Jesus at the cross. Their resistance to embrace the TRUTH of Jesus being alive reinforces the suffering and brutality of the cross. Before Jesus was arrested in the Garden, he had been pleading with God to find another way to bring forgiveness to mankind rather than face the brutality of the cross.

Luke 22:42 (NLT2) 

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

We do not understand the phrase “cup of suffering” the way the Jewish people did back then. In the Old Testament, “the cup” is often used as a metaphor for the wrath of God. 

Isaiah 51:17 (NLT) 

17  Wake up, wake up, O Jerusalem! You have drunk the cup of the LORD’s fury. You have drunk the cup of terror, tipping out its last drops.

Jeremiah 25:15 (NLT) 

15  This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup filled to the brim with my anger, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it. 

Habakkuk 2:16 (NLT) 

16  But soon it will be your turn to be disgraced. Come, drink, and be exposed! Drink from the cup of the LORD’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame. 

Isaiah called it a cup of terror.  Jeremiah called it a cup filled to the brim with God’s anger. Habakkuk called it a cup of the Lord’s Judgement. 

Throughout the Bible, we see glimpses of God’s Wrath:

• God’s Anger over sin is seen in the great flood that destroyed the earth…

• God’s wrath destroys Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone.

• God’s wrath is seen in the 10 Plagues upon Egypt.

It was not the physical agony of the beatings, the scourging, and the crucifixion that Jesus dreaded. It was the spiritual agony He would experience as he drank every last drop of God’s wrath that we deserved.
The Disciples watched the physical brutality of the cross. They watched the flesh ripped from his back through the scourging. They heard his final words and watched him breathe his final breath. They saw his dead body. They knew NO MAN was going to come back from that.

If you have heard the message that Jesus is ALIVE over and over yet walk away with doubt, understand that the very same men followed Jesus! Jesus stood in the same room.  They made eye contact with Jesus, yet they STILL had doubts!  They wanted to believe, but they just couldn't because of what they had already seen.

Is that you? Maybe you really would like to believe that Jesus is alive – but because of the troubles, difficulties, and emptiness you have experienced in this world, you struggle with accepting. If the disciples who walked and talked with Jesus after he was resurrected struggled with believing – it is understandable that 2,000 years later, men and women struggle with fully believing in Jesus as Savior and Lord. Let’s look one more time in Luke 24, and we will discover that…

THE DISCIPLES FULLY BELIEVED, AND THEIR LIVES WERE CHANGED

Luke 24:45-47 (NLT2) 

45  Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46  And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. 47  It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’

What did it take for these men to have faith?  The same thing still required today. For us to believe in JESUS as SAVIOR – God must open our minds to believe. If you have repeatedly heard about Jesus’ death and resurrection yet still have doubts or think, “So what? That is not going to change anything about my life...” 

I want you to understand why you think that way. The Apostle Paul tells us why some people do not believe:

2 Corinthians 4:4 (NLT2) 

4  Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ... 

So, if you desire to believe, ask God to open your mind to believe. Ask God to remove the blindfold preventing you from becoming a follower of Jesus. You can ask him right now. 

“God, please remove the blindfold on my mind. If Jesus did rise from the dead, that changes everything. I would like to believe, but I need you to open my mind.”

Take a moment right now.  In your own words, say, “ God, open my mind to understand Jesus.”

Then, in verse 46, Jesus taught them that the Savior of the World would have to suffer and die.  God opened their minds, and they understood now that Jesus was the Savior who endured the “cup of suffering for all people” so that mankind might never have to experience God’s wrath again.

They understood the words that Jesus told them in John 3:16:

John 3:16 (NLT2) 

16  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

Maybe at this moment, God has opened your mind to understand Jesus. Maybe something has clicked, and you understand how much God loves you. In verse 47, Jesus said, “There is forgiveness of sin for all who repent.”

The word that Jesus used for “repent” communicates a shift or change in thinking. The Disciples SHIFTED their thoughts about Jesus. This was the moment they put their DISBELIEF behind them—they chose to believe that Jesus was alive and that he had died for their sins, and they fully believed by surrendering their lives to him through repentance.

To repent – you, too, must have that SHIFT in your thinking. If you would like to repent, be forgiven for your sins, and become a follower of Jesus today, pray this with me:

God, 

I believe that Jesus suffered for my disobedience on the cross and died.

I believe he rose from the dead; he is now with you in Heaven 

and will return to earth one day. 

I surrender my life to you as my Savior.

Thank you for forgiving my sin and changing my life.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Guardrails - Do Not Lie or Covet

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Today, we look at the ninth and tenth commandment, “Do not lie and do not covet.”

Exodus 20:16-17 (NLT2) 

16  “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. 17  “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” 

I had been a follower of Jesus for roughly one year, in 1992. I was a construction worker earning about $4.60 an hour, and I needed new contacts. I could not afford an eye examination and contact lenses…so I lied. I changed the date on my written prescription, took it to my eye doctor, and said I needed to order new contacts. As soon as the receptionist looked at my lying prescription – I blurted out…”I am so sorry!  Please forgive me!  I am a follower of Jesus, and I knew better than that…I don’t have the money to pay for both an examination and contact lenses.  I am so sorry.  Please forgive me.”

In that moment, I mishandled the truth.  I was willing to lie to get what I needed.  And thankfully, I couldn’t go through with that lie. The reason we must speak the truth is because:

TRUTH BUILDS TRUST AND PREVENTS CONFUSION 

The Apostle Paul challenged the church with these thoughts:

Ephesians 4:25 (NLT2) 

25  So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

The Church in America has been under the microscope in recent years because of abuse scandals, coverups, and failure to live transparently. In separate studies in 2023, Lifeway Research and Gallup each found that only 32% of Americans had a "great deal" or "fair amount" of confidence that the “church” could be trusted.

Their research highlights the top reasons why people don’t trust the church:

• High-profile cases of sexual abuse, financial misconduct, and cover-ups. 

• The close association of some churches with Republican or Democrat Parties has eroded the perception of the “moral” voice of the church.

• Affirmation of lifestyles that do not line up with Scripture

I was only a few months into my first Pastorate when I discovered that our student pastor, who was loved and respected by the church and the community, had been grooming a female student since she was sixteen years old. Immediately after the young lady turned eighteen, he initiated a physical, digital, and sexual relationship with this young lady. She was in her Senior year of high school, and he was married.

Here is how I handled it:

I talked to him, and he admitted it, and I asked him to resign. Because he was married, we provided 6 months of salary and health insurance and offered counseling. I talked openly with the young lady and her parents and offered counseling from an outside therapist for as long as she wanted it. We called law enforcement. I protected her identity and communicated this to our leadership, staff, and deacons. I protected her identity and met and counseled with all of our student ministry leadership. Then, I met with all student ministry parents, explained what happened, and answered every question. Then, I had a church-wide meeting and addressed it there.

The entire time, the only information I withheld was the young lady's name. I still do to this day. She received over one year of counseling and is now married, raising her children, and pointing them to Jesus.

Why take all of those steps? 

Because truth builds trust and prevents confusion. People want to believe the church can be trusted, and the church can only earn trust by telling the truth even when it's hard.

Are you truthful in your relationships? If people do not trust you, it may be because you are not living in the truth.

Now, let’s talk about Coveting.

I grew up Catholic. We were taught the 10 Commandments from a very early age. Because of the language used in the translation, I always believed that the 10th Commandment was the “dirty” commandment.

Exodus 20:17 (KJV) 

17  Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Now you see why. I thought this commandment was dealing with adultery! But, here is the truth about this commandment:

COVETING POINTS BACKWARD TO REFLECT AND FORWARD TO GRACE.

In Hebrew, the word “covet” means: “Indulge in thoughts that lead to sin.”

God placed this commandment at the end to point BACKWARD to reflect on the rest of the commandments. When broken, the first nine commandments can be observed by an outward action:

A lie is heard.

People can see theft.

Adultery and murder have clear unmistakable actions.

Honoring parents is visible.

Rest on the Sabbath. Misuse of God’s name, Idolatry, and worship of other Gods can be clearly seen.

But of the 10 Commandments, coveting is the only commandment that addresses what cannot be seen.

God placed this command at the end for us to reflect because this commandment EXPLAINS why we choose to break the other commandments…We break the other Commandments because we “think thoughts that lead to sin.”

The reason why we steal?  We think about doing it.

The reason why we lie? We think the truth will get us in trouble.

The reason we commit adultery?  We think that person will give us something we don’t have.

The reason we dishonor our parents? We think they should have been better.

The reason we don’t take a sabbath rest?  We think we don’t need to.

God placed this commandment strategically after all the others as if to say, “Don’t even think about doing these things.”

The 10th Commandment moves away from measurable sinful actions and enters the secret places of our hearts and thoughts. As we see in the life of Jesus, God is concerned about our hearts and our actions. But if I only ever think about doing the action but never do it, why does it matter to God?

If I only think about murdering somebody but never do it…

If I only think about idolatry, stealing, or disrespecting my parents but never do it, why does God care?

God does not only want our obedience, God wants us to want to follow him. God wants us to be content in him. In 1647, Church leaders got together and came up with a statement that deals with our desires: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

When you find pleasure in obedience to God, and through Christ, ENJOY your life – God is glorified! God doesn’t want us to simply obey him without finding enjoyment, God wants us to obey him and enjoy obeying him. This leads us to the final point:

THE CURE FOR COVETING IS CONTENTMENT FOUND IN JESUS.

The apostle Paul had been beaten, robbed, stoned, left for dead, hungry, homeless, and abandoned…and he faced those challenges because he had TRAINED HIS MIND to be content. 

He writes:

Philippians 4:11-13 (ESV) 

11  Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Contentment is a learned attitude.  If we have had enough of the negative thoughts racing through our mind that leads to coveting, we must ask God to help us learn to be CONTENT.

God is RECONDITIONING my heart in this area.  When I was a child, I coveted other homes, other families, other siblings, other moms, other dads, others athletic abilities, others grades…I coveted everything.  I had grown to such a dark place in my heart because of the abuse I experienced from my dad – 

I coveted other people's lives and stuff so much that I became embarrassed of our stuff.  My house was not good enough to invite people over.  My clothes were not good enough to fit in with groups of kids.  The family car was worse than everybody else…I coveted everything.

Since I became a follower of Jesus – I thought that old way of thinking was behind me.  It wasn’t. I allowed COVETING to creep into my life as a Pastor.  I wanted to have a nice big office like other senior Pastors had.  I wanted to have a nice big automobile that other senior Pastors had.  I wanted to wear the right clothes and speak correctly, “God Bless you…” “Have a blessed day…”

And that is just over the decade.  Coveting is thinking that other things should belong to us…and that is precisely what I have done. Paul tells us we have the capacity to CONTROL our thought life.

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)

8  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. 

If you desire to experience contentment, which is the peace of God in your life, train your mind to think correctly. Think about OURSELVES less and less. Think of ways to honor others. Think of ways to put into practice what is right and good and honorable and true.  Take those negative thoughts captive and put into practice God’s word. I mentioned that this final command points us backward and forward.  

The 10 Commandments point us forward to the FORGIVENESS and GRACE of JESUS.  I hope you have realized, throughout this series, that it is impossible for you to live your life and never sin.  You and I will break these commandments. We will never be able to live a sinless life. That is why God gave us Jesus.  

If you have come to the end of TRYING and are ready to TRUST in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, I invite you to silently, in this moment, tell God you are tired of trying to do good and be right on your own, and ask him to forgive you of your sins.  Thank Jesus for dying on the cross and paying the penalty for your sin.

Guardrails - Do Not Steal

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Today, we look at the eighth commandment, “Do not Steal.”

The first time I stole something was in a grocery store.  I was around seven years old, and I had gone down the candy aisle with my mom.  I begged her for one of the candy bars.  She said, “No.”  But they looked so good!  I whined. I begged.  

Then, we went to another aisle…and somehow became separated.  I wandered back to that candy aisle…I couldn’t keep my eyes off the candy bar.

I passed by the candy bar once…and had this overwhelming impulse to reach out and take it.  My heart raced. My face felt flushed. I passed it one more time…grabbed the candy bar, and shoved it under my clothes. I couldn’t believe I had it…and nobody saw me take it!

Then, as I walked out of the aisle to catch up with my mom, a man in a green shirt with thick, curly hair walked past me and said: “Better put it back…”

Shocked, I walked quickly back to the candy bar section, put the candy bar back, and went to find my mom.

Exodus 20:15 (NLT2) 

15  “You must not steal.”

The first thing I want to say about “stealing” is this:

If we trust God to provide, this command is easy!

Throughout scripture, we are repeatedly shown that God wants to provide for us. He is our heavenly father and wants to deliver what we need. And, if we trust that God will provide for our needs, this command is easy.

The only reason I have a life insurance policy is so that my death will be a financial blessing to my family when I die. God is your heavenly Father, and He also wants to provide for you. He wants you to trust that He will provide for you.

Psalm 24:1 (NLT2) 

1  The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.

If everything belongs to God, then we can reasonably make the connection that God gave you your possessions.  Your stuff, our car, our house, our toys, our boats, our family, our jobs: everything is provided to us by God. You do not need to be anxious or worried about whether or not you have the right stuff; God wants you to trust in Him and trust that He will provide for whatever you need.

Jesus said in Matthew 6: 

Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT2) 

31  “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

If you are a follower of Jesus…by that, I mean if you believe that God created you, but you chose to sin… there is a penalty for that sin. But as God, Jesus came to this earth and paid the price for your sin on the cross. You believe that he died, rose from the dead, and will one day return.  And, because you believed, you surrendered your life to Jesus and committed to follow him, then as a follower of Jesus, you prioritize the mission of Jesus to lead people to Jesus.

Our mission at Beach Church is to “Lead People to a life-changing relationship with Jesus.”  We are committed to Jesus' mission, and as we stay focused on it, He continues to provide for us and change lives. “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” This is a promise from God.

Notice that the promise is what we NEED…not what we WANT. I want many things, but what I want is not what I need. Jesus promised to provide us with food, water, and clothing—which is all we need. I know that does not sound appealing.  We want the mansion on the hill, we want a big pool, we want a big checking account, we want the outdoor toys…

But your perspective might change if you go on a mission trip to a third-world country.  Several years ago, I went on a mission trip to Haiti. The Haitian people live in small, crumbling shacks, and the average person only eats three meals a week. As a follower of Jesus, God has promised to provide for all your NEEDS.

Philippians 4:19 (NLT2)

19  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 

So, if I begin to compare my house, car, or checking account to others and think I need what they have, I call God a liar for not providing those things to me. If I steal to get what I want, I am telling God that I know better than him, that he really doesn’t keep his word, and that if he does, he doesn’t really understand what I need.

That’s why, if we trust God, this commandment is easy to follow.

The second thing I would like to say about this commandment is:

God created us to contribute

Each of us was created to add and contribute to the world around us in some way. You were created to make a difference and contribute to others. 

At the very beginning of creation, God gave Adam a JOB. 

Genesis 2:15 (NLT2) 

15  The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.

Before Adam and Eve chose to sin, God gave ADAM a job!  He was to contribute and make a difference in the world. “Working” is part of God’s plan for me!

Now, think about that in connection to Matt 6:33…

Part of putting God’s Kingdom first is working to contribute to the world around us.  As you work, you are paid. God is providing for you! If you are curious about how you can work to put God’s Kingdom first, I want to challenge you to consider volunteering in some capacity here at Beach Church.

Now, you might be thinking:

“You don’t want me to contribute.” 

“If you knew my past, you would know that you would never ask me to contribute.  You would never allow me to wear the Beach Church hoodie.”

Your past does not disqualify you from contributing to God’s Kingdom and participating in the mission of Beach Church. When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he said: 

Ephesians 4:28 (NLT2)

28  If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work and give generously to others in need.

This letter was written to people who had already been born again and were following Jesus. That means stealing did not disqualify people from serving in the Kingdom of God. There is genuine life-changing power in the GOOD NEWS that Jesus gives us a second chance through FORGIVENESS!  

God does not hold the sins of your past over your head. God shows grace, kindness, and forgiveness! In this passage, Paul tells the thief to stop stealing, go to work, earn money, and give generously to those who need it. That is the opposite of stealing! And, if God calls the thief to stop stealing and be generous, then that means…

God calls us to be generous

It is just like our life-changing God to use a former thief to provide for other people! A former thief is now working hard—not for himself but so that he can GENEROUSLY GIVE to others in need! The thief should no longer steal but work so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. What a beautiful picture of how followers of Jesus trust and serve God by blessing others with generosity.  

In Matthew 6:33, God promised to meet our needs. He keeps this promise by calling us to be generous. When we are generous, we reflect God's character. God wants his followers to live generous lives. The more generous we become, the more we experience his peace and trust in him.

A couple of years ago, I noticed I had grown callused enough to justify my stinginess.  At almost every intersection, I would stare straight down the street instead of making eye contact with the homeless person with the cardboard sign asking for money.  

I justified my stinginess by saying things like:

“They are probably just running a scam…”

“They probably have a nice car…”

“They should go get a job…”

“If I give them money, they will probably buy booze.”

But God tells us the poor will always be among us.  

Mark 14:7 (NLT2) 

7  You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.

Deuteronomy 15:11 (NLT2) 

11  There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.

So, I began to carry cash in my car…I began to make eye contact with them. I now roll down my window and ask them their name. If I have time, I will ask them their story. I will ask them if they have a place to get warm…

Why did I begin to do that?  

Because I want to be generous like God.

Have you ever felt bad about being stingy?

Have you ever felt good about being generous?

That’s because followers of Jesus WANT to be generous to others.

If you are interested in being generous with your time and money, New Directions is a non-profit ministry in Myrtle Beach. It provides for the basic needs of those without, connects them to resources to overcome barriers they may experience, and provides training and guidance. 

If you go to HelpNewDirections.org, you can get involved with their ministry by submitting your information to their website. It feels “right” when we put God’s Kingdom first when we trust God to provide,  when we contribute, and when we are generous.  It feels right because we are becoming more like our Heavenly Father.

Guardrails - Do Not commit adultery

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Today, we look at the sixth commandment, “Do not commit adultery.”

God placed “Do not murder” right before “Do not commit adultery” just in case your spouse cheats; you know it is wrong to murder them. In the Old Testament, it was commonly accepted that the only reason a couple could be divorced was because of adultery. Frankly put, “Adultery” is “having sex with someone who is not your spouse” when one or both participants are married to someone else. So, that means that both parties are guilty of adultery. Even if they are not married, the married person and the other person they sleep with.

Today, people might refer to that non-married party as a “home wrecker.” 

I know that this topic is going to hit close to home for many, so let me say this:

“God demonstrates his love for us in this: while we were sinners, Christ died for us.”

If your spouse has cheated on you, if you have cheated on your spouse, or if you were the outside person, God still loves you.  We still love you. Like Paul, I often feel like I am the chief of sinners, and you are welcome here. This message may stir up some unresolved junk in your life.  Let me encourage you to talk with somebody about it if it does. A therapist, a counselor, or get involved in Celebrate Recovery. CR meets every Friday at 6 PM.  If you struggle with any “Hurt, Habit, or Hang-up,” Celebrate Recovery is a great place to begin the healing process.

Exodus 20:14 (NLT2)

14  “You must not commit adultery. “

Spouses who have been cheated on often describe feeling:

• deeply hurt

• emotionally shattered 

• a deep loss of trust 

• a sense of abandonment

• they begin to question their self-worth

• and wonder if they were ever really loved.

And the reason it  did so much damage is because:

ADULTERY WRECKS RELATIONSHIPS

Adultery wrecks relationships. Remember, just like God desires us to be faithful to Him, God also wants us to be loyal to our spouse. The 10 Commandments are Guardrails to “bless and protect us and keep our lives from crashing.”  

And the sin of Adultery wrecks people and relationships. The Book of Proverbs offers practical advice about adultery.  Solomon writes:

Proverbs 6:27-32 (NLT2)

27  Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? 28  Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? 29  So it is with the man who sleeps with another man’s wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. 30  Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. 31  But if he is caught, he must pay back seven times what he stole, even if he has to sell everything in his house. 32  But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. 

“If you play with fire, you are going to get burned” 

“Sex” is being compared to a fire.  A fire in your fireplace can heat the room.  But a fire outside the fireplace will burn down the house. Within Marriage, a child finds security, love, and support because Parents are deeply committed to and love one another. Parents, your marriage keeps the whole family warm! But, if you are unfaithful to your spouse, you can burn the whole house down and destroy every single relationship, including your children’s.

• Your kids may blame themselves for your affair. 

• They may blame your spouse for the affair.

• Their grades may suffer.

• Their emotions may suffer.

Or, as adults, your children may have trust issues and bounce from one relationship to the next. When the foundation of TRUST is gone from the family, the whole family is wrecked. Adultery wrecks relationships between children, parents, in-laws, and grandchildren. Family and friends may take sides. On all sides, guilt, shame, anger, resentment, and bitterness take root and have the potential to destroy every relationship. So, if adultery is so damaging, why do people cheat? Why does it appear so appealing?

Sometimes, they are deceived by the…

THE BLACK ICE OF DECEIT

During the winter, sometimes we get “black ice.” The roads freeze over, but the streets look normal.  The thin layer of ice is hard to see, so the roads look OK to drive on. If you drive on black ice unknowingly, you could run off the road and spiral out of control. Many people do not intend to commit adultery, but they get sucked into the black ice of deceit. In John 8:44, Jesus described the Devil as “a liar and the Father of Lies.” Lies deceive people because lies are designed to look like the truth. People begin to believe that cheating on their spouse is the RIGHT thing to do!

In John 10:10, Jesus said:

John 10:10 (NLT2)

10  The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. 

If you are married, God wants your marriage to be rich and satisfying.  But the Devil seeks to destroy it. The Devil’s purpose is to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY your marriage. The Devil wants to steal your happiness, kill your joy, and destroy your family.

The Devil is going to whisper into your ear…

The devil is going to tempt you with your eyes…

The Devil is going to put people in your life that you may fantasize about…

The Devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy your life.

First, the Devil is going to try to make you feel…

DISCONTENT

He will whisper that you are just not happy in your marriage.  He whispers that you are lonely and sad, and your spouse is not meeting your needs. He tells you once were happy, but your spouse has changed. He begins to whisper that it may be time to find somebody else. Then, the Devil will begin to whisper in your ear about…

ENTITLEMENT

He tells you that you deserve to be happy. You deserve to be with somebody who will laugh at your jokes, have sex whenever you want, and keep the house clean.  If you are a woman, you may hear the whisper that your husband is not “manly” enough for you. If you are a man, you may hear the whisper that your wife is not “hot” anymore. Then, the Devil leads you to think you can cheat on your spouse and get away with it.  He lets you believe that you can…

CONCEAL  the truth.

He whispers that you will be able to keep the affair secret.  He leads you to think that you can cover up your sin and nobody will ever find out.

You change the passcode on your phone. Delete messages. Maybe you buy a burner phone. The whole time, you know the affair is wrong, but you believe you can get away with it. And now, you have bought into the lies and the trap of the Devil.  You don’t realize it, but your clothes and your house are burning down because of the affair. And now you are living in the land of…

EVASION

You are minimizing the sin of adultery. The Devil has warped your mind into believing that adultery is not as bad as people say it is. You evade the truth that you have already gone too far. Your family is burning down around you, but you fail to see the truth. You have given into the whispers of the Devil who desires to steal, kill, and destroy your life…and if you are a follower of Jesus, somewhere along the line, the Devil began to use the truth as a weapon against you, and you start to believe that an affair was…

INEVITABLE

Because you understand the biblical truth that “all have sinned,” you begin to listen to the twisted deception of the devil and tell yourself, “I’m a sinner. I’m weak. I may as well give in…but God says,

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NLT2) 

13  The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 

Hebrews 2:18 (NLT2)

 18  Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.

Adultery is not inevitable. You are not strong enough to resist, but God is strong enough to help you. And all along the way, the Devil has been taking the TRUTH and…

TWISTING it.

Every scripture passage you read, the Devil twists the meaning.  Every sermon you hear, the Devil twists the meaning. The Devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy your life – and he will resort to using the Word of God to do it.

He will take the truth of scripture, twist it, and tempt you to cheat on your spouse.nHe will whisper things like: 

“You are already forgiven.”  

“Nothing can separate you from God’s Love…”

But, as followers of Jesus, we are called to live a changed life.

So, avoid the damage that adultery will do and…

Steer your HEART, MIND, and BODY away from danger. (Proverbs 4:23, 2 Tim 2:22, Matt 5:27-28)

HEART:

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT2) 

23  Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 

You steer your heart away from danger by choosing to love your spouse.  Refuse to give in to the whispers of the Devil that tell you, “You are not content with your spouse and deserve something better.” Guard your heart and call it a lie. Then, ask God to help you see the truth about your spouse that you have missed. Guard your heart by embracing the truth about your spouse. Take note of the way they serve, their faithfulness, and their loyalty to you. And steer your mind away from danger!  Jesus raised the bar on what it meant to be unfaithful to our spouse.  

He said:

Matthew 5:27-28 (NLT2) 

27  “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28  But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 

Men and women, I know you do not intend to commit adultery. But Jesus said, if you lust, you have already committed adultery IN YOUR HEART. Keep the thoughts of your mind from veering out of control into adultery as well. Steer your mind as far away from adultery as you can get.

That means:

Stop wondering what your old college or high school flame has been doing. 

Don’t send friend requests to old boyfriends or girlfriends.

Stop looking them up on social media to see how their life turned out.

Stop fantasizing about what it would be like to be with somebody else.  

Those are simple ways to steer your mind away from temptation.

And steer your BODY away from temptation:

2 Timothy 2:22 (NLT2) 

22  Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 

Run away from anything that stimulates youthful lusts!

Practically, that means:

If you can’t wait to get to the gym because you are attracted to a person who works out there, find another gym. If you can’t wait to play pickleball because a certain somebody will be there, stop playing pickleball. Stop sending signals that you are available; don’t remove your wedding ring if you go out with the guys and the girls.

To strengthen your marriage this week, begin attending Celebrate Recovery.  If you struggle with hurt, habit, or hang-up, get involved with CR. They meet every Friday at 6 PM in Adventure Beach. Celebrate Recovery is for anybody with any struggle.  And if flirting is your hang-up, get involved with CR. The Devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy your marriage through deceit, but God wants to bless your marriage and give you a long and satisfying life.

Guardrails - Do Not Murder

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Today, we look at the sixth commandment, “Do not Murder.”

I think we would all agree.  If you break this commandment, your life will crash and spin out of control! Traditionally, this commandment has been understood as “Thou shalt not kill.” But the first thing we need to understand is that:

DO NOT MURDER DOES NOT MEAN DO NOT KILL

Suppose we understand that this commandment means that Killing other people is a sin. In that case, we immediately run into problems because God demands the death penalty and instructs the Israelites to go to war against other nations.

People are always killed in war, so what does this commandment mean?

In the original Hebrew language, murder involves personal motive and intent. God is not sinning against his command. God is saying, “If you have a problem with somebody, do not take their life!”

My wife was explaining the 10 Commandments to her Kindergarten class.  After discussing what it means to Honor your Father and Mother, she asked, “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” 

One of the kids answered, “Thou shalt not murder.”

When I would get into a fight in elementary school or middle school, the first thing I would say was, “I am going to kill you!”. I never meant it. I wasn’t really going to kill them. It was an expression to strike fear into their mind to give my scrawny, Steve Urkel body the upper hand. So, of all the commandments, I have not broken this one. Yet, even if I had, God is a forgiving and redeeming God. 

The New Testament describes a man who often ordered the death and persecution of followers of Jesus – yet his life was changed, and he became a follower of Jesus.  His name was Saul. After he became a follower of Jesus, it was changed to Paul, and Paul wrote most of the letters in the New Testament. God can change anybody and give them hope and a purpose. Why is it important to God that we do not murder anyone?  Every person who is born is going to die. Some may die of cancer and disease; some may die of old age. Some may die tragically, and some babies will never be born but will die in miscarriage.

So why are our lives so valuable to God that we do not murder people?

GOD’S GREATEST CREATION IS THE HUMAN BODY. IS IT YOURS?

It may not be politically correct to make this statement, but here it is: 

Human beings are the very BEST of God's creations.  The human being is the BEST God could create!  

Genesis 1:26-28 (NLT2) 

26  Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like ourselves. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” 27  So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28  Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” 

God created human beings in His image to be like Him.  Nothing else in all of creation was designed in his image. Nothing. We stare into the galaxies and marvel at the pictures received from NASAS Telescopes that reveal striking images of comets, stars, planets, and other Galaxies…

Yet – there is nothing as awe-inspiring as you. God created you and every other person in his image. So, the next time you want to be amazed, look deeply into the eyes of your spouse, child, or yourself in a mirror.  

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT2) 

For we are God’s masterpiece…

The beauty of nature, the ocean depths, and the deepest parts of the galaxy pale in comparison to the majestic beauty of people.  The person beside you is a masterpiece. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, like visitors to the Grand Canyon, we lined up outside one another’s house and stared, applauded, and snapped pictures appreciating one another…oh…that sounds a little like stalking…But you get the point.  

We ought to stand in AWE and WONDER at the beauty of one another.  It is not only because of our bodies, brain, and soul's complexity–but because God has stamped HUMANS with His image! God’s most incredible creation is the Human Body – but is it yours?

Do you value human life the way God values human life?

I remember the first time Kristy and I had a 3-D Ultrasound of our firstborn, Sofie.  We could see her face, her eyes, her mouth.  We could see her heartbeat. Looking at the ultrasound video reminded me that we were catching a peek at what God saw with every person who has ever been born.

Psalm 139:15-16 (NLT2) 

15  You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. 16  You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

God values life so much that every human being is stamped with the image of God, and God is devoted to watching and forming us in the womb. Not only does God see that moment – but he sees every day of our lives played out before a single one of them has passed.

God highly values you.

And poetically, even the tears you have cried matter to God.

The Psalmist writes:

Psalm 56:8 (NLT2) 

8  You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. 

Dad came home from work one evening to find his 5-year-old daughter broken and crying because her goldfish (Goldie) had died. Dad offered her a new goldfish, but that didn’t work.

Desperate to bring an end to her tears, he said:

I tell you what, we’ll have a funeral for Goldie.  We’ll invite all the kids from the neighborhood. We will have ice cream, cake, lemonade, balloons, jumpy houses, and water slides…all your friends and kids in the neighborhood can come to our house to play. Then we will put Goldie into a box and bury him in the backyard."

This idea of the Celebration of Life did the trick. Instantly, she was her happy, smiling self. Then, inside the tank, Goldie began to move. A few seconds later, he was swimming!  Goldie was alive! Seeing the Party plans come to a screeching halt, his innocent, wide-eyed daughter looked up at her daddy and whispered, 

Daddy, LET’S KILL IT.

Many people today value life ONLY if life doesn’t stand in the way of what they want. 

If life looks like it will ruin their “party,” then it’s time to eliminate the problem – the LIFE! It is estimated that 65 million babies have been aborted since 1973.  Almost one million babies are murdered…often because they are in the way of a “party.”

In 2019, USA Today reported that 1% of abortions were rape-related, and ½ percent were incest related. I am grateful to bold women who chose to have their baby even though initially they felt the baby was “too soon.” I am also grateful for the number of women who had an abortion and now counsel and help other young women to prevent more abortions. I am grateful for a God who forgives, redeems, and loves unconditionally. We must cherish and value life the way God values life.  

This is why we support Coastline Women's Center here in Myrtle Beach. Coastline Women’s Center educates, supports, and empowers women facing unplanned pregnancies with compassionate and professional medical care. If you think you may be pregnant or considering abortion, their staff have been in your shoes.  They are there to help you. If you really value life – and are interested in becoming a volunteer at Coastline, jump online and submit a volunteer application.

Let’s be a church known for what we are FOR not for what we are against. If you say you are pro-life, show it. Be pro-life. Don’t grab a picket sign. 

Volunteer to babysit for parents in our church. Become a Foster Family for kids who need placement. Currently, there are 3,800 children in foster care in South Carolina.

If you are unable to foster and adopt, if you are unable to get involved with Coastline, then show you are pro-life and care for the shivering man and woman on the corner. Buy them lunch. Listen to their story. Laugh at their jokes. Tell them Jesus has changed your life. Offer them hope. Those are ways we can value life like God values life. There are other heart issues when it comes to “murder” as well.

HEART ISSUES: ENTERTAINMENT, UNFORGIVENESS, VALUE

Up until the days of Jesus, the religious leaders restricted murder, but they did not restrict hatred. The Jewish people could hate somebody all they wanted to, as long as they did not murder them. But Jesus came along and raised the standard of what it meant to murder somebody.

Matthew 5:21-22 (NLT2) 

21  “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ 22  But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. 

God’s not just interested in whether you murder. He is more concerned with whether you would murder if you could get away with it. I have lived 51 years without experiencing the temptation of murder.  Chances are, by God’s grace, I will live another 51 years without being tempted to murder. But I believe I have been guilty of breaking the heart of the 6th Commandment in a couple of ways:

ENTERTAINMENT:

It is virtually impossible to find any action movie released today where people aren’t shot, stabbed, murdered, decimated, decapitated…If you were to scroll through my Netflix account, you would find movie after movie involving murder.  God calls MURDER a sin – but I am entertained by it. One night, we tucked and prayed the girls into bed.  Sofia was about 5 years old.  I went downstairs and turned on the TV to watch The Walking Dead.  About 40 minutes into the show, Sofia stood beside the couch.  I jumped up, grabbed the remote, and turned off the TV.  “Sofie, what did you see on the TV?”  

“I saw that man poke a stick into the other man’s head.”

PARENTING FAIL!

If a child streams 3 to 4 hours of shows per day, he will have seen about 8,000 murders on TV by the time he finishes grade school. I am not saying I do not watch movies with killing and murder (Walking Dead doesn’t count because they are already dead.) But Hollywood knows what we will watch.  They know we will entertain ourselves with murder.  

So, I ask myself, if I am ok with fictional murder, will I be entertained by:

Fictional adultery? 

Fictional Idolatry? 

Fictional language that takes the Lord’s name in vain?

Sadly, I often find myself entertained by something God hates…

Another way I break the heart of the 6th Commandment is through:

UNFORGIVENESS:

Cain and Able were two sons of Adam and Eve.  Brothers, Cain had some anger issues toward his Abel.  They each offered to give to God – God accepted Abel’s and rejected Cain’s. The speculation is that God rejected Cain’s offering not because of what it WAS but because of what was in Cain’s heart. The apostle John wrote about the murder already in Cain’s heart in 1 John 3.

1 John 3:12 (NLT2) 

12  We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.

1 John 3:15 (NLT2) 

15  Anyone who hates another brother or sister is a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. 

Anyone who HATES his brother or sister is a murderer. God wants us to LOVE the people He has made in His IMAGE. When we hang onto the junk that bothers us about people, we move down that slippery slope toward hate.  

If we hate people, you and I are guilty of murder. So, prevent your life from crashing and honor the heart of the 6th Commandment. Eliminate unforgiveness from your heart.  If you have a problem with somebody, forgive them.

Who do you need to clear the air with?  Write their name in the space in your notes… begin to pray for them, and ask God to help you value them as He does.

Romans 12:18 (NLT2) 

18  Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 

Repeat after me: “I was wrong. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?”

See. It really is that easy.

Guardrails - Honor Your Father and Mother

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Today, we look at the Fourth Commandment, “Honor your Father and Mother.”

Exodus 20:12 (NLT2) 

12  “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 

When I was a child growing up in Pennsylvania and Tennessee, my family was the furthest thing from a normal or perfect family. My dad was a “temper tantrum, drunk before-noon alcoholic who raped my mom and sexually abused me.” 

Filled with anger and hurt, my brothers and sisters clawed at and fought each other. My parents divorced, and with my mom, I lived in a YWCA shelter and later was placed in a psychiatric hospital for three months; then, I went to live with my grandmother.  

So, the question I want us to wrestle with today as we look at the Commandment to Honor our Father and Mother is this, 

“How do we honor parents who were not honorable?”

Many of you know exactly what I mean by that question. Maybe the people God placed in your life to nurture you and guide you hurt and abused you instead of protecting and blessing you. You may look at this commandment and cringe at the thought that you would ever Honor your parents because of what they did to you.

I understand. Trust me.

Growing up, I often imagined what it would be like to have a different set of parents and live in a different family. From all appearances, it seemed like many of my friend's families had it all together. Their dads showed up at their Little League games. 

Their parents attended school functions and award ceremonies and cheered for their kids. Their siblings stood up for each other rather than tearing each other down. I would think, “If only I had a dad like theirs, a mom like theirs, a big brother like theirs, or a sister like theirs, everything would be perfect.”

As we consider this fourth commandment, it is essential to remember that:

PARENTS ARE NOT PERFECT PEOPLE AND NEED GRACE, TOO.

There is no such thing as a perfect person, and there is certainly no such thing as a perfect parent. We who grew up in abusive households often suffer from this childhood delusion that parents can be perfect, and we try to become perfect parents ourselves.

We show up at the games.

We cheer for our kids and make a fuss over them.

Rather than seeking to become a godly parent, we try to become a perfect parent. We are hard on ourselves when we mess up, and we fear we will repeat some of the same mistakes our parents made.

Let me relieve you of this pressure.

You will make some of the mistakes your parents made! I am not suggesting you will abuse your children, but I am telling you that you will make many mistakes as a parent.

I have.

My wife has.

You have.

So, show yourself grace.  Forgive yourself when you mess up, converse with your kiddo, and move on.

Now, the Fifth Commandment doesn’t say Honor your Father and Mother unless… 

“they were overbearing or yelled too much.”

“were never home.” 

“never helped with your homework.”

“or were abusive.”

No. God says Honor your father and mother. 

But he ends the command with a promise:

You will live a long, full life

What does that mean? It means if you honor your father and mother, God will bless you with a long, joy-filled, happy life. It is important to God that we honor our parents. When God gave this commandment, sin had already entered the world. Parents were already imperfect. God knew abuse would happen. None of us were ever perfect but remember, if you are a follower of Jesus – you are in the process of being PERFECTED…and if your parents are followers of Jesus – they are in the process of being perfected, too.

The Apostle Paul said this in Philippians:

Philippians 3:12 (NLT2) 

12  I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 

Paul acknowledged something that many people in church today have difficulty admitting:

He told the church he was not perfect! We are all unfinished followers of Jesus. Show yourself grace, and show grace to your parents as well. Now, let’s talk about God’s plan for the family. Paul wrote to the Ephesian church and explained the fifth commandment to them and shed some light on what a “perfect” family could look like:

He wrote:

Ephesians 5:31-6:4 (NLT2) 

31  As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” 32  This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33  So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 1  Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. 2  “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: 3  If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” 4  Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. 

The Bible teaches us that the family begins with a husband and a wife. A man leaves his parents and marries his wife, and the two people become ONE and the role of parents and children is pretty clear in this passage:

GOD’S DESIGN: PARENTS LEAD, AND CHILDREN OBEY

Parents lead, and children obey. First, Parents, since you have the weighty responsibility to lead your family, it is so important that you lead together. Rather than Mom and Dad working together as they LEAD their family, sometimes it feels more like a tug-of-war. A mom sees their kiddo doing something they are not supposed to be doing, and their sweet, innocent child says, “Dad said I could.” Then, an argument begins because Mom and Dad aren’t leading in the same direction.

Sound familiar?

If it does…Beach Church has a Marriage sermon series this fall to help married couples grow closer. It will be a five-week series that will end with an opportunity for couples to stand and renew their vows at the close of the service. It’s a series I am looking forward to!

Now, if you are a child living with your parents, remember God’s plan is to bless you, protect you, and guard your life, so your responsibility in your family is to Obey your parents. Take out the trash, wash the dishes, clean your room, walk the dog, clean the bathroom, mow the yard, do your homework…

Whatever your Parents ask you to do, your Biblical responsibility is to do it. To obey. And Dad, be patient with your children. Don’t provoke them to anger. Instead, dig into God's word and be patient with your children. Understand that when your children disobey you, they disobey God. And, if they are a follower of Jesus, God will deal with them.  The Spirit of the Lord is going to prompt them to obey you.

And if your child is not a follower of Jesus, be as patient with them as God has been with you. Children…when you obey your parents, you HONOR your Father and your Mother!When we look into the mirror of the Word of God, no matter what role you play in your family, Husbands, Wives, Moms, Dads, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters. None of us are perfect! So, remember that experiencing God's Design for Family begins with you.

It doesn’t start with any other family member.  

God is working in your life right now, so let that change begin with you. There is a way that you can “open the door” for God to work in your parents' hearts, to the Lord in your family. You know, the bible warns followers of Jesus not to allow the devil a “foothold” in their lives.  

But what if you gave God a foothold in your family? Whether you are an adult child who struggles with Honoring your Father and Mother or whether you are a teenager living at home.

What if you gave God a foothold to change your family’s life? Wouldn’t that be awesome?

So, let me encourage you to…

F.A.C.E. each other.

(Forgive, Accept, Communicate, Empathize)

FACE each other.  Forgive, accept, communicate, and Empathize.  God will heal your family if you begin to do these four things. Whatever part you play in your family, Forgive. Don’t hold a grudge. Everything my Dad did to me, I forgave him.

Forgiveness is a wall-shattering, door-busting weapon that will break open the door to give God room to work in your family. Forgiveness does not mean pretending hurt never happened and going on with life. Time does not heal all wounds. But, if you do not forgive your family who have hurt you, you will live with bitterness and sourness in your soul.  That bitterness will begin to impact all of your relationships, so choose to forgive them.  

Nelson Mandela spent 27 years in prison in South Africa for advocating for equal rights for all people. When he was finally released, he said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”

He was right! Holding a grudge makes you sick.

Forgive because Jesus has forgiven you. 

Forgive for your benefit.

Forgive to move on.

Forgive so God can begin knitting your family back together.

Secondly, ACCEPT each other in your family.

Romans 15:7 (NLT2) 

7  Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

Your parents, your siblings – they are not like you. If you are an adult child, let go of the resentment of not having a “perfect family” and accept your family for who they are.

Why?

Because Jesus gave you an example to follow, he accepted and adopted you into his family.

John 3:3 (NLT2) 

3  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 

First, if you are a follower of Jesus, you are born one more time. Then, after you have been born a second time, God does not leave you abandoned on the street. Jesus said

John 14:18 (NLT2) 

18  No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.

You were not left abandoned as an orphan on the street trying to figure out how to live as a follower of Jesus after you were born that second time. Something exceptional happened to you.  Despite your sin, your bad breath, and your bad haircut, you were accepted and got adopted!

Romans 8:15b (NLT2) 

…you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”

God adopted you into his family. The creator of the Galaxies accepted you. Now, you get to call God “Abba, Father.”  He calls you son and daughter, and you call him Father.

He knows you bite your fingernails. 

He knows you clink the cereal bowl too much. 

He knows your jaw pops when you eat, yet he still accepted you and adopted you into his family. 

If you believed in Him and surrendered your life to him, he accepted you and gave you full rights as his child.

John 1:12 (NLT2) 

12  But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Not only did God accept you into his family, but God gave you all the privileges of his only begotten son, Jesus.  

Did you hear that?  

God accepted YOU.

God ADOPTED you.

You belong to His family.

And – it keeps getting better!

God’s acceptance of you does not mean you are the black sheep of the family. You are not the odd man out. You are not a weird step-child or a half-sibling. 

This is special. This is significant:

Galatians 4:7 (NLT2) 

7  Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.

Romans 8:17A (NLT2) 

17  And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory…

Galatians 3:29 (NLT2) 

29  And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

1 Peter 1:4 (NLT2)

4  and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

We are heirs to God’s throne. 

We are co-heirs with Jesus. 

We have equal status to Jesus Christ. 

What belongs to Jesus will also belong to us!

Ephesians 1:5 (NLT2)

 5  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Your second birth, your adoption, and your status as a co-heir with Christ did not come from God reluctantly. He didn’t accept you begrudgingly. He didn’t drag his feet. Your acceptance and adoption into God's family brought him great pleasure!  

Like the pleasure new parents have when they hold their newborn, you brought great pleasure to God. He wanted to get you into his family and bless you with everything. He accepted you. Now – because God has accepted you…

ACCEPT others.

Reciprocate God’s acceptance and accept your parents. Accept your siblings. Accept your family. Accept your adult children. 

Romans 15:7 (NLT2) 

7  Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

So, Forgive, Accept, and Communicate…As you forgive and accept your family, communicate with them.

Communication is a sign that “all is well.”  When we don’t communicate with one another, especially our family, we communicate that “we have a problem with them.” 

When we offer the silent treatment to our parents, we are not honoring them. When we ignore our parents, we do not honor them. So, communicate.

If you are an adult child, pick up the phone and call your mom. Call your dad. Yes, the phone works both ways – but you are a follower of Jesus, and God is working in your life. So, humble yourself, give God a foothold into your family and be the first to pick up the phone and call your parents. Fill them in on what is happening in your and your family's lives.

Invite them to the next birthday party. Invite them to your home for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or Easter. 

Because you have forgiven them…

Because you have accepted them…

Communicate to them. Empathize with them.

That means understanding their feelings and emotions as best as you can.  Understand that your adult parents may live with deep regret and shame over the way they treated you when you were younger. Understand that they may wake up every day ashamed of their reflection in the mirror…and hope you forgive them one day. When Paul was writing to the Corinthian church about a man who professed to be a follower of Jesus but blew it, sinned, and brought shame to the church. He told them to kick him out of the church.

But later, Paul heard that the same man was deeply ashamed of his sin but could not return to his church family.

Paul said this:

2 Corinthians 2:5-7 (NLT2) 

5  I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6  Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7  Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 

Paul said this man had caused great hurt to the church… but it was now time to forgive him, “otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement.”

The lesson? Sometimes, we, as followers of Jesus, have profound regret and remorse over our past, and guilt and regret can overcome us. When that happens, discouragement settles into the soul of a follower of Jesus. Rather than radiating joy, that person becomes overwhelmed with discouragement, sadness, depression…

It happens.

So, inside your family, show empathy. Showing them empathy means you understand how they feel because you have also felt that way.  You have had regret and needed others to forgive you, accept you, and communicate with you…so show them empathy. That means you will be demonstrating to your family what it looks like to “Love your Neighbor as yourself” and “Treat others the way you want to be treated.” If you can learn to FACE your family, you will live in a way that honors your parents and glorifies your Father in Heaven.

I need to work on that.

Guardrails - Rest On The Sabbath

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

The year was 2005.  Kristy and I had just walked through a difficult loss. We had been trying to conceive for six years and lost our first baby at around ten weeks.  So we could rest and recuperate, friends shared their vacation home with us in Destin, Florida. 

The crystal blue water, white sand, the sound of the ocean waves hitting the beach…God used that trip to launch healing and give us a great REST from the hurt. During that place of rest, we could smile at one another and mean it. 

Do you have a special place to rest where the stress melts away? 

Maybe it’s a golf course. Perhaps it’s a restaurant. Maybe it’s a spa…

Today, we are talking about the 4th Commandment, “Rest on the Sabbath.”  

Let’s read together:

Exodus 20:8-11 (NLT2) 

8  “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9  You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10  but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11  For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

The command to “rest on the Sabbath” is a Guardrail God gave us to bless us and keep our lives from crashing. I love that God commanded the Israelites to take a day off! 

In Genesis, the Bible tells us that God created the World in 6 days, and he rested on the 7th. 

I used to work in construction. I labored hard for five days in a row. At the end of the week, my back was hurting, my body was aching, and my feet were tired.  I needed to rest at the end of the week! But God did not need to rest after creating the Galaxies. He wasn’t worn down. He didn’t need an ice pack or ibuprofen. He wasn’t tired on day five or day 6. God could have kept on going. He could have kept on creating and imagining. God does not get tired, and he does not need to rest. 

In the original Hebrew, “Sabbath” means “CEASED from activity.”

That means, after creation…

GOD DID NOT REST, HE STOPPED

He stopped. God stopped creating. He was finished creating creation and when he stopped, God looked at all he made and said, “It was good.”

From sun up to sundown, the Israelites worked as Farmers and Shepherds. They led the herds to water to drink and to grassy fields to eat. When the animals would fight each other, the shepherds would separate them. Shepherding and farming required constant maintenance.

But on the 7th day, God says, “Stop. Do nothing. And trust me. I will care for your livestock, fields, and you.”

Shepherding reminds me of parenting young children. From sunup till sundown.  Parents are leading their kids to get something to drink. Feeding them. Separating them when they fight with their siblings.

Rush to get home after school.

Rush to get homework done. 

Rush to the soccer fields, the basketball courts, the baseball fields, and the wrestling match.

Rush to the store to get the cardboard for the school project, the glitter for the lettering. 

Rush to get the kids in the bath and in bed. 

Then, rush to school the next morning. 

Parents, the good news is that God says, “Stop!”

A day with no work. No running around. A day simply just for prayer, worship, family, and laughter. Every. Single Week. Yet, it wasn’t good enough for the people of Israel.

As time went on, they rejected God’s command to stop. Rather than setting the day aside to rest and remember how great God was, the Israelites began working on the 7th day, and they even began to worship false gods.

So, God punished the Israelites for their disobedience.  God allowed Babylon to drag the Israelites back into slavery for another 70 years. It was a harsh and cruel slavery.

Psalm 137 was written shortly after the Israelites were freed from slavery in Babylon.  Listen to how bad their treatment was:

Psalm 137:8-9 (NLT2) 

8  O Babylon, you will be destroyed. Happy is the one who pays you back for what you have done to us. 9  Happy is the one who takes your babies and smashes them against the rocks! 

During captivity, the Israelites beat themselves up for failing to keep God’s commands.  So when they were finally freed, they were determined always to obey all of God’s Commands…And they overcorrected.  

They had this religious book called the Talmud that was equivalent to a modern-day commentary on the bible. A Commentary explains what the Bible means…The Israelites developed a commentary to explain what the Ten Commandments mean and dedicated 24 Chapters to define what it meant to work or not to work on the Sabbath.

24 Chapters to explain one verse. That is OVERCORRECTING!

From that point on, it was considered work to:

Move a lamp from one place to another.    

If a woman wore a wig or a clip in her hair

Wear false teeth or a wooden leg 

To pick up your infant

So, the Israelites became known to all the other Nations that they trusted God so much that the entire nation would stop working on the Sabbath. The Israelites prided themselves on this distinction…and that is why things got so tense between Jesus and the Religious Leaders. Last year, we spent every weekend in our series called “Meeting Jesus.” What did Jesus do that really got under the skin of the religious leaders? 

He WORKED on the Sabbath!

The Jewish leaders harassed Jesus wherever he went to work on the Sabbath.

One of Jesus disciples wrote this:

John 5:16-18 (NLT2) 

16  So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules. 17  But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” 18  So the Jewish leaders tried all the harder to find a way to kill him. He not only broke the Sabbath, he called God his Father, thereby making himself equal with God. 

The Pharisees were so irritated with Jesus' failure to observe the Sabbath that they began making plans to kill him. Please understand this important distinction. Jesus did not work on the Sabbath to irritate the religious leaders; Jesus worked on the Sabbath because he CREATED the sabbath. He owned the Sabbath. He was Lord of the Sabbath. The Sabbath was a day that belonged to Him.

Luke 6:5 (NLT2) 

5  And Jesus added, “The Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath.”

As the Lord of the Sabbath, Jesus could do whatever He pleased because He made the rules.   The Israelite people were consistently fearful they would do something wrong and be accused of working on the Sabbath…

But then Jesus shows up and is utterly unintimidated by the Religious Leaders.  

Healing people on the Sabbath

Bringing Joy on the Sabbath

Restoring Hope on the Sabbath. 

And, ultimately he was crucified and murdered on the cross because the Pharisees had enough of him working on the Sabbath and claiming to be God…ironically, when Jesus died on the cross…

JESUS BECAME OUR REST (Matt 11:28-30)

The Israelites lived with the burden of trying to obey all of God’s Word to enter into heaven when they die. “If they lived a good enough life and sacrificed enough, maybe they have a shot.”

Obey all the commandments. Make all the right sacrifices on the right day, at the right time, and in the correct year. Live perfectly.

The Israelites spent their lives trying to earn their way into heaven. 

And when the Pharisees finally killed Jesus for working on the Sabbath, Jesus' death told all of mankind to STOP trying to earn a spot in Heaven.

If you are working hard and trying to be good enough to get into Heaven when you die. 

Stop. 

If you are attending church to get to Heaven when you die.

Stop.

If you are being generous with your money to try to earn God’s favor so you can get to Heaven.

Stop.

You will never be good enough to get to Heaven. You will never be smart enough to get to Heaven. You will never be sufficient to enter into heaven when you die.

So stop.

Titus 3:5 (NKJV) 

5  not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit…

You can never work hard enough, pray hard enough, or give generously enough to be forgiven for your sin.

Jesus' death on the cross paid the price for our sins.  And everybody who believes in Him will receive ETERNAL LIFE!

If you want to experience peace with God through the forgiveness of sin, come to Jesus. If you want to know real rest, come to Jesus. If mistakes of your past burden you, things you have done to others if you are weighed down by shame and regret.

Come to Jesus. 

Matthew 11:28  (NLT2)

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest….

Surrender to Him. Jesus is your rest.

GOD PRESCRIBES REST SO WE CAN RENEW AND RELATE

Listen to something else that Jesus said about the Sabbath.  

He said:

Mark 2:27 (NLT2) 

27  …“The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath.

The sabbath was made to meet your needs! The sabbath is meant for you to stop the madness!There is always going to be work that needs to be done. If you work seven days a week, it will never be enough…so stop and rest. God designed your body.

He knows precisely how much stress, strain, and work the human body can take. He knows your mental stress limit, your physical stress limit…So rest! The Sabbath was made to meet your needs!

So REST!  Stop working one day a week. Play golf. Go for a walk on the beach. Play frisbee golf. Do a puzzle. Do what your body needs you to do to slow down. The Sabbath is a gift from God that helps keep us and our families healthy. I need to do a better job of stopping to enjoy family, rest, renew and relate.  

How about you?

Guardrails - Misusing God’s Name

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Today, we look at the third commandment, “Do not misuse God’s name.”

Have you ever thought about the power of a name?  

When we were thinking about names for our children, I would say the name out loud, and then I would invite the middle school boy that lives inside my mind and ask if that name rhymed with words that could be used to tease my daughter:

For instance, I was Joe Schmo, Joe Blow, Toe Joe, Joe Donapew, Mojo Jojo, Joe the Hoe…but I had it a little easier than my brother Pat.  He was Fatty Patty…Peppermint Patty, Patty Cake…

In naming my daughters, I had a rule.  The names of my daughters could not rhyme with a body part, a body function, or something derogatory.

Sofia, Naomi, Violet, Jessica

Good luck finding a derogatory rhyme with those names!

Let’s read together Exodus 20:7:

Exodus 20:7 (NLT2) 

7  “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. 

The first three commandments deal specifically with God’s identity.  First, God says, “I am the Lord your God; you will have no other God but me.” Then, the second commandment again deals with God’s Identity, and God says, “No other God but me.”

Now, God addresses his identity a final time, and he says, “Don’t misuse my name.”

That’s because…

THE MISUSE OF GOD’S NAME COMMUNICATES HE IS WORTHLESS

The misuse of God’s name communicates to those around us that we think he is worthless. When we misuse God’s name, we fail to reflect His greatness and goodness. 

Before the invention of the printing press, the Bible was copied word-for-word by scribes.  As they were copying God’s word, whenever the scribe would encounter a name of God, they would stop writing, rise from their table, wash their hands, change their clothes, pick up a new quill, and then proceed to write the name of God. They would do this every single time, and sometimes, it was three times a verse.

The scribes treated the name of God with respect and humility.

Because we share a common name, I will use our current President, Joe Biden, as an example.  If I were facing the President, I would most likely call him President Biden.  Whether I agree with his politics or not, I respect his position as President. Out of respect, I would not call him “Joey” or “Joe Shmo.”

And, if we respect and honor God, we would make sure we intentionally do not misuse God’s name…but we often do, don’t we?

First, let’s address how we commonly misuse God’s name through our…

SPEECH

We hear God’s name misused all the time. 

As an expression, we may say or hear people say: “OMG.” Oh my God! Or, “Oh God, here we go again…”

We may say or hear people swear they are speaking the truth and say: “I swear to God it’s true…” 

Or we may say or hear the name of God used lightly…Here in the South, when somebody turns forty, we may drive past a sign that reads: “Lordy, Lordy, look who forty.”

Or, you may hear people use God’s name as a filler word when they cannot think of anything to pray.  “Father …Father, would you, God, In the name of Jesus, Jesus Just…”

And probably the most common thing we think about when God’s name is misused is when God’s name is spoken as a curse word by attaching D-A-M-N after it. Or saying “Jesus Christ” in a manner of cursing is the most obvious way we hear the Lord’s name taken in vain.

God makes it clear in the Third commandment that He does not want his name used as an expression, a filler word, or a curse word.  God desires that His name be set apart and used for HOLY things.  When we intentionally use His name correctly, He will bless our lives. So, we sin when we say anything that makes Him appear worthless…and we can also make Him appear worthless through our… 

ACTIONS

We can misuse God’s name by what we DO. 

The Bible tells us that if you are a follower of Jesus…by that, I mean you believe God created mankind, and mankind rebelled against God and chose to sin. The punishment for sin was eternal death, but Jesus became a human being and paid the price for our sins on the cross.  You believe that Jesus died, was buried, rose from the dead, and one day He will return.  And because you thought that, you surrendered your life to God and said, “I commit to following you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. I surrender my life to you.”

When you had that moment, you became a follower of Jesus. And when you became a follower of Jesus, you were given the honor and privilege to “bear” the name of Jesus.

James 2:7 (NLT2) 

7  Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

1 Peter 4:16a (NLT2)

…Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT2) 

14  Then if my people who are called by my name…

Isaiah 43:7 (ESV) 

7  Everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” 

So, since you bear God’s name, you can misuse God’s name through your actions. For example, if a football player commits a crime while wearing their jersey, a good coach will chew them out because that action represents the team.  

If I wear a Beach Church hoodie into the grocery store and complain and chew out the cashier for scanning my items too slowly, I have provided a poor example of what the people of Beach Church are like.  

But, if I wear my Beach Church hoodie and get involved in serving our community in some capacity, I have provided a positive example to the community. BEARING the NAME of JESUS is similar.  If I live in such a way that makes the Life-change I experienced in Jesus appear worthless – I have misused God’s name.  

You might argue, “Joe, go easy on yourself; the people around you do not know that you bear the name of Jesus…”

My response is, “If the people I interact with regularly do not know I bear the name of Jesus, I am misusing the name of God with my life. I claim to be a follower of Jesus; I bear his name, and I misuse the name I bear through my actions.

But I thank God for the Grace of second chances, don’t you?  

Now, I do not think that followers of Jesus rub their hands together and are intentional about misusing the name of the Lord – but it happens.  We misuse the name of God through our speech and actions…

I think we misuse God’s name because we forget that…

THERE IS POWER IN THE NAME OF GOD

The Israelites had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years.  Generations of Israelite children grew up and died as slaves.  God sent Moses to lead the people out of slavery, and when Moses asked God what he was supposed to say to get the people to follow him, He told Moses to tell the Israelites:

Exodus 3:14 (NLT2) 

14  God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.” 

The very POWER of His name would cause the Israelites to turn away from captivity and be willing to follow Moses out of Egypt. Years later, the Israelites were fighting a battle against the Philistines.  David was just a shepherd boy bringing his older brothers lunch on the front lines.  When he arrived, he saw the Israelites quaking in their armor, refusing to fight the Philistines because they had a giant of a man named Goliath, whom everybody was terrified of.  David, the boy, not a man.  David, the shepherd, not the warrior, said, “I will fight him!” 

The Israelite army put armor on David, but it was too heavy, so he shook it off.  He took five stones and a sling.  As he marched out to meet Goliath – Goliath laughed and said, “What am I? A dog that you would come out to fight me with some rocks?  David said: 

1 Samuel 17:45 (NLT2) 

45  David replied to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 

There is a GREAT POWER associated with HIS name.  We misuse the name of the Lord through our speech and actions when we fail to recognize the POWER of his name.

In the Lord’s name:

Marriages have been restored.

Drunks are brought to sobriety.

Addicts are made clean.

In the name of the Lord, lives are changed.  

Not in the name of Beach Church.  

Not in the name of Pastor Joe. 

Lives are changed through the name of the Lord.

So, how do followers of Jesus use God’s name correctly? 

Colossians 3:17 (ESV) 

17  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We use God’s name correctly when we do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. From the check-out lane to driving through traffic, you live in the name of Jesus. From the time you wake up in the morning till you go to bed at night, you live in the name of Jesus. From Cheer practice and homework to getting dinner on the table or eating fast food one more time, you do it all in the name of Jesus.

Every word spoken to your wife, your husband, your children, or your dog, you do it all in the name of Jesus.

The Bible gives us many names for Jesus; since you are living for him, you may as well get to know them.

The Light of the World
(John 8:12)

The Bread of Life
(John 6:35)

The Living Water
(John 4:10)

The Way, the Truth, and the Life
(John 14:6)

The Good Shepherd
(John 10:11)

The Lamb of God
(John 1:29)

The Prince of Peace
(Isaiah 9:6)

The Mighty God
(Isaiah 9:6)

The King of Kings
(Revelation 19:16)

The Lord of Lords
(Revelation 19:16)

The Alpha and Omega
(Revelation 22:13)

The First and the Last
(Revelation 1:17)

The Beginning and End
(Revelation 22:13)

The Author of Life
(Acts 3:15)

The Living Stone
(1 Peter 2:4)

The Holy One of God
(Mark 1:24)

The Bright Morning Star
(Revelation 22:16)

The Lion of Judah
(Revelation 5:5)

The Son of God
(John 1:34)

The Son of Man
(Matthew 8:20)

The Messiah
(John 4:25-26)

The Christ
(Matthew 16:16)

The Redeemer
(Job 19:25)

The Savior
(Luke 2:11)

The King of the Ages
(Revelation 15:3)

The Great King
(Psalm 48:2)

The King over the whole Earth
(Zechariah 14:9)

The Lord of Glory
(1 Corinthians 2:8)

The Healer
(Luke 9:6)

The Resurrection and the Life
(John 11:25)

The Fountain of Living Waters
(Jeremiah 17:13)

A Friend of Sinners
(Matthew 11:19)

Your Deliverer
(Romans 11:26)

The Image of God
(Colossians 1:15)

The Author and Perfecter of Our Faith
(Hebrews 12:2)

The Rock
(1 Corinthians 10:4)

The Commander of the Lord’s Army
(Joshua 5:14-15)

HIS NAME IS JESUS.

And as followers of Jesus, we represent him…So let’s represent HIM well.

Guardrails - Do Not Have Idols

1. No Other Gods.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Today, we look at the second commandment, “Do not have Idols.”

Let’s read:

Exodus 20:4-6 (NLT2) 

4  “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5  You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6  But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.

Let’s be honest; this passage has some complicated concepts to comprehend.  If you are like me, you might have three initial questions about this passage:

1. What is idolatry?

2. Why is God jealous?

3. Why does God punish the children?

My daughters all have loved playing with Legos, but Violet really enjoys it…She loves finding the pieces and building to completion. Here is a Lego figure I asked her to build for me. What if we all stopped as a worship service and said, “From now on, this little Lego represents God.”  In the future, whenever little Lego man is present, we all must stop, kneel, and worship God.

I know it seems rather funny to us today…but the Ancients did just that: they created images out of wood, rock, and gold and worshipped deities represented by images. Idolatry is not the worship of a false God. Idolatry is “creating an image that represents God.”

God already addressed “no other God’s before me.” And now, with the second command, he demands that we create NOTHING to represent him. 

So, what is idolatry?  Idolatry is “creating anything to represent God.”

GOD WANTS RELATIONSHIP NOT REPRESENTATION

God desires to be personally known by you; he does not want to be represented by anything.  God knows the life-change people can encounter when they KNOW Him.

Nothing in all of creation can give an accurate depiction of God. If we try to create anything physical to represent God, we will always fall short of being able to produce an accurate representation of Him. God is not limited to creation; he exists outside of creation, which means even all creation will fall short of accurately depicting God.  

All creation points to God. All History begins with God and flows from God. We see glimpses of God’s beauty in the depths of the Oceans and the marvels of the galaxies – but there is nothing in all creation that can accurately depict God.

Jesus described God in John 4 and he said:

John 4:24 (NLT2)

24  For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” 

GOD IS SPIRIT…he exists outside of creation. He is not physical; we see from the second commandment that he does not want to be represented by anything physical.

Now, here is where some may get uncomfortable:

If a decoration represents God to you, it is an idol.

If a statue represents God to you, it is an idol.

If a cross represents God to you, it is an idol.

If a statue or a church building represents GOD, it is an idol.

You would be surprised at the number of people in churches unwilling to CHANGE the walls, the paint, the baptistry, the cross, the parking lots, and Sunday school classes – they don’t want to change those things because to them – they represent a time when GOD moved in their lives… 

If the cross in your pocket is a “good luck” charm and has power, it’s an idol.

If you wear “lucky underwear” whenever you preach, it’s an idol.

That’s because idols can distract us from knowing God how He desires us to know Him.  We see in verse 5 that…

GOD DEMANDS OUR UNDIVIDED AFFECTION

Exodus 20:5a (NLT2) 

5  You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods… 

The second question I think we should answer is this, “Why is God jealous?”

If you have ever had a relationship with somebody who was JEALOUS – you understand that GOD describing HIMSELF as a JEALOUS God is confusing.  

In middle school and high school, I remember jealous guys grabbing girls' wrists, pulling on them, and yelling at their girlfriends if they talked to another boy…crazy…immature…and a far cry from understanding what REAL love is.  

If God is always good, loving, generous, and slow to anger, why would he describe Himself as jealous?

We addressed this last week, but the concept is so powerful and freeing that we need to talk about it again:

God insists on the loyalty of us as followers of Jesus.  Not because he is insecure. Not because He is mean. Not because he is like a possessive ex-boyfriend. God said, “I am the Lord your God…You must not have any other god but me…” because God knows he is the best there ever was and will be. As CREATOR and SUSTAINER of the UNIVERSE, God knew nothing in all creation could be compared with His greatness. 

God knows:

He is the source of life.

There is none like Him in all the galaxies.

He protects us and guides us.

Even when we rebelled against him, he never abandoned us.

God’s character and attributes demand that he be a jealous god for your sake.  And as he is devoted to himself, he is devoted to his creation.  If he did not insist on his creation's devotion, he would be guilty of Idolatry.

That’s why,

IDOLATRY IS CHEATING ON GOD 

The jealousy you may feel if your spouse is unfaithful is how God feels about you. He loves you and desires the same devotion you want from your spouse. So, direct your affection to God. Seek to love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. So far, we have answered the questions, “What is idolatry?” and “Why is God Jealous.” So, as we wrap up, let’s answer the question, “Why does God punish the children.”

Exodus 20:5b (NLT2) 

“I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.”

I agree with you that this doesn’t seem fair. Why does God punish children for having stupid parents?

Understand, God isn’t actively doing anything to punish kids.  But, the consequences of sin are real, and the habits of sin of the parents can be handed down to their children…who will also experience the consequences of sin.

FAMILY CURSES ARE REAL, SO BREAK THEM!

Parents can create an environment or set patterns affecting their children and grandchildren. Children learn behaviors and attitudes from their parents. If parents engage in harmful or sinful behavior, their children will likely do them too.

Social research confirms that a Parent’s destructive habits and traits are often passed down to their children:

• Children with alcoholic parents are four times more likely to develop alcoholism themselves.

• Children who are physically or sexually abused have a high likelihood of abusing others.

• Children who have a parent with a drug or alcohol addiction are eight times more likely to develop an addiction themselves. 

• If a parent commits suicide, their child is three times more likely to take their own life.

Family curses are real.

Parents and grandparents, our idols, will impact our children and grandchildren. So, parents, confess your idols to God and your children and repent. Break that cycle. Break that curse. God wants to change your life and break the generational curses.

The good news is that God does break those patterns.

God has used and is using me to BREAK the CHAINS of the cycle of ABUSE in my family.  My dad was an alcoholic; he was abusive…his dad abused him; he abused me…But when I was 18, God broke that cycle of abuse when I became a new creation and committed my life to following Jesus.  

Now, I have a godly wife and children that we are raising to love the Lord. “Donahue” children who never experienced abuse from their parents have been rare in our family history. But thanks be to our God, who breaks patterns of sin and blesses obedience!

You are not trapped by your past.  You do not have to live being identified by your past because Jesus makes everything new.

So, what idols do you need to tear down?

What destructive behaviors do you need to confess and repent of?

What steps of healing do you need to take?

Let me invite you to check out Celebrate Recovery every Friday night in Adventure Beach at 6:00 PM.  If you have a Hurt, Habit, or Hang that you are ready to walk away from, you will find support and encouragement in CR.  

Guardrails - no other gods

Over Christmas Break, Kristy and I loaded up the girls, some Christmas gifts, and our two 85LB Goldendoodles into the minivan and headed to Cleveland, Georgia, to spend the week with family. A couple of hours into the trip, the van began driving funny.  Whenever I would accelerate, the car would pull sharply to the left, then straighten out.  I pulled over and checked the tires. One was a little low, so I aired it up, got back on the interstate, and the problem continued. Then, it began to rain. I was already stressed about the vehicle, and my drive got worse with the hazard of rain and slippery roads.

I slowed to about 55MPH and noticed the car did not pull as severely – so we finished the drive to their house. I drove the van to a car repair shop in Cleveland, GA, the following day.  They put it up on the lift, inspected it, and then brought me in to show me that the front left and right Lower Control Arm assemblies had gone bad and needed to be replaced.  He also told me it would probably make the drive home just fine and to have an alignment when it was finished.

I told him we were in town for a week and asked if he could get it in the shop to do the work. He said he could not, but again, I should be okay with driving it home. I ordered the parts from Amazon, had them delivered to our family's home in Georgia, and replaced them myself. I took it back to the shop before I left. He inspected the work, did the alignment, and the van ran great all the way home.

Sometimes, our lives need some repair and alignment. During our sermon series called Guardrails, you and I will be encouraged to repair some of the damage that poor choices have made in our lives and help us get back on the road of following Jesus. During this series, you will discover ways to keep your lives from crashing by Loving God and keeping the 10 Commandments. 

Remember, as I spoke about in the introduction, we do not get to Heaven by keeping the 10 Commandments; we only get to Heaven by confessing to God. We failed at keeping the 10 Commandments and receiving forgiveness for our sins by surrendering our lives to Jesus. 

Many of you probably already have the Ten memorized, but during the next ten weeks, I want to invite you to memorize these 10 Commandments.

1. No Other God’s.

2. Do Not Have Idols

3. Do not misuse God’s name.

4. Rest on the Sabbath.

5. Honor your Father and Mother.

6. Do not Murder.

7. Do not Commit Adultery.

8. Do Not Steal.

9. Do Not Lie.

10. Do Not Covet.

Now, let’s read from Exodus 20, when God gave the commandments to the Israelites.

Exodus 20:1-17 (NLT2) 

1  Then God gave the people all these instructions: 2  “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. 3  “You must not have any other god but me. 4  “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5  You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. 6  But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. 7  “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. 8  “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9  You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10  but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11  For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. 12  “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 13  “You must not murder. 14  “You must not commit adultery. 15  “You must not steal. 16  “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. 17  “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” 

Many struggle through life trying to figure out God’s will for them. Some think that God’s will is a profound dark mystery…like a season of Fargo. 😊You think you know what is happening, but you are wrong.

You may ask questions like:

Who am I supposed to marry?

What am I supposed to do for an occupation?

How can I make the right decisions?

How can I discover God’s plans for my life?

Here is the secret: God’s will for our lives is for us to OBEY him. 

If you are a follower of Jesus, meaning you have had a moment you believed that Jesus paid the price for your disobedience on the cross, that he rose from the dead, that one day he will return, and because of your belief, you surrendered your life to Jesus and received Him as your Savior and Lord…then, you committed to OBEDIENCE. You surrendered your will to God and said, “Life is not about me anymore; my life is about you. You are the Boss of me for the rest of my life.”, you most likely have come to realize that…

THE PURPOSE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

• BLESS AND PROTECT YOU

As his chosen people, God wanted the Israelites, his Chosen people, to be blessed. So, he used Moses to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and then gave them these rules to live by.  The 10 Commandments are moral commands that reflect who God is and His Character. And when we keep these commands, we radiate and reflect God’s Character. A wonderful thing occurs as we seek to keep his commands and become more like God; God blesses and protects us!

Deuteronomy 28:1-2 (NLT2) 

1  “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the world. 2  You will experience all these blessings if you obey the LORD your God:

God will keep his word, and as we seek to submit our lives to His will, He promises Blessing and protection. And, these 10 Commandments will also…

KEEP YOUR LIFE FROM CRASHING (Joshua 1:7-8)

Joshua 1:8 (NLT2) 

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

If you want to keep your marriage from crashing, seek to reflect God’s character to your spouse.  If you're going to prevent your family from crashing, seek God’s will, and He will guide you. There is always the diagnosis of the unknown. We live in a world impacted by sin.  We will still get sick. We will still be betrayed. We will still be hurt…But in the pain, followers of Jesus have HOPE because we understand that no matter what fire we walk through, we have a God walking through the fire with us who will keep our lives from crashing as we obey Him.

The more complex and dangerous the road of life becomes, the more we need God’s commands to be our Guardrails to keep us from spiraling out of control and wrecking our lives. Each of us has self-destructive urges and impulses in us.  Sometimes, we want to deviate from God’s path and drive through the guardrails, off the road, and crash our lives. God gave us guardrails to keep us from crashing. But some people think God gave us these Guardrails to keep us from having fun! 

They think that God is wagging his finger and is all about telling us, “No, No,” Don’t do this, Don’t do that.

Your kids may say you never let them have any fun, but as parents, you understand one of your roles is to bless and protect your kids, so you give them Guardrails. And, since God has given the Ten Commandments as Guardrails:

LEARN AND OBEY THEM

And you know what’s interesting? If you are a follower of Jesus, God has placed His Spirit inside you, and the Spirit leads you to obedience. Let’s look at the first command.  “No Other God’s”

FIRST COMMAND: GOD IS WORTHY OF ABSOLUTE LOYALTY

God commands the loyalty of us as followers of Jesus.  The reason why God said, “I am the Lord your God…You must not have any other god but me…” is because, as CREATOR and SUSTAINER of the UNIVERSE, God knew nothing in all creation could be compared with His greatness. He knew He was the best there was. 

If God permitted anything else to take His place in our lives, it would be a concession that something else is more significant and worthy of loyalty than He is. This would contradict His very nature as the one, living, all-powerful God. In fact, If God had not demanded absolute loyalty, God would be guilty of IDOLATRY. If God did not demand absolute loyalty, He could be guilty of saying there was something else out there greater than Him.

God is worthy of absolute loyalty because…

He is the Source of Life:

Genesis 1:1 (NLT2)

1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

Colossians 1:17 (NLT2) 

17  He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. 

God is worthy of absolute loyalty because…

There is None Like Him in all the Galaxies:

Isaiah 44:6 (NLT2) 

6  This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies: “I am the First and the Last; there is no other God. 

God is worthy of absolute loyalty because…

He Protects us and Guides us:

Proverbs 2:8 (NLT2) 

8  He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. 

Psalm 32:8 (NLT2) 

8  The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 

God is worthy of absolute loyalty because…

Even when we rebelled against him – he never abandoned us:

John 3:16 (NLT2) 

16  “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 

God has nothing but his character to be devoted to, because He alone is enough. His words spark worlds, and his love changes lives.

Guardrails - Introduction to The Ten Commandments

The first of the year has come and gone. New Year's resolutions have been made. Maybe this is the year you have resolved to lose weight, eat better, exercise more, or take better care of yourself. Did you make a New Year's Resolution?

Today, we transition into our new Sermon Series, Guardrails, based on the 10 Commandments.  As we transition from our year-long sermon series called “Meeting Jesus” to the Old Testament, I think it is essential that we examine what Jesus said about the Old Testament. As followers of Jesus, should we obey the commands found in the Old Testament?  If the Old Testament contains commands for those who do wrong to be killed, how do we balance that with the teachings of Jesus?

Our main passage of scripture is found in Matthew 5:17-20. 

Matthew 5:17-20 (NLT2)

17  “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19  So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20  “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! 

In this passage, Jesus seems to reinforce the idea that all his followers should obey everything in the Old Testament. 

Now, as we launch into our series on the 10 Commandments, look carefully at what Jesus said about the Old Testament: 

• I’m not here to do away with the law…

• Not the smallest part of the Old Testament will pass away until it is accomplished…

• Those who relax these laws are the least…

• Those who teach and do them are great…

Jesus’ teaching should lead us to ask the question…

Are followers of Jesus to obey the Old Testament and the New Testament?  

Be careful if your answer is yes. There are more commands in the Old Testament than what we know as the 10 Commandments. The Old Testament has 613 commands…

If we are to not to relax them, but to do them, it raises some questions about how to Apply God’s Word to our lives.

For instance:

Exodus 21:7 (NLT2)

7  “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she will not be freed at the end of six years as the men are.

Exodus 35:2 (NLT2)

2   Anyone who works on (the Sabbath) must be put to death.

Deuteronomy 21:20-21 (NLT2)

20  The parents must say to the elders, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious and refuses to obey. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21  Then all the men of his town must stone him to death. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you, and all Israel will hear about it and be afraid.

Leviticus 11:7-8 (ESV)

7  And the pig, because it parts the hoof and is cloven-footed but does not chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8  You shall not eat any

Do followers of Jesus pick and choose what parts of the Bible to obey?  

In this passage, Jesus taught EVERYTHING about the Old Testament was true and should be followed thoroughly.  

In light of Jesus ’ words about “those who relax these laws and teach others to do the same…” we must understand the Old Testament better. 

COMMANDMENTS ARE CATEGORIZED AS CIVIL, CEREMONIAL, & MORAL.

Civil:

These laws determined how the Israelite Nation should be run. These were National laws.  Citizens of Israel were expected to follow them, and if they broke the law, they were punished.

Does Jesus expect those of us who live outside the nation of Israel to obey these laws? The answer is no.

You are not Jewish.  You are not an Israelite.  You are expected to obey the Laws of the good old USA.  

Ceremonial:

These are the laws about washing your hands, purifying your body, and getting right with God through sacrifices.  These laws were given to the Nation of Israel, the people of Israel, to present themselves as “holy” to God.  They showed the world that they belonged to God and had been set apart from the rest of the world as his chosen people.

Does God expect you and me to follow these laws?  No.  

Why? Again, I am not an Israelite….and the WAY to get right with God is through JESUS.  I can’t scrub my hands enough to remove the stain of my sin…If we fell back into ceremonial law, we would be saying the sacrifice of Jesus was insufficient.  “He got us clean…but can’t keep us clean…”

Moral:

These are the laws that are rooted in God’s holiness.  These are commands God established to protect us and to bless us.  These laws speak to justice, respect, and sexual conduct.  Does Jesus expect us to follow these moral commands?

The answer is yes.  

It is still wrong to murder.

It is still wrong to lie. 

It is still wrong to commit adultery. 

The moral commands were about relationships.  If kept, we have perfection between ourselves, God, and others.  But our relationships with others are not perfect.  We lie. We betray. We try to hurt others.  And, left up to ourselves, our relationship with God stinks too. 

So, can we keep all the commands perfectly? No.  I am grateful for Jesus because…

JESUS FINISHED KEEPING ALL THE COMMANDS BECAUSE WE COULD NOT.

He obeyed all the commands not to prove it could be done but so that you and I could be set free from the law.  

When Jesus cried out “It is finished.”

As he was dying on the cross, he was referring to the fact that Old Testament LAW, which only highlighted our sinfulness, had been erased.

Colossians 2:14 (NLT2)

14  He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.

Ephesians 2:14a-15a (NLT2)

14  For Christ himself has brought peace to us. .. 15  He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. 

IT IS FINISHED means that you and I are not obligated to fulfill the law at all. Jesus ENDED that old system.  HE ended the old covenant.  If you are trying to earn God’s forgiveness by keeping obedience to the old promises…you are guilty of believing the death of Jesus was insufficient.

If you are a legalist…

If you are a rule follower…

If you live in fear that you must seek to be perfect in all you do… 

If you harp on others and tell them the Bible says you can’t get a tattoo or eat and drink certain foods…

I want you to hear this very simply…you are guilty of obeying the law that Jesus ended…so…repent and

STOP OBEYING THE LAW!

In light of what Jesus said about the LAW (That anybody who relaxes the LAW in any way would be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven…), it sounds like I am teaching the exact opposite of what Jesus said!  It is like I have a death wish.  Am I really about to teach the opposite of what Jesus taught?

Well, Paul said,

Galatians 3:25 (NLT2)

25  And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. 

The LAW was necessary to point out that it was impossible for you and I to achieve HOLINESS on our own.  Now that faith in Jesus has come, the law is no longer needed for those who have placed their faith in Jesus and become Christ's followers.  

Now, as followers of Jesus, we no longer need the law.  In fact, Paul writes that we have been released from it.

Romans 7:6 (NLT2) 

6  But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now, we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. 

So, as followers of Jesus, we no longer have to obey the letter of the law because something better has come along.  If you have become a follower of Jesus, you are not supposed to obey the Old Testament law; we are to live IN the spirit.  

What does it mean to live in the Spirit?

How do we know we are living in the spirit?

We need to… 

START OBEYING JESUS!

John 14:21 (NLT2)

21  Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” 

If you have given your life to Jesus, you have been freed from the OT LAW, but you are not set free to live life as you please. 

If you have committed your life to him, you have committed to his teachings, commands, and ways.  Jesus said those who obey his commands are the ones who really love him…and God will love them because they love Jesus.  That is what we mean when we say “Follower of Jesus.”

The New Testament has 1050 commands. There is one command in the New Testament that sums up all 613 OT commands and all 1050 commands in the New Testament.  

Romans 13:10 (NLT2)

10  Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. 

That’s why Jesus said:

Matthew 22:37-39 (NLT2)

“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38  This is the first and greatest commandment. 39  A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 

So instead of judging people for working on the Sabbath, drinking too much, getting tattoos, or trimming their hair off their temples, Jesus wants you to love them. At Beach Church, our mission is to lead people into a life-changing relationship with Jesus, and we invite others to follow Jesus through loving them as we love ourselves.

So,

• Offer to help with dishes.

• Invite neighbors over for dinner or coffee to build community and friendship.

• Organize a meal train for those who have lost a loved one or had a baby.

• Resist the urge to cut off the driver that cut you off. 

• For crying out loud, let other drivers merge. 😊

• Return your shopping cart (even the one with the bad wheels) to the cart return.

• Occasionally pay for the person behind you in line, especially if they seem to be struggling.

• Thank grocery store employees for their hard work.

• Regularly pray for others.

In 2024, let’s obey the teachings of Jesus. Love God with all our hearts and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Meeting Jesus - Simeon’s faith

As we bid farewell to 2023 and step into a new year, it's natural to reflect on the past and anticipate the future. Regardless of the highs and lows each of us experienced, there's a common thread that ties our journeys together—the hope for a better tomorrow. Today, we delve into the life of Simeon, drawing inspiration from his righteous and devout character, as recounted in Luke 2:25-35:

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, “This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

Luke 2:25-35

Simeon's Righteousness and Devotion:

Simeon's life is marked by his righteousness and devotion. He diligently studied God's Word, believed in its promises, and as a result, cultivated a profound hope for the future. In considering Simeon's example, we are reminded that our hope, too, should be firmly anchored in the Word of God.

Our hope should be built on the Word of God

It's not uncommon to feel a lack of hope—perhaps in failing marriages, dwindling finances, or declining health. It's crucial to understand that you are not alone in your struggles. Sharing a personal journey of transition from a previous church to the current one, we understand the challenges of seeking answers from God. Sometimes, the answers come in the form of a 'Yes,' 'No,' or 'Wait.'

When we wait on God, we see His plan for our lives

The Power of Waiting:

Reflecting on personal experiences, including health challenges like kidney stones and a heart attack, waiting on God revealed His transformative plan. Like Simeon, we can live and believe in the waiting. Even when life seems overwhelmingly loud, God speaks in the stillness, guiding us with a still small voice. When I sat in the hospital bed. I looked back and marveled at What God did in the waiting. Just like Simeon.

In challenging times, it's easy to feel abandoned by God. Sharing a personal struggle with silence in prayers after losing a brother in a car accident, Romans 8:28 becomes an anchor. Believing God's promises, even in the face of tragedy, has the power to change us.

Believing and waiting on God's promises increases our faith today

Faith in Action:

What is faith? Through a face-down illustration, we explore the concept of faith as an unwavering trust in God, especially when hope seems to fade. It's an invitation to declare our trust in the Lord, affirming our belief in His promises and seeking strength to persevere.

We can have hope for the future when we trust Jesus

The Journey of Trust:

Whether facing challenges in marriage, finances, health, or struggling with trust and belief, the invitation is to be obedient and trust God.

Maybe you are here today and your faith is fading, your hope is diminishing, and you find it difficult to believe.

Who among us today will say Lord my hope is in you and you alone?

Who will say today that I do believe you and your word?

Who will day today, Lord strengthen my faith?

You may not know what is around the corner, You may not know what 2024 will hold You may ask God to change your Circumstances while God is trying to change your heart about your Circumstances.

Meeting Jesus - Mary: The Type of Person God uses

Several years ago, my family was driving across the country, and we stopped at a Chilis to eat dinner.  Inside the restaurant, Sofie and I turned a corner, and there was Santa. From his head to his toe, red suit, hat, belt.  Sofie stood directly in front of me – the biggest smile on her face you could imagine.  Santa smiled, too – then it got creepy. He kept smiling at her – but he never said a word to her.  Sofie said, “Hi, Santa.”  He said nothing – just stood there.  Finally, Sofia looked at me and said, “I have to go to the bathroom.” When Santa shows up unexpectedly, he can be a scary thing to some children.  Some kids just don’t want to sit on Santa’s lap.

How many of you have photos taken like this? I think Santa Claus is overwhelming to some children. Think about it:

He knows when you’ve been sleeping. He knows if you’re awake. He knows if you’ve been bad or good, so … {you can finish it from there}

No wonder some children are afraid of Santa and don’t want to get near him.  He is OVERWHELMING! They like the thought of Santa from a distance…. but too close, and he is too much.

I think like Santa is to children, for many adults, the thought of God is overwhelming. The EVERLASTING, OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPRESENT, and OMNISCIENT God is an overwhelming thought for many people.  God is all-powerful, everywhere, and all-knowing…that is a lot to take in. It gets even heavier when THIS everlasting GOD wants to use you and me to do His work on this earth.

In today’s passage, Mary – the Mother of Jesus, learns from an angel that God wants to use her to be the mother to Jesus. As we look at this passage – I am going to highlight three characteristics of Mary – and I believe these are some of the maturing characteristics that God looks for in followers of Jesus.

Luke 1:26-38 (NLT2) 

26  In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27  to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28  Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!” 29  Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30  “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32  He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33  And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” 34  Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” 35  The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36  What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she’s now in her sixth month. 37  For nothing is impossible with God.” 38  Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. 

Bible scholars tell us that Mary was roughly between 13-15 years old.  She was barely a teenager!  Two of my daughters, Violet and Naomi, fall into that age range! Yet, even at this young age, Mary had characteristics of the type of person that God uses. Like you, I am still in the process of becoming the person God has called me to be.  In many ways, I am NOT the DAD I imagined I would be. In many ways, I am not the HUSBAND I imagined I would be….but God is not finished with me yet. God is not finished with you, either. 

If, like me, you want to become the type of person that God uses to bless others and impact this world, then let’s try to understand why God chose to use Mary.

First, understand that…

GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE OF FAITH

God chose to use Mary, a teenage girl, to raise Jesus. Because this would be a teen pregnancy, she would be viewed as a disgrace to her family, friends, and community. In fact, according to the Old Testament Law, her fiancé would be able to drag Mary to the door of her father’s house and stone her for having sex with another man before she was married to him.

So, she was a kid. She would be viewed as a disgrace… So why did God choose Mary? I believe God knew that Mary’s faith in Him was deep enough to carry her through the shame, disgrace, rumors, and gossip she would face as she carried Jesus to term and then raised him. 

Her faith would carry her through the public shame. 

Her faith would carry her through the difficult conversation with Joseph. 

Her faith in God would carry her through the conversations with her parents.

That is what FAITH does. 

Faith carries us through HARD and DIFFICULT seasons.  Faith is our DEPENDENCY upon GOD to carry us through hard, confusing, and sometimes embarrassing seasons of our lives.

The author of Hebrews describes faith this way. He writes in Hebrews 11:1

Hebrews 11:1 (NLT2)

1  Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 

And in Hebrews 11:6 we that…

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT2) 

6   it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. 

So, let me ask you a question:

Do you have FAITH in God?

Faith in God begins by surrendering your life to Jesus. Do you confidently believe that Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sins on the cross? Do you confidently believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Do you confidently believe that your sins have been forgiven?  Do you confidently believe that one day, Jesus is going to return? If your answers to those questions are YES – then you have faith in God.

But if your answers are mixed – you can ask God to increase your faith. Say to God, “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Help me to believe more.” Also, remember this. Our faith grows when we spend time with God, reading his word, and praying even when we don’t feel like it. I’ve been feeling pretty empty lately in my relationship with God – and I’m being challenged to keep doing things that I know will keep me connected to God to read His word. To get out of bed and pray. To keep serving him daily. 

How about you?  

Is your faith in God growing? If not, ask him to help you. So, God works through people who have faith in Him, and secondly we see that:

GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE WHO TRUST HIM

Mary is told she will become pregnant, and the first thing she does is ask a question.

In verse 34, Mary asks, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 

Trusting God does not mean you cannot ask God questions! Mary said, “How is this going to work, because I am a virgin.”  Mary had a legitimate question! Look at the contrast between teen Mary’s response and an old Preist when an Angel of the Lord told him that his wife Elizabeth would have a child. In verses 5-17, Zechariah was an old priest, married to his old wife, and they never had children. An angel of the Lord told him he was going to have a son who God would use for great things. But instead of trusting that God could do what he promised…

Luke 1:18-20 (NLT2) 

18  Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.” 19  Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! 20  But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.” 

In this chapter, we have two angelic visits to two different people. One is an old priest, supposedly mature in his faith and active in serving God. The other is a simple teenage girl. 

The priest’s reaction, “How can I be sure this will happen? Shows us he doubted God and asked for a sign for proof. But Mary asked for clarification: “How will this be?” Not – “Give me a sign so I can believe.” 

Mary TRUSTED and asked HOW?  

Zechariah doubted and said, “I need a sign because my wife and I are way too old!”

If God’s WORD prompts you to do something, or if the Holy Spirit directs you to do something as a representative of God, I want to encourage you to follow that prompting quickly and not doubt God. 

So, God chooses to work through people with FAITH, people who TRUST him, and finally:

GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SERVANTS HEART

Look at what Mary said to the angel in verse 38. “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be to me as you have said.” Mary could have had all sorts of responses when she was told of God’s plan for her to be the mother of Jesus. Mary could have said, please find somebody else, this will ruin my life, but she didn’t. Instead of convincing God to change His mind or tell God she was unhappy with His plan, she accepted the plan and submitted to God’s leadership. “I am the Lord’s servant.”

And that is because servants do what they are asked to do. 

It might be inconvenient. 

It may be painful. 

It may be the opposite of what they want, but a servant does it anyway.

And, because Mary had the heart of a servant, her life was changed forever.

Are you a servant of the Lord? 

Or are you still in charge of your life?

Do your plans, dreams, finances, and time belong to you or God?  

When you surrender your life to God and invite Him to be your Lord, you invite him to be your boss for the rest of your life.  So, do you still consider Him the boss of your life?  

If your plans, dreams, finances, and time still belong to the Lord, you prove it by what you do. There are many opportunities for you to SERVE inside of Beach Church and outside the walls of Beach Church.  Go to the connect tab on the Beach Church app, click “volunteer at Beach Church, and let us know the areas you are interested in serving. I often wonder if God has something he specifically wants done here in Myrtle Beach, but he found somebody else to do it because I was too busy… too tired…or lacked the genuine faith to believe. God is still searching for people like Mary today.

2 Chronicles 16:9a (NLT2) 

9  The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

God uses people to do his work. But he uses people who have faith in him, trust Him, and have servants’ hearts. God will do so much in our world when he finds people like that. It is my prayer we would all become a person like that.

Meeting Jesus - the widow’s offering

Pastor Marty shared a story with us recently and I thought it was worth passing along. Marty's uncle attended this church, and one Sunday the pastor announced that a fellow member was in the hospital, and they needed a special offering for medical expenses. The congregation passed the collection basket around once, twice, and even a third time. It seemed like the pastor was not satisfied with the amount collected until that third round.

Now, I'm sure some of you, upon hearing today's message about the witness offering, might have thought, "Here comes another money talk." I won't ask for a show of hands if that crossed your minds; we're all good here.

But let me assure you, that's not my message today. Pastor Joe gets the money talk next week – just kidding. Let's dive into the Word. Turn with me to Luke 21, verses 1-4. Jesus is in the temple, observing people dropping gifts in the collection box. The rich toss in large sums, but then a poor widow enters and puts in two small coins.

Luke 21:1-4

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. 2 Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. 3 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. 4 For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Jesus says, "This poor widow has given more than all of them, for they have given a tiny part of their surplus. But she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."

Now, let me share a bit of history. In the '80s, there was this guy, Lee Iacocca, an automotive executive. He helped Ford with the Mustang and the Pinto and revived Chrysler. During a Statue of Liberty fundraising effort, he received unusual gifts, including a $10,000 check from an 80-year-old woman requesting his book for free. Another woman sent $1,000, got a thank-you note, sent another $50,000, and later sent three checks totaling $201,000. Iacocca joked, "There's no telling where we'd be if we just sent her flowers."

But the most touching gift was from 78 homeless Vietnamese refugees. They pooled $114.19, everything they had, to contribute to the Statue of Liberty refurbishment.

Their gift was a lot like the widow's in today's scripture. You see, Jesus singled out the poor widow, recognizing her sacrificial giving. Her two small coins were worth about $0.75 each by today's standards. She gave all she had to live on, showing an extraordinary level of faith, trust, and love for God. Most of us may never reach that level, but we can learn valuable lessons from her. First, the Lord observes our giving. Jesus watched as the rich gave, but He saw the widow and her gift. He sees every giver and every gift.

The giving experience in Jesus' time was different – no offering plates, just collection boxes with trumpet-like tops. People made noise to draw attention to their generosity. But the widow, with her faint clink, went unnoticed, except by the Lord. Remember, Jesus observes our giving – the amount, the motive, everything. Don't seek recognition; give out of love.

Next, generosity desires confidentiality, not credit. Give without seeking acknowledgment. Jesus evaluates our giving based on what's left after we give. The widow gave everything, while the rich gave from their surplus. God evaluates our generosity by the leftovers.

Think about it – David refused to offer burnt offerings that cost him nothing. Generosity isn't just about the amount; it's about the cost to the giver. Motive matters; God knows our hearts.

Finally, Jesus evaluates and commends sacrificial giving. The widow's gift wasn't necessary for the temple budget, but her generosity moved Jesus. She gave until it hurt, giving God the leftovers. We should all feel a pinch when we give, not just offering sacrifices that cost us nothing.

Remember, Jesus gave it all for us. His sacrificial love sets the standard. We're called to be generous, not just with our money but with our hearts. God isn't after our money; He's after our hearts. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

So, as we talk about giving, let's reflect on the widow's example. She gave everything, voluntarily, out of love for God. Let's be inspired by her generosity as we consider our own giving. Remember, God loves a cheerful giver.

Meeting Jesus - Pretendinitus

When I was a Student Pastor at an inner city church in Louisville, KY, Kristy and I had been married for about three years. We had a friend we had known for over ten years who was also a student pastor in a nearby state. He was dating a young woman from the church he was serving, and over the years, we would speak at each other’s church, and occasionally combined our youth groups for retreats.

It was during a combined winter retreat in 2002 that I learned my friend was not an honest person. At separate moments, two of his 18-year-old female students went to my wife for prayer and counseling at separate times. During that time, they shared that they had had a secret intimate and physical relationship with my friend. They kept the relationship hidden from the church, and hidden from his girlfriend.

When Kristy shared this with me, I was shocked. I confronted my friend with the truth. He admitted it was true. I was devastated. After more conversations that weekend, I learned the web of deception was so deep, and what he had done to these two young ladies was so harmful, his Senior Pastor needed to know.

When we returned from the retreat, I filled in the Lead Pastor on what my wife and I had discovered.  When the pastor privately met with the girls, he told them that he would not tell the church what the youth pastor had done to them because he did not want the church to know “what kind of girls they were.”

When the youth pastor resigned from the church, he read a letter claiming it was to “focus on his education.” The church was never told, and the girls lived with significant hurt and confusion for the next 17 years. 

My friend pretended to be transparent and honest, but he wasn’t. The struggle with transparency and honesty is more widespread inside the church than we want to acknowledge. I am working on it, but I deceive people every single day.

“Hey Pastor, how are you?”

“Great!” I reply.

Most days I am not great.

Most days I am burdened, my heart is heavy, and I feel worn down to a nub.  But Jesus loves me, so I answer, “Great.” But that is not the whole truth.

Today, in our passage of scripture, a group of men pretend to be honest so they could hurt Jesus. 

Let’s read together.

Luke 20:20-26 (NLT2) 

20  Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 21  “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22  Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23  He saw through their trickery and said, 24  “Show me a Roman coin. Whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 25  “Well then,” he said, “give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God.” 26  So they failed to trap him by what he said in front of the people. Instead, they were amazed by his answer, and they became silent. 

In this passage, religious leaders use deception by sending spies pretending to be honest men to trap Jesus with his words. And then, the spies made comments to Jesus to get Jesus to say something wrong so he could get arrested.

They wanted to involve Jesus in political controversy.

My Nana would send politicians or people from churches away from her door without hearing one word from them and she would say, “we do not talk about religion or politics.”And around the Holidays anytime a relative wanted to discuss politics or religion, she would shut them down and say the same thing. These men were eager to get Jesus' thoughts about politics and religion, hoping he would make a politically charged comment so the Roman government might be willing to put Jesus to death as a Rebel. So they ask Jesus a “Yes” or “No” question about paying taxes.  “Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”  

If Jesus opposes paying taxes, he risks being arrested by Rome and possibly killed. If he is for taxing the Jewish people, then the Jewish people may turn on him.

So, the first takeaway is this:

SEEK GENUINE TRANSPARENCY OVER THE APPEARANCE OF TRANSPARENCY

Luke 20:20 (NLT2) 

20  Watching for their opportunity, the leaders sent spies pretending to be honest men. They tried to get Jesus to say something that could be reported to the Roman governor so he would arrest Jesus. 

These men had a condition called “Pretendinitus.”

Pretendinitus is a condition in which somebody pretends to be something they are not. These men pretended to be honest men, but they were liars. They chose to appear transparent rather than actually be transparent. We all struggle with letting others know the real “us.”

One evening, I was leading an outreach night at our church. Driving to the church, I listened to country music on the radio. When I pulled into the parking lot at the church, I switched it to Worship music.

Why did I pretend?

I listen to worship music all the time. Why was I afraid to pull into the parking lot at church with Zach Brown singing about “Cold beer on a Friday night?” So silly.

But maybe you too, have hidden something about you because you weren’t sure what other people would think of you. Maybe you don’t tell others about the doubts and fears you live through daily. Maybe you don’t tell others about the struggle you are having with your spouse.  Maybe you smile and nod and tell people everything is okay, but on the inside, your heart cries out for somebody to listen to you.

Many of us have pretendinitus. We pretend everything is ok, when everything is not ok. One of our Guiding Values here at Beach Church is Transparent Living.  We believe God desires us to be real, open, and honest about who we are and allow others the freedom to do the same. Living transparently means we are honest about our struggles and wins to demonstrate God’s grace in our lives. So, one of the ways you can demonstrate transparent living is this:

SHOOT STRAIGHT; BUTTERING PEOPLE UP IS A FORM OF MANIPULATION.

Luke 20:21-24 (NLT2) 

21  “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you speak and teach what is right and are not influenced by what others think. You teach the way of God truthfully. 22  Now tell us—is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” 23  He saw through their trickery…

These men, pretending to be honest, now looked at Jesus and buttered him up because they believed if they flattered Jesus, he would let his guard down, and they would trick him. Most of us know when somebody is flattering us because they want something.  When my children were toddlers, they were perfect at this.

Sofia would stretch her arms to me and say, “I want to hold you.” I would scoop her up and hold her, and she would say, “You’re the best daddy in the world,” followed by, “Can I have some more ice cream?”

It's cute as toddlers, but as we mature into adults and followers of Jesus, we must be honest and sincere in communicating with others. You don’t have to be Jesus to know when somebody is buttering you up and flattering you to manipulate you or gain their trust…If you spend too much at Starbucks, you may be tempted to tell your spouse how awesome they are before you tell them two special coffees and coffee cakes cost $40.

It happens!

It is so important that we shoot straight with people and stop flattering others to get what we want. Now, if you think shooting straight with other people gives you an excuse to give your spouse a piece of your mind…I have to disappoint you.

Shooting straight with others does not mean you get to give somebody a piece of your mind. It doesn’t mean we get to tear down and damage others.  “Shooting straight” means you are honest, not harmful. It means we give helpful feedback, not destructive criticism. Paul was a follower of Jesus and wrote a lot about how we speak to others. 

Ephesians 4:29 (NLT2) 

29  Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 

Colossians 4:6 (NLT2) 

6  Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Ephesians 4:15 (NLT2) 

15  Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

When we shoot straight with others, our love for God and others is evident in our words. God is honored when we choose honesty and transparency with others rather than “buttering them up” to get something we want.

And the second way you can experience transparent living is to:

LIVE TRANSPARENTLY IN A LIFE GROUP TO BE A BETTER YOU!

Live transparently in a life group to be a better you. Sermon-Based Life Groups will begin next year.  The most meaningful friendships I have ever had are from the small groups of people I have lived transparently with. In life groups, we grow together. We share our lives. We talk about personal struggles and our wins and learn from each other. We pray for each other. We cheer each other on. When you are willing to open your life up to others, others will open their life up to you. When you are genuine, open, and honest about who you are, others will be open and honest about who they are. You will build real friendships and develop genuine relationships with other followers of Jesus.

You cannot live transparently with the whole church, but you can choose to do life with a small group of people in the same season of life as you.

Meeting Jesus - Embrace The Message Of Hope

When we began this series, one of the first messages in January was about the rejection Jesus experienced.  Throughout the Gospel of Luke, the Pharisees continued to reject him despite all of his miracles and all the proof he gave to the world that he was the Savior. I count at least 14 times in the Gospel of Luke that describe the Pharisees rejecting him.

Rejection is a terrible feeling.

If you have tried out for a sport but didn’t make the team, you know the feeling of rejection. In Middle School – I, too, experienced rejection. I was 13 years old, and I was in love. Her name was Rebecca Bumpus. We sat together for breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria.  We passed notes in the hallway.  And on occasion, when teachers weren’t looking, we even held hands. That relationship lasted for about one whole week. I remember our relationship so well because of how it ended. I believe our relationship began on Monday – but by Friday – Rebecca's best friend, Marcine, was sent to do her dirty work. Marcine Butts (that’s right. Her last name was Butts) sat down beside me in class on Friday afternoon and told me that Rebecca was breaking up with me. I didn’t understand why Rebecca was rejecting me.  I asked Marcine, “Why is she breaking up with me.?”  

Marcine Butts replied, “Joe...you’re ugly.”

And those words of rejection lingered in my heart for years.  Anytime I was interested in asking a girl to “go with me” in middle school, high school or go out on a date with me in college, I could always hear Marcine Butts words in my head, “Joe, you’re ugly...”

Rejection stinks!

Whether it is in relationships, whether you apply for a job, at work, or in court, rejection stinks. Especially if it is done in a way that tears you down.

In today’s passage, we are going to read a parable about people who continued to reject Jesus.  Let’s read.  

Luke 20:9-19 (NLT2) 

9  Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: “A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. 10  At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. 11  So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. 12  A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away. 13  “‘What will I do?’ the owner asked himself. ‘I know! I’ll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.’ 14  “But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ 15  So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him. “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked. 16  “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.” “How terrible that such a thing should ever happen,” his listeners protested. 17  Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 18  Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” 19  The teachers of religious law and the leading priests wanted to arrest Jesus immediately because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the people’s reaction. 

Nearing the end of his journey on the earth, before he faced the brutal death on the cross and paid the price for our sins, Jesus once again tried to reach the Pharisees who hade spent the last three years rejecting him. This parable isn't just about squatters refusing to pay rent. Jesus is actually revealing how people often treat God's messages and messengers. And the plot twist is that the son in the story represents Jesus Himself.  The squatters who beat and kill the son of the landowner foreshadow what is going to happen to Jesus. We have three takeaways from this passage that, if applied, will change your life. The first takeaway is this: 

GOD PATIENTLY SEEKS PEOPLE DESPITE REJECTION OF HIS MESSAGE

This first point is good news about the message of Good News. I have shared the message of Jesus with many people, and not everybody trusts in Jesus the first time they hear the message. Maybe that’s you. Maybe you have heard many times that if you put your faith in Jesus and believed that he paid the price for your sins on the cross, died, was buried, rose from the dead, and will one day return… but you rejected the message.

But eventually, you accepted the message of hope, listened to the messenger, and surrendered your life to Jesus, then you have experienced the patience of God. Despite rejecting Jesus many times, God was persistent in showing patience to you because he Loves you. Despite rejecting the messenger and the message of Jesus, God continued to be patient with you because he wanted you to be saved and surrender to Him. See, the reason Jesus has not yet returned to the earth, is because he is patient and desires all those who have rejected Jesus to repent of their sin and trust Jesus as Savior. Speaking about why Jesus had not yet returned, the Apostle Peter said:

2 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT2)

8  But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. 9  The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Like in the squatter's parable, God is patient for you.

So, our second takeaway:

EMBRACE REPENTANCE BECAUSE OF GOD’S KINDNESS

Embrace repentance because of God’s Kindness. In this parable, Jesus is very blunt with the religious leaders, and he warns them that God’s patience will eventually end for them. He is patient.

His messengers are beaten up and rejected. He is patient.

His son is murdered. The patience of the vineyard owner came to an end for these squatters.

Luke 20:15-16 (NLT2) 

15  ... “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked. 16  “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.” …

If you have ever lost patience with one of your children, it most likely surprised your kiddo. Internally, for you, the irritation had been building up. But for them, it came out of the blue. They did not know you were being patient, kind, and forgiving…but you had enough and snapped at them because they did not heed your warnings to correct their behavior.

I have done that. But this parable does not teach us that one day, God’s patience will come to an end. Instead, this parable teaches us that God has a plan to return. One day, Jesus will come back just like he said he would. And the reason he has not yet returned is because God is being patient with you and all those who have rejected Jesus.

Eventually, God’s plan is going to unfold.

So, respond while you can to God's Kindness and patience.

Romans 2:4 (NLT2) 

4  Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? 

In the parable, the vineyard's owner is kind, tolerant, and patient. And in your life, God is kind, tolerant, and patient with you. So, embrace repentance because of God’s kindness, and embrace…

THE MESSAGE: BUILD YOUR LIFE ON JESUS!

Luke 20:17-18 (NLT2) 

17  Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does this Scripture mean? ‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ 18  Everyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.” 

Jesus did not die on the cross simply to forgive and save us. The cornerstone of buildings kept the rest of the walls from wobbling. Jesus desires to prevent the walls of your life from wobbling and falling apart.  He sacrificed his life so that you and I can build our lives on him. Jesus did it so our entire life could be built on Him. 

If you follow Jesus, he is the cornerstone of your life. He is not a decorative painting that hangs on the wall; he is the foundation that holds everything together. Think about your everyday life: 

The music you listen to…The movies that entertain you…Your spouse…The way you raise your children…How you engage with one another at Beach Church…How you love one another…

Every single bit of your life should reflect the values, teachings, and love of Jesus because he is your cornerstone. When Jesus is our cornerstone, He influences our choices, guides our actions, and shapes our worldviews. Building on this foundation means that every beat of our heart and every decision we make reflects His presence in our lives.

I don’t mean to prescribe a set of rules to live by. Because Jesus is our cornerstone, Jesus' sacrifice and love should saturate through every corner of our existence. He is our cornerstone, meaning we create a life that sings, speaks, and shines the message of Jesus in the most authentic way possible.

So, would your Netflix queue reflect that Jesus is your cornerstone?

Would your last argument with your spouse reflect that Jesus is your cornerstone? Does your song playlist reflect that Jesus is the cornerstone of your life?

Essentially, that is what it looks like to build our lives on the cornerstone of Jesus. It means we line up the walls of our lives through everyday decisions we make, with the patience, kindness, and love that God has demonstrated to us.

Remember Jesus is more than a Savior; He is  the cornerstone of our lives. His love and message are not just lofty ideas; his words are practical guides for living. Embrace Jesus in words and actions, making Him the solid foundation of all we do.

Meeting Jesus - Jesus Clears The Temple

This weekend marks one year since I announced to the church I was serving in Arizona that behind the scenes I had been interviewing with Beach Church, that I would be stepping down from leadership at Calvary, and that, on December 6, I would preach “in view of a call” to be either voted in or rejected as the Lead Pastor at Beach Church.

It was a difficult season for my whole family.  It was not a move initiated by me, rather, it was initiated by the Pastor I trusted, and was supposed to secede.

He went away for a five-week Sabbatical, and when he returned, he gaslighted me, he made me think there was something wrong with me, and then said to me in a nutshell: “God told me not to leave and for you to go. Find another church to serve.” Perhaps you know that sting of church hurt as well. When we moved to Arizona, we planned on staying there the rest of our lives.  My family  invested in the community. We established meaningful friendships.

Church hurt is the worst hurt to overcome, because it happens through people often trusted, respected, and loved. In the Old Testament, a boy named Joseph had brothers who were jealous of him. They were going to murder him, but instead made money off of him and sold him to slave traders from Egypt. In time, Joseph became the second in command to Pharoah, and God used him to save the lives of the Israelites.

In the Old Testament, a boy named David was selected by God to become King.  The current King of Israel did not want to give up his throne, so he spent his remaining days trying to kill David.  Saul threw spears, David ran. Eventually, David would become King of Israel. In the New Testament, a man named Paul taught that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior of the world so much, he was chased out of city after city, he was stoned, beaten, thrown into prison and eventually beheaded as a rebel.

In the New Testament, a man named Jesus was God in the flesh. He walked the world caring for the blind, the beggar, the deaf, the crippled, the broken. He loved the outcasts, the misfits, and brought joy to their lives through miracles and life-change. He professed to be the Savior of the World, and was beaten, mocked, and crucified. But three days later he came back to life. Lived among his disciples for another forty days, then returned to Heaven with a promise that he would return one day. In each of these situations, God brought victory through tragedy.  Sometimes, the worst hurt we experience is hurt that comes through the hand of people we trust.  

God will bring victory to your life through tragedy!  That is what God does!

In today’s passage of scripture, the people of God were getting hurt at the church, and Jesus had enough.

Luke 19:45-48 (NLT2) 

45  Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. 46  He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” 47  After that, he taught daily in the Temple, but the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the other leaders of the people began planning how to kill him. 48  But they could think of nothing, because all the people hung on every word he said. 

Why did Jesus get angry at the money changers in the temple, but not at Mattthew or the other tax collectors? Jesus didn’t flip Matthews table over for gouging people on their taxes. Why did it bother Jesus so much?

Because, prior to the cross when Jesus paid the price for our sins so that we could have a right relationship with God, the temple was the place his people could be forgiven. At the temple, the people of God could worship, hear scripture, make sacrifices, and be made right with God.  The temple is where they could have their relationship restored with God.

Please understand that today, 

THE CHURCH SHOULD BE A PLACE OF RESTORATION, NOT HURT.

The people in charge of the temple, the priests and the teachers of the law, were not guarding the sanctity of the temple, but were allowing and even participating in the corruption, and making money from it. The temple had become a place of hurt, not restoration. It had become a place where people were robbed, not blessed. It had become a place of insecurity, filled with people who honor God with their lips, but their hearts remained far from him.

That made Jesus angry. Jesus loved God and he loved God’s people. He was angry because he saw how the people were deceived and damaged. So he took action. Grabbing cords, flipping tables, and chasing these people out of the temple, Jesus showed he came to look out for the people of God that the Religious leaders stopped caring about. Roughly 580 years BEFORE this scene God had some harsh words of rebuke for the Religious Leaders of Israel.  Through the Prophet Ezekiel God gave the religious leaders a good old fashioned whooping.

Listen to these stinging words of rebuke:

Ezekiel 34:1-6 (NLT2) 

1  Then this message came to me from the LORD: 2  “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign LORD: What sorrow awaits you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn’t shepherds feed their sheep? 3  You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. 4  You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the injured. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with harshness and cruelty. 5  So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd, and they are easy prey for any wild animal. 6  They have wandered through all the mountains and all the hills, across the face of the earth, yet no one has gone to search for them. 

Talk about a whooping!  God rebuked the religious leaders for neglecting, starving, and harming his people. He said the religious leaders had not:

• Taking care of the weak.

• Bound up the injured.

• Searched for the lost people or those who have strayed away.

In the name of God, the religious leaders used their position to take care of themselves. In the name of God, they abused people and led them cruelty. Never doubt that God cares about what happens to the people in his churches.  

Young. Old. Rich. Poor. Any race. Male or female.

God’s heart beats for people.  

People who have surrendered their lives to Jesus.

People who have rejected Jesus.

People who have wandered away from the church.

God loves each and everyone.  

And, the thing about God’s anger is that God doesn’t stew, wring his hands, and strike in anger.

Look how God says he is going to handle the situation:

Ezekiel 34:11-12 (NLT2) 

11  “For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. 12  I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. 

Ezekiel 34:16 (NLT2) 

16  I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak…

Because he loves and cares, God rolls up his sleeves and says:

I will be their shepherd.

I will find my and rescue my sheep.

I will search for the lost and bring them back.

I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.

That is precisely what Jesus did on the earth 2,000 years ago, and that is what he still does today. The church should be a place of restoration, not hurt. Hurt in the church doesn’t only come through the leaders in the church, does it?

HOW WE DO CHURCH MATTERS TO GOD

God not only cares about the religious leaders leading with the heart of Jesus, he also cares about the way we do church. He cares about the way we treat one another. After God rebukes the religious leaders, God has more stinging words of rebuke for the way the people treated one another:

Ezekiel 34:17A-21 (NLT) 

17  “And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign LORD says to his people: 18  Isn’t it enough for you to keep the best of the pastures for yourselves? Must you also trample down the rest? Isn’t it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? 19  Why must my flock eat what you have trampled down and drink water you have fouled? 20  “Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep. 21  For you fat sheep pushed and butted and crowded my sick and hungry flock until you scattered them to distant lands. 

Some of God’s people were acting like the religious leaders.  They only focused on themselves. They did not care about other people. They did not try to help other people. As the people of God, some had become extremely wealthy and powerful and used their power, wealth, and influence to harm other people.

The bad religious leaders looked the other way while the strong, fat sheep pushed and butted everybody else around.  It was the religious leaders role to feed, strengthen, and protect all the sheep. At the temple when Jesus became angry and chased out those merchants, it is because they were hurting people in the name of God. Merchants made an arrangement with the religious leaders of the temple to sell animals for the sacrifices and rip people off. 

Just like in Ezekiel, the temple had become corrupted by greed, deception, and hypocrisy. Jesus chased them out, and the religious leaders wanted to kill him.  He was ruining their plans to pad their pockets and take care of themselves. But the religious leaders couldn’t find any wrong to accuse Jesus of doing, and the people remained in the temple hanging onto every word he said.

So, we do church right. We love one another and we…

HANG ONTO GOD’S WORD

I say it at the beginning of every sermon. One of our guiding values is Life-Changing truth. We believe if we read and apply the word of God He will change our lives. So, how can you get the word of God from the pages of the Bible, to your heart? 

NEXT STEPS: GROW

I invite you to join us for our Next Steps Event.  If you struggle with knowing how to read God’s Word and apply it to your life, if you struggle with hanging onto the Word of God, sign up now for our next event. We are going to worship, break out into Intro, Grow and Lead. In GROW, I have created a class to help you read and understand the Bible and how you can make practical application to your life.

Also, another way you hang onto God’s Word is to…

SIGN UP FOR A SERMON-BASED LIFE GROUP  

Our sermon based life groups are going to begin in January. Life groups are going to meet in homes, discuss the sermon from the weekend, how it applies to their lives, and build real relationships with others. The groups will be 10-12 people, living transparently with each other, sharing struggles and victories with each others, and caring for one another.