141005 Sharing in Grace

Philippians 1:3-7  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. ⁶ And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ⁷ It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

Paul is thinking of the partnership he has with the Philippian believers. He is sure that God will finish what He has started in their lives. And he rejoices in the Philippians’ involvement with him in the gospel. In the book of Ecclesiastes there is a verse that is often used in regard to marriage. It goes like this: And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. This truth applies to all our endeavors. We need someone to stand beside us in our efforts and then God is the third cord making it not easily broken.

Everything we do should be based on our faith relationship with God. I’m not saying everything should be church related I am saying that everything is spiritual -- no matter how simple it is. This introductory passage to the Philippians is reflected in several other of Paul’s books. He often begins with a prayer that shows his concern for the church he is writing to. We need to remember that our God is concerned about all areas of our life and that…

God is faithful. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 1:4-9. This passage is Paul’s prayer for the Corinthians. Listen while I read. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— ⁶ even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— ⁷ so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ⁸ who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. We need to remember that the God we serve will sustain us and care for us. The apostle Paul himself is an illustration of how faithful God is. His own account of what he had gone through in serving Christ is found in 2 Corinthians 11:24-27. He said that he was whipped five times with thirty-nine lashes and beaten with rods on three different occasions. He was shipwrecked three times and lived his life in constant danger. And yet in the midst of it all, knowing that God is faithful, he can say without question that he could do all things through Christ who gives him the strength. He was able to accept poverty or plenty; health or illness; acceptance or rejection; hard labor or rest. He could do all these things because he knew without a doubt that the God who had called him into the fellowship of his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, would meet all his needs according to His riches. But what do we do when it seems that we are facing more than we can bear?

Now let’s turn to chapter 10 verse 13.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

No matter how hard our trials and temptations might be they are not unique to ourselves. All of us face common temptations. They are not necessarily the kind of testing that Paul had gone through they are just day-to-day irritations. Such temptations are sometimes harder to endure than the big challenge to deny the Lord. We are tempted to forget whose we are. We are tempted to trust ourselves rather than God. Remember, God will always provide a way of escape with the temptation. Nothing we encounter is a surprise to our God. He knew it was going to happen and he already had a plan ready for us to escape it. Look for that escape hatch, it will always be there! The God we serve is faithful and he has called us into a fellowship with Himself. Giving us salvation also gives us…

Partners in grace. Turn with me to Ephesians 2:8-10. Grace is the basis of our salvation and the continuing source of our growth in Christ. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Those of you who have listened to me for very long know that this is one of my favorite passages of Scripture. It is God’s grace that saves us through the faith that He gives us. It is all of God and none of us. Our coming to salvation has nothing to do with any works of righteousness on our part! Faith is not something we decide to have — it is a gift of God. And since it is of grace, it is a gift we do not deserve.

When God begins to move in a person’s life He begins to plant seeds of faith. In the beginning they are just tiny simple thoughts, or feelings, that grow into trees of righteousness. Our salvation by grace through faith is part of the evidence that God is faithful.

God not only saves us by grace He puts us into a local fellowship of grace. We are part of a local church filled with people that have been brought to salvation in the same manner. This church is a tiny part of the worldwide fellowship of grace that is the Christian Church. Yes, God is faithful who puts us into a partnership of grace. Paul was grateful to the church at Philippi because they were not only partners in grace they were also his…

Partners in prison. As we look further into the book of Philippians we find a part of Paul’s testimony to their partnership. Turn with me to Philippians 4:14-15 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. ¹⁵ And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.

When Paul left Philippi they continued to provide financial support for him. No other church was so loving and kind. Now that Paul was in prison the Philippians continued to support him financially. They were his partners in prison! There is a need today for many similar partnerships. Across the world we live in there are many Christians who are imprisoned for their faith. Perhaps the most prominent is Pastor Saeed in Iran. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and is now past his second year. He is slowly being beaten to death by his captors. He is suffering from internal bleeding. Recently, he was taken to a hospital that turned him away refusing to treat him. He said that he was taken back to the prison and beaten again. Yet, he is only one of many. All across the Muslim world there are hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Christians being held in prison, or worse. We cannot know all of them but God does and we need to pray for them.

In Nigeria hundreds of homes have been destroyed by Islamic radicals in an attempt to force Christians out of their area. The list goes on, and on, and on.

We need to be partners in prison and…

Partners in the gospel. Turn with me to Romans 1:11-17. The letter to the Romans was written quite a while before Paul was able to visit there. See what he says to them. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— ¹² that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. ¹⁴ I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. ¹⁵ So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

When Paul wrote this letter that we are studying he was imprisoned in Rome. It may be that he was in his final imprisonment and that he only left that prison by being beheaded. But we do have a record of Paul’s intentions when he came to Rome. Paul had written to Rome some two or three years before he was taken there in chains. I am sure Paul had planned to travel through there on his way to Spain. His desire was to give them spiritual strength and to encourage them in their faith. He could not have known at that time that he would be arrested and imprisoned. Paul wanted to be sure that everyone in Rome — and across the Roman Empire – would have the opportunity to put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ! He was eager to preach the gospel there! He didn’t realize at the time he wrote the book of Romans that he would be transported to Rome by the government. He could go on God’s journey with the devil paying the bill.

Paul was not ashamed of the gospel! He had found throughout his life that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation for everyone.

When the Philippian church assisted Paul by sending him financial support they were partnering with him in getting the gospel into the capital city of the Roman Empire.

We should be grateful to God that our church has had the opportunity to share the gospel all over the world through our missions giving. Aside from the money we give to The Baptist Convention New York and the Central New York Baptist Association, we provide monthly support to the Bendlins in Italy, to Zim Kids in Zimbabwe, and at home, to the Maryland Baptist Church as well as Peter Eklund, and his campus ministry in Oneonta. We have also from time to time supported other mission endeavors. Throughout the year we promote Operation Christmas Child which helps to open the door to the gospel around the world.

With the support of the Philippian church Paul was able to maintain himself in Rome. Listen while I read Acts 28:30-31. He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, ³¹ proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

It seems strange to say that Paul was preaching the gospel without hindrance while he was in chains. Yes, he was under physical restraint but part of that condition was that he was chained to a Roman soldier who was part of the household of Caesar. As a Roman citizen Paul had appealed his case to the highest court — Caesar himself! Now, he was an ambassador in chains. Yet at the same time he was able to have visitors who heard him talk about the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ. All the while a Roman soldier was hearing the old, old story again and again! The result of that was that, when he wrote to the Philippians, part of his closing statement was, “All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.” Those Roman soldiers were coming to faith in Christ while being a part of Caesar’s personal bodyguard.

The Philippian church, located in one of the poorest provinces of the Roman Empire, was able to have a missionary outreach into the throne room of Nero. God is faithful all the time and never lets us face anything that he is not prepared for.

Philippians is a challenge to every individual church. Every church should be a body of believers that recognize continually that God is faithful. Every church should recognize, and teach, that the Bible reveals to us that we have received from Christ grace upon grace. The Christian life is being saved by grace and grown to maturity by grace. Each church should be concerned for those in prison, especially those who are there because of their faith. And, every church should be partnering with many Christian ministries that proclaim the gospel around the world. I pray that the gospel has entered your heart and brought you to salvation and security in Christ.

All scripture quotes are from: The Holy Bible: English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

130421 How Much Do You Love Jesus?

John 21:15-19, When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16. He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. 18. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19. (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

This passage recounts one of several instances when Jesus met with his disciples between the time of his resurrection and his ascension into heaven. The exchange between Jesus and Peter is what we want to focus on today. There is a subtle difference that is not reflected in the the English language. In the Greek language there are five words for "love". They are: agape, eros, storgy, philo and mania. Two of these words are used in our passage: agape and philo. They have two distinct meanings but they both mean "love". This exchange leads us to ask, "How much do I love Jesus?".

In the English language we use the word "love" for many different feelings and different situations. Someone might say, "I love chocolate." Or, on the other hand, a man might say, "I love my wife." Both statements would be said using the same word and probably with the same amount of feeling. One would hope that, "I love my wife" has a much deeper meaning than, "I love chocolate". Let's set the scene for the exchange between Peter and Jesus. After his resurrection and before his ascension into heaven…

Jesus revealed himself at different times for different reasons. First…

At the tomb. Listen while I read John's account. John 20:11-17, But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. 12. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. 13. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” 14. Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

We have read, and or heard, these verses several times during the Easter season. They never lose their poignancy. Mary patiently waited out the passing of the Sabbath before going to the tomb to finish the preparation of Jesus' body only to find that his body wasn't there. She saw the empty tomb. She saw the angels sitting where the body of Jesus had lain. Turning away from them she saw Jesus! His perfect resurrection body may have been so different that she did not recognize him. But for whatever reason she thought he was the gardener. When he spoke her name she knew who he was and fell at his feet. She hurried to where the disciples were gathered…

In the upper room. Let's return to John's account. John 20:19-21, On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” As the Sabbath passed into Sunday the disciples were together in fear, except for Thomas. He was so skeptical of the resurrection that he left the group and missed the first meeting of the disciples with the living Lord Jesus. However, he would have his chance. Let's read on verses, 26-29, Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28. Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29. Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

The disciples' level of fear must have been reduced greatly with the passing of a week. The second Sunday of the Christian age began with the disciples gathered in the upper room. This time Thomas was with them. We are not told what his attitude was but perhaps his doubts were lessened by the reports of the previous week. So far as we know, Thomas was the first to say the significant words, "My Lord and my God" to Jesus. Not only did he believe that Jesus had been raised from the dead he believed that Jesus is the Lord of lords and King of kings. Just before this Jesus met with two disciples…

On the Emmaus Road. It was important that he head them off so they can come back to the upper room. Let's read Luke's account. Luke 24:13-27, That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14. and they were talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17. And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18. Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19. And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20. And how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23. And when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25. And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26. Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27. And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

How wonderful it would have been to be with Cleopas and his friend that afternoon. To have the Lord Jesus share the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures beginning with Moses and all the Prophets. After 2000 years of combined study, we may have unearthed most of those references to the Christ but possibly not all. What we do know is sufficient to cause us to turn to him as Lord and God. The third time Jesus met with his disciples…

Jesus revealed himself by the seashore. It would've been very natural for these men, who were mostly fishermen, that they should return to the sea.

The disciples went fishing. Let's return to John for this story. John 21:1-3, After this Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. 2. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. 3. Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We will go with you.” They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Many people have criticized Peter for going fishing. They say that as though there was something else do! After all, so far as we know the only instructions they had had was to go to Galilee. Peter and the others had done that. They had not yet heard the words, "Go into all the world", so they were in a holding pattern waiting for the next instructions. Why not go fishing? It would be a very natural thing.

These were experienced fishermen they had made a living netting fish and knew where to look and how to gather them. So it must've been pretty frustrating for them to fish all night and catch nothing. For me to fish all night and catch nothing would not be unusual! But for them? The Big Fisherman — Simon Peter himself — to catch nothing all night! That would be really surprising. However, I'm pretty sure the Lord Jesus had a hand in their situation. The empty net was by way of…

A special way of introduction. Let's read on. John 21:4-8, Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. 5. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No.” 6. He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

Just think of the scene. The day is breaking. They are probably on the Eastern shore of the Lake of Galilee. So they see the sun coming over the hills to the East. And someone standing there with the light of the rising sun all around him.

All night long they have been dragging their nets to no avail. Now they see someone on the shore. Someone who knows what's been going on. Someone who says, "Children, do you have any fish?". Do you think he didn't know their nets were empty? I believe he had spent the night moving the fish away from their nets. Or perhaps he simply had his angels taking care of that task for him. Now he knew where the fish were. And they were right beside the boat the disciples were in. So he simply said, "Cast your net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." Some? They were about to fill their net! Of course they wouldn't know that's where he had the fish. With Jesus involved it would be very easy to have…

Success in fishing. Let's continue reading. John 21:9-14, When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 11. So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” Now none of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. 14. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

They had fished all night and got nothing! Jesus was waiting on the shore for them with a fire and fish broiling away. Oh, he also had some bread to go with his fish. Peter had hurried ashore when John announced that it was the Lord. But these guys were real fishermen and now their nets were full! Even Peter went back and helped them pull the net ashore. Not only did they bring the net in they brought out their baskets and counted the fish. 153 large fish were the result of a few minutes fishing under Jesus' direction.

So they cleaned some of their catch to add to what Jesus had caught and had a great breakfast with the Lord of lords and King of kings. But there was a lot more to this than providing breakfast for them. You see, Peter had a special purpose. He had served as a teaching tool for Jesus more than once. Now it was time to reveal…

Peter's special purpose.

More than these. Let's read all John 21:15, When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus now asked a question, "do you love me more than these?". These? What did Jesus mean? Simon do you love me more than fishing? Or, do you love me more than these friends of yours? Or, do you love me more than this lake and these mountains — this beautiful scenery? Or, it may simply have meant all of the above. I tend to think that Jesus was challenging Peter to break away from the love of the world. Now, we need to ask ourselves…

What kind of love? Let's read on. John 21:15-17, When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16. He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” 17. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.

Three times Jesus asked what appears to be the same question but it's not! The first time Jesus asked, "Simon, son of John, do you agape me?" And Peter responded with, "Yes, Lord; you know that I philo you." Jesus responded with, "Feed my lambs."

Then Jesus immediately asked again the same question the same way and Peter responded to the same question the same way. Jesus said, "Do you love me with the highest kind of love?" And Peter responded with, "I love you like a brother." Peter could not have missed Jesus use of "agape" rather than "philo" and yet he persisted in using the word for lesser love that Jesus asked for.

The third time Jesus changed words. Instead of, "Do you agape me?" Jesus asked, "Do you philo me?" He brought the question down to the level of Peter's answer. It grieved Peter that Jesus asked the question a third time, and perhaps because Jesus changed word usage, and yet, Peter could not say, "agape"! He still asserted that he loved Jesus with a brotherly love. Perhaps he had no idea how to love Jesus with the highest kind of love.

That's Interesting, how does it apply to us?

Do you love me? This question only appears here. In relation to Jesus' life this question is only asked at this point and only to Peter!

What is love? We have God's own definition and direction related to love in …

1 Corinthians 13, let's read verses 4-8a Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5. or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6. It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8. Love never ends.

Time will not allow us to go into all that is revealed about love in this chapter. Suffice it to say that 1 Corinthians 13 does NOT say, "Love is a feeling of warmth and passion toward another person." Instead, we are told that, Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

Or, in the words of Don Francisco, "Love is not a feeling it's an act of your will." Love is not how we feel. Love is what we do. You don't have to even like a person in order to love them. It helps a great deal but is not necessary. However, if you act lovingly towards a person long enough you will like them! Of that I'm sure! Now…

How much must we love? Jesus touched on the question in John 13:34-35, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

His command is to love one another. How much? As much as he loved us. At the time Jesus said this his disciples could not fully grasp how he loved them but they would in a few days learn. He went to the cross as evidence of his love. God loved the world so much that he gave his only son. Gave his only son? Not just sent him to earth but also sent him to become sin for us and to die the death that we deserve. If we are to love as much as Jesus loves us and we have to be willing not only to die for our faith but to give up, or die to, anything that hinders our spiritual growth and our ministry. We need to be able to answer Jesus' question, "Do you love me more than these?" with, "Lord, you know that I love you!" And then, we need to life it out!

In the words of William Ralph Featherstone: My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine; for Thee, all the follies of sin I resign; my gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou; if ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first lov-ed me, and purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree; I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow; if ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.

Perhaps the most famous passage of Scripture goes like this, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." That son was Jesus! Born of Mary, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. That son, Jesus, gave us the command to love one another as much as he loved us. Love that goes beyond feeling into action. He loved us enough to give his life that we might have life. Won't you receive him today?

All scripture quotes from:The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.