Sermon Notes 2-28-2021

 Matthew 71

(Chapter 17) 

Will we even recognize the signs of His return???

  

Matthew 17:10–13 (NLT)

¹⁰ Then his disciples asked him, “Why do the teachers of religious law insist that Elijah must return before the Messiah comes?” 

¹¹Jesus replied, “Elijah is indeed coming first to get everything ready.

¹² But I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and they chose to abuse him. And in the same way, they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”

¹³ Then the disciples realized he was talking about John the Baptist. 

 

The problem: We can't see the forest for the trees!

Romans 2:8 (NIV)

⁸ But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 

 

The solution: less us, more Jesus!

John 14:6 (NIV)

⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

You might be self-centered if You feel as if the world owes you

·       The church is full of people like this 

·       The world is full of people like this

·       We have raised a generation of people like this!!

·       That think they are entitled to everything they want

·       And they throw a tantrum when they don’t get their way (or burn down a city)

·       But there are more subtle approaches too

o   Whining, complaining, pouting, and grumbling. Oh yea, there is backstabbing and lying as well!

Solution!

Mark 10:45 (NIV)

⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

·      Get off your high horse and follow your savior’s example!

·      You really aren’t that special!!

 

 You might be self-centered if You make everything about you

·       Incredibly self-absorbed people want to be the center of attention because they want to hear more about themselves.

·       Call it what you want narcissistic, egotistical, I don’t care but it’s just plain rude! 

·       These people think the world revolves around them

·       Jesus had them (Pharisees) we have them today in the church (we are seeing it more and more lately) with the woke culture using these times for their own good and attention!

Solution!

Mark 8:34 (NIV)

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

·       Jesus said to deny ourselves and follow!

·       When you follow you are never the center of attention!

·       So, GET OUT OF THE WAY! And make room for Jesus!

 

You might be self-centered if You have to be noticed!

·      You want everyone to see what you do and when you do it!

·      It kind of goes along with our last point!

·      You live on Social media

o   Everyone knows everything you do

o   There are selfies and Instagram stories about all you do and how good you are 

Solution!

Matthew 6:3–4 (NIV)

³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 

⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

·       It’s not about the world seeing what you do

·       It’s about Jesus seeing it!

·       The question is where do you want your rewards?

 

You might be self-centered if you never repay a favor

·      A refusal to return a favor is an act of selfishness. 

·      We ask all the time

o   Money

o   Stuff 

o   And time

·      But when it comes time to return the favor we can’t be bothered

o   Because remember the world and everyone in it owes us!!!

Solution!

Psalm 37:21 (NIV)

²¹ The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; 

·      Get over yourself 

·      None of us are better than the other

·      We all need help, and we all need to help!

·      And it is addicting when you start to help others!

You might be self-centered if you're envious of others’ success

·      We know that it was owed to us!

o   They should have never got that “fill in the blank” 

·      Envy and pride are the roots of all sin!

·      It creates a competition that we will try and win at all cost

·      It causes us to gossip and lie to get what we want 

·      It leads to destruction in the believer’s life!

·      Never forget it was Envy that killed Jesus!

Mark 15:10 (ESV)

¹⁰ For he perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up. (Pilot) 

Solution!

Proverbs 14:30 (ESV)

³⁰A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

·       We have got to give our heart to Jesus 

·       And know that our circumstance and where we are right now is exactly where God wants us!

·       And that it will be for our good!

You might be self-centered if You are always friendly at the beginning

·      “people are either a vehicle to get what we want or an obstacle in our way!

·      I have said this for years

·      That most people are only nice when you are of use

·      And it is that way in the church as well

·      We may not say it out loud, but we think it!

o   You want the church to do something or go in a certain direction 

o   And when they don’t, we withhold our tithe

o   We don’t go for a while

·      We have all been that person

The solution!

Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

We need to take a long look in the mirror!

We, all of us, are some days so self-centered, self-absorbed, we wouldn’t see Jesus if He came up and slapped us in the face! We have to stop looking out the window and start looking in the mirror more!

 

We have to remember that we surrendered ourselves to Jesus the day we said “I am yours!” and that we vowed to die to our self-centered self and be reborn into something new that the world would see!

I will leave you with this!

Romans 12:3 (ESV)

³ For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 

 

We all just need more JESUS!

 

 

Who is your final authority

 I sit a lot and listen to people's conversations about God, and what I've found is more often than not a book is quoted as basis of that opinion over the Bible..  This is a very dangerous slope to be on..  Be careful not to allow books to stear your theology without first verifying the content against the Bible.  You will find, while many books have good intentions,  they are opinions which a lot of times are not based in Scripture....  Be mindful and very discerning in reading and or listening to others opinion.  God is the creator, as such He knows what's best for us, not an author or preacher.  Paul writes 

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 NIV.  We are ultimately held accountable for our own thoughts and actions,  "my pastor said" or "this author said" is not going to be an excuse when we stand before God.  We must not be so prideful as to think we are exempt from being led astray by our own sinful desires (James 1:13–15), or the sinful desires of others. Throughout the storms of life and the moral conflicts we face, having the Bible as the number one source in our lives keeps our spiritual foundation strong (Matthew 7:24–25).  Not saying there is anything wrong with other opinions, I'm saying those other opinions should not be the final authority we look to.

Be safe, be discerning and never assume one person has all of the answers...

Sermon Notes 2-21-2021

 

Matthew 70

(Chapter 17) 

Have no fear

 

 

Matthew 17:1–9 (ESV)

¹And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 

²And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 

³And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 

⁴And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 

⁵He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 

⁶When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 

⁷But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

⁸And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 

⁹And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.”

 

 

With everything going on!

With all the things going on today, it’s time to take a breath! Jesus talks a lot about fear and how to deal with it, and by Jesus' amazing design we are there today in Matthew!

 

 

Fear is natural!

vs6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 

·      Fear is an adaptive behavior that we have to help identify threats. It is an ability that has allowed us as humans to survive predators and natural disasters

·      We are born with only two innate fears: the fear of falling and the fear of loud sounds.

·      Almost all other fears are learned

o   Like spiders and snakes, heights, dark places, etc…

·      The emotional response to fear is highly personalized. Because fear involves some of the same chemical reactions in our brains that positive emotions like happiness and excitement do, feeling fear under certain circumstances can be seen as fun or exciting

o   We can even get addicted to it

 

And the bible gives us something to fear

Matthew 10:28 (ESV)

²⁸And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

 

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)

¹Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 

 

·      So, it's clear from these passages, that fears are not all bad, that fearing God is good because it saves us from caving into our own sinful nature. 

·      There are healthy fears

·      Good fears

·      But what we are seeing right now is not a healthy fear

 

 

What is Unhealthy fear?

Definition:

Unhealthy fear is stimulated by perceived or imagined danger- which usually isn’t dangerous at all. While healthy fear recedes after it serves its purpose, unhealthy fear tends to carry on because there is no real end goal. Since there is no clear directive from unhealthy fear, rather than inspiring us to take action it causes paralysis. Since there is no real definition of the fear, there aren’t any clear motives for taking action on it. Unhealthy fear is illogical, oftentimes irrational, and mostly without cause.

·      A lot of what we have seen over the past year is unhealthy, unwarranted fear

·      It's man driven

·      And it has been devastating for this country, this community, and the church

·      We were already a fractured nation, polarized by the media and Washington

·      I said a year ago that this could very easily destroy this country, and it almost has

·      I think that the fear is worst now than it was when all this started

·      From the ones who believe everything that they hear to the ones that don’t believe anything and this it’s all a conspiracy 

·      There aren’t many “cooler heads” today!

 

So why talk about this at all, you ask? Because we are called to be the light!

Matthew 5:14–16 (ESV)

¹⁴“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

¹⁵Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.

¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

·      In times like this, we are to be the light that leads others out of the darkness

·      We are to cast out all fears (1 John 4:18) and be the calm in the storm 

·      We are to be the wise counsel 

o   And I am really not seeing much of that right now!

o   I see the same panic in believers as in non-believers

·      Panic and unhealthy fear never produce a good outcome! 

 

 

So, what should we do?

 

We should always lean into truth!

Luke 6:44 (ESV)

⁴⁴for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.

·      We need to look at the fruit of things, not the latest gossip  

·      Always seek wise council 

·      The truth is sometimes hard to find, be careful where you get your “facts” from 

·      And remember fear is only healthy when there is a clear and present threat! Not a manufactured one!

Note: Any time we have fear about something the best thing to do is gather all the facts

 

And forever be cautious

Proverbs 14:16 (ESV)

¹⁶One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless. 

·      We need to have some good old fashion common sense 

·      We need to lean into God's word more and Fox news less

·      We need to check the sources we get our info from before we believe it!

 

Jesus said fear no more!

Matthew 17:7

But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.”

·      David said, I will fear no evil 

·      Because God is with us

·      So let’s lean on God’s word a little

 

 

When Fear strikes. Lean into JESUS!

1 Peter 3:14 (NIV)

¹⁴But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” 

·      The false threats are out there to make you panic

·      And to shift your focus off of what is truly important

 

Luke 12:25–26 (NIV)

²⁵Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 

²⁶Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

·      Panic and worrying will get us nothing

·      Only by trusting in God and staying the course will level heads prevail in this

 

1 Peter 5:6–7 (NIV)

⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 

⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

·      The cross is where all our worries and fears need to be placed

·      Should we be cautious, yes!

·      Should we be aware and informed, absolutely 

·      Should we fear and panic, no!

 

Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

·      We should be a people of prayer

·      We should be a people of faith in the storm

·      We should be a light, a beacon of hope to a dark and hopeless world 

 

John 14:27 (NIV)

²⁷Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

·      Jesus left us with the holy spirit to lead us 

·      To bring us peace! 

·      I have for the last 10 years talked about building your relationship with Jesus

·      That you need that to cast out unhealthy fear!

 

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)

⁷for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

·      And in that spirit, we have been given the power

·      The power to overcome the fear

·      The power to find self-control 

·      The power to carry on with God's mission in the face of adversity and suffering 

 

So let’s put on the full armor of God and get to work!

Ephesians 6:11–18 (ESV)

¹¹Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

¹²For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

¹³Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 

¹⁴Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

¹⁵and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 

¹⁶In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 

¹⁷and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 

¹⁸praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 

·      the belt of truth

·      breastplate of righteousness

·      shoes for your feet, the gospel of peace

·      shield of faith

·      helmet of salvation

·      sword of the Spirit

 

and let’s get out and be Jesus with skin on! 

·      Be compassionate

·      Be kind

·      Be humble

·      Be the people God has called us to be!