STUDIES FROM BRETHREN IN CHRIST

SERMON MENU SELECTIONS

10/13/2013 ~ What Does God Want to Accomplish?


                                                                                              ┌─> Love of.
To obtain unity in God, it has to be individually in Him.

... till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, to a perfect man, ... ~ Ephesians 4:13

                                     └─> God’s goal for each one of us.

                         To personally know Christ from every angle. <─┐
... be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length
and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge;
that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. ~ Ephesians 3:17-19


For each of us to be filed in the fullness of Him past knowledge.

                                                          ┌─> Beyond.
It is through Jesus that we discover ourselves.
The actions of Jesus declare what God wants for us.
Each of us needs to pay attention to His teachings to know Him.


... "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said
to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 16:15-17

                                 └─> Beyond knowledge.

Peter closely paid attention to all Jesus taught and he knew Him.

┌─> Evidence that Jesus is the Christ and that He is knowable.        
... I know who You are--the Holy One of God!" But Jesus rebuked him,
saying, "Be quiet, and come out of him!" ... ~ Mark 1:22-28


... He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
~ Mark 1:32-34


The demons He cast out knew Him.
Jesus evangelized where people gathered to worship God.


And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee,
and casting out demons. ~ Mark 1:39


And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub,"
and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." ~ Mark 3:22


Jesus’ enemies never denied His miracles.


... if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided,
he cannot stand, but has an end. ... ~ Mark 3:23-27

                └─> No general wins a war by killing his own.

If He casts out Satan, He is greater than Satan.
                  /   |   \

"But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely
the kingdom of God has come upon you." ~ Luke 11:20


It was foretold that the evil spirits would be driven out of the land.
                                                               

"It shall be in that day," says the Lord of hosts, "that I will cut off the names
of the idols from the land, and they shall no longer be remembered. I will
also cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to depart from the land."
~ Zechariah 13:2


Today, no ancient names of gods are taken seriously beyond folklore.
Jehovah is the One God known by all.


"Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow." ~ Mark 4:3

LISTEN IS A COMMAND
Mark 4:20

Mark 4:16-17           Mark 4:18-19
LISTEN
Mark 4:9              Mark 4:23

Mark 4:24

... "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" ~ Mark 4:9

"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." ~ Mark 4:23

... "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be
measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given." ~ Mark 4:24


Jesus emphasizes that it is crucial to hear what is being taught.

Why do you not understand My speech?
Because you are not able to listen to My word." ~ John 8:43


It is plain that we at times have problems listening to God.
                                     └─> Trusting


If it is spoken by God, it is so.
It is the resounding announcement of God.
                                                                       

... "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!"
~ Matthew 17:5


... "Let us cross over to the other side." ...
"How is it that you have no faith?" ~ Mark 4:35-41


Trust is the rock of faith, truth comes by hearing.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
~ Romans 10:17


A story told more than once has especially important messages.

... But He said to them, "Where is your faith?" ... ~ Luke 8:22-39

Storms in our life can miss sight
of the distant shore Jesus has promised.


Then they came to the other side of the sea,
to the country of the Gadarenes. ... ~ Mark 5:1-20


How did Jesus evangelize and share with others?
There is no place for fear in evangelism or when speaking God’s truth.
Jesus was not afraid to help all.


Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, ...
~ Philippians 1:27-28


FORCEFULNESS OF RELYING ON GOD’S WORD
  1. STAND FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT
  2. ONE MIND STRIVING TOGETHER  
  3. NOT ALARMED BY OPPONENTS


Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed
and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. ... ~ Mark 5:15

                           └─> This man had been naked.
        \   |   /
Jesus had extraordinary compassion on someone all were afraid of.
        /   |   \

                 ┌─> Wanted to know him and compassionate enough to ask his name.
Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying,
"My name is Legion; for we are many." ~ Mark 5:9


People are often afraid to even say hello.
Jesus tells us there is no place for fear and that there is no case to hard.
Do the one thing rarely done in our "me" world, think of others.


A righteous man regards the life of his animal, But
the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. ~ Proverbs 12:10

                                                                  
Though 2000 swine plunged to there deaths, His word
tells us to care about the welfare of animals as well as men.


... to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they
began to plead with Him to depart from their region. ~ Mark 5:16-17

└─> Go away Jesus!                                            
Sending the demons into the swine shows that
Jesus cares more for people than animals (swine).
However, it was a herd of potentially great value,
especially on the "Black-Market".


                                                    ┌─> Gratefully humbled in His love.
... he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.
~ Mark 5:18


The healed man wanted to go with Jesus.
To know Him is to Love Him.


... However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your
friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you,
and how He has had compassion on you." ~ Mark 5:19


Jesus wants us to accept His forgiveness where we are.
Though we may at times want out of our current situation,
His will and purpose for us is greater than we can know.
In Him, we are where He wants us to be.
We are His testimonials.
                  

And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis
all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. ~ Mark 5:20


Hearts influenced by being forgiven the most have
a greater resolved conviction to proclaim their salvation.


"... which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said,
"I suppose the one whom he forgave more." ~ Luke 7:41-43


                                                               Most grateful. <─┐
Those farthest away upon returning are forgiven the most.
└─> Scourge of the earth.       

... He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis ... ~ Mark 7:31

Later, Jesus returned to Decapolis.

... Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. ... ~ Mark 8:6-9
\   |   /                                                                     
One has to wonder how many of the 4000 fed had been of those
originally pleading with Jesus to go away and what influence the
testimonial of healed demon-possessed man had on Decapolis.

God wills to accomplish His message in us.
He wants us to boldly proclaim who we are.
In our nobly changed new person, witnessed by all
previous associations, we become His enduring testimonial.


Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them,
that your progress may be evident to all. ~ 1st Timothy 4:15


Above all, He wants us to know Him.

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." ~ John 17:3


To know Him, we need to examine what has been given to know.
Without paying attention to what has come, we will be left questioning.


... Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said,
"Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or ..."
~ Matthew 16:13-17


The best one can achieve is to seize the truth.
Jesus taught where those gathered to know God.
                                                              

... as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day,
and stood up to read. the book of the prophet Isaiah ... ~ Luke 4:16-19


Jesus announces His coming.

... "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." So all bore witness
to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of
His mouth. And they said, "Is this not Joseph's son?" ~ Luke 4:20-22


┌─> Hearing                                                                                    
Truth often incites murderous outrage if against one’s false beliefs.
        ⭨

So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled
with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; ... ~ Luke 4:28-30


What was it exactly that outraged them so?
It involved exactly where Jesus had read from in Isaiah.


"... That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting
of the LORD, that He may be glorified." ~ Isaiah 61:1-3


It is about what Messiah (Jesus) does for us.

                            ┌─> Gospel truth.
  1. To bring good news to the afflicted  
  2. To heal the brokenhearted
  3. To proclaim liberty to captives
                              └─> Set free from sin.


Hearts are broken because of loss of attachment.
Our separation from God punishes each soul that experiences this.


... For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery for burnt offering; I will
direct their work in truth, And will make with them an everlasting covenant.
~ Isaiah 61:4-11


Also, convincing prophesizing testimony has been given
for what we are today and what Messiah (Jesus) does through us.


"Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, And instead of
the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; And it shall be to the LORD for
a name,For an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." ~ Isaiah 55:13


It is told that goodness will forever rise above evil
through living monuments, memorials, the oaks in us.
Jesus came to plant trees of righteousness (people);
To be Large in Him.
To repair the desolations of many generations.


... they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.
... ~ Isaiah 61:4-5


But you shall be named the priests of the LORD, They shall
call you the servants of our God. ... ~ Isaiah 61:6


~ To be great servants in and of the Lord.

... All who see them shall acknowledge them, ... ~ Isaiah 61:9

~ To be acknowledged by all.

... By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many,
For He shall bear their iniquities. ~ Isaiah 53:11


The knowledge of and from Messiah (Jesus) is what justifies us.

... the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise
to spring forth before all the nations. ~ Isaiah 61:10-11


ISAIAH 61:4-11
1. Promise of the restoration of God’s people
2. Gentiles shall announce God’s word
3. God’s own will embrace unsurpassed glory
4. Honor with joy in clarity instead of shame
5. Works in truth as an everlasting covenant
6. All will know them as God’s good people
7. Joyful souls will rejoice in righteousness
8. God own will bud forth for all mankind

... The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies! ~ Psalms 110:1-2


From the cold winter of mankind springs forth the lasting will of God.

Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; ... ~ Psalms 110:3

┌─> His Glory.            ┌─> of Heart.                  
God wants us to voluntarily be in His service.
~ Out of darkness into a world of joy and service.  


... For when Your judgments are in the earth,
The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. ~ Isaiah 26:9


Righteousness will shine as the sky turns bright.
The truth is the radiant pinnacle of glory.


Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory
of the LORD is risen upon you. ~ Isaiah 60:1


Honor and glory will come upon the peaceful people of God.

"... I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness."
~ Isaiah 60:17


God desires that we humble ourselves for Him in thankfulness.
~ If you won’t let Me help you, you will watch Me help others.


"... to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of
Sidon, ... And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet,
and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." ~ Luke 4:24-27


And so, when Jesus announces that God has honored Gentiles
over them, for they have denied Him, they are murderously
insulted for His accusation that they are not the chosen ones.

God’s will is for us to overcome our pride and come to Him.
Many churches today claim to be God’s own.
God looks for individuals to enter His church.
Through Jesus, God has His church on earth.


HE CALLS TO KNOW TO HIM.
GOD CAN HELP ANYONE.
SPEAK OF HIS WORKS.


I would like to again thank my exceptionally passionate and astute brother in Christ, Andy Cantrell.



 

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