Quote from Forum Archives on February 23, 2004, 9:17 am

Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>

WELCOME TO SERMON SEEDS FOR FEBRUARY 23, 2004

 

Is anyone on this list attending the Shepherds Conference sponsored by John MacArthur’s church in California on March 3-7?  If you are please let me know. I am attending as well and would like to meet you.  Pastor Jack Peters, jpeters@alltel.net.

 

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2 Kings 8:1-6

PERFECT TIMING

 

TIME TO RETREAT – Vss. 1-2

TIME TO RETURN – Vs. 3

TIME TO REQUEST – Vs. 3

TIME TO REPORT – Vss. 4-5

TIME TO RESTORE – Vs. 6

 

 

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Psalm 104

SEEING GOD

 

GOD’S GLORY – Vss. 1-4

GOD’S GREATNESS – Vss.5-9

GOD’S GIFTS – Vss. 10-18

GOD’S GENIUS – Vss. 19-23

GOD’S GRANDEUR – Vss. 24-32

MAN’S GRATITUDE – Vss. 33-35

 

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Isaiah 2

THE “WRAP” OR SUMMING IT UP

 

THE FUTURE OF GOD’S CITY – Vss. 1-3

THE FIRMNESS OF GOD’S RULE – Vs. 4

THE FAULTS OF GOD’S PEOPLE – Vss. 5-9

THE FORCE OF GOD’S JUDGMENT – Vss. 10-18

THE FEAR OF GOD’S POWER – Vss. 19-22

 

MARK 6:45-52

IN TROUBLE?

 

We all face times of trouble.  This account of Jesus coming to the disciples in the midst of the storm is a reminder that when we are in trouble:

 

JESUS COMES Vss. 45-48

JESUS CHEERS Vss. 49-50

JESUS CONTROLS Vss. 51-52

 

Sermon Seeds A43

 

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Luke 10:38-42

TWO DISCIPLES

 

We want to meet two disciples who have something to teach us about discipleship.  What is interesting about these disciples is that you have probably not thought of them as such.  Also, they were sisters, and are two of the better known women in the Bible. Of course I’m speaking of Martha, and her younger sister, Mary.

 

Vs. 38 – Jesus was traveling and came to a familiar village. It was the Village of Bethany, about two miles from Jerusalem, the home of Mary and Martha.  Mary and Martha were sisters to Lazarus who Jesus raised from the dead.

 

Martha received Jesus and probably at least some of the other disciples into her home.  Mary and Martha were believers, and I’m sure Jesus was always welcome.

 

THEY WERE FEMALE

 

You may wonder why I am emphasizing their gender.

In the times of the Bible, it was a man’s world.

In the Jewish culture it was a man’s world.

 

Vs. 39 – A disciple is a learner.

              Mary sat at Jesus feet and heard his word.

If you read Martha’s profession of faith in John 11, you will see that she too, was a disciple, a learner, a follower of Jesus.

 

Kent Hughes – “Judaism did not forbid women to be instructed in the Torah, but it was unheard of for a rabbi to allow a woman to sit at his feet. Later rabbinic tradition includes quotations such as: ‘May the words of the Torah be burned, they should not be handed over to women”. And ‘The man who teaches his daughter the Torah teachers her extravagance.” Cleary, Jesus rejected such unbiblical, regressive attitudes outright.” R. Kent Hughes, Preaching the Word – Luke Volume 1, (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway Books, 1998), p. 396

 

In ancient Israel the Word of God was to be read to all, than all could hear and learn. Deuteronomy 31:10-13

 

In the book of Acts, there was a lady name Dorcas who was called a disciple. Acts 9:36   

 

Also in the Book of Acts there is a husband and wife team, Aquilla and Priscilla, who show themselves both to be disciples. Acts 18:24-26

 

My point is this, although overall leadership in the church has been given to men, the ladies have as much right and responsibilities to be good disciples as the men do.   

 

And in many cases throughout the history of the church, it’s often the lady disciples who have been more sensitive and open to the call of God then the men have.

 

Mary and Martha both were disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

THEY WERE FEMALE

THEY WERE FAITHFUL

 

Martha in this story was certainly not right in her attitude towards her sister, or even towards the Lord.

But let us not forget that Martha was committed to the task at hand, serving the Lord, and was indeed faithful to the Lord Himself.

She got her priorities mixed up, putting service ahead of fellowship.

 

We need Marthas who are concerned with detail.

We need Marthas who have the gift of hospitality.

We need Marthas who are willing to use the abilities that God has given them to serve the Lord.

 

Martha was faithful, but at this point in their lives, Mary had a better handle on what it meant to be a disciple. Luke 10:38

I see Mary doing three things here as part of her discipleship that I feel are important for us. Sitting at Jesus’ feet, Mary was

LEARNING

LEANING

LOVING

 

Ø     LEARNING

Jesus was teaching.  Mary was learning.

In fact, as we’ll see in a few moments, Mary had a better understanding of Jesus’ death than the Apostles did.

Why was that?

She was sitting quietly, taking it all in, perhaps even asking questions.

She paid attention.   

 

Ø     LEANING

 

Being at Jesus’ feet reminds me that He is close.

And that whatever is bugging me, whatever worries me, whatever concerns me, I can bring to Him.

He’s present to answer.

He’s present to encourage.

He’s present to guide.

A good disciple does not “free lance”.

A good disciple gets all his strength, guidance, and authority from his master. John 14:13-14,

Philippians 4:6-7, 1 John 5:14-5

 

Ø     LOVING

 

Why do Christians risk their lives in Muslim countries?

It’s because they love Jesus.

Why do Christians endure persecution joyfully?

It’s because they love Jesus.

Why did Mary sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word?

It’s because she loved Jesus.

 

The best disciple is the one who faithfully loves his Master.

The disciple who loves His master loves to hear His voice.

The disciple who loves His master loves to speak with Him.

The disciple who loves His loves to do His will.

 

Mary and Martha were faithful disciples.

 

THERE WAS FRICTION

 

Luke 10:40 - But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

First of all, I want you to note that my implication, Mary had been helping in the kitchen.  Evidently, Jesus came and she showed the hospitality of spending time with her guest.

 

Martha got entangled in her serving.

She was trying to do too much.

She was letting it get the best of her.

And when we are trying to do too much, it is easy for us to look at others who aren’t helping, and get frustrated!

And it becomes very easy for us to become very judgmental and huffy.

We suddenly become the judge of what a person should and shouldn’t be doing. Matthew 7:1-2

 

Martha comes to Jesus all upset and frustrated.

“Lord, don’t you care that I’m slaving out her by myself? Tell Mary that she should help me!   

 

Luke 10:41-42 - And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: [42] But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

Jesus tenderly, yet firmly corrects Martha.

“Martha, Martha, you’ve got lots on your plate.  You’ve got a lot that bothers you. You are uptight about many things.”

 

Then Jesus tells Martha a very important truth.

Only one thing was necessary.

And Mary had chosen it.  Jesus was present and time was to be spent with Him.

And time spent with Jesus is invaluable!

If Martha had spent her time with Jesus, the meal might not have been elaborate.

But Martha’s spirit would have been at rest.

And Martha would have had the strength and joy to serve when it was time to serve!

 

Our problem is, we try to serve with spending time with Jesus. This leads to frustration.   

 

THERE WAS FAVOR

 

Of course Mary received the compliment from Jesus that she had made the right choice.

But what about Martha?  Did she learn her lesson?

 

I believe she did and because of that she is certainly in favor when her brother Lazarus died.

 

Please turn to John 11.

Lazarus was dead.

Jesus was not there to heal him.

But Martha gives indication that here was a woman who had learned her lesson to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His Word.

 

Vss. 22-24 – Here was woman who had not lost or left her faith.

 

Vss. 25-27 – Martha’s response is one of the clearest attestations to the deity of Christ that anyone makes in all of Scripture.  Martha HAD been listening. She HAD BEEN sitting at Jesus’ feet and hearing His word.

 

To this day, Martha stands in Scripture as a disciple who knew who her Master was.

 

And what about Mary?

Turn over to John 12:1-8 - READ

Mary had been listening.

It was Mary who, out of love, anointed Jesus’ body before burial, realizing that there would not be much opportunity after burial.

Mary knew why she was doing what she was doing! Matthew 26:12-13

 

So both Martha and Mary found favor with the Lord.

   

Two disciples:

 

THEY WERE FEMALE

THEY WERE FAITHFUL

THERE WAS FRICTION

THERE WAS FAVOR

 

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REAL MEN GROW UP

Real Men - Lesson #2 – Peter

(Here are the outline and questions I used to teach this men’s Bible Study.)

 

«    What are some characteristics of a person who has never grown up?

«    Why do some people never “grow up”?

«    In what ways should a Christian grow up?

«    What are some instances in the early life of the Apostle Peter that tell us he needed to grow up?

 

Peter did grow up.  We, as Christian men need to do the same.  In this study we see some ways Peter grew up.  We need to imitate him.

 

REAL MEN GROW UP THROUGH SORROW

 

V     Peter’s greatest sorrow was when he denied his Lord three times. Luke 22:61-62

V     What was the difference between the sorrow of Peter and the sorrow of Judas? Matthew 27:3-5

 

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 Corinthians 7:10

 

V     What is Godly sorrow?  How does it help us grow up?

      James 4:7-10

V     How did the Lord help Peter with his sorrow?

Luke 24:33-34, John 21:15-18

V     How can we help other Christians with the sorrow caused by sin?

 

REAL MEN GROW UP THROUGH THE SPIRIT

 

ü     How was the Day of Pentecost significant for Peter?  Acts 2:1-12

ü     How is the Day of Pentecost significant for us?          John 14:16-18

ü     In what ways do we grow up under the influence of God’s Holy Spirit?

 

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;

but be filled with the Spirit;

Ephesians 5:18

 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

 

ü     Why do we fail to be filled with the Holy Spirit?                                             

Ephesians 4:30, 1 Thessalonians 5:19

 

REAL MEN GROW UP TO SHARE

 

Ù    What was significant about Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost?  Acts 2:14-41

Ù    Was Peter’s sharing limited to just preaching the Gospel?  Acts 2:42

Ù    How does being grown up help us to witness?

Ù    How does being grown up help us to teach?

Ù    How does being grown up help us to encourage?

 

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: [25] Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25

 

REAL MEN GROW UP TO STAND

 

    What is there to admire about Peter in his dealings with Ananias and Sapphira? Acts 5:1-10

    Peter also took a stand when he witnessed to the Gentiles. Acts 11:1-18

    How was Peter’s approach different in the two instances cited above?  What does this teach us?

    When should Christian men take a stand? 

    What approach should be taken with a brother or sister who has sinned?  Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1-2

 

REAL MEN GROW UP TO SUFFER

 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

2 Timothy 3:12

 

à   Peter is imprisoned in Acts 12.

à   He was delivered, but James was martyred.  Why are some people made to pay the ultimate price for their faith and others are not?  Peter, by the way, paid the ultimate price later.

à   How had Peter grown up since he rebuked the Lord Jesus?  Matthew 16:21-23, Acts 12:6

à   Why does it take a grown up Christian to handle persecution well?

à   Does being grown up have anything to do with how long someone has been a Christian?

 

 

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Romans 8:28-31

HEAVENLY ARCHITECT

 

CONFIDENCE IN GOD’S WORK – Vs. 28

CONFORMITY TO CHRIST’S IMAGE – Vs. 29

COMPLETION OF GOD’S PLAN – Vs. 30

CONCLUSION ABOUT GOD’S GREATNESS – Vs. 31

 

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