SERMON SEEDS I10 FOR 5/23/05
Posted by: jpeters <jpeters@...>
SERMON SEEDS FOR MAY 23, 2005
This week there is one new message plus the outlines for Fathers Day that appear on the website. These are all previously shared messages.
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Luke 2:40-52
GROWING UP, 5/2W/05
Life of Christ #4
There is nothing more adorable than a baby.
There is nothing more tragic than a baby who never grows up, who remains forever a baby, forever a child.
There is nothing more exciting than a person being born into the family of God, which is, becoming a born-again Christian, a child of God.
There is nothing more disappointing than a born-again Christian that does grow and mature in the Christian life. 2 Peter 3:18
Vs. 40 Luke tells us that Jesus grew up. He increased in the important areas of spirit, wisdom and grace. I believe that the Lord Jesus became more and more aware in his human mind, just who he was and where He came from.
I have entitled this message, Growing Up, because thats exactly what Jesus was doing in the passage before us this morning. His growing up is a reminder thats something every Christian should be doing no matter how long we have been in the faith. Philippians 3:12-14
Lets see how Jesus grew up, and try to follow His example.
HE PURSUED HIS FATHER
Vs. 41 Originally there were three feasts in Jerusalem that the men were required to attend during the course of a year. They were Pentecost, the feast of the Tabernacles, and the Passover. By the time Jesus came, many Jews attended just one of the three festivals in a year.
It was Joseph and Marys custom to come to the Passover.
Joseph and Mary were a good example of setting a Godly example in the home.
Whatever example you set, your children will likely follow.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
To train up a child you as a parent must set the example.
Vs. 42 At twelve or thirteen years old a Jewish boy was embarking on manhood. Probably at thirteen, or perhaps as early as 12, a boy was admitted into the synagogue as an adult.
At this age the child was considered to be a son of the commandment
Vs. 43-44 How could this have happened?
It was really quite simple.
The family would have traveling with other families.
This was for safety in numbers as the group traveled through some dangerous areas.
A time and place was set for the group to leave.
Usually the women and children traveled ahead of the men.
Mary could have considered Jesus to be with Joseph.
Joseph could have thought that Jesus was with Mary.
Or, perhaps they thought that Jesus was with the neighborhood children.
Please bear in mind that Jesus was sinless.
He was never irresponsible.
The parents had no reason to think that Jesus was not in the group.
Vs. 45 The parents of course, would have been frantic and returned to Jerusalem to see if they could find their son!
Vs. 46 You can imagine the parents relief when they found the Lord Jesus. You can also imagine their consternation that he hadnt headed for home when he was supposed to.
Jesus was found in Gods house the temple.
He was sitting among the learned teachers of His day, and soaking it in. He was both listening to the teaching and asking insightful questions.
Vs. 48 Was Jesus wrong? Mary seemed to think so, because Jesus had inconvenience them.
But the Bible clearly teaches that Jesus was sinless, so this couldnt have been wrong.
Vs. 49 Jesus speaks to his mother about two very important topics identity and priorities.
As to identity, at age 12 Jesus knew who he was.
He knew that He was the Son of God.
Therefore, Jesus realized that He had to be obedient to His heavenly Father ever more than He was to be obedient to his earthly parents.
That leads to his priorities.
I think that Jesus was basically asking his parents why they had so much trouble finding him.
Jesus said, Didnt you know I had to be about my Fathers business.
Jesus knew that it was time for Him to learn and grow.
So, he was in his fathers house doing just that.
All through His life, Jesus was about His Fathers business.
Whether He was spending time alone with His Father in prayer, or teaching, or healing, or training the disciples, or confronting His enemies, he was always about His Fathers business. Hebrews 10:7,
John 4:34
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus, yielded His own personal will to God, saying, Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.
The phrase to be about my fathers business can also mean to be about my fathers house.
Jesus was the Son so He was concerned about being in, worshipping in, and learning in, His Fathers House.
The Jews of Jesus day would not have referred to God as their Father. The Old Testament did not emphasize that truth, because it really wasnt true on a personal basis until Jesus came.
Jesus could indeed call God Father.
And Jesus taught us to call Him, Father, as well.
On what basis can you and I call God, Father?
We can call God Father when we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, as the one who died for our sins to give us eternal life.
When we trust Jesus as our Savior, believing in Him as the only way of salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, we are born again and born into the Family of God. John 1:12-13,
So, at the point of salvation God becomes our Father in an intimate way. Romans 8:15-16
If we are Gods children, shouldnt be about our Fathers House?
Our Fathers house is where God dwells.
Our Fathers house today is very easy to find.
Our Fathers house is where God dwells.
God dwells inside of us. We are Gods house.
We are Gods temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Jesus says, I must be about my Father's business.
As we already saw, to do the will of God was the most important priority of Jesus' life.
The priority of Jesus is His Father's house, His Father's business. It is a must that He do what the Father wants Him to do!
Just think of what you and I will be saying if we follow Jesus example and say "I must be about my Father's business."
When things are a must, they get done!
With God's help, let's make the right things a must in our lives.
I need to learn to say, you need to learn to say, "I MUST!"
Vs. 50 Notice that his parents didnt understand.
And guess what? Not everyone is going to understand when you start making sacrifices to do Gods will.
We have to decide. Are we going to please God or please man?
Jesus grew.
HE PURSUED HIS FATHER
HE PRACTICED SUBMISSION
The incident in the temple was over.
They went home.
Vs. 51 Notice what hadnt changed.
Jesus continued to do what He was told.
When it came to specific issues concerning God, He obeyed God. Thats why He had stayed at the temple.
When it came to living in the home His Heavenly Father had given Him, Jesus was submissive. He did as He was told.
Jesus submitted to God first.
But He also submitted to those who were in authority over Him.
There is a lesson here, being submissive to God, being totally yielded to Him is important. Romans 1:21
But as we are submissive to God we will also be submissive to those who God wants us to be submissive to.
1. We are to be submissive to our parents when under their authority. Colossians 3:20
2. Wives are to be submissive to husbands. Colossians 3:18-19
3. Churches are to be submissive to their leaders. Hebrews 13:17
4. Everyone is to be submissive to each other. Ephesians 5:21
Remember, Jesus was superior to Mary and Joseph, but He submitted to them because He submitted to God first.
Not everyone you will be asked to submit to will be as good or as capable as you.
But God will want you to submit to them because you are submissive to Him.
Jesus was growing up.
HE PURSUED HIS FATHER
HE PRACTICED SUBMISSION
HE PROCEEDED TO MATURE
Luke 2:52 - And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
Now we see that there was a normal process of development for our Lord. He grew in four areas that everyone of us should grow in.
HE GREW INTELLECTUALLY - wisdom
HE GREW PHYSICALLY - stature
HE GREW SPIRITUALLY - favor with God
HE GREW SOCIALLY - favor with man
And we too, should grow in these areas:
· Intellectually - Continuing to accrue the right kind of wisdom.
The right kind of wisdom has the fear of God at the center of it.
Proverbs 9:10 - The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
· Physically - Taking care of our bodies.
· Spiritually - Continuing to grow in grace and knowledge.
Philippians 3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
· Socially - Making friends and being a good testimony.
Romans 15:7 - Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
Matthew 5:16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus grew up.
HE PURSUED HIS FATHER
HE PRACTICED SUBMISSION
HE PROCEEDED TO MATURE
Will you do the same?
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Genesis 2:15-24
FATHER KNOWS BEST
Those who watched American television in the 1950's remember Jim Anderson, the father character on the program "Father Knows Best". It seemed that he always knew what was right. He always made the correct decisions. It seemed that he always knew what was "best."
Of course Jim Anderson, played by Robert Young, was a fictitious figure, and in real life no human father always knows what is best. Our heavenly Father, however, always does not know what is best, and does it for us. In dealing with Adam, God shows us that as Heavenly Father, he knows what is best.
There are four needs mentioned in this passage which God met for Adam. He meets these same needs for us.
THE NEED TO LABOR - Vs. 15
God knew that man should not just sit around.
God created him to be useful and productive.
Adam was to till and maintain the garden.
God has made Christians to be productive as well. 2 Thessalonians 3:10, Ephesians 2:10
THE NEED FOR LIBERTY - Vss. 16 & 19
Adam was no robot. He was given certain freedoms. He was able to choose what to eat and to name the animals as he pleased.
We are given a special kind of liberty as Christians.
We are at liberty to have freedom over sin (Romans 6:14) and to love and serve God and others. (Matthew 22:37-40, Galatians 5:13-14)
THE NEED FOR LIMITATIONS - Vs. 17
God limits us because He loves us. We don't always know what's is best for us, but God does.
Adam was limited from eating "the tree of the knowledge of good and evil."
God gives us limitations as well. Good examples of these limitations are found in Proverbs 6:16-19 and Galatians 5:17-21. The Ten Commandments also provide certain limitations.
THE NEED FOR LOVE - Vss. 18-25
God knew that Adam needed a mate, a woman to love and help him. He provided Eve for Adam.
God provides the love of husband and wife today, as well as love within a family.
God's greatest show of love was on the cross. Through faith in Christ one can have eternal life. (John 3:16). Nothing separates Christians from the love of God (Romans 8:35-39). Christians are to love each other (John 13:34-35).
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Tale of Two Fathers
Genesis 13 etc.
Abraham and Lot were both saved men. The ways they conducted their lives, raised families and received results were in stark contrast. They lead us to ask ourselves four questions.
WHERE AM I LOOKING?
Lot looked to Sodom 13:6-13
Abraham looked where God told him to look. 13:14-15
WHERE AM I LIVING?
Lot lived in the city of Sodom, in the middle of wickedness. 19:1
Abraham was living in the land God had promised him.
WHERE AM I LEADING?
When it was time to leave Sodom at God's command, Lot could not lead
his family the way he should have been able. 19:14
His wife turned around in disobedience and was judged. 19:17, 26
When Abraham had to lead his son Isaac, he was compliant. 22:6-14
WHAT IS MY LEGACY?
Lot's legacy was two nations as a result of immorality. Genesis 19:32-34
Abraham's legacy was a son who respected and loved his father, and
followed God.
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Genesis 22:1-14
A FAITHFUL FATHER
Before Isaac was born, God said that Abraham would be a good father in Genesis 15:18-19. In one of the most trying moments of Abraham's life, he showed three qualities that should be imitated by fathers everywhere.
HE FOLLOWED GOD Vss. 1-6
HIS FAITH WAS IN GOD Vss. 7-8
HE FEARED GOD Vss. 9-14
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Psalm 103:1-14
SEEING THE FATHER
Psalm 103 gives us a great picture of God as Heavenly Father:
THE FORGIVING FATHER Vs. 3
THE REDEEMING FATHER Vs. 4a
THE COMPASSIONATE FATHER Vs. 4b, 8
THE SATISFYING FATHER Vs. 5
THE RIGHTEOUS FATHER Vs. 6
THE UNDERSTANDING FATHER Vs. 14
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PICTURE OF THE FATHER
Luke 15:11-32 FATHERS DAY
This parable shows us some facts about our Heavenly Father which are worth remembering.
THE FATHER ALLOWS CHOICE, ALTHOUGH OFTEN DISAPPOINTED. Vss. 11-19
THE FATHER AWAITS CHANGE THAT BRINGS SOMEONE BACK TO HIM. Vss. 20-21
THE FATHER APPROVES CONFORMITY TO HIS WILL Vss. 21-32
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A SPIRITUAL PARENT (FATHER)
2 Timothy 1:1-8
Many Christians end up being Spiritual parents to younger Christians. We may
have led them to the Lord, and/or discipled them. How can we be good
Spiritual parents to our own children and our children in the faith? We can
follow Paul's example, as he was a Spiritual parent to Timothy.
A FATHER'S MIND - Vss. 1-2 - Wishing grace, mercy, and peace
A FATHER'S MINISTRY - Vss. 3-4 - Praying for the child and desiring to spend
time with the child.
A FATHER'S MEMORY - Vs. 5-6 - A good parent reminds his child of positive
things which have happened in the past and that he should continue to
progress.
A FATHER'S MESSAGE - Vss. 7-8 - A father looks to strengthen and encourage a
child. Paul's message to Timothy encouraged him to stand firm for the Lord.
We should encourage our Spiritual children in the same way.
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1 Peter 3:7
A GODLY HUSBAND GOOD FOR MOTHERS OR FATHERS DAY
WISDOM - It is the duty of the husband to understand his wife. He is to dwell with her according to knowledge. Ephesians 5:25
WORTH - The husband is to give honor to his wife. A Christian Husbands should not be constantly embarrassing their wives. Proverbs 5:15-21
WARNING - A husband who does not obey this verse will have his prayers hindered. God does not honor the prayers of a man who is sinning against his wife. Psalm 66:18
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