First Sunday In Lent
Preaching
THE WESLEYAN PREACHING ANNUAL 2001--2002
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Almighty God, send Your transforming power into our lives as we seek to worship You this day.
People: Grant unto us,
Men: Courage,
Teens: Wisdom,
Women: Grace,
All: Strength
Leader: To fulfill Your call upon us all.
All: Amen!
OFFERING THOUGHT
Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year ... so that the Levites ... and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." (Deuteronomy 14:22, 29)
BENEDICTION
If God goes before us from His sanctuary, we will go away today satisfied and happy.
SERMON BRIEFS
A Choice: Ruin Or Rescue
Romans 5:12--21
On a recent flight from Memphis, Tennessee, to his home in Traverse City, Michigan, a friend had a layover in Detroit. Flights going and coming into Detroit were either delayed or canceled due to heavy fog in the Detroit area. When his flight finally reached Detroit, he hurriedly rushed to find his gate, which was in a different concourse. Rushing through the airport, he was brought up short when he suddenly passed a gate that indicated a flight for Traverse City was just boarding. Stopping, he checked his ticket and the overhead monitor for departure and saw that the flight he was booked was still scheduled to leave at the designated time. He decided to check the gate he had just passed which announced an immediate flight to Traverse City. Due to the heavy fog, an earlier flight had been delayed and was now getting ready to board. To his amazement and delight, he was able to get on the flight and actually get to his destination earlier than anticipated.
One of the problems that air passengers encounter in a large modern airport is knowing where to get the flight that will take them to their destination. The choice of which gate to use and which plane to board is of utmost importance to where one will end up. Where one begins determines where one will end. This is also true for our fate as human beings, the difference is that the choices aren't as numerous as in an airport. The second half of Romans 5 deals with the reality of those choices. Paul focuses on choices of a final destination for humanity by speaking first of:
I. Humankind's ruin (vv. 12--14)
Using only 27 words, Paul describes humankind's ruin. The description that Paul gives is the fall of Adam recorded in Genesis 2--3. Because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin and death spread to humankind. Paul underscores the solidarity of the human race and wants to have his readers understand that the human race has a corporate solidarity in Adam. Because of this, we are all in the same boat. Adam is humankind, and as Adam, we have sinned. Our sinful solidarity is profound; it goes to the very core of our nature. We are all under sin, and this solidarity of sin and death has remained constant through humankind's history.
Hence, Paul's argument is simple: all of humankind, because of its solidarity with Adam, stands under the ruin of sin and death. We all actually sinned in Adam. Because of our solidarity with Adam, we stand condemned. Is there any hope? Yes, just as we are condemned through one man (Adam), one man (Christ) makes possible our salvation. Paul moves from humankind's ruin in Adam to:
II. Humankind's rescue (vv. 15--19)
The news has just flashed a bulletin of a Singapore airliner that crashed on takeoff. Many on board the ill--fated plane lost their lives; others are missing and since have been rescued. There is a massive rescue operation taking place to search for survivors and to recover the bodies of those who were killed.
Paul informs us of a massive rescue operation that is the result of the work of the second Adam, which is far greater than that of the first Adam. The sin of Adam brought death, but grace brought a dynamic power - life (v. 15). Grace restored what had been destroyed by Adam's disobedience. Adam's disobedience brought death to all humankind once, but the sacrificial death of Jesus brings life.
In a very logical manner, Paul tells us of what Christ has done:
A. In verse 16, the work of Christ is far more powerful: "Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification" (NIV).
B. Verse 17 emphasizes the fact that the work of Christ is far superior. Adam's transgression brought death. Jesus' death brought forgiveness for all transgressions: "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ" (NIV).
C. Everything that was lost in Adam is restored in Christ, and that which is restored in Christ is infinitely greater: "Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous" (vv. 18--19 NIV).
Thus, if we are in Christ, our Christ - solidarity far exceeds the ruin we experienced in Adam and results in the rescue of humankind. As Paul moves to the apex of his thought, the focus turns to:
III. Humankind's reward (vv. 20, 21)
Paul wants his readers to clearly understand that the Law was never given to make us do right. Where there is Law we sin more. When this happens, the Law moves us closer to Jesus Christ, because it can lead us to brokenness and grace.
God has provided grace which is amazing. That is why Paul shouts triumphantly, "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (v. 20). What Paul is trying to say is that God has provided "super--increasing" or " super--abounding" grace. It is a picture of unending, overflowing grace - a grace that is limitless and has no bounds. Grace is forever more abundant than sin. No matter how great one's sin, God's grace super--abounds. No one is beyond the amazing grace of God.
In verse 21, Paul speaks of the purpose of this grace, "so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." How does this happen? It only can happen as we receive and contemplate the love of God. When we believe that God loves us and we allow that love to permeate every fiber of our being, we can reign in life to his glory.
Our reward is eternal life in Christ now through grace. Humankind is ruined in Adam, rescued by Christ, and rewarded by super--abounding, overcoming grace. This grace leads to life.
Curtis Lewis
The Joy Of Sins Forgiven
Psalm 32
Apparently the psalmist has engaged in silent contemplation about his forgiveness from God and found the silence to be a frustrating experience. Now he sings of the joy that fills his soul as the result of the forgiveness, which he has experienced. He rejoices in the salvation that is his.
One seldom hears anyone today rejoicing over forgiveness, at least in the public arena. Those of us who regularly find ourselves in church have heard many such testimonies, but the news of the day is devoid of them. Why? Simple. There is no sin today, so there is no need of forgiveness! There is a rejection of sin in our society, at both the personal and corporate level.
How many times have you heard politicians or other public figures speak of "errors of judgment?" How often does anyone come right out and say, "I did it; I am guilty." Instead we hear rationalization about the person's early childhood, economic status, or lack of proper education. How can a person be guilty if he is not to blame? If he is not guilty, he does not need to confess his guilt. He does not need to seek forgiveness.
"No," we are told, "He is not guilty; all of us are guilty." Evil is considered systemic to society. The culture is tainted, flawed, and underdeveloped. Just give us more time, money, and experts, and we can fix it. The past is imperfect, and the perfect future has not yet come, but it will. In the meantime, we work for the betterment of all, and hold no one guilty who does not measure up. When it comes to "measuring up," we are not even sure what the standards are. External guidelines for responsible behavior have been replaced by subjective judgments about what makes a person feel good.
If the foregoing is true, that is, if there is no guilt or sin, why are there so many frustrated individuals in our midst, why so many counselors with full appointment calendars? Why do so many people seek to rid themselves of frustration in their lives? How did the psalmist rid himself of his frustration? The process began with the realization of sin. He sings, "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity." He knows the root of his problem - sin! He is no longer fooling himself or trying to fool God. He does not look elsewhere for blame - not in his past, not in his economic status, not in his education. It was not any outside force, no matter how well intended, that got him where he found himself; but rather his own sinfulness. The realization of such was a step toward finding blessedness.
But there is more. Realization is not enough. A pastor friend of mine told of an experience with a parishioner in his office. The man had transgressed. (In what way, I do not know. My friend did not break professional confidence.) The man said, "It's all right now, pastor; I know why I did it." The pastor told him that it was not all right. Realization was not enough. The man had to apply the remedy for sin. The remedy for sin is the work of Christ on the Cross. The psalmist only anticipated the Redeemer who was to come. The occasional Messianic Psalms look forward to a full salvation.
However, we live on this side of the Cross. The New Testament gives us knowledge of the redeemer. The historic record of Christ's life, death, and resurrection is there for all to read. We are told of His virgin birth, His sinless life, His victory over the Devil, His atoning work on the Cross, His resurrection, and His promise to return. Jesus provides the remedy. He is the One through which we come to the Father and experience the blessedness of sins forgiven.
J. Duane Beals
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Almighty God, send Your transforming power into our lives as we seek to worship You this day.
People: Grant unto us,
Men: Courage,
Teens: Wisdom,
Women: Grace,
All: Strength
Leader: To fulfill Your call upon us all.
All: Amen!
OFFERING THOUGHT
Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year ... so that the Levites ... and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands." (Deuteronomy 14:22, 29)
BENEDICTION
If God goes before us from His sanctuary, we will go away today satisfied and happy.
SERMON BRIEFS
A Choice: Ruin Or Rescue
Romans 5:12--21
On a recent flight from Memphis, Tennessee, to his home in Traverse City, Michigan, a friend had a layover in Detroit. Flights going and coming into Detroit were either delayed or canceled due to heavy fog in the Detroit area. When his flight finally reached Detroit, he hurriedly rushed to find his gate, which was in a different concourse. Rushing through the airport, he was brought up short when he suddenly passed a gate that indicated a flight for Traverse City was just boarding. Stopping, he checked his ticket and the overhead monitor for departure and saw that the flight he was booked was still scheduled to leave at the designated time. He decided to check the gate he had just passed which announced an immediate flight to Traverse City. Due to the heavy fog, an earlier flight had been delayed and was now getting ready to board. To his amazement and delight, he was able to get on the flight and actually get to his destination earlier than anticipated.
One of the problems that air passengers encounter in a large modern airport is knowing where to get the flight that will take them to their destination. The choice of which gate to use and which plane to board is of utmost importance to where one will end up. Where one begins determines where one will end. This is also true for our fate as human beings, the difference is that the choices aren't as numerous as in an airport. The second half of Romans 5 deals with the reality of those choices. Paul focuses on choices of a final destination for humanity by speaking first of:
I. Humankind's ruin (vv. 12--14)
Using only 27 words, Paul describes humankind's ruin. The description that Paul gives is the fall of Adam recorded in Genesis 2--3. Because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin and death spread to humankind. Paul underscores the solidarity of the human race and wants to have his readers understand that the human race has a corporate solidarity in Adam. Because of this, we are all in the same boat. Adam is humankind, and as Adam, we have sinned. Our sinful solidarity is profound; it goes to the very core of our nature. We are all under sin, and this solidarity of sin and death has remained constant through humankind's history.
Hence, Paul's argument is simple: all of humankind, because of its solidarity with Adam, stands under the ruin of sin and death. We all actually sinned in Adam. Because of our solidarity with Adam, we stand condemned. Is there any hope? Yes, just as we are condemned through one man (Adam), one man (Christ) makes possible our salvation. Paul moves from humankind's ruin in Adam to:
II. Humankind's rescue (vv. 15--19)
The news has just flashed a bulletin of a Singapore airliner that crashed on takeoff. Many on board the ill--fated plane lost their lives; others are missing and since have been rescued. There is a massive rescue operation taking place to search for survivors and to recover the bodies of those who were killed.
Paul informs us of a massive rescue operation that is the result of the work of the second Adam, which is far greater than that of the first Adam. The sin of Adam brought death, but grace brought a dynamic power - life (v. 15). Grace restored what had been destroyed by Adam's disobedience. Adam's disobedience brought death to all humankind once, but the sacrificial death of Jesus brings life.
In a very logical manner, Paul tells us of what Christ has done:
A. In verse 16, the work of Christ is far more powerful: "Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification" (NIV).
B. Verse 17 emphasizes the fact that the work of Christ is far superior. Adam's transgression brought death. Jesus' death brought forgiveness for all transgressions: "For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ" (NIV).
C. Everything that was lost in Adam is restored in Christ, and that which is restored in Christ is infinitely greater: "Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous" (vv. 18--19 NIV).
Thus, if we are in Christ, our Christ - solidarity far exceeds the ruin we experienced in Adam and results in the rescue of humankind. As Paul moves to the apex of his thought, the focus turns to:
III. Humankind's reward (vv. 20, 21)
Paul wants his readers to clearly understand that the Law was never given to make us do right. Where there is Law we sin more. When this happens, the Law moves us closer to Jesus Christ, because it can lead us to brokenness and grace.
God has provided grace which is amazing. That is why Paul shouts triumphantly, "But where sin increased, grace increased all the more" (v. 20). What Paul is trying to say is that God has provided "super--increasing" or " super--abounding" grace. It is a picture of unending, overflowing grace - a grace that is limitless and has no bounds. Grace is forever more abundant than sin. No matter how great one's sin, God's grace super--abounds. No one is beyond the amazing grace of God.
In verse 21, Paul speaks of the purpose of this grace, "so that just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." How does this happen? It only can happen as we receive and contemplate the love of God. When we believe that God loves us and we allow that love to permeate every fiber of our being, we can reign in life to his glory.
Our reward is eternal life in Christ now through grace. Humankind is ruined in Adam, rescued by Christ, and rewarded by super--abounding, overcoming grace. This grace leads to life.
Curtis Lewis
The Joy Of Sins Forgiven
Psalm 32
Apparently the psalmist has engaged in silent contemplation about his forgiveness from God and found the silence to be a frustrating experience. Now he sings of the joy that fills his soul as the result of the forgiveness, which he has experienced. He rejoices in the salvation that is his.
One seldom hears anyone today rejoicing over forgiveness, at least in the public arena. Those of us who regularly find ourselves in church have heard many such testimonies, but the news of the day is devoid of them. Why? Simple. There is no sin today, so there is no need of forgiveness! There is a rejection of sin in our society, at both the personal and corporate level.
How many times have you heard politicians or other public figures speak of "errors of judgment?" How often does anyone come right out and say, "I did it; I am guilty." Instead we hear rationalization about the person's early childhood, economic status, or lack of proper education. How can a person be guilty if he is not to blame? If he is not guilty, he does not need to confess his guilt. He does not need to seek forgiveness.
"No," we are told, "He is not guilty; all of us are guilty." Evil is considered systemic to society. The culture is tainted, flawed, and underdeveloped. Just give us more time, money, and experts, and we can fix it. The past is imperfect, and the perfect future has not yet come, but it will. In the meantime, we work for the betterment of all, and hold no one guilty who does not measure up. When it comes to "measuring up," we are not even sure what the standards are. External guidelines for responsible behavior have been replaced by subjective judgments about what makes a person feel good.
If the foregoing is true, that is, if there is no guilt or sin, why are there so many frustrated individuals in our midst, why so many counselors with full appointment calendars? Why do so many people seek to rid themselves of frustration in their lives? How did the psalmist rid himself of his frustration? The process began with the realization of sin. He sings, "I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity." He knows the root of his problem - sin! He is no longer fooling himself or trying to fool God. He does not look elsewhere for blame - not in his past, not in his economic status, not in his education. It was not any outside force, no matter how well intended, that got him where he found himself; but rather his own sinfulness. The realization of such was a step toward finding blessedness.
But there is more. Realization is not enough. A pastor friend of mine told of an experience with a parishioner in his office. The man had transgressed. (In what way, I do not know. My friend did not break professional confidence.) The man said, "It's all right now, pastor; I know why I did it." The pastor told him that it was not all right. Realization was not enough. The man had to apply the remedy for sin. The remedy for sin is the work of Christ on the Cross. The psalmist only anticipated the Redeemer who was to come. The occasional Messianic Psalms look forward to a full salvation.
However, we live on this side of the Cross. The New Testament gives us knowledge of the redeemer. The historic record of Christ's life, death, and resurrection is there for all to read. We are told of His virgin birth, His sinless life, His victory over the Devil, His atoning work on the Cross, His resurrection, and His promise to return. Jesus provides the remedy. He is the One through which we come to the Father and experience the blessedness of sins forgiven.
J. Duane Beals
