Sixth Sunday After Pentecost
Preaching
THE WESLEYAN PREACHING ANNUAL 2001--2002
WORSHIP HELPS
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God has called us to His house.
People: Let us not disappoint our Host.
Leader: Bring your burdens
People: And your joys.
Leader: Bring your questions
People: And find the answers.
Leader: Bring your sins
People: And find salvation.
All: Come one, come all, and seek the Lord.
OFFERING THOUGHT
The Lord hears the cries of the needy. His care runs deep. God's people hear the cries of the needy. How much do they care for them?
BENEDICTION
We are leaving today with more than memories. A wonderful experience has keynoted this time of worship. Your presence met us at our level! Thank you, God!
SERMON BRIEFS
The Great Test Of Faith
Genesis 22:1--14
Introduction
Illustration: One summer when I was a kid I took swimming lessons at the community pool. We went once a week for six weeks. After a couple of lessons in the shallow end of the pool (where we learned to float, to open our eyes under water, and to hold our breath) we were taken to the other end of the pool - the deep end.
There was an instructor standing with us at the edge of the pool and an instructor in the water just in front of us. We were told that today's lesson was to jump in and swim to the shallow end. It really wasn't very far, but it was still frightening for one never really knows if he or she can swim until he/she is in over one's head.
What was the purpose of that test? Was the design for us to sink or swim? The purpose of the test was not to hurt us, but to help us. Just so, we find a deep--water moment before us in the text.
I. The test revealed (vv. 1--2)
God gives no reason for the command. He simply makes it.
Notice the pathos in verse two: "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love ... sacrifice him." This is the test of a life time. It is a make or break moment for Abraham and his relationship with God.
II. Abraham's response (vv. 3--10)
We are told nothing specifically about Abraham's feelings in this moment. Is he angry? Grief stricken? Is he confident or confused? We are not told how he felt, but we are told what he did.
A. Notice that Abraham's response was immediate "early the next morning." Abraham demonstrated an obedience born of faith and confidence in God. (Note Hebrews 11:17--19.)
B. Notice that his response was complete. He did exactly what God asked of him. He understood that partial obedience is, if fact, disobedience.
III. God's reward (vv. 11--18)
As Abraham raised the knife above the bound body of his son, he heard the voice of God saying, "Abraham! Abraham ... Do not lay a hand on the boy. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
God rewarded this faith. The Lord:
1. spared Abraham's son (v. 12)
2. provided a substitute (v. 13)
3. renewed the covenant (vv. 17--18)
Conclusion
Why did God put Abraham and Isaac to such a test?
A. As a result of this test, God knows more fully about Abraham and Abraham knows God in a way which simply would not have been possible without this experience.
B. It was an opportunity for God to reveal his nature, particularly in light of the fact that the Canaanites and the Chaldeans occasionally sacrificed children to appease their gods.
C. It also serves as a foreshadowing of another sacrifice and another mountain involving another father and son. This points to the giving of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb. Thus we have in this Genesis account the Gospel according to Abraham.
The true hero of this story is God who had mercy on Abraham and Isaac and each of us. The God who would not spare His son, but gave Him.
Note these four lessons from this passage:
A. Whatever you retain for yourself, God will ask you to release to Him. Abraham had to choose between the promise, Isaac, and the promisor, God. His response was to honor God with the sacrifice of obedience.
B. Whatever you release to God, He will replace with something better. We need a loose grip on things and a tight grip on God.
C. Whenever God tests, He rewards.
D. The story reminds us that all people are under the curse of sin and death and there is not hope without the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
John C. Bowling
Who's Welcome; Who's Not
Matthew 10:40--42
I was visiting with a man about an auto accident that occurred just outside his house. He described the condition of the car and the woman who was driving it that cold night. Neither was in very good shape. As he talked, I could tell he was quite proud that he had provided a blanket to the woman and had called the authorities; but she lay there, bleeding, on his porch until help arrived. I was then shocked into the cold reality of human nature when he told me he would have brought her into the house except that he didn't want to soil his carpet and, anyway, the lady was a member of a minority. I wondered within myself if he knew that I, too, had the blood of another minority group flowing within my veins, and would he have treated me differently if I were more so. I also wondered if he had any racial heritage besides European.
I. Christ warns us about hospitality.
It is very interesting indeed that Jesus would state that those who welcome the apostles as his ambassadors welcome him. He was, as Isaiah says, "... despised and rejected by men ..." (Isaiah 53:3 NIV), so, not many even of his generation welcomed him. We are no better than he, and so there is a double ring in what Jesus says. If we are rejected, it is a rejection of this one, Jesus, who sent us and so we should not be bewildered. Yet, when we are received, it is not because we are necessarily anybody special, but it is because of the one who sent us. We are both empowered and impaired by our profession.
Yet, there are folks who show hospitality and hear us when we share the faith that means so much to us. These people, by giving us audience and a warm reception are in turn giving the same to Jesus Christ and to God the Father as well. How many times is that our consideration?
II. Christ expects us to practice hospitality.
How does hospitality play out in the church? I mentioned race earlier because that is the most knotty problem our society has, but there is much more. We are all aware of socio--economic differences and minor theological differences that not only keep us from worshipping together, but also keep us from honoring one another as fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Moreover, our outreach programs often take a flavor that is unsavory to Christ. Some years ago, I was doing some prospecting for a church in the deep South. One lay leader was heard to say, "We want to reach every white family in this town." Because of the times and the place, I understood why such a thing was said, and yet it broke my heart to know that this church had no plans to reach other ethnic groups. Recently a dear lady who is now with the Lord approached me and asked why I was calling on the poorer people of our community. Her feeling was that we needed more persons in the church who could help pay for the program.
If Jesus' premise is that whoever receives us receives the one who sent us and we are God - sent persons, to refuse hospitality to the lost and the least is to refuse the grace of God to them. On the other hand, we may be guilty of refusing to extend hospitality to Christ by ignoring certain people. We must take care that we do not refuse to entertain "angels unaware" (Hebrews 13:2).
III. Christ promises benefits to hospitality.
I am hesitant to even mention rewards lest there be even one who comes to the conclusion that we may receive rewards for what we do and therefore live a life out of obligation or in hopes of gain instead of from a heart of joy and gratitude. Yet, are there not rewards in this life and the next when we follow the leading of our Lord? Songwriter Bill Gaither wrote some years ago in one of his compositions that it was worth everything just to know that he had wronged no one ("That's Worth Everything," William J. Gaither). I would submit that it is worth a great deal in personal pleasure to know that we have done our best in all that we have attempted for the glory of God.
I once knew a man whose young son took one of his friends to Sunday school and worship at his local church. When the invitation was given at the conclusion of the service, the boy's friend indicated a desire to accept Christ for himself. Of course, this created great excitement in the boy who brought his friend. He had not only brought him to church but had brought him to Christ as well. In recalling the event to his father he said, "Daddy, it's almost like meeting Jesus for the first time." Indeed. This is the delight that is ours when we practice the hospitality that Jesus asks of us.
As Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38 NIV).
Howard W. Sallee
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: God has called us to His house.
People: Let us not disappoint our Host.
Leader: Bring your burdens
People: And your joys.
Leader: Bring your questions
People: And find the answers.
Leader: Bring your sins
People: And find salvation.
All: Come one, come all, and seek the Lord.
OFFERING THOUGHT
The Lord hears the cries of the needy. His care runs deep. God's people hear the cries of the needy. How much do they care for them?
BENEDICTION
We are leaving today with more than memories. A wonderful experience has keynoted this time of worship. Your presence met us at our level! Thank you, God!
SERMON BRIEFS
The Great Test Of Faith
Genesis 22:1--14
Introduction
Illustration: One summer when I was a kid I took swimming lessons at the community pool. We went once a week for six weeks. After a couple of lessons in the shallow end of the pool (where we learned to float, to open our eyes under water, and to hold our breath) we were taken to the other end of the pool - the deep end.
There was an instructor standing with us at the edge of the pool and an instructor in the water just in front of us. We were told that today's lesson was to jump in and swim to the shallow end. It really wasn't very far, but it was still frightening for one never really knows if he or she can swim until he/she is in over one's head.
What was the purpose of that test? Was the design for us to sink or swim? The purpose of the test was not to hurt us, but to help us. Just so, we find a deep--water moment before us in the text.
I. The test revealed (vv. 1--2)
God gives no reason for the command. He simply makes it.
Notice the pathos in verse two: "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love ... sacrifice him." This is the test of a life time. It is a make or break moment for Abraham and his relationship with God.
II. Abraham's response (vv. 3--10)
We are told nothing specifically about Abraham's feelings in this moment. Is he angry? Grief stricken? Is he confident or confused? We are not told how he felt, but we are told what he did.
A. Notice that Abraham's response was immediate "early the next morning." Abraham demonstrated an obedience born of faith and confidence in God. (Note Hebrews 11:17--19.)
B. Notice that his response was complete. He did exactly what God asked of him. He understood that partial obedience is, if fact, disobedience.
III. God's reward (vv. 11--18)
As Abraham raised the knife above the bound body of his son, he heard the voice of God saying, "Abraham! Abraham ... Do not lay a hand on the boy. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
God rewarded this faith. The Lord:
1. spared Abraham's son (v. 12)
2. provided a substitute (v. 13)
3. renewed the covenant (vv. 17--18)
Conclusion
Why did God put Abraham and Isaac to such a test?
A. As a result of this test, God knows more fully about Abraham and Abraham knows God in a way which simply would not have been possible without this experience.
B. It was an opportunity for God to reveal his nature, particularly in light of the fact that the Canaanites and the Chaldeans occasionally sacrificed children to appease their gods.
C. It also serves as a foreshadowing of another sacrifice and another mountain involving another father and son. This points to the giving of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb. Thus we have in this Genesis account the Gospel according to Abraham.
The true hero of this story is God who had mercy on Abraham and Isaac and each of us. The God who would not spare His son, but gave Him.
Note these four lessons from this passage:
A. Whatever you retain for yourself, God will ask you to release to Him. Abraham had to choose between the promise, Isaac, and the promisor, God. His response was to honor God with the sacrifice of obedience.
B. Whatever you release to God, He will replace with something better. We need a loose grip on things and a tight grip on God.
C. Whenever God tests, He rewards.
D. The story reminds us that all people are under the curse of sin and death and there is not hope without the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.
John C. Bowling
Who's Welcome; Who's Not
Matthew 10:40--42
I was visiting with a man about an auto accident that occurred just outside his house. He described the condition of the car and the woman who was driving it that cold night. Neither was in very good shape. As he talked, I could tell he was quite proud that he had provided a blanket to the woman and had called the authorities; but she lay there, bleeding, on his porch until help arrived. I was then shocked into the cold reality of human nature when he told me he would have brought her into the house except that he didn't want to soil his carpet and, anyway, the lady was a member of a minority. I wondered within myself if he knew that I, too, had the blood of another minority group flowing within my veins, and would he have treated me differently if I were more so. I also wondered if he had any racial heritage besides European.
I. Christ warns us about hospitality.
It is very interesting indeed that Jesus would state that those who welcome the apostles as his ambassadors welcome him. He was, as Isaiah says, "... despised and rejected by men ..." (Isaiah 53:3 NIV), so, not many even of his generation welcomed him. We are no better than he, and so there is a double ring in what Jesus says. If we are rejected, it is a rejection of this one, Jesus, who sent us and so we should not be bewildered. Yet, when we are received, it is not because we are necessarily anybody special, but it is because of the one who sent us. We are both empowered and impaired by our profession.
Yet, there are folks who show hospitality and hear us when we share the faith that means so much to us. These people, by giving us audience and a warm reception are in turn giving the same to Jesus Christ and to God the Father as well. How many times is that our consideration?
II. Christ expects us to practice hospitality.
How does hospitality play out in the church? I mentioned race earlier because that is the most knotty problem our society has, but there is much more. We are all aware of socio--economic differences and minor theological differences that not only keep us from worshipping together, but also keep us from honoring one another as fellow believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Moreover, our outreach programs often take a flavor that is unsavory to Christ. Some years ago, I was doing some prospecting for a church in the deep South. One lay leader was heard to say, "We want to reach every white family in this town." Because of the times and the place, I understood why such a thing was said, and yet it broke my heart to know that this church had no plans to reach other ethnic groups. Recently a dear lady who is now with the Lord approached me and asked why I was calling on the poorer people of our community. Her feeling was that we needed more persons in the church who could help pay for the program.
If Jesus' premise is that whoever receives us receives the one who sent us and we are God - sent persons, to refuse hospitality to the lost and the least is to refuse the grace of God to them. On the other hand, we may be guilty of refusing to extend hospitality to Christ by ignoring certain people. We must take care that we do not refuse to entertain "angels unaware" (Hebrews 13:2).
III. Christ promises benefits to hospitality.
I am hesitant to even mention rewards lest there be even one who comes to the conclusion that we may receive rewards for what we do and therefore live a life out of obligation or in hopes of gain instead of from a heart of joy and gratitude. Yet, are there not rewards in this life and the next when we follow the leading of our Lord? Songwriter Bill Gaither wrote some years ago in one of his compositions that it was worth everything just to know that he had wronged no one ("That's Worth Everything," William J. Gaither). I would submit that it is worth a great deal in personal pleasure to know that we have done our best in all that we have attempted for the glory of God.
I once knew a man whose young son took one of his friends to Sunday school and worship at his local church. When the invitation was given at the conclusion of the service, the boy's friend indicated a desire to accept Christ for himself. Of course, this created great excitement in the boy who brought his friend. He had not only brought him to church but had brought him to Christ as well. In recalling the event to his father he said, "Daddy, it's almost like meeting Jesus for the first time." Indeed. This is the delight that is ours when we practice the hospitality that Jesus asks of us.
As Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38 NIV).
Howard W. Sallee
