ARCC Sermons

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November 9th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 26 and Mark 14.

Jesus was in Bethany, just outside of Jerusalem. He and his disciples were staying with friends there during the Passover festival.

Let’s just listen to the following piece of today’s reading.

“And while Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head.

There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.”

And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her?

She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.

She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭14:3-9‬

What do we see in our mind’s eye? I see an honorable woman disrespected by her fellow followers of Jesus.

What did she do that raised the judgmental indignation of the 12 apostles? She sought to bless her Savior in the best way that she could.

Jesus got it and honored her for it. And He rebuked his friends for “troubling her” with their prideful, selfish misunderstanding of her heart.

I see a woman whose heart was so grateful for the great love of Christ for her that she didn't hesitate to give the most valuable treasure she had to him for his pleasure.

I see a follower of Christ that was far more focused upon Jesus than she was on how people would judge her actions toward Jesus.

I also wonder how the loving John misjudged the loving woman. He would rest his head on the Master’s chest during their last supper. Where was his tenderness toward this worshipper?

I also wonder how the impetuous Peter forgot what real faith looked like. His faith, at one time, looked like walking on water toward Jesus in the middle of the storm...no matter what the other fellows thought. Where was his admiration for the woman who lived out loud for her Lord?

I also wonder how the thoughtful Thomas didn't understand the woman’s pure motive for her lavish actions toward Jesus. Remember, before Thomas was a doubter, he was the first disciple to truly appreciate that Jesus was “My Lord and My God...”

And now Judas. I know why the rest of the disciples missed the “Jesus heart” of the generous, selfless worshipping woman in Bethany. Judas didn't have a “Jesus heart”...just a cold, lost, calculating, pretentious, self-centered heart who fooled everyone but Jesus.

Sadly, the rest of the first disciples counted Judas to be trusted, rather than the woman. Thus they probably sat quietly and supportive of the one who would soon betray Jesus instead of worship Him.

This is the day for zealous generous and even undignified worship of the Savior Jesus.

Have a great day

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November 8th

The bible reading is in Matthew 25.

This chapter is a continuation of Christ’s teaching to his disciples from the Mt of Olives after his final visit to the Temple.

Jesus had already told his friends that he would be killed soon, be buried, and on the third day, he would rise to live again. Jesus had already told them that he would ascend to heaven one day and that he would send them the Holy Spirit to empower them for kingdom life and work.

Jesus was now teaching them, in this Olivet discourse, about His second coming...how to wait for it and what to do in the meantime. Jesus used parables to teach those lessons.

“The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:1‬

The bridegroom is coming for the bride. The Old Testament spoke of God as the groom and Israel as the bride. When Jesus called himself the groom he was once again identifying himself as God...the Messiah. Pretty bold.

The disciples knew the story. Weddings were a big deal in their culture. There had been a year since the couple pledged their love for a lifetime to each other. The Groom had been building a house for his bride. When that was finished, he would come for his bride and escort her to the wedding feast and to their new home together.

As custom, the bride would choose bridesmaids to go with her to the wedding. They would have their oil lamps prepared for the procession, just in case, the groom came at night for his beloved.

In Jesus’ story, there were 10 girls. Their main responsibility was to make sure that they had oil for their lamp. Sadly, 5 of the 10 had no oil when the bridegroom came. 5 were not ready for the coming of the groom. Because they didn't have the oil, they were denied entry to the wedding feast.

This was sad in a lot of ways. All ten girls expected to go to the wedding. Only 5 got to go in. So....How were they to wait for the groom? Make sure they had the oil.

The oil represented the Holy Spirit. And without the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in a life. That life is not prepared to meet the Lord at his coming. That reminds me of the apostle Paul’s message...

“You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:9‬

How are we to wait for Jesus’ second coming? Examine the lamp of our heart and life. Are we in love with Jesus? Or are we just in love with ourselves?

If that’s the case, then we have not the Spirit of Christ and do not belong to Him and His wedding with the bride to come.

And what were the disciples to do in the meantime? While they waited eagerly for Christ’s return?

Use the talents that were given to them by God to serve the purposes of God each day.

“For the kingdom will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:14-15‬ ‭

God gave the talents. Anything that we can do is a gift from God. We thank him for those abilities and we give Him the credit for what we might accomplish using those talents.

God gave some people more talents than he gave others. True. God is sovereign and He does His will however he chooses for his glory. But according to the story, the ones that used their talents for the Master’s glory received the same “Well done thou good and faithful servant...”

Lord we are waiting...the Holy Spirit within us prompts us to remember who gave us our talents and to use them as you wish. Praise your name!

Have a great day

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November 7th

The bible reading today is in Matthew chapter 24.

“As Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus told them, “you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake."

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place ( let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:3, 6, 8-9, 12, 14-16‬ ‭

The disciples of Christ, in the days following the birth of the church at Pentecost, heard the rumors of war with Rome. Rome’s armies would come over the next 40 years putting down small and medium-sized revolts by Judeans and Galileans.

Then Rome would send a major force to quell the Jewish rebels for good. Over a million people would die savagely in Jerusalem during that siege. The city was doomed per Christ’s prophesy. And the city died in just a few months.

The Savior gave the city clear and sufficient warning. But the warning went unheeded by the Jews. Only the followers of Jesus acted on Christ’s instructions and were delivered. As soon as Christ’s disciples saw the “abomination of desolation”, spoken of by Daniel, standing in the holy place in the Temple, they fled to the mountains of Pella in the region of Perea.

Now, the Romans were often lenient and somewhat respectful of Jewish laws and customs. Even during the time of Christ, with Roman occupation of Judea. One would not see the Eagle and other Roman idolatrous symbols anywhere near the Temple in respect of Israel’s God.

But Jesus said that one day Jerusalem would be destroyed and all within the city would die. And you and I would simply believe God’s word on the matter, even without outside confirmation. But God put it in the mind of the famous historian Josephus to write down what happened in and to Jerusalem during that Roman siege of the city of David.

CH Spurgeon said, “Josephus’ record curdles the blood of everyone who reads it. It exactly bears out the statement of the Master that there was to be great tribulation, such as was not seen since the beginning of the world...nor ever shall be.

Spurgeon considered Josephus’ historical account of the AD 70 destruction of Jerusalem and all within it horrifying, brutal, and especially cruel.

It’s not hard for me to think that the first disciples listening to Christ’s Olivet Discourse in our reading today probably connected the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple with the Coming Again of Jesus.

They asked the Lord Jesus what would be the signs of his coming again. And he answered...“For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:27‬ ‭

In whatever way he came, whether in the final destruction of the Temple whenever that would be, or at the end of the world’s final drama (the judgment of God upon the nations)...those first disciples would get Jesus’ use of lightning flashing. His coming would be sudden and it would be un-looked-for by the masses.

Whatever...Come, Lord Jesus!

Have a great day.

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November 6th

The bible reading today is in Mark 13.

“And Jesus began to say to his disciples, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. This must take place, but the end is not yet.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:5-7‬

Jesus had already explained to his disciples what awaited him in Jerusalem that particular week. But did they really get it?

Apparently, his disciples accepted the bits and pieces of that message that they could reconcile with their preconceived ideas about Messiahship.

But we know from our former readings of the gospel accounts that his arrest and trial and sentence of death and the carrying out of that gruesome sentence was “crushing” upon the disciples. No, they didn't really get it...not yet.

Now Jesus is teaching his disciples from the Mt of Olives about what is going to happen on the earth after his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to heaven...before He comes again.

“Let no one lead you astray...” He said.

There’s going to be false messiahs show up claiming to be me. But they won't be.

There will be wars and famines and earthquakes engage the world. And there certainly has been even up to our generation.

Don't be fooled, the end is not yet. These will happen to be sure, but they are not signs of the end of all things.

G Campbell Morgan wrote comments on our present reading...saying...“Our Lord’s outlook upon this age did not reveal that the preaching of the gospel would eventually bring about good relations among all nations. The only thing that will do that is a new heaven and new earth that our Lord will create as His kingdom finally comes.” I agree.

“And brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end is the saved one.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭13:12-13‬ ‭

It is easy for us in North America to underestimate how difficult persecution can be. If I came from an orthodox Jewish family, they might consider me a blasphemer and think of me as dead to them. If I came from a strict Muslim family, I might be rejected by my family and be literally killed for following Jesus. If I came from a Hindu family in India, I could be rejected and legally martyred for choosing Jesus. In China I would be allowed to practice my Christian faith, just as long ss I did it in a state-sponsored church. If I tried to start a church, it would be destroyed and I could be imprisoned. In Sudan, I might be killed or made a slave to a Muslim army. In Pakistan, I might be jailed indefinitely or be beheaded by jihadists in power.

According to David Barrett’s book, “Today’s Martyrs”, over 165,000 Christians died for their faith around the world in the year 2000. Researchers today estimate 43 million Christians have died for their faith since Pentecost 2000 years ago.

And how do the saved deal with abusive harassment and cruel torture and death for their confession of faith in Jesus? They endure. They don't look for a way to escape. They stay under, they persevere in faith until Jesus rescues them in life or in death.

O for living and dying grace for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ my Lord.

Have a great day.

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November 5th

The Bible reading today is in Matthew 23 and Luke 20,21.

“And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:5-6‬

During the week of Passover, Jesus taught many times...Jesus taught many things...It was festival time. But this lesson of Christ doesn't sound festive to me.

The organizers of the festival would have preferred a different message, a different tone. At least the message could have included a “happy memory” of days gone by when God delivered his sons and daughters of promise from Egyptian bondage. Something to feel good about.

But this lesson was not about a happy time and a happy place for Israel. This day, Jesus taught on the Temple Mt, in the shadow of the Temple, to fifties, hundreds, and to thousands of Jewish people about the judgment of God to come upon this unfaithful nation.

On this occasion, with the Temple in the background, Jesus prophesied that one day that great temple, that the people were so proud of, would be “completely destroyed”.

Talk about a shocking message...an offensive message...Jesus was giving one. It was a spiritual wake up call.

40 years after the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Rome would put down a Jewish rebellion, kill 1.1 million Jews, and totally pull every marble stone down so that to this day no one is quite sure where Herod’s Temple rested on the Temple Mt.

For a thousand years, the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of Jewish life and worship and fellowship. Jesus’ prophesy came true...the rabbi from Nazareth was a prophet too. As great and magnificent as the Temple was, Jesus never hesitated to tell the people that “he” was greater than the temple.

“I tell you, “something greater” than the temple is here.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:6‬

There was only one thing greater than the Temple and that was God Himself. Jesus was one more time identifying himself as the great I Am. God very God in the flesh. Jesus was proclaiming to the people that instead of making the temple the center of their lives, they needed to believe Him and surrender their lives to His Lordship.

So many Jews worshipped the temple. The temple became an idol to the Jews of that day. God would take away that idol too.

Wow, Jesus would be raised from the dead to glory. Jerusalem and the temple that the people worshipped would be torn down, never to rise again.

“Then Jesus said something to His disciples that would speak of a judgment coming that would touch the whole world....”

“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

World war like none other will come to the earth. Jesus was speaking of the Great Tribulation that would precede Christ’s second coming to earth. A tribulation of death and destruction against all unbelievers in Jesus...Jews and Gentile.

There will be great earthquakes and in various places famines and pestilences. Nature will give this world its worst, and there will be terrors and great signs from heaven. You will have nothing to compare to the destruction and devastation that will be poured out upon the whole earth and everyone upon it...should God not cut it short for the elect’s sake.

But before all this, they, evil powers, will lay their hands on you and persecute you. My enemies will torture you for your faith in Me. They will kill you in gladiator arenas and wild animals will tear you limb from limb as great crowds cheer your death...and more and more and more.

You will be delivered up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

Fear not, all of this will be your opportunity to bear witness.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21:10-13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Oh friends, before Christ comes, there will be much persecution of the church throughout the world. It is already happening around the world in many nations. For instance, in Kenya, where God is using us to train future pastors and wives for the purpose of planting churches in that Muslim dominated country, Muslim led governments are targeting churches, followers of Jesus with life-threatening penalties for being Christian instead of Muslim.

Friends, persecution of the church for her beliefs is already beginning to happen in our nation. For instance, in California today, state and local governments are shutting down church gatherings giving community health reasons for such decisions. They are saying that churches are not “essential” to the life and work of the community, only a threat to the community health by their gatherings for worship during the Covid pandemic.

Yes, Jesus told his hearers then and He tells us today that great persecution is coming. Therefore we should not be surprised when it comes against us. But rather, we should be prepared in faith for it. Thus we need not shrink from it.

For as Jesus said, “ It will be our “opportunity” to courageously identify with Jesus and bear witness to him as Lord and Savior to those who believe Him.

Father, be preparing us to be fearless in our love toward people who need Jesus. Help us to practice that even now.

Have a great day

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November 4th

The bible reading today is in Matthew 22 and Mark 12.

“And again Jesus spoke to them in parables at the Passover Feast, saying,“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son...Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good.

So the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless.

Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

‭‭

Matthew‬ ‭22:1-2, 8, 10-14‬ ‭

Jesus taught and preached the gospel...the good news of the kingdom of heaven...a kingdom that changes everything...beginning with the heart of a person.

Jesus told a parable about the distinctiveness of the kingdom of God. Let’s look at it...The king threw a wedding party for his son and his son’s bride. It was a glorious occasion. And it would have been a privilege to have been on the guest list. But amazingly, many who received an invitation refused the call to the palace.

I see me in this story as I think back to my teenage years. I knew that there was a god in heaven. I had been in church a good many times. I had heard the good news of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus as taught in the bible. I believed it was true.

For years I had heard the call to follow Jesus. But like many in the story, I refused and made up excuses for my rejection of the invitation.

I remember sitting on a pew in Fairway Baptist Church in Wichita Falls Texas along with some Sr High School friends. Many times I was strangely affected by the preaching. I calmed myself down by making whispered promises to God and myself that I would try to be a better person.

Then one-night several years later in my dorm room...something like the man without a wedding garment happened to me. The king came looking.

From a gospel tract that I was reading, the Spirit of Jesus looked at me...looked into my heart...and immediately I was found out. I was a fraud...a religious pretender at best...at the wedding party...different than all the rest.

I had no wedding garment...I did not have Christ. I did not have Christ covering me with his garment of grace and mercy. His garment of forgiveness and peace. His garment of righteousness and the promise of eternal life.

Unlike the man in the story who was found out, apparently, I was more than just one of the many “called” to the kingdom of heaven in Christ. “I was one of the chosen”. Yes, I chose Christ, but only after He chose me! How awesome is that, fellow believer?

I wasn't better than anyone else. I wasn't more worthy of the kingdom than others. I was just chosen by Him to be saved by his grace...for his honor and his glory.

How many times did I enter the church house knowing that I was neglecting the wedding garment of Christ? I've wondered if I was the only one there among the churchgoers that lacked the mark of the disciple...the garment grace and salvation... probably not.

I’m just grateful that I was one that was given the garment of repentance and faith in Jesus to follow him and serve him in the power of the Spirit these 50 years.

Oh yes, the kingdom of heaven is like a party. S party, thrown by Our King, for all kinds of sinners...just like you and me.

Have a great day

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November 3

The bible reading today is in Mark 11 and John 12.

These chapters and the following chapters in these two gospel records reveal the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your king is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt!”

‭‭John‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭

Jesus fulfilled Zechariah’s prophesy. He rode into Jerusalem as the king of the daughter of Zion...the Messiah.

“So the Pharisees said to one another, “You see that we are gaining nothing. Look, the world has gone after him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12:19‬

Sadly, the vast majority of people in Jerusalem for that Passover Feast did not truly believe Him. He said that he had come from the Father to save his people from their sins. That would have made him God. And most were not buying it.

What Jerusalem was looking for in a Messiah was a political, military savior to deliver them from Rome. In fact, most of the great throng of people in Jerusalem that greeted him so enthusiastically on Palm Sunday, five days later they were yelling and mocking him and calling for him to be crucified.

Back to the text...“Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12:20-23‬

Those Greeks that wanted an audience with Jesus were they converts to Judaism? Were they God-fearers who respected the Jews and were also waiting for the political Messiah?

But perhaps the better guess as to why the Greeks’ were seeking Jesus in Jerusalem at the festival was related to a significant event that took place in the Temple. We read it in Mark 11...

“...And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11:15, 17‬ ‭

Personally, I want to believe that the Greeks heard how Jesus cleared the court of the Gentiles of commercial activity by the corrupted priests so that it would again be open and available for all non-Jews to come and learn of Yahweh.

“The miracle worker Jew is fighting for us. And not surprising...for Jesus said, “My house shall be called a House of Prayer for “all” the nations.”

“Sirs, we would see Jesus.”....a quote from the curious...the interested...the Gentile that no one else in Jerusalem cared about.

May millions more have that desire to see and learn of the Savior.

Have a great day

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November 2nd

The bible reading today is in Luke 18:15-19:48.

“Now the people in the Judean and Galilean regions were bringing even infants to Jesus that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:15-17‬ ‭

There are several things that stick out to me in this text that truly warm and encourage my soul.

First, I figure that most of those proud little mothers, that were bringing their infant children to rabbi Jesus, were simply wanting a blessing from God upon their kids. I can't see anything wrong with that. Jesus was certainly the most popular rabbi in the area. And it was a tradition for Jewish parents to bring their children to the rabbi on their first birthday.

“Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray..."

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:13‬ ‭

I can't see anything wrong with that.

So why then did the disciples of Christ rebuke this group of parents for seeking an audience with Jesus for their baby's’ sake?

Well, whatever their motive, Jesus reproved them for blocking the way.

Oh friends, may we not be a roadblock to the children coming to Jesus. May we do everything in our power to make the way smooth for the children to meet Jesus....at home and at church.

Secondly, I figure that the mothers and fathers had heard or seen by now that Jesus was kid-friendly.

He loved them. Jesus knew that these particular aged children were too young to understand his teaching. But he knew that they would respond to a loving, gentle touch. So He loved on them first...later he would teach them his gospel through his apostles.

And thirdly, I noticed that these children received this blessing from Jesus without trying to make themselves worthy of it. That takes me back to my first real conversations of spiritual things with my girlfriend, Bev. She kindly and patiently showed me verses from the bible to think on. Like...Ephesians 2:8,9.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith in Christ. And even that faith is not your own doing; salvation is the gift of God, not a result of your good works, so that no one may boast.”

I got saved the same way those children got blessed...as a gift from Christ...not because I somehow did enough good things in life to deserve or earned it.

Thank you, Jesus, for loving the children...for loving me that same way.

One more thing along this same line of God’s salvation to us through Christ... “And when Jesus came to Jericho on his way to Jerusalem, he looked up and said to the tax collector perched in a tree by the way, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:5-6‬

That’s what happened to me. Jesus came to my Jericho. I didn't know him but I was interested. I didn't know him personally but I had heard of him from others.

Jesus came to my Jericho 50+ years ago and looked up into the high branches of my 6th-floor dorm room and to my heart, he told me to follow Him.

I saw Him for the first time...really saw Him...and the great thing? He saw me first!

The whole Jericho thing?...it was a divine set up by Christ for Zacchaeus and for me.

Thank you, Jesus.

Have a great day