The Tabernacle Today

The Weak Disciple

“There was no gap between what I said and what I knew I believed deep in my soul.”    -B.G., Just As I Am

“Maybe it’s time we stop trying to outsmart the truth and let it have its day.”   -Batman’s butler Alfred in The Dark Knight Rises

Read Mark 9:14-29 ESV The Weak Disciple Let’s Pray!

Jesus exposes pride and unbelief V. 14-19

While three disciples were having a mountain-top worship service with Jesus, the other nine were back down in the plain surrounded by needy people.

And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those whom He desired, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve (whom He also named apostles) so that they might be with Him and He might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons. -Mark 3:12-13

So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.  -Mark 6:12-13

3 Reasons this miracle didn’t happen until Jesus was present:

To expose the pride and unbelief of the scribes.

To reinforce the necessity of humility and prayer to the disciples.

To challenge one man that day and all of us now to have a settled faith in Jesus.

A little faith in a Big God goes a long way! V. 20-29

You can almost hear in his voice his doubting whether Jesus is really both willing and able to do what no one else has been able to do. It’s the same doubt many of you wrestle with when you think about Jesus.

Jesus’ statement that “All things are possible for one who believes” must be bought into through the affirmation of 4 truths:

1. My God is great and has the power to do anything

2. My God is good and wants what’s best for me (even more than I do)

3. My God is gracious and if He says ‘No,’ it’s gonna be for a greater ‘Yes!’

4. 1-3 will never make sense if I am only factoring in this life and not eternity

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who seek Him.  -Hebrews 11:6

“The core of all sin is the belief that God is not good.” -Oswald Chamber

The reason weak faith in Jesus is still effective to save a sinner is because the key to faith is the reliability of faith’s object, not the amount we start with.

Faith Alone Acts 15:1-11

The Bible says not to welcome (2 John) such pests who are carried along by the winds (Jude 12), come in by stealth (Jude 4), worm their way into households (2 Tim. 3:6), don’t spare the church (Acts 20:29), secretly bring destruction (2 Peter 2:1), spy on our freedom (Gal. 2:4), nurture only themselves without fear (Jude 12), and are unreasoning animals (Jude 11).

What’s cool is that in Acts 15 we see Paul and Peter and James in complete ________________________ that the works we do don’t save us, but a truly saved person will be characterized by the good works they do. And it will all be “by faith alone!”

Troubled Teaching _____________________ hearts V. 1, 5, 24

Judaizers insisted that the Gentile believers really weren’t saved because they hadn’t been circumcised.

The 3 parts of the Old Testament Law: Moral, Priestly, Civil.

Here it’s made clear that the false teachers had gone out without the ________________________ of the Jerusalem church and its leaders!

Paul’s teaching – All people are saved by faith alone! V. 2-4

These Judaizers had come like ______________________ to suck the lifeblood out of churches they had not planted and disciples they had not evangelized. It still happens today!

Galatians 1:8; 2:4-5; 3:2-3, 11, 14, 19, 24-25, 28; 5:1-6; 6:15

Peter’s teaching – All People are saved by faith alone! V. 7-11

The only way for my heart to be _______________ is by faith in Jesus.

They had forgotten that the law wasn’t a means of salvation, but was the template for holy living given to a people who had ____________ been delivered by faith.

Abraham had believed God, and it had been counted to Him for righteousness.

Joel had said, “the just shall live by faith.”

To the one who does not work, but believes on Him who declares the ungodly to be righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness.  -Romans 4:5

Just as Peter had been there when the Samaritans believed, and when the Gentiles believed, he now proclaims the fatal error of the Judaizers – in calling for a work to be added to faith, they revealed that they were the ones who were not ______________________ saved yet! They were not trusting in Christ alone for salvation!

Let’s repeat it one more time –

The only way for my heart to be cleansed is by faith in Jesus.

The Inviting Disciple

Read John 1:35-51 ESV The Inviting Disciple Let’s Pray!

John the Baptist points his students to Jesus   V. 35-39

He (Jesus) must increase, but I must decrease. -John 3:30

I love that Jesus doesn’t rebuke them for not even knowing how to respond properly to Him – He just says, probably with a big grin, “Come and see!”

Andrew brings his brother to Jesus V. 40-42

100% of the people you don’t invite to church won’t get here because of you. They might wind up here for some other reason, but not because of you.

Jesus saw Peter and saw not what he had been, but what He would become through faith in Jesus. The same is true for every new disciple (see Rev. 2:17).

Jesus personally brings Philip to Himself V. 43

Jesus will never ask us to do anything He didn’t personally model for us.

Philip brings his friend to Jesus V. 44-51

And that brings me to you – Who’s your one you hope to bring to Jesus?

Our goal on August 28th is to have at least 100 of you INVITE someone to church and Sunday School that day – and have at least 10 classes have guests that day.

Here are some stats to help process our nation’s spiritual need:

53% of Americans are not members of any house of worship; 70% of unchurched Americans say no one has ever shared the gospel with them; But 57% of Americans think at least monthly about how to find meaning & purpose.

“The old man’s face was transformed, alight, radiant. He sat up eagerly with outstretched arms and a beautiful smile on his face, as though welcoming his best of friends, and with that he was gone to that land of pure delight where saints immortal reign.”

The First Church Planting Report Acts 14:21-28

Summary: Lots of new disciples and four churches planted V. 21

So the church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.    -Acts 9:31

The Call for all believers to be _______________________ Disciples     V. 22

The word for strengthening is episterizontes (1991), a present active participle from episterizo.

The word means: to establish besides, strengthen more. Or to render more firm, confirm!

The word ‘Christian’ occurs once in Acts, the plural ‘Christians’ twice. The word ‘believer’ occurs once in Acts, the plural ‘believers’ seven times. In contrast the word ‘disciple’ occurs 5 times in Acts, the plural ‘disciples’ ____________ times.

God doesn’t demand perfection, but He expects ________________!

One ship drives east and another drives west

With the selfsame winds that blow.

‘Tis the set of the sails and not the gales

Which tells us the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,

As we voyage along through life:

‘Tis the set of a soul that decides its goal,

And not the calm or the strife.

-Ella Wheeler Wilcox

All new believers should be taught John 16:33 & 2 Timothy 3:12…

You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world! -Jesus in John 16:33

In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.  -Paul in 2 Timothy 3:12

The Call for leaders and churches to ___________________ up Future Leaders   V. 23

I Peter 5:1-7

He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.  -I Timothy 3:6-7

The Call for Committed _______________________________ in Church Planting    V. 25-27

As a result of their efforts, there were growing Christians in growing churches from one side of the province of Galatia to the other: From Antioch of Pisidia to Derbe! Those disciples would continue to reach out to the rest of the province!

The broken disciple

Where others see broken people who no longer have value in this world, Jesus sees those He was willing to be broken for so they could be put back together.

The Greek word syntribo (G4937) occurs 7 times in the New Testament. It can be translated as bruised, broken in pieces, or crushed. It is used in Mark 14:3 when Mary BROKE open a flask of oil. It is also used in Romans 16:20 when it says that Jesus will one day CRUSH Satan under His feet!

The Greek word katagnymi (G2608) occurs 4 times in the New Testament. It means to break, to rend in pieces. The other 3 occurrences of it are in John 19:31-33, where we read of the Roman soldiers who would break the legs of those being crucified so they could ‘finish them off.’

Read Matthew 12:9-21 ESV The broken disciple Let’s Pray!

The hard-headed reject Jesus, and stay lost V. 9-14

The word for destroy in verse 14 is apollymi (G 622). It is used 92 times in the New Testament, including the first part of John 10:10, where we read that the thief comes to kill, to steal, and to DESTROY.

The humble-hearted follow Jesus, and are made whole V. 15-21

The word for heal in verse 15 is therapeuo (G 2323). It is translated to serve, to heal, to cure, to restore to health. You can see the word therapy in it.

The word for justice in verse 18 and 20 is krisis (G 2920). It the word used to describe the judgment (Heb. 9:27) and judgment to come (Jn. 16:8). In other words, the Messiah will proclaim the need for sinners to be ready for coming judgment (v. 18) and will give victory to the faithful over judgment (v. 20).

The one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out. -John 6:37b

Genetics < Environment < Circumstances < Your Choices < God’s Choice

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. -Psalm 51:17

Gospel On-Ramps Acts 14:1-20

“A blessed spectator” Chuck Smith & Calvary Chapel

The ________________________ On-Ramp  V. 1-7

The word apostle simply means sent ones, so it can be used of any person sent out as a church plante.

It also can be used in a stricter sense to refer to the writers of the New Testament, whose message God stamped with His approval. When the New Testament was finished, that use of the word apostle was also!

The Share and Meet _______________ ‘as you are going’ On-Ramp   V. 8-13

Lystra was 20 miles south of Iconium. It was a Roman military outpost, with many people there that didn’t speak Greek or Roman.

Even if you can’t heal somebody, you can do the basic thing that Paul and Barnabas were doing here: testify to what Jesus has done in your life and meet the needs you _____________________ around you!

The _____________________ On-Ramp   V. 11-20

Paul doesn’t start with the Jewish law with these Gentiles. Instead, Paul refers to Creation, Providence, and _______________________ to try and get the people to Jesus!

Acts 16:1-2 2 Timothy 1:5

Christian, let me encourage you to keep studying your Bible, but also study _______________________, so you can use gospel on-ramps to get them ready to hear about Jesus!

Listen to Scott Spalding as he brings a word of encouragement from Hebrews chapter one!

Eternal Appointments Acts 13:14-52

 "How monstrous to be told you have a heart as sinful as the common wretches…so much at variance with high rank and good breeding." -A noblewoman upon hearing George Whitfield preach

Paul and Barnabas go to Synagogue V. 14-16

Paul preaches salvation by faith in Jesus Christ _______________ V. 17-41

Paul's sermon could be summarized like this: The coming of Jesus was the fulfillment of God's promises in the Bible, as His resurrection __________________! 

The sermon could be divided into 3 parts…

Verses 16-25 summarize Israel's ______________________ from the Exodus to John the Baptist

Verses 26-37 emphasize that Jesus is the _________________________ Messiah! 

Verses 38-41 feature Paul's _____________ for them to repent and believe in Jesus! 

Two blessings faith in Christ brings the law could never bring:

________________________ of sins V. 38

________________________ by faith V. 39

-Romans 3:23-24 -Romans 4:5 -Galatians 2:16

The aftermath of Paul's sermon V. 42-51

Belief is not merely intellectual assent - but radical trust and _________________ of the life to the Lord - done once, it never stops being present in the life of a true believer. I did, I do, and I still do! --S.P. Grant  

Those who believed kept their eternal appointment! V. 48

The word for appointed could be translated ____________________, as in the book of life spoken of throughout the Bible. John 15:16

I Run For My Horse With All My Might

The Choice That Must Be Made!

Some of you here this morning may be afflicted with something called L.T.S. - L.T.S. stands for "Last Texter Syndrome!"

What do we find in this the last passage of both Revelation and the Bible? 

A final appeal from God to walk through the door of salvation that has swung open widely for mankind, a final appeal to make the choice that must be made!  

Read Revelation 22:6-21 The Choice That Must Be Made Let's Pray!

Our passage today is like the grand finale of a fireworks show, citing 8 names of Jesus Christ in 16 verses!

The three purposes of the Tribulation:

1. Judge the Satanic World System that has ruined earth

2. Re-gather a spiritual Israel ready for Christ to reign

3. Give everyone on earth several last chances to repent before Jesus returns

The Last three things the Bible impresses on us:

First and Foremost, it's all about Jesus!

If Root reinforces He is 100% divine, Offspring reinforces that he is 100% human. Jesus is the one uniquely qualified to bring God and man together!  

Our problem is we make stars of people that are bound for the Lake of Fire. 

Revelation has taught us there's only room for one superstar in the Christian's life, Jesus, the Bright Morning Star! 

Secondly, we are partners with all believers who have gone before and come after us!

Do you see it there in verse nine? It says we are fellow slaves with those who have gone before if we keep the words of this book! We are their partners, extending the kingdom of God in our generation as they did in theirs! 

Together we all worship God, and together we are partners making our unique contributions to advancing Jesus' Kingdom! 

Lastly, one more time the appeal goes out to sinners to come to Jesus before it's too late!

The Bible is one appeal to sinners after another from a loving God to choose the eternal life made possible only through Jesus Christ! 

When Revelation uses this word quickly, two things are intended. 

First, when the events described in Revelation begin to happen they will unfold in rapid succession.

Second, the events in Revelation are imminent, they "loom over" everything currently going on!

The church now is too often lethargic and acting with a peace-time mentality rather than going through the open doors the Holy Spirit puts before us! 

The end of the Bible pictures John & true believers in a spiritual battle, saving everyone we can on the battlefield before Jesus comes and airlifts us out! 

An earthly father teaches us to bless the Heavenly Father

Read 1 Chronicles 29:9-21

David models a public blessing of our perfect Heavenly Father  V. 10-13

The main Hebrew Old Testament word for bless is Barak (H1288), occurring 330 times. It can also be translated praise, thank, kneel, adore, salute. Intriguingly, the majority of its occurrences revolve around David, Abraham, and Moses.

The main Greek New Testament word for bless is Eulogeo (G2127), occurring 44 times. It can also be translated praise, speak good words over, make glad, cause to prosper. We get our word Eulogy from it.

To bless another is to speak good words over them and about them, to praise & thank them; it is to make them glad, & do your part to set them up for success.

About half of the Psalms were by David, and half by others. The next time you read through the Psalms note that David, far more than the other Psalmists, prays directly to God rather than just make statements about God!

David models being a prototype earthly father V. 14-18

As part of repentance, David stood on the promises of God about God responding to true confession of sin with forgiveness and restoration. He also claimed the Bible’s promise – that true faith equals right standing with God.

I love what happens after David’s life – every king after David was evaluated on two things: whether their hearts were fixed on God like David’s had been, and whether they had used their authority to deal with faith destroying idols.

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. -1 Corinthians 11:1

David modeled for us blessing our own children and others  V. 19-20

Let your children see that your past sin doesn’t define you – your future with God does!