WELCOME TO
SERMON SEEDS
S37 – WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2020
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John 2:14-22 - WHEN JESUS CLEANS HOUSE
MEETING JESUS #5 – GOSPEL OF JOHN
Our Lord Jesus was and is an expert at house cleaning. We just read about the first cleaning of the temple when Israel, as a nation, met Jesus for the first time. He would do the same chore, during the week before His crucifixion.
Jesus is still cleaning houses today. But more about that later.
WHEN JESUS CLEANED THE TEMPLE
HE WAS PRESENT – John 2:13-14
- A fitting time and place to begin ministry. Malachi 3:1-4
- Jesus had been there before as a worshiper. This time in his Messianic role.
HE WAS PERCEPTIVE – John 2:14
- This was a religious bazaar! All you need for worship at a price. And our product is the only authorized product. Others probably took it for granted. Jesus perceived the seriousness of the problem.
- Held in outer “Court of the Gentiles”. Only place Gentiles could come and worship. Imagine the smell and noise!
- Matthew 21:13 - And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
- Jesus was outraged at the sin going on in his Father’s House.
HE WAS PROACTIVE – John 2:15-17
- Jesus would not stand by idly. As God, the Son, He would take action. He drove them out!
- Jesus was angry! God is perfectly angry with sin!
- Animals could be recovered, and money could be picked up, but he did not release the birds.
- Vs. 16 – They were making God’s house market.
- Vs. 17 – Psalm 69:9 - For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.
HE WAS POWERFUL – John 2:15-17
- One man accomplished this. The place was mobbed, business was great and Jesus used super-natural power to do this. Another indication that He is God!
HE HAD PERMISSION (Authority) – John 2:18-22
- Jesus authority was questioned.
- “How gave you permission to do this?”
- Vs. 19 – You destroy the temple of his body, which they did, and I will raise it three days, which He did.
- Vss. 20-21 – A misunderstanding
- Vs. 22 – The Disciples got it, but later!
WHEN JESUS CLEANS OUR TEMPLES,
HE IS PRESENT
- Every believer has been Born Again
John 3:3-7, 1 Corinthians 12:13
- Every believer is the temple of God. 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16,
2 Corinthians 6:16, John 14:21, 23
HE IS PERCEPTIVE
- The Lord knows your every thought and motive. Psalm 139:1-4, 7-10
- He wants us to live holy lives because we are a holy temple! 1 Peter 1:15-19
- When we sin, the Lord is grieved. Eph. 4:30-32
HE IS PROACTIVE
- When we sin, The Lord will convict us. When we confess our sins. 1 John 1:9
- There are times when we will have trials that mature us and, in the process, we will deal with sins.
- There are other times when the Lord will discipline us because He loves us.
Hebrews 12:5-6
HE IS POWERFUL
- The Lord has already given us the power to live a Godly Life. Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:16,
2 Peter 1:3, Ephesians 6:10-18
HE HAS PERMISSION
- In the sense of authority, Jesus has the authority to work inside of you. He is your Lord, whether you acknowledge it or not. But he wants our cooperation to work in us to clean our house, His temple.
TO LISTEN TO THIS MESSAGE AS IT WAS PREACHED VISIT
https://www.fbcnhremembers.com/when_jesus_cleans_house
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1 SAMUEL 15 – A WAYWARD KING (CHRISTIAN)
Saul was a wayward, or backslidden king. We must beware that we are not wayward or backslidden Christians
DIRECTIONS FOR SAUL - Vss. 1-5
Saul was to be an instrument of God in judging Amalek. He was to go and
totally destroy Amalek and all their animals. While we might view this as a
rather violent thing for God to do, let us remember that He is God and had
his reasons for doing this at this time.
When God gives us an assignment or a command, let’s follow His instructions. Psalm 32,
John 14: 21, 23, John 15:11-12
DISOBEDIENCE OF SAUL - Vss. 6-9
Saul did two things wrong. He destroyed everyone except the king, Agag, and
he kept alive the best of the livestock.
When we partially obey and are partially disobedient, we are still disobedient!
DISTRESS OVER SAUL - Vss. 10-11
Samuel the Prophet was informed by God of Saul's disobedience and of God's
displeasure. Samuel was greatly grieved.
When we are disobedient we grieve Christian leaders and friends who love us and care about us!
DECEIT OF SAUL - Vss. 12-13
When Saul met Samuel he claimed to have kept the commandment of the Lord.
Saul had only been partially obedient. He was trying to deceive Samuel.
Let's remember that partial obedience is disobedience.
DECLARATION ABOUT SAUL - Vss. 14-31
Of God's Displeasure - Vss. 14-23
Of the Kingdom's Departure (from Saul) - Vss. 24-31
How much loss of effectiveness have we suffered because of our own disobedience?
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PSALM 55:16-17 – THE PRAYER DECISION
As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he
shall hear my voice.
If we are going to be men and women of prayer, we must decide some very basic things. We find that:
PRAYER IS A PERSONAL DECISION - As for me...
PRAYER IS A PRACTICAL DECISION - ... I will call upon God;
PRAYER IS A POWERFUL DECISION - ... and the LORD shall
save me.
PRAYER IS A PERSISTENT DECISION - Evening, and morning, and at noon...
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MARK 2:13-17 – STILL!
JESUS STILL CALLS THE UNSAVED – Vss. 13-14
JESUS STILL CONGREGATES WITH SINNERS – Vs. 15
PEOPLE STILL CRITICIZE EVANGELISTS – Vs. 16
JESUS STILL SHOWS COMPASSION ON THE LOST – Vs.17
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LUKE 10:28-32 – SISTERS
LIFE OF CHRIST #37
There has always been an affinity between sisters, as this song sung by Rosemary and Betty Clooney indicates. There are times, however, when even the closest of sisters don’t see eye to eye. Such is the case as we continue to look at the life of Christ.
The last event we saw in our Lord’s life was the healing of a man who had been born blind. Some time after that event Jesus made a visit in a little village called Bethany, which not far from Jerusalem.
This is where two sisters, Martha and Mary, lived with their brother, Lazarus. In the story before us this morning, Martha is depicted as somewhat of a villain, and Mary a heroine. They were both human. They were both Christians. Both had some very good qualities about them, especially if you look at the other stories about them found in the Gospel of John. We’ll get to them later on in our study.
WHAT THEY HAD IN COMMON – Vs. 38
- JESUS WAS WELCOME
Evidently Martha was the oldest sister, and it was considered her home.
When Jesus came the door was always open.
Martha showed that Jesus was welcome by serving Him.
Mary showed that Jesus was welcome by sitting at his feet and hearting his Word.
But Jesus was more than just welcome in their home.
Jesus was welcome in their hearts.
Both of them had made a personal commitment to the Lord Jesus as their Messiah, their Savior.
Jesus was not only welcome to Martha and Mary as Savior, but He was also their Master. As you read the accounts about these sisters, you will see that He was boss in their lives.
You claim to be a Christian. You have welcomed Jesus as your Savior. Is He welcome to tell you what to do? Is He welcome to “call the shots” in your life? John 13:13, 12:26
If Jesus is welcome as your Master, He is your Lord. And as someone has well said, “If Jesus isn’t Lord of all, He’s not Lord at all!”
Jesus was not only welcome to Mary and Martha as their Savior, and Master, but he was also welcome as their friend for fellowship. Both Mary and Martha would have communed with Jesus in the course of His visit. They would have talked with Him.
Even during Martha’s business she would have had opportunity to talk with the Lord. She could have done better as we’ll see in few minutes, but nonetheless she had some fellowship with Him as a friend.
How aware of Jesus’ presence in your life are you?
Is He such a welcome guest that you spend time talking with Him and learning from Him as a friend?
Revelation 3:20
- JESUS WAS LOVED!
It is obvious that Jesus was loved by the warm reception He received. It is obvious that Jesus was loved by the way that he was treated both in this passage and in John 11.
You who call yourself a Christian, do you love the Lord Jesus?
When you love someone you think about them.
When you love someone you try to please them.
When you love someone you try to fulfill their wishes.
When you love someone who is in a superior position over you, you obey them.
If you love the Lord Jesus you will worship and adore Him.
If you love the Lord Jesus you will obey Him. John 14:21
- JESUS LOVED THEM
John 11:5 - Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
Just as Jesus loved Mary and Martha, he loves you and I.
He loved us when He died for us.
He loves each one who has trusted Him as Savior.
How strong is His love for you? Romans 8:39
So, these sisters had at least three things in common:
Jesus was welcome as Savior, Master and Friend
Jesus was loved.
Jesus loved them.
WHAT THEY HELD IN CONTRAST – Vss. 39-40
Mary and Martha surely had their differences. One such difference comes to light here.
Vs. 39 – Mary was Word oriented.
Mary had a unique opportunity and she took it.
Mary had the opportunity as a woman to sit at Jesus feet and hear His Word. In the Jewish culture of that day, it was unheard of.
Other chores were set aside so Mary could hear the Word of God. This does not mean that Mary was lazy or not a worker. And it doesn’t mean that Mary never helped in the kitchen.
It does mean that God’s Word had a high priority!
Why should God’s Word be a high priority? Jeremiah 15:16, Mark 13:31, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12, Psalm 119:11
The Word of God is so important. Shouldn’t you be as Word Oriented as Mary was? The Word was available and she sat and listened to it!
- The Word of God is available to you every day for reading, memorization and meditation.
- The Word of God is available to you every day through Christian Television and Radio, although you must be discriminating to know who to listen to and who to avoid.
- The Word of God is available to you in Sunday School, Sunday Morning, Sunday Night, and Wednesday night.
People starve when they do not eat! Sometimes food is not available. Other times it is.
Christians starve when they do not eat. You and I have no excuse. The Word of God is available.
Mary was Word oriented.
Martha was Work oriented.
Vs. 40 - Martha had a servant’s heart.
She evidently wanted Jesus to have the best and was preparing an elaborate meal. She wanted to serve Jesus the best!
Martha became distracted with her service.
The project of the meal became so big in her mind that was all she could think about. The Son of God had come to dinner and she was distracted!
It was good that Martha serve.
It is good that we serve. Galatians 5:13, 1 Peter 4:10
The problem with Mary was that the work so distracted her that she not only rebuked Mary, but rebuked the Lord Himself in verse 40.
As for learning anything from Jesus she was too busy serving.
We have the same problem sometimes. We get so busy serving ourselves, others, and even the Lord that we don’t have time for Jesus!
WHAT THEY HEARD IN COMMENTARY – Vss. 41-42
It was now time for the Lord and Master to speak.
When He did, he put things in perspective.
Martha was not wrong to serve, but Martha became so distracted in service that she missed God’s best, His Word.
Vs. 41 – Martha you’re uptight about a lot of things. I think it was more than just the meal that would distract Martha. Whatever she chose to do probably got her worked up, and I think she chose to do much.
So often we are just like Martha, distracted about what we have to get done, about how we are going to serve.
Vs. 42 – In that given moment, with Jesus present in their home, there was only one thing that was truly needful. That was to take advantage of learning at the feet of Jesus.
All of the things Martha did to serve would be there to be done at another time. But right at that moment, Mary’s priorities were in order and Martha’s weren’t.
I don’t know for sure, but I think that right then and there Martha stopped and listened, and when Jesus had finished speaking, I think that they both went and got the meal. Martha matured as John 11:20-28 indicates.
I have a feeling that if we could hear Jesus talking, we might here Him, saying, “You are anxious and troubled about many things. Chose the good part which can not be taken away from you.”
Mary had the opportunity to learn the Word of God from the Son of God. That was to be her priority. What she learned from the Word of God nobody could take away from her.
There is no value in anxiety and worry.
There is great value in God’s Word.
You have many opportunities to learn from God’s Word.
Are you availing yourself of these opportunities?
SISTERS:
WHAT THEY HAD IN COMMON – Vs. 38
· Jesus was welcome – as Savior, Master, Friend
- They loved Jesus
- Jesus loved them
WHAT THEY HELD IN CONTRAST – Vss. 39-40
- Mary was Word oriented
- Martha was Work oriented
WHAT THEY HEARD IN COMMENTARY – Vss. 41-42
- Martha was troubled
- Mary received lessons for a lifetime that could not be taken away.
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HEBREWS 12:1-2 – HOW TO GROW UP
We are told in 2 Peter 3:18: But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ… Hebrews 12:1-2 shows how to grow up in grace.
Hebrews 12:1-2 - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- REMEMBER YOUR ROLE MODELS - Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses… (Hebrews 11)
- RUN YOUR RACE - …let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Each of us has a race to run and although each our races has many similarities, your race is unique. God has a race for you to complete as he did for Abel, Noah, Abraham, David and every other Hebrews 11 “Hero of faith”.
- REJECT YOUR RESTRICTIONS - …let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…
Any “weight” (sin) that holds us back from running our face needs to be discarded.
I believe the “sin” that “so easily besets us is unbelief.
Hebrews 3:18-19 – Most other translations do use the idea of unbelief in Verse 18, but rather disobedience. They did not obey (Verse 18) because they did not believe. (Verse 19)
- RELY ON YOUR RESOURCE - Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 3:18-19.
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MY BAD! – JAMES 1:13-16
LET’S GET PRACTICAL (JAMES) # 4
- What does the term “My bad” mean?
- In what ways do people blame others when they sin?
- Why is it important that we take ownership of our sin?
- Genesis 3:1-13 – When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, there were three blamed.
- Adam blamed Eve. Vs. 12
- Adam blamed God. Vs. 12
- Eve blamed the serpent. Vs. 13
SIN IS NOT GOD’S FAULT – Vs. 13
- God allows trials, and will allow them in order to mature us. James 1:2-4, 12, Romans 5:3-5
- When we face trials we are tempted to sin. Give some examples.
- Even when we are not going through trials we will be tempted to sin. Give some examples.
- God is NEVER the source of temptation. God will never solicit you to do evil.
- The word translated “by” can also be translated “from” God, and carries the idea of remoteness. God is not directly responsible for our temptations, nor is he remotely responsible.
- God cannot be tempted to do evil. That is because God is holy. Leviticus 19:2
“He is aware of evil but untouched by it, like a sunbeam shining on a dump is untouched by the trash.” John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, James (Chicago, Moody Press, 1998), p. 47
- Not only can God not be tempted to do evil, but He also tempts no one to do evil.
SIN IS NOT SATAN’S FAULT
- We must be on the alert for Satan’s attacks. 1 Peter 5:8
- Satan is a fallen angel. Isaiah 14:12-17, Ezekiel 28:11-16
- Satan appears as an “angel of light”. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
- Satan will tempt us. 2 Corinthians 11:3
- Satan is a liar. John 8:44
- Although Satan will tempt you, Satan does not make you sin.
SIN IS NOT THE FAULT OF ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL
- In what ways do others tempt us to sin?
- Why is their influence so strong?
- Did Eve make Adam sin?
- Many individuals will tempt you to sin. Nobody makes you sin.
WITHOUT INNER DESIRE (LUST) THERE WOULD BE NO SIN – Vs. 14
- We are sinners by nature. Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12
- We are sinners by practice. Romans 3:10, 23
- Sin begins with an inner lust or desire. Many, if not all, of these desires are normal. It is when they become out of control that they become a problem. Give some examples.
- It is our own inner desires that allow us to be drawn or “dragged away”.
- To be enticed is to be baited. It’s a fishing term.
- Jesus warned about the condition of one’s heart.
Mark 7:21-23 (ESV) – For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
SIN IS PART OF A DEADLY PROCESS – Vss. 15-16
- Our desires make us susceptible to temptation.
- When desires conceive they give birth to sin.
- It is indeed “my bad” when I sin.
- And to make matters worse, the result of sin is death. Romans 6:23
- An unsaved person who sins will face eternal punishment. John 1:18
- Sometimes a Christian is removed because of sin. 1 Corinthians 11:30, 1 John 5:16-17
- For us as Christians, we have a ‘death-like’ existence when we sin.
- We will lack the abundant life. John 10:10
- We will lack the “fruit of the Spirit”. Galatians 5:22-26
- We will lack an effective testimony.
- We will lack a victorious Christian life.
- The answer is found in repentance and confession of sin. John 1:9, Revelation 2:5
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