We have entered into this season of Christmas.Everywhere we turn, there is talk about Christmas. From commercialization to spending time with family.We look forward to it with an amazing enthusiasm.Why?Why do we do what we do?It is
Because
Of
Jesus
It was what happened 2000+ years ago that enables us to have this holiday.Nothing else.And no matter how the world tries to de-emphasize Christ, listen to what Brennan Manning says:
“In the month of December, he strikes both the sacred and secular spheres of life with sledgehammer force.Suddenly, Jesus is everywhere, his presence inescapable.We may accept him or reject him, affirm him or deny him, but we cannot ignore him.Of course he is proclaimed in speech, song, and symbol in all Christian churches.But he rides every red-nosed reindeer, lurks behind every Barbie doll, and resonates in the desacralized ‘Season’s Greetings.’Remotely or proximately, he is toasted in every cup of Christmas cheer.Each sprig of holly is a hint of his holiness.Each cluster of mistletoe is a sign he is here.”[1]
Christmas is not the only day we should look forward to in regards to Christ and salvation.There is another day coming that no one knows about, and whether or not they will acknowledge, they will acknowledge who God is.Jesus talks about it like this:
"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left."Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”[2]
Isn’t that exciting?You can’t wait for that to happen can you?I think if we are honest, I think that you will agree with me in that it is unfortunate that we look at Christ’s Return in a totally different light.We look at Christ’s coming with hesitation.We want him to come but at the same time we want to live our lives.We act weary and asleep.I’m not saying we should spend our lives consumed with the end of it all, which is defined theologically as the Eschatology.Listen to what Paul says,
“And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”[3]
He says to not be weary of it.He even more so does not say to be consumed with your it.He is telling the Believers of Rome, and us, that this time is coming to end.That the coming of Christ is close and that we ought to be excited.He equates with the ending time of day.Here on one side we have the night.The night is suffering, hardship, living a life plagued by sin.But the coming of day is the return of Christ.The restoration of the way things are suppose to be.
Paul says to, “So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”He says that we ought to be going about doing what God wants us to do and to not live lives that call into question who we are as believers or violates what we know to be wrong: things like addiction, sexual immorality, dissension, and hatred.How do we do it?Through clothing ourselves “…with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”By taking Jesus Christ’s teachings and living them.To shun what is evil.Greed, consumerism, racism, betrayal, lying, stealing, killing, anything that is not from God.
So let us be excited for the coming Joy that is Jesus’ return.Let us run with hope to the masses.
Does anyone like Zombie movies? I do. There is nothing like seeing a zombie movie. Especially the really cheesy ones. They are just so…lame! I mean you don’t go for the plot, you go to have a good time and laugh at the campy-ness of it.
So why do I bring up Zombie movies? Well, what makes a Zombie a Zombie? This is something that you need to know in the instance of a Zombie Apocalypse. To be a zombie means that you were bitten or that you were dead. Now, I’m not saying that Jesus was a zombie, but what I am wanting to share is an interaction with a disciple after Jesus’ resurrection. Something that just doesn’t happen.
(John 20:24-29 NIV) Now Thomas (called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. {25} So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." {26} A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" {27} Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." {28} Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" {29} Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
There are those who are like Thomas. They seek proof. Thomas is no different. He loved Jesus. He sought after Jesus. He was with the remnant. Just like them:
Trying to figure out:
What…
Has…
Just….
Happened…
There were stories about people seeing Jesus. He had heard what John had said, what Peter and the Mary’s had said. He had heard the accounts of others who had met and walked with Jesus. Yet he had missed these opportunities.
He sought proof.
Proof that this was real.
Proof that this was genuine.
Proof that would validate him. That the commitment he made was worth it.
Max Lucado, in No Wonder They Call Him The Savior, says the following:
On the one hand, the idea of a resurrected Jesus was too farfetched for dogmatic Thomas. His limited creativity left little room for magic or razzle dazzle. Besides, he wasn’t about to set himself up to be disappointed again. One disappointment was enough, thank you. Yet, on the other hand, his loyalty made him yearn to believe. AS long as there was the slimmest thread of hope, he wanted to be counted in.[1]
The same proof that John the Baptist sought. Matthew 11:1-6 (NIV)
(11:1) After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. (2) When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples (3) to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (4) Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: (5) The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. (6) Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
John needed to know that what he was experiencing was true. That this is genuine and Christ gives him validity of proof.
They both needed validity in what they were experiencing. When Jesus says to Thomas, “Stop doubting and believe.” He is not condemning him or reprimanding him.
Jesus is giving him proof. Proof that this is genuine. Thomas doesn’t just believe based upon what others said. He bases it on his own experience. Thomas sought to know that the stories were true The fact that he saw Jesus himself. So many times we base decisions on what other people tell us to do.
When Jesus says “Blessed are those who believe and have not seen.” It is like he is saying it is harder for those who come later, because they will not have the physical proof. Their experience will have to come from faith.
So what is the point of this? Why does this matter? Maybe for you, you are seeking. You have been looking for what is real. A guy by the name of Rob Bell, who is pastor of Mars Hill in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He said this in a lecture:
Maybe you are here this morning and you are so like Thomas, you want to believe, but you want to be sure. You doubt because you don’t want to be let down, the way that everything and everyone has let you down. So you seek doubt to “protect” you from disappointment. To you, Jesus is saying, stop doubting and believe.
Thomas did. Enough so that he couldn’t contain it. Foxes Book of Martyrs has it like this:
Thomas Called Didymus, preached the Gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.[3]
[1] Lucado, Max. No Wonder They Call Him the Savior. pg. 99
What is the point of a vision? You hear a lot about vision, whether it is the President talking about his or her vision for the future to a business man or woman talking about what they want their company to do in the next fiscal year.
But what does it mean to have a vision and what do you do with it? I hear preachers on TV give a vision for their ministry, followed by a request for money to “sow a seed” for the kingdom to complete this vision. I’m not trying to question their motives, but I’m often wondering is that what it means to have a vision?
So what is a vision? And how much does God place on visions and to what extent does he use visions? I have come to realize several things. One being that Visions are a call to action for a change in direction and attitude. A second is that visions are
Visions are a call to action for a change in direction and attitude.
Listen to the story
Matthew 1:18-20 (NIV) [18] This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. [19] Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. [20] But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Here we have Joseph who was about to divorce Mary as it was allowed to him where it says in Deuteronomy 24:1 about when a man can divorce his wife for infidelity. He didn’t get what was happening because, well probably because he is a man and most men don’t listen-at least that is what I’ve heard. (Grin) But that is for a discussion later on.
God informs him in a dream (visions in the OT and NT are often through the appearance dreams) that this is a good thing and to not go through with his plans. Joseph listens, marries Mary and goes to Bethlehem (which becomes a fulfillment of prophesy for it is there that Christ is born).
Acts 10:9-22 says this:
Acts 10:9-22 (TNIV) (9) About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. (10) He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. (11) He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. (12) It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. (13) Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” (14) “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” (15) The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” (16) This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven. (17) While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate. (18) They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. (19) While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. (20) So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” (21) Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?” (22) The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.”
Peter has this vision of all types of animals to eat and he refused because they were considered unclean according to the law. God tells him that it is okay for him to eat of it. God was using this sheet to inform Peter that it is no longer just the people of Israel that God cared about-it was everybody. Peter, recognizing this as a God thing, goes and talks with Cornelius and builds a relationship that ends up for Cornelius a deeper and closer walk with God.
What the lasting result is with Peter is that he begins to understand that God is for all people. To the point where he went to Rome and ministered there to the point of death. Listen to what Foxe’s Book of Martyrs says about Peter:
IX. Peter Among many other saints, the blessed apostle Peter was condemned to death, and crucified, as some do write, at Rome; albeit some others, and not without cause, do doubt thereof. Hegesippus saith that Nero sought matter against Peter to put him to death; which, when the people perceived, they entreated Peter with much ado that he would fly the city. Peter, through their importunity at length persuaded, prepared himself to avoid. But, coming to the gate, he saw the Lord Christ come to meet him, to whom he, worshipping, said, "Lord, whither dost Thou go?" To whom He answered and said, "I am come again to be crucified." By this, Peter, perceiving his suffering to be understood, returned into the city. Jerome saith that he was crucified, his head being down and his feet upward, himself so requiring, because he was (he said) unworthy to be crucified after the same form and manner as the Lord was.
God uses dreams and visions sometimes to get our attention, to cause us to change direction, and to cause us to change our attitudes. Not only does God gives us a vision when He wants change, he also gives us a vision of what is to come. God Gives Us A Vision of What is to Come The job of the prophets, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, etc. was to relay the vision that God had for what was to come for the people of Israel and the world. They were the mouthpiece of God. Then say: The Prophets were to tell the people of Israel three basic things:
1.You have forgotten your fist love.
2.You are being punished
3.There is coming a day of hope.
You can almost boil the message of the prophets into those three things. What is interesting is that a lot of them would receive this message in a dream or vision, and it would always be about what is to come.
For instance, turn to Zechariah 9:9
Zechariah 9:9 (TNIV) (9)Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
Zechariah sees this vision of someone coming. Riding on a donkey, Jerusalem’s King. Who is that? Jesus. This is a vision about the future.
It almost begs the question, why would God do that? Why would he want to give us a vision of what is to come?
Well let’s look at Proverbs for an answer:
Proverbs 29:18 (NIV)
[18] Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
The reason is that when there is no vision, the people fail. When there is nothing to hope in, there is no point of change.
Without vision-
We
Are
Blind.
Have you ever walked around in the dark? What does it feel like?
Talk about Ethan and the dark. He doesn’t like it. If he can’t turn on the light somewhere he will NOT go in.
We don’t like not being able to see. It is confusing and often times it leads to disasterous results.
Now think about that on a spiritual or a faith level. If we have no sense of guidance in from God. No sense of vision-it is confusing and it leads to failure. But what causes this to happen?
Remember the last part of the proverb. It says, “…but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
If you look at that and you look at the examples we’ve talked about tonight, the people received the vision based upon their devotion and their dependence on God.
So what does this mean for you? What is the Gospel for you?
Maybe you are here today, and God has given you a vision to help the homeless or the less fortunate in your community, but you have been fighting it because you have no idea where to begin. Ask God where to go. It can be something as simple as a canned food drive at your church or a clothing sale in which the proceeds are donated to a local charity. It can be something as easy as going to the CompassionCenter and making a food plate, or simply going and talking to them, sharing a meal with them.
Students, maybe you have a vision to bring the community together for Christ. Maybe God ahs been giving you a vision to witness to your friends who so desparately need for someone to be the prescence of Christ in their lives. They seen the bad side of religion, but they have not seen the sweet face of Jesus. One excuse is always I don’t know how. This is what you can do: Bring your Bible to school you want to get a conversation going, that is a good way to start. When I was in high school, I was challenged to bring my Bible to school because there was no law saying that I could not. So I did. Immediately, I was asked why and it opened up a door of conversation about my faith. Another excuse is I’m not smart enough. Or another excuse is they know me to well. To that I say, you have a story, and it is yours. People just want to know what makes your life different compared to theirs. They are dying to know. You don’t have to know everything or be a preacher. You just have to be willing.
This is the Gospel for you today. I believe it is this-that as you seek God in your days, God will give you the vision that He has for you. That may mean he shows you a vision that will require you to change direction or to change an attitude as He leads you to a new “day.” However, God does not do anything that comes back null and void. The amazing thing about following God’s vision is that Godly change happens when God’s people follow God’s vision. Lives are impacted in a way that impacts the Kingdom. And this is what he asks: All He asks for you is to be obedient to the vision He has given you.
