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MORE THAN A BABY. John 17:1-5. 12/25/2022. CHRISTMAS.
1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
1. A peasant’s birth
a. The Lord of the universe entered the world in incarnate form in the lowliest of fashions
a1. Born to a peasant girl
a2. Born away from home in a stable
a3. No family was present to aid Mary
a4. God had to provide a witness
b. Jesus had no biological father
a1. Joseph was a carpenter from Nazareth in Galilee (a minor town on a trade route)
a2. Before Jesus is 30, Joseph passes away
a3. Jesus had 4 half-brothers and at least 2 sisters
2. A walk of obscure distinction
a. Isaiah 53:2 Jesus had no outstanding physical features (not handsome like Absalom, strong like Samson, famous like David, or acclaimed like Solomon)
b. John 2 he did not reveal his nature until age 30
c. Through numerous miracles and much amazing teaching, he gained a following and powerful enemies
3. Gloria
a. What was hidden was his eternal glory as the creator and master of the universe (kenosis – emptying out)
b. All who saw him did not realize who he was
a1. All authority had been given to him (Matthew 28)
a2. Before his Incarnation he shared glory with his father, God
c. No one knew that after he finished his task, he would glorify father who would glorify him
d. No one knew that the savior was the almighty God
a1. Colossians 1:13-20 Jesus is the creator of all things and sustains everything
a2. He appeared before Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Gideon, and Manoah
e. All that he is was hidden behind a veil of human flesh (no light, emanating power, or thunder)
f. In 3 short years of ministry he gave hints of his ID
a1. He healed the lame and leper, made the blind to see, and raised the dead
a2. He cast out demons and silenced evil spirits
a3. He spoke words no man had ever said
a4. He turned water into wine and multiplied fish and loaves of bread
a5. He calmed a raging storm with the wave of his hand and by his command
a6. He revealed what was in the hearts of men
a7. He predicted the future
g. None of what he did was done in secret
a1. At 12 he baffled the learned men of Israel
a2. His disciples saw him turn water into wine and calm the storm
a3. Many saw Jairus’s daughter raised
a4. Thousands witnessed the multiplying of fish
a5. Many, including the Pharisees and priests, saw Lazarus rise from the dead
h. All that Jesus did proved that no ordinary babe had come to Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago
a1. Isaiah 7:14 this was Immanuel
a2. Isaiah 9:6-7 this was the Everlasting Father
a3. John 2:1-2 this was the savior that takes away the sin of the world
i. All who honor the babe without honoring the God indwelling the babe, miss the point and eternity
a1. He could point to stars and say, “I made that”
a2. He points to us and says, “I did this for you”
j. The babe, man on cross, and resurrected Lord = same
Key verse: Colossians 1:13-20
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
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FECKLESS ABANDONMENT. II Timothy 4:14-16. 12/11/2022. #14.
14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. 15 You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them.
1. Detractors
a. Alexander the coppersmith was a vehement opponent against Paul (perhaps in Ephesus)
b. Demetrius the silversmith led his guild to stir up Ephesus against Paul (Acts 19)
a1. Paul preached that there are no gods made with hands (idols)
a2. The silversmiths made money off of making silver images of the Temple of Diana
c. Alexander was a “worker of brass”
a1. Brass is an allow of copper and zinc (a cheap substitute for gold fixtures)
a2. Alexander probably made much money off of fashioning brass idols and implements to be used in idol worship (pans, tongs, shovels, flesh forks, and basins)
a3. The Gospel message threatened the businesses of idol makers
d. 4 reactions of opponents to the Gospel:
a1. Ignore the messenger and the message
a2. Ridicule the message and messenger
a3. Provide an alternative message to the Gospel (naturalism, cults, religions…)
a4. Actively persecute the messenger
e. Persecution comes in two forms
a1. Unofficial personal attacks
a2. Official government sanctioned persecution via condoning anti-Christian actions or official arrests leading to prosecution
f. Alex., like Elymas in Cyprus, apparently pursued Paul relentlessly, doing much damage to witness
a1. This was a personal grudge by Alex.
a2. Those who hate God will take their angst out on God’s servants
g. Paul was personally affronted by Alex.
a1. Like David, Paul wanted God to avenge him
a2. We are supposed to pray for those who despitefully use us, but the damage done to the Gospel message was great (Matthew 5)
a3. Paul cries out for justice against Alexander
2. Alone in trials
a. Paul states that at his first defense
b. Paul uses a rare double enforced word for forsook (enkataleipo) – to abandon, to leave in a bad strait, to leave behind, or to run away from
a1. Just as the disciples ran away when Jesus was arrested, Paul’s fellow believers disassociated from Paul at his trial before Nero
a2. Paul does not mention who these unfaithful disciples were (Luke? Aristarchus? Trophimus? Believers from Roman church?)
c. This abandonment was different from Lord’s case
a1. Paul’s friends were fully discipled workers
a2. These workers knew trials and opposition
a3. Paul expected more courage and commitment from these co-workers of the Gospel
a4. Paul counted on having support at trial
d. Paul prays that the Lord would not hold this against these weaker brethren
e. Zechariah 13:7 just as Jesus’s disciples came back and were restored (John 21), God can restore any of us
when we falter in weakness (Mark 14:43-52)
f. Even though Paul was abandoned just as Jesus was, God was not done with those who faltered
a1. John 21 Peter was used greatly after betrayal
a2. Mark was used as he abandoned Paul
a3. David was used after his fall into sin
g. We falter due to fleshly weakness (Matthew 26:41)
a1. I John 1:9-10 we can confess and repent
a2. I Corinthians 1 God uses flawed people
Key verse: Mark 14:43-52
43 And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.” 45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. 48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then they all forsook Him and fled. 51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
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LONE, BUT NOT ALONE. II Timothy 4:6-12. 12/04/2022. #13.
6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 9 Be diligent to come to me quickly; 10 for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. 12 And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
1. The finish line in sight
a. After Paul’s strong admonition to Timothy, he says that he is about to depart (this life)
a1. By tradition, Paul was beheaded by a sword on the Ostian Way outside Rome in
67 AD
a2. Paul describes his martyrdom as a “drink offering” unto God (praise sacrifice)
a3. Describes death as a departure (from this corporal life to eternal life with the Lord)
b. Paul looked upon his departure as finishing the course laid before him (joy and not despair)
c. Paul’s evaluation of how he ran his race = positive
a1. “fought the good fight” = spiritual warfare in which Paul was a good soldier (Eph. 6)
a2. “finished the race” = kept true to the course of serving the Lord and witnessing/discipling
a3. “kept the faith” = he didn’t back away from faith; not denied Lord; not shirked witness
d. Paul looked forward to eternal reward (motivator)
a1. A crown of righteousness = not a diadem (royal crown), but a stephenous (victor’s crown where he won his spiritual race)
a2. Crown given by Lord Jesus, judge of all
a3. Anyone who runs his spiritual race well will also receive a victor’s crown of righteousness (for holiness)
e. To the world, Paul ran a futile race, but in reality he ran the only race worth running
a1. All the trappings of the rich are left behind
a2. Fame, beauty, and fortune fade away
f. 1 Corinthians 3 The Day = day of Bema Seat judgment for believers, who will receive rewards (and suffer loss)
2. Timothy’s final visit with Paul
a. Paul was jailed in the Mamertine Prison in Rome
a1. He was lonely, cold, and concerned
a2. He felt betrayed and abandoned
b. Paul urgently wants Timothy to come to him from Ephesians
a1. Demas loved the world and had left Paul (a false believer Paul was dismayed by)
a2. Others were sent to minister elsewhere
c. Only Luke was with Paul
d. Paul tells Timothy to bring Mark with him
a1. Mark = useful to Paul in ministry
a2. Paul had earlier rejected Mark after he had departed from the 1st missions journey
e. Paul wants Timothy to bring his cloak, books, and parchments (portions of Scripture)
3. Ending well
a. Paul ended his race well and had no doubt about the rewards that lay before him
a1. We can know the will of God and do it
a2. Paul knew that he had done all that the Lord had called him to do (his focus)
b. A worldly focus brings temporal rewards only
c. Yet, Paul wanted his friends around him at end
a1. Matthew 26 Jesus wanted the comfort of his disciples in his final hours
a2. Psalm 139:1-12 Paul was not alone, even if others had left him, for the Lord was there
d. Paul did not want to winter in prison without his cloak, books, and some company (often we need to stand alone, but God is still with us and always at work (Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel)
Key Verse: Psalm 139:1-12
1 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall [d]fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.
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