A MOTHER’S TRUE DESIRE

Prov 31

“A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.

The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.

Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.

“If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,

‘Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.’

Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,

“Ryan, you be Jesus!”

Being a mom isn't easy! It's a 24/7, 365 days a year responsibility. I can attest to this in my own home. My wife [Julie] is Mrs Clever, Super Woman and Chuck Norris all rolled into one taking care of six children [See how I added myself into that mix, her biggest suck....Me]. I thank the Lord each and every day for the blessing that He has given me [my wife Julie]. What I find amazing is that the bible declares “behold, children are a heritage from the LORD. The fruit of the womb is a reward.” Ps 127:3. Do you realize moms that God gives you the greatest responsibilities of all…. to love and nurture His wonderful creation...back to Him? When I think of that statement I'm reminded of Hannah [a barren women who prayed to God for a child]. John MacArthur says “one of the unique features of the bible is the way it exalts women. Far from ever demeaning or belittling women, Scripture often seems to go out of the way to pay homage to them, to ennoble their roles in society and family, to acknowledge the importance of their influence, and exalt the virtues of women who were particularly godly examples” 

Interesting to note as we come to this portion of Solomon’s letter: This final chapter of Proverbs contains two poems — the Wise King (31:2-9) and the Excellent Wife (31:10-31) — both of which are attributed to King Lemuel, whom ancient Jewish tradition identified as King Solomon, but who is otherwise unknown. If Lemuel is, in fact, Solomon, that means the mother who taught her son these wise sayings about excellent character was Bathsheba — a woman known more for scandal than virtue. Perhaps Bathsheba taught Solomon about his ancestor Ruth (Matthew 1:5-6), who had a spotless reputation, and then Solomon could have penned Proverbs 31:10-31 with Ruth in mind. After all, the passage parallels Ruth’s life in many ways. The Bible calls her “.... a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies”. This is speaking of her general character. She is an excellent wife, a strong or virtuous woman, full of mental energy. She is invaluable (extremely useful); her price is far above rubies (priceless). No quantity of precious stones can be equal to her worth.

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO IS LOYAL (V11-V12)

She is trusted by her husband. She always has her husband’s happiness in view constantly. She recompenses all his kindness to her in beneficent acts. For kind words she returns kind deeds. Her good is pure; she will do him good and not evil. (v12) Her good is not inconsistent; it is constant and enduring, whiles she and her husband live. (v12). This is her general characteristic of a virtuous wife an “excellent wife/mother” who is loyal to her husband. Her husband’s heart safely trusts in her, for she will do him well all the days of her life. She is so loyal and caring wife/mother

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO IS SELFLESS (V13-V24)

She is gifted with her hands and willingly works using them (v13). In Exo 35:25 it says "And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined line."

• She collects the best for her family (v14)
• She labours hard for her family (v15)
• She provides food for her family (v15)
• She is resourceful (v16 - v17)
• She knows how to budget wisely and she knows what to invest in that is going to benefit her family
• She helps others (v20)

Prov 22:9 "Whoever has a bountiful (generosity that person looks with a desire to give) eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor."

• She anticipates the seasons, and prepares for them (v21)
• She makes clothing for herself (v22)
• She sells things from her handy work (v24)

This characteristic that Solomon speaks of is a mother that does all these things for her family with a heart of gladness. This is the “Fruits for her labour” a privilege to serve her family out of love not out of duty. The praise and success she laboured to bring was to her family and Community

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO HAS A GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT (V25-V26)

She is full of wisdom (v26). As Paul said in Eph 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Let no corrupt communication. What is rotten? Anything that will demoralize others, obscene, immoral thoughts or immoral language is forbidden. All that the Christian speaks should be that which is good to the use of edifying building the hearers up in Christ. She is full of kindness (v26)

Prov 16:24 “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”

She is a skilled manger of her home a Titus 2 woman (v27) In Titus 2:4-5 “That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” I think one of the biggest responsibilities is an organized home. That is hard, hard work. She makes wise use of her time and is not idle (v27) “Idleness” (means) sluggishness, laziness as we been talking about with the church in Thessalonica

Prov 14:1 “The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.”

SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A MOM WHO IS BLESSED (V28-V31)

She is greatly respected by her children (v28). Nothing makes a mom happier to know that her family love and respect her for all her hard work! A great example is found in 2Tim 1:5 “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” His grandmother and mother had been converted before him, and he had followed them into the kingdom. By their example and faithfulness they were blessed women, who loved and feared the Lord who saves by His grace! Prov 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Abraham Lincoln says “no man is poor who has a godly mother”. She is praised by her husband (V28)

• I praise my wife because she is someone who is very special to me because God gave her to me!
• I praise my wife for her hard work as a wife and mother
• I praise my wife for her faithfulness and devotion to me and our children
• I praise my wife for her loyalty to God first and passion to be a wife and mother that the bible calls virtuous

What this verse is saying is that her husband is so fulfilled with her conduct.....

• Towards himself
• His household,
• His business, and their children,
• That he praises her.

He shows himself wise of her excellence, and encourages her, in her work, by the compliments he praises her with. (V23-24). Husbands your responsibility is love her and care for her as extremely valuable ..............!! Listen to what Paul said in Eph 5:25-31 “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,  that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,  so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Here is a grand rule according to which every husband is called to act:” Love your wife as Christ loved the Church.

How did Christ love the Church?

• He gave himself for it
• He laid down his life for it.
• So then husbands should, if necessary, lay down their lives for their wives:

Peter goes one step further to say that men! 1 Peter 3:7 “Likewise ...live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.”

• Show them tenderness
• Give them honour  for they are special
• Both in heart, in word and in action

Why? Because we are joint heirs of the same eternal life through Jesus and His finishing work on the Cross! Look what her husband says in (v29) “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." This is the hub of a godly woman! She is a God fearing woman (v30) Prov 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. The fear of the Lord is the condition of all woman, as well as of all men, excellence. In Luke we read 1:46-50 “And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord,  and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  for He has looked on the humble estate of His servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;  for He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.”

Mothers are a family’s greatest treasure....Why? Because God has set guidelines and enormous responsibilities for Mother’s of all ages!!

• A Mother who is Loyal to her family
• A Mother who labor’s with a joyful heart
• A Mother who is full of wisdom and gentleness
• A Mother who is kind to all
• A Mother who is an example of godly character
• A Mother who is respected and greatly appreciated by her family
• A Mother who fears the Lord with reverence and awe

(V30-31) “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” Ruth Graham “As a mother, my job is to take care of what is possible and trust God with the impossible” As Charles Spurgeon “I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the heart as the mother who has so tenderly cared for her offspring. . . .Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother. Certainly I have not the powers of speech with which to set forth my valuation of the choice blessing which the Lord bestowed on me in making me the son of one who prayed for me, and prayed with me.” 

The Sunday Question: Have you shown her how much you value her role today children, husbands?

DO YOU WANT TO BE MADE WELL?

John 5:1-9

Sin is a terrible, despicable, and deceiving thing that affects everything and everyone. Since the fall, this world has been under the curse of sin. Everything became tainted with sin and death through the rebellious act of Adam and Eve. Rebellion, disease, temptation, bitterness, lying, stealing, murder, adultery, pride, idolatry, lust, envy and the list is endless. Sin has affected every inch of this earth! As Galatians 3:22 says “But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin…” Paul wrote in Rom 5:12  says “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” We come to another encounter that started with a man and ended in a discussion with a hostile religious group of leaders. I want us to focus on the lame man who is by the pool this morning! There is a lot we can learn from this man and the situation he is in, as it relates to our own lives! What do I mean? We have a man who is unable to walk or move for 38 years by what we read in the scriptures (v5). He’s been there the whole time and is unable and people are unable or refuse to help him into the water. Now I want you to put yourself in the position of this man as Jesus approaches him with this question “Do you want to be made well?”  (v6). Now if you were in the same position as this man wouldn’t you think to yourself that this guy is either a lunatic or he’s trying to be smart with you? You haven’t walked in 38 years….which means your muscles, your body mass is deteriorating, your weak and this guy has the nerve to ask you such an insulting question. But if you stop and think about for a moment, it’s a legitimate question to ask anyone, especially a person in this sort of situation. t’s a question that will forever change the way you live and act in society!

Think about it:

If He says yes, then this man is going to have to find work. If he says yes, then this man will have to change his daily routine and future aspirations. Now I know this is good and I myself would jump at the occasion if I was in this sort of situation. But we forget one simple thing here [or we take it for granted] 38 years this man has been left helpless without hope, or a family. This would be exciting at first, but a couple of days, months go by and the reality of his new ability to walk would forever change the way he interacts with society. Which would be very hard for a person like this? Take for example! A man who has been incarcerated, let’s say “38 years” and he is finally going to be released from prison. Now, that’s a very long time to be isolated in a cell from society and things, life as he knew it would be much different than when he first went in. Do you realize that a great majority [not all of them] but a great majority of inmates return back to prison! Why? Prison life is all they know? They return back,  because they don’t know how live or change their old habits, they’re so used to living the way things were they don’t know how change or adapt to their new found freedom. As one secular writer said “When an inmate is released from prison, that’s all that happens. They let the released prisoners out the door and often there’s nobody outside waiting for them and they’re given a list of shelters to go to. They also have a list of transition assistance programs, but that doesn't help them at that moment. They may not even be familiar with the city where they’ve been released, they‘re broke and alone. Getting out of prison is tough.”

Please understand! I’m not trying to compare this offer of a miracle with prison life. What I’m trying to convey is that this man’s life is about to drastically change forever. Why? He has been a prisoner to his sin…… at least this sin for 38 years. (v14). See we need to understand sin destroys and kills everything it touches. So we really need to stop and think about what Jesus is offering this man. This is a question that I think we as Christians or a society need to be asked or need to consider daily! “Do we really want to be made well?” If so there has to be some dramatic changes in our lifestyle, in our churches.

• Do we really want to let go of bitterness
• Do we really want to let go of the past
• Do we really want to let go of our anger
• Do we really want to let go of our self-righteousness
• Do we really want to let go of our sin

Again! Put yourself in the shoes of this man with what sin you struggle with the most! As Jesus said “Do you really want to be made well?” 

• To the person who lusts after women! Do you really want this gone in your life? Seriously
• To the person who lusts after men! Do you really want this gone in your life? Seriously 
• To the person who won’t forgive! Do you really want this gone in your life? Seriously 
• To the person who can’t seem to find the time for your spouse or family! Do you really want this gone from your life? Seriously
• To the person who is a workaholic! Do you really want this gone in your life? Seriously
• To the person who struggles with pornography! Do you really want this gone in your life? Seriously
• To the young person who disobeys your parents! Do you really want this gone in your life? Seriously
• To the parents who abuse or treat their children wrongly with your words or action! Do you really want this gone in your life? Seriously 
• To the person who makes excuses about attending church, bible studies and so on! Do you seriously want this gone from your life? Seriously
• To all of us who claim to be a disciple of Christ! Have we counted the cost to what it means to follow Jesus?

If your answer is yes; then we need to let go of the sin that we’re in bondage too and cling to what is right! Christ and His precious gospel. It will forever change your life from this point on! And this scares some people! For some of us possibly in this room, we would rather stay in our sin. It feels too good to let go or give up! I don’t know what I would do if it was gone? We have become so desensitized to our sin it becomes a part of us and we really don’t know how to cope without it. Jesus came to this man with a question that is life changing and has eternal implications! What’s amazing is that……there are three basic responses to this question.

• First, one can say “Yes.”
• Second, one can say, “No.”
• And finally one can ignore the question or say, “I don’t know.” its like seating on the fence! 

This last response was mine for many years, which in reality is the most dangerous, because it leads to apathy and a hardened heart. It’s like the song “Slow To Fade” by Casting Crowns. The subtlety of sin that creeps into our lives and takes up residence unnoticed by ignorance; and one day it comes to a head and life seems like its spinning out of control. Remember the Heart is deceitful and desperately wicked and only God knows it. So let me ask you ……..we’re you this morning! As Prov 5:22 says “The iniquities of the wicked ensnare [occupies] him, and he is held fast [captive] in the cords of his sin.” What sin is holding you captive for the past hour, day, week, month, year, and decade? The ultimate question is do you want to be changed? Yes or no! What I want you realize this morning is that our God is a personal, intimate God, who is full of mercy and grace towards sinful people like you and me. This is why came to this man and throughout history God has always been merciful even when we deserve His wrath. Jesus saw this man, full of sin, lost and helpless, just like you… before He got a hold of your heart. Micah said it best in his letter! Mic 7:18 “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love.” Who has made the heaven and earth, the sea and all that there is? Exo 20:11. Who tells the number of the stars; and calls them all by their names? Ps 147:4. Who by His strength set fast the mountains and is bound about with power? Ps 65:6. Our mighty merciful God who showed compassion upon a sinner who needed saving. Jesus saw this suffering outcast of a man who was overlooked by the crowd, came to this man full of mercy with a question that could change his life forever (v6-v9) A question that has been asked to each and every one of us in this room “Do you want to be made well”

MADE WELL FROM WHAT?

THE BONDAGE OF SIN AND DEATH........1Cor 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

THE WRATH OF GOD.........Rom 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

ETERNAL DAMNATION WHICH IS RESERVED FOR SATAN AND HIS FALLEN ANGELS..........Matt 25:41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.”

STRENGTH TO FLEE FROM SIN WHEN TEMPTED...........1Cor 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Many people today don’t know they are really sick. This man knew he was physically sick, but did not appreciate the greater spiritual sickness he had due to his sin. Sin is eternally fatal. Many today are hardened by “the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb.3:13). Others foolishly ignore or deny sin in their lives (1 Jn 1:8-10) What misery sin has brought into the world? How great is the mercy and compassion of Christ? The immediate rescue should impress on us the importance of living our lives each and every day for the glory of Jesus Christ. As John Newton proclaimed “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I wish to be, I am not what I hope to be; but, by the grace of God, I am not what I was. But again the question remains!

Do you really want to be made well? Seriously

Jeremy Camp - Reckless

Starfield - The Kingdom

That's How You Forgive (Lyric Video)

A FATHER’S WORST NIGHTMARE COMES TRUE

John 4:46-54

Nothing can shatter a parents spirit more quickly or more completely than affliction falling upon their child. I can remember rushing to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto with Julie because of complications with Rachel’s valve that connects to her heart [5 hours after her birth]. I can remember rushing Hannah to the hospital after her fall and busted her two bottom front teeth out. I can remember rushing to Sick Kids in Winnipeg because Sarah’s opening in her skull was swelling up and the doctors were very concerned for her  because she might have meningitis. These are shattering moments for any parent! They’re moments that make you feel utterly helpless and desperate for someone to take your babies pain away. I know Julie has much stronger stomach when it comes to cuts, blood or needles! So I can’t image what my little Sarah was going though as they stuck this long needle to collect fluid out of her spine, to see what’s going on in her little body. BUT as bad as those moments seem I truly believe it’s those moments where God does His greatest work, not just in our children but in us. I believe it’s those moments where God reveals His grace and mercy, even if the results don’t end in our favor………Because not every situation of affliction has a fairy tale ending! One thing for sure is that tragedy will strikes all of us; young, old, poor and rich……..this is something that is inescapable for everyone! Job said it best! “For affliction does not come from the dust, Nor does trouble spring from the ground; Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward. "But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause” Job 5:6-7. As an open fire causes sparks to fly upward, even so mankind is unavoidably consumed with trouble. Here we see a man who is faced with one of the greatest trials….a possible death of a son! Albert Schweitzer said, "The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives." I’m sure this was the heart of the nobleman when he looked at his son who was slowly dying before his very eyes and realizing there was nothing he could do to stop it. A father’s worst nightmare comes true as he watches his son die. 4 Practical Lessons we learn for this encounter with Jesus and the Nobleman.This is His 2nd miracle that John believes is significant to Jesus' ministry that displays His Deity. Again the miracles were to display and confirm who Christ really was! God incarnate deity.

THE RICH HAVE AFFLICTIONS AS WELL AS THE POOR (v46)

We read the Nobleman is in deep anguish over the fact his son is sick and is going to die. “Nobleman” is someone who is a Royal Official, someone who officially attached to the service of King Herod Antipas. He would have been a man of great influence and power; he also would have been a man of great wealth. We learn a sobering truth this morning! All the prestige and money could not solve his problem and cannot solve ours any differently. These accolades don’t make us immune to trials and afflictions of this world. Doesn't the rain fall on the just and the unjust? According to the scriptures they do. Take for example riches, power, fame, or rank:

• didn’t help Steve Jobs
• didn’t help Ronald Regan
• didn’t help Elizabeth Taylor
• didn’t help Whitney Houston
• didn’t help Andy Griffith
• didn’t help Roger Ebert

Never think for a moment that your financial status protects you from affliction or possible death all it does is make you blind to your own spiritual condition. Sam Storms said “It's a disease that's rampant in the culture and in the church. People are drowned with messages from powerbrokers, media, entertainment, TV evangelists and bestselling authors that say joy is intimately bound up in material prosperity, physical health, relational success and all the comforts and conveniences Western society provides. For most people, joy and suffering are incompatible. Thus preachers have a difficult task at hand in communicating to such a culture a genuine joy found in Christ. The idea that the more money I have, the better my health will be! That understanding only leads to heartbreak and deep sorrow as we have seen before with the Rich Young ruler. J C Ryle said “the dweller in palaces often sleep more uneasily that the dweller in cottages. Gold and silver can lift no man beyond the reach of trouble; they may shut debt and rags, but they cannot shut out care, disease and death. The higher the tree, the more it is shaken by storms; the broader its branches, the greater is the mark which it exposes to the tempest. David was happier man when he kept his father’s sheep at Bethlehem, than when he dwelt as a King of Jerusalem, and governed the twelve tribes of Israel.”Afflictions affect us all! Rich or poor, young and old.

SICKNESS AND DEATH COMES TO THE YOUNG AS WELL AS THE OLD (v47-v49)

“he went to Him and implored Him to come..” “Implore” means to ask, beseech, desire, entreat, pray. This passage gives the idea that he repeatedly begged Jesus to come with him. His approach was out of desperation and urgency just like any parent would do in the same situation. Why? His son was going to die if Jesus didn’t come. This is something that every parent tries to block out or would rather not talk about! We have a tendency to shut our eyes to the plain facts, and act as if the young will never die. The idea “My child will never die before me." Look throughout history, there has been many sorrowful occasions due to the loss of a little one or young ones. Take the resent news of a family losing a 17 year old girl in Nova Scotia and a 15 year old in California. A young body 8yrs old and a young woman 29yrs old, two of the three killed by the blast at the Boston Marathon this past week. Go to any cemetery and look at the names and dates on those marble slabs of cold stone. YOU TUBE videos like: 99 Balloons or Choosing Thomas, Victor-y…….heartbreaking stories of losing someone so small in such a short period of time. The bible is filled with affliction and tragedy! Aaron lost two sons at once, David a man after God’s own heart lived long enough to see three children buried, Job lost all his children in one day. None of us including this Nobleman are guaranteed tomorrow. I think J C Ryle said it best “the only true wisdom is to be always prepared to meet God, to put nothing off which concerns eternity. This is what Jesus was concerned more about in encounter of the Nobleman…..not our physical but our spiritual state which determines our eternal state. We’re to live on this earth as if each day may be our last, ready to depart at any moment.

WHAT BENEFIT AFFLICTION CAN BRING TO THE SOUL (v50)

“go your way; your son lives” Sometimes pain and suffering play a greater purpose in the lives of those affected. Take for example

• Jacob and his people when Joseph was sold into slavery.
• The greatest event in history Jesus dying on the cross.
• The 5 missionaries that lost their lives by the hands of the ones they came to bring the good news too.

Affliction in this life always has a reason….sometimes we may not understand or get an answer to why! But God knows what He is doing! A beautiful promise we can take out of afflictions is that it’s always for our good and for God’s glory! Again this encounter was another way of showing this helpless man that there is hope, but it only comes from believing in Christ alone. John MacArthur said “the Lord graciously performed the miracle, consequently drawing the official’s faith to a higher level. By healing his son physically, the Great Physician moved to heal the father spiritually". This man realized his blindness like the woman at the well was removed to see who Jesus really was! God incarnate deity! All great encounters throughout the Lord Jesus’ ministry were to confirm this truth! God in the flesh! God came in the flesh and dwelt among us to show us His love for sinners who desperately needed to be saved.

• All afflictions have a purpose in our lives whether you like it or not!
• Affliction will either draw us closer to His sovereign arms or further away from His sovereign arms. 
• Affliction will either soften our hearts or harden our hearts. 
• Affliction will either grow us stronger in our faith or deteriorate our faith.

CHRIST’S WORD IS AS GOOD AS CHRIST’S PRESENCE (v51-v54)

“go your way; your son lives” What I find amazing here is that we see no argument from the nobleman! We see him do one thing! Believe the words that Jesus spoke to him. Amazing! This is something that we can take to the bank. Again not every situation turns out like this gentleman’s and his family. But we see in God’s word that we can find great comfort in times of our own affliction. His word brings truth, joy, comfort and peace into our heart when we’re afflicted confused and desperate. Just like I felt when my children were in pain and there was nothing I could do about it. Seeking His face for comfort in my stormy trials of life! Even preachers have affliction. No one is exempt from sickness or death! But one for sure I serve a might King who will see me through those dark moments! He has and he always will no matter what the outcome brings [Good or bad]. As I said at prayer meeting the other night I always find great comfort in His word. I’m always reminded of this passage found in Isaiah.

Isa 40:21-31 “Do you not know? Do you not hear? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness. Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows on them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name, by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

This is the same God who spoke to the nobleman and He is the same God who speaks to you and me today. Though we may not have the same outcome as this man in the physical you can be sure we can in it the spiritual. He is an everlasting God who is deeply in love with you and me. He is an everlasting God who desires all men repent and put their trust in Him alone. All He asks of us is too simple believe in Him!

• In those dark hours
• In those lonely hours
• In those struggling hours
• In those desperate hours
• In those good and the bad hours.

Why? Isaiah said it best “He does not faint or grow weary” A father’s worst nightmare can turn into a great opportunity to grow deeper in the love of Christ! It’s for our good and His glory that we go through afflictions. As James said……. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” James 1:2-3. Turn to Him with all your cares and watch Him do a mighty work in your life, strengthening your faith in Him alone. REMEMBER: He is the all-powerful, all- knowing, everywhere-present God. AMEN TO THAT!

THE SENSE OF URGENCY

John 4:27-42

We are in age where this word “urgency” gets put on a shelf and left to collect dust. Think about it! The more you grow in grace through His word your eyes become more and more aware of the sin that permeates throughout the world and the sin that is in your own life, but there's something that we’re lacking to do in our Christian lives? A desire to go with urgency for the world to hear the gospel message; a message of hope for people who are still slaves to their sin. Sometimes we make excuses or blame it on Televangelists, Street preachers, the Westboro Baptist Church, or we blame our lack of urgency on the American affluence in our lives. YES! Some of those people, methods and things have made it impossible or wrecked our opportunities to share the hope that lies within us. Can I just say up front! That’s cop out to the deeper problem.......you and me! We tend to make excuses before we ever get an opportunity to have a gospel encounter. See! The problem is that we don’t do what we’re supposed to do! Why? I don’t think we really care about people as much as we tell ourselves most of the time.

I DON’T THINK WE REALLY CARE ABOUT PEOPLE AS MUCH AS THE BIBLE TELLS US TOO.

• The bible says “love your wife” so I’m supposed to love my wife
• The bible says “love your neighbor” so I’m supposed to my neighbor
• The bible says “love your enemy” so I’m supposed to love my enemy

There is no getting around this problem of not loving people as Jesus loved. The question for us is…..do we really care about others? THINK ABOUT THIS SCENARIO:You have a loved one who is sick or hurt and they need medical attention right away, what’s the first thing you do? We urgently rush them to the hospital! Why? There are special to us…we love them dearly [a rightfully you should] We love them so much we stop doing whether it is were doing: work, play, rest, vacation..etc, so that we can get them to the hospital as fast as possible. Our homes could be burning down, the bank is about to foreclose our homes and cow giving birth…..all these things mean nothing when you are urgently thinking of someone else other than yourself. Why? Their quality of life is threatened and this concerns you greatly. So we do what comes natural get them help ASAP and rightfully so, as Paul said we're to look on the interest of overs at all times!

SO MY QUESTION TO US IS………What are we not doing? Why is it that we can go day by day with the people we work with, play or hang out with, and not urgently tell them about their spiritually condition? Which by the way is far worse than cancer, aids, or death itself? Can we honestly answer that question this morning truthfully! Is it because we care more about the physical well-being of people over the spiritual? Is it because we really don’t care about people in general at all? To be honest…….I think we don’t really care! And you can disagree with me because you know I’m right. You and I don’t invest our time into the lives of others as much as we should. Why? We’re comfortable and satisfied with the status quo in the Christian life. We’ve bought into the lie of this world “just leave people alone” or “be tolerable” This is the complete opposite of the Lord Jesus Christ…….remember what He said to His disciples?

• I’ve come to separate father and son, mother and daughter
• Anyone who looks back isn’t fit for the Kingdom
• Take up your cross and come follow me
• Sell everything you have and give to the poor
• You will be hated for My name sake
• Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel truth
• I send you out as doves among wolves

Jesus said these things not so we can debate or argue who’s right and whose method works or write another evangelism book. He called us all to proclaim the news before it’s too late. He’s calling us with urgency because the day is approaching it will be glorious and frightening all at the same time. We have just witnessed Jesus tearing down the walls between the Jews and the Samaritan’s! Meaning His grace is open to all who come in and dine with Him. But as I said many times before! “To dine with Him is to die to self.” We have just witnessed Jesus’s relentless pursuit for sinners.His relentless pursuit for the spread of the gospel.

LOOK WHAT JESUS SAYS AND WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS WOMAN WHEN HIS DISCIPLES RETURN FROM THE MARKET. Again remember this a immoral woman who was once ashamed to get water at the right hour is no longer ashamed to run to her village [who knew of her character] with a message of hope to tell others. She ran with urgency (v28-v30). This gave time for Jesus to explain to his disciples the importance of why we are here! For the sake of the gospel message. People are dying in there sin and guilt and we have the only medicine that can cure there disease. But there is something lacking in our lives “urgency” for the lost! Again Jesus takes something as simple as food as He did with the woman “give me a drink” to explain to his disciples about His purpose and our purpose  in life. (v31-v38). Jesus says “my food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” By talking to the woman about her spiritual condition Jesus was obeying and honoring His Father will. Which means He was doing His will by sharing the truth of His word to a sinner in need of saving grace. Remember what Moses wrote “man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.” Deut 8:3. Jesus also said “look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest” At this time of year the crops would have been planted and sprouting up in vibrant green color. So they were surrounded by crops and Jesus uses this as an object lesson into the window of His heart for the disciples to see what He saw……His urgency for sinners who needed to hear the message of hope. Jesus is calling His disciples to do the work of evangelism which contain promises of a reward “wages” which results in fruit that brings eternal joy…..everlasting joy! By obeying the Father’s will it build the Kingdom of God which brings eternal joy that we get to share in with God Himself? The joy of seeing a bad person come to Jesus on God’s terms not mans. THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION WE NEED TO ASK OURSELVES! DO I CARE ABOUT BAD PEOPLE [MEANING SINNERS]? Jesus needed “to go to Samaria” and look what resulted in that simple encounter with a sinner! (v39-v42). If Jesus saw the importance to speak this woman what makes us think we are to do any different? He loved sinners young and old! He wants us to do the same

SO WHY DOES JESUS SPEAK WITH SUCH URGENCY TO HIS DISCIPLES [AND TO US]?

SINNERS NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF GRACE

Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

SINNERS NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOSPEL IN EVERY PART OF THE WORLD

Mat 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”

SINNERS NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF SALVATION

Eph 1:13  “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”

SINNERS NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST

Rom 1:9 “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,”

SINNERS NEED TO HEAR ABOUT THE GOSPEL THAT GLORIFIES JESUS CHRIST. 

2 Cor 4:4 “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.”

150 000 people will die again today! And Jesus says “they are ready for harvesting” The question is do we care? God entrusted this message to His special sanctified people to tell the world about the saving grace found in Christ alone. As David Platt said “church we are plan A, and there is no plan B” 

With a little sanctified imagination for a moment! Jesus returned to Heaven and talking to T.V. interviewer (who has somehow got in) The Interviewer begins by saying “You suffered much and died for the whole world. What have you done about making known that love to all the people in the world?” Jesus responds with “I have asked Peter, John, Andrew, James and others down there to make it known, and for the people they tell to tell others, and so on.” The Interviewer says: Yes, but suppose they don't? Jesus responds by saying “I have no other plans.” Think about this scenario as we close…..If you were walking past your neighbors  house, and you looked in and saw that they were watching TV, but you also saw that their house was on fire, you'd rush up and bang on the door yelling: "Your house is on fire!" You wouldn't stand there saying, "Aw, I don't know. They look so happy and they're having such a nice time. They're right in the middle of a movie. Maybe they'll be upset." If you told them, would you be considered a lunatic? No! You'd be a hero. But not till after they realized what you're saying was true. As Jesus said “Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." Matt 9:37-38. With urgency Jesus is calling our bluff this morning to do what we know is right! The Sunday question is……………….Do we really care about lost sinners as we should according to Jesus, not us?

THE GOSPEL

You can't! But Christ can.......THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS!

What can save North America?

JESUS CAME TO SAVE BAD PEOPLE

John 4:1-18

Approximately 150 000 people will die today! The question that troubles me is where will they spend eternity? Did the gospel message reach their ears? Did anyone take the time to share the precious truth of the gospel with them? What’s shocking is that the vast majority of those people are entering Hell. Christ commanded his followers to share the Gospel with those who are perishing! The question for each one of us is! Who have you shared with today? Every day we have the blessed opportunity and ability [through the Spirit] to share that news with every person we come in contact with. No exceptions! No excuses! Every encounter should be a gospel encounter. ASK YOURSELF: When was the last time you shared with someone who didn't fit your lifestyle? Throughout Jesus’ ministry He was filled with compassion for sinners young and old. Jesus, didn't care about race, creeds, or colour when it came to importance of sin, the gospel and eternal life. Jesus knew the hearts and saw the hopeless of humanity. Have you ever prayed “Lord open my eyes to see what Jesus saw, and to give me a burden to reach these people with the only message that saves?” As we come to this passage this morning aren't you relieved that Jesus didn't overlook your sin? But that He sent someone to you with the gospel that saves to tell you the truth about yourself.

We come to a conversation between God and a woman that speak volumes to humanity in general and goes against what the culture believed at the time [possibly still today]. We enter a conversation which I think is one of the greatest gospel encounters with a sinner who desperately needs to be saved next to Nicodemus. We enter a conversation that display to us that there is forgiveness despite how wicked we think we sinned. We enter a conversation that shows us how the Lord Jesus approached people in their sin and how he addressed the heart issue. J C Ryle said “the history of the Samaritan woman, contained in these verses, is one of the most interesting and instructive passages in John’s gospel. St John has shown us, in the case of Nicodemus, how our Lord dealt with a self-righteous formalist. He now shows us how our Lord dealt with an ignorant, carnal-minded woman, whose moral character was more than ordinarily bad.” As we unpack this passage think about the contrast of Nicodemus and this woman

Nicodemus  ........... .............................Samaritan Woman                                                                                                                    

Devout religious Jew ........................... Immoral Samaritan

Learned Theologian...................................... Uneducated peasant

He recognized Jesus as a teacher.......................She had no clue

He came at night to .......................She had no reputation, came at noon, the protect his reputation                                                      hottest time of the day.

He was wealthy....................................... She was poor    

He was a member of the social elite....................... Samaritan people were outcasts

He had a name................................... She is nameless

Nicodemus came seeking............................This woman was sought by Jesus

The bible said "But He needed to go through Samaria.." (v4). Jesus was on a divine appointment   (paraphrase):   "I must go to Samaria". The story of the Lord's encounter with this woman unfolds that salvation is made available for everyone without prejudice. I’m so glad that there is not a standard or requirement to find forgiveness for sin or eternal life? Otherwise none of us would be saved! Our lives completely depend on the mercies of Christ and His great sacrifice for sinners. So we see a wonderful encounter with Jesus and this woman who would be considered a harlot, an outcast of society. A woman who would be considered according to Proverbs a woman to stay away from “For a prostitute [a harlot] is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well.” Prov 23:27. So Jesus has this divine appointment with a sinner who needs to hear the truth of the gospel. Let’s examine how Jesus deals with this woman and learn how Jesus spoke the truth in  love with every opportunity He had [gospel encounters]

JESUS MADE THE TIME TO SPEAK TO THE WORST OF SINNERS (V7- V10)

Jesus says “give me a drink” This was a breach of the social custom and by doing this Jesus was tearing the walls down between the tw0 groups [Jews and Samaritans]. Samaritans were a mixed race of people…..A intermingling of Jews and Gentiles. This encounter breaches all stereotyping we do in our culture. Remember the gospel was to go into all the highways and by-ways reaching even the lowest of the lows. I’m reminded of an experience of Mark Cahill when he was talking with a prostitute one evening. "He was asked once by a Christian “What if someone from your church drove by and saw this?” [paraphrase] Mark’s response is “Why are we so concerned about other people think of us? It was okay for Jesus to be a friend of tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners, but it is apparently not ok for us.” He even when to say that he received letters from people who were shocked that he would do such a thing! So Mark one time asked a young lady if she witnesses to prostitutes. She said “No”. Does anyone in your church witnesses to prostitutes? “No.” I then explained, if she doesn't witness to prostitutes, if no one in her church does, then who will witness to these people?"

See we need to understand, God loves them just as much as He loves us “regular” people, and they need the good news of Jesus brought to them. This statement “give me a drink” opened a door of conversation with this woman and open door to all types of sinners. This opened a door for Jesus to use a simple example of water as a means to reach the heart issue Why? I think Luke 19:10 says it all “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." He came to see this woman! Why? Because salvation is for everyone no matter the circumstance. Jesus was not ashamed to take a drink from the vessel of a woman for whom He had come to die for. There is not one person beyond the reach of His divine love.

JESUS REVEALED TO HER THAT HIS LIVING WATER IS PRICELESS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD (v11-v14)

“Whosoever drinks of this water shall thirst again.” There is nothing in this life that will fill the void in your heart. (v13). Not fame, fortune, or things can bring you true joy and fulfillment. You can search all your life and on your death bed you will be speaking the words of Solomon. “Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.” Eccl 12:8. All these things come and go and they only leave a person deceived and without hope, but the gospel saves and fills the heart with the things of God. What Jesus is trying to say to her is that all these vain pursuits to fulfill self only leave a person empty and wanting more because they are never satisfied. Only true satisfaction comes from the flowing waters Christ and His offer of eternal life. (v14). The Lord is always ready to save sinners….far more ready than we are to pray to Him. This should bless our hearts to know that God is relentless in His pursuit for you and me. Think about each and every day Jesus stretches out His hands of mercy and grace to fallen sinners who desperately need saving but ignore His mercy and grace. Little did this woman know it was her who needed that drink as many people still do today?

• The drink of forgivenes
• The drink of reconciliation
• The drink of salvation
• The drink of eternal life

It's the Living water of grace that provides an internal cleansing by the power of the Holy Spirit through the brokenness over sin.

JESUS IS ALWAYS READY WITH OPEN ARMS TO GIVE MERCY TO CARELESS SINNERS (v15-v18)

She is intrigued or softening to his conversation (v15). What does Jesus tell her to do? We see this in (v16). Jesus tells her to “go call your husband, and come here”. That must had been a sobering moment to this woman. Why? She was a woman who defiled the bed more than once. She would have known the importance of the 7^th command “you shall not commit adultery” Don’t think for a moment God is ok with this behaviour or any sin for that matters! The Lord takes marriage very seriously. He says it’s honorable……“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” Heb 13:4. Why would Jesus embarrass her like this? It wasn't very nice to point out her sin. What was Jesus trying to prove? He is pointing out to her the severity of her sin. He is illuminating her sin. Why?  A sinner needs to broke over their own sin, before they can understand grace [the good news]She doesn't understand this water issue yet, so Jesus goes right to the heart of the issue, as He did with Nicodemus; and for the very first time, she feels the weight of her sin as God see’s it…..wicked and detestable! This is where the mercy of living waters comes in…..the precious gospel that saves sinners! Yes even adultery. John MacArthur says "the offer of living water is not just to religious people like Nicodemus, everyone who thirst is invited to drink deeply of the living water, even an adulterous woman whose life is fraught with sin. His overflowing grace will pardon even the wickedest of sinners[He came saved bad people]. His knowledge of this woman's immoral behavior began to stir this woman's heart. She was beginning to see her sinfulness…..Her eyes were being open to this reality that she was a sinner and needed a Saviour. J C Ryle said “dealing with sinners, such as these, form one of the grand peculiarities of the gospel. Whatever a man’s past life may have been, there is hope and a remedy for him in Christ. If he is only willing to hear Christ’s voice and follow Him, Christ is willing to receive him at once as a friend, and to bestow on him the fullest measure of mercy and grace. The Samaritan woman, the penitent thief, the Philippian jailor, the publican Zacchaeus, are all patterns of Christ’s readiness to show mercy, and to confer full and immediate pardons. It is His glory that, like a great physician, He will undertake to cure those who are apparently incurable, and that none are too bad for Him to love and heal.”

That’s the mercy of God towards bad people. That’s mercy that came to your life through the living water of the Gospel through! Jesus broke the barriers so that we could go out into the streets and alley ways to proclaim the good news for sinners. We need to tear down those walls in our own lives and start looking at people as Jesus see’ s them sinners who desperately need a Saviour. As the late great Charles Spurgeon said and this is going to hurt your feelings……“Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself, believe that” Every encounter should be a gospel encounter. Why? bad people need to hear good news. "Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Luke 5:31-32. The world is full sick people and they need medicine! The need the gospel truth. The only truth that will save bad people.

40 Arabic Words

"You're Changing" Sermon Jam

MIRROR, MIRROR ON THE WALL

John 3:22-36

Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all? Those famous words spoken by the wicked Queen. What was the answer every time by the Mirror? “The mirror always replies: "My Queen, you are the fairest in that land.” The same answer that we seek for ourselves from time to time! See….I think the greatest hurdle to overcome is the hurdle of self. A desire to be known, respected, getting what we want, our purposes, ambitions and desire for our identity in life to be known; especially in ministry. As Paul Tripp calls it in his marriage seminars that battle from within….the battle between the kingdom of self-versus the kingdom of God. Think about the greatest battle we face! Is it not the battle of our own desires and wants over what God wants in our life. Everyone one of us at some point in time battle with this….maybe even right now! Everyone one of us wants to be recognized or popular among our peers and family.

Let’s face it! We are naturally born to love self over everyone and everything else that’s what makes the Christian life so hard at times. Those wars that wage against our soul as James so boldly proclaimed in his letter. It was told that the late great F B Meyers ministered in London at the same time that Charles Spurgeon was preaching in the great Metropolitan Tabernacle. As a young man, though dynamic and gifted, Meyer would stand on the steps of his church Sunday after Sunday and watch the carriages flow by to Spurgeon’s church. That was very difficult for him, but he did it. Another story comes from the end of Meyer’s life, when he was preaching in Northfield at the invitation of D L Moody. G Campbell Morgan was preaching there the same time. Great crowds came to hear Morgan, but very small crowds came to hear Meyer. The latter was not in his prime, and Morgan was in full bloom of his preaching power. Meyer came back to his cottage one day feeling very sad, and he began to pray. Later he was heard saying to people, “Have you heard Campbell Morgan preach?  Did you hear that message this morning? My God is upon that MAN!” SEE...It’s not about us! It’s not about Meyers, Spurgeon….it’s all about Him! “He must become greater; I must become less.” That’s the proper response! God gets the credit and the glory. Remember what Paul said to the church in Corinth? Is Christ divided? We come to a passage of scripture that throws the kingdom of self and that kind of thinking into the garbage where it belongs. I think this conversation that we see John have with his friend’s summarizes for us the underlining theme of the Christian life in one sentence (v30) “He must increase, but I must decrease.” 

What exactly is John trying to tell his friends [who were very upset and concerned for their mentor John, as they thought Jesus was trying to outdo him]? Why were they upset and concerned? (v22-v25). But this is exactly what John was hoping for or desired as he started this ministry as a spokesman for the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. Remember John’s ministry was to make of Christ and to make Him known among the people. That’s why John explains to his friends this ministry he had was given to him from Heaven and that he was excited and happy to see people where going to Jesus instead. Look how john explains the reason for this to his dear friends (v25-v29) John explains that ministry is a gift from God and to be used for His glory. John explains that he knew his role as bridegroom [best man]and he wasn't the groom [the Christ]. John explains that this course of events was fulfilling his joy. Albert Barnes said this about John remarks to his friends “I sustain to the Messiah the relation which a groomsman does to the groom. The chief honor and the chief joy is not mine, but his. It is to be expected, therefore, that the people will come to him, and that his success will be great. The relation of Christ to the church is often compared with the marriage relation, denoting the tenderness of the union, and his great love for his people.” John Calvin said in his commentary “He means that he has obtained the fulfillment of all his desires, and that he has nothing further to wish, when he sees Christ reigning, and men listening to him as he deserves. Whoever shall have such affections that, laying aside all regard to himself, he shall extol Christ and be satisfied with seeing Christ honored, will be faithful and successful in ruling the Church; but, whoever shall swerve from that end in the slightest degree will be a base adulterer, and will do nothing else than corrupt the spouse of Christ.” What a great response that leads to this humble and bold statement in (v30) “He must increase, but I must decrease.” “must” indicates of speaks of a divine necessity. See it was God’s will that John give or lead the way to Jesus. There was no longer any reason for the crowds to hang around John since the King of kings and Lord of lords was here.This was the purpose of John’s ministry and it’s the same purpose for the church as well. Whether its street preaching, missions work, pastoral or serving and singing in the choir! Everything we do…should steer or guide sinners to the arms of Christ and His overflowing grace found in the gospel. Everything we do here and in our homes [in our lives] should reflect the character of Christ. See in reality what John is saying is that Christ “must” be supreme in our lives. People must be able to see Christ in your life! Not you…but more of Him. What does that look like?

1. RECOGNIZING THAT I DESPERATELY NEED HIM FOR EVERY BREATH.

As Jesus said “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

2. TO COUNT IT A BLESSING TO SUFFER FOR HIS NAME SAKE

1 Peter 4:13-16 “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

3.TOTAL COMMITMENT AND SURRENDER OF MY LIFE IN DAILY OBEDIENCE

In Luke 14:26-27 Jesus said  "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

4. A LIFE COMPLETELY SATISFIED IN CHRIST ALONE

Matt 13:44-46 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

5. SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE TO MAKE MUCH OF HIM DAILY AND LESS OF ME.

Eph 6:6-7 “not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,

We all know the song “Give me Jesus” by Fernando Ortega

“…..In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus….

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus……”

See it’s all about Him! John knew this, but his friends didn't  that’s why he needed to explain to them the importance of Christ over self. I don’t need to be famous, write a best seller or to be known by people. I want a person to know Him and love that is found in the gospel. Our lives must consistently reflex more of Him and less of us, but you can't do that effectively if you're constantly battling to be number one. If your neighbor, family member, co-worker, friend came over and you asked what does my life reflex most, Jesus or this present world? What would they say? I think you truly know the answer to that question! So let’s start today……a fresh slate or palate by making much of Him and less of me and you. There is no other way we should want to live for Christ today and forever. William Carey lay dying, he turned to his friend and said these words “when I am gone, don’t talk about William Carey; talk about William Carey’s Saviour, I desire that Christ alone might be magnified.” Remember what the apostle Paul said to the church at Philippi? “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil 1:20-21. This is exactly what John is trying to convey to his friends and us this morning. He must become greater; I must become less. Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all? What is the mirror going to say to you?