Ministry of Love

The intention of this blog is to share Biblical messages at least on a weekly basis. Any response is appreciated. I do not expect everyone to agree with my interpretation of Biblical passages. I will try to respond with love and thoughtfulness.

Sunday, December 31, 2006

The End and a New Beginning by John.

THE END AND A NEW BEGINNING
Exodus 12:21-30

I want to read you a little thing sent to me by a brother pastor years ago. A few things in it may not be technically right, but as a whole, it is on the mark.
“If God calls you.. If you’re feeling unworthy about your calling, or are wondering if GOD would accept you just as you are, You’re in good company: Moses felt unworthy because he stuttered.
David’s armor didn’t fit. John Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea’s wife was a prostitute. Amos’ only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. Abraham was too old. David was too young.
Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer.
So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul—well, lots of folks did. But God doesn’t require a job interview. He doesn’t hire and fire like most bosses, because He’s more our Dad than our Boss. He doesn’t look at financial gain or loss. He’s not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God’s gifts are free. We can do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be Wonderful. Satan says, “You’re not worthy.” Jesus says, “So what? I AM.” Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn’t calculate what we did in 1998. It’s not even on the record. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn’t have called us. But if we are deeply in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He’ll use us in spite of who we are, where we’ve been, or what we look like. I pray that as believers we will step out of our limitations into the unlimited nature of who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate with Him will make short work of our limitations. If you are not saved, he will take you just as you are.” (No author was given) (to God’s glory) Sent to me by Louis R. Martinez.
1. We’ve come to the end of one year and the beginning of the next tomorrow.
2. The Israelites were facing a similar thing.
(1) They had been in captivity for several hundred years.
(2) It had not come on them suddenly, but by increments, a little here and a little there.
(3) At first, it must not have bothered them, but as their plight grew worse, it bothered them a lot.
3. God raised up Moses and Aaron.
(1) He raised them up for just this moment in history.
(2) He spent what we would call a lifetime preparing them for the job they were to do. Moses was 40 when God called him, and he was 80 when he returned to Israel. (I'm only 79!)
(3) He sent them to accomplish His work of deliverance.
4. Moses did not know or understand all God was going to do, but he was ready to move on faith, and he did.
5. The words we read are about the Passover which is a type, or a prophecy of Christ.

I. The Passover marked a judgment for Egypt.

1. Before Jacob was born, Abraham stayed close to the Lord and set the pace for his children and grand-children.
2. Jacob was God's chosen one of Isaac's two children.
3. Even then it seems to me that Israel was having trouble staying with the Lord.
(1) Of Israel's children, only Joseph stayed really close to the Lord.
(2) The rest of the brethren suffered all of the sin problems that plague us today!
(3) They were envious of Joseph.
(4) They sold their brother into slavery, after threatening to kill him!
(5) They lied to their father about what happened to Joseph, and they were unrepentent.
(6) Doesn't that sound like our world today?
4. God gave the children of Israel a new opportuntiy through Joseph, but they did not give God the credit, and they did not turn to God.
5. Now, we are down to the Passover when God judged Egypt for the misery they inflicted on the Israelites.
6. This didn't happen overnight!
(1) God planned it for more than 80 years, we know.
(2) Moses was 80 when God sent him back to Egypt!
7. The contest with Pharaoh came to a climax with the killing of the Passover lamb!
8. Egypt failed to gain God's leniency even though He gave them ten opportunities!

II. This was a new beginning for Israel.

1. Now, Israel faced the opportunity of turning to
God, or for their being killed by the Egyptians.
(1) I'm not sure they really understood what was at
stake here, but the Scripture is plain.
(2) Either God must save them, or they die!
2. It had to be an end to their old lifestyle, their old self-indulgence, their old meaningless ritualistic service to God!
3. I think when they saw what happened to the Egyptians, it was a real wake-up call!
4. At that moment, they were willing to follow Moses to the end of the earth!
5. Sadly, it wasn't too long before some of them thought that's what they were doing!
6. You see, not everyone ever has a new beginning.
7. It was true then, and it is true now. Even though God bestows a multitude of blessing, including the greatest of all, eternal life as His Own sons and daughters, many refuse Him just as they did in Moses' day.
8. All who ate the Passover lamb had their sins forgiven, the slate of their lives was wiped clean, and God promised them a new land where they would prosper.
9. This was a picture, or a type, of Jesus because God had already planned for Jesus to be the final Passover Lamb. He was the one who would take away the sins of the world. He was the One Who would give all who came to Him eternal life!
10. He did, and He still does, what that first Passover lamb could never do! It promised physical freedom and prosperity, but Jesus gives spiritual freedom, and He gives spiritual prosperity as God's Own children! And He give us eternity to enjoy being God's children!

Conclusion:

1. Our Passover comes when we place our lives in the hands of Jesus!
2. We've all sinned and come short of the glory God prepared and expected of us.
3. It is time for us to look to Jesus, our Passover Lamb, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.
4. Our granddaughter and her new husband were in Hawaii. They flew first class. They didn't get out of Hawaii as planned. Something was wrong with the plane, and they had to go back to a motel for the night. They got out on another plane the next day. Being first class made no difference because the plane was defective.
5. That's the way of the world, but God's way is absolute! And it is absolutely wonderful!
6. When you put your trust in Jesus, there are no delays, no cancellations, no need for last minute changes!
7. Heaven is your home, and when the time is right God will call you there into His presence, and because you trust His Passover Lamb Jesus, you will always be able to see the face of God! ill. Under just the right circumstances you might be able to talk to President Bush. He called ten service people and wished them a Merry Christmas. . He might call you on the phone. Wouldn't that be an honor? But it would not compare with the honor of being in the very presence of the your Father God! It wouldn't be anything like being able to talk to Him any moment of any day face to face!
8. This is New Year's Eve. Most Americans are deluged with questions about New Year's Resolutions, but I think this is the greatest time for you to meet Jesus, accept Him as your Lord and Savior and to come into the very presence of your Heavenly Father!
9. You can do that right now as we pray. If you have questions, if you want to join this church, we will give you the opportunity as we sing a hymn of invitation.

ECC 12/31/2006

Ministry of Love: Mark 2:23, The Sabbath Day by John.

Ministry of Love: Mark 2:23, The Sabbath Day by John.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Sorry for the hiatus

Hi folks,

I was ill for a couple of weeks and have been out of the pulpit for a month. I will post a message about the 28th or 29th, and another about January 1. At the moment, I am enjoying the hospitality of my elder daughter in Albuquerque having performed the marriage service for my granddaughter and her fiance yesterday.

All should be back to normal by the start of the new year. Merry Christmas! Jesus really is the only reason for the season!