Come and See

 May 28, 2024.

43 The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

44 Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” 51 He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

-John 1: 43-50 (NIV)

Is the Gospel worth sharing?  Is Jesus valuable enough and cherished enough that you refuse to keep news about him silent, and you have an unwavering and unending desire to share about him?  Does it get you excited when people are baptized?  Does it stir feelings of joy when you witness people come to Christian faith?  There seems to be the false idea of leaving all the evangelizing and witnessing to pastors and maybe elders.  I don’t know about you, but these are the things that get me excited! 

One of the passages in scripture that really resonated with me when I first felt the call to go into ministry (in my early 20s) was from Jeremiah 20:9.  Here he says, “But if I say, ‘I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,’ his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in indeed, I cannot.”  I really felt the same way and still do.  After going through scripture myself and realizing how good it is, God placed a desire in my heart to spread that “fire”.  I was consumed by this fire, and I felt compelled to impact others with it too.  It was too precious to keep inside and I couldn’t keep it inside – I had to let it out.

Does anyone else feel that way too?  How about with your neighbour or the person at the gas bar?  How about with anyone at the check-out line at the supermarket?  How about with the waitress at your favour restaurant?  Years back I got into a conversation with the person doing the oil change for my car and told him I’m an Ordained Minister and he couldn’t believe me and it led to an attempt to share the gospel.  I definitely think I’m an unlikely person to get into ministry and yet here I am.  At the same time, if God chose unlikely people like Paul, Moses, Matthew, Rahab, David and a slew of others to act out of good faith and propel God’s story, it’s got to be worth telling isn’t it?

Last Sunday during my sermon I shared from Ecclesiastes 1:9 in that, “….there is nothing new under the sun.”  And for some reason, many of us adopt the mentality that the story of Jesus is really not worth telling today like many others in biblical times, or I don’t feel a desire to share it, let alone think of it.  Jesus from Nazareth?  He spent a significant part of his life from a small town, with nobody famous or influential coming from it.  I mean, it’s not New York City, Paris, or London or anything.  Even after Philip told Nathan that Jesus is the one whom the prophets spoke about (John 1:45), Nathanael wasn’t convinced Jesus was important.  Nathanael let the world’s perception of a ‘Jesus from Nazareth’ get to him.

Today the world sees Jesus as what? Falsely on the same playing field as Mohammed, Buddha, Vishnu, _________ (insert any other religious or even non-religious leader).  You say Jesus brings peace and he’s actually the source of peace (Isa. 9:6) ?  Why would I need that? I can’t hear Jesus when I’m comforted and “peaceful” riding in my comfortable Ferrari and eight bedroom home.  Jesus brings salvation?  Why would I need that? I have to worry about paying my bills.  Jesus died for my sins? ….Sins?  What about the guy that stole money from me last week?  Look, the only answer I need to share with you and the only one that solves it all is “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”  Don’t you get it?  Jesus knows everything about you and what you’re going through!  He’s the King and Saviour of the universe!  Jesus is here today and we have to connect with him, and place all our burdens on him.  He is God in human flesh and somehow he’ll put your life in order (Prov. 3:6).  He conquered death didn’t he?  Isn’t that the greatest miracle?  So why is it so hard to understand your daily situations are too difficult for Jesus to handle?  Somehow he’ll take care of it!  You must trust in him! Come and see!

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You + God

 May 21, 2024.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 

-Romans 8:31-34 (NIV)

John Knox once said, “A man with God is always the majority.”  That’s a great statement, but I would even add that God against anyone makes God by himself the majority and for that reason as a Christian, I’m glad I’m on his side (which is more powerful than me saying he’s on my side).  Perhaps John Knox echoed the words of Paul in Rom. 8:31.  In fact, Rom. 8:31-39 is tremendously uplifting (going further than merely Rom. 8:31-34)!  It brings our faith into perspective in light of great troubles we go through.  Just as it was in the days of Paul, so it is also now that many Christians all around the world suffer on account of the gospel and Jesus Christ.  Satan and his children persecute us and try to make the lives of Christians miserable.  I may be going on a little bit of a tangent, but I heard many people falsely say, “We’re all God’s children.”  That statement couldn’t be further from the truth when Jesus Christ himself called-out his opponents in John 8:44 saying, “You belong to your faither, the devil…”

Regardless of who is against you, just know that if you’re following true to scripture and following true to Jesus Christ, anyone against you is really against God and they may not see it now, but come Judgment Day I worry for them!  On May 3rd, 2019., the BBC wrote an article entitled, “Christian persecution ‘at near genocide levels.’”  This article is found here:  https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-48146305 . The article even said, “Christians were the most persecuted religious group, it found.”  Is it any surprise this is happening?  Is it any surprise that the “True Church” is being mocked, ridiculed, frowned upon, attacked and put through very difficult situations at this time in human history?  I believe it’s certainly true for our humble congregation.  We’re not having it easy as we navigate through unbiblical and heretic denomination changes.  – that’s why we’re departing, but they’re not making it easy on us.

Perhaps for some of you, your neighbours may give you a hard time, or your coworkers, bosses or clients.  Perhaps some people giving you difficulty because of the gospel is your own family.  Whatever the case may be and make note that Paul mentions it’s God who justifies.  Whatever slander, false accusations and deviations of truth are thrown your way, hang in there because the blood of Jesus is crimson proof of your justification.  Whatever price you pay on account of Jesus Christ is worth it!  I have to be honest and give warning here.  On account of the gospel and if you hold to Jesus Christ, you may lose your job, house, car, finances, relationships, health, etc…..but better to lose any and all of those things and gain eternity with Jesus Christ!  Please adopt the mindset that if I lose Jesus, I lose everything, but I am pleased to lose everything to gain Jesus!  Temporal suffering means nothing in light of eternity with Jesus Christ and Jesus intercedes for us today!

Those other opponents? Their time to face God is quickly coming.  As for you, the world will never hold you down if it’s you + God!

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Written in Heaven

 May 14, 2024.

16 “Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

18 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

-Luke 10:16-20 (NIV)

When I evaluate and look at my own life, I’m actually not too concerned for titles as it applies to myself.  I’m glad that nowadays, anyone can learn just about anything for free on the internet, without even stepping foot into a classroom.  Here’s a fun fact about me:  After moving to Moncton in September of 2022, I still haven’t unboxed or hung-up any of my framed diplomas.  They’re all still in bubble wrap and stored away in a box, and I’ve never even thought about when or where I’ll hang them up.  In fact, I never hung-up those framed diplomas in my previous residence before moving to Moncton too!  There’s a good chance I won’t even do that ever as I’m still questioning the value in it (again, I can only speak for myself).  Don’t get me wrong as I think we should celebrate and cherish many people’s accomplishments and goals that are met.  This is why I think Graduation Sunday is a great thing – to celebrate our young people entering into their next stages of life!

However, I can only speak to my own life when I say diplomas and degrees mean next to nothing for me in terms of what I’ve personally accomplished.  Okay, so I have a high school diploma – yawn.  I have a bachelor’s university degree – no big deal.  I have a master’s degree in Divinity – I even wonder why that’s relevant at all, because it makes it falsely sounds as if though I’m a master of God (master of the divine).  I once was a millwork Estimator, then a Project Coordinator in construction and for a number of years now, I’m an Ordained Minister.  I’m a Canadian, a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, etc.  Naturally with many of these titles, authority and power is given.  Did you catch that I didn’t mention one last title? I’ve yet to mention I’m a born again Christian! – and nothing happens and can be achieved without God’s overseeing or help!

To me, that’s the only title relevant to me!  Some of you are electricians, some are doctors, some are retired teachers, lawyers, home makers, sales people, customer care workers, general labourers, students, etc.  Some of you are fathers, mothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.  Whatever title given to you and written about you in any earthly document and all the authority, responsibility and power associated by these earthly titles, I want you to know this: The most important title is that if you’re a true and confessing believer who proclaims Jesus is Lord and Saviour, you are now a born again Christian and your citizenship is in heaven, meaning your name is written in heaven!  This is what verse 20 proclaims in our text today.

I described in a previous sermon that when Jesus sends out the seventy-two, it’s a reclaiming of the world in accordance to God’s reign, that brings a competition to the original Table of Nations story in Genesis 10 where seventy people were gathered representing the various nations.  If you check the footnotes in Luke 10:1 it mentions some manuscripts say seventy (not seventy-two), and that also applies to Luke 10:17.  In other words, Luke is telling us that Jesus is now here, reclaiming the world that was once lost to sin and bringing it under his reign as it was always meant to be (understanding that Jesus is a part of the triune God-head, and rightful ruler).  And Jesus reclaims the world by giving authority and power to the seventy/seventy-two to dominate over evil (demons) as Jesus’ representatives.  Jesus also cautions his empowered followers to not let pride get in the way, which is why he mentions seeing Satan fall from heaven with his pride and that figurative demonic powers won’t harm them (serpent/scorpion - see Rom. 16:20, Ps. 91:13, Eze. 2:6).  As Christians, our greatest joy and privilege is that we have a right relationship with God through Jesus Christ, both now but firmly secured in heaven and that’s what Jesus wants us to constantly focus on – not whatever power, ability, authority or title otherwise.  Maybe some of you manage whole squads of people, or you clean various places, or stay at home and take care of house responsibilities. 

Maybe you can heal the sick through physical or supernatural, God-given methods, or cast our demons.  These are all great services and abilities with titles associated to them, but if you don’t have Jesus, guess what? You don’t have heaven, because there is no heaven without Jesus, and Jesus is heaven! – but if you have Jesus, rejoice because your names are indeed written in heaven and nothing and nobody can ever take that away!  If that doesn’t get you excited and brings satisfaction, perhaps you really should start questioning if you’re a real believer and born again Christian.  If that doesn’t give meaning and relevance for your life today, perhaps you may ponder your relationship with Jesus now.  And conversely, if you truly believe the concept of your name being written in the book of life is incredible and amazing, then please hold your head up high every day!  I personally can’t think of anything better.  As much as I love Jesus now, to me it brings great joy knowing that I’ll be with him in heaven.

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Thinking of Eternity

 May 7, 2024.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

-Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 (NIV)

What is your view of eternity?  Do you even think about the concept of eternity?  What will you be doing in the afterlife for eternity?  Who will you be with?  I believe that because we’re finite beings limited to our physical senses, we have a skewed concept of what eternity looks like.  All we know in life is all this world could ever offer.  All we know of heaven, followed by the new heaven and the new earth is what scripture tells us.  Atheists may not understand what I’m about to say next, but I hope as Christians we may understand the weight of all our actions in this life having eternal implications!

In particular, every day I have the choice to choose to flee from sin and choose to take up my cross daily and deny myself (Luke 9:23).  It is this simple biblical verse that may need to be preached more often.  Every day, we can choose to seek Christ in all we do, or choose to seek rebellion and choose to distance ourselves more from Christ.  Atheists surely will not understand this, but our text in Ecclesiastes tells us that God has set eternity into our hearts, whereby we are created for God’s eternal purpose.  That statement should give clear danger and warning signals now.  Think about this:  Everything we do, say and think when brought into proper perspective, should be for God’s eternal purpose – that is to worship him and enjoy him forever!  Have you ever thought about that the last time you sinned?  Have you ever thought that God is actually watching and that he keeps a record?  Have you ever thought that God’s council with his angelic beings are watching and keeping track?  I don’t know about you, but sometimes thinking about that prevents me from indulging in things I shouldn’t (and we all have our spiritual strongholds).

Moreover, I don’t think many of us would indulge in various acts of rebellion against God, if we had a greater understanding of time and eternity.  If we knew we’d be punished immediately after committing a sin, would we still knowingly proceed into that sin?  Sure, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price of sin (death) on the cross to redeem us, but that doesn’t mean we should keep burning his grace.  For many Christians, we seem to take his grace for granted and his penalty on the cross for granted. It’d be a different story if we had eternity in our mind and if we practiced 1 Peter 1:16 telling God’s followers to, “Be holy, because I am holy.”….so please, go ahead and be happy.  Be happy with your work on this earth.  Be happy with the great relationships you made, the good works that you’ve done and continue to do for God’s namesake, but also know the last statement in our reading also has great weight – fear God because he has placed Godly eternity into our hearts and every action in this earth determines our riches in the heavenly realms!  Fear God because he’s watching and waiting!

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Where is the Joy?

 May 1, 2024.

3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

-Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV)

Let’s face it, life can be pretty rough at times.  Jesus did promise his followers that in this world we will have trouble (Jn 16:33), both promised to his original disciples but definitely applies to us as well.  It’s not as if the world is becoming more fair and equitable for everyone as time moves on – From a Godly perspective, the world is not getting better.  In fact and as a personal theory of mine, I see Sin like a row of dominos.  Adam caused the first “domino” to fall whereby he committed the Original Sin with Eve, but because of that and like the “domino effect”, I personally believe sin causes other sin, and over time, like a falling domino causing other dominos to fall. 

With each domino of sin falling, hitting other dominos of sin and causing more chaos, causing other various sins to happen, the various sins are becoming more heinous and diabolical like many dominos falling and overtime the consequences of these varying sins are multiplying and becoming worse.  By the end and after all the dominos of sinful behaviour fall, all you have is a giant, ugly mess like we have today in life.  In my mind, one example would be all the various diseases that are continually popping-up.  There was no such thing as Ebola or the Coronavirus during the time of Adam and Eve.  I don’t know how these illnesses developed, but they are the direct result of Original Sin.  God never originally intended anyone to suffer under such illnesses and others.   Here’s another example:  Adam and Eve were created to worship and enjoy God, but to also work in the Garden of Eden, and take care of it and now with all of these natural disasters, I think much of it is a direct result of Original Sin too!  Again I stress this world is not getting better, but getting worse!

….So then where do we find joy?  When trouble comes upon us, how do we hold our heads up high?  Perhaps you’re in a bad relationship.  Perhaps financial pressures are heavy.  Perhaps your job situation is not where you want it.  Perhaps your health is not what it once was.  Whatever the case may be and no matter how dire the situation may be, where can you find joy and also, how can you apply joy once it’s found?

Look no further than Paul in prison.  Paul was incarcerated when he wrote the letters to the church in Philippi.  It takes supernatural power to find and apply joy in this kind of setting.  He didn’t have any friends.  At this point, surely just about everyone in his home town disowned him.  After all, he was a former Pharisee (an expert on the law and faith from a human perspective – not a Godly one), and a well-known leader.  People in the public eye don’t end up well if they abandon the cultural and popular norms.  He abandoned them all in pursuit of Jesus Christ and his righteousness!  It’s no wonder Paul was thrown in prison. 

Amazingly and even in prison, in Phil. 1:4, Paul even says that he prays with joy!  Imagine that!  Verse 3 even tells us that he was thankful!  How can anyone be thankful and joyful in prison?  The only person that is able to be in this state must be propelled and blessed by God.

Paul explains how he could feel this way in verse 7.  He acknowledges that it’s actually right (not crazy or out of place) for Paul to be thankful and joyful because he has his fellow believers in his heart and he knows that his fellow believers share in God’s grace with him, wherever they are.  This clearly tells me Paul did not value being rich,  Paul did not value having powerful, influential or noble friends.  Paul’s true friends and family were fellow believers in Christ-Jesus!  Please remember that!  For Paul, it must’ve felt like the world rejected him (similar to Jesus), but what he valued was God’s favour (God’s grace) and his friends experiencing this same favour, and out of this, thanksgiving and joy overwhelmed Paul, even when Paul had nothing and nobody else in prison!

At  the end of the day and no matter what circumstance (even in prison), Paul desired for his true friends and family (fellow believers in Christ) to grow in the love of knowledge, depth and insight of Jesus-Christ!  That’s the mission of Paul and that’s the mission of the church!  Okay, so having a nice house is great!  Okay, so having a fancy car is great.  Okay, so eating at the best restaurants can be fun and being surrounded by a lot of other fun people is nice too….

But may we encourage each other to count it ALL as loss and pale in comparison to the pursuit of the love of gaining more knowledge, depth and insight of Jesus Christ and may we be thankful and joyful by helping each other be that way.  How do we apply this understanding?  When life kicks you down, focus on what Jesus is doing in your life and the lives of others around you, amongst your true family (fellow believers in Jesus Christ).