Becoming the First Call #11

Called to the Front Lines

Audio Link

Jesus calls us to be on the front lines of the Kingdom. We are the primary ambassadors of the Kingdom on Earth.

If someone wants to know who this God of the universe is, we should be expected to be contacted to learn about the Kingdom of God.

The last four weeks have been focusing on Jesus to encourage us to be more like him.

[John 9:1-41 ESV] 1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" 3 Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; **night is coming, when no one can work.** 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man's eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing. 8 The neighbors and those who had seen him before as a beggar were saying, "Is this not the man who used to sit and beg?" 9 Some said, "It is he." Others said, "No, but he is like him." He kept saying, "I am the man." 10 So they said to him, "Then how were your eyes opened?" 11 He answered, "The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, 'Go to Siloam and wash.' So I went and washed and received my sight." 12 They said to him, "Where is he?" He said, "I do not know." 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath day when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. 15 So the Pharisees again asked him how he had received his sight. And he said to them, "He put mud on my eyes, and I washed, and I see." 16 Some of the Pharisees said, "This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?" And there was a division among them. 17 So they said again to the blind man, "What do you say about him, since he has opened your eyes?" He said, "He is a prophet." 18 The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight 19 and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" 20 His parents answered, "We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. 21 But how he now sees we do not know, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself." 22 (His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.) 23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him." 24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, "Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner." 25 He answered, "Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." 26 They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" 27 He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?" 28 And they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. 29 We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." 30 The man answered, "Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. 32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." 34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?" 37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you." 38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind." 40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, "Are we also blind?" 41 Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains.

This all happened immediately after Jesus was going to be stoned. When he told the pharisees that he had seen Moses and the pharisees were incensed, but Jesus hid himself and left the synagogue.

The disciples ask him the question about the blind man, they are trying to figure out who in this man's life did something sinful. Jesus tells them that this man's blindness was given to him so that God would be revealed through this man's healing. Jesus is concerned with people being drawn to God. God does not necessarily cause these things to go wrong. He allows these things to happen so that the world may be redeemed. We say that all things can and will be used by God for the redemption of His name, his people, and all the nations.

Everything that happens is used by God to reveal the Kingdom -

* Rahab the prostitute

* King David

* The blind man

Jesus reveals himself to those around him, that God is orchestrating good things for everyone. God is gracious despite our short comings. God takes what is bad or awful for us and uses it to turn our hearts to Him.

The numerous accusations found here, are revelations to us. Do not be afraid to ask the deeper questions.

The pharisees are trying to catch this formerly blind man in a lie, but their stubbornness causes them to revile this work of healing and as a result reject this man's testimony being willfully blind to the reality of Christ and the kingdom of God. 

While this man is interviewed a second time, they try to give the man a plea deal and confess that Jesus is as they think he is. The man only says, that his new sight is real and he doesn't care about the man who performed this miracle.

People will he our testimony and can be skeptical or combative. It is not our place to worry about someone's reaction to our story, we only need to tell the truth that God has performed in our life. Our stories have the reality of life without God, and we know the reality of how God reached into our life and changed it to be more in line with His Kingdom.

Peter says that we are always supposed to be ready to give a reason for the hope that we have. It is not our job to convict, that is for the Lord to do.

That is the case for this man. He understands that he was marked for God's work and that is the story that he tells without any judgment or conclusions.

Are we telling our story like this man is? Or are we instead trying to convince (convict) people of their need for God.

When we understand the full picture of what God has done in our lives, we can speak to the transition that God has made in our lives. We understand that everything we do is intertwined with our story our life. We need to be open to speaking to others around us about what God has done for us.

A random classmate might cross your path some day, be ready to share with them about where you are in God. Pray for them and their family. Trust that God opens the door for you. He is orchestrating salvation through you, just share who you are in Christ. Don't miss the point - God is making ways in which he is revealed. Believe that God's sovereignty is making plans for salvation. We should make ourselves ready to testify of our salvation.

Practice simple testimony.

What has God done in you?

Be courageous, don't be afraid to share.

Don't be afraid to be normal with people.

When we make ourselves and our lives an open book, people will see the display of God's redemption and experience Jesus first hand.

Make yourself fully available in both the hard time and the easy times.

Are you available at all times for God to use?

Passion Week Reading Plan

Day 1 - John 11:1-27

Day 2 - John 11:28-57

Day 3 - John 12:1-26

Day 4 - John 12:27-50

Day 5 - John 12:1-38

Day 6 - John 14:1-31

Day 7 - John 15:1-27

Day 8 - John 16:1-33

Day 9 - John 17:1-26

Day 10 - John 18:1-40

Day 11 - John 19:1-42

Day 12 - John 20:1-31

How many verses about Jesus start "And he did this so that..." where some prophesy about him was to be fulfilled?

Becoming the First Call #9

Rolling back a bit to catch up, the notes will continue normally next week. Sermon audio is here. (Right click to save the file)

Lord, Lord 

Why do you call on Jesus without doing anything He tells you to?

17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all. 20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. 27 "But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 32 "If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you." 39 He also told them a parable: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye. 43 "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great." - Luke 6:17 - 49

A starting point for further study is Matthew chapters 5 - 7 is the parallel passage to this section.


People who are regularly calling on Jesus as, "Lord" and appear outwardly devoted are being talked about here.

22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'  Matthew 7:22-23

These people here have quite the resume - prophets, mighty works, casting out demons in the name of Jesus.

What is on your Christian "resume"? Are there mighty works on there? Do they even come close to these people that he is talking about? Have you cast out demons? Have you had anyone come back from the dead?

Why do you call on Jesus without doing anything He tells you to?

Would Jesus say to you "depart from me because I don't know you"?
Do you do enough "good" things? Does this show your faith?

Is your faith bearing "good" fruit?

Jesus, James, and Paul warn us that faith without works is dead.

BUT -

Do not fall into the trap of giving lip service to Jesus and keeping up a false hope of entering the kingdom eternal only to miss the mark.

Do not fall into the trap of being legalistic or of the pharisees.

Allow the Holy Spirit to refine you into the pure expression of faith that Jesus calls you to.

vv. 20 - 23

Blessed are those - these seem to be weak and pathetic people

vv. 24 - 26

Woe to those who are rich - why is Jesus calling out seemingly successful people?

How is Your Posture?

What is the posture of these two groups of people in verses 20 - 26?

1. Needy - the needy acknowledge this fact. In the US, we are very spoiled and we have been given much; therefore, our need is not very visible. In this group of people, God blesses those who admit they are in need.


2. Prideful - Those that have much, are full, and outwardly happy may put their focus on the blessings instead of the one who blesses.

vv. 36 - 37 

Do not pass judgement? - What is the context of judgement? This is about one's posture, it's not wrong to be rich, or full, or happy. Sometimes we need to fast from these things to realize where our abundance comes from. We misplace out hope is we focus on our abundance instead of our need.

Consider the context of the following regarding judging others:

1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud--even your own brothers! 1 Corinthians 6:1 - 8


What is the context of judgement? 

v. 38

Think about the concept of lending to others with no expectation of getting anything in return. Do we admit that all things are God's and it does not matter to us if we ever get a return on our investments on earth.

When we give to the poor, to those in need - it is like lending to the Lord. When you give something to someone in their place of need, you are giving to the Lord. You are investing in Jesus, you are nurishing Him and your faith.

v. 43

No good tree bears bad fruit and no bad tree bears good fruit...

Fruit - John 15 - Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches"... If you abide in Jesus, there will be abundant fruit. He promises that if we abide in Jesus, we will bear abundant fruit.

If we find that our life is not fruitful, maybe we should examine ourselves and ask Jesus to reveal where we are not abiding in Him.

v. 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord', but do not do as I tell you?..."

The ruin of the house built on the sand IS great:

Does this passage convict you? Do you feel the need to fix yourself??? STOP!!! You cannot fix yourself!! Jesus is the chief cornerstone, only he can do the work that needs to be done in you. We are more like the rich, the full, the prideful than we want to admit. It takes being poor, hungry, humble to get back to the foundation of abiding in Jesus.

Be willing to be challenged

Be willing to be patient and wait on the Lord

Be continually asking Jesus to reveal where we are giving him lip service and turn to him.

Do not be dependent on the ministries, financial stability, adequate food, house, work, or any of the things of this life. Be dependent on Jesus. Dig deep and build your faith's foundation on the Rock of Salvation. Be willing to be tested. Be willing to suffer along side Christ. Be willing to focus your attention on God. Be willing to be unconfortable in order for Jesus to work in your life.

He does not desire our intellectualism, He desires us to be with Him and be made new every day. He does not desire our works, He desires our faith.

PRAYER -

"Jesus, where are the places, what are the ways in which I say, 'Lord, Lord', but I don't do the things you say. Where are the outwardly looking things that have no fruit? Where have I said that I follow Jesus and am not obedient?"


ATTRIBUTION - The scriptures and sermon content first appeared at The Bridge, Big Flats, NY where Alex Ruffer is the Senior Pastor. These notes are mearly my thoughts and transcriptions during the sermon itself. Scriptures are quoted from the ESV unless noted otherwise.

Becoming the First Call Part 8

Mark 1:35-45

35 And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." 38 And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." 39 And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. 40 And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, "If you will, you can make me clean." 41 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, "I will; be clean." 42 And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean. 43 And Jesus sternly charged him and sent him away at once, 44 and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, for a proof to them." 45 But he went out and began to talk freely about it, and to spread the news, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

We should be people that are available, set aside for God's purpose. This is what Holiness means. Observing Lent, means setting aside things that may not be beneficial to the Kingdom so that we can be more available to what God has for us.

The next six weeks will be focusing on the first call through the context of Jesus. There will be miracles, but they will focus on character, word, and power. Focusing on being effective tools in God's hands.

Jesus is the character of God, the word of God, and the power of God.

Hebrews 4:15-16

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 1:1 - The Word is God

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Phil 2:5 - 8

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Jesus did the things not out of who he was in God, but out his humaness because of his reliance on God. He relied totally on God's power to bring miracles about.

Jesus said that he didn't do anything without first seeing his father do it.

Out of all the gospel stories these two stories exmplify why Jesus came - TO SEEK AND SAVE WHAT IS LOST

Mark 1:35 - 

This is just as the first miracle takes place. Simon and his followers were looking for him. He left to go throughout Gallilee to preach. When the leper came to him, he was moved and healed the man. When he warned the man not to talk about him, the man instead went around and announced that Jesus healed him and many came to see Jesus' preaching and miracle working. Jesus came up against resistance from the religious leaders because he forgave sins as well as healed the sick. 

The story about the leper emphasizes how Jesus purposely went out and met with his father before he did anything else. We should be doing this, we should be abiding in the presence of our father. 

The people are asking him to stay in the town, but there is a bigger purpose than working miracles.

Eph 5:15-18

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

This is really what the story of the leper shows. Jesus did not waste his time and did the best things.

The leper has faith to be healed, he has heard of the works of Jesus. Jesus was compassionate on the leper and healed him. We should find freedom and help others to find freedom as well. However, Jesus warned the man not to tell anyone about the miracle except to present himself to the priest and be ritually cleansed as a proof of authenticity of the miracle.

The man did not go to the priest. What does this show?

Maybe

• Rebelling against authority
• Wanting to be with family and friends
• Wanting not to be an outcast any longer
• Selfishness?

This begs the question - Why are we "following" Jesus? Are we asking for his gifts for ourselves???

Jesus was the first, real "medicine show," but he wasn't selling snake oil cures. 

The Wild West Medicine Show
Chris Camp's Wild West Show and Cowboy Cavalcade

Story #2:

The men with the friend coming through the roof

Mark 2:1-12 

1 And when he returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that he was at home. 2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them. 3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men. 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'? 10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic-- 11 "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home." 12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"


The scribes were questioning Jesus' authenticity. He responded correctly, that He was empowered to forgive sins. He said that it was easy to heal the paralytic, but only God can forgive. As proof of the forgiveness, the man was healed.

God's heart is for restoration, not for healing or miracles. He wants salvation, the leper needed salvation. The leper needed salvation. Jesus might have perceived that these men really wanted salvation.

Jesus continuously admonished his followers to pursue salvation and not the miracles that were coming.

He offended even his followers proclaiming that He was the way to salvation, the gate keeper to the inner sanctuary of the Holy of Holies.

God wants us to speak the Gospel, the fullness of God's word into any circunstance, any place where we are.

We should be studying the Gospel so that it is infused in our being. It is our law.

Every part of the word is about Jesus. Jesus states that when He is lifted up, He will draw all people to himself. Jesus is for restoring people to himself.

It is dangerous to expect miracles if they don't point to Jesus.

These two stories are only concerned with people salvation, not the miracle. He is willing to use any method to bring about salvation. We should be examining our motives for following God:

• Why are we here?
• Why do we pray?
• Why do we serve?
• Why do we read scripture?
• Why do we go to God?
• Why do we pick and choose how we approach God?

Do we have the leper's motives?

Where have we not obeyed God? The leper does not obey Jesus' command to present himself to the priest.

Don't rob God of his glory.

Do not rob the cross of it's meaning.



ATTRIBUTION - The scriptures and sermon content first appeared at The Bridge, Big Flats, NY where Alex Ruffer is the Senior Pastor. These notes are mearly my thoughts and transcriptions during the sermon itself. Scriptures are quoted from the ESV unless noted otherwise.

Becoming the First Call Part 7

Thoughts on Lent

Lent started last Wednesday 06 March 2019 and carries forward the next 40 days through Easter, 21 April 2019.

1 Peter 1:18-21

17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. When we give up something for Lent, it should be a reminder of what Jesus gave up for us. He gave up his life for us, what would we give up to show our appreciation of this sacrifice?

Focus - Acts 4:24-30 

24 And when they heard it, they lifted their voices together to God and said, "Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them, 25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "'Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed'-- 27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place. 29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. 32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 

Jesus has been resurrected and he spent 40 days with his disciples before his ascention. The disciples had begun to manifest signs and wonders beginning with the crippled man at the Beauty Gate. Peter and John were called before the high priest and told to not speak of Jesus, which they responded that they must obey God and not man. After this meeting, they go to the gathering of the rest of the followers of Jesus and offered up the prayer in Acts 4:24-30 They understand that they are going against the religious powers of the day and the authority of the day. They realize that the very people that they are going to anger are the same authorities that crucified Jesus. Their lives were changed when the Holy Spirit answered their prayer by coming on them in power and might. The result was the massive influx of believers into The Way and that power carries forward to today.

Let's look at the prayer, phrase by phrase: 

Sovereign Lord, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything in them...

What a way to start prayer!!

...who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, "‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? 26 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’

They honor David who was a man after God’s own heart. This statement recognizes that there are authorities on the Earth and that when they come agaist God, His authority is greater than all these rulers. We cannot have faith without understanding God’s authority. Jesus claimed that one man had more faith than anyone in Isreal. That man was not a Jew, but a soldier in the Roman army. This commander sent his representative to call Jesus. When Jesus was on the way, another servant met Jesus to say that the commander did not even feel that he was worthy to welcome Jesus into his home and yet, if Jesus even spoke the words, the miracle would be done. We love to say that we are saved by faith without works; however, James and Hebrews state that faith without works is dead. Faith with our resultant works is an empty faith. We respond in faith by doing something and not being lazy. We believe that God has authority and we do what he says out of an abundant faith.

27 for truly in this city there were gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.

Jesus had not been gone for long. The disciples are fearful of the authorities and what could happen to them. The disciples saw what the crowds demanded of Pilate and knew that Pilate would not protect them either. They also acknowledged that what happend to Jesus was predetermined from history. They are afraid of being tortured for their faith.

29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

Are we asking God to give us the boldness to speak His word boldly?? There is a fear that resides in all of us, that as a church, we have become very content living generally free of physical threats. As a church, because of this we do not ask God for boldness.

Jesus spoke a parable - Luke 14:16-24

16 But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.' 19 And another said, 'I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.' 20 And another said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.' 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"

(This also appears in Matthew.)

In both places, the master of the house invites in the undesirables of society-prostitutes, tax collectors, etc… Jesus speaks of ordinary things in the parable, buying property, house, car, livestock, marriage. We read these parables after praying the Lord’s prayer and realize that we fill our lives and keeping busy, but we do not count the cost of being distracted from the work of the kingdom. When we sacriice the work of the kingdom, we must realize that something is wrong with our spiritual growth.

• What is the thing that keeps us busy doing things that not important in the kingdom of God? 
• Are we too busy to really evaluate our lives and shed the unimportant things and really do the things that God wants us to do? 
• How can we make our Christian walk less about doing programming and making the walk more organic?
• Why are we too busy??
• What are we missing out on that God has for us to experience?
• Who have we missed?

After the discples ask for boldness, they understand that 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.

John the Baptizer sent his disciples while he was inprisoned to ask if Jesus was really the Christ? Jesus has them witness the manifest fruits of his ministry. They witnessed the reality of the Kingdom of God and sent word back to John.

The Bridge is looking at each of its ministries to see which ones are being effective and which ones are not and need to be cut. What are we doing as a body that is furthering the Kingdom? Are we still pointing people to Christ? Are we getting lazy??

31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.

When we pray honest, real prayers

When we treat him with the authority which he commands

When we acknowledge everything in our life and admit that His authority is superior and we must let him work those things out

When we realize that

His authority has power

He HEARS US

Becoming the first call

• Are we really positioned to be the first call?
• Are we giving people comfort? Or are they convicted?
• Are we “sinner friendly”?

Acts 5:12-13

12 Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13 None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

The first disciples did many things in the name of Jesus. There were those that wanted the gifts for their own benefit and they were struck down (Ananaias and Saffira) which struck fear into those who were not genuine in their faith.

Many were afraid to join The Way, but all respected them.



ATTRIBUTION - The scriptures and sermon content first appeared at The Bridge, Big Flats, NY where Alex Ruffer is the Senior Pastor. These notes are mearly my thoughts and transcriptions during the sermon itself. Scriptures are quoted from the ESV unless noted otherwise.

Becoming the First Call #10

Be a Blessing

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

1 And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. 2 The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And proclaim as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9 Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15 Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. 16 "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. 26 "So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. 34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. -- Matthew 9:35 - Matthew 10:1-38

SIDE NOTE:

What do these statements mean?

We must understand the context of this message. Jesus is training his disciples and sending them out to be witness to Jesus' power. He gives them authority in Palestine over demons, sickness. He sends them only with what they are wearing, but in v16 there is a shift. The shift is when he talks about the end of times, this is the bigger picture of the gospel going out to the world through his people, through Israel. He is not saying necessarily that you should go out unprepared, but there are underlying truths at play.

In our eagerness to GO and be SENT we often fall short of the goal.

In becoming the first call, like the PRC with unplanned pregnancy, this outward expressing is important. However, there is a preparation that needs to take place (Matt 9:35). Jesus shows the physical manifestation of the Kingdom, and we get a glimpse of his heart. v36  Jesus had compassion on the crowds.

This is what he saw - He sees people in their environment, he does not get concerned by their outward brokenness, he sees their inner torment. He sees that his people "are harassed" and feels compelled to help these people.

We think of the outward actions without seeing the Father's heart. We need to understand Jesus' compassion and how he sees people.

Realize that the reality is that the enemy is attacking the people, we need to see that, not the outward actions. We forget how much love our father has poured out on us.

Recall the story of the debtors who were forgiven. (Luke7:36-50)

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 41 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

God has given us great tools, starting with the Holy Spirit.

He calls us

He gives us authority over demons, sickness, and EVERY affliction

Does he really do this? 10:5-15 - Don't let your confidence be in your self get in the way of God's power. We are called to use God's strength and wisdom.
He calls our authority - DOMINION - Go and have dominion over the earth.
He tells his disciples that the harvest is full, but the workers are few.

The power and authority is like the talents that the servants are given, and we must be good stewards of these things.

Also, remember that His power works best in our weakness.

He gives us the Holy Spirit

What happens next? v16 - He says that we will be persecuted even to death.

For us in America, this is not a reality, but it is the case for a vast majority of Christians throughout the globe. We lived in a place where the morals of scripture have been the foundation of the country; however, that is changing. Scripture states that we will feel push back for the gospel. We are not to be ashamed of our father in heaven when we are having a hard time in our life. Jesus says that he did not to come and bring peace on earth. The peace that he speaks about is an inward peace. He comes against the prince of earth, our enemy. He came to not bring peace, but a sword, to cut through the lies of the enemy. Wielding the sword is painful because we must choose to serve God or Baal.


We have a choice to obey and follow God, or reject His call. Jesus demands total allegiance and recognition that he is the ruler of all things. When we come up against this, we have to choose Him, or live forever without Him.

This choice has a cost - Now, like Stephen, we must forgive those who persecute us. How hard this is in the flesh, in fact it is impossible. We must face this fact before we can even think about asking others around us to walk in this faith.

v28 - Do not fear those who can kill the body, but fear him that has the power to kill the soul.

Questions -

Who will you acknowledge?
Who will you fear?
Who will you serve with utmost devotion?

Jesus does not accept half-hearted following.

He is not asking you to give up your vices, he is asking you to give up your life, your everything.

Are you willing to give up everything for Jesus??

Wide is the way to destruction and many will find it, Jesus is the narrow gate and few will find it.

When you have made your choice, expect God to reveal to us those around us who most need Him. Be praying for them to be called into the Kingdom, be dedicated to those people.

Who are those people in your life that you want us to be a blessing to?
Who are those people not yet in your life that he is calling you to?
Who are those people around you that need His compassion?

ATTRIBUTION - The scriptures and sermon content first appeared at The Bridge, Big Flats, NY where Alex Ruffer is the Senior Pastor. These notes are mearly my thoughts and transcriptions during the sermon itself. Scriptures are quoted from the ESV unless noted otherwise.