Category: Sermons

“The first word that Jesus uttered from his cross was a prayer for his enemies. The second word was an answer to prayer.”  — Clovis G. Chappell

It Wasn’t an Accident

It wasn’t a matter of chance that Jesus was crucified between two thieves. Isaiah 53:12 prophesied it 700 years before: “Numbered with the transgressors.” Jesus was despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3).

At the Foot of the Cross

As horrible as this scene is, let’s stand at the foot of the cross and listen.

One of the men, even in his pain, notices Jesus. Jesus doesn’t curse or condemn. He forgives!

This man reflects on his own life. He wasn’t just a common thief. He was a revolutionary and probably a murderer (the original word translated into English means much more than “criminal.”) This man deserved to die and he knew it.

A Strange Request

The revolutionary turns to Jesus and asks, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

Had the criminal met Jesus before? He is the only person to call Jesus by name.

Still, this is a strange request! We would have expected him to say something like, “Save us!” But, instead, dying, he talks about Jesus’ kingdom.

You see, they both wanted the same thing: to change the world. But they chose two different methods: one by the power of the sword and the other through the power of love.

Why did the revolutionary pray?

He didn’t pray because he was frightened – that was the prayer of the other man. What can we learn from his prayer?

He prayed because he was penitent.

He prayed to Jesus the King.

The prayer was personal. Do you pray for yourself? Some people are hesitant to do so.

This was a prayer of faith: not “if you come” but “When you come”

This was a modest prayer – he only asked to be remembered.

The Assurances of Jesus

Jesus gave assurance that life goes on.

Jesus gave assurance of abiding fellowship.

Jesus gave assurance of a heavenly home.

Jesus gave assurance of immediacy: “this day”

Jesus gave assurance of salvation.

2 Timothy 1:6, 7

John McKeel

What’s in Your Memory Box?

Scrapbooks and memory boxes can be wonderful reminders of our past. Sometimes they make us laugh, and sometimes they make us cry, but they connect us with our story. So it is with our text this morning. The Apostle Paul reminds Timothy to think about his own past and the love of Timothy’s mother and grandmother and the apostle’s own tears.

The reason isn’t nostalgic. It’s motivational. We need to fan our faith into a flame!

I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control, (2 Timothy 1:6, 7).

Gifts

We have all received gifts from our heavenly Father. They are different from the gift Timothy received, but they are just as precious. For example, Paul told the Romans:

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness, (Romans 12:4 – 8).

What’s My Gift?

God blesses all of his children with talents, but many people aren’t sure about what God has given them. So how do you know? John’s test: Does “church work” leave you refreshed or drained? If it is a gift from God, you should be energized by exercising your gift!

God’s Spirit

Our gifts, like Timothy’s, require diligence: “For God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline,” (2 Timothy 1:7).

How do you know God’s Spirit is active in your life? Paul identifies three defining qualities of the Spirit: power, love, and self-discipline.

Notice: God did not give us a spirit of timidity. Because we are children of God, we are not afraid, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Romans 8:15).

If there is one thing to be afraid of, it should be the fear of not trying at all, (Matthew 25:14 ff.)

The Spirit of Power

We have received the Spirit of power. We can do much more than we think we can,

… and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might, (Ephesians 1:19) 

…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16). 

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, (Colossians 1:11).

The Spirit of Power is the Spirit who changes lives!

The Spirit of Love

He is also the Spirit of love. Sometimes it helps us understand what a word means when we look at its opposite. The opposite of love isn’t hate — it’s selfishness.

The use of our talents without love leads only to pride. If we use our gifts with love, then we will use them with gratitude and others will be encouraged to use their gifts as well.

The Spirit of Self-Control

Third, we have also received the Spirit of “self-discipline.” This is the only place this word is found in the New Testament. It carries the meaning of prudence, moderation, and self-discipline. In other words, proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit isn’t being a “holy roller.” Rather, wisdom, discipline,  and “It helps us control ourselves,” (NIrV).

October — A Month of Prayer

Sunday Morning Sermon
October 15, 2017
John McKeel

Have you walked down the aisles of the grocery store lately? How many different kinds of cereal can you chose from? How many different types of chips are there? We love variety – and the interesting thing is, so does God. So why does our prayer life often seem so “vanilla”?

Adoration

Our relationship with God is a lifetime of discovery. Prayers of adoration celebrate our many faceted God.

• Example: Solomon’s prayer at the Dedication of the Temple, 1 Kings 8. 

Confession

As we discover God, we naturally discover we are not God. We are sinners and no prayer is more honest than a prayer of confession.

• Example: David’s psalm of confession, Psalm 32 

Thanksgiving

The most common Christian name for God is “Father.” The Holy Spirit within us cries “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6 – see Romans 8:15; Mark 14:36). Fathers excel at gift giving and our heavenly Father is no exception. Think about all that He provides and give thanks! Examples:

• Matthew 6:25 ff.
• 1 Chronicles 16

Supplication

Without question, this is our most common prayer and it is a proper prayer but often betrays a lack of wisdom and maturity on our part.

1. We tend to make plans and then ask God’s blessings.
2. We pray to change God’s will. We need to learn the lesson of Christ.

• “Your will be done on earth,”
• “Let this cup pass,”

3. So how should we pray?

• Honestly!
• Conversationally
• Thank God, He is in control!
• Ask for comfort.
• Ask for understanding, James 1; Solomon’s prayer 1 Kings 3

Some Things to Think About

Knowledge

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)

1. Describe each of the varieties of prayer that Paul mentions to Timothy.
2. What was the goal of these prayers?
3. How many other kinds of prayers can you think of?

Attitude

• What is the purpose of prayer?

Action

• Begin keeping a Prayer Journal.

First Sunday/First Principles

Sunday Morning Sermon
October 1, 2017
Luke 11:1 – 13
John McKeel

Prayer

Prayer is as old as man, as universal as religion and as instinctive as breathing. It is practiced in some form by men of all faiths. Prayer springs from the heart with a need. It is man’s acknowledgement of a Being greater than himself and yet, I dare say, most of our prayer lives are sadly deficient.

The average Korean minister spends three hours every day in prayer. The average American minister spends eight minutes. Most of us spend more time brushing our teeth rather than grooming our souls.

“I don’t have time to pray.”

1. When a family member becomes critically ill, we suddenly have time to pray.
2. Susannah Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, had nineteen children! But she found time to pray.

The Disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.

1. Curiously, this is the only thing they specifically asked Jesus to teach them.
2. There are many kinds of prayers in the world, but they tend to be:
   • Ritualized
   • Prescribed
   • Long
   • Meaningless repetition
   • Prayers that were to impress men rather than express their heart felt needs
3. Perhaps the followers of John and the Pharisees each had their own “brand” of prayer.
4. What was it that impressed these hard-working men about the prayers of Jesus?

The Model Prayer

“He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.
And lead us not into temptation.”

Jesus, Luke 11:2-4

Beginning with God

1. Jesus us taught us that prayer begins with a relationship: God is our Father.
   • This dispels fear
   • Encourages hope
   • Removes loneliness
   • Provides resources (Ephesians 1:3)
   • Demands obedience.
2. “Hallowed be your name”
   • “There is a sense in which we should take our shoes off our feet whenever we use the name,” D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
   • God’s name stands for his whole being.
   • The prayer to hallow God’s name means to make him known to the whole world.
3. “Your kingdom come”
   • Some people have argued that this prayer is no longer relevant since the Kingdom has already come.
   • The truth is “Yes” and “No” (see Hebrews 2:5-9).

Relying on God

1. “Give us each day our daily bread”
2. “Forgive us our sins”
   • Our forgiveness isn’t conditional.
   • It is a condition of asking God — God will hear our prayers because we listen to him.
3. “Lead us not into temptation”
   • God doesn’t tempt us, James 1:13
   • It is a prayer that we will not succumb to temptation.
   • It is a prayer that God lead us through temptation.

Excuses

After giving us the model prayer, Jesus deals with two big excuses: “God’s mind is already made up so why pray?” (vv. 5-10) and the unspoken belief that God is actually very harsh and unapproachable (vv. 11-13).

1. “God’s mind is already made up – that’s why we pray ‘Thy will be done.’”
   • Jesus taught God’s door is never closed (vv. 5-8).
   • This view limits God!
     1. One of God’s laws is “gravity” and yet airplanes fly.
     2. Further, God doesn’t just set one door before us, He loves us so much that he places many opportunities in front of us.
   • There is a corollary that turns lack of prayer into an act of faith: don’t pray, endure! Yet the same person will visit a doctor when they are ill or put on a coat when it is cold.
2. “God is actually very harsh and unapproachable.” To which Jesus responds, “God is our Father” (v. 11-13)

Conclusion

Prayer is actually the expression of a relationship. How is your relationship with God?