Calvary Chapel Fremont

Isaiah 54 - Part 2

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:19:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday March 10, 2010

A Bond Servant of Jesus Christ - 2 Peter 1:1

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:11:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday March 7, 2010

A Bond Servant of Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:1

Exodus 21:2-6 Will he leave/stay? Where do his sympathies lie? Where is his heart? Will his service be temporary/permanent? Will this house be his home for the rest of his life or just one of many places? If he stays, that means he has crossed a line. He was committed for six years, now he’s sold out. He had the prospect of freedom, but that prospect is gone now. There was a time he could have walked away, but that time has passed.

Peter doesn’t describe himself as a believer, though obviously he is one, but describes himself as a bond servant of Jesus Christ. Peter/ James/John/Jude/Paul all describe themselves as bond servants. “We’re staying and we’re doing the will of our Master.” Bond servant doesn’t = ‘super-Christian’. It’s not, “Simon Peter, a super-Christian and apostle of Jesus Christ…” Being a bond servant is what God is after in every believer. And if this is something every believer is to have – it is quite normal. You may not have the calling 2b an apostle, but you do have the calling to be a bond servant.

We hear many sermons on the development of Christlike character and the discovery of calling and the ministry that flows from that. “Be like Christ. Do like Christ.” But being a bond servant is something different than being/doing like Christ. Being a bond servant is a different consideration than both your character and your calling. It provides the foundation for your character and your calling.

Being a bond servant is being conquered by Jesus Christ. “Simon Peter – one who has been conquered by Jesus Christ.” Not only have my sins been forgiven by the blood of Christ, my self has been conquered by the cross of Christ. I’ve come to a place where I don’t want 2bn any other place. I’ve carried his cross for this long and I will carry it longer. My master’s house has all I need. I will give my all. God is ready to give his awl if you will give your all.

I think this helps us to understand some of the failed attempts we have at being/doing like Christ – failures in character/calling.

    * character Man who hasn’t bathed in two months and is given a set of new clothes to put on - how long b4 the reality of who he is comes through? If ur not sold out to Jesus Christ, your attempts 2b like Christ are doomed to fail. I am talking to believers – some of you have been saved 30 years and you have struggled w/ the exact same things for 30 years because you want Christ and you want the world. You want to live in the master’s house and go visit other houses 2c what they offer. The bondservant says, “All that pertains to my life/future/happiness is in this house.” If ur not conquered by Christ, Christian character will be an ongoing battle 4u. I’m speaking to believers – settle it today, right now – I will live for Christ. If ur not conquered by Christ, Christian character will be a lifelong struggle.

    * calling Women, would you marry a man who felt called 2b your husband but didn’t love you? He can fill the office/do the duties of a husband - he can be good provider/lover/companion/father – but he doesn’t love you. Don’t you want a man who has been conquered by you? If ur not conquered by Christ, Christian service will be a lifelong struggle.

Being conquered by Christ- foundation of Christian character/calling

In the bond servant we have a service which is not a matter of choice for the one who renders it… he has to perform whether he likes or not, because he is subject as a slave to an alien will, to the will of his owner.   TDNT

To our ears this is a gross violation of individual rights. For a man to have no choice in a matter, 2b robbed of his will so that he can’t exercise personal freedom, to not be able to go left/right/straight ahead is the kind of slavery that is being progressively abolished in the march of history. This is what leads some thinkers to conclude that Christianity doesn’t ennoble the human spirit, but debases it. They would tell us that Christianity doesn’t dignify man, but dishonors him because it takes from man one of the core essentials of what it means 2b human – 2b free. A Christian is not free and Christianity is the enemy of human freedom. Let's look at this.

What do you think – if your child needed a kidney to survive, would you give one of yours? Would you have any choice in the matter? At one level, yes. But at the level we live, no. Whether or not you liked the prospect of losing a kidney you would freely give it up. And if your child needed two, you would do this even though it would mean extreme dialysis for the rest of your life.

You really wouldn’t have a choice. But the choice that flowed from the circumstance of having no choice is a free choice and wouldn’t debase/dishonor you as a human being, it would dignify/ennoble you. You are a bondservant/a slave to your child - but it is a slavery of love. Necessity, yes – but a necessity birthed out of love. As a bondservant Peter hasn't been overwhelmed by power, he has surrendered to love. A surrender to the love of God is the greatest freedom there is. You were created to be God's bondservant – and the doorway to this isn't obedience to His will, but surrender to His love. If you love God, being sold out is the easiest thing in the world. If you don't love God, obedience will be the scariest thing.

A bondservant is what Peter is to God; an apostle is what he is to the people. What he is to God is more important than what he is to people. It takes first place in how he considers/presents himself. At one time, Peter wanted 2b the greatest - now he comes to know his place. B4 he refers to himself as an apostle, he refers to himself as a bondservant. Peter has come to an end of himself. How so?

Being a believer in Christ is not the same as being a bondservant of Christ. God has a way of bringing believers to the place where they are bondservants. I have never made coffee by just place a scoop of beans in the filter. I have always used ground coffee. I imagine that I would get a very weak cup of coffee. The full flavor comes from beans that have been ground. For me, this illustrates what God does. God grinds believers n2 bondservants so that the full, robust flavor of Christ comes forth. God wants every part of your life 2b a carrier of Christ.

Peter had 2b emptied of his flavor for the flavor of Christ to come forth – self had 2b crucified. Amber K. - what if Peter had successfully walked on the water the whole time? Can you imagine his attitude after stepping back n2 the boat. What if he hadn’t fled when Christ was arrested? He would have been so full of himself – so impressed w/ himself – he would be teaching seminars on how 2b mighty: how to walk where no one else has walked; how to stand when no one else was standing. We would taste Peter, not Jesus.

Hebrews: God disciplines/grinds all His children.

On his way to being a bondservant, not only was Peter emptied of pride, but prejudice, too.

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ… ESV

This word was used for foreigners who had been granted the privileges of citizenship which were equal to those of the native born.

At one time, Peter held to Jewish exclusiveness. This prejudice had 2b knocked out of him. Acts 1 – is it at this time ur restoring the kingdom to Israel? Acts 10 – vision and Cornelius. Gal. 2 – eating/ not eating w/ Gentiles. All have received right standing w/ God thru the righteousness of Jesus Christ who is here called God and Savior.

There’s only one way 2b right w/ God – and it’s for all people.

Isaiah 54 - Part 1

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:07:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday March 3, 2010

Serious About Satan - 1 Peter 5:8-14

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:57:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday February 28, 2010

Serious about Satan

1 Peter 5:8-14

Reality From the moment he slithers n2 the garden of Eden in Gen3 until the time he is slammed n2 the lake of fire in Rev20, Satan seeks to turn people away from the reality of God. He blinds the minds of the unbelieving and he stalks those who do believe in God.

The Bible presents the devil as the enemy of mankind. So does popular culture –

Please allow me to introduce myself/I'm a man of wealth and taste
I've been around for a long, long year/Stole many a man's soul and faith

And I was 'round when Jesus Christ/Had his moment of doubt and pain
Made damn sure that Pilate/Washed his hands and sealed his fate
Pleased to meet you/Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you/Is the nature of my game
I stuck around St. Petersburg/When I saw it was a time for a change
Killed the Czar and his ministers/Anastasia screamed in vain
I rode a tank/Held a general's rank/When the Blitzkrieg raged/And the bodies stank
Pleased to meet you/Hope you guess my name
But what's puzzling you/Is the nature of my game

In sympathy for the devil, he is credited w/ the crucifixion/communism/ Hitler and the Holocaust. The nature of his game is not puzzling. The Bible is very clear about nature of his game – kill/steal/destroy. We see his game in our culture as we plunge deeper n2 moral/ spiritual confusion - where we celebrate sexual perversion, wholesale slaughter of millions of innocent babies, as we see man’s inhumanity to man become progressively more gruesome, and fear grips the heart of more/more people. And yet, even as the darkness is falling, belief in the devil goes down. From 1991 to 2007, belief in Satan as a living entity dropped from 35% to 24%. www.religioustolerance.org/chr_sat4.htm

We stand at the brink of nuclear annihilation/hatred grips our political system/suspicion rips apart the int’l community – and yet many hold to a doctrine that man is progressively becoming morally superior and we don’t need a Savior. Our problems are man-made, therefore they may be solved by man. jfk There is no Satan and we need no Savior. This leaves man as Satan and man as Savior.

The Bible is very clear about nature of his game – kill/steal/destroy. The Bible pictures him as a roaring lion seeking to devour you.

Recognize the reality God cares 4u; the devil doesn’t.

Sober: guarded against advance of drowsiness/confusion – opposite of intoxication/of any kind of mental fuzziness. Peter is writing about the reality of the devil/danger poses to believers. 1st thing he says – there is 2ba clarity in your mind.

Alert: watchful because aware of danger. If not sober, not alert. If not clear, not careful. If you told me that someone was stalking me w/ the intent of killing me, I’d get serious real fast – call authorities/ install cameras/locks. I’d be sober/alert.

Adversary antidikos – opponent at law. Lk. 18:3 widow wanted protection from her opponent. She was in the right. Something rightly belonged to her that her opponent wanted to take. Jesus has clothed you w/ His righteousness/filled you w/ His Spirit/gifted you w/ His salvation/given you purpose/opened your eyes to the truth as it is in Jesus. The devil would seek to strip you of all this. And he seeks to do this when ur the most vulnerable – even as the evil man went after a widow (a woman in a vulnerable position).

The major theme of Peter’s letter is getting a healthy perspective on suffering – how to understand/navigate through/triumph over it. He knows that many will walk w/ Jesus when the sun is shining and life is hitting on all cylinders. He also knows that those who don’t have a healthy perspective on suffering stumble in their Christian walk when the sun goes behind the clouds/darkness gathers. He knows that Satan exploits suffering/anxiety. Many who are suffering are vulnerable like a widow who is alone in the world.

How does devil stalk you?

The devil preys on your weakness to defeat you

The devil filled Judas to betray Jesus (Jn. 13:2)/pushed Peter to deny Jesus. Why Judas/Peter? He capitalized on their weakness – deceit of Judas/bluster of Peter - both of them thought these were strengths, but they were actually weaknesses. What you consider a strength may be a weakness - physical appearance/strong mind/particular skill. He exploits your weaknesses. Edinburgh Castle, high on the bluffs, was only taken once. A shepherd boy led the attackers to an unguarded entrance on the side of a cliff. What they thought was their strength was their weakness.

The devil preys on your vanity to deceive you

To Judas: You’re a shrewd student of trends. Jesus won’t deliver what He promised – better cash out.

To Peter: You’re stronger/more courageous than the rest. You can stand where others would fall. You’re better than the others.

To You: You can do what others can’t. You can get away w/ it. Jesus understands. Your sin won’t harm you.

The devil preys on your fears to discourage you

You’ll never get what you deserve. You will suffer for following Jesus - people will reject you. He will take your anxiety and stir it up. “God doesn’t care for you. If God cared for you, things would be different. Your marriage/finances/health/children/ career would be different. God could heal/bless/change if He wanted to. Why is He holding out on you?”

The devil provokes your anxieties to deform you

Instead of obedience resulting in a greater heart for God, the devil wants to develop a hardness nu toward God/people. Many plants have thorns which help protect them from herbivores. A thorn is an undeveloped flower. God is seeking the beauty/aroma of flowers. The devil is seeking the hardness/ugliness of thorns. Some of you have taken real hits in life/not allowed the Lord to bring healing to your soul. A thorn has emerged – when people get to close to a certain spot, you pierce them w/ your defense mechanisms. When you encounter a thorn in someone else, know that this is a wound that Jesus is still wanting to heal. Pray for them.

As he preys on your weakness/vanity/fears - as he provokes your anxieties - he is seeking to break your connection w/ Jesus.

When a lion is stalking his prey he does not roar. A prowling lion is in the hunt. Luke 22:31-34. Peter wasn’t aware of the prowling lion in the courtyard. But Satan was sifting him using the soldiers/girl. Peter denied his connection w/ Jesus.

Sometimes the lion silently stalks, sometimes he roars. Lions usually roar in the hours between dusk and early morning – the darkest hours of the day. One reason they roar is to assert ownership of their territory.

When might you hear his roar? When you determine to walk close w/ Jesus – he wants you to know that he considers that you belong to him. When you set yourself 2b free from crippling addictions – he will roar to let you know that it is hopeless to resist him.

Resist

Resist the devil w/ firm faith – six faith facts

God cares for me.

Satan is defeated.

I am not alone. What you face can be/has been overcome.

My sufferings will come to an end.

My glory will never end.

God reigns forever.

Title: Serious about Satan.

Let’s be serious about Jesus. v14 Are you in Christ?

Isaiah 52-53 - Part 2

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:02:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday February 24, 2010

The Firewall of the Church - Part 3 - 1 Peter 5:5-7

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 05:30:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday February 21, 2010

The Firewall of the Church - Part 3

1 Peter 5:5-7 p3

Four times in three verses Peter speaks of humbling ourselves b4 one another and God. Humility has great value. Humility is the firewall of your soul/church– it protects you from spiritual viruses that the world/flesh/devil want to download n2 your soul/church.

Peter has been instructing us to do a lot of weighty things –

    * endure suffering w/o developing a desire for revenge
    * persevere through trial w/o complaining
    * submit to one another in humility

Obedience to God doesn’t come naturally – it goes against your grain and you have to discipline yourself to live in obedience to God. Obedience can create its own kind of anxiety. Since I can’t control/ am not in charge – that means someone else is. Remember when you got in the passenger seat and took your 15 year old out driving. We’re afraid that God will drive our lives like our 15 year old drives the car. “God, look out!”

V7 is a real high point in this letter. Peter knows that these responses to God/one another don’t come easily. He knows that obedience to God can create anxiety/worry – “If I do what God tells me to do I will lose what I have.” Rich young ruler | Getting van smogged – I was told that I would be after a certain car/another customer pulled in who I thought was going 2b served b4 me – I was anxious.

Anxiety is the fear that I won’t get everything that’s coming to me. If I don’t throw my weight around/insist on my own way/promote myself, I’ll be overlooked/passed by/I won’t get what I deserve. If I don’t look out for me and promote myself and my cause, no one else will. That’s just good business sense and an essential survival skill. Do you think I’m going to join a company where the CEO will be thinking about how he can make me successful and advance me through the ranks?

“If I humble myself, I’m afraid that others will take advantage of me.” Someone might say, “Shut up and just obey God. He’s got your back.” Sometimes, Biblical guidance is presented w/ the assumption that if you just do as ur told, all will be well – that if you just obey what the Bible directs u2 do, all will take care of itself. Often, Biblical counsel/counselors can appear 2b so clinical/cold.

But Peter knows that he is speaking to flesh/blood. He knows the emotions that course through the human heart. He is aware of the cares that can weigh it down and the fear/anxiety that can choke a response of faith.

Anxiety – a very emotional word that speaks of mind numbing worry. The medical community tells us that this kind of gut wrenching worry comes w/ physical symptoms - tightness in the muscles/headaches/pain in the back of the neck/shortness of breath/racing heart/abnormal tiredness/sleeplessness. Anxiety is like a big dog barking on the inside/eating you alive.

Anxiety can disturb sleep/diminish health – disinherit you.

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Matthew 13:22

Worry can choke out the life of God in you. Demas

Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap. Luke 21:34

Worry can distract you from the signs of the times. What to do -

Cast all your anxiety upon him

The word cast is a very strong word -

Lk. 4:35 Demon threw a boy to the ground.

Mt. 27:5 Judas threw the 30 pieces of silver n2 the temple.

The ancient Greeks tell us that people have tried to drown their cares/worries in love/alcohol. The implication is that it’s not something I can get rid of, it’s something I have to hold at bay – it’s a sickness 2b managed w/ the medication of alcohol/emotional stimulation. But Peter tells us that gut wrenching anxiety isn’t something that needs 2b anesthetized – it’s something that can be eliminated. It’s not something that you have to resign yourself to live w/ and manage - worry/anxiety can be removed.

You may think that you wouldn’t wish what you’re going through on your worst enemy. The Bible doesn’t say to cast all your issues/ stuff on someone you don’t like – cast all your anxiety upon Him.

How do I cast my cares upon God? Psalm 3

Note the intro to this psalm. This is a problem that David brought upon himself. Background -

    * Husband – adultery w/ Bathsheba
    * King – abused authority - murder
    * Father – exampled wickedness/hid from consequences/passive toward children
          o In committing adultery/murder, David released something n2 his family.
          o By not disciplining Amnon, he released bitterness n2 Absalom.
          o By not confronting Absalom, he released rebellion/violence n2 the kingdom.

David was 100% to blame for his problem. Ps. 32/51 tell us that this was eating him alive/consuming his thoughts/keeping him awake. 3:4 I was crying to the Lord w/ my voice. He was casting all his cares upon the Lord.

The grace of God meets you even when you cause the problem!

Psalm 55:1-8, 16-18; 56:1-11; Romans 4:18-21

God cares for you

Mk. 4:38 Don’t You care if we drown? “Jesus, are You emotionally indifferent to me?” Peter says that God cares – emotional investment. Peter knows that God cares for you because he knows that God cares for him. And if God can care for him, God can care for anybody. He cares about what you’re going through/what’s going through you/what weighs you down and wrings you out.

God cares about the:

    * Sighs you heave/tears you cry/desires you’re afraid to whisper for fear that the sound of them will break your heart
    * Bruised heart/unfulfilled dreams/wounded spirit/battered ego
    * Disappointments/shattered hopes/worries for your children/anger in your marriage/fears for the future
    * Concern for your health/anxiety about money/fear that you won’t get everything you deserve
    * Loneliness/sense of worthlessness/despair that no one will ever love you

B4 you cast your cares upon Him, you have to cast yourself upon Him.

Isaiah 52-53 - Part 1

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 06:34:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday February 17, 2010

Isaiah 52-53

Heart of Christian faith/two-chambered heart: substitutionary atonement/resurrection

Someone has said that every religion has its savior. Not so – only Christianity. Confucius/ Buddha/Muhammad/Lao Tse/Hindu philosophers/witch doctors have all pointed to what they considered was a way to salvation, but they are not Saviors. Only Jesus presents Himself as a Savior. Others pointed to the way. Jesus said, “I am the way.” Jesus is unique among all religious teachers in human history. Someone has said that all religions teach the same thing. Well, except for the nature of God/man/salvation/heaven/hell – yes, all religions teach the same thing. One thing they don’t have – a Savior.

From deliverance from Babylonian captivity to deliverance from sin. From Cyrus the messiah (45:1) to Jesus the Messiah. Bible inspired – not chapter/verse divisions.

52:13-15 the successful servant

13 My servant will prosper - Our passage describes in great detail the suffering that Jesus experienced before/during the cross. But the suffering of the servant is preceded by the supremacy of the servant. It adds superlative to superlative – high/lifted up/greatly exalted. It says, “Know this: that whatever you see of the humiliation of the servant, His exaltation/supremacy is guaranteed.” What you see isn’t what you get. Don’t believe the testimony of your eyes. This is what confused the Jews – a suffering Messiah.

And this is what still confuses so many. With all the power in the universe why does God subject Himself to all the pain in the universe. We are always seeking to improve our lifestyles – better homes/neighborhoods/cars/health care/insurance/gadgets – we are constantly attempting to eliminate pain/inconvenience from our lives. And then God comes in the form of a servant and goes looking for all the trouble He can find and comes to an exquisitely painful end on the cross. But the depth of His humiliation will be more than matched by the height of His exaltation. Apply 2u

14 The Chosen One (Messiah) will appear to the chosen people (Israel) as the chosen people appeared to the nations – common/ normal/nothing special – in fact, somewhat dishonorable/ignoble. ‘These are the chosen people? No way.” “This is the Chosen One? No way.”

13 is God’s estimation and 14 is man’s estimation.

15 Thus = ‘in this appearance/form.’ God’s work done in God’s way by God’s man is counter intuitive to the way we think God’s man should go about God’s work. This is why so many will be taken in by the antichrist – he will move in power and he will be the consummate politician and fit right in w/ man’s view of how power should be wielded and used.

What kings have not been told they will see – revelation. Stage is set for 53:1.

53:1-3 the sorrowful /son successful servant

1-2a Cf. Is. 11:1 In Jesus, God was fulfilling His promises to David and the Jewish nation.

The nation/Davidic dynasty turned from God. Israel was humbled/never fully recovered from the Babylonian captivity, always being a vassal state of larger empires (except for a brief time). The Davidic monarchy was never revived, but, in essence, went underground. Though the fruit and branches were lopped off, the stump/root remained. God can work with even a root/stump! Jesus is known as the Root of David.

…the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals. Revelation 5:5

This speaks volumes to me. God had made a promise/it went underground only to reemerge - ship that sunk was a submarine! The nations said of Israel – she’s buried/gone forever. The incarnation, God becoming a man in Christ, was the resurrection of a buried hope – it was life coming from a forgotten root. The promises of God are life. You may think that your hopes are dead/buried in the ground – so was Jesus – and look what happened to Him!

2b-3 Joseph/David/Rachel/Esther – described as being fair of form. Not so Jesus - not be a leading man in Hollywood/no GQ cover/not physically attractive/no chiseled looks. His appearance, combined w/ His sympathies and manner of life led people to dismiss Him. Though out of step w/ man, He was in step w/ God. He was a man of God/man of sorrows – but not a man of the world.

53:4-6 the suffering substitute/ successful servant/sorrowful son

He bore our griefs/sorrows…

          o Grief: sickness – not colds/flues – but life threatening/health draining disease.
          o Sorrows: mind numbing/soul crushing mental anguish

He bore our sorrows in His ministry; He didn’t bear our sins until Calvary. Mt. 8:14-17 is a fulfillment of Is. 53:4. But Mt. 8:14-17 takes place 2-3 years b4 the crucifixion at Capernaum, and not at Calvary. Both time/place separate this from His atoning death Many tell us that healing is in the atonement, but Christ bore sickness/disease apart from the cross. Sickness doesn’t need atonement, but sin does. Healing is in Jesus, and it is not automatically guaranteed in the atonement.

    * Sickness doesn’t carry guilt, sin does.
    * If forgiveness happens as often as healing happens, many are still in their sins.
    * If we are forgiven to the extent that we are healed, most are only partially forgiven.
    * If healing takes place to the extent that forgiveness does, we would never die, but be healed to the uttermost.

Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world… vv5-6 are the heart of substitutionary atonement. Tyrone would piddle when I came home. His piddle became a puddle that needed 2b removed. I would get a paper towel and wipe it up off the floor. The towel became something to throw away in that it carried away Tyrone’s mess. It became unclean and needed 2b buried in the trash.

Our transgressions/iniquities needed 2b wiped up/out - carried away

Transgression - fundamental idea is a breach of relationship between two parties.

Iniquity - the basic meaning of the verb is, "to bend, twist, distort."

Rebellion is to go against and iniquity is to go apart. We certainly have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Piercing kills and crushing returns to dust. Instead of life/glory, there is death/dust.

Chastening/discipline = correction. Christ was cut/crushed/ corrected… all for us.

The Firewall of the Church - Part 2 - 1 Peter 5:5-7

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:09:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday February 14, 2010

The Firewall of the Church - Part 2

1 Peter 5:5-7 p2

Pastor: I had dinner at the home of a woman in the church and she sure seemed 2b filled w/ pride. I did not like to judge her, but the things she said and the way she acted, led me to think that this was a big problem for her. That afternoon I preached a sermon on pride and had her specially in mind. Of course, I did not tell my listeners that I meant her and I was careful when making certain remarks, that I would look in another direction, but I had her in mind. After the meeting she started to walk right toward me, and I said to myself, ‘Uh-oh, I think she must have realized I meant her.’ She said, “O, Brother Barton, I am so glad you took up that subject today, because there are some people in this room who really needed to hear that.” Pride will keep you form hearing the word of the Lord.

Humility is the firewall of your soul/the church – it protects you from spiritual viruses that the world/flesh/devil want to download n2 your soul/church. Last week: humility is following the pattern of Christ. It is not throwing my weight around/coercing u2 recognize me/thinking that I’m special and you need to pay attention to me.

Fears: OK, I get that, but if I don’t throw my weight around/insist on my own way/promote myself, I’ll be overlooked/passed by/I won’t get what’s coming to me. What is Peter’s counsel to someone who is anxious like me? V6.

How did Peter understand the mighty hand of God?

Then Moses entreated the LORD his God, and said, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people whom You have brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Ex. 32:11

You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand … Dt. 5:15

… the LORD brought us from Egypt with a mighty hand. Dt. 6:21

… the LORD brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Dt. 7:8

…the great trials which your eyes saw and the signs and the wonders and the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. Dt. 7:19

I prayed to the LORD and said, ‘O Lord GOD, do not destroy Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Dt. 9:26

…the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand … Dt. 26:8

And now, O Lord our God, who have brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand… Daniel 9:15

There was only one way up from Egypt/out of their chains/carried forward to their destiny – to humble themselves under the mighty hand of God. They had to come under the mighty hand of God.

The Jews didn’t understand the mighty hand of God as that which would crush them, but that which would crush their enemies – a hand which would bring them out of their trials/troubles. This wasn’t an invitation to individual oblivion/personal annihilation. This wasn’t a summons 2b crushed by the hand of God, but a call n2 safety/refuge. Preaching of Noah – judgment is coming, get n2 the ark. Those outside knew that once inside they would be limited. They didn’t want to live in the limitations/confinement the ark would impose. Ark – might hand of God stretched out…

So many fear that a surrender to God will mean the obliteration of their individuality/unique personality – surrender to the hand of God will impose limitations on the life they are living and they are not about to yield this to anyone. Many fear that a life given n2 the hand of God means that a life lived in living color will turn black/ white – that all the taste/color will go our of life and everything will taste vanilla and look manila. Confinement of ark saved Noah…

Why ‘mighty hand’? Why not just ‘hand’? A whole culture/value system/way of life was imposing itself upon Israel in Egypt. “You will do what we tell u2 do. You will be who we tell u2b.” It wasn’t the mighty hand of God that posed a threat to their uniqueness and individuality – it was the culture of Egypt. If Egypt had its way, Israel would forget that they were the covenant people.

If many in our culture had their way – you’d forget about following Jesus. There is a militant atheism aggressively working to undermine faith in Jesus and sideline/marginalize anyone who expressed faith in God. The mighty hand of God is necessary to break the grip of the world system that is seeking to impose itself on you to mold/shape you and have you lose this silly notion of God that you have. Judges 6:11-15 Gideon needed to experience mighty hand of God – he is beat down.

What is exaltation? It is being brought out from wherever ur stuck. The mighty hand of God will bring you out.

7    Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;

You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies,

And Your right hand will save me.

8    The LORD will accomplish what concerns me… Ps. 138

What is your trouble? Marriage/finances/addictions/bondages/ afflictions/hopelessness… With a mighty hand God will bring you out/exalt you. “Do you mean that God will bring me out of a lousy marriage/confining finances/life threatening addictions? YES.

Here’s how exaltation works:

He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. John 3:14

Seated at right hand of God – exaltation | Crucifixion – exaltation

He had to go through one exaltation to arrive at the other one. You have to go through the exaltation of bearing the cross to arrive at the exaltation of wearing the crown. When you humble yourself, you’re crucifying yourself. You’re taking up your cross and following Jesus. When you humble yourself you purpose to obey God no matter what this obedience will cost you – just like Jesus.

The obedience you give to God when you humble yourself b4 Him will change/transform you. Will God bring you out of a lousy marriage w/ His mighty hand when you humble yourself? Yes – He will make you the spouse you need 2b to love unconditionally the spouse who isn’t loving you unconditionally. God doesn’t transform marriages – He transforms people. It is transformed people who have transformed marriages. Finances – due to impulsiveness/ compulsiveness/lack of discipline…

As you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, you get your life back – even as Noah and family preserved their life.

Proper time Terror is on every side; while they took counsel together against me, they schemed to take away my life. But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD, I say, “You are my God.”

      My times are in Your hand… Ps. 31:13-15

I have always been blessed when I have joined together Ps. 138:8 and 31:15. The LORD will accomplish what concerns me… My times are in Your hand…

Mary/Martha to Lazarus: Don’t worry, Jesus will come. He’s never late/always on time.

Where ru in relationship to the hand of God?

Avoiding – Noah’s generation – too steep a price to pay/too confining. Under – I can’t control/predict – I’m not in charge. The Lord will accomplish what concerns you. Your times are in His hand.

Nodar Kumaritashvili – Georgian luger killed in practice runs at Winter Olympics held in Vancouver BC in 2010. Who knew, when the camera zoomed in on his face at the top of the run, that he would be dead in 50 seconds.

Isaiah 52

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:13:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday February 10, 2010

Isaiah 52

1-2 I is prophesying that Israel will return to the land after the Babylonian captivity ends in 537 BC. He is attempting to get Israel back on their feet after they’ve fallen.

For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again… Proverbs 24:16

A fall for one who is not in covenant with God is not fatal. I knows that God will not let go of His covenant people. Jesus will not let go of you. Heb. 13:5

    * We see David walk n2 the sin of adultery/murder – and we see God go in after him.
    * We see Gomer prostitute herself on the street corner, selling her body for money – and we see God go in after her.
    * We see Elijah in the depths of depression, wanting to end his life – and we see God go in after him.
    * We see Israel in the bowels of Egypt/Babylon – and we see God go in after her.
    * We see all humankind kept in the prison of sin/bound in chains of unbelief and we see God in Christ go in after us.

God will go in after you no matter where you go! If ur face down in the gutter/if urna pit you have dug/if urna cesspool of sin – God will go in after you. And so I says, “Awake – the Lord has come 4u.”

Testimony – making a profession of faith at age 12/baptism/worldliness/rescued at age 18 in the back ballroom - rescued many times when I was down/ couldn’t get up.

After you wake up, you get dressed. But if you don’t see yourself needing 2b clothed, you will go out naked. Ever since the fall of man and the eyes of Adam and Eve were open and they saw that they were naked and felt shame, mankind has been in need of a covering for both body/soul. God would have Israel see that she is weak/unlovely/uncovered w/o Him.

1P5:5 clothe yourselves w/ humility. UR2 clothe yourself w/ Christ. We don’t want 2c the nakedness of your flesh – we want 2c Christ.    Rev. 3 Laodicea didn’t see that they were naked, needing 2b clothed in white garments. They didn’t see that they no longer looked like Christ. Super Bowl 42 – Colts v Saints. A Saint wearing a Colts uniform would be considered a Colt. If Drew Brees came out in a Colts uniform – great confusion. What team is he really on? If he’s so confused as to put on the wrong uniform, do we trust him w/ a football in his hand/calling plays? When the church doesn’t clothe itself w/ Christ – great confusion. The world concludes we’re playing for ourselves and not for Christ.

The holy city was called the harlot city in C1. As a holy city – set apart for the purposes of God. As a harlot city – given to the pleasure of the flesh. Your sin isn’t the permanent measure of who ur – the work of God determines who/what ur. Some of you have stains in your carpet that won’t come out – you have to cover them because they are permanent. Israel had a stain that was removed.

Shake yourself/loose yourself – what Christ has made possible by His obedience, you make actual by your faith. Mk. 2:11 To the paralytic: I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home. What Christ made possible by His power the lame man made actual by his faith. Why wait for the Lord to pick you up when He has directed u2 get up? Some of you are waiting for God to act while He’s waiting 4u.

3 I gave u2 your oppressors/I can take you back anytime I want to.

4 Defeat was for cause/oppression was w/o cause or w/o ceasing.

5 Pr. 23:29 the drunkard has wounds w/o cause/unnecessary. Their captivity didn’t need to happen/they did it to themselves. Many of our problems are unavoidable/unnecessary. Proverbs – manual on how to stay out of trouble. This gave occasion to their oppressors to blaspheme. The sin of the people of God obscures the glory of God. Instead of being windows through which something of God could be seen, they were doors that shut Him out.

6 God has set Himself to do something about this. He will reveal Himself to His people. God has ordained that He will receive glory through people, not independently. The mouths of His enemies will be shut by the obedience of His people. Cf. wipe out Israel and start again w/ Moses – He does it through people.

In the midst of blasphemy, God doesn’t reveal Himself to the blasphemers, but to His people. When God revealed Himself to Pharaoh, he continued to blaspheme. So w/ the Pharisees. When they saw what could only be the power of God they didn’t bow in wonder, they hardened their hearts. We wonder why the Lord doesn’t just show up and do something so amazing that the mouths of all will be shut – something so spectacular that they will have to admit that this is something only God can do. He’s tried!

7 The good news isn’t to the world, but to the people of God. The people of God need to hear that God reigns – not Egypt/Assyria/ Babylon. I need to hear that God reigns – not that Hollywood/ Washington D.C./San Francisco reigns. vile values/partisan politics/cultural crud

How lovely on the mountains – here are feet that are standing on top of the mountain that is hovering over me. I look up and see those who have conquered that which looms b4 me. Their voice is beautiful for it is testimony that what is b4 me can be overcome. I need people to speak n2 my life who have overcome and are more than conquerors. The mountain b4u can be drug addiction/ addiction of any kind/unhappy marriage/wayward children.

8 Listen, there are voices calling to you – God reigns! God will put people in your life who have climbed the mt. blocking your way – people who declare, “God reigns”

9-10 Shout to the Lord who has revealed His strength. Even b4 the victory is won by you, you can shout w/ the voice of joy. Dec. 10, 1941 – Germany declares war on the US. Churchill shouts w/ joy for now he knows America will join the war effort, thus insuring victory.

11-12 - 52:1 Awake | 52:2 Shake yourself | 52:11 Depart

Ex. 12:11 eat Passover w/ cloaks tucked in belt/sandals on/staff in hand. They weren’t delivered yet, but it would happen any time. When they left Egypt, they plundered the Egyptians of gold/silver/ etc. Now, they were to take only the vessels of the Lord.

Depart from the unclean place/discipline yourself not to touch what is unclean/decontaminate yourself from what you have touched. Their uncleanness would render what they touched unclean. If the vessels of the Lord were unclean, they couldn’t be used to serve God. You are the vessel of the Lord.

Cf. 2 Cor. 6:14 – 7:1.

The Firewall of the Church - Part 1 - 1 Peter 5:5-7

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 05:19:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday February 7, 2010

The Firewall of the Church

1 Peter 5:5-7

Vv1-4 - responsibilities of the l’ship of the church. The leaders have three functions: to example the character of Christ/teach the Word of God/watch over those in the church. V5 – younger men are expected 2b subject to the l’ship of the church.

Younger men r2 subject themselves to the example/teaching/ oversight of the elders. Likewise = in the same manner that the elders serve the church/exercise their l’ship - not reluctantly/ unemotionally/thoughtlessly, but w/ purpose/passion.

Men r2b men of God and young men r2 become men of God by following the lead of their elders. In our culture, many young men don’t become men of God, but remain young men. Why? Precisely because they don’t subject themselves. It’s a tragedy to see millions of young men in their 20s concerned w/ nothing more than rushing home to play video games.

Recently, sociologists extended adolescence to age 26. Children are growing up faster/staying children longer. Biological growth/social awareness/financial power + little responsibility. Privilege w/o responsibility = emotional/spiritual stagnation – arrested development.

Not so long ago, the average mid-twenty-something had achieved most of adulthood’s milestones—high school degree/financial independence/marriage/children. These days, he lingers in a new hybrid state of semi-hormonal adolescence. Some call this new period “emerging adulthood,” others “extended adolescence”.

The magazine Maxim asked the SYM what he wanted and heard, “I don’t want to grow up.” Maxim happily obliged. They rely heavily on picture-laden features promoting barely dressed models/the latest skateboards/video games. Men between the ages of 18 and 34 are now the biggest gamers.,

The SYM with a taste for Maxim or South Park does not care for anyone who tells him to behave — teachers/nutritionists/prohibitionists/vegetarians/librarians/church ladies/ counselors/moralists of all stripes… www.city-journal.org/2008/18_1_single_young_men.html

There are whole industries dedicated to neutering the young men of this generation. A younger man submitting himself to the example/ teaching/oversight of the elders/shepherds of the church will grow n2 godly manhood. There are plenty of women who are hoping that their husbands will grow up 2b godly men.

From addressing the young men to all: clothe yourself w/ humility. Humility brings the young men n2 submission to their elders. Humility brings a young man to the realization that there's a lot he doesn't know/much he has to learn. Humility is the glue that holds together the body of Christ. Humility is the firewall of the church.

A firewall is a dedicated appliance, or software running on a computer, which inspects network traffic passing through it, and denies or permits passage based on a set of rules. Humility is the firewall of your soul/the church – it protects you from viruses that the world/flesh/devil want to download n2 your soul/church. When there is something suspicious seeking to make its way into my computer, my firewall deals w/ it or will send me an alert about potential problems. When humility is active in your life, it protects your soul/the church from deadly viruses that can damage/destroy.

What is humility?

Humility = 2b low/insignificant – used of the insignificant power of a city/country.

A humble city/country was one that you didn’t have to fear/watch out for – they weren’t expected to deliver much of anything. They had an ill-equipped army/depressed economy/small population. Not much was expected from them – held in low esteem.

What would you feel if you heard that Lithuania (pop. 3.5 M) had declared war against us? China or Russia? Lightweight v heavyweight.

NT utilizes this word in the other direction. It’s not that I don’t think much of you, it’s that I don’t think much of me – I’m a lightweight. And more than that, I don’t expect you to think much of me. False humility is when I don’t think much of me but am outraged when you don’t think much of me, either. I can leave today thinking that I preached a sub-par sermon, but if you let me know you think the same thing – watch out!

True humility is unruffled when others don’t think much of you/ overlook/ignore you. This is only possible because ur looking to the Lord. Humility is the fruit of being connected to God in such a way that even if people look down upon you/don’t think much of you, your soul can thrive because ur connected w/ God.

Phil. 2:3-8 Jesus humbled Himself…He left His power behind – He became a lightweight. He left all the bling hanging in the closet. Jesus didn’t make His way through life forcing people to recognize Him and do as he wanted them to do. “I demand that you confess that I am the Son of God or I will crush you like the worm that ur.”

Jesus didn’t have a military structure to the team gathered around Him. There weren’t recognized ranks w/ a clear understanding of who you reported to/who reported 2u. Jesus didn’t put together a group of people that needed an organizational chart. He didn’t leave any of the apostles in charge when He ascended, He sent the Holy Spirit.

He moved through life w/ humility and He moved in authority, but He didn’t throw His weight around. He didn’t do miracles/perform works of power and then threaten people that if they didn’t submit He would crush them. He doesn’t demand that you recognize Him as the Son of God/Substitute/Savior.

Jesus teaches us to not throw our weight around – to not live by force/manipulation. Don’t insist on your way – give place to others. We are called n2 community – 2b the people of God. There’s only one way community will work – humility – making room for others. From the smallest community, marriage, to the largest – humankind.

Humility is: not thinking much of yourself/thinking much of others/ thinking everything of Jesus.

Being humble means you can allow yourself 2b overlooked and not get bitter about it. Many are overlooked/not considered and then are bitter about it and it eats away at their soul. Humility is that firewall that keeps the bitterness away. “Who am I that people should pay attention to me and make room in their schedules for me?” Humility keeps you looking to the Lord for what He has 4u. Pride carries a machete and hacks its way through life; humility waits for the Lord to shine the light upon the path.

Do you wish people to think well of you? Don’t speak well of yourself. Blaise Pascal

Clothe yourself in humility - e)gko/mbwma - an article of clothing over the naked body. tdnt Humility isn’t a robe thrown on over all your other clothing, it is the 1st thing you put on. Humility isn’t an afterthought, it precedes all thought.

God is opposed to the proud…

If the humble is someone who doesn’t throw his weight around and gives place to others, the proud is one who insists on his way and throws her weight around.

Pride: Gr. – to shine above. 48 Laws of Power (pride):

Law 6 – Court Attention At All Cost. Everything is judged by appearance; what is unseen counts for nothing. Never let yourself get lost in the crowd or buried in oblivion. Stand out. Be conspicuous at all cost.

Law 7 – Get Others To Do The Work For You, But Always Take The Credit. Use the wisdom, knowledge, and legwork of other people to further your own cause. Never do for yourself what others can do for you.

God goes to war against the proud – cf. Pharaoh.

Gives grace to the humble…

Deuteronomy 8:1-3 Israel was humbled in the wilderness/allowed 2b hungry. None of the food they normally ate in Egypt was available to them in the wilderness. No Food Maxx/Safeway. They were hungry and then God fed them manna. He gave them that which would sustain their bodies in the wilderness. No one else had the manna but Israel – and it got them through.

A humble soul will not feed on the diet of pride – I’m important/ people should pay attention to me/I’m better than you. A humble soul doesn’t make this his diet. The diet of the humble soul is the grace of God. God gives grace – the form of the verb means that He gives grace ongoingly. No one else can feed on this grace but those who are humble b4 the Lord. The humble don’t need other people to pay attention to them/stroke them/prop up a poor self-image because God is paying attention to them and making Himself a part of their lives.

At one point the people cried out for meat – that which they had eaten in Egypt. God gave them meat and it turned rancid in their mouths. When you feed on pride, this is what happens. When you demand that people pay attention 2u/position yourself 2b admired and applauded – it will backfire. Cf. Simon Magus.

Some of ur trying to get people to pay attention 2u and don’t see the attention God is giving 2u…

Isaiah 51 - Part 2

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 05:26:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday February 3, 2010

A Consequential Life - 1 Peter 5:1-4

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:13:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday January 31, 2010

A Consequential Life

1 Peter 5:1-4

PETER SPEAKS OF THE POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THE CHURCH THAT ONLY SOME HAVE/THE PRINCIPLES OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT ALL SHOULD BE FOLLOWING.

1 presbuteros = elder | 2 poimen = pastor/episkopos = bishop

An elder is a shepherd is a bishop. Historically there are distinctions/not Biblically. Apply here. Copies of CC Church Polity…

Peter sets b4 us the essence of spiritual l’ship. Peter is speaking to the issue of healthy l’ship – and he doesn’t mention doctrine. And it’s not because doctrine isn’t important, but because doctrine doesn’t normally cause division in a church – people do - people w/ agendas/hungry for power/influence/popularity. A college professor told us students that 99% of church splits are caused by personality, not doctrine. You can have PhD theologians who don’t have the qualities of vv2-3 – may have role, but not character.

Many attend a church because of the preaching/worship/children’s ministry/outreach/etc. There is still another, deeper aspect of the life of the church that needs 2b considered - its l’ship. Many never consider the infrastructure of a church b4 deciding to make it their church home. Many can purchase a home and discover that the location is great/square footage is adequate/yard is big/price is right – but mold has permeated the walls and is making the family sick. There’s a dynamic at work undermining all the positive aspects of that home. So it can be in a church.

Just look at the apostles – James’/John’s mother asked Jesus if her sons could be at His right hand in the KOG. This upset the other apostles – they probably called their moms on speed dial and were saying to them, “Make it sound like it’s your idea, but please ask Jesus if I could sit at His right hand...” We find them bickering among themselves as to who is the greatest. Peter: I’m the only one who walked on water. Others: You’re also the only one who sunk. Tried/failed. They were more concerned w/ the honor of being a part of the l’ship team than w/ the responsibility of being a part of it.

The mold of pride/position/popularity/power was at work among them and Jesus rebuked them/reminded them that they were called to serve, not rule/give, not take. Peter here writes of the role/character of l’ship in the body of Christ.

Peter - says three things about himself that pertains to all who would seek to carry responsibility in the church: elder with you/ witness of sufferings of Christ/partaker of glory. He is aware of three realms/realities – responsibility/suffering/glory.

Glory is mentioned last. You can’t experience His glory if you don’t walk in responsibility/embrace suffering. If Peter were to avoid his responsibility/run from the suffering that comes w/ responsibility – no glory/reward. With great responsibility comes great reward. With avoidance of responsibility comes great reproach. We have a generation running from responsibility and then wonder why they are not experiencing the richness of life as God designed it.

Australia school phone announcement - A life w/o accountability is a life w/o responsibility. A life w/o responsibility is a life w/o judgment. A life w/o judgment is a life w/o consequences. A life w/o consequences is an inconsequential life. I do X/Y doesn’t happen. I neglect my children and they do not become broken. I spend time/money/energy on drugs/alcohol and I don't fall apart and everything works out. I say whatever I want and no one is offended. I do mediocre work and am not penalized for it. I pay attention to other women and my wife isn't grieved. This is the mold that has made America sick/ the disease that is gutting her.

No consequences = no effect/impact. God save me from an inconsequential life. I want to live for Jesus and others feel the impact of that life. Peter is urging the l'ship and the whole church to a consequential life – one that has impact.

This is a good word for fathers, too. This is a good word for everybody. Whatever we do for the Lord and in the Lord needs to follow the grain of the Spirit. Here’s the grain of the Spirit – You’re not to serve because of the pressure of others, but because it’s the purpose of your heart.

Compulsion – the use of force/the pressure of a need

Others think you should serve - you're influential in the community, you're a mover/shaker, an attorney/doctor/CEO, you're wealthy...

Many have served for these reasons. And though the man may be a fine/godly man, the call to serve as an elder in the church is a call from God and not a call from man. Others (wife/husband/friends) can put pressure on you. The pastor can put pressure on you. But unless it is a work you desire to do – don't be pushed/guilted/ shamed n2 it. This is true for any ministry. 1 Tim. 3:1

There is a need 4u2 serve - the children's ministry requires workers /usher crew needs 2b staffed/we need people to help serve here or there. And so as not 2b seen as lazy/indifferent you sign up to serve, but not out of love for God and people, but out of guilt – compulsion. There is danger in not serving voluntarily.

Jacob served Laban under compulsion and bitterness sprang up between them. When ur forced to serve against your will, ur not serving from love, but from obligation. Whatever is not from love will end up scarring your soul – ask Jacob.

Peter does not say that if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t serve the Lord. Serving the Lord may be the hardest thing you ever do because it stretches you outside of your comfort zone. If you’re going to feel pressure, feel the pressure of the Lord – Moses did. You’re not to serve in hopes of prosperity/popularity, but because it’s the passion of your heart.

Acts 8:18-21 Simon the Magician | Acts 3 - The Pope said to Thomas Aquinas: the church can no longer say, “Silver and gold have I none.” To which Thomas replied, “Nor can she say, ‘In the name of Jesus rise and walk.’”

Lust is never satisfied/ love is.

You’re not to serve by the exercise of power, but by the example of the pattern of Christ.

Example = tupos - a figure formed by a blow or impression. Is your life ‘stamped/marked’ by Christ? Lead from this.

3J9 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. Philippians 3:17

Purpose - this is what I want to do

Passion - this is why I want to do it

Pattern - this is how I’m going to do it

Isaiah 51 - Part 1

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:28:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday January 27, 2010

Your Suffering is God's Judgment - 1 Peter 4:17-19

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:25:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday January 24, 2010

Your suffering is God’s judgment

1 Peter 4:17-19

Many understand the judgment spoken of here as punishment for sin. There is sin in the church/God cleaning up His house. Even as Jesus waded n2 the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers/drove out those selling the animals, God is wading n2 His church/cleaning house. Things are taking place which should not be taking place. But that’s not what’s happening here.

You’re standing w/ a friend watching a professional football practice and your friend doesn’t know much about football. The practice is grueling/brutal - the players can hardly stand up/breathe. There are moans/groans/blood/sweat – and the coach demands still more. “Why are these men being punished so hard? Why does the coach hate them?” The coach doesn't hate them, he values them. He has such a punishing workout because these men are so good. The coach sees something in them he wants 2c developed. “Can I have a punishing workout, too?” No, you're not good enough. You have to have great promise 2b out through so much. You have 2b highly valued 2b put through so much suffering.

The context doesn’t have Peter addressing the sin of the church but the suffering of the church. He is not rebuking them for their sin, he is instructing them about how to understand/undergo their suffering. The suffering they are enduring isn’t because they are sinning against the Lord but because they are standing for the Lord. The suffering they are experiencing isn’t because they are far from the Lord but because they are close to the Lord. The judgment here can’t be a punishment for sin – there’s another rationale at work.

There is a burning touching your life right now and ur trying hard to understand why it is there. Ur not sinning – as far as you know. Things are tight between you and the Lord – as far as you know. No one has anything against you – as far as you know. And yet ur going thru tough times. There are two lenses thru which to look at what ur going through – the eyes of man/God. Gen. 50:20. What man means for evil, God means for good. What is your orientation? Which way ru facing? Ru facing toward man/God?

Peter helps them make sense of their suffering: the fiery ordeal is sharing in the sufferings of Christ for the purpose of testing which results in a judgment. Your suffering is God’s judgment. The apostle Paul will help us understand the apostle Peter.

2 Th. 1:4-5,11 Paul, in 2Th.1 links together judgment/worthiness. This helps us understand what’s going on in 1P. Worthy: to bring up the other beam of the scales…TDNT Basically, to make two things equal. If the two sides of a scale aren’t equal, you have to add weight to the one to equal them out. (Heresy is to take from Christ/lighten Him up). Making your confession/character equivalent. Bringing into balance talk/walk. Profession of Christ/possession of Christ. Cf. Eph. 4:1-2

In one of her books, Ruth Graham tells of meeting a young Indian student named Pashi who was enrolled in a college near her home. As she spoke with him about Christ,… he replied, “I would like to believe in Christ. We of India would like to believe in Christ. But we have never seen a Christian who was like Christ.”

God would have your life be an example of Christ. Even as the world needs to hear the gospel, they need to see Christ. The message of Christ and a Christlike messenger is the crying need of our planet. Whether we like it or not, Christlikeness is forged more quickly/enduringly in the fires of suffering than in the care freeness of pleasure. There are reasons for the burning that God allows. There are reasons for the judgment that touches your life.

    *    Judgment revels who/what you are   17

Judgment – to determine genuineness/develop worthiness. Wouldn’t you want to know if your faith was the real thing? The burning is a testing which results in a judgment – is your faith genuine or not? Would you want to know if a car you purchased was mechanically sound? At garage sale – plug in electric drill 2c if it works. Coach wants to know who has game. Have you had a real/pseudo-conversion? Have you had a complete/partial conversion?

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?             2 Corinthians 13:5

Is your soul fully converted – mind/emotions/will? Intellectual/ emotional/volitional conversion. 2P1:10-11 Christ will not be seen in the life of a partially converted person. The burning process is to determine/develop a complete Christian.

As metal goes thru the forging process it is strengthened/shaped. As the metal is shaped, its internal grain deforms to follow the general shape of the part. As a result, the grain is continuous throughout the part, giving rise to a piece with improved strength. Suffering shapes mind/emotions/will to the character of Christ. I experienced this when I felt called to the mission field/Fremont.

    *    Judgment is the roadway into the kingdom of God   18

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22

18 In what way is it difficult for the righteous 2b saved? ‘With difficulty’ = ‘with difficulties’. Not barely/rarely, but saved through tough times - through many tribulations: temptations/strivings/ persecution. If the righteous, who have a saving relationship w/ God, have to face hard times – what about those who don’t believe or obey God? If the person who receives Jesus/submits to the work of the Holy Spirit undergoes suffering, what of the one who rejects Jesus/refuses the Spirit? Their suffering will reveal that they don’t trust God and have no need of Him in the most difficult of times – they are quite strong enough and don’t need the crutch of the Christian God. Or, they will cry out to God in times of adversity and disavow Him in times of prosperity. If they want nothing to do w/ God, God will want nothing to do w/ them.

    *    Judgment is the reason you need to trust God   19

Since God is doing a deep work – do what is right and trust God to do right.

A sign out in a church yard advertises, “Hand over your life to Jesus and no one will get hurt.” This might be a cute thought, but it is bad theology. When you become a Christian you realize the difficulty involved in salvation.

The message to those who know Christ: trust God

The message to those who don’t know Christ: trust God

Judgment is a removal of the flesh   17

A sculptor once fashioned a magnificent lion out of solid stone. When asked how he had accomplished such a wonderful masterpiece, he replied, “It was easy. All I did was to chip away everything that didn’t look like a lion.” All God does is chip away everything in our lives that doesn’t look like Christ.

What is revealed in judgment is to be removed in confession. Elihu to Job: ur not suffering because ur sinning; ur sinning because ur suffering. Suffering reveals us to us/gets us to take a deeper look at ourselves. Heb. 12:1 Lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us. Suffering reveals what needs 2b laid aside/what aspect of Christlikeness needs 2b developed.

Joseph and Jesus - Genesis 41-45

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:42:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday January 20, 2010

Rejoicing in Suffering - 1 Peter 4:13-16

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 06:27:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday January 17, 2010

Rejoicing in Suffering

1 Peter 4:13-16 p2

I’ve got bad news/good news. Bad news: I’ll be talking 2u about burning/suffering/testing/judgment. Good news: No, I'm not going to tell you how the Bible says you can remove these pesky experiences from your life; I’m going to talk 2u about how to embrace/appreciate these things – make them your friends.

An old dog that fell into a farmer's well. The farmer decided that neither the dog nor the well were worth saving. Instead he planned to bury the old dog in the well/put him out of his misery. When the farmer began shoveling, the old dog was hysterical. Then it dawned on him that every time a load of dirt landed on his back he should shake it off/step up. So he did . “Shake it off/step up, shake it off/step up” he repeated to encourage himself. The old dog fought panic and just kept shaking it off and stepping up! It wasn't long before the dog stepped over the wall of that well. What was meant to bury him blessed him. The bad news was really good news. If you approach it right, the bad news in your life will work out as good news.

The fiery ordeal is sharing in the sufferings of Christ for the purpose of testing which results in a judgment. Burning/suffering/testing/judgment – here’s a cluster of words we want to avoid. We’d rather hear of blessing/prosperity/victory/healing. And then to further throw a monkey wrench n2 the works, Peter tells us to rejoice through it all. Because as you rejoice ur shaking it off and stepping up.

Rejoice as you suffer according to the will of God. WHY?

#1 It’s a command Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:22-23

An emotion can’t be commanded, but an attitude can. Ja. 1:2ff. Not: have happy feelings; but: count it all joy. James isn’t calling for an emotional event, but an attitude adjustment. If you depend on your emotions to determine your attitude you’ll be positive one day and negative the next. If you allow God’s Word to determine your attitude – good attitude daily. Then it will be your attitude and not your circumstances that will influence your emotional life.

Attitude = orientation – the way I face. Vacation hotel – room w/ a view. Parking lot or ocean? Attitude of rejoicing is room w/ a view. HEB. 11:27. Moses chose a room w/ a view. You can't control your emotions, but you can control the orientation of your soul. You can develop a healthy attitude – one of looking to Jesus. HEB. 12:2

#2 It’s the doorway to the work of the Spirit   Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; 4:17-18 As the orientation of your soul is toward the Lord in your troubles, the Holy Spirit works something n2u. But the conditions have 2b right.

Diamond comes from the Greek word meaning ‘unbreakable’. Diamonds need the right temperature/pressure/material to form. If the temperature (inside the mantle) rises or the pressure drops then the diamond crystals may partially melt or totally dissolve. Every 100 tons of mud produces one carat of a diamond. You’ve got enough mud/plenty of pressure in your life to make diamonds– but do you have the needed temperature – the attitude of worship/joy – a heart on fire for God?

“The very thing you say is necessary to experience a work of the Spirit in my life is the very thing my soul can't do. I can't rejoice when I am so filled w/ sorrow/grief. It wouldn't seem like an act of faith, but an act of phoniness.” I agree. We see this happening in Ps. 42/43/73... They are bringing their sorrow and complaint to God, not their praise/worship. Someone can be rejoicing/not have faith and someone can be grieving/have faith. In Psalms, those who came to God in sorrow came to a place of praise/worship. Isaiah 61:3

As the psalmist came to God in his grief, he was looking at the parking lot. As he poured out his heart b4 God, he got a room with a view.

If you don’t rejoice as you share His sufferings, you won’t rejoice w/ exultation at the revelation of His glory. You’ll rejoice, but w/ guilt/regret that you didn’t follow Him more closely. Haven’t you gone through a trial/the Lord has brought you through/you have to repent for being so blind to His presence in that time? Footprints.

#3 It’s refreshing v14

As you suffer according to the will of God w/ a rejoicing spirit, the Spirit of glory rests on you. Rests (in context) = refreshment.

He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” Mark 6:31

A spirit of worship/rejoicing in the midst of your troubles brings you close to Jesus. Refreshment makes it possible 4u2 face life afresh. Psalm 63:1-5

      On Christmas Day a poverty-stricken woman was eating a dinner that consisted of a piece
      of bread and a small fish. The minister who visited her spoke sympathetically of the
      poverty of her meal. The woman replied, "Poor meal!? Dear heart, don't you see that the
      Lord has laid His hand on land and sea to feed me this blessed Christmas Day?"

She’s got a great orientation! She lives in a room w/ a view!

#4 It’s doable Acts 5:41; 16:25

A sacrifice of praise will always cost you something. It will be a difficult thing to do. It requires trading in our pride, our anger, and most valued of all, our human logic. We will be compelled to voice our words of praise firmly and precisely, even as our logic screams that God has no idea what he's doing. Most of the verses written about praise in God's Word were penned by men and women who faced crushing heartaches, injustice, treachery, slander, and scores of other intolerable situations. Joni Eareckson Tada

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. HEBREWS 12:1-2

Jesus didn’t look around Him at His circumstances, He looked b4 Him to the reward. What was that reward? You. He did it all 4u.

Isaiah 50

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 06:30:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday January 13, 2010

Isaiah 50

1

Cf. 49:14 The Lord is still responding to Israel’s charge that He had forgotten/forsaken them. Israel lived in fear of being abandoned by the Lord. Fear is that little darkroom where negatives are developed.1 Israel was living in the dark room and had developed some negative images of God. Isaiah is bringing the light of God’s word to them. He wants them to have a positive image of God, and not a negative one. Even though Israel is being punished as a consequence of sinful decisions she had made, the Lord has not written her off.

Certificate of divorce = ending of relationship/Sale = a transfer of ownership. Where is the certificate/bill of sale? There was a sale, but not a final one. The Lord has not come to an end of His love for Israel nor is He in debt to anyone. There was no divorce/no sale. There was nothing final about the discipline the Lord imposed upon Israel. There was discipline for iniquities, but no divorce/spanking for transgressions, but no sale. The Lord hadn’t given up on Israel.

The Lord hasn’t given up on you. Some of urn the dark room… What’s happening today does not have to define your tomorrow. Israel thought they had crossed a line/offended God once too often. Such was not the case. Heb. 13:5.

During the Korean War, hundreds of American captives of the Chinese communists perished in prison camps because of a condition later described as ‘give-up-itis.’ Unwilling to challenge the efforts of their captors to indoctrinate them, they accepted the enemy’s verdict of guilt. Some actually curled up in their cells in the fetal position. They lost hope.”2

When you lose hope you lose tomorrow. Hope says that you have a tomorrow/the devil would have you think otherwise. The devil would have you live in 49:14. “Extreme Home Makeover” - walls in house were covered in mold that caused extremely unhealthy living conditions. This is 49:14.

2-3

This didn’t have to happen. The Lord asks why no one responded to His call for righteousness. The basic answer is unbelief. No one really believed the Lord. The dark/dank mold of unbelief had eaten away at their hearts.

Is My hand so short…? Why do you take your current condition as My final word? “Take My hand.” Israel became convinced of the short, weak hand of God. Even as the Lord brought His power to bear upon Egypt, He will bring His power to bear upon Babylon. What is holding you is not more powerful than the Lord.

4-11 God provides a man who is for God v4 in logical order:

4-5   Responsiveness to god -

    * He awakens Me morning by morning.

This primarily is a reference to Jesus. When He awoke, His heart hungered for God. This awakening is not necessarily being aroused from a natural sleep, but a stirring of your spirit. It’s not that the Lord is your alarm clock, but that there is a hunger for God at the beginning of every day that helps shape/define who ur. Do you wake up in the morning w/ a hunger for God? Make this a prayer point. If your natural hunger is depressed, there’s a problem. So, too, w/ your spiritual hunger.

Morning by morning – the man Jesus did not become a spiritual giant overnight and neither will you. He grew in stature and in favor w/ God/man. Samuel awoke to the word of the Lord and he became a prophet as he heard God and spoke what he heard.

    * He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

You know that God has something to say 2u. To listen is 2b still/ quiet/2b attuned 2a voice. Disciples – the learned

    * The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples

The Holy Spirit would instruct you in what to say

    * That I may know how to sustain the weary one w/ a word

From spirit to ear to tongue to another’s heart. Weary describes those at their limit. The word you speak increases their limit.

Your ministry will flow from your relationship w/ God. The ministry of the word flows not just from books/study, but from prayer/ revelation. This is true for anyone who communicates the Word – parents, too. Devotions are not a work you do for God, but one He does for you. Your responsibility is to get yourself into a place where you can hear His voice.

5-6 Resignation to suffering

The beard was a sign of freedom and respect.

Spitting – If her father had but spit in her face, would she not bear her shame for seven days? Numbers 12:14

Spitting b4 anyone, or spitting on the ground in speaking of anyone’s actions is an expression of extreme detestation in the East. Sir John Chardin

7-9 Resolve to faithfulness

    * For the LORD God helps Me…

I am not disgraced… even w/ the spittle running down

I shall not be ashamed… He has the glorious confidence of the nearness of God

    * He who vindicates me is near…

Vindicate – to cause 2b righteous

Since HE is for me, WHO can be against me? If you are confident of the HE, you need not care about the WHO.

    * Behold, the LORD God helps Me…

When the smoke clears/dust settles/when the morning dawns in brilliant light – you will be standing and all your enemies will be slain.

Responsiveness to God | Resignation to suffer | Resolve to faithfulness

10-11 Recommendation to surrender

If you are in the darkness, trust the Lord. Don’t light your own fire – it’ll burn you. Don’t try and find your own way out of the darkness, you’ll only hurt yourself by doing so. In v6, the Servant is in the darkness, but He knows God is near.

No light – light = gleam/flash. There’s not even a spark in the darkness. motyer

Judas kindled his own fire and traveled further n2 darkness.

In the School of Suffering - 1 Peter 4:13-16

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:18:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday January 10, 2010

In the School of Suffering

1 Peter 4:13-16

The word ‘suffer’ occurs 15 times in 1P – more than any other NT book.   And it occurs in C4 more than any other C in 1P. Peter avoided suffering in gospels: rebuking Jesus/falling asleep in garden/Malchus’ ear/denying Christ in courtyard. Peter came to embrace what he once shunned. What once was trash has now become treasure. It took Peter some time b4 he came to this understanding and it will probably take you some time, also.

The Bible tells us that the God who created/redeemed us, the God we serve is the God who is greater than the world around us/ sickness upon us/devil against us. The suffering of God’s people is counterintuitive due to the greatness of God. If God is bigger than the world/sickness/devil, why does He allow these things to come upon His people? What is being accomplished? Bill Gates’ kids riding the city buses is counterintuitive – we would expect them 2b chauffeured in limos. This is why Peter writes not 2b surprised – it is against expectations.

13 The fiery ordeal of v12 is a sharing in the sufferings of Christ.

The burning is trash/sharing in His sufferings is treasure.

…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death… Philippians 3:10

Why would you want to share in the sufferings of Christ? Why is this such a valuable experience?   Would you want to share the sufferings of Helen Keller/emaciated African child uc on TV? We work hard to avoid such things. Why would you want to share in the sufferings of Christ? Why is this such a valuable experience?   Women, during labor, don’t you wish that your husband could get hit w/ just five strong bone shattering/back breaking/body splitting contractions? What would that do? There would be so much more understanding/patience/tenderness.

Men, you would know your wife more deeply and be able to resonate w/ her in a way that you don’t now if you were to share the sufferings of her labor pains. 2nter n2 someone’s suffering is 2b connected in a deeper way. Those who have buried children have a connection w/ one another that they don’t have w/ others. Those who have fought/ suffered in battle have a bond/loyalty difficult to fathom. I just spoke w/ someone who suffered daily for six weeks w/ a particular medical condition. He told me that he really has sympathy for those w/ years long chronic illnesses.

Those who suffer together enter n2 each other’s lives. Christ would have you enter into not only His salvation, but also His life.

Paul wanted to experience the sufferings of Christ so that he might enter more deeply/fully into the life of Christ – to know Christ. To have faith in Christ is to have union w/ Him. To enter n2 His sufferings is to have communion w/ Him. To believe in Christ is to enter n2 salvation. To be buffeted for Christ is to enter n2 His life.

Peter: not all suffering is Christian suffering - To the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ… Think of what ur suffering now –

Financial hardship/Marital tension/Family strife/Health problems/Emotional problems/Career problems/Addictions and Bondages/Motivational problems

Now ask this question: How much of this suffering is because ur following Christ? You might say, “Yes, things are tough right now/I am experiencing great difficulty, but I can’t honestly say it’s because I’m following Christ. I think these things are just a part of life, not just the Christian life.” Maybe you’re not suffering what He suffered, but you can learn to suffer as (v16) He suffered. 1P2:21ff

“It seems that if I don’t suffer persecution, I can’t know Christ in His fullness.” Different kinds of suffering:

    * The suffering of persecution
    * The suffering of discipleship
          o A life of devotion – take up your cross: deny self/rise early/ pray often/sacrifice time-money-energy.
    * The suffering of the consequences of sin
    * The suffering of difficult circumstances

You may be suffering the consequences of sin/difficult circumstances. Even though ur not suffering because you did the will of God, you can suffer according to the will of God by committing yourself to Him/learning what He would have u2 learn. So, though ur not suffering persecution, there is suffering as you follow Jesus and deny the flesh/move away from conformity to the world. If ur suffering the consequences of sin/difficult circumstances, you can be quiet in your soul and suffer the way God would have you suffer – looking to Him.

C. Colson went to prison for his role in the Watergate scandal. He suffered for his crime, & during that time he came to Christ. The ridicule/scorn shifted from his following Nixon to his following Christ. He wasn’t suffering because he was a Christian, but he learned to suffer as a Christian for his crime committed while a non-Christian.

2nter n2 someone’s suffering is 2b connected in a deeper way.

(12.28.09) Scores of New Yorkers/tourists seeking a fresh start in 2010 came to Times Square on Monday to put their bad memories through the shredder at the third annual Good Riddance Day. Good Riddance Day is a time participants pitch their bad memories into an industrial-sized shredder.

    * Ben Winnick of Simsbury, Conn., shredded a newspaper story about the NY Giants' 41-9 loss Sunday to the Carolina Panthers, which ended the Giants' playoff hopes.
    * Roxanne Rodriguez of Manhattan shredded a piece of paper with "Writer's block" written on it. She intends to write a musical. "This is going 2b the year. I'm going 2b dedicated/ focused, and I will get something down on the page every day," she promised.
    * Gillian Lyons broke up with a man she calls "the Beastmaster" and said she's been waiting for him to return her possessions for two years. "He won't give me back the TV I paid for," she complained.

Don’t need a shredder – bring it to Jesus!!! Jesus entered n2 our sufferings by becoming a man. To enter n2 someone’s sufferings is 2b connected w/ them in a powerful way.

Isaiah 49:8-26

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 06:30:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Wednesday January 6, 2010

Isaiah 49 p2

We saw in vv1-7 that Jesus Christ is the Servant that is being referred to. V8 carries on w/ Jesus.

8 Favorable time – one determined by prophecy. Both Isaiah/ Jeremiah point to Israel’s restoration from Babylonian captivity. Jeremiah had even measured it in years. God keeps a prophetic calendar. He has dates already filled in. Cf. Acts 17:31 – fixed a day

Even though the Servant is the Son of God, God doesn’t answer His prayer simply because the Servant is pleasing to Him but because the time is pleasing to Him. God answers the godly person, yes. But God responds in the time that is pleasing to Him. If you pray and the Lord doesn’t respond immediately, that doesn’t mean that you are an ungodly person. It doesn’t mean that your request is ungodly. A godly person can pray a God-honoring prayer and still have its answer delayed because God has a time in mind to release what you’re praying for. Ps. 126:4 restore our captivity. Daniel knew the time and prayed for spiritual preparedness – didn’t ask that time be adjusted.

The desolate places are those where people once lived, but have been put to the edge of the sword - burned/demolished, are no longer inhabitable – soil sown w/ salt/fields filled w/ rocks/trees cut down. You used to live in love/hope/peace. But even as the enemy came and pushed Israel out of the land, so you have been pushed out of love/hope/peace. The Holy Spirit would bring you back into these experiences. He desires to “restore the land”

9-11 As Israel returns to the land, God made provision for their journey. Whether barren/burning places – provision/protection would be theirs as in the wilderness between Egypt/Canaan. All barriers will become byways/the way will be made plain.

12-13 Looking beyond the restoration of Israel to the land after the Babylonian exile to a more far reaching restoration.

14 The Lord says in vv8-13 I have favored you. Israel says in v14 You have forgotten me. The foggiest place in the U.S. is Cape Disappointment, WA. It is foggy for 2,552 hours a year – 106 days.

Even after all the promises in C49 Israel still cries out that God has forgotten her. She is in the fog of unbelief. Though the Lord multiplies His promises over and again, there are still those who would say, “The Lord has forgotten me.” And why – life has unfolded in ways unanticipated. Many feel like the little girl sitting on the front step waiting for daddy to visit and he never shows. So many find themselves at Cape Disappointment.

In the midst of trial we don’t want promises, we want provision. But provision alone doesn’t build faith. What builds faith is provision preceded by a word that we rest in. When my kids would ask 2go2 Chuck E. Cheese, I would give them a time and then I wanted them to trust me and not agitate. When we cry out for help/make desires known, God gives promises. If Israel was aware of God’s prophetic time clock, they would have been counting the days to their deliverance. They didn’t know the Word and there4 they didn’t have hope and w/o hope they were w/o strength. Hosea: “My people die for a lack of knowledge.”

15 The response: I will not forget you

God’s love will not let you go. The Lord will not abandon what He has birthed. He will not leave you as an orphan. What you consider 2b delay is the Lord’s intentional timing. Sometimes Benjamin thought we were deliberately delaying the celebration of his b’day, but we had to wait for 9.5. There was a set time.

16 The response: I will always remember you

Cf. Lev. 19:28 Engravings were for the dead (but ur alive!) and ancient tattoos recorded the objects of worship. Cf. mark of beast on right hand/ forehead. The wounds in Christ’s hands are a constant reminder of God’s vision/heart for us. There is a beautiful bride engraved upon His palms.

Walls: Your fullest potential is His constant vision. He doesn’t see your devastation. His action is guided by His vision/not your condition. There is something brewing in the mind of God 4u.

Agostino d’ Antonio a sculptor of Florence, Italy, worked diligently, but unsuccessfully on a piece of marble, trying to make something of it, until he said, “I can do nothing with it.” Other sculptors attempted and were unsuccessful. The piece of marble was discarded into a rubbish heap for 40 years. One day, Michelangelo saw it and saw the possibilities that lay inherent w/in it. He had it brought to his studio and out of this seeming worthless piece of stone, the David, one of the world’s greatest masterpieces was brought forth.

17-18 The response: I will build you

God has released His work in your life. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of God for the church/you. He takes what is potential and makes it actual – just like Michelangelo and the marble.

19-21 The response: I will multiply you

God wades n2 places devastated by sin. “I will possess/beautify all of you.” Chernobyl site uninhabitable for decades. Dead areas you thought you’d never occupy again will respond to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. “I’ll never trust another man.” “My marriage is dead and will never be restored.” “I can never minister again because of my past sin.” Etc.

22-23 The response: I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU

When the captives returned to the land, they were given assistance by surrounding nations. “I will be your supply/provision.” Phil. 4:19

24-26 The response: I WILL RESCUE YOU

The power that holds you is greater than you, but not the Lord. The Lord is stronger than anything that grips you. Romans 8:31ff

Though your heart be as foggy as Cape Disappointment, the Lord will clear the way 4u. He has given you favor and will never forget you. Our problem is that we forget the Lord and His mercies.

The Burn Test - 1 Peter 4:12

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:24:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday January 3, 2010

The Burn Test

1 Peter 4:12

Like you, I was very glad to graduate from school and be done w/ tests. Little did I realize that the most crucial exams/testings lay in the future. In school I learned that 2+2=4. In life I learned that trouble + endurance = maturity/integrity/dependability. In school I learned that the D of I was signed on July 4, 1776. In Christ’s school I have learned that trouble + trust = Christlikeness. When you get out of school, class isn’t over! UR constantly being tested, but often you don’t recognize it as a test.

B4 we see what will be happening 2u/explore the why/purpose. We are so caught up in the what that we miss the why. To live in the what is to live in the shallow end of life. 2C the why/embrace it, is to live in the deep end. OWHATAGOOSEIAM. If you never get past the ‘what’ of life, you’ll remain in the shallow end of life.

why god tests you

purpose #1: to measure your knowledge of and trust in God/do you know God? How frustrating for a teacher to have a student in class for six months who then turns in an “F” paper. “Haven’t you learned anything in all this time?” Apply to believers.

Genesis 22:9-12. What God knew, Abraham now knew. It sounds like God didn’t know, but this is written from a human perspective. It’s like a teacher would say to a class, “Let’s find out the square root of 16.” The teacher knew all along. What the teacher she wants them to know so they can navigate through life. purpose #2: to reveal u2u so that you can grow further n2 Christ.

There are many reasons for suffering: persecution for Christ/ prosecution for crime/consequence of a bad decision or an ungodly deed/poor health – many reasons, but one purpose: test. What this verse is telling us is that God is not going to allow your suffering to go to waste. Wind farms – if the wind is going to blow, let’s take its energy and harness it for productive purposes. An earthly reason has a heavenly purpose. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Test into testimony.

how god tests you

Fiery ordeal = burning. God tests by fire/burn test. Fire-rated drywall – 5/8” thick. Type “X” fire-code drywall is more fire resistant due to the makeup of it. It has fire resistant paper on it and contains glass fiber material in it to help it hold up longer to fire.

Daniel 3:19-28 Meshach/Shadrach/Abednego underwent the burn test. Where Neb. had a reason for this, but God had another purpose.

    * The fire had no effect on their bodies - full range of motion. There was nothing that became useless because scorched by the flame. What was meant to destroy, did not destroy. They were not diminished in any capacity.
          o Speed/motion/flexibility/looks – apply to believers/ Some rejoice/some never fully recover.
          o What is burned is sensitive to sunlight/tender to touch.
                + They could still stand in the light! Many become critical of God/Word.
                + What is burned is– stand-offish/wary
          o Insensitive – can’t feel as they did. Kierkegaard – lose joy at sacrifice of Isaac

    * The hair of their head wasn't singed - hair signifies strength.
          o Samson - lose battles he used to win. Strength diminished – can’t resist what once you could.
          o Faith that overcame the world is now overcome by the world.
          o “How ru doing?” “Uh, OK, I guess.” Wind knocked out of them.
          o Self talk: I’ll never stop drinking/drugs/porn/anger…

    * Their Trousers weren’t damaged. The flesh wasn't exposed - nothing to embarrass them for having been in the fire.

    * The smell of fire hadn't come upon them. No griping/whining/ evidence of a severe trial. There was nothing hanging in the air about them - no self pity/no posturing for attention/sympathy.

    * Why? V25 –Jesus was walking w/ them in the fire! The only thing they lost was what bound them. If you will believe, God’s purposes will override man’s reasonings.

Do not be surprised when god tests you

Do not doubt the love of God or the truth of Scripture.

People in the East collect honey without being stung by the bees. They are not protected by their clothing for they hardly wear any. And yet, although surrounded by clouds of angry bees, they rarely suffer. These honey gatherers are quite passive/deliberate in their movements/making no effort to protect themselves/not attempting to drive the swarm away. If a bee settles upon them, it does not sting them any more than it would attempt to sting a piece of wood. The Westerner, on the other hand, is nervous/restless/combative; he attempts to frighten the bees/makes noises/gesticulates/runs away/ends by being badly stung. Our troubles in life can swarm us like bees. If we fret/fume, we shall feel the sting/miss the honey. But if we live in quietness/confidence, we shall taste the sweetness/ escape the sting. (Illustrations of Bible Truths Copyright © 1995, 1998 by AMG International, Inc.)

Don’t panic/become agitated. Realize: this is what the Lord said. God is doing something great in your life. Don’t think sting, think honey! Think of the eternal weight of glory. “But you don’t understand, Pastor Tim, things are really heavy right now.”

Dr. Thomas Lambie was a medical missionary in Africa and he learned something very significant from the natives. They often had to cross swift streams which posed the danger of sweeping them off their feet/carrying downstream to great depths/beat to death against the hidden rocks. He learned from the Africans the best way to make such a dangerous crossing. The man about to cross found a large stone/heavier the better/lifted it to his shoulder/carried it across the stream as ballast. The extra weight of the stone kept his feet solidly on the bed of the stream so that he could cross safely without being swept away. Ur2 regard the burdens you have to carry in life, not as curses but as steadying influences, as God's provisions enabling u2 cross safely through the stream of life. (Illustrations of Bible Truths © 1995, 1998 by AMG International, Inc.)

Don’t reject your sufferings, rejoice in them! V13. You’re so busy swatting at your troubles/trials/tribulations and you’re getting stung left/right. You’re so busy trying to lighten your load that you’re losing you footing/being swept downstream. You’re in the fire/the fire is disfiguring you/singeing your hair/burning your clothes/smell of smoke. Peter says: Keep on rejoicing. Don’t look at the things that are seen, but at the things that are unseen.

Just like 2009, 2010 will hold some surprises 4u. May you come thru like the 3 Hebrew children as they emerged from the fire.

The cross was the ultimate burn test. Things were hot/heavy for Jesus. The heat of suffering/heaviness of sin – He endured 4u/me. Heb. 12:1-3.

New Year's Eve Service

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 06:03:00 GMT

New Year's Eve Service, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Thursday December 31, 2009

The End is Near - 1 Peter 4:7-11

Calvary Chapel Fremont — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 06:46:00 GMT

Pastor Tim Brown, Calvary Chapel Fremont, Sunday December 27, 2009

The End is Near

1 Peter 4:7-11

The end of all things is at hand. 2P3:8 – Peter wrote this two days ago! The end of the earth has been the theme of many movies lately. Knowing /The Day the Earth Stood Still/2012. The destruction of the earth is due either to chance physical events – meteors from above/earthquakes from below– or the moral decay/corruption of humans who have treated one another or the planet w/ disregard. When our moral corruption is in view, the focus isn’t on the earth being destroyed, but humanity being destroyed. It’s not a chance physical event that has triggered destruction, but the judgment of a galactic civilization that humans are not worthy enough to remain in existence. Ouch!

But this is not what Peter means when he tells us that the end is near. He’s not telling us to watch out for falling meteors from above/earthquakes from below/morally superior galactic civilization – he’s telling us to watch out for God. The return of Jesus Christ is near.

…He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. Acts 17:31

In light of all things ending and our standing b4 God 2b judged, how should we then live? 7-11 is sandwiched between 1-6, 12-19. Both of these passages speak of suffering and 7-11 speaks of praying/ loving/serving – all of this while suffering. Suffering isn’t to sideline you. I’ve heard that every professional football player plays hurt. There is always something throbbing/aching/hurting. Don’t allow your suffering to sideline you. 4 things Peter calls us to do -

Pray

In light of the end of all things ur2 pray. But you can only pray if your are of sound judgment/sober.

Be of sound judgment – Gr. = ‘saved mind’/Sober (to abstain from wine). Both these verbs are imperatives: think with a saved mind/don’t let any stimulant/mood altering substance/relationship/influence cloud the thinking of your saved mind. Remain sober/think sanely. Remain fully alert/in possession of your faculties/feelings. Samson/Delilah.

    * What should you be praying about?
    * Pray to not enter into temptation -

Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

They were to pray that they would not give n2 temptation of running away in fear. The pressure of the enemy becomes greater toward the end. At end of Lord of the Rings all the enemy gathered against the forces of the west. So today. One of the reasons you don’t pray as you should is due to your lack of sobriety. No, you’re not intoxicated, but ur under the influence of “go here/do that/ watch this…”

    * Pray for the blessing/ministry of the saints -

…you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.    2 Corinthians 1:11

Favor = charisma. When you pray for others, grace is theirs.

    * Pray for people’s salvation

King Edward VII of England was well known for his drinking/immorality/debauchery. He became the King of England in 1901/reigned for 9 years before dying in 1910. In 1910 a Christian named Joe Evans/a man of prayer. One morning he arose with a strange burden to pray for King Edward. The burden increased through the day/by the end of the day Joe was praying with great agony of soul for the King’s conversion. Finally a sense of peace/ release came/he grew convinced that God had heard his prayer. The following day came the sudden news, “King Edward is dead.”

   Years passed, and Joe Evans was one day sharing dinner with Dr. J. Gregory Mantle of England, who was one of the most influential/prominent evangelical ministers in England in the early 1900’s. During their conversation, Dr. Mantle said, “Joe, did you know that Edward VII was saved on his deathbed?” There was hope that he might recover. However, there came a turn for the worse. At that time the King ordered one of his servants to go and find a copy of a tract that his mother, Queen Victoria, had given to him when he was a boy. It was entitled The Sinner’s Friend. Upon reading it, King Edward VII earnestly repented/received the Lord Jesus as his Savior.1

Love

The love of many will grow cold toward the end. B4 all have fervent love 41 another. Love covers (future tense) a multitude of sins. It doesn’t condone sin, but neither does it drag the sin of others into the open and expose that person. Whose sins are being covered?

    * Love covers the sins of others. Pr. 10:12 Two of Noah’s sons covered up his sin.
          o Even in the most highly cultivated countries there are sections of land that have never been brought under the plough; so it is w/ the character of some men – perhaps of most men; there are patches of waste ground lying here/there utterly useless/offensive to the eye/covered, not with wholesome corn, but w/ briars/ nettles/weeds of poisonous quality. In FB Meyer

          o Love covers the sins of the one loving. The church fathers generally agree - love covers the sins of those who exercise it.

Be hospitable

Literally: be a lover of strangers. We have a hard time loving our acquaintances. Hospitable, in English it makes us think of a hospital. Is your home a hospital? No, my home is a wrecking yard. How do I make my home a hospital? Make your heart a hospital – a place of healing for the broken/wounded.

Karen Mains distinguishes between Hospitality/Entertaining: Entertaining says, "I want to impress you with my home/my clever decorating/my cooking." Hospitality says, "I want to bless you…This home is a gift from my Master. I use it as He desires." Hospitality aims to serve. Entertaining puts things before people. "As soon as I get the house finished, the living room decorated, my house cleaning done - then I will start inviting people." Hospitality puts people first. "No furniture - we'll eat on the floor! The decorating may never get done—you come anyway. The house is a mess - but you are friends - come home with us." Entertaining subtly declares, "This home is mine, an expression of my personality. Look, please, and admire." Hospitality whispers, "What is mine is yours."

“Without complaint” is a frank recognition that the practice of hospitality could become costly/burdensome/irritating. The Greek term denotes a muttering or low speaking as a sign of displeasure. It is the opposite of cheerfulness.

Serve

Your gift brings the grace of God to others/as in prayer - 2C1:11.

There is no complete list of gifts in the NT, but this passage makes a fundamental distinction between types of gifts – speaking/ serving. Speaking: pastor/teacher/evangelist | Serving: mercy/ helps. Gifts: to distribute the grace of God. A steward was one to whom property/wealth was entrusted to be used according to the owner’s will/direction.

The purpose for it all – to bring glory to God.

The end is near. Do you know Jesus. Do you serve Jesus?