Good Morning my beloved,
We welcome you to worship today in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. It's a privilege to have you here with us today. I want you to know how grateful I am for you. I humbly ask that you would join us in prayer for this ministry to continue to reach the lost, the broken and the hopeless in this world, whether they are in major cities or remote villages. It is such a joy to be able to share that we have already seen a tremendous increase in people responding to God's Word and coming to Christ, from all around the world, and are continuing to reach more every day. I am confident that God will continue to honor our prayers, blessing this ministry, providing the necessary resources for us to expand our reach, offering the hope of Christ to those who are facing extreme challenges. Please join us in praying for those who are being persecuted, that their faith would endure, even as they witness to those who are persecuting them. Our prayers know no boundaries, no boarders, they can go where we cannot. A single prayer can bring hope to the hopeless, love to the loveless, and life to the lifeless. I constantly remember all of you in my prayers.
If you have recently received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please take a moment to write and let us know, we'd love to hear your unique testimony and add you to our prayers.
I am confident that there are many pastors who, after delivering their message, find themselves wondering whether or not the message resonated with the congregation and achieved its desired impact. One of the many advantages of expository preaching, preaching through the Bible verse by verse, is you never have to wonder whether what you preached was the right message at the right time, because you're always preaching whatever is next in the Word of God, ensuring He will deliver the right message, to the right people, at the right time, and you can trust that God will use His Word mightily to transform the lives of the hearers. I have found over the many years, this method has tremendously reinforced not only my faith in the Holy Scriptures being the inspired Word of God, but my confidence in trusting God's divine guidance and direction while simultaneously providing the hearers with a comprehensive understanding of the Bible. I am convinced it is definitely the best method of preaching for me, as it eliminates the uncertainty of determining whether the message was appropriate for the moment, insuring people will rightly respond.
I have known many pastors who have allowed the congregation to dictate their teaching and influence their theology, which I believe is not only profoundly concerning, since the burden of teaching the Truth lies squarely on the shoulders of those of us who have been entrusted with the responsibility before God to always proclaim His Word, but it is abhorrent to God, given that we have a responsibility before God to always seek to please Him, rather than seeking to please men by deviating from sound biblical principles. I hold the conviction that when pastors permit their teachings to be molded by popular opinion, conforming to societal pressures; a practice of compromise is not only a violation of God's trust to feed His flock with integrity and faithfulness, for which we will all give an account, but is deeply displeasing to God, Who has drawn the clear boundaries between what is morally right and wrong.
In our text today, I believe that God is inviting us to reflect on the behavior of the professed people of God who claim to follow Christ, yet appear to be easily influenced by the prevailing shifts in societal values, driven by their own desire to adapt to the ever changing culture and an eagerness to be recognized and appreciated for their advocacy, aligning their beliefs with secular ideologies, in an effort to accommodate a wide range of deviant lifestyles, in a generation marked by diversity and inclusion with an indifference to sin, even those Christ says will not inherit His kingdom but will be cast into the lake of fire, which I strongly believe raises an important question about the authenticity of their faith and commitment to Christ. The tenancy to compromise is certainly not new, historically the church has struggled with similar issues, I believe this is because we’ve failed to make Christ a priority and embrace orthodox teaching due to our willingness to engage the culture, a strategy I believe is pretty obvious it's not working, making it increasingly difficult for two Christians to agree on anything related to salvation or sexuality.
What makes being a defender of the faith so challenging is not false religion, it's false Christians, but because tolerance has become the chief virtue of our culture and since the culture always creeps into the church, the church today is decidedly against anything that at hints judgement or criticism. God has always had strong words for those who live ungodly lives. But His strongest words were reserved for those who teach and live that way and claim they represent Him. John the Baptist didn't compromise, he faithfully preached that God would forgive those who repented of their sin and believed, and he taught that if they have repented and believed then they needed to be baptized, preparing their hearts for the coming Messiah. Keep in mind, there was no such baptism of uncleanness for Jewish people, calling them to repentance; it was only done for Gentiles who wanted to convert to Judaism. John's baptism was essentially calling them to publicly confess that they were no better than a Gentile, sinners separated from God, and we all know how they felt about Gentiles, they had such resentment and animosity toward Gentiles, they wouldn't even enter into Gentile territory, because the dust on their feet might pollute Israel. That's where the phrase "Shake the dust off your feet," came from. Like many in the church today, they should repent and turn to God and do works fit for repentance, but tragically, their self-righteous defense will ultimately be their condemnation, though they've never done anything wrong to repent for. I strongly caution each of you to examine your own hearts, to insure you are not among them who have never done anything wrong. My Bible assures me in Romans 3, that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
I need to make something very, very clear, hate of any kind, on any basis, against any person or any group of people is a sin against God of monumental proportion, especially for those who claim know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. Hate is an indication of the fallenness of that heart. If you are a Christian, you are not granted the privilege to pick and choose who you are willing to love. No culture will ever rise above the character of its men, the consequences of sin has resulted in the weakening of men, masculinity, destroying strong male leadership. The repercussions of moral decline, is we now have generations of fatherless young irresponsible men running loose, causing chaos in the streets that are instilling fear in society. The absence of responsible fathers has given rise to fatherless homes, producing a multitude of young men lacking guidance, who often find themselves engaged in criminal behavior, contributing to the instability of our society. I believe this crisis underscores the urgent need for restoring the traditional family, the return to accountability in strong male leadership to mentor the younger generation, and in turn, the next generation, and the next. Otherwise, I believe that we are headed for some serious trouble, a society rooted in wicked behavior, which is natural to the human heart. The first crime committed in the Bible was because Cain killed his brother, due to resentment and anger based upon hate.
Before we get into this crucial passage, let's pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, we thank for Your Word, it is so precious to those of us who know and love You, providing profound insight and comfort during moments of uncertainty. We are so overwhelmed by Your infinite grace of which we confess, we will always be unworthy, an extraordinary reminder we so often fall short of demonstrating toward others, despite our most earnest efforts, reminding us that even at our best, we are deeply flawed, and in continuous need for Your mercy and forgiveness. Lord, we acknowledge we’re not as perfect as You would have us to be, we desperately need Your help to better represent You in the world. May we be faithful to that end. Father, we ask that You would have mercy and compassion on those who reject Your Son, grant them the gift of repentance, even today. In Christ's Name, for Your glory, we ask and pray.
Amen
Today's Message: Whom Do You Dance For?
Open your Bibles with me, if you would and turn them to the Gospel of Luke chapter 7, Luke 7:31-35. We are blessed with the tremendous privilege of Jesus confronting those who had heard the Truth of God, chose not to act on it, but instead, choose to reject it, using terms we would describe today as politically incorrect, and I have no doubt would certainly catch the attention of the tolerant culture in which we live. With a piercing gaze into the heart, Jesus never hesitated to confront the self-righteous religious leaders and label them exactly for what they are. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness." Nor did John the Baptist, when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"
Such a profound teaching, often misunderstood and tragically ignored in the church today, in a stubborn generation that so often rejects sound doctrine, is unmoved by the Truth, remaining unresponsive to the call to repentance. I now invite you to follow along with me as I read the text to set it in our minds. Let's open up our hearts and listen for what the Spirit of God has to say to each of us today. Luke 7:31-35.
"To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another, and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children."
Let's look at verse 31, "To what then shall I compare the men of this generation, and what are they like?" In seeking a comparison, the nature of people today, it becomes evident that some hold fast to tried and true old fashioned values, while others tend to embrace more modern influences, relying heavily on technology. By this generation, Jesus is talking about the Jewish people in Israel who were alive at that time and were exposed to His ministry. He's not using "this generation" in a generic sense, but with a negative connotation that is condemning and extends beyond the present age, referring to any faithless generation, who having heard the same gospel rejects it in the same manner. To what then shall I compare them to?
In verse 32, we have His assessment, "They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another, and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’" Jesus is saying that no matter the occasion, no matter the message, there will always be those who find fault, because they’re not seeking truth. Make no mistake about it, Jesus is boldly confronting those listening. Like most children, they imitate what see, so, He compares them to children playing in the marketplace: children who first refuse to join in the joyful dance of a wedding procession, then reject the mournful lament of a funeral dirge. Some people refuse to be satisfied no matter the situation. On days when the merchants haven't brought the wares to sell, the marketplace is empty open space, and it's essentially the playground for the children. Jesus is describing children playing games by using two extremes of human emotions, one is the joyous occasion of a wedding and the other is the mourning of a funeral when someone died. There a many people who go to church every Sunday and have for years and years, yet if you were to ask them why they go to church, they have no definitive answer, saying things like, "Because we always go to church on Sunday." Let me tell you this, if you go to church just merely for the sake of going to church and to cultivate a sense of community, or participate in any religious activities apart from genuine engagement in worshiping God, you're clearly missing the true purpose of what these practices are meant to embody, a deeper, more meaningful relationship with our Lord.
Verse 33, "For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’" John the Baptist was an unconventional messenger who did not fit in, he chose to reject the comforts of the societal norms. He reminds us through his exemplified simplified life not to embrace the comfort and conformity which so often prioritized in this world, but rather to dedicate our lives to authentic devotion and preparedness for our Lord's arrival, which can often lead us down a path associated with holiness and self-denial abstaining from common indulgences, that can invite derision or contempt from those who may not understand. By his willingness to embrace his unique calling, John was wrongly labeled as someone being possessed by a demon from his critics. I encourage each of us to carefully examine our hearts, how often do we hastily judge others based on outward appearances that may seem peculiar to us or actions that fail to meet our expectations, or messages that can be easy to dismiss because they challenge us to come outside of our comfort zones.
Like Jesus and John, throughout history, many of God's messengers who are willing to boldly embrace our unique paths, and compassionately speak the Truth in ways that have dared to challenge the status quo, have had to face rejection and being misunderstood, even by those who are closest to us. I believe that God is calling us to be open to the voices He sends our way, that challenge our understanding of the Truth, even if they come in forms we do not expect. I remember having a conversation with man named Steve, telling him, I really admire the way you are able to deliver messages with gentleness, love and compassion. To which he respond, I wish I was able to boldly preach with power and authority and such conviction the way you do. It was then I learned, we are each given a distinctive divine calling from God to deliver messages, some with gentleness, love, compassion, others with authority and conviction, often challenging traditionally held perspectives or the prevailing norms of the day, yet they are all crucial for contributing to our spiritual growth if we're willing to open our hearts and minds ready to embrace His divine wisdom.
Verse 34, "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’" This verse highlights the criticism faced by Jesus for His actions, which stood in stark contrast to John the Baptist, who came with a total disconnect, isolated from society, anti-social in his behavior, he didn't eat what they ate or drink what they drank, his preaching a single minded message of repentance and Hell-fire that made people sad, causing them weep and wail over their sins. Then Jesus comes along, He embraced society, Jesus associated with everybody, emphasizing His genuine humanness, He ate and drank with people from all walks of life, including those deemed as inappropriate, unsuitable associations by the more pious religious leaders, and they ostracized Him, calling Him a gluttonous man and a drunkard for sharing meals with people, regardless of their religious or social standing or even past transgressions. They couldn't embrace His message, which was aimed to redeem sinners, because it included them. They rejected His scandalous approach, they loathed His method, they hated His message, because their hearts were impenetrable, hardened by sin, they could not reconcile their understanding of holiness and righteous, which they viewed as a matter of strict adherence to the law and tradition. How often do we create barriers based on our misguided perceptions of who is worthy of salvation? It is not our role to judge, but to preach the Gospel in Truth with love and compassion, reaching out to those who need it the most, sinners. Jesus preached judgment, He warned people of judgment, but the primary emphasis of His ministry was more like a wedding celebration, as He extended the invitation to the kingdom.
We would do well to remember Jesus' words in Mark 2:17, Jesus when said, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Many preachers today feel pressured to modify their delivery or even alter the core message of the Gospel in order to make it more appealing and palatable to a broader audience. They think they've got to compromise the Gospel to attract more followers and gain acceptance. However, the fundamental problem does not lie in the preacher's approach or the way they present their message, the real issue is the message itself, sinners who love their sin hate the truth, so they attack the preacher. If the Gospel is preached unto salvation, which means sin must be confronted and sinners warned of the judgement and wrath to come. I believe that God is reminding us that in our pursuit of holiness, we must remember that we are all sinners in need of His grace. This challenges us to examine our hearts and make a decision, are we going to be quick to point our fingers, or are we going to be willing to extend a hand in humility to embrace the very people Jesus came to save? This includes prostitutes, criminals homosexuals and all the rest. The Gospel that leads to salvation must be preached no matter who the audience is, the message is the same. If you listen to certain preachers today, you'd never know that God hates sin, that everybody who rejects Christ's offer of salvation is going to go to Hell, they chosen to compromise the message and unless they repent, they'll soon find out what it is to experience the judgement and wrath of God.
That brings us to verse 35, "Yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children." The truth is, the Gospel can be a hard pill to swallow because it confronts sinners with the uncomfortable reality of the consequences of their sin, but if the Gospel preached in Truth, it is vindicated by the results it produces, right? In spite of the massive rejection, some will be saved unto salvation. Wisdom's children are the believers whose lives have been transformed and are known by their deeds of righteousness, gentleness, patience, meekness and love. The children of Satan are evident, marked by unrighteousness and the deeds of the flesh; which are impurity, sexual immorality, idolatry, covetousness, envy, jealousy, and outbursts of anger. There's only two kinds of people in this world, which one are you? Are you a child of God or a child of Satan, only one will inherit the kingdom of God, the other will spend eternity in Hell. The essence of the Gospel is not simply to condemn but to offer sinners who are doomed to Hell a path to redemption, extending an invitation to the kingdom of God.
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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