FAITH IN ACTION

"Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’" (Mark 2:3-5 HCSB)

It was the late 1800’s, when the great Blondin stretched a tightrope across Niagara Falls, and became the first man to walk across. He then blindfolded himself and did it. Next, Blondin asked, “How many of you believe I can walk across carrying a man on my back.” “We believe!” the throng screamed. So he pointed to one of the more enthusiastic men and said, “You sir, climb up!” In terror the man stepped back, shaking his head and whimpering, “No way!”

He said he believed, but he really didn’t.

Listen to what James said about genuine faith:

"What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder. Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?" (James 2:14-20)

In the second chapter of Mark’s Gospel, we observe men of real faith—faith that moves to action. Since faith is indispensable to Christianity, the question becomes, “How can we have this real faith?”

We begin by noting THE OBJECT OF REAL FAITH.

"When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the message to them. Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men.” (Mark 2:1-3)

Jesus is the central figure around which the story revolves. Faith is only as valid as its object, and Jesus is the only worthy object of our faith.

So we see His DESIRABILITY.

"When He entered Capernaum again after some days, it was reported that He was at home. So many people gathered together that there was no more room, not even in the doorway, and He was speaking the message to them.” (v.1-2)

Note how the multitude sought Him. They were drawn as iron to a magnet. They were attracted by the mark of the miraculous, the voice of authority, and the imprint of Deity upon Him. The masses came to catch a glimpse, snatch a word, or brush against Him.

People show up when Jesus is in the house. So, why do so many of our church houses contain more pews than people? Do people know they can find Jesus at our local church meeting? Does He show up or stand outside waiting for someone to let Him in (see Rev.3:20)? If He is there, we still need to spread the news!

There is not only His desirability, but HIS DEPENDABILITY.

“Then they came to Him bringing a paralytic, carried by four men.” (v.3)

These four men bring their needy friend to Jesus, because they knew they could depend on Him. Somehow, someway, if they could only reach Him, they knew He would not turn them away. Jesus always hears the desperate cry.

Faith moves us to seek Him fervently. At all costs we must reach Jesus. The Bible promises that when we do, we will find Him, if we but seek Him with all of our heart (note Jer.29:13).

Faith in action focuses on the object of real faith and faces THE OBSTACLES OF REAL FAITH.

“Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying. Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ But some of the scribes were sitting there, thinking to themselves: ‘Why does He speak like this? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (v. 4-7)

What are the obstacles to real faith which we see here?

There was THE CROWD. People were the impediment. We discern dual dimensions of this.

Some who were in the way were Carnal.

Doubtless there were a number there who had a genuine spiritual interest in Jesus. Some had needs as great, or greater, than the crippled man. But many were there just to see the show. Jesus was a novelty. It was akin to going to the circus.

Contrast these four men intent on bringing their friend to Jesus with the self-absorbed crowd that was in the way. There was a multitude that was a hindrance and four men who were helpers.

Why do you attend the gatherings of the church? You are either a help or a hindrance. How many people have you brought to Jesus lately? Are you a bridge or a barrier?

There was not only a problem with the crowd, but among them, a big issue was with the Critical.

“Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ But some of the scribes were sitting there, thinking to themselves: ‘Why does He speak like this? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (v.5-7)

These were whisperers—the malcontents. Whatever Jesus did, they said, “I object!” There always seems to be those who can give you a thousand reasons why something won’t work. They have no positive agenda to propose, however. But, they can come up with countless excuses for inaction—and they are the biggest barrier themselves.

We can face obstacles to real faith. There is the obstacle of the crowd and of THE CONSEQUENCES.

“Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above where He was. And when they had broken through, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.” (v.4)

There were risks involved—potential problems that could come as a consequence of their radical action. Can you think of some of the concerns these four friends might have had? Let me share a few that I have heard.

“We might offend someone.”

How would you like someone digging through your roof? The owner of the house could be offended. The people who were packed in after waiting so long to see Jesus wouldn’t be happy with these, “line-breakers.” What about Jesus? Preachers don’t like having their sermons interrupted! While we shouldn’t try to be offensive, we will never please everyone—so we must please God!

“It will cost too much.”

Roof repair wasn’t in their budget. Somebody was going to have to pay to have it fixed. Could they afford it? If God wants us to do something to bring people to Jesus, the question isn’t can we afford it, but can we afford not to do God’s will?

“We’re too busy.”

I’m sure those four fellows had plenty to do. But, thankfully they had their priorities in order. Service overrode self-interest. Should we be too busy to do God’s work?
“We’ve never done it that way before!”

Someone branded that phrase, “the seven last words of the church.” It is a killer-attitude. That is the symptom of a church that is sick—and maybe terminally so. Other than this singular incident in the Gospels, I know of no occasion prior to nor again repeated where someone used this method to bring someone to Jesus. But, it worked! God is creative. He may think of something that hasn’t been done before.

“We might fail.”

True enough. When these four friends began loosening roof tiles, they had no guarantee of success. But, would the man have been any worse off? They could then have tried something else if this hadn’t worked. If they exhausted every avenue, at least this guy would have found joy in knowing someone made the effort to care.

In this remarkable story is recorded the object of real faith and the obstacles of real faith, but something more: THE OBSTINACY OF REAL FAITH.

Real faith is obstinate—refusing to give in, give up or give out.

It is obstinate because IT LOOKS.

They looked beyond the obstacles to opportunity. They looked to Jesus where faith commences and climaxes (note Heb.12:2).

A crucial faith factor is the matter of perspective. Remember the story of Israel coming to the brink of blessing at the banks of the Jordan?

They send 12 spies into Canaan on a reconnaissance mission. They return with a unanimous agreement that the land is indeed flowing with milk and honey—all God promised it would be. But, then 10 of the 12—all save Joshua and Caleb—brought a report of giants whom they thought invincible. Consider the contrast:

"Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, ‘We must go up and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!’ But the men who had gone up with him responded, ‘We can't go up against the people because they are stronger than we are!’ So they gave a negative report to the Israelites about the land they had scouted: ‘The land we passed through to explore is one that devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw in it are men of great size. We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak [come] from the Nephilim! To ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and we must have seemed the same to them.’" (Numbers 13:30-33)

Two men looked at God and faith grew as they saw God as the Giant-killer. Ten men looked at giants and fear grew as they saw themselves as grasshoppers. Perspective makes the difference.

Faith is obstinate when it looks and when IT LIVES.

Mark 2:5 speaks of Jesus, “seeing their faith.”

How could Jesus see faith? It is a living thing! It produces works. It gets you off the pew and into action!

The obstinate facet of faith is that it looks, it lives and that IT LASTS.

All along the way were opportunities to quit. But they had the tenacity of a pit bull! It’s easy to quit on God when problems discourage you. It’s easy to quit on the church when people disappoint you. But faith keeps you moving ahead.

It is then that we find THE OBTAINMENTS OF REAL FAITH.

“Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’ But some of the scribes were sitting there, thinking to themselves: ‘Why does He speak like this? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Right away Jesus understood in His spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk”? But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ He told the paralytic, ‘I tell you: get up, pick up your mat, and go home.’ Immediately he got up, picked up the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’" (v. 5-12)

The key phrase is “Seeing their faith…” because that’s the moment when things began to happen!

Faith obtains GOD’S GRACE.

“Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” (v.5)

This man came wanting a miracle, and got one even greater—the miracle of God’s grace saving him! He received forgiveness of sin, reconciliation to God and eternal life. That is the foremost obtainment of real faith!

“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift- not from works, so that no one can boast." (Eph.2:8-9)

Faith also obtains GOD’S GOODNESS.

“But some of the scribes were sitting there, thinking to themselves: ‘Why does He speak like this? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Right away Jesus understood in His spirit that they were thinking like this within themselves and said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk”? But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ He told the paralytic, ‘I tell you: get up, pick up your mat, and go home.’” (v.6-11)

Faith opens wide the channel of blessing. It taps into the wellspring of the goodness of God. “All things are possible to him who believes,” Jesus promises.

Faith further obtains GOD’S GLORY.

“‘Immediately he got up, picked up the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’" (v.12)

God is glorified by a living faith as no other thing. Our greatest desire should be to glorify God, and this is how we are to do it. I passionately want people to encounter God in such a way that they leave our church building exclaiming, “We have never seen anything like this!”

Our God is big enough; is our faith?

How bad is unbelief?

It will doom you as a sinner. We can be forgiven of everything but that—it is a sin with no cure.

It will defeat you as a saint. We can’t be the church God wants until we tap into the power of God through faith.

LOVE BEYOND ALL LIMITS

“For God loved the world in this way He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 HCSB)

Poets have written about it. Singers have sung of it. Publishers have profited from it. Men have died over it. What is it? Only the largest little word in the world—love!

Legend has it that Helen of Troy was so beautiful that her faced launched a thousand ships. Love for her led to bloody war.

None of Shakespeare’s works is more famous than the love story, “Romeo and Juliet.” The writer knew the power of a love story to capture the reader’s imagination.

But, the Bible contains the greatest love story. When poets’ tongues lie silent in the grave; when every silly love song fades from memory; when all romance novels crumble into dust, the story of God’s limitless love will go on and on and on!

Luther called John 3:16, “The Gospel in a nutshell.” In a few brief words is written the most profound of truths—this story of limitless love!

Notice THE ORIGIN OF LIMITLESS LOVE: “For God loved the world…”

The infinite Lord is the source of immeasurable love.

Every love story must have an author. So does this one.

This greatest of love stories was written by God, recorded in letters of crimson, penned by an old rugged cross. It is God who is the initiator—God who is the originator—of limitless love.

The Bible says that “Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us…” (1 John 4:10). Love originates with God for Scripture declares, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8).

While it is true that God is unfailingly holy and unwaveringly just—and, thus, unalterably MUST punish sin—still He loves us and offers forgiveness through the substitutionary death of His Son. He has made a way for sinners to be justified and yet He remains just in doing so. Love motivated God to do this matchless deed on Calvary.

Further consider THE OBJECT OF LIMITLESS LOVE: “For God loved the world…”

This isn’t talking about the planet. He cares about His creation without a doubt, but that isn’t the world spoken of here.

This isn’t speaking about a principle of evil—the world system. That is anti-God and God is at war with that world of wicked philosophy, passion and practice. He hates that “world.” He calls on His followers to do the same. To embrace love for this world system is to exclude love for the Lord (read 1 John 2:15-17).

If it isn’t the world as a planet or a principle, then what is it? It is the people dwelling on this planet who are prisoners of this world of wickedness. These wretched souls are the object of God’s love.

This is incredible!

Jesus came to this world of sinful humanity and they cursed Him as a devil and crucified Him as a criminal. Nothing had changed. Most continue to reject Him.

Yet He loves. He holds out a nail-scarred hand and the world slaps it away. He reaches out again and again. That hand will continue to reach out until the last Day when He takes a sword to wield against those who finally, fully spurn His love.

Thankfully, there is still time. Another opportunity is offered. Love is extended to you.

None are excluded from His love. “For God loved”…insert your name there. It is no less true than saying God loved the world. Make it personal. God loves you!

“He loved me when a sinner, I trampled on His love.
He loved me still, though straying, I spurned His home above;
And still He loved; and loving,
For me He bled and died,
Then loving on and wooing,
He drew me to His side.”

The sobering question is, “Will you persist in trampling on His love? You can, but if you do, then the consequences are as limitless as the compassion is large. That is the warning of Hebrews 10:26-31.

Then, there is THE OUTREACH OF LIMITLESS LOVE: “For God loved the world in this way…”

In this way? In what way?

Only three words—how much love could that convey?

Within that brief phrase is found love beyond all limits.

How far does the outreach of love extend? The Apostle Paul prayed that we might comprehend, “what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph.3:18-19)

Fullness of God!

How can you measure the immeasurable? We can say this: God’s love is as high as heaven, yet deep enough to reach the lowest sinner. It is wide enough for every person, and is as long as eternity. Whoever you are, whatever you may have done, wherever you are—His love seeks you out. How much does God love you? Jesus stretches out His arms on the cross and says, “I love you this much!”

How can you describe the indescribable? The song writer said it like this,

“Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.”

There is more to be said—there is THE OFFERING OF LIMITLESS LOVE: “He gave His One and Only Son…”

Upon the altar of sacrifice, the Father placed His unique Son as a substitute for sinners deserving death. God loved us, but He could not excuse our sin. He couldn’t sweep it under the carpet, ignore it, pretend it didn’t happen. His compassion so vast, could not deny His righteousness so just.

The evidence of our guilt was indisputable and the execution of our sentence was unalterable. The Judge has said, “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom.6:23a) The price must be paid or God’s holiness would be compromised. That cannot be!

In the One and Only Son was done the one and only act that could satisfy God’s justice and allow us to be forgiven. “He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor.5:21) “But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace He might taste death for everyone…” (Heb.2:9a). The wrath of God was satisfied! Jesus is nailed to the cross meant for Barabbas—the innocent walking up Calvary’s road, and the guilty walking away free!

Therefore, there is THE OPPORTUNITY OF LIMITLESS LOVE: “so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

There is opportunity for all! God has fixed a way that anyone can come—by faith.

If you had to pay a large sum of money to buy a home in heaven, a poor soul would be excluded. If you had to perform some feat of strength, the weak person would fall short. If you had to pass a test, the illiterate man would fail. But all you must do is place your faith in Christ and you will be saved!

Is that all? The simple answer to that is, “Yes!” You need do nothing more. In fact, you can do nothing more. To try to earn your way to heaven is to grease the pole to slide into the abyss—and the more you try the slicker it becomes. You don’t try, but trust in the Crucified and Risen Lord. Neither is it even the degree of your faith—as something you must generate in sufficient measure, but is the direction of your faith—looking to Jesus as the object—the finished work He has done, and He as ”the source and perfecter of our faith.” (Heb.12:2)

Be sure you understand what it means to believe in Him, however. What the Bible means by faith is more than just knowing and intellectually accepting the facts of the Gospel. We must do that, of course. Yet, Satan and his demonic horde believe the facts of what happened on the cross. They witnessed it. Demons confessed Jesus to be the Son of God! Yet, those malignant spirits are as unrepentant as ever in their hostility toward God. Their “belief” doesn’t convert them. They are bound for the Abyss.

You can believe planes can fly without getting off the ground. Real faith leads you to commit your life to the pilot. Even with trembling knees, you walk onto the plane and rest your weight in the seat. Saving faith means that I have given my life to Christ—He is now in control! I can trust Him to pilot me to heaven.

Can I be sure of safe arrival? Just listen to THE OATH OF LIMITLESS LOVE: “everyone who believes in Him will not perish…”

God’s oath is that all who come to Him, He will under no circumstances cast out. They can never be lost. There are those who hesitate to come to Christ for fear their faith isn’t strong enough. They think they may fail to hang on to Christ. My friend, He holds on to you! You might fail, but He never does. You may be weak, but He is strong. No power on earth or in hell can pull us from God’s hand! The Good Shepherd will bring every sheep in His flock into Heaven’s fold. The Bible says He loses NONE! (see John 10:27-30).

This love song builds to a crescendo with THE OPERATION OF LIMITLESS LOVE: “everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Eternal life is more than a quantity of time—it is a quality of life. It is the very life of God received when we believe. Jesus promised, “I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” (John 10:10). It is a love that is boundless that has brought us a life of blessedness!

Jesus tells us in this same chapter that we can be born of God—and that makes us children of God. His life is given to us, resides in us, and brings us into the likeness of Jesus, His Son. No wonder, the Apostle John would exult concerning the operation of God’s heavenly love in a human life, “Look at how great a love the Father has given us that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him. Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him because we will see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:1-2)

Charles Wesley wrote of it this way:

“And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

'Tis mystery all: th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.

He left his Father's throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
'Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.”

Now…that’s a love story!

THE SERVANT OF YAHWEH

“When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:32-34 HCSB)

Four different Gospel writers give us four complementary views of Jesus. In Matthew, Jesus is the Son of David, stressing His royalty. In Luke, He is the Son of Man, stressing His humanity. In John, He is the Son of God, stressing His Deity. In Mark, Jesus is the Servant of Yahweh, stressing His activity.

Mark uses the Greek word “euthus” forty times in his Gospel account. For example, in today’s Scripture reading, we find it in verse twenty-one, “Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach.” The Holman translators render it, “right away” and it suggests immediate action. Mark’s Spirit-inspired purpose is to display what Jesus did more than discuss what He said.

Our Lord sets the standard for all who will serve God. These are valuable lessons we need to apply in order that our service would be effective.

Consider first THE SERVANT’S AUTHORITY.

“Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority. Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, ‘What do You have to do with us, Jesus-Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’ His fame then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.” (Mark 1:21-28)

If we are to serve God effectively, it is because we do so in reliance on Divine authority. Jesus was God in the flesh and we are not God. But, He lived as a man among men to show us the way God intends for men to live. He did nothing of His own will or in His own resources. That is the model we must follow.

Note THE SOURCE OF AUTHORITY IN HIS WORDS.

“Then they went into Capernaum, and right away He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began to teach. They were astonished at His teaching because, unlike the scribes, He was teaching them as one having authority.” (v.21-22)

The scribes derived their authority, such as it was, from other learned men. They studied and quoted from noted rabbis. Because of this they placed layers of their traditions on top of the text—all but obscuring the truth—and when that is done, authority must yield to subjectivity. One rabbi’s opinion would contradict another—who to believe? Jesus just spoke the truth—He was Truth Incarnate!

So long as we stand on the Word of God, we are on solid ground for service. We can teach with authority.

Then there is THE FORCE OF AUTHORITY IN HIS WORKS.

“Just then a man with an unclean spirit was in their synagogue. He cried out, “What do You have to do with us, Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him and said, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And the unclean spirit convulsed him, shouted with a loud voice, and came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so they began to argue with one another, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’ His fame then spread throughout the entire vicinity of Galilee.” (v.23-28)

His authority was declared because it was demonstrated. Not even the demons of hell could withstand Him. The foul spirits that would terrorize men had to shriek and flee away in fear themselves before His command. That was the authority of Christ shown repeatedly.

You might as well be prepared—if you exercise authority, it will involve spiritual warfare. You have invaded enemy territory—and yet, in God’s strength, we have assurance of victory.

Another vital lesson is in THE SERVANT’S ACTIVITY.

“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them. When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:29-340

Talk is cheap. Jesus did more than make a claim, He backed it up! So, we say we are servants of the Living God. Is there evidence of that? Do our works attest to our words?

THE ACTIVITY WAS MOTIVATED BY COMPASSION.

“As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew's house with James and John. Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her, and she began to serve them.” (v.29-31)

How tender was the heart of the Savior toward those about Him! Here is the mother-in-law of one of His disciples and He devotes His attention to her. When He heard the report of her fever, Jesus felt compelled to take action. That is what servants do! They don’t just have a title, they have a task—and they complete it.

Another interesting matter is that once she was healed, her response was to serve others. Love begets love. We are saved to serve. Those who have been delivered by the Lord now are called to active duty. Grace inspires gratitude.

THE ACTIVITY WAS MANIFESTED WITH CONSISTENCY.

“When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. The whole town was assembled at the door, and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (v.32-34)

Some are off and on, hot and cold, up and down. I know that I can be. But, not Jesus; He was a model of consistency. He was the same—wherever He was, whoever He was near, whatever the need—He was faithful in His service.

That is a great goal for us. While we may not attain it perfectly, we can get closer progressively, if we will aim at it persistently.

A final observation concerns THE SERVANT’S AVAILABILTY.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. Simon and his companions went searching for Him. They found Him and said, ‘Everyone's looking for You!’ And He said to them, ‘Let's go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.’ So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (Mark 1:35-39)

The sun may set, but the servant doesn’t sit (see v.32-24). Jesus continues to minister to the needs of others. The sun rises, but the Son has already risen. He had three and one-half years of ministry and He wrung from it every ounce of that opportunity. If a soul cried out, His ear was alert—even in darkness of night. He doesn’t hit the snooze alarm the next morning, despite the late evening of labor the night before. Servants are available 24/7.

THE SERVANT IS AVAILABLE TO GOD.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there.” (v.35)

His first ministry was the ministry of intercession. His first duty was to report for duty to get His orders. The Model Man knew that there was much to be done after He prayed, but nothing could be done until He prayed.

If that was true of Jesus, how much more do we need this morning meeting! It seems contradictory, yet it is one of the paradoxes of Scripture—the busier you are, the more you need to pray; the greater the demands of men, the longer you must wait before the Lord. Our fruit of service is dependent on putting down roots in supplication. We can branch out in busyness, but will topple over in toil at some point, unless we continue to send our roots deeper and deeper into the solid ground of a life in the Spirit. That happens as we pray. If you are too busy to pray, you are too busy.

Interruptions will come. As the day dawns, voices will begin to call out. The demands of duty will become insistent. It happened to Jesus (v.36-37). But, if we rise early and give God that time in the stillness of the morning, we will discover the secret of strength in our service, by the time everyone else’s alarm clocks begin to go off! Set yours as early as you must to make yourself available to God before you become accessible to man.

THE SERVANT IS AVAILABLE FOR GOD.

“Simon and his companions went searching for Him. They found Him and said, ‘Everyone's looking for You!’ And He said to them, ‘Let's go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.’ So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.” (v.36-39)

Being spiritual is not a life of passivity, however—it is one of availability. We must get on our knees and bow before God, but then there comes a point to get on your feet and go for God. Loving God is the first commandment—and that love relationship is cultivated in time spent with the Father. But, the second commandment is connected to the first: love your neighbor as yourself. That love is expressed in practical ways—lifting the fallen, helping the hurting, mending the broken, freeing the captive, and such as the needs may be. Needs are everywhere, and everywhere you go you represent God. We are His hands extended to the world. There is no room for laziness in the Lord’s service.

As we look at this standard set by the Model Servant, we may feel wholly inadequate, and we are—save for this—He lives in us! So, it isn’t so much my own effort in attempting to imitate Christ’s method, but the Spirit’s energy as He indwells me and lives out His ministry through me! Let Jesus be Jesus in you today!

ON THE RIGHT TRACK

“After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of God: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!’” (Mark 1:14-15 HCSB)

It is difficult to end up in the right place, if you don’t start out on the right track! A key to finishing well is beginning well.

What we find in our text is the beginning of Christ’s public ministry. The events recorded here provided the point of departure on a course of obedience to His Father that would lead Him to say, “It is finished”—the race is run, the journey is done, the victory is won!

That’s how I want to end, don’t you? Then, let’s be sure we are on the right track.

Jesus shows us how to get on the right track. In this, as in all things, He is the absolute standard.

Jesus was on the right track because of THE WITNESS THAT HE SHARED.

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:

You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!

Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him.” (Mark 1:9-13)

If we are on the right track, others should be able to see it! I am talking about more than His talk, but His walk. The witness wasn’t merely declared by His lips, but demonstrated by His life—and there was utter consistency!

Jesus was consistent in communicating THE WITNESS OF HIS VIRTUE.

“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending to Him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:

You are My beloved Son; I take delight in You!” (v.9-11)

Listen to the Father’s commendation: “You are My beloved Son.” From the time of Christ’s appearance at the age of twelve, in the temple, to his baptism at the age of thirty, there are eighteen hidden years of maturing—growth in the day to day activity of the carpenter shop, in the laboratory of family life and immersing Himself in the Scriptures and intimate prayer with His Father. He passed that part of His schooling!

God doesn’t develop His leaders in a microwave, but a crock pot! We want everything—now! That’s why we have instant rice, instant coffee, instant credit, and so forth. But, there is no such thing as instant maturity. We know this to be true, physically. It is also a spiritual reality. You won’t do better than Jesus—as the Model Man, there was development, and it was declared delightful by His Father.

Then Jesus steps into public view. Baptism was a testimony of His identification with sinners and mission to die and rise again. This was yet another step of obedience—there would be no turning back!

As He came up from the water, the Spirit came down upon the Savior. This was the Spirit’s anointing for ministry. He was conceived by the Spirit, always filled with the Spirit for He was always obedient to and reliant on Him, and now Jesus is empowered for ministry as the Holy Dove comes upon Him.

It is a must for ministry! We need that energy to serve effectively. Only then will you find yourself propelled down the right track. You can’t function without unction!

Jesus also consistently communicated THE WITNESS OF HIS VICTORY.

“Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness 40 days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and the angels began to serve Him.” (v.12-13)

The key phrase here is “tempted by Satan.” This was the biggest test to date. It was an exam He had to pass to be on the right track.

Did you notice that He was driven by Spirit?

God isn’t the author of temptation to sin—that’s Satan’s work; but the other side of that coin is God permits Satan to tempt us as His test to reveal our character. The Devil’s intent is to entice us to evil, while God’s design is to demonstrate our devotion.

Jesus passed the test and displayed His impeccable credentials! May God help us to do so! It is certain that the test will be unavoidable—but if God leads us to it, He will lead us through it, providing we rely on Him in faith and respond in faithfulness, as Jesus did.

There are a couple of additional details Mark adds to His abbreviated record of the wilderness temptations (as compared to Matthew and Luke’s Gospel accounts).

First, Mark tells us that “He was with the wild animals.” Now, don’t get the idea of Jesus alone in the wilderness, huddled in fear as lions roared and vipers slithered and vultures circled, as if He were in danger. On the contrary, as Daniel could pillow his head on a lion’s back in a den of ravenous beasts, Jesus was in no peril. In fact, He was in perfect harmony with creation. Paul calls Him, the “last Adam” and the “second Man,” in 1 Corinthians 15:45-49. As the first man, Adam, and the animals were without fear in their relationship before sin turned things violent, Jesus came to restore what that Adam forfeited. He would be the Prototype of a new race—made in the image of God. One day when He returns to reign, the lion will lie down with the lamb!

Second, we see that “the angels began to serve Him.” He was a real man, even though a perfect man—flawless flesh, yet frail flesh. Jesus lived among us and experienced the trials and tests that are common to man. After this titanic battle with the Wicked One, He needed strength to go forward. He was physically spent after fasting for forty days, as well. So, the angels come to minister to Him. This is their job concerning God’s children—for you and me. Concerning these celestial beings, Scripture offers the rhetorical question, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?” (Heb.1:14) As GOD in the flesh He was sovereign over the angels, and as God in the FLESH He was strengthened by the angels. It is heresy to deny Christ’s deity, but also to deny His humanity. This is the mystery of the incarnation:

“And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the Spirit,
seen by angels,
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.” (1 Tim.3:16)

Jesus was on the right track by the witness that He shared and by THE WORDS THAT HE SPOKE.

“After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of God: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news!’” (Mark 1:14-15)

If we are on the right track, we should be able to tell others how to get on it! From out of the fountain of His pure heart, flowed these powerful words from Jesus’ mouth—a mighty river of truth.

Think about THE SOURCE OF THE MESSAGE.

“After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of God: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near.” (v.14-15a)

Focus on this phrase, “the kingdom of God.” This is the source of His message. It came from above. So, He spoke with authority.

What does this mean—the kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God is the rule of Heaven over all. As in every kingdom, there are laws which govern the conduct of the citizens.

Notice that John had been proclaiming that message and now that his voice is soon to be silenced in death, Jesus will take up the message.

God always has someone to lead us on the right track. In every generation, he raises up witnesses to the truth. The lamp of one messenger will someday be extinguished, but God’s truth shines on. The torch of truth is passed on to another. Eternity is the source, so eternity is the course, for eternal is the force! This is the invincible, irresistible kingdom of God!

Then see THE SUBSTANCE OF THE MESSAGE.

“Repent and believe in the good news!’” (v.15b)

As I said in yesterday’s lesson, this is the core message of the Bible. It is the word of the Old Testament prophets, of John the Baptist, of Jesus and the Apostles in the New Testament. It is still our message for today.

Being on the right track means that both repentance and faith are needed not to derail! As a train runs on two rails, these convey the message of the good news. Turn to Christ and trust in Him. He will save you—and that’s the Gospel truth!

Being on the right track, means following Jesus in the witness that He shared, the words that He spoke and in THE WORKERS THAT HE SUMMONED.

“As He was passing along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, Simon’s brother. They were casting a net into the sea, since they were fishermen.

‘Follow Me,’ Jesus told them, ‘and I will make you fish for people!’ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. Going on a little farther, He saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in their boat mending their nets. Immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Him.” (v.16-20)

Being on the right track means we show it by our life and share it with our lips, but also that we summon others to join us on the trip. It’s more fun to take the trip with others—to share the experiences of life. The Christian life as we have said is not just about believing, but about belonging. It is one vital reason why you need to stay in the fellowship of the local church.

“And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb.10:24-25)

Jesus did not make the journey alone. Fully man, He needed the company of others. How much more do we!

We hear A CALL TO FOLLOW. Jesus beckoned, “Follow Me.” Observe that this is not a call to follow precepts primarily, but to follow a person preeminently. Jesus doesn’t just show us the way; He is the way! Having someone to give you directions is good; someone to actually guide you is better!

Jesus poured His life into them. To follow Him is to forsake all else. They left their father, they left their fishing and they left their friends (v.20).

There is just one direction if you want to be on right track—everything else is a detour. Follow Jesus!

The call to follow is A CALL TO FISH. Jesus said, “I will make you fish for people.” Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. His was a great fishing expedition.

He calls us to join Him in that work and fish for souls of people!

You don’t have to worry about “the hole being ‘fished out.’ There are plenty of fish. Lost people are everywhere—more than ever!

The Gospel is the net. We cast it out as we share the message of Christ.

Jesus makes us into fishers of men. Apart from Him we cannot catch men, but apart from us, He will not. This is our job. We are to pray to God for the Spirit to open their eyes and ears to the truth and to plead with the lost to receive Christ.

You could be the bait, and invite someone to attend the worship service—and I will cast the Gospel net. Or better still, you can cast the net yourself, and then bring the catch to the church house where we can see the trophy of God’s grace and give Him glory.

Are you on the right track? This is how Jesus began His work and it is the model for us to follow. All aboard!

REAL REPENTANCE

“In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea and saying, ‘Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!’” (Matthew 3:1-2 HCSB)

If we came to the church house this Sunday and found Jesus was going to preach, what message would you expect Him to bring? He might address a wide variety of subjects, but I am very sure I know one topic He would be sure to bear down on.

He would say, “Repent!”

That was His message when He began to preach in His earthly ministry and it was His final word in the New Testament. His last message to the church was not the Great Commission, but a call to repentance.

What is repentance? Literally, it means “to change your mind.” It is a change in thinking that leads to a change in action. Repentance is both negative and positive. We turn from sin and we turn to God. Repentance and faith are two sides of the same coin of salvation. That is real repentance.

I say real repentance, because there is a false repentance.

There is the false repentance that only pertains to emotion. While sorrow over sin and joy in salvation may be the fruit of real repentance, they are not the root of it. Emotions fluctuate—and may dissipate as quickly as the morning mist before the heat of the sun. We might be sad because of the problems caused by our sin, and happy about the prospect of heaven, yet stop short by only resting on those feelings. Then, when the trials come, we wither under the heat, for we have no root in real repentance (see Matt.13: 20-21).

There is the false repentance that only pertains to reformation. Indeed, there will be a change in the way we live, if there has been a change in our heart. But, it is the change of heart and mind—regeneration—that brings true transformation and not mere reformation. Reformation, as I am using the term, is an external change as we clean up our conduct, while we retain the same sinful passions within. We are like the hypocrites Jesus condemned—white-washed tombs, shining without, but full of death within (read Matt.23:13-36). We cannot be saved by trying to reform our lives without placing our faith in Christ to save us. All our self-righteousness is but filthy rags, wholly inappropriate to wear to Heaven’s wedding (Compare Isa.64:6 and Matt.22:10-14).

There is the false repentance that pertains only to profession. We know about repentance and talk about Christ, but think that knowing facts is the same as having faith and that saying the right thing is the same as doing the right thing. In that case the demons are converts because they confess Jesus is the Son of God (read Matt.8:28-29 and James 2:19-20). Make no mistake about it, the one who is truly repentant will know the truth and will confess their faith, but go beyond an intellectual assent, to an internal allegiance, and the words we speak will come from a heart that is surrendered. Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone—as Luther noted.

Faith that doesn’t produce a changed life is not real faith (note James 2:14-26). The weeds of the world soon choke out the seeds of the Word that have sprouted, before they bear fruit (observe Matt.13:22).

Then, what is real repentance?

There are several aspects of real repentance to explore.

First, we learn THE ROOT OF REAL REPENTANCE.

The initiative is with God. He calls for repentance. When man sins in the garden, He comes to confront Adam. When He is ready to wash the world clean of its filth, He sets Noah to preaching and preparing an ark. When He wants to reach the world, He summons a man from idolatry named Abraham and establishes a chosen people. When those people fail, He sends prophet after prophet and their message is the one which summarizes the Old Testament, “Repent!” Turning to the New Testament, we find God raises up the herald of the King, John the Baptist, and his sermon is, “Repent!” When John is imprisoned and then beheaded, someone else would rise to preach the same sermon and so Jesus came preaching, “Repent!” The Lord ascended back to heaven, and the same message was given to His church—and so the rest of the New Testament finds the Apostles calling for repentance—and it is still the word for modern man.

God reaches out to us. Repentance is rooted in the activity of God. It is not produced by our efforts to change, though it will produce a changed life. It isn’t about your struggle for self-improvement, but God’s Spirit shaping you from the inside out.

Repentance is rooted in GOD’S RESTRAINT.

Those who heard John preach deserved wrath—they were sinners. But God’s mercy restrained the judgment they merited and gave them opportunity to escape the wrath to come (Matt.3:7-12).

“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

We are all sinners and the wages of sin is death. Each of us deserves hell, but God desires we have heaven. Do you wonder why Jesus has waited so long to return to earth? Peter tells us that He is giving us time—that everyone who will might have opportunity to repent.

Real repentance is also rooted in GOD’S RICHES.

John appeals to them to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt.3:2). The repentant not only avoid hell, they attain heaven.

God doesn’t just delay His wrath which He might justly deliver—that’s mercy—He dispenses the wealth we could never deserve—and that’s grace! Every goodness God shows to sinners is grace and a summons to the greatest gift—the grace of salvation.

“Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Rom.2:4)

God sends rain upon the just and the unjust. The same showers that water a righteous man’s garden, water the wicked man’s. God’s goodness is meant to lead one to look up for the Source of blessings. Then we might, through the call of the Holy Spirit, see that His greatest gift sent down was His only Begotten Son and that by turning to Him, we can be saved.

Real repentance, likewise, has its roots in GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Sinners streamed to hear John’s thunder and they trembled under the sound, as their forefathers did when hearing the booming voice from Sinai. That righteous standard, God’s Holy Law, was held up as a perfect mirror for them to see themselves that they might realize they had all fallen short of the glory of God.

Fast forward to the Day of Pentecost, three and one half years after John preached, and a fellow named Peter took up the same sermon:

“‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!’

When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: ‘Brothers, what must we do?’

‘Repent,’ Peter said to them, ‘and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:36-38)

Peter’s proclamation pricked their conscience and brought conviction of sin. If we compare ourselves to other sinners, we may not seem to need repentance, but when exposed to the righteousness of Holy God, it is a dagger to the heart. Repentance is when we face God’s Holy Law that drives us to our knees crying, “God, have mercy on me—a sinner!”

From the root of real repentance, we next turn to THE REACH OF REAL REPENTANCE.

Repentance is a sermon sent to two audiences: wayward sinners and wandering saints.

Repentance reaches ONE SEPARATED FROM GOD’S SALVATION. John held out that only those who repented could be saved.

Jesus would later say this, “No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!” (Luke 13:5)

A topic of conversation in Jesus’ day concerned a group of Galileans who had been massacred by Herod as they offered sacrifices, and those in Siloam where a tower fell and killed them. People imagined this happened to them because they were sinners. Jesus lets us know that we all are—and must repent or perish.

Repentance also reaches ONE STRAYING FROM GOD’S SANCTIFICATION.

The New Testament message of repentance doesn’t stop with believing unto salvation, but extends to the believer’s sanctification.

It was to Christians that Jesus spoke:

“Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you[a] and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (Rev.2:5)

This is Christ’s word for the church today. When we repent in salvation we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. But sheep tend to go astray. We need to surrender to Him as at the first. You aren’t saved all over again, but you experience a renewed submission to Him as in salvation. If we do not, then a loving Father can make us wish we had! The Good Shepherd will bring His sheep into His fold, even if He must use a rod and staff.

Real repentance goes from the root to the branches that reach out and lead to fruit—which is THE RESULT OF REAL REPENTANCE.

John told them that real repentance would produce true transformation (Matt.3:8-10).

It results in REGENERATION.

Peter linked these together in Acts 2:38, quoted previously—there would be a repentance of sin and a reception of the Spirit, and that is regeneration. True repentance is a new birth, becoming a new person! Our water baptism is an outward profession of this inward reality. We put someone under the water, signifying that the old sinner they were is dead and buried, and bringing them up out of the water that they have been raised to walk in new life. If they aren’t a new person, then they go into the baptistery a dry sinner and come out a wet one. John refused to baptize anyone who did not give evidence of repentance and regeneration.

Real repentance results in REJOICING.

“‘I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.’” (Luke 15:7)

If you only knew how much God loves you! All heaven celebrates when a sinner comes home! Come to Christ, and let the party begin! If you, although saved have grieved the heart of God because of your backsliding, mourn over your sin and pray with David,

“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Turn Your face away from my sins and blot out all my guilt.

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:8-12)

It results in REPRODUCTION.

John demanded, “Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance.” (Matt.3:8)

We reproduce after our kind. The fruit of our lives is determined by its root. The presence of Christ within us begins to show itself in Christ-like character and the fruit of the Spirit is produced. This is character and conduct consistent with our claim.

It results in RESTITUTION.

John told those who were repentant that the evidence would be displayed in their restitution—being right with God means attempting to be right with man.

The Baptist preacher said this:

““What then should we do?’ the crowds were asking him.

He replied to them, ‘The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.’

Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’

He told them, ‘Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.’

Some soldiers also questioned him: ‘What should we do?’

He said to them, ‘Don’t take money from anyone by force or false accusation; be satisfied with your wages.’” (Luke 3:10-14)

There is a wonderful example of a tax-collector’s repentance in Luke 19:7-9:

All who saw it began to complain, ‘He’s gone to lodge with a sinful man!’

But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, ‘Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord! And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much!’

‘Today salvation has come to this house,’ Jesus told him, ‘because he too is a son of Abraham.’”

Zacchaeus wasn’t saved because he made restitution, but he made restitution because he was saved.

Real repentance will also result in REVIVAL.

This is why the message of repentance is also directed to carnal Christians and cold churches. What is needed is revival, and revival requires repentance.

Here is a promise conditioned on repentance, given to the Old Testament saints, that is still applicable to New Testament era:

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.” (2 Chron.7:14)

Hear this word from Peter:

“Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah.” (Acts 3:19-20)

In these last days, the Bride needs revival to clean up and dress up in anticipation of her Bridegroom coming. God grant us a season of refreshing! There have been some in the past (note the plural “seasons”) and why not one last time?

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH JESUS?

‎”After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2 HCSB)

It is a timeless question—just as relevant today as when first spoken 2,000 years ago. Jesus was on trial for His life, and the Roman governor, spoke to the crowd, “Pilate asked them, ‘What should I do then with Jesus, who is called Messiah?’” (Matt.27:22)

Every person of every generation has to answer that question. How do you answer it? Think carefully and answer as if your life depended on it—it does! More than that, how you answer that question determines where you will spend eternity.

Our text reveals three possible responses.

There is THE SELF-CENTERED RESPONSE. This is exemplified in King Herod.

“When King Herod heard this, he was deeply disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. …He sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the child. When you find Him, report back to me so that I too can go and worship Him.’…And being warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another route.” (v.3,8,12)

This is the response of the ones SEEKING A KINGDOM WITHOUT A CHRIST.

Herod was concerned with one thing—himself. He wanted to preserve his position and protect his power no matter what he had to do. He was ruthless—willing to butcher his own family rather than face a threat to his reign. He wanted glory without God.

That is how an angel of heaven became the devil of hell—seeking to be as God. It is how the curse of sin broke like a monstrous tidal wave upon humanity when Adam and Eve were enticed to try to become like God. This is the root of all sin—proud rebellion against God. Civilization charts this course. Remember the tower of Babel—the vain attempt to establish a utopia apart from God? It was a tower engineered with the utmost human ambition, genius and skill. That is still the way of the world system.

This is the attitude arrogantly displayed in William Henley’s poem, “Invictus.”

“It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate,
I am the captain of my soul.”

Thus, Herod schemed to overthrow God’s purpose. He would shake his fist in the face of God. Many respond that way to God. Herod represents all those who are hostile to Christ—those who wish to kill Him and His followers. They have described Christianity as a virus that needs to be eradicated.

Then, there is THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS RESPONSE. This is typified by the Scribes.

“So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born. ‘In Bethlehem of Judea,’ they told him, ‘because this is what was written by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah: because out of you will come a leader who will shepherd My people Israel.’” (Matt.2:4-6)

This is the response of SEEKING A CROWN WITHOUT A CROSS.

Think with me for just a moment. Here we have the religious elite of Israel. They were the very ones who should have been praying and longing for the Messiah. These Bible scholars had heads filled with Scriptural truth, but their hearts were empty.

John the Baptist would later refer to them as a generation of vipers. Jesus would brand them as hypocrites—whitewashed tombs, beautiful on the outside, but inwardly corrupt. These wanted religion without regeneration and reward without repentance.

The self-righteous believe they can work their way to heaven—that they are good enough to be accepted by God. Paul was once one of these. Consider his pedigree of pride:

“although I once also had confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law,blameless.

But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.” (Philippians 3:4-9)

Here is the incredible thing: though the scribes knew so much, it never moved them to action. They drew near to God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him. This isn’t the response of hostility, but of apathy.

“Ho-hum,” the indifferent will yawn. “We’ve heard it all before.” But, they have no plans to do anything about it. The majority of Americans today are in this category—not incensed about Jesus, just indifferent toward Him. They will go so far as to say that they believe in God, and even describe themselves as Christians—yet it makes no difference in the way they live.

The response we need is THE SINCERE-SEEKER RESPONSE. This is modeled by the Magi.

“‎After Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east arrived unexpectedly in Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.’…
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed beyond measure. Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matt.2:1-2, 10-11)

This is the response of SEEKING A KING WITH ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT.

Consider how far they had traveled, the risk involved, the cost required and the determination needed. Yet, on they came, driven by a desire to find Christ. Where did this desire come from? We call it today—the drawing of the Holy Spirit. Those who seek God have been sought out by God. He uses the Word of God to generate faith in our hearts. “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” (Rom.10:17)

In the centuries before, Israel had been captive in Babylon. There, a prophet named Daniel, ministered and gave the Word of God. Doubtless, these men had been exposed to the prophecies and so watched for the supernatural signs in the heavens, Daniel predicted would herald the coming of the Messiah. They weren’t astrologers as some make them out to be—but, they were Bible students! Their genuine faith led them to seek the King—that’s important!

Salvation means receiving Jesus as Lord. It means bowing to Him in repentance. True Christianity demands total commitment. They find the Savior—all sincere seekers do.

Their response is to worship Him. They give Him gifts. God gave them guidance. Paul writes, “All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.” (Rom.8:14)

What are you going to do with Jesus? You may respond with hostility. You might respond with apathy. You must respond with worship if you want to be saved. Seek Him! Wise men and women still do.

SPEECHLESS

“‘How can I know this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.’

The angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.

Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.’

Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah, amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary. When he did come out, he could not speak to them. Then they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. He kept making signs to them and remained speechless.” (Luke 1:18-22 HCSB)

It was almost sixteen years ago, that my wife went to the doctor. She had some problems that concerned her, and thought something serious might be wrong, so she asked me to go along with her for support. Well, she was going to need it. We both were, when we found out the reasons for her symptoms. Marilyn was forty—and unexpectedly pregnant! We were both speechless—and for me, that is an unusual phenomenon. I even talk in my sleep! When Marilyn found her voice, she told the doctor, “I can’t be!” His response was, “Apparently, you can.”

This must have been a similar reaction to that experienced by the main characters in the first couple of chapters in Luke’s Gospel. The first chapter of Luke records the remarkable series of events leading to the birth of Jesus Christ as documented in chapter two. Mary received the most incredible announcement of all time when the angel Gabriel told her that she was going to give birth to the Son of God though she was a virgin. But the announcement given to old Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth was pretty amazing too. You see, they were old and their biological clock had wound down. They had resigned themselves to never having children. But here comes Gabriel, six months before he will make the journey from heaven to Nazareth to shock Mary, coming into the temple and dropping a bomb on Zechariah—“You’re going to be a Daddy!” He couldn’t believe it. Usually older folks don’t have babies. God designed it that way. We’d lay them down and forget where we put them!

Have you ever been so surprised as to be rendered speechless? Here are some lessons for all of us to apply in this shocking story.

SPEECHLESS: THE SILENCE OF CORRECTION.

When Gabriel was dispatched from heaven with a message for Zechariah that was the first direct communication from heaven in four centuries! They had the Word of God from the Old Covenant—and that was good. But since the preaching of Malachi until this time, there had been no additional prophetic voice, no further revelation. Heaven had been silent.

Why?

I’ll answer that question with another question: why should God speak when people aren’t willing to listen? That is the story of Jewish history. Over and again—through Noah’s warning, David’s singing, Solomon’s musing, Isaiah’s preaching, via dreams, visions, signs and symbols—a host of ways—God sought to get through to His people.

They plugged their ears in disobedience and disbelief. So, heaven became silent. It was to have the spiritual effect that hunger and thirst create in us physically. When God was speechless, those who had a longing for Him would begin to cry out to Him. The godly remnant would seek Him wholeheartedly—and that is where we come in the first act of the Divine drama documented in these early chapters of Luke.

There is a hunger inside an old couple, who are serving God, and a young virgin consecrated to God, plus those worshippers gathered outside the temple, seeking God. Then God speaks!

Have you heard from Him lately?

If not, then I have some bad news and some good news. The bad news is that it might be your Bible is a locked Book to you because you have refused to heed its message. The good news is you can repent! The very silence of heaven is to stir a hunger to once more encounter God in His Word.

This is the promise:

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’--[this is] the Lord's declaration—‘plans for [your] welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.’” (Jer.29:11-13)

SPEECHLESS: THE SILENCE OF CONFUSION.

When Gabriel announces that Zechariah is going to be a father, the old fellow is dumbfounded.

“‘How can I know this?’ Zechariah asked the angel. ‘For I am an old man, and my wife is well along in years.’" (Luke 1:18)

It is a confusion that is grounded in unbelief. Zechariah needs to learn a lesson about trusting in God and not in himself, and so his figurative speechlessness will cause his voice to literally become muted.

“‘Now listen! You will become silent and unable to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.’" (Luke 1:20)

That is exactly what happened, and until Zechariah signifies that his baby boy is to be named John, he will watch the events unfold without being able to comment on them. Did he ever have a story to tell! It was a story of good news, “The angel answered him, ‘I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and tell you this good news.’” (Luke 1:19) But, his unbelief sealed his lips.

We have good news—that’s what the word, “gospel” means. But, if like Zechariah, we trust ourselves instead of trusting God, we may be silent when we ought to be sharing. Fear paralyzes our vocal chords. Faith will embolden us to speak out. The world needs to hear the life-changing message we have.

SPEECHLESS: THE SILENCE OF CONTEMPLATION.

Mary had much to ponder.

“In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And [the angel] came to her and said, ‘Rejoice, favored woman! The Lord is with you.’ But she was deeply troubled by this statement, wondering what kind of greeting this could be.” (Luke 1:26-29)

A virgin was told that she was to have a baby without the aid of a man. It would be a miracle that would enable her to birth the Savior. God would be made flesh in her womb! Now, that would make anybody speechless.

She would later find her voice and burst into song. But, then the songs would one day give way to sighs, as she neared the moment of giving birth and mounted a donkey to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The sighs would build to a crescendo of screams as the pain of childbirth would usher the Savior into the world.

The shepherds would come to the stable with shouts of worship and stories of angels.

Mary was speechless as she contemplated these events.

“After seeing [them], they reported the message they were told about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.” (Luke 2:17-19)

A week later, she would travel with her beloved Joseph, to take Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to be circumcised and dedicated to the Lord. It was then that an old man named Simeon and an aged woman named Anna would say some amazing things about this special Child. What was her response? No words were recorded, but we know she was reflecting thoughtfully on what was said.

As this young Lad grew, His mother had much to consider—there was such a quality about Him. Then, there came that amazing episode when he was taken to the Temple at the age of twelve—and He is left behind, engrossed in theological discussions with the scholars there. Returning in a panic, to find Him, Mary speaks, “When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him, ‘Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.’" (Luke 2:48).

But, His answer silences her again, “’Why were you searching for Me?’ He asked them. ‘Didn't you know that I had to be in My Father's house?’” (Luke 2:49) So much to contemplate, and so we read, “Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)

How deeply do we think? Especially, how thoughtful are we when it comes to the things of God? There is a lot of noise in this world that we must filter out. Concentration, contemplation and comprehension come to those who will stop talking long enough to listen.

Have you heard His voice today?

THE LIGHT OF LIFE

“Life was in Him, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5 HCSB)

Have you ever considered the importance of light? Light can be equated with life. Move the earth just a small distance from the sun’s light and the earth becomes a frozen wasteland. Light is so essential that it was the first thing God created.

In God’s new creation—the imparting of spiritual life to those in the darkness of sin—the Light is found in a Person, Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that God is light and dwells in unapproachable light. God’s Light is seen in its fullness in Jesus Christ (John 1:14). This is the Apostle John’s testimony found in these verses, and along with love and life, is a recurring theme in this Gospel, and, indeed, in all of his writings.

He first points to THE WITNESS OF THE LIGHT.

“There was a man named John who was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light,
but he came to testify about the light.” (John 1:6-8)

This John is not the writer of the Gospel, but is John the Baptist.

John, the Apostle describes for us, John the Baptist, as he speaks of HIS CHARACTER.

“He was not the light, but he came to testify about the light.” (v.8)

Such was the quality of John the Baptist’s character that there were people who thought he was the Light!

That means he was Christ-like. This cousin of Jesus was so godly that there were those who wondered if he were the Christ. John reflected the glory of God, but Christ is the glory! It is like the relationship between the sun and the moon. The moon does not originate the light, but its landscape is a mirror that reflects the light. The sun, however, is the far greater light and is the source of that light. As witnesses we are to reflect the glory of Christ. This is why Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world,” (John 9:5) and of His followers, “You are the light of the world.” (Matt.5:14a)

John the Baptist was not only Christ-like, he was committed.

“There was a man named John who was sent from God.” (v.6)

He was sent and he went! Commitment was constant throughout his life. That commitment at last cost him his head. But he never compromised. God has called us to be faithful unto death, but should we lose our head, He will place a crown of life on that same head in eternity (see Rev.2:10). It was through Bible teacher, Warren Wiersbe, that I first encountered the statement, “This world is a battleground, not a playground!” God’s servants know that.

John the Baptist’s character might be described as Christ-like, committed and compassionate.

“He came as a witness to testify about the light, so that all might believe through him.” (v.7)

You may not think of this forceful prophet as having a heart of compassion—but he did. He confronted sin and called for repentance because he knew that was the only way to heaven! Those who have come to the Light of life want others to experience this Light of love.

As John the Apostle writes of John the Baptist, he not only presents his character, but HIS COMMISSION.

“There was a man named John who was sent from God.” (v.6)

His commission was divinely appointed. God sent him. He sends us. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” (John 20:21b) This is the Great Commission, and we must not allow it to become the Great Omission!

John the Baptist’s commission was not only divinely appointed, it was divinely assigned. When God sends us, He always sends us somewhere. God has a specific plan and purpose for His servants. He did for John and He does for us.

John the Baptist was divinely appointed, assigned and anointed. God’s commandment is His enablement. He will never send us where He won’t supply us. According to one of my pulpit predecessors, Johnny Tiller, “Wherever His finger points, His hand provides.” You will find that to be so—I have.

So, the Apostle John writes of the witness of the Light and then proceeds to describe THE WORLD OF THE LIGHT.

“The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.

He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” (John 1:9-11)

The old hymn had it right, “The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin…” and it is still! But, “the light of the world is Jesus.”

Jesus came into a world PREPARED FOR ILLUMINATION.

“The true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (v.9)

The Sovereign God had prepared the world for the dawn of the Sun of Righteousness that rose in Bethlehem’s stable. The Pax Romana—the Roman peace—gave favorable conditions to the spread of the Gospel. The Romans not only enforced law and order, which gave the Gospel witnesses a measure of protection, but they were road builders, offering transportation. They also spread the Greek language throughout the empire, and so there would be a universal tongue in which the New Testament would be written and its message shared. It was a world that the Creator had made ready for the Light of life.

But, this world was also PERVADED WITH IGNORANCE.

“He was in the world, and the world was created through Him, yet the world did not recognize Him.” (v.10)

I don’t mean that people are mentally deficient, but that they are morally dull. Instead of following the lesser lights—the sun, moon and stars—to their Creator, the God of Light, they worshipped the lesser lights of the creation, and their consciences were darkened (see Romans 1:18-32). A Greek philosopher said, “It is difficult to find out about God, and when you find Him, it is impossible to tell anyone else about Him!” To first-century man, God dwelt in shadows where no one could see or on a mountain none could scale. When Paul was in Athens, he found an altar to the unknown God. He is still unknown by most today.

This world of darkness was prepared for illumination, but pervaded with ignorance and PETRIFIED BY INGRATITUDE.

“He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” (v.11)

Again, I refer you to Romans 1: “For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened.“ (v.21) The world rejected Him. They did not care that God loved them so much that He sent His own Son to be their Savior. They loved darkness rather than light. People still do. Here is a solemn warning, however—if you reject the Light you reject life, and outer darkness awaits you.

John is pointing people to Jesus, the Light of life and has spoken of the witness and the world of the Light. He proceeds to share THE WORK OF THE LIGHT.

“But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

This is the great work of salvation. Matthew 4:16 says, “The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death,
light has dawned.”

The light of life is PROVIDED BY GOD.

“who were born, not of blood, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God.”
(v.13)

The new birth is essential for salvation. It is “not of blood.” Your parents can’t provide it. Having a Christian father and mother is a great advantage, but they can’t save you. The Jews thought they were going to heaven because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus said the devil was their father. The new birth isn’t “of the will of the flesh.” Your performance can’t provide it. It isn’t of works, but grace. Nor is the new birth “of the will of man.” People can’t provide it. No person—priest or even Pope—can get you into heaven. That takes an intervention of grace from above. Only God can! That only happens through Jesus. If God has saved us, it means He has sired us!

Therefore, salvation is POSSESSED BY GRACE.

“But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name” (v.12)

To receive Jesus is to receive all that He is—Savior and Lord. You aren’t entering a religion, but a relationship. It isn’t allegiance to a creed, but to Christ. God then gives us the right to be children of God.

That’s what grace is. God does for you what you could never do for yourself. If you wait to get good enough for heaven you will wait too late—because you can’t be that good! But God can place His goodness in you. Receive Jesus and He will save you. His life becomes your life—and that is eternal life, the righteousness of God which is by faith.

The Light is still shining. Now, it isn’t that the Dark Lord did not try to extinguish the Light of life—he did. “That light shines in the darkness, yet the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:5). Satan tried to eclipse the Light on a tree and enclose the Light in a tomb. But—He could not! In the glorious dawn of Easter sunrise, the Light burst forth from the grave and now shines forever in glory! Jesus stands as a beacon showing the way to heaven.

Have you come to the Light?

WHY HAS THE HOUSE OF GOD BEEN NEGLECTED?

“Therefore, I rebuked the officials, saying, ‘Why has the house of God been neglected?’ I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts.” (Nehemiah 13:11 HCSB)

Empty cathedrals with spires of stone reaching into the sky—merely tourist attractions now, where once the people of God met to celebrate life in Christ—abound in Europe and England. They are mausoleums, haunted by the specters of past glory, now departed. This is not limited to a foreign land, but more and more, the rotting corpses of decaying church houses dot the hillsides of America. Those that are not abandoned are converted to become apartments, art studios, barns, shops, sports bars, and such. Imagine—a place meant to lead to the conversion of the culture has instead been converted by the culture!

If the house of God has been neglected, it is easy to seek a scapegoat. The favorite would be, “the times in which we live,” and we blame the wickedness of the world. We point the finger outside the church house, when we should look in a mirror instead.

The truth is—the world has been rotten since our human parents took a bite of the forbidden fruit. Paganism was pervasive in the first century AD, when the church was planted. Those early saints faced intense persecution, but still they thrived. How bad was it in those days? Here is how a contemporary writer of the era described the spiritual conditions:

“For God's wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth, since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse. For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.

Therefore God delivered them over in the cravings of their hearts to sexual impurity, so that their bodies were degraded among themselves.

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served something created instead of the Creator, who is praised forever. Amen.

This is why God delivered them over to degrading passions. For even their females exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones.

The males in the same way also left natural relations with females and were inflamed in their lust for one another. Males committed shameless acts with males and received in their own persons the appropriate penalty of their error.

And because they did not think it worthwhile to acknowledge God, God delivered them over to a worthless mind to do what is morally wrong. They are filled with all unrighteousness, evil, greed, and wickedness. They are full of envy, murder, quarrels, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.

Although they know full well God's just sentence—that those who practice such things deserve to die-they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.”

The writer was the Apostle Paul, in Romans 1:18-32. He offered no excuse for the church’s failure to grow. He didn’t need to. They were a living church in a dying world—a flower blooming in a desert.

So, what’s the problem? The question posed by Nehemiah demands an answer. Why has the house of God been neglected? This chapter offers some answers.

We observe first, THE CAUSES OF THIS NEGLECT. There are at least four implied.

PEACE WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR SEPARATION.

“At that time the book of Moses was read publicly to the people. The command was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.

When they heard the law, they separated all those of mixed descent from Israel. Now before this, Eliashib the priest had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God. He was a relative of Tobiah and had prepared a large room for him where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the articles, and the tenths of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests.

While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to King Artaxerxes of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his [reign]. It was only later that I asked the king for a leave of absence so I could return to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done on behalf of Tobiah by providing him a room in the courts of God's house. I was greatly displeased and threw all of Tobiah's household possessions out of the room. I ordered that the rooms be purified, and I had the articles of the house of God restored there, along with the grain offering and frankincense.” (Neh.13:1-9)

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem he discovered that Satan had infiltrated the sanctuary. Eliashib had been willing to compromise. He had been placed in charge, but allowed Tobiah—an enemy of God’s work throughout Nehemiah’s era—to take up residence in the Temple’s chambers. Tobiah was an Ammonite, whom the law of God expressly forbade entering, much less residing in God’s house.

Why did Eliashib do it? We see that they were relatives. I would suppose they were in-laws, for if blood kin, then Eliashib would have been excluded from the Lord’s work also. The word may also mean, “allied with” and that could be the sense of their connection. The obvious thing is that Eliashib was a sell-out. He believed in peace at any price. It was Rodney King theology, “Can’t we just get along?”

Unity is a precious thing and to be sought. Jesus prayed that His church might experience it—but not at the cost of truth. That is too steep a price. The same chapter—John 17—where Jesus prays for the unity of His followers, we find He also prays for their sanctity—and that happens by truth. If we compromise our convictions, it has cost us too much.

Nehemiah’s response is to fumigate the place! It is a forceful action and some would brand him a fanatic. Not so—but he was wholly committed to a Holy God.

“Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?

And what agreement does God's sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God, as God said:

I will dwell among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.

Therefore, come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord; do not touch any unclean thing, and I will welcome you.” (2 Cor.6:14-17)

Another cause for neglecting God’s house was PLEASURE WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR STEWARDSHIP.

“I also found out that because the portions for the Levites had not been given, each of the Levites and the singers performing the service had gone back to his own field. Therefore, I rebuked the officials, saying, ‘Why has the house of God been neglected?’ I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts. Then all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storehouses.

I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for the distribution to their colleagues.

Remember me for this, my God, and don't erase the deeds of faithful love I have done for the house of my God and for its services.” (Neh.13:10-14)

The people were too busy providing for their own comfort to give to God’s work. They were all about pleasing themselves rather than providing for ministry. Materialism had gripped their hearts. Covetousness had consumed them.

Did you hear about the nightmare a fellow had? He dreamed that God multiplied his offering by ten and expected him to live on it! That would be scary for some of us!

When we don’t give, the mission of the church to reach the world is not funded. When we aren’t faithful stewards, the ministries God has called us to will be hindered. When we aren’t generous, the facilities God has blessed us with to offer a witness to the world of life and strength, instead testify to illness and impotence.

Yet a third cause of neglect suggested is PROFIT WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR SERVICE.

“At that time I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath. They were also bringing in stores of grain and loading [them] on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought to Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned [them] against selling food on that day.

The Tyrians living there were importing fish and all kinds of merchandise and selling them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah in Jerusalem. I rebuked the nobles of Judah and said to them: ‘What is this evil you are doing-profaning the Sabbath day?

Didn't your ancestors do the same, so that our God brought all this disaster on us and on this city? And now you are rekindling [His] anger against Israel by profaning the Sabbath!

When shadows began to fall on the gates of Jerusalem just before the Sabbath, I gave orders that the gates be closed and not opened until after the Sabbath. I posted some of my men at the gates, so that no goods could enter during the Sabbath day. Once or twice the merchants and those who sell all kinds of goods camped outside Jerusalem, but I warned them, ‘Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I'll use force against you.’ After that they did not come again on the Sabbath.

Then I instructed the Levites to purify themselves and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.” (Neh.13:15-22)

It was more important to them to make a dollar than to worship their God. The Sabbath had just become another day.
Are we guilty of turning a holy day into a holiday? While it is true that we are no longer under the Jewish law to keep a Saturday Sabbath observance, the principle of setting aside one day in seven for worship and rest is older than the law of Moses, and is part of the rhythm of creation that God pronounced, “Good!”

In the New Testament, Sunday is “The Lord’s Day,” and is set aside for regular observance. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who rose on the first day of the week. It is seen also in the New Testament as a day to set aside the offerings and to bring them as a token of our devotion of all our time, talent and treasure to the Lord. Every day is His day, but to set aside one day in particular is a reminder of this truth.

A fourth cause for neglect is witnessed: PASSION WAS SUBSTITUTED FOR SANCTIFICATION.

“In those days I also saw Jews who had married women from Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. Half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod or [the language] of one of the other peoples but could not speak Hebrew. I rebuked them, cursed them, beat some of their men, and pulled out their hair. I forced them to take an oath before God and said: ‘You must not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters as wives for your sons or yourselves! Didn't King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations. He was loved by his God and God made him king over all Israel, yet foreign women drew him into sin.

Why then should we hear about you doing all this terrible evil and acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?’

Even one of the sons of Jehoiada, son of Eliashib the high priest, had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me.

Remember them, my God, for defiling the priesthood as well as the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

So I purified them from everything foreign and assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.

I also arranged for the donation of wood at the appointed times and for the firstfruits.

Remember me, my God, with favor.” (Neh.13:23-31)

The passions of their flesh and not the precepts of their Father were how they decided whom to marry. They were governed by sensuality and not Scripture. This is the way of the godless and not the will of God—and always leads to disaster.

It certainly did for Solomon. It would be no different for home life in Nehemiah’s day. Why do we think we can violate God’s plan and escape the same fate?

Let me be direct—if you as a child of God marry a child of the Devil, you get the Devil as a Father-in-law! There is no such thing as missionary dating! Happy marriages are made in heaven. This isn’t to say that physical attraction isn’t important, but remember that beauty is only skin deep—wickedness is all the way to the bone.

This leads me to note THE COST OF THIS NEGLECT. It cost a lot to do the right thing, but it costs much more to do the wrong thing. Four painful prices are paid.

OUR WALK IS DEFILED. Faithful fellowship with the saints can help you stay on the highway of holiness, but neglect of it can take you down the interstate of iniquity. I have often seen backsliding begin with erratic worship attendance. Before long this slackness leads to moral slippage and a soiled soul.

OUR WORK IS DENIED. We can’t do all the work that we need to do because the ministries of the church are not supported through our participation or with our possessions. God’s work should never have to cease because we are too consumed with self-interest. In Nehemiah’s day, the priests’ portion was being denied causing them to leave the Lord’s work and labor in their gardens to feed their family (v.10).

It wasn’t that manual labor was “beneath them,” but rather it distracted their attention and drained their energy from what God had called them to do. This is why a pastor ought to be paid.

Some think that a preacher is paid for his work, but rather he gets a paycheck to enable him to do his work. He works for God, not the congregation. He serves at the Lord’s pleasure for eternal reward and not material gain. What his salary does is enable him to be free from employment demands outside the ministry and he can meet his family obligations unfettered by concern. We partner with him as we provide for him and spiritually profit through him.

OUR WITNESS IS DAMAGED. The Sabbath was a special Jewish institution. It was a sacred day meant to testify to the Gentile world of their relationship with God. This was to arouse their curiosity and hopefully lead the pagans to conversion. The Jews were to be different to make a difference. When an unbelieving neighbor sees me walk out my door in my Sunday clothes, a Bible under my arm, and consistently drive week after week to the house of God, it is something they can’t ignore.

OUR WAY IS DARKENED. When the lights are turned off in the church house because of neglect, a nation is headed for darkness. Is it twilight in America? A spiritual darkness had engulfed Europe, and we are following the same disastrous course.

But, to end on a positive note, we see THE CORRECTION OF THIS NEGLECT. There are four course corrections that correspond to the causes of neglect.

We correct neglect by EXALTING RIGHTEOUSNESS.

“I was greatly displeased and threw all of Tobiah's household possessions out of the room.” (v.8)

Nehemiah took a stand for truth. He ended the compromise.

We correct neglect by EXACTING RESTITUTION.

“Therefore, I rebuked the officials, saying, ‘Why has the house of God been neglected?’ I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts. Then all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storehouses.” (v.11-12)

They settled their debt. They stopped robbing God. The Lord promises that our material generosity will bring spiritual prosperity (see Malachi 3:7-12).

We correct neglect by EXPERIENCING REVELATION.

“At that time the book of Moses was read publicly to the people. The command was found written in it that no Ammonite or Moabite should ever enter the assembly of God, because they did not meet the Israelites with food and water. Instead, they hired Balaam against them to curse them, but our God turned the curse into a blessing.

When they heard the law, they separated all those of mixed descent from Israel.” (v.1-3)

They were reminded of the Word of God. Instead of lowering the standard to the level of their experience, they were called to raise the level of their experience to the standard of God’s revelation.

We correct neglect by EXHIBITING REPENTANCE.

“Even one of the sons of Jehoiada, son of Eliashib the high priest, had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. So I drove him away from me.

Remember them, my God, for defiling the priesthood as well as the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

So I purified them from everything foreign and assigned specific duties to each of the priests and Levites.

I also arranged for the donation of wood at the appointed times and for the firstfruits.

Remember me, my God, with favor.” (v.28-31)

They moved beyond talk to action. We might call them extreme. The fact is that if you have cancer, you want it cut out, no matter how drastic the surgery—and sin is such a malignant thing. What Nehemiah did so forcefully is not any different than what Jesus did to the moneychangers in the Temple.
If we neglect the house of God, then God will neglect us. If we remember our duty then God will remember us with delight.

Make Nehemiah’s passion yours, “Remember me, my God, with favor.” (v.31)