You're On The Same Team
Notes
Transcript
If you have a Bible, turn to the gospel of Luke chapter 9. We will be looking at verses 49-56 this morning .
does everyone have one of these cards?
Before we dive in to the sermon, let me pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us.
PRAY
I want to start this sermon with a shocking question.
What would you say if I told you that I believe that we are part of the catholic church?
Some of you are shocked right now. Some might be mad, ready to throw hands....others are clueless and don’t really care.
We all know that words matter. So when I say the word Catholic, everyone asumes that we are talking about the religion.
But if you look back all the way to the beginning of church history, the word Catholic simply meant, universal.
Somehow a false religion took the word that used to mean univeral.
So let me ask the question again. What would you say if I told you that I believe in the universal church?
I think we would all agree.
The universal church is made up of every single believer past, present, and future.
I like what theologian Charles Ryrie says about the church. He makes a three fold breakdown....
(1) There is the universal church—all believers in heaven or on earth. (2) There is the visible church—local churches in various areas, especially those I am acquainted with. (3) There is the local church—the particular assembly with which I have my primary and sustained relation.
Charles Caldwell Ryrie
The church is way bigger than what you and I see on any given Sunday morning here at River Valley.
Heres some crazy numbers for you.
There are over 47,000 Southern Baptist Churches in the United States.
Right at 5,000 American Baptist Churches.
Non-denominational is right at 44,000
The list could go on and on.
River Valley is NOT the only church. The kingdom doesn' revolve around us.
It is no secret that God has moved and He is continuing to move in our midst! Hey were baptizing today! But hes moving in other local churches all around the world.
The gospel is advancing. The universal church is marching forward, and there is nothing that can stop her.
In today’s sermon, we are going to get an attitude check and maybe an adjustment to how we see our brothers and sisters who are not here in this local assembly.
Let’s look at the text.
49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.”
I have two main points for us that will help us navigate this passage.
Both points have to do with Tribalism.
We all know what tribalism is…its the state or fact of being organized in a tribe or tribes. Another word than can be used is a gang. But this is church so we’re gonna stick with the word tribe.
Point one, if you’re taking notes write this down....
TRIBALISM KILLS KINGDOM WORK.
As a church, we must prioritize the Kingdom more than we do our local congregation.
There are many pastors out there who obsess with building THEIR kingdom and their church. They will say they are doing it for the glory of God but its a bold face lie to justify their actions.
I am so thankful that RVC is a kingdom minded church. We love, give, and champion to others outside of these doors.
The disciples on the other hand....needed a to be taught a lesson.
John speaks up in verse 49 and he is a little bothered by something he saw with his own eyes.
John says, we saw someone casting out demon in your name and we tried to stop him.
As you look at the context of this verse and you see what happened right before this, we can kinda understand why John is so bent out of shape.
In just a few verses before we see the disciples failing at casting out a demon.
John was probably upset that someone else had the power to do that and he didn't at that time.
Keep looking at the verse…this no named guy who is casting out demons is doing it in the name of Jesus! Hes not doing it for himself…rather hes doing it in the name of Christ.
The disciples had every right to get upset and try to stop this guy if he was doing it for any other reason.
But this mans motives were right and pure.
The disciples couldn't stand it and they wanted to stop him.
Now we ask the question, why in the world would John want to stop this guy? The text tells us....look at it
…because he does not follow with us.
My brothers and sisters, hear me clearly…You are not God’s exclusive representative.
River Valley Church is not God’s exclusive church.
God can use whoever he wants whenever he wants to accomplish HIS sovereign will.
We look so foolish when we downplay God working in other people or churches.
Maybe it all boils down to an even bigger sin issue in our hearts....pride.
God isn't using us like he is using them. They must be doing something wrong.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
Church, I am speaking passionately because God has had to do a work on my heart over the last couple years.
I have failed at this so many times. I tend to look at other churches who seemingly have everything. The budgets, the people, the building, it goes on and on. Then I look at us and I begin to compare.
That’s what Satan wants. He wants us to compare to get our focus off of what he is doing here.
When those thoughts come in my mind I have to say, Satan…your’e a liar. I refuse to speak or think ill of anyone doing things IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
And when I do that…man, an overwhelming sense of joy, excitement, and gratitude flood my heart.
I’m called to this church. I love this church. God is working in this church. Lives are being transformed in this church. Sinners are being saved and baptized (i think today is the 20th baptism just this year) in this church. People are growing in this church. We are serving in this church.
Tribalism kills kingdom momentum.
Look at Christ’s response. It’s a zinger....right to the heart of the disciples and to us today.
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”
UPWARD BASKETBALL STORY
YOU’RE ON THE SAME TEAM!
For point one, I have two areas of application.
Number One....you received a card on your way in with some churches and pastors listed.
This is in no way an exhaustive list, just ones that were on my heart this week.
Church, would you commit to praying for your fellow teammates this week?
Number Two…When someone leaves our church and goes to another Bible believing, jesus loving church.....may we say praise the lord.
People leaving our church isn’t something that is new. It happens all the time for various reasons.
I make them mad....they don’t like the direction…I failed them somehow…or maybe God just calls them away.
Whatever the reason may be…did you know that we can still be friends?
It breaks my heart when I see someone who has left the church out in public and they literally run the other way. Or they ignore text or calls, or even as petty as delete me from facebook.
We refuse to have the attitude of the disciples.
It’s not a with us or not with us.....all that matters is WITH JESUS.
WE ARE STILL ON THE SAME TEAM!
Not only does tribalism kill kingdom momentum....
Point TWO
Tribalism paired with anger is deadly.
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
Imagine that you are Jesus in this moment. Verse 51 says that the days are near for him to be taken up...
Jesus knows what is in front of him. He knows the suffering and the death that is facing him…and hes dealing with his childish disicples. They are arguing over who is the greatest…they want to stop someone who isn' part of their gang. Jesus is probably shakin his head.
And just when you think that the disciples might get it....nope. They do and say something else that is stupid. (we all do this by the way)
The last part of verse 51 is crucial to the story...
Where is jesus looking? To Jerusalem.
But to get there....he as to go through Samaria.
Verse 52...
52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.
I will explain this verse to you in a different way...
August 15th 1969 in Bethel, New York. Four very inexperienced event planners accidently created the greatest music festival of their current day....known as Woodstock.
Some of you know what Im talking about but too guilty to admit it.
Some of you may have even been there. Might not remember it, but you were
Bands acts like Jimmy Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Greatful Dead, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Crosby Stills and Nash, and over 400,000 people showed up.
Needless to say the city of Bethel, NY was underprepared.
Tours learned from this mistake and now they take extreme precautions as they plan and prepare a tour.
The tour will actually send a crew of poeple into the city months, maybe years before the tour date to scope out the city and see if it can handle the crowd. Whats the seating capacity? Parking? Accomodations? Food?
This is what Jesus is doing. He sends in messengers ahead of him to let the village know that he is coming to town.
Everywhere Jesus went a crowd followed and they wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be too taxing on this small village.
The village responds to the messengers scoping out the place…verse 53
53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.
I told you guys that the final destination was going to be upsetting.
The Jews and the Samaritans HATED each other.
TALK ABOUT HOW THEY WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO AVOID SAMARIA. THEY WOULD GO THE LONG WAY AROUND
The Jewish people despised the Samaritans because they weren’t truly 100% Jewish.
You see back in the Old Testament God had a command. No interracial marriage. Not because of Race or color....but because of Theology.
God didn't want his people to marry pagans from other countries. He wanted his people to marry those who had the same view of God.
Gods commands that of his followers today. Do not be unequally yoked with non believers. If you are single, the main thing you should look for in a spouse is a loving relationship with the Lord.
But God, she is really hot…so is hell.
The Samaritans had a different view of worship as well.
The Jews thought that Jerusalem was the place of worship. The Samaritans thought that Mount Gerizim was the rightful place of worship.
So the fact that the samaritans knew that Jesus’ face was towards Jerusalem and not MT. Gerizim made them mad and consequently Jesus was not welcomed in their town.
The entire village of Samaria rejected Jesus.
Verse 54
54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
James and John thought that they proper response was inhalation.
Wipe them from the face of the earth.
James and John, they are also called the sons of thunder, their question is understandable. This village rejected their master.
They are trying to defend the one they love.
But remember, Tribalism paired with anger is deadly.
They want to ‘tell fire to fall from Heaven’
They know that from the story of Elijah (who John saw on the mount of transfiguration).
Remember the story?
Recap the story
Prophets of Baal
Sacrifices
Peter and John want to see that happen again.
Once again, Jesus is probably shaking his head as he responds in verse 55...
55 But he turned and rebuked them.
LOOK AT JOHN!
Who did Jesus rebuke??? James and John. His disciples.
He didn't rebuke the samaritans.
Both parties needed adjusting, but he only calls out his disciples.
This shows me that following christ takes radical commitment.
In Christ, there is no neutrality. You are either for him or against him. You are either his friend or his enemy. You are either a disciple or an unbeliever.
He holds us, his disciples, to a higher standard than he does the rest of the world.
Luke doesn't record the rebuke for us. He is probably like yea Im not gonna put that in there...
Verse 56...
56 And they went on to another village.
Jesus didn't make a scene. When he was faced with rejection he kept going....always focused on his mission....his face toward Jerusalem.
Nothing was going to stop him.
Same with us…when we are faced with rejection…we keep our faced focused on the mission God has for us. We go to another village.
James and John needed to hear what the apostle Paul says in romans...
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Do not be fooled, Jesus takes rejection very seriously.
Those who reject Christ deserve and will receive their punishment. Eternity separated in hell.
For those in here who reject Christ....the same is true for you. Hell is your fate.
I beg that you would trust Christ TODAY!
Believe the gospel. Trust in the work of Christ. Place faith in him and give your life to him. TODAY IS THE DAY OF SALVATION!
Jesus had every right to rain fire down on Samaria. God has every right to take out every non believer.
So why didn't he? Why don't he go ahead and kill those who reject him?
Becuase he is longsuffering.
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
God is longsuffering so that sinners may repent and be saved.
I want to share with you one more passage of scripture before we close. Stay with me. This is important.
This passage of scripture made me weep in my office this week....
4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
Why didn't Jesus call down fire and destroy the city?
He knew one day soon, Philip would come back to the village. He would proclaim the gospel and people would repent. And there would be much joy in that city.
Tribalism…either with other churches or with nonbelievers. It is dangerous. Lets kill it before it kills us.
PRAY