Growing Pains of Joy

Scriptures: Titus 3:9, Luke 1:1-4, John 14:25-26, Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 4:32, Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Peter 3:15 John 16:19-22, James 1:12-18, Luke 15:7, Luke 15:10, 1 Peter 1:3-9, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Good morning. I am so grateful that we are a praying congregation. Over this week while I was away for work the calls for prayers, the praise reports, just fill my heart with hope and joy for what the Lord is doing among us in Jesus’ name, for His Glory and Honor. (Slide) The Holy Spirit is moving in Burlington, in our individual lives and in our families because we are seeking God’s face, God’s will, and God’s presence. Not only on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week as well. A church family that prays across generations and has for over a hundred years prayed not only for those who are with us now, but for those who will come after us. Generational prayer that leads to others being birthed into the Kingdom of God. Because He Is Risen.

(Slide) The stone was rolled away, and our resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has overcome sin and death for all eternity. For God wants none to perish, but everyone to come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. Everyone. No matter what they look like, dress like, their family heritage. Everyone to confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior with their mouths, believe in their hearts that God raised from the dead, and be baptized into new life by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We’re in a series that I’ve titled Growing Pains because while we can have every confidence that the Lord our God is moving in Burlington, and Union City, and Tekonsha and throughout the region, growth can create conflict. This space the Lord has provided for us will be used more and more, as it should be. It hardly seems like a whole month has passed since Easter. Two weeks ago we talked about some foundational scriptures for what we as the Burlington Church of God believe in to help guide us during the growth and changes that are coming.

(Slide) Titus 3:9 9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Watching what’s going on in the world and in this country, we can see that kind of behavior going on all around us. That’s not what those of us who believe in Jesus Christ and confess to be Christians are supposed to be about. If we are walking firmly in obedience to the Lord, guided by the power of His word and the Holy Spirit there are no foolish controversies, arguments and quarrels because the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are in unity.

As Pastor Carron shared last week from Acts. Acts was written by Luke, a physician. It’s a really a continuation of Luke’s testimony which, to remind you, begins. Slide Luke 1:1-4 1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. Luke was not only an eyewitness, and a servant of the Most High God in following Christ, in travelling in ministry with Paul, but he fully investigated that we might be certain that not only about the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, but the resurrection of Jesus Christ historically took place. Along with so much more written in the testimonies and letters we have as an example of the calling God has placed on our lives.

Simon Peter, the fisherman who doubted, who was ready to go to fight to remove the Romans from ruling in Israel, (Slide) who at the Garden of Gethsemane cut an ear off Malchus, the servant of the high priest Caiaphas, whom Jesus then healed on the spot. Peter, who denied the Lord three times and ran away. Peter, whom Jesus restored to full forgiveness after the resurrection is now, as Luke testifies in Acts, leading The Way as it was known for over 100 years because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

(Slide) Luke’s testimony in Acts 2 as The Day of Pentecost comes just as Jesus promised in John 14:25-26 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

(Slide) Jews from every nation are gathered in Jerusalem and accusing the believers, not just the apostles, of being drunk and that same Peter is who failed Christ, begins preaching and teaching under the authority and power of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:41 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.A few days later that number grows even though Peter and John have been arrested by the religious leaders. Understandably right, because well Peter is preaching in and around the Temple, and there’s a system in place. A system of hierarchy, of men in power, a system of sacrifice, and tithing, and rules that don’t serve God or His creation because those in power aren’t doing God’s will. They’re serving themselves. Acts 4:4 4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.

Not surprising, given the culture of the time, of those who believed in Jesus Christ as the risen Lord, it’s the men who are counted and have grown to about five thousand. But we know from other testimonies in the bible that of course there were women and children who came to a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Some of the men were single because they hadn’t had a bath in a year, so they weren’t even courting a young lady yet until after they get baptized in the Jordan, or a mikvah.

How ever many thousands of believers in Jesus there are that point in time, Pastor Carron reminded you last week, (Slide)that the believers were unified. They were one in heart, mind, spirit, purpose, and activity. Acts 4:32 32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

Just so we’re clear, I’m not calling you to sell everything you own and give it to Burlington Church of God. What you tithe, if you tithe. What you give beyond tithing, is between you and the Lord. God gives us all time, talent and treasure in varying degrees for His purposes according to His riches in Glory. In this congregation we do not judge each other by what someone has to give or has given. Many of us prefer to give without recognition. So when you pray, spend more time listening to the Holy Spirit than you do asking God to do something for you, and be obedient to what He places on your heart. Amen?

What our Heavenly Father does call us to though is unity as we, even two thousand years later, work to fulfill a command from Jesus given after the resurrection in the great commission.

(Slide) Matthew 28:16-20 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

(Slide) We, as a congregation, as a family of believers in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are working together to prepare this space, and the additional building we have for God to use in this region for His purposes. Not for Jon’s or Tom’s or Bob’s or Julie’s or Tom’s or any individuals personal gain, but that the Lord will use all of us, and all that He has given us to heal this generation, and to raise up the next generation. That means making changes and improvements to both buildings.

Making this space available for others to use, as we will of course celebrating the life of Dorkas Roberts on Saturday. As we have previously for birthday parties and anniversaries, and later this month for a high school graduation. The first of many ways that we share the Gospel, is to invite the community, friends, family, co-workers to come and visit us because God gave us this incredible space for it to be used. By being seen as a family of servants, that love the Lord so much, that we don’t judge others who visit us. We invite them in, we serve them, we love them, and then pray for the healing to begin. Whatever that healing need may be.

I know that I’m repetitive. I am when I teach during the week as well because the Lord has placed this burden on my heart. (Slide) 1 Peter 3:15 15But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope, the joy that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. We invite others into Burlington, we invite others into this family, His family. We invite others to spend time to learn a little bit more about the Lord our God who created the heavens and the earth and everything therein. The same God who created each of us. We do that with the same mercy and grace that He has extended to each of us as the Holy Spirit moved upon us to realize that we need Him. We need our risen Lord and savior as ever other human being, every child that God has known since they were formed in their mother’s womb needs the Lord whether they know it today or not.

In the last week before Jesus was crucified, as He continue to teach, whether by word or by his sacrifice he taught right up until the moment He gave himself fully to the Father’s will, and then began teaching again as soon as He rose from the dead. The testimony of John, one of the sons of Thunder as Jesus called them, the sons of Zebedee talks about Jesus warning the disciples not only about his arrest, torture and death, but what was to come in the world after His resurrection.

Let’s look at (Slide) John 16:19-22 19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

Let’s draw just these first verses into today. It’s not hard to see that the enemy of our Lord, the master distractor wants to pull us away from God’s plans and purposes. (Slide) And if what you see going on in the community, the state, our country and the world causes you pain and sadness, it should. The world away from God rejoices in success that comes at the expense of others, that celebrates wealth and artificial beauty with no concern for anyone else in God’s creation, only for self, for lust, for power. Listening to, reading, or watching the news should send us to our knees praying that God will bring salvation to humanity. Oh wait, He already did. Amen? Let’s continue in John.

We know that the victory has already been won. That Jesus of Nazareth gave himself as a living sacrifice for all humanity and rose from the grave three days later with eternal victory over sin and death. That we might be able to walk in that same victory. If you haven’t been listening, it’s time to do so. When was the last time you let the Lord use you, to ease someone else’s pain and suffering. To help bring them the peace of mind and joy that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and then choosing to follow the Lord. Not by beating them over the head with their failures, but by doing what Christ did. By gently loving them no matter where there they are today.

Overcoming the sin, the addictions, the things we think and do in our human lives that are offensive to God is a daily journey. At times we may not even be aware that at in a given moment we are sinning against the Lord because we’ve placed our selfish desires ahead of His perfect plans for us. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But that doesn’t mean that we aren’t called to a life of increasing holiness, a life of service, sacrifice and obedience to the Lord. We are. And that joy that comes from walking in obedience and service to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is a joy unlike anything humans could create.

Let’s leave John for a moment to the words of James, the brother of Jesus. (Slide) James 1:12-18 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

The master distractor wants to keep us from walking in obedience to God’s commands. We will have temptation around us all the time. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

There is that word again. Birth. God chose to give us birth through the word of truth. When we have been birthed into His family. Into the Kingdom, He created us to belong to from the very beginning of time. Verse 18, He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. The Greek word translated as firstfruits is aparche (ap-ar-khay). It’s a feminine noun and it means sacrifice. (Slide) From the beginning in the Hebrew bible, God asked us to give the earliest crop of the year, the best of our livestock, the first 10% of our earnings as a recognition of who God is and what He’s done for us. He gave His firstfruits, His one and only begotten Son as a sacrifice for us. When God gives birth to us spiritually, through Jesus Christ who is the living word, when we read the bible, His word, the Holy Spirit moves within us towards increased obedience and service to His Kingdom.

No matter the pain and suffering that exists in this life and on this earth we can overcome that because we know it’s only temporary. No matter how hard it seems now. The pain passes, and there is the joy of the Lord on the other side if we just remain faithful to Him.

Let’s return to Jesus’ words again in John 16:21-22.

21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. The Greek word for joy here is also a feminine noun. Chara (kharah). (Slide) And this one of the reason’s we need to dig a little bit into the original languages because it’s not just a matter of “Oh how happy you have made me, oh how happy you have made me.” Remember Jesus is teaching the disciples just before he’s going to be arrested in the Garden. He’s not referring to us for example, as living this entire earthly life in pain and suffering, he’s telling the disciples that after the resurrection, joy will be restored. Just like the pain and suffering we feel when we’re separated from God, is turned to joy when we are resurrected to new life when we rise up out of the water confessing Christ as Lord and being baptized.

(Slide) Luke 15:7 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. This is so important that Jesus repeats in the next parable about the woman who lost a coin in her house. Just as we are more precious than gold or silver to our Father in heaven who is seeking us.

(Slide) Luke 15:10 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

When we come before the Lord, confessing that we are not perfect and that we need Jesus Christ in our lives, we’re not perfect. If we were perfectly good, unfallen, unashamed and completely obedient to who God created us to be there would have been no reason for Jesus to give himself as a sacrifice on the cross. We all know that we weren’t, and even now aren’t exactly everything that God wants to us to be. We still fall down at times. For those being baptized next week that won’t make them perfect. It is just the first step of obedience in a journey with the Lord that will last for all eternity. Just as Peter did and others have made mistakes, we all will as at times we let our desires get in the way of His desires for us. Yet I have great hope church family.

(Slide) 1 Peter 1:3-9 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Next week will be a wonderful, different, amazing time together as first we dedicate some children to the Lord, too young to make a decision for Christ, and then we will spend the entire service praising the Lord, and baptizing those who have chosen to publicly confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Mother’s Day, honestly, than to ask the Lord to birth a new spiritual growth into our family here, of growing in our knowledge, our understanding, our ability to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Amen. Each baptism is a both a praise offering to God, and a sermon in obedience to the word. It will be a joyous occasion. Praise God.

As part of our remembering what Christ did for us, we take communion here on the first Sunday of every month. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.