WTS - Renew A Right Spirit within Me

Renew A Right Spirit within Me

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Revelation 1:4–20 NIV

John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. On the Lord’s Day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet, which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.” I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:4-20

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10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

-12King James Version (KJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God;

and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence;

and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;

and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Hymn: “Create in me a clean heart, O God

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; Take not Thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And renew a right spirit within me.

Text: Matthew 12:43-50

Matthew 12:43–50 NIV

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

What can we draw from this pericope today?

Through whose lens do we interpret this text today?

In His response…he doesn’t address them but instead points His response toward a wicked generation…He could be speaking to our current generation today.

But from what lens do we interpret this text today?

From the Pharisee?

From the Teachers? Those in Seminary…If you don’t maintain the right relationship with Christ, then you are opening yourself up to demonic attacks.

From the Gentiles? Did he just elevate the people of nineva?

From the Teachers?

From the Women? Did he just elevate a foreign woman?The lens of Liberation: This is the lion of Juda that will liberate us from these wretched Romans or today…those in power.

The lens of thOn the surface, some might want to focus on the demonic spirits and the consequences rejecting Jesus…how these spirit return and what that implies…healing, God protection, Liberation or

We can try to understand the frustration of Jesus as these forces try to stop him from spreading the Gospel…about persevering, overcoming, remaining focused in our ministries... or instead, today I want us to see it as a motivation continuously ask the Father to RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN US...

From the disenfranchised?

From those in positional authority?

Jesus was warning His listeners that they are always but one decision away from drawing closer or moving away from the Father.

From the lens of a woman?

In the text…we see Christ painting three Pictures:

A - Christ wants us to examine the type of house we have...The Christian with a clean and empty house must fill it with something.

We can fill it with Indifference? (Gamaliel) - - “15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

We can fill it with Pride? (Pharisee) - says, “ 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

We can fill it with Ideology (Teachers) - “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil”

This is what I hear Jesus saying.... “By what spirit do you want to be led? You know what I am saying is true but you are not willing because of fear to take a stand for me, you are so confident that you do not need my presence, and you are trying to push your agenda instead of mine as if I cannot get it done without you...”

B - Christ is also portraying a possible consequence of having the wrong mindset occupying the house. Christians are always one decision away from shifting to an emotional extreme. (My Facebook Post)

Leon Morris correctly describes this by stating that, “Jesus is talking about having a pleasant, moral reformation, but, [unfortunately], with the man [or woman] thinking that he [or she] is still in control of himself and yet have no [internal] reference to the Spirit of God. The man [or woman] is empty; he [or she] is open to invasion from all kinds of evil, and in fact the original spirit comes back with reinforcements” [this is your old man, your dark side]

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” .

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

In martial arts, I taught my students that when you turn away from your opponent, you lose your power…An example of the Holy Spirit departing can be found with King Saul who did not trust God and Samson who was self-confident. These are examples of losing the presence of the Holy Spirit and not realizing it.

In martial arts, I taught my students that when you turn away from your opponent, you lose your power…King Saul and Samson are other examples of losing the presence of the Holy Spirit and not realizing it.

This also reminds me of a young man named Saul...

Listen to this text, , “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul…And Saul approved of their killing him.”

You could argue that Paul had a clean house…Paul said in “as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” Paul’s confidence was based on the wrong premise…that his perceptions of reality was equal or greater to that of God’s expectation...

Notice how Paul, at the time named Saul, completely succumbed to his emotional theological perspective that shifted his mindset toward destruction once he approved of Steven’s death… from a spectator fueled by indifference, pride and ideology to a fanatic…

- “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” So what does the enemy do in ? Steal, Kill and... Destroy - Paul’s decision created the opportunity to allow even more demonic spirit to influence and enter his house.

How can we discern between the Holy Spirit and Demonic spirits if we remove the essence of God’s Spirit…love, mercy and grace?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

C - Lastly, Christ wants you to know that all who are in His presence are His disciples. When Jesus pointed to His Disciples, he was including the Pharisees, teachers, tax collectors, blue collar, rich, poor…and especially women.

- “15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.

They seemed to be indifferent…afraid to commit and wanting more confirmation…Jesus responds, not exclusively toward them, but to a larger audience, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign!”

This reminds me of

- “15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Leon Morris describes it this way, “Jesus is underlining the impossibility of being neutral on moral issues... ” Are you in or out?

Jesus in this story is trying to describe the clean empty house as a house that is not a home. In other words, it may be clean, but it lacked the right inhabitance, it had no clear direction…without vision people perish.

Notice that his mother and brothers thought their position surpassed the mission of Christ…, “Standing outside, they sent someone to call him” - Imagine someone entering the chapel while your preaching to get your attention and inform you that your Mom and Brothers want to talk with you now.

The enemy can use anyone to distract you from your ministry… In this case the enemy uses the Pharisees and Teachers, and then uses His Mother and Brothers to keep him off balance.

Jesus then responds, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (vs. 50) - it’s not that Jesus disrespected his family…but more that he honored those who were present and receiving His teaching. They got their priorities in place.

TRANSITION: When our perspective or view becomes skewed or unclear, we typically develop an attitude of over confidence…we know what is best..

TRANSITION: But now we we move into verse 44 - Leon Morris correctly describes by stating that, “Jesus is talking about a pleasant, moral reformation, but with the man thinking that he is still in control of himself and with no reference to the Spirit of God. The man is empty; he is open to invasion from all kinds of evil, and in fact the original spirit comes back with reinforcements”

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Matthew 8. The Return of the Unclean Spirit, 12:43–45

Jesus is talking about a pleasant, moral reformation, but with the man thinking that he is still in control of himself and with no reference to the Spirit of God. The man is empty; he is open to invasion from all kinds of evil, and in fact the original spirit comes back with reinforcements

Not only do we learn to maintain the right perspective, but we also learn that...

In Conclusion:

B - Christ is trying to Prevent further deterioration of our own spirit:

Jesus didn’t say that the house was dirty…He said it was clean and put in order…sounds like an over confident person.

4 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

I am reminded of the young Saul...

In his important work, Spirit, Pathos, and Liberation: Toward an Hispanic Pentecostal Theology, an Alum of Western Theological Seminary, Samuel Solivan, talks about this concept of Ortho-Pathos.

This also reminds me of a young man named Saul...

Listen to this text, , “Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul…And Saul approved of their killing him.”

C - This story is about the distractions caused by the enemy to stop the spread of the gospel.

Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

You could argue that Paul had a clean house…Paul said in “as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.” Paul’s confidence at the time primed the enemy to shift his perception of spiritual reality...

as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Until he approved of Steven’s death…notice how he much more fanatical he becomes afterwards...

Christ is teaching us to view those around us from the intersection of the cross and not simply at the ends...

Notice how his own spirit deteriorated and shifted toward destruction once he approved of Steven’s death…notice how he transitioned from an honorable cause in his sight (although against Christ) to a radical fanatic as he embarked on a new mission to persecute the church… When Sin overcomes…Sin literally takes over and consumes your house as it did with Saul...

Until he approved of Steven’s death…notice how he much more fanatical he becomes afterwards...

- “But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” So what does the enemy do in ? Steal, Kill and... Destroy - Paul’s decision created the opportunity to allow even more demonic spirit to influence and enter his house.

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.

C - This story is about the distractions caused by the enemy to stop the spread of the gospel.

How can we discern between the Holy Spirit and Demonic spirits? As Ministers of the Word we must be able to discern the truth…not allow our false perspectives to determine a course of destruction for us and others.

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

- This is what the Lord says, “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ - Will that be your response at the intersection of the Cross?

C - Christ was also trying model his tenacity by staying focused on the mission...

The enemy can use anyone to distract you from your ministry… In this case the enemy uses the Pharisees and Teachers, and then uses His Mother and Brothers to keep him off balance.

Sister Mary, I know you needed

Jesus then responds, “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (vs. 50) - it’s not that Jesus disrespected his family…but more that he honored those who were present and receiving His teaching. They got their priorities in place.

This pericope encourages me, and I hope you as well, that we need to guard our hearts, our actions, our decisions and our motives by continuously asking God to RENEW A RIGHT SPIRIT WITHIN US.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation

and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

THIS IS THE WORD OF THE LORD.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; Take not Thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And renew a right spirit within me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; Take not Thy holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; And renew a right spirit within me.