Certain Promises for Uncertain Times

Text: Matthew 17

Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)

Date Preached - (08/17/03)

Introduction:

ILLUS: NEWS HEADLINES of recent days – SARS, Mad Cow, West Nile &... The GREAT Blackout!

Prior to that it was Y2K and 911. Two summers in a row with Serial Snipers at large (DC in 02 and now West Virginia).

People are filled with anxious concern.

Is that anything new? NO!

The disciples had some uncertainties facing them.

The Disciples were about to embark upon difficult and different times for them. Things would change!

Christ outlines some of those changes for them in Matthew 16.

Christ’s crucifixion / resurrection / departure

They would suffer loss / loneliness / rejection / persecution.

They would face increased responsibility / greater notoriety / with the increase and success of the Gospel.

They needed a source of encouragement in such days. CH. 17 provides them and us with some wonderful encouragement!!

Chapter 17 is a demonstration of certain great promises of God needed in uncertain days.

These promises are revealed in the major events of the chapter.

These are Certain Promise for Uncertain Times

I. The Promise of God’s Presence vs.1-9

THE TRANSFIGURATION

God’s Presence is Manifest.......

A. Where He Leads Us vs.1

Higher Ground

There will be valleys along the way. Some deep gorges to cross. Some bumps on the road. There will be some wilderness experiences.

But God has our ultimate success and growth as His continuing desire for us. (Rom. 8:28-29)

SONG: If Jesus Goes with me, I’ll go anywhere.

QUOTE – The will of God will not lead us where His grace cannot keep us.

B. Where He Instructs Us vs.5-6

Holy Ground

EXAMPLE: Moses at the Burning Bush.

EXAMPLE: Isaiah in the presence of a three-times Holy God.

For us PERSONALLY – Our Holy Ground is that place in His presence where he instructs us.

In the Word of God and in Prayer!!

God help us to stand on Holy Ground, praying ground, ground of spiritual instruction!

C. Where He Touches Us vs.7-8

Heavenly Ground

EXPLAIN: Experience is not our authority. God’s Word is!!

Yet Experience is an important aspect of the spiritual life.

That place where His presence is REAL. When he touches us.

EXAMPLES – He saved us / He transforms us / He delivers us / He heals us.

II. The Promise of God’s Power vs.14-21 (Parallel Passages – Mark 9:14-29 & Luke 9:37-43)

HEALING OF THE DEMONIAC BOY – Tell Story Briefly

We move from the Mountain of Glory to the Valley of Need!

Notice several important thoughts about God’s power in this passage.

A. The Necessity of God’s Power

Human Misery

The demon was all but killing the helpless boy.

Luke 9:42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

Mark 9:26 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.

The Devil took out his desires on the boy One FINAL Time!

It’s the last Satan would have of him!

We need to declare to those hopeless and helpless in sin. Those lost and dying in sin. You can be free!! The devil can have you no more!!

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

B. The Availability of God’s Power

Freely available in unlimited supply - vs.20

Matthew 28:18-19 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

What must our Lord feel as He looks at powerless believers today?

C. The Unleashing of God’s Power

What was the Problem?

1). Lack of Faith

2). Lack of Prayer

3). Lack of Discipline

How many are like Samson of Old?

Judges 16:20 ....And he (Samson) awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.

What are the Keys? – FAITH – PRAYER - DISCIPLINE

Faith that is demonstrated in prayer and fasting. Through Private Devotion and Discipline.

Mark 9:23-24 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Faith unlocks the door – Even a little faith – Jesus said “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Vs. 20

III. The Promise of God’s Provision vs.24-27

TRIBUTE MONEY

This was an annual temple tax of a half-shekel. (Equivalent to $10-$15 in today’s money).

This tax was required of every Jew 20 years of age and older.

It originated in the days of Moses, and initially was used for the sockets of silver on which the poles of the Tabernacle were erected.

This tax was to serve as a reminder to the Jews that they had been redeemed from Egyptian Slavery.

BRIEFLY TELL STORY OF TRIBUTE MONEY.

Uniqueness of this Miracle...

1). It is a miracle recorded only by Matthew (A former Tax Collector).

2). It is the only miracle Christ performed to meet His own needs (although not exclusive to His needs).

3). It is the only miracle using money.

4). It is the only miracle that does not have the results recorded.

We don’t need that – Because Jesus said it would be so!!

1 Kings 8:5656Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

This miracle clearly illustrates the Promise and some Principles of God’s Provision.

Principles that govern God’s provision.

A. The Principle of Ownership

Psalms 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Contrast w/ “kings of the earth”

B The Principle of Lordship or Sovereignty

The Fish

C The Principle of Relationship

“the children are free”

Provision is based upon relationship.

EXPLAIN & ILLUSTRATE

D The Principle of Stewardship

They paid the tribute (Taxes)

Conclusion: (Review)

MAIN POINTS