Jesus and His Teachings

intro

You may be looking at today’s sermon title and be thinking, this sounds a bit generic. Isn’t that what we hear about every week. I want you to think of what is written on the screen as more of a statement than title. Jesus and His Teachings. There is a lot in that statement. All to often I hear people, maybe not purposely, but some purposely, trying to separate the two. Let that sink in just a moment. We have people who have come to accept 1 or another. Instead of Jesus and His teachings, its Jesus OR His teachings. For the record, if you are wondering what I am meaning by “His teachings: I mean what He has taught us in scripture, the law, covenant, sabbath keeping, love, everything prescribed by scripture.”

Matthew 5:17 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

What I mean by Jesus or Jesus only: are those who have been introduced to the kind loving savior Jesus, and learned He payed the price for our sins.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

E

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

These verses are ones I am sure you all have heard before. They are pocket verses, verses you should take with you every where you go!

So I would submit to you it is not

I would also submit to you these verses are not contradictory. Jesus is the only one who has saved us. It is by His grace alone that we are here and can be saved. Knowing this, out of response to his love and sacrifice we follow his teachings. When Jesus came to live amongst humanity in this world. He changed people. He freed people from the chains of sin. It wasn’t through force or coercion, it was with a humble loving prevailing spirit.

Though many of tried to separate Jesus from his teachings, or Jesus the savior from his teachings, as mentioned earlier, both purposely and not on purpose. I am hear to share with you today. That is 100% impossible. You cannot be saved without Jesus sacrifice, and you cannot follow Jesus and reject his teachings. It is a bond that cannot be undone. The interesting thing, is this battle or pitting grace vs works nothing new. Throughout the early church, and throughout Bible history and church history God’s people wrestled with these concepts and it causes distress, division, and hurt feelings when we don’t approach with Jesus’ own recipe:

Matthew 18:20 ESV

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

Matthew

I stand here today to tell you, I believe in the saving, redemptive power of Jesus and I believe in his teachings. Today as I share the message today, I want to ask that everyone here would open their hearts to receive a blessing and also and humbly recieve encouragement to make changes where God is calling you to. Before I go any further, lets take a moment to pray.

pray

Body

As someone who has grown up in the church my entire 28 years of life, particularly in a pastors family, I was quick to learn, not all Christians get a long, not all Adventist Christians get a long. Not all adventist christians can even sit in the same worship service. For the most part, in my experience, most people are blaming the others for these reasons rather than asking God if there is something inward that is preventing fellowship with one another. As a young person, I used to think the debates were mostly about music, hymns vs contemporary praise music, guitars and drums vs organ. As I have grown, I realize these issues far deeper than just simply music. Generational, cultural, theological perspective and differences have led to widening divides.

Is that what we believe Heaven will be like, fragmented members of God’s body of believers? Or worse, do you have the expectation that certain fragments will not be there at all? Whether you are right or wrong in that assumption, I would challenge you, what are you doing to seek those whom you perceive to be lost? Are you praying for them, are you reaching out to them, if you have reasoned those lost are lost, and there is nothing you can do for them…I would suggest to you, the devil has some sort of grip on you as well. If we are on Jesus’s side and followers of His teachings truly, our hearts are breaking for those lost in sin. God takes no pleasure in condemnation, and neither should we.

We have arrived at a time, where pastors who preach about grace and Jesus are often accused of ignoring doctrines and present truth. We have also arrived at a time when a pastor or speaker challenges us to live differently from the world, that that message is to legalistic and unloving! Its because we continually pit grace vs christian living, and if we continue to do so, I believe we are attempting to cripple the Holy Spirit’s impact on the world, by fragmenting extreme assemblies.

I don’t know about you, I want to know what scripture provides for us as help to navigate the conversation, which pulls together God’s people. Turn with me to the book of Galatians chapter 5:

There was a problem that Christians in Galatia were facing. Should they embrace Jewish laws and practices?

This law vs faith or faith vs works question kept popping up where ever was preaching to or writing to, whether Galatia, Rome, Ephesus, philipi. This is the reason Paul, so many times, in his letters has to contextualize his words, and demonstrate clarity in his messages so that understanding could be reached by those whom he was ministering to. The people of Galatia wanted to follow God “correctly.” However, they seemed to want an instructions manual.

One of the areas Galatia was confused on was circumcision. Circumcision was introduced to Abraham by God as an instruction as a physical sign identifying them as God’s chosen people. However, in the new covenant that was made for God’s people after Christ’s death, (no longer simply the bloodline of the Jewish people) circumcision was no longer an identifying mark necessary, and had no spiritual significance. He says,

Galatians 5:2–4 ESV

Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

What Paul, here is teaching, is not diminishing the law. He is simply stating that law keeping does not make a man or woman righteous by itself. He is warning against falling away from God’s grace, because only through Jesus saving ability, are we changed! Meeting the savior for the first time creates new believers. Its being introduced to a savior who loves you while still knowing your past. He offers a fulfilled life unlike anything the world can.

Galatians 5:5–6 ESV

For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

Love, grace, faith: That’s what is transforming to a new believer. This is what leads us into receiving righteousness. This is what leads us into embracing a lifestyle aligned with how God asks us to live. This leads us to follow His teachings!

Galatians 5:7–10 ESV

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

Vs 9

9 This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough!

What is this false teaching Paul is referring to: It was the teachers who placed ordinances over experiencing Jesus.

Desire of ages commentates this as being the state of the Jews when Jesus came.

Desire of Ages Chapter 2—The Chosen People

As they departed from God, the Jews in a great degree lost sight of the teaching of the ritual service. That service had been instituted by Christ Himself. In every part it was a symbol of Him; and it had been full of vitality and spiritual beauty. But the Jews lost the spiritual life from their ceremonies, and clung to the dead forms. They trusted to the sacrifices and ordinances themselves, instead of resting upon Him to whom they pointed. In order to supply the place of that which they had lost, the priests and rabbis multiplied requirements of their own; and the more rigid they grew, the less of the love of God was manifested. They measured their holiness by the multitude of their ceremonies, while their hearts were filled with pride and hypocrisy.

With all their minute and burdensome injunctions, it was an impossibility to keep the law. Those who desired to serve God, and who tried to observe the rabbinical precepts, toiled under a heavy burden. They could find no rest from the accusings of a troubled conscience. Thus Satan worked to discourage the people, to lower their conception of the character of God, and to bring the faith of Israel into contempt. He hoped to establish the claim put forth when he rebelled in heaven,—that the requirements of God were unjust, and could not be obeyed. Even Israel, he declared, did not keep the law.

Desire of Ages Chapter 2—The Chosen People

This state of affairs caused widespread discontent. Popular outbreaks were frequent. Greed and violence, distrust and spiritual apathy, were eating out the very heart of the nation.

And it was happening still in the early church, back to what we read in galatians;

“the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.”

Personally, that is a sobering message to hear. Makes me wonder in my life, if I’ve ever been the person causing confusion in the hearts of people I’ve been trying to help.

In fact, in an earlier chapter in Galatians Paul has to call out the apostle, and former leading direct disciple of Jesus, Peter. Peter was trying play both sides. When he was with gentiles, he would receive them with love and lead them to a graceful, loving God. But if there was a Jewish believer in his midst, suddenly superiority found him and Jewish tradition took place his Christ centered message. This attitude was not of God. Paul had to remind him the message was for everyone. Paul wasn’t looking down on him because Peter was ministering to Jewish believers, they needed the message as bad as the gentiles. He was just being a straight shooter here with Peter, as I’m sure he was with many. Reaching jews with messages of entitlement was not the good news message Jesus had called them to preach. The traditions themselves were not evil, but many had become a crutch for ministering to new believers. The intention may not have been to say, “God cannot love you unless you are circumcised.” But to a new believer, it may very well have sounded like so, “You cannot enter the kingdom of God unless you have been circumcised.” Now the questions make it back to Paul, are we to honor the Jewish traditions, and the law of Moses? The answer was simple. Vs. 14

14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”15 But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Follow the Law God has laid before you as part of the new covenant, in service to each other, as Christ served you as well. Let the love of God transform your life and live as he has called you to live. You are liberated! You are called to freedom, freedom in Christ Jesus. God’s love is not something that chains you to a wall, it is something that liberates us from hatred, addiction, gossip, self serving, racism, spite, and revenge. God’s law is in place for our benefit, so that we might know the life God has called us into with his love! But somehow we find ways to make it feel like jail cell. I can’t do this, I can’t do that. Rather we should approach it as God has called me to this, God has called me to that….God has called me to share with that person, God has called me to help that person.

Paul again has to clarify his words. Vs 13

13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.

Our sinful nature is what compels us to try and use God’s words against him and say because you have freed me, I can sin and sin without consequence. You know the devil is involved, when you see that kind of argument. The world tells us we should live how we see fit and no one can judge me for my practices. We live in a quote on quote free country, but do we not have laws in place that govern the way we live. Jesus sacrifice liberated us from the chains of sin, and somehow we keep chaining ourselves back down. Our liberation was not given as a means for us to wallow in sin, but was given as a means that we might walk boldly proclaiming the transformation God has placed in our lives. Vs 24

Galatians 5:24–25 ESV

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Gal. 5:

Now as you hear this, do you hear Paul say: “alright now it doesn’t matter how you live, Christ died for you!” “No you hear, Christ died so that you could be saved, now go live your life for him!”

You also don’t hear him talking about works or the ordinances saving you, in facts he warns clearly about being the stumbling block to believers and new-believers alike.

When we are being led by the Spirit, we can know that He is leading us how God has called us to live. Remember, previously, we talked about instruction manuals. The people of Galatia wanted one. They wanted to know what they needed to do to inherit salvation. Paul, was working to convert their hearts. He wasn’t looking for them to break away from the Law of God, he was calling them to a life the Law calls us to as well as beyond where the words may not specifically address. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Earlier, I Addressed this false mindset, which might suggest the freedom Paul speaks of is one outside of accountability by anyone or anything. Looking here at verses 16 and 17, it suggests the nature of flesh is that of sinful desire and that walking by the Spirit, indeed does hold us accountable compelling us against our natural sinful lusts, desires, and tendencies.

For instance, scripture may not specifically go into clear detail about consuming alcohol being sin. Personally, I would suggest it does more than people think it does. But for arguments sake; It does clearly speak against the effects of alcohol and against getting drunk. I’ve heard the argument several times well as long as I’m not getting drunk, a glass of wine or an individual beer is perfectly acceptable. Understanding now that the Holy Spirit is leading us away from things that would tempt us into further sin, I would have a difficult time believing that consuming alcohol or drugs would be something the Spirit would lead us into. Thats an example, but could be interchangeable with countless deeds we participate in that has the potential to lead us away from God. That being said, I can assure, God will use you lovingly speak these truths to those who would listen, he hasn’t asked you to be the policeman for every such activity throwing people to the dungeon for every percieved fall or failure. Live out Christ’s example and lovingly reproach, as the Holy Spirit leads!

It’s our sinful nature that tells us, I can do this much and not cross the line when it comes to sin. I’m sorry but if I am sinful by nature, what makes me think I won’t eventually succumb to my desires. When it comes to drugs and alcohol or maybe a little pornographic images, or maybe just a little bit of whatever …Those kind of decisions are not Spirit led, those are human rationalizations that scripture warns us about. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I’m not trying get you to fall into the opposite extreme, which condemns a man for sinning without room for redemption. That’s just leads us back to the chains of slavery. We are sinful by nature, we are going to slip up. The good news is, God loves us and is always there to pour out his mercy, grace, and love when we sincerely come to him in repentance.

Well the next question is asked. Okay freedom is found in the Spirit. How can I be assured I am following the Spirit, and not simply my own human will or human rationalization?

The answer is found in the fruit that comes about. Verse 22-24 indicate what this fruit looks like. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

From an exegetical standpoint, first off we can see that what the Spirit has led us into, is nothing contrary to the law but is quite in line with the law. The conclusion I am coming to is not that Paul does not suggest we are liberated from accountability to the Law, what I see is in fact, we are liberated from the shackles of sinful desires, lusts, and behaviors that have crippled us. When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, suddenly we won’t be confused anymore about those “gray areas” and we can recognize the life God has called us to.

The chapter closes in verse 25 and 26. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Then the same author, Paul shares with a different audience in Ephasus a message with similar parallels in approaching one another, with practical methods not involving hostility.

Please indulge me a little more, and turn with me to Ephesian chapter 4, verse 1:

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Notice the balance in which Paul instructs here. Paul’s remark urges his readers to live in harmony with their calling from which they have received. He is addressing the believers specifically in their proclaiming of the gospel as well as correction of other believers. The easiest tendency is to live out this instruction partially. I would submit, Paul is suggesting, it’s not just about living righteously as possible, but in helping others there must be a tenderness and humility involved. Even in living under the convictions that God has called us to, it is very easy leave out the patience it takes.

Look at verse 4.

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul here, speaking with authority as well as encouragement toward gentiles and Jewish believers alike speaks of the body referring to the whole church of believers, remembering there is 1 God who is Lord over the church body. This concept of a what the church body looks like and how it should function drawn out though out the book of Ephesians. Paul makes the point that I would like us today to remember. Our church body, and church family is to remain UNITED by living by the Spirit. We’ve already talked about what the fruits of the spirit are, if you don’t remember go back look at . Here in these opening verses of you can see that walking by the Spirit is one that is in unity in a “bond of peace.”

Another point I would like to submit, because of the uniqueness of spiritual gifts that God has for each of His children, we as a church body/church family are stronger united than grouped off in different fragments.

Somehow we as a world church have allowed ourselves to separate into different fragments so far a part it sometimes doesn’t even feel like we are a part of the same church family, same church body of believers in Christ Jesus. We have generational fragments, worship style fragments, racially segregated fragments, and cultural fragments. My experience has been that most individual church bodies have a little of most sprinkled into each body, but typically one overwhelming majority within each class of believers. Sadly because we tend to fear the chaos of joining together and bearing each others burdens, we remain separated into our classes and fragments and don’t have the unity God is calling us to.

Move down to verse 11.

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Have any of you ever been a part of a choir? The first thing I had to learn was how to sing harmony. I like to only sing the melody, but having a voice that never really has a little bit of tenor and bare tone sometimes I was asked to do both. I’ll tell you the bare tones and bases aren’t too noticeable until they are missing and suddenly the music is not as pleasant to the ears. Another thing that can make for some awful music is when the different groups cannot respond to cues and when the timing is all off. We had a conductor who was not afraid to stop in the middle of a song during a performance and restart if thing timing was being thrown off. The bass’s, the baritones, tenors, altos, and sopranos all had specific roles as well as talents but are able to make much better music while working together while following the conductor.

Jesus and His teachings, grace and the law are woven together and cannot and we must not try to separate them.

The message, or more specifically the Adventist message gleaned from scripture is one of Hope! Prophecy proclaims Hope, grace is Hope, the law is Hope, in fact the law is Freedom! And as the devil seeks to divide our church, or divide us by means of separating the body of Christ by the “grace only” or “Jesus only” crowd from and also tempt others into a “works centric” form false salvation message.

Paul reminds His listeners of their baptism commitment from old man to new man being reborn in Christ and living accordingly. He does however warn against this temptation to be overly critical and describes something very similar to Pharisee during Christ’s time.

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.

The devil absolutely loves to divide God’s people by exploiting their anger, and naivety to their own feeling of self-righteous attitudes. When we are Spirit led, discernment is used in correction.

Verse 31

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

I believe Paul’s messages to the believers in Ephesus, Galatia, Corinth, and so on are necessary for us whether we are identified as a conservative, liberal, republican, democrat, independent, elderly, teenager, young adult, middle aged, red, yellow, black, or white, well read in the scriptures, or a new believer. We all are playing a role in the body of Christ, and may we not, as it says in verse 30, grieve the Holy Spirit any longer, with our bickering and ridiculing each other anymore.

May we find unity in what binds us, our belief and faith in Jesus Christ as our savior. This belief is what changes us. This belief in Christ as our savior as the author of our faith. It is because of Him we are committed to following his teachings, We follow the blueprint He layed us in scripture.

Mrs. White says, “If God's professed people would receive the light as it shines upon them from His word, they would reach that unity for which Christ prayed, that which the apostle describes, "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." "There is," he says, "one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism." (referencing where we began in verse 3-5 of ). This unity, Mrs. White is talking about is connected to the 1st angel of the 3 angels message.

Sounds to me like we have work to do. My church family, we have a remnant message that we should be spreading to those people around us. We need to unite, not separate further.

Today our closing hymn is Jesus PAID IT ALL. On the final stanza of the hymn I’m going to step down at the front and if anyone would like to join me and come standing united together as a committed church family, I am going to offer a prayer asking God to lead us and unite us in His mission!