You Can't Teach a Sneech (2)
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
“The Sneeches” is one of my favorite Dr. Seuss books
Read the book
YouVersion: You Can’t Teach a Sneech
We’re in Ephesians 2:11-22
11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
Circumcision refers to the Jewish people, uncircumcision refers to gentiles
Cutting of the foreskin of your man part was a symbol of being a part of God’s chosen people - the Israelites
God institutes it in Genesis 17
9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.
INTERESTING FACTS:
Hebrew = brit milah (Ashenazi) bris milah (Yiddish)
8th day means Wednesday to Wednesday (unless after sunset)
May be performed on the Sabbath (Shabbat) although blood drawing blood is otherwise forbidden
Can be delayed for health reasons (then 7 day wait from healthy declaration)
The father makes the decision (or the child once an adult)
Circumciser or mohel (moil) is pious observant Jew educated in Law and surgical technique
Even if a rabbi blesses it otherwise, it doesn’t count (even if by a physician)
Means most men in here who are circumcised don’t count
May have symbolic circumcision or hatafat dam brit (hate-a-fat dam breet)
Involves a pinprick taking blood from the tip of the penis (no thanks, I’ll stay Christian)
The god-father (sandek) has the honor of holding the child
Usually a grandparent or the family rabbi
An ornate chair is set aside for Elijah who presides over all circumcisions
Blessings are recited, and the baby is given wine on a pacifier or a drop
The doctor pulls, clamps, trims and sometimes the baby doesn’t even cry
Used to use flint knives
Anesthetics have only been used since the 1980’s
Then the child is given a formal Hebrew name and the foreskin is buried
Then there is usually a festive meal with dancing and refreshments
Of course, the guy who got circumcised never participates in the dancing...
Now that seems weird… but its important
It was a “sign”
Bill Engvall talks about signs
Roll on deodorant - “Do not roll on eyes...” REALLY?
Bill says we just give people signs and we won’t sell them stuff!
Tash say’s she wants a sign so she’ll never have to serve on a jury!
Signs tell us things
Numbers on sports jerseys, men/women signs on restrooms, stop signs...
Circumcision is also a sign…
David Guzik: “For a Jew it means ‘I'm not like the other nations. I listen to God and do what He says I should do.’”
This is a HUGE deal to Jews and to God
14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
Not something to be dismissed or ignored
Became a symbol of pride
In fact, Paul uses it for his credentials
4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
For us it’s weird, can’t imagine someone bragging about being circumcised!
But for a Hebrew this is indicative of their identity!
When Jesus came, His ministry was focused on the Jews
In Matthew 15 Jesus delays in helping a non-Jewish woman’s daughter
He says He came for the lost sheep in the house of Israel
Then as she begs Him, He says, “It’s not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.”
That sounds like a mean thing to say!
Jesus isn’t calling her a dog specifically...
He’s saying that His purpose is to come to Israel first - that is part of God’s covenant to Israel
27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
Jesus healed her AFTER she acknowledged that Israel held a special position, and all she was asking for is “crumbs”
That’s because healing a possessed girl is just a crumb...
When you think that the bread is Jesus Himself, who came to bring hope and salvation
That bread, was reserved for the children of Israel FIRST
1. We were once different
1. We were once different
Jews and gentiles were not equal
God made a special covenant with Israel
Israel was in a state that was better than anyone!
The Scriptures, the Law AND the Savior all came to Israel!
THAT is worthy of high honor!
Although that was true, it didn’t stay that way:
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Wow, so as far as we once were, the blood of Christ has closed the gap
1. We were once different, but in Christ we are the same
1. We were once different, but in Christ we are the same
Although the Jewish people were the FIRST, they are not the ONLY
Romans 1:16 (ESV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Greek doesn’t mean God only loves Jews and Greeks...
It’s means Jew first, then everyone else...
But we need to know something — it’s all about Jesus
For both Jews and gentiles without Jesus, you are as far away from God as ever
If you think you can get closer to God through anything other than Christ, you’re mistaken
It’s Buddhism, Islam, Spiritualism, science, philosophy, the Law, a certain church...
It’s the blood of Jesus PERIOD
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.
Jesus is about reconciling you, and individual, to God
But that’s not the only thing He does...
He also fosters reconciliation between people
2. Reconciliation comes through Christ’s peace
2. Reconciliation comes through Christ’s peace
Let me be clear, Jesus doesn’t foster peace and reconciliation for every group...
Just the groups that are under Him…
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.
How can we talk about Christ bringing peace, when He said He doesn’t bring peace?
The walls between Jews and gentiles have been broken down
We find peace in that we are both reconciled to God!
But not everyone gets reconciled to God
For those who are not reconciled to God, there will be tension between us and them
Sometimes even under your own roof
However, some groups that used to find tension, can find peace with each other when they both know Christ
Original example? Jews and gentiles
It wasn’t an easy process - Jews expected gentiles to start following Jewish traditions and laws
Gentiles didn’t always respect the Jews
That’s why over and over again, Scripture stresses UNITY
Ephesians, Romans, 1 Peter, Galatians, 1/2 Corinthians, Philippians, Colossians...
They all talk about the unity of Christ’s church
If we’re under Christ, we’re on the same team
So why do we fight amongst ourselves...
People on a team usually fight for a few reasons
You’re losing
You’re comfortable and/or bored
You’ve forgotten the mission
Elizabeth George: “Harmony is produced in ministry when everyone seeks to be a servant.”
What happens when you’re not serving?
The church starts losing, we get comfortable and/or bored, and we have forgotten the mission
That’s why it’s so important to get involved!
Food Pantry, youth ministry, cleaning the church, teaching the kids, worship, ushers, elders...
Billy Sunday: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile.”
As COVID closes and we get moving, we need all hands on deck!
If you don’t know what to do, just try something!
It’s important to be open to serving God in whatever way is needed
When you get to know someone, its harder to make them your enemy
Not impossible, but harder...
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Although the Jesus came to the Jews first, He did preach to those outside as well
Samaritans, those visiting Jerusalem, Roman centurion...
And then as soon as the church gets the HS, Jesus message explodes through the gentiles
Particularly because of Paul
The message is clear:
3. Access to God is for everyone
3. Access to God is for everyone
God loved His people, but he always planned to make everyone a part of His story
Look at Hosea 2:23:
23 and I will sow her for myself in the land.
And I will have mercy on No Mercy,
and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’;
and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’ ”
Paul quotes this verse in Romans 9:25-26
He explains that “Not my people” indicates both Jews AND gentiles
Paul also quotes Isaiah 1:9 and 28:16
These guys were alive 700-800 years before Jesus
Even then, God had plans for the gentiles
Ever heard the phrase “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know?”
This is an example of that
The word “access” is the word prosagoge (pro - sahgo - gay)
It does mean “access” but it can also paint the image of a person
A pro-sahgo-gay was royal position - introduced people to the king
If he didn’t escort you into the kings presence, you didn’t go!
If you don’t have Jesus as your escort to the Father, you ain’t going!
But see, God’s throne room is now open to the public because of Jesus
We all have access to Him because of Jesus
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
We, as gentiles, are by no means second class citizens!
You might say:
4. We are all the temple of God
4. We are all the temple of God
More than a nation though, we are all in God’s household
Paul describes the family of God - the Church - like this:
Jesus is set as the cornerstone
Describe cornerstone
The apostles and prophets expanded the foundation
Then we are the bricks that build the Temple
Conclusion
Conclusion
Up to now, it’s been Jews and gentiles...
How many other pointless divisions are there?
Does it matter if you’re a democrat or republican if you’re both under Christ?
Does it matter if you’re black or white if you’re both under Christ?
Does it matter if you’re nondenominational or baptist if you’re both under Christ?
The answer is no it doesn’t
God designed us not to knock others over, but to lean on each other, to hold each other up, to cooperate in unity...
Galatians 3:28 (ESV)
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
End the Sneech story