Tuesday, September 18, 2012

A Man Called Barnabas




Sermon Statement
Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.

Text
AC 11:19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

    AC 11:22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.


Introduction

Heroes of the Faith
Reading Christian biographies is inspirational and encouraging. It shows us how other Christians struggle in their faith to remain true to God. It also exposes to new perspective of God we may not be aware of and new spiritual experiences we have not encountered before. Hebrews 13:7 says, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith." Hebrews 6:12 says, "Do not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." And of course Hebrews 11 is a collection of excerpts from the lives of great men and women of faith. All these examples are for our inspiration and encouragement.

One of my favourite hero of the faith is Sadhu Sundar Singh (September 3, 1889, Patiala State, India). He is believed to have died in the foothills of the Himalayas in 1929. Sundar felt that his religious pursuits in Sikhism and the questioning of Christian and Hindu priests left him without ultimate meaning. Sundar resolved to kill himself by throwing himself upon a railroad track. That very night he had a vision of Jesus who opened Sundar's soul to the truth. Sundar announced to his father, Sher Singh, that henceforth he would follow Christ. His father denounced him, and his brother Rajender Singh attempted to poison him. Sundar's life was saved by the help of a nearby Christian community (Wiki).

Another is William Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. (born November 7, 1918) is an American Christian evangelist who is an ordained Southern Baptist minister. According to his staff, more than 3.2 million people have responded to the invitation at Billy Graham Crusades to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. As of 2008, Graham's estimated lifetime audience, including radio and television broadcasts, topped 2.2 billion. During the civil rights movement, he began to support integrated seating for his revivals and crusades; in 1957 he invited Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to preach jointly at a huge revival in New York City, where they appeared together at Madison Square Garden, and bailed the minister out of jail in the 1960s when he was arrested in demonstrations.

There are many biographical persons in Acts which was recorded for us by Luke. Luke a doctor was very precise in his use of language and gives us good glimpses of the personalities involved. One of them is Joses or Joseph of Cyprus. Most of we know him by his nickname Barnabas (Acts 4:36).

Who is Barnabas?
Barnabas is interpreted by Luke as huios paraklēseōs in Acts 4:36 and variously translated as “son of consolation” (KJV), “son of exhortation” or “son of encouragement” (RSV, JB, NIV). Barnabas had originally come from Cyprus (Acts 4:36) and settled in Jerusalem. His strong Jewish roots as a Levite (Acts 4:36) and his Hellenistic background in the Jewish diaspora gave him a background similar to Paul’s and their conservative training as respectively Pharisee and Levite.

Barnabas owned land in Jerusalem. His first appearance in the NT shows him among the earliest converts, selling his parcel of land and giving the proceeds to the apostles (Acts 4:36). He quickly became a highly admired and respected leader within this circle. When, after the death of Stephen, many of the Hellenists fled north (Acts 8:1), Barnabas stayed in Jerusalem with the apostles. Barnabas had family connections in Jerusalem. His cousin was John Mark whose mother, Mary, lived in Jerusalem and hosted the church in her home (Acts 12:12) which was the house Peter went to after his jailbreak.

AC 12:5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.

    AC 12:6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists.

    AC 12:8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him.

    AC 12:11 Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."

    AC 12:12 When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

Luke tells us that Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith (11:24)

He was a good man; full of the Holy Spirit and faith
·        Good man
·        Full of the Holy Spirit
·        Full of faith
How do we understand being a good man, fullness of the Holy Spirit and faith?
John Piper helps
How do they relate to each other? Probably fullness of the Holy Spirit and faith is the root or source of Barnabas' goodness. Paul unpacks this relationship in Galatians. He says in Galatians 5:22 that goodness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. You don't get the Holy Spirit because you are good. The Holy Spirit takes over your life and starts to make you good.

But what do we do in that process? We are not passive in this affair of becoming good. That's why Luke doesn't just say that Barnabas was full of the Holy Spirit. He is full of the Holy Spirit and faith. Faith is what we do. Now what does faith have to do with the work of the Holy Spirit?

Galatians 3:2 tells us: "Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?" The assumed answer is that we received the Spirit by faith in the Word of God. Then verse 5 says, "Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?" And again the assumed answer is FAITH! The Spirit is received by faith and goes on being supplied through faith.

Putting It All Together

So let's put it all together: At the very beginning of the Christian life we receive the Holy Spirit by trusting in the truth of the gospel (Galatians 3:2). Then as the Christian life goes on and there is need again and again to be strengthened and filled with the Spirit, this too happens by faith in the word of God's promise (Galatians 3:5). One of the practical fruits or products of this Spirit-filled faith is goodness (Galatians 5:22).

So when Luke says that Barnabas was "a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith," my understanding is that Barnabas had a great faith in God, and that by this faith the Holy Spirit became powerful in his heart, and that the result was a lot of practical goodness in Barnabas' life.

“@TozerAW: "Real faith not only does something for us, but it also does something to us." AW Tozer (A Disruptive Faith)”

Reflections on the Life of Barnabas
As we examine the life of Barnabas I will suggest six ways in which he acts as an example and inspiration to us.

1.      He is open to the grace of God

11:22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

a.      Why did the Jerusalem Church send Barnabas?
The church was growing rapidly, especially among the Greeks and Hellenistic Jews, and soon a Christian church was thriving in the city of Syrian Antioch (about 400 miles north of Jerusalem). Initially it was mainly Jewish. Then increasingly more and more Gentiles joined the church especially in Antioch, influenced by men from Cyprus and Cyrene. The church in Jerusalem which consisted mainly of Jews was in a dilemma. Who to send to this Gentile church? Someone who can do cross cultural ministry.

The apostles dispatched Barnabas to travel to Antioch and to pastor the fellowship there (Acts 11:22). Under his guidance the church grew even more, with Barnabas respected “as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith” (Acts 11:24). Barnabas is able to see God’s grace in making outsider insider.

Many of us see the world through the lens of ‘them and us.’ This reminds me of a Helen Reddy’s song “You and Me against the World.” I believe the early church in Jerusalem also suffered from this. Now we have Gentiles in the church! What are we to do? They found in Barnabas a man able to make outsider insiders, strangers to be friends. Such a person will be perfect to be sent to pastor the new and growing church of Gentiles in Antioch.


Charles Edwin Anson Markham (23 April 1852 – 7 March 1940) was an American poet, most famous for his poem, The Man With the Hoe. But I really like this poem which express what I have been trying to say:

He drew a circle that shut me out —
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in.

The Shoes of Happiness, and Other Poems (1913)


b.      Paul

Barnabas’s ability to include others is also reflected in his acceptance of Paul. When Paul returned to Jerusalem after his conversion and lengthy stay in Arabia, the apostles were understandably cautious about him. But as Ananias had brought Paul into the Christian fellowship at Damascus, so Barnabas trusted the integrity of Paul’s conversion and became his advocate among the Jerusalem leaders (Acts 9:27-28). With the help of Barnabas Paul was invited into the center of the church’s life.

27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

After fifteen days (Gal 1:18) Paul set sail from Caesarea to return to Tarsus while Barnabas remained in Jerusalem.

Acts 9:29-30
29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

2.      He is an encourager of men
 Because he sees the potential where others see failure

23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

a.      Paul

AC 11:25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

Since Tarsus was nearby and since Paul had become well known in the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Gal 1:21–24), Barnabas found Paul and invited him to join the work in Antioch. Together Paul and Barnabas co-pastored the church there for one year (Acts 11:26).

b.      Encourages the Jerusalem Church
Barnabas also traveled with Paul on the so-called famine visit to Jerusalem (Acts 11:27–30).
AC 11:27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Antioch was the third-largest city in the Roman Empire (next to Rome and Alexandria) and its church, no doubt the wealthiest yet, determined to share its riches with the poorer Christians of Judea.

Following the famine visit, Acts 13 tells us that the leadership at Antioch had grown (now to include Simeon, Lucius and Manaen, Acts 13:1). Barnabas and Paul were commissioned to travel west as missionaries in what will be known as the First Missionary Journey. The decision to sail to Cyprus may have been influenced by Barnabas since it was his home and he would have known the island well.

3.      He is a mentor to leaders
because he knows the expansion of the work of God’s grace depends on Godly leadership

Barnabas' ministry in Antioch had been so successful that the converts were everywhere. Many of us would say at this point: I am now a respected leader. I have earned a good reputation for my work. It is now time to consolidate my gains and establish myself as a prominent preacher in this part of Syria. Instead Barnabas went to look for Paul. I believe Barnabas sees the great potential in Paul.


a.      Risk taking with Paul
The Jerusalem Council. Following the first missionary journey west, Barnabas accompanied Paul to Jerusalem in order to settle the now divisive issue of the Law and circumcision. Barnabas is given equal respect with Paul (Acts 15:12) and perhaps his word, as that of a convert and leader prior to Paul, carried important weight. Barnabas was a disciple of the Jerusalem church who was now reporting to his mentors.

b.      Being patient with John Mark

John Mark’s presence in Acts 12:25 and 13:5 implies that he had been in and around Antioch all along and had teamed up with Barnabas and Saul. But when Barnabas and Paul, after their arrival in Pamphylia, decided to leave Perga and climb the mountains toward Antioch of Pisidia, John Mark turned back. Barnabas’s later defense of John Mark would prove to be the decision that would separate Barnabas from Paul on subsequent journeys. This happened when they have been working together for at least 15 years!

Acts 15: 36-41
AC 15:36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." 37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, 38 but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. 39 They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Who is right and who is wrong? Barnabas wants to give John Mark a second chance but not Paul.

Later Paul will work with John Mark and John Mark will write the Gospel of Mark. Without Barnabas, we may only have three gospels rather than four!

4.      He is fallible
a.      Incident with Peter and the Judaizers
Peter came to Antioch and mixed freely with the Gentile Christians; but he withdrew from having fellowship with them when a conservative delegation from Jerusalem appeared (Gal 2:11–13). Worse yet, Barnabas was, in the words of Paul, “carried away by their insincerity” (Gal 2:13).

Gal 2: 11-14
GAL 2:11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.

    GAL 2:14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

b.      Conflict with Paul over John Mark
The second tour witnessed the rupture of Barnabas’s relation with Paul. Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance, but Paul refused (Acts 15:36–41). Luke uses discretion when he writes, “And there was a sharp disagreement (paroxysmos), so that they separated from each other” (Acts 15:39). Once again Barnabas had stood his ground and while Paul assembled a new team.

Again as an example, John Piper notes:
There is no passage in Scripture that says, "When a young missionary has forsaken the work on his first journey, you shall give him a second chance after 18 months of penitent and faithful service." And no biblical text says not to.
Instead we have principles that say, "Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." And we have principles which say that leaders in the church should be above reproach, and well-tested. One principle stresses the glory of God's mercy. Another principle stresses the glory of God's calling. One principle accents the bounty of God. The other principle accents the holiness of God…
But what does wisdom dictate in a choice like this? Barnabas seemed to focus on the need and potential of Mark. Paul seemed to focus on the demands and potential of the larger cause of the gospel and the honor of the mission.

I believe the mistake here is not the difference in opinions. There will always be difference in opinions when people work together. The important point is how to resolve these differences. Barnabas and Paul by now would have worked and served together for 15 years. Could their different opinions be resolved by setting up different teams without the bitterness and break in friendship?

5.      He is a giver

a.      Generous with his wealth
(Acts 4: 36-37)
    AC 4:36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

b.      Generous with his standing in ministry

In Acts 13:1–3 the Holy Spirit sets Barnabas and Saul apart for a missionary journey to the unreached cities of Cyprus and Galatia. Notice the order of the names in verse 2: it is still Barnabas first and Saul second, the way it has been back in Acts 11:30 and 12:25.

Barnabas and Saul at Antioch (Acts 11:19-26)
Barnabas and Saul appointed (Acts 12:25-13:3)
Barnabas and Saul sent off (Acts 13:1-3)
Barnabas and Saul on Cyrus (Acts 13:4-12)

Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:4-12)
Paul and Barnabas at Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:8-20)
Paul and Barnabas separate (Acts 15:36-41)

When they get to the city of Paphos on the island of Cyprus, the proconsul invites them to speak to him, and in Acts 13:7 Barnabas still has the honor of first place: "he summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God."

But when Elymas the magician tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith, it was Saul who exploded with the Holy Spirit in verse 10:

    You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?

But from this point on, Saul (now called Paul for the first time in verse 9) is in charge.

We see this immediately in verse 13. Luke says, "Now Paul and his company set sail from Paphos." Barnabas is not even mentioned. In verse 16 it is Paul not Barnabas who delivers the sermon in Antioch of Pisidia. When both of them are mentioned, it is now "Paul and Barnabas" not "Barnabas and Paul" (13:43, 46, 50; 15:2, 22, 35; except in Jerusalem where Barnabas is on his home turf, 15:12, 25; and in Lystra where Barnabas is called Zeus and Paul Hermes).

6.      He is highly respected

a.      Paul
It seems clear that Paul, Barnabas and John Mark shared a longer working relationship than Acts implies. Paul’s reference to Barnabas in 1 Corinthians 9:6 shows not only that the Corinthians knew Barnabas but that Paul continued to respect him.

   1CO 9:3 This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. 4 Don't we have the right to food and drink? 5 Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?

Paul refers to Barnabas as a fellow worker who shares his mission and work. They are friends again.

b.      Others
Calvin and Luther were convinced that 2 Corinthians 8:18–19 also referred to Barnabas: “With him (Titus) we are also sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.” Likewise, the mention of John Mark in Philemon 24 and 2 Timothy 4:11 shows that Paul and this younger disciple were later reconciled.

2 Tim 4:11
11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.

Summary

Reflections on the life of Barnabas
1.      He is open to the grace of God
2.      He is an encourager of men
3.      He is a mentor to leaders
4.      He is fallible
5.      He is a giver
6.      He is highly respected

Challenge
Are you a good person, full of the Holy Spirit and faith?

Reference
Hawthorne, G. F., Martin, R. P., & Reid, D. G. (1993). Dictionary of Paul and his letters (66–67). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.


Soli Deo Gloria

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Facing Discouragement


When all you know is discouragement
Seven ways to overcome discouragement



Sermon statement
The way to deal with discouragement is to take the word courage out and uses it. We overcome discouragement when we realise that (1) nothing happens according to our plans; (2) we need to be realistic in our expectations; (3) avoid dwelling on discouragements alone; (4) controlling our emotions; (5) not to give up; (6) that a closed door may leads to many open doors; and that our God is bigger than all our problems.

Introduction
Discouragement occurs when you did not get what you want. You may be hoping for a A++ grade in your exams and all you get is a A+ and you get discouraged. Your friend, who always has been getting Cs, getting a A+ is a great encouragement. What are some of the areas we experience discouragement?
  • Studies
  • Grades
  • Physical appearances
  • Spiritual life
  • Relationship
  • Friendship
  • Parents

Life of David
As a young man, David was a shepherd who was anointed king by the prophet Samuel. Saul was king then and it took many years before David could be king. David served as a musician to King Saul for many years. Even after he killed Goliath, David was not appreciated by King Saul. In his later life King Saul became increasing paranoid and even tried to kill David with a spear. David had to flee for his life and live a life of banditry.

Do you want to be king?
Later, as king, David had to rule over a nation of people who are self-centred and rebellious. Like today, evil men seem to be in control. King David faced threat to his life and his throne. It must be very discouraging to be king.


Text: Psalm 11:1-7

     Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

  1 In the LORD I take refuge.
    How then can you say to me:
    "Flee like a bird to your mountain.

                 2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
                 they set their arrows against the strings
                 to shoot from the shadows
                at the upright in heart.

 3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
                                 what can the righteous do?"

                                                                                        PS 11:4 The LORD is in his holy temple;
    the LORD is on his heavenly throne.
  He observes the sons of men;
    his eyes examine them.

                                5 The LORD examines the righteous,
                                but the wicked and those who love violence
                                his soul hates.

                 6 On the wicked he will rain
                fiery coals and burning sulfur;
                 a scorching wind will be their lot.

  7 For the LORD is righteous,
    he loves justice;
    upright men will see his face.


David expresses confidence in God even though wickedness appeared to be so very strong. David was facing a national crisis that threatened to overturn the stability of the nation of Israel. All around him, the moral foundations of the people were crumbling. This upheaval was caused by evil men who sought to do him harm. Adding to this ordeal, the people who were loyal to David panicked, counseling him to flee Jerusalem. But David remained calm and resolute, keeping his eyes on the Lord. In this hour of crisis, David determined to trust in God in spite of his circumstances. His faith, unshakable and unwavering, kept him steadfast in uncertain times.’

The psalm can be divided into two parts: the voice of discouragement (vv. 1–3) and David’s voice of courage (vv. 4–7). The first is the voice which David heard. The second is the voice with which he answered.

The voice of discouragement
The psalm begins with a note of surprise. David was trusting in the Lord in the midst of his trial (v. 1). Although his faith was well known to his friends, this did not keep them from grimly advising him to ‘Flee as a bird’ (v. 2).
To them it was all very clear. The wicked were ready to shoot ‘secretly’ (v. 2)—from the cover of darkness—at the godly.
David’s friends evidently considered his adversaries to be so numerous, so strong and so crafty that there was little hope of success against them. It appeared as if these enemies would cause the very foundations of society to be destroyed.
We often hear the same gloomy assessment that was given to David.

Wickedness is so strong and flourishing! The foundations are crumbling! All is hopeless! The righteous can do nothing to stem the tide!

3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
                                 what can the righteous do?"

David’s Response
David’s friends quite clearly expected one answer and one answer alone when they asked: ‘What can the righteous do?’ (v. 3). That answer was: nothing!
But David would have none of it! The very same logic offered to him on this occasion would have kept him from facing Goliath! David refused to yield to it then, and he here refuses it again. He does so for the very same reason, namely, his faith in God. The God who was greater than Goliath was also greater than the wicked who were seeking to destroy the foundations!
So David sets himself to remind his friends of certain key truths about God.
  • He is sovereign over all (v. 4a).
  • He is well aware of the wicked and what they are doing (v. 4b).
  • He is not ambivalent about evil but has the utmost hatred for it and in due time will bring judgment on the wicked (vv. 5–6).
  • He loves righteousness and smiles upon those who practice it (v. 7).

I believe that David has much to teach us about how to overcome discouragement even though we are not kings or queens. He can teach us how to take the courage out of discouragement.


Seven ways to overcome discouragement

1.      Nothing happens according to our plans (Prov. 21:31)
2.      Be realistic in our expectations (Prov. 24:3-4)
3.      Avoid dwelling on discouragements alone (Eccl. 4:9-12).
4.      Control your emotions (Prov. 25:28)
5.      Don’t give up (Gal. 6:9)
6.      A closed door may leads to many open doors (Gen. 50:20)
7.      Your God is bigger than your problems (Psalm 11)

1.      Nothing happens according to our plans (Prov. 21:31)
  PR 21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the LORD.

King David is a warrior-king and knows full well the power of the cavalry against the foot soldiers. The horse in these times will be equivalent of an Abrams tank today. Yet, the author of the proverb warns against being overconfident with our own planning. Basically ‘shit happens.’ Whatever can go wrong will go wrong.

Bruce Wayne in the first two Batman movies by Christopher Nolan has good intentions. He wants to fight crime in Gotham by becoming a legend of fear to the criminals. Unfortunately things did not go according to plans. In Batman Begins, the movie ended with his house burnt down. In The Dark Knight, Batman ended up being accursed as a murderer.

So we should expect things to go wrong in our lives, no matter how smart, rich or powerful we are. Things are going to go wrong. We are going to be discouraged. Discouragements are part and parcel of life. Expect discouragements and you will not be disappointed.

2.      Be realistic in our expectations (Prov. 24:3-4)
  PR 24:3 By wisdom a house is built,
    and through understanding it is established;
  PR 24:4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.

Can we change reality to the way we want things to be? Inception is a 2010 British-American science fiction film with the elements of action heist, and thriller. Former architecture student Dominick "Dom" Cobb and business partner Arthur perform corporate espionage by dreaming and using an experimental military-developed machine to infiltrate the subconscious of their targets and extract information, their latest target being powerful Japanese businessman Saito. The movie suggests that we can change ourselves by implanting suggestions in our self conscious through our dreams. We all have a need to change ourselves. But we need to have a realistic expectation as to who or whom we change ourselves into.

Beauty and youth are two of the most lucrative commodity on earth today. Everyone wants to have the beauty and youthfulness of the models and movie stars. Is that a realistic expectation? We need wisdom to set realistic goals. Otherwise we will be setting ourselves up for a fall and discouragement.

3.      Avoid dwelling on discouragement alone (Eccl. 4:9-12)
  ECC 4:9 Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their work:
  ECC 4:10 If one falls down,
    his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
    and has no one to help him up!
ECC 4:11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
    But how can one keep warm alone?
ECC 4:12 Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
  A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Marvel's The Avengers is a 2012 American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, based on the Marvel Comics superhero team of the same name. In facing the onslaught of the army of Loki and Thanatos, the heroes and heroines found that that they need one another. Only in teamwork can their combined efforts defeat their enemies.

The presence of friends who will walk with us during our discouragement cannot be underestimated. The Preacher recognizes that and calls us to have friends.

4.      Control your emotions (Prov. 25:28)
  PR 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down
    is a man who lacks self-control.

The Incredible Hulk is a 2008 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character the Hulk. It is directed by Louis Leterrier and stars Edward Norton as Dr. Bruce Banner. It is the second film to be released in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the fifth chronologically. This film establishes a new backstory where Banner becomes the Hulk as an unwitting pawn in a military scheme to reinvigorate the supersoldier program through gamma radiation. On the run, he attempts to cure himself of the Hulk before he is captured by General Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross (William Hurt), but his worst fears are realized when power-hungry soldier Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) becomes a similar but more bestial creature. Liv Tyler also stars as Betty Ross, Banner's love interest and General Ross' daughter. The hulk is pure rage.

If we look closely at our discouragement, we will find that feelings play a major role in expressing our not getting what we want. While there is a place for feelings (pain, sadness), there is also a place when we move beyond the feelings and look for possible solutions. Bruce Banner finds himself only when he learns to control his feelings and to integrate them.


5.      Don’t give up (Gal. 6:9)
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The apostle Paul reminds us not to give up because if we persist, we will succeed. If our goals are realistic, then the chances of our success are good provided we do not give up. Po from Kung Fu Panda 1 & 2 is an arrogance panda. One of his redeeming characteristics is that he never gives up.

6.      A closed door may leads to many open doors (Gen. 50:20)
20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

These words, spoken by Joseph whose brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt illustrate this principle perfectly. If a closed door appears, instead of standing in front of it in self pity or trying to break it down, look around instead. There may be many open doors around.


7.      Your God is bigger than your problems (Psalm 11)
This principle brings us back to the text of this sermon which is based on Psalm 11. David is effectively saying that God is greater than all his problems and ours.

Conclusion

How do we deal with discouragement? Discouragement is part of life. We can choose to remain discouraged or we can pull the courage out of discouragement and uses it to continue with our lives.

I suggest these seven ways to deal with discouragement

1.      Nothing happens according to our plans (Prov. 21:31)
2.      Be realistic (Prov. 24:3-4)
3.      Avoid dwelling on discouragements alone (Eccl. 4:9-12).
4.      Control your emotions (Prov. 25:28)
5.      Don’t give up (Gal. 6:9)
6.      A closed door may leads to many open doors (Gen. 50:20)
7.      Your God is bigger than your problems (Psalm 11)

What says you?

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Despondency in Gethsemane

Sermon statement
Jesus’ temptation in Gethsemane is the crisis point in salvation history and encourages us to watch and pray.
Text (NIV)
MT 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."MT 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." MT 26:40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."  MT 26:42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."  MT 26:43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. MT 26:45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Introduction: Crisis points
There are many crisis points in the history of the world. The most recent is 9/11 when two planes flew into the Twin Towers in New York. It changed the domestic and foreign policy of the United States, the sole superpower in the world today. A decision was made somewhere by the Al Qaeda terrorists to go ahead with this attack on civilian target on US soil and this decision lead to consequences that changed the modern world. 
In our Christian tradition, another crisis point was when an Augustinian monk named Martin Luther decided to stand against the Church of Rome in by nailing his Ninety Five theses on a church door in Wittenberg on 31 October 1517 and started the Reformation movement and changed the Christian world. 
Another crisis point is when God called to Moses from a burning bush in Genesis 3 and after many excuses, Moses decided to obey God to go to confront the Pharaoh and win freedom for the Hebrews people and changed the ancient religious world. 
Each of these involved a point when the final decision was made and to carry out what was decided. It involves agonising decision making. Those making the decision know of the consequences of their decision and the price they have to pay in terms of their personal sacrifices. These among many other crisis points changed the world as we know it.
The most important crisis point in human history occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane in the text we shall study today. We are in the final weeks of Lent. 
Exposition
  MT 26:36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
Ø      It is probably about midnight on the Thursday of Passover week in A.D. 33 (or 30).
Ø      Jesus’ three years ministry is coming to an end
Ø      He has preached his last sermon and performed his last miracle.
Ø      He has come to fulfill his mission – to be the last and ultimate Passover lamb, the perfect and only sacrifice for the sins of the world.
37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
Ø      Jesus asks his disciples to keep watch with him. Watch is in the present tense.
Ø      Why is Jesus sorrowful and troubled? Sorrowful and troubled is more than just depression or emotional turmoil that all of us experience. It means depper that that and I suggest despondency. de·spond·en·cy [dih-spon-duhn-see] means state of being despondent;  depression of spirits from loss of courage or hope; dejection. Isaiah describe the Messiah to be a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ (Isa. 53:3). All his life Jesus must know about his mission, his destiny which to die for the sins of the world. Why this sudden change of heart? Why this depression? Why this inner turmoil? Is Jesus afraid of death?
Ø      I suggest that it is not physical death that Jesus is apprehensive about but that he is to become sin and be separated from the Father. To Jesus, that will be the most unbearable part of this stage of his mission.
Ø      And I also suggest that Satan has also a role to play in his despondency or inner turmoil. Matthew detailed Jesus’ temptations in the desert after fasting for forty days and nights (Matt. 4).  
            Matt. 4:11
            MT 4:11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
            Luke added an additional comment (Luke 4:13)
                        LK 4:13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.
                You remember when it said after Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, "He withdrew from him until an opportune time."
                 When do you think that was? Right now, I think. And not only did he draw near. John Piper suggests
                         I’ll bet he gathered all of the most powerful members of his wicked army. You can be 
                         assured that the flaming darts that Paul mentions in Ephesians 6 were flying with volleys
                         against the soul of the Son of God as he knelt there wrestling for his faithfulness.
    MT 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Ø      My Father- Jesus usually uses the word Father or Abba. Here he uses a personal ‘my Father’.
Ø      ‘this cup’ is a metaphor for suffering and death that he was soon to face. It is also a metaphor. The imagery of ‘the cup of God’s wrath’ is more powerful and more relevant in Jesus’ case (Rev. 14:10; 16:19; Isa. 51: 17, 22).
Ø      The struggle is between ‘I will’ and ‘you [God’s] will’. Jesus has a choice. He could stop the whole thing now and run away. If he leaves the garden now, Judas would not have found him to betray him. Then he can live the rest of his life away from Jerusalem and Galilee. No one will know him. I suggest this is his temptation by Satan at this moment. Satan was whispering. ‘You don’t have to do this. You don’t have to try to save these humans who are ungrateful, stiff necked and sinful. You don’t have take on their sins and face your father’s wrath on their behalf. Don’t you have a right to yourself to live?’
Ø      John Piper notes in a similar way
John 12:27 says "Now is my soul troubled. What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour'? No, but for this purpose, I have come to this hour." Now I think that text tells us what the nature of the temptation was. Satan was firing volley after volley into the mind of Jesus Christ. And thoughts came into his mind from Satan, thoughts like, "This is a dead end street. Calvary is just a black hole. It’s going to hurt like nothing has ever hurt any human being ever before, and these rascals aren’t worth it, etc." These were coming out of Satan’s wicked heart into the mind of the Son of God.
    MT 26:40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
Ø      The disciples were sleeping. Sleeping is the metaphor of moral failure. Just before coming to the garden at the Passover meal (Last Supper) this all the disciples, not just Peter declared that they will never betray Jesus (Matt. 26: 31-35). Now they have betrayed Jesus because instead of watching, they are sleeping.
Ø      Jesus shared about the temptation he is feeling. The spirit may be willing but the body is weak. His weak body is being tempted by Satan. Even at this moment, Jesus is still teaching his disciples. How do you resist temptations?
Ø      Watch and pray! It is in the plural. The only effective weapon the disciples has against temptation is prayer.
    MT 26:42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
Ø      Compare Jesus’ first and second prayer:
"My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
"My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
Ø      There seems to be a change in Jesus’ attitude. Where in the first prayer there may be a hint of bargaining, the second prayer is that of submission and obedience.
    MT 26:43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Ø      The disciples were still sleeping. Maybe Jesus realize that humankind will never to able to get rid of their sinfulness without him. Note that Jesus have stopped rebuking them.
Ø      Jesus affirmed his own decision to go through the ordeal. He prayed again the third time – similar to the three temptations in the desert.
                        "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
                        "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
                        "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
    MT 26:45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Ø      The disciples are still ‘sleeping and resting.’ Jesus again did not rebuke them. John Calvin has this to say:
So far I have wasted my words on you, I shall cease urging you. But however much I may let you sleep, the enemy will not allow it you, but will force you to watch against your will (Institutes III, p.155)
Ø      In the desert, at the beginning of his ministry, Jesus uses Scripture to counter the temptations of Satan, in Gethsemane at the end of his ministry, Jesus uses his mind in decision making and prayer. Jesus made a conscious choice to be submissive to his father’s will. There is not longer despondency and turmoil. The decision is made, Jesus is at peace and is ready to face what is to come.
Ø      ‘Rise, let us go.’ The crisis is over and the final act will begin.
Lessons for us
  1. Spiritual warfare is still ongoing. There is an ongoing battle for our minds.
    1. What we allow into our minds
Paul writing to the Philippians highlights safeguards the battle for our minds. What is our antiviral screen? What is our firewall?
PHP 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
    1. What we feed our minds
A Cherokee Legend
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.
"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
This story is also called "Grandfather Tells" which is also known as "The Wolves Within"
  1. We are to be watchful.
    1. To be watchful means to know the will of God is.
To be watchful means that we have to guard and protect our mind with the Word of God.  We have to protect our souls by putting on the armor of God.
    1. Not a sin to react emotionally
It is okay to feel depressed or sad when the situation warrens it or when you are stressed out. It is alright for Christians to be down. There is no teaching in the Bible that teaches Christians must be upbeat and happy all the time. Joy yes, but not happiness.
    1. Watch with friends
Jesus chose some close friends to be with him. Verse 37: "And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled." He asked for their help in spiritual warfare. Verse 38, second half: "Remain here and watch with me." Another text says "pray," and another, "Don’t let yourself come into temptation; stay here and fight with me. Fight with me."
    1. Make the right decisions
  1. We are to watch and pray.
    1. We are weak
The ‘spirit is willing but the flesh is weak’ is very true and we fool ourselves when we think otherwise.
    1. We are strong only through prayers
Jesus shows us how he drew strength through prayers and talking it through with the Father. That is how we will be strong. True strength comes from empowerment from God.
Conclusion
Jesus’ temptation in Gethsemane is the crisis point in salvation history and encourages us to watch and pray.

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