“When I Am Lifted Up“

John 12:27-36a

On Friday in the first part of this sermon, Jesus said that His death and resurrection will: 1) bring glory to God the Father; 2) bring judgment on the world and its ruler. Today, in the second part of our message started on Good Friday, Jesus mentions two more purposes: His death and glorious resurrection accomplish. 

JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION SECURE HIS INHERITANCE (vv.32-33) 

JESUS’ DEATH AND RESURRECTION INVITE US TO BELIEVE IN HIM (vv.34-36)

APPLICATION

a) There is an invitation here to come to Jesus, the Light, to believe in him, and become a child of light. Will you do that?

b) There is a challenge for you to learn from Jesus to glorify God in everything you do.

c) There is a reminder that Satan, your enemy is defeated. Therefore, live victoriously in the power of God’s Spirit.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, Jesus through His death and victorious resurrection brings glory to God, the world’s ruler, Satan, is cast out, and the resurrection of all believers is secured. That is Jesus’ word and promise to you this Easter. Christ is risen; He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you

romans 15:1-7

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul exhorted us to show grace-filled sensitivity towards other Christians. Today as he begins to conclude his argument started in 14:1, he sets Jesus as an example of unselfish and welcoming unity in the church. 

ABOUT OUR GOAL (vv.1-2)

• Endure

• Edification

ABOUT OUR SCRIPTURES (vv.3-4)

• Example of Christ

• Education

• Encouragement

ABOUT OUR UNITY IN WORSHIP (vv.5-6)

• One Mind

• One Mouth

• One Mission

ABOUT OUR ACCEPTANCE IN CHRIST (v.7)

APPLICATION

• Worship God in unity.

• Welcome one another for the glory of God. 

CONCLUSION

Beloved, have you received Christ in faith and baptism? “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13) 

Weak and strong must learn to get along

romans 14:14-23

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul warned us against having a judgmental attitude towards those with whom we disagree over nonessential matters in the church. Today, he continues to exhort us to show grace-filled sensitivity towards other Christians.    

SEEK LOVE (vv.13-15)

SEEK PEACE AND HARMONY (vv.16-19)

SEEK SELF RESTRAINT (vv.20-23)

APPLICATION

· Do not judge or despise each other.

· In all things make sure your conscience is clear. 

· Honor and give thanks to God in all your ways.

· Do not cause your brother or sister in Christ to stumble.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, as we practice our Christian liberty, let us be like-minded toward one another that we might glorify God with one mind and one mouth, and let us receive one another as Christ received us.

The Harvest is Plentiful

Matthew 9:35-38

Introduction

In our passage today, Jesus reminds us of the urgent need to continue to reach out to our neighbors and to send missionaries to the nations to spread the good news of the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself demonstrated a pattern of passionate commitment to this task. Jesus urges us to pray to God for laborers because the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

JESUS’ CONDUCT (v.35)  

JESUS’ COMPASSION (v.36)

• See Clearly

• Care Deeply

JESUS’ COMMAND (vv.37-38)

• Pray Earnestly

• Go Trustingly

APPLICATION

• See

• Care

• Pray

• Be ready 

CONCLUSION 

Beloved, the harvest is indeed plentiful. It is the workers that are few. Pray to the “Lord of the harvest” to raise more workers. Be willing and ready to obey as He speaks to you.  

Do not judge one another

Romans 14:1-12

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul reminded us that we need to be aware of what time it is, and to wake up, clean up, and put on Christ. Today, he addresses the issue of disagreements over nonessential matters in the church. He warns us against having a judgmental attitude towards those with whom we disagree.

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE YOU ARE FAMILY (vv.1-4)

· Receive the one who is weak in the faith.

· Do not judge your brother because you are not their master.

· The Lord is able to make them and you stand.

WELCOME ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE YOU ARE THE LORD’S (vv.5-12)

· Judging your brother is inappropriate because God has accepted them.

· Christ died and rose to be the Lord, both theirs and yours.

· All of us will stand before God’s judgment seat to give account to God.

APPLICATION

· God has accepted you in Christ, therefore you should accept one another.

· God will be your judge, therefore do not judge one another.

· God will make you stand in the last day, therefore do not despise one another.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, our passage teaches us that we must always warmly receive each other as brothers and sisters in Christ despite matters of secondary personal convictions in which we differ. We must be careful to keep the main things the main things in the church, and remember that we will all stand before the judgment seat of God to give account.  

Put On The Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 13:11-14

Introduction

One feature of our modern society and the age we live in is that we are slaves of time. We all keep careful track of time, but we tend to forget that God is also keeping time. He is working up to a time when He will end this age in which we live, and move on to the age to come. Today, Paul reminds us that we need to be aware of this fact and to do certain things.

IT IS TIME TO WAKE UP (v.11)

IT IS TIME TO CLEAN UP (vv.12-13)

IT IS TIME TO SUIT UP (v.14)

APPLICATION

• Being and living.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, it is time to wake up, clean up, and suit up. The time to change and grow will soon be gone! The day of eternity will arrive - will you be ready! Put on the Lord Jesus, and walk properly as a child of the light.

“Love your neighbor as yourself”

(Romans 13:7-10)

 INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul commanded us to submit to the governing authorities, and reminded us of our civic duty in relationship to government. Today, he returns to the theme of love again, which he has not really left, and says that there is a debt that we will never cease to owe – to love each other.

LOVE IS AN UNPAID DEBT (v. 8a)

HOW DO WE PAY THIS DEBT OF LOVE? (vv. 8b-10)

a) Through imitating Jesus

b) Through active good will

APPLICATION

• Manage prudently the resources God has entrusted to you. “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, let us not stop loving one another, but let us increase in our love for one another.

“Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away… So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

1 Corinthians 13:8,13

“The Christian and Civil Authorities”

(Romans 13:1-7)

 INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, Paul exhorted us to avoid retaliation, and to overcome evil with good. Today he shifts his attention to our civic duty in relationship to government.

THE RESPECT FOR RULERS (vv.1-2)

THE REASON FOR RULERS (vv.3-4)

THE RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS RULERS (vv.5-7)

• Pay taxes

• Pay revenue

• Pay respect and honor

CONCLUSION

Beloved, the duties placed on you as a Christian toward the earthly governments are clear and simple...

• Be subject to governing authorities

• Pay what is due in taxes and respect

• Pray for all those in positions of authority

• Give thanks to God for the authorities

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

1 Timothy 2:1-4

“The transformed christian life” (3)

(Romans 12:17-21)

INTRODUCTION

Two Sundays ago, Paul began to discuss the practical outworking of the transformed life within the church. He started with what it means to have genuine love for one another. Last Sunday, he continued by teaching on how to practice love towards our enemies. Today, he exhorts us to avoid retaliation, and to overcome evil with good.

LIVE IN HONOR, NOT DISHONOR (vv. 17; 21)

LIVE IN HARMONY, NOT HOSTILITY (v.18-20)

APPLICATION

• Are you overcoming evil with good, or do you repay evil with evil? 

• Are you living in peace with all, as much as it depends on you? Is there a relationship you need to mend? 

CONCLUSION

Beloved, remember, learn from, and follow the example of our Lord, Jesus.

“He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.”

1 Pet 2:23 NLT