Giving To God What Is God's

Luke 19. 28-48, 20.20-26

There is a thread of events that all take place in the temple precincts beginning with what we celebrate today- Palm Sunday: Jesus'm Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem beginning what we call Holy Week.

As we walk with Jesus this week private daily quiet times will be blessed in special ways. It is a week for drawing near to Him. Holy Week is the most covered week in the Bible. There is more detail about the days in between Palm Sunday through the Day Jesus rose from the grave than the account of creation in Genesis. In fact each individual Gospel contains more detail than it! Put all four gospels together as we have been doing the past 6 weeks and there is an enormous amount of scripture describing the events and words of Jesus this particular week. The eevent of His death and resurrection are at the end of it but are beginnings themselves. Let's meet together at the times we have scheduled throughout the week as a church family.

This chapter 19 in Luke's Gospel has a lot to do with money. 1 out of 7 verses in the Gospels deal with our relationship to it. Matthew records Jesus saying that either you will serve God or money. You cannot serve both. We have no money and still serve it!

Luke 19. 1-10 Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector

vs. 11-27 Mina=3 months wages

vs.45-47 Selling & the money changers driven out

The day after Jesus cleansed the temple of the misuse of money He was confronted with yet another money issue - that of paying taxes (to Caesar) 20.20-26

Let's look at the Palm Sunday Triumphal Entrance and the Cleansing of the Temple.

JESUS CAME INTO JERUSALEM AND ENTERED THE TEMPLE AREA vs.28-48

Ancient Prophecies were being fulfilled.

He is the Master of Love.

He knew this was God's Will.

He knew Jerusalem would not be His final work.

Only two times is it recorded that Jesus wept. Once in John 11 at the tomb of Lazarus and here over Jerusalem (vs. 41-44). We see Jesus's heart for the city.

God's heart for cities are shown in in Jonah 4.11 Ninevah had more than 120,000 people who cannot tell their right and from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city? God loves the cities.

Jerusalem, O Jerusalem

The temple was there. His Father's House was to be a house of prayer for all nations. When Jesus saw the merchandising, the making of money off the poor pilgrims, how they took over the Court of the Gentiles with this nonsense, He got red hot angry and drove them out.

God help us today. The church will be robbers if it falls into this trap of trying to fill its coffers with money. How many churches are trying to survive today by all kinds of fund raising and pushing prayer, prayer for all nations out. We are to be a House of Prayer. Pity those churches which have resorted to all kinds of ways of raising money and do not have time or place for prayer.

About Prayer... For some reason the LORD has entrusted us to pray here. We have been given an extraordinary number of requests from all over. We have not sought this in the least. Our prayer list is overwhelming. It has become too big for many of us to pray over it in its entirety. Let the LORD draw your heart to certain ones and pray for them. He will direct you and I believe everyone will be prayed for.

Back to this cleansing- making money, profitting off helpless people- sin pushed prayer out and made it a den of robbers. Don't let anything push prayer out of your heart or out of the church.

Give to God what is God's! Prayer. The tithe is the LORD's! We are to Love/serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Our times are in His Hands. We need to Him to teach us to number our days so we will gain a heart of wisdom. Be a temple of prayer!

Be a good citizen of this country/ legal resident- pay your taxes.

Be a good citizen of heaven:

Lay up treasure there.

Pray to God in heaven.

Remember that is where we are headed!

Hosanna!

He Has Come.

He Has Died and Rose Again.

He ascended into heaven.

He is coming again!

For Our Good

John 16.1-11

You are filled with grief because I have said these things.

It is for your good that I am going away.- Jesus Christ

We think that just the pleasant things in life are for our good. Most people do not see the value in rain. We complain about it- act as if it has no value at all. I lived in a place for 3 years which had little rain. It was as dry as a bone most of the time. We had to soak what little lawn we had every other day to keep it alive. One summer we got a plague of grasshoppers. They were everywhere. They jumped on you when you walked. It was hard to grow anything in that semi arid climate. I am sure people had them but I do not remember many vegetable gardens. That is what would happen here without rain. Tristan, my grandson, and I were in Target on the rainy day we had on Tuesday. I heard the complaints so I countered with a little jingle I made up called "Don't Complain About the Rain". This guy I see there often yelled out to me, "Did you order this weather?" I answered, "No! The LORD sent it! If we didn't have ti we would turn our Island into a desert!" This other guy was walking by and shouted out, "Amen Brother!" We resist change but change can and often does bring good for us. With cell phones I was able to meet a friend in a cemetery on Monday. His brother, my friend, died 38 years ago at the young age of 17 on April 4, 1973. With Facebook and cell phones I was able to meet him at Pinelawn. Take that walk we read about this week in John 15-16 from the Upper Room to the Temple Courts. Jesus continued the conversation after communion about "His going away". The disciples initially saw nothing good in that. They viewed it from a totally negative perception. We often need Christ to correct our wrong thinking. He explained things to them. He said, "It is for your good that I am going away." Good= advantage, to bring together- at the same time (it united them). to carry with others, to collect or contribute in order to help- Gifts to Japan/ Gifts of the Holy Spirit, to be profitable, expedient. The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ ushered in the Age of Spirit which we are now in. Jesus was confined to a human body while here on earth but today the Spirit is working all over the world! He was with them. Soon He was to be in them. 1. The Things That Appear and Sound Sad and Even Fill Us With Grief Can Be For Our Good. vs.6-7 Wait for the LORD. Psalm 27.14 Don't tell people this - pray for them to discover it. Speaking the truth in love means if you can't do it with compassion and understanding you are better off keeping your mouth shut. Jesus going away seemed like the worst news the disciples could imagine. Like Nathaniel asked about Jesus, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth? he might have been thinking "Can anything good come out of this for us?" We face the trials life brings asking these questions. The LORD tells us to wait. Remember what He said through Moses when they thought Pharaoh would overtake them at the Red Sea? "Don't be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today." Exodus 14.13 Wait. Stand firm. God will act. What gets us to pray more- the blessings or the difficulties? 2. Our Grief, When We Are In Christ, Will Turn To Joy. v.20 * This is the way of repentance- the way of life in Christ. Tear then joy. If not immediately then ultimately. Christ Jesus is the great Shepherd of the Sheep and the Comforter of Human Hearts. *In Jesus even death is swallowed up in victory! The 500 hundred Christians who will give up their lives today for the faith, our brothers and sisters, around the world, like our LORD, those who kill them will think that they put an end to their lives when in reality at the moment after death they will be filled with joy unspeakable and the church on earth will be strengthened. * As we mature in Christ we realize our sorrows here are but a stepping stone to a deepening of our faith. Fruit like patience is born in adversity and developed through difficulty. The most patient people are those who have suffered the most and allowed God to do the work He desires in their hearts. 3. A Word About Heaven - II Corinthians 12.3-4 While we know some things about heaven, there are other things that remain a mystery- not able to even be talked about. It is too wonderful to fully describe! We do know that "our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (II Corinthians 4.17). We know our troubles, pain, suffering, sorrow, tears, death will be done away with. In heaven we will know fully. We will understand that many things we have grieved over have ended up working for our good. What we presently look at as disadvantaged we will find out actually was not that at all.

We Walk By Faith, Not By Sight.

Heaven- The Place Jesus Is Preparing For Us

John 14.1-3

"I am going there to prepare a place for you."

- Jesus Christ

A cure for a troubled heart, when bad and upsetting news is received, is to focus on Jesus and His Promises about Heaven, the place He is preparing for us. The Blessed Hope of every believer is not problem free living here on earth. Jesus told us that in this world we are going to have trouble. The Blessed Hope of every believer is the Return of Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him.

Many need to have the promise of heaven stirred with their souls again! If you are overwhelmed with sorrow, if trouble is your hearts today, if you have lost your peace then these words of Jesus are what you need to dwell on, feed on and hide within your heart.

We can get so practical and have everything in our spiritual lives so explained with pat answers that we no longer feel the need for heaven. The truth is there needs to be some mystery and intrigue and unexplainables in our faith to keep it fired. We ought to be excited about finishing well here, hitting that finish line and getting to go to be with the LORD!

The scripture tells us that after Jesus revealed that one of them would be tray Him- one of the Twelve and that Peter would deny knowing Him three times before the rooster crowed and later all would fall away (Mark 14.27) He gave them these words about heaven.

1. Jesus is preparing a place for His followers.

I am going there to prepare a place for you.

He is making that city, the New Jerusalem, ready for His Bride.

Revelation 21.1-5, 22-27

He is with us through His Spirit now. He is seeing that the road is passable. The enemy is seeking to throw rood blocks up as we journey to heaven.

Pot holes which are pits: Despair, Doubt, Depression, Difficulty, Disobedience.

The LORD wants us to keep our eyes on Him and our hearts set on heaven.

He clears the way. He has blazed the trail. He has given us safe passage and is with us as we journey.

Over and over again in His Word He speaks to us about this place- the City of God.

2. He is Already There.

I am going there to prepare a place for you.

Acts 1.4-11 He ascended- went back into heaven.

Those believers who depart from this life go to be with the LORD, which is better by far. (Philippians 1.23)

Jesus was taken back to heaven. His journey on earth ended. He is with the Father.

This was in His Heart while He was here on earth:

Luke 12.50 I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed.

Hebrews 5.7 During the days of Jesus' life here in earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One Who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.

When we get to heaven there will be no more death, sorrow, pain or tears.

3. Soon and Very Soon We are Going to See the KING!

I will come again

Revelation 22.7 I am coming soon

He is coming from heaven to earth to catch His Bride away. He is coming to gather His children back home to bring His family together.

Every eye will see Him Revelation 1.7

He will appear publicly Titus 2.12-14

This will be the renewal of all things. Matthew 19.28

When We All Get to Heaven

We Will be like Him I John 2.1-2

Serving Like Jesus

John 13.12-17 In a large household in Israel in the first century there would be a number of servants. Each would have tasks assigned to them. To the lowest servant would fall the job of washing the feet of the guests who came into the home. Interesting how foot care differs in the Far East, Middle East and west. In the Far East the change is into slippers from regular shoes when entering into a home. In the Middle East sandals were prevalent- feet were washed when entering. Feet in leather sandals in the first century would perspire, pick up a lot of dirt and need a good washing. It was very refreshing to the washee but unpleasant to the washer! 1- It was a dirty job. Washing the dirt off the feet got your hands dirty! 2- It was a distasteful job. Odor 3- It was a disgusting job. How we tend to sanitize the manger, the cross and even this act on the part of Jesus. Now on the way to Jerusalem for the feast (just before they left Capernaum- Matthew 18.1-5) and at the table that night (Luke 22.23-32) they had been arguing over who would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Perhaps this is in part what happened to bring on Jesus' washing their feet. He spoke to them about this act of serving. Many times our LORD would do things while He was here on earth- healings and miracles and say very little. Here He speaks with more words than usual and with deep meaning. He begins with... 1. A Deep Question About Servanthood -v.12 "Do you understand what I have done for you?" God Almighty in the flesh washing the feet of men! The Creator/ the creatures Do you perceive? Have you come to an intimate embrace of what I have done for you? There is no task beneath us!... any of us... particularly ministers There are great spiritual truths here! *God's servants serve. *A willingness to take the lowest spot and serve like Christ is the best. *Love and Joy in serving is priceless. 2. Jesus Sets the Example vs.13-15 Do what He has done- in our culture washing feet is not an issue really but doing lowly tasks, the jobs no one else wants are huge- it is what Christ is all about. The LORD and Master performed the act of a slave. He is our example. There are many things to be done in the kingdom today. Whatever you do, so it with the love like Jesus did. He is lover personified. See a need and meet it in Jesus's Name! Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God I Corinthians 10.31 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD... Colossians 3.32 Let this mind be in you that also was in Christ Jesus Philippians 2.3-5 Voluntarily Lovingly Aiming at Perfection Pouring out: The feast in John 7.37-39 Mary in John 12 Jesus in John 13 3. There is a blessing that comes when we serve like Jesus. vs.16-17 know= grasp the force and meaning, be skilled in regard for, cherish Greatness - kill that passion to be great by serving. Be a bond servant (doulos) Put Christ's words into practice and you will receive great blessings. Don't be self serving. Serve others.

Become Like Christ

Some of blessings (better experienced than explained) is rapturous joy, a sense of following Christ, connecting with people on a deep level making memories that will bless you, being a an instrument in the Master's Hand.

I Will serve Thee

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

John 12. 20-36

This was at the time of the Passover Feast. Jesus was about to transform it into the LORD's Supper, something we will continue to celebrate until He comes again.

As with each feast in the first 67 years of that first century there were God fearing Jews as well as converts to Judaism from all over the world.

After being anointed on Saturday by Mary and riding into Jerusalem on what we know now as Palm Sunday or the Triumphal Entry, these events took place. We see several truths in this passage this morning. It is very evident that...

1. God So Loved The World - John 3.16/12.20-22
Here we see the Greek people, worshiping Greek people seeking Jesus.
Their request is simple but profound... "we would like to see Jesus."

I can go to a baseball game at Citifield and see all the Mets. I have seen them.
Years ago Dave Howard arranged for a group of us from Bay Shore and Patchogue Nazarene Churches to meet a few players. We met Orel Herschiser. He signed autographs, shook hands. But I am sure he doesn't remember any of us today.

One time years ago, a person told me that they had dinner with Norman Rockwell one night in New England. I was impressed. I love his paintings. However when I pressed for more information the truth came out. It turned out that he had eaten in a restaurant at the same time as Norman Rockwell. They were seated a few tables away. Their waiter said, "Do you know who that is?" They did not. They said, "He is the famous artist Norman Rockwell."

These Greek men came and asked to see Jesus.
See means more than just what I have described. It means in the original Greek language to
have an interview with, to visit, to get to know

I absolutely love how approachable Jesus is Whoever desires can come and dine with the Master. He is ready to meet with people who want to meet with Him and get acquainted deeply with God! He welcomes sinners!

The desire for conversation with God is at the heart of all true prayer. We want to see Him, know Him, visit with Him, ask Him questions and hear His responses.

God desires this. He cares about Japan this morning and the 10/40 window. He loves those on Wall Street and Main Street. He loves the Nicodemuses and the Josephs' of Arimithea but He points out with special care the widow who gave all she had to live on to the LORD. He loves saint and sinner and bids sinners come to find life.

God loves the world so much He gave His One and Only Son to die for us!

2. The Kingdom of God is about Death and Eternal Life. vs.23-28
So opposite of natural thinking. Dietrich Bonhoffer wrote, "When Jesus calls a man He bids him, "Come and die."

Jesus set the example, blazed the trail, established the plan of salvation by His Own Life and Death and Resurrection.

Give up your life- yourself and you will find life.
We can't follow Jesus without denying ourselves.

II Corinthians 4.11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake so that His Life may be revealed in our mortal body.
Only the LORD can bring New Life after the death of our old life. Lazarus was an example of this and an analogy. He gained notoriety because of Jesus. People came to see this man whom Jesus raised from the dead. There are all kinds of "unknown" people. Ones who never make the headlines, who have given all for Jesus. God knows who they are and they will be rewarded richly in heaven one day.

If we listen carefully while we are here on earth we'll hear...

3. Voices From Heaven. vs.28-36
God speaks to us today through His Word to our hearts. This is for our benefit, for our sakes.

Sometimes He will take a specific passage or line from scripture. I remember when I was a young man, our pastor spoke on the prodigal son. The words, "I will arise and go to my father." All afternoon and into the evening those words burned into a man's heart who was there that morning. He had drifted far from God and had just begun to attend church. Before that night was over He had recommitted his life to Christ. He had a heard a voice from heaven.

Talk to missionaries about their call and you will find this as well. They heard, some in very mystical ways, a voice from heaven.

There are times when a person or place is laid on our heart. I remember hearing as a little kid about China and how the missionaries had to come back a few years before I was born. God laid that nation on my heart when I was very young. Back about 20 years ago I began to read more books about it, about Hudson Taylor and the missions of the 1800's. This grew with intensity. We sent money to bring Bibles to China... I have got to go there twice (and we talk regularly to our family there through Skype) and LORD willing will go again, God speaks and if we listen He will open doors for us to share in His work.

Here the Voice from heaven, the Father speaking of Christ's death and resurrection. We need to hear from Heaven daily!
Believe as children of the light.

God loves the whole world and He sent Jesus to die for it. Jesus is sending us into is today!

Death and Life

John 11

This was the miracle set off the plot "to take Jesus' life". Jesus said, "The reason My Father loves Me is that I lay down my life - only to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My Own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and to take it up again. This command I received from My Father (John 10.17-18).

We see the power of love, the power of the resurrection in this account of Lazarus along with the power of hatred. (vs.45-53) Hatred brings death. Hatred robs us of joy, God's work and the ability to see miracles.

Humanly speaking if the LORD should have responded to anyone's request of healing from sickness it should have been for Lazarus from his sisters.

1. God does not always do what we want. vs.1-7
No, not even in healing. There are many of us who prayed earnestly for the healing of a loved one and they died. Some struggle with ailing health all their lives. We ought to keep asking until God says "No." James 5.16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.
We can relate to the emotions of Mary and Martha.
v.21 Martha v.32 Mary "LORD... if You had been here my brother would not have died."
Psalm 10.1 Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?
Psalm 22.2 My God, I cry out by day, but You do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.
Job 30.20 I cry out to You God, but you do not answer, I stand , but You merely look at me.

Now if there is any lack of faith or persistence in prayer or sin when it comes to healing we know that is on our part, not God's. However look at the people who gave these words:
Job, a perfect and upright man.
David, a man after God's own heart
Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and poured perfume worth a year's wages anointing Him.

Martha, who loved the LORD.

2. The LORD has a purpose in everything He does. vs.8-16
He even rides out His purposes on men's' evil intents! He is the LORD!
*When He was born His Father got His mother Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem on the decree of Caesar Augustus.
*When it was His time to die, it was the Jewish Ruling Council and the Roman Government who carried out the trials and the crucifixion. But it was really Christ laying down His life of His own accord.

The LORD let Lazarus die. There was no one who understood why.

Today there may be things going on in your life for which there are no answers. Perhaps there is something you prayed for or someone you prayed for and the answer you had hoped for has not come. Perhaps you can relate very well to Mary, Martha, the disciples, David, and Job.

Remember the Good News in this season we are in is Jesus is Alive. It really is the news for all seasons. He died, was laid in the tomb and is alive forevermore. He conquered death.

When it seems like someone has dies or something has died and said goodbye remember Christ has the final word. Our loved ones who died in the LORD top this list!

3. The LORD loves to put commas where we put periods and He loves to write the last chapter after we have closed the book! vs.17-44
No one was expecting this miracle. Martha expressed hope but it was clouded. This was at the end of Jesus' ministry on earth. He had raised others like the widow's son at Nain but no one after they had been dead for the 4 days.
v.35 is tied into v.33
All things were made through Him- John 1.3 He knew firsthand death was not a part of creation.
He saw the lack of faith and understanding of Who He was.- the Resurrection and the Life.
He cries with those family members die.
v.40 Still today. Believe!
v.41-42 God helps our faith
v.43 Vance Havner "Good thing He specified "Lazarus" or He would have emptied the whole cemetery. Remember Martha's words with Jesus v.23-27 True of Lazarus and all who believe
I Thessalonians 4.13-18
There was a mixed multitude v.45-47
Philippians 3.18 For as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
v.48-53 God's purposes were accomplished. Lazarus had died and was brought back to life. Jesus died for the world but death could not hold Him- Up From the Grave He Arose!

He Lives!

Giving Abundantly

Exodus 36.1-7
II Corinthians 9.6-15

The LORD had been good to Israel. Psalm 73.1 Surely God is good to Israel
With her humble beginnings as a family of twelve brothers, she grew into a great nation while in Egypt under bitter and different circumstances.

What His Mighty Hand the LORD delivered them from slavery. Deuteronomy 5.15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm...

Israel enjoyed (still does today), like no other Middle East nation, the blessings of God upon its land. Israel has an abundance of water - fresh water, which to the Middle East nations, is more valuable than oil. Its climate is so varied. It can be snowing in Jerusalem and down by the Dead Sea 90 minutes away (17 miles by road, actually 10 miles) it can be 80. It is an amazing land. David Ben-Gurion, Israel first Prime Minister said, "In Israel, in order to be a realist, you must believe in miracles." Surely God is good to Israel.

When the time came to build the tabernacle God had Moses issue a call to the people to give 35.4-9. Thankful people give to the LORD. Thanksgiving comes from the heart. 35.20-21 God loves a cheerful giver. Giving is not to be forced or reluctantly done. It is a spiritual act of joyful worship acknowledging the LORD and His goodness in our lives.

Then Israelites gave so much that vs.6-7 Moses had to give an order to the people not to bring anymore gifts. They gave abundantly to where there was more than enough to do the work God had directed them to do.

Giving Abundantly...

1. Out of Obedience to the LORD -v.1
God calls us to give. It is His desire to be a joint venture partner with us... He invites us to join Him. It is a joy!

There are many contemporary accounts of this.

Willing hearts Exodus 35.5 The value of the gift lies in the motive and heart of the giver.

Think today of all the LORD has blessed you with beginning with eternal life!
His Word, His Spirit, His people, the blessings which come.

2. The was an act of sanctified extravagance.

Mary of Bethany with the Alabaster Jar of perfume Mark 14.1-9
The Feeding of the 5,000 men John 6.1-13
It is spring time wild flowers will be blooming- some in the mountains where few human eyes will see, God has splashed colors all over

We need to model Mary and be an imitator of God in this grace of giving... not gaudy or showy, but extraordinary and abundantly as He has given to us. We sow and God causes the seed to grow.

3. Out of Love

Mary, the children of Israel and the church- giving should be out of love for the LORD.

Jesus came that we may have life abundantly John 10.10
He is able to do abundantly above all we could ever ask or imagine. Ephesians 3.20-21
He loads us with blessings.

Give of your best

Give abundantly

Give out of love

For all He has given

The blessings from above.