Drawing Near To God

Hebrews 10.19-25
James 4.8 Come near to God and He will come near to you.

Because of what Jesus did by dying on the cross, by offering Himself in Jerusalem we are called to draw near to Him.

In Jerusalem just down the hill from Golgotha stood the Temple. In the Temple was the Holy Place separated by the veil where the Holy of Holies stood. Only once a year and then only the High Priest could enter that Most Holy Place. It was a place of fear and dread (Exodus 28.35)

Christ Jesus opened up the way for us- the new and living way. At the moment He died the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matthew 27.50-51)

This portion of Hebrews that we have read this morning is full of exhortations. Based upon the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross we are called to draw near to the LORD God. In these verses we are told how to do it.

1. Hold unswervingly to the Hope we profess. -v.23

Our Hope is Christ coming for us soon.
We will be with the LORD forever.
Our Only Hope is Jesus! Because of what Jesus did it is built on nothing less than Jesus' Blood and Righteousness.
Keep this Hope secure, make it firm, make it your possession. He will come.
Life can pull us in a different direction: its worries, riches and pleasures.
We are told that the LORD is faithful to what He has promised, indeed faithful to all His Promises. Therefore read God's Word to get those promises in your heart and mind. Meditate upon them This will tighten your grip on Hope.
Keep yourself from becoming polluted by the world. James 1.27

2. Consider how we may spur one another on to Love and Good Deeds. -v.24
Give each other a "jab".

This is not (to use a term of the 70's and 80's) to put someone on a guilt trip or shame them or embarrass them into serving. It is rather a loving incite to do good and love deeply.

These good deeds expressed through love bring glory to God. Its not about getting credit or applause but to be like Jesus. It is doing it out of a heart of love.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2.3-4) He writes to the Ephesians about this also in 4.29 of that letter.

3. Keep on meeting together and encourage each other as the Day of Christ's Appearing approaches. -v.24
Some have fallen away from the fellowship. Don't let that happen to you!
They are in the habit of doing something else when the church gathers. As we meet this morning they are doing something else. Even if you are reading this and you are in the habit of not meeting with the church, go find a good church (no church is perfect on earth) and get back to fellowship- you need it! The church needs you! Decide now that enough of this habit! Get back to it!

* Let's keep on meeting together- go after those who are on the edge
Jude 23- snatch others from the fire and save them.
*Let's keep on encouraging one another
parakleo- Paraklete- the Holy Spirit's work. Let the Spirit work through you to call, comfort, exhort, beg, strengthen.
*Let's look to the skies for He's Coming Again!

Draw Near to God

*Hold firmly to the Hope we profess.
*Think about ways to lovingly irritate others to love and good works.
*Keep on meeting together, encourage each other as our redemption draws near!

Facing The Judgment

Hebrews 9.23-28

There is a judgement at the time of death. When the spirit leaves the body it either goes to be with the LORD or into outer darkness. Paul wrote that to be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD. He wrote to the Philippians 1.21-24 For to me to live is Christ and die to is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I chose? I do not know. I am torn between the two; I desire to depart and be with Christ which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body,

Luke 16.19-31 The rich man and Lazarus tells us of the judgment at the time of death. It speaks clearly of 2 places.

There is a Judgment Day coming. When my daughter Theresa called me from work 10 years ago this morning right around this time and said, "Dad, did you hear what happened? The World Trade Centers have been hit with planes and both the towers have come down." I responded, "This could be it. The LORD could be coming for us any minute." Later that morning when my friends Joe InFranco and Rudy Migliore came to my house for our weekly prayer meeting, Joe asked for my Bible and read Revelation 18 and being a student and teacher of that book replied, "Not yet."

There is a time for judgment coming when time is swallowed up into eternity. Revelation 20 describes that day and event.

What we believe determines what we do/ how we behave which will all be brought out into the light at the judgment.

1. Everyone will appear before Christ on that Day. II Corinthians 5.10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

I Corinthians 3.11-13 Fire will test the quality of each man's work.
Water in Noah's time- Fire in our time. I called and prayed with Pastor Dan Eddings this morning. He is my parents' pastor. Their church is a total loss as well as the first floor of the parsonage from the floods this week. I spoke about the rainbow after Noah came out of the ark. There will be rainbows for him and that church- God's Promises! Pray for them.

Back to the fire- (water and fire have incredible good and we need them but also can be very destructive). Our life's work for the LORD will be tested. Only what is done for Christ will last Rewards will be given to those whose work lasts. Others who believe will be saved but their work burned.

The are mentions of rewards or references to them in the Word of God.
Matthew 6.20 Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
I Peter 5.4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
II Timothy 4.8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the Righteous Judge will award me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His Appearing.
Your giving and praying and service to Christ will have a bearing on eternity and your experience of heaven. Give yourselves fully to the work of the LORD!

2. Jesus describes the scene of the Day of Judgment.

Matthew 25.14-30 Investing the things God has entrusted to us with in His Kingdom.
31-46 The two groups at the judgment

Psalm 96.11-13 He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His Truth.

3. Perfect Love Casts Our the Fear of Hell. I John 4.15-18

Love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement... There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out dear, because fear has to do with punishment.
Aim at loving God with everything, total, complete, full surrender to Him. The hope of the Second Coming has a purifying effect. Perfect Love gives us blessed assurance of our salvation. It gives us peace. It puts confidence in our hearts about the Day of Judgment so we say, "Even so come LORD Jesus!"

With Christ in our hearts we face the judgment with peace. We face the future with confidence. We have assurance that the judgment for us will bring in God's Promises and fulfill the Hope we have. Our faith will become sight!

Maranatha!

The Mystery of Heaven

Hebrews 8.1-6

We have many questions about heaven:
Will we know each other there? What will we do when we get there?
Will we remember things that happened here on earth?

We are told about this wonderful place we call heaven in the Word of God. I believe however we will feel something like Queen Sheba when she heard Solomon's wisdom and exclaimed in I Kings 10.7 "Indeed, not even the half was told to me."

One of the mysteries and wonders will be what we are told of in verse five. There is a tabernacle in heaven. Now we understand why all the detail repeated over and over again in Exodus and Leviticus when it came to the tabernacle that was built under Moses.

God's Word has "appetizers" about heaven. Psalm 34.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.

I John 3.1-3 What we will be has not yet been made known.

Oh What a Foretaste of Glory Divine!

1. The Tabernacle Moses Built was a copy of the One in Heaven. -v.5
A copy- a sketch plan. a reflection, a silhouette (Remember when they did that of us in school?)
The heavenly sanctuary is:
of heaven
continuous
the real thing
accessible to everyone
4.10 Anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work as God did from His.
10.19 we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus
was made without human hands.
9.24 For Christ did not enter a man made sanctuary that only was a copy of the true one; He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's Presence.
This heavenly sanctuary has no sacrifices because Christ Jesus provided Himself, the Lamb of God, fulfilling the need for the blood of animals to be shed. He appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Revelation 5.6 ... a Lamb as though it had been slain...

The Lamb of God willingly laid down His life for us, providing salvation, sanctification and glorification.

2. At the Present Time We See Through a Glass Dimly.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully even as I am fully known. - I Corinthians 13.12
We walk by faith not by sight- II Corinthians 5.7
There is a great deal we do not know about heaven and even life here on earth for that matter. There is mystery in all of our lives, some greater than others but we all have unanswered prayers and the question of why.
Daniel and Paul, the apostle used this word mystery. It is used a number of times by John in Revelation.
A few examples:
Ephesians 5.32 This is profound mystery- but I am talking about Christ and the Church.
I Timothy 3.16 Beyond all question the mystery of godliness is great.

3. We are Exhorted in the Things We Do Understand.
Hebrews 4.16 Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace so we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 12.2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.
Hebrews 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.
I Corinthians 15.58 Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the LORD, because you know that your labor in the LORD is not in vain.

We will be rewarded one day. One day in heaven for eternity. It is more than we can imagine. The place Christ is preparing for us is beyond our ability here to take in. Be faithful, serve Him out of a heart of love - pour out your love for Him. Keep your eyes fixed on Him!

What The Bible Says About Storms

Job 40.6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm

Everyone is talking about it, the TV and Facebook are filled with news about it, the stores here on Long Island and up and down the eastern seaboard are busy because of it. Hurricane Irene is coming to town!

People suddenly are praying. That is a good thing. Yesterday the sun was shining and it will come out on the other side of this massive system. However for the next 18 hours or so here on Long Island's South Shore we will experience heavy rain, high winds and the things that come with it.

Most of us have candles out and ready, water stored, ice chests prepared in case we lose electricity.

The Bible speaks about storms in many places. Jesus calmed one. Actually spoke to it. The literal Greek phrase was "Be muzzled!" Immediately it was calm. I am certain He could do the same with Irene. Most of the time the LORD brings us through the storm rather than stopping it. Sometimes He calms the storm for us but most of the time He calms us in the storm and until it is passed.

This was true of Job. God spoke to him from the storm. Right out of it! He rides upon the wings of the wind. When I want to be alone with God I look for that quiet place like the garden of Eden. Sometimes He comes in the cool of the day and talks to me and other times He speaks out of less favorable conditions like illness and death and hurricanes.

Job went through storms- he lost everything except his integrity. He lost his children, his wealth, his health, his wife and his friends. It is amazing that Job did not lose his mind! Lesser men would have cursed God and died. He proclaimed, "I know that my Redeemer lives!!!" The man knew his God, but better than that: The man's God knew the man. He spoke out of the storms of Job's life. He will speak out of ours.

If you are going through a storm other than Irene as you read this, He is there if you call upon Him. Whoever calls upon the Name of the LORD will be saved!

Some are facing financial storms. The signs are all around. We had an earthquake on the east coast this week. People we shaken up. Now a hurricane. But if you are deeply in debt or not meeting your bills each day is stormy and shaky. Our economy is shaking and quaking. People are in need of help. Our help comes from the LORD the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Some are facing relational storms. Marriages are stressed. People have had communication breakdowns. Never before has there been so much anger within families. Christ can bring peace. He can make you a peacemaker.

Others are facing emotional storms. Perhaps you are in this midst of the horrible experience of depression. Darkness in the day. Feelings of hopelessness. Feeling tired after a full night's sleep or not being able to sleep. The LORD speaks out of this storm. Some of the best loved hymns were written out of times of darkness and despair. Listen to what the LORD is saying in this storm tonight.

Some are facing storms about their future as well as their past. If Satan can make you grieve over yesterday and worry about tomorrow then he has robbed you of today. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Maybe you are worried about tomorrow or next year. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. We can change nothing by worrying. God will take care of you! He can help you overcome anxiety about the future.

Let Him speak to you from the storm! He will do wonderful things in the midst of it. He is faithful to all His Promises!

The Power of an Indestuctible Life

Hebrews 7.1-19

You have heard people say this (perhaps you have said it or at least thought of it), "I have to get away from it all," or "I just want to go to a deserted island where no one can find me."

People look for peace in escape. Advertisers use this to their advantage. Vacations packages are sold based on it. Back in the 1970's there was a commercial which had the words, "Take me away Calgon." Peace is not found in escape- not true lasting peace.

People look for peace in evasion. Some poor souls go through great lengths to avoid certain people. If they see them coming they will go another way. If they hear they are going to be at a certain event they will not attend themselves. There may be no confrontation in that approach but there is also no peace. The loss of a loved one can be handled that way. The "experts" in grief counseling call it postponing grief. It is very unhealthy. People that say, "I am going on with my life," after such a loss or really saying, "I can't handle this!" People handle illness like this at times. They don't face the inevitable. Some of the anti aging techniques used today ignore gravity. They evade the truth!

Melchizedek is called the King of Peace. That is one of the meanings of his name. v.3 like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.

When Jesus was dying on the cross, His life not look indestructible. When He shed His blood it didn't look like He would be alive forevermore (Revelation 1.18) but He is and He holds the keys of death and of hell. He said in John 8.58 Before Abraham was born I am and now He is seated at the right hand of God and He always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7.25)

In Genesis 14 and again in the scripture in Hebrews we read this morning we are told of the meeting of Abraham and this Melchizedek. There is much more I would love to know about this mysterious King-Priest from Jerusalem but this is what we are told.

1. The Tithe is the LORD's. vs.1-10
Abraham gave 10% of the spoils of this battle to Melchizedek, priest of God.
Genesis 14.21-24
The tithe is a tangible acknowledgment of God in your life. Abraham's victory over the kings he fought against was a miracle. He knew it. He knew God provided it. He had to acknowledge God.

Abraham tithed before the law was given- 400 years before!

1-Melchizedek brought out bread and wine.- Genesis 14.18
The connection to the LORD's Supper here centuries before Christ came.
2-Melchizedek blessed Abraham- vs.19-20a
3-Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. -v.20b

Look at Jesus' words about money Matthew 6.19-21, 24

2. The Priesthood of Melchizedek is Unique. vs.11-17
*It is royal priesthood because Melchizedek was a king.
I Peter 2.9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a people belonging to God.
Christ is our Great High Priest- all believers serve as priests.
*Melchizedek and Jesus' priesthood is different from the Old Covenant.
The Old- Aaron and his descendants- it died out, but before it did it was fulfilled by Jesus.
The New and Eternal- like Melchizedek, Jesus is a priest forever.
Neither Melchizedek nor Jesus were Levites or descendants of Aaron.

3. Our Hope is in Christ vs.18-19
John 11.25 I am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me will live, even though He dies.
He gives us everlasting life. John 5.24-26
He comforts us. Job 19.25 I know that my Redeemer lives
He satisfies John 4.10

You can live by the power of His Endless Life- the power of the Resurrection!
John 14.19 Because I live you also will live.

The power of an indestructible life is ours in Christ!

The Anchor For The Soul

Hebrews 6.13-20

I love the terms used to describe Christ Jesus: Son of God, Son of Man
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
Bread of Life, Rock, Ancient of Days, Lily of the Valley, Morning Star
That Great Shepherd of the Sheep, Alpha and Omega

Here in the Scripture this morning He is described as an anchor for the soul. We need to hear this today.

1. In Times Like There We Have Hope. v.16-20
Thankfully our anchor isn't in the economy. Wall Street's performance this week gave investors high blood pressure and other stress related maladies.
Our anchor isn't tied to how well things are going because as the old hymn says, "I don't borrow from it sunshine for its skies may turn to gray."
Our anchor isn't tied to anything other than Jesus Christ. We've anchored our soul in the Haven of Rest!

Bread, a group from the 70's did a song called London Bridge (it could have been written for today):
I know the times are to bear,
Its hard to find someone to really care.
The changes taking place are everywhere,
The centuries past have nothing to compare.

The greatest changes the world has ever experienced since Creation are taking place right now- rapid fire change.

It is easy to sense the loss of stability as the world spins out of control.
We have hope because we have an anchor for the soul.

A hymn of years ago could have been written for today!:
In times like these we need a Savior.
In times like these we need an anchor.
I'm very sure. I'm very sure.
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
This Rock is Jesus, Yes He's the One.
This Rock is Jesus, God's only Son.
I'm very sure. I'm very sure.
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.

Life apart from Christ the Solid Rock, the Anchor for the soul, is full of uncertainties. It is outside the plan and purpose of God.

2. We Have Fled To Him! -v.18
Proverbs 18.10 The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and they are saved.
This word "run" means to swiftly dart, to move quickly, to hurry
The word, fled, means to seek safety by flighty, to escape safely out of danger.
We are in the shelter of His wings. He protects us.

An anchor is not seen when it is at work but it is felt and the effects it produces are very visible.

3. This Anchor For The Soul Is Firm and Secure.- v.19-20
It takes hold of the unseen and eternal- the Holy of Holies.
Our Great High Priest is in the heavens. Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament Priesthood and sacrificial system.

He is our Anchor:
*In the Day of Trouble
Psalm 27.5 For in the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling. Evil times, bad things coming, pain, misery, fiery trials
*In the Day of Adversity
Proverbs 17.17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Straits, distress... When all around my soul gives way
*In the Day of Death
I Corinthians 15.55 O death where is your victory?
The loss of a loved one. For believers in Jesus Christ: "Death is not the extinguishing of the light.
It is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come."

We have an Anchor for the Soul!

Rest in Him Today!

A Balanced Spiritual Diet

Hebrews 5.11-14

One of the most popular topics today is in one word, "diet". With our sedimentary life style weight loss has become a huge industry. A great deal of money and energy is spent on trying to keep fit these days.

Diet is much more than weight loss. It is the whole of what we ingest. What is true in the physical area is true in the spiritual realm. We need a balanced diet.

When I grew up in the church we emphasized a lot of what we should avoid spiritually. That is important too. We did not put nearly enough emphasis on what we should take in for a balanced spiritual diet.

God's Word instructs us as to what this is. There are specific physical foods mentioned a number of times in the scriptures which correlate to spiritual nourishment.

1. Milk I Peter 2.2-3
*No beverage contains so many nutrients.
*Young children need it for bone mass and skeletal development.
*It is easy to digest. It doesn't tax the digestive system.

Spiritually milk is the basics of the faith.
We need to continue to take it in. Human beings are the only animals/mammals which continue to take in milk after full development.

We are to be childlike in our faith. The Word of God has milk. We are to crave it like new born babes. Long for the time in God's Word each day. Pursue it with love and hide it in your heart.

Now we know that children do not stay on an all milk diet. They begin to desire solid food. Milk no longer satisfies alone. They still need milk but they also need:

2. Meat I Corinthians 3.1-2
As teeth begin to develop, children want something they can sink their teeth into, something more than just milk.
As we mature as believers we long for the vast wealth of God's Word to make us strong.
Both the Corinthians and the Hebrews had arrested spiritual development. The Corinthians were bickering with jealousy in their hearts over which minister of the gospel was the best and over spiritual gifts. Sins within can cut off the desire for solid food. There are so many spiritual analogies here but we cannot get into all of them. Sins like jealousy and envy and bitterness affect us physically, particularly in our bone health and our digestive system. Godliness with contentment is great gain. I Timothy 6.6

We need meat (Solid food) to develop - Peter tells us to first rid ourselves of things that prevent spiritual development. (I Peter 2.1) Think about envy. If I am focused on what someone else has I can't give my full attention to becoming like Christ. I can't digest meat/solid food. There is an immaturity to all these inner sins... we see it with children (I have more sprinkles on my ice cream than you!) but when we grow up it is so unbecoming!

We need milk, we need meat and we also need

3. Manna John 6.30-40
Daily provision for food for the body. Daily provision for spiritual food for each day: "Give us this day our daily bread."
This has to do with a Person to person relationship- personal insight. Christ= the Anointed One, The Truth, The Way, The Life. I had an experience of this nature this week- The Gardens of Jesus last hours: Gethsemane, The Garden Tomb, Paradise: The Struggle, Suffering, Pleasure for Eternity.

Milk, Meat Manna- Let's Eat!