Cross Church Winnipeg Sermon Podcast

This Week's Message: Word Made Flesh: Part 3 - The Prophet The very last book of the Old Testament, in the last chapter, in the last two verses, we read of the coming of a Prophet like Elijah: “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. After these words are written, there are 400 years of silence from heaven. For 400 years Israel waited to hear from God again. They were waiting for God’s prophet. And then suddenly it happened. A prophet appeared in the desert, John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (Mrk 1:4-5) Then Jesus himself identifies John as the Elijah written about in Malachi: “And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.” This is the most momentous announcement from heaven, in 400 years. What does this

Why did Mary have to be a Virgin? Some feel that this is not an important doctrine of the Church. Some believe that in fact Mary got pregnant because of a lack of virtue and holiness. This is the line that many enemies of the church use. Those who would mock Christianity always attack the Virgin Mary as a liar. Matthew 1:23 quotes the prophesy of Isaiah 7:14, which came to us 700 years before the birth of Jesus: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.” Mary’s fiancé is in agreement with her virginity because he reports of the angelic visitation of Gabriel who tells him, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21)

John the Evangelist reported that “the Word became flesh”. Matthew the Evangelist begins his Gospel, “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.” Mark begins his account with, “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It began just as the prophet Isaiah had written…” Finally, Luke begins with the angelic announcement, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Gratitude to God for His provision and mercy and grace is an act of worship that pictures God on His Eternal Throne. It is so easy to forget that you and I are not the centre of the Universe. God is. The Apostle Paul wants Christians to understand the critical importance of seeing God enthroned above the Creation. Self-centredness is to often the lens through which we view God and this life. This is a deadly view, because when things don’t go our way or if God doesn’t answer our prayer, we assume that He doesn’t love us, or worse, is incapable of giving us what we want. God is not a magic genie. His purpose is not to do what we say nor is it to give us what we demand. This self-centred approach to God is the demonic lie that ensnared Adam & Eve. Paul keeps hammering home to us the doctrine of God and our appropriate response to the God of the universe. Praise and thanksgiving must fill our hearts daily and moment by moment.

Paul frames idolatry in ways that most of us have never considered. Paul says, “3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.” When we focus on our Holy God and His doing His will with the appropriate response of gratitude and worship, we live as the holy people we are called to be. But when our focus is on self and the things of this world, we become greedy, idolators who worship the things of this world. Give Him thanks and be free of idols.

Last minute advice is usually brief, authoritative and to the point. How can I live as an authentic Christian? Assuming his audience is actually Born Again with the Spirit of God living in them, the Apostle Paul gives some excellent last minute advice in his letter to the Greek Christians who live in the city of Thessaloniki. He is specifically addressing their personal relationship with God and how to maintain a rich, authentic Christian life. This advice addresses what is so often wrong about our Christian witness, namely, unchristian attitudes, speech and behaviours. Paul tells Believers everywhere: 16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. (1Thess. 5:16-19)

“Be thankful” (Colossians 3:15) is a recurring exhortation in the letters of the Apostle Paul. 62 times Paul speaks to the theme of thanksgiving. No other New Testament writer gives such a sustained emphasis on Thanksgiving—and yet, major modern studies of Paul fail to grapple with this aspect of Christian worship. Paul’s theology of thanksgiving is deeply embedded in all his letters, and in the gospel itself. Let us take time and to do some self-examination, repentance, and ask God for a new resolve to be thankful. Of all people, Christians have by far, the most for which to be grateful! Have you counted your blessings lately? If you do, you will be surprised by what the Lord has done for you!

Paul tells young Timothy, “God uses scripture to prepare and equip His people to do every good work.” If you are not being prepared and equipped to do God’s work, according to scripture, then you are probably a nominal Christian. Nominal means, “in name only.” Jesus makes a shocking statement in the closing of His Sermon on the Mount: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Being made complete and equipped by scripture, is a matter of life and death.

Scripture reveals to us God’s will and purpose and is therefore profitable for our transformation. Paul tells Pastor Timothy about the power of the Scriptures to transform us into the image of Christ, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” Paul is essentially saying the same thing to the Christians in Rome, Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. If you are not being transformed by scripture, then you are being transformed by the culture which stands in violent opposition to God.

Only scripture teaches us—and gives us—the wisdom to embrace salvation through Jesus Christ. Addressing the young Pastor Timothy, Paul reminds him, You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Peter would concur with the Apostle Paul, “For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’ There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Jesus teaches us the way of salvation and it begins with faith in Him. All of scripture, Old Testament and New Testament, points to Christ Jesus as the source of Salvation. For this reason, we must know Jesus according to scripture and thereby become one with Him.

Some foolishly wonder if it pays to live the Christian life. Why bother? Wisdom tells us why we ought to pursue the wisdom and fear of God, “Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. 12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.
13 These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. 14 They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. 15 Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong. -Proverbs 2:9-15” The fruit of the life that is devoted to wisdom is the fruit of joy. This joy is ours because we are protected against evil people and we have wisdom to make right decisions. While foolish people have no idea how to live, the wise are confidant and sure of themselves. It’s not because of pride, but because of clear protection of God. While fools s

For those who consistently seek God and the Wisdom of Heaven, Solomon declares that God will give great gifts to that person, priceless gifts beyond our comprehension. Wisdom says, “My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 2 Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. 3 Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. 4 Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. 5 Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. 8 He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him. -Proverbs 2:1-8 What a comfort to read such words. Who wouldn’t want God’s wisdom and common sense and protection? When Solomon asked God for wisdom, God gave him wisdom AND wealth. Practically speaking, this is the Christian life. It’s a to

Thankfully peace and joy and what we often call “happiness”, is not as elusive as we may think. But if you’re going to be happy, you will have to let go of your pride and be a humble learner. Solomon understands human pride and he continues quoting the words that Wisdom would preach, “When they cry for help, I will not answer. Though they anxiously search for me, they will not find me. 29 For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. 30 They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. 31 Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way, choking on their own schemes. 32 For simpletons turn away from me—to death. Fools are destroyed by their own complacency. 33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” -Proverbs 1:28-33” It is a frightening thing to get to the point of no return. The point of no return. These are terrifying words. Yet so many get to that place. God help us to turn to God before its too late!

Solomon says that Wisdom continues to cry out to us our whole life through. As though wisdom were an actual person, Solomon quotes the words of Wisdom: “I called you so often, but you wouldn’t come. I reached out to you, but you paid no attention. 25 You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered. 26 So I will laugh when you are in trouble! I will mock you when disaster overtakes you—27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster engulfs you like a cyclone, and anguish and distress overwhelm you. -Proverbs 1:24-27” It sounds nasty, but let’s face it, when we begin to reap the grim and rotten fruit of foolishness in our lives, it’s as if wisdom is indeed mocking us. Sadly—and foolishly—when things go badly for us, we want to blame God. But the Lord so often uses the consequences of our bad decisions to point us back to Him.

Solomon makes it very clear that wisdom is not just for the elite and the learned and for people of noble birth. He says, Wisdom shouts in the streets. She cries out in the public square. 21 She calls to the crowds along the main street, to those gathered in front of the city gate: 22 “How long, you simpletons, will you insist on being simpleminded? How long will you mockers relish your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge? 23 Come and listen to my counsel. I’ll share my heart with you and make you wise. -Proverbs 1:20-23” According to Solomon, the simpleminded are not merely handicapped and unfortunate. No, he is being bold in his proclamation. He is saying that anyone may be wise. The simpleminded are stupid people. The fool has made a decision to reject wisdom and personal responsibility for his or her life. The Gospel message declares that through Christ we may be wise if only we will take responsibility for our life. Wisdom is crying out for us. It is God himself. All we have to do is cry out

Solomon continues his warnings against being a fool. He says, “My child, don’t go along with [assassins]! Stay far away from their paths. 16 They rush to commit evil deeds. They hurry to commit murder. 17 If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away. 18 But these people set an ambush for themselves; they are trying to get themselves killed. 19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life. -Proverbs 1:15-19” Solomon shows us how foolish we are when we are greedy for money. The fate of the greedy is that while they may gain financially, they are robbed of life! Think about it, what good is wealth if you have no life? To press the foolishness of this way of living, Solomon says that even simple birds are wise enough to avoid being trapped. Are you wise enough to avoid the fate of the greedy? God will help everyone who cries out for wisdom.

Solomon understands too well the temptations that every human experiences. And so he gives warning, “My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! 11 They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take.14 Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.” -Proverbs 1:10-14 There so many ways that we kill people. Jesus said that hating people is like murdering them. Then there is gossip and character assassinations that happen in and out of the Church—a disgrace to be sure! We think that we can somehow gain something from destroying others. How shocking and how sad that there are people who call themselves Christians who act like this. Thankfully, wisdom protects us from such evil.

When we speak of the wise we can’t help but contrast them with the foolish. The foolish stand out like a sore thumb. So often they look foolish and sound foolish and make foolish decisions. But the wise stand out as exceptional. The wise seem to be in another class. Solomon says, “My child, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. **9** What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck. -Proverbs 1:8-9” Yes, the wise are noble people. They stand out as extraordinary people. Wisdom is not necessarily the fruit of education or privilege or fame or fortune. Wisdom is the fruit of the man or woman who has taken to heart the godly instruction of parents, teachers, pastors and mentors. John Adams once said, “there is a natural Aristocracy among men…” To be a virtuous person who is naturally honored and respected by all, we must humbly learn from the wise.

Solomon continues with his opening statement about the power of wisdom. He says, “Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance 6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. -Proverbs 1:5-7” The fear of the Lord is an old idea that is usually very much misunderstood today. “The fear of the Lord” means that we have a personal bias, and passion, to submit to the Lord’s will above all else. Can you say that about yourself? It is impossible to be wise if you don’t care about doing God’s will. The fool is the one who gives lip service to God but is intent on pursuing his own will. Let us pray that the Lord will give us the grace to be wise through fearing God. Remember fools despise wisdom and discipline.

No one likes to talk about discipline. Discipline is a difficult thing to embrace because it requires personal sacrifice and we by nature are self-centred. We don’t like to be deprived of what we want. Solomon begins the book of Proverbs with these words: “These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young.” Well, it’s not just the young that need discernment and knowledge. Sadly, too many of us have never really grown up. We are still infantile in our thinking and in the way that we live. Let us pray that the Lord will do a profound work in our lives as we seek to gain the wisdom of God.