LBC Sermons & Messages

Luke 16:19-23; Matthew 7:13-20

In this portion of scripture, we have a familiar passage. One that is preached but not really understood. We see Christ talking of two ways. There are two distinct ways but both are in the same path. Let me explain.

Many will find a broad way. This is the way that we all are born onto and are all heading to a life and eternity of destruction without God as the rich man found out. Along on our journey we see Christ, the narrow gate, lifted up and we repent and enter into the narrow way, as did Lazarus.

The key to the narrow way is Christ. John 14 tells us that Christ said He is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come to the Father, or inherit eternal life in heaven, accept by the blood of Jesus Christ. We all need Christ and once we are in the right relationship with Him, we need to show others that narrow gate.

Along the journey, some will try to walk in the narrow way but they did not enter by way of the strait gate vs. 21-24. Many will prophesy and do many wonderful works in the name of Christ, but they did not enter through Him. If we do not enter through Christ, we are not His. We will be cast into the lake of fire that burns forever and our torment will be unquenched. We must enter into the narrow way by
the strait gate.

The Christian life is not about doing “spiritual” things. It is about doing ministry which is living whole-heartedly for Christ and allowing Him to have free reign in our lives as we show others the way. It is not about doing things but it is rather about being a witness. Ministry in the Bible is only defined as leading people into a relationship with Him. We need the church cleaned, buses run, music lead, nursery offered, etc. But ministry is the work of evangelism.

In verses 16 and 20 we are told that those who enter into the narrow way properly through the strait gate will be known by their fruit. What is this fruit? Our fruit is the witness that we have in this lost world. Are you actively witnessing? If not, maybe you are not His. Maybe you are walking on the narrow way bit missed the strait gate. Make you election, or salvation, sure.

Luke 16:19-31

Today we will look at a familiar story. Many debate on whether this is a real life story or if it is a parable. Either way, there is a plethora of challenges to us all and unbelievable principles to follow. It is the account of the rich man and Lazarus.

The account start with details about the rich man. We are not even told his name. Just “the rich man.” He could afford to wear purple and fine linens every day. He also through banquets often. These were not just parties but lavish dinners. We are told that he fared sumptuously. He had no need by the worldly standards.

Then we are told about a poor man named Lazarus. We are told his name and it means, “whom God helps.” We will discuss this in another week are so.

Lazarus was carelessly dropped off at the rich man’s gate. He was so poor that the towns’ people dropped him off there in an attempt to get him help. He is also full of open sores that oozed and the dogs even liked them. He could not even go to see the doctor for help.

We are told that Lazarus desired crumbs from the rich man’s table. This sounds bad but it is much worse than it sounds. What they would do at these banquets is use the bread crust as napkins. When their fingers were dirty they would lick them, whip the remaining food and saliva onto the crust, and feed it to the dogs. This is what Lazarus desired.

Lazarus was totally destitute, as are we. We cannot do anything apart from the power and grace of God. Every heart beat is a gift. Every breath we take is a gift.

We need Christ for life. We need Christ for eternity. Apart from Christ, we face an utter eternity in a place prepared for Satan and his demons. We need Him.
Psalms 34:18, 51:17, 102:17, II Cor. 5:17, II Cor. 12:10, 13, Phil. 4:13

Matthew 10:16-28

God calls us sheep several times in the scripture. Sheep are dumb, weak, and dependent. They have no defenses and must be watched all the time or else they will wonder off and get into trouble. It is not very encouraging to be such an animal, but so it is. We are weak and can do nothing apart from God’s grace. We are dumb and need wisdom and constant guidance. We also have no defenses against the whiles of the devil. Like it or not, we are sheep.

In Matthew chapter 10, Christ tells us that He sends us out as sheep amidst the wolves. Wolves are a natural predator of sheep. They hunt in packs and are vicious. Sheep have no defense and will be torn apart by wolves and yet God sends us out as such.

I Peter 5:8 tells us that Satan is like a roaring lion seeking those he may devour. He is an enemy to the Christian. The moment you repent and turn to Christ for salvation, you become an enemy of Satan and he seeks to devour and destroy you.

Matthew 7:15 warns us of false prophets which will try to lead us down the broad path the leads to destruction. It says that they are like ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. Christ is clear about the path to salvation and godliness. It is through Christ himself and His word alone. He completed the work on the cross and there is nothing that we can do to add to or take away from it. We simply accept this gift or reject it.

His Word is absolute truth and life. If you hear something on the contrary, it is from a false prophet. We are to mark such people and have nothing to do with them. They also use a message that is close to the truth. Satan is a wise serpent.

However, we need not fear because Christ is our shepherd. In John 10, we see that Christ is the door and it is He that gives His life. He guides us and protects us through His divine power. Verse 11 says that Christ gives His life for the Sheep. Not gave but gives. This is a promise that His life actively gives us a home in heaven as well as strength for everyday living. He is committed to us and will never leave us or forsake us. He is the Great Shepherd.

John 10:15-27

Sheep are dumb. They even run funny. If you Google dumb sheep you will see some videos that will make you shake your head and laugh. They also scare easily. You can scare a whole flock and they will all just roll over and lay there momentarily stunned. When was the last time you saw a sports team with a sheep as a mascot? You don’t because they are DUMB.

They are also weak. They have no defenses or hope if they are attacked. They are so weak that the shepherds have to still the water if it is too rough so the sheep can drink. They are WEAK.

Here in the Psalms 95:6, 7a we have some encouraging words. God calls us sheep. I do not know about you but we are nothing like sheep. We do not do dumb things. We do not follow other people no matter how ignorant they are. We are never scared and we are strong. Right? I want to be something like a bear or a lion. However, when I choose to not be a sheep totally dependent on God, I am living
in rebellion. Like it or not we are sheep!

The gospel of John gives us some more insight on how this works. Verse 27 tells us that God’s sheep, those of us who know have repented and know Him as Savior, hear His voice. The reason we do not hear is because we choose not too. He is always speaking and longing for us to hear. When was the last time that you have truly heard from God? Do you hunger after God and His Word? Psalms 107:1-9; 61:2; 19:6-10; 34:17, 18

We are also told that God’s sheep follow Him. We are dependent sheep but He is the great shepherd. What a blessing to know that our shepherd is omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, etc.

When we follow God, He is right in front of us. This means that where ever God leads us, He is going before us. God will never call us or lead us to do anything or go anywhere in which He is not with us. We also have the Holy Spirit our parakletos or helper. He is continually with us no matter where we go. Psalms 95:7b, 8 encourages us to not harden our hearts. Be obedient!

John 4:1-29

Today we wrap up our study of the Church. We look at a familiar passage in John chapter 4. First, I want you to notice that Jesus was in Jerusalem and was going north to Galilee. The Jews would normally journey across the Jordan River, then north, then back across the river to avoid travel through Samaria. The Jews and Samaritans were like oil and water. However, Jesus did not do this. He told his disciples that He must go through Samaria. Our responsibility to the world involves reaching all people, no matter what their ethnicity, social standing, location, etc. We are to give the gospel
message to all.

Second, we see the woman came to get water at noon. Normally, they would get water in the early morning to use it for the rest of the day. It is highly likely that this woman was a social outcast. Upon their meeting, Christ began to give her the gospel through use of the law. He met her where she was. He did not invite her to church. He did not set all these rules in front of her to clean her up. He realizes that this is the Holy Spirit’s job after salvation begins. Not only did Christ go out of His way to reach all people, He also met people where they were.

Lastly, Christ spoke plainly to her with compassion. In verse 25 she says to Christ that she knows that the Messiah is coming and when He does, she would know because He would reveal all things. Remember, Christ just got done telling her about the ever quenching water which He offered. Then he told her about her immoral living arrangements she had and about her past husbands. The truth is that she did not see and yet Christ compassionately told her that the one to who she talked to was indeed the Messiah. Instead of making her feel ignorant or beating her up, Christ simply reached out to her even in her ignorance. People are blind and we are the vehicle in which God chooses to reach them. We are the last line of defense between them and the eternal judgment of a just and holy God. Will you defend to the last or let the devil flank them?

II Timothy 1:7-9

One of the most used excuses for not witnessing is that Christians do not want to be offensive and turn people off to the gospel. The problem with this is that according to the scripture, people without Christ are living in sin against God. We are called to give them the gospel, the truth which brings conviction through the Holy Spirit. This will be offensive. However, we are to spread the gospel and then let the Holy Spirit do the convicting.

God calls us to take up our cross daily. The most common command in the Bible is be not afraid. God is telling us that affliction and suffering will be a part of a witness’ life. II Timothy 1:8 tells us to not be ashamed of the gospel. This world does not want it but they so badly need it. Their eternal lives depend on it. So Timothy goes on to tell us to be partakers of the afflictions because it is a small price to pay to reach people.

I Corinthians 3:6-9 says that some plant, some water, some reap, and it is God that gives the increase. It is not our job to save people but to tell them the truth of the gospel and allow God to draw them. We are simply tools to be used by God. Also, the more we witness, the more we will see lives changed. Usually people who use this excuse do not consistently witness. Keep serving our King no matter what the outcome.

God has also promised to give us the words to speak. Remember, we are not giving out some jewel of truth that we came up with but we are giving out the precious word of God. He even has it all written out so we would not be confused on what to say. He also tells us in Isaiah that His word will not return void. Again, keep serving our King.

In Acts 1:8, God also promises strength. It is not by our power, but by His. God is omnipotent so He has plenty of power to give. So, keep serving our King.

I John 4:6-9

The church has two main functions and we have talked about one so far; edification. It is our responsibility to edify one another in the Word and often. The church biblically was a place where believers came together to get restored and recharged through corporate worship and time in the scripture. Many churches, however, have moved away from this and toward seeker sensitive services which are not what the church is about. By doing this, they neglect the responsibility to the body of the church.

However, we do have another responsibility as church. Over 2.5 million people died in America last year and 53.4 million died worldwide. That is an average of 2 per second. People are dying all around and many without Christ. The second responsibility of the church is to take the truth of the scriptures to this world. Isaiah 49:6; 53:5, 6; and II Peter 3:9 show us that the heart of God is to reach the world with the gospel. The vehicle in which He chooses to use to accomplish this is the church.

Our mission is clearly stated in at least five different passages: Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-48; John 20:19; and Acts 1:6-8. These passages give us Christ’s last words to His followers and to the church. He sums up what His life and ministry was all about and that was the salvation of the world.

God loves the world, John 3:16, and is not willing that any should perish, II Peter 3:9. His plan is that we, the church, take the gospel to the world starting at home and going to the uttermost part of the world. The church is at the heart of God’s plan

The heart takes nutrients to the rest of the body. If the heart would keep all the blood to itself, the body would die. The blood must go throughout the body continually getting nutrients and taking to where it is needed. We must come church to get nutrients and then take the truth to this world. Will you take the truth to world and give the precious gospel out or hold it to yourself?

Psalms 51

When you hear the name Achan what do you think of? How about Ananias and Saphira, or Abraham and Sarah? What about David. Some of these you may not know, but one thing they all have in common is that they sinned. Also, their sin came with a price.
Sin is all around us and it can devour us if we are not careful. We as individuals, as families, and as a church have a responsibility toward sin. First, we are to flee from it. I Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to abstain from all appearance of evil. Then problem is we think that when people do not see our sins, they are okay. We call them our secret sins. These can be more devastating than open sin. We are to flee from even the appearance. If you struggle with bad language, be careful what you listen to. If you struggle with pornography, do not even put yourself in a position where you will fall. If you are on a computer, it should be in the open and never in secret. If you struggle with spending too much money, be accountable to your spouse or someone close to you if you are single. Avoid even the appearances of bad things.
Secondly we need to own it. Psalms 51:4 tells us that when we sin it is against a holy and just God. It effects all those around us and always comes with a high price tag but is against God himself. Numbers 32:23 tells us that our sins will find us out. We better own up and change our ways or will self-destruct and bring others with us.
Lastly, we must repent. To repent means to turn from one thing and to another. Luke 13:3-5 tells us that we will surely perish if we do not repent. We cannot have salvation apart from repentance. Acts 3:19 tells us that we must repent to be converted.
So, what will you do with sin? Sin always has a high price tag so remember that we must flee from it, own it, and then repent of it.

Matthew 7, I Corinthians 11

Last week we discussed how we as a church are to be encouraging each other in God. We need each other. The idea that we are all tough John Wayne types is damaging to the Church. Even though I really enjoy John Wayne movies, God has created us in a way where we need each other. When you pull yourself up by your boot straps you only end up with broken boot straps.
Our encouragement should be sincere, honest, appropriate, meaningful, earned, balanced, and specific. Today we live a culture of praise. We praise for anything and everything and we praise all the same. This is very damaging and only promotes mediocrity. Our encouragement needs to be in God and true.
Another idea that has damaged the church is the idea that we cannot judge each other. This comes from the first couple of verses in Matt. 7. It says that we are hypocrites when we try to take the splinter out of our brother’s eye when there is a beam in our own and that is correct. However, verse 5 keeps going and tells us that we should first clean up our own life and then go to a brother or sister in sin. As a church, we are to judge each other but can only be done if we are living a life of repentance. There are things in my life that I cannot see but others can and since I want to be more Christ-like, I need others to confront me and visa versa.
The Bible gives us guidance on confronting or judging others. This judging must be done in the spirit of love and compassion. Those who confront must also guard that they do not fall into the sin.
I Corinthians chapter 11 talks about communion, or Lord’s Supper, and it gives insight on how to take it. Verses 27 to 33 teach us that we are to examine and judge ourselves. We must do this for our own spiritual health and for the health of the church. When we do not judge ourselves and others, we fall into the trap of mediocrity and grow lethargic toward sin.

I Samuel 23

In this passage, David gets words that the city, Keilah is getting destroyed by the Philistines so he prays for direction. God tells him to go to the city and save it even though David is running for his life. Saul seeks to kill him because his son Jonathan is rightful heir to the throne, but David is anointed to be king by God.
After beating the Philistines, David and his men barely escape certain death by the hand of Saul and hide in the wilderness. Saul is fuming and tries to find David but is unsuccessful.
Jonathan leaves the palace and seeks for David until he finds him risking his life. When he finds David, Jonathan strengthens his hands in God. He gives all to encourage David.
We, the church, are to encourage each other. Let’s look at what the Word has to say about encouraging. First, Titus 1:9 tells us that we are to encourage each other using sound doctrine. God and His Word are the only things that do not change or fall apart. They are eternal.
Secondly, we are to encourage each other with longsuffering according to II Timothy 4:2. Sometimes it can be difficult encouraging others, especially when they seem not to listen. We are to give truth but be patient. I am sure glad that God is longsuffering with me and we need to be with each other.
Next, Hebrews 3:13 tells us to encourage daily. Most church goers think that coming to church on Sunday and Wednesday is enough, but apparently it is not. God has wired us in a way that we need each other daily. Let me challenge you to take time to visit, call, email, write, etc. someone this week and make it a habit.
Lastly, we are to encourage each other in God. There are a lot of things we can talk about, but only eternal things make a difference in lives. We are called to encourage each other so let’s be faithful to God and give all just as Jonathan did.