Sermons Worth Stealing - Pt 5

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was much joy in that city. (Acts 8:4-8 ESV).

As we continue to look at the sermons in Acts, we come to the preaching of Philip. The content is found in three verses with four examples of what his message was. He preached Christ (v. 5); the things concerning the kingdom of God (v. 12); the name of Jesus Christ (v. 12); and, he simply preached “Jesus” (v. 35). It should not be discarded too quickly as we think about Sermons Worth Stealing. The person and work of the Jesus must be at the center of our faith and works. It is this simplicity of message that changes the lives of people for eternity. In 1880, one of the great hynmists, Frances J. Crosby wrote “Tell me the Story of Jesus.” You may remember the chorus: Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word; Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard. While a bit longer than I normally use in these devotionals, I felt this particular quote from Sinclair Ferguson is particularly appropriate: There is a center to the Bible and its message of grace. It is found in Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected. Grace, therefore, must be preached in a way that is centered and focused on Jesus Christ Himself. We must never offer the benefits of the gospel without the Benefactor Himself. For many preachers, however, it is much easier to deal with the pragmatic things, to answer “how to” questions, and even to expose and denounce sin than it is to give an adequate explanation of the source of the forgiveness, acceptance, and power we need. This is what will reach the heart! And when you have experienced such preaching, or seen its fruit, you will know what true preaching is. And you will agree that its fruit lasts for all eternity. Notice the result of his preaching: So there was much joy in that city (v. 8). I am not saying there is not a place for “steps” to any of the improvements of life we desire; however, I am saying we must found each of them in the person and work of Jesus. This is where the real power is; this is where the real change takes place. And, that will preach!

Sermons Worth Stealing - Pt 4

And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people. then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:8-15 ESV).

Our reading today sets the stage for the fourth sermon recorded in Acts. It was delivered by Stephen and ultimately led to his death. The full text of the sermon is in chapter 7, though I’ll just mention parts of it here. But first let me remind you what is happening here. Stephen was a brilliant and spiritual man (v. 5); he was "full of grace and power" (v. 8); and, even his enemies "could not resist the wisdom and Spirit with which he spoke" (v. 10). Even after he was arrested, it says that "his face was like the face of an angel" as he was accused in the court (v. 15). In spite of all this (or maybe because of all this) the response to him was vicious. Stephen is on trial for opposing Moses and his customs and God and his temple. The high priest gives Stephen a chance to defend himself, "Is this so?" he asks. And Stephen does a very strange thing. He tells a story (Acts 7); it is a condensed version of the history of Israel. He starts with Abraham at the beginning (in vv. 1–8). Then (in vv. 9–16) he dwells on Joseph and how the Israelites came to Egypt. Then he spends a long time on Moses (in vv. 17– 44). Then he closes with a brief reference to Joshua and David and Solomon (in vv. 45–50). Finally, he draws his conclusion from this history. It is a scathing condemnation: You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One [Jesus], whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it. (Acts 7:51-53). This was his defense. He had been charged with speaking against Moses and the law, and against God and the temple. His defense is that history proves the opposite: it is Israel as a people that have stiffened their neck against God and resisted the Holy Spirit. They persecuted the prophets of God, and they killed Jesus the Son of God, and now they are about to kill a man "full of faith and the Holy Spirit." They are the ones who need to give an account, not Stephen. It ought to serve us as an encouragement to bold living and a warning against falling into stubborn traditionalism. Will you be encouraged? Will you heed the warning?

Sermons Worth Stealing - Pt 3

On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:5-12 ESV).

After Peter’s sermon in Acts 3, after healing a man at the temple, Luke tells us that the Jewish leaders were now as concerned with Peter and John as they had been with Jesus. This was true for several reasons. For one thing, they did not believe in the concept of resurrection. The Sadducees, who were part of the leadership, disputed the resurrection in general. But at the same time, and more significantly, the issue was what the “resurrection of the dead” signified for the history of the world. Sadducees and Pharisees alike agreed on the consequences of teaching the resurrection in this regard. It would ultimately lead to the dismantling of their belief that Israel was to be the only power in the world. In essence, when Peter and John proclaimed “in Jesus the resurrection of the dead,” they were saying that the end-time blessings of the resurrection age had intruded the present age for the sake of everyone who believed in Jesus. This is important to wrap our heads around. These end-time blessings of the resurrection age were the hope of Israel (cf. Acts 28:20). These Jewish leaders knew all about the pouring out of the Spirit and the triumph of God’s salvation and the defeat of his enemies. They had read Joel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. They understood what the resurrection age meant. And now these fishermen-turned-preachers were walking around “their” temple saying that this age had arrived in Jesus, the man they had executed. Peter and John were telling the Jewish people that Jesus had launched a new and long-awaited epoch in the history of humanity. This was as bad, or worse than Jesus’ ministry. Now they were healing and preaching on their doorstep! So, they had both of them arrested, bringing them to the very place Jesus was tried and unjustly convicted. Peter and John knew full well where they were and what was happening. Without hesitation, they called them all to the person and power of Jesus. I believe there is a very contemporary message here. The church should exhibit this kind of boldness, to know Jesus and what his gospel work means for the world. To know Jesus and speak clearly about who he is. This is how we’re called to live – undaunted and unfettered!

Sermons Worth Stealing - Pt 2

And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. (Acts 3:17-21 ESV).

The next episode in the history of the early church happens on the heels of Pentecost. Peter and John are going toward the “Beautiful Gate” to enter the Temple area. A man born blind is being carried to sit and beg for the day at the gate. It was not an unusual sight. They don’t have any money to give, though they do have the power of the Gospel. The man is healed and restored which naturally leads him to follow them. It must have created quite a stir. This was the stuff of legend and old, nearly forgotten stories of the prophets of old. In fact, the only other time such things happened, the religious leaders denied it and had that man put to death. It should also be remembered that Solomon’s Portico, according to Josephus was a part of the original temple surroundings that still remained from Solomon’s time. It was a large colonnade with double columns that ran along the eastern wall in the Court of the Gentiles. Jesus taught there at the Feast of Dedication in the winter (cf. John 10:22-23). As the crowd continued to grow, Peter used the opportunity to preach to them. He began by letting them know that it was not by their power that the man had been healed, but by that of Jesus. He tells them of their denial of the true Messiah in favor of a murderer, Barabas. And then he tells them that they “killed the author of life.” This is a significant statement by Peter, in that it demonstrates that Jesus came to earth fully Lord and God, having been from the beginning, just as John’s gospel states. He tells them that he and the others are witnesses that God raised Him from the dead, and that it was by faith in Him that this man was healed. Peter would not be oblivious to the fact that among the listeners would be Pharisees and their sympathizers. It was a message that was intended for them to hear, not for the purpose of confrontation, but for the opportunity for salvation. Peter seeks to turn their gaze from himself to his Risen Lord. It is a clear call to “repent.” Perhaps that is the central message for us as well. We have no need to condemn the way a crowd is gathered as much as we must examine the message we give them when they are gathered. Whether your crowd is two or three or thousands, do not neglect the need to draw them to the only One who has the power of life! His name is Jesus!

Sermons Worth Stealing - Pt 1

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” (Acts 2:14:21 ESV).

Recently my son asked me if I had ever preached from all the sermons found in Acts? He and I had talked about that some years ago. My response was, “Those are certainly sermons worth stealing.” However, I never got around to doing that series. So, today we will begin to look at each one of the apostolic messages recorded by Luke as a basis for encouragement and inspiration. The first is found in our reading today. It was preached by the Apostle Peter on the Day of Pentecost and “about three thousand” people were baptized (v. 41). It is the sermon that launched the church. Peter begins with a touch of humor. Some mockers were accusing the believers who spoke in tongues of being drunk. Peter could have ignored them or responded defensively, but instead he says, in effect, “It’s too early for us to be drunk!” The Jews would not normally have eaten or drunk at this hour during the Feast of Pentecost. Then, Peter explains that the phenomena they had seen and heard were “what was spoken of through the prophet Joel” (v. 16). Peter’s main point is not the particular form that the outpouring of the Spirit took, but rather that He was poured out “on all flesh.” Not just the prophets or rabbis, but even sons and daughters would experience this outpouring of the Spirit (v. 17). Not just the older men, but also younger men would know the Lord and His will (“visions”). Not just the wealthy, but even bondslaves would know the fulness of the Spirit. Not just men, but also women would have the Spirit. As the apostle Paul later taught, “by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:13). No believer today lacks the presence of the indwelling Holy Spirit. That ought to be the foundation of our encouragement. We are not left to fend off the world alone. God is present within us! That is a sermon worth stealing!

Softly Call the Muster - Pt 4

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV).

Celebrate. That is the final theme of Aggie Muster. The picture I have included with today’s devotional is of that group of men on Corregidor in 1942. Trapped and facing death or a Japanese POW camp, they still took time to celebrate. No, it might not have been light-hearted; however, it was celebratory. It might not have been raucous. In fact, I rather think it was somber and hushed. This was “Softly Calling the Muster.” It symbolizes that the spirit of the dead fills the minds and hearts of the living. And it reminds us that their mission of making the world a better place remains our call. We live to give our all while we remember those who have given all. Aggies light a candle for a loved one who has passed on. This year we included two very special “adopted” Aggies, the Former President of the United States and his beloved wife, George H. W. Bush and Barbara Bush. For them and all the others, we recognize the giving Spirit of Aggies as it continues on among the living. Our reading today is a part of a larger text as the Apostle Paul reprimands the church in Corinth for their observance of the Lord’s Supper. It had degenerated to nothing more than eating and drinking. They forgot the real purpose. They neglected the memorial. They shunned their sacred duty which was born in the death of Jesus. We must not fall into that temptation. So, let me close our little series with I will close tonight with a portion of the poem written in 1943 by Dr. John Ashton, Class of 1906, at the request of E.E. McQuillen, Class of 1920. The original title was "The Heroes' Roll Call." Softly call the muster, Let comrade answer, “Here!” Their spirits hover ‘round us: As if to bring us cheer! Mark them "present" in our hearts, We’ll meet some other day. There is no Death, but Life Eterne For heroes such as they! Remember the work of Christ on your behalf! Honor Him with your service to others! Celebrate your new life!

Softly Call the Muster - Pt 3

But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:25-28 ESV).

The second principle in Aggie Muster is conveyed in Jesus’ teaching recorded in our reading today. Honor one another through service. In front of the Memorial Student Center at A&M, there are 55 trees that surround Simpson Drill Field to honor the 55 Aggies that gave their lives in World War I. In addition, in the front hallway, there are displays honoring the eight Aggies who served during World War II and received Congressional Medals of Honor. Almost every school has a football team, albeit not as great as ours. After all, no one else has the Twelfth Man. Many other colleges and universities have great schools of agriculture and engineering. Some even have alumni gatherings that celebrate days of old. And a few have military cadets. But none combine all these elements of excellence and remembrance, tradition and affiliation, and bring them together in a single, solemn ceremony that signifies what we are as Aggies to the core of our being. In a time where culture tells us to look out for oneself, we still honor the core attribute of “ole army fight!” Texas A&M still calls us to look out for one another. If you were in the Corps of Cadets, as I was, that very first day of Freshman Orientation, “Fish Week,” you were taught the sum of the whole is greater than the individual parts. You were taught this when you were all given the same first name. It was the ubiquitous designation of “fish.” No one is elevated above another; you are all just Fish. You are “fish.” And then those fish from various communities, backgrounds and ethnic roots over the course of that first year reach final review and suddenly you know you are not alone. You have become one. And the proof is in the pudding. It was the Class of ’17 that graduated en masse to get overseas and fight and die to liberate Europe. It was those classes of the 1930’s and 1940’s who fought on the high seas; who flew missions from the air; who died and bled in foxholes and lonely islands to free millions from the forces of oppression in World War II. It was the Aggie heroes in Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War who brought down the Iron Curtain and a murderous Soviet regime, freeing millions of Russians, millions of neighboring Republics, and people throughout Eastern Europe. And it was Aggies who fought, died and today bear the scars of the first Persian Gulf War… the War in Iraq… and the war that continues in Afghanistan today who continue to do us proud. But it’s not just Aggies on the field of battle who have advanced the cause of service. It’s Aggies in classrooms and board rooms. Aggies in factories and mills. Aggies on oil rigs, in soup kitchens, involved in charities and private giving who have put a love of country and neighbor first. That’s not just what Aggies do, that’s who we are. This is what we honor. Should believers in Jesus do any less!