- Sep 18, 2022Outcasts Part 7: The Faith of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-36)
Outcasts Part 7: The Faith of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:1-36)Unlike John the Baptist, Peter, Mary Magdalene, or Zacchaeus, the Pharisees were accepted by society but outcasts of the kingdom. They stood on the fringes of salvation choosing to live in hypocrisy and legalism rather than placing their trust in the Christ. As the enemies of the Gospel, it was much less likely to see a Pharisee become a follower of Jesus than the most evil and vile of sinners. And, yet still, some became disciples. No matter how bad you may have been or how warped your worldview has seemed, all may come to Christ if they are willing to change.
- Sep 11, 2022Outcasts Part 6: The Faith of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
Outcasts Part 6: The Faith of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)The story of Zacchaeus shows us how a true faith is revealed through transformation and repentance. It also shows us how Jesus exemplifies to us a true missionary by specifically going to Zacchaeus and saving him. We should all have a specific mission to reach one person who Christ has put in our area of influence. We are all missionaries who either stay locally to reach those here while also supporting others who go to the foreign mission field, or we can go to where people have never heard of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
- Sep 4, 2022Outcasts Part 5: The Favored Sisters of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)
Outcasts Part 5: The Favored Sisters of Jesus (Luke 8:1-3)
In Jesus' day there was a huge portion of the population that was effectively set aside as second class; women. I know in our day and time that seems silly. Women can work any job a man can, women can make the same money men make, women have all the same freedoms that men have. We've come along way from the days of women suffrage. But in the first century women were a little more than slaves. They were outcasts.
But not by Jesus. Jesus loved them, cared for them, interceded for them, made them part of his disciples, and promoted them in the public square. For Jesus, there were no second class citizens. There were simply those who would follow him and those who would not. And many women followed Jesus.
- Aug 28, 2022Outcasts Part 4: Peter (Matthew 16:18-23)
Outcasts Part 4: Peter (Matthew 16:18-23)
But, even after agreeing to follow Christ as a disciple we still find him making a mess of things every time we turn around. He keep sticking his foot in his mouth, losing his temper, flying off the handle, or rushing into things without thinking them through. In his weakest moments he even allowed his old sinful self to open the door for Satan's influence to rebuke Christ and eventually deny him. Peter did nothing... listen, NOTHING, to deserve the love, care, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, and discipleship of Christ. And yet, Jesus, in the flesh, not only made him a disciple but allowed him to take the unofficial leadership spot of the 12 disciples. The application is simple. Let Jesus pick you back up. You've messed up just like Peter. You've been a very strong cup of coffee to say the least. You've said the wrong thing. You've done the wrong thing. You've denied Christ. You've failed to proclaim Christ. You've cut off an ear. You've sunk beneath the waves. You've gone back to fishing. All of that. Who cares! Stop thinking that you aren't worthy. Of course you aren't. You never were. But he is. So let him pick you back up! Through every stupid mistake, the patient, merciful love of Christ prevails
- Aug 21, 2022Outcasts Part 3: The 12 Disciples (Matthew 10:1-26)
Outcasts Part 3: The 12 Disciples (Matthew 10:1-26)When we take a deeper look at the twelve disciples we find a group of rag tag outcasts whom no respectable CEO would ever choose to lead anything, and yet Jesus chose them to change the world. He called a group of impoverished, dirty, smelly, depraved, traitorous, blood thirsty, and yet ordinary people to become the apostles. We are tempted to ask why, but then we are confronted with the question, why would Jesus chose any of us? We aren't the best or the brightest. We aren't the strongest or the most worthy, and yet he calls us to be his disciples. Could the reason he chose the 12 be the same as the reason he has chosen us - to use the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Jesus has chosen us, thoroughly ordinary people, that through us he might show himself without a doubt, an extraordinary God.
- Aug 14, 2022Outcasts Part 2: John The Martyr (Matthew 11:1-19, Mark 6:14-29)
Outcasts Part 2: John The Martyr (Matthew 11:1-19, Mark 6:14-29)It's often been said that Stephen was the first Christian Martyr but that's not the case. John the Baptist was. He was killed because of his faith in Christ and His unwillingness to waiver on the truth of the Word of Christ. And this is where we need to learn a very hard truth this morning. Though one of Christ's plans in creating us and saving us is that we would be satisfied in Him in this life, our greater purpose has very little to do with our satisfaction. As Paul says in Romans 14:8, “for if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.” Our purpose is to live and die for the Lord. It doesn't matter whether you are physically or financially blessed in this life as a Christian, all that matters is whether or not your life and death glorify God. It doesn't really matter in the greater scheme whether or not you can find satisfaction in your hardship. All that matters is whether or not you fulfill your purpose for the kingdom. And yet, what a joy to be able to find joy and satisfaction in the hard times. What a joy to be set free from the pain and find a peace that passes all understanding. God will do what he must, but we can still be blessed by learning how to find satisfaction in the hard times. This is God's desire for you and for me. I can assure you, John the Baptist fulfilled his purpose, and I hope he found satisfaction in knowing that Jesus was using him for a much greater plan then he could ever understand. The main point this morning is simple, blessed are those when hard times come, they are not offended by God who has purpose in their hardships.
- Aug 7, 2022Outcasts Part 1: John The Baptist (Luke 1:5-25)
Outcasts Part 1: John The Baptist (Luke 1:5-25)Jesus had a circle of friends, but in this circle every single one of them was different; they didn't fit. From lowly fishermen, to adulteresses, from tax collectors to pharisees, Jesus was known for keeping company with the fringe of society. And this of course was for a reason. He wanted different. He wanted to take those which others thought were incapable of great things and use them to show the power of God. They were outcasts, and they would change the world.One of those outcasts was John the Baptist. What did Christ see in him and how did he use him for his glory? We should all want to be used for God's glory right? We should all want to be seen as a one who prepares the way for the Lord, right? And shouldn't we all want Jesus to say of us, as he does of John in Matthew 11:11, “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist." In this sermon we are going to focus on two of John's greatest attributes, his righteous indignation and his humility. Like John, we must be different from the world in the ways we unwaveringly stand for the truth and redirect the spotlight towards Christ.