Bethany Bible Church Sernibs

Bethany Bible Church Sernibs http://bethanybible.org We Preach Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:23 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:37:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Sermons from Pastor Greg Allen of Bethany Bible Church, a non-denominational Christian church located in Portland, OR. We Preach Christ - 1 Corinthians 1:23 Pastor Greg Allen http://www.bethanybible.org/images/podcast.pngBethany Bible Church Sernibshttp://bethanybible.org Bible,Jesus,church,sermon,preach,non-denominational,Christ,Lord,God,Savior no Pastor Greg Allen webmaster@bethanybible.org HOLDING FAST THE FAITHFUL WORD http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-21/holding-fast-the-faithful-word http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-21/holding-fast-the-faithful-word#comments Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:45:27 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-21/holding-fast-the-faithful-word http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-21/holding-fast-the-faithful-word/feed 0 Preached on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from Titus 1:9 Theme: This passage describes the doctrinal faithfulness that must characterize an overseer of God’s household. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) We’ve been concentrating on a subject over the past few weeks that, I suspect, doesn’t gets preached on very often from pulpits on Sunday morning—the Bible’s qualifications for pastors. These qualifications are found in Paul’s introductory words in his letter to Titus. In Titus 1:5; Paul writes, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—” Paul had given Titus the important task of setting good, faithful spiritual leaders over the churches that had been entrusted to his care. What follows are the qualifications that were to be true of those men he was to appoint. * * * * * * * * * * Now; when I suggest that the subject I’ve been preaching on lately is often neglected in other churches, I don’t say that with any kind of pride. After all, the general qualification that the passage we’ve been studying lays out—mentioned twice—is that the elder be “blameless”. “If a man is blameless”, Paul says in Titus 1:6; and as he again says in verse seven, “For a bishop [another name for the elder] must be blameless as a steward of God . . .” What fallible pastor would, ordinarily, want to draw the congregation’s attention to the high standard the Bible demands of him—the standard of “blamelessness” (or “above reproach” as it is in some translations)—and expose his own shortcomings? I might not have chosen to preach about the pastor’s biblical qualifications either—if it weren’t for the fact that a commitment to preach faithfully from God’s word demanded it. But preach on it I must—even if it brings me under uncomfortable scrutiny—because I believe God has specified the high standard for elders in His word for a reason. The cause of Christ in this world is badly hurt when the church don’t keep true to these standards. When men are put in the position of oversight in God’s church who are not qualified according to God’s biblical standards, everyone suffers for it. But as we’ve studied these high biblical standards together, I have also found them to be very inspiring and motivating. They’ve helped me appreciate the great love our Lord has for His church; and how much He cares about the protection and nurture of His redeemed people. Reviewing these standards has helped make me more serious about my own ministry; and has reminded me of the type of godly example that I and the other church leaders must set for everyone else, so that we all live as God would want us to live. I hope looking at these qualifications have benefited you too. They give us a reason to be praying for one another—so that Jesus would truly be glorified in His church. * * * * * * * * * * Let’s review these qualifications quickly. We started out by considering the first set of qualifications—that is, the elder’s “family” qualifications: that he must be “the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation and insubordination” (v. 6). I argued that the elder’s family qualifications are set [...] Theme: This passage describes the doctrinal faithfulness that must characterize an overseer of God's household. clean CHARACTER QUALITIES FOR GOD’S STEWARDS http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-14/character-qualities-for-gods-stewards http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-14/character-qualities-for-gods-stewards#comments Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:45:22 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-14/character-qualities-for-gods-stewards http://bethanybible.org/sermon/2010/2010-02-14/character-qualities-for-gods-stewards/feed 0 Preached on Sunday, February 14, 2010 from Titus 1:7-8 Theme: This passage describes the character qualities that must be true of an overseer of God’s household. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) Over the past few weeks, we’ve been studying the beginning section of the letter that the apostle Paul wrote to his ministry assistant Titus; and specifically, the qualities that he laid out for those men that Titus was to appoint to the role of leadership over the churches. Paul wrote, “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—” (Titus 1:5). And, as we saw last week, he began by laying out the ‘family’ qualifications of an elder in verse six; “. . . if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination” (v. 6). As we pointed out last time, the importance of the pastor’s family qualifications is shown in the fact that Paul specified them first. Next Sunday—if the Lord so permits—I’m hoping that we’ll study the ‘doctrinal’ qualifications of an elder that Paul lays out in verse nine; that he is found to be “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (v. 9). The need to be true to that last qualification—and to appoint leaders who are truly committed to preach and defend God’s revealed word authoritatively in our culture—is so critical, that I believe it deserves a whole Sunday morning’s attention from us. But today, I ask that we give our attention to the qualifications mentioned in verses seven and eight; and to what I believe we could call the ‘character’ qualifications that must be true of the pastoral leaders of God’s church. He writes, For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled . . . (Titus 1:7-8). * * * * * * * * * * I’ll never forget the first time I really poured through this passage. It was back in 1984. My wife and I had just moved to Portland to begin to pursue my ministry training. In one of my early pastoral ministry classes, we were instructed to look through this passage—and the similar one in 1 Timothy 3:1-7—and examine ourselves against it. The men in the class were urged to search their lives before God, and ask if they truly measured up to the qualifications that were found in God’s word concerning elders. It was a tough experience to go through back then. And after the twenty-six years or so after that personal examination, I can say that it’s still tough to do. I wonder if that’s one of the values of these words being forever recorded for us in the Scriptures. Rereading them causes me examine myself against them again and again. I may have been weak in an area back then that—by God’s grace, I’ve grown to be stronger in today. And there may be an area in which I was strong in back then that—through neglect—I’ve allowed myself to grow weak in today. It forces me into constant review and revision; because I want not only to prove to have been biblically qualified to serve as your pastor, but I [...] Theme: This passage describes the character qualities that must be true of an overseer of God's household. Pastor Greg Allen clean THE COMMISSION FROM THE KING http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-12-13/the-commission-from-the-king http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-12-13/the-commission-from-the-king#comments Sun, 13 Dec 2009 10:45:52 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-12-13/the-commission-from-the-king http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-12-13/the-commission-from-the-king/feed 0 Preached on Sunday, December 13, 2009 from Matthew 28:18-20 Theme: The church is divinely equipped by King Jesus for the work of spreading His kingdom. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) We come, this morning, to the closing message in our series through the Gospel of Matthew. And what a journey it has been! I certainly hope it won’t be our last time in this wonderful Gospel, because it has revealed so much to us about Jesus Christ. Many years ago, the man who founded the Bible college I attended told his students that they ought to read from the Gospels at least once a day. “God the Father is daily conforming us into the image of the Savior,” he told them; “and it’s in the Gospels that we see what the Savior is like.” And as we’ve had 155 messages through the Gospel of Matthew together, I truly hope that—by the enabling grace of the Holy Spirit—we truly have all learned much together about what our wonderful Savior is like. The particular purpose of the Gospel of Matthew has been to present Jesus Christ to us as the long-ago-promised, long-awaited King of the Jews. It began in the first chapter by giving us His royal pedigree. It went on to teach us, in chapters 2-4, about His royal preparation. In chapters 5-7, we were given His royal precepts in The Sermon on The Mount. Chapters 8-20 is where we find His royal personality put on display for us through the stories of His ministry and His teaching. Chapters 21-26 tell of His progress toward the city of Jerusalem—and of His rejection as King by the Jewish people. In chapter 27, we’re told of the cross where He died—bearing the title over His head, “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS” (27:37). The final chapter presents Him to us alive from the dead as our resurrected Redeemer. And it’s in the last few verses this chapter that we find King Jesus giving His final command to His subjects before returning to the Father. It’s a passage that we’ve come to know as “the Great Commission”: <blockquote> Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28:16-20).</blockquote> * * * * * * * * * * * If you were to sum-up the Great Commission, it would be through those five words found verse 19—”Make disciples of every nation”. A “disciple”, simply put, is a devoted student who follows an esteemed teacher closely so that he could learn how to imitate him. And the task of the Great Commission is to proclaim Jesus to people who don’t yet believe on Him, lead them to place their faith in Him, and to invite them to become His devoted followers. There are lots of other things that we as a church could do in this world—and they may, to a limited degree, be good and beneficial things to do. And there’s certainly a lot of things that the people of this world think the church on earth ought to do. But there’s really [...] Theme: The church is divinely equipped by King Jesus for the work of spreading His kingdom. “HAVING BEEN BORN AGAIN” http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-11-01/having-been-born-again http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-11-01/having-been-born-again#comments Sun, 01 Nov 2009 10:45:16 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-11-01/having-been-born-again http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-11-01/having-been-born-again/feed 0 Preached November 1, 2009 from 1 Peter 1:22-25 Theme: This passage helps us to appreciate the necessity of being ‘born again’ in Christ. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the LORD endures forever.” Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you (1 Peter 1:22-25). * * * * * * * * * * These words were written by Peter; and when we think of him, we usually think of his role as the great apostle. He was an eyewitness to the life, miracles, and teaching of the Lord Jesus. He was used by God to communicate foundational truths to the church. In fact, it was Peter’s testimony of Jesus that was declared by the Lord Himself to be the ‘rock’ upon which His church would be built—after Peter had said to Him, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). But we don’t often think of how Peter was also a great pastor. In his first letter, he wrote to the elders of the church, and was glad to call himself their “fellow elder” (1 Peter 5:1). He was a loving shepherd to God’s people, and a diligent overseer of the spiritual condition of the church. Personally, I think that’s why his letters are so enriching to read. They are filled with the words of a loving pastor, who was giving needed instruction to the people of God in how to live as the Lord Jesus calls them to live. They are letters that are warmed with the passion of a devoted pastor’s heart. Think of the pastoral concern that’s expressed in the main command of this morning’s passage. It’s found at the end of verse 22. It’s the command that the believing people in the church “love one another”. * * * * * * * * * * One reason this command stood out to me last week was because of a conversation I had with a friend of mine. He was involved in a Christian conference recently; and was expressing his frustration to me over how the key speaker at the conference kept emphasizing a particular theological position in such a way as to mock and belittle other Christians who didn’t hold the same view of things as he did. It was an important theological matter; but certainly one over which sincere Christians are at liberty to disagree. And it hurt this dear brother to have his own convictions on the matter mocked and ridiculed in this way. It was truly unloving on the part of this conference speaker. And as I thought about my friend’s conversation, it brought this simple but profoundly basic command to my my attention—that we “love one another” in the body of Christ. Look again at this passage with me. Look at how Peter—in his pastoral care for the church—describes how we are to pursue love for one another. He says, first, that we’re to love one another sincerely—that is, “in sincere love of the brethren”. The command to love one another isn’t to be a [...] Theme: This passage helps us to appreciate the necessity of being 'born again' in Christ REJOICE! http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-25/rejoice http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-25/rejoice#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:45:27 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-25/rejoice http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-25/rejoice/feed 0 Preached October 25, 2009 from Matthew 28:1-10 Theme: This passage tells us some of the reasons we have for rejoicing over the resurrection of Jesus. This morning, we begin our study of the final chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. And what good news it presents to us—especially against the backdrop of the story of the cross! The crucified Son of God is alive! And the theme of this morning’s passage is that, because He lives, we have great reason to “rejoice”! This final chapter begins with these words; Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.” So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me” (Matthew 28:1-10). * * * * * * * * * * Here, we have the testimony of the most definitive event of the Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible isn’t timid about the matter. It very boldly declares that, if the great event of this chapter isn’t literally, historically true, then the Christian faith is a complete waste of time. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable (1 Corinthians 15:12-19). The Bible rests the Christian faith squarely on the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we who believe on Him are—of all people—the most miserable! But because He did rise, we who have believed on Him have—as this morning’s passage affirms to us—the greatest reason of all people to “rejoice”. According to Matthew, that’s the first word our Lord spoke to those He died for after He was raised—”Rejoice!”. The word itself in the original [...] This passage tells us some of the reasons we have for rejoicing over the resurrection of Jesus. THE MARATHON OF FAITH http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-18/the-marathon-of-faith http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-18/the-marathon-of-faith#comments Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:45:34 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-18/the-marathon-of-faith http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-10-18/the-marathon-of-faith/feed 0 Preached October 18, 2009 from Hebrews 12:1-2 Theme: If we are diligent to keep our eyes on the right ‘focus-points’, we will run the race of faith with endurance. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2). Honesty demands I admit that I have preached from this morning’s passage to our church family more than once. But I hope you’ll forgive me for coming to it yet again. After all, it’s such a great passage! And I’ve found that it becomes new to me almost every time I revisit it. I was drawn to it again recently because of an accomplishment of a good friend of mine. Two weeks ago, he completed the Portland Marathon—which is a twenty-six mile run—in just a minute or so over five hours. And he just turned sixty-one. And at a point in life when many might be tempted to sit by as the younger crowd does the running, he has not chosen to do so. He’s a real inspiration to me. And his personal act of endurance caused me to think about the marathon of faith that each one of us are in as believers—and the even greater endurance that it demands of us. * * * * * * * * * * If you’ll look at this morning’s passage, and at the key exhortation of it, you’ll see that we have a ‘race’ set before us. The word in the original language that’s translated “race” is agōn—which you may recognize in our English word “agony”. It’s a word that suggests something of the serious nature of this race—that it’s very much like a challenging athletic contest that is grueling, and that will at times demand great effort and determination and sacrifice from us. And what’s more, we’re told that we are to run it with “endurance”—the same sort of endurance with which someone would run in an athletic competition. Now; the word of God doesn’t deceive us. It lets us know that, when we have begun a walk with the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, we’ve entered into a ‘marathon’. And we should take note that the writer of the book of Hebrews doesn’t say, “Therefore, dear Christians; I encourage each one of you to consider entering into this race for the Lord.” The writer assumes that, if you are in Christ right now, you’re already in this great marathon of faith. “Therefore,” the writer tells us, “. . . let us run with endurance the race that is set before us . . .” By the way; I keep saying “the writer of Hebrews”, because New Testament scholars aren’t absolutely certain who wrote it. But I have my reasons for believing very strongly that it was the apostle Paul.<a href="#f1">1</a> And when I read these words, I think back to what Paul himself had to say about his own determination to run the race of the faith with endurance. At the end of 1 Corinthians 9, he wrote, Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to [...] If we are diligent to keep our eyes on the right 'focus-points', we will run the race of faith with endurance. TRULY THIS WAS THE SON OF GOD! http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-09-06/truly-this-was-the-son-of-god http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-09-06/truly-this-was-the-son-of-god#comments Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:45:02 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-09-06/truly-this-was-the-son-of-god http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-09-06/truly-this-was-the-son-of-god/feed 0 Preached September 6, 2009 from Matthew 27:50-54 Theme: The events that followed Jesus’ death on the cross point it out as the most significant ‘death’ in all of history. We come, this morning, to a truly remarkable passage in our study of the remarkable Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 27:50-54 tells the story of our Savior’s death on the cross. And it begins with these words: <blockquote>And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit (Matthew 27:50).</blockquote> I suppose those words alone are so wondrous that we could stop right there, sing a hymn, bring our worship service to a close, and leave in quiet reverence. The fact which those words declare certainly is sobering enough, isn’t it? As believers, we know that it was for us that Jesus died. And just the thought that the sinless Son of God in human flesh would give Himself over to the experience of death, breath His last, and yield His spirit as the atoning sacrifice for our sins—what a marvel of God’s grace that is all by itself! But if all that people knew about Jesus’ death was what was contained in those words, they might never know its true significance—as we do today. And so, the Holy Spirit didn’t leave the matter there. He moved Matthew to record the remarkable events that followed immediately after Jesus’ death for us—some “attention-getters”, if you will—that help the lost and needy people of this world come to the right conclusion about who this man is that has died on the cross. The whole passage goes like this: <blockquote>And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:50-54).</blockquote> * * * * * * * * * * I was sharing my faith with an unsaved workmate many years ago. She was courteous to me; but she was also pretty antagonistic toward the Christian faith. And it was very apparent that she had been witnessed to before by some Christian family members and friends; because as we were talking, she said, “And by the way, Greg; don’t tell me that Jesus died the most painful death anyone ever died! Many other people died on crosses. And some people died in even more horrible ways that that! Jesus’ death on the cross was painful; but it certainly wasn’t the most painful death that anyone ever experienced.” It seems that she had the idea—perhaps from someone who had tried to convince her before—that our faith is, somehow, dependent on the amount of pain and anguish Jesus suffered on the cross. Now; I believe that Jesus suffered greatly on the cross, don’t you? And though I don’t really know if anyone ever suffered more physical pain than He did; I believe that He did ’suffer’ on the cross in ways that are greater anyone else could have ever suffered. When we consider that it was the holy Son of God who suffered on that cross, and that He was bearing the dreadful guilt of the sin of all humanity on Himself as He died; and when we consider that, for the first time [...] The events that followed Jesus' death on the cross point it out as the most significant 'death' in all of history. THE MAN WHO BORE JESUS’ CROSS http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-12/the-man-who-bore-jesus-cross http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-12/the-man-who-bore-jesus-cross#comments Sun, 12 Jul 2009 10:45:58 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-12/the-man-who-bore-jesus-cross http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-12/the-man-who-bore-jesus-cross/feed 0 Preached July 12, 2009 from Matthew 27:32 Theme: Some important spiritual principles for those who are called to be identified with the crucified Christ are illustrated for us in the experience of Simon of Cyrene. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) Every verse of the Bible is precious. Even the seemingly insignificant details—the things that it would be easy for us to pass by—are in the pages of Scripture by God’s wise providence, and are given by Him for our encouragement and edification. This morning, as we continue our study of Matthew’s Gospel, we will consider just one verse. This single, short verse tells us about something that seems—at first glance—to only be incidental. Three of the four Gospels tell us about this tiny event; and because of all that is going on around it, it would be easy to miss the significance of it. In fact, I have found that many Bible commentators simply give only a passing reference to it, and then move on to other matters. I have even found one or two commentaries that don’t even mention it at all. But I believe it’s a great a mistake to pass by what this verse tells us. It tells us about a man from North Africa named Simon; and about an unique privilege he had that no other person in all of human history had. Simon of Cyrene was the one man on this earth who literally bore the cross for the Son of God as He made His way to Golgotha to die for us. * * * * * * * * * * Matthew tells us about how the Lord Jesus was tried before the high priest and the Jewish leaders, and was found by them to be worthy of death. He tells us of how Jesus was examined before the Roman governor Pilate, and was then handed over to be crucified. He then tells us of how the Roman soldiers scourged Him, and mocked Him, and struck Him, and spat upon Him. And finally, we’re told that they led Him away to be crucified. This morning’s verse is a part of the story of what happened as Jesus was led in public humiliation along the streets of Jerusalem—along what has come to be called the Via Dolorosa; that is, The Way of Suffering—to the hill of Golgotha. It was typical for the Roman soldiers to force a criminal who had been condemned to crucifixion to walk through the public streets, bearing his own “crossbeam” to his place of execution, and wearing a plaque that described the nature of his crime. John, in his Gospel, tells us that Jesus went along “bearing His cross” (John 19:17). Luke tells us that, as He went, “a great multitude of the people followed Him, and women who also mourned and lamented Him” (Luke 23:27). Even the two criminals who were crucified next to Him were also led along with Him (Luke 23:32). And just think of our Lord’s condition. He had enjoyed a very eventful evening supper with His disciples—one in which He had taught them some of the most significant truths about Himself that are recorded in the Gospels (see John 13-17); and during which He had released Judas to betray Him. Then, He endured a sleepless and anguishing evening in the garden of Gethsemane as He awaited the betrayer Judas while in torment of soul; then gave Himself into the hands of those who came to arrest Him; then stood before the Jewish leaders and elders who had interrogated and condemned Him; then was sent back and forth between Pilate and Herod; then appeared before the shouts of the angry mob that [...] Some important spiritual principles for those who are called to be identified with the crucified Christ are illustrated for us in the experience of Simon of Cyrene. THE MOCKING OF THE KING http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-05/the-mocking-of-the-king http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-05/the-mocking-of-the-king#comments Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:45:30 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-05/the-mocking-of-the-king http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-07-05/the-mocking-of-the-king/feed 0 Preached July 5, 2009 from Matthew 27:27-31 Theme: Those who were mocking the King of the Jews were expressing more truth about Him than they realized. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) I was studying this morning’s passage the other day in a coffee shop. It must have been pretty obvious what I was doing, because a lady walked up and asked me, “Are you a pastor?” (It was probably the pile of books with an open Bible on top that gave me away.) We chatted for a moment about our two churches; and then—and I’m never comfortable when this happens—she felt free to start criticized her pastor in front of me. Whenever someone does that, if I know the pastor in question, I always try to stave it off by saying, “Oh yes, I’ve chatted with Pastor So-And-So many times. He’s a good man”—hoping they’ll get the hint and stop. But this time, she didn’t get the hint. Now; I’ll never tell you who the pastor was. But having said all that, I hope I may be forgiven for telling you what her criticism was. “He’s always trying to be funny,” this lady said; “and he tells too many jokes in the church service”. It truly grieved this woman that, to her mind, the things of God were not being handled with the sort of seriousness and solemnity they deserve in the household of God. That brief and rather uncomfortable conversation affected me deeply. In our culture, we value being funny and making light of things. I sometimes get caught-up in that attitude myself. I like to laugh as much as anyone else. But there are things that we deal with in the family of God that are simply not funny. I certainly don’t believe it’s God’s will that we go through life “glum” and “long-faced”. But I do believe that it’s a part of a true expression of godliness to treat spiritual things in accordance with their true value and significance. And in God’s household we handle things that are of higher value and of greater significance than anything this world can think of. We, of all people, ought to be known for treating the things of God with proper reverence and awe. Well; as it so happened, when that woman was saying these things to me, I was right then studying what I think may be the most serious passage in all the Gospel of Matthew. There is absolutely nothing “light” or “funny” about it. It deserves to be responded to by us with the utmost soberness, and with tears of holy awe. And yet, it also happens to be a passage about some very wicked people who trying to do something “funny”. * * * * * * * * * * In Matthew’s Gospel—after our Lord had been condemned to death by the Jewish leaders, and after He had been tried before Pilate and handed over for crucifixion—we read these very sobering words. They are, quite frankly, unpleasant to consider. <blockquote>Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him. And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe [...] Those who were mocking the King of the Jews were expressing more truth about Him than they realized. THREE DISCIPLINES FOR FAITHFUL THINKING http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-06-21/three-disciplines-for-faithful-thinking http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-06-21/three-disciplines-for-faithful-thinking#comments Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:45:24 +0000 Pastor Greg Allen http://bethanybible.org/?p=246 http://bethanybible.org/sermon/sermons_2009/2009-06-21/three-disciplines-for-faithful-thinking/feed 0 Preached June 21, 2009 from 1 Peter 1:13 Theme: This passage teaches followers of Jesus how to set their minds for faithful living in tough times. (Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.) Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:13). * * * * * * * * * * Read those words again. Let them sink in. They are words that were meant to encourage Christians who were suffering. Peter wrote them to people whom he calls—in the opening words of his letter—”the pilgrims of the Dispersion”. He called them that because they were “dispersed” from their homeland. They were Jewish Christians who were under persecution for their faith in Jesus. They were forced to flee from the nation of their birth—far away from the security of their homes and business and family ties—and were made to take refuge in other lands as “pilgrims”. They were under great stress, and were experiencing difficult times. Much about the immediate future was uncertain for them. But nevertheless, Peter’s letter to them is filled to the brim with hope and encouragement. Whatever it may have been that they were experiencing and suffering at the time, their ultimate future was bright beyond description. He told these suffering Christians; <blockquote>Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (vv. 3-5).</blockquote> Peter, as a good pastor, wanted them to keep all this in mind during the times they were undergoing. He wanted them to grasp hold of that glorious future with both hands, place their hope in it fully, and allow it to transform them during the temporary hard-times they were then undergoing. He goes on to say; <blockquote>In this [that is, in their glorious inheritance that is secured for the future in Christ] you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls (vv. 6-9).</blockquote> And please note how important their thinking is in all this. Peter tells them that, even though they were going through tough times, he takes it for granted that they “greatly rejoice” in something that God has for them in the future. He takes it for granted that they understand that God is testing them and refining their faith, through the present tough-times, for that glorious future. He takes it for granted that, though they have not seen Jesus, they nevertheless know about Him and greatly love [...] This passage teaches followers of Jesus how to set their minds for faithful living in tough times.