Island of Devotion (July 25th, 2004)

Island

Living

Generally, each message is a part of a series, that deals with applying the Bible to real-life issues.  Don't worry if you've missed part of a series.  Each Sunday will work together with the other messages, or can stand alone to help you deal with the things life brings each day.

Island of Determination (August 1st, 2004)

Island of Disappointment (August 8th, 2004)

Island of Disobedience  (August 15th, 2004)

where nobody stands alone

Message Series:  Island Living Video clip:  Castaway – Tom Hanks crashing on island and dedicated enough to pick up the packages. Message Series Theme:  Although marginalized God can maximize you.  It’s easy to die for Christ, it is difficult to live for Him. Title:  A Time of Revelation (Revelation 1: 9 – 20) Revelation 1: 9 – 20 (NAS) 9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, 11 saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. 14 His head and His hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15 His feet were like burnished bronze, when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters. 16 In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword; and His face was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. 19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. 20 "As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Demetian tried to marginalize John to not fuel a movement through a martyr. How has God marginalized you? I. Isolation does not have to equal elimination a. V. 11 - saying, "Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea." b. What was intended as elimination for John led to one of the greatest revelations of all time. c. Historical Note i. Emperor Dometian wouldn’t martyr John for fear of further fueling the Christian movement.  This resulted in one of the greatest revelations. ii. It was the word of God and His testimony of Jesus, not of the emperor that landed John on Patmos.  THIS WAS GOD’S DOING!!! d. The whole comfort and strength for the churches was based on John’s vision of Christ’s glory. e. “You will never realize God is all you need until you experience that God is all you have!” Transition: II. Spiritual preparation precedes spiritual revelation a. V. 10 - I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet, b. Amos 3: 7 (NAS) i. 7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing Unless He reveals His secret counsel To His servants the prophets. ii. You have to be dedicated to preparedness to achieve success 1. Illustration: 2. Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art. One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities. Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, "Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!"  Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence. c. Lance Armstrong*** *** BESANCON, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong capped his most dominant Tour de France with another impressive win in the final time trial Saturday, all but guaranteeing that he will ride into history as the first six-time champion in the race's 101-year history. Pedaling furiously toward a stage victory that he didn't even need, Armstrong overpowered his rivals yet again, quickly building a gaping lead which he carried past cheering crowds to the finish line of the individual race against the clock. His teammate was next to him at the end of the race.  He asked him if he could speed up down the last hill so that he could win the race.  He said that he could, so when the last downhill came up, the teammate started speeding up, but to his and Armstong’s surprise another cyclist from another county soared past them both.  Armstong’s partner did not have a chance, so Lance sped up.  It was neck and neck til the end when Lance put a little more effort in the race and soared past his competitor. d. Poor preparation on our part does not constitute an emergency on God’s part! i. John was in the spirit (v. 10) ii. It was the Lord’s Day (v. 10) iii. John heard the voice of Christ (v. 10) e. The circumstances of your life do not have to determine the condition of your soul! III. I must see Him as He is, regardless of where I am! a. V. 12 – 13 - Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash. b. Seven Lampstands – equal the literal seven churches and symbolically all churches. But what is important is where we find Jesus. c. Where do we find Jesus? i. “Like the Son of Man” – this is reference to Daniel 7:13. Also, even though John had the experience on the Mount of Transfiguration he had never really seen Jesus in this way. ii. Do we see Jesus in this way? 1. Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV) 2. 13 "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. iii. The robe and golden sash – these were the garments of the High Priest. 1. Yes, Jesus is still our High Priest. Hebrew 7:22-28 2. Hebrews 7:22-28 (NIV) 3. 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 26 Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. d. It’s good to see him as he was, but it is great to see him as he is. e. He life was great, but his resurrection is what empowers you. i. You don’t need a Friday jesus, you need to high and lifted up jesus. f. Friday Jesus                                   Sunday Jesus Crown of Thorns                            Snow White Hair Jesus Wept                                     Eyes Blazing like Fire Feet that Walked in Mercy             Feet like Bronze Glowing Voice once Ignored                        Voice Like Rushing Waters Torn Apart with Nails                     Right Hand Holding Stars Words Once Consoled                    Tongue Sharp Edged Sword Marred Beyond Recognition           Face Shining Like the Sun The Seven Features of Christ (Isaiah 11) 1. Snow White Hair – Indicates His holiness, purity, righteousness. It points to His wisdom, His omniscience. – Last time John saw Jesus’ hair, His head was crowned with thorns and covered in blood.  He now beholds Him crowned with the diadem of heaven’s glory. 2. Eyes like Blazing Fire – Sees all things, searches all things. His eyes and able to pierce and penetrate the heart and mind of man. Nothing is hidden from Him. It points to His omnipresence. Hebrews 4:13 – The eyes John remembered were so often wet with tears over the sin and sorrow, now penetrating and piercing with judgment. 3. His Feet were like Bronze – this shows His strength and stability. That He is our “solid rock.” Strong feet show His power to move history along; nothing will stop His eternal plan. Also, it is a symbol of His undeniable victory. – Those blessed feet that once walked in mercy and torn with nails now stand as the feet of the avenger to tread down His foes. 4. Voice the sound of many waters– this shows His majesty and authority. His voice will drown out all others. Ever heard the powerful sound of a waterfall? Ever try to drown it out? – The voice that once whispered, “Peace, be still,” is now overwhelming powerful and yet tranquil.  The voice once ignored can now not be mistaken. 5. Right Hand – In his powerful right hand He holds the seven messengers or even the seven angels. Seven stars is used to tell those who began to think that the planets ruled all things that Jesus was so awesome He held them in his one hand! – Those holy hands once torn apart by nails are now able to preserve, protect, and provide for all they hold.  6. Mouth with two-edged sword – Out of His mouth proceeds absolute truth. The Word of God is “sharper than any two edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 It is also the weapon of warfare! Ephesians 6:17 – 7. Bright Shining Face – this is a picture of his deity. His incomparable, truly indescribable Glory! It is the awesome majesty of God! – The face once marred beyond human recognition, covered with vile spit now beams with an uncreated glory more brilliant than the mid-day tropical sun! IV. When I see Him as He is it will change me where I am! a. V. 17 - When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. And He placed His right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, b. John 21:20-21 (NIV) c. 20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") d. Many things have to die in our lives when we are bathed in such glory! i. When we come to fully realize whom our Lord Jesus truly is there is really only one response. We fall at His feet in worship and praise and reverential awe! ii. Do not be afraid! What a calming and gentle response. The powerful right hand of our Lord is used in a kind and loving way as well. 1. Only the Christian worldview brings comfort, courage, and conviction. 2. He is watching 3. He is walking 4. He is talking 5. He is touching 6. He drowns out all others 7. FEAR NOT e. Can’t offer you this unless you personally know Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior. f. You must decide what will bring you to your knees – either the vision of His glory or the circumstances of your life. g. He might not change your circumstances. h. Some say that John died on Patmos. i. You will surely change *** BESANCON, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong capped his most dominant Tour de France with another impressive win in the final time trial Saturday, all but guaranteeing that he will ride into history as the first six-time champion in the race's 101-year history. Pedaling furiously toward a stage victory that he didn't even need, Armstrong overpowered his rivals yet again, quickly building a gaping lead which he carried past cheering crowds to the finish line of the individual race against the clock. Riding a high-tech aerodynamic bike, and wearing the bright yellow leader's jersey, the Texan finished 61 seconds faster than Jan Ullrich, the 1997 Tour champion and a five-time overall runner-up. The stage win was Armstrong's fifth of this Tour, his most since he conquered cancer and won cycling's most prestigious event for the first time in 1999. Only a crippling crash or other catastrophe will prevent Sunday's closing ride into Paris from being a lap of honor for Armstrong. "To be on the verge of breaking history is incredibly special," he said. Still, he remained cautious. "I'm always careful to say that we have another day to go, and if you crash on the Champs Elysee and don't finish tomorrow, then you don't win. So I have to be careful and hope it works out," Armstrong said. "What does it mean to me win six Tours? It's very difficult to say. You'll have to ask me in a couple weeks, I think. When I won the first one, I thought I could die and go away a happy man. To win six is very hard to put into words." Andreas Kloden, Ullrich's teammate, was third Saturday and rode so fast that he surpassed Ivan Basso for second in the overall standings. Basso is third, with Ullrich a career-worst fourth. Yet Armstrong remained modest. "I wouldn't be so bold as to call it a domination," he said. Basso, the only rider other than Armstrong to win a stage in the Pyrenees this year, is 6:59 behind. Ullrich is 9:09 back. Armstrong's overall lead of 6:38 over Kloden is one of his biggest. Last year, he beat Ullrich by just 61 seconds and swore that he would improve on that in 2004. "Overall, it was smooth race," he said. "Some of that has to do with training. Some of that has to do with luck. This year, certainly compared to last year, was black and white." He has proved insatiable. His latest Tour title will cap six years in which Armstrong helped transform the event, bringing American brashness, determination and know-how to a race that is almost as much a part of French lore as wine, the baguette and the Eiffel Tower. Saturday's 34.1-mile time trial route carved an elongated loop south of Besancon, the birthplace of literary giant Victor Hugo, through villages, up and down hills and on roads lined with crowds. "I'm happy because it's over," he said in French. "I'm tired, in the head, in the legs. Everywhere." The top 20 riders started three minutes apart, starting in the inverse order of their place in the overall standings. That meant Armstrong set out last -- a big advantage because it allowed him to know how rivals were faring up ahead. He started the day with a lead of 4:09 over Basso and didn't need to go flat-out. But he couldn't resist the chance for another win. Armstrong said his crown was not just a solo effort, thanking the team that was the muscle behind his campaign. "It's a group effort," he said. "It's not just me." Armstrong wouldn't say for sure if he would be back next year, but said it would be hard to turn his back on his favorite race. "I can't imagine skipping the Tour, and if I do come, I would only come with the perfect condition," he said. "For me it's a special, special event and I can't imagine not being here." But even with six crowns, the debate will continue as to whether Armstrong is a cut above the four five-time champions he will eclipse Sunday. Eddy Merckx of Belgium, for example, holds the record of 34 Tour stage wins, 13 more than Armstrong. And Merckx, nicknamed "The Cannibal" because of how he devoured rivals on the road, and five-time champion Bernard Hinault of France both collected more yellow jerseys that are awarded each day to the race's overall leader. Armstrong will earn his 66th yellow jersey on Sunday and, on this Tour, overtook five-time champion Miguel Indurain of Spain, who won 60, for third place in the standings. Merckx won 96, Hinault 78. Armstrong's single-minded focus on the Tour, his attention to detail, his use of new technologies to save seconds and his ability to recruit, keep and motivate teammates have raised the bar for how to win the three-week cycling marathon. "It's an improvement in the method of approaching the Tour de France -- more professional, more rigorous, more methodical," race director Jean-Marie Leblanc said. "In a word, more American." Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sermon Series:  Island Living Series Theme:  Although marginalized, God can maximize you.  It is easy to die for Christ, it is difficult to live for Him. Title:  a time of reminding on the island of determination Video clip:  Castaway, where Tom Hanks gets off the island and makes the delivery.  He has the determination to deliver the package. The purpose of Titus on Crete (1: 5) - read The duty to build churches in Crete that could effectively evangelize the island demonstrates Titus’ commitment to reach the uncommitted with the gospel – John McArthur The world is going to be bringing all kinds of world views into the church … we need to be prepared to be able to deal with difficult and quite different people. I. Be determined to finish (set in place) your specific purpose. a. You have a specific purpose to which God has equipped you. b. Hebrews 13: 20, 21 i. Now the R658 God of peace, who brought R659 up from the dead the great R660 Shepherd of the sheep through F156 the R661 blood of the eternal R662 covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip R663 you in every good thing to do His will, working R664 in us that which R665 is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to R666 whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. c. Are you responsible, accountable, available, determined, reliable. d. There are any people that are asking, why have I been left behind … people in the nursery are asking … why was I left in here while you worship? i. Before God can use you, you have to be useable. e. Can God leave you behind and count on you being in charge? II. Be determined to deal with specific problems a. Illstration:  Stephanie, 2nd month of the marriage, storm outside, every thunder blast she screams in the night.  I freaked out, b/c it was not expected.  It was a problem, so when she screamed I told her don’t worry I was there (solution?? As if I was going to stop the lightning) Every problem is an opportunity to prove God's power. Every day we encounter countless golden opportunities, brilliantly disguised as insurmountable problems. C. Swindoll, One Step Forward, Two Steps Back, p. 35. How do we deal with the problems? b. Galatians 6:1 9 (NAS) i.  Brethren, R250 even if anyone F105 is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, R251 restore R252 such a one in R253 a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. c. Ephesians 4: 25 (NAS) i. 25 Therefore, laying R253 aside falsehood, SPEAK R254 TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members R255 of one another. d. The problems of the day i. Embryonic gnosticism ii. Dualism iii. Full blown pharisism iv. Ancient Judaism e. The steadfast believers of Crete integrated daily with those that were not within the church and those that were different and difficult to deal with. f. A dilution of our distinctiveness – Today’s Issue i. “The United States is the most religiously diverse nation in the world,”  leading religious scholar Diana Eck writes in this eye – opening guide to the religious realities of America today.  The Immigration Act of 1965 eliminated the quotas linking immigration to national origins.  Since then, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Zoroastrians, and new varieties of Jews and Catholics have arrived from every part of the globe, radically altering religious landscape of the United States.  Members of the world’s religions live not jujst on the other side of the world but in our neighborhoods;  Hindu children go to school with Jewish children; Muslims, Buddhists, and Sikhs work side – by side with Protestants and Catholics. – Dan Kimball, the emerging church (page.71). ii. Pluralism is embraced. iii. Inconsistency abounds. iv. We are living in a plethora of overwhelming thoughts. According to the Bureau of Standards in Washington, a dense fog covering seven city blocks to a depth of 100 feet is composed of less that one glass of water. That amount of water is divided into about 60 billion tiny droplets. Yet when those minute particles settle over a city or the countryside, they can almost blot out everything from your sight. Many Christians today live their lives in a fog. They allow a cupful of troubles to cloud their vision and dampen their spirit. Anxiety, turmoil and defeat strangle their thoughts. Their lives are being "choked by the cares of this world" (Luke 8;14). But "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" (II Tim. 1:7). Let's not let the fog get us down! "Let's live in the Sunshine!  The Paper Pulpit. III. Next you have to be determined to deal with difficult and different people (take off) a. With the outbreak of “goth” attire, it’s no longer an outer appearance issue i. 1 Samuel 16: 7 (NAS) 1. 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God F149 {sees} not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but R538 the LORD looks at the heart." b. We do not have the privilege of just dealing with those that smell good, look good, think right and act right. – We got to get some people to the hospital. – Say CALL THE DOCTOR! i. Matthew 9: 12 (NAS) 1. 12 But when Jesus heard this, He said, "It is not those R289 who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. 2. We are called out to get the sick into the hospital. a. When you feel hurt you go to the hospital – CALL THE DOCTOR b. When you see someone hurt you get them to the hospital – CALL THE DOCTOR c. Luke 4 – Jesus is the Great Physician c. Before they go to the Doctor, we got to overlook their symptoms i. Matthew 18: 21 – 22 (NAS) 1. 21 Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how R676 often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven R677 times?" 22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy R678 times seven. d. Paul tells Titus that he has to deal with the creatons  that Epiminides (one of their prophets, 1: 12) told them about. i. Titus has to be willing to deal with the creatons in the church and in the world 1. Specific problems – 1: 16, 2: 7, 8 2. They were unruly, carnal and worldly, deceivers, lazy gluttons, celebrities and not servants, abominable, they were disqualified because they didn’t know Christ truly. e. We have to learn to deal with the people of the culture i. 1 Corinthians 9: 19 – 23 (NAS) 1. 19 For though I am free R341 from all men, I have made myself a R342 slave to all, so that I may win R343 more. 20 To R344 the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the F101 Law, as under the F101 Law though not R345 being myself under the F101 Law, so that I might win those who are under the F101 Law; 21 to those who are without R346 law, as R347 without law, though not being without the law of God but under R348 the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak R349 I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all R350 things to all men, so R351 that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. ii. You have been left behind to deal with difficult people iii. If you haven’t found someone that you don’t get along with, then you haven’t been coming to church long enough. iv. It is discouraging to deal with these types of different and difficult people day in and day out. IV. Be determined to implement God’s specific prescription (2: 1) a. 2: 1 - But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound R59 doctrine. b. God’s prescription i. Matthew 22: 37 – 40 (NAS) 1. 37 And He said to him, " `YOU R811 SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.' 38 "This is the great and foremost F482 commandment. 39 "The second is like it, `YOU R812 SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.' 40 "On R813 these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." ii. John 8: 31, 32 (NAS) 1. 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If R532 you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples R533 of Mine; 32 and you R534 will know the truth, and the R535 truth will make you free." iii. 1 Corinthians 6: 12, 8: 9 (NAS) 1. 6: 12 All R222 things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. 2. 8: 9 But take R296 care that this liberty F93 of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. c. There has to be teaching and training i. Titus must teach the older men, women and the younger men and women 1. teach all the things that Jesus commanded us to do 2. titus 2 a. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, R74 bringing R75 F10 salvation to all men, 12 instructing F11 us to deny ungodliness and worldly R76 desires and to R77 live sensibly, righteously and godly in R78 the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing R79 of the glory of our R80 F12 great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, ii. Before Titus can teach he must become authentically transparent 1. Authenticity without integrity is dangerous 2. Titus 2: 7, 8 (NAS) a. 7 in all things show yourself to be an R70 example of good deeds, with purity F8 in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that R71 the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. d. For this to start within the church, it must start within you. i. Before you can be used by God, be in His will, be blessed by His blessings, have Him hear your prayers you must become transparent to Him ii. Romans 10: 9, 10 (NAS) 1. 9 that F174 if R502 you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe R503 in your heart that God R504 raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting F175 in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting F176 in salvation.

Island Living, part 3 Title:  A time of refreshing on the island of disappointment. Message Series Theme:  Although marginalized God can maximize you.  It’s easy to die for Christ, it is difficult to live for Him. This week we come to a very lonely island.  The island of disappointment.  That place in life where we feel so isolated and alone because of the disappointing circumstances in our life.  You know that very lonely island that you find yourself on because when you departed you had a destination in mind and you have experienced a hugely disappointing detour in life? The island of loneliness caused by the disappointment in your marriage relationship.  You boarded the marriage relationship with a destination in mind, “Happily Ever After” , and you landed on “Have not Been Happy Ever Since!” (Never Happy Again!) You boarded the parent child relationship with the hope of raising children that would love the Lord and they have chosen to love the world.  You boarded a working relationship with a career in mind and now you find you self stranded in a job you cannot stand.  I could go on and on. Disappointment happens when departure and destination get all mixed up!  But does disappointment have to mean defeat?  Does disappointment have to mean dead end?  Does disappointment have to mean denial?  Does disappointment have to mean discouragement and depression? Realize:  Your disappointment may have been His appointment for you. Acts 27:13-20, 28:1-6 – Read throughout sermon The Island of Disappointment … I. Islands of Disappointment … Come to Expect Them a. Acts 27:14-15 i. 14 But before very long there rushed R1600 down from the F605 land a violent wind, called Euraquilo; F606 15 and when the ship was caught in it and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and let ourselves be driven along. b. The sources of disappointment i. Unmet expectations 1. Didn’t make it to Rome ii. Unrealistic expectations 1. Didn’t make it to Rome on a safe voyage c. Whale Illustration Sometimes we get walloped with the messiness of life when we least expect it. Take what happened in Tainan, Taiwan. On January 17, 2004, a 66-ton sperm whale died and was beached on the southwestern coast of that island. Two weeks later, on January 29, authorities decided to truck the dead whale to a laboratory where they could do an autopsy. So they loaded this 56-foot behemoth on a flatbed truck and were hauling it through the streets of Tainan, when the whale exploded. Yes, exploded. It had been decomposing, of course, and all those internal gasses reached a breaking point. As the truck was making its way down a busy street, all of a sudden the whale exploded, showering nearby cars and shops with blood and organs and stopping traffic for hours. Isn't that just like life sometimes? You're going about your business, and the whale explodes. Job had something like that in mind when he said, "Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." (Job 5:7). Citation: Lee Eclov, Vernon Hills, Illinois; source: "Thar She Blows!" AOL News (1-29-04) i. Sometimes you are just minding your own business and things just explode around you. d. When things blow up, you can give way to it or give up/in to it. i. Sometimes events will blow very strong and alter your course, might even sink the ship but they do not have to destroy the passengers. e. Application: i. Do not allow your willingness to hold expectations to be destroyed! 1. The death of a dream is one thing, the death of dreaming is quite another. II. Islands of Disappointment … Learn the proper Perspective a. You don’t understand, because you don’t have the right perspective b. Genius? Nothing! Sticking to it is the genius! ... I've failed my way to success." --Thomas Edison c. Acts. 27:20 i. 20 Since neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small storm was assailing us, from then on all hope of our being saved was gradually abandoned. d. The islanders needed proper perspective i. Throwing the hope overboard. e. Paul had perspective, because he had to get to Caesar (v. 24) i. God told him that he had to stand before caesar f. Storms are inevitable, misery is optional. i. Paint Picture 1. Euro (east) aquilo (northeast) 2. The boat tossed for 2 days 3. they started tossing cargo 4. Paul stands and says – there will be no loss except the boat ii. You did not miss the mark.  Malta is on the map. 1. Detours are not dead ends 2. Delays are not denials g. <take off> We got to go to Rome, because God told me i. I don’t know how we are getting there, but God has told me. ii. We don’t have the rent, but God is gonna take care because He told me He was. h. Esther 4: 14 (NAS) i. "For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance R74 will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?" III. Islands of Disappointment … be productive a. Acts 28:7, 8 i. 7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, R1636 he laid R1637 his hands on him and healed him. b. No matter where God send you … drug rehabilitation, hospital, etc. .. i. Understand, It may be an island to you, but it is a home to someone else ii. God send us to Malta when we wanted to be in Rome, because somebody in Malta needs a change. iii. SAY IT WITH ME 1. somebody needs a change. 2. You had to go to Walmart instead of Kroger, why .. somebody needs a change. 3. You had to cancel your vacation plans, why .. somebody needs a change. 4. you were sent to drug rehabilitation, why … somebody needs a change. c. Storms reveal who we are not make us what we are. Looking at Paul:  Chained but not bound  Shipwrecked but not lost  A prisoner but not imprisoned  Snake-bitten but not sickened d. The reason everyone was saved from the storm is because Paul was saved by Christ. i. Problems in our lfie cannot / should not thwart the plan and purposes of God in your life. Social distinctions disappear in the fight for survival. Illustration Al Braca worked as a corporate bond trader. His office was on the 105th floor of Tower One in the World Trade Center. A week after the tower was hit and collapsed, Al's body was found in the rubble. According to his wife, Jeannie, Al hated his job; he couldn't stand the environment. It was a world completely out of sync with his Christian values. But he wouldn't quit. He was convinced that God wanted him to stay there, to be a light in the darkness.… The Bracas learned that Al had indeed been ministering to people during the attack. Reports trickled in from friends and acquaintances. Some people on the 105th floor had made a last call or sent e-mails to a loved one saying that "a man" was leading people in prayer. A few referred to Al by name. When Al realized that they were trapped in the building and would not be able to escape, he shared the gospel with a group of 50 co-workers and led them in prayer. e. Citation: Adapted from Focus On the Family (September 2002); submitted by Gary Smith, Fort Myers, Florida IV. Islands of Disappointment … Realize its protection a. Acts 28:1-2 i. 1 When they R1627 had been brought safely through, then R1628 we found out that the R1629 island was called Malta. F623 2 The R1630 natives F624 showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received R1631 us all. b. Refuge, shelter i. God will provide it in the midst of refreshing 1. Isaiah 40: 10 (NAS) a. 10 Behold, the Lord GOD F573 will come with R1500 might, With His arm R1501 ruling for Him. Behold, His reward R1502 is with Him And His recompense before Him. ii. There is a Malta in the midst of the Mayhem. 1. There is a refuge. a. A place of refreshing, renewal and restoration right in front of you. 1. Maybe all of this sounds so outrageous to you. Maybe you feel more like the 275 other passengers on that ship and not at all like Paul. 2. Maybe you did not realize the winds could change so fast. Maybe you have made some major mistakes and now you feel like you are a mistake. You have experienced disappointment in; a. You marriage. So much more that you have. b. Your Christian life. c. You have not been the best parent. d. You have not been the best child. 3. Maybe you can identify with the sailors and prisoners of that ship. I have given up all hope of ever being saved…. 4. You need to know that there is a Malta in the midst of your Mayhem. There is a refuge. A place of refreshing, renewal and restoration right in front of you. 5. There is a different wind blowing now. The winds of change. The winds of hope. The winds that can steer you right to Christ. 6. You have to do it his way. Anyone who is sailing for heaven must first stop on Malta. The ship you are in can not carry you to your final destination. There is another ship waiting for you! 7. We can be disappointed people or people who have experienced disappointment. We decide. V. Invitation a. Paul wrestles with the threat of death. i. While others worried about death, Paul got on with life. ii. Paul was fully aware that death, rooted in sin, was natural and normal in a fallen world. iii. In baptism, we die to the old nature, we die to death—with Christ. 1. Illustration: Kamikaze pilots in Japan had their funeral services before they flew. Notes for Paul on Malta Big Thought: Life is a journey with a departure and a destination inter-mixed with some detours, delays, and disasters, but ultimately deliverance. Two Applications: 1. Never give up hope 2. Never abandon the ship Difference between safety and security. Lifeboat – easy way is not always the right way.  The shortest way is not easiest or right. I would think it safe to say that Paul was the only one of the prisoners who was a Roman citizen. Probably the others were criminals who were sent to Rome for execution. Many of them would become gladiators and would be fed to the wild beasts. In that day there was a constant stream of human life from all corners of the empire that was being fed into the mall of this public vice there in the Colosseum in Rome. These prisoners would be utterly hopeless men. What an opportunity this gave Paul to bring the gospel of hope to this class of men. Even the great apostle Paul needed the fellowship and refreshment of Christian brethren. None of us are immune to that. We need the understanding and encouragement of one another To them the voyage was guesswork. The south wind blew softly, so they “supposed.” The captain was a man who looked to self and to the wisdom of men. Paul was looking to God. Later on Paul would tell these men, “I believe God” (v. 25). Notice he would not say that he believed in God, but “I believe God.” Life is a great sea and our lives are little boats. We can sail our boats by human supposition if we so choose. Friend, there is a storm blowing out there, a bit of a gale. The tragedy is that, amid confusion, world chaos, and darkness, most men are still guessing. There are a thousand human plans for building a better world. Yet everywhere we look we see failure. We need men who know God. It was Gladstone who said, “The mark of a great statesman is a man who knows the way God is going for the next fifty years.” We don’t seem to find many such men around today. “After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome” (Acts 19:21). The hour of darkness came for Paul in Jerusalem. It looked as if he would never see Rome at all. In that hour of darkness, despair, and defeat, God appeared to him to reassure him. “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). The Lord had assured Paul that he would go to Rome. Paul tells the centurion that the only assurance of safety is for all to remain with the ship. Paul has put his trust in God. What a wonderful thing it is to trust the Word of God. The angel of God had told Paul that he and the men would be saved. But they couldn’t be saved their way. They must be saved God’s way. God’s way was for them to stay with the ship. It was a question of believing that God would save them or not believing and taking matters into their own hands. Paul had told them that he believed God. And he tells them that if they want to be saved, all will need to stay on board the ship Do you remember another instance back in the Gospels when the Lord Jesus put His own disciples into a boat one night and sent them across the Sea of Galilee? He told them to go to the other side, and on the way over a storm arose on the sea. He sent them right into a storm. Now don’t say that Jesus didn’t know the storm was coming. He deliberately sent them into the storm! He is God. He knew about the storm, and He knew what He was doing. I personally believe that oftentimes the Lord deliberately sends us into a storm. We need to remember that we can be in the storm and still be in the will of God. He has never said we will miss the storms of life, but He has promised us that we will make the harbor. And He will be right there with us through the storm. That is the comfort that should come to the child of God in the time of the storm.

Island Living sermon series I am convinced today that there are those that wish to live a disobedient life.  Today we will discuss what you will need to carry along on your journey. Title:  A time of redirection on the island of disobedience Opening Illustration: I heard about a little girl who was studying about the ocean.  Her teacher said to the students, “Nobody needs to worry about going near the ocean because there are no creatures in the sea that can swallow a person whole all in one bite.”  The little girl raised her hand and said, “I learned in church that a large fish swallowed Jonah whole.”  The teacher scoffed at that and said, “It’s impossible.  It could never happen.”  The little girl said, “Well, when I get to heaven.  I'll ask Jonah myself.”  To which the teacher replied, “What if Jonah didn’t make it to heaven?”  The little girl said, “Then you can ask him.” Main Summary:  This story in a nutshell is about God's plan for Jonah’s life, about God's love for all people and fundamentally about Jonah’s refusal to do what God said.  Jonah ran away from God.  To successfully run from God, you must... I. Just accept your separation from God. a. When you run from God, you’re not separated because God has moved away from you.  You’re separated because you’ve chosen to move away from God. i. Jonah 1:1 (NAS) 1 The word of the LORD came to Jonah R1 the son of Amittai saying, 2 "Arise, go to Nineveh R2 the great city and cry R3 against it, for their wickedness R4 has come up before Me." 3 But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish R5 from R6 the presence of the LORD. So he went down to Joppa, R7 found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. b. Look at verse 3 – He went down to the seacoast. i. Say “down”. ii. This not only indicates the geographic direction of Jonah’s life but the spiritual direction of his life as well. 1. Here’s the deal: If you’re going to survive a runaway life from God, you have to just accept the overall decline and the downward spiritual spiral of your life and your soul. iii. Here’s a caution for anybody here who might be running from God. <take off> 1. It might appear that your life is just fine. 2. You might say things are going very well. 3. You might be enjoying what seems to be your freedom from God. 4. But I have to tell you. 5. Sooner or later you’re going down! 6. You will not have the right to sing a. Jefferson’s Song c. Verse 4 The LORD R8 hurled a great wind on the sea and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship was about to break F1 up. i. He goes down to the boat alone, he has to pay the full price alone. 1. Now he’s confronted with a storm. 2. He is separated from God. ii. How comfortable are you facing life totally separated from God? 1. It’s a different experience if you face a storm and you’re connected to God than if you face that same storm and you’re separated from God. d. Romans 8 is a promise for all followers of Jesus. i. Paul said “38 For I am convinced that neither death, R419 nor life, nor angels, R420 nor principalities, nor things R419 present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the R421 love of God, which is in R422 Christ Jesus our Lord.” ii. How different that experience than the experience of Jonah separated from God. 1. Or for all who run from God. 2. To run from God you just have to accept that you’re separated from Him. e. Jonah didn’t just try to run. i. He tried to hide. ii. God said, “Go ‘this’ way!”  Jonah went ‘that’ way. 1. “God, if You come looking for me over there I won’t be there, I’ll be over here.” iii. Not only did he try to run the opposite direction but he got aboard a boat with a bunch of sailors. iv. I think he was trying to hide in the crowd. f. Can you hide from God? i. Illustration: 1. This past spring I heard about a student from USC in a class of about 400 students and it came time for the finals.  The professor was a very hard and rigid instructor.  He said, “I want your hands on top of your desk.  I don’t want you touching your pencils until I say begin.  When I say begin you’ll work for one hour.  Then when I say stop you’ll put your pencils down immediately.  If anybody is still working after I say stop they will automatically fail.”  The professor said begin.  The students started writing fast and furiously.  After an hour, right on the dot, the professor yelled “Stop!”  Everybody stopped, put their pencils down, carried their papers and built a stack on the professor’s desk and filed out.  2. Except for one student who was still writing.  The professor cleared his throat.  The student kept on writing.  The professors said, “Young man, stop!’  The student kept on writing.  After about thirty more minutes the professor was really mad when the student walked up with his test paper in his hand.  The professor said, “”Didn’t I tell you that you would automatically fail if you don’t stop on time?”  The student said, “Yes, but I needed a little more time.”  The professor was outraged at this student’s casual attitude.  He said, “Young man, what’s your name?”  The student’s surprise showed.  “You mean you don’t know my name?”  The professor said, “Of course I don’t know your name.  I have 400 students in this class.”  The student said, “Good!” and lifted up the stack of papers, put his in the middle and ran out the door! g. There’s a spiritual point to this. i. God knows who I am. 1. And God knows where I am. 2. You cannot hide from God. ii. Notice how Jonah’s separation from God increased. 1. God says, “Jonah, I want you to go to Nineveh.” 2. Nineveh was about 550 miles to the northeast. 3. Jonah went to Tarshish which was 2500 miles to the southwest, just south of Gibralter. 4. In other words for Jonah to get back to where God wanted him instead of traveling 500 miles, now he has to go 3000 miles to get back to the place where God wanted him. If you want to survive while running from God, II. You must be apathetic about those who are closest to you. a. Apathetic - Feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent. (dictionary.com) b. In other words if you’re going to run from God you’d better pack a bunch of apathy in your bag. i. You cannot afford to care about anybody but yourself. ii. It’ll take all the energy you have just to care about you. iii. You can’t care about anybody else if you’re going to run from God. c. Illustration: i. I cannot be apathetic toward my wife. ii. This weekend at Six Flags was the first night that we have been apart since our wedding. iii. I was concerned. iv. The men of my room understood my concern and tried to help out. v. They let me sleep with Adam Albright. vi. Adam did his best. vii. He put his arm around me, but it wasn’t then that freaked me out. 1. It was when he gripped his hand tight around me. viii. I am sure he was trying to make me feel better, but …8) d. If you are going to run from God you cannot care about those around you. i. Jonah gets on board the boat. 1. God sends a storm on the water because of Jonah. 2. The other people who are on the boat are terrified. 3. They knew the storm wasn’t for them. 4. It was because of Jonah. 5. But because they’re in the same boat with him, they suffer too. ii. I have heard people excuse their lousy lifestyle choices and their addictions, their sinful thought patterns or their harmful behaviors by saying,  “It’s my life.  I’ll do what I want because it doesn’t hurt anybody but me.” iii. Wrong! iv. Our behaviors and our lives are enmeshed with the lives of everybody on board the boat with us. 1. For you it could be a spouse or children or parents or coworkers or friends. 2. People are affected by what you choose to do or choose not to do. v. When we sin, the consequence of our sin has tentacles that reach out and affect everybody whose near us. It’s kind of like holding a live grenade to your chest.  You defiantly say, “I can do what I want, live my way.  It won’t hurt anybody else.  I can pull the pin,” and the grenade explodes.  You don’t get to choose where the shrapnel goes.  You don’t get to choose in which direction the blast goes.  e. If you’re running from God you can’t think about that. i. You can’t let that start to soften your heart. ii. Ezekiel 11: 19 “God says ‘I will take away their hearts of stone and I'll give them tender hearts instead.’” 1. If you are going to apathetically run, you cannot allow God to soften your heart. Transition:  # 3 - Because God has captured the hearts of many a runaway because they didn’t know this one.  If you want to survive while running from God, III. You cannot turn to God when times are tough!  a. No!  You can’t need God. i. It’s all up to you. ii. This is where Jonah really got stopped as he ran from God. iii. He didn’t do this one well at all. 1. He caved in. 2. He went from independence to dependence. 3. He cried out to God and just like God, God helped him and rescued him. b. Listen to Jonah’s testimony (1: 17 – 2) i. 17 And F8 the LORD appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach R27 of the fish three days and three nights.  2: 1 Then F9 Jonah prayed to the LORD his God from R28 the stomach of the fish, 2 and he said, "I called R29 out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth F10 of Sheol; R30 You heard my voice.:    ...  When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord.  And my earnest prayer went out to You’ ... Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit up Jonah on the beach, and it did.” c. If you’re going to run from God you can’t pray. <take off> i. You’ve got to be strong enough to carry all your worry. ii. You’ve got to be smart enough to solve all your problems. iii. You’ve got to be rich enough to pay off all your debts. iv. You’ve got to be healthy enough to live forever. v. I’m not talking about dependence here. vi. You’d better have independence.  Because it’s all up to you. vii. BUT  Here’s the deal. 1. If you ever totally humble yourself and sincerely admit your need for God, He promises to come along beside you and get you through. d. Look what He’ll provide. i. He’ll provide strength. 1. Psalm 62: 11 Once F590 God has spoken; R1838 Twice F591 I have heard this: That power R1839 belongs to God; 2. Psalm 147: 11  The LORD favors R4607 those who fear Him, Those R4608 who wait for His lovingkindness. ii. God will provide all you need. 1. Psalm 54:4 “God is my helper.  The Lord is the provider of my life.” iii. He’ll provide help. 1. Isaiah 25: 4 “You protect the helpless when they are in danger.  You are like a shelter from storms.” 2.  Romans 5: 6“When we were utterly helpless Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” iv. He’ll give comfort. 1. Isaiah 30: 18 “The Lord wants to show His mercy to you.  He wants to rise and comfort you.  The Lord is a fair God and everyone who waits for His help will be happy.” e. What’s it going to take to get you to turn to God? i. Is it going to take your own whale? ii. Is it going to take you coming to a place of utter helplessness in order to get you to turn to God? f. Illustration i. I heard about a young cocky cowboy who was riding his horse when he spied an old codger on a rickety, ugly mule.  Deciding to have some fun the cowboy drew his six shooter and told the old man to get off his mule [which he did] and then he said to the old man, “Do you want to dance?” and the young cowboy proceeded to empty his six shooter at the feet of the old man with great laughter.  Once the gun was empty the old man ambled back to his mule and reached in his pack and pulled out a shotgun and aimed it at the now bulletless cowboy and the old man asked, “Did you ever kiss a mule?” g. God will never force you at gunpoint to do something you don’t want to do. i. Is that good news to you? ii. That means if you want to run from God, He’ll let you. iii. If you want to face all your troubles on your own, all your pain, all your crises. iv. If you want to face death and even all your sin totally alone without His help, God will let you. v. Is that good news?  If you want to survive while running from God, IV. You cannot under any circumstances yield to God's chase of grace. a. If Jonah at any point had looked over his shoulder, he would have seen God hot on his heals pursuing him with grace and love with His arms outstretched ready to embrace him. i. If we read the 48 verses of Jonah correctly you’ll see God pursuing Jonah all through his life. b. And you read this story and you’ll see God's fingerprints all over the place. i. God loved Jonah and embraced Jonah with grace. ii. You see God sending His ship to carry Jonah. iii. He sends a storm to wake up Jonah. iv. He sends sailors to help Jonah. v. He even had that great fish to spare Jonah’s life so he didn’t drown. vi. It wasn’t pleasant but it was protection. vii. It’s even God's grace that the fish spit Jonah up. 1. How could that be God's love and grace? 2. Think about it. 3. There’s only two ways out of a fish. 4. God’s loving this guy!! c. Psalm 95: 7, 8 i. Listen to what God is beckoning in Psalm 95 “Today if you hear My voice, do not harden your heart.” If you want to keep running, there is one more tip you’ll need If you want to survive while running from God, V. You must abandon God's plan for your life. a. Said another way, you must trade God's purpose for chaos. i. You might as well pack a bunch of chaos in your bag.  This is the life I’m choosing to live.  Not God's plan for me with increasing levels of love and joy.  Not God's protection and provision and presence. b. After Jonah stopped running and decided to turn toward God some precious words are in the Bible. i. Jonah 3:1 “Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time...” ii. After Jonah ran away from God and he decided to turn back to God, God still had a plan for his life. iii. To keep running from God you cannot believe that God gives second chances. iv. Those who run from God must believe that second chances do not exist, that God is not a forgiving God but a vengeful, wrathful God. v. There’s something in the human spirit that loves to get revenge and we believe that God is like that. c. Illustration: i. Maybe you heard about the soldier in Operation Desert Storm who received the Dear John letter while he was overseas.  His girlfriend broke up with him and to add insult to injury she wrote these words, “Would you please return that favorite photo of myself.  I need it for my engagement picture in the local newspaper.”  That hurts!  This guy was devastated.  But the other soldiers came to his rescue.  They went through the entire camp and collected all the pictures of all the girlfriends of all the soldiers and they put them in a shoebox.  The brokenhearted soldier sent the shoebox to the girl back home with this note.  “Please find the picture and return the rest.  Because for the life of me, I can’t remember which one you are.” VI. Invitation a. We often have an entirely wrong picture of God. b. Like God delights in punishing. c. That God loves to judge and wants to wreck vengeance down on all who sin. d. Most people don’t believe that God cares.  But He does. e. Most people don’t believe that God is reaching out.  But He is. f. Most people believe that God wants to judge.  But He doesn’t. g. Most people believe that God gives up on us easily.  But He won’t. h. Most people believe that it’s hard to be saved.  But it’s not.