FBCWest 317 | In the Beginning... Jesus
Recorded On: 12/16/2018
Bulletin
December 16, 2018
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and truth.”
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”
“Endless Light”
SCRIPTURE READING – Psalm 84:1 - 4
PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD
MESSAGE Pastor Joe
“THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF JESUS THE MESSIAH”
“In the Beginning - Jesus”
Time of Reflection
PRAYER TIME –
“All Because of Jesus”
GIVING OF SELVES AND OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
SPECIAL MUSIC – By Pru Hungate
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
“Up and Up”
“God of Brilliant Lights”
“Do it Again”
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Benediction “I Surrender My Life”
SERMON NOTES
John 1:1 – 13 Jesus existed as God before His birth He was Creator
John 1:14 – 18 Jesus was flesh and blood: A man
Colossians 1:15 – 17 Not only was Jesus Creator, He is sustainer of everything
Scritpures
John 1:1 – 13 Jesus existed as God before His birth He was Creator
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:2 He was in the beginning with God.
John 1:3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
John 1:5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not 1comprehend it. The Witness John
John 1:6 There 2came a man sent from God, whose name was John.
John 1:7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.
John 1:8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
John 1:9 There was the true Light 3which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John 1:11 He came to His 4own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
John 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. The Word Made Flesh
John 1:14 – 18 Jesus was flesh and blood: A man
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, `He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'"
John 1:16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
John 1:17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. The Testimony of John
Colossians 1:15 – 17 Not only was Jesus Creator, He is sustainer of everything
Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Colossians 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Transcript of Service
Going to be ending are studied this morning when the book of Daniel and we have taken a look at the fact that Daniel has told us that we live as foreigners and aliens in a strange Kingdom that is not ours. Maybe a Kingdom that we are citizens of and that we did that Kingdom. Will last forever and ever and he is told us? The future for us, which is history, mostly of the various Kings and kingdoms of Persia in Babylon and the middle Persian Empire and and the Greeks and etc etc. And then he Is going to conclude with some final? Interpretations of visions and some discussions with with angelic messengers. And it ends if you will both. In the sense of. All in the terrible things that will happen. But then also in the sense of great hope of the things that will happen now? What is particularly great for me this morning? Is going to be talking about a subject that about the only time I ever. Subject either a friend or family member is laying here. And it's much better to have this teaching. When there isn't the grief and the suffering by those who have lost a friend or loved one. And so hopefully this will be a little more understandable because we're not clouded by the Los. Repeat the first verse of Chapter 12 of Daniel, which says this. Now at that time, not Michael the great Prince, who stands guard over the sons of your people will arise and there will be a time of distress such as never occured since there was a nation until that time and that all the peoples. Everyone who is found written in the book of life will. And so there is as we shared last time the sense of well. Things have been bad throughout the history of people I mean, even in the 20th century. It was really bad, with the Holocaust and the deaths of millions and tens of millions of people through stalling. Hitler and you named all the great terrible things that happened, and this seems it says this even going to be worse than that, but it does offer a little bit of Hope in the sense of but your people would be rescued, but then here's the great hope verse 2. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the. Like these to everlasting life, but to others to disgrace and everlasting contempt, so there is if you will a resurrection? But there's a resurrection in Daniel tells us that happens for everyone. It depends on Who You Are? What that resurrection will look like based on what God is done so. There will be many not everybody. Not all but many will arise from the dust of the ground to everlasting life. And that's the one we want to concentrate on because that's the hope that we have because of our faith, but there is those who will arise from the dust of the ground. To disgrace an everlasting contempt. There are a whole lot of people who will tell you that held doesn't exist. Or that they will tell you that there is that is not eternal that you just got thrown there and poof you're burned up and everything is spying in whatever but that's not the teachings of the Scriptures. The teachings of the scriptures are that those. Who fall in that category are there to disgrace and everlasting not partial not part of the time contempt? Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expense of the Heaven and those who lead many to righteous like the Stars Forever and ever so sing. But those who who arise to everlasting life. There are those who have led people to righteousness are going to shine like the stars. That there is and if you will a reward system? Built in by what you have done in this life. Now, my motivation in my hope and my goal and in Lord knows in the Lord does know, but at this point. I don't. But I do know I have failed him miserably. Well my goal my desire is not necessarily shine brightly. But to hear the words well done. Good and faithful slave. If I get there. I'll take the shining up to whatever but that's my initial goal just well done. So now I want us to take a look at some New Testament Scriptures. Because Daniel is going to share some things and I think this will help so one of the chapters. I want to share is one that I frequently share during a memorial surface. And that is First Corinthians Chapter 15. No, I'm sorry, let's go to John what Jesus this first because Jesus are going to take up on this in John Chapter 5 verse 28 and 29, says this do not Marvel at this for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs. Well hear his voice. Doesn't say some doesn't say all will hear his voice and will come forth? Those who did good deeds? Who are resurrection of life and those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment so Jesus teaching says there will be a resurrection of everyone. But there will be 2 types of resurrection those. A faith and those not of faith. So Jesus confirms with Daniel has told us in Daniel has told us based on what the angelic. Messenger is said. And so in my view, the scriptures are reliable, but when Jesus says something. You can count on it. And so we're told a little more. About this by Paul so in First Corinthians Chapter 15, I'm going to do a lot of it, but not all of it. This is now I make known to you brother and the gospel, which I preached you which you also received in which you also stand by which also you are saved if you hold fast. The word which I preached you unless you believe in vain. The important aspect here of righteousness is believing that Jesus raise. Dead and that is now your identification is your Lord your savior and that's what saves you for delivered to you as first important? What I also received that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures. Not only did Christ die, according to Scriptures, but he died for our sins, according to the scriptures as we shared the Anti Messiah will suffer a head wound, but he won't and he'll keep going. But he didn't die for our sins. He just simply died in rose again and we Read.
And that he was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures and that he appeared to see phys which is Peter then to the 12 after that, he appeared in more than 500 brother in at one time. Most of whom are into Maine. Until now, but some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James then to all the. And last of all is to one untimely born he appeared to me also. Paul tells us this resurrection starts because of the resurrection of Jesus. And that Jesus? In fact rose from the dead and there are eyewitnesses, and these eyewitnesses saw him on numerous occasions. And so while we walk by faith and not by sight. We don't walk in ignorance. The resurrection of Jesus is a fact it is not something we believe, and hope to be true. Paul will make it abundantly clear if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, then our sins are still ours and we believe in vain. And so the beginning of this resurrection is because of Christ. And then he says this in verse 20. But now Christ has been raised from the dead. The first fruits of those who are asleep for since by a man came death by a man also came the resurrection of the dead or as in Adam all die. It's also in Christ. All will be made alive but each in his own order, Christ the first fruits after that those who are. That is coming then the end comes when he hands over the Kingdom to the God and father when he has abolished all rule and all authority and power for you must rain until he has put all of his enemies under his feet and the last enemy that will be abolished. Where is put all things in subjection under his feet but when he says all things are put in subjection. It is evident that he is accepted, who put all things in subjection to him and all things are subjected to him. Then the sun himself will also subject to the one who subjected all things to him, so that guy. All in all now, what does that say? Simply this. That because we are part of a fallen race because Adamson. He died and we all die. But because of Jesus is death burial and resurrection. We have an eternal life. However, it comes at an order Jesus is the first fruit. He's the beginning and then the harvest comes and we will be raised from the dead and so many times we get very anxious. And we say, Well, why does any come hurry up I can't wait and we see the misery and pain and suffering of people and we wonder? Why doesn't he just hurry? Maybe because Everyone. Who is to be raised to eternal life? Or everyone who is subject to eternal life. Is not there yet? And so he is patiently waiting. For those To come to him. And while we may think he is delaying and why does and you re up because of his love for them, he is patient. If he love them then we also ought to love him and be patient. But it also says that at this point, there's TH. Prices going to put everything under subjection to him. And then Christ is going to take all that he has ruled in rain and give it to God the father. And then we'll move on. Verse 35 but some will say how are the dead raise and with what kind of body do they come? And then he's really politically correct you fool. That would you so does not come to life unless it dies and that Witchu so? You do not so the body which is to be, but a bear grain, perhaps of wheat or something else he saying let's take a look at normal life. You're asking what? What kind of body and whatever and he's saying will this look at life, you take a piece of wheat. Or you take an apple seed let's take an apple state.
As most of you know the idea of fruit that you quit you know is white, bread that we get at the store. So let's take a nap will see the really small little apathy. You plant that in the ground and after a number of years, you get an apple tree you don't get more apple seeds. The whole point is into bear is to plant the seed to get more seeds, it to get an apple tree to get more apples. So Paul is saying when this body is placed in the ground when it dies. It doesn't come back the same way or identical to it, it comes back differently better. But God gives it a body just as he wishes into each of the seeds. A body of its own all flesh is not the same flesh, but there's 1 Fletcher men in another flesh of Beast and another flesh of birds. In another fish. There also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies but the glory of the. And the glory of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sign and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars are stars differ from stars in glory, he saying. The human body this Leslie body has its purpose and it can Glorify God. But it doesn't glorify God, the same way as other things, Glorify God, even fish in trees and animals. Give Glory to God even the rocks will cry out if we don't to give glory to God. So there anything just as you look in the heavens. Some stars will be brighter than others. Now we know the reason is some stars are brighter than others because they're farther away, but we also know. Or much bigger than other stars. They have different glory and if you heard Louie Louie Giglio's discussion on the earth being a golf ball, and the various think it talks about Beetlejuice in the dogs art and all these massively huge star. All of the stars have different glory because of different size. They just they just shine differently based on the distance. We are from them. So he says so also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown. A partial body. It is own because it is subject to weakness and death and sickness and injury. And disease. Suffering and shame and all those things it is perishable. Science so desperately wants us to live forever and the problem is as long as we have the bodies, we have. It just gonna wear out. It's perishable. Not canvas. But it is raised and imperishable body. It is sewn in disorder. It is raised in glory. It is sewn in witness. It is raised in power. It is Sony natural body. It is raised a spiritual body if there is a natural body. There is also a spiritual body. He saying if you have a body. And if there is this resurrection to those who are believers, the body will be different. We kind of get a clue how different will be when Jesus rose from the dead. Before he rose from the dead, he had an earthly body. Didn't see him walking through the walls. He did so after the resurrection. His body was different. And a scripture says that we will be like him. Skipping to be first 50. Now I say this brother in their flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God Road, has a perishable inherit the imperishable behold. I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep. But we will all be changed in a moment in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet for the trumpet will sound and the dead will rise imp. And we will be changed and then he goes on. It says we will no longer repairable, but will be. Imperishable this body will be end, the time that it takes for this to accomplish is in the twinkling of an eye. And Paul tells us. Some people will change as they sleep. Now he doesn't mean people in the pews sleeping during the sermon. And he's not talking about sleep in the sense of oh. I don't want to be harsh and and say death because that just messes people up. The reason he uses sleep because Paul knows that the body is just simply resting but to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, which means you're not dead, which means you're still aware and so the body is resting so he uses the word sleep because he wants you to. Death is not the final end of things. But you we will not all say which means to have this body change. You don't have to wait to die. We just have to wait for Jesus to come. Then he says in verse 34, but when this perishable will put on the imperishable and this mortal will have put on the immortality, then will come about the same, that is written death is swallowed up in victory oh death. Where is your victory? Death. Where is your sting sting of deaths in and the power of sin? Is the law but thanks be to God? Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. You see death is not the end, it's just a resting point. And death does not defeat the believer. Because God is victorious in his given us, the victory in Christ and so. Daniel in his discussion tells us that there is a resurrection to those. To eternal glory into those of disgrace in contempt, Paul this concentrating on the believer. Because he's concentrating on the positive. He wants you to know believer where what's going to happen when we sleep? And he wants the non believer to understand the alternative. And then the last. Scripture like to share before we go back to Daniel again. We use frequently and memorial services in which is found in first Thessalonians Chapter 4 verse 13. But we do not want you to be uninformed brother in about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as the rest who have no hope now. I say this during memorial service is a Funeral services and I want to say it again. The scriptures do not tell us not to grieve. Death causes a separation. We are happy and blessed to know that our loved ones in our friends and our relatives, who are believers. When we say goodbye. We're not saying goodbye were just saying I'll see you later. But there still is a separation. Nights like if you well. When a child grows up and goes off to college, some parents are looking forward to that day. Some parents kind of dread it. 'cause they want to be close to their children. Not that you're not happy that the children are growing up and becoming independent is set. Now there's that separation and that's kind of what death does it causes separation so it doesn't say that we're to grieve as the rest who have no hope because we have a hope. Or if we believe that Jesus died and Rose again. Here's the key if we believe that Jesus died and Rose again. Even so, God will bring with him. Those who have fallen asleep in Christ. Everyone. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord in essence policy and I'm quoting Jesus.
That we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not receive those who have fallen asleep. He saying. The difference between the living believer and the believer is asleep. The believer who is asleep, it's a head start. And that's a minimum of 6 feet. Maybe more, but I know it's not a left. So those who died in Christ first and then those who are alive. For the Lord himself will descend from Heaven with a shout with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet or shall 4 of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we shall always be with the Lord. If not a just one time reunion, and then we all go our way we will always be with the Lord. And always be with those who are believers to those of eternal glory, therefore comfort one another with these work. Daniel tells us there are 2 destinations. Destination of glory. We are told by Jesus and by Paul and others. How to be on that? Her. But there is a destination for those who reject Christ as Lord. And as that. Should motivate us? To be witnesses for him. Are you see? If there is a resurrection of the dead and there is and there is a resurrection. For those who are believers and there's also resurrection for those who aren't. Then to keep to yourself, the good news. Is the greatest act of hate? I can think of? But they mail app. They may scorn mean but they may no longer be my friend. What kind of friend are you? If because of your embarrassment are afraid of Los of friendship. Allow your friend now to hear the good news. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Now back to Daniel. But it is for you, Daniel consider these words and seal up the book until the end of time. Many will go back and forth and knowledge will increase now. Most people interpreting that in essence a well. Much of what's happening in Daniel is kind of concealed and we don't know what's going on, but at the end times come? Our knowledge and will get and then community communication and transportation will be faster and faster. And that's possible or a second possible view of this. Is that the concealed the words doesn't mean hide them? But it means to roll them up in a scroll to confirm them. That others will have a difficulty understanding, but there will come a time towards in where people will go back and forth the words. And they will start to understand better. I think that's kind of where we are that people are starting to understand the book of Daniel more than they did. Just a few years or a few centuries ago because we see God at work and also because. Daniel didn't have the benefit. Of the writings of Paul of the writings of Peter. Or the revelation of Jesus to John in the book we call revelation. Our knowledge goes further and further because of those who have explained the resurrection. Daniel gave us a glimpse of it and told us there's 2 Paul's told us more about what it's like. Then I Daniel looked and behold, 2 others were standing 100 banks of the River and the other on the other. Bank of the River so you got 2 guys on each side of the River and one said to the man dressed in linen who was above the waters of the River? How long will it be until the end of these? And I heard the man dressed in linen who was above the waters of the River as he raised his right hand in his left hand towards Heaven and swore by him who lives forever that it would be for a Times times and a half times. And as soon as they finish, shattering the power of the holy people, all these events will be completed. So 2 guys apparently too angelic beans because their address the linen are having a conversation over a River. And one's asking where you got more information. I do about what God's plan is what is it? How long will it take? When will it be and the one who has a message squares up. I just raising his right hand but raising both hands, saying after the shattering of the holy people. So not good news for us.
As for me, I heard but could not understand so I said, my Lord? What will be the outcome of these vent so he's hearing. This conversation, but he's not quite understanding the conversation, so we ask the one closest to him. He said go your way Daniel for these words are concealed and steals up until the end time again. It's like being scrolled up and then sealed to confirm the authenticity. And back in these days, offering about what happened would like for instance, the King gave an order. It would be written down and then sealed up and place in a safe place to confirm and then other copies would be given so you knew what it was. But if you disputed what it was you always had the original so. Sealed up so that we know that it is true. Many will be purged purified and refined. Daniel keeps going back in magazine going to be tough for the believer. We're going to be purged. We're going to be purified. And refine. Now I'm not. It Goldsmith or a silversmith or whatever, but I know a little bit and I know in order to refine gold, you got a heated a whole lot. To refine silver, you got to heat, it a whole lot. To refine God's people, you gotta heat, it even more a whole lot because our hearts are hard. But he is refinanced remember the scripture says that we are his workmanship. God is the one who's refining us God is the one is Purifying us. God is one who is making sure that we are usable for him.
And heat. Is in pleasant? At that level. It requires that or refining imperial flying but the wicked will act with Lee. You see they won't change the people of God when they refined will be refined they'll be pure. And more usable for God, but the wicked will just go on being wicked. So when we look at the world today and we say. I just don't understand why they do. The things that they do is because they don't understand. They just keep doing the things that they do. I share this fable 'cause. It's my favorite and I guess it's because it reflective of people. And if you heard it don't stop me coz. I like to tell it. It's the one about the scorpion and the Beaver. The Scorpion says I need to go across the River. We take me into be because no because you'll sting Migos No. I won't, he says her me across the River, he does not. You're staying me in and I'll die and the the. He goes wait a minute, but if I spin you. Then you'll drown and I'll drown and that doesn't make any sense and so it sounds very logical so the Beaver says OK climb aboard and they start swimming across and halfway over the River, the scorpion sting the Beaver. The Beaver starts to buy paralysis in the sink in the Beaver Hoes. Why did you sting me now we're both going to drown and the scorpion says historian that's what I do? The heart of Man is always wicked. That's just who we are not until God changes our heart that makes us different. So the wicked will act quickly and none of the wicked will understand. You see your great argument will never convince anybody that they ought to be a believer. Because they won't understand the only hope you have for somebody to change is a God changes them. We give in formation God changes heart. And so don't be frustrated when you share, or people say, well, I'd like to be a believer, but whatever that shouldn't confuse us. Because they don't understand. But those who have insight will understand the one that God calls hit by his spirit will understand. From the time that the regular sacrifices abolished in the abomination of Desolation is set up there will be 1290 days. So is at finally, saying OK, when all of this terrible stuff happens and the Antichrist and he starts doing all these things and we're suffering and the Times are worse than they've ever been. There is going to be these 1290 eighth 3 and a half years. Remember that in the countdown from the sacrifices abolished and the abomination of Desolation is set up. That's the countdown.
How bless it is he who keeps waiting and attends to the 1335 days 45 days later a month and a half. God gives us a clue and says it's going to be really bad. It's going to be really bad for 3 and a half years hang on 45 more days. Hang on 45 North. Kind of look at it like the opposite of Christmas if you will. We all kind of Markov. How fast were children can't wait for Christmas to be there. When we see the thing start marking off because you know 45 more days and it's over. But as for you. Go away to the end, then you will enter into the rest and rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the age you see what Daniel was taught was interesting and talking about the resurrection is interesting and we can debate. What kind of body. We're going to have an? And not be so p**** and say you're foolish for not understanding and we can say isn't it going to be awesome and whatever. But as long as just theological. That's 1 thing. But now it's personal for Daniel. If he's been told. Don't worry about it, it's going to happen, but you're going to enter into rest. And then you're going to rise again. It's not just theoretical is not just theological it is personal. That is why the discussion in with Jesus and discussion with. Hall and Corinthians and in the Selonians, it's personal. We're discussing something they're not is just going to happen to the world, but to you and me. And that he will rise again for your allotted portion at the end of the there is a reward. That Daniel is going to receive or being Daniel or being faithful for being in the Lions den and trusting God for helping the friends out to be promoted for praying. Do would I would do for. Being concerned for his people, for being all the Daniel is. There is a reward did Daniel receive. Here's a little clue. Daniel is not alone. Each of us will receive something from God. Paul tells us that there is a bema seat for those of us who are believers. And there will be rewarded. Well, the things that we did good and for the things that we've been bad. And some of the things that we did good. We won't be benefited for an be surprised by an Eagle. How was that? Because sometimes we do things to be recognized by other people and were recognized by other people we got what we wanted recognition. You got your reward. But when you love those who can't. Love you back when you give to those who can't give to you back when you're faithful when everybody else isn't. That's when God reward. And reward in the same manner with gold and silver in some of our works is wood hay and straw, and they all suffer lots. Again, I will share this, I've shared before we all want to live in a really nice place. We all want to live in exclusive zip code areas expensive place is my wife would love to live by the by the ocean should have married somebody else as she gets for me as I get a parking pass and we go there and we walk a little bit. But most people would love to live by the ocean or whatever and then there's those exclusive neighborhoods. And we strive for that. But when it comes to heaven. It just seemed we just want to be there. Now again Heaven is like other real estate it's location location location.
But there seems to be a place for those who are faithful to God during the tribulation and they seem to hang out much closer to the temple that there is a blessing for being faithful in the great tribulation. Which means that that's probably the better area to meet? No, I laugh and joke but not so much that during the Millennial reign, I'll get. Bakersfield. And others will get other nice areas. And yes, I would rather serve God in Bakersfield then. He raised to disgrace in condemnation. But Paul says if we're going to run this race. Why don't we run it when it? Why don't we say? I gave everything that I could to God. He doesn't need it, it won't benefit him. But I want to show him that I love him so much that he is worthy of that. How different? This community would be. How different would this world be? If we decided. If we were risk it all. And devote 100% of our energies and purpose to him. I understand we gotta work to eat. We gotta do those things I'm not saying. Map. But even work there are ways to glorify him, but you understand pastor. If I say something about God. They'll fire me or write me up or whatever. You don't have to say a word about God to reflect his glory. The moon doesn't have to say a word to reflect the sun. It just does and reflects the sun more when the Earth is out of the way. Similarly, we can reflect God's glory, more. We just get out of the way and get our desire for the world out of the way. So what I want you to take away from this messages. Everyone. Will be raised from the dead?
Those of you who are listening to me at least who are in my presence pretty much confident your believers and praise God. You're going to raise at the coming of Jesus. But whatever the Malibu or every Hills of Heaven is. I think would be awesome, but we all live there.
And all God's People said.