5 October 2008
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BfSB)
West Fort Hood Chapel
Killeen, TX
BIG IDEA: TRUE Christianity involves RECEIVING and ACCEPTING Jesus Christ (as Lord and Savior) rather than outward ATTEMPTS and CHANGES to look religious.
REFERENCES: Acts 7:8 (NIV) Then he gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision. And Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him eight days after his birth. Later Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs. Genesis 17:10-14 (The Covenant God made with Abraham concerning circumcision); Malachi 3:1 (NIV) "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty; 1 Kings 19:10 (NIV) He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."; Philippians 3:4b-5 (NIV) If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV) – The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Peal - The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it; The Story of The Matchless Pearl (Author-Unknown); Galatians 6:13 (ASV) For not even they who receive circumcision do themselves keep the law; but they desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh; 2 Corinthians 11:18 (ASV) Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also; Galatains 5:12 (ASV) I would that they that unsettle you would even go beyond circumcision.
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Philippians 3:4b-14 (NIV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: Philippians 3:4b-14 (NIV)
III. READ THE TEXT: Philippians 3:4b-5,8 (NIV) If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee: More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate believers to look back on their Old Life and share with others that TRUE Christianity involves RECEIVING and ACCEPTING Jesus Christ (as their Lord and Savior) rather than outward ATTEMPTS and CHANGES to look religious.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “Elijah’s Chair”
VI. INTRODUCTION: What would you say if I told you that on today everyone in attendance was going to have an opportunity to witness one of the greatest events in our Biblical History?
For today, as it is at every “Brit Milah” or CHILD CIRCUMCISION SERVICE, arguably one of the greatest prophets that has ever lived will be invited to attend this worship service.
And as always, he will accept the invitation.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 1: For you may recall that it is believed, to this day, within our Jewish Community that under the influence of Jezebel, …
a. … circumscision in the Northern Kingdom of Israel was about to be abolished, …
b. … when Elijah is said to have retired to a cave (in 1 Kings 19:10) ….
c. … and complained to God that Israel had forsaken the covenant of the Lord;
d. … whereupon God ordained that NO CIRCUMCISION should take place except in the presence of Elijah.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 2: A few weeks ago, I had the unique priviledge of attending my first ever “Brit Milah” or Circumcision Service.
a. And if you haven’t attended a Brit Milah – let me tell you, it’s quite a worship service.
b. Just to witness the atmosphere and the celebration of a little boy receiving his name publicly for the first time, in the presence of Elijah, and his love ones is unique to say the least.
c. As a born again believer, I watched and participated in this particular child’s most holy moment.
d. A moment that will, no doubt, have to be retold to him over and over again in order for him to understand that his parents, grandparents, and his community of faith – all participated in his defining moment.
e. A moment which defined who he would be called for the rest of his life.
f. A moment that identified the faith practices of his parents and grandparents.
g. A moment that if he one day chooses to boast about – he can.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 3: Because, in keeping with the Covenant made to Abraham, it actually happened because he was circumcised.
a. A moment that saw his mother and father skirmishing within for fear of their son painful experience being too much for him to handle along.
b. Yet, he was believed that he wasn’t alone because Elijah was there.
c. While others, like me, looked-up, I saw the Rabbi receive the eight-day old baby from the arms of his grandfather.
d. He was cooing without a trouble in the world.
e. Then suddenly, his lips were wiped with wine as he continued the baby sounds.
f. But, I never saw Elijah.
g. Neither did I feel the presence of Elijah.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 4: In our scripture today, we find the Apostle Paul writing from Prison to the Philippians.
a. He sends this letter to them by Pastor Epaphroditus.
b. A letter that warns them about the Judiazers who were apparently Jews that had become Christians and were now trying to obey all of the Jewish laws and Rituals;
c. … and follow the precepts of Christ in order to earn a spot in heaven.
d. If fact, the Judiazers were teaching that good works were needed and everyone had to be circumcised as the covenant taught.
e. They were ripping the Church apart, because of their teaching that that true Christians were those that had been circumcised.
f. Paul disagreed.
g. He declared that TRUE CHRISTIANS were those that had been circumcised of the heart and not the flesh.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS *******
MOVE 5: Those that had repented of their sins and ASKED Jesus to come NOT JUST INTO THEIR PRESENCES, but INTO THEIR HEARTS.
a. For Paul said that TRUE Christians worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
b. TRUE CHRISTIAN WORSHIP … takes us away from merely being concerned about how others see us;
c. … but more importantly, it makes us more cognizant of how Christ sees us inwardly.
d. Paul argued that whatever we do sincerely; we must do it from our heart;
e. … and we MUST not place our confidence in the fact that we were circumcised on the eight-day, …
f. Or we were reared in the church;
g. Because, in order to be a sincere Christians, we can’t just look religious and act religious;
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 6: But we must be changed inwardly for God.
a. The wrong things that were previously apart of our lives – we must let go.
b. We must acknowledged that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God;
c. … and Jesus died on the Cross - at Calvary - in order for each us to freely receive GOD’s GRACE and Mercy.
d. We can’t work for it – it’s A GIFT. And it’s yours if you ask for it!
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 7: In my sermon preparation, I came across a Story dubbed, “The Matchless Pearl”.
a. According to the story, David Morse – an American missionary to India – became great friends there with a peal-diver named RAMBHAU.
b. David spent many evening in Rambhau’s cabin reading to him from the Bible, and explaining to him God’s way of salvation.
c. Rambhau enjoyed listening to the Word of God, but whenever the missionary tried to get Rambhau to accept Christ as his Savior – he would shake his head and reply, “Your Christian way to heaven is too easy for me!
d. I cannot accept it.
e. If ever I should find admittance to heaven in that manner - I would feel like a pauper there...like a beggar who has been let in out of pity.
f. I may be proud - but I want to deserve, I want to earn my place in heaven -- and so I am going to work for it."
g. Nothing the missionary could say seemed to have any effect on Rambhau’s decision, and so quite a few years slipped by.
h. One evening, however, the missionary heard a knock on his door, and on going to open it he found Rambhau there.
i. "Come in, dear friend," said Morse.
j. "No," said the pearl-diver. "I want you to come with me to my house, Sahib, for a short time -- I have something to show you. Please do not say ’No’."
k. "Of course I’ll come," replied the missionary.
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 8: As they neared his house, Rambhau said: "In a week’s time I start working for my place in heaven;
a. I am leaving for Delhi -- and I am going there on my knees."
b. "Man, you are crazy! It’s nine hundred miles to Delhi, and the skin will break on your knees, and you will have blood-poisoning or leprosy before you get to Bombay."
c. "No, I must get to Delhi," affirmed Rambhau, "and the immortals will reward me for it! The suffering will be sweet - for it will purchase heaven for me!"
d. "Rambhau, my friend - you can’t. How can I bear you to do it - when Jesus Christ has suffered and died to purchase heaven for you!"
e. But the old man could not be moved. "You are my dearest friend on earth, Sahib Morse. Through all these years you have stood by me in sickness, in want - you have been sometimes my only friend. But even you cannot turn me from my desire to purchase eternal bliss...I must go to Delhi!"
f. Inside the hut Morse was seated in the very chair Rambhau had specially built for him - where on so many occasions he had read to him the Bible.
g. Rambhau left the room to return soon with a small but heavy English strongbox. "I have had this box for years," said he, "and I keep only one thing in it. Now I will tell you about it, Sahib Morse. I once had a son..."
h. "A son! Why, Rambhau, you have never before said a word about him!"
i. "No, Sahib, I couldn’t." Even as he spoke the diver’s eyes were moistened.
j. "Now I must tell you, for soon I will leave, and who knows whether I shall ever return?
k. My son was a diver too.
l. He was the best pearl diver on the coasts of India. He had the swiftest dive, the keenest eye, the strongest arm, the longest breath of any man who ever sought for pearls.
m. What joy he brought to me! Most pearls, as you know, have some defect or blemish only the expert can discern, but my boy always dreamed of finding the ’perfect’ pearl - one beyond all that was ever found.
n. One day he found it! But even when he saw it - he had been under water too long... That pearl cost him his life, for he died soon after."
o. The old pearl diver bowed his head. For a moment his whole body shook, but there was no sound. "All these years," he continued, "I have kept this pearl - but now I am going, not to return, and to you, my best friend - I am giving my pearl."
******* TAKE 5 BEATS ******
MOVE 9: The old man worked the combination on the strongbox and drew from it a carefully wrapped package. Gently opening the cotton, he picked up a mammoth pearl and placed it in the hand of the missionary.
a. It was one of the largest pearls ever found off the coast of India, and glowed with a luster and brilliance never seen in cultured pearls. It would have brought a fabulous sum in any market.
b. For a moment the missionary was speechless and gazed with awe. "Rambhau! What a pearl!"
c. "That pearl, Sahib, is perfect," replied the Indian quietly. The missionary looked up quickly with a new thought: Was not this the very opportunity and occasion he had prayed for - to make Rambhau understand the value of Christ’s sacrifice? So he said, designedly, "Rambhau, this is a wonderful pearl, an amazing pearl. Let me buy it. I would give you ten thousand dollars for it."
d. "Sahib! What do you mean?"
e. "Well, I will give you fifteen thousand dollars for it, or if it takes more - I will work for it."
f. "Sahib," said Rambhau, stiffening his whole body, "this pearl is beyond price. No man in all the world has money enough to pay what this pearl is worth to me. On the market a million dollars could not buy it. I will not sell it to you. You may only have it as a gift."
g. "No, Rambhau, I cannot accept that. As much as I want the pearl, I cannot accept it that way. Perhaps I am proud, but that is too easy. I must pay for it, or work for it..."
h. The old pearl-diver was stunned. "You don’t understand at all, Sahib. Don’t you see. My only son gave his life to get this pearl, and I wouldn’t sell it for any money.
i. Its worth is in the life-blood of my son. I cannot sell this - but I can give it to you. Just accept it in token of the love I bear you."
****** TAKE 5 BEATS *****
CELEBRATION:
The missionary was choked, and for a moment could not speak. Then he gripped the hand of the old man. "Rambhau," he said in a low voice, "don’t you see? My words are just what you have been saying to God all the time."
The diver looked long and searchingly at the missionary, and slowly, slowly he began to understand. "God is offering you salvation as a free gift," said the missionary. "It is so great and priceless that no man on earth can buy it. Millions of dollars are too little. No man on earth could earn it. His life would be millions of years too short. No man is good enough to deserve it. It cost God the life-blood of His only Son to make the entrance for you into heaven. In a million years, in a hundred pilgrimages, you could not earn that entrance. All you can do is to accept it as a token of God’s love for you - a sinner.
"Rambhau, of course I will accept the pearl in deep humility, praying God that I may be worthy of your love. Rambhau, won’t you accept God’s great gift of heaven, too, in deep humility, knowing it cost Him the death of His Son to offer it to you?"
Great tears were now rolling down the cheeks of the old man. The veil was beginning to lift. "Sahib, I see it now. I have believed in the doctrine of Jesus for the last two years, but I could not believe that His salvation was free. Now I understand. Some things are too priceless to be bought or earned. Sahib, I will accept His salvation!" (Author Unknown)
