HoHum:
Four ministers were discussing the pros and cons of various Bible translations and paraphrases. Eventually each stated which version, in his opinion, was the best. The first minister said he used the King James because the Old English style is beautiful and produces the most reverent picture of the Holy Scriptures. The second said he preferred the New American Standard Bible because he felt it comes nearer to the original Greek and Hebrew texts. The third minister said his favorite was the paraphrased Living Bible because his congregation was young, and it related to them in a practical way. All three men waited while the fourth minister sat silently. Finally he said, “I guess when it comes to translations and paraphrased editions of the Bible, I like my Mom’s translation best. She put the Word of God into practice every day. It was the most convincing translation I’ve ever seen.”
Today is Mother's Day and this can be difficult for a woman because unable to have children, their children have died, their mother has died, or they have a troubled relationship with their mother. Try to be sensitive but sometimes make the sermon so syrupy sweet that say nothing of substance and can actually make it more difficult that it needs to be.
WBTU:
Skipping ahead in Revelation- talked about the opening of the seals but did not get to the 7th one- trumpets start in 8:6 through chapter 9. Chapter 10 has the angel and the little scroll. Chapter 11 has the 2 witnesses. The end of chapter 11 has the seventh trumpet sounding. Read Revelation 11:19. That is the end of the first half of Revelation. Much still to cover. Skipping ahead because chapter 12 is talking about a pregnant woman. Read 12:1-2- mothers know what this is talking about!!! Jody Owens had a retreat and talked about how the family resembles the relationships of the Trinity. Father and mother and then when have a child this glorifies God. We are co creators with God in making another human life. One of the greatest qualities of a woman is the ability to give life to another human being- happens in the woman. This is something that a man cannot do (and why in the world would he want to). Adam Deibert said, “I know Angela (his wife) once told me when she was pregnant with our second son, that if men had to give birth to every child, there would be no families with 2 children, because the men would do it once, and never want to do it again. Jesus said in John 16:21: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.” Good for those mothers- It’s all coming back to me now when the child is about to come. I am sure this did not happen in those delivery rooms- read 12:3-4. Have delivered a sermon about the dragon in the nativity scene but this is mother’s day not Christmas. Next, told about the new baby- read 12:5. Next, we are told about how the mother is given protection and provisions- read 12:6. The rest of the chapter we will look at another time because it elaborates on these 3 characters. Who are they?
1. The woman- this is talking about the church. Now the Israelites would not have necessarily used the word church but this stands for God’s chosen people throughout the ages. Started in Genesis 3 where we are introduced to the serpent- Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” We see that conflict going on throughout the OT. When we come to the NT we see Jesus being born of the virgin Mary. However, this is talking about more than just Mary. Yes, it happened in Mary’s womb but the seed of Abraham would not have been conceived if the people down through the years had been unfruitful. Romans 9 Paul is talking about his own people, the Israelites, and he says in vs. 5 “and from them is traced the human ancestry of the Messiah.”
2. The male child- yes, this is talking about Jesus Christ. “Rule the nations with an iron scepter”. This comes from Psalm 2:9 which is definitely Messianic. Revelation has already referenced this in 2:27. What about “her child was snatched up to God and to his throne?” This is talking about the ascension. Covering a lot of ground here- yes, we go from his birth to the ascension in just a few words. Jesus was on this earth for approximately 33 years when he was crucified, buried, resurrection and then ascended to the Father’s right hand. The dragon is unable to devour the Christ.
3. The dragon with 7 heads, 10 horns and 7 crowns is talking about Satan. Don’t miss the forest for the trees here. The tail that sweeps a third of the stars is talking about the rebellion that Satan lead where a third of the angels followed him and were banished to the earth. Other places in OT we see Satan trying to eliminate the holy seed but most clearly when Jesus was born. King Herod, after the Wise Men did not come back to him, had the baby boys eliminated in Bethlehem- Matthew 2:16-18: When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” Disturbing so what does this have to do with mother’s Day? I’m getting to that (as Ernest T would say). Jesus is talking about being the gate for the sheep in John 10:7. John 10:9 says, “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” Focusing on vs. 10 this morning: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” See the ties to Mother’s Day.
Thesis: Thief comes to do what and Jesus comes to do what?
For instances:
1. The thief comes only to…
A. Steal- The devil wants to steal people away from God. By planting mistrust about God, the serpent was able to steal Eve’s trust away from God. The result of this was running away from God’s authority to being residents of the “dominion of darkness” Colossians 1:13. Like a kidnapper luring a child away from his parents, the devil “leads the whole world astray” Revelation 12:9. When the Word is sown into a person’a heart, the devil attempts to snatch up that seed before it can do anything (seed along the path, birds ate it up and this is explanation Mark 4:15: “As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”) When somebody switches allegiance, Satan attempts to “snatch them out of my (Jesus) hand.” Although thankfully Jesus says this will not happen to people who “listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27-29).
B. Kill- The devil and his demons are obsessed with death. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” John 8:44 “He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” His lies cause death. The devil is described as being behind some of the sicknesses Jesus healed (Luke 13:16; Acts 10:38), the unspeakable tragedies that befell Job (Job 1-2), and the killings of persecuted Christians (Revelation 13:11-17). He is even described as “hold (ing) the power of death” (Hebrews 2:14). Something sinister lurks behind societal beliefs which dehumanize groups of people and undervalue life giving gifts such as biblical marriage and childbirth. More abortions are occurring nationwide than before overturn of Roe Vs. Wade.
C. Destroy- When given opportunity, the devil destroys everything he touches. Consider Job, who loses his children, his health, and his property. Attempts to destroy Jesus are all throughout the Gospels, as Pharisees, chief priests, Herodians, and teachers of the law plot to kill him. Satan also tries more subtle ways to take him down, even going through his disciples. Satan enters Judas Iscariot who then takes action to turn Jesus over to the authorities. Even Peter is used for a moment, as he tries to reassure Jesus that Jesus will not go to a cross, to which Jesus responds, Get thee behind me Satan (Matthew 16:23). We see in rest of Revelation 12 that Satan tries to destroy the church Jesus created. We live in a culture of death. Death/ destruction are glorified. Some states have physician assisted suicide ballot initiatives in November.
2. Jesus came to give abundant life (full). What kind of abundant life?
A. Abundant mercy- 1 Peter 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great (abundant- KJV) mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead”
B. Abundant grace- Romans 5:20 “where sin increased, grace increased all the more”. Talk about the invitation at the end of the sermon.
C. Abundant peace- Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
D. Abundant joy- Philippians 1:25-26 “I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
E. Abundant strength- Ephesians 3:20 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”
F. Abundant comfort- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.
G. Abundant pleasure- Can't get no satisfaction- For the most part pleasure is reserved for another time and another place. Psalm 36:8 “They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.” Palm 16:11- "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." End with “He Hideth My Soul”
