Grosey's Messages

Call To Worship Mark 4:26-29

Growing.. fathers children, young men!  Now John begins to write to Christians in differing stages of spiritual maturity.  Mark 4:26 And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,27 and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.28 For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.29 But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

Law and Grace Reading Psalm 86

1John 2:12-17  The Source Of Your Significance

Benediction

Romans 16: 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith ---27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

 

 

 

 

Questions for Growth groups and Family Devotions

Steve spoke about self-identity today.  Why is this important for each of us?

1. Know what you are in Christ and cannot lose 2:12-14

1) You are forgiven 2:12    How does this feel in your experience?

2) You know the Father 2:13, 14   How is this foundational to your self-identity?

3) You are victors in the faith 2:13,14   How do you maintain a right self-image?

2. Know what the world offers but cannot give 2:15-17

1) The world cannot give you what you need 2:15   Why are these three aspects of life sinful and also unfulfilling?

2) The world cannot give you what it promises 2:16  How does the world make these promises of fulfilment?

3) The world cannot give you what will last 2:17

Why is this important for you to remember?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage (and eventually a martyr), wrote to his friend Donatus: "This is a cheerful world as I see it from my garden under the shadows of my vines.  But If I were to ascend some high mountain and look over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see: brigands on the highways, pirates on the sea, armies fighting, cities burning; in the amphitheaters men murdered to please the applauding crowds; selfishness and cruelty and misery and despair under all roofs.  It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world. 

When bad things happen around us and to us, it affects how we think about ourselves and our world.

A friend wrote of how a crisis sent him into a tail spin  Brian Rosner writes:

It was a typical early afternoon for a northeastern Scotland winter's day in 1998. The sun was setting, the wind was howling, black ice was forming on the roads, and condensation had fogged up my car both inside and outside. Sitting there waiting for the engine to warm up sufficiently to demist the windscreen, I reached up to adjust the rearview mirror and stared for a few moments at someone I didn't recognize. Seeing I was alone, it was a tad unnerving. After a few moments of confusion, and upon further reflection, the stranger I had seen turned out to be me!

It wasn't that I was losing my mind. A psychologist might describe such an event in terms of a dissociative disorder, the state of being disconnected from your sense of identity. My experience, however, was more symptomatic of an emotional state than a mental illness. Certain events had changed my life dramatically. I'm sure I'm not the first person to have my marriage end unexpectedly. But for my wife of thirteen years to disown me and renounce our life together left me shattered. Cherished memories seemed like they belonged to someone else. Half of the photos in my mind's album went missing, and the rest were spoiled with coffee stains. My hopes and aspirations evaporated. Looking forward became a luxury I couldn't afford. With damaged memories, an uncertain destiny, and a troubled present, I had lost my sense of self and was forced to revisit the question that you're supposed to settle for good in your childhood and adolescence. That most personal question of all: Who am I?

How do your circumstances affect your sense of self? What role do your relationships play in knowing who you are? How about your possessions, your job, how do these affect your personal identity.  Over the years I've had countless conversations with people of all ages in a myriad of circumstances who are wondering who they really are: people who've lost their job; people whose parents have died; people who feel deflated by their goals for life not coming to fruition; people who feel at sea in our rapidly changing world.

There is one piece of advice that you hear everywhere today in all sorts of contexts. It's a big mantra for the self-help book and seminar industry. It turns up in everything from school captains' speeches, celebrity interviews, and children's books to high-brow literature and philosophical discussions of ethical dilemmas. To disagree with it is almost unthinkable. And most people think it's about the best advice you can give. It is this: "Be true to yourself."

"We live in an age of self-obsession. Everywhere we look, we encounter a preoccupation with self-interest, self-development, self-image, self-satisfaction, self-love, self-expression, self-confidence, self-help, self-acceptance . . . the list goes on." Michael Allen Fox In 2013 the Oxford English Dictionary chose "selfie" as its "Word of the Year".

The advice to be true to yourself probably goes back to Shakespeare. In Act I, scene iii of Hamlet, the character of Polonius prepares his son Laertes for travel abroad with a speech (ll.55–81) in which he directs the youth to commit a "few precepts to memory." At the top of the list is the dictum: "This above all: to thine own self be true."

However, Shakespeare probably meant something different from what we mean. Whereas we think in terms of self-fulfillment and "keeping it real," Polonius's advice was concerned with avoiding self-indulgent pursuits that might be harmful to his son's image, such as borrowing money, lending money, and carousing with women of dubious character. For Shakespeare, "to thine own self be true" means to keep your reputation intact.

In the past an individual's identity was more established and predictable than it is today. Many of the big questions in life were basically settled before you were born: where you'd live, what you'd do, the type of person you'd marry, your basic beliefs, and so on. It's not that there was no choice. Rather, the shape of your life was molded by constraints that limited your choices. Today we are literally spoilt for choice, which can be both a source of joy and anxiety.

According to Peter Leithart, our world destabilizes the self by uprooting people from the traditional fixity of class and place, custom and community. Today our sense of belonging and identity is not supported by continual contact with the same set of friends, the same family members, or the same coworkers. Leithart paints a picture of a society marked by fragmentation and fluidity, where relationships are temporary and loose. In this context, self-fashioning is the order of the day, and self-knowledge is superficial at best.⁸ This is often brought into sharper focus when a crisis hits.

Verses 12-14 are beautifully structured, rhythmic and poetic. 6 times John says, "I am writing" (vs. 12-13) or "I write" (vs. 13-14).  3 different terms are used to identify his audience: 1) children, 2) fathers, and 3) young men. And, each group is addressed twice for emphasis. Now, why does John address his readers in their fashion? Perhaps he has in mind all believers, new believers, older believers and maturing believers.   

John is going to tell you here two things: 1. Who you are in very simple and clear terms.  And 2. How the world around you and its temptations towards idolatries pushes you from the one thing that can stabilise you in a confusing harmful world.

1. WHO ARE YOU?

a) You are forgiven 2:12  John begins with one of the most simple and basic truths of Christianity: we have been forgiven for all of our sins because of "his name's sake." This speaks to both the person and work of Christ, especially His perfect atoning work (2:2). Matthew 1:21 reminds us, "You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Jesus cleanses us from all sin (1:7) and unrighteousness (1:9). He is faithful to forgive all the sins of those who trust in Him. Having run to Jesus as our advocate and atonement (2:1-2), we have been welcomed by God as His children. What a wonderful truth that, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous man runs into it and is safe" (Prov. 18:12).

a. Your sins have been forgiven!  12. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven . . .

We are children of God not because we earned our way into the family – not by merit in the sinner, but because of the infinite merit of the Saviour. No matter how old you are in the faith, one of the most disheartening things the enemy of your soul attempts is to try and bury you in the depths of your depravity.  And one of the most encouraging things you can do, evidently, is not to argue with him, but readily agree with him – and then remind him, and yourself, of the cross of Jesus Christ.  

Martin Luther spent a difficult night with the devil, and I think each of us has as well. The devil rattled off all his sins and wrote them on the wall of his room in his mind.   HOW CAN GOD FORGIVE ALL THAT? He seemed to yell! 

Martin Luther responded: "Yes it is all true I am all of thise things, but write over them all "The blood of Jesus God's Son cleanses us from all sin!"

The risen Lord blinds Paul on the road to Damascus, redeems him and then commissions him to take the gospel to his world and with that gospel, open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light . . . so that they may receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 26:18).

For just over 15 years, from 1991 to 2007, one evangelical seminary conducted a survey among nearly 1,000 Muslims who had converted to Christianity during those same 15 plus years.  Those converted Muslims surveyed represented 50 ethnic groups from 30 different countries – so they weren't surveying the same neighborhood.  These believers were asked, "What was it about Christianity that made you risk your life and your relationships and place your faith in Jesus Christ?"  One of the most often repeated answers from all of them was the simple fact that they could not be certain of the forgiveness of their sins . . . and the Christians they knew were absolutely convinced they had been forgiven. You want a refreshing fact?  Every sin you've committed and every sin you will commit is already known – and already paid for – by Jesus Christ, the living, resurrected, Son of God.

b. Your eternal safety is guaranteed by God's signature.   12  your sins have been forgiven you for His name's sake.

Isaiah 43 25  " I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins. Your eternal relationship with God through Christ doesn't become ratified by the credibility of your signature; it is ratified by the credibility of His.    I picked up a guy who obviously was an alcoholic who lived for alcohol.  It was pouring rain so hard we couldn't go any further on the road. Then I thought.. well he isn't getting out in the rain again, so I willshare with him the good news. Where will you spend eternity? In heaven! Why? I signed the card. I asked what card, he showed me how thirty years before he had signed a decision card in a Baptist church at Lakemba under famous evangelist John Ridley.  He was strongly assured that because he had signed the card he was ok!  But its not you or I that has to sign a card.  It's God who signs off on us.    For His name's sake! Your forgiveness and security isn't permanent because God is concerned about you keeping your word; He happens to be concerned about keeping His word.   That's why it says  for His name's sake.

Your sins have been forgiven and your security as a believer is guaranteed by God's signature.

c) You know the Father 2: 13,14

When we receive Jesus as our Saviour we also get God as our Father (cf. 2:23). John says to the fathers in the faith that "you have come to know Him who is from the beginning" (v.13). The reference "Him" may be to the Father or even to Christ. Possibly both! Of course both are true. We now know in an abiding permanent relationship the One who has existed from all Creation and the One who we have come to know in the Gospel. There is a deep and abiding knowledge that has grown throughout their Christian experience. The longer they have lived the deeper and better do they know Him.  Your satisfaction is now in a personal relationship.

John has been telling us what to do and what not to do . . . he knows that we might get the impression that satisfaction in the Christian life is by following the rules.  So he effectively begins by reminding the most vulnerable among us that the issue is not the rules you keep, but a relationship you can enjoy.

I write to you, fathers,  Because you have known Him who is from the beginning…..

I write to you, little children,  Because you have known the Father.

14 I have written to you, fathers,  Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.

Children can become focused on so many things – and so many things might do nothing but distract them.

John says here, "Children, isn't it wonderful that you're getting to know your Father . . . focus on your Father."

No matter how old you grow in the faith, you've discovered early that satisfaction never comes from keeping a list of rules, but developing a loving relationship with your Heavenly Father.  Children begin discovering God is their Father.

Romans 8: 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,17 and if children, then heirs --- heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Older believers grow to know God is their Father!  He who is from the beginning!   Created all things.  Ordained all things from before the creation of the world. Ordained you to know Him from the foundation of the world. Orders all things in your life, from before the foundation of the world!

d) You are victors in the faith 2:13-14

I write to you, young men,  Because you have overcome the wicked one.

I have written to you, young men,  Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,  And you have overcome the wicked one.

When you don't think you can get through it, whatever that is infront of you that is destroying you, remember you have overcome already!  v. 13 and 14.  3truths about your war with the devil: 1) You are strong, 2) the Word of God abides in you and 3) you have overcome the evil one. There is no doubt in my mind that our strength and our ability to defeat the evil one has a 2-fold source. One is the work of Christ (see 3:8) and the other is the Word of God abiding in us. Satan will accuse us and distress us. Remember the work of Christ, remember the Word of God.

 Satan accuses me of sin I trust the work of Christ   Satan tempts me to sin I turn to the Word of God

2. HOW THE WORLD HARMS YOU

Your self image, your self-identity, can only be undermined in your own mind.  It is in you that the world finds something that can affect your self-identity and can shake you.  And the devil uses the desires in our own heats to confuse and distract us and tempt us. James 1: 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires (LUSTS) and enticed.15 Then, when desire (LUST) has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

"I've got something that the world can't give and the world can't take it away.

I've got Jesus and He's given me life and it keeps me night and day.

I've got something worth talking about It makes me sing and it makes me shout.

I've got something that the world can't give and the world can't take it away!"

People today generally build their lives around

1. Your race, ethnicity, and nationality;            2. Your culture;                        3. Your gender and sexuality;

4. Your physical and mental capacity;               5. Your family of origin;          6. Your age;

7. Your relationships;                                          8. Your occupation;                   9. Your possessions;

10. Your religion;                                                 11. Your personality and character.

But the world cannot give you what you need 2:15. These things though good, can actually undo your soul if you focus on them as your chief good.  It is the nature of idolatry to allow something secondary become primary, before God. So  John commands us, "Do not love (present imperative with a negative), stop loving the world or the things in it." Why? To love the world is to not love Father God which is what you really need, what you were created for and what gi es you a stable self-identity. John says Choose God the Father not the worldly enticements of the father of lies (John 8:44).  Recognize that turning even good things into god things becomes a bad thing. It is to give your love to a "lesser lover" and one who can never satisfy, who can never give you what you truly need.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.¹⁶ For all that is in the world --- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life --- is not of the Father but is of the world.¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

These same 3 weapons slew Adam and Eve in the Garden. Genesis 3:6, "The woman saw that the tree:

1. was good for food – lust of the flesh            2. was pleasant to the eyes – lust of the eyes

3. was desirable to make one wise – the pride of life

"lusts" means cravings, strong desires, lust, passion. The word is neutral. The trouble comes from within us!

 Matthew 15:18  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

Matthew 5:27-29, "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'you shall not commit adultery,' but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more  profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell."

Pride in possessions appeals to our ambitions.       Pride is vain glory, boasting, arrogance. It refers to the braggart who exaggerates what he has in order to impress others. It is the "I, me, my" person. It is about the external things, not the main thing, our relationship with God.  What gives meaning and value to your life? What is the Source of Your Significance?  Is it possessions? Is it your place at work? Pride, power, possessions, prestige, and position? Is it your relationships and family? What if all these things are taken away?  What have you got left?

"Pride of possessions" or "pride of life" speaks of the person who glorifies himself rather than God. He or she makes an idol of their stuff, their career, their achievements, their social standing. This person fails to see that the Lord Jesus, the King of Glory, turned the value system of this world and all this stuff on its head.

A.W. Tozer draws our attention to the blinding deception of the "pride in possessions":  "There is within the human heart a tough, fibrous root of fallen life whose nature is to possess, always to possess. It covets things with a deep and fierce passion. The pronouns my and mine look innocent enough in print, but their constant and universal use is significant. They express the real nature of the old Adamic man better than a thousand volumes of theology could do. They are verbal symptoms of our deep disease. The roots of our hearts have grown down into thing, and we dare not pull up one rootlet lest we die. Things have become necessary to us, a development never originally intended. God's gifts now take the place of God, and the whole course of nature if upset by the monstrous substitution." (The Pursuit of God, 22).

 

In Greek mythology there were dangerous sea creatures called Sirens. These were half-women half-birds who would play or sing such enticing music that sailors would steer toward them and die as their ship crashed upon the jagged rocks. These sirens appear in two myths, Homer's Odyssey and the story of Jason and the Argonauts. If you're not really into Greek mythology, maybe you saw the cartoon movie, Ice Age Continental Drift. Manny the Wooly Mammoth (whose voice is Ray Romano) had to steer their iceberg past some creatures disguised as beautiful females – they borrowed this idea from Greek mythology. But back to Greek Mythology - when Odysseus sailed by the sirens, he filled all his sailors' ears with beeswax so they couldn't hear the music. He had his crew tie him to the mast as they sailed past the sirens. He was so tormented by the music of the sirens that he tried his best to break free and swim to shore. He was almost driven mad by their enticing songs.

But in the story of Jason and the Argonauts, Jason used a different strategy to avoid the call of the sirens. They had a talented musician onboard named Orpheus. While they sailed past the sirens, Orpheus played music on his lyre that was louder and more beautiful, so that the sailors paid no attention to the music of the sirens.

The world is still playing its siren music trying to attract us toward what it claims is the pleasures of sin. But it is a dangerous song because sin always leads to death. And most of us can think of Christians who have ended up with their faith shipwreck on the jagged rocks of sin. But our response to the siren call of the world should not be that Odysseus who tied himself to the mast. He was tormented. Instead Jason and his sailors were listening to another song – a song so beautiful that they didn't even hear the song of the wicked sirens. As followers of Jesus, we're listening to a new song, and it's so beautiful and captivating that the song of the world no longer appeals to us.

Cyprian, the Bishop of Carthage (and eventually a martyr), wrote to his friend Donatus: "This is a cheerful world as I see it from my garden under the shadows of my vines.  But If I were to ascend some high mountain and look over the wide lands, you know very well what I would see: brigands on the highways, pirates on the sea, armies fighting, cities burning; in the amphitheaters men murdered to please the applauding crowds; selfishness and cruelty and misery and despair under all roofs.  It is a bad world, Donatus, an incredibly bad world.  But I have discovered in the midst of it a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret.  They are despised and persecuted, but they care not.  They are masters of their souls.  They have overcome the world.  These people, Donatus, are the Christians — and I am one of them."