Hearing the Right Voice

Matthew 3:13-17

Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"

15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

Mark 1:9-11

9At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."

John 1:29-34

John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30This is the one I meant when I said, 'A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' 31I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel."

32Then John gave this testimony: "I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 I would not have known him, except that [unless] the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' 34I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God."

In none of these accounts are we told who, exactly, heard the voice of God that day. Maybe one specific person heard it. Maybe two. Maybe every one who had an open mind that day; Revelation chapter 1 says not everyone will listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say: “Let he who has ears to hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches…”

The fact of the matter is, though, that someone heard the message, received the message, documented the message, and shared the message – and now, everyone has access to the message, as it is now contained in God’s Holy Word.

God speaks to His people primarily through His Word… Romans 10:17 says, “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”

Sometimes God speaks to His people through supernatural means, as when he spoke to the prophets through a still, small voice, as in 1 Kings 19:12 – “…And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still, small voice,” and in the story of young Samuel in 1 Samuel…

God also speaks to us through experiences we have gone through…and through our memories of the experiences we’ve gone through; sometimes through bad examples that we have been exposed to so we can learn not to emulate bad behavior…

It could also be said that God speaks to us through the experience of Prayer, and through partaking of the Sacraments, and through what are called the Means of Grace – of which the Sacraments is one…Baptism is another…

On the day in which John the Baptist baptized Jesus, God’s voice was plainly heard. The Gospel accounts differ on the details, but – regardless – they agree that God’s voice was made known that day…to someone. He had a message to convey to His people: Jesus is my beloved son. It is he in whom I am well-pleased.

God speaks to us all the time, and in a variety of ways, but are we listening? If we’re not listening to the voice of God, despite our experiences and despite what we’ve been taught - who, or what, are we listening to?

There are only three true powers in the universe: God, the flesh, and the devil – and unless we have submitted to God, we are subject to the whims and desires of the devil, our flesh, or the flesh of others.

Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

In Matthew, chapter 7, the famous chapter that opens with the famous comment, “Judge not lest ye be judged,” also states the following:

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? 17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 “A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.20 “So then, you will know them by their fruits. 21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’

When Will Jesus Be Revealed?

Mark 13:33-37 - 33 Take heed, watch and pray: for you do not know what time it is. 34 For the Son of man is like a man going on a journey to a far away place, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. 35 Watch therefore: for you do not know when the master of the house will be returning. It might be in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning: 36 If he returns suddenly, will he find you sleeping? 37 What I say unto each of you individually, I say unto you all, Watch.

In the evening: Mark 14:17-18 – the Last Supper: “17 And in the evening he went with the twelve. 18 And they sat, and they ate…”

At midnight: Later, in Mark 14:41, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus says at midnight, “Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

When the cock crows: Mark 14:66-72 – “66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there came one of the maidens of the high priest: 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him, and said, And you also were with Jesus of Nazareth. 68 But he denied this, saying, I do not know, nor understand, what you are saying. And he went out onto the porch; and the cock crew. 69 And the maiden saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 70 And he denied it again. And a little while after, they that stood by again said to Peter, Surely you are one of them: for you are a Galilaean, and your speech proves this . 71 But he began to curse, and to swear, saying, “I know not this man of whom you speak!” 72 And the cock crew the second time. And Peter remembered the words that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times. And when he thought about this, he wept.”

Or in the morning: Mark 16:2 – ”And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.”

New Year's Revival Report

Zion UMC hosted a NEW YEAR'S REVIVAL this year, from January 4th until January 7th, and it couldn't have been a better way to start off 2009. Evangelist Steve Freeman, who lives in Colonial Heights, Virginia (but was originally from Wilmington, and grew up and went to Jr. High and High School with Pastor Jenness) was our guest speaker each night, and when all was said and done, six hands were raised as confessions of faith in Jesus Christ, and several others re-dedicated their lives to the Lord.

We proudly give God the glory for all that was accomplished, and look forward to having Steve grace our pulpit again in the future...

Notes for Sunday, January 4th, 2009

The Season of Epiphany

January 6 is known in western Christian tradition as Epiphany. It goes by other names in various church traditions. In Hispanic and Latin culture, as well as some places in Europe, it is known as Three Kings’ Day (Span: el Dia de los Tres Reyes, la Fiesta de Reyes, or el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag). Because of differences in church calendars, mainly between the Eastern Orthodox and the western Catholic and Protestant traditions, both Christmas and Epiphany have been observed at different times in the past. Today, most of the Eastern Orthodox traditions follow the western church calendar. The exception is the Russian Orthodox Church which still follows the older calendar and celebrates Epiphany as the Theophany on January 19th.

Epiphany is the climax of the Christmas Season and the Twelve Days of Christmas, which are counted from December 25th until January 5th. The day before Epiphany is the twelfth day of Christmas, and is sometimes called Twelfth Night, an occasion for feasting in some cultures. In some cultures, the baking of a special King's Cake is part of the festivities of Epiphany (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA).

In traditional Christian churches Christmas, as well as Easter, is celebrated as a period of time, a season of the church year, rather than just a day. The Season of Christmas begins with the First Sunday of Advent, marked by expectation and anticipation, and concludes with Epiphany, which looks ahead to the mission of the church to the world in light of the Nativity. The one or two Sundays between Christmas Day and Epiphany are sometimes called Christmastide. For many Protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from January 6th until Ash Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent leading to Easter. Depending on the timing of Easter, this includes from four to nine Sundays. Other traditions, especially the Roman Catholic tradition, observe Epiphany as a single day, with the Sundays following Epiphany counted as Ordinary Time.

The term epiphany means "to show" or "to make known" or even "to reveal." In Western churches, it remembers the coming of the wise men bringing gifts to visit the Christ child, who by so doing "reveal" Jesus to the world as Lord and King. In some Central and South American countries influenced by Catholic tradition, Three Kings’ Day, or the night before, is the time for opening Christmas presents. In some eastern churches, Epiphany or the Theophany commemorates Jesus’ baptism, with the visit of the Magi linked to Christmas. In some churches the day is celebrated as Christmas, with Epiphany/Theophany occurring on January 19th.

The colors of Epiphany are usually the colors of Christmas, white and gold, the colors of celebration, newness, and hope that mark the most sacred days of the church year. In traditions that only observe a single day for Epiphany, the colors are often changed after Epiphany to the colors of Ordinary Time, usually green or thematic sanctuary colors, until Transfiguration Sunday, the last Sunday before the beginning of Lent.

As with most aspects of the Christian liturgical calendar, Epiphany has theological significance as a teaching tool in the church. The Wise Men or Magi who brought gifts to the infant Jesus were the first Gentiles to acknowledge Jesus as "King" and so were the first to "show" or "reveal" Jesus to a wider world as the incarnate Christ. This act of worship by the Magi, which corresponded to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32), was one of the first indications that Jesus came for all people, of all nations, of all races, and that the work of God in the world would not be limited to only a few.

The day is now observed as a time of focusing on the mission of the church in reaching others by "showing" Jesus as the Savior of all people. It is also a time of focusing on Christian brotherhood and fellowship, especially in healing the divisions of prejudice and bigotry that we all too often create between God’s children.

An Epiphany Prayer

Father, we thank you for revealing yourself to us in Jesus the Christ, we who once were not your people but whom you chose to adopt as your people. As ancient Israel confessed long ago, we realize that it was not because of our own righteousness, or our own superior wisdom, or strength, or power, or numbers. It was simply because you loved us, and chose to show us that love in Jesus.

As you have accepted us when we did not deserve your love, will you help us to accept those whom we find it hard to love? Forgive us, O Lord, for any attitude that we harbor that on any level sees ourselves as better or more righteous than others. Will you help us to remove the barriers of prejudice and to tear down the walls of bigotry, religious or social? O Lord, help us realize that the walls that we erect for others only form our own prisons!

Will you fill us so full of your love that there is no more room for intolerance. As you have forgiven us much, will you enable us with your strength to forgive others even more? Will you enable us through your abiding Presence among us, communally and individually, to live our lives in a manner worthy of the Name we bear?

May we, through your guidance and our faithful obedience, find new avenues in ways that we have not imagined of holding the Light of your love so that it may be a Light of revelation for all people.

We thank you for your love, praise you for your Gift, ask for your continued Presence with us, and bring these petitions in the name of your Son, who has truly revealed your heart.

Amen

Matthew Chapter 2 details the story of the Wise Men…

1…when (better translated as ‘after’) Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

 2Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in (better translated as ‘from’) the east, and are come to worship him.

7…Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. (He wanted to know when Jesus was born)

10When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

 11And when they were come into the house (not a stable), they saw the young child (not a baby) with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. (because three gifts were mentioned, it has always been assumed that there were three wise men, but we’re never actually told their number)…

13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. (I can’t help but wonder if they met up with, and followed the wise men)

 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

 15And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (there is irony here, since Egypt was the Land of Persecution for the Israelites during the time of Moses)…

 16Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

(So Jesus was about 2 years old when he first met the wise men)

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

 18In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

 19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

 20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

 21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

 22But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

 23And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. (And we can only speculate how much interaction Jesus had with the wise men, and how much of an influence they had on him)…

Wise Men – referenced all throughout the Old Testament, but a reference in Daniel 2:2 best categorizes them - 2So he called in his counselors, advisors, magicians, and wise men…

The Wise Men of the Bible are individuals who possess secret knowledge, or hidden knowledge; they are sometimes called ‘Magi’ because the word ‘Magi’ means ‘hidden, secret knowledge,’ and a ‘Magus’ is someone who possesses hidden or secret knowledge…MAGI is the root word for MAGIC and MAGICIAN…

There is a mysteriousness to the Magi of the Scriptures…they remind me of another mysterious character who makes one appearance in the Old Testament, and vanishes: Melchizedek

Genesis 14:18-20

18…Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Hebrews 7 refers to Melchizedek in some detail…

1…Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils.

Some believe that the Old Testament prophet Daniel (who was a master of sacred scribes) entrusted a Messianic vision (to be announced in due time by a "star") to a secret sect of the Magi for its eventual fulfillment, per Daniel 4:9, which reads, “ 9O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof,” and Daniel 5:11, which reads, “ 11There is a man in thy kingdom, in whom is the spirit of the holy gods; and in the days of thy father light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods, was found in him; whom the king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, the king, I say, thy father, made master of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers.” – This is entirely speculation, but stems from the understanding that, in the Old Testament, witchcraft of any sort was strictly forbidden, and punishable by death – so why does Daniel sanction and endorse these magicians? They must not have been magicians as we understand them; they must have been wise men, is the argument.

Other historians contend that the Magi were a sect from ancient Persia, who — prior to the conquest of the Medes in 550 BC — were responsible for religious and funerary practices, which might explain the gifts presented to the young Jesus.

Melchior, Balthazar, and Gasper are the three traditional names given to the wise men who visited Jesus…but, again, we don’t really know how many wise men there were…around 1270 a.d., the travelor Marco Polo claimed to have seen their graves in what is today the district of Saveh, near Tehran…he wrote of this:

“In Persia is the city of Saba, from which the Three Magi set out and in this city they are buried, in three very large and beautiful monuments, side by side. And above them there is a square building, beautifully kept. The bodies are still entire, with hair and beard remaining.”

The gifts of the three wise men are prophetic — gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of priestship, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death. Sometimes this is described more generally as gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering.

What subsequently happened to these gifts is never mentioned in the scripture, but several traditions have developed One story has the gold being stolen by the two thieves who were later crucified alongside Jesus. Another tale has it being entrusted to and then misappropriated by Judas. Another story is that the family quickly pawned or sold them and later used the money to finance their flight to Egypt; it seems probable that it would be the only way to pay for such a voyage.

God of all glory, by the guidance of a star you led the Wise Men

to worship the Christ Child. By the light of faith lead us to your

glory in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

 Amen.

Happy New Year! May 2009 be blessed...

New Year's Revival! January 4th through 7th!

Zion UMC is proud to present a 4-night Revival event, starting January 4th and ending on January 7th...

Come and hear one of the featured speakers from the Bailey Smith Real Evangelism Conference 2008. This man with Cerebral Palsy has inspired thousands through his preaching of the Word, the uplifting music that he sings, and his personal testimony of what God has done in his life. His sense of humor will delight you, and his message will challenge you to surrender everything to Jesus.

Services each night will begin at 7 o'clock.

On Sunday, the 4th, at 5 o'clock, please join us in our Community Building for a potluck dinner, and meet Evangelist Steve Freeman and his family!

Steve's personal testimony is available to hear here...

SHARING THE SECRET

At the end of the Christmas narrative regarding the shepherds, in Luke 2:19, we read, “Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.”

Then, in Luke 2:41-51, we read:

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”

Mary had a secret and, later, Jesus had a secret as well. Remember what occurred at the wedding feast of Cana, in the second chapter of John:

1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine." 4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come." 5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." 6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. 7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so, 9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."

Repeatedly in the Gospels, Jesus told people not to tell anyone his true identity. Here are eight such instances:

1. Matthew 8:4Then Jesus said to him, "See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."

2. Matthew 16:20Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

3. Matthew 17:9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead."

4. Mark 7:36Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it.

5. Mark 8:30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

6. Mark 9:9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

7. Luke 5:14Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them."

8. Luke 8:56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Line items 3 and 6 differ from everything else in the list, in that they specify that – after Jesus has risen from the dead, THEN the truth of his identity could be revealed…and this happened approximately 2,000 years ago…

…so why aren’t we sharing the secret?

2 Corinthians 4:3 says, “if our Gospel [is hidden], it is [hidden] to them that are lost.”

Romans 10:5-15 tells us, someone’s got to tell the world about the Gospel, and since it is easily on hand for us, we have no excuse not to:

"Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

We who know the truth, and have received it, have a responsibility to share the truth of the Gospel message with a lost and dying world.

John 14:17-21: “The worldly cannot receive the Spirit of truth, because they can’t see him, neither do they know him: but you know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more; but you see me: And because I live, you shall live also. At that day you shall know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. Those that have my commandments [in their heart], and keep them, they are the ones that love me: and they that love me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love them, and will manifest myself to them.”

John 14:26 says, when you have a relationship with Christ, “the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, who the Father send in the name of Jesus, shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, everything I have said to you…[in the word, and in your hearts.” In verse 27 Jesus says, if you have a relationship with him, he will reveal to you his peace: “my peace I will give to you: which is not a peace like the world gives,” And then he adds, “don’t allow your heart to be troubled, and don’t be afraid.”

As we launch forward into the new year, we should take heart – be courageous – and boldly proclaim the Truth of the Word as God makes opportunities available to us…