Foundry Community Church
Second Sunday after the Epiphany- Year A
- Just As I Am Without One Plea
Psalm 40:1–11NIRV
1 Corinthians 1:1–9NIRV
- Here I Am, Lord
John 1:29–34NIRV
- At this point in our journey together, we should have come to an understanding of a couple of basic, yet profound theological truths.Jesus’ primary purpose for coming in human form and dwelling among us, is that of redemption of all of mankind.Our primary purpose in response to that redemptive work is equally as basic:To glorify God in all we say and doANDBe an active participant in extending that redemptive work of Christ in you so that it flows through you.I believe that those basic tenants of faith can be “accepted as truth.” Yes?Behold the Lamb: The Call to Discipleship John 1:29–42, Psalm 40:1–11, Isaiah 49:1–7, 1 Corinthians 1:1–9I find myself doing self-evaluations of my life and the effectiveness of what I do. And, I really have to remind myself often, that my job is to “preach the Word.” Then, I am supposed to allow God to do His work in accomplishing what He said through that spoken Word. It is easy to “grow weary in doing good.” We all want to look at the fruit of our labor and say, “Wow! God really blessed that!” And when I look back over a period of time, and recognized first, that I have endeavored to be faithful in delivering the Word of Truth, and not seemingly recognize that it has borne the fruits that I expected, there are several possibilities that could be true:I’m not the messenger that God called to deliver this Word, here… - I do believe that God has called me here at this time, for this purpose.The soil is hard and unwilling to allow the work of the Lord to manifest. -OR-There is a specific hinderance that is now allowing the Work of the Lord to manifest in this place.FearHurtsResourcesAbilitiesSpiritual hinderancesSo, what keeps us from achieving the Destiny and purposes that God intended both individually and collectively as a Church?INSERT YOUR ANSWERS HERE…Behold the LambLast week we talked about the baptism of Jesus by John and how it relates to our spiritual journey. We pick up in the Gospel narrative, the next day with John making this declaration…
John 1:29 ESV 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!This is a bold declaration by John. He knew that by even saying this, he was putting himself in danger with the religious leaders, but here he is declaring boldly, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!John 1:30 ESV 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’John was simply recognizing here his place in the heirarchy. Jesus was the Messiah, ‘the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world…’ He, John was simply a messenger sent by God to proclaim it.Now here is an interesting thing that John said next…John 1:31 ESV 31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”Now, we know that John knew Jesus, they were cousins. They probably spent considerable time together growing up. John did know Jesus, why is he saying, “I myself did not know him…?”The “not knowing” refers to John’s lack of recognition of Jesus’s true identity and messianic significance—not ignorance of Jesus as a person.This distinction of John’s knowledge matters. John had been baptizing in preparation for the Messiah’s arrival, but he didn’t know which person would be that Messiah until the Spirit’s visible descent revealed it. John responds to the Pharisees’ delegation by saying that he baptizes with water but that there is one among them whom they do not know—emphasizing that the Messiah’s identity remained hidden until the moment of divine revelation. The Baptist’s confession of “not knowing” underscores that his recognition of Jesus came through supernatural disclosure rather than prior assumption, lending credibility to his testimony that Jesus is “God’s Chosen One.”This “not knowing” resurfaced later in John’s life and ministry as well. When he was in jail, he sent some of his disciples to Jesus and had them inquire, “are you the one who was promised?” It’s easy to second guess yourself in life and ministry. Moses did it, the prophets did it, here, John is doing it, but here John is identifying the Christ, the Messiah, the annointed one!He reiterates again that “supernatural disclosure” to anyone listening…John 1:32–34 ESV 32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”May we recognize one very important point?Until the Church declares Jesus as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” maybe we are missing the transformative nature of recognizing Jesus’ redemptive role in our lives.This identity calls us to discipleship, not just acknowledging Him, but actively following Him, sharing His love.We need to overcom our personal struggles by embracing our identity as followers of Christ, living faithfully in response to His sacrifice.Patiently Trusting the SaviorOK, so we can agree that Jesus is the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world. That is the first step in the transformation process… Well, what’s next Pastor? Glad you asked…Psalm 40:1 ESV 1 I waited patiently for the Lord…Oh, man! waiting patiently for the Lord… I’m not a patient person by nature.I love to quote Is. 40:31Isaiah 40:31 ESV 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.But do I actually have to wait upon the Lord? Evidently… because that waiting - patiently brings this result…Psalm 40:1 ESV …he inclined to me and heard my cry.Psalm 40:2–5 ESV 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.Do you see the progression here? Recognition of the true identity of the Messiah, declaration of that fact, waiting upon Him…Waiting… Well, there’s the patience part of waiting, what about “waiting upon Him?” You know like a server at a restaurant. - A slave in service to their master. Is that part of it? What small acts of service can we be doing while we are patiently waiting?Here’s the blessing of the patient trust…Psalm 40:4–5 ESV 4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.Purposeful Mission with the LambI get it. the waiting patiently thing really consumes me too. It eats me up. Imagine how Isaiah felt. Listen to what he said about his work…Isaiah 49:1 ESV 1 Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The Lord called me from the womb, from the body of my mother he named my name.At this point, Isaiah seems to be reminding himself, like I do sometimes, that God is the one who called him. It wasn’t the people of Israel. I wasn’t called by man, or a church to this life, it was God’s calling from the womb…Isaiah 49:2–3 ESV 2 He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away. 3 And he said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.”Oh how wonderful to know that God looks upon you with favor!But…Isaiah 49:4 ESV 4 But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity…When we’re trying to wait patiently, declare boldly… sometimes it’s easy to get discouraged and stop right here in this verse and not go to the next part, but it’s important that we do.Isaiah 49:4 ESV …yet surely my right is with the Lord, and my recompense with my God.”I do what I do, not for the glory of man, or for a church, but for the glory of God.Faithful Fellowship in ChristWell, what if I don’t see what “I see…” Isaiah obviously had to ask himself that question. As did so many other apostles and prophets. What makes me special? If Paul had to write letters and bring correction to the Church what makes me special? I like what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1. He makes this prophetic declaration over the church in Corinth…1 Corinthians 1:4–9 ESV 4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.What do I mean by prophetic declaration? That sounds like he is validating past actions and successes. Really? Did you read the rest of 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians? He spends the entirety of both letters correcting their actions and attitudes that frankly, are grievious to God and brings loving correction.This declaration rings true for us here today. We haven’t even remotely measured up to these words ~ enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge ~ haven’t arrived there yet…Confirmed among you? How has that been confirmed? words are cheap. Where is our fruit?Are we lacking any gift while we are waiting for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ?Are we really “sustained to the end?” I’ve heard a lot - and said it myself, “I’m old, tired, weary, struggling…”How about guiltless? ~ I am faced every day with the depravity of my soul, needing His mercy.But…GOD IS FAITHFULWe need to find strength and reassurance in these gifts, equipped for discipleship. ~ Our own and those to whom we are called to disciple.We need the community and shared faith we have in Christ with each other in overcoming weaknesses. We are sustained by the same faithful God who has called us into fellowship with His Son.So earlier, I asked, “what keeps us from achieving the Destiny and purposes that God intended both individually and collectively as a Church?” We had some answers. So, now what? Are those reasons real? Sure. But what is the truth we have learned today?INSERT YOUR ANSWERS HERE… John 1:29NIRV
John 1:30NIRV
John 1:31NIRV
John 1:32–34NIRV
Psalm 40:1NIRV
Isaiah 40:31NIRV
Psalm 40:1NIRV
Psalm 40:4–5NIRV
Isaiah 49:4NIRV
1 Corinthians 1:4–9NIRV
- MYSTERION
- Doxology
- My Faith Looks Up To Thee (Olivet)
- Now Unto Him
Foundry Community Church
2 members • 1 follower