Professional Documents
Culture Documents
07
17
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 24 25 INTOUCH.ORG
T H E P U L P I T
Y
not the right time.
TO RECEIVE GOD’S CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS, WE MUST worthless dross in our life ou may be wrestling with many questions, but the
WATCH OUT FOR PITFALLS. Sometimes our
desires get in the way. Suppose so we can be in a position most important to answer is this: Is Jesus Christ my
something in a store or online
looks very appealing. You imag-
for Him to answer Lord and Savior?
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 26 27 INTOUCH.ORG
T H E P U L P I T
VIEWFINDER
"May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish, and abundance of
Limahuli Tropical Botanical Garden, Haena, Hawaii—Photograph by Charles F. Stanley peace till the moon is no more. May he also rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.” —Psalm 72:6-8
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 28 29 INTOUCH.ORG
FUN FACTS Physiological changes occur when we laugh: WebMD.com reports, “We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressu
re
go
The Pulpit
According to some researchers, as much as 40 percent of our happiness levels are within our control.
refers to himself as the “disciple
whom Jesus loved” (John 20:2). you write: “Born to …”?
When he wrote his first epistle,
about 60 years had passed since
he was in the physical presence
of the Son of God, but neither
his memory nor his passion for
Christ had faded.
In this letter, John offers
us an eyewitness account of
“what was from the beginning”
(1 John 1:1). This phrase is his
way of referring to the eternal Jesus gave His final instruc- only saw what Jesus did,
Son of God, who existed before tions to the disciples, and but he’d also physically seen
the beginning of time and cre- John heard His prayer of and touched Him. John was
ation. It’s similar to his gospel, in intercession for them to the the disciple who leaned
which he refers to Jesus as “the Father (chapters 13-17). All back on the Lord’s chest at
Word,” saying, “In the beginning this was still ringing in his the Last Supper to ask who
was the Word, and the Word was ears six decades later. the betrayer was (13:21-25).
with God, and the Word was Not only did John stand at
God” (John 1:1). “What we have seen with
the cross while Jesus died,
John could never forget those our eyes.” John watched but he was also present in
three years spent with the Jesus turn water to wine, the room when the risen
incarnate Son of God, who lived calm a stormy sea, walk on Christ invited the disci-
AS I WAS DRIVING along the among mankind. In verse one of the water, heal lepers, raise ples to touch Him, and he
highway one day, I saw a mes- 1 John 1, he describes his expe- a dead girl, restore sight to stood watching as the Lord
sage spray-painted on the side rience in three ways: the blind and hearing to the ascended into heaven.
With Courage of a bridge. It read, “Born to
raise hell.” Whether the author “ What
we have heard.”
deaf, make lame men walk,
and multiply food to feed The apostle’s greatest desire
and Boldness knew it or not, he made a pub-
lic confession of his reason for
John had listened to Jesus
teach, confront and con-
over 5,000 people. This was
more than enough evidence
was to proclaim what he had
seen and heard concerning
living. Now, I doubt that any found religious leaders, to convince him that Jesus Jesus so that others would
The surprising joy of being a witness for Jesus Christ of us would choose this as our comfort Mary and Martha truly was the Son of God. believe in Him. That’s why he
life’s purpose, but if I gave you in the death of their brother, wrote his epistle, which is still
BY CHARLES F. STANLEY
a can of spray paint and asked and raise him to life by com- “ What
we have looked a witness to us today. He con-
PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION BY MLC
you to fill in this sentence, what manding, “Lazarus, come at and touched with our cludes the introduction by say-
would you write: “Born to …”? forth” (John 11:43). He was hands, concerning the ing, “These things we write, so
The apostle John wrote his in the upper room when Word of Life.” John not that our joy may be Continued on pg 22
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 20 21 INTOUCH.ORG
T H E P U L P I T
F
life and ministry the way John
was, we too can know Him as
Peter describes in his first epistle: John is talking about when he
inding your purpose begins with the greatest
“Though you have not seen Him,
you love Him, and though you do mentions fullness of joy. decision you’ll ever make—whether or not to
not see Him now, but believe in accept Jesus’ offer of salvation. Have you given
Him, you greatly rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory” Him your answer?
(1 Pet. 1:8). We can have that
same fullness of joy when Jesus The story of God and mankind began with a broken
becomes our Savior, the passion relationship. When sin entered the human race, it
of our life, and the topic of our
conversations with others. W hat
have you seen? to salvation and eternal life. severed our communion—our unhindered connection—with holy God.
Like John, we have a testi- Although we can’t observe Once they receive Christ as Today, our personal sins continue to be a barrier between us and Him. But
mony to share with those who Jesus with our physical Savior, they’ll discover what the Bible teaches that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). In fact, He loves us so much
don’t know Jesus as Savior and eyes, if we have known Him we have—His amazing love, that He sent His Son to reconcile us to Himself (Col. 1:18-22). On the cross,
Lord. To be an effective witness for any length of time, we’ve acceptance, compassion,
for Christ doesn’t require a theo- seen how He’s worked in peace, contentment, and joy. Jesus defeated sin and then rose from the grave, triumphing over death.
logical degree or answers to all our life. We are no longer
the questions. We can simply the person we once were, We were born to tell others By choosing to live in relationship with Jesus Christ, we’re no longer
follow John’s pattern of tell- because Christ not only about Jesus. It’s not as compli- slaves to the way of life that ends in spiritual death—eternal separation
ing others what we have heard, saves us for eternity; He also cated as we sometimes make
seen, and felt concerning Christ. transforms us in this life. it, but being His witnesses does from God and His lovingkindness. Through Him alone, we can experience
And the longer we’ve walked require boldness and courage. freedom and joy. But to be saved, we must confess from our heart that
What
have you heard? If with Him, the more we have Thankfully, God provides that Jesus is Lord and believe that He rose from the dead and is alive today
you are a Christian, you’ve to share with others. as well, and as we overcome our (Rom. 10:9).
heard and accepted the gos- fear and uncertainty and start
pel, and this is the same mes- What have you felt? Those
telling people what He has done
sage of salvation you are to of us who have responded in our life, we’ll be filled with You can have eternal life now by asking Jesus to become your Savior. Pray
share with others. If you’ve in repentance and faith in joy—whether our message is a prayer like this or use your own words:
ever shared your faith with Christ know the freedom received or not. The more we
someone else, you know and joy that come when talk about our Savior, the easier
exactly what John is talking we believe the gospel and it will become and the more joy Lord Jesus, I believe You died so that I might be accepted as a child of
about when he mentions receive the forgiveness of we’ll have. And that will become God. Please forgive me, help me turn from my sins, and show me how
fullness of joy (John 15:11). all our sins. When we share a kind of witness itself, one that to follow You each and every day. Thank You for saving me and
There’s a thrilling sense of what we’ve experienced, it will draw others to the source— giving me eternal life. Amen.
excitement and satisfaction may open the eyes of those the Lord Jesus Christ.
in telling others how they who don’t know Him and
too can be freed from sin and help them see that convic-
receive eternal life through tion isn’t God’s condemna- Adapted from the sermon “Joy Made Com- To take the next step, call 1-800-789-1473 or visit intouch.org to receive our free resource Now That You Believe: Beginning Your New Relationship With Jesus.
Jesus Christ. tion; rather, it’s His invitation plete” by Charles F. Stanley
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 22 23 INTOUCH.ORG
T H E P U L P I T
VIEWFINDER “You have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. For, ‘All flesh is
like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls off, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’”
Field in the German Countryside—Photograph by Charles F. Stanley —1 Peter 1:23-25
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 24 25 INTOUCH.ORG
The Pulpit
11
17
The most
FROM SL AVERY TO FREEDOM
famous night in Israel’s history
is Passover, which is recorded
in Exodus 12:1-36. While His One night as the Babylonian empires continued to rule over
people were enslaved in Egypt, king reveled and mocked the them. Their great hope was that
God intervened in the darkness Lord, a hand suddenly appeared their Messiah would soon come
of night to bring deliverance. As and wrote a message on the wall to liberate them. Once again,
the Egyptians slept, the Lord (Dan. 5:1-31). Daniel interpreted while most of the people in Beth-
moved through the country, kill- the words, which said, “God lehem were sound asleep, God
ing every firstborn human being has numbered your kingdom intervened in the affairs of earth
and animal in the land. The only and put an end to it … You have (Luke 2:1-20). In a dark stable,
exceptions were the Israelites been weighed on the scales and the Messiah entered the world as
who’d obeyed God by marking found deficient … Your kingdom a tiny, helpless newborn. Of all
their doorways with the blood has been divided and given over the nights that have ever been,
causes me to look with awe and of a spotless lamb. In one night, to the Medes and the Persians” this one was the most profound.
admiration at the handiwork of the Lord set the entire nation (vv. 26-28). That very night the The infant Messiah was the Son
the Creator. I find a quiet solitude free and brought them out of Persian troops entered Babylon, of God, who left heaven and took
And It Was Night in the darkness that allows me to
give the Lord my full attention.
Egypt to become a people for
His own possession.
killed the king, and took over the
city. The Jewish captives didn’t
on human flesh to dwell with
mankind and become the Savior
God is the one who created realize that in one night, God of the world.
Even the darkness is not dark to God.
the night for our sleep and res- FROM CAPTIVITY TO RESTORATION In
time had opened the door to restore Time passed, and as Jesus
toration. But although we need the children of Israel entered them to their land. During the grew into manhood, He began
BY CHARLES F. STANLEY
sleep every night and have the land God had promised them first year of his reign, the Per- teaching and performing mir-
no control of what happens and became an independent sian king set the Jewish people acles as proof that He was the
during those hours, the Lord nation. However, they continu- free to return to their homeland Messiah. However, the Jew-
who keeps us never slumbers ally strayed from the Lord until once again. ish leaders were reluctant to
WHEN I WAS A BOY , I didn’t like nighttime because it halted my or sleeps (Ps. 121:3-4). His work they eventually suffered the accept Him. One night Nicode-
play, signaled that my friends had to go home, and meant I must go to doesn’t cease when we close our consequences for their idolatry FROM WAITING TO HOPE FULFILLED Although mus, a prominent Pharisee and
GETTY IMAGES
bed. However, my attitude has changed with age. Now I love the dark eyes and surrender to the night. and were taken into captivity in the Israelites were now in their teacher, came to Jesus with his
hours, when the roar of a busy world stills and the lesser lights God In fact, just as our physical Babylon. But God hadn’t aban- land, they were never totally questions (John 3:1-21). There in
ordained to rule the night appear. The brightness of the starry sky eyes cannot perceive what’s doned them. free, because various Gentile the darkness, Jesus Continued on pg 24
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 22 23 INTOUCH.ORG
T H E P U L P I T
W
tations of the Messiah. And Judas,
one of Jesus’ own disciples, also
became disillusioned and decided e can often feel as if we’re lost and stumbling
to betray Him to the religious
leaders (John 13:21-30). During around in the dark, but we don’t need to worry
the Passover celebration with when we have a heavenly Father who perfectly
His disciples, Jesus told Judas, guides each and every step we take.
“What you do, do quickly,” and
“he went out immediately; and
it was night” (vv. 27, 30). Judas The perfect Lamb of God had history. At that time, “the sun The story of God and mankind began with a
was unaware that God would use paid the penalty for sin so that will be darkened, and the moon broken relationship. When sin entered the
his betrayal to begin the process all who believe in Him could be will not give its light, and … [then
that would put Jesus on the cross justified (declared not guilty) and everyone] will see the Son of human race, it severed our communion—our unhindered connection—with
and bring about the redemption receive eternal life. None of us Man coming on the clouds of the holy God. Today, our personal sins continue to be a barrier between us and
of mankind. can fathom what happened in the sky with power and great glory” Him. But the Bible teaches that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). In fact, He loves us so
After Judas left, Jesus and darkness that day or what Jesus (24:29-30).
His other disciples walked to suffered for us so we could be res- Throughout human history, much that He sent His Son to reconcile us to Himself (Col. 1:18-22). On the
the Mount of Olives in the dark- cued from an eternity in hell, sep- the Lord has accomplished the cross, Jesus defeated sin and then rose from the grave, triumphing over death.
ness (Matt. 26:36-46). In a gar- arated from God. All we can do is miraculous under the cover of
den there, He pleaded with His believe, surrender fully to Christ, night. There are bound to be
Father, saying, “If it is possible, and thank Him for our salvation. times when we can’t under- By choosing to live in relationship with Jesus Christ, we’re no longer slaves to
let this cup pass from Me; yet not The disciples were in despair stand what God is doing or feel the way of life that ends in spiritual death—eternal separation from God and
as I will, but as You will” (v. 39). after Jesus’ death. Why had our lives are engulfed in the His lovingkindness. Through Him alone, we can experience freedom and joy.
The one who had never known God let the Messiah die? Now, darkness of despair, difficulty,
sin or been separated from the it seemed, there would be no or suffering. Yet even then, we But to be saved, we must confess from our heart that Jesus is Lord and believe
Father was soon to bear the sins kingdom and no glory. Jesus had have the assurance that just as that He rose from the dead and is alive today (Rom. 10:9).
of the world. And although Jesus been buried, and all hope was He has worked to achieve His
dreaded the experience, He sub- lost. Yet in the darkness of early perfect will throughout history,
mitted to the Father because Sunday morning, a miracle hap- He’s also working in our dark- You can have eternal life now by asking Jesus to become your Savior. Pray a
there was no other way to save pened (Matt. 28:1-2). As some ness to accomplish His good prayer like this or use your own words:
sinful mankind. women came to the tomb, they purpose in our lives. When life
Within a few hours, our Lord discovered that it was empty. seems mysterious, all we have
was hanging on a cross, suffer- While the world slept, God had to do is remember that to God, Lord Jesus, I believe You died so that I might be accepted as a child of God.
ing excruciating pain, humilia- raised His Son to life. “the night is as bright as the day” Please forgive me, help me turn from my sins, and show me how to follow You
tion, and ridicule (27:33-51). For (Ps. 139:12). He sees, and noth- each and every day. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.
three daytime hours, darkness FROM THE KINGDOM OF THIS WORLD TO THE KING- ing is beyond His control.
covered the land as Jesus bore The glorious kingdom
DOM OF GOD
the Father’s judgment for the the disciples longed to see will
sins of mankind. Then He cried one day come, after the darkest Adapted from the sermon “And It Was Night” To take the next step, call 1-800-789-1473 or visit intouch.org to receive our free resource Now That You Believe: Beginning Your New Relationship With Jesus.
out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). period of tribulation in world by Charles F. Stanley
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 24 25 INTOUCH.ORG
T H E P U L P I T
VIEWFINDER “My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, and My arms will judge the peoples; the coastlands will wait for Me, and for My arm they
will wait expectantly. Lift up your eyes to the sky, then look to the earth beneath; for the sky will vanish like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a
Cape Blanco State Park, Oregon—Photograph by Charles F. Stanley garment and its inhabitants will die in like manner. But My salvation will be forever, and My righteousness will not wane.” —Isaiah 51:5-6
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 26 27 INTOUCH.ORG