Sermon: The Incomparable Majesty of Jesus (Hebrews 1:5-14)

 Hello all:

I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, VA, and about one year ago (in April 2022) I began a series on Hebrews entitled: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus. I decided to post the links to the videos for these sermons in case their are those who may be interested in watching these sermons. This second sermon (from May 1, 2022) is entitled "The Incomparable Majesty of Jesus" and covers Hebrews 1:5-14. We celebrated communion in this service, so the sermon begins around the 24 minute mark on the video, and you can use this link to watch it: Forest Community Church on Facebook. 

Intro: The author of Hebrews has introduced a variety of important themes in his introduction, and now he brings OT quotations to support his themes. In this passage, Jesus’ superiority to the angels is confirmed by no less than 7 OT quotations. Cockerill (Hebrews: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition, p. 39): “The writer of Hebrews develops a comparison between the Son and the angels by using a series of Old Testament quotations. He shows how these quotations relate to one another and how they demonstrate the superiority of the Son.”

Point 1—Jesus is superior to angels in His Relationship with God (vv. 5-6)— Since God has declared Jesus to be his unique, one of a kind Son, this passage reveals two ideas: The Son’s superior position with relationship to the Father and the inferior position of the angels. To do this, the author uses the OT as an authoritative source to show God’s claims about his Son and his angels.

Psalm 2:7 and 2 Samuel 7:14—used to describe the king and his relationship as God’s representative/Son. These quotes probably refer to Jesus’ induction to his royal position of King because of his resurrection and ascension. They were read at the enthronement ceremony of David’s descendants as a reminder that they represent God and belong to God. They are his vice-regents. Verse 5 (and again in vv. 7 & 13) the author uses a rhetorical question about the angels. The expected answer is that “no angel” received such a spoken word or exclamation from God.

God is his father, and Jesus is the firstborn. Cockerill: “Hebrews 1:6, by contrast, gives us what God did say in relation to the angels, as found in Deuteronomy 32:43. The way in which this quotation is introduced is of great importance. The Son is referred to as the firstborn (Heb. 1:6).” 

The son is “heir of all things” (1:2). The point of it all is: The one some thought to be subordinate to angels is the very one whom the angels are commanded to worship as their creator!

The angels are to worship Jesus. That shows their inferiority. The inferior one worships the greater and not the other way around.

Importance of “firstborn”: The Jews dedicated their “firstborn” sons to Yahweh. The “firstborn” were important to families. This term is used of Messiah predominantly to refer to his resurrection (cf. Romans 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18; Rev. 1:5) but may also reflect his position as the Second Adam.

Point 2—Jesus is superior to angels in His Reign for God—the nature of angels versus the nature of the Son (vv. 7-12): First, Jesus creates while angels are simply servants (v. 7, contrast angels as created versus Jesus as Creator). Second, Jesus reigns over God’s kingdom (vv. 8-9). Third, Jesus’ kingdom is eternal in contrast to the angels who are created (vv. 10-12).

v. 7: Jesus is the creator while the angels are merely created as servants. Angels are part of creation, and Jesus the Creator makes them what they are. 

vv. 8-9: Jesus reigns forever (fulfilling the Davidic promise and showing divinity). He also reigns in righteousness. Luke Timothy Johnson (Hebrews: A Commentary, p. 80): "The choice of Psalm 44 is bold and brilliant. Bold, because it is originally an ode for a royal wedding in the Davidic dynasty and is redolent of a royal ideology that is entirely this worldly--to suggest that this Psalm 'speaks' of a crucified Messiah requires a courageous interpreter! The choice is also brilliant, because the Psalm uniquely offers a combination of thematic elements that fit the powerful yet paradoxical Christology of Hebrews." 

vv. 10-12: The Never-Ending Story—Jesus’ reign will never end. These verses draw attention to the Son’s eternal nature and to the eternal nature of his rule. In contrast, the rest of the world/universe is temporary and will be ended and replaced. Hebrews 1:10, quoting Psalm 102:25, affirms the Son’s work in creation.

Point 3—Jesus is superior to angels in His Reward from God (vv. 13-14): Jesus’ reward means a seat of high authority. David DeSilva (Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrew, p. 101): "In the ancient world, seating order was based on the appraisal of relative worth or honor. The most distinguished people enjoyed the best seats. By applying Psalm 110:1 to Jesus, the author claims for him the place of highest honor in the Jewish-Christian cosmos, namely, a seat at the right hand of God. Lane correctly observes that session at God’s right hand ‘would convey to contemporaries an impression of the Son’s royal power and unparalleled glory.’"

Jesus sits beside God while angels act as ministers to Christians who belong to Jesus.

DeSilva (p. 103): "Christians are thus named as beneficiaries of God’s favor and deliverance. This 'salvation' is a benefaction yet to be conferred, and thus the hearers must remain firm in their hope and trust, remaining 'connected' to their patron through loyalty and reverent service. The identity of 'heirs of deliverance' is very positive, particularly in light of the alternative. The audience should thus have little trouble accepting this delineation of 'who they are.'"

Cockerill (p. 45): “God has spoken these words to the Son. They are now in effect. The Son is now at the Father’s right hand with all the authority in the universe to help us come into the Father’s presence. Thus Psalm 110:1 is also the key to understanding our own situation. We live between the exaltation and the final judgment. Christ has finished His saving work. He has provided for us to be cleansed from sin. He now sits at the Father’s right with the power to bring us into God’s presence.”

DeSilva (p. 103): "In 1:5–14, then, the author has provided a demonstration from Scripture for his premise in 1:4. The addressees would no doubt agree with him every step of the way, appreciating his exegetical finesse in applying OT texts as well as his rhetorical art in shaping antitheses to establish his point. He has reminded them of the transient value of the material and visible creation, such that the only firm ground for hope and trust remains the Son (and not the recovery of material goods or honor in the eyes of the Son’s enemies). He has, in every way, established the significance of the Son, such that the consideration that should be moving to the forefront of each hearer’s mind will be, 'How shall I respond to this Son so as to remain in favor, and not fall into the number of his enemies?' This is precisely the sort of question that the author goes on to answer."

So, how should we respond to this information regarding the Son’s superiority? How should Christians respond to the incomparable majesty of God’s Son?

Conclusion

Our author has now brought Scriptural references to support his views of Jesus. He has given us evidence to back up his assertions. The bottom line is that Jesus is superior even to other supernatural entities because he is God. The angels are therefore subject to him. He is superior to angels. God has declared these things about Jesus, showing that Jesus experiences favored status with God.

One point is that Christians are never completely defenseless in this world. The angels are servants on our behalf. More importantly, God is our strength and shield. Truth will not fail.

Another is that God has taken thought of our situation. He knows what we face. He put us here for this time. He equips us to do his will.

A. The Son has a better name. He was established as king when he rose from dead. There are many things in our life which are good and have their proper place in God's order, but they must never take the place of Jesus as God's superior Son. Will you yield to this king? (Give gospel here)

B. The Son has greater status. The Son rules, angels serve. Jesus holds final and ultimate authority over this world and indeed the universe. We must learn to submit to that authority in all aspects of our life, and we cart rejoice that ultimately no power will ever prevail against him. Will you serve the Son? This week ask God to show you where you need to submit to his authority. Where is repentance needed? Courage? Make Jesus boss.

C. The Son has greater dignity. The Son receives worship. The angels render worship to him. Just as the angels have the privilege of worshiping Jesus, let us worship him as well with unbridled love and devotion. Will you worship the Son? Live your lives this week as though Jesus’ is in charge. Do our lives reflect his dignity?

D. The Son has greater function. The Son is eternal and creator, angels serve the created. Will you recognize he is eternal and you are not? Will you recognize he is the creator and we are the created?

This week, read the following passages and ask God how to obey his word: Hebrews 4, John 14, Psalm 128, Psalm 19, 2 Timothy 3.

Sermon: The Final Word Hebrews 1:1-4

 Hello all:

I have the privilege of preaching occasionally at Forest Community Church in Forest, VA, and about one year ago (in April 2022) I began a series on Hebrews entitled: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus. I decided to post the links to the videos for these sermons in case their are those who may be interested in watching these sermons. This first sermon is entitled "The Final Word" and covers Hebrews 1:1-4 (with some background notes). The sermon begins around the 15 minute mark on the video, and you can use this link to watch it: The Final Word.

Here is a brief outline of the sermon if you would like some of the notes.

Introduction: 

No book in the Bible focus our attention upon the deity and high priestly work of Jesus Christ like the book of Hebrews. Preached/written to an audience that was considering walking away from Jesus to return to a former way of life (Judaism), the book of Hebrews appears to be a sermon encouraging its hearers to fix their eyes on Jesus to the exclusion of ANY OTHER means of salvation or security. When facing a crisis (spiritual, physical, political, etc.), fix your eyes on Jesus. When tempted to sin, fix your eyes on Jesus. When you want to quit, fix your eyes on Jesus. When discouragement or problems come to you, fix your eyes on Jesus. The main point of Hebrews appears to be: Fix your eyes on Jesus.

Point 1) God’s final Word is God’s Full Disclosure (vv. 1-2a): Past and Present Communication

God’s revelation to his people through the prophets is finalized by his revelation through the Son. (vv. 1–2a).

Point 2) God’s final Word is a Full Representation of God’s plan for humanity (vv. 2b-4): a) Fully Human—Second Adam, b) Fully God—creator of the universe, c) Fully in Charge—seated at God’s right hand, d) Fully Exalted

The Son in his exalted place at God’s right hand perfectly represents the essence, character, and action of God. (vv. 2b–4).

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).

Conclusion: 

A. The author clearly wants his readers to understand certain truths about God and Messiah as the foundation of his sermon. So we must seek to understand theological truth so we can then live appropriately.

B. The central force of the prologue is that "God spoke." This requires much of us. We must first acknowledge that God has spoken, then we must incline our hearts to hear what he has said and learn from him, recognizing that by virtue of his being God that he has a claim on everything that we are.

C. The affirmation about God speaking is that is has occurred through his Son. The truth is as commonly said as it is right: Jesus, God’s Son, must be at the center of all we do. He must receive our complete devotion and worship as God’s final revelation.

D. The mention of angels points out competitors for our attention. In our religious thinking we do not usually exalt angels, but there are many other things which compete for center stage. The only one who should hold that place is Jesus himself. Passages: Psalm 15; Psalm 18; Isaiah 55; John 1:1-18; Colossians 1. 

Thanks for reading! 

Going Sane in a Crazy World: Finding Rest when things Fall Apart

 Recently I preached a sermon at Forest Community Church in Virginia that was a repeat of a similar sermon from almost 10 years ago. I thought some of the ideas needed to be repeated, and I know that I needed to hear them. If you'd like a recording of the sermon, go here: Going Sane in a Crazy World. I hope this message blesses you! The notes for the sermon are below. 

Going Sane in a Crazy World—Finding Rest When Things Fall Apart

Psalm 46, Matthew 11:28-30

 

The Tick and Arthur: “You aren’t going crazy chum, you’re going sane in a crazy world!”

We live in a crazy world--Economic issues, Crazy political situations, Wars and rumors of wars, Personal Loss

 

Stress is everywhere! And it shows. It shows in our bodies — in our relationships — including our relationship with God.

It's hard to find time for intimacy, because intimacy takes time.

Time is a commodity you wish you could buy, and if you could, you would use it simply to buy peace, quiet, leisure—to do some things you long to do and not have to do them in such a rush. Just having time to think and to have the right atmosphere for thinking would be nice, wouldn't it?

There will always be tension to life. But it needs to be a healthy, creative tension, not life-sapping stress. Marriages, families, and personal lives are falling apart as stressed-out people run away, withdraw, explode, crash, burn out—and eventually find themselves so very much alone. I believe a major cause for our stress is that we react rather than act. We're all moving so quickly that we don't stop and consider our future. What will it demand of us? What will it cost? Are we willing to pay the price?

We simply move. We react to the immediate. I know it's an area where I really do battle. I want to do everything. I have so many ideas and I love the excitement and challenge of a new venture — the potential — the "project." So I react in the moment. I say "yes" when I should probably say "no"— forgetting that my time is already allotted to other things. We react in the flesh instead of acting under the Holy Spirit's control. You see, God knows our situations, he knows our issues and pressures. He knows our conflicts. And He has made provision for each and every one of them. And that provision is God himself in the person and presence of the Holy Spirit, indwelling us and empowering us to respond rightly.

This liberating response is wrapped up in the gift of a person--Jesus our Messiah. We need his promised rest. This idea is found explicitly discussed in Psalm 46. Today I want to consider this Psalm with you in thinking through how we can go sane in a crazy world. 

 

Going Sane in a Crazy World—Psalm 46:  The Frame is God’s Presence (v. 1) and our Position (v. 10): When God seems silent, be still and know his presence (Jesus says, “Come to Me”); When the world turns against us, be still and know his power (Jesus says, “Take my yoke, learn from me”); When things get hectic, be still and know him  (His yoke is easy and his burden is light); Going Sane means to Rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

When God Seems Silent: Be Still and Know His Presence (Be With Him) 

Psalm 46:1-3:  When life goes crazy, where is sanity?  Where is rest?  Where is God? In what way is God a refuge when life is in tatters?

C. S. Lewis—A Grief Observed

“Where is God?  When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be -- or so it feels -- welcomed with open arms.  But to go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find?  A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside.  After that, silence.  You may as well turn away.  The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. . . . What can this mean? Why is God so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in times of trouble?”

God’s presence has not changed, yet we seem to be unable to access it. God seems distant, or at least a bit unconcerned. Our world is shattered, where is the glue to hold us together? Why are we experiencing the apparent Absence of God?

Be still and know his presence.

 

When God Seems Silent

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus commands us to come to him. Who should come?  All who are weary or heavy burdened; All who think that their lives are over; All who think God has turned his back on them; All who face the awful silence of others and even God.

His promise is to give rest. He doesn’t promise results. He doesn’t even promise a “word from God.”

He promises “rest.”

Rest is a relief from hardship, pain, distress, and turmoil. It is the presence of Messiah in our hard times. 

Come to him and find rest.

 

Col. 1:15-17:  Jesus is the glue that holds reality together. 

The Psalmist calls us to put our trust in God who holds all things together. The words “refuge” and “strength” speak of God’s security and power. Our security is not in the ground beneath our feet; God is our ultimate unshakeable reality and the greatest power of all. Just because I don’t see the sun that doesn’t mean it ceases to exist.

When life gets hard, we need to stand still, to desist, to stop striving and to dwell on his presence. We need Jesus’ rest. God is omnipresent, he has gone nowhere.

Be quiet and listen

Psalm 91:7

Be still and know his presence.

 

When the World Turns Against Us: Be Still and Take His Yoke (Be His--He gives Power)

Psalm 46:4-7:  God is with his beloved Jerusalem

2 Corinthians 4:7-10—Jars of Clay

We are not exempt from hardships, difficulties, and bad emotions, but we are more than survivors (Romans 8:31-39; especially v. 37). We may be shaken, but we cannot be destroyed. The power by which we live and by which Jerusalem is sustained is the power of God. When things go south, we must learn NOT to rely on our abilities. Our power MUST come from a higher source.

God is There, and He is Able.

Be still and know his power.

 

In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus gives two more commands:  “Take my yoke” and “learn from me”. Jesus doesn’t think that rest is sitting still necessarily. This is a work in progress, it is still work. Yoke is what oxen wore. You often put an untrained ox with an older ox in order to help it learn. The yokes were specifically fit to the oxen. So it is with us, Jesus prepares us for the work he has in this world by fitting our yoke just to us, joining us in the yoke, and teaching us how to work—That is Rest!

Jesus’ humility and gentleness in teaching us gives us rest. As we learn to rely on the humble Messiah, we find rest.

Rest in his yoke, learn of his power.

 

When Things Get Hectic: Be Still and Know Him (Position--Be Still) 

Psalm 46:8-11

God's Word to us when we're on the ragged edge of reality:  Be Still, Desist, Cease striving, Stop Struggling, Rest. Psalm 46:10 says to "Be still," which may mean “rest.” It means to "let your arms down to your side"—to be vulnerable to God. God also says to "know that I am God." He calls for a cognitive and a personal response. We cease striving not because we know how it's going to work out, but because we know the God who will work it out.

C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed (continued)

"I have gradually been coming to feel that the door is no longer shut and bolted. Was it my own frantic need that slammed it in my face? The time when nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just the time when God can’t give it; you are like the drowning man who can’t be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear." 

 

Come to the Jesus, whose humility led him to die for you. Wear his yoke, do only his work. Do not look around at what everyone else is doing (This is Peter’s at the end of John). Keep his easy yoke and light burden as your protection. Only do those things God has placed on the yoke you share with Jesus.

Remember, he gives rest while he helps bear our load.

All kinds of things may be going wrong, but God remains unmoved and unchanged. He is constant, he is there, he is not silent, he has not moved. To know him is to know security even in the most hectic time. To know him requires time and stillness. We must sit with him, spend time with him, learn from him. We need lap time with our Father. We need to unravel, to experience Selah. His presence is ours, our position is to be still with him.

Be still and know him.

 

Now What?

So, life is going crazy.

How do we go sane in a crazy world?

How can we find firmness when things seem unsound?

We must begin with a proper focus. Whatever consumes our attention soon overwhelms our senses and colors our perspective. Instead of being consumed by the problem, we should turn our face to the Lord

This week we must schedule time with God. We must stand still on God’s firmness and stability. We must learn to quit striving, to cease kicking, to be still and to be vulnerable to what God may be doing. We must embrace God as our sole refuge, as our primary source of satisfaction.

This week find ways to create a space of peace in your hectic schedule. Take time to sit still.

This week, when the bottom falls out, when God seems silent, when the world turns against you, when things get hectic.

Be still, and know God’s power, presence, and person.

And you’ll find that he is a genuine refuge in time of trouble.

Forest Community Church Palm Sunday Sermon: The Meaning of Palm Sunday

 Today I had the honor of preaching at Forest Community Church. My topic was "The Meaning of Palm Sunday" and comes from John 12:12-19. For congregational reading we read Psalm 118:19-29 and Isaiah 50:4-9. Here is a video of the sermon itself: The Meaning of Palm Sunday. I hope it is a blessing to you. 

Thank you for watching/reading! 

Rise Above Discouragement Jeremiah 20:1-13

Back in June, I was asked to preach at Forest Community Church, and I chose as my focus Jeremiah 20:1-13. As I prepared my sermon, I found several sources that deal with this difficult passage, and I wanted to acknowledge that what I say below comes from readings in several commentaries, books, and sermons. In other words, even though the delivery was my own, I recognize that a lot of the material below stands on a foundation laid by fellow Christians in their study and in their journey to follow God. I hope this sermon blesses you, and if it does please feel free to use these materials to encourage others to follow Christ in all that they do.

Introduction

Discouragement is part of life. Discouragement comes most often when you do right things but experience poor results. You work hard, but you don't make progress. You show up to practice every day, giving it your all, but you seem to keep on losing. You spend time with your child--going out of your way to parent the best you know how--but she nonetheless rebels.

Discouragement eats a hole in our hearts. It makes us want to quit, saying things we shouldn't say, shaking our fists at God. That's how Jeremiah felt. God called him to speak a harsh message to a rebellious people. Jeremiah obeyed. Yet on one occasion Jeremiah so angered an assistant to the high priest and chief security officer for the temple, Pashhur, that the man arrested Jeremiah, beat him, and threw him in jail, locking him in stocks so that his body was contorted, writhing in pain. Here was a man in deep distress. He endured physical, emotional, spiritual, and professional anguish. He walked into deep despair, all for doing God's will.

Jeremiah was released the next day, emerging with a sentence of his own. He gave Pashhur a new name: "Terror on Every Side." This name described the terror Babylon would inflict on Judah, specifically the fate Pashhur would suffer when God's judgment fell. He would die and be buried outside Israel, which was considered a judgment. But what difference would that make? He had been preaching lies in the name of God and encouraging idolatry in the temple. So, why not live in a land of lies and idols, and eventually be buried there?

Enough about Pashhur - it is Jeremiah's rise above discouragement on which we want to focus. In this last of his recorded laments, which is similar to Jesus' Gethsemane experience, we find the highs and lows of human emotions: grief and joy, despair and delight, perplexity and praise. Like Jesus, Jeremiah reminds us that even a faithful servant of God can become discouraged. Jeremiah lived above his feelings and fulfilled God's will.

We, too, can rise above discouragement. Here's how.

I. Be honest - tell God how you feel (v. 7)

Jeremiah was honest. He felt deceived by God. The word "deceived" means to be enticed or seduced. Obviously, God does not mislead or trick people, but Jeremiah felt that God had lured him into the ministry only to make him a laughingstock. He felt like a helpless youngster who had been seduced and overpowered by a deceptive lover. He felt ridiculed and offended. His voice was not making a difference. He was crying out for the people to repent, yet they continued toward destruction and judgment. Jeremiah's intense lament was private – for God alone, not public.

God wants us to talk to him, even when we are angry, upset, and frustrated. He wants us to tell the truth. A lot of dishonesty goes on in relationships, even with God.

People ask me: Is it wrong to be angry with God? First, we must remember that anger is an emotion, and oftentimes emotions are neither right nor wrong: they just are. What we do with our emotions is a separate issue. People are sometimes surprised by the answer I give them: "If you feel anger toward God you should tell him. God is big enough and strong enough to handle your hurt and anger. So tell him about.  He wants you to pour out your heart to him. He wants you to express what is in your heart."

Didn't Jesus pour out his heart to the Father in Gethsemane and on the cross? We should do the same. Hold nothing back when you pray. Tell the Lord exactly what's in your heart, especially the bad feelings. By pouring out these emotions we are freed from their hold, and we enter more deeply into the loving embrace of the Lord.

God does not want us stuck in anger or any other negative feelings we may have. This is why we should be honest with God in prayer. We should go before God as we are, not pretending to be someone we are not. If we are honest with God in prayer, we may feel a sense of deep freedom, and we may find ourselves having a deeper relationship with God and less discouragement.

To bottle up our anger - even anger toward God - does only harm, never good. To be dishonest--even in our prayers--clouds our relationship with God. God desires real people, honest and forthright, who pour out their hearts before him, bringing him all their motives and emotions. The truth is that God knows the depths of our hearts--our thoughts, our motives, our emotions--even before we speak them. So, if we fail to be honest with God then we are only deceiving ourselves. Honesty with God is liberating. But honesty is only one part of this story. If we are going to be honest with God, we should also expect him to be honest with us. And God honestly expects us to obey him. Another way to rise above discouragement is to obey what God has called you to do. 

II. Be obedient - keep doing what you've been called to do (v. 9)

Because of Pashhur's unjustified actions, Jeremiah was ready to let go of God and leave him out of all conversations. But he couldn't do that. He would not be at peace doing anything else. God's message was like a fire in his bones that he could not put out. He could not be quiet about it. Jeremiah did not preach because he had to say something, but because he had something to say. Not saying it would have destroyed him.

Do you know why most pastors keep at the task despite rejection and anger? Plain and simple, for some pastors the call of God upon their lives keeps them going. The story was told of some pastors who bemoaned the struggles of their vocation. One said: "Do you want to know what I tell everyone who comes to me asking if they should go into the ministry? I tell them, ‘If you can do something else, do it.'" Another pastor piped up, "You know why I don't do something else? Because I am called."

When you are called, it is difficult to ignore that call.

The call comes first from the heart - internal - as a result of the continued drawing from the Holy Spirit. This conviction is as deep within the innermost being of a person. Eventually, it becomes a solid foundation. It marks a person for life. In time the inward call of God is reflected outward, as the Christian community confirms it. No one can fulfill the difficult role of ministry adequately who has not been called and commissioned by Christ (internally) and the Church (externally).

Warren Wiersbe, former pastor and author, writes, "The work of ministry is too demanding and difficult for a man to enter it without a sense of divine calling. Men enter and then leave the ministry usually because they lack a sense of divine urgency. Nothing less than a definite call from God could ever give a man success in the ministry." (Howard F. Sugden and Warren W. Wiersbe, When Pastors Wonder How (Chicago: Moody, 1973), p. 9.

Four questions emerge to evaluate whether one has a call to ministry. Is there confirmation from God and by others? Are instructional shepherding and leadership abilities evident? Is there a longing to serve God with one's whole heart? Is there a lifestyle of integrity? Ministry is more about being that it is about doing.

When called, obey. Obedience is difficult and painful, yet I suppose disobedience results in more difficulty and pain. All Christians are called by God to follow Christ. We are all called to love God and to love others. This call can be difficult to live out, but if we are called we must also obey. Obedience can help us rise above discouragement. When discouraged, go back and get our obedience up to date. While we are checking our obedience, let's also remember the One who is with us. Let us be watchful to see God's hand in all of our situations. 

III. Be watchful - know that the Lord is with you (v. 11)

Jeremiah realized that he wasn't alone. "But the LORD is with me like a violent warrior" (Jer. 20:11). He was not on the losing side.  He was going to win because the Lord was with him like a mighty warrior. God would deal effectively, in his own way and time, with his enemies.

Often in our discouragement we look inward--to our problems, our frustrations, and our situation--when we need to look upward to a God who has not abandoned us. He is with us. He accompanies us. He is a present-tense God. 

Can we imagine the difference it would make in our outlook if we remained consciously aware that God is with us? Imagine going into a difficult board meeting knowing that God is beside you. Picture entering into a stressful presentation knowing that God walks with you. Envision confronting the status quo with the mighty arm of the Lord surrounding you.

Knowledge of God's presence can help us accomplish significant things despite our discouragement. It provides courage, valor, guts, strength, tenacity, and perseverance.

A. W. Tozer writes:

"The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God, and the church is famishing for want of his presence. The instant cure of most of our religious ills would be to enter the Presence in spiritual experience, to become suddenly aware that we are in God and that God is in us. This would lift us out of our pitiful narrowness and cause our hearts to be enlarged. This would burn away the impurities from our lives as the bugs and fungi were burned away by the fire that dwelt in the bush."

Living in the glow of God's presence will enable us to fight on despite discouragement. As we acknowledge God's presence in our difficulty, we should remember to come with an attitude of worship. Knowing God is there can help us rise above discouragement, and entering into a mindset of worship can fuel our souls with his peace and encouragement. 

IV. Be worshipful - praise God with your whole heart (v. 13)

Jeremiah's despair turned to joy, his defeated attitude turned to triumph, his dismay to courage. The key that unlocked the door to victory was praise. Jeremiah triumphantly proclaimed, "Sing to the Lord! Praise the Lord" (Jer. 20:13).

Praise is the one weapon in the Christian's arsenal against which Satan has no defense. When we praise God we acknowledge that he is in charge--he can do what he wants, when he wants, and how he wants.

Praise is more than just acknowledging God for the good that comes our way. Praise is accepting from God all that comes our way, both the good and the bad. The praise we offer when things don't go our way is far more precious to God than the praise we offer when all is well.

Praise does four things:

A. Praise recognizes a Provider

Praise takes our minds off our situation and focuses them on God. It reminds us that God has the right to rule and to reign in our lives how he sees fit. It acknowledges that God knows more about what he is doing than we do. It accepts that God can take all the bad stuff of life and make something beautiful out of it.

B. Praise acknowledges a plan

A few chapters later Jeremiah records God's words to Israel: "'For I know the plans I have for you' - this is the LORD's declaration – 'plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (29:11). God weaves a tapestry of our lives. We don't always see the finished product. Sometimes to get to the end we have our share of difficulties. When we realize God has a plan, we have two options: we can fight it, or we can embrace it.

C. Praise accepts the present

Praise is based on a total and joyful acceptance of the present as part of God's loving, perfect will for us. Praise is not based on what we think or hope will happen in the future. We praise God, not for what we expect will happen in our around us, but we praise him for who he is and where and how we are right now.

D. Praise releases the power

Prayer opens the door for God's power to move into our lives. But the prayer of praise releases more of God's power than any other form of petition. The Psalmist wrote, "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel" (Psalm 22:3 KJV). God actually dwells, inhabits, and resides in our praise. God's power and presence is near when we praise him.

When we praise God for the present situation as a part of God's plan, God's power is unleashed. This power cannot be brought about by a new attitude or a determined effort of self-will, but by God working in our lives.

Conclusion

Let me close with a legend that reveals the source of discouragement. Supposedly, the devil put his tools up for sale, marking each for public inspection with its appropriate sale price. Included were hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit, lying, and pride. Laid apart from these was a rather harmless looking but well-worn tool--discouragement--marked at an extremely high price. Why the costly price? The devil answered: "Because it is more useful to me than the others. I can pry open a person's heart with that when I cannot get near her with the other tools. Once inside, I can make her do whatever I choose. It is badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me."

Many people succumb to this infamous tool of Satan. Maybe some us feel its effect now. We can rise above discouragement. Will we:

Be honest - tell God how we feel?

Be obedient - keep doing what we have been called to do?

Be watchful - know that the Lord is with us?

Be worshipful - praise God with our whole heart?

Thanks for reading!