Sermon Notes: Believers Living in a Free Society

Sunday, July 3

What a great Independence celebration! We sang important songs and expressed our gratitude for God's provision in the history of our country.  I am thinking I should go back and re-read the American Revolution and count again how times our little fledgling army was saved by those unprecedented weather conditions - fogs and rivers freed of ice and rivers solidified by ice....and more fogs....

But the greatest example of God's providence was the leadership -- the great intellects and strong believers who were gathered on this small shore at that precise time in history -- "in the fullness of time."

One of them was Samuel Adams, The "Father of the Constitution," as he is known.

Bro Mike included in his message an important quote from Sam Adams. I didn't get the entire quote, but you can hear it on our fbc-bc.org website.

Anyway, the quote had to do with Sam Adams' observation that the success of the new government hinged entirely on the capacity of all the people to govern themselves.

Not on the President, nor the Congress, nor the army or the police. But on the requirement that we can govern ourselves.

The text Bro Mike used was Romans 12:18:

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men

We must:

1. Be aware of what is not possible. We are interacting with people who do not believe in the way we do. They do not vote as we do. They see the world differently. We must get along with people we disagree with in a free society.

But a mature Christians knows that is not possible to be at peace with all people. We must not be naive. If this is not heaven, then we will face conflict.  "If" in the verse is a big word.

2. Accept the greater share of the burden.  In a time of conflict, as in our nation's capital today, with anger and tension and apparent stalemate, we must voluntarily take a greater burden. Another phone call. Another letter. More times on our knees in prayer. More patient and reasonable discussion with those who differ.

This new government  is still an experiment.

3. Never be the source of the problem. Never exclude anyone from our area of responsibility. We need to treat people peaceably, not contribute to the hostile climate.

We concluded the service singing The Battle Hymn of the Republic -- what a great title of this grand hymn!

I was looking at the lines of the last verse: "In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea, with a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me..."

I don't know about the lilies part -- but certainly we can't live as Christ wants us to live without being "transfigured" by the Holy Spirit. And at the beginning of Romans 12 Paul says we should not live conformed to the world, but "transformed" by the renewing of our minds.

Wednesday night at  prayer service we looked at that verse (Romans 12:2), and recognized that we conform ourselves to the world, but the transformation has to come from the Holy Spirit.

Isn't it wonderful of our God to, along with urging us to be holy, provide for us a way to become more holy, and then on top of that, promises us holiness when we go to be with Him!

reflecting on reflections

Reflections -- This is how we think of our Sunday evening service. We find ourselves looking forward to seeing what God is going to show us....shared truths that we can reflect on. Bro Mike sometimes expands his morning message,  sometimes takes a slightly different twist, and sometimes just does something in a completely different direction.

All Sunday services are memorable in that we are all together, praising and worshipping God as a body of believers. Last Sunday we sang Blessed Assurance and I was struck again by these words; angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love.  I think we all heard the voices of those angels --- The Holy Spirit quietly speaking to our hearts, reminding us of His grace and mercy and soothing us with His whispers of love. What a great way to begin the service!

The message was about our life story -- how it doesn't begin with us -- example was Moses. His life story didn't begin with him - it began with his parents who secured him safely in that little basket, and placed it on the Nile, and with his sister who silently watched from the shore, and with his grandparents and back into the far, deep past. So it goes for us.

He used a really compelling illustration to start the topic. The whole sermon is on the church website -- just go to fbc-bc.org and click on Sermons. I can't adequately write notes on it. But you will benefit, I know, from hearing it for the first time (if you missed it) or from hearing it for the second time.


In the evening service he picked up the theme again.

He referred to Jeremiah 29:11 and wove it in with Romans 8:28.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

So God has all these plans....but what if we mess up? What if others mess us up? Have we lost the connection to God's plan? Have we lost our place?

It doesn't matter how we mess up. Or how others mess us up. God has already taken all that in account.


God is working out His plan.....

1. Even when His enemies are working against Him. Ex: from Moses' life.  Pharoah ordered all the baby boys killed. But Moses' parents concealed him for 3 months and then placed him in the little basket (ark) and placed it carefully on the river.  Moses was rescued and his own mother became the nurse. So he learned his real "roots."

2. Even when others do not directly cooperate with His will. Again from Moses' life. When he went out to observe his Hebrew brethren and witness their burdens, he was not recognized as being their "leader" or "savior." The two men fighting actually rejected his position..."Who made you a prince and judge over us?"

3. Even when we are not conscious of His efforts. Moses was a baby. He had no way of knowing how God was working out His plan. How often we just keep working out own own lives..doing our own thing..and later we see how it all dovetailed into the one perfect plan.

Like when we sold our rent house in West Columbia and the buyer just happened to be a retired Baptist minister who had a daughter in that same neighborhood and who would welcome the chance to serve at Sargent? I mean, was that truly amazing or what???

No one could ever have dreamed up that scenario. We just needed the money and they just needed a house in that neighborhood! And Sargent just needed a preacher! And Terry just needed someone to explain the gospel .And Mark just needed a Savior! And Carol needed someone to talk to...And on and on and on.....

4. Even when we actually rebel, sin, ignore or flee from Him and from His will. It still all works out.
Example: Joseph. Sold by his brothers into slavery. Circumstances lead him into a place of high authority in Egypt, just when his family needed help and how it all then led to the exodus of his descendants form Egypt (and the mighty revelation of God's power over all the Egyptian gods) and their arrival at the Promised Land..and on..and on..and on..And Jesus to come from the tribe of Judah....and Rahab to be saved and become an ancestor of the Messiah....It was all worked out just the way God intended.

Joseph's words to his brothers: Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day; to save many people alive." Genesis 50:19-20.

It was all factored in then. It is all factored in now.

But...I'm no Moses.

 But it's not about you and me. It's about God and His plans.

This was a really great message. I just called the church and asked Kay if it could be put on the web site. Usually only the morning messages are available on the website. CD's are always available for both services, and so anyone can call and request a CD of any service. But it would be great if Sunday's evening message were available on line.

And so it is. Just go to fbc-bc.org and click on Sermons and both the AM and PM are there.

I woke up with a song this morning -- one of those gifts of  "songs in the night" that God gives us...

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't see His plan

When you can't trace His hand

Trust His heart.

All things work out for our good

Though sometimes we can't see how they could

Struggles that break our hearts in two

Sometimes blind us to the truth.

Our Father knows what's best for us

His ways are not our own

So when your pathway grows dim

And you just can't see Him

Remember you're never alone.

God is too wise to be mistaken

God is too good to be unkind

So when you don't see His plan

When you can't trace His hand

Trust His heart.

He sees the master plan

And He holds our future in His hands

So don't live as those who have no hope

All our hope is found in Him

We see the present clearly

But He sees the first and the last

And like a tapestry He's weaving

You and me to someday be just like Him.

He alone is faithful and true

He alone knows what is best for you

So when  you don't understand

When you don't see His plan

When you can't trace His hand

Trust His heart.

Bro Mike's tribute to Art Martinez

Art Martinez - A Fisher of Men

Art Martinez was an evangelist.

That is a Bible term which has a double meaning--a thing one does, such as telling the Gospel to others, and a calling from God.

In evangelical churches this calling is considered a "spiritual gift." It is believed that everyone should tell others about Christ whenever the opportunity arises. However, the spiritual gift of evangelist is a special empowerment from God which defines one's life; it is in everything they do and everywhere they go.  If you could see their calendar, you would see plans they have made to be places, so they can see people, so they can share the Gospel.

And, while most people refer to interruptions, evangelists never, never have interruptions. While they may encounter an unexpected occurrence, it is always the Holy Spirit placing someone who needs to hear the Gospel in their path. 

And, they love it.

Billy Graham is an evangelist everyone knows, and his ministry platform has been stadiums, arenas, and other mammoth gatherings of people.

Art was an evangelist whose ministry was recognized by whoever encountered him and received his encouragement to "call upon the Name of the Lord to be saved" (Romans 10:13).

 His ministry arena was wherever he went and whoever he met--no mammoth arena gatherings anticipating his sermon, just ordinary people who ran into a man who  was passionate about their spiritual condition even when he did not know them.

With over 35 years of his telling people the Gospel, there is no doubt many believed and some of them preceeded him to Heaven and are thanking him now for interrupting their schedule one day with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

This tribute for Art Martinez, who died June 10, 2011, was written by our pastor, Bro Mike Zimmerman.

We have to Deal With It - Notes on Acts

Sermon Notes for April 17, 2011

And Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Ruler and elders of the people!....It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is "the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone." Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:8, 10-12)

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

The whole notion that these verses are God's Truth is problematic for many people. Most people, actually.

Have you ever noticed that when a public Christian is being interviewed on TV, the climax question is -- 'Do you really believe that those who don't believe the way you believe are going to hell?' (What they are saying is ...'You can't be serious'....'who are you to be such a bigot'..'nobody believes that any more....')

Actually, never have most people believed it! Jesus had just been beaten, scorned, and crucified, a couple of months before, by masses of people who did not believe He was the way to God, who was His Father.

Here in Acts, Peter is talked to the religious leaders, who rejected the whole mission of Jesus!

Let's Talk About Jesus

--In a world of pluralistic toleration

In the Roman Empire at that time all religions were tolerated -- remember the shrines "To the Unknown God" in case they left one out? An environment much like ours today.

Modern culture wants us to lay down our doctrine and embrace all others. Everyone is included in pluralism, except those of us who are not pluralistic!

--In a world of non-specific vagueness

(I love this phrase!) Bro Mike's illustration was about AA - originally organized as a Christian answer to the problem of alcoholism -- but now the only term they use for God is "Higher Power" -- Star Wars - "May the Force be with you!"

-- In a world of Christian discrimination
All around us our culture is rejecting Christian truth and morality. Prime time TV is a good example. Christians are pictured as unintelligent, judgmental, and self-righteous.
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Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name given to men by which they must be saved.

Salvation is found in no one else - we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is not in me. It's in Another. When we stand before God, we will need a Savior.

No other name - The name "above all names." "The way, the truth."

Given - What a gift. God pursues us through sermons, music, words of others, the physical world around us. He lays it all out for us.

Must - It is a command. We like "suggestions," not commands. His Word is authoritative.

When we mention something about Jesus, don't we often sense the people around us getting tense? They shift position. Look another way. Perhaps gather into a smaller group and turn away from us? Earlier in Acts 4 we read that the leaders were "greatly disturbed." Same thing today.

Peter's speech resulted from an act of loving kindness -- a crippled man was healed -- our speech should be motivated by loving kindness also. Let love fill the room.

Acts - Where the Real Action is

The next day, the elders, rulers and teachers of the law met in Jerusalem. Annas the high priest, was there, and so were Caiaphas, John, Alexander and the other men of the high priest's family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?"

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed; He is "the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone."(Psalm 118:22) Acts 4:5-11

Sermon Notes from Bro Mike's message April 10, 2011

This moment was Ground Zero for the collision between Judaism and Christianity. Judaism was the religion of God -- from the words of His mouth and from His fingers on the tablets.

Jesus was a serious threat to Judaism. They thought they had stamped it out with the crucifixion of Christ. They thought it was all over. But it wasn't. It was an even greater threat than before.

Their question: "By what power or what name did you do this?" Was it rhetorical? Here were Paul and John before the Sanhedrin: 71 powerful religious leaders. Were they intimidated?

When Peter replied, he was "filled with the Holy Spirit." Often before he had been filled with himself. This was a different Peter.

The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit is a mark of all Christians. We may not act like it or look like it all the time, but the Holy Spirit is a permanent resident in our lives.

Jesus Christ of Nazareth. A flesh and blood figure. They thought they had successfully rid themselves of Him. He was gone. He would not bother them anymore. But His followers would!

Peter and John went to the temple to pray. Not to have a confrontation. But their presence started a chain of events that led to their arrest and appearance before the Sanhedrin.

Peter used a reference from Psalms to challenge them. The stone you builders rejected has become the capstone.

Builders have to choose the stones they will use.

Israel was originally the stones God was using. Now Jesus was the capstone.

1. Biblical Christianity Will Stir Up Controversy.
2. A Believer Will Be Confronted With The Controversy.
3. The Testimony In The Face Of Controversy Is Christ.

Peter and John were brought before the Council. We face opposition, too, to the message of Christ. It might be in our car pools, lunchrooms, Dairy Queen, grocery stores, family reunions, etc. Christ had said to the disciples:

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21:10-14

All on account of my name. Was Peter remembering Christ speaking these words?

Christ was telling them how to respond when accused by authorities.

Later Peter told us how to respond to people who are genuinely asking us probing questions:

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect....I Peter 3:15

Peter was brief and to the point. It was by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.

Bro Mike's closing prayer included a request that we may be equipped to minister in our unfriendly culture....with gentleness and respect.