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RIVERSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH SERMONS

Eternity | Clarity | Charity

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THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP

Posted on February 16, 2023 by admin in Studies in Luke

Jesus has just given His invitation to follow Him in His difficult demands for
discipleship. He emphasizes that those who follow Him must continue to do so no
matter what life’s circumstances may bring. Somebody said, “The authentic
discipleship that Jesus is looking for, is a reckless abandonment in personal
commitment that some would regard as fanaticism. The difference, however,
between Christian discipleship and fanaticism is at the point of sobriety. Jesus
calls people to a sober commitment that is based upon a clear perception of what
lies ahead. He asks people to consider strongly what it means to be a Christian.
It means taking up your cross for the long haul. He did it for us, and he
requires it from us” (R.C. Sproul, A Walk with God: Luke, 14:35). “He that hath
ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke 14:35).
In Luke 15, a lot of folks responded to Jesus’ invitation. But, lo and
behold, they’re the riff-raff of society! Tax collectors and sinners come to Him
and eat with Jesus. This is despicable—to the Pharisees and scribes. And so,
they murmur. They whine. They complain. That is why Jesus paints a story for
them to look and ponder—The Parable of the Lost Sheep. Read Luke 15:3-7. We see
four layers of meaning from this parable. Meaning (#1) is found in the main idea
of the parable, vv. 3-6. Something valuable is lost, sought for, then found and
finally rejoiced over. Simple story. In fact, a beautiful, powerful, impactful
illustration. Jesus is masterful in using day-to-day experiences, press the
truth upon people’s consciences and drives home His meaning. The hypocritical
Pharisees and experts of the laws of Moses begin to fidget. Why? Because common
sense tells them—that one sheep lost is of great value! Why? Because their
conscience tells them—the tax collectors and sinners are the lost sheep. They
are of great value, and that is why Jesus is receiving them and eating with
them!
Here’s the second layer of meaning (#2) is found in the major issue of
ethics for the Pharisees, v. 4. The ethical issue is this: was it right for the
owner of the 100 sheep to leave the 99 in the care of his helpers, and go
himself to find the lost sheep? The answer of course is no man would not act in
the same way. In other words, the right thing to do is to seek and to save that
which was lost! (Can you feel the tension in which the Pharisees are trapped?
They’re pushed into a corner by Jesus, aren’t they? There is no where else to
go, there is no other answer; but yes, that’s what I’d do, too, because that’s
the ethical thing to do!)
Here’s the third meaning (#3). This parable is a massive blow to the
theology and behavior of the religious hypocrites, v. 7. Heaven rejoices over
one soul that is found. Religious folks like the Pharisees and scribes
themselves also, should rejoice that tax collectors and sinners are being
received by Jesus and are even fellowshipping and eating with Jesus! What a
massive blow to the theology of the Pharisee!
This is a massive meaning and it’s right here before our eyes! Look at v.
2–the Pharisees and scribes murmured. Meaning, they’re not happy. They’re not
rejoicing. What a contrast! Look at v. 5, 6, 7–three times the root word joy
appears! And by the way this theme of rejoicing of God runs through in all the
three parables that Jesus illustrates to them. Jump down to v. 9, 10. Then down
to v. 24, 32–what a contrast to the Pharisees sour face! This parable is a
massive blow to the theology and behavior of the religious hypocrites!
Finally, the final layer of meaning (#4) of the parable of the lost sheep
is the answer of a Messianic question, a Christological question: what does this
parable teach us about Christ? Jesus is the Shepherd. We are the lost sheep.
Jesus is not only the Shepherd, He is also the Owner. The religious elites knew
their Bible well. It contains a theology which says, “The Lord is my shepherd”
(Psalm 23). When Jesus brings up the idea of a shepherd going out to seek and to
save that which was lost, Jesus starts to get in their nerves!
Moreover, Ezekiel 34:11-16 is explicit in teaching us that God will seek
and save the lost sheep! (Read it for yourself and see if you don’t get
goosebumps!) The words written in Ezekiel are fulfilled in Luke 19:10. “For the
Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Jesus, not only
claims to be that Good Shepherd, He also takes the place of God in Ezekiel!

GRACE GIVING: “SO THAT REPENTANCE BE PREACHED!” (PART 2)

Posted on December 1, 2022 by admin in Missions Conference

To further develop for us this biblical concept of grace-giving, let’s look at
the 7 principles for Christian stewards.

“The New Testament presents a different picture of stewardship from that
portrayed in the Old Testament. The legal principle of the Old Testament tithe
has been enlarged to become a grace of giving which is imparted by the Holy
Spirit. The Grace of God which brought salvation extends to every area of the
believer’s life—Even Giving.”

Now, let me give you some biblical instructions on the Old Testament concept of
tithing. Tithing is the idea of giving 10% of your income to the Lord for the
continued operation of the Lord’s work. In criticism against tithing, people
have said that we Christians are freed from the law and therefore are no longer
bound to do the practice of tithing. Well, we go to the Scriptures and find out
God’s people recognized the importance of giving a tithe—10% of what God had
given them back to God even way before the laws were handed down. What does this
mean? Because tithing came before the law, it should still be practiced even now
when Christians aren’t bound by some Old Testament laws.

Abraham gave tithe of the spoils of war in Genesis hundreds of years prior to
the Mosaic laws. Jacob promised God that he would give 10% of all that God gave
to him at least 70 years before the Mosaic laws. God commanded his people in the
Old Testament to give 10%. The tithe is so important, that not giving it, is
literally robbing God, and God promises a direct blessing in proportion to our
obedience (see Malachi 3:8-10).

Paul instructs first-century Christians to give regularly and to give in
proportion to God’s blessing on them. They are not to give just ‘whenever they
feel like it,’ but they give each Sunday as God gives to them.

#1) Every Christian has a stewardship responsibility, “every man according as he
purposeth in his heart” (2 Cor. 9:7).

#2) Each Christian must make a personal stewardship decision, “as he purposeth
in his heart, so let him give” (2 Cor. 9:7).

#3) Attitude in giving is important, “not grudgingly, or of necessity [not under
compulsion]; for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).

#4) The Christian steward will give willingly unto the Lord, “they are willing”
(2 Cor. 8:3) and “first a willing mind” (2 Cor. 8:12).

#5) Christian giving will be in proportion to income and possession, “it is
accepted according to that which a man hath, and not according to that which he
hath not” (2 Cor. 8:12).

#6) Christians will give sacrificially, “beyond their power” (2 Cor. 8:3) and
“he who soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Cor. 9:6).

#7) Faithful Christian stewards will give systematically, “every man according
as he purposeth in his heart” (2 Cor. 9:7), “For the administration of this
service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many
thanksgivings unto God” (2 Cor. 9:12) and “therefore, as ye abound in
everything… see that ye abound in this grace also” (2 Cor. 8:7). There’s a
systematic arrangement about that verse. Systematic in the sense that there’s
order and regularity to the whole idea of grace giving.

So, church, I encourage you, to give of yourselves, that is, your heart to the
Lord; your life and aspirations—give those first to Jesus even before you give
from your pocket. If you’re a Christian today, and have not been practicing
tithing to God, then you need to ponder this message seriously and start giving
to the Lord with any amount and work yourself up to what God requires and then
work yourself up to grace giving.

With regards to our faith missions giving, this is really above and beyond our
tithes. This is really a practice of our faith. This is really based on the
graces of God that is given to us, by faith, we will give above and beyond our
regular weekly tithes and direct these grace giving to our missions program at
home and around the globe for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ask
the Holy Spirit to guide you how much to give above and beyond your regular
tithes. He will prompt you, and be sure to be obedient to His prompting. You
heard it said before, every member, a minister; every member, a missionary.
You’re a missionary at your school; at your job site; in your own street! You
can also help missionaries on the foreign land by supporting them in prayer and
in grace giving!

If you’re not a Christian, friend, you need Jesus Christ. He is the perfect
missionary. You’re in need of a mighty savior because you’re a mighty sinner—as
in you’ve greatly sinned against God. Whether you admit it or not, you’ve sinned
against a holy God by your sinful thoughts, words and deeds! You’re a rebel
against God. But God sent His perfect missionary. “For you know the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so
that you by his poverty might become rich.” He left the glories and riches of
heaven to die in your place so that you can be forgiven of your sins. You’re
bankrupt morally and are heading for the lake of fire. Repent and believe the
gospel. Go to God to save you. Forsake your self-righteousness and believe in
the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. God can forgive any sinner who will
come to Him in humility on the basis of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
How about it, friend? Run to God now! Receive Christ now!

WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES OF THE CHURCH?

Posted on December 13, 2022 by admin in Ecclesiology

Because of the theme that I have chosen for 2023—“The Pillar & Ground Of
Truth”—I want us to be reminded of the Purposes of the Church. We can understand
the purposes of the church in terms of our ministry to God; our ministry to
believers, and our ministry to the world.

1. Our Ministry to God is to Worship Him. The Apostle Paul directs the church at
Colossae to “sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your
hearts to God” (Col. 3:16). God has destined us and appointed us in Christ “to
live for the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:12). Worship in the church is not
merely a preparation for something else: it is in itself fulfilling the major
purpose of the church with reference to its Lord. Our worship to the Lord here
on Sunday should be the model and pattern to follow for the rest of your week.

2. Our Ministry to Believers is to Nurture Them. The church has an obligation to
nurture those who are already believers and build them up to maturity in the
faith. Paul said that his own goal was not simply to bring people to initial
saving faith but to “present every man mature in Christ” (Col. 1:28). And he
told the church at Ephesus that God gave the church gifted persons “to equip the
saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ until we all
attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph.
4:12–13). Galatians 4:19 shows us something that is mind-blowing. This is
absolutely stunning as to the purpose of the pastoral ministry. The context here
is Paul’s teaching the church that they are the heirs of God’s grace and so he
urges them to be faithful! In his way of urging them thus, he gives us a
stunning glimpse into the purpose of his pastoral ministry—“my little children,
for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!”
He views himself as a mother giving birth, laboring in delivery until his
children grow up to be godly!

3. Our Ministry to the World is to Make Disciples! Jesus told his disciples that
they should “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). This evangelistic
work of declaring the gospel is the primary ministry that the church has toward
the world. This is why you heard me say multiple of time—“Let the main thing be
the main thing!” And the main thing of the church is discipleship. Yet
accompanying the work of evangelism is also a ministry of mercy, a ministry that
includes caring for the poor and needy in the name of the Lord. Although the
emphasis of the New Testament is on giving material help to those who are part
of the church (Acts 11:29; 2 Cor. 8:4; 1 John 3:17), there is still an
affirmation that it is right to help unbelievers even if they do not respond
with gratitude or acceptance of the gospel message. Jesus tells us, “Love your
enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward
will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for he is kind to the
ungrateful and the selfish. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke
6:35–36).

How Do We Keep These Purposes in Balance? Understand that all three purposes of
the church are commanded by the Lord in Scripture; therefore all three are
important and none can be neglected. In fact, a strong church will have
effective ministries in all three of these areas. We should beware of any
attempts to reduce the purpose of the church to only one of these three and to
say that it should be our primary focus. Think of these three as the legs on
which a stool stands—a 3-legged stool. It must have all three to stand.

GRACE GIVING: “SO THAT REPENTANCE BE PREACHED!” (PART 1)

Posted on October 24, 2022December 1, 2022 by admin in Missions Conference

Around A.D. 55, Paul asks the Corinthians to contribute to the needs of the
church in Jerusalem. Why, what’s going on in Jerusalem? Roughly 10 years prior,
Jerusalem suffered the brunt of a worldwide famine [predicted in Acts
11:27-29].[1] But even years prior to that there were at least 3 reasons why the
Jerusalem church was in such dire need.

First, you will recall that on the Day of Pentecost, there were 3,000 souls
added to the church in Jerusalem. “Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand
souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship,
and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:41-42).

A vast majority of these were pilgrims from Roman provinces; Jews from all over
the world making their pilgrimage to Jerusalem to celebrate the Day of
Pentecost, “originally an agricultural festival, an occasion on which the
community was expected to show gratitude to God for the first fruits, i.e., the
early harvest.”[2] The preaching of the Apostle Peter, however, as emboldened by
the Holy Spirit of God, was the catalyst for Pentecost to become the birthday of
the church, which Jesus Christ promised He will build where “the gates of hell
[can never] prevail against it.”

That day, and the weeks and months thereafter, proved to be an economic problem
for the first church in Jerusalem. How so? Where would these thousands of new
Christians stay? Eventually, their travel money would run out. Eventually, the
inns and commercial accommodations they had arranged would run dry. [This is why
you see in the book of Acts an abundant slurry of giving and sharing of basic
needs by the disciples to the new disciples. In Acts 2:44 we find, “And all that
believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions
and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.”]

Eventually, the relatives or friends with whom they stayed would start to
question their belief in the dead Messiah! Eventually, the city officials, and
the especially the religious elites questioned, criticized and were cynical
towards this monumental happening! Which eventually led to the second factor of
their poverty.

[And you guessed it,] persecution! Many converts lost their jobs. The new
Christians were pushed out of the labor force because their unbelieving
employers could not and would not tolerate their Jesus-talk everywhere! Bible
scholars estimate there were around 100,000 members of that first church.
Imagine the daily basic needs of such a magnitude of membership without means of
work, without means of living!

And finally, a Bible historian writes, “A third reason for the Jerusalem
church’s poverty was the generally poor economic climate of the region. The
Romans extracted all they could from their conquered territories, seizing their
resources and imposing a heavy burden of taxation. The result was rampant
poverty in Israel. Adding to the region’s economic woes was the worldwide
famine”[3] centered in Judea.

Fast forward roughly 10 years later, Paul comes on to the scene, recognizes the
poor economic condition of the scattered church in Jerusalem, and pleads the
churches of Corinth to contribute towards the great need.

By the way, about a year prior to 2 Corinthians 8, Paul initiated this
collection in 1 Corinthians 16; and I believe they began to collect monies and
goods there [led by Titus, one of Paul’s most trusted disciples]; but there were
others that rebelled against Paul, started to criticize his apostleship and
discouraged the congregations as well as the whole venture of helping the poor
in Jerusalem. Thankfully, that got resolved and so now in 2 Corinthians 8
[verses 1-9], Paul resumes that collection of support for the Jerusalem church
which was in dire need and poverty. In his plea for collection of love offerings
and funds, he uses the example of the churches in Macedonia…

1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit [we want to make known to you, brothers
and sisters] of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; [the
churches of Macedonia were composed of Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea—these
were generous givers]

2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their
deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. [Right at the onset
Paul tells them that during a severe ordeal of suffering, {the Macedonians’}
abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in the wealth of their
generosity. They gave abundantly even during their abundant great trial of
affliction! What a powerful example!]

3 For to their power, [meaning, they did this according to their own voluntary
will] I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of
themselves; [you’ll see this as one of the principles of Christian financial
stewardship in just a few moments—willingness to sacrifice; to give beyond their
means]

4 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us
the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. [The Macedonians begged the
Apostle that they should receive their gifts for the Jerusalem church because to
the Macedonians, helping the saints was a great blessing to them! It was as
though they heard Jesus Himself who said, “It is more blessed to give than to
receive” (Acts 20:35).]

[Furthermore, the interesting phrase (τὴν χάριν καὶ τὴν κοινωνίαν) “the gift
and… the fellowship” here in v. 4, some theologian says, “alludes both to a
brotherhood of contributors and to a fellowship between donors and recipients.
As contributors to the collection, the Macedonian churches were giving tangible
evidence of their oneness with other contributing Gentile churches and with the
parent body in Jerusalem”.[4]]

5 And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the
Lord, and unto us by the will of God. [“Not as we hoped” meaning, we are just
blown away by the unexpected willingness on the part of the Macedonian churches
to give as they did! One expositor writes, “the reason the Macedonians exceeded
Paul’s expectations was that they did not restrict their contribution to
financial aid. On the contrary, “in keeping with God’s will” they dedicated
themselves first and foremost (prōton) to Christ but also to Paul for the
performance of any service in connection with the collection (v. 5). They
recognized that dedication to Christ involved dedication to his servants and
that dedication to them was in reality service for Christ. All was part of God’s
will.”[5]]

6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish
in you the same grace also. [“The same grace also” means this act of kindness
and sacrificial giving done by the Macedonians be done by the Corinthians as
well! Here, in this verse, Paul calls this kind of giving as grace giving!]

Ruins in Corinth

7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and
knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in
this grace also. [Look, Corinthians, you excel in your faith in the Lord; you
excel in speech (that is in your talks about the faith), you excel in knowledge
(that is of the Christian faith), and in your diligence or eagerness to please
and glorify the Lord. You also excel in your love to us! But as you excel in all
of these things; make sure that you excel also in grace giving also!]

8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and
to prove the sincerity of your love. [I think the idea there is that, look I’m
not a dictator nor am I a pope who brings down the edict that all churches must
follow, but I am testing the genuineness of your love by comparison with the
eagerness of others.]

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet
for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. [Paul
uses the grace-giving example of the Macedonians and then now the grace-giving
example of the Messiah! The big idea here is that, “Paul saw in Christ the
finest example of one who showed eagerness and generosity in giving as a
demonstration of his love. If the sacrificial giving of the Macedonians did not
stimulate emulation, the example of Christ’s selflessness certainly would.”[6]]
[This is the grace-giving of our Lord Jesus Christ: 1) He left the glories and
riches of heaven willingly, so that 2) through His poverty, you Corinthians, and
by extension, Riverside Baptist Church, you might be rich! Rich by providing you
eternal life; rich by becoming part of the family of the richest family in the
universe! “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being
in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made
himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made
in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] The second famine known to have occurred during the reign of Claudius was in
the fourth year of his office (45 A.D.), and was particularly centered in Judea.
It is this famine to which Luke makes reference in Acts 11:28, and to which we
hope to give further attention in this discussion. Martin, Luther W. “Famines in
the Days of Claudius Caesar.” Famines In The Days Of Claudius Caesar – Gospel
Guardian Vol.7, No.30, Pg.2-3a. Last modified December 1, 1955. Accessed October
21, 2022.
https://www.wordsfitlyspoken.org/gospel_guardian/v7/v7n30p2-3a.html#:~:text=During%20the%20reign%20of%20Claudius%2C%20several%20different%20famines,%2845%20A.D.%29%2C%20and%20was%20particularly%20centered%20in%20Judea.

[2] Paul J. Achtemeier, Harper & Row and Society of Biblical Literature,
Harper’s Bible Dictionary (San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1985), 769.

[3] John MacArthur, The MacArthur New Testament Commentary

[4] Murray J. Harris, “2 Corinthians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary:
Romans through Galatians, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 10 (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), 367.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Murray J. Harris, “2 Corinthians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary:
Romans through Galatians, ed. Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 10 (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), 368.

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PASTOR’S PEN

* The Parable of the Lost Sheep February 16, 2023
* What Are The Purposes of The Church? December 13, 2022
* Grace Giving: “So That Repentance Be Preached!” (Part 2) December 1, 2022
* Grace Giving: “So That Repentance Be Preached!” (Part 1) October 24, 2022

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