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Radical Desperation for His Presence

Paul gives us two conditions for intercession in the church: holy hands, and no anger or dissension (1 Tim 2:8). Getting right before God, and then getting right with each other. God wants all kinds of prayers, requests, intercession, and thanksgiving (1 Tim 2:1). He enjoys common, simple prayers. The Lord enjoys radical, passionate prayers. We pray best when we admit our weakness and ask the Holy Spirit to take control of our prayer (Rom 8:26-27).

Have you ever been at a place where you were so weak that you had no other option than the Lord? If you haven’t been there, your time is coming. That’s not to scare you, but to warn you that if you want to walk with the Lord, you need to know that He will train you to trust Him. He will lead you into the valley of the shadow of death so that you can learn to know that He is always with you, so that His rod and His staff may comfort you (Psalm 23:4).

When you get to the place where you realize that God is your only hope, your commitment to prayer will grow. Then you will find that there has been a table prepared before you, a feast of bounty, in the very presence of your enemies. You will be anointed and set apart for the next assignment He has for you, and your cup will overflow (Psalm 23:5). To get there, the Lord calls us to a more radical desperation for Him than we have ever had.

Straight-talking Billy Sunday

Excerpts from an often-repeated Billy Sunday revival sermon follow:

Billy Sunday

"Come on you slanderers; come on you assassins of character. Come on you sponsors of harlotry; come on you defamers of God and enemies of the Church; come on you bull-necked, beetle-browed, hog-jowled, peanut-brained, weasel-eyed four flushers, false alarms and excess baggage. I’ll fight you until hell freezes over, and then I’ll buy a pair of skates and tackle you on the ice.”

"I'm against sin. I'll kick it as long as I've got a foot, and I'll fight it as long as I've got a fist. I'll butt it as long as I've got a head. I'll bite it as long as I've got a tooth. And when I'm old and fistless and footless and toothless, I'll gum it till I go home to Glory and it goes home to perdition!"

"The trouble with many men is that they have got just enough religion to make them miserable. If there is not joy in religion, you have got a leak in your religion. Some haven't religion enough to pay their debts. Would that I might have a hook and for every debt that you left unpaid I might jerk off a piece of clothing. If I did some of you fellows would have not anything on but a celluloid collar and a pair of socks.

Billy Sunday at the White House with staffer

Some of you have not got religion enough to have family prayer. Some of you haven't got religion enough to take the beer bottles out of your cellar and throw them in the alley. You haven't got religion enough to tell the proprietor of the red light, "No, you can't rent my house after the first of June"; to tell the saloon-keeper, "You can't have my house when the lease runs out"; and I want to tell you that the man who rents his property to a saloon-keeper is as low-down as the saloon-keeper. The trouble with you is that you are so taken up with business, with politics, with making money, with your lodges, and each and everyone is so dependent on the other, that you are scared to death to come out and live clean-cut for God Almighty.

"The matter with a lot of people is that our religion is not complete. Why, I am almost afraid to make some folks laugh for fear that I will be arrested for breaking a costly piece of antique bric-a-brac.

"To see some people you would think that the essential of orthodox Christianity is to have a face so long you could eat oatmeal out of the end of a gas pipe. Sister, that is not religion; I want to tell you that the smiling, happy, sunny-faced religion will win more people to Jesus Christ than the miserable old, grim-faced kind will in 10 years.

Billy Sunday preaching

"I pity anyone who can't laugh. There must be something wrong with their religion or their lives. The devil can't laugh.

"I have seen women come down the aisle by the thousands, men who drank whiskey enough to sink a ship. I see fallen women come to the front by scores and hundreds, and I have seen them go away cleansed by the power of God.

"I saw a woman that for 27 years had been proprietor of a disorderly house, and I saw her come down the aisle, close her doors, turn the girls out of her house, to live for God. I saw enough converted in one town where there were four disorderly houses to close their doors; they were empty; the girls have all fled home to their mothers."

Related articles

• How to stop hearing from God (genebrooks.blogspot.com)

Finally, you can find the help you need

Luke 4:14-30 - Jesus Rejected

Jesus Unrolls the Book, (James Tissot 1894)

A lot of big announcements are being made these days with a lot of fanfare and hype and big money behind them and with a lot of grandiose promises about hope and change and fixing the world we know, but there was an announcement two millennia ago in a small synagogue in a tiny, overlooked community in the Middle East that changed the course of human and cosmic history. What happened there teaches us a lot about life’s priorities and the importance of believing in something worthwhile. The announcement, found in Luke chapter four, however, did not turn out like we might have expected.

Contextual Notes:

Luke begins his gospel with a birth narrative showing that Jesus is the Coming Messiah who fulfills God’s promises both to Abraham and to David (Luke 1-2), and our job is to trust in Him. That trust begins with repentance, proclaimed Messiah’s Forerunner John the Baptizer (Luke 3:1-20). With Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:21-23a), Luke shows us that Jesus is the promised Messiah, who will be God’s suffering Servant through his sacrificial death. With Mary’s genealogy, Luke reminds us that Jesus fulfills not only the Davidic and Abrahamic Covenants, but unlike fallen and sinful Adam, he is also is a completely obedient Son of God (Luke 3:23b-38). So clearly is Jesus the ideal Man, that he defeats Satan himself in a test of every sphere of human temptation: body, mind, and spirit (Luke 4:1-13).

Now Luke opens Jesus’ Galilean ministry (Luke 4:14-9:50) and begins to present the essence of the gospel.[1] This section of the Galilean ministry will climax at Luke 9:20 when Peter confesses that Jesus is the Christ. The work of Jesus’ ministry here at Luke 4:14 begins in the power of the Spirit, and his initial press is great (Luke 4:14-15, 22). Oh, but things come to a screeching halt in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth. Here, Jesus encounters the prejudice, rejection, and anger of his own neighbors and family at what had been his big announcement, the launching of his ministry. What was their problem with him? That is what this sermon is about. Let’s read Luke 4:14-30 and explore this passage together.

Pray and Read:  Luke 4:14-30

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 4:14-30 to teach believers that we must embrace Jesus and his mission and not reject it; we must operate in belief and not in unbelief.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about believing in Jesus and his mission.

Sermon Points:

1.   Embrace belief in Jesus and his mission (Luke 4:14-23)

2.   Reject unbelief in Jesus and his mission (Luke 4:24-30)

Mixed message

Unfortunately so many churches send mixed messages.

Pablum for Christians

Comfort in His Presence

In this old fallen world, life deals us blows. Perhaps the blow is a broken marriage. Perhaps it is bad news at the doctor’s office (Psalm 41:1-3). Perhaps it is the loss of a dearly loved one. Perhaps it is a layoff. Perhaps it is an errant child or grandchild. Perhaps it is a lie. Perhaps it is the sheer crushing strength of stress. Perhaps it is the ache of a violation years ago. Perhaps it is betrayal or rejection. Perhaps it is the devouring beast called depression. Perhaps it is being blindsided by your best friend. Perhaps it is the deep water of financial insecurity or unspeakable loss. Perhaps hope deferred has made your heart sick. Or discouragement, disillusionment, despair, depression, deceit, delusion, dead works, distrust, disgrace, disappointment, even death.

Luke 4:1-13 - Jesus' Temptation

Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness (James J. Tissot, 1886-94)

Contextual Notes:

Following a birth narrative focused on Jesus’ fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants (Luke 1-2), Luke focuses his Gospel on the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He begins with the message repentance from Messiah’s Forerunner John the Baptizer (Luke 3:1-20), then Jesus’ baptism (Luke 3:21-23a) with its message that He is the promised Messiah, who will fulfill the role of the Lord’s suffering Servant through his sacrificial death. Luke then inserts Mary’s genealogy, proving that, like Matthew 1, Jesus fulfills both the Davidic and Abrahamic Covenants, adding also that unlike Adam, Jesus is the true Son of God (Luke 3:23b-38).

Now Luke shows Jesus’ last stage of preparation and the first and most important challenge in beginning his ministry – demonstrating that he is the true Son of God by refusing temptation in every area. Coordinated by the Holy Spirit, Jesus heads into a desolate area to fast and permits Satan to test the weakened Messiah. Luke demonstrates that Jesus is the ideal human being, unlike the fallen Adam and Eve (Luke 4:1-13). Luke wants you to see that Jesus is steadfastly obedient to the will of His Father in contrast to both Adam the first son of God (Luke 3:38), and Israel God’s son (Exod 4:22-23) and first servant. The true Son of God (not in a Garden but in a desert) and the true Servant of God in the wilderness will emerge from this temptation.

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 4:1-13 to teach believers that through Jesus we can overcome temptations of the flesh, the mind, and the spirit.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about temptation.

Pray and Read:  Luke 4:1-13

Sermon Points:

1.   Through Jesus we can overcome temptations of flesh (Luke 4:1-4)

2.   Through Jesus we can overcome temptations of mind (Luke 4:5-8)

3.   Through Jesus we can overcome temptations of spirit (Luke 4:9-13)

Luke 3:21-38 - The Baptism and Genealogy of Jesus

Contextual Notes:

In Luke’s birth narrative (Luke 1:4-2:52), Luke demonstrates that whether there is unbelief (the priest Zechariah) or belief (Mary, Elizabeth, Shepherds, Anna, Simeon), the Messiah has arrived who has fulfilled the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. The Forerunner John called the people to repentance and holy living according to the Scriptures (John 3:1-20). Now Messiah Himself arrives on the scene to both inaugurate his ministry with baptism and divine confirmation of his identity and also demonstrate his ancestral claim to Messiahship.

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 3:21-38 to teach believers that Jesus’ baptism and genealogy confirm him as Messiah, King of Israel and Lord of the Nations.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about Jesus’ baptism and genealogy.

Pray and Read:  Luke 3:21-38

Sermon Points:

1.   Jesus’ baptism confirms Him as Messiah (Luke 3:21-23a)

2.   Jesus’ genealogy confirms Him as Messiah (Luke 3:23b-38)

Scot Presbyterian praise dance

Luke 3:1-20 - John the Baptizer

John the Baptizer Preaching (Mattia Preti, 1667)

Contextual Notes:

In Luke’s opening birth narrative (Luke 1:4-2:52), he puts forward belief over unbelief  and the Messiah who fulfills the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. Now Luke turns to the Forerunner, John. Although some mistake John for the Messiah, John is very clear that Someone greater is coming (Luke 3:15-18).

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 3:1-20 to call believers to repentance of sin and the application of Scripture in our lives.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about repentance and Biblical living.

Pray and Read:  Luke 3:1-20

Sermon Points:

1.   The ministry of John calls us to the repentance of sin in our lives (Luke 3:1-6).

2. The preaching of John calls us to the application of Scripture to our lives (Luke 3:7-20).

Luke 2:41-52 - The Boy Jesus

The Boy Jesus with the Jewish Rabbis

Contextual Notes:

We have come to the end of what is called the Birth Narrative in Luke. All along the focus has been on how this baby who is coming will fulfill the covenants of Abraham and David.

Luke calls his reader to reject unbelief and embrace belief in this Child who has been born. The birth narrative began with an unbelieving priest in the Temple and ends with the Great High Priest in the Temple.

The Passover Jerusalem visit of the twelve-year-old Jesus is the only account about Jesus’ childhood found in the four Gospels. (There are false “infancy Gospels” written several centuries later that tell fanciful stories and made up legends about the boy Jesus. Sorry to inform that Jesus did not travel to India, study yoga with Far Eastern “masters”, visit with extraterrestrial beings, or learn and perform works of magic.) Luke does not include this vignette of Jesus’ childhood for the curious, but to reveal Jesus’ real human growth, as a man, mentally and physically, to show his true nature as being fully human as well as fully God.

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 2:41-52 to teach believers that we are responsible before the Lord to prepare children for the work, the call, and the wisdom of the Lord in their lives.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about rearing children before the Lord.

Pray and Read:  Luke 2:41-52

Sermon Points: The boy Jesus teaches us that we are responsible to

1.   Prepare children for the work of the Lord in their lives (Luke 2:41-47)

2.   Prepare children for the call of the Lord on their lives (Luke 2:48-51)

3.   Prepare children for the wisdom of the Lord in their lives (Luke 2:52)

Pray for North Korean Persecuted Christians

But David strengthened himself in the Lord

The Women of Ziklag Taken into Captivity (James Tissot)

1 Samuel 30:6; Zechariah 10:12

While David and his 600 men were away from home,[1] the Amalekites had struck. They had raided the territory given to God’s people. The town of Ziklag where they lived was burned, and the Amalekites took captive their women and children (1 Sam 30:1-6). 

When David and his men returned exhausted after a 3-day march, they were devastated at what they found (1 Sam 30:4). The men were so upset and bitter at their loss and what they saw as David’s failure to protect their families, that there was talk of stoning him.

David, exhausted from a long march, having been rejected by Achish king of Gath (1 Sam 29:8) through no fault of his own, now finds total devastation of all he had and all he loved. David is at the end of himself. David was living among the Philistines out of a carnal decision to hide there from Saul (1 Sam 27:1-4).He has been living by his wits, using every trick of the energy of his flesh (1 Sam 27:10). Now he returns to Ziklag see the smoking ruins of all his possessions, his family lost, and the disaster of all his self-effort.

New! Post-Holidays Barbie

Luke 2:21-40 - The Presentation of Jesus

Presentation in the Temple (Philippe de Champaigne, 1648)

Luke begins his gospel in the Temple with an unbelieving priest, Zechariah, and he ends the birth narrative at the Temple with a believing man, woman, and the boy Jesus. Joseph and Mary are careful to keep the requirements of the Law. His circumcision was apparently in Bethlehem but for the purification they had to travel to the Temple in Jerusalem. There they are greeted by two remarkable individuals, both aged and devout, Simeon and Anna, who speak about the future of the child.

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 2:21-40 to teach believers how the Presentation of Jesus is a call to consecration for his people, a call to the Glory of the Lord among the nations, and a call to worshiping intercession before the Lord of the nations.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about God’s call to us in the New Year.

Key Verse: Luke 2:31-32

Pray and Read:  Luke 2:21-40

Sermon Points: In this New Year we have a

1.   Call to Consecration to the Lord among His people (Luke 2:21-24)

2.   Call to Glory of the Lord among the nations (Luke 2:25-35)

3.   Call to Prayer before the Lord of the nations (Luke 2:36-40)

Psalm 28 - A Prayer for Help

Have you ever been in a fix and did not know the way out? Have you needed wisdom and skills for dealing with a huge challenge ahead of you? Has it seemed like God was not listening, as if He had better things to do with His time?

Be encouraged. God sees you and hears you. He can renew your intimacy with Him. He can draw you close to Himself. (He was not the one who moved, by the way!) Start by taking your eyes off the problem and raise them to the Lord. Pray the Scripture. Praise Him for his loving care for you. Call on Him who his your rock, your mercy, your holiness, your grace, your justice, your strength, your shield from danger, your help, your faithfulness, your protection, your calm and loving Shepherd. Try Psalm 28 on for size.

Don't ask a Mississippi grandma in a court of law

Luke 2:1-20 - The Birth of Jesus

Adoration of the Shepherds (Gerard Van Honthorst)

Contextual Notes:

Luke's Gospel has a developing pattern with a theological message. From the announcement in the Temple at Jerusalem of John’s birth, received by the priest Zecharias in unbelief (Luke 1:5-25), we see the announcement in an insignificant town of Nazareth of Jesus’ birth, received by the virgin Mary in belief (Luke 1:26-38). Mary’s Magnificat celebrates the coming prophetic fulfillment of the Covenants in the Lord Jesus (Luke 1:46-56). John’s birth creates expectation in the countryside (Luke 1:57-66), and Zecharias’ Benedictus celebrates the Messiah to come (Luke 1:67-80).

Luke wants us to see Jesus’ birth as greater than John’s. In Luke 2:1-7, the Messiah is born six months later (John 1:26) extraordinarily of a virgin, yet in insignificant town overlooked by the importance of the Registration. Then heaven lights up with a royal birth announcement and an angelic “Gloria in excelsis Deo” to the most insignificant of people, a group of shepherds minding their own business (Luke 2:8-14). Their discovery of the baby and spreading of the news creates excitement and expectation in the countryside. But Mary treasured it all in her heart (Luke 2:15-20).

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 2:1-20 to teach believers about the humble birth of the glorious Messiah.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about Jesus’ birth.

Key Verse: Luke 2:14

Pray and Read:  Luke 2:1-20

Sermon Points:

1.   The humble entrance of a glorious Savior (Luke 2:1-7)

2.   The humble hearers of a glorious Announcement (Luke 2:8-14)

3.   The humble proclamation of a glorious Birth  (Luke 2:15-20)

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

The Promise of a Seed

We see in Galatians 3:16, that Paul understood the promise of a Seed was the focus of the Covenant. That singular seed, Paul said, was Christ. But Paul's idea was not original with him. The Seed had been promised from the time of the Fall in the Garden.

Psalm 27 - Seeking Him in the Battle

Psalm 27 is a page out of a warfare manual.[1] It is first of all prophetic of the warfare of Jesus’ Passion. This psalm is of a soldier seeking God and abiding in Him in the thick of battle. Pray Psalm 27 when you are in the midst of the battle.

Note those involved:

Psalm 27:1 - The Lord. Lord, you are the light of wisdom and assurance. You are the source of salvation and trust and confidence. You are the secret place of safety. You banish fear and give strength to the weary and protection for the weak. Because of your character, let me fear nothing and no man.

How's your Christmas going so far?

Mine too.

Luke 1:57-80 - The Birth of John and the Benedictus

Zecharias writes John's Name (Jacopo Pontormo)

Contextual Notes:

So far in Luke we have seen enough to see a pattern coming into play. From the announcement in the Temple at Jerusalem of John’s birth, received by the priest Zecharias in unbelief (Luke 1:5-25), we see the announcement in an insignificant town of Nazareth of Jesus’ birth, received by the virgin Mary in belief (Luke 1:26-38) and a Magnificat poem of praise, celebrating the coming prophetic fulfillment of the Covenants in the Lord Jesus (Luke 1:46-56).

Today we will see the unusual circumstances of John’s birth and the sense of expectation his birth created in the countryside (Luke 1:57-66), ending with another poem of praise, Zecharias’ Benedictus, layered with prophecy of the Messiah to come (Luke 1:67-80).

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 1:57-80 to relate the birth of John and lead believers to an expectation of a coming favor and to praise the Lord for a coming salvation in Messiah.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about the birth of John.

Key Verse: Luke 1:60, 63

Pray and Read:  Luke 1:57-80

Sermon Points:

1.   John’s birth foreshadows the Messianic Expectation of a Coming Mercy (Luke 1:57-66)

2.   John’s birth foreshadows the Messianic Promise of a Coming Salvation (Luke 1:67-80)

Pastor Youcef to be held another year, coerced to recant faith

Youcef, Joel, Tina, & Daniel Nadarkhani

UPDATE 12/15/2011 
Youcef’s local attorney in Rasht was informed that the head of the Iranian judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani, has ordered the presiding judge over the trial in Rasht, Mr. Ghazi Kashani to do nothing for one year. The order was not to issue a verdict and hold Youcef in prison. They were told to use whatever means necessary to cause him to recant and return to Islam. They hope that in a year his case will fade from world interest so that they can do what they want with him. We ask that you would pray for this situation. Ask the Heavenly Father to work his perfect will for Youcef, provide for his family and working salvation in the lives of many in Iran. Source: PresentTruth Ministries

Psalm 9 - My Part and God's Part

Think about the challenges that have been laid before you. Family challenges. Financial challenges. Workplace challenges. Health challenges. Relationship challenges. And then there are the challenges that you have brought on yourself. Did you know that the Lord is sovereign, too, over those challenges, all those challenges? 

If He is sovereign, then it means He is in charge. If He is in charge, then that means He has taken responsibility for them. If He has taken responsibility for them, then He has adequate resources to take up and handle those challenges. Now the question is, do you trust Him to take responsibility for your challenges? Or would you rather handle them on your own?

Luke 1:26-56 - The Birth of Jesus Foretold

Angel Gabriel's Annunciation to Mary, Murillo, c. 1655

Contextual Notes:

Immediately following the angel Gabriel’s announcement of the Forerunner John’s birth to a priest in the Temple (Luke 1:5-25), Gabriel appears again, this time to a virgin named Mary, and this time he announces the birth of the Messiah Himself (Luke 1:26-38). Then the two expectant women, Elizabeth and Mary, celebrate the joy of the coming Messiah (Luke 1:39-45), and Mary’s Magnificat sounds forth the magnificent praise of the Messiah’s fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant (Luke 1:46-56).

Key Truth: Luke wrote Luke 1:26-56 to teach believers that the birth of the Messiah would signal the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s Covenant with Abraham, David, and Israel.

Key Application: Today I want to show you what God’s Word says about Jesus’ birth announcement.

Read:  Luke 1:26-56

Sermon Points:

1.   The Annunciation unveils the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant (Luke 1:26-38).

2.   The Holy Spirit unveils the inauguration of the Renewed Covenant (Luke 1:39-45).

3.   The Magnificat unveils the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant (Luke 1:46-56).

Surprise at the church Christmas party!

The church ladies' mission society was surprised and thrilled to have the Holy Spirit as their special guest at their annual Christmas party. He apparently answered Sister Sadie's prayer inviting him for the first time. A resolutions committee is now considering a society-wide vote to invite the Lord on an annual basis.

Related articles

• Ten symptoms your Christianity is too comfortable (genebrooks.blogspot.com)

Persecution in Iran and India

Heydar Moslehi

House churches "a threat to youth"

IRAN - It seems that the gloves are finally off. Iran's Minister of Intelligence Heydar Moslehi calls house churches "a threat to youth." He also says they're working to stop the growth of Christianity. 

Only 2-3 years ago, the government ignored the Church. Now, because of a great awakening in Iran, they feel threatened because so many people are coming to Christ. 

Although Iran is arresting believers under the apostasy law, Christmas season usually brings a yearly spike in persecution. Why? Christians are celebrating. They are sharing the Gospel and the Christmas story. 

Prayer is needed. This is yet another confirmation of what an incredible work God is doing in Iran." Full story here

Seven newly baptized converts from Islam detained, beaten

INDIA – Police in India’s Kashmir Valley detained and beat 7 newly baptized Christians who converted from Islam, and they are seeking the arrest of the Christian leaders responsible for converting them. 

Police identified the converts and pastors from a video recording of the baptism posted on YouTube and obtained by Kashmir's grand mufti (the highest official of Islamic law), Bashir-ud-din Ahmad. 

Ahmad alleged that Pastor Chander Mani Khanna of All Saints Church (Church of North India), was bribing young Muslims to convert, saying that the video, showing only the baptism ceremony) proves Muslims are being "lured" to Christianity. 

The pastor said the Muslim youths attended the church on their own initiative and asked to take Communion. Pastor Chander told them they must be baptized to join the Supper, and they asked for baptism. 

Pray that Pastor Chander will not be charged, and that the young converts will remain steadfast in their faith. Pray that the gospel will spread throughout Kashmir despite opposition and oppression.

Related articles

• Send Christmas cards to imprisoned, persecuted believers (genebrooks.blogspot.com)
• Police Detain, Beat Converts from Islam in India (creepingsharia.wordpress.com)
• Persecuted Church: Iran, Libya, Azerbaijan (genebrooks.blogspot.com)
• Pastor admits to conversion by missionaries in Kashmir (thehindu.com)
• Pastor held on conversion charge (thehindu.com)