Think Different | A Sermon on Romans 12:1-3

Introduction
Long ago God chose you to be holy and different.  Have you ever noticed that all the heroes of the Bible were a little different?  Some might say, they were a little off or weird; they were definitely different.   

Noah built an ark out in the middle of dry land.  Can you imagine what his neighbors thought when he build the biggest boat they'd ever seen and there wasn't anywhere to sail it?  

Abraham took his only son up on top of Mt. Moriah to sacrifice him, because "God told him to."  That's just crazy!  

King David got so excited when he brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, he started dancing so hard and worshiping God his clothes came off.  He embarrassed his wife and she had to scold him for exposing himself and not being dignified like a king should be.  David was different; his heart was different.  He loved God more than his own dignity.  

The prophet Ezekiel ate a biblical scroll and said it tasted as sweet as honey!  That's different! 

Jesus was the most different of all.  He is the divine son of God.  If He was going to be born on earth, he should have been born in the most majestic palace or temple with the most important people in the world gathered around, but he did things different.  He decided to be born in a manger with cows and sheep and shepherds gathered around. 

The Son of God came to change the world and he had the power to do it all by himself, but he instead he chose 12 mortal men to help him do it.  I would have chose the 12 most gifted, smartest, powerful, influential people in the world to help me, but Jesus did something different.  Instead of picking the best and brightest, he pick a bunch of smelly fishermen, a Roman collaborator, and a terrorist determined to kill collaborators!  Peter was a bragger. Thomas was a doubter.  James and John were a manipulators. And Judas was a betrayer!

And instead of conquering His enemies by force, Jesus chose to be different—He let them crucify Him on a cross and He forgave them.  And then He said to His rag tag team of disciples, “Alright boys, you know what to do.  Go change the world.”  And today, Christianity is the largest religion on the face of the earth!  

Apparently God sees things different than we do and He has a thing for people who are different.  God wants you to be different! Don’t you want to be different?  

Romans 12:1-3 (Emphasis added)
¹And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. ² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

³ Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

God Chose You to Think Different
Let me first point out a few key insights about this passage that we need to hear.  First, don’t copy the world.  The world has a way of doing things and ideas about right and wrong, but we don't pattern ourselves after the world.  We should be different. 

The Amish people seem to take this verse to heart.  They very literally choose to be different and reject the innovations of modern society.  They dress in old-fashioned clothes, refuse to use TVs or cell phones, and even still ride in horse and buggies.  I admire their dedication to being different, but I don't think that's how God wants us to be different.  The passage says let God change the way you think.

We may dress like everyone else in the world, use modern technology, and do many similar things as everyone else, but God has changed the way we think.  And when you think different, you have a different attitude and you do things for a different reason and you will often act different.

And finally, I want to point out the passage says, "Don’t think you are better than anyone else—evaluate yourself honestly..."  I love the way the Word instructs us on this because it addresses two ends of the same spectrum. 

There are some people who are arrogant and conceited, who think they are "all that and a bag of chips."  To them the Word warns, "Don't think you are better than anyone else."  If you're full of pride or look down on others, you need to change the way you think. 

But there are others who struggle with low self-esteem.  And the Word addresses that too.  It says, "Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us." God made you and God doesn't make junk.  You are special.  God's fingerprints are all over you.  So let God change the way you think.

3 Ways We Need to Think Different:
I want to give you three ways we need to let God change the way we think.  First, stop thinking this world we see is all there is.  This world is an amazing place and it's full of wonders.  We are blessed to be able to enjoy this life, but there is more going on than just what we see.  In fact, this life in this world, is not what it's all about. 

We are tempted to think that because it's all we see right now.  However, the Word teaches us there is more.  There is a spiritual battle going on behind the scenes we can't even see.  Eternity hangs in the balance.  There is Life to come when this life is over.  And the rewards of this life aren't that important when measured in the scales of Eternity.  So, as the old hymn says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of of his glory and grace.”  Stop thinking this world, this life, is all there is.

Second, stop thinking this life is more important than the Life to come.  Since this current life is all we've known and is what's immediately pressing in upon us, we get so wrapped up in its joys and concerns.  Have you ever thought about this when we are praying about those who are sick?  Suppose we pray for someone who has terminal cancer and God miraculously, unexplainably heals them.  (The cancer was there one day and gone the next.)  We would praise God and be so happy! 

But what was really achieved?  That healing—at best—is only temporary.  Even if they live 40 or 50 more years without any other traces of cancer, they will still die.  Everyone in this life dies.  The True Healing comes when they are resurrected in Eternal Life.  And a million years from now, when we are praising God on that Golden Shore, no one will give a second thought to the few measly years we lived in this fallen world or the joys or sorrows we faced here.  All the things we spend so much time fretting over will then seem infinitely inconsequential. Romans 8:18 - “What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.”

Some would say: “Yeah, but I want glory in this life and in the future one."  Why do you deserve that?  Do you think you are any better than the saints that have gone before you?  Think of those saints who suffered and died for Christ. 

Think of Stephen in the book of Acts who was stoned to death simply because he preached about Jesus' death and resurrection.  What about the Disciple Peter who was crucified upside down or the Apostle Paul who was beheaded in Rome. 

Do you deserve more rewards in this life than those protestant reformers in the 1500s who worked so hard to help the Church return to true faith in Christ and received as their only reward in this world to be hanged, drawn and quartered, burned at the stake, or drowned—simply because they believed what God said in the Bible more than the Pope? 

We need to change the way we think.

And third, we need to stop thinking the rewards and consequences of what we do now are primarily realized in this life.  People ask, "Why do the wicked prosper?  Why do bad things happen to good people?" 

First of all, I would say who is really good?  The Bible says, "No one is good.  Not a single one." (paraphrase of Romans 3:10).  We might think of someone who is especially good, but that's only because we are comparing them to ourselves.  But if we place them next to a holy God, all their imperfections and sins are immediately clear and we see they are far from "good."  

Jesus said, "[God] sends rain on the just and the unjust alike" (Matthew 5:45).  And He also taught that we would have to wait until God's sorts out all the weeds from the wheat at the end of the age.  We have to accept that some things will not be settled in this life.  

Your faithfulness in this life may not be rewarded until you get to Heaven, but God will bring justice according to His perfect wisdom in eternity. 

Are You Ready to Think Different?
God has chosen you to be different.  1 Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.”

In the Bible, oil was used to set people apart for God’s purposes. So today, I want to invite you to come to the altar and be anointed with oil—not because there is anything magical about the oil, but as an outward sign of an inward commitment:  “Lord, I belong to You. Set me apart. Change the way I think, so I can live the life You have called me to live.”

After you are anointed, I’m going to give you a small vial of oil to take home. Let it remind you this week: I have been chosen. I have been set apart. I am called to think different, live different, and be different for Christ.  You can use this oil to anoint and pray for others.

 

Called out of Darkness | A Sermon on 1 Peter 2:9-10

Introduction
I’m starting a new series as we lead up to Homecoming on All-Saints Sunday.  What does it mean to live as saints in a troubled world.  And our first sermon is “Called Out of Darkness”. 

We are the Church, God’s chosen and holy people, called from darkness into light.  And today, I want to encourage you to embrace your unique identity as God’s people and to live differently from the world.

1 Peter 2:9-10
⁹ But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

¹⁰ “Once you had no identity as a people;
    now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
    now you have received God’s mercy.”^[b]

“But You are Not Like That…”
I want to dive right into the meat of this Scripture, but I must first address this initial clause.  Peter says, “But you are not like that…”  Originally, Peter was talking directly to Christians scattered across Asia Minor who were facing social marginalization and suffering for their faith.  But today, he’s talking directly to us.  And he says, “But you are not like that…” 

Not like what?

If you look back a few verses you find the answer.  You are not like the people of Israel who rejected Jesus. Israel was called to be a Holy Nation of Priests.  They had the honor of hosting the Holy Temple in Jerusalem where people from all over the world could come and worship God.  But they never lived up to their calling.  And when God’s own Son came to them, they rejected Him.  And verse 8 says:  “So they meet the fate that was planned for them.”  And verse 9, speaking to everyone who accepts Jesus as their Lord, says: “But you are not like that…”  So what are we like?

Who Are We in Christ?
“…you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession.”  These were the words originally used for Israel in the Old Testament.  But now they apply to the followers of Christ.  Christians don’t replace Israel.  We are the fulfillment of what Israel was always meant to be.  We are chosen by God.  We are royal priests.  We are a holy nation.  We are God’s people.  Let that sink in…

What an honor!  What a privilege!  What a blessing!
But don’t forget that as God’s Chosen People, we have a great responsibility.

Set Apart for Holiness
“You are royal priests, a holy nation…”
Priests are set apart for the special purpose of representing God to the people.  In ancient times, priests stood out as holy.  Special clothes that mark them as different from ordinary people.  Special rituals sanctified them.  And they were known to have special access to God.  People would come to them when they needed healing or forgiveness or a word from God.  They came to the priest for help because they believed the priest were closer to God and had a special connection with Him.  The priest could go to God on behalf of the person in need and interceded for them and God was more likely to listen.

Today, people will often joke that I (as a pastor), have a direct line to God in a similar way.  But according to what the New Testament says, we all do!  I'm no closer to God than you.  You can go boldly before Him and present your prayers and He will listen.  The Holy Spirit lives inside you and intercedes for you in groanings too deep for words.  God hears you and listens!

We are all set apart to serve as God’s royal priests!  We who follow Christ are holier than the Jewish High Priest of the Old Testament!  It's incredible!    

And you are supposed to stand out as different, not b/c you wear fancy clothes or do certain rituals like in the Old Testament.  You stand out because:

• Christ lives in you
• You’re leaving behind the darkness of ignorance, sin, and despair
• You’re walking in the light of salvation, truth, joy, hope.
• You proclaim God’s goodness, mercy, and salvation in word and deed.

Christ Lives in You
When you repent of your sin and decide to follow Jesus, Christ comes to live inside you as the Holy Spirit.  In the Old Testament, the Temple represented God’s dwelling place on earth.  But now, because of Christ, the New Testament  says we are His Temple.  
1 Peter 2:5 – “you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.”
2 Corinthians 6:16 – “ For we are the temple of the living God.”

Have you ever heard of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem? It’s a very special place. The Temple in Jerusalem isn’t there anymore—it was torn down in 70 AD. The only part that remains is the western wall of the Temple.

For centuries, people—both Jewish and Christian—have made pilgrimages to the Western Wall. They write out their prayers on little slips of paper, roll them up, and tuck them into the cracks of the stones. It’s a sacred act in a sacred place, because this is where the Temple once stood—the very Temple we read about in the Bible. I’ve been there myself. I wrote a prayer and placed it in the wall. If you’re standing at the Western Wall, that’s what you do.

But let me tell you something amazing: that wall is not where God dwells. God is everywhere, of course, but that place is no more sacred than any other. The true dwelling place of God is not in the stones of Jerusalem—it’s in you.  There is no holier ground than the presence of the Holy Spirit living inside you right now. Christ lives in us—that’s what makes us different. That’s what sets us apart.

Turn on the Light
Secondly, we need to we need to live in the light.  We need to come out of the darkness.  We stand out when we come out of the darkness.  

This morning I woke up early. I wake up early almost every day, but especially on Sundays. Today I was up a little before 4:00. Now, I don’t mind getting up early—but my wife does. She values her rest, and I want her to have it. So when I get up, I move quietly and I don’t turn on the lights.

Our bathroom is on the opposite side of the bed, so I have to carefully make my way around in the dark. After living in our house for 15 years, I know the layout, but still—you never know what might be on the floor. So I walk slowly, carefully, feeling my way until I close the bathroom door. Then I turn on the light so I don’t disturb her—because I love her, and because, frankly, she’s a lot nicer when she’s slept well!

But it’s hard to walk in the dark, isn’t it? Even when you know where you’re going, you have to move cautiously. And sometimes, as Christians, we try to live our lives like that—as if we’re walking in the dark. Yet Scripture says: “God has called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

When Kelly is away visiting her mom, I don’t have to tiptoe around in the dark. I can flip on the light and move quickly, freely. I can see where I’m going. Life is so much easier in the light.

That’s what God wants for us. Life is better, freer, and safer when we walk in the light of Christ. So let me challenge you: where in your life are you still walking in darkness? Where do you need to turn on the light—stop conforming to the world, and instead live in God’s light as His holy people?

As Christians, we need to turn on the light!  We are called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light.  I challenge you to examine areas where you are conforming to the world instead of living in the Light as God’s holy people.

Darkness can represent many things in our lives.  First, darkness can represent ignorance.
As people of the light, we are called to be informed. That means studying God’s Word, seeking to understand it, and asking Him to make us aware of what we don’t yet see. Often we simply “don’t know what we don’t know.” So our prayer becomes: “Lord, show me what I need to know. Make me conscious. Help me be intentional as I follow You.”

Second, darkness can represent sin.
As God’s people of light, we must leave behind sinful behavior—the things we already know are wrong. That means repenting and turning away from them. But it also means asking God to shine His light on the areas we can’t yet see. “Lord, show me the hidden sins, the blind spots, the places I need to change. Bring me out of the darkness and into Your light.”

Finally, darkness can represent despair.
The world constantly tells us reasons to be fearful, anxious, angry, or hopeless. But as people of the light, we are called to lay down despair and embrace hope. No matter how bad things look, we know that Christ has already overcome the brokenness of this world. In Him we have eternal hope. We don’t have to live in despair anymore—we can step out of the darkness and walk in the light.

Living As Royal Priests
Our identity is not just about what God has done for us, but what we are to do for Him.  We are His royal priests who represent God to the world.  Let me ask you some questions:

When was the last time you reminded someone that they are loved and valued by the Lord?

When was the last time you stood in the gap for someone who was far from God?

When was the last time you brought someone else’s needs before God in prayer as a priest would?

When was the last time you prayed with someone?

When was the last time you carried God’s presence into a place of darkness or despair?

When was the last time you served someone in a way that revealed God’s love?

When was the last time you lived in such a way that someone asked about your faith?

When was the last time you told your story of how God changed your life?

Closing
Our closing song today isn’t just a fun song.  It’s a closing reminder to all of us.  Listen to the words of the chorus:
The same power that rose Jesus from the grave
The same power that commands the dead to wake
Lives in us, lives in us
The same power that moves mountains when He speaks
The same power that can calm a raging sea
Lives in us, lives in us
He lives in us, lives in us

We are God’s royal priests, a holy nation.  We are the Temple of the Living God. He lives in us.
This is an incredible honor and privilege.  But it’s also a responsibility.  We are called to serve,
to represent God to the world.  To be His powerful agents of grace—calling the world repent, inviting more and more people in God’s Kingdom and ushering His Kingdom into our world.

We have the power to do it, because the same power that rose Jesus from the grave lives in us.
But are we willing to live as God’s royal priests?

Fish for People | A Sermon on Matthew 4:19

Matthew 4:19
In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called his first disciples.  Matthew 4:19 – Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Fish for People
This wasn’t just a call for the first disciples.  It’s a call Jesus gives to all of us.  To fish for people means to join Jesus in His mission of drawing others into God’s Kingdom through our witness, love, service, and proclamation of the gospel.

Jesus taught His disciples to fish by doing it.  Let’s look at a few examples of Jesus fishing for people. 

Jesus calling the disciples (Matthew 4:18-22) – Jesus meets fishermen where they are and uses their own experience to invite them into a new kind of fishing.  You have to understand people's lives and the needs and struggles and meet them where they are.  As Jesus called the disciples to be “fishers of people,” He didn’t just walk up randomly and make the invitation. He had watched these fishermen—He knew their daily lives, their routines, and their struggles. He understood what their work meant to them. Then He took something familiar—their skill in fishing—and gave it a greater, kingdom-minded purpose. Jesus said, in effect, “This thing you’ve been doing, I’m inviting you to do it in a whole new way. Not to catch fish, but to reach people. And I will show you how to do it.”  

The Woman at the Well (John 4) – Jesus engaged in personal conversation and drew the Samaritan woman to faith.  Here we see that Jesus isn’t just reaching out to people like Him—Galileans who grew up in the same region, or fellow Jews of the same background. Instead, He crosses cultural and social boundaries to speak with someone considered an outsider, someone others would have avoided. Jesus walks through Samaria, sits by a well, and notices a woman coming to draw water in the heat of the day. Why is she here now, when no one else is? Why not in the cool of the morning? He sees her situation, understands her deeper story, and begins a one-on-one conversation. Through truly seeing her and knowing her, He leads her to faith.

Feeding the Five Thousand (Mark 6:30-44) – Jesus includes the disciples in the act of caring for the crowd, showing them that “fishing” can also mean meeting practical needs that open hearts.  Jesus says, “I want you to take care of these people’s practical needs. They’ve been with us all day, and they’re hungry.” The disciples want to send them away, but Jesus responds, “You give them something to eat.” They’re confused—“How can we possibly feed them?”—and then He shows them how, performing His miraculous work. In doing this, Jesus teaches His disciples, and us, that fishing for people often begins with meeting practical needs. If someone is hungry, homeless, or without clothing, how can they truly hear about eternal life until their immediate needs are met? Care for their physical needs first, and hearts will be open to receive the hope of Christ.

Sending out the Twelve & the 72
Jesus didn’t just show the disciples how to fish for people by doing it all Himself.  He challenged the disciples to get out in the world and do some fishing themselves.  In Matthew 10:1-15, Jesus sends the 12 disciples out to practice preaching, healing, and proclaiming the Kingdom.  In Luke 10:1-20, He sent a broader group of 72 disciples out to share the message, showing that “fishing” is a task for all followers, not just the original twelve.

And the disciples learned well.  By the time we get to Acts 2, we see Peter preaching in Jerusalem and leading 3,000 people to believe in Jesus and be baptized.  But it wasn’t just about big numbers.  Every single person was important to the disciples because every person belongs in God’s Kingdom.  That’s why I love the story of Philip.  The story is found in Act 8:26-40, but let me summarize it.

It’s the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The eunuch was a high official, the treasurer to the queen of Ethiopia, riding in his chariot on the road home from Jerusalem. He had gone there to worship, but because he was a eunuch, the Law of Moses said he could not fully participate in the temple. So here he is, hungry to know God, yet feeling excluded. As he rides, he’s reading aloud from the prophet Isaiah about the Suffering Servant—someone who was despised and disfigured—and he’s wondering what it all means.

Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit tells Philip, “Go to that chariot.” Philip runs alongside and hears the eunuch reading Isaiah. He asks, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” The eunuch replies, “How can I, unless someone explains it?” He invites Philip into the chariot, and Philip begins to share the good news: this prophecy is about Jesus, the Messiah, who gave His life so that all may be welcomed into God’s family. No barrier from your past, no wound, no exclusion can keep you out—because through Jesus, you are made whole.

The eunuch hears this, sees some water by the road, and says, “Look, here’s water. What’s to stop me from being baptized?” And in that moment, he is baptized into the family of Christ—fully included, fully loved, fully His.

Whether it was the 3,000 who responded to Peter’s preaching, or the one man Philip led to Christ, the disciples were faithfully doing it. They had learned well what it meant to fish for people.

Other Aspects of Fishing
It occurs to me that there’s a lot more to fishing than just the moment you cast out your nets.  My brother-in-law Joey is one of the best fishermen I know. Anytime we go to the beach on vacation, I get excited because I know Joey will be there—and that means we’re going to catch fish. Now, Joey isn’t necessarily better at casting a line or reeling in a fish than I am. I know how to rig the hooks, cast accurately, and set the hook just right. I’m as good at the mechanics of fishing as he is.

But here’s what makes Joey a great fisherman: he starts fishing long before we ever get to the beach. Months in advance, he’s studying the tides, the kinds of fish in season, the best times of day, and the best spots to fish. He asks around, gathers information, and prepares. By the time we show up, Joey knows exactly what bait to use, where to cast, and what to expect. I just get to do the fun part—cast the line and reel them in—because Joey has already done the hard work.

On top of that, Joey knows what kind of fish we’re catching, whether they’re keepers, how to clean them, and how to cook them. That’s what makes him an excellent fisherman—it’s not just the moment of casting a line, but the preparation, knowledge, and care that go into it.

Now let’s take that idea into our spiritual call to be fishers of people. Too often, when we think about fishing for men and women, we only think about the moment itself: What am I going to say? Will I know what to do? But real fishing begins long before the moment of encounter.

We prepare by spending time with Jesus, reading His Word, and letting Him shape us. That way, when we come alongside someone—like Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch—we’re ready. He just “happened” to be reading Isaiah, and Philip was able to say, “I know what that’s about.” That didn’t happen by accident; it was God at work in both of them. And God can do the same in you.

You may think, I don’t know the Bible well enough. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to know it all. God knows what’s coming. He may nudge you today to read Isaiah 40, and you might not know why. But four weeks later, you’ll find yourself in a dentist’s waiting room, and someone will bring it up—and suddenly you’ll realize God had you preparing for that moment all along.

It’s like maintaining your fishing gear. I’ve been there: I show up at the beach, throw my line out, and the reel locks up because I never cleaned it from last year. Is your spiritual life like that? When someone opens their heart and says, “My wife just told me she wants a divorce, and I don’t know what to do,” do you freeze up? Or are you ready because you’ve been walking with the Lord, keeping your nets clean and your heart prepared?

And fishing doesn’t end with the first catch. When someone says, “I’m coming to church with you Sunday,” don’t just say, “Great, see you there.” Meet them on the front porch. Walk in with them. Sit beside them. Help them find a small group, a class, or a place to serve. If they love to sing, introduce them to the choir. That’s what it means to cast the net and to follow through.

Fishing for people is so much more than one moment. It’s preparing beforehand, being ready in the moment, and walking with people afterward. That’s the full picture of what Jesus calls us to.

Essential: Casting Our Nets
Preparation is important—but at some point, you have to cast the net. You can do everything right beforehand, but if you never cast, you’ll never catch.

Jesus called His disciples to be “fishers of people,” and that same call comes to us today. So, let me ask you—who are you fishing for? Who in your life needs to experience God’s love, hear the good news, or see faith lived out through your example? Every one of us has family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers who need the hope of Christ. Following Jesus means not just being caught by His grace, but also casting our nets wide so that others might be drawn into His Kingdom.

World Communion Sunday
The disciples’ faithfulness in becoming fishers of people led to the rapid expansion of the Christian Church. As more and more people became followers of Christ, they too became fishers of people. Being fishers of people is not optional—it is essential. Any generation that fails in this calling faces decline and eventual death. But faithful disciples across the centuries have carried the gospel, and now followers of Christ are found in every corner of the globe. Today, on World Communion Sunday, we celebrate this witness to the spread of the faith. Though we speak different languages, eat different foods, and live in different nations, we are united as part of Jesus’ fishing crew—bound together by His sacrifice and the power of His resurrection. World Communion reminds us that all Christians are interconnected, breaking down denominational and cultural barriers. It is also a call for us to remember our mission to be fishers of people. What our world, our country, and our community need now more than ever is to live out the principles of forgiveness, grace, love, sacrifice, and service that Christ taught us. This is the only hope for our world.  Will you answer Christ’s invitation:  “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Sardis - Wake Up! | A Sermon on Revelation 3:1-6

Introduction
Are you awake this morning?

I'll be honest, my eyes were a little fuzzy and my voice is cracking this morning. I had a hard time waking up. Yesterday, we moved my daughter into her dorm room at the University of West Georgia. We started early, and by the time we were driving home, a deluge of rain brokethat lasted about an hour while we were driving.  It was stressful and draining.  We were driving 30 miles an hour from Rome to home. In fact, we were on the interstate doing 30 or 40 when we decided to get off early, thinking slower roads would be better.

But Cleveland Highway was flooded. We had to turn around, go all the way back, and still go home the long way. Strangely, when we finally arrived, our rain gauge said zero. Not a drop. Roads were dry. Just a few miles south--flooded! Amazing how storms can hit one spot so hard and leave another untouched.

Needless to say, I was tired. My back hurt. I took medicine for back pain, went to bed thinking I’d sleep well—and I did—but woke up groggy. So yes, I’m still trying to wake up. And I think the Lord has a sense of humor, because that’s exactly what today’s message is about.

Sardis was a real first-century church in what is now modern-day Turkey. Jesus dictated a letter to them, saying plainly, “Wake up.” He didn’t sugarcoat it.

Here’s what He said in Revelation 3:1–6:

Revelation 3:1-6
¹ “Write this letter to the angel^[a] of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit^[b] of God and the seven stars:

“I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead. ² Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. ³ Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don’t wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief.

⁴ “Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.

⁶ “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.

Sevenfold Spirit
By now, we know the One dictating letters to the seven Churches is Jesus. So with each new letter, we learn more about Jesus.  In this passage, Jesus says He is:  “…the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God.”  The NASB and other translations say, “seven spirits of God”.

This can be confusing at first glance, but it’s really very simple.  This “sevenfold Spirit of God” is the Holy Spirit.  There is only One Spirit, but saying “seven spirits” or “sevenfold Spirit” is just a mystical way of saying the Holy Spirit who has certain major characteristics.

Seven is the number for perfection.  So sevenfold Spirit is a mystical way of saying this is the perfect Spirit of God.

Some scholars also point to  Isaiah 11:2, where we see 7 characteristics of the Holy Spirit:  Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Might, Knowledge, Fear of the Lord, and Delight in the Fear of the Lord.  

You'll notice that Fear is mentioned twice.  Let me pause on that phrase—“the fear of the Lord.”  Think of standing at the edge of something glorious and overwhelming—like Glacier National Park or the Grand Canyon or Cloudland Canyon here in Georgia. You feel awe at the magnificence of God's creation and a healthy fear of falling in all at the same time. That’s what it means to “fear the Lord”—it’s reverent awe. It's "Oooo!" and "Oh!" all at the same time.  The Spirit of God delights in that.

Reputation vs. Reality
Sardis had a good Reputation.  The were known as an active church, alive for God.

But Jesus saw through the facade. He had some harsh words for Sardis:  “You look alive, but are really dead. Almost completely dead.”

They were “really dead” because they:  “… soiled their clothes with evil.” 

Clothing is a symbol for a person’s character.  Most of the people in the Sardis church had defiled their character through sinful behavior, moral compromise, or unrepentant living.

They were going through the motions, but without true faith. They blended into the surrounding culture instead of standing out in holiness. They looked “good” by the world’s standards—but not by God’s.

And worst of all, they were unrepentant. Instead of turning away from sin, they covered it up and kept going—playing the part, but living falsely. Jesus warned them clearly: “Wake up. Repent before it’s too late.”

Closing
This message applies directly to us.

First, we need to have true faith in Jesus—not just for show, not just when people are looking. Real, authentic faith, lived out even when no one’s watching.

Second, we must not soil our garments. Avoid the sin you know you should avoid. Don’t compromise. If God says, “Go this way,” don’t go the other. Live by God’s standards, not the world’s.

Third, and maybe most importantly, when we mess up—and we all do—we must repent quickly.

·       What Is Repentance?
Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry. It’s not just regret. It’s turning around—changing direction. If you’re going the wrong way and God shows you the truth, don’t just feel bad about it. Turn around. Do what’s right.

And here’s the good news: when we truly repent, Jesus forgives. He doesn’t hold a grudge. No matter how long you’ve been living the wrong way—20, 30, 40 years—He’ll forgive it all. He sees the direction you’re going now.  And He will welcome you to go the right way if your repent.

But don’t fake it. Don’t say, “I repent,” and keep walking the same sinful path. That’s not repentance.  Jesus says, “Repent of your sins. Then come, follow me.”

Holy Communion
In Holy Communion, we remember what Christ did for us so we can repent. 
Jesus died on the cross to give us a chance to repent of sin and turn to God and be forgiven.
Just and bread and wine nourishes our body, the sacrament of Holy Communion nourishes our soul and strengthens us to repent and walk with Jesus as disciples.

If you need to repent, do it today.
And let this sacrament nourish and strengthen you to walk with the Lord from this day forward.

Jesus' Ministry Begins | A Sermon on Matthew 4:12-17

Introduction
In the last few weeks, we’ve studied how Jesus went down to the Jordan River where His cousin John was preaching and teaching people to repent of their sins and be baptized.  Jesus asked John to baptize Him in the Jordan River and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus and God spoke from heaven and said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 

 Immediately after that, Jesus went into the desolate region west of the Dead Sea where he fasted and prayed for 40 days and was tempted by the Devil.  After remaining faithful and without sin, it was time for Jesus to officially begin His ministry.

Matthew 4:12-17
¹² When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. ¹³ He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. ¹⁴ This fulfilled what God said through the prophet Isaiah:

¹⁵ “In the land of Zebulun and of Naphtali,
    beside the sea, beyond the Jordan River,
    in Galilee where so many Gentiles live,
¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness
    have seen a great light.
And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow,
    a light has shined.”^[a]

¹⁷ From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.^[b]”

Ministry Can Be Dangerous
First of all, I don’t want us to pass by verse 12 where it points out that John was arrested.  Ministry can be dangerous.  We often forget this in America, where we live sheltered lives.  There are Christians in our own Global Methodist Church denomination who live in Nigeria and Liberia who are facing arrests, beatings, and severe persecution as we speak—simply because they are trying to be faithful to the Word of God.  Next Sunday, in fact, we will host a missionary who has to be careful to protect his identity because it could be dangerous for him or his family if word got out about the work he does to serve Christ in his community.

John the Baptist was arrested and his work to baptize people and prepare the way for the Messiah came to an end.  Now it was time for the Messiah, Jesus, to begin His work.

Jesus Fulfills Prophecy
Matthew quotes Isaiah 9:1-2, “The people living in darkness have seen a great light.”  The prophet Isaiah spoke these words 700 years before Jesus came.  Jesus’ move to Capernaum (in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali) is not random—it fulfills God’s long-planned mission to reach the Gentiles as well as the Jews.  And they are a reminder to us, when things are at there darkest, Jesus comes to call us out into the light. 

These are important words for us to hear right now.  There’s a lot of darkness in our world.  We see the darkness of war.  We see the darkness of injustice.  We see the darkness of hurtful words—of lies, betrayal, of the poor getting poorer while the rich get richer.  We see injustice.  And many here live in fear of what the future holds—whether it is for you personally or for someone you know and love.  And there may be some listening to this message today who are in a very dark place.  And the Gospel Matthew shout the Good News: “The people living in darkness have seen a great light!”

Jesus is the Great Light!  No matter what darkness you may be facing—whether it’s fear, uncertainty, grief, or the weight of the world’s troubles—know this: Jesus is the light that overcomes the darkness. The same God who planned salvation for the world through Christ has not forgotten you. He sees you, He loves you, and He is calling you out of the shadows and into His marvelous light. Even when life feels overwhelming, His light still shines. Hold onto Him, because the darkness will not last—His hope, His truth, and His love will carry you through. 

The Kingdom of Heaven is Here
Before his arrest, John the Baptist prepared the way by calling people to repent.  Jesus continues John’s call to repentance, but His message is even greater—the Kingdom of Heaven is arriving now!  God’s reign is breaking into the world through Jesus’ ministry.

We often think of Heaven as a place we go to after we die.  But Jesus preached the Kingdom of Heaven starts now.  This isn’t just about a future heaven, but a present reality—God’s rule is being established on earth through Christ.

That means God’s Kingdom is not just something we wait for—it’s something we live in now. When we follow Jesus, we step into His reign, where love overcomes hate, truth defeats lies, and hope rises above despair. The way we live, work, love, and serve should reflect that we belong to His Kingdom, not the broken systems of this world. Where in your life is God calling you to live under His rule today? Maybe it’s in your family, your workplace, or in how you treat others. Jesus is not just offering you a future home in heaven—He is inviting you to experience His Kingdom right now. Will you step into it?

The Kingdom Is Just Beyond the Veil
Though the world may seem consumed by darkness, the Kingdom of Heaven is here, just beyond the veil. We may not always see it with our eyes, but it is breaking through in quiet, powerful ways—in acts of love, in moments of grace, in every heart that surrenders to Christ. While the world’s struggles feel overwhelming, God’s reign is already at work, transforming lives, restoring hope, and preparing the way for His ultimate victory. The Kingdom is not far off; it is near, it is now, and it is winning, even when we cannot yet see it in full.

It takes faith to believe in the Kingdom beyond the veil. The early Christians faced some of the darkest times in human history—they saw their Savior crucified, they endured relentless persecution, and many were put to death for their faith. And yet, they thrived. They didn’t cling to power or fight with fear; they lived with boldness, joy, and unshakable hope because they saw beyond the suffering of this world. They knew that God’s Kingdom was already here, breaking through, and that death itself had no power over them. That same faith can sustain us today. When life feels overwhelming, when evil seems to be winning, we can hold on to the truth that the Kingdom is real, that Christ is reigning, and that nothing—not even death—can separate us from His victory. This faith doesn’t just help us survive hardship—it transforms us, giving us the courage to shine His light in the darkest places.

Entering the Kingdom
Jesus came not just to show us the Kingdom, but to invite us in. We are welcome in Christ’s Kingdom, but we must make the choice to enter in. How do we enter the Kingdom? There are two key steps:

First, Repent – Turn Away from Sin and Turn to Jesus.  Jesus began His ministry with a simple but powerful message:  "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near!" (Matthew 4:17) 

 Repentance isn’t just about feeling bad for our sins—it’s about turning away from the darkness and stepping into the light. Sin blinds us from seeing the Kingdom. It chains us to the brokenness of this world. But when we repent—when we confess our sins, surrender our pride, and turn to Jesus—our eyes begin to open. We start to see beyond the veil, and the reality of God’s Kingdom becomes clear.

What is God calling you to leave behind today? What sins, distractions, or false securities are keeping you from stepping fully into His Kingdom?

Second, Die to Yourself to Find New Life in Christ.  Jesus didn’t come just to make our old life better—He came to give us an entirely new life. And that only happens when we die to ourselves.  "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

The world tells us to chase our dreams, follow our desires, and live for ourselves. But Jesus tells us the only way to find real life is to surrender everything to Him. When we die to our selfish ambitions, our need for control, our old way of thinking, we step into true life in Christ.

The Kingdom of Heaven isn’t just waiting for us after death—it’s here now. But to enter, we must let go of our grip on this world. We must step through the veil and trust that what Jesus is offering is far greater than anything we leave behind.

The question is: Will you step in?

Closing
What’s keeping you from experiencing His Kingdom more fully? Is it a habit, a fear, a distraction, or an area where you need to surrender control? Over these next 40 days of Lent, I challenge you to seek God’s Kingdom more faithfully. Make space for Him in prayer, Scripture, acts of love, and obedience.

Remember, Jesus opened the door to the Kingdom through His sacrifice.
He invites you to repent, to die to ourselves, and to receive the new life He offers.

Will you step into His Kingdom?