Download... August 21, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Richard Lehman.
The thought is much expressed,.. ”Jesus is the Answer!” In truth He ‘is’ right for everything wrong, in your life! Jesus fits perfectly, for the need! Bro Richard shared how he is just helping, (and thankful to be able to do that) while our pastor is in Menlo park, helping the saints there. Sometimes, when some are helping others, we might need to be willing to step ‘into the gap” ..they have left in doing that. Sometimes that may fall in ‘your’ “lap.” Can I be that “someone else,” in filling their gap, ..and be glad to do that for Jesus? Our burden this morning is that Jesus is the only one that can truly “fit” our needs. Our text is no doubt a familiar scripture to many, but potentially there are those here, that have not yet found Jesus to be the “fit,” ..for their needs.
TEXT: JOHN 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
A lot of people are so busy about doing different things, as Bro Richard testified of his observations, ..while he was driving to church this morning. They are potentially seeking for things that “fit” in “their” life. They have “a mind” about what that would be,..of that which would “fit” ‘them.’ ‘That’ which would be “their chosen” fulfillment of life. But when they leave out Jesus, ...they are leaving out that part that truly would fit their needs. They are looking in the wrong place, ..in the wrong way. Is there perhaps one here looking to fill your real need? We all have them, ...that only Christ can be the true answer for. ‘If ’, ...we allow Him to. We must, though, put away those things that would hinder. God knows your needs, ..and knows how to “fit” those needs.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: “.... “I am the it,” ...the solution is Jesus! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Only Jesus can fit a life in truth. He fit’s the need! Too many are busy about their affairs,..with no thought of Jesus, and how He is the only answer for their life. Quite frankly many do not even think Jesus is relevant for them. Many have a lot of “mixed-up ideas about things, ..for in the way the “world” does things, ..He doesn’t “fit.” Because for Jesus to be allowed to fit our needs, we must “get ..out of the way!” We must realize much of our fleshly ideas and agendas must go. Too often, it takes a “crisis” in situations, to bring us that “awareness,” and burden, to allow Jesus to be our fit. For otherwise we would continue on our way, ..“meeting” our needs in ‘our’ own way, ..’without’ them truly being spiritually fulfilled.
My burden this morning is to ‘allow’ Jesus to fit, ..according to His plan. To allow Christ to work, as He is able and wants to. But we must first put away our own thinking and ideas about this, to allow Him to work. Bro Richard expressed though he has many scriptures prepared for this message, he is more acutely aware, how he must depend more on Christ to enable him to speak ..more from the heart. For there would be no way he would be able to bring them ‘all.’ He asked prayer that God would continue to direct, for the needs that are here this morning. ‘God only’ ..knows every heart, and every need. He knows how to ‘personally’ “fit” your needs, ..’If ’ you let Him. People too often look to the many choices of fleshly ideas,..(i.e. philosophies, opinions, clothes), etc., that is of their own personal “tastes,” ..that is, or isn’t, ..“them.” Then when a crisis “hits,” (health, ..family, etc.) they are then made more aware of what their true needs are. That is often when we are aware we must move out of the way, ..to allow Jesus to fill our need. It will not fit or fill the need, while in, and ‘of ’ the world. Only Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Again, you must first put away those ‘other ways’ to make room for Jesus to be your fulfilment. He is the need of the hour!
Our needs sometimes change, in the way that we do things. It often entails us rearranging our schedule for those needs. Our Bro Kincade from Menlo Park, is 85 and carrying a burden still, to deliver the message there of Jesus, to fulfill through Christ leading, ..the exhortation for other souls. So there has been a need for “others” to assist in that need, ..rearranging their schedule in this work of Christ.
You will find when Jesus fills your need, you will be regarded a little “strange,” and an “odd ball” to others. Yet really spiritually, you will be complete. Those that Jesus called, had found themselves, that they didn’t “fit,” ...until Christ claimed them. Today it is the same, we often will not “fit,” with the “world”, but relatively it doesn’t matter,..when Jesus fills that need.
John 11:4,15,17, 20-22, 32-36, 38-44 4 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. 21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. 33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled. 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. As exhorted here from the scriptures, Jesus even brought Lazarus back from the dead, fulfilling the need of that hour!
Another, ..came to Jesus about his daughter being very sick. As Jesus traveled to her, the daughter died. When Christ had finally arrived, He said “She’s not dead, only asleep,” while others laughed Him to scorn. Matthew 9:18, 23-26 18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
The devil wants us to be cynical, and ridiculing, when in the midst of our greatest needs. We must not allow ourselves to become ‘hardened” in our life’s way. We must beware of becoming cynical. The ones most cynical here, were not the parents, but those who should have had faith to meet the need of helps, ..that God would meet those needs. Beware that we never offer a negative comment, ..but be the one that can be a spiritual support and example.
Jesus is always there to fill the need, ..but God’s helpers will allow themselves to be used to fill in that gap, for that “fit.” The truth fits! Does our attitude and thankfulness fit? Does that which come out of our mouth ..fit? Does that which you are associated with, ..fit the need of being a help? Any hindrances need to be gotten out of the way, so our life can be a help, a true fit for the service of God! Sin does not fit with truth, ..in the life of a Christian walk.
John 8:34-36 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. Truly, truly for Christ to be a help, sin does not, will not, ..fit. It is not becoming to a Christian walk! You will not hear this message in most places of religion. You can’t be a “servant” of sin, ..and a servant of Jesus at the same time. Often they will say, “You can sin, and still have the life of Jesus.” But here, we see that all that sin, are the ‘servant’ of sin. Jesus said in another place... Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:21,24 Sin does not fit!
In yet another scripture, ..I John 3:8 ..He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. All that sin, ..are actually of the devil. When you forsake all for Jesus, you will no longer “fit” in the “world.” Sin will not fit, ..for Jesus to be able to “fit.” You will not be able to hear this message in most other places this morning. So this morning, you are in the right place! For too often they will tell you, ..”sin fits with Jesus,” or “you can keep your sin and still fit with Jesus.” No, sin only fits when after it is covered with the blood of Jesus, ..cleansing you from All of them. If you set your course with Jesus to be freed from all sin, ..you will find yourself not fitting well with “the world.”
The world has many ways or methods trying to “make things work or “fit,” for a family. Often you will see a man and woman with children going down the street as a family. The woman often is dressed to attract every other man to her, in tight, and revealing clothing. It doesn’t fit with those who are seeking to be true and faithful to one another! It will never work, ..it doesn’t fit, ..it is a lie. As a true marriage it will not continue to last that way. Likewise many married men of this world, lust after this one, and that one, also telling and enjoying “dirty” jokes. Not a God given “fit” for a family! A marriage founded in God’s word, is for “them” to leave all others, and for that two to be joined together as one flesh, serving Him. It will take Jesus Christ to make that actual “fit” possible, and to really work. Tell those of this world’s society that, ..and they will think of you as really strange,..weird. They often will say “Why don’t you dress, act, talk, etc., like the “world?” Or how come you don’t want to hear that dirty joke I had to share? Some people are doing strange things, and calling it family today. But how quickly they so often “fall apart.” You can’t avoid the loud blaring music in traffic by many, (played often when with their little children...their little minds being “fed” with all this). It doesn’t fit! Yet you will be easily criticized ..when playing your pleasant gospel music, in your car.
Jesus fits your needs, family, and hopes. He is The Answer! You will have to be willing to be “strange” to this world ...which are actually the ones that are spiritually crazy or insane. There is “a consequence of all this coming to our country” (acknowledged also even in an article from the internet which Bro Richard had read). And, ..it is happening all over. The bible also declares consequences. Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. The answer exclusively for those many needs,..is Jesus! If your not saved, ..trouble is ahead. This country cannot avoid it. There are being made predictions of a tsunami coming, and based on news pictures (Japan..for instance) devastation is coming. Most will need to head for higher ground. Too much of our structures are not made to endure one. There is one, ..coming.
The only answer we have is to make sure, our lives are fully fitted with Jesus Christ, in every way. He is the only answer. Often there are just some things we need to get out of our lives, that won’t fit. Those things will have to be forsaken, put out of your lives, ..there is no other answer. The popular entertainments, ungodly and violent living many are taken in with, ..will not prepare you for the future. You cannot expect to have real contentment in your soul, in those things. You cannot expect to establish true relationships based upon them. It just doesn’t fit.
So often people at work might expect you to join them for a few drinks after work, and some religious ones might respond in challenge, “All the people at my church do it, why shouldn’t I? You will just have to forsake that “lie” about Jesus (that you can be a sinning Christian) ..it just doesn’t fit. II Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. The “lie” makes no sense in light of God’s word, even though most of the world is going after it. It doesn’t matter if it comes from family, friends, or esteemed others espousing it. It just doesn’t fit. People going to church, having bitter attitudes, can’t get along, can’t forgive one another. It doesn’t fit. It is illogical, ..crazy.
Bro Richard shared that he knows about this from experience. He was raised in a church not teaching the deliverance from all sin, through Jesus. He did what many did, went to church, in the assumption of being a christian while still living a sinful life of bitterness, hatred,, ..which doesn’t fit with Jesus! Forgiveness just doesn’t fit with a bad attitude, ..nor can we claim we are forgiven while still carrying around a bad attitude. It will never work or fit. Your lack will be obvious to others when Christ doesn’t fit with your life.
I John 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. It doesn’t matter what the “world” says, ..their “own” will believe them. The newspaper, the web, other forms of media, ..in their craziness try to make meaningfulness ..out of selfishness. “I want,”..”let me do,” “don’t impose on me,” “I don’t want to have to help or sacrifice for other needs,” etc. What are you talking about? This doesn’t fit with Jesus! Me, me, me,,,selfishness, ..will never fit with Jesus Christ! So in order for us to fit, we are going to have to be different in actions, speech, etc., from the world. They often tell kids in school, “reach for the stars,” “be all you can be,” ...in other words be all ‘you want’ to be. The world hears and follows this. “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”
I John 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. The truth fits for every need! But you have to be in the right place, and with the right spirit, ..to fit.
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. “If” you love me keep my commandments. This fits really well! If you love someone you will be true and faithful to them. 'IF' you love them. The world will tell you that it is not possible to keep His commandments, and be faithful, ...All the time. But it is not “fitting” otherwise. Nothing between you and Him, ..No sin. Bro Richard testified he at one time did not know (like many others) that he could be purified from all sin, ..that his relationship with God could be ..whole. He did not know that he could actually “walk hand in hand with Jesus, in the same direction.” It ‘can’ be that way, ..and it is God’s truth and desire for it to be that way. The brother testified that it was approximately 30 years ago, at the age of 21, when he first found out the truth of how Jesus fits! But it can only happen when one becomes sorrowful of their sins, forsakes all those hindrances completely, ..so Jesus 'can' fit.
The brother referenced how on the web, in some online discussions of different individual's perceptions of the truth, ..error had been introduced to them. In their attempting to back up their contention, they are then led into more and more of seeking ideas that are not compatibly backed by scripture. Confusion. A true weariness in ‘wrestling” the scriptures, ..with the irrelevance. More and more error, that does not fit with Jesus. You don’t often hear about the gospel truth anymore (just compromised versions), because there is too much that doesn’t fit with people’s life’s choices.
If one will just start with repenting of and forsaking all sin, Jesus will fit, with all of His word being made complete to you. It will then make sense. In nominal religion you have to jump here, or there, in the scriptures to make it say what that false doctrine would have you believe. Often saying “that was for ‘then’,” “that doesn’t really apply to you,” or, “nobody can live that way,”..etc. They then have to “try” to make sense out of the word, they have to reinterpret this and that scripture, to make it “work”. The truth doesn’t need manipulation,..you don’t need to add or subtract from it.
Because of our humanity, our culture, etc., we must guard against “reading into” what The Word actually says. For it is not "just" for us, ..and nobody else. That does not fit! The gospel of Jesus is for all of different backgrounds. times, ages, languages, and nationalities! John 14: 16,17 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (How much we need the comforter today! As we covered in our class, this was a time of grief, for Christ was telling His disciples, “I will be going away”). 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. How much we need comfort, ..The Comforter fits every situation of your life! If He is not in you today, ...He can still fit your life, and is trying to “fit” your life. He is the very reason you are here this morning, ..even if you are not saved, for The Spirit wants to draw all men to Christ. He may not be in you, but He is with you, ..trying in His love and mercy to reach you. He cannot be yet in you ..when sin is still present within. He has many plans for our life, that would fit for our needs. Regardless of where you have been, ..and what you are now going through. The devil has so many reasons why the truth doesn’t fit, and he is a ...liar! It is his first lie against the truth. The truth, Jesus Christ, is exactly what you need, today, ..for your needs.
You must though, first, ..quit listening to the world. I John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Yes you’ll be different , ...yes, people won’t understand! You must “count the cost,” .to possess the ‘fit’ of the truth. Luke 14:28-30 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Why? Because this one did not ‘make plans’ for everything to “fit.” So if you’re going to serve God, you must plan and settle those things that you need to do, to “fit” with Jesus. Luke 14: 31-33 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. At this point “of peace,” ..you are to surrender. Here the enemy wins. That doesn’t fit. If you are going to serve God, you will have to “do battle.”
You will have though, the largest army, on your side! When you see the army of the enemy or “the world” of the bondages of sin, ..it is huge! As an example, delivering out of bondage the Israelites from the Egyptians was huge and no small effort! They had no weapons, no help of any kind that God did not provide. They had to leave everything behind, to leave their bondage. The same is true today. You must today also be willing to go with Jesus to battle, ..it must be settled for the cause of Christ. It doesn’t mean being carnal against people, but being willing to be different for Jesus. To ensure that you allow your self to be fit with the truth of Jesus Christ. It is necessary.
Again, John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. This is the part you have to settle in your heart. For many determine that they will serve God ..‘if’ this one ..or that one, ..will serve God with them. It won’t work that way! This is not to say, if they willingly choose also to follow Christ, ..it wouldn’t work. Of course it would! But, your decision to serve God.. cannot be contingent on them. John 16:12-15 12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. God’s Holy Spirit is truth,...He fits! When He comes He will guide you into all truth. He only fits with the truth. The spirit of truth will show the spirit of Christ in His fullness, ..and none of our flesh. If truly you have Him, the Spirit will bear witness, and not with selfish actions. The Spirit of God doesn’t 'just' fit, ...He fills! He is seeking to fit, .. in your life!
Bro Richard again testified that there was one place the Spirit of God dealt with him about one part of his life that needed to “fit” ..while still unsaved. The need to forgive. God dealt with him that if he wanted Jesus in his life, this also must fit. Again, the Spirit of God doesn’t just ‘want’ to fit, but to ..fill.. every part and purpose of our life! Is our life just a witness of the Spirit “trying” to fit, ..or actually 'filling' our life? ‘To fill’ means there needs to be that “daily” filling. Just because one is sanctified from the “old nature”, there is still the need to be filled often with His Spirit. The Spirit faithfully kept dealing with Bro Richard until he more fully came to repentance, ..for Jesus to fit in his life.
The brother also “shared” how he is having much work to do on his house to ready it for sale, fitting and refitting, etc. There have been some things not easy to fix, while some things were more compatible to fix. There are always some things that are more easily worked on, and other things that are not designed so easily, making necessary it being actually moved or changed, rather than it falling apart. For the incompatible, he had to modify the doors to make it work with the new cabinet hinges that needing replacing and would not be modified. He had first attempted to modify those hinges, without any success. He had to change that part that would move.
In the gospel, we also have to be willing to change with that part that moves. Jesus Christ is the door, that is designed to keep the things out that need to be kept out, and it is designed to open. Why? Because souls are needing help, ..in need to be let in and reached. We might think “We got the door, and it is nailed down..shut, and we are fine where where we are.” But the door of Jesus Christ is designed to move and open. Why? Because Jesus’ heart was open enough that He came down to earth and suffered much lowliness and conditions of much inconvenience and difficulties. He did it for lost and dying souls that He might reach them, ..and open His heart to them. We need that moving part in our life saints, ..and it takes the Spirit of God to do that. The brother had to also install new faucets. He pointed out after all that work is done, it is still not going to work of course, ..until we turn the water on. The Spirit of God wants to fill and flow through us. And it is fitting that it does. But we have to ask ourselves ..is there anything keeping it from fitting, ..and flowing?
Matthew 25th chapter; (Read all when you have a chance.) It seems that many apply this chapter primarily to the lost. But as Bro Richard studied this chapter (which has 3 different parables) it was noted that all of these parables were for the saved, ..the Church, ..that’s who He was dealing with and talking to. It speaks “to the thought of the gospel needing to fit, work, and continue to work in people’s lives. The first parable is a warning and exhortation to the Church, ..about Jesus Christ fitting and working through them properly. First He is talking about virgins. Virgins imply something that is pure and holy, ..the saved ..right? Five of them were wise, and five were foolish. It says they were all waiting in the right position and place, ..expecting the return of the Lord.
It isn’t talking necessarily about the final judgment of the Lord at all. It is talking about the marriage feast. Where the husband ..Jesus Christ..is married to the Bride. Does not that happen, ..right now? Is that not God’s intention for us to understand the scriptures that they are saved ...having understood them for awhile? They were all waiting and ready in their place, ..but some had not kept the flow going. Even though they were all in the right place, it very much applies to us, ..like right here. For not all were ready to go in. For some of them in this chapter, ..it was a very sad day when Jesus began to move amongst the people at the marriage feast. As it is now, ..when the marriage feast is the love relationship that should be producing children, ..which produces the growth of the family of God. But not everyone is ready for that to happen. Why? Because they have allowed other things to move into their lives. So the Spirit of God was not flowing anymore. It implies that their oil lamps had “run out.” Representing how now other things were filling their lives, time, ..and purpose. The flow could not be there for those not having trimmed their lamps. Their brightness had gone out, so when that special time of revival came, these were on the outside, ..in fact not able to enter in. While we have time,.. 'Is' the time.. to find out where that flow is. If the Spirit of God has not been flowing in your life, and has been trying to “fit,” and you have been arranging here, and there, rather than allowing Him to fill, ..the time is ‘Now!’ It doesn’t matter that you are already in the right position and place, ..so were they! It is important about place and position, but there is more to it than that! And it is very evident by this parable that this is not all there is to it.
In this chapter, ..in another parable, ..the kingdom of God was also likened to a man going to a far country who had delivered to his servants his goods. Giving them certain talents, ..precious gifts from God, to be put to use. The danger is when people become hardened to protecting their position in the gospel. Although part of what we do is to protect the gospel, that can not be all of it. If our lives have become focused on just that, we are likened 'to the one that buried his talent in the earth.' God did not give us those talent(s) to be hardened in our position, of “spiritual” self protection mode.
We are to be The ‘Conquering’ ..Church of God. One that is going forth, and bringing in an increase. Risky? Yes, there are risks and danger involved. But what happens, even in a literal sense, ..when one buries his money in a mattress? Inflation diminishes it’s value greatly over time! Just as that foolish servant who buried the talent the Lord had given him in the earth, ..and lost it all. You cannot keep and maintain your experience in the self protection mode, if that’s all you have. I’m not talking about being humanly self protective. I’m talking about the gospel! I am a defender and protector of the truth. That is certainly a part of it, ..but there is more to it than that. Again the danger of self protection here was ..he lost it all.
In the third and final parable in this chapter, Jesus talks about dividing the sheep from the goats. He is talking about that final time. The whole audience spoken about here, are those that have an expectation from God. Those who believe they are all saved. This is not an audience of those who knowingly are going hard after the wickedness and lust of this world, until the day they die. The audience here again, ..are people who expected to “enter in.” The fault He finds with them, is the Spirit of God is not flowing to others. We must have the Spirit of God to know that He is not just fitting in our lives, but that He is flowing through our life.
“I highly desire your prayers that God would always be able to work in that way here.” It should be of a concern 'when' it is not working this way. It is a danger that can happen right around the Church, ..in not allowing the Spirit to fit and work as God has intended it to.
The truth fits! How has the truth been fitting for you this morning? Is sin in the way?
