Fri 3/15/2024 9:31 AM

https://www.bible.com/events/49228310

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Untold Jesus Stories- The Secret Trip to Town

God’s timing is everything.

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in John 7:1-13

John 7:1-13

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Before we dive into chapter 7, we need to catch up to what’s happening in John’s gospel to get a clearer picture of the tension in the background of our teaching text.

Back in chapter 5, Jesus is at Jerusalem and heals a paralytic man by the pool of Bethesda. This was awesome, except that the religious leaders thought his timing was off, because he performed this miracle on the sabbath- a strict day of rest in their opinion.

This conflict grows to the point that in verse 16 we read that the Jewish leaders sought to Kill Jesus…

Chapter 6 records several miracles that Jesus did, and it also records a growing movement of rejection among the people, culminating in one of the most profoundly sad verses of scripture, verse 66, says: from this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

As we come into chapter 7 and 8, what has been a growing undercurrent of rejection is about to the boiling point, and Jesus knows it.

John 7:1-5

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

About 6 months has passes since the sabbath incident of Chapter 5, but as the time has passed, the tension had not. Jesus chose to stay away from Jerusalem, he knew there could be no more casual visits to the capital city.

Jesus’ brothers are basically daring him to go up to Jerusalem during one of the largest festivals of the year and do some of the mighty miracles he’s been doing in Galilee. They wanted him to go and prove something.

“Go on Jesus- we dare ya.”

But the underlying problem is revealed in verse 5- Jesus’ brothers didn’t really believe Jesus was the Messiah.

John 7:6-9

Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

Being double dog dared by his brothers didn’t bother Jesus. He wouldn’t be moved out of alignment with His fathers will at the insistence of anyone.

John 7:10

However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret.

Skeptics have used this small and obscure passage in an attempt to discredit Jesus by saying that he lied to his brothers. But there’s more to this story.

In Jesus answer to his brothers, he didn’t say he wasn’t ever going to the festival- he said he wasn’t going in their timing and in their way.

His brothers had a plan at best for popularity, at worst for his shaming. Either way, Jesus wasn’t going along with it.

His life is firmly ordered by the will of the Father. No pressure, taunting, or double dog daring was going to force his hand.

John 7:11-13

Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?” Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

Jesus went to the festival undercover, but he would not remain that way. About halfway through the feast Jesus began to teach in the temple.

This created quite a controversy. It’s that controversy that largely makes up the remainder of Chapters 7 and 8 culminating a life-or-death confrontation in verse 59. At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

The hour had not yet come for Jesus to be handed over to the Jewish leaders. This wasn’t Gods timing.

Just a few months later, Jesus would make the journey up to Jerusalem again. Palm Sunday, the triumphal entry, marks this final approach for Jesus. The hour had come.

As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane he said “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. And from the cross, Jesus declared “It is finished.” Jesus literally lived and died by the Fathers perfect timing.

Friends, do you trust Gods timing like that? Are you willing to wait until Gods timing is fulfilled before you take the next step? Even when its hard?

That’s what it is to follow after Jesus- to trust him with everything, especially the timing of our lives.

Today, what would it look like or you to set your life to the time of the Heavenly Father?

His timing is always perfect.

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!

Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

http://bible.com/events/49224452

Church of the Nazarene – Harrisonburg

The Untold Jesus Stories- The Rich Fish

From the coin to the cross, God always provides.

Today we begin a new teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Matthew 17:24-27.

Matthew 17:24-27

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

What in the world is the ‘temple tax’?

At the annual census, every Jewish male over the age of 20 was instructed to give a 2 drachma offering in order to support the temple.

Jesus is making a very practical point here. If the temple tax is to support the temple, and the temple represented God’s house, then Jesus reminds Peter that He himself has no obligation to pay the tax. Thus Jesus says, “the children are exempt.”

Jesus wants to make it clear to Peter that He doesn’t have to do this.

“But so that we may not cause offense”

Jesus responds not because he has to, but because his heart is to not cause offense.

“Of course Jesus didn’t have to pay the Temple Tax – He didn’t have to do anything but the will of His father. But he paid it anyway, being sure to pay it in a way that made clear that He was indeed the Son of God.”

-Jesus Bible

Throughout this series, we will seek to ask, “what does this story mean to us today?”

In order to understand the specific meaning of this story, we have to go back to the purpose of the ‘temple tax’ in the Old Testament.

Exodus 30:13-14, 16

Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the Lord. All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord. Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.”

This idea of a ‘tax’ was originally instituted as a reminder to the people of the atonement for their lives.

God had rescued them from slavery and offered them redemption and hope. Every year, when they gave this specific money, it was a reminder of atonement.

Back in Matthew 17, we can consider the implications of what Jesus is saying in a new light: “‘the children are exempt”.

There is a remarkable foreshadowing occurring as He makes that statement and then pays the tax, yes the amount that is owed for him, but also that which Peter owes.

Jesus pays the ransom for Peter here, quite literally. And so too there is a moment coming in the very near future when Jesus would pay the ultimate ransom for all.

Do you believe that God always provides?

The Bottom Line:

From the coin to the cross, God always provides.

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

https://www.bible.com/events/49224585

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Untold Jesus Stories- The Rich Fish

This is no ordinary fishing excursion. This is a miracle of God’s provision

Today we continue our teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in Matthew 17:24-27

Matthew 17:24-27

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Chapter 17 begins with the story of the Transfiguration, where Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up onto the mountain and Jesus’ appearance is literally transfigured right before their eyes.

After they come down from this mountaintop experience, they encounter a demon possessed boy- and Jesus miraculously heals him.

As chapter 17 unfolds, the cross is in view.

Matthew 17:24

After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”

The Tax in question was a religious tax collected from the people for the upkeep of the temple. It stems all the way back to the time of Moses in the book of Exodus.

Without thinking much about his answer, Peter affirms that Jesus would in fact pay that tax.

Matthew 17:25-26

“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.

The temple was His father’s House, as the son- He was exempt from paying the tax.

Jesus as the Son of God, Messiah of his people, was absolutely free from the duty of paying the temple tax and all those who followed him shared in that exemption. But Peter already said they would pay, right? So, what now?

Matthew 17:27

“But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Scholars believe that the coin spit out by the fish as a Roman Stater. That means that that single coin was worth enough to pay for two peoples temple tax. In this miracle, Jesus provides for himself, AND for Peter.

This gives a prophetic and pointed picture that very soon on the cross Jesus would the ultimate price that His children could go free. But for now, this coin will do.

Jesus sets all of this in motion, miraculously puts a coin in a fishes mouth, will put the fish on Peter’s hook, sends this rough and tuff seaworthy guy to do the work- all to pay a tax they didn’t really owe.

Jesus is willing to do all of this miraculous work, he’s willing to send Peter out to the lake to do it- all so that they won’t cause an offense to the Jewish temple leaders.

The Greek word used here in verse 27 for “cause offense” is “skandalizo”. It carries the idea of offending someone or causing them to stumble. To put a snare or a trap in someone’s way. It can also mean to entice someone to sin or to fall away

To be sure, there were plenty of times that Jesus in declaring the truth about who he was as the Son of God, offended lots of religious leaders.

But that was over a foundational truth of his identity and mission. This tax was not worth it. His kingdom work was far more valuable in these moments than a silly coin.

What does that say about how WE should live our lives?

If Jesus was willing to do the miraculous, should we at least be willing to do the ordinary not to cause offense?

As we conclude today, I want to focus on the area of God’s provision.

We see Jesus’ power and ability to do things we cannot conceive or imagine to provide for his children.

Friends, just like our teaching text, God still provides miraculously for his people.

Will you seek him for the provision you need in your life today?

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!

Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving

The power of prayer and praise

We shouldn’t allow circumstances determine when we pray or when we praise, and we should be serious about serving the Lord.

”After this, the Moabites, and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord. Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ ” Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice. Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berakah, where they praised the Lord. This is why it is called the Valley of Berakah to this day.“

2 Chronicles 20:1-26

”I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.“

Psalms 34:1

”No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.“

Hebrews 12:11

”And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.“

Romans 8:28

Christ didn’t die to make you happy but he died to make you holy. -Chuck Colson

”You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!“

Isaiah 26:3

”But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”“

Psalms 50:23

”Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.“

Hebrews 13:15

https://www.bible.com/events/49221868

Church of the Nazarene – East Rock

The Untold Jesus Stories- That you would believe

There is a difference in belief about Jesus, and believing in Him as Lord and savior.

Today we begin a new teaching series called “The Untold Jesus Stories.”

Throughout this series we will be looking into stories that are not, literally “untold,” but some of the lesser known or lesser understood accounts that we find in the gospels.

This series will simply focus on some stories that perhaps we haven’t paused to consider very often before.

Paul wrote to Timothy with the instruction: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Our “untold” or lesser-known story today is found in John 20:30-31

John 20:30-31

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus has been crucified, buried, and resurrected and is now appearing to his disciples in his resurrected and glorious body. After the famous appearing to “Doubting” Thomas and in turn, Thomas’ declaration of Jesus as Lord, we find this seemingly obscure little note.

After these two verses, John goes on to finish telling the story of the disciples going back to Galilee to fish. That’s where Jesus asks Peter 3 times if he loves him. Then Jesus commissions Peter into ministry with the simple words “Feed my sheep.”

With such an amazing story before and after these two verses, it’s easy to see why we read right by it. But why did John add this in? Why did he think it was important to interrupt the story with these two almost throwaway verses?

John 20:30

Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.

It’s generally recognize that John has included 7 specific signs in his gospel.

John has captured these amazing stories of Jesus. Displays of his supernatural power, of his Lordship, and His authority over death. These weren’t just magic tricks to draw a crowd, these signs literally revealed who Jesus really was. The messiah savior, the Son of God.

In our text today, John says: “Look, there’s a lot more than this, folks. Jesus did MANY more things which I haven’t recorded here.”

John 20:31

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

This little obscure verse at the end of Johns letter makes it perfectly clear why he wrote- That we might believe in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, and know eternal life.

John doesn’t say “I have written these things so that you may believe Jesus was 5’ 11” with olive skin, brown hair, and dark brown eyes.”

John didn’t say: “I wrote so that you would have the historical facts you need to debate your atheist co-workers.” “I wrote these things so that you would have the perfect theology and be able to debate with the church down the street about who is right.” John didn’t even say “I wrote so that you would believe Jesus exists.” No… that’s not it.

He very specifically states that he wrote down these signs and stories so that we would believe in Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.

There is a difference between a knowledge or awareness of Jesus, and a belief in Jesus as Messiah and Lord. And the difference is a matter of life and death.

Mark 6:2-6

When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

People that knew all the facts about Jesus, had heard the stories about his miracles, his teaching, they faced a choice- Would they move from knowing about him, as the boy next door, James and Joseph’s brother- would they be willing to move beyond knowing about him to embracing him as their Lord and savior? Would they receive Jesus as their Messiah, their savior, and Lord?

Scripture says: And they took offense at him.

Because they were unwilling to receive Jesus as Lord, they missed out on the blessing and life that he offered.

Friends, to receive the Life Jesus came to give, to receive the life that John wrote about- we must believe in Jesus as LORD.

That’s the belief John is talking about in our primary text. Nothing less than that.

Do you believe in Jesus? Not facts about him, not stories, not theologies, do you believe that He alone is Lord of your life?

You have a choice today.

You can go on knowing about Jesus and miss it.

Or

You can go on knowing him as your Lord and Savior, experiencing life in Jesus.

The apostle John says, “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Are you experiencing life in Jesus? Are you ready to go from knowing about him- to knowing him as Lord?

Updates on the new Waynesboro campus

God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!

Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.

Waynesboro

Giving at COTN

If you ever have questions or need help with online giving, please let us know: finance@cotnaz.org Thank you for your partnership in building the Kingdom of Christ as you impact others!

Giving