Sermon for 10/21/07

Explore our opportunities for...

Sermon for 10/21/07
(First time visitors: Please read the notes HERE about these sermons first!)

CHRIST ESTEEM: A New Life of Praising and Rejoicing!

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, AMEN

Main Theme: This is the 7^th and last in a series that explores a movement in modern psychology that is infiltrating the church: the concept of self-esteem. Last week we explored how we stay joined to Jesus by setting our mind on what the Spirit desires, (not “self”). This week we are again called to “deny self”, and respond by 1) reaffirming that Christ lives in us, 2) confessing our failures to love as He does, and 3) trusting in Jesus to produce love within us! When the world throws its worst at us, do not have a pity party, but sing praise to Christ, turning away from self and towards Christ who brings us peace in the midst of adversity! The key for broken people living in a broken world is to “get out of the way” and “trust” in Christ to produce the right results in you. Reject self – receive and trust in Christ! It is not easy giving up on “self”, but you learn to be content in all things when you conclude that Jesus is the only source of peace and joy! The choice between “self-esteem” and “Christ-esteem” will open the door to frustration or to fruit!

1) I HOPE YOU DIE! I hope you die. (Pause) Initially, that may seem like a shocking statement coming from a pastor who claims to love you, IF it were not received in the context of this sermon series theme. See I not only hope you die, I pray you die – to self! Why? Because over the past 6 weeks; we’ve learned it is not until we deny self, drown the old Adam within us daily, that Christ can provide us with a new life! It is not until we turn away from ourselves, that Christ is able to grow within us and provide us with inner peace, contentment and joy! And I want you to have those blessings! So I pray with all my heart that you and I will confess our broken nature and die daily in our baptism, and rise again from our knees a “new creature” in Christ! I pray the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to the truth: that “we do not have a problem, WE ARE THE PROBLEM”. And so I pray that you and I die daily having recognized that we will not find true life in “Self-esteem” but in “Christ-esteem!” Strange as it sounds, I hope you die – and rise again daily in Christ!

2) NEW LIFE! If you are still not convinced after 6 weeks of looking at scriptures, that modern psychology’s “self-esteem” movement is vehemently opposite of what the scriptures teach, I encourage you to visit our website (ASLCAUBURN.COM) and reread, study, and pray over this sermon series. Because… until you grasp this main Christian theme – you will continue to try and manage your own life, build up self, and reap the frustration and failure that comes from trying to perform God’s role in the universe! Despite claiming a “new identity” in Christ, we are handicapped daily if we do not claim the “new life” Christ so eagerly wants to give us! But it is a new life that opposes any form of self-esteem! Instead, this new life comes after we confess; 1) the reality of our brokenness, AND… 2) the reality that we are also forgiven and righteous “in Christ”, and therefore seated in the heavenly places! “In Christ” we are more than conquerors! We can do all things through Jesus Christ! If we trust in His Holy Word and promises, we move from frustration and failure to a new life of peace and joy, even in the midst of a “chaotic world!”

3) HOW MUCH JOY? How much joy is there in your life? I ask, because I am quite concerned over the lack of it in some Christian’s lives. Why? Because I know that what the scriptures say is true: Our joy in all situations is directly in proportion to our faith in the Word and promises of God! I wish I had a dollar for every time I have heard a Christian reflect upon the tough times in their past, and say “When I see how well God worked everything out, I was foolish to be so worried and miserable!” One old hymn writer expressed it when he wrote “Oh what peace we often forfeit…” Luther said, “You have as much laughter as you have faith!” Later he said, “We can mark our lack of faith by our joy; for our joy must necessarily be as great as our faith.” The truth is, when “self” is elevated, when self is focused upon – frustration, worry, and a whole host of negative results come our way! But when we “deny self” and ask Christ to come in and help us “walk in the Spirit” – we have joy! Again I ask you, “How much joy is there in your life?”

4) REJOICE/PRAISE/THANK! Because we are weak and He is strong… because we are finite and He is infinite… because we are limited in our powers and thinking and God is all wise and all powerful… nothing is impossible for Christ! He showed that on the cross when His actions resulted in our salvation – something we could never accomplish on our own. So, should not our attitude of faith be an attitude of joyful praise and worship? Paul tells us “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1^st Thess. 5:18) Paul knew that God has declared that all circumstances work out for good to those who love Him and are called for His purposes. Do we believe that? Well, how much rejoicing and giving of thanks do you have in your life right now? …because rejoicing and praise are the faithful responses of the Christian who has died to self and opened their heart to the Spirit. In Ephesians we read, (5:18-20). “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Are you filled with the Spirit, …or self? Would your friends say you hold constant pity-parties …or do they see a life filled with rejoicing, praise, and thanksgiving despite your circumstances?

5) SINGING SONGS! The Word of God makes it clear that singing songs and choruses of praise is a vital ingredient in “walking in the Spirit” and abiding in Christ. Martin Luther thought very highly of “music and singing” in the life of a Christian; placing it second to theology in importance. He wrote a great deal on the positive effect of singing songs of praise and worship: “When sadness comes to you and threatens to gain the upper hand, then say; Come, I must play our Lord Christ a song on the organ for Scripture teaches me that He loves to hear joyful song and stringed instruments. And strike the keys with a will, and sing out until the thoughts disappear… If the devil returns and suggests cares of sad thoughts, then defend yourself with a will and say: Get out, devil, I must now sing, and play to my Lord Christ.” Singing songs and praising God with music describes a Christian who abides in Christ!

6) FOCUS? Now regardless of what instrument you play, or whether you sing or hum, (aloud or silently in your own mind), or if you listen to a tape of hymns or praise music – when you do any of this, the focus is on who? Jesus! ..and not self! Even if you are “up to your elbows in alligators” and don’t feel like singing, playing, or listening to choruses of praise – do it anyway! You will be amazed at how giving up on trying to handle the problem by yourself and focusing on Christ will change your demeanor, decrease your stress, wash away your worry – because it reminds you – Christ can do what I cannot! When we “let go and let God” by praising Him in music and song, then anger, fear, bitterness, lust, envy, depression… all give way to the joyful sounds of praise and worship. Next to focusing on God’s Word, praise and worship directs our focus away from self and toward Christ – bringing us the benefits of trusting in and leaning on Him; inner peace, joy, and contentment.

7) CONTENTMENT! Contentment! Wow – there’s a rare trait we all wish for! Of course contentment comes easy …when life is easy. But when the sins of others affect you negatively, when plans go wrong, when circumstances are suddenly beyond control; joy and contentment are hard to find. Abide in “self”, and they fade away, but abide in Christ – and they quickly return! I think of Paul and Silas who were beaten and thrown in jail at Philippi (even though they had done nothing wrong). What would you do in that situation? What would you be feeling? Well, instead of whining about the unfairness of it all – they began singing hymns and psalms of praise. By doing so they retained their peace of mind, their joy, and their emotional stability in the midst of a negative situation. They “Let Go and let God!” They used music and praise to help them focus on God – not self! Hence, Paul wrote “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength”. (Philippians 4:11-13) Contentment comes through continuous praise and thanksgiving!

8) CONTROL BY SINGING! Your car breaks down, it’s late, you’re alone, and it’s been a rough day. You can 1) get out, rant and rave, kick the car, and have a pity party, or 2) do what friend of mine does – she starts singing hymns. She’s learned a valuable lesson: The situations we encounter daily are not within our control. What IS within our control is the manner in which we respond to our circumstances. Focus on self; you deal with frustration and anger or depression. Respond by focusing on Christ through His Word or singing; and you find inner peace even in the midst of adversity. Remembering God’s Word, or singing praises, stirs up the Holy Spirit in the midst of negative situations! Due to what Christ is able to do in us, we retain our peace of mind, our joy, and our emotional stability!

9) PITY OR BLESSINGS! There was a pastor who took communion to an elderly woman named Martha. Despite having a wheel chair, her life filled with blessings; a great husband, a lovely house, wonderful children, friends, and yet… she was filled with self-pity. After years of listening to her monologue of gloom and doom, the pastor gently interrupted her, took a gulp and bravely chose to speak the truth in love. “Martha, I don’t really think my visits are doing you any good. I share God’s promises with you, and the sacraments – but nothing changes. I cannot understand how you can be so filled with self-pity when you have so many blessings! Martha I think your life would be so much happier if you would thank God for His many blessings rather than always complaining.” Martha was quiet, and the tension was thick as he excused himself and went home. Needless to say, when her husband came to see him several days later, the pastor prepared himself to catch some criticism. Instead, he said, “Pastor Why didn’t you tell Martha that months ago?!” And he told him about how Martha was making every effort to change. Her eyes were opened, the choice was hers to make; focus on self and have a pity-party, or focus on Christ and find joy and contentment.

10) MISERABLE! Friends, the scriptures informs us that with God’s help we can reject thoughts of self-pity, and believe and confess the Bible’s truth about God’s love, forgiveness, power, and protecting care. It might be very revealing if we asked our friends to honestly convey whether they think we are happy or not. If they hesitate, or don’t know how to answer… I suspect we might want to ponder on whether we are focused more on our self, …or Christ! See, there is a warped sense of enjoyment associated with being miserable and having other people know you are miserable. The old Adam within us can become a comfortable friend.

11) SELF OR CHRIST! A previous beloved secretary, Lee Champagne, told me (when I was new here) that my sermons were going to disturb some folks! When I asked her why, she said, “Through your sermons God is instructing us to get our minds off “self” and on Christ instead, and you’ll find not everyone is ready to receive that. We have some life-time complainers and pity-party participants who feel they have a right to be filled with worry, frustration, anger, fear, bitterness and self-pity. And the last thing they want to hear is the Word expressed so clearly that it begins to stir up the Holy Spirit!” Her wise words were very prophetic, and in the years to follow I saw that bitterness and self-pity is indeed, a very human response to a broken world. And if we abide in self, nothing will change. But if the Holy Spirit helps us abide in Christ, turning away from self, we begin to live a life filled with peace, joy, and contentment, as we praise and worship Christ who lives within us!

12) THE LAW? STOP! Sometimes I am almost scared to teach the 10 Commandments to new Christians, because of the natural human response the Commandments evoke. While it is important to declare God’s will for their life through the law, I fear that they will try to take action by rushing off to change their behavior and live a Godly life through their own efforts and will power. While it is important for the law of God to convict us and open our eyes to our sinful nature, the temptation to work hard and earn God’s love is an attribute of the Old Adam within us. Wanting to respond to God’s love with love, we ask “What should I do?” And the answer confuses us – “Nothing! Let Jesus do it!” The Christ who gave you your new identity will do within you what you cannot do yourself! Trust in that promise! Stop resisting His grace! Stop trying to build this new life on your own! Stop saving yourself and just be! Only those acts that proceed from a faith He builds within us are acceptable to God! Lee Watchman once described what it meant to give up our own strength and efforts and instead trust Christ in us to produce the proper results. The secret to living the Godly life is…

“We refuse to act; we depend on Him to do so, and then we enter fully and joyfully into the action HE initiates. It is not passivity; it is the most active life, trusting the Lord like that; drawing life from Him, taking Him to be our very life, letting Him live His life in us as we go forth in His name.” (Lee Watchman)

13) GET OUT OF THE WAY! Remember, the Holy Spirit is a gentleman, and will not force Himself upon us. In the area of living the Christian life we are instructed to simply “get out of the way”. Don Matzat once wrote “The key in all this is to get out of the way and trust the life of Christ in you to produce results.” And he goes on to encourage us to reaffirm the fact that in our baptism we put on Christ, to confess our failure to love others, and trust Jesus to produce love in us! Do we? Can you and I honestly look at our hearts, accuse ourselves, and be willing to detach from ourselves by asking Jesus to take complete control? Can we take our eyes off ourselves and focus on Jesus? Because if we get out of the way, we will experience the love, purpose, and power of Christ, and the new life of Jesus!

14) THE TRUTH! Friends, I’ll bet you know someone, or maybe you’ve experienced for yourself, what it means to be told all your life that “You can never do anything right. You will never amount to anything.” And I know what modern psychology wants to tell these folks; that they are a valuable person and they should develop a healthy self-esteem, a positive self-image. And I have been tempted to tell them that very thing my self! But it’s not the truth! We’re Adam’s children – sinners, and will be until we die! The next time someone comes to us and says, “I feel like I can’t do anything right; that I am worthless!” What if we stopped trying to build their self-esteem and told the truth. “Well you feel worthless, because you are broken – and worthless - just like the rest of us!”

15) giving up on yourself! Then we could explain; “We’re children of Adam, sinful by nature, and powerless to fix ourselves. But have you ever thought that maybe the key to true happiness is found in “giving up on yourself?” If we stopped and faced the reality about who we are; weak and frail and helpless – then might we be ready to accept an alternative life in Jesus Christ? Instead of abiding in “self”, what if we let Christ, the Creator of the Universe, abide in us! Because God says that when you open yourself to His Spirit, He can do in you what you cannot do for yourself! If we let Him empower us to stop focusing on “us”, (so that we can detach from ourselves), letting the old Adam within us drown in the waters of our baptism - then we can live a new life as Jesus Christ dwells within us! And He provides life and peace, (not found in the illusion and trap of “self-esteem.”) Let’s stop trying to save “self” from dieing – let self go! Let’s give up on ourselves and let Christ bring us a new life!

16) CHRIST! Friends, someone once wrote “I am not what I ought to be, and I am not what I am going to be, but praise God, I am not what I used to be!” In order for those words to truly reflect our life we have to willing to detach from self, and turn to Christ! Any victories (past, present, or future) are due to His working in us – not from our own efforts. God calls you and me to abide in Christ and receive the new life He has granted to us! Never settle or get comfortable with the old Adam within you – but ask the Spirit to help you give up on yourselves, and turn instead to Jesus! So, I hope and pray you will die – to self! Because human pride will only keep you from what you truly long for: peace, joy, contentment! Christ will bring it to you! So down with self-esteem and up with Christ-esteem!

17) THE SOLUTION! So… when temptation, self pity, and other forms of brokenness present itself, direct your consciousness to Jesus; 1) reaffirm that through your baptism Christ now dwells within you, 2) confess your inability to love other people as you should, and then 3) trust in Jesus to produce love in you! You are the problem – Jesus is the solution: so let us pray that God would empower us to get off ourselves and direct our hearts and minds to Him! May the Spirit stir up praise and thanksgiving within you, and convince you today that the person of Jesus Christ, your Lord and Savior, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, your Holy friend who stays closer to you than a brother or sister, …He is the only answer and solution to finding happiness! Receive Him now and discover your true personal identity and new life! Praise God! AMEN!

Sermon/Confessional Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we confess it is hard for us to admit that we are the problem. Our pride tells us it is up to us to fix ourselves and find happiness, and too often we have listened. We admittedly fear giving up on self, and sometimes find it difficult to trust your promises to bring us a new and better life. Help us to surrender the Old Adam within us into your hands daily, and come dwell within us – that we might have true life, and have it abundantly.

Lord, we confess the circumstances of our broken lives, often cause us to have pity-parties, as we focus upon ourselves. Forgive us, and when self-pity, fear, and other negative emotions threaten to overwhelm us, send your Spirit to lift our head up to look at you, hear your Word, sing your praises, and give thanks for all our blessings! Teach us to give up on self-esteem, and lean always on Christ-esteem!

And now Lord, although you know us better than we know ourselves, listen as we share in a moment of silence, those other parts of our lives that need to be forgiven, washed clean, healed, and recommitted to you! (made anew.)

(Silence)

Lord, thank you for helping us see that true freedom comes from being able to face and confess our brokenness and self-centered ways. Thank you for not leaving us to suffer in our guilt and shame, but providing us with a new life as you abide in us. Come dwell within! It is in your Name We Pray. AMEN

Assurance of Forgiveness:

Friends, listen to the good news: The Lord, who empowers you to sing and praise even in a broken world, …that Lord has mercifully heard your confession and eagerly forgives you all your sins. Go now, and never again try to build up your self-esteem. Instead find the better life, the Spirit filled life, the life of peace, joy, and contentment in Christ-esteem! AMEN

Opening prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you this morning in all forms and degrees of brokenness, to this blessed hospital, where we know your divine care and powerful healing awaits us! We bring wounded bodies, minds, and spirits that have been roughed up this week by a broken world, knowing your compassionate hands and loving Spirit will renew us and lift us up! Our ears long to hear again your Words of wisdom and hope, our hearts seek to be filled again with your Holy Spirit! Our eyes wait to be opened to your divine will for our lives. Our burdens of sin and self-centeredness wait to be washed away by your purifying forgiveness. Our sense of aloneness awaits the blessings of your presence, and the fellowship of this sacred family! Embrace us, renew us, and empower us to love one another as You have loved us! As we rejoice and praise your name this morning, transform our hearts, minds, souls, that we may set “self” aside and become your hands, feet, and voice to a lost and hurting world in need! Touch us, that we may touch others with the Holy love that brings new life! In Jesus name we pray, AMEN!

Return to Sermon Index & Intro Page