Calvary Chapel North Phoenix

The Joyful Sound

calvary-staff — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 22:06:15 +0000

THE JOYFUL SOUND

“Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!…Ps 89:15

Our world is full of sounds. We get up in the morning to an annoying alarm clock, screaming kids, or a dog sniffing your face. We get in our cars and turn on the radio to catch the latest news, music, or teaching. We go to sleep and the sounds of someone in the house snoring keep us up! Some noises are welcoming, others are annoying. But do we know the “joyful sound”? It is that sound of worship that rises in our hearts to the Lord and is expressed in singing. It is that outburst of joy over who He is and what He has done as we walk with Him. It is even that sound of silence as we sit in awe of this great God we serve. Joyful sounds are those that accompany worship to the Lord.

To “know the joyful sound” and be blessed, we must associate and acclimate ourselves to the tune. Hearing a joyful sound is one thing, participating in the joyful sound is another. Sometimes it means getting to know the worship songs our church is singing and joining in with the corporate worship. Other times it is echoing to our God the songs we find in His Word. (Ever wonder what tune David put the Psalms too? Make up one to the LORD.) Sometimes it is listening to His voice in silence that stirs our hearts with a joyous response. Other times it is joyously blessing, shouting, and adoring our LORD out loud. He is not embarrassed by how we sound. He is not offended if we are off key. He is worthy to hear our voices in praise to Him. He is blessed to hear our voices, and blessed when we listen to His.

The LORD created us to “declare His praises” (1 Pet. 2:9 ). Our joyful sound of worship becomes not only our duty, but our honor. The more we know the joyful sound of worship, the more blessed we are, and we are honored with the intimacy of our LORD.

Know the joyful sound of worship. Participate with the heavenly choir in singing His praises daily, or just bow in awe and silence with the angels at the throne of the Almighty God.

God bless,

Jesse Claycamp

The Christian’s Response to Evil

calvary-staff — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 21:07:50 +0000

1 Thessalonians 5:15

Introduction:

-Paul closes his first epistle to these brethren in Thessalonica with a series of 20 short exhortations

-as he encourages them to let God’s love rule every action of their lives, he touches upon an area that presents one of the most overwhelming challenges for any believer

-this challenge is true no matter how long we have known the Lord; what is that challenge?

-it is when someone, or some group of individuals, carry out an act, or acts, of evil against your person, your family, your community or your country

-how are we to deal with it? how are we to respond now as believers in Christ?

-we are given direct counsel in the New Testament on how we are to respond to these evils

-Jesus Christ speaks of it often as He speaks to His disciples as recorded in the gospels

-we see the believers live it out in the Book of Acts; and we hear much counsel in the Epistles on dealing with this hardship

-just how far or how literal do we take the words of Scripture in regard to how we respond to evil? are we ever to defend ourselves or our families against evil?

-what about standing against evil influences rising like a tsunami in our society?

-I would like to dissect verse 15 of ch. 5 of 1 Thessalonians into two parts: what we are commanded NOT to do, and what we are commanded TO do

-I want to go deeper than just the command, though; I want to explore why those commands are there

-I also want to touch upon our position as evangelical Christians in our society today and how we are to respond to the evil that is slowly creeping into our laws as a country

-at the close of our message this morning we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper, remembering that He is the One who has conquered all evil, and in Him we are more than conquerors

-read 1 Thes. 5:15 ; pray

I. See that No One Renders Evil for Evil

A. Payback

-here is a mandate presented by the Apostle Paul regarding those who do acts of evil against your person or your family

-the Thessalonian believers had experienced and endured much persecution for their faith in Christ Jesus over the past few years

-all the charges of being heretics or traitors to the Roman government were completely false and unfounded; yet the rumor mill spread like a California wild fire

-when unjust charges are brought against your person or your family, everything within you wants to naturally vindicate yourself

-but not only do we find the natural tendency to vindicate ourselves, we want to go further and really punish the person or persons who brought the evil

-it is right to be angry over an injustice that is committed against us; anger isn’t the core problem; it is what the anger drives us to do that can bring us into sin

-it is one thing to demand justice over an evil committed; it is altogether something different to purpose malicious attack and revenge

-when you come to the gospels, you find this counsel from the Lord Jesus:

Mat 5:38-48 NKJV “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ (39) But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. (40) If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. (41) And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. (42) Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. (43) “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ (44) But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, (45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (47) And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? (48) Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

-the overall counsel here from the Lord Jesus to His disciples is to put an end to retaliation and resentment in their hearts

-it dealt with the heart of the offended rather than the outward demand for revenge

-when the Mosaic Law gave the command, ‘Eye for an Eye…’, it was to limit vigilante justice and blood feuds

-but Jesus goes to a higher law for the believer: that of reflecting to the unbelieving, perishing world the heart of the Father in heaven toward them

-that becomes the core motive behind the heart and behavior of the believer

-obedience to Jesus’ counsel is only possible through the Holy Spirit of God; but there must first be a step of faith in that direction by a disciple of Jesus Christ

Pro 20:22 NKJV Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

Pro 24:29 NKJV Do not say, “I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”

B. Protection

-there is a difference between having a spirit of ‘payback with interest’ upon someone who does you evil, and standing in a position to defend yourself or your family

-this would even apply to your community or your country

-it is interesting to read Webster’s Dictionary of 1828 on the definition of evil; included in the definition are these notes:

E’VIL, n. Evil is natural or moral. Natural evil is anything which produces pain, distress, loss or calamity, or which in any way disturbs the peace, impairs the happiness, or destroys the perfection of natural beings.

Moral evil is any deviation of a moral agent from the rules of conduct prescribed to him by God, or by legitimate human authority; or it is any violation of the plain principles of justice and rectitude.

There are also evils called civil, which affect injuriously the peace or prosperity of a city or state; and political evils, which injure a nation, in its public capacity.

All wickedness, all crimes, all violations of law and right are moral evils. Diseases are natural evils, but they often proceed from moral evils.

-but even in that definition one must begin with a standard which can be defined as goodness; evil is in effect the absence of goodness, just as darkness is defined as the absence of light

-the Bible puts forth this truth: only God as good; His attributes are the definition of true moral goodness, not the nature of man

-so when someone comes and breaks into your house and threatens you with bodily harm, are you allowed as a Christian to defend your life, liberty and property?

-absolutely! But there is to be no room for revenge or vigilante justice outside of proper just laws of the land

Albert Barnes Notes on the Bible: “It may be right to defend our lives and the lives of our friends; to seek the protection of the law for our persons, reputation, or property, against those who would wrong us; to repel the assaults of calumniators and slanderers, but in no case should the motive be to do them wrong for the evil which they have done us.”

Rom 12:17-21 NKJV Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. (18) If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (19) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. (20) Therefore “IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.” (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

II. See that you Always Pursue What is Good

A. Reflecting the Heart of the Father

-there is a higher law by which we are to live as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ; that law is called the law of love

-but this love is not just any fond affection or human idea of love; it is love defined by God Himself; the Greek word is agape’, which is an unconditional love

-the Apostle Paul sought to describe that love

1Co 13:4-7 NLT Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (5) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. (6) It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. (7) Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

-this love is fully expressed through the sending of Jesus Christ from heaven

Rom 5:8 NKJV But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1Jn 4:9-11 NKJV In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. (10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (11) Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

-to reflect the heart of the Father to the surrounding world, you must first get to know Him on a personal basis; this is done through trusting Christ for salvation

-God’s main desire is not so much in the outcome of your works as it is in the process by which those works are produced

-this means that relationship with Him is primary to Him

-illustration: bringing an out-of-town best friend along with you when you do your errands or when you are relaxing in recreation

-building a relationship requires that you spend time with an individual, as well as the gradual opening up of those deeper areas of your soul in vulnerability

-trust is a vital element between friends; confidentiality is the fence to that trust

-Jesus is the express image of the Father; study Him in the gospels

-see how He deals with conflicts, challenges, awkward situations; when you see Him, you are seeing the Father’s heart

-how the Holy Spirit of God is poised to bring you and me into a deeper fellowship with the Father and the Son! but we must follow His commands

1Pe 2:21-25 NKJV For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (22) “WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH” [Is. 53]; (23) who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (24) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (25) For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

1Pe 3:8-17 NKJV Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; (9) not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (10) For “HE WHO WOULD LOVE LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. (11) LET HIM TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; LET HIM SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. (12) FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE ON THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN TO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.” [Ps. 34 ] (13) And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? (14) But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “AND DO NOT BE AFRAID OF THEIR THREATS, NOR BE TROUBLED.”[Is. 8] (15) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; (16) having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. (17) For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

B. Released Through Forgiveness

Mat 6:12 AMP And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven (left, remitted, and let go of the debts, and have given up resentment against) our debtors.

Mar 11:25 AMP And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.

-our forgiveness of others sins against us is based entirely upon what the Father has done for us in Christ

-forgiveness doesn’t mean that I pretend the offense never occurred; and it doesn’t require that you immediately trust the one who has committed the offense

-forgiveness doesn’t excuse the crime; but the ultimate justice must be entrusted into the hands of the Living God and the court of heaven

-it is right to be angry over the offense; but don’t let your anger, your hurt, your loss keep you from forgiving the person

-take your hands off their neck; only in this way can you ever hope to experience the fullness of the life God has waiting for you

-forgiveness is a process; but there must first be a sowing in faith to obedience to the counsel of God

-step out in faith and make a proclamation that you forgive that person or those people

-let the Holy Spirit flush out all the brine that has built up over the years

-remember what Jesus has paid to bring you into the privilege of forgiveness with God0

-Jesus has brought us out of spiritual and moral darkness into His marvelous light

-may we remember that He paid dearly for this gift of eternal life that we so cherish and partake of even this moment

COMMUNION

Wandering Away from Being Reliant Upon God

calvary-staff — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 02:42:20 +0000

1 Kings 15:16-34

Introduction:

I. The Testing of Asa, King of Judah vv. 16-24

A. Warfare Between Asa and Baasha (vv. 16-17)

(16) Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. (17) And Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

B. Wandering Away from Reliance Upon God (vv. 18-24)

(18) Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the treasuries of the king’s house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants. And King Asa sent them to Ben-Hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, (19) “Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a present of silver and gold. Come and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.” (20) So Ben-Hadad heeded King Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel. He attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maachah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali. (21) Now it happened, when Baasha heard it, that he stopped building Ramah, and remained in Tirzah. (22) Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted. And they took away the stones and timber of Ramah, which Baasha had used for building; and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah. (23) The rest of all the acts of Asa, all his might, all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet. (24) So Asa rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David his father. Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place.

II. Two Kings of Israel vv. 25-34

A. Nadab, King of Israel (vv. 25-32)

(25) Now Nadab the son of Jeroboam became king over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned over Israel two years. (26) And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin. (27) Then Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him. And Baasha killed him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, while Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon. (28) Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his place. (29) And it was so, when he became king, that he killed all the house of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according to the word of the LORD which He had spoken by His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, (30) because of the sins of Jeroboam, which he had sinned and by which he had made Israel sin, because of his provocation with which he had provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger. (31) Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? (32) And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

B. Baasha, King of Israel (vv. 33-34)

(33) In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah became king over all Israel in Tirzah, and reigned twenty-four years. (34) He did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin.

Opening Your Heart to New Opportunities

calvary-staff — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:33:20 +0000

We are entering the second half of 2008. Most of the economic stimulus checks have been sent. The money has been spent. The needs grow larger by the day.

The temptation is to hunker down, become self-oriented and fearful. No more steps of faith. Just hording everything you’ve got and hoping for the best.

Listen, God has a greater goal for life than that scenario. When a door seems to be shut in one direction, many times it is God’s way of redirection for us. We get so used to how we’ve done things in the past that we like the security of sameness.

But it is in times of change and restriction that God opens our heart to new opportunities. Instead of being fearful, He desires that we seek Him in freshness and newness. But it will require a step of faith and courage on our part.

Faith always involves an element of risk. If we focus on the potential failure of the endeavor, chances are that is where we will end up. Do we understand that God is more concerned with the process than with the production? Our best efforts fall short of the least that He can do with one wave of His hand!

During the second half of 2008, let’s all open our hearts to new opportunities to help others in any way we can. For some, this may be frequently calling a friend that you know is going through a difficult time and being an encouragement.

Maybe it’s deciding to finally attend that home fellowship and opening your life to others on a more personal level. Possibly it is making a commitment to deepen your devotional time with the Lord through the Psalms. For some of you it may be stepping up to minister to the young children at church through the Children’s Ministry on either Sunday morning or Wednesday night.

How about taking $5 or $10 out of your paycheck and setting it aside. Put it in your car and ask the Lord to bring to you an opportunity to use it to bless someone in need that He brings to you. Be pro-active in your faith. Don’t let the current economic news stifle your outlook on how God can use you and provide for you.
Open your heart to new opportunities the next six months and see what the Lord will do with that.

Practical Daily Living for the Believer - Part 1

calvary-staff — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:53:30 +0000

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Introduction:

-the last 27 verses of 1 Thessalonians 5 contain 20 practical exhortations for this young church

-all of these exhortations can be summed up in one word: love…love toward their overseers (including Paul and Timothy), love toward one another, and love toward God

-these are exhortations are encouragements; they are not rules by which to gauge one’s acceptance before God; when treat make them rules you focus on ‘the rule’ instead of why it’s there

-the Word of God is to lead you into a deep relationship with God Himself through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ; you cannot have a relationship with rules

-when a believer is daily living his or her life in the love of God, these encouragements will be found already in action

-they are checkpoints: are these qualities a regular practice of my daily life as a believer in Christ?

-I have grouped them into two sections: Expressions of Love vv. 12-22; Encouragement to the End vv. 23-28

-read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 ; pray

I. Expressions of Love vv. 12-22

A. Loving the Church Leaders vv. 12-13a

-to recognize and esteem very highly in love: these are two expressions of love from the congregation toward those who are leaders in the church

-both words work together; they are choices made on the part of the individual

-I wanted to have the elders of our church come up here with me so you can see and ‘recognize’ them, to get to know them and their heart toward the flock

-we have those elders who are actively serving on our church board right now: Rick Redpath, Bill Prevatt, and Pastor Pat Lazovich from CC of Sierra Vista

-we have Mike Means who is our Secretary/Treasurer here at Calvary, and also an elder and has served for many years on our church board

-Pastor Lane Sharman and Pastor Jesse Claycamp are elders who have served on our church board in previous years; and Don Hodges is an elder here who also has served on our church board in previous years

-prayer over the eldership

-there are three activities listed here that are among the responsibilities of those in leadership over a congregation: to labor among them, to oversee the flock, to admonish the flock

-the Greek word used here for labor means ‘to toil to the point of weariness’

-so often we think of toil in terms of digging ditches or laying down asphalt during an Arizona summer

-the context puts labor together with oversight and admonition; labor has to do with all that is involved with praying for the flock, counseling with those in need, encouraging those cast down, preparing the teachings of the Word, training up future leadership, taking care of ‘behind-the-scenes’ logistics, etc.

-being involved in active ministry roles for over 27 years I can tell you that there is so much that goes on behind the scenes in caring for the flock

-it has been said to me in jest, “It must be nice to just work three or four hours a week up there teaching, and have the rest of the time to play golf.”

-first of all I don’t play golf much; people ask me to join their group to make themselves look like a great player

-but secondly, the time that is spent sharing the word is the byproduct of hours of study and a lifelong experience of walking in the Lord

-an example is how preparations are made for a very special dinner for special guests; how much time and preparations would go into thinking through what to serve, how to cook it, having it hot and ready when dinner is scheduled, setting the table, etc.

-and then in a matter of a few minutes, the entire meal is devoured and all that is left is dirty dishes!

-the Greek word for taking oversight is used in the same way as a husband is to watch over and care for his family

-admonish simply means to warn about the dangers ahead and to confront sinful behaviors and attitudes; this is an expression of love, not a power trip

Heb 13:7 NKJV Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

Heb 13:17 NKJV Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

B. Loving the Brethren vv. 13b-15

-I put the last sentence of v. 13 into this next section although it does describe the security that can be found when overseers are walking in the fullness of their responsibilities before the Lord and before the flock

-there is a charge here to make a choice to be at peace among the brethren; why? Because God has called us to walk in unconditional love toward one another

-this love is to be the hallmark of any Christian body of believers

-the trouble is that conflict will occur; not everyone is walking in love or according to the leading of the Holy Spirit at all moments of the day

-that is where always being ready to take responsibility for your sinful attitudes and actions is so important

-there is a great need to ask forgiveness when you have sinned against someone else, and to be ready to forgive that person even though they have hurt you deeply

-‘Be at peace among yourselves’ is just as much of a choice to honor one another as being a member of the body of Christ as you would choose to honor an elder

-then Paul goes into some specifics in vv. 14-15

-‘warn those who are unruly’; the Greek word for unruly means not only one who has a contentious, rebellious spirit, but it includes the idea of laziness

-actually it is a word used to describe a soldier who doesn’t keep ranks

-what is the warning? If that person continues in the path he or she is going down, the fruit of it will be destruction in some way in their life

Gal 6:7-8 NKJV Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. (8) For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

-‘comfort the fainthearted’: fainthearted means to be ‘little of soul’; in other words, those who are so discouraged over life’s situations that they are ready to give up

-this is addressed to the congregation, not just the leadership

-‘uphold the weak’: this has to do with bearing one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ (love)

-‘be patient with all’: not everyone will be walking in the Spirit every moment of the day; when you find someone who is having difficulty and acting in a way that is in the flesh, don’t throw them under the bus and think that it’s not your problem

-take a look at how patient God has been with you over the years putting up with your crazy shenanigans and pipe dreams that were nothing more than pride and vanity

-finally, ‘see that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all’: this includes those in and outside the congregation, as well as those who are not believers

-these are all practical applications of God’s love in action among the congregation

(the rest of the chapter will be covered in our next study)