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First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, October 17, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “Many People … One Mission!” Acts 20:1-6 & Colossians 4:10-15 “Many People … One Mission!” That’s the title that I gave to my Meditation this morning. As you may remember, right after Easter this year, we launched a new sermon series in the Book of Acts. For a little bit over six months now, we have been following together the movement of Jesus of Nazareth and the expansion of His Kingdom. For me, it’s been a hope-filled journey because it reminds us of a God who is so actively working in the world. In Acts we are reminded of the power of the gospel. Over the course of our study in the Book of Acts we got to learn that when the gospel of Christ is faithfully proclaimed, it has the power to transform hearts and transform communities. I have been personally blessed by this study and I hope you feel the same. One of the things that deeply touched my heart and continues to inspire me in our study of Acts is how the Early Church collectively worked together to make it happen; to spread the message of Jesus. The message didn’t spread primarily by the professionals, but by the witness of the Body of Christ together. As we get to Luke’s account in Acts chapter 20, we are told that Paul is near the end of his life. In just a few months, Paul will be arrested in Jerusalem, get sent to Rome for trial, where he will spend the last two years of his life under a house arrest before he was executed in 64 AD. It’s typical for the New Testament writers to include “greetings” in their letters to individuals they met in places where the gospel had been proclaimed. The couple Scripture lessons I picked for this morning reflect this truth. Why? Have you ever asked yourself why all those names are mentioned in the NT letters? To tell you the truth, most of us would probably skip over those names. Most of us will not bother to read through them. They are hard to pronounce anyway. Right? Church, there must be a reason to include all those names in God’s Word. Why does the Bible mention Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus Trophimus, Mark, Barnabas, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, Nympha, and many others? Why all those names? I truly believe that there is a purpose behind throwing in all these personal names and information in the New Testament letters. As we consider this thought today, please allow me to suggest two reasons for the Holy Spirit’s emphasis on mentioning all those names. First: The Lord Keeps Record of our Sacrifices for the KingdomThis is a theme that we saw at least once when we looked at the life of Cornelius. In Acts 10, the Lord sent an angel in a vision to Cornelius, a God-fearing man, saying: “Cornelius, your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.” God takes note of our prayers and our sacrifices for the gospel. Our love to Jesus and our sacrifices for His Kingdom will not go unnoticed. In listing all those names in God’s Word, God not only honoring all those faithful followers of Jesus and rewarding their faithfulness, but also God wants to remind all of us today that our contributions to the Kingdom count. Our faithfulness today paves the way for the next generation to follow in the way of Christ. May we never underestimate our efforts today for the cause of the gospel. They are precious in God’s eyes. Second: God Uses Many People to Accomplish His PurposesBut there is a second reason why all these names are mentioned in the Scripture. God wants to remind us that He uses different people to accomplish one purpose. God uses young and old, rich and poor, males and females, Jews and Gentiles, educated and not very educated, gifted and not very gifted. There is a place for everyone in God’s vineyard. The harvest is great, but the workers are few. If you look at some of those final greetings in the Bible, you will see how God uses many people to accomplish one purpose. For example, in Colossians 4:11 Paul names three individuals: Aristarchus, Mark, and Justus. Paul describes them as “they have been a comfort to me.” In Colossians 4:12, Paul speaks of “Epaphras.” He says about him, “He is always wrestling in his prayers on your behalf, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in everything that God wills.” Paul continues his list by commending “Nympha” and how she showed hospitality by hosting the church in her house. There were others who financially supported the work. Friends, we are invited to collectively carryout the mission of Christ and to invest our talent, time, and treasure in the work of the gospel. Whatever your gift might be, God can use it. Our Nominating Committee has some vacancy to fill in. If you got a note from them, seriously consider it as an invitation from God Himself to engage in the work of the kingdom in a deeper level. And when you come across any of lists of names in the Bible, never pass too quickly through them because each one of them had a story to tell of the outworking of God’s grace in their lives. The story of God’s grace is not over yet. It will continue to unfold in the ministry and mission of the Church today. May we continue the good work the Lord began many centuries ago. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen!
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First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, October 10, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “When the Name of Christ Is Held in High Honor!” Acts 19:8-12 & 17 Acts chapter 19 takes us to the heart of Paul’s Third Missionary Trip. Paul’s third missionary journey took place in 53 AD and lasted for 3 years. The big portion of this missionary trip was spent in the city of Ephesus. For three years, Paul spoke boldly and argued persuasively about Jesus of Nazareth and the kingdom of God’s arrival in Him. This is the longest period of time Paul ever stayed in one mission field. You may be interested to know that during his house arrest in Rome in 61 AD, Paul wrote and sent 3 letters to the congregation in Ephesus: First Timothy, Second Timothy, and Ephesians. In Acts 19:17, the passage we are looking at this morning, Luke gives his summary of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Having seen lives transformed by the gospel, miracle done in the name of Jesus, Luke sums up and captures the ministry in Ephesus in these words: “When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.” In order to appreciate and understand the magnitude of this statement, we need to know how difficult it was to share the good news of Jesus in Ephesus. It was extremely difficult to be a follower of Jesus Christ in the pagan city of Ephesus. The story of planting the Church in Ephesus is a hope-filled story. There are many lessons we can learn today as we reflect on this story. Please allow me to underscore a single lesson this morning, but before I do that, Let’s first examine the city of Ephesus. The City of Ephesus Ephesus was the capital city in Asia Minor under the Roman Empire. During the days of the Romans, the city of Ephesus bore the title “the First and Greatest Metropolis of Asia.” Ephesus was the most populous city of the most prosperous province in the empire. The religious atmosphere in Ephesus was a tough one. As I mentioned earlier, to appreciate the early Christian community in Ephesus and their perseverance, we need to understand the culture in the city of Ephesus. Ephesus had one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world: the Temple of Artemis (also known as Diana). Artemis was worshipped as the fertility goddess among the Greeks and Romans. People from around the world came to worship the goddess Artemis. The Temple of Artemis was bigger than a football field and a half long and wider than a football field. It was wrapped with 127 massive pillars of marble. All the town worshipped at the temple. Given that Artemis was the goddess of fertility, hundreds of temple prostitutes both male and female were present at any given time. Many of the festivities celebrating Artemis ended in rampant sexual immorality. That was the environment. Think of the challenges faced by the early Christians who lived in Ephesus. But at the end of the day, this challenge really didn’t compare to the worship of the Emperor Domitian, which was also headquartered in Ephesus. Ephesus also hosted a temple to the emperor. Very few cities had those temples. In Ephesus, stood a temple to worship Domitian built on the highest place in town so that all could see. Domitian began his reign in 81 AD and immediately selected this place for people to worship him as god. On the plateau of the temple – where the temple actually stood – was a statue of Domitian that was held up by other statues. These were all the statues of all the gods of the empire holding Domitian up as the highest. For early Christians, that was a very intimidating sight, because Domitian, next to Nero, is one of the emperors that most brutally persecuted Christianity. It was here in Ephesus that Paul preached the gospel and planted a church. How did the followers of Jesus survive the culture of Ephesus? How can we maintain a strong spirituality, a closer walk with Jesus, in the midst of such a hostile culture? Here is an important key from Acts 19: Stick to the Body of Christ and grow daily. Stick to the Body of Christ and Grow up Daily in the Lord Here is the formula, the secret, to persevere and endure a pagan culture: stick to the Body of Christ and grow up in the Lord daily. This formula is based on Acts 19:9-10, “Paul took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.” Growing up in Christ is a daily process. It’s a journey. This journey is traveled with a like-minded community. This community is called the Body of Christ, the Church. Ephesus was a tough place to evangelize and to make disciples. That’s why the apostle Paul stayed in Ephesus three full years. Luke tells us that Paul gathered with the disciples “daily” in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Paul met daily with the followers of Jesus in Ephesus. They traveled this tough road together. They were fed God’s Word. They became an encouragement to each other. Someone said, “Come to Church every Sunday and come to Christ every day.” Friends, Paul’s experience in Ephesus reminds us of the importance of this gathering. It’s God’s way to build up our faith. May we never give up meeting together. May we never forsake the gathering of the saints. When such dedication and perseverance are found, “the name of the Lord Jesus will be held in high honor.” It will not be the name of Domitian whose statue was held up by all the gods of the empire; it’s the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. May we never lose sight of our mission to honor the name of our Savior. The 21st century American culture is as tough as the first century Ephesian’s culture. Yet, it happened back then and by God’s grace it can happen today. May it be so. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, October 3, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “Priscilla and Aquila: Real Followers … Real Impact!” Acts 18:1-4; Romans 16:3-5 There is a repeating pattern in the book of Acts that I believe deserves our attention. This pattern is repeated over and over again in the story of the Early Church. It’s hard to miss it! It goes like this: people invite people. People bless people. People help other people to encounter the love and the grace of Jesus. People share with people the good news of Jesus of Nazareth. We have to remember that for over 300 years, Christians didn’t have church buildings or designated worship or sacred places. The message of Christ didn’t spread through programs, committees, or any organized boards; rather, it spread primarily through dedicated followers of Jesus; it spread through the witness of the Body of Christ collectively. The message was shared everywhere: at homes, in the marketplace, and at workplaces. The gospel was proclaimed in season and out of season. Authentic Christians, real followers of Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit, impacted and transformed their communities. The couple I would like to introduce this morning is no exception. Aquila and Priscilla are two heroes whose lives had enormous impact on God’s kingdom. Who were Aquila and Priscilla? Luke tells us they come from Pontus “modern day Turkey”, a reminder on this World Communion Sunday that God’s Kingdom extends beyond our bounds. Much can be said about Aquila and Priscilla, but for the sake of our time today, I would like to underscore a single thought on this World Communion Sunday as we reflect on the lives of these two wonderful followers. Aquila and Priscilla and Mentoring Others The work of mentoring is a hard work. Nurturing others is not an easy job. The book of Acts tells us that Priscilla and Aquila were excellent in mentoring others. The more we read about Aquila and Priscilla, the more we get to know that they made room for others in their lives. Aquila and Priscilla were always ready to help others; to offer hospitality; to teach them the way of the Lord. In the book of Acts, Luke makes sure that we get it. In fact, the Biblical references about Aquila and Priscilla challenge our lives today in such a profound way. More than once, the Bible tells us that Aquila and Priscilla embraced others; they made room for others in their lives. Let us see what the Bible says about them and how they encourage us today to do the same.
Friends, people like Aquila and Priscilla leave a lasting impact on God’s Kingdom. Imagine the impression they left in Corinth, in Ephesus, and in Rome. We need more like Aquila and Priscilla in our Churches today, don’t we? We need people who are willing to listen, to help, to guide and to mentor. We need people whose houses are churches. We need people who open their hearts, homes, property – giving of themselves as unto the Lord. Tradition has it that Aquila and Priscilla eventually died in Ephesus as martyrs like Paul. Yet, their lives still speak to us today, even though they are dead. I wonder what legacy we are leaving behind. What will the next generation remember us with? May God help us to remember that real followers impact the world and leave a lasting mark on those around them. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, September 19, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “Making Known the Unknown God: Paul at the Areopagus!” Acts 17:22-31 Last week we talked about the Church in Berea and how they received the message of Christ with “great eagerness” and “examined the Scriptures every day” to see if what Paul said was true. This was a congregation that valued Scriptures; they saw it as something that deserved their attention. It merited their time and effort. Last week the Holy Spirit challenged us to not only receive the word with joy and excitement, but also to put the message into practice. At the end of our passage last week we saw the Jews from Thessalonica had followed Paul, Silas and Timothy to Berea and they agitated the crowds. As a result, Paul had to leave Berea while Silas and Timothy stayed there to continue the ministry. Luke captures this in Acts 17:14-15 as he says, “The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.” So that’s where we see Paul this morning. Alone in Athens waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him. Acts 17:16-20 give us this background: “While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” Athens was a city full of religions and philosophy. In Athens, Paul was taken to a meeting in “Areopagus”, which literally means “Mars Hill.” He is given the chance to share his faith. “Athenians,” Paul said in Acts 17:22, “I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” What a brilliant way to share the gospel! What is the story of the “unknown God?” In short, the story begins sometime in the sixth century before Christ, with the city of Athens was being devastated and decimated by a mysterious plague. When no explanation for the plague could be found, and no cure was in sight, the approach was to assume that one of the city’s many gods had been offended. The leaders of the city sought to determine which of the gods it was and then determine a way of appeasing that god. This was no easy task, since the city of Athens had literally hundreds of gods. When all efforts failed to discern which god had been offended, and which had brought the plague upon the city, an outside “consultant” was brought in from the Island of Cyprus, whose name was Epimenides. Epimenides concluded that it was none of the known gods of Athens which had been offended, but some, as yet, unknown god. An altar was erected where sacrifices were offered to this “unknown god” with the hope that the plague might stop. To the amazement of the Athenians, almost immediately, we are told, the plague began to subside. Paul’s task to preach the gospel to the people of Athens was not an easy job. Yet, he preached an awesome sermon. Please allow me to highlight two brief things as we look together at Paul’s sermon in Athens: First: Paul Preached a Personal and Accessible God At the heart of Paul’s sermon was a personal and approachable God. None of the hundreds of gods the Greeks worshipped was personal and approachable. The Greek gods didn’t live among humans; they lived on the top of high mountains. They separated themselves from mortals. In Acts 17:27-28 Paul said, “He is not far from each one of us. For ‘In him we live and move and have our being.” The God the Greeks didn’t know, the unknown God, was a very personal God. He knows us by name and cares about us individually. In contrast to the Epicurean and Stoics’ views of impersonal gods, Paul preached a very personal God. He proclaims that the God, the Creator of the universe, is personal and approachable in the Person of Jesus of Nazareth. The true God is both transcendent and immanent. In Christ, He dwelt among us. He is set apart from the world, but He is not detached from it. To use the words of German Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “He is the beyond in our midst.” Second: God is our Judge Paul ends his sermon at Areopagus by a reminder that God is our Judge. This is what Paul said in Acts 17:31, “God has set a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” The Stoics’ and many other Greek philosophers thought history was cyclical, going around in endless circles. But Paul proclaims that history is linear; it is going somewhere and will end in a grand climax when God will judge all nations and set the world right. The apostle Paul further declares that when a person hears about Jesus, when we hear the good news that Jesus Christ is the way to the heart of God, then we are put in a most responsible position. When we learn the truth about Jesus, we then have a responsibility before God to change our mind, to go on no longer acting as we did before; “to repent,” as Paul says in Acts 17. That is what repentance means – a change of mind. You are responsible to change your mind and lay hold of that which God has provided in Jesus Christ. Why should we do this? Because there is an inescapable day coming. God has fixed a day when He will judge the world. There is coming a day when every life will be evaluated. Friends, what are you going to do with the gospel today? What are you going to do with the truth the Lord revealing to you today? Many rejected the message that Paul delivered in Athens, but Luke records that some of the people became believers, including Dionysus, a member of the Areopagus council, and a woman named Damaris. The seed of the gospel had been planted, and God caused it to grow in Athens. What are you going to do with the gospel today? People respond to the gospel in one of three ways: rejection, reluctance, or reception. I pray that you will receive the gospel today with joy and readiness to repent, to change. Amen. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, September 12, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “Berea: A Scripture-Examining Church!” Psalm 11 9:97-104; Acts 17:10-12 Our journey in the book of Acts this morning takes us to Acts chapter 17. Today we will get to witness the work of the gospel in a place named Berea. Berea was located about 43 miles southwest of Thessalonica in the province of Macedonia. If you’re wondering if the city does exist today, in fact it does and it’s a small city known as “Veria” in northern Greece. The journey from Thessalonica to Berea would have taken two days on foot. Paul arrived in Berea and preached the gospel there after he had preached in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-10). The first part of Acts 17 gives us the account of Paul preaching the gospel to the Thessalonians. In Acts 17, therefore, we have before us two examples of how the message of truth is not only perceived, but how it is also received. Our Scripture passage this morning forces us to ask questions about our own willingness and our own eagerness to know the truth. Not only that, but it also invites us to examine our readiness to rearrange our lives according to our perception of the truth of the gospel. In Acts 17:11, Luke tells us, “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” The Bereans were better than, superior to, and more noble than the Thessalonians. The book of Acts invites us to compare the Bereans to the Thessalonians. Are we like the Thessalonians or like the Bereans? What makes a great Church? What makes a better congregation? What makes a good Christian? Two things that I would like to underscore this morning. The first has to do with the manner through which the Bereans received the Word; and the second has to do with the importance of putting the Word into practice. First: Receiving the Word How did the Bereans receive the gospel? Acts 17:11state, “they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” They received the message with great eagerness. No yawning on their part while Paul preached. No glancing at their watches wondering when he would be done. No planning of the day or the week or of Sunday dinner during the sermon. No day-dreaming or short attention spans. Like students eager to learn, they leaned forward in their seats. They listened. The probably took notes. They were attentive and quiet. But there is more. They not only received Paul’s message about Christ with great eagerness, but they also “examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” They thoroughly examined the Scriptures. In Greek, the word “examined” means “to investigate as in a court of law.” The Bereans were not casually handling the Word of God. They were seriously studying it. Just like a good lawyer takes the statements of witness and compares them to the facts of the case, so the Bereans took Paul’s message and compared it the Old Testament Scriptures. That type of study takes diligence and discipline. Everyday they came to hear Paul speak about Jesus. Not just once a week. Not just twice a week. But every day. They were eager listeners. They were every preacher’s dream congregation if you would say. Second: Putting the Word into Practice Luke continues to say these words in Acts 17:12, “As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.” I want you to notice that the work of the Bereans did not end with finding the truth, for Luke tells us in verse 12, “Many of them therefore believed.” So even if we become a church characterized by careful examination of the Scriptures, we need to take one more step. We must also be “doers of the word” as James1:22 reminds us. In James 1:22, the apostle James says that we “delude” ourselves if we stop short of doing what we believe. He continues to say that the one who does not do what the word says, “is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror, and after looking at himself and going away, immediately forgets what he looks like” James 1:23, 24. I once read of a Minister named Donald who came home from church a little sooner than usual, and so his wife inquired, “Donald, is that you? Is the sermon all done?” “No, no, honey,” he replied, “it is all said, but it has not yet begun to be done.” I implore you brothers and sisters not to leave undone what has been set before you this morning. Let us commit to examining daily what God says in His Word. And let us commit to being doers according to what we find therein. Friends, the Bereans saw Scripture as something that deserved their attention. It merited their time and effort. They examined it daily. They were not skimming; they were searching. They came to the Bible and kept coming back. I love the words of Psalm 119 “Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all day long … How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” Is there a frequency and consistency to your spiritual consumption? We will not make progress in godliness without persistence in God’s word. We will not make progress in godliness without putting into practice what we have been taught. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, September 5, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “About Midnight …!” Acts 16:25-34 As we get to Acts chapter 16, the Church of Jesus of Nazareth is about 20 years young. In less than 20 years, the Church reached north Africa, Asia Minor, and parts of Europe. The year is 49 AD and Paul decided to take his second missionary journey around the Mediterranean; a journey that took him 3 full years. According to the estimate of Professor William Barclay, the first missionary journey finished about five years before the events of Acts 16. I bet Paul was anxious to see for himself how the work of the Lord continued among these churches he founded five years before. So Paul and his fellow traveler, Silas, made it to the city of Philippi. Through the ministry of Paul and Silas, God did some wonderful things in Philippi including casting an evil spirit out of a slave girl. Paul and Silas were thrown into prison for what we today would probably call “disrupting the peace.” The two men were beaten, thrown in jail, put under close guard, and placed in the inner cell with their feet bound in stocks. It was not a pleasant situation for sure. So what do you do when you have been arrested, beaten, imprisoned, placed under guard, with your feet bound in stocks, for nothing more than preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ? What did Paul and Silas do as they suffer this injustice of being condemned without a trial, humiliated in public, abused, and injured, now bleeding and stiff-legged and cramped on the cold floor of the jail cell? Did they whine and complain shouting their angry cries of outrage? In Acts 16:25, Luke tells us, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” What do you do at midnight? What do you do when you feel the thickness and the weight of that midnight hour? What do you do when you feel that your life is a mess? What do we do when we find ourselves in that jail cell at midnight? We all have our own prisons. It doesn’t have to be in Philippi; it’s right here where you and I live. It could be the prison of fear and anxiety. It could be our prison of insecurity. It could be the prison of depression and loneliness. It could be the prison of doubt and disbelief. The account of Paul and Silas in the ancient prison of Philippi has always moved me and I believe it has so much to say to us today. Two ways this story speaks to us today: First: When Facing Midnight Hour, Turn to God The first thing that we see is that Paul and Silas turned to God. Acts 16:25 states, “About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns.” Don’t skip over this. This isn’t just some throwaway phrase. They were actually communing with the Father in heaven. From there prison cell, they were connecting with God. It would have been so easy for them to just complain and grumble, “Why? Why does God allow this to happen? We are His servants. This should not happen to us.” But instead, they said, “No, we need to speak with God.” The first thing they did is turn to God in prayer. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Praying and singing hymns to God.” Often times we become like the Jews exiled in Babylon who couldn’t worship and sing the songs of Zion in the land of their captivity. Listen to these words from Psalm 137:1-4, “By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” When facing midnight hour, turn to God. Remember His faithfulness. Pour out your heart before Him. Commune with Him. I love the words we use sometimes when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper “It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God.” But there is another important lesson and it has to do with the value of faithful companionship. Second: The Value of Faithful Companions When facing the midnight hour, it’s extremely important to have faithful companions. Paul and Silas are first mentioned together after the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15. In Acts 15:32, Silas is called a “prophet” who “said much to encourage and strengthen the believers” in Antioch. Silas himself was an encourager. After Paul and Barnabas parted ways, Paul chose Silas as a traveling companion, and they ministered together on the second missionary journey (Acts 15-18). Paul knew he would need some encouragement. For three years, they led a wonderful ministry together. They planted churches, encouraged believers, shared the good news of Christ with so many, and also endured so much together for Christ. From the Biblical record of Paul and Silas, we learn the value of faithful companions. The words of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 continue to prove true, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor … If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up … Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Their companionship is a model of how believers should relate to each other today. Friends, the Prophet Isaiah foresaw a time when God’s people will put on “a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” Isaiah 61:3. It may be a midnight hour in your life right now. It may be midnight for our world today. As followers of Christ, midnight hour is a time to turn to God. It’s not a time for weeping or crying; rather, it’s a time for praying. It’s a time for seeking strength, companionship, and deeper fellowship with God’s people, with the Body of Christ. Though we may still struggle with daunting challenges, and not see a way out, the invitation for us today is to turn anew to God and to learn how to lean on each other. “Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning,” says David in Psalm 30:5. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, August 29, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “God is Still in Control!” Acts 12:1-7 One of the foundations of the Christian faith is a certain belief in the sovereignty of God. We live in a world that seems in many ways to be out of control. There is a lot of frightening stuff happening in our personal lives, and all around us. Chaos, troubles, and unrest are everywhere. And yet we sing: “This is my Father’s world … Oh let me not forget … that though the wrong seems often so strong … God is the Ruler yet.” At the heart of the Christian faith is a firm belief in the sovereignty of God. Today we continue our journey in the book of Acts and we are going to look at another great story. The story has some valuable lessons, and, Lord willing, we will be unpacking a couple today. Today’s Scripture reminds us that God is still in control in our world and that He will work out His sovereign plan and will. Before we dig deeper into our story for this morning, I think a brief background would be helpful. In Acts 12:1, Luke tells us, “About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church.” “Herod” – was not a name; “Herod” was a title, like Pharoah. There are three Herods in the New Testament: Herod the Great, Herod Antipas, and Herod Agrippa. Herod the Great was the Herod that the magi appeared to when Jesus was born. That was the Herod who was responsible for executing all of the male infants in order to somehow eliminate the Baby born King, because he feared the competition. Herod Agrippa in Acts 12 was the grandson of Herod the Great. Herod Agrippa did what he could do to win the favor and the approval of the Jewish people especially the rulers like the Pharisees and the Sadducees. He did that by observing Jewish law and all Jewish holidays. This made him popular with the Jewish people. In order to advance his popularity, he had James arrested and killed. Acts 12:2-3 state, “He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the feast of Unleavened Bread.” Peter is arrested and put in prison waiting for his trial after the feast of Unleavened Bread is over. This was the third time that Peter was arrested. Herod was not going to make any mistakes in safeguarding Peter since had escaped prison before. So he had 16 soldiers guarding Peter in prison. More than likely two soldiers were shackled to Peter. What do you do when you find yourself between the rock and a hard place? Two lessons we can learn from the early Church: First: Be in Prayer When Facing TroublesIn Acts 12:5 Luke tells us, “While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.” When the church faced troubles and persecution, they turned to God. Herod had the power of the sword, but the church had the power of prayer, which is the only true power the powerless possess. When you find yourself in a crisis, how do you respond? When you are up against stuff in your life, then maybe all you can do is pray. I am sure we all have been there. That word “fervently” or “earnestly” in Greek is the same word that is used of Jesus when He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane that God might sustain Him and strengthen Him during that difficult time. It refers to the deep agony and anguish of the soul. And if you remember, as we read of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, it was so fervent that Jesus began to sweat blood. It was so intense, it was so urgent, it was so passionate, it was so involved and engaged. That’s how the people prayed. We should learn to pray more like that. Do you see that level of urgency and intensity in the church here as they prayed for Peter? Often times I asked myself: What do our prayers normally look like? Are they casual and passive, or are they fervent? This fervency in prayer, this crying out to God, this urgent intensity, this desperation to God, is the spirit with which we should pray. May be that’s something we need to work on. May be this is one aspect of our life together that we need to pay attention to. Second: Be Prepared for God to Answer When we pray, it’s important to be prepared for God to answer. So the church is over here praying. Peter is miraculously and supernaturally released from captivity. The church doesn’t know this has happened yet. Peter went to the house where many had assembled and were praying. Listen to what Luke says in Acts 12:13-16, “He knocked at the door of the outer gate, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer. She recognized Peter’s voice, and because of her joy, she did not open the gate but ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the outer gate. “You’re out of your mind!” they told her. But she kept insisting that it was true, and they said, “It’s his angel.” Peter, however, kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.” When we pray, we should be ready for God to answer. Even though the church had seen God work, they were still shocked when the knock came on the door. They were still amazed, like, “What?! Peter is alive?” In fact, they accused the servant girl of being out of her mind. God answers our prayers in many ways. The Church prayed for James, but God allowed his death. They prayed for Peter and God delivered him. When we pray we give it to God. We submit ourselves to His sovereign will trusting His goodness no matter what. Friends, God sill answers prayers. Why are we surprised when He shows up? God still keeps knocking on the door to provide. When we’re fearful and anxious, God comes and knocks on the door. He is always on time. He has been faithful in the past. He will always be faithful in the future. May we learn to rest in His promises. I like how Acts 12 concludes. Acts 12:23-24, state, “Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.” What a contrast! Herod thought he was in control, but it’s the Lord. People come and nations go, but the Word of God continues to spread and flourish. It always does and will until Jesus returns. Be comforted, God’s people. God sovereignly works His plan until the day comes when “every knee shall bow . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” Philippians 2:10-11. Amen. First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, August 22, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “Barnabas the Encourager!” Acts 4:36-37; 11:22-26 In our Scripture lessons this morning, we are introduced to a great man named Joseph. Joseph is better known by the name “Barnabas” which was given to him by the apostles in Acts 4:36. The name “Barnabas,” means “son of encouragement” or “son of exhortation.” We are told in Acts 4 that Joseph or Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus, an island in the Mediterranean Sea, about 80 miles off the coast of Israel. Barnabas was so encouraging to others that the apostles gave him a new name to fit that. The name “Barnabas” is very special because the word for “encouragement”, “exhortation”, or consolation” comes from the same root that is translated “Comforter”, which refers to the Holy Spirit several times in the gospel of John. It refers to one who comes alongside of another to offer help, support, and encouragement. Apparently, Barnabas had earned the reputation among the Church in Jerusalem, as one who was a helper and encourager of others. This morning, I would like to take some time to examine the life of Barnabas and see why he earned the name, “the son of encouragement.” As we do so, I want us to examine ourselves and see whether or not we too might be classified as encouragers. Two things to consider today: First: Every Christian Needs Encouragement Every Christian has a desperate need for active encouragement from other Christians. Barnabas was the man behind the scenes who encouraged great people to be all they could be. Let me give you two examples really quick. The first man Barnabas greatly encouraged was the apostle Paul. When Paul was first converted, Christians were afraid of him. He had been a brutal enemy of the Christian faith. He had arrested many and had even aided in their deaths. Christians in Jerusalem were fearful when he showed up after meeting Christ. Acts 9:26 says, “When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.” This was a very strange situation for Paul. He wanted to be their friend, but they were suspicious. The next verse provided the solution. Acts 9:27 says, “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the Apostles.” Barnabas took Paul right to the apostles and made it clear that Paul was truly converted and was a great messenger of the gospel. Barnabas went on to play a major role in Paul’s life. In Acts 11, the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to Antioch where many were coming to Christ. He led a great ministry in Antioch. He could have had all the glory of this great work, but Acts 11:25 says that he went to Tarsus to look for Paul. He brought him back to Antioch, and for a year they taught the faith to great numbers of people. Barnabas was the great encourager of Paul. Paul was back in his hometown of Tarsus when Barnabas came to him. Who knows what was going on in Paul’s mind at that time? Was he fading out of the picture? Was he going to settle down in his hometown and become a professor? We don’t know what his plans were. All we know is that Barnabas went and got him and took him into active ministry that changed his life and the rest of history. Barnabas never wrote one word of the New Testament, but he was the encourager of the man who wrote nearly half of the New Testament. I truly believe that Paul was Paul because of Barnabas. Let me give you another example. At the end of their year together in Antioch, Barnabas and Paul “returned to Jerusalem, taking with them John, who was also called Mark.” The young Mark later joined Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. Luke describes him as their “helper.” This was no trip for the fainthearted. Barnabas and Paul trekked 1400 miles planting churches across Asia Minor. They experienced opposition and persecution all along the way. In Lystra, for example, Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city, supposing he was dead. Early in this grueling journey, Mark dropped out and returned to Jerusalem. We don’t know why but we do know that Mark the “helper” wasn’t very helpful. In Paul’s eyes, Mark was a quitter. He was unreliable, and so he threw him under the bus. When Paul proposed to Barnabas a second missionary journey, they argued about what to do with Mark. Paul refused to take him because “he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.” But Barnabas, on the other hand, insisted on taking Mark with them. Paul and Barnabas “had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, while Paul chose Silas and left.” Once again, Barnabas the encourager had lived up to his name. Later on, Paul admits that Barnabas was right, and he had been wrong. In Philemon 1:24, Paul refers to Mark as his “fellow prisoner,” which means that Mark had later rejoined Paul’s team. Second: The Barnabas Challenge We are living in times when people desperately need encouragement. As followers of Christ, we are challenged to always encourage each other. It is our Christian duty to encourage each other. Encouragement means to come alongside to help, to make strong, to cheer on, to urge forward toward our Christian goal. I think every one of us can be an encourager like Barnabas. Today I am proposing to this church family what I called “The Barnabas Challenge!” You have to intentionally encourage people in a significant way and don’t let a week go by without being an encouragement to someone; write a note, send a card, make a phone call, give a gift, buy a meal, perform an act of kindness, give a second chance, forgive a debt, reach out to a hurting person. Friends, Barnabas made people feel big when they were feeling small, and he made them feel hopeful when they had failed. He kept people going who otherwise might have given up. To be an encourager is a great ministry in God’s eyes. I Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore, encourage one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.” Many of us would have quit long ago if someone hadn’t encouraged us to keep on going. One good word can go a long way. Be Barnabas to someone. May God help us all to be more like this encourager. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, August 15, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “Called by a New Name!” Acts 11:19-26 The book of Acts records the establishment of the Christian Church and the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem to Rome. As we get to Acts chapter 11, we shift gears; the focus is no longer on the church in Jerusalem, it’s on the movement of Jesus beyond Palestine. Persecution caused the disciples to be scattered. Some of those who were scattered found their way to Antioch, a major city in Syria that’s about 300 miles north of Jerusalem. Up to that point, the disciples who were scattered had only taught fellow Jews about the gospel; but in Antioch, Luke tells us in Acts 11:20, that some of them “began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.” This preaching resulted in many accepting the Christian faith and turning to the Lord. For the first time in the Christian history, we see a multicultural church. It is here in Antioch – where we find the first congregation made up of both Jews and Gentiles. It’s also here in Antioch that “the disciples were first called Christians.” In Acts 11:26, Luke says, “it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.” I personally find it fascinating to read the account of the Church at Antioch. It’s very special. It was the first congregation where Jews and Gentiles are seen together in church fellowship. Moreover, as we read Acts 11, 13, and 15, we get to know that Antioch became the new center of gospel activity and missionary enterprise. What does it mean that, in Antioch, “the disciples were first called Christians”? Some people suggested that the term “Christian” was a derogatory label used by the disciples’ enemies to single them out. Others suggested that the name reflected the lifestyle of the Christian community in Antioch. In other words, the believers in Antioch lived a Christ-centered life; they lived the ethics of Jesus Christ. In all cases, I believe that the name “Christian” is a God-given name. The Prophet Isaiah looked forward to that day when the Lord will give His people a new name. He wrote in Isaiah 62:2, “you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will bestow.” Writing to the Church in Pergamum, a congregation that endured so much persecution, John says these words in Revelation 2:17, “To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” Two ways to consider today the name “Christian”: the privilege and the responsibility. First: The Privilege of Bearing the Name of Christ Knowing that the name “Christian” was given by God Himself, we must realize that it is a very special name. We should consider it a privilege and an honor to bear the name of Christ. It is a reminder of our eternal connection with Christ. “My beloved is mine and I am his,” Song of Songs 2:16. The privilege of bearing the name of Christ is we are eternally connected to him. This bond with Christ becomes our hope and our anchor. The Heidelberg Catechism captured this in its first question. It reads, “Q. What is your only comfort in life and in death?” That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with his precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him.” Second: The Responsibility of Bearing the Name of Christ We should never take the term “Christian” lightly. Every privilege comes with a responsibility. With great privilege comes great responsibility. Since we bear the name of Christ, we must “walk in a manner worthy of the calling” (Ephesians 4:1). Many have watered down the term in such a way that it almost means nothing today. Unlike a lot of many who claim to be Christians today, the word “Christ” was constantly on the lips of the believers in Antioch that their neighbors called them Christians. I bet that the believers in Antioch were so focused on Christ so when those on the outside looked at them, they identified them with Jesus of Nazareth. How much we live up to our name? What Is Your Name?The Macedonian King, Alexander the Great, was a man who lived 300 years before Christ. He was one of the greatest military generals ever lived. At the age of 25, Alexander the Great established the largest empire the ancient world had ever seen. One day, Alexander held court in Nebuchadnezzar’s great palace in Babylon. He sat upon the great golden throne, pronouncing sentences for the crimes charged to his soldiers. His army’s commander brought in one soldier after another and read their crimes. No one could deliver them from Alexander’s severe judgments. Finally, the commander of his armies brought in a young Macedonian soldier and read aloud his crime: fleeing in the face of the enemy. This cowardice Alexander could not tolerate. But as he looked on this young soldier, Alexander’s countenance changed from stern to soft. Smiling, he said to the lad, “Son, what is your name?” The boy said softly, “Alexander.” The smile left the king’s face. He said, “What did you say?” The young man snapped to attention. “Alexander, sir.” The king turned crimson and shouted, “WHAT IS YOUR NAME?” The boy began to stammer and said, “Al Alex Alexander, sir.” The king burst out of his chair, grabbed the young man by the tunic, stared him in the face, then threw him on the ground and said, “Soldier, change your conduct or change your name!” I wonder if Christ would say the same to us. Friends, all of us have a new name from our Heavenly Father. What is that name? “Christian!” What a privilege to bear the name of Christ. And we need to live our lives in a manner worthy of that name. May we never forget that honor. In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen! First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood
21 E. Church Street Blackwood, NJ 08012 Sermon Notes (Sunday, August 8, 2021) Rev. Dr. Mouris A. Yousef, Pastor “A Gospel for All the Nations!” Acts 10:9-23 We are still in Acts chapter 10 which is certainly considered a fundamental turning point in the history of the early church. For the first time, Gentiles will be directly evangelized and admitted into full fellowship with Jewish Christians. As a result, the church will not remain just an offshoot of an ethnic religion (Judaism). It will become a universal body embracing people from every nation and race. Today’s Scripture is a reminder that the gospel of Christ is for all the nations. Luke makes every effort to show that this change in the church is the result of God’s will and guidance. It doesn’t come about through some human-devised program or vision. In Acts 10, Luke shows that God, through the Holy Spirit, is bringing the Gentiles and Jews together into His Body, the church. In order to appreciate what God has done in Christ and how He brough the two together, it might be helpful to know that the gospel of Christ, the message of Jesus of Nazareth, was God’s gift to a fallen and divided world. The ancient Greeks divided up the human race into two categories: Greeks and barbarians. Barbarians, the Greek thought, were inferior to the Greeks. The Jews also divided up the human race to Jews and Gentiles. Jewish literatures reflect a negative view of non-Jews, based on moral grounds rather than racial or other grounds. Gentiles were assumed to be morally deficient. Every morning, a Jew would say their morning prayers including these words, “Baruch atah adonai, eloheinu melech ha-olam, she-loh asani goy.” “Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe, who has not made me a gentile.” It was a big stretch for Peter to be asked to welcome Gentiles to fellowship of believers. Yes, he saw Jesus welcoming sinners, both Jews and Gentiles. He ate with them. He embarrassed them. He shared with them the love of God the Father. Peter knew all of this, but when the rubber hit the road, it was still difficult. He knew that Christ is a “light for revelation to the Gentiles”, yet it was still something that the early church wrestled with. Two things to consider as we examine Acts 10:9-23 this morning: First: God was Calling the Early Church to Go Deeper In Acts chapter 10 God was calling the church to go deeper. In fact, God was calling the church to understand the nature of the Christian message. There are times in our lives when God invites us to go deeper. There are times in our lives when God invites us to a new level of understanding and commitment. I don’t think up to this time, the disciples have fully grasped the universal nature of the gospel of Christ. Up to this time, the barrier between Jews and Gentiles has not been breached, though on several occasions it has been nudged. When the Samaritans and the Ethiopian eunuch were converted in Acts 8, I am sure that the issue of the church’s attitude to non-Jews came up. However, the controversy over the Gentiles is probably avoided only because the Ethiopian lives far away and the Samaritans probably fellowship among themselves in their own congregations. It wasn’t until Acts chapter 10 that the church needed to address this issue more seriously. But when God calls us to go deeper in our understanding of our identity and mission, He often sets the stage for this to happen. And that what we get to see in Acts 10. In Caesarea, Cornelius, a Gentile Roman soldier, is seeking God and is working hard to meet the apostle Peter. Thirty miles south, in Joppa, Peter temporary resides with Simon the tanner. To prepare Peter to go to Cornelius’ house, God gave him a vision of a sheet being lowered from heaven. In the sheet were all kinds of animals and insects and birds that the Old Testament forbade the Jews from eating. Peter was hungry, waiting for his lunch. A voice said, “Arise, Peter, kill and eat.” But Peter was shocked, as seen by his reply in Acts 10:14, “By no means Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.” So behind the scenes, God is orchestrating the events to bring these two men together in a way that shocked both of them by breaking down the wall of prejudice between them. Second: We are to Keep the Unity of the Church Christians are to keep the unity of the Church. We are to keep the unity of the local congregation as well as the Church universal. We didn’t create this unity. God did. In Christ, God brought us together and He desires to see us ONE in Spirit. We all come from different social, economic, and political backgrounds. Even our faith journey might be different. Yet, we are one in Christ. I love what Paul says in Ephesians 4:2-3, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” In a few minutes we will be closing our worship this morning with one of my most favorite hymns, “The Church’s One Foundation.” It is a reminder of the universal nature of the church as well as its unity at the same time. The second stanza states, “Elect from every nation, yet one over all the earth, her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth; one holy Name she blesses, partakes one holy food, and to one hope she presses, with every grace endued.” Friends, the 21st century American Christian landscape is not promising at all. In fact, it is very discouraging. Data is very scary. No denomination is exempt. Yet, I am hopeful today because God can create people where there is no people. 1 Peter 2:10 says, “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He called the church into being and He will continue to empower His elect until He comes again in glory. The story of the early church continues to speak to us today in such a powerful way. The gospel of Jesus of Nazareth will continue to transform lives and the Kingdom of Christ will continue to grow. The story is not finished yet. There is still more to it. Let’s continue to do our part as Peter did. Let’s keep the door open, let’s pave the way and follow where God leads. We may be perplexed by it as the story continues to unfold. Peter did as well as the early church, but it happened, and this should encourage us. British theologian, John Stott (1921-2011), says it so very well, “If God desires every knee to bow to Jesus and every tongue to confess him, so should we. We should be jealous for the honor of his name – troubled when it remains unknown, hurt when it is ignored, indignant when it is blasphemed, and all the time anxious and determined that it shall be given the honor and glory which are due to it.” And the church said, “Amen!” |
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