Sermons from Bethany ARP Church Benjamin Glaser

Good Morning!

This is the recorded sermon from Sunday night's Graduation service for May 16, 2021. 

The text was Romans 12:1-2.

Blessings in Christ, 

Someone who keeps their promises shows themselves to be trustworthy.

No human being can do that, only God can and in this passage of holy Scripture we see such a beautiful example of God winning the battle, but doing so in such a complete way as to cause Judah to not even have to lift a finger to bring an end to the threat of the three kingdoms. This exemplary example of the LORD's love for His people is a perfect illustration of what has happened to us and for us at the cross of Calvary.  The victory was and is won by Christ, and by Him alone. It can be hard for us to really come to grips with what this means, yet at the end of the day our praise of Him and thanksgiving in worship is a sign of our understanding of this great and wonderful work of salvation accomplished by our Redeemer.

Let us rest and trust in the LORD our God because He alone has kept His Word and has granted to us by the gift of faith a title to the victory itself. 

This portion of God's Word has many things to teach us, but two things are of a very important practical purpose. 

First, we see the presence of children in the worship of the Church. At Bethany we really believe that not only has God called all of the family to worship Him, infant through great-great grandma, but that children by virtue of their place in His covenantal promise through baptism have as much right to bring praise, as Psalm 8 so wonderfully notes, as any other member of the church. Christ reminds the disciples not to bar the children from being with Him, and this especially applies to His worship. 

Second, in the passage for this week Jehoshaphat gives a godly example of what fathers should do. Through leading by example in his seeking out for the LORD's help and heeding the words of God's prophet the king shows the people of God what should be expected of them in times of trial and tribulation. Placing oneself in the hands of Christ and understanding His blessing and grace is how others, especially kids, learn about why they should likewise trust in God's plan and promise. 

The role of fathers in the Christ's kingdom cannot be overstated. This is especially the case because we live in an era where fathers are both abandoning their responsibilities as well as being downplayed by the culture. Being the spiritual leader in the home is so important to the life of the family and when this role is abdicated real, spiritual famine usually follows. As noted one of the most important ways fathers can pattern godly behavior is by being in worship every week, and not just physically being present, but engaging in singing, prayer, and attention to the means of grace. 

Have a blessed week!

Some people find history pretty boring, others can't get enough of it, but regardless of how we feel about it there is one thing that is true: History matters. 

There is a truism that some people act like the world was created the day they were born. Part of growing up, maturing is understanding that we are but a part of a much larger reality. 

This is especially true for the Christian. We are what we are because of history. Of a particular event that we trust and know that actually happened as much as George Washington was a real person and the Battle of Midway was not a creation of Hollywood. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only reason there is a Christianity and it is central to all that we hold dear, and this historical truth and its application through the power of the Holy Spirit to the believer is what enables us to stand before the Lord our God and cry out to Him when trial and trouble appear and know that He not only hears our prayers, but is already working through His providence and His grace to work all things for His glory. 

In today's passage Jehoshaphat finds peace because of what he knows about what the LORD had accomplished for his fathers, the way God had redeemed Israel from bondage to slavery, and how God had called Abraham His friend. This knowledge of the way that the LORD keeps His promises to His people is also what brought assurance to Jesus Christ on the cross. As he cried out the opening verse of Psalm 22 He was reminding Himself and others of God's sure word and the way the LORD who never changes will never cease watching over His people even in the most difficult of circumstances. 

Christian be comforted by history. By the fact that Jesus Christ is the King of History, and not only that but of the present and the future as well. Place your faith and trust in the Rock that is higher than anything else, and the only person who has saved you from your sins, given you this new life in Him, and who alone has the power to help in times of trouble. 

The Unity of the Church is so important.

Making sure we are all on the same page, seeking the best for everyone in the community of faith, and that the household of God is lifting every part of the body up in prayer is how we can stand fast in the face of the enemies of God, especially that enemy which lives within us. 

In the passage this week we see the fruit of Jehoshaphat's campaign to teach the people of Judah to find their peace and comfort in the Word of the living God, and not just outwardly, but within their souls as well. This comes not by rash decision making, but by carefully preparing oneself to receive the blessings of the Lord in prayer. Building that foundation of faith enables you to stand fast when sin and temptation rear their ugly head. 

We also see in this portion of Holy Scripture an example of a Godly leader and father. Jehoshaphat leads by example and before telling everyone else to pray he himself calls out and seeks the ear of Jehovah in the knowledge that He is his hope. 

As we go about our business this week let us "set our hearts" on Christ and remember that we are not in this battle alone, but have brothers and sisters in Christ who love us and care for us. May we remember God's faithfulness in all things by His grace. 

In many ways discipleship is the work of repetition. It so often follows a pattern of: sin, repentance, growth, sin, repentance, growth, and on and on. 

This is what we are seeing in the life of Jehoshaphat. He had started out well, organizing Judah with an eye towards justice, yet when given the opportunity to "export" that justice to Israel he fell hard and sinned greatly before the LORD. 

In His blessed grace Jehovah had rescued the king of Judah from the consequences of his transgressions and brought him back to Jerusalem where he had spent time in reflection and the work of renewing his covenantal commitment to God through prayer, fasting, and "dwelling" in the face of the LORD. This seeking of God where He may be found is shown to be the merciful power that it is by what we see Jehoshaphat do in this passage.

Much like in chapter 19 at the beginning of his story the king is active in putting Godly judges in place, but there is a difference this time. He says that these judges are to, "...act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart." 

What this means in practical words is that these men given the responsibility of making sure that God's people are dealt with fairly and without partiality are to always remember that at the end of the day they are not working for Jehoshaphat, but Jehovah. This is to show them that in the Day of Judgment when they have to give an account for their labors God's Word and His Law will be the standard by which they will they themselves will be judged.

This teaching is meant to provide peace and comfort to the nation, as it is also meant to give the Church a word of solace, especially in a world where we do not know what will be "right" or "wrong" from day-to-day. The Christian has the knowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ has declared what is holy and righteous and good in His word, and that is what the Church must ground its teaching and its behavior. For the wisdom of our Savior is greater than anything the fickle mind of man could ever come up with, and it is the only way that Believers can know that which is honoring to God and that which brings glory to His name.