HOWARD BAPTIST FELLOWSHIP
Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages
Sermons by Evan Digby
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Howard Baptist 17/11/2024
It has been determined that there are about 60 major prophecies in the Old Testament that point to the Messiah, and his coming into the world. (and 270 minor prophecies)
It has been calculated that if 8 of these major prophecies came true by mere chance or coincidence, that would equate to 1 to the power of 17 (1 in 10 17), that is the number 1 with 17 zeros after it - 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000 or one in one hundred thousand trillion.
That is a massive number, yet not just 8, but 60 prophecies were fulfilled by Jesus Christ; Christ meaning the Messiah or Anointed One. The probability of 60 being fulfilled is much greater still. But with great importance also, is the fact that John the Baptist was also prophesied to come just before Jesus. This is an extraordinary prophecy, where two people were foretold would come, hundreds of years before they came, to arrive as a set - with their ministries complementing each other.
If the chances of one person fulfilling these many prophecies is immense, then the chances of two people coming in fulfillment of prophecy is vastly immense.
These prophecies were put into the Bible by God, to show that he is in control.
God who knows the future, wants to take control of your life, and your future as well.
When John the Baptist came, he would point to the Messiah, and in our reading today, we will see where Jesus also points to John the Baptist.
They were both sent to bring us to God. Malachi 3:1.
John the Baptist came, then Jesus Christ.
Luke Luke 7:24 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:
" `I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'
28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
" `We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.'
33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, `He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, `Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children."
One of the main prophecies that was given about Jesus and John from the book of Malachi, written about 400 years before John and Jesus came.
Malachi 3:1 "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.
This and all those prophecies that we discussed just before, they tell us that Jesus, the anointed one was coming, but why did Jesus come
Peter 1 Peter 3:18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. ---
Jesus came to bring us to God.
At the time of our reading, John the Baptist was in prison, and Jesus had just given to John’s disciples all that John would need to know, to prove that Jesus was the Messiah John was preparing the way for, as Jesus was fulfilling all the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah, in fact Jesus claims this prophecy for himself - it is important for us to be reminded of this.
Luke re Jesus Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
Look at that, Jesus claims this prophecy of the Messiah about himself!
In those days, there were false prophets and false messiahs in Isreal. So, Jesus did not just say that he was the Messiah, he presented himself in mighty and miraculous ways, that showed by his actions that he was the one that was foretold to come.
But Jesus also wanted to show the importance of John and his ministry.
Luke Luke 7:24 After John's messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written:
" `I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.'
Jesus states that the prophecy of John was fulfilled as well. Obviously, if John is the messenger, this forcefully implies the significance of Jesus' own role.
This is a double prophecy, foretelling of John the Baptist and Jesus the Messiah, Christ means the Messiah. Both were written about in the Old Testament which had not be added to for about 400 years.
Jesus emphasizes the strong and rugged man John was. He was not like a weak reed easily swayed by winds of opinion, and he wore rugged clothing as befitting a common man, not soft clothing as befits a person in a palace. He was a strong man with a strong message.
John did not perform miracles to attract attention, so his message was directly empowered by God. John 10:41.
A man driven by purpose to prepare the way for the Lord, whom Malachi states is the Lord Almighty himself.
Jesus asked his hearers, who had personally seen and heard John, whom they expected to see.
A soft weak man, a man of wealth and luxury? No, as Jesus said, they saw a prophet of strong character, who knew his role and purpose, sent to prepare the Jews for the Messiah to follow.
John’s role was convincing people to acknowledge their sin and wrong doing before God, so they would in advance be ready to receive the Messiah and his kingdom.
Jesus Luke 7:28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
Jesus gives us a powerful description of John as up to that time, there was no one of greater standing than him, as he was also subject of prophecy.
Just as Mary was seen to be greatly privileged and blessed in her role to bring the Messiah into the world.
Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
In a similar way to Mary, John the Baptist was greatly privileged and blessed in his role over all others before him, to be the forerunner of the Messiah into the world.
Peter tells us that all the Old Testament prophets looked forward to the time when the Messiah would come,
Peter 1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.
And that privilege for John, that announcing the Messiah fell on him.
But great as John was, it is greater to participate in the kingdom than to announce it.
Why? Because believers Christ are given a greater position and privilege. We are in the kingdom, whereas John was pointing to it.
Believers are clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. They are 'in Christ' and are therefore join heirs with the Son. We are sons of God! As believers we need to know how fortunate we are with the position and privilege God has given us in Christ.
But know that John will be in the kingdom, as in Luke 13:28 Jesus declares the prophets will be in the kingdom of God.
Luke Luke 7:29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other:
" `We played the flute for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.'
Initially Jesus had a good response from the people, Luke includes the unpopular tax collectors. What made them acknowledge that God’s way was right? Firstly, they had been baptized by John, then secondly they heard Jesus’ words.
Repentance followed by obeying Jesus, is what God wants for all of us.
1 Timothy 2:3-6.
But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected the testimony of John and Jesus.
Their ‘expertise’ was in twisting scripture to a religious understanding, not to the truth.
They wanted John and Jesus to join with them in their religious Judeo works doctrines.
Jesus likens them to children who become annoyed when others won't ‘play their game’.
game. Jesus and John, refused to "play their game" and so are the object of their childish taunts.
Jesus then further describes the critics of both John and himself,
Jesus Luke 7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, `He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, `Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners." ' 35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children."
They attack John and Jesus by saying that John has a demon, simply because he was not like a prophet they expected, they wanted someone like themselves. And Jesus they rebuked simply because he mixed with sinners.
Jesus mixed with sinners, but did not fellowship with them, there is a huge difference.
But similar to when Jesus states that a tree can be judged by it’s fruit.
Jesus declares that wisdom’s children are the followers of John, then of Jesus.
1 Timothy 3:4,5.
The changed lives, and godly living of their followers, are like the righteous children of a wise righteous parent.
John the Baptist and Jesus came to bring us to God. By repenting to God, then accepting God’s forgiveness, through Jesus Christ dying for our sins. John 3:16. Acts 3:19. 1 Peter 3:18. 1 John 1:2.
Message above; and embolden, underlining, and arrangement of Bible text by Evan Digby.
Taken from The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1973, 1978, by the International Bible Society.
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Howard Baptist Fellowship Messages
Sermons by Evan Digby
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Facebook notes for the Howard Baptist Church 08/01/2023
10.00 AM. Song – How Deep the Father’s Love
No matter what group you belong to - where there are people, there will be issues and problems along with friendships, fellowship and progress - the Church is no different.
There is no perfect church; I once read a quote that stated ‘There is no perfect church, if there is, it will become imperfect once I join it.’ Perhaps C.L.Lewis
We all have different backgrounds and experiences in life, and that guarantees that we will at times see things differently to someone else.
In some ways Christianity is easy compared to Churchianity! (a real word)
It would be great if church attenders all got along with no issues, but we are not robots - so along the journey, issues will arise within a church.
The apostle Paul was very aware of this, and his letter writing was largely based on giving encouragement and resolving problems within the churches. He was a busy man, and while he liked to visit the churches and personally meet with people, it was more practical for him to receive letters and write letters to the churches about whatever matters concerned them.
All of Paul’s letter writing was a good thing then and especially for us today, as we have the content of many of his letters, called epistles, and they have become New Testament books of the Bible.
We have gone through many of New Testament books in past years, and last year we progressed through Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians – where he addressed many major problems disrupting the church.
Carrying on from Paul’s concluding words to the Corinthians in his first letter to them, we will begin looking into his second letter 2 Corinthians, and over the next months, we will progress through the whole book as it in many ways follows on 1 Corinthians.
In this book we will see where Paul had a fruitful response to his letters, with some matters seemingly resolved, but other matters still needing attention.
What we will learn from Paul, is that the principles that applied to the church then, apply to the church today. And by going through a book of the Bible verse by verse, it is amazing what varied moral, historical and theological subjects that are covered - in context and application. It is called Systematic Expository Preaching, just as Paul’s letters were read to the congregation, so too we benefit as we go through what God’s has delivered to us.
Paul Colossians 4:16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
Acts 15:30 The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. 1 Thessalonians 5:27. 2 Thessalonians 3:14
We get the picture of Paul’s letters and other important letters being read out to the churches and share around and discussed - part by part, and section by section.
Today we look at Paul’s introduction to the church, as it is here that the writers would usual name themselves and establish their credibility to speak with authority.
2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Pause now -- Prayer – Praise to God - Nation, World, Coronavirus and Medical staff, our Missionaries and School Chaplains, Rain, and our local Communities.
Going forward in the Faith.
We can feel for Paul in those early days of the church, as he had many church matters that he
had to deal with, in addition to dealing with those in the church who were undermining his
authority, and also with physical persecution mainly from the Jews. Paul did however, have some trusted helpers to represent him where he could not attend himself.
Paul’s love for the churches, is very evident in his writing, he personally feels the issues that they are dealing with,
Paul 2 Corinthians 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
He was so concerned about the churches, that if he is not there physically with them, he is with them in spirit.
Paul 1 Corinthians 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? 3 Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present.
And in all his interaction with the churches, Paul’s principle was to build them up, not tear them down.
Paul 2 Corinthians 13:10 This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority--the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
And as Paul was concluding his 1 Corinthians letter, we read that his remedy to the friction and clashes in the church was doing everything in love.
Paul 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
Paul wrote this second letter to the Corinthians church while at Macedonia, in about AD 56.
We need to be reminded that what we call the books 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians were not Paul’s first and second letter to them, as in writing 1 Corinthians, Paul mentions having written to them beforehand, but that initial letter is lost to us.
Paul 1 Corinthians 5:9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-- 10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.
From this we know that there was a letter written by Paul to them before 1 Corinthians, and we know from this letter, that sexual immorality in Corinth was becoming a problem in the church, to the point of now directing them not eating with immoral church attenders! The corrupt values of the world were threatening to come into the church; as they do even today!
Also, in reading 2 Corinthians 2:4, 7:8-9, Paul refers to a stern letter that many scholars suggest was written by himself after 1 Corinthians, but before 2 Corinthians.
If so, this letter is also lost - so we can see that the letters we do have may be the second and fourth letters of the four letters Paul wrote to the Corinthians.
So, the New Testament books of 1 and 2 Corinthians are actually the two Corinthian letters that still exist and they were probably penned about 18 months apart.
The reason that Paul wrote this letter was mainly for pastoral reasons, to generally encourage the Corinthians in their walk with the Lord the matters of controversy and dispute he had written about in previous letters.
So, Paul writes to inform them of his forthcoming visit, and to express his great relief at the Corinthian’s positive response to his ‘severe letter’ that had been delivered and explained by Titus, and also to finalize their promised collection for the saints at Jerusalem before he visits. Other matters of importance are also contained in his letter such as Paul again establishing his credentials as an apostle, that was still being questioned by many.
It could well have been like the tall poppy syndrome, where some people didn’t like someone getting so much attention over themselves.
As in most of his letters, Paul begins by referring to himself as ‘an apostle’ of Christ Jesus. Although he was not one of the twelve chosen by Christ, here we see where he claimed equality with them. Paul here strongly declares his apostleship of Jesus Christ, and also by the will of God. He did this to without doubt give credibility and authority to himself and his letter. So right from the start, his letter has God’s authority and power upon it.
But what is an apostle? Some of us know, but it may need explaining for others.
The name apostle means ‘sent one’, meaning they were appointed and sent by Jesus to declare the truth and salvation of God. Three qualifications are required -
Firstly, to become an apostle, a person has to be commissioned by Jesus.
Mark 3:13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve--designating them apostles--that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.
We also later see that Paul was also commissioned by Jesus on the Damascus Road.
Saul Acts 26:15 "Then I asked, `Who are you, Lord?'
" `I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 16 `Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.
Secondly, to become an apostle, a person has to have witnessed the resurrected Jesus.
After Judas the traitor had died, he had to be replaced --
Peter Acts 1:21 Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection."
Paul also makes the claim that Jesus had appeared to him on the Damascus Road.
Paul 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Paul 1 Corinthians 15:7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
Paul was the final person to see the risen Lord, last of all he appeared to me, therefore no designated apostles came after him.
Thirdly, to become an apostle, a person has to be able to perform miraculous signs.
The early church Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
Paul 2 Corinthians 12:11 I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the "super-apostles," even though I am nothing. 12 The things that mark an apostle--signs, wonders and miracles--were done among you with great perseverance.
1 - be chosen by Jesus. 2 - have seen the risen Lord. 3 - perform signs, wonders and miracles.
It has been held over many centuries that apostleship ceased with the last of the original twelve apostles and Paul.
Paul Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
But there are some churches that believe that apostles exist today – for example the Apostolic Church, and there are some churches involved with NAR - New Apostolic Reformation who actually who want to revive apostleship - so it is important to realize that to become a designated apostle of Jesus Christ is not easily repeated.
In Paul’s introduction, we see he includes Timothy as a co-sender of the letter - Paul may have intended this to reinstate this timid young man in the eyes of the Corinthians, possibly after his limited success as Paul's representative at Corinth. Titus had replaced Timothy as Paul's chief representative to Corinth by the time this letter was written.
1 Timothy 4:12. 2 Timothy 1:7; 2:1
Then Paul addresses the Corinthian church, as the church of God in Corinth. He did not address them merely the church at Corinth.
Paul 2 Corinthians 1:1 ------ To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
Paul wanted the best for the church there, and regardless of their many issues, problems and imperfections - they were God’s church in Corinth. So even a struggling church is God’s church - God sees the potential in a church, where we may just see problems!
And Paul takes it even further, he addresses them as individuals along with all the believers in that area as saints.
To be a saint means that you are sanctified and made holy.
Again, God raises us higher than how we probably see ourselves or our churches. Believers in Christ are actually holy people. We are changed and are becoming Christlike everyday - so we are saints, this is how God sees you.
We are holy and we are described as being a temple of the Holy Spirit - as Paul tells us in
Paul 1 Corinthians 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? -----
The Holy Spirit will not reside in an unholy dwelling, so if you have the Holy Spirit, which all believers do, then you are holy person - believe it! 2 Corinthians 6:16. 7:1
The writer of Hebrews goes even further in seeing who we really are in Christ.
Hebrews 10:14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
And how did this happen? Three verses later we are told.
The Lord Hebrews 10:17 Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more."
We have been made holy through the forgiveness of our sins through the death and work of Jesus for our sins, from unholy we have been declared perfect in God’s sight and being made holy, more every day.
And this is where the next section of Paul’s introduction makes sense.
Paul 2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The basis of our forgiveness won for us by Jesus, is through God’s grace - his favour and mercy. Paul reminds his readers in the introduction of all his letters about God’s grace.
All saints in Christ know that our salvation is of God and through God - not of ourselves.
Knowing this we have what Paul declares is peace with God.
This word peace in Hebrew is shalom.
When we come to Jesus, we have our sins forgiven, we are made holy and we have peace and shalom with God. Truly we are saints.
Hymn. Amazing Grace
Message; and embolden, underlining, and arrangement of Bible text by Evan Digby.
Taken from The HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION © 1973, 1978, by the International Bible Society.
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