Sermon: The foremost compensation (Matt 19:29)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Compensation (Matt 19:29)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Whether contemplating what you will do next week, next month, or next year, it is generally good to plan ahead. This is certainly true for retirement.

Now that they were retired, Jack and Jill were discussing various aspects of their future, including how they would get by on their fixed income. "What will you do if I die before you do?" Jack asked Jill. After some thought, she said that she'd probably look for a house-sharing situation with three other single or widowed women who might be a little younger than her, since she was still active for her age. Then Jill asked Jack, "What will you do if I die first?" He replied... "Probably the same thing."

While it is good to plan for retirement, it is better to plan for eternity, and one thing you will not have to worry about is how to get by, because the pension plan is out of this world.

Sermon: The foremost competition (Heb 12:1-2)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Competition (Heb 12:1-2)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

When you need to make progress in a particular direction, it is often helpful to have incentive, a goal set before you.

A young lion was chasing a hunter but did not catch him, which caused the older lions to make fun of him. "Well," said the young lion, "you have to remember, I was running for my supper...he was running for his life!"

When you need to make progress in a particular direction, it is often helpful to have incentive, a goal set before you. That is what the author of Hebrews does for his readers. He describes the goal before them, as he explains The Foremost Competition.

In the mid-first century, after Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, the believing Jewish community has to sort through different views about him. Is he the pivotal figure in the divine program that some claim, or does he actually fall a bit lower in the cosmic hierarchy, somewhere below angels, even below Moses and Aaron? The author of Hebrews addresses this issue by stressing the messiah's supremacy in many areas, including over angels, Moses, and Aaron. He also says to his readers that they will meet Jesus one day, and he describes their movement toward that goal as...

XIX. The Foremost Competition¹

...which is how believers make...

• The progress (performance, push) toward God (Heb 12:1-2)

Please turn to...

Heb 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Sermon: The foremost combination (1 Tim 6:6-7)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Combination (1 Tim 6:6-7)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

How do you gauge success? ...The main determinant is usually whether a particular action produces the desired result.

A man received a strongly worded "second notice" that his taxes were overdue. Hurrying to the collector's office, he paid his bill, apologizing that he had overlooked the first notice. "Oh" confided the collector with a smile, "we don't send out first notices.... We've found that second notices are more effective."

Not all employees are so keenly focused on success. Some do the bare minimum needed to get by. They exist in their job but do not excel at it, which is often how people approach life in general.

While some people are content to drift through life, taking whatever comes their way, and others, with even less ambition, allow themselves to fall farther and farther behind, a few are not satisfied with the status quo and strive to improve their situation. This drive to achieve something better can be manifest in different areas, although it usually relates to the belief that more or bigger is better. For example...

• Finances, making more money
• Possessions, acquiring more or better things,
• Education, increasing one's knowledge or learning a new skill
• Career, climbing the corporate ladder
• Family, having more kids or seeing them in more prominent roles
• Friends, accumulating more contacts on Facebook or Twitter

Often a person's success in this endeavor also determines his sense of self-worth. Accomplishment justifies his existence, at least in his own mind, confirming that he is not a failure.

Sermon: The foremost communication (Eph 6:18)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Communication (Eph 6:18)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

As Christians, we know that prayer is important, because it is one of the ways God enables us to make contact with Him, and it is a powerful tool in realizing the good things He has planned for us.

"Anyone with needs to be prayed over, come to the front at the altar," the preacher announced. Leroy got in line and, when it was his turn, the preacher asked, "Leroy, what do you want me to pray about for you." Leroy said, "I need you to pray for my hearing." The preacher put one finger in Leroy's ear, placed the other hand on top of Leroy's head, and prayed...and prayed...and prayed. He prayed a blue streak for Leroy. After a few minutes, the preacher removed his hands, stepped back, and asked, "Leroy, how is your hearing now?" "I don't know," Leroy replied... "It ain't til next Wednesday!"

As Christians, we know that prayer is important, because it is one of the ways God enables us to make contact with Him. Its effectiveness, though, depends on our proper use of this, The Foremost Communication.

When God, by His mercy, saved you from the punishment your sin deserved, you then became responsible to develop your relationship with Him.

• As Paul describes it, "to work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12).

• As Peter describes it, to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18).

To that end, God has made available what theologians term, "means of grace," spiritual disciplines that, with regular practice, enable you to develop godly character. These disciplines include both individual practices like Bible study and fasting, as well as communal practices, like worship and fellowship. Another of the individual practices is...

XVII. The Foremost Communication¹

...which is available through...

• The prayer to God (Eph 6:18)

Sermon: The foremost computation (Matt 24:15-16, 21)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Computation (Matt 24:15-16, 21)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Because Linda and I have been married for several years, she knows me well, so well that she can often predict quite accurately what I will do in a given situation. It is like that for many couples, even those married not as long.

A young man, wanted to get his beautiful young wife something nice for their anniversary. So, he decides to buy her a cell phone. She is thrilled with the gift, and he shows her how to use it, explaining all the nifty features it has. The next day, she goes shopping and decides to get her hair done while she's out. Her phone rings, and it's her husband. "Hi honey," he says, "How do you like your new phone?" "I love it," she replies. "It's so small, and your voice is clear as a bell. But there's one thing I don't understand.... How did you know I was at the beauty parlor?"

Some things are easier to figure out than others. The same is true for biblical prophecy. Some predictions are easier to figure out than others. To that end, God has provided an important clue with The Foremost Computation.

During the Olivet Discourse, Jesus addressed what people can and cannot know about the time of his return. In the midst of recording Jesus' description, Matthew inserts a rare editorial comment that explains how we can make...

Sermon: The foremost commemoration (Matt 8:11)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Commemoration (Matt 8:11)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

It is important that God's people have a clear and correct understanding of salvation. That requires proper instruction, which can begin quite early.

A children's SS teacher was testing her class to see if the students understood the concept of getting to heaven. She asked them, "If I sold my house and my car, had a big garage sale and gave all my money to the church, would that get me into heaven?" "NO!" the children answered in unison. "If I cleaned the church every day, mowed the lawn, and kept everything neat and tidy, would that get me into heaven?" "NO!" they answered again. By now the teacher was smiling. This was fun! "Well, then, if I was kind to animals and gave candy to all the children, and loved my husband, would that get me into heaven?" "NO!" came the resounding chorus of young voices. It was time for the most important question. With great anticipation, she asked, "How then can I get into heaven?" A five-year-old boy shouted the answer... "YOU GOTTA BE DEAD!"

It is important that God's people have a clear and correct understanding of salvation. That is true for adults as well as for children, for those who would be in attendance at The Foremost Celebration.

Sermon: The foremost compilation (Mic 6:8)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Compilation (Mic 6:8)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

When people are caught doing something wrong, their initial response is often to make an excuse.

A police officer pulls over a speeding car and says to the driver, "I clocked you at 80 miles an hour." The driver replies, "Gee, officer I had the cruise control set at 60, perhaps your radar gun needs to be re-calibrated." Not looking up from her knitting, the wife says: "Don't be silly dear, you know this car doesn't have cruise control."

As the officer writes out the ticket, the husband looks over at his wife and asks, "Can't you please be quiet?" The wife smiles demurely and says, "You should be thankful your radar detector warned you when it did."

As the officer writes a second ticket for the illegal radar detector, the man glares at his wife and says through clenched teeth, "Must you comment on everything?" The officer frowns and says to the man, "I notice you're not wearing your seat belt. That's an automatic $75 fine." The driver objects, "Officer, I had it on but took it off when you pulled me over, so I could get my license out of my back pocket." At this point, the wife says, "Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving."

As the police officer is writing a third ticket, the driver turns to his wife and barks, "Woman, stop talking!" The officer looks at the wife and asks, "Ma'am, does your husband always speak to you this way?" to which she replies... "Only when he's been drinking."

When people are caught doing something wrong, their initial response is often to make an excuse. That may have been how those in Judah responded when the prophet Micah criticized their disobedience of God's law, claiming that God's law is too lengthy and complicated to remember. The gods of the nations are easier to serve, because they make few if any demands. Micah will have none of it, though, saying they need to focus on The Foremost Compilation, a three-precept list that will direct them back to God.

Sermon: The foremost compulsion (Isa 45:23)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Compulsion (Isa 45:23)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

At times, the compulsion to do or say something can be overwhelming.

• Have you ever listened to a friend or relative recount some event, noted that one or more of the details is not quite right, and feel compelled to correct it.

• Have you ever been in a doctor's waiting room before he arrives, noticed that the frame with his diploma is hanging a bit crooked—because there is usually plenty of time to notice such things—and felt compelled to straighten it?

That urge can be more compelling for some of us than for others.

A priest, a lawyer, and an engineer have all been sentenced to death by guillotine for crimes they committed. The executioner asks the priest whether he wishes to face up or face down when he meets his fate. The priest says that he would prefer to die face up, so he can be looking toward heaven in his final moment. The priest is placed in the guillotine, and the executioner releases the lever. The blade comes speeding down but jams just short of the priest's throat. Taking this as a sign from God, the executioner sets the priest free.

Next, the lawyer comes to the guillotine. Hoping he will be as fortunate as the priest, he too decides to die face up. Again, the executioner releases the lever. The blade comes speeding down but jams just short of the lawyer's throat. Taking this as a sign from God, the executioner sets the lawyer free.

Finally, the engineer comes to the guillotine. He also decides to die face up. Just as the executioner is about to release the lever, the engineer shouts, "Wait! ...I see what the problem is!"

At times, the compulsion to do or say something can be overwhelming, although the urge can be more compelling for some than for others. There will be no exceptions, however, for The Foremost Compulsion.

Sermon: The foremost compression (Ps 90:2,4)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Compression (Ps 90:2,4)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

God expects His people to emulate Him in both character and conduct. For example, He says in Lev 19:2, "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." He then follows with several examples of how a holy people should behave. So, how far does imitating God go?

A young boy, visiting his grandmother, asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" Confident that she had set a good example for him, she mentally polished her halo and asked, "No, how are we alike?" His reply was not quite what she expected but was typical of a child's perspective... "You're both old."

As children look at you, I hope that is not the only resemblance to God they notice. In any case, age is not a resemblance at all.

As finite creatures, one of our collective shortcomings is that we are bound by the constraints of time. It is a deficiency that confronts us more as adults than as children. When we are young, we are rarely in a hurry, thinking we have all the time in the world. As we get older, while some people still do not hurry, it begins to dawn on most of us that we do not have all that much time, that there is a limit, not only to what we can do but when we can do it. We mark the passage of time with deadlines, expiration dates, and more candles on our birthday cakes. Some of us are so fixated on this phenomenon of time that we have a clock in almost every room of our home, in addition to one we carry with us, just to keep us on time—not too early and not too late.

Did you know that God does not need a watch? ...He has an innate sense of time, the correct time all the time. Unlike us, He is never in a hurry, and He is never late. In other words, He is always on schedule.¹ That is because He exists outside of time. He does not view events in a linear fashion, one after another, but together, all at once. From our perspective, that appears as...

Sermon: The foremost compassion (Exod 34:6-72)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Compassion (Exod 34:6-72)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

People are not always compassionate. They may find it too inconvenient or too time consuming. Such excuses are irrelevant, of course, in a marriage, which provides many opportunities to be compassionate.

At a family reunion, Fred was recalling all the events of his baby's birth. As he was excitedly describing the trip to the hospital, someone asked, "What would you have done if the expectant mother had developed complications during the car ride?" Fred had obviously thought about that possibility, because he answered right away. "I would have slid her over...and taken the wheel."

People are not always compassionate, even in a marriage. God, however, is, because that attribute is an essential part of His nature. In fact, His is The Foremost Compassion.

When Moses led Israel out of Egypt, it marked the beginning of the people's national identity. It also marked the beginning of its official, recorded history, as Moses began to chronicle events from creation through their preparation to enter Canaan. He compiled what oral traditions the patriarchs transmitted as well as written records he had.¹ His most important source, however, was his access to the author of history, God Himself, with whom Moses spoke "face to face."² Not only could God offer details about the past that Moses lacked, more importantly, the Lord could provide information about Himself that would help the nation understand who it was that had delivered them.

Sermon: The foremost comprehension (1 Cor 13:12

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Comprehension (1 Cor 13:12)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

There are limitations to what a teacher can expect from his students. Homework should not be too time-consuming, and exams should not be too difficult. One thing a teacher can expect though, is that students will pay attention in class.

A college professor had the mysterious habit of removing a tennis ball from his jacket pocket as he walked into the lecture hail each morning. He would set it on the corner of the podium before his lecture and put it back in his pocket after the lecture. No one understood why he did this, until one day a student fell asleep during the class. The professor didn't miss a word of his lecture while he walked over to the podium, picked up the tennis ball, and threw it, hitting the sleeping student squarely on top of the head. The next day, the professor walked into the room, reached into his jacket...and removed a baseball.... No one fell asleep in his class for the rest of the semester.

There are limitations to what a teacher can expect from his students.

In the course of life, we encounter limitations of a different kind. Some limitations are urgent and require our immediate attention. These usually involve physical needs.

• When we are weary, we need rest (like the student).
• When we are hungry, we need food.

Other limitations are not urgent, but they still expose a shortcoming of some sort. These may involve intellectual needs.

• When we encounter a question we cannot answer, we realize the limit to our knowledge.

These limitations are all part of life in this world, a fallen world. Jesus had similar experiences when he was here.¹

Sermon: The foremost commission (Matt 28:19-20)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Commission (Matt 28:19-20)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Introduction: People have opportunities to speak about their faith. That they do not always take advantage of those opportunities is often because they are at a loss for words. Perhaps they need an experience like that of one particular minister.

The preacher had all of his remaining teeth pulled to make way for new dentures. The first Sunday, he only preached ten minutes; the second Sunday, he preached twenty minutes; but the third Sunday, he preached an hour and a half. When some in the congregation asked about this, he offered the following explanation. "The first Sunday, my gums were so sore, it was uncomfortable to talk. The second Sunday, my new dentures were hurting, just not as bad. The third Sunday, I accidentally grabbed my wife's dentures... and I couldn't stop talking!"

If you find yourself at a loss for words when it comes to speaking about your faith, an experience like that is probably not what you need. It is important, though, to understand what God expects from you.

Background: Early in Jesus' ministry, he gives his "twelve" (Matt 10:1) closest disciples a targeted assignment.

Matt 10:5b Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.'

Later in Jesus' ministry, he affirms that mission, saying...

Matt 15:24 ..."I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

After his resurrection, Jesus charges those same, now "eleven," disciples (Matt 28:16), with a broader task in...

IX. The Foremost Commission¹

...which is...

• The promotion of God (Matt 28:19-20)

...among the gentiles as well.² After the resurrection, Jesus instructs a group of his followers. Please turn to Matt 28, where he says...

Sermon: The foremost companion (Isa 43:1-2)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Companion (Isa 43:1-2)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

Dogs are often called man's best friend, largely because of the companionship they provide, but also because of the things they can do for us.

A woman said to her husband one morning, "We've got such a clever dog. He brings in the newspaper every day." Her husband replied, "Lots of dogs can do that." "But," she responded., "our dog is special." "How so?" he asked. "Because," she said..."we don't subscribe to a newspaper!"

Whatever dogs provide, whether companionship only or newspapers as well, they cannot match The Foremost Companion.

In 586 B.C., Babylon invaded Judah for the third time. Each previous incursion resulted in more destruction and more deportations. The third and final assault toppled the weakened Davidic monarchy, burned the sanctuary, and brought the Southern Kingdom to an end. This came as no surprise to those who had been attentive to the prophets' warnings. Jeremiah, still in Judah, and Ezekiel, already in exile, both anticipated the fall of the capital. That event was devastating to all involved, but it may have been especially so for the righteous. They had seen their number dwindle while the unrighteous seemed to flourish. The influence of paganism in the temple was growing at an alarming rate, and it was only a matter of time before the corrupt government collapsed, bringing to an ignoble end what was once a noble enterprise. More disturbing than the national consequence was the religious consequence of these events. To the faithful, it probably seemed as if God had forsaken Israel. That assumption probably grew stronger as the exile continued with no change in Israel's condition and with no relief in sight.

Several hundred years earlier, anticipating this very sequence of events, as well as the emotional toll they would have, God spoke to the exilic community through the prophet Isaiah, assuring His people that He had not abandoned them and that He would continue to be for them....

Sermon: The foremost communion (Gal 6:9-10)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Communion (Gal 6:9-10)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

We all have preferences about how we would like things to be, whether at home, at work, or at school.

Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources manager asked a young engineer fresh out of MIT, "What starting salary are you looking for?" Confident that the interview had gone well, the young engineer said, "In the neighborhood of $125,000 a year, depending on the benefits package." The interviewer replied, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5-weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental coverage, a matching retirement fund to 50% of your salary, and a new company car leased every two years, say, a red Corvette?" The young engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding?" The interviewer replied, "Yes...but you started it."

We all have preferences, ideas about how we would like things to be. God also has ideas about how He would like things to be. The difference between His preferences and our preferences is that His are never unrealistic.

In many of the letters Paul writes, he addresses problems the church is facing. In Galatia, the congregation is struggling with an important doctrinal issue, whether a person is justified by faith in God or by works for God. Paul states repeatedly in this epistle that God's declaration of righteousness is not something a Christian can earn.

Gal 2:16 ...a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ....by observing the law no one will be justified.

Good works, which is what obedience to God's law produces, play no role in establishing a relationship with God. They do play a role, however, in maintaining and developing that relationship, as Paul explains later in the letter, including the way we relate to others, especially other believers. This is...

VII. The Foremost Communion¹

...which reflects...

• The preference of God (Gal 6:9-10)

Please turn to...

Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Sermon: The foremost component (Heb 11:6)

WHAT IS FOREMOST?
The Foremost Component (Heb 11:6)
pdf
Dr. Paul Manuel—2011

(This sermon is part of Dr. Manuel's sermon series: "What is Foremost?" Links to
each of the sermons in the series will be found here as they are posted.)

People often make things more complicated than they actually are or actually need to be.

A SS teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible: Ps 23. She gave the children a month to learn the six verses. Billy was excited about the task but just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first verse. On the day the kids were to recite their memory passage, one at a time, in front of the congregation, Billy was nervous, but he had been practicing. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd...and that's all I need to know."

People often make things more complicated than they actually are or need to be, especially about some of the truths in scripture, like The Foremost Component.

The Bible consists of sixty-six books, written by several individuals over hundreds of years.

• For some books, the author is identified (e.g., many psalms by David and epistles by Paul).
• For other books, a reliable tradition identifies the author (e.g., Song of Songs to Solomon, the epistles of Peter to Peter).
• For still other books, the author is unknown (e.g., Job, Esther).

Even when the author is in question, the authority of the book, if it is in the Canon, is well-established and well-accepted. The book of Hebrews falls into that last category, where the author is unknown. Support for the book's Canonicity comes, in part, from its agreement with other books. What the author of Hebrews writes goes right along with what appears elsewhere in scripture, especially in the epistles of Paul. One example is an important biblical principle...

VI. The Foremost Component

...which maintains...

• The prerequisite of God (Heb 11:6)

Please turn to...

Heb 11:6 ...without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.