Sermon: A disciple's true confession (John 11:1-45)

TENTATIVE ADMISSIONS AND TRUE CONFESSIONS:
By a Disciple (John 11:1-45)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2004

(This is the last in a series of four sermons)

As others look at your life, you hope what they notice most are the positive qualities. You especially hope that will be the case at your funeral.

Three friends die in a car crash and find themselves at the gates of heaven. Before entering, St. Peter asks them each a question. "When you are in your casket, and friends and family are in mourning, what would you like to hear them say about you?" The first one replies, "I would like to hear them say that I was a great doctor and a loving family man." The second one responds, "I would like to hear that I was a wonderful husband and school teacher who made a huge difference in our children." The third one ponders a moment, then answers. "I would like to hear them say...LOOK! HE'S MOVING!"

That is probably close to what people say in our text this morning, after they hear one of the True Confessions about Jesus, this one By a Disciple.

While the gospel narratives often seem to focus on Jesus' twelve disciples, his supporters also include several women,¹ such as Martha, the central character in John 11.² She hails from "Bethany [which is] less than two miles from Jerusalem" (John 11:18). There she lives with her brother Lazarus and her younger sister Mary.³ Her family has an especially close relationship to Jesus.⁴ Consequently, when Lazarus becomes ill, the sisters send word to Jesus in Galilee.

This presents a problem for the teacher, because he is not on good terms with some of the Judean religious leaders. In fact, he so antagonized them on previous visits that they almost stoned him... twice.⁵ It is understandable, then, that he might hesitate returning to Judea from Galilee, not wanting to put himself or his followers in harm's way. That is likely how the disciples interpret his apparent lack of urgency, when he tells them, "This sickness will not end in death" (John 11:4). Two days later, when he says to them, "Let us go back to Judea" (John 11:7), they assume he has changed his mind and try to dissuade him.

Sermon: A demon's confession (Luke 4:33-37)

TENTATIVE ADMISSIONS AND TRUE CONFESSIONS:
By a Demon (Luke 4:33-37)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2004

(This is the third in a series of four sermons)

The apostle Paul says that, "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but...against the spiritual forces of evil" (Eph 6:12). If that is true—and we believe it is—how then should we conduct ourselves?

A parish priest was administering the last rites to a critically ill man. Before anointing him, the priest asked, "Do you renounce the world, the flesh, and the devil?" The man paused for a moment, then said, "I think in my condition, this is no time to offend anyone." (Adapted from Streiker 1998:91)

Is that the approach we should take in "our struggle... against the spiritual forces of evil," or should we adopt the stance of Bud Robinson, the Nazarene evangelist, who prayed?

Lord, help me to fight the devil as long as I've got teeth—and then gum him 'til I die. (Adapted from Hodgin 1994:148-149)

Whichever approach have you taken in your "struggle," the passage this morning is a reminder that you are on the winning side, because even "the spiritual forces of evil" must make True Confessions about Jesus, as we see in this one By a Demon.

However many times we read the gospel accounts, there will always be some things in them that are familiar to us and some things that remain unfamiliar. On the one hand...

• We can appreciate Jesus' teaching, and
• We can empathize with the needy in his audience.

On the other hand...

• We wonder at Jesus' many miracles, and
• We are glad that demon possession is not common in our society today.

Sermon: A Samaritan's admission (John 4:4-26)

TENTATIVE ADMISSIONS AND TRUE CONFESSIONS:
By a Samaritan (John 4:4-26)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2004

 (This is the second in a series of four sermons)

Things are not always what they seem, and if we allow our preconceived notions to color our expectations, we may miss something important.

The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert. After they got their tent set up, both men fell asleep. Some hours later, Tonto awakens the Lone Ranger and says, "Kemo Sabe, look toward sky, what you see?" The Lone Ranger replies, "I see millions of stars." "What does that tell you?" asked Tonto. The Lone Ranger ponders for a minute, wondering how best to answer such a deeply philosophical question, then says, "Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three in the morning. Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. What's it tell you, Tonto?" ..."It tells me someone stole the tent."

In the text of our sermon this morning, Jesus encounters a woman, whose preconceived notions he challenges. It is the second message in the series, Tentative Admissions and True Confessions, this one By A Samaritan.

Reading the New Testament, we encounter several groups, one of which is the Samaritans, so-called because they live in the central region of Israel known as Samaria. How they originated is not entirely clear (Anderson 1992).

• Some biblical scholars believe them to be the descendants of foreigners that Assyria transplanted in the land after it deported Israelite residents in 722 B.C.
• The Samaritans themselves claim to be descendants of Israelite residents that Assyria left in the land.

Sermon: A Pharisee's admission (John 3:1-12)

TENTATIVE ADMISSIONS AND TRUE CONFESSIONS:
By a Pharisee (John 3:1-12)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2004

(This is the first in a series of four sermons)

Sometimes a conversation that begins innocently enough can develop in ways we did not expect.

During World War II, a navy aviator went into a barbershop to get a shave. The shop also had a manicurist who happened to be very attractive, so the pilot decided to ask for a manicure at the same time. He kept looking at her, completely smitten by her beauty, and finally asked, "How would you like to go out with me?" "No," she replied. "I'm married." "Well, just tell your husband you're busy tonight." Tell him yourself," she said...."He's shaving you." (Adapted from Streiker 1998:109)

Sometimes the conversation can turn out differently than we expect. That was certainly the case when Nicodemus visited the new rabbi in town.

In the course of Jesus' ministry, people wondered at his profound instruction and miraculous power. There were other rabbis who attracted groups of disciples, but this man was different. Although several theories were in circulation about his possible identity (some more believable than others), occasionally those who met him recognized his true nature. Their Tentative Admissions and True Confessions form the next series of messages.

Jesus did not make public appearances with great fanfare, but he did attract considerable public attention. Some people may have dismissed his instruction, assuming it to be similar to what other teachers proclaimed, but they could not ignore his miracles. The first instance in John's gospel is when Jesus surreptitiously turns water to wine at a wedding feast. Only the disciples and the servants are aware of what he does. Nevertheless, Jesus has apparently performed other supernatural deeds, and they have attracted the attention of a wider audience. Please turn to John 3, where Nicodemus comes to visit Jesus, and where we see immediately the importance of...

I. Nicodemus's position (John 3:1)

John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council.

John describes Nicodemus by his affiliations, noting that Jesus' visitor has some important credentials.¹

Sermon: The Christmas present (John 1:12-14,18)

The Christmas Present (John 1:12-14,18)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2003

Hunting for gifts can be a time-consuming and frustrating experience at this season of the year, especially dealing with the crowds, which can lead to a more creative method.

It was approaching the Christmas holiday, and the judge was in a cheerful mood. "What are you charged with?" he asked the defendant. "Doing my Christmas shopping early, Your Honor," the man answered. "Well, that certainly isn't a crime," the judge said. "How early were you doing this shopping?" ..."Before the store opened."

For those too young to do their own shopping, there is the more traditional method, although even this can be distressing.

As a little girl climbed onto Santa's lap, he asked the usual question, "And what would you like for Christmas?" The child stared at him open-mouthed and horrified for a moment, then gasped... "Didn't you get my e-mail?"

Thankfully, you need not resort to theft or technology to get the most important gift anyone can receive, The Christmas Present God gave long ago.

Most of us are familiar with the carols and Bible readings we use at this time of year, so much so that we do not need the hymnal and could probably recite the Scripture passages from memory. Still, no matter how familiar we are, we come to this season with another year's worth of experience and reflection that may enable us to appreciate some element of our celebration in a new way. One biblical passage, I have read and reread several times, struck me with renewed force because of the contrast it presents. Please turn to John 1, where the apostle explains how...

Sermon: The promise of protection (Ps 91)

The Promise of Protection (Ps 91:1-16)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2010

Most people's occupations do not place them in dangerous situations, and most people are content to keep it that way. For the adventuresome few, however, there is a desire to test their survival skills.

Bear season opened on a cold, crisp morning at the brothers' hunting lodge. John wanted to get an early start, but James wanted to stay in bed awhile longer. So John went out and soon found a huge bear. He shot at it but only wounded it enough to make it mad. The enraged bear charged toward him so fast that John dropped his rifle and started running for the cabin as fast as he could. He was quick, but the bear was quicker and gained on him with every step. Just as he reached the open cabin door, he tripped on a branch and fell flat on his face. Too close behind to stop, the bear tripped over him and went rolling into the cabin. John jumped up, closed the cabin door, and yelled to James inside... "You skin this one; I'll get another." (Adapted from Hodgin 2004:185)

Sometimes what keeps a person from harm is just dumb luck, like tripping on a branch. It would not be wise, however, to depend on that sort of thing all the time. We need a more reliable source of security. We need The Promise of Protection that God offers.

Our text is Ps 91, a familiar passage to many. It describes one of the primary advantages of knowing God, which is having the benefit of His protection.¹ The author wants you, his readers, to know that because the Lord is his God, He protects him,² and that if the Lord is your God, He will also protect you.

The psalm divides neatly into two parts (Ps 91:1-8 and Ps 91:9-16), each part beginning with a statement about the prerequisite for this protection. Who qualifies for God's protection? Look at vv. 1 and 9.

Ps 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.... 9 If you make the Most High your dwelling...

Sermon: The benevolence of God (Lam 3:21-26)

The Benevolence of God (Lam 3:21-26)¹

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2008

One of the characteristics of a healthy relationship, especially between a husband and wife, is that they are good to each other and treat each other with respect. That can manifest in several ways, but it should certainly include a willingness to give the other person priority, to put one's partner first.

Before Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the ensuing Gulf War, Barbara Walters did a story on gender roles in Kuwait. She noted that women customarily walked about ten feet behind their husbands. Later, she returned to Kuwait and observed that the men now walked several yards behind their wives. Ms. Walters approached one of the women for an explanation. "This is marvelous," she exclaimed. "What has enabled women to achieve such respect?" Nonchalantly, the woman replied... "Land mines."

That is not the way a husband is good to his wife. It is also not the way God is good to His people. Nevertheless, while He will not put them at risk, they may step ahead of His care and put themselves at risk. Yet even then, they can turn back and experience again The Benevolence of God.

How does your understanding about God's kindness fit with your faith in Him? That is, can you commit yourself to God if you do not trust that He will do what is best for you? ...You cannot be confident—in any positive way—about the present or about the future if you are not also convinced of His goodness. Only when you are certain that He is looking out for your interests can you be certain that your present circumstances as well as your future prospects will lead to your ultimate advantage.

Sermon: A decade of devotion — a period of peace (2 Chr 14:1-7)

A Decade of Devotion — A Period of Peace (2 Chr 14:1-7)¹

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2008

Some people are always in the market for what will make life easier—a shorter workweek, a higher-paying job...a less-demanding church. In an appeal to those looking for something in that third category, I came across this advertisement.

Has the heaviness of your old-fashioned church got you weighed down? Try us! We are the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley. Studies have shown we have 24% fewer commitment expectations than other churches. We are the home of the 7½% tithe. We promise a 35-minute worship service with an 8-minute sermon. Next week's exciting text is Jesus' parable, "The Feeding of the 500." We have only 6 Commandments—your choice! We use just 3 gospels in our contemporary New Testament, with the politically correct title, Good Sound Bites for Modern Human Beings. We take an offering every other week, all major credit cards accepted, of course. As we move into the future, we are eagerly anticipating that 800-year Millennium. Yes, the New and Improved Lite Church of the Valley could be just what you are looking for. We are everything you want in a church...and less!

Some people are always in the market for what will make life easier. This is not a new trend, of course. Even in ancient Israel, people wanted something easier, less-demanding than what God expected, and idolatrous worship offered that alternative. Other gods levied few, if any, demands on their devotees, which made them attractive to those who did not have the time or want to expend the effort that serving the true God entailed. Political leaders, especially kings, had to decide which deity, if any, their administration would actively promote and what other deities, if any, their administration would simply tolerate. While most kings chose poorly, some chose well, like King Asa, the monarch in our message this morning.

When you are young, ten years is a long time. As you get older, ten years is not so long, especially when you begin to group years and think in terms of decades. Realizing that this Sabbath marks our tenth year here, I wondered if ten years had any particular significance in scripture, so I looked at all the references to that period. My research was not very encouraging.² There are only a few passages, and the first entry marks an event that did not turn out well.

Judges: A book study

Judges: The Struggle for Autonomy

This study is extensive—with the bibliography and notes it is 248 pages—so only
the contents and introduction are on this site. The pdf of the complete study can be downloaded here.

Dr. Paul Manuel—2010

Samson Pulls Down the Pillars, James Tissot (c. 1896-1900)

Announcement: Having spent 430 years as aliens in a foreign land and 40 more years as nomads in the wilderness, the descendants of Abraham are ready to settle down in a place of their own. With the Lord’s help, their future prospects are bright, but something goes wrong. After Israel enters Canaan, the nation turns from God and fails to establish its independence in the land. Instead, the people seem to get trapped in a vicious cycle (rebellion, retribution, repentance, restoration; rebellion, retribution, etc.). Why do they keep repeating their past mistakes, and who are those enigmatic figures the Lord keeps appointing, called judges? This study will explore the relationship between Israel’s intermittent devotion to God and the nation’s halting progress in His plan. We will also consider how the people’s experience informs God’s will for Christians today.

Preface: The biblical books of Joshua-2 Kings give a continuous narrative of four major periods in Israel’s history.

• Initial conquest of the land under Joshua (c. 1250)
• Early settlement of the land under the judges
• United monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon
• Divided monarchy of Israel (north) and Judah (south)

The book of Judges falls in the period after the death of Joshua, Moses’ successor, and before Saul, Israel’s first king.

In Genesis, God made a covenant with Abraham , promising his descendants PLAK, elements essential to God’s plan for establishing a kingdom:

People

Land

Autonomy

King

The book of Judges is where God gives Israel the opportunity to gain the “A” of PLAK: Autonomy. Unfortunately, Israel is not always cooperative, evinced by a recursive, four-part cycle in Judges that marks the changing condition of the nation’s relationship with God:

Rebellion > Retribution > Repentance > Restoration

As with any portion of scripture, we must give careful consideration to the context in order to understand the book. Of particular importance to this study is the historical context, which includes history, proper, as well as geography and archaeology.

Contents

(see the pdf here to download the paper in its entirety)

Preface

Introduction

Excursus: Dating the Book of Judges

I. Prologue Judges 1:1-3:6

Sermon: The Place of His Coming (Mic 5:2)

The Place of His Coming (Mic 5:2)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

If someone were to ask: How do you know the Bible is reliable, how do you justify the prominent role it plays in your life? You could respond in a number of ways.

• You could appeal to the historicity of the Bible, that the evidence of archaeology (e.g., Mesha Stone) and the testimony of other ancient documents (e.g., Lachish Letters) support what the Bible records.
• You could appeal to the stability of the Bible, that the biblical manuscripts have been transmitted for thousands of years with surprisingly few alterations (e.g., in the Dead Sea scrolls).
• You could also appeal to the prophecy of the Bible, that several predictions the authors made have come to pass (e.g., Judah's 70-year exile, the ascension of Cyrus).

One particular aspect of prophecy concerns Old Testament predictions of the messiah, like those we will be examining in our next sermon series, passages that describe his advent before he actually arrives on the scene. These texts all refer to an event that did not occur in the lifetime of the biblical author who first told about it. Some of these events have even yet to occur; they are in our future as well. They all depict an individual whom God will send to deliver His people Israel and, by reason of our being "grafted in" to Israel (Rom 11:17), to deliver us as well.

Unfortunately, passages that refer to events in our future are not very helpful in attesting the Bible's reliability to others...at least, not yet. There are some predictions, however, that have come to pass and to which we can appeal in support of the Bible and of our conviction that Jesus is the messiah. We will consider both kinds in this series of messages, predictions that look back from where we are now and predictions that look forward from where we are now.

These prophecies do not identify the messiah by name, so we must make that determination by comparing what they say about him with what we see in someone's life. We are Christians (or Messianists) because we believe that Jesus is the messiah. There is, indeed, strong evidence for this identification, strong enough for you to base your life on it, but the connection is not without difficulties, which is why most Jews have not made the same identification. Consequently, we must face these difficulties, not ignore them.

Sermon: The Discipline of Decision (Jer 42)

The Discipline of Decision (Jer 42)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

We make numerous decisions every day. Some of them allow for careful reflection, while others confront us suddenly and require an immediate response, allowing us little or no opportunity for reflection.

An elderly woman wanted to visit England, the home of her ancestors. It would be her first trip abroad, and she went to the Passport Office to get the necessary travel document. "You must declare your loyalty first," the clerk said. "Raise your right hand." Unaware of this prerequisite for a passport, she raised her hand as the clerk asked, "Do you swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, domestic or foreign?" The woman's face paled. This was not what she expected, yet she needed the passport. "Well, I guess so," she replied, trembling a bit, "but...will I have help, or will I have to do it all by myself?"

Some decisions confront us suddenly and require an immediate response, allowing little or no opportunity for reflection. In the sixth century B.C., among the many decisions the residents of Judah had to make, was one that confronted God's people suddenly but that should not have required much reflection, especially given the guidance they received from the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah ministered in the Southern Kingdom of Judah from the time of Josiah to the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. Josiah was the last Judean king who did "what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kgs 22:2). After Josiah's death, the political and spiritual condition of God's people deteriorated drastically,¹ and they did not appreciate Jeremiah's repeated warnings of impending judgment.²

Sermon: Serving God — A Household Affair (Josh 24:14-15)

Serving God — A Household Affair (Josh 24:14-15)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2013

What does it mean to serve someone? A common setting for service is in a marriage relationship, as one spouse serves the needs of the other. It is an opportunity to demonstrate one party's love and devotion.

A woman accompanied her husband to the doctor's office for his checkup. Afterwards, the doctor took the man's wife aside and said, "Unless you do the following things, your husband will surely die." The doctor went on to say, "Every morning make sure you serve him a good, healthy breakfast. Pack a lunch for him each day that is a well balanced meal. When he arrives home at night, feed him a good, hot supper. Don't overburden him with any stressful conversation, and don't ask him to perform any chores. Keep the house spotless and clean, so he doesn't get exposed to any threatening germs." On the way home, the husband asked his wife what the doctor had said. She replied, "He said...you're going to die."

A common setting for service is in a marriage relationship, as one spouse serves the needs of the other. Another common setting is in a person's relationship with the Lord, such as Joshua describes in the book that bears his name, where Serving God [is] A Household Affair.

Sermon: The Freedom of God's Laws (Deut 6:1-9)

The Freedom of God's Laws (Deut 6:1-9)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2003

One of the hallmarks of this great nation is its legal system, which has some important yet little known provisions. For example, were you aware that according to Pennsylvania law...

• Dynamite may not to be used to catch fish.
• A person is ineligible to become Governor if he has participated in a duel.
• Ministers may not perform a marriage when either the bride or groom is drunk.

These laws are apparently common statewide. There are also laws for specific communities.

• In Connellsville, pants may be worn no lower than five inches below the waist. This is an old law that has assumed renewed relevance in light of current trends.
• In Danville, fire hydrants must be checked one hour before any fire.
• In Morrisville, a woman must have a permit to wear cosmetics.
• In Pittsburgh, it is illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.

Such laws as these prove the greatness of our legal system and safeguard the freedom we enjoy here. There is another legal system, though, far greater than ours, displayed in The Freedom of God's Laws.

The Israelites, as they get ready to enter Canaan, may be asking about the many laws God gave to their parents, regulations He expects each succeeding generation to obey. But is that realistic? Their parents are dead, casualties of some past indiscretion, and the current generation will soon be living in the midst of a people whose standard of behavior is quite different. Would it not be better to set aside the old ways and try to fit in? Is there some advantage to keeping God's laws?

Sermon: Worshiping God in the Light of His Holiness (2 Sam 6)

Worshiping God in the Light of His Holiness (2 Sam 6)

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Dr. Paul Manuel—2003

We all have a particular understanding of God that is a composite of everything we have read or heard, and that is further shaped by our experiences.

A little girl was working hard on a drawing, and her father asked her what she was doing so intently. "I'm making a picture of God," she replied. "You can't do that," he said. "Nobody knows what God looks like." Completely undeterred, she kept right on drawing. "They will when I'm done."

We may not be able to draw a picture of God, but if we continue to study about Him and experience life with Him, our understanding of Him grows and becomes clearer. Occasionally, we encounter something that does not fit with what we know about Him and that even seems contradictory. The text of this morning's message may contain such information. It is certainly disturbing, because God appears to act in a cruel and capricious way toward someone who had the best of intentions. The events show a side of God's character we have encountered before, yet one whose implications we tend to avoid. Nevertheless, coming to grips with it here may answer some questions that relate to other events also difficult to understand.

The two books of Samuel contain a continuous narrative from the birth of Samuel, the last of the judges, through the events of King David's reign. The First Book of Chronicles contains another account of this same period. In 1 Sam, the Philistines captured the ark of the covenant. In so doing, they got much more than they expected, as a plague swept through the community.

1 Sam 5:7 ...The ark of the god of Israel must not stay here with us, because his hand is heavy upon us and upon Dagon our god.

Christmas 2013

[Dr. Manuel recently provided me with the Christmas letters he and his wife Linda have sent each year since 2001.
One of the annual letters has been posted each day over the last two weeks.]

Dr. and Mrs. Paul Manuel

Christmas 20013

Dear Friends and Family,

Sometimes the ordinary things we experience can help us appreciate the extraordinary things God does. Over the summer, for example, Linda started feeding a stray female cat that appeared in our yard. As far as we could tell, she did not belong to anyone, and we assumed she sought shelter at night in a nearby barn. When fall came and the temperature dropped, Linda was concerned the cat might not survive the winter (succumbing either to the cold or to the coyotes), so she prevailed upon me to adopt the cat and bring her inside. After making that decision, we learned that she came with two kittens. (It was, I discovered, a package deal.) The three of them have since made several trips to the vet for their obligatory checkup and vaccinations. It has become an expensive investment, one that, to protect, requires they now remain inside, away from predators and contagious feline diseases.

We have noticed that adopting them is similar to what God did in adopting us, albeit on a far grander scale, by sending His son at Christmas.

• Similar to but more significant than the situation with the cats, God has taken us in and given us hope for a future better than any we would have on our own.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.... I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. (John 10:10, 28)

• Similar to but more significant than the situation with the cats, God has paid a considerable price for us, one we could not afford on our own.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4:10)

• Similar to but more significant than the situation with the cats, God has done for us what we could not do for ourselves.

The Son of Man [came] to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matt 20:28)

• Similar to but more significant than the situation with the cats, God has intervened in our lives for good in ways we do not know.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. (1 Cor 2:9)

Sometimes the ordinary things we experience can remind us about the extraordinary things God did for us when He sent Jesus that first Christmas.

The cats are providing us with hours of entertainment since we made them part of our family. I do not know if God finds us entertaining since He as made us part of His family. In any case, He does not ask that we entertain Him, only that we serve Him. As Jesus also said, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only" (Matt 4:10). May God find you faithful as you worship and serve Him this season and throughout the New Year. Merry Christmas!

Pastor and Linda