Thought For The Week

Mike’s sermon, "Finding Things," builds on a morning lesson, moving beyond accidental findings to the deliberate effort of reclaiming what’s misplaced. The core message revolves around the value we assign to our searches, mirrored in our spiritual pursuits. Starting with John 5:39, Mike reads Jesus' rebuke to the Jews: "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." This verse encapsulates the sermon’s thrust: Scriptures are not mere texts but witnesses to Christ, and our diligence in searching them reveals our priorities.

Mike illustrates this with everyday analogies. We pour time into hunting for lost items proportional to their importance – a misplaced wallet demands more urgency than a stray sock. Applying this spiritually, he asks: "What do I search for?" Positive pursuits include seeking glory, honor, and immortality, as outlined in Romans 2:5-10. However, humans often chase selfish gratifications, prioritizing fleeting pleasures over eternal value.

Shifting to divine initiative, Mike reminds us that God searches for us. In Luke 19:10, Jesus states, "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." When we turn from God through sin, becoming lost, reconciliation requires us to seek Him actively. This mutual seeking underscores God’s grace and our responsibility.

The sermon deeply explores John 5, where Jesus addresses the Jews' unbelief. In verses 37-38, He says: "And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form. But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe." Mike explains this as their failure to internalize God’s word, rejecting Christ sent by the Father. Continuing to verse 39-40: "You search the Scriptures…​ but you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." They study diligently yet miss the point – Scriptures testify of Jesus.

Jesus further critiques their motives in verses 41-44: "I do not receive honor from men. But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" Mike highlights their preference for human acclaim over divine approval, blinding them to truth.

In verses 45-47, Jesus warns: "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" Mike notes that many today claim Bible reading but struggle connecting Old Testament prophecies, especially Moses', to Jesus. When truths challenge, acceptance wanes, much like these Jews who heard Moses but grasped little.

Transitioning to John 7:52, Mike provides background: Jesus speaks, some believe, questioning if Christ would do more signs. Pharisees send officers to arrest Him, but they return awed: "No man ever spoke like this Man!" Pharisees retort: "Are you also deceived? Have any of the rulers or the Pharisees believed in Him? But this crowd that does not know the law is accursed." Nicodemus defends: "Does our law judge a man before it hears him?" They mock: "Are you also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of Galilee."

Mike calls this ironic – leaders, Scripture experts, should know better but ignore their advice. He counters with Isaiah 9:1-2: "Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed…​ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." This prophecy targets Galilee of the Gentiles.

Fulfilled in Matthew 4:12-16: After John’s imprisonment, Jesus departs to Galilee, dwelling in Capernaum by the sea in Zebulun and Naphtali, matching Isaiah: "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light." Mike ties to Isaiah 9:6-7: "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David…​" This depicts Jesus' eternal kingdom, echoed in the angel’s words to Mary: His kingdom shall have no end.

Further, Mike examines Deuteronomy 18:15-18, where Moses prophesies: "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear…​ I will raise up for them a Prophet like you…​ and will put My words in His mouth." Peter applies this to Jesus in Acts 3:19-26: "Repent therefore and be converted…​ that He may send Jesus Christ…​ For Moses truly said to the fathers, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me…​'" Peter warns: Every soul not hearing that Prophet shall be destroyed. All prophets foretold these days, blessing through Abraham’s seed – Jesus, turning us from iniquities.

Mike stresses Jesus' exposition from Law, Psalms, and Prophets, showing they testify of Him. Yet Jews rejected because Jesus didn’t fit their earthly king ideal, freeing from Rome. Their expectations blinded them.

Today, with full canon – Matthew through Revelation – we have more than they did. Yet some skim, resisting correction when Scriptures challenge thinking. Apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached and wrote for our guidance. We don’t know everything, but diligent search yields surprises if we let Scriptures speak.

Mike concludes: Present are Christians, but if burdens weigh, make them known; the church prays. Urging response as we stand and sing.

This sermon inspires reevaluating searches, prioritizing Scriptures' testimony to Christ for eternal life. In a distracted world, it calls for intentional pursuit of divine truths, transforming misplaced faith into found redemption.

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In a compelling sermon titled "Finding Things," delivered by Mike, the focus shifts from accidental discoveries to intentional searches for what we’ve misplaced in life, particularly in our spiritual journey. Drawing from John 5:39, Mike highlights Jesus' words to the Jews: "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." This sets the stage for exploring how our search efforts reflect the value we place on what we’re seeking.

Mike emphasizes that just as we invest time in finding lost objects based on their worth, we should examine what we pursue in life. Referencing Romans 2:5-10, he contrasts seeking glory, honor, and immortality with selfish, self-gratifying pursuits. Yet, God actively seeks us when we’re lost, as Jesus declares in Luke 19:10: "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." When we sin and stray, it’s our turn to search for reconciliation with God.

Delving into John 5:37-47, Mike recounts Jesus confronting the Jews for rejecting Him despite the Father’s testimony. They lack God’s word in them because they don’t believe in the Sent One. Jesus points out their unwillingness to come to Him for life, seeking human honor over God’s. He warns that Moses, whom they trust, accuses them, as Moses wrote about Him. If they believed Moses, they’d believe Jesus.

Mike extends this to John 7:52, where leaders mockingly tell Nicodemus to "search and look" – no prophet arises from Galilee. Ironically, they ignore their own advice. Mike counters with Isaiah 9:1-2, prophesying light in Galilee, fulfilled in Matthew 4:12-16 when Jesus dwells there. Isaiah 9:6-7 further describes the child born as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, with an endless kingdom – clearly Jesus.

Referencing Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Mike notes Moses' prophecy of a prophet like him, applied by Peter in Acts 3 to Jesus. Peter urges repentance, affirming Jesus as that prophet whose words must be heeded, or souls face destruction.

Today, with the full Bible at hand – unlike the Jews – we must search diligently. Scriptures correct and surprise us if we let them speak. Mike closes by inviting prayer for needs, urging action as we stand and sing.

This sermon calls us to value eternal truths, searching Scriptures not just for knowledge, but for the life they point to in Christ.

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