Month: April 2025

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Nobleton Community Church
29084 Sentinel Street PO Box 224
Nobleton, Florida 34661

Rev. Paul V. Lehmann, Pastor
813-389-8683
Nobletoncommunitychurch.org
info@nobletoncommunitychurch.org

OUR VISION IS:
To experience SPIRIT-FILLED WORSHIP AND PRAYER
To be involved in EVANGELISM, DISCIPLINING AND TRAINING PEOPLE
To use our SPIRITUAL GIFTS
To SERVE AND REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST, BOTH
“ACROSS THE STREET AND ACROSS THE WORLD”

Nobleton Community Church
Date April 27, 2025
Text: John 20:19-31; James 1:5-8 (N.I.V.)
Pastor Paul Lehmann

Listen to live audio here

In March of 2014, there was a news story from Spain, about a 47-story apartment building that only had elevators for 20 stories, and no elevator shafts or elevators to take people to the remaining top floors. There were 269 luxury apartments but only 120 of them were rented because people were probably doubting the structure of the building and they were blaming the architect for not considering elevators for the top part of the building. This was all debunked just a week or two after the story came out as lies, and a reporter rode one of the 12 elevators and posted pictures. Nevertheless, the building hasn’t been able to be fully rented, or condos sold; not because of elevators, but maybe because the price of a one-bedroom apartment was 358,000 Euros. That is $406, 962.00 U.S. dollars. They rented for $4,000 per month. People may still have had trouble with the lies that were told against the Spanish architect.

We all know how doubts can creep into our thinking when we choose to believe a lie.

What if a lie affects our faith?

The story of Thomas is one of the more famous ones in all of the gospels because it speaks to a deep human condition. In the face of confusion, conflicting evidence, and a world that requires empirical evidence before making a decision, DOUBT seems to be the norm for many people. Sometimes that doubt can be useful. But other times, doubt can lead to atrophy and emptiness, especially when it causes us to neglect the hope of faith in the risen Christ.

In verse 19 of our text, we find the other disciples (minus Thomas) cowering in a house “for fear of the Jews”. Tomans is the one who often gets branded as the doubter, but we must remember that the other disciples were equally guilty of doubt after they heard Mary Magdalene’s announcement; “I have seen the Lord!” (verse 18). Otherwise, they wouldn’t have all been huddled together with the doors shut. It’s not until the risen Jesus actually shows up that they believe and understand. Thomas isn’t any different than his colleagues. It’s just that he’s behind in assessing the situation.

Doubt permeates the whole situation after Jesus’ crucifixion and the discovery of the empty tomb. They have heard about the lies that the Roman soldiers were told to spread. They knew that they hadn’t stolen the body, but when people’s opinions are based on lies, it takes longer for the truth to come out, and even then:

WE MUST BE WILLING TO KNOW THE TRUTH AND ACCEPT THE TRUTH

It is doubt that leads the disciples to temporarily not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. When it comes to spiritual belief, it is only human to ask why to God, or to ask Him if something is true. That’s why the gift of spiritual discernment is so important.

BUT WE MUST NEVER REMAIN IN THAT POSITION PERMANENTLY.

It must only be a temporary position. We must allow the reality of a resurrected Christ to live within us. Then and only then can our DOUBT move to FAITH

The text points to three key things that the disciples forgot to include in trying to have faith. If we don’t remember them ourselves it will lead to spiritual bankruptcy and uselessness.

THE FIRST ONE IS:

THE PEACE OF CHRIST.

Four times in the text Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” On one level, this is a conventional greeting—a basic Jewish community greeting. But the repeated mention of it here is a a reminder of something that Jesus had said to his disciples earlier. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” John 14:27. The peace that “the world gives: is a piece that seeks to alleviate fear by relying on the security of wealth, the protection of armies or the isolation of a locked door. But there’s really no peace in these things, at least only temporarily. The peace that Jesus offers however, is an eternal peace made possible by his resurrection from the dead.

Jesus knew that the disciples would be under constant scrutiny and danger—-that there would always be someone lurking on the other side of the door threatening those who follow Jesus and his peace. But the peace of Jesus is grounded in the fact of his resurrection. As the risen Christ stands before them, with his nail-scarred hands, feet, and the wound on his side, he demonstrates to them the fact that death will not have the last word with them. “Because I live, you will also live.” He had told them earlier. (vs. 14-19).

When we forget the peace of Christ, we tend to become gripped by fear and doubt, and our sense of hope seems to be unachievable. We need to remember that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have made a new future possible—a future that’s ready for us to move into right now through faith in him. We don’t have to live in fear because we have a savior who has guaranteed our future through an empty tomb.

THE SECOND KEY ELEMENT WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS:

THE ONGOING

PRESENCE OF CHRIST

Jesus “breathed” on the disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit, the very presence of Christ in their lives (vs 22). When John spoke in this way, he was thinking back to the old story of the creation of man. There the writer, Moses says in Genesis 2:7: “The Lord god formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” This was the same picture Ezekiel saw in Ezekiel 37:9, when he saw the valley of dead, dry bones, and when he heard God say to the wind; “come from the four winds, O breadth, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.” Then in verse 8 when he did that, we read,”…breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—-a vast army.” When Jesus breathed on them in John 20:21 and said; “receive the Holy Spirit,” this wasn’t just a precursor of Pentecost. It was the moment that the disciples became “BORN AGAIN” by the Spirit of God.

This coming of the Holy Spirit was when they became new creations. It was the wakening of life from the dead. When they obeyed the Lord and entered the upper room 40 days later at Pentecost and waited for the Holy Spirit to come upon them they received POWER TO WITNESS and carry out the task that God gave them, of taking the gospel to the world. It is this great task that is given to us. It is the privilege of the Church to convey the message and the announcement and the fact of god’s forgiveness to men.

The Spirit would also give them the power to do “even greater things” than Jesus had done (14:12) and provide the comfort, advocacy, and peace that enabled them to carry out God’s mission to the world.

When doubt and fear creep into our lives, we must rely on the witness of the Spirit to remind us that our lives matter and have purpose in Christ. It’s the Spirit that enables us to be people who forgive sins, who speak boldly, and who demonstrate the character of Christ (verse 23). The Holy Spirit provides us with the internal check of the presence of Jesus, which reminds us that our lives will never be useless when he is working within them. But also :

THE THIRD ELEMENT THAT DOUBTERS LIKE THOMAS (AND US) NEED TO REMEMBER IS :

OUR FAITH ISN’T JUST AN IDEA, A CONCEPT, OR A PRINCIPLE—

INSTEAD:

OUR FAITH IS IN THE PERSON OF CHRIST.

And our faith isn’t in a dead, Suffering Savior, but a LIVING RESURRECTED ONE

Jesus shows up in person a week later, when Thomas is present, and invites the doubtful disciple to touch his wounds. It’s a touch that’s only possible if Jesus is more than a concept, but a person who was “in the flesh” like us, who suffered as we suffer; who was tempted like we are tempted; who dwelt among us and gave his life for us (1:14) Thomas finally believed because he saw Jesus—not just on that day, but on all the days he had spent following Jesus around Judea. He knew what kind of man Jesus was, that he was worthy of Thomas’ trust and faith, and that he never backed down from a promise even when he was nailed to a cross. Now, with the risen Christ standing in front of him in the flesh, Thomas’ faith went from doubtful hope to a person he would never forget.

Thomas’ confession in the person of Christ, “My Lord and my God” is one that provides a foundation for our own faith (vs. 28). It’s a faith that doesn’t subscribe to the old adage,” Seeing is believing,” but rather Jesus’ brand of faith that reminds us that “believing is SEEING:. He told Thomas

“You have believed because you have seen me, but blessed are those who have not seen me but have believed.”

God has come to us in Jesus Christ, who continues his mission through doubters and misfits like Thomas and us. Faith is a willingness to follow him, even when we’re not sure where it will lead us.

Faith is a willingness to believe and not doubt because we know the One who holds us and the world in his hand.

Our doubt can be fixed by remembering that:

Jesus offers us:

His peace, His presence, and His person.

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Nobleton Community Church
29084 Sentinel Street PO Box 224
Nobleton, Florida 34661

Rev. Paul V. Lehmann, Pastor
813-389-8683
Nobletoncommunitychurch.org
info@nobletoncommunitychurch.org

OUR VISION IS:
To experience SPIRIT-FILLED WORSHIP AND PRAYER
To be involved in EVANGELISM, DISCIPLINING AND TRAINING PEOPLE
To use our SPIRITUAL GIFTS
To SERVE AND REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST, BOTH
“ACROSS THE STREET AND ACROSS THE WORLD”

Nobleton Community Church
Date April 20, 2025
Text: Philippians 3:7-11
Pastor Paul Lehmann

Listen to live audio here

The world has seen throughout history, many accomplishments because someone has been “committed.” Sometimes it is an individual, sometimes it is a team, or a community, and sometimes a group of believers. This certainly has been true in areas of the world, where the church is being persecuted.

In 1917 when the Russian revolution took place, Lenin, was committed, and Communism became the political system of what was the Soviet Union for 72 years. During that time its effectiveness was because of Lenin’s exaltation of his comrades to total commitment. Total acceptance of the cause; Total dedication to the cause; Total discipline in the cause; and Total action for the cause.

In the 1970s it embraced a third of the world. That’s what total commitment can do. But by the 1980s it began to crumble, and by 1989 communism was pretty well finished as a world-wide influence. Even in China, Cuba and North Korea, where Communism lingers, there have been huge changes, and there is a strong underground church. Only North Korea seems to have a regime that boldly kills Christians wherever they are detected. China does it too, but more secretly. Islamic countries now are the ones that readily kill Christians.

So, commitment brings success to a cause to some degree, or for a certain length of time, but we must be committed to the truth, in order for lasting change. We must be committed to the right things, if they are to last. Jesus said in John 14:6 –“I am the way, the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” True commitment will mean not only turning to something good, but more importantly JESUS who is TRUTH. — but from something that is destructive,–SIN. Just as Paul commended the Thessalonians in I Thess. 1:9 for turning “TO GOD, from Idols to serve the living and true God.”

For a disciple of Jesus Christ, commitment means turning from serving self to serving others, for Jesus said the one who would be first must be the servant of all. It means turning from pride to humility. When the 70 returned after being sent out by the Lord, when even the demons submitted to them, Jesus told them; “do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

We cannot glory in the works that God himself does in us, and through us. We like Paul, must not boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Gal. 6:14). You might think; yes, we glory only in the cross, so what’s all this about RESURRECTION POWER. Is the resurrection really that important? Some people think that we can be perfectly good Christians without believing in the resurrection. However, if we look at I Corinthians 15:13-26, we see that the resurrection has to be real, or we have no gospel. No Good News. We would be still in our sins, and Jesus would have just been a good man that was unjustly put to death, but he wouldn’t have been able to die for us and bring forgiveness for sin, unless he rose again and had victory over sin, and Satan, and death and the grave.

In I Corinthians 15:54, quoting Isaiah 25:8 we read; “Death has been swallowed up in victory, Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” This is a passage showing what had to be accomplished through Jesus Christ.

We might ask the question, “why should we be committed to Jesus, and believe in the resurrection? Because it is the only way to be reconciled with God. It is through Him that he equips us for present and future suffering. But the main reason is found in our text; Philippians 3:verses 10, 11—where Paul talks about obtaining righteousness through faith in Christ. He goes on to say; “…I want to know Christ and the

POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

The resurrection means; Jesus has the POWER he claimed to have.

Many have a strong Christian heritage. As good as that is, as a blessing from God to come from that background, I have good news for those of you who do not have that kind of heritage. None of that can save us, and we see in verse 8 of Philippians 3, that Paul says all of that religious background is like rubbish, or garbage. It means nothing for our salvation.

We can appreciate any Christian upbringing we have, but we have to personally accept Jesus ourselves. When a person becomes a Christian, God takes away the bad, (by forgiving us our sins) but he also transforms us, reconciles us to God, and gives us Eternal Life.

There were five “Mission Aviation Fellowship” (M.A.F) missionaries, who lost their lives, taking the gospel to an Indian tribe in Ecuador, which was known at the time (1956) as the Auca Indians. This word in the Quechua language means, “naked savage.” The correct name of the tribe, and how it is known today is the Waodani. At the time the missionaries were killed, they were an isolated tribe known for their violence. That’s why no one wanted to take the gospel to them. One of the missionaries, Jim Elliot knew that this “lost” tribe needed to hear the gospel. He once said; “He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

This is Paul’s experience: He lost his “religion” and his reputation, but he gained far more than he lost. When he became a Christian, it was not the end for him, but the beginning. His experience when he committed himself to the resurrected Christ was personal and powerful.

This power enables believers to live a new life. Through this power, he is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine! This is Paul’s estimate of the Resurrection POWER OF CHRIST and what it can do in your life and mine.

This POWER NEEDS TO BE UNVAILED. There is sort of a FOG over it and many don’t see it.

It’s kind of like what happened after the battle of Waterloo in 1815 when the news came to England. You remember the story. Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, fought the last battle against Napoleon in Belgium. There were no telegrams in those days, but everyone knew that “Wellington” was facing Napoleon in a great battle, which the outcome would declare the future of England. A sailing ship “semaphored” (signaled with flags) news to the signalman on top of Winchester Cathedral. As the message was being received, the words were: WELLINTON DEFEATED—– Just at that instant a fog settled in, making it impossible for anyone to see any more signals from the tower. The news went across England and there was great discouragement and gloom all over the countryside. No more hope, no more liberty, no more England. After two or three hours the fog lifted, and the signal came again, “WELLINGTON DEFEATED THE ENEMY” Then all England of course rejoiced.

There was that day, when in the eyes of the world they put the body of the Lord Jesus Christ in the tomb. The disciples, along with a lot of people said, ”everything is ended, all is lost,–there is no justice, sin and Satan has conquered”—(Satan himself thought he had won). But then three days later—“the fog lifted” Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The truth has come down ever since and Jesus defeated the enemy! He defeated sin, Satan, death and the grave

We now have the HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE because of the RESURRECTION.

We now have the POWER that began with the RESSURRECTION. Because of the HOLY SPIRIT that He promised would come upon the disciples, they would receive POWER and they would be WITNESSES to what Jesus did, and the Gospel would be preached in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and all over the world.

There is power in the resurrection. Our future is secure;

We have eternal life because our sins are forgiven.

We can have the power to overcome our problems,

and we can be free from the bondage of sin.

Don’t be up and down in your spiritual walk—

obtain the victory that is yours through the power of the resurrection.

Paul gave up everything— his position of authority in Judaism, family, friendship and freedom—in order to know this power obtainable because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We too, have access to this knowledge and power. But we may have to make sacrifices to experience and enjoy it fully. What are you willing to give up in order to know Christ better? We too often want to “hang onto stuff” that we think we need. Things that may or may not be keeping us from the Lord or time spent with him. A crowded schedule, or plans of our own, that take up our time. Not that there is anything wrong with what we are doing, and the time it takes to do it, but if we don’t compensate for that by giving equal time to the Lord, then we must rethink, and recommit to our service for him.

When we become one with Christ by trusting in him, we experience the POWER that raised him from the dead

. Along with this power we have AUTHORITY

. We have power and authority over the attacks of the enemy.

We have power and authority over sickness and ill health. As our will becomes aligned with God’s will, and we obey him, then our faith increases, and we begin to understand just how much power we have because of Jesus who lives within us.

If you are not sure he lives within you, what are you waiting for? Before you can walk in newness of life, you must ask him to forgive your sins and “die” to your sins, since he took all of your sin upon himself on the cross.
Turn your life around (that’s what repent means), and put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone to save you.

Just as the Resurrection gives us Christ’s power to live for him, his Crucifixion marks the death of our old sinful self-nature. We can’t know the victory of the Resurrection without personally applying the Crucifixion. You may believe he died for the sins of the world, but you must also believe he died for just you. Receive him into your life this morning. Experience his power in your life so that you can walk in victory, and be assured of Eternal life, when he finally calls you home.

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Nobleton Community Church
29084 Sentinel Street PO Box 224
Nobleton, Florida 34661

Rev. Paul V. Lehmann, Pastor
813-389-8683
Nobletoncommunitychurch.org
info@nobletoncommunitychurch.org

OUR VISION IS:
To experience SPIRIT-FILLED WORSHIP AND PRAYER
To be involved in EVANGELISM, DISCIPLINING AND TRAINING PEOPLE
To use our SPIRITUAL GIFTS
To SERVE AND REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST, BOTH
“ACROSS THE STREET AND ACROSS THE WORLD”

Nobleton Community Church
Date April 20, 2025

Easter Sunrise Service
Text Luke 24: 1-16
Pastor Paul Lehmann

Listen to live audio here

Many skeptics will find it appropriate to put the resurrection into the category of the many ‘hoaxes” that we find on the internet. Fake news, if you will. Well, the reason the doubters keep trying to disprove the resurrection is, that if they acknowledge that Jesus not only died for our sins but rose again, they are forced to recognize the truth that we must either accept or reject Jesus Christ as Savior. They find it troubling that so many people still believe in the resurrection.

A lot of different people in Jerusalem were troubled by the resurrection of Jesus. The Roman government was troubled because the events of the last few days were very unusual and they didn’t know what was going to happen

Matthew 27:51-52 tells us that the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

The earth shook and the rocks split.

The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of their tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection, they went into Jerusalem and appeared to many people.

The Jews were troubled because they were still under the domination of Rome.

The ones who thought Jesus was going to lead a revolution were troubled because yet another so-called Messiah had failed them.

The ones who followed him, like His disciples, were troubled because they were left without His teaching, and they didn’t seem to remember what he said about his death and resurrection. They didn’t believe Mary when she told them he was alive. The Jewish leaders were troubled when the guards go back to their superiors and when they exclaimed what happened, they were paid money and were told –In Matt. 28:13-15 that they were to say, his disciples came during the night and stole him away while were asleep. If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day, more than 2,000 years later. The two disciples (who were not of the 11 disciples), didn’t even know for sure that he had risen from the dead, until “their eyes were opened and they admitted that “their hearts burned within them” when he opened the scriptures to them.

We’re here today to celebrate what some would say — incorrectly — is the greatest hoax of all. From the very beginning, the authorities tried to dismiss the resurrection story as nothing more than a fabrication, but it’s a story that wouldn’t go away..

Our faith is founded on one specific historical event. Not a myth or a legend, but a specific event that took place in the first century that changed forever the meaning of everything that matters.

We believe that on this day almost 2000 years ago, an itinerant backwoods preacher named Jesus rose from the dead. Three days before he had died a violent death on a Roman cross. His lifeless body was placed in a tomb, sealed with a stone, guarded by a Roman centurion.

And then, on Sunday morning, the Spirit of God entered the sepulcher where he lay, and breathed life into his nostrils, and his heart began to pound and his blood began to flow and his eyes opened wide and he stood to his feet, fully alive. This was not a symbolic resurrection, as in: “As long as we remember him, isn’t he, in a sense, always with us?”

Neither was it a spiritual resurrection, as in: “After death all souls move to a higher plane of existence and that’s where Jesus is today.”

No, it was a physical, bodily resurrection. He had been as dead as dead can be, and now he was — is — alive forevermore, with the life of God flowing through him. And when news of his resurrection spread throughout Jerusalem and the surrounding towns and villages, the political authorities and religious leaders had only one thing to say about it.

Fake News. April Fools. A giant hoax. It never happened.

But in the days following, hundreds of people saw him in the flesh, fully alive, and they knew it was true.

THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE DISCIPLES

There are many compelling reasons to believe in the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They have been detailed in books like Who Moved the Stone, The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel “More than a Carpenter, and Evidence That Demands a Verdict.

The most compelling reason to believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ can be seen in the disciples themselves.

When Jesus was arrested, they all scattered — all but John. They all feared they might be next in line, that their fate might be the same as his. The Apostle Peter denied that he ever knew him — not once, but three times.

Their response after his arrest was as cowardly as it could have been — but considering the circumstances, you really can’t blame them.

Jesus’ disciples ran in fear after his arrest, and after his death they remained in hiding. I’m sure they were trying to figure out: What next? What can we do? Will this thing blow over? Will we ever be safe? Can we go back to Galilee? Can we assume new identities? I’m sure they considered all the options. And then they began to hear the news, first from Mary, and then from some of the others. Jesus is alive. Could it really be? This is too good to be true! Dare we believe it?

Peter wanted to see for himself, so he got up and ran to the tomb. When he arrived he saw the strips of linen — the burial shroud — lying empty on the stone slab. And the Bible tells us that he walked away wondering to himself what had happened. [Luke 24:12] He really wanted to believe; it was just too good to be true.

But in the coming days they saw Jesus face-to-face. They talked to him. Walked with him. Ate with him. Thomas touched him, because he wanted to be sure that his eyes weren’t playing tricks on him.

In the coming weeks Jesus appeared to his followers again and again, to as many as 500 people, proving to them that he is who he claimed to be: The Son of God, God in the flesh, the chosen Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord and Lords. And he alone has power over death and the grave.

What happened next is that these disciples experienced a radical transformation. They went from being a pack of scaredy-cats to being a tribe of roaring lions. They went from hiding under the cover of darkness in a secret room to boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus in the public square.

What could possibly have triggered such a transformation? A one-on-one real life encounter with the risen Christ.

They had seen him beaten beyond recognition. And they watched — from a distance — as he died. They knew he was dead. And then they saw him alive again. And it gave them a boldness that they had never had before.

The authorities said that it was a hoax. Fake news. That his disciples had stolen his body and hidden it in order to perpetuate this fantastic lie.

That might have been a plausible theory — had his disciples been able to leverage the resurrection myth into fame and fortune for themselves. But that’s not what happened. They didn’t achieve fame and fortune at all. In fact, almost all of them paid the ultimate price for the message they proclaimed: they paid with their lives.

• Andrew was crucified in Western Greece in 69 A.D.
• James was killed with a sword by Herod Agrippa.
• Philip was imprisoned in Egypt, then crucified in 54 A.D.
• Bartholomew was skinned alive and beheaded in India.
• The one known as James the Less was, at the age of 94, beaten to death with a club.
• Simon the Zealot was crucified in England in 74 A.D.
• Simon Peter — the denier — died in Rome during the reign of Nero. Tradition says that he requested to be crucified upside down because he did not consider himself worthy to die in the same manner as his master.

Why were these men who had once been completely paralyzed by fear suddenly willing to pay the ultimate price?

It wasn’t for a lie that they made up, you can be sure. It wasn’t for a hoax.

It was because they had experienced a one-on-one real-life encounter with the risen Christ. They saw it with their own eyes: a man who had been dead was alive again.

Very few people would be foolish enough to give their lives in exchange for a lie. But when you have encountered a resurrection up close and personal — as the disciples did — it changes you.

Charles Colson, head of a wonderful Prison Ministry today, and who once was involved in the Nixon Watergate scandal, says that when he is asked about the resurrection, he simply points out the number of people that were eyewitnesses to it. But when he is asked, “How do you know they were telling the truth? He answers to that from an unlikely source: WATERGATE. John Dean turned state evidence after only two weeks. That’s all the longer the cover-up could last. The lie could be held together only two weeks! Then everybody else around the president “jumped ship” in order to save themselves. All they were facing was embarrassment, and maybe prison. Nobody’s life was at stake.

But the disciples were facing not just embarrassment or political disgrace, but beatings, stoning, and execution. Every single one of the disciples insisted, to their dying breaths, that they had physically seen Jesus bodily raised form the dead Don’t you think that one of those apostles would have cracked before being beheaded stoned, or crucified? That one of them would have made a deal with the authorities? None did. Men will give their lives for something they believe to be true; they will never give their lives for something they know to be false or a lie. This is still going on today in so many countries, where Christians are persecuted and imprisoned for their faith, or killed. This is the reality of what the Rison Christ does to change and impower a person. He brings deliverance, strength and power to face anything. Because they KNOW that they have ETERNAL LIFE.

There is a lot of convincing proof that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. If you have doubts about it, a sermon like this probably isn’t enough; I encourage you, then, to dig a little deeper and discover for yourself the consensus among scholars.

For me, the most convincing proof has always been the radical transformation of the disciples that took place in the days following the resurrection and continues to change lives today. The results are:

A PERSONAL ENCOUNTER WITH THE RISEN CHRIST, PEACE WITH GOD, ASSURANCE OF ETERNAL LIFE, A BRAND NEW START EVERY DAY, YOU WILL NEVER BE LEFT ALONE, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH TO FACE ANYTHING.

Scroll down past Sermon for more info

Nobleton Community Church
29084 Sentinel Street PO Box 224
Nobleton, Florida 34661

Rev. Paul V. Lehmann, Pastor
813-389-8683
Nobletoncommunitychurch.org
info@nobletoncommunitychurch.org

OUR VISION IS:
To experience SPIRIT-FILLED WORSHIP AND PRAYER
To be involved in EVANGELISM, DISCIPLINING AND TRAINING PEOPLE
To use our SPIRITUAL GIFTS
To SERVE AND REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST, BOTH
“ACROSS THE STREET AND ACROSS THE WORLD”

Nobleton Community Church
Date April 13, 2025
Text Text: John 12:9-19; Luke 19:26-44
Pastor Paul Lehmann

Listen to live audio here

Palm Sunday

An illustration of what took place on that day when Jesus entered Jerusalem, was when the Allied forces marched down the Champs Elise Boulevard in Paris, after World War II, and the surrender of the Nazi German Army. The French people were very enthusiastic in celebrating what the English and U.S.A. soldiers had accomplished. However, just as Woodrow Wilson’s popularity waned after World War I, which lasted only about a year after the war, the French soon forgot the help they received. In recent years there is definitely a love-hate relationship with the U.S. They love our music and films, but don’t like our assurance which they mistake for arrogance. One reason for this is the obnoxious behavior of some Americans who are very rude to French people when they don’t speak English.

Also after the Coalition forces marched into Bagdad, the people celebrated and praised the American troops, but it didn’t take long for outside terrorist forces, mostly from Syria and Iran to turn many people against the U.S.

Jesus’ followers were happy believers. They wholeheartedly accepted Him as their king. They demonstrated their enthusiasm by crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel! They waved palm branches and put their coats down in the road. They were probably called “fanatics” by curious onlookers.

The fact of the matter is, God wants enthusiasm. He has always favored people who enthusiastically praise Him. There are many examples of this in

the Bible. The Psalms are full of exclamation marks.

Psalm 47 shows this enthusiasm. “Clap your hands…shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High!”

There is a Praise chorus which says; “Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down, and the seas will roar—At the sound of your name. I sing for joy at the work of your hands Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.

The prophets were enthusiastic. Isaiah says in chapter 40 verses 6-10; “A voice says, ‘Cry out…go up on a high mountain…lift up your voice with a SHOUT, lift it up, do not be afraid–see, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and his arm rules for him.

Jeremiah is enthusiastic, even when he is warning against the judgment of God. Then in chapter 31 he gives the assurance that; “the Lord…will build you up again, and you will be rebuilt, O virgin Israel. Again, you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful. Again, you will plant vineyards on the hills of Samaria, the farmers will plant them and enjoy their fruit. There will be a day when watchmen cry out on the hills of Ephraim, Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God. This is what the Lord says; Sing with joy for Jacob; SHOUT for the foremost of the nations, make your praises heard, and say; ‘O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.’”

In Acts 2:43-47, the early church was; “filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. The beggar at the temple gate after he was healed, (Acts 3:8); “went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.

In II Cor. 5:13, Paul says; “If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God, if we are in our right mind it is for you.” (verse 14). “Christ’s love compels us.”

God is actually critical of those who have lost their enthusiasm. In Rev. 3:15-16 he says; “I know your works (deeds); that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot or cold, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. God prefers that we are “hot” or “enthusiastic”. His second choice because it is honest, is (antagonistic). It isn’t an option to be in the middle of these two extremes when it come to our attitude towards Christ, and ministry for the Lord.

The Christian has many reasons to be enthusiastic.

He can be enthusiastic about the past. What was evil is forgiven and what was good is not lost. We can be enthusiastic about the present. We are members of the world’s greatest team and involved in the world’s greatest cause. We are strengthened by the world’s greatest power, and led by the world’s greatest leader. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the King of Kings.

We can be enthusiastic about the future too.

We have the promise of eternal life. The final chapters of Revelation are the most enthusiastic words ever written. (Rev. 19:1). After this (the prediction of the fall of Babylon), I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God. In chapter 22:12-13 the Lord says; “Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Verse 17; “the Spirit and the bride say come. Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.”

It is important to keep our enthusiasm for Christ alive. Some who shouted “Hosanna” may have shouted “crucify him!” five days later. Some today may not Join in with the crowd shouting crucify him, but they have lost their enthusiasm for Christ, because a vocal minority, like the Pharisees, are putting Him down.

Most who make a profession of faith do so enthusiastically. Years ago when Billy Graham held his first Crusade in England, they had a lot of “Bobbies” (as they called their policemen) surrounding the soccer field where he preached. When Billy gave the invitation people from all over the stadium began to move down towards the field where the platform was set up. The police began to club people with their “Billy clubs,” because they thought they were starting to riot. So, don’t let anyone tell you that Billy Graham made it easy to accept Christ.

But people frequently are very enthusiastic when they first make a commitment to Christ. They want to know more about the Bible. They are anxious to tell other people about the Lord. Christians who have been Christians for a long time, sometimes get upset with all the enthusiasm they show. The new Christians look around and see how others are—with their dead pan looks, and lack of enthusiasm for the Lord, and sometimes get intimidated. One time a so-called mature Christian said about a new Christian; “don’t worry—give him a few months and he’ll get normal” –How sad.

However, there are others who have kept and increased their enthusiasm. They are still faithful, active, bubbling over with enthusiasm for their new- found faith because they are encouraged by, rather than discouraged by their fellow Christians. They attract others to the faith by their spirit, and they light up a room when they walk into it, because of their sweet spirit. Many have conquered discouragements and crises and have come out very strong in their faith.

So, we see that God wants enthusiasm, but the question is; how to keep enthusiasm for Christ alive.

Begin with a genuine conversion experience. “You must be born again.”

Some who joined in shouting “Hosanna!” may have had no real commitment; they were only caught up in the excitement of the day. Some religious experiences today are superficial. Some people have experienced peer pressure or parental pressure to be a Christian and also a pastor may have wanted the young person to follow a catechism or confirmation class. Or perhaps just the emotional excitement of an evangelistic meeting. There are those who rebound from a bad experience with a cult, or they have been addicted to drugs or alcohol and have come to the end of themselves, but their hearts haven’t been changed.

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE MUST DO TO ENSURE THAT WE REMAIN FAITHFUL?

We must be determined to keep enthusiasm alive. Much of our attitude is within our control. Enthusiasm takes genuine effort and self-discipline.

We must keep close contact with Christ. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. I am the vine, you are the branches, Jesus said. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. Prayer, Bible study, and worship are valuable points of contact.

We must open our lives to the Holy Spirit. Enthusiasm comes from two Greek words; –en (meaning “full of” and, theos, (meaning “full of God.”) The Holy Spirit is God as He lives within us. Every Christian believer has the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:38 we read, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the Forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Each of us has great potential for enthusiasm. We are to give the Spirit full freedom in our lives. He wants to “control” us. This is where a lot of Christians fall short. They don’t want to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. They Eph. 5:18; “Do not get drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit. “Now why would fear that will make them too “religious.” The apostle Paul tells us in he use that as an illustration? I can’t speak from experience, but, it is my understanding that when a person is drunk, you are out of control and the alcohol- the wine takes over. What Paul is saying, don’t give this control over to wine, (or in our case today any alcoholic drink), but give it over to the Holy Spirit. Let Him control you. Open every aspect of your life to His presence, His power, and His control.

We must also channel enthusiasm into an avenue of service.

“Emotionalism” seeks to be and end in itself. True emotion seeks to express itself in some concrete way and leads to action.

Today we join the crowds in Jerusalem, SHOUTING “Hosanna!” A month from now, a year from now, a decade from now, and eternity from now may you still have that enthusiasm for Christ the King.

― C.S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity

“I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”

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Nobleton Community Church
29084 Sentinel Street PO Box 224
Nobleton, Florida 34661

Rev. Paul V. Lehmann, Pastor
813-389-8683
Nobletoncommunitychurch.org
info@nobletoncommunitychurch.org

OUR VISION IS:
To experience SPIRIT-FILLED WORSHIP AND PRAYER
To be involved in EVANGELISM, DISCIPLINING AND TRAINING PEOPLE
To use our SPIRITUAL GIFTS
To SERVE AND REACH PEOPLE FOR CHRIST, BOTH
“ACROSS THE STREET AND ACROSS THE WORLD”

Nobleton Community Church
Date April 6, 2025
Text Romans 12:3-8 Corinthians 12:1-11
Pastor Paul Lehmann

Listen to live audio here

Last week we looked at verses 1 and 2 of Chapter 12 of Romans. We saw that not merely ritual activity but the involvement of heart, mind, and will is the worship that the Lord wants. It is obedient service. Paul goes on to say basically that in order to worship this way there must be a radical change. He says we must not be conformed to the world. Being conformed to this age results in an “unfit mind.”

Wise Christians decide that much worldly behavior and customs are off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must go even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our minds. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way we think. This world says; “Look out for number one (#1) ourselves” but

II Corinthians 5:15 says; “that we are to no longer live for ourselves,    but we are to live for the one who died for us and rose again.”

This world, with all its evil and corruption, plays on our minds and has formed us, whether we want it to or not. We must be transformed from that kind of thinking, thoughts, and will, as it relates to morality. Then after this spiritual transformation has taken place, we are able to do God’s will here and now, and every day. The Christian finds out the will of God not to contemplate it, but to do it.

When Christ comes into our lives, we are new people. Then he is at the center of our being and we are different and the driving power of our life is different, our way of thinking, our mind, is different because the mind of Christ is in us. II Corinthians 5;17 says; “the old is gone, the new has come.”

When Christ is at the center of our life, then we can offer him real worship, which is the offering of every moment and every action of life to God.

Romans chapter 12 and verses 3-8 is the emphasis of my message this morning. ONE FOR ALL AND ALL FOR ONE

In the days before the French Revolution, you remember, there was an elite group of swordsmen called Musketeers who had this as their motto in French; “un pour tous et tous pour un.” Meaning that they “had each other’s back,” so to speak. They would have understood what Paul is talking about here in verses 3-6.

“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

When we have this attitude towards our fellow Christians, we recognize that this measure of faith comes from God alone, and is given to each believer to fulfill various ministries in the church. Since the power comes from God, there can be no basis for a superior attitude or self-righteousness. An honest assessment of one’s own capabilities, without conceit and without false modesty, is one of the first essentials of the Christian life.

We also are urged in the first part of this passage, to accept ourselves and the gifts that God has given us. Now– you may look at this list in Corinthians 12, that Carol read today and say; “ I don’t believe I have any of these gifts mentioned.” Well you may be surprised at what God has for you, even though you haven’t discovered your spiritual gift yet. The other important thing to realize is; that these lists are not exhaustive. In Romans, we have many practical gifts, and in I Corinthians we have revelatory gifts, and practical spiritual gifts that are different from our talents and abilities. You see we may have a talent or ability that God has given to us—that we were born with, but never use it to glorify god. He wants us though, to use all of our talents and abilities to serve him, worship him, and glorify him. For instance, if you are able to sing well. If God has blessed you with a good singing voice, but you never use it to glorify him, he is not pleased with that. But if you use your talent to sing for him, he may also give you a spiritual gift such as prophecy—where you declare the Word of the Lord with power and the anointing of the Holy Spirit when you sing. Or maybe the gift of exhortation, where your singing just lifts people up and they are blessed. I believe our daughter Karen is blessed with an extraordinary talent. I may seem biased, but others too believe she has an exceptional singing voice. She could have chosen to study in Italy, as one of her voice teachers in New York wanted her to do. Or she could have sung on Broadway with the help of another voice teacher whose husband and son were in “Guys and Dolls” during the time she taught Karen. It is possible that she could have done either one of these professional things and God would have used her. But she also received spiritual gifts of prophecy, exhortation and service that is better-used within the Church, which she did by singing on worship teams and leading worship since she was 16 years old. I believe she and her son Zachariah (now known as Zauntee), who is a gifted songwriter will be able to use their talents which are anointed by the Holy Spirt, who has given them the spiritual gifts to touch people in ways that someone who is just talented but haven’t yielded their talent to the Lord would be able to do Now with the church, we are part of a body, and we shouldn’t be envious of someone else’s gift. We are not to complain and regret that some other gift has not been given to us. We are to accept ourselves as we are and to use that gift that we have.

This is one of Paul’s favorite thoughts, to think of the Christian Church as a body. This is how he describes it in I Cor. 12:12-27—The members of the body neither argue with each other or envy each other or dispute about their relative importance. Each part of the body carries out its own function, however prominent or however humbly unseen that function may be. To grasp this truth fully will mean that there will be less friction, less quarreling and fewer question marks with regard to the way God is using some of his servants. And yet, there are Christians who do not believe that any Christian doing something different than they are doing is in the will of God.

This line of thinking seems to be found in almost every part of Christian service. There used to be some missionaries who couldn’t imagine that anyone could be in the will of God—- unless he or she was —–

an overseas missionary. There are some evangelists who think that anyone in the will of God must be an evangelist. The key is obeying God and doing what we are called to do. Every Christian is called to witness for Christ, and as they are going about their everyday tasks they are to make disciples. It is essential then, that we think of the Body of Jesus Christ as composed of those with different gifts. In fact, this is exactly what the Apostle Paul indicates in Romans 12:6, where he says; “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then “prophesy in accordance with your faith.” Prophecy is only one of many gifts and, of course, is to be used for the purpose intended by God. Foretelling is not its main purpose. It is more particularly forth-telling, which is the presentation of God’s truth to people. Some people have the God-given ability to dig into God’s Word and present it in such a way that God’s people are helped by it. This is a special gift from God, and anyone who has it is to use it to the glory of God.

Verse 7 of Romans 12 says; “If your gift is serving—-then serve. This gift of practical service is simply doing whatever needs to be done around the church, and doing it with a joyful attitude. This is ministry. It may be that you are able to administer some type of Christian enterprise. You may never have the opportunity to prophesy with anointing and preach a message, but high on Paul’s list is serving in other ways. There is no one who cannot every day in life show the love of Christ in deeds or service to others, both inside the body of Christ, and also to our neighbors and all those outside the church. The next gift mentioned is teaching. Exposition of the Word I possibly the thought here, and those who have the gift should cultivate it and use it to the utmost. It may be that someone who feels called to teach in a school, and is a certified teacher, doesn’t have the spiritual gift of teaching the Word of God. There is a difference. It is a wonderful blessing to see someone who has the ability and training to teach, and who also has the spiritual gift of teaching. They make the Word come alive and understood as the Spirit of God anoints them for the task. It is a requirement for deacons and elders in the church. We read that they should be “able to teach.” (I Tim. 3:2) along with a number of other requirements. Following that, in verse 8, we have the word exhortation (RSV) or to give encouragement (NIV). The one who exhorts, or who has the gift of exhortation or encouragement, is to concentrate on that particular

Gift. This, of course, must be done on the basis of the Word. The truth we find in the Word becomes the foundation for the appeals we make to God’s people to follow him. It must be, however, what the Word says, and not our own thoughts or desires.

The subject of giving is next presented, and it is to be done with simplicity (KJV) or, let him give generously (NIV) or contribute liberally (RSV). Giving for the sheer joy of giving. Giving in a single-mindedness or simple manner. Not all can be administrators in God’s work or expositors or preachers of the Word, or pastors, evangelists, or even exhorters, but God may have given someone the gift of making money.

R.G. LaTourneau, who early on in the 20th century established himself as the inventor and manufacturer of huge earth moving equipment, and founded an Engineering University. He became a multi-millionaire who gave 90% of his income to the Lord, and he used 10%. Stanley Tam, who founded a Plastics Corp. and other businesses. He wrote the book “God Owns My Business.” His business was so successful that he gave over one million dollars to missions, and 50% of his business was formally and legally owned by God (Even though at first his lawyer said it couldn’t be done.). Walt Meloon, who invented and manufactured “Correct Craft ski boats. He supplied the boats for Cypress Gardens before they sold out to Lego. Early on in his business during World War 2 he contracted with the military to manufacture troop boats. He was asked to do so many that he had shifts 24/7 to meet the contract. Then when the war ended they said they didn’t need them and he was stuck with the bill. He had to go bankrupt but he told all of his creditors that he would pay them back every cent he owed them, which he did. Because of his integrity and faithfulness in giving his tithe and offerings to the Lord, God blessed his business. There are many others who have made money and given to the Lord and had the right motives. When God’s people make a lot of money, this is not for themselves, but for his purposes. God gifts some of his servants to earn much more in order that they might distribute it with no ulterior motive of securing influence and advantage for themselves, a vice too frequently indulged by the affluent in their donations to the church, but rather with a sincere motive of glorifying Christ and his work. Then if your gift is to lead, do it diligently (NIV); He who gives aid do it with zeal. (RSV). There are fewer and fewer people who have a sense of service and of responsibility. This gift is closely linked with serving. It may involve leadership, but it may involve giving aid wherever it is needed. Paul says to do it with zeal—do it enthusiastically. We can combine this with the one last thing Paul mentions; If your gift is to show mercy, or kindness to others, do it cheerfully. Now the one who rules or leads must do it with diligence. The one who leads must do so with sensitivity and kindness. Showing mercy to those who are hurting. The Lord expects us to do his work harmoniously. The one who leads or rules should not dictate over others like a tyrant, but to inspire others with the enthusiasm which God has put in his or her soul for the work. There are some who have the ability to bring sympathy to those who are in sorrow.[PL1] [PL2] If that is your gift, then bring that sympathy, “with God’s sunlight in your face”, as one translator says. Encourage those in sorrow and in trouble.do not be guilty of pouring your own troubles into their already troubled hearts. God to them with the “sunlight of the Son of God in your face.” Leading people to understand forgiveness is a way of also showing mercy, but real forgiveness is always based on love and never on superiority. The Love of God is what people need to see, as each one of us, uses our practical spiritual gifts.

There is a hypothetical scene that I have mentioned before, illustrating some of these gifts. Suppose someone at a house party is carrying a tray of drinks across the room. They trip and fall over a footstool; the glasses fall and break and the person is lying on the floor. The one with the gift of prophecy might say; “If you would have been more careful and watched where you were going, that wouldn’t have happened.” The person with the gift of mercy would say right away; “Are you all right? –and would knell down to make sure they weren’t cut, and help them up. The person with the gift of serving would immediately go get a rag, a broom and a dustpan to clean up the mess. The person with a leadership gift might begin to tell that person where to find what they need, and if the person really is hurt would call 911. The one with a gift of encouragement would begin to comfort and encourage the one who fell saying; “I’m glad you’re all right. It could have happened to anyone. The footstool was out way too far. -You’ll be okay—or something along those lines. You get the idea. All of these reactions are needed, and——-

In the body of Christ, all of our spiritual gifts are needed, and we need to work together in the church.

When we are totally surrendered to Jesus Christ and are walking in the Holy Spirit, the enemy of our souls cannot disrupt the church, or stop the outreach and ministry of The Church. When Christ is fully in control of our lives we can walk in VICTORY, because there is victory in JESUS.