Jesus Can Remove Your Disgrace

Pastor Steve Viars November 28, 2010 Taking the Next Step in the Knowledge of Our Savior Jesus Can Remove Your Disgrace

James 3:2 - For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

James 3:8 - But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

4 principles to help you put shame and disappointment in its place:

I. Disgrace, Disappointment, and Shame are Conditions We All Experience

A. The purpose of Luke’s Gospel

1. Luke

2. The recipient

3. The purpose

Luke 1:3-4 - it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.

2 Peter 1:21 - for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

B. The ideal way to begin this book

1. Zacharias – “The Lord has remembered”

Luke 1:5 - a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah;

2. Elizabeth

Luke 1:5 - he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

3. Their lifestyle

Luke 1:6 - They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord.

4. Their disgrace

Luke 1:7 - But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in years. Luke 1:26 - her disgrace among men.

C. The way Zacharias and Elizabeth illustrate you and me

1 John 1:8 - If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:10 - If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

Romans 3:10 - as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;”

Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

II. God’s Promises Can Turn Shame into Joy

A. You never know what a day might bring

Luke 1:8 - Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division…

Luke 1:9 - according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

Luke 1:10 - And the whole multitude of the people were in prayer outside at the hour of the incense offering.

B. Promise about Elizabeth’s barrenness

Luke 1:13-14 - But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth…”

C. Promise about mankind’s barrenness

Luke 1:17-18 - It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

III. You Have to Decide if You Will Believe the Promises of God

A. Zacharias’ lapse

Luke 1:18 - Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this for certain? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years.”

B. Gabriel’s punishment

Luke 1:19-20 - The angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”

C. Challenge for you and me

1. If you have not yet become a follower of Christ

Choose to believe God’s promises regarding your present condition

a. For those who believe their condition is not that bad

John 3:18-21 - He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

b. For those who believe their condition is beyond hope

Luke 1:25 - This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.

2 Corinthians 5:21 - He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.

Zechariah 3:1-5 - Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. The Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel. He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, “Remove the filthy garments from him.” Again he said to him, “See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes.” Then I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him with garments, while the angel of the Lord was standing by.

2. If you know Christ

a. But have been disappointed

b. But have failed in some way

Psalm 103:12 - As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Luke 1:25 - This is the way the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor upon me, to take away my disgrace among men.

IV. God Delights in Fulfilling Promises that Often Seem Impossible