by Wesley Blackburn
So now, things are in motion. Jesus has been betrayed into the hands of those who hate them most. God's plan for salvation for the entire world is now seeing it's final moments before completion. But truly, even though Jesus knows that He is so close to accomplishing the will of the Father, it must feel so far away. He has yet to go through some excruciating pain and some surely testing emotional times.
But in the midst of this, what does Jesus do? He continues to submit to God's will and plan for His life, even if that means crucifixion. A lot of the time, I like to say that I want to live a life submitted to God and His will and plan for my life. But sometimes in my life, God's plan means pain, hardship, and testing. That's not something I am a fan of. And a lot of the time, that's when I suddenly choose not to submit.
But not Jesus, through thick and thin, He is committed and devoted to the plan of the Father. He is going to see it through to completion, even when that means pain and difficulty are involved for us.
So how about you? What is the situation in your life that you know God is calling you to, but maybe you're shying away because you know the commitment or difficulty involved? Have you fully submitted to the will of God, even when it's tough? That's one of the things I think that the cross asks us. And it's a question that I think we are obligated to answer.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
66. The Last Supper (Luke 22:1-46).
by Steve Butera
What a great passage this was to read and focus on, but like Wes and others have said, a very familiar one as well. The problem with familiar is that we begin to lose sight of the details and look at the passage as a big concept like “The Last Supper.” I took this as an opportunity to take the advice of Pastor Greg and S-L-O-W down. I looked at the context, author’s intent, background, key words and genre. I have to tell you that really does make a difference. I also prayed and expected to hear from God.
This passage was written by Luke, a Gentile physician who traveled extensively with Paul, around 60 A.D. Luke wrote this Gospel after talking with several eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life, almost like a journalist. He gave dates and times, and provided the only account of Jesus’ childhood years. What I focus on is the fact that he was a Gentile. It reminds me that God uses anyone from any background. Anyway, on to the Scripture.
There is so much to talk about concerning this passage of Scripture that I’m almost speechless. I feel like it’s something we could talk about for quite awhile... like I can’t cover everything in this space here. Loosely broken down, it’s about Judas betraying Jesus, the last supper, Jesus predicting Peter’s denial of Him, and Jesus’ prayer on the Mount of Olives. But for me, I get caught up in a couple of things. I am struck by the fact that as a religious feast approaches, the minds of the high priests and religious scholars were on treachery. When Judas comes with his ideas of betraying Jesus they can’t believe their good luck. It’s really something how messed up we can get in our thinking; it's not so important how much religious knowledge we have or whether we perform all the correct religious behaviors. We can still engage in evil and be as far from God as ever.
Take Judas. To me, his story is heartbreaking. When you think about it, he was one of the 12 disciples. He was so close to Jesus, involved in His ministry, and privy to intimacy with Him and the other disciples. Would anyone ever imagine that this would be the guy who would betray Him for a bit of cash? What breaks my heart is that as soon as Judas betrays Jesus, he is aware of how wrong this was, is consumed with guilt, wants to give the money back [to which the priests say “buzz off.”], and he ends up killing himself. What a sad and terrible scenario.
Peter struggled also. He couldn’t imagine that he would deny Jesus. I’m sure he thought Jesus was just mistaken when he told him to “stay on his toes.” He was dedicated, loved Jesus, and was so bold from Him. Yet very shortly he was doing the very thing he thought he’d never do. How many times have I had my mind set that I wouldn’t do a certain thing one day and by the next day, I’ve done it? I think there is a warning here. Satan is always around trying to influence us, mess with our head, and lead us to believe things that are contrary to what Jesus has said. Unless we rely on Him and stay in relationship with him [pray, read His word, and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit] we are going to fall… and sometimes fall hard. More than once in this passage, Jesus admonishes his disciples to “pray that you don’t give in to temptation.” Later He tells them “What business do you have sleeping? Get up. Pray so you won't give in to temptation.”
I am also struck by what is said in verse 37: “It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." This is a reference to Isaiah 53:12 which says “Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” Wow! What has been said about Jesus is reaching its fulfillment!! What a cataclysmic, wonderful, incredible, amazing time. I mean like freak out! God is doing something so intensely, hugely BIG that will forever change things. THE CROSS. Jesus is going to pour himself out for us. It’s hard, really, to convey the level of excitement and gratitude that I have about this. Words just don’t do it.
There are so many things the Cross of Christ means for us that it is difficult to express all that is felt. Our sin debt is paid, we are given eternal life, we are brought into relationship with God, a new covenant is established, sin is overcome, death is overcome, stripes were taken on His back for our healing, we have in intercessor advocating on our behalf, and we receive power through the Holy Spirit. Everything written about Jesus is coming to a conclusion. Amazingly, this is a gift. We only have to receive it. How incredible is that?
The life of Jesus is something He lives through us, powered by the Holy Spirit. We don’t have to do it on our own. In fact, we can’t. When you think about Judas and Peter, you realize the spiritual forces as work and see that overcoming sin is not accomplished through willpower alone. It is clear; we can have every determination and invoke our will, only to fail a minute later. No, looking to the cross is the only answer. Through Jesus and His work on the cross, we have victory over sin and death. That’s why knowing Him, staying intimate with Him, and understanding what His word says is the only way to maintain your faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Thank God, thank God, thank God! So when we take communion, let’s remember EVERYTHING that we have through the cross and Christ’s finished work upon it. Glory to God!
Friday, August 27, 2010
65. Raising Lazarus from the Dead (John 11:1-57).
by Wesley Blackburn
My best friend is a guy named C.J. Stephens. C.J. and I met in college, and we were roommates for a year before he got married. I was the best man in his wedding a few years ago. After graduating last spring, C.J.'s now the worship minister at a place called Milford Christian Church in Ohio. This year, as I go back and forth from the Region to Cincinnati, Ohio every week to finish up some classes for school, I'll be staying at C.J. (and his wife Ami's) home in the Cincinnati area.
It might sound kind of morbid to say, but I don't know what I would do if my friend C.J. died. Obviously, it'd be a tragedy since he's only 22, but even beyond that, just as a friend, I really value his presence in my life. I know I'd get emotional. It would be a huge loss, even though I would be happy because I know C.J. would be in a much better place.
That's kind of what I imagine Jesus feeling and experiencing in this story. One of his best friends, a man named Lazarus, had died, and Jesus was quite moved by the sight. John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible, but is packed with incredible meaning: "Jesus wept." Sometimes we have this tendency to see Jesus as a man who was only concerned with very "spiritual" or "religious" matters. But Jesus was a man of incredible passion and emotion as well. Jesus had a heart, that's for sure. I don't know that anyone could ever make an argument otherwise.
But beyond showing us Jesus' incredible emotion and care for those He loves (good news: that's all of us), it shows us some other stuff. Number one, Jesus has power over all things... even death. Over the past century, we've seen a lot of advancements in the medical world. A person's average life span here in the United States is over 70 years. But even with all those advancements, I don't hear anyone saying that we'll be skirting death anytime soon. But Jesus can. Just ask Lazarus.
I think the other thing that this passage shows us is what faith looks like. As Jesus came to Lazarus' home, he was met by Lazarus' sister, Martha, who said that she wished Jesus would have been there, so Lazarus wouldn't have died. But then, she utters an incredible statement of faith: "But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask" (John 11:22). Do we really believe that like Martha? In her context, Lazarus was dead... and dead people don't normally come back from that condition. But even then, Martha still believed. She knew that Jesus was the Son of God and that He could do anything. Imagine the situations that we would quit fretting about if we truly believed that... that God can do anything we ask for, even when that's impossible. I know that there are a few areas of my life where my attitudes would probably change.
My best friend is a guy named C.J. Stephens. C.J. and I met in college, and we were roommates for a year before he got married. I was the best man in his wedding a few years ago. After graduating last spring, C.J.'s now the worship minister at a place called Milford Christian Church in Ohio. This year, as I go back and forth from the Region to Cincinnati, Ohio every week to finish up some classes for school, I'll be staying at C.J. (and his wife Ami's) home in the Cincinnati area.
It might sound kind of morbid to say, but I don't know what I would do if my friend C.J. died. Obviously, it'd be a tragedy since he's only 22, but even beyond that, just as a friend, I really value his presence in my life. I know I'd get emotional. It would be a huge loss, even though I would be happy because I know C.J. would be in a much better place.
That's kind of what I imagine Jesus feeling and experiencing in this story. One of his best friends, a man named Lazarus, had died, and Jesus was quite moved by the sight. John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible, but is packed with incredible meaning: "Jesus wept." Sometimes we have this tendency to see Jesus as a man who was only concerned with very "spiritual" or "religious" matters. But Jesus was a man of incredible passion and emotion as well. Jesus had a heart, that's for sure. I don't know that anyone could ever make an argument otherwise.
But beyond showing us Jesus' incredible emotion and care for those He loves (good news: that's all of us), it shows us some other stuff. Number one, Jesus has power over all things... even death. Over the past century, we've seen a lot of advancements in the medical world. A person's average life span here in the United States is over 70 years. But even with all those advancements, I don't hear anyone saying that we'll be skirting death anytime soon. But Jesus can. Just ask Lazarus.
I think the other thing that this passage shows us is what faith looks like. As Jesus came to Lazarus' home, he was met by Lazarus' sister, Martha, who said that she wished Jesus would have been there, so Lazarus wouldn't have died. But then, she utters an incredible statement of faith: "But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask" (John 11:22). Do we really believe that like Martha? In her context, Lazarus was dead... and dead people don't normally come back from that condition. But even then, Martha still believed. She knew that Jesus was the Son of God and that He could do anything. Imagine the situations that we would quit fretting about if we truly believed that... that God can do anything we ask for, even when that's impossible. I know that there are a few areas of my life where my attitudes would probably change.
64. Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man (Mark 5:1-20)
…by Kay Roberts
I have always been intrigued with the paranormal and their stories yet maintain a good healthy respect for what it really is. What amazes me, is each time there is mentioned in the Bible a story demons, is Jesus’ unwavering power and authority. These demons IMMEDIATELY recognize and KNOW who Jesus is and begin to BEG for His mercy. Notice in verse 13 of this passage, “He gave them permission…” Anyone knows that whoever is “granting permission” holds A LOT of authority so as I am reading this, it causes me to sit up and pay attention. What I am really thinking is that this Jesus is real because even the demons BELIEVE HIM to be God!!! So I should not dismiss Him or what He has to say or even what He can DO! He comes with power and authority. This is not a weak man.
As I continue through the reading, I come to the end where Jesus tells this man to go home and talk about all that the Lord has done for him after he has asked to go with Jesus. What do you think he shared with the people in Decapolis? What were his thoughts and emotions while being possessed? Once again, I am intrigued! His life has been RADICALLY changed and here are some cues we can glean from the passage about his former life:
1. He lived in the tombs. (Ewww! I don’t want to be living at the cemetery, do you???)
2. He lived alone. (How sad!)
3. No one could bind him because he broke EVEN the iron chains that bound him hand and feet. (This is code for NO ONE COULD HELP HIM!!!)
4. He cried out, night and day and CUT himself with STONES.(Seriously, that sounds painful…)
His radical change of life goes from one of extreme solitude and pain and things incomprehensible to us, to one of being HOME with his family (can you imagine the celebration of his return?!), being in his RIGHT mind, being in CONTROL of his body and simply being able to LIVE.
A couple things strike me:
1. This man does not hesitate to go and do what Jesus has asked.
2. I should be doing the same thing, sharing with everyone I know what Jesus has done for me!
We all have been radically changed by Jesus. We all have similar stories. The way we USED to be to the way we are now. This is why Jesus came. To radically change lives.
What’s your story? How has Jesus radically changed your life? Are you sharing your story of a radically changed life?
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
63. Healing a Blind Man (John 9:1-41).
by Wesley Blackburn
In my years of Christian elementary, Christian middle school, Christian high school, and now Christian college, I've heard the story of the blind man from John 9 several times. But recently I was challenged to really think about it; to think through the characters in the story, to feel what they were feeling, and most of all, to see the utter hilarity and craziness of the entire thing. Truly, this is one of the funniest stories in the Bible.
But it all comes back to the simple fact that, as humans, we have this uncanny ability to believe what we want to believe, regardless of fact. Some people have said that about Christians; that we believe in the existence of God and the resurrection and miraculous ministry of His Son, Jesus, in the face of all obvious facts. I think, though, that Christians can make a very similar argument against their non-believing counterparts. This story is one such argument.
So, we discover that there is a man who had been blind from birth, and Jesus heals him. As the man came home seeing, his neighbors were astounded. They knew this guy was blind. Yet now he could see! Some just thought they had this guy confused with someone else, but the man himself spoke and said that, yes indeed, he once was blind and now could see. The people asked how this happened, and the man told them about Jesus and how he had restored his sight.
However, because this miracle was done on the Sabbath (a day where the Jews were allowed to do no work, apparently including miracles), the man was brought before Jewish religious leaders for questioning (those guys had to be real killjoys). They asked the obvious question, "How can you see?" Again, just as before, the man told these people about Jesus and how his sight was restored.
But these religious leaders weren't buying it. In fact, John 9:18 tells us that they thought the man was lying about being blind! So the man's parents were brought in, and they confirmed that, yes indeed, this was their son, and sure enough, he had been blind from birth.
But at that point, the Bible divulges something that we probably knew all along anyway: the Jews had already decided that Jesus was not the Son of God that He claimed to be (John 9:22). In the face of all the facts right in front of them, the religious leaders refused to believe because they had already made up their mind. They would ask the man to give his testimony again, but he refused. He had already told them, and they had already refused to believe. Why tell them again?
Other than serving as a demonstration of Jesus' power over everything, I think this story punches home the point that we always seem to find a way of believing what we want to. But in these situations where we just stubbornly hold onto our convictions and beliefs, the message of Jesus to us a lot of the time is quite simply, "You're wrong." It sounds pretty mean, but I've discovered that sometimes, that's the most loving thing a person can ever tell me.
Maybe Jesus is trying to tell you that "You're wrong" about that grudge you just won't let go of.
Maybe you're tip-toeing down a path of sin, shame, and personal destruction, and Jesus is just politely saying, "You're wrong. Stop it."
Maybe you've continued to wreck your life time and time again and refuse to let Christ come and be your Lord and Savior. Again, maybe He's saying, "The way you're living is wrong. I've got something so much better."
Again, not a really nice or well-liked message. And I'm not saying that there are beliefs and convictions that you should just let go of (like my beliefs about Jesus being God, for example). But the fact is, if we ever want to go anywhere with God, at some point we're going to need to step up to the plate and admit to God that we've been wrong about a few things in our lives and that we need Him to come and show us the way. God won't gloat. He won't hold it over our heads. Just as politely and kindly as He showed us the error of our ways, He'll also kindly and politely show us the way we need to go as we follow Him.
"You're wrong." Sometimes, those are the two most loving words anyone has ever said to me.
In my years of Christian elementary, Christian middle school, Christian high school, and now Christian college, I've heard the story of the blind man from John 9 several times. But recently I was challenged to really think about it; to think through the characters in the story, to feel what they were feeling, and most of all, to see the utter hilarity and craziness of the entire thing. Truly, this is one of the funniest stories in the Bible.
But it all comes back to the simple fact that, as humans, we have this uncanny ability to believe what we want to believe, regardless of fact. Some people have said that about Christians; that we believe in the existence of God and the resurrection and miraculous ministry of His Son, Jesus, in the face of all obvious facts. I think, though, that Christians can make a very similar argument against their non-believing counterparts. This story is one such argument.
So, we discover that there is a man who had been blind from birth, and Jesus heals him. As the man came home seeing, his neighbors were astounded. They knew this guy was blind. Yet now he could see! Some just thought they had this guy confused with someone else, but the man himself spoke and said that, yes indeed, he once was blind and now could see. The people asked how this happened, and the man told them about Jesus and how he had restored his sight.
However, because this miracle was done on the Sabbath (a day where the Jews were allowed to do no work, apparently including miracles), the man was brought before Jewish religious leaders for questioning (those guys had to be real killjoys). They asked the obvious question, "How can you see?" Again, just as before, the man told these people about Jesus and how his sight was restored.
But these religious leaders weren't buying it. In fact, John 9:18 tells us that they thought the man was lying about being blind! So the man's parents were brought in, and they confirmed that, yes indeed, this was their son, and sure enough, he had been blind from birth.
But at that point, the Bible divulges something that we probably knew all along anyway: the Jews had already decided that Jesus was not the Son of God that He claimed to be (John 9:22). In the face of all the facts right in front of them, the religious leaders refused to believe because they had already made up their mind. They would ask the man to give his testimony again, but he refused. He had already told them, and they had already refused to believe. Why tell them again?
Other than serving as a demonstration of Jesus' power over everything, I think this story punches home the point that we always seem to find a way of believing what we want to. But in these situations where we just stubbornly hold onto our convictions and beliefs, the message of Jesus to us a lot of the time is quite simply, "You're wrong." It sounds pretty mean, but I've discovered that sometimes, that's the most loving thing a person can ever tell me.
Maybe Jesus is trying to tell you that "You're wrong" about that grudge you just won't let go of.
Maybe you're tip-toeing down a path of sin, shame, and personal destruction, and Jesus is just politely saying, "You're wrong. Stop it."
Maybe you've continued to wreck your life time and time again and refuse to let Christ come and be your Lord and Savior. Again, maybe He's saying, "The way you're living is wrong. I've got something so much better."
Again, not a really nice or well-liked message. And I'm not saying that there are beliefs and convictions that you should just let go of (like my beliefs about Jesus being God, for example). But the fact is, if we ever want to go anywhere with God, at some point we're going to need to step up to the plate and admit to God that we've been wrong about a few things in our lives and that we need Him to come and show us the way. God won't gloat. He won't hold it over our heads. Just as politely and kindly as He showed us the error of our ways, He'll also kindly and politely show us the way we need to go as we follow Him.
"You're wrong." Sometimes, those are the two most loving words anyone has ever said to me.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
62. Walking on Water (Matthew 14:22-36).
by Andy Kaser
It’s so easy to see the ‘bad’ in a story. It’s pretty easy for me to remember the dumb moves that a Bible hero made. It pretty much marks them for life, or in their case, thousands of years!
Take for example Peter. I call Him ‘pipe up Peter’ because on numerous occasions he was quick to speak and slow to listen. In today’s passage we find Peter about to do something that no one has ever done before (except Jesus of course). Think about it, in this story he sets a record…he makes history. It’s a feat that has never been done since. He walks on water.
The reality is we can focus on his rebuke or his faith. No doubt he took one for the team, because his mistake in the story allows us all to learn a valuable lesson about trusting Jesus.
I invite you to pause and read the story in Matthew 14:22-36. So what did you think? I guess I’d just like us not to consider his incredible faith to ‘get out of the boat.’ No one else jumped in the water. No one else had a fraction of the faith that he had. No one else was as passionate about the embrace of Jesus as Peter was. So it begs a question for our soul. Are we missing out on chances to express our faith (albeit small)? Are we missing out on chances to passionately pursue Jesus because doing so is a huge risk? Are we so afraid of failure or shame that we never take a step into the unknown?
I think there is more tragedy in times we fail to move than in the times we move and fail. What if in the economy of God His measurement of joy is found in taking the first steps toward greatness, and not in how well we stood after taking that step? Don’t get me wrong. It matters how we finish. But it also matters that we have the faith and passion to take the step toward Jesus without knowing any of the answers prior to it.
Is Jesus asking you to come to Him? He is. And what really matters is that you get out of the boat.
It’s so easy to see the ‘bad’ in a story. It’s pretty easy for me to remember the dumb moves that a Bible hero made. It pretty much marks them for life, or in their case, thousands of years!
Take for example Peter. I call Him ‘pipe up Peter’ because on numerous occasions he was quick to speak and slow to listen. In today’s passage we find Peter about to do something that no one has ever done before (except Jesus of course). Think about it, in this story he sets a record…he makes history. It’s a feat that has never been done since. He walks on water.
The reality is we can focus on his rebuke or his faith. No doubt he took one for the team, because his mistake in the story allows us all to learn a valuable lesson about trusting Jesus.
I invite you to pause and read the story in Matthew 14:22-36. So what did you think? I guess I’d just like us not to consider his incredible faith to ‘get out of the boat.’ No one else jumped in the water. No one else had a fraction of the faith that he had. No one else was as passionate about the embrace of Jesus as Peter was. So it begs a question for our soul. Are we missing out on chances to express our faith (albeit small)? Are we missing out on chances to passionately pursue Jesus because doing so is a huge risk? Are we so afraid of failure or shame that we never take a step into the unknown?
I think there is more tragedy in times we fail to move than in the times we move and fail. What if in the economy of God His measurement of joy is found in taking the first steps toward greatness, and not in how well we stood after taking that step? Don’t get me wrong. It matters how we finish. But it also matters that we have the faith and passion to take the step toward Jesus without knowing any of the answers prior to it.
Is Jesus asking you to come to Him? He is. And what really matters is that you get out of the boat.
Monday, August 23, 2010
61. Feeding the Five Thousand (Luke 9:1-36).
by Diane Jackowski
Jesus begins a new phase of his ministry by multiplying his efforts. He’s not just going out to preach and teach the gospel; He now is sending out his apostles to preach about the kingdom of heaven. He tells them to go find places where they are welcome and if not, to shake off the dust and move on. There’s been a lot of talk around Suncrest about going out and being the light amoungst our friends, families, neighborhoods, workplaces and just in our lives in general... being the light and being used by God to do His work and to be different than the people of this world.
How many times have you tried that? It’s pretty dang hard. Well, at least it is for me because I like results! I’m in San Diego, California on vacation with my family right now and we’ve been visiting with old friends and co-workers of mine. It’s been a great time, but pretty disheartening with so many broken relationships, marriages, losses of jobs, and just brokenness in general. How come the world can’t see how different I am? Why aren’t they asking me? Can’t they see? I’m wondering how long before I should shake the dust off and move on from these relationships or if I should just stay and allow God to do the work through me? And then I remember it’s up to Him and to them to decide to see Christ’s redemptive mercy, grace and forgiveness. I love that!
So that means I am home free, right? Or am I? God has called each of us personally to keep pursuing Him and building a relationship with Him. Most likely, that means pursuing relationships with others and that requires action even with no results at times, or visible and tangible results. Ugh! So, then, I have to stop thinking about me and that’s so hard sometimes.
But getting back to our story for today, the apostles come back to Jesus to tell Him of what happened and then they retreated together. How cool would it be to be able to go back and retreat with Jesus and get His recommendations face to face? Of course, crowds followed and in the moment that his disciples doubted His great and amazing power, Jesus gets ready to do an incredible miracle. His apostles did the normal thing all of us would think to do... they suggested going back to the villages to find enough food for the 5000 people that had followed them to Bethsaida. But Jesus had other plans. He held up the fives loaves of bread and two fishes to heaven and BOOM! How much more proof do we need to know how much power Christ has and how much His power flows through us when we choose to follow Him daily? Through Him all things are possible and as long as I keep praying for the people in my life that don’t know Him and pursuing a relationship with them, then maybe their eyes will be open to knowing the Most High. Should I pray for results? Just kidding!
Jesus begins a new phase of his ministry by multiplying his efforts. He’s not just going out to preach and teach the gospel; He now is sending out his apostles to preach about the kingdom of heaven. He tells them to go find places where they are welcome and if not, to shake off the dust and move on. There’s been a lot of talk around Suncrest about going out and being the light amoungst our friends, families, neighborhoods, workplaces and just in our lives in general... being the light and being used by God to do His work and to be different than the people of this world.
How many times have you tried that? It’s pretty dang hard. Well, at least it is for me because I like results! I’m in San Diego, California on vacation with my family right now and we’ve been visiting with old friends and co-workers of mine. It’s been a great time, but pretty disheartening with so many broken relationships, marriages, losses of jobs, and just brokenness in general. How come the world can’t see how different I am? Why aren’t they asking me? Can’t they see? I’m wondering how long before I should shake the dust off and move on from these relationships or if I should just stay and allow God to do the work through me? And then I remember it’s up to Him and to them to decide to see Christ’s redemptive mercy, grace and forgiveness. I love that!
So that means I am home free, right? Or am I? God has called each of us personally to keep pursuing Him and building a relationship with Him. Most likely, that means pursuing relationships with others and that requires action even with no results at times, or visible and tangible results. Ugh! So, then, I have to stop thinking about me and that’s so hard sometimes.
But getting back to our story for today, the apostles come back to Jesus to tell Him of what happened and then they retreated together. How cool would it be to be able to go back and retreat with Jesus and get His recommendations face to face? Of course, crowds followed and in the moment that his disciples doubted His great and amazing power, Jesus gets ready to do an incredible miracle. His apostles did the normal thing all of us would think to do... they suggested going back to the villages to find enough food for the 5000 people that had followed them to Bethsaida. But Jesus had other plans. He held up the fives loaves of bread and two fishes to heaven and BOOM! How much more proof do we need to know how much power Christ has and how much His power flows through us when we choose to follow Him daily? Through Him all things are possible and as long as I keep praying for the people in my life that don’t know Him and pursuing a relationship with them, then maybe their eyes will be open to knowing the Most High. Should I pray for results? Just kidding!
Friday, August 20, 2010
60. Lost and Found (Luke 15:1-32).
by Jeff Sanford
As Luke 15 begins, the Pharisees and teachers of the law are standing around listening to Jesus teach, and they begin talking trash about how Jesus befriends “sinners” and even eats with them.
So as the story proceeds, Jesus begins to tell the story of a father and his two sons. The youngest son decided that, rather than continuing to live with his father, he wanted his inheritance now… like before his father even died. The father, mostly likely feeling scorned and rejected by his son, gave his son his inheritance, and the son “set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” He was needy, began feeding pigs for a living, and eventually even “longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating.” And Jesus says that the son came to his senses.
At this point in the story, I had to take a step back and remind myself of all that the son was feeling. See, I’ve been there. I know how lonely and helpless it is when you’ve tried to satisfy yourself with the things of this world only to find that it’s never enough. I’ve also been in a place where I realized that I had to call home and tell my father of my wild living. And I’ve experienced the fear and completely humbled feeling of knowing that I disappointed my father and dishonored my father’s name.
And at this point, the Pharisees and teachers of the law are thinking, “That sinner is getting exactly what he deserves!” But that’s where Jesus throws the Pharisees a curveball.
Back to the story… so as the son is making his way home, he’s preparing his speech to his father. “‘I’ll say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” The father clothed his son with his best robe, a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet and throws a party to celebrate his son’s return.
And the whole time, I can just see the Pharisees thinking “What? He disgraced you. He dishonored your name. He was eating with pigs for goodness sake.” And the son was probably thinking just what I thought when my father hugged me. “No way. This is too good to be true. I don’t deserve this. Please, what can I do to pay for my sin?”
But that’s the whole point, right? Romans 3:10 reminds us that no one is righteous, not even one. And according to 1 John 4:8, God is love. In his book The Christian Atheist, Craig Groeschel explains it this way, “That means God doesn’t pick and choose whom he loves…God is love, and we are loved, every single one of us six billion sinful undeserving people.” The love of God is irrational, scandalous, and even unimaginable. But his love is for sinners like you and like me.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Beyond Sunday - The Three Monkeys? Light the World
...by Michael Switzer
On a personal note, I’m struggling with being a light to the world….
Sunday’s message of light the world has to couple with last week’s message on being the salt of the earth. They go hand in hand. I’ve struggled a lot with these two concepts at work these last few weeks. I wish I could say I’ve got these two parts of being a Christian figured out and working well but, in all honesty, I’m falling short.
As I ponder how to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ to/of the world, I see being salty as the one who people enjoy and feel comfortable being around. As the light of the world, I should model my actions with respect of God’s ‘life’ in the world. What does that look like practically? In being salty, I ask ‘how do I genuinely AND authentically engage everyone I see on a daily basis?’ Would I want to be around me? There are most definitely times I’d want to hit myself over the head for acting condescending, disrespectful, or just flat out rude. How could I ever make any impact (with the exception of a negative one) on anyone’s life by acting like that? Despite continual reminders like the 3 Monkey message series, I still find myself at work on everyone’s case and at home ignoring my friends. Sometimes I just need to get over myself.
As for being the light of the world, I ask ‘in what ways do I genuinely AND authentically live my life as a Christ following model?’ This question goes beyond simply being liked and requires us to engage the world in ways that demonstrate love, forgiveness, fellowship, awesome work ethic, faith, and wellbeing. As Christ followers, it seems useless at best to live a life of merely being liked while not living a lifestyle indicative of our convictions. When I’m not grumpy and on everyone’s case, do I just blend in? If a co-worker or friend takes an honest assessment of my life and daily decisions, will he or she have any idea I follow Christ? Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself in situations at work dealing with things from sexual jokes to talking behind peoples’ backs to a host of other actions that are the darkness of the world. Even if I don’t contribute or add on to the crudeness of the situations, isn’t the darkness still present? If a friend is headed down a dark path, I’m no better if I say “but at least I didn’t push him faster.” Being a light means stepping outside of ‘comfortville’ (in some cases ‘lazyville’) and stepping into the place we pour out all the blessings God’s given us and Christ-centric views in which we believe (while trying not to pass through alienationville). I don’t think this mean being crazy about our stance; it does mean our friends and the world see what we stand for (so to ultimately know and glorify God).
Being the light of the world essentially means giving those around us a piece of what God has so graciously given to us. A lot of us needed to hear this series. What a difference we’ll make creating authentic relationships founded in truth and light. Or is that ‘Connect in relationships where truth meets life?’ :)
On a personal note, I’m struggling with being a light to the world….
Sunday’s message of light the world has to couple with last week’s message on being the salt of the earth. They go hand in hand. I’ve struggled a lot with these two concepts at work these last few weeks. I wish I could say I’ve got these two parts of being a Christian figured out and working well but, in all honesty, I’m falling short.
As I ponder how to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ to/of the world, I see being salty as the one who people enjoy and feel comfortable being around. As the light of the world, I should model my actions with respect of God’s ‘life’ in the world. What does that look like practically? In being salty, I ask ‘how do I genuinely AND authentically engage everyone I see on a daily basis?’ Would I want to be around me? There are most definitely times I’d want to hit myself over the head for acting condescending, disrespectful, or just flat out rude. How could I ever make any impact (with the exception of a negative one) on anyone’s life by acting like that? Despite continual reminders like the 3 Monkey message series, I still find myself at work on everyone’s case and at home ignoring my friends. Sometimes I just need to get over myself.
As for being the light of the world, I ask ‘in what ways do I genuinely AND authentically live my life as a Christ following model?’ This question goes beyond simply being liked and requires us to engage the world in ways that demonstrate love, forgiveness, fellowship, awesome work ethic, faith, and wellbeing. As Christ followers, it seems useless at best to live a life of merely being liked while not living a lifestyle indicative of our convictions. When I’m not grumpy and on everyone’s case, do I just blend in? If a co-worker or friend takes an honest assessment of my life and daily decisions, will he or she have any idea I follow Christ? Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself in situations at work dealing with things from sexual jokes to talking behind peoples’ backs to a host of other actions that are the darkness of the world. Even if I don’t contribute or add on to the crudeness of the situations, isn’t the darkness still present? If a friend is headed down a dark path, I’m no better if I say “but at least I didn’t push him faster.” Being a light means stepping outside of ‘comfortville’ (in some cases ‘lazyville’) and stepping into the place we pour out all the blessings God’s given us and Christ-centric views in which we believe (while trying not to pass through alienationville). I don’t think this mean being crazy about our stance; it does mean our friends and the world see what we stand for (so to ultimately know and glorify God).
Being the light of the world essentially means giving those around us a piece of what God has so graciously given to us. A lot of us needed to hear this series. What a difference we’ll make creating authentic relationships founded in truth and light. Or is that ‘Connect in relationships where truth meets life?’ :)
59. The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
by Wesley Blackburn
Jesus has this frustrating habit in the gospels (the four books of the Bible that deal with the life and teaching of Jesus) of answering questions in a way we don't expect. Funny enough, that's how the story of the Good Samaritan started.
A religious expert wants to try and test Jesus, only to discover that Jesus is quite smart himself (imagine that). When the religious leader told Jesus that he believed the key to following God was simply to love God and love your neighbor, Jesus told him that he was quite right. This was a surefire formula for following God. But this still troubled the religious leader, for he probably knew deep down inside that he wasn't treating every man around him with what would qualify as "love." So he asked another question: "Who is my neighbor?" He was no doubt hoping that Jesus would say his neighbor was simply a man who looked, thought, and talked like him. But this guy would be sorely disappointed.
Jesus launches into the parable of the Good Samaritan. The story's pretty easy to understand, so I'll let you read it yourself. But what's most telling and interesting about this story is that the hero is a Samaritan. Samaritans were despised by the Jews, essentially because they were the byproduct of the Babylonian exile. Some Jews still took their culture and unique identity very seriously, and would only intermarry and associate with other Jews in the Babylonian captivity. But others were not quite so serious, and ended up intermarrying with some of the Babylonians. Samaritans were the by-product of these unions; half-breed Jews that held pretty normal Jewish beliefs, just without 100% Jewish blood.
Samaritans were hated by Jews. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for Jews to actually walk around the region of Samaria, even if walking through it would make their journey incredibly shorter. Jews just wanted absolutely nothing to do with the Samaritans. So essentially, when Jesus tells a story that makes a Samaritan the hero, he is saying, "Listen. Your neighbor is anyone and everyone around you. No exceptions." Again, a tough teaching, but as we've learned, if you don't find following Jesus hard, then you're probably not following Jesus, just your own little version of Him.
Jesus has this frustrating habit in the gospels (the four books of the Bible that deal with the life and teaching of Jesus) of answering questions in a way we don't expect. Funny enough, that's how the story of the Good Samaritan started.
A religious expert wants to try and test Jesus, only to discover that Jesus is quite smart himself (imagine that). When the religious leader told Jesus that he believed the key to following God was simply to love God and love your neighbor, Jesus told him that he was quite right. This was a surefire formula for following God. But this still troubled the religious leader, for he probably knew deep down inside that he wasn't treating every man around him with what would qualify as "love." So he asked another question: "Who is my neighbor?" He was no doubt hoping that Jesus would say his neighbor was simply a man who looked, thought, and talked like him. But this guy would be sorely disappointed.
Jesus launches into the parable of the Good Samaritan. The story's pretty easy to understand, so I'll let you read it yourself. But what's most telling and interesting about this story is that the hero is a Samaritan. Samaritans were despised by the Jews, essentially because they were the byproduct of the Babylonian exile. Some Jews still took their culture and unique identity very seriously, and would only intermarry and associate with other Jews in the Babylonian captivity. But others were not quite so serious, and ended up intermarrying with some of the Babylonians. Samaritans were the by-product of these unions; half-breed Jews that held pretty normal Jewish beliefs, just without 100% Jewish blood.
Samaritans were hated by Jews. In fact, it wasn't uncommon for Jews to actually walk around the region of Samaria, even if walking through it would make their journey incredibly shorter. Jews just wanted absolutely nothing to do with the Samaritans. So essentially, when Jesus tells a story that makes a Samaritan the hero, he is saying, "Listen. Your neighbor is anyone and everyone around you. No exceptions." Again, a tough teaching, but as we've learned, if you don't find following Jesus hard, then you're probably not following Jesus, just your own little version of Him.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
58. The Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:1-58).
by Wesley Blackburn
So the kingdom of heaven (or "kingdom of God;" the gospels use those terms interchangeably) is a pretty important thing in the life, teaching, and ministry of Jesus. You can't read the gospels without running into this theme. In Matthew 13, Jesus drops some really important knowledge on the kingdom of heaven here. Let me share with you a few of things that I walked away from this reading with:
1. We have a role in accepting the kingdom of God. I was hit by this with the parable of the sower. Jesus tells the parable, but what is really telling is his later explanation of the parable in chapter 13. Look at each description of what the four types of seeds mean. We have a role in accepting the kingdom of God. We must receive the kingdom with knowledge, or we'll get scooped up. We must receive the kingdom with priority, or the troubles and worries of life will choke us out. If we want to truly receive the kingdom of God and participate as a member of the kingdom of God, we have to do just that... receive it. We have to understand what the kingdom is and what it asks of us. But we also have to understand what the kingdom is and what it is not. What is God promising us really? If we have wrong expectations, we'll surely be disappointed.
2. The kingdom of God does not promise an easy life. We sort of get this in the parable of the sower... Jesus talks about cares and troubles of life causing trouble in the parable of the sower, which seems to indicate that that's to be expected. But the parable of the weeds even more accurately illustrates this point. Just like the wheat and weeds in the parable, members of the kingdom are going to see their lives merge at some point or another with difficult, terrible experiences (and people) in life. People are going to make our lives tough. We're going to have difficult experiences and tough choices. There are going to be moments of weakness and despair. Things will be unfair. That's to be expected. I think that we all know that in our heads; but this year I've been coming to grips that while I know that, I still find myself complaining, "This is hard, Jesus! This feels unfair!" and pouting all the time. There will be difficulty in following Christ. That shouldn't erode our faith, but strengthen it... Christ himself promises us that.
3. The kingdom of God is priceless. Chances are we've all seen the Mastercard commercials that talk about things being "priceless." If there was ever something that is priceless, the Bible tells us that is the kingdom of God. Just like the man who finds buried treasure or an incredibly valuable pearl, we need to give all we have in search of the kingdom. When God presents us with an opportunity to continue helping the kingdom or playing our part in God's story, we need to take it. We need to do it. God's Word tells us that is priceless, above all things.
So the kingdom of heaven (or "kingdom of God;" the gospels use those terms interchangeably) is a pretty important thing in the life, teaching, and ministry of Jesus. You can't read the gospels without running into this theme. In Matthew 13, Jesus drops some really important knowledge on the kingdom of heaven here. Let me share with you a few of things that I walked away from this reading with:
1. We have a role in accepting the kingdom of God. I was hit by this with the parable of the sower. Jesus tells the parable, but what is really telling is his later explanation of the parable in chapter 13. Look at each description of what the four types of seeds mean. We have a role in accepting the kingdom of God. We must receive the kingdom with knowledge, or we'll get scooped up. We must receive the kingdom with priority, or the troubles and worries of life will choke us out. If we want to truly receive the kingdom of God and participate as a member of the kingdom of God, we have to do just that... receive it. We have to understand what the kingdom is and what it asks of us. But we also have to understand what the kingdom is and what it is not. What is God promising us really? If we have wrong expectations, we'll surely be disappointed.
2. The kingdom of God does not promise an easy life. We sort of get this in the parable of the sower... Jesus talks about cares and troubles of life causing trouble in the parable of the sower, which seems to indicate that that's to be expected. But the parable of the weeds even more accurately illustrates this point. Just like the wheat and weeds in the parable, members of the kingdom are going to see their lives merge at some point or another with difficult, terrible experiences (and people) in life. People are going to make our lives tough. We're going to have difficult experiences and tough choices. There are going to be moments of weakness and despair. Things will be unfair. That's to be expected. I think that we all know that in our heads; but this year I've been coming to grips that while I know that, I still find myself complaining, "This is hard, Jesus! This feels unfair!" and pouting all the time. There will be difficulty in following Christ. That shouldn't erode our faith, but strengthen it... Christ himself promises us that.
3. The kingdom of God is priceless. Chances are we've all seen the Mastercard commercials that talk about things being "priceless." If there was ever something that is priceless, the Bible tells us that is the kingdom of God. Just like the man who finds buried treasure or an incredibly valuable pearl, we need to give all we have in search of the kingdom. When God presents us with an opportunity to continue helping the kingdom or playing our part in God's story, we need to take it. We need to do it. God's Word tells us that is priceless, above all things.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
57. Sermon on the Mount, Part II (Matthew 6:5-7:29).
by Wesley Blackburn
Much like yesterday, I think that you could easily spend a year in this passage and not even begin to scratch the surface of what Jesus is teaching here. But again, like yesterday, I think there are a couple of key themes here, and I'd love to share those with you.
Theme #1: Treasure is in heaven with God, not on earth with man.
In today's reading, Jesus starts off with several teachings on prayer and fasting where he talks about religious figures who made it really obvious or made a big show of things. For Jewish religious leaders, it wouldn't be that uncommon to seek prayers in really public places to showcase religiosity. When they would fast, the same thing would happen... they would make it really obvious to people around them so that they could impress others with their very high level of spirituality. But in these moments, people who do such things are really valuing the praise and adoration of men higher than they are their relationship with God.
I think that's part of the reason why Jesus uses those couple of examples to lead into the whole "store up treasures in heaven" idea. When we actually take Jesus at His word and pray by ourselves, fast with no one knowing, or give without showcasing how much we've given, we're actually doing these disciplines because we have faith. We're showing God that we truly believe He hears us or sees us when we pray, give, or fast, and that that is enough. Even though we can't see or necessarily sense it, we believe it. And that's the kind of faith I believe God honors.
Theme #2: God wants to give us things.
God probably won't honor your frequent requests for a new sportscar, a winning lotto ticket, or the coolest wardrobe in the world. However, God wants to give you things. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus makes it pretty clear. God understands we are physical people living in a physical world. He promises to provide for us, which is pretty cool of Him to do. We might as well quit worrying about it and start trusting Him.
But God even goes one step further. In Matthew 7:7-8, we're told to ask, seek and knock in our prayers. Essentially, Jesus is asking us (even giving us permission) to fearlessly and recklessly ask God for things in prayer. Is it possible that God might give us something just because we kept asking? Yeah, I believe it is. That demonstrates our faith in Him to be able to provide. That really honors God. In fact, in the book of James, the Bible actually tells us that sometimes we don't have simply because we don't ask. It's not a promise that we'll always get what we ask for, but it is God's promise that our prayers really can move His heart and release Him to do things that otherwise might not happen.
And that, right there, is incentive enough for me to keep asking, keep praying, and keep seeking. I hope it is for you too.
Much like yesterday, I think that you could easily spend a year in this passage and not even begin to scratch the surface of what Jesus is teaching here. But again, like yesterday, I think there are a couple of key themes here, and I'd love to share those with you.
Theme #1: Treasure is in heaven with God, not on earth with man.
In today's reading, Jesus starts off with several teachings on prayer and fasting where he talks about religious figures who made it really obvious or made a big show of things. For Jewish religious leaders, it wouldn't be that uncommon to seek prayers in really public places to showcase religiosity. When they would fast, the same thing would happen... they would make it really obvious to people around them so that they could impress others with their very high level of spirituality. But in these moments, people who do such things are really valuing the praise and adoration of men higher than they are their relationship with God.
I think that's part of the reason why Jesus uses those couple of examples to lead into the whole "store up treasures in heaven" idea. When we actually take Jesus at His word and pray by ourselves, fast with no one knowing, or give without showcasing how much we've given, we're actually doing these disciplines because we have faith. We're showing God that we truly believe He hears us or sees us when we pray, give, or fast, and that that is enough. Even though we can't see or necessarily sense it, we believe it. And that's the kind of faith I believe God honors.
Theme #2: God wants to give us things.
God probably won't honor your frequent requests for a new sportscar, a winning lotto ticket, or the coolest wardrobe in the world. However, God wants to give you things. In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus makes it pretty clear. God understands we are physical people living in a physical world. He promises to provide for us, which is pretty cool of Him to do. We might as well quit worrying about it and start trusting Him.
But God even goes one step further. In Matthew 7:7-8, we're told to ask, seek and knock in our prayers. Essentially, Jesus is asking us (even giving us permission) to fearlessly and recklessly ask God for things in prayer. Is it possible that God might give us something just because we kept asking? Yeah, I believe it is. That demonstrates our faith in Him to be able to provide. That really honors God. In fact, in the book of James, the Bible actually tells us that sometimes we don't have simply because we don't ask. It's not a promise that we'll always get what we ask for, but it is God's promise that our prayers really can move His heart and release Him to do things that otherwise might not happen.
And that, right there, is incentive enough for me to keep asking, keep praying, and keep seeking. I hope it is for you too.
Monday, August 16, 2010
56. Sermon on the Mount, Part I (Matthew 5:1-6:4).
by Wesley Blackburn
So without a doubt, the Sermon on the Mount is probably Jesus' most brilliant teaching in all of Scripture. It's so brilliant that even people who don't really care about following Jesus even have to admit that this is some of the greatest teaching on ethics and morality that has ever been delivered. You could easily spend a year in Matthew 5-7 and still not even scratch the surface of what's really happening here. But in today's reading, I think there are two major themes, and I don't want us to miss out on them.
Theme #1: The Way of God is Counter-Cultural
I think we all sort of know this already, but the way of God is different from the way of the world. Just take a look at the Beatitudes (a nickname for Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:1-12). Jesus teaches that sometimes, people who mourn are actually blessed. Those who are insulted and hurt because of Christ's name? They're blessed too. In a seeming list of contradictions, Jesus is saying essentially that the way of God is different, and while it may not have immediate payoff in this life, we can rest assured that God notices the way we live, especially when it's tough.
But Jesus picks up on this theme later on here, as well. He tells us to love our enemies. He tells us to pray for those who persecute us. He tells us to turn the other cheek to those who wish us harm. I often find myself in life essentially saying, "But I don't wanna do that Jesus! It's hard!" That's exactly the point. It is hard. And different. And if we're not seeing either of those two things, then we're probably not really following Jesus, just our own little created version of Him.
Theme #2: The Way of God is About the Heart
Also in this passage, we see Jesus do some teaching where essentially He outlines a couple commandments (like adultery and murder, for example) and then takes them a step farther. No longer is adultery just about not sleeping with someone you aren't married to; it's actually about not even lusting or thinking inappropriately about someone you aren't married to. No longer is murder just about taking another person's life; it's about not even thinking the angry thoughts that lead to that point.
All this goes to show us that following Jesus isn't about just our actions. Take it from me and my own personal life experience; you can do all the right Jesus things and still be absolutely sinful and dead inside. The life of Jesus is one that starts first in the heart. It's about us doing right things, yes, but it's even more so about having the right heart. And that's hard. Again, I think that's the point. We can't change our hearts. But the Holy Spirit sure can. And I think God makes it that way so we always carry around this little miracle inside of us that serves as a continual reminder of what God has done and is doing in our lives.
So without a doubt, the Sermon on the Mount is probably Jesus' most brilliant teaching in all of Scripture. It's so brilliant that even people who don't really care about following Jesus even have to admit that this is some of the greatest teaching on ethics and morality that has ever been delivered. You could easily spend a year in Matthew 5-7 and still not even scratch the surface of what's really happening here. But in today's reading, I think there are two major themes, and I don't want us to miss out on them.
Theme #1: The Way of God is Counter-Cultural
I think we all sort of know this already, but the way of God is different from the way of the world. Just take a look at the Beatitudes (a nickname for Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:1-12). Jesus teaches that sometimes, people who mourn are actually blessed. Those who are insulted and hurt because of Christ's name? They're blessed too. In a seeming list of contradictions, Jesus is saying essentially that the way of God is different, and while it may not have immediate payoff in this life, we can rest assured that God notices the way we live, especially when it's tough.
But Jesus picks up on this theme later on here, as well. He tells us to love our enemies. He tells us to pray for those who persecute us. He tells us to turn the other cheek to those who wish us harm. I often find myself in life essentially saying, "But I don't wanna do that Jesus! It's hard!" That's exactly the point. It is hard. And different. And if we're not seeing either of those two things, then we're probably not really following Jesus, just our own little created version of Him.
Theme #2: The Way of God is About the Heart
Also in this passage, we see Jesus do some teaching where essentially He outlines a couple commandments (like adultery and murder, for example) and then takes them a step farther. No longer is adultery just about not sleeping with someone you aren't married to; it's actually about not even lusting or thinking inappropriately about someone you aren't married to. No longer is murder just about taking another person's life; it's about not even thinking the angry thoughts that lead to that point.
All this goes to show us that following Jesus isn't about just our actions. Take it from me and my own personal life experience; you can do all the right Jesus things and still be absolutely sinful and dead inside. The life of Jesus is one that starts first in the heart. It's about us doing right things, yes, but it's even more so about having the right heart. And that's hard. Again, I think that's the point. We can't change our hearts. But the Holy Spirit sure can. And I think God makes it that way so we always carry around this little miracle inside of us that serves as a continual reminder of what God has done and is doing in our lives.
Friday, August 13, 2010
55. Baptism and Temptation (Matthew 3:13-4:17).
by Wesley Blackburn
This passage is a really interesting one to me, and has actually been the source of some great comfort in tough times for me through the years. I'll explain a little later.
But first, let's talk about Jesus' baptism! Wow! I must say, it was pretty impressive. After Jesus convinces John to baptize Him (could you imagine being asked to baptize the Son of God?), Jesus comes out of the water, the heavens open up, a dove (representing the Holy Spirit) alights on Jesus, and then if that wasn't enough, the very voice of God Himself booms from heaven saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased." That's some pretty cool stuff. I'd have to say that probably outdoes my baptism on the coolness scale.
But then in the midst of this awesome experience comes the very next verse in Matthew 4:1: "Then (as in immediately following the events of Jesus' baptism) Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil."
That phrase "led by the Spirit" has been one of incredible hope to me in some dark times. You see, even in the midst of a really cool moment in the life of Jesus, what was God's next step? Testing. In the midst of a spiritual high point in the life of Jesus, God the Father sends Jesus out into the desert where He knows that Jesus will be tempted by the devil.
Someone once told me that temptation means you're doing something right. It shows that Satan wants to attack you because you're doing the right thing. Maybe you've seen this in your life. I know I have in mine. Let me explain.
Back in January of this year I accepted the responsibility of being the Worship Pastor for our new Highland Campus which will launch in the fall (so crazy to think it's soon going to be here!). But it just seems like in my life, thing after thing has come against me to make things difficult. First, it was my parents, who were initially dissatisfied to say the least with my decision. Then, it was school... for a while it was seemingly impossible to arrange to do classes in Cincinnati to hopefully graduate next spring. Then, after that, I experienced (and I still think am experiencing) something that I can't explain any better than just a crushing temptation to turn away from God and do my own thing in my own power on my own terms. Along the way, I saw several thousand dollars in car repairs unexpectedly come my way, and then if that wasn't enough, I've been going through some health difficulties over the past month or so that have made it really difficult to focus my attention on God and doing the work that needs to be done at the Highland Campus. Seemingly, just one thing after another has come against me to try and distract or deter me from God's will for my life.
And no doubt that's what Jesus is experiencing here. Satan is coming against Him, trying to stop Him from living the life God has asked Him to (actually, it's a huge deal, because if Jesus sins, then He is no longer the perfect sacrifice for our sins, and that means no grace and forgiveness for us!). But in the midst of temptation from Satan, what does Jesus do? He turns to Scripture. He turns to what He knows to be absolutely true about God. And that is enough to sustain Him under incredible pressure to turn from what God has for Him. And that is enough for us, too.
So don't be afraid when you feel temptation come against you. It's actually a good sign, I think. Just continue to trust what you know to be true about God and stand firm on those promises.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
54. John the Baptist (Luke 3:1-20).
by Wesley Blackburn
We don't really talk a whole lot about him, but I feel like John the Baptist was a pretty cool guy. Excluding Jesus, he is probably the person I most admire in the stories of the Gospels. John was a guy who understood his role in God's mission, he had a humble attitude that knew his place, and he taught the people the way of God in a way that made sense to them.
Think about it after reading this narrative today: what would you have done if people came to you asking if you were the Christ? That is some pretty high praise for John's ministry, and it was almost certainly a possibility to cause some deep-seated pride in John. I can only hope that in a situation like that I would have the attitude of John, being willing to step aside and say, "No... One will come after me who is a way bigger deal than I am." That's some really Godly humility that I could definitely learn to model my life after.
But I also don't want us to miss out on John's teaching. Luke 3:3 tells us that John was preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. In other words, John was teaching people to turn from their wicked ways and follow the commands of God. Even 2,000 years later, I think God's message to us is much of the same. He simply wants us to see the wrong things we do in our lives and turn away. Luke 3 gives us a cool context for this; when tax collectors (who were famous for extorting tax rates so they could pocket money for themselves) came to John asking what they should do, John simply told them to do the right thing and not collect more than they needed to. A very similar concept was voiced to the Roman soldiers who came to be baptized by John.
God's message to us is quite simple, but sometimes I have this tendency to make it way harder. In the words of Micah 6:8, what has God asked of us but to be people defined by our mercy, dutiful sense of justice, and our humble walk before God and others? It's a rhetorical question; if we've done that, we are well on our way toward following the commands of God. John reminded the people of that 2,000 years ago... let's not lose sight of that today!
We don't really talk a whole lot about him, but I feel like John the Baptist was a pretty cool guy. Excluding Jesus, he is probably the person I most admire in the stories of the Gospels. John was a guy who understood his role in God's mission, he had a humble attitude that knew his place, and he taught the people the way of God in a way that made sense to them.
Think about it after reading this narrative today: what would you have done if people came to you asking if you were the Christ? That is some pretty high praise for John's ministry, and it was almost certainly a possibility to cause some deep-seated pride in John. I can only hope that in a situation like that I would have the attitude of John, being willing to step aside and say, "No... One will come after me who is a way bigger deal than I am." That's some really Godly humility that I could definitely learn to model my life after.
But I also don't want us to miss out on John's teaching. Luke 3:3 tells us that John was preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. In other words, John was teaching people to turn from their wicked ways and follow the commands of God. Even 2,000 years later, I think God's message to us is much of the same. He simply wants us to see the wrong things we do in our lives and turn away. Luke 3 gives us a cool context for this; when tax collectors (who were famous for extorting tax rates so they could pocket money for themselves) came to John asking what they should do, John simply told them to do the right thing and not collect more than they needed to. A very similar concept was voiced to the Roman soldiers who came to be baptized by John.
God's message to us is quite simple, but sometimes I have this tendency to make it way harder. In the words of Micah 6:8, what has God asked of us but to be people defined by our mercy, dutiful sense of justice, and our humble walk before God and others? It's a rhetorical question; if we've done that, we are well on our way toward following the commands of God. John reminded the people of that 2,000 years ago... let's not lose sight of that today!
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Beyond Sunday - The Three Monkeys? Salt the Earth
...by Bobby Jackson
John 17:14
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
I’ve heard this summarized as “in the world but not of it”. If there was an experience I needed to have, it was this week’s experience. I have struggled often with how to let people know about Jesus without seeming weird. I really want people to know what I think about and how I feel about Jesus, that I believe He is the hope of the world, that I’ve trusted Him as the Lord of my life, that I understand Him as a Father that loves me more than anyone ever could, but how to go about sharing that without being shut down by people that think I’m weird.
There are some that think we should create a subculture, the see no evil hear no evil, speak no evil mentality. I recently heard an advertisement for a cruise that is filled with Christian concerts. The promoter said that they had the whole ship to themselves, that they could enjoy Christian programming all day every day of the trip.
Now, I don’t think there is anything necessarily wrong with that event, but if that were the mentality of a church, we would have totally missed the point that Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost. The problem is not what is outside of that cruise back on dry land. The dry land needs to hear that great message.
We want to help people see who Jesus really is, to be salt, which is inherently attractive.
I’m not against the culture, I’m for something better. People blame the culture for every woe, but I’m part of the culture whether I like it or not. The solution is not to do away with culture (how could we do that anyway?), or to bury our heads and pretend we can live outside of reality, but rather, to help move the culture. How? I think Greg gave us some great application Sunday…
Don’t respond the way everyone else responds. Why do we have to act/respond to difficult times, or making fun of a neighbor or co-worker, or our spouse the same way everyone else does?
We’re about serving people, not building wealth. We’re not about stepping on others to get ahead. This needs to be seen because it is our relationship with Christ that compels us to act this way. In responding this way, we help people understand who Christ is. Not that we will always get it right, but even in that we act like a Christ follower in admitting it or repenting from it or making restitution for it.
In short, I’m thankful for a church that is known for what it is for rather than what it is against.
Colossians 4:5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
John 17:14
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
I’ve heard this summarized as “in the world but not of it”. If there was an experience I needed to have, it was this week’s experience. I have struggled often with how to let people know about Jesus without seeming weird. I really want people to know what I think about and how I feel about Jesus, that I believe He is the hope of the world, that I’ve trusted Him as the Lord of my life, that I understand Him as a Father that loves me more than anyone ever could, but how to go about sharing that without being shut down by people that think I’m weird.
There are some that think we should create a subculture, the see no evil hear no evil, speak no evil mentality. I recently heard an advertisement for a cruise that is filled with Christian concerts. The promoter said that they had the whole ship to themselves, that they could enjoy Christian programming all day every day of the trip.
Now, I don’t think there is anything necessarily wrong with that event, but if that were the mentality of a church, we would have totally missed the point that Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost. The problem is not what is outside of that cruise back on dry land. The dry land needs to hear that great message.
We want to help people see who Jesus really is, to be salt, which is inherently attractive.
I’m not against the culture, I’m for something better. People blame the culture for every woe, but I’m part of the culture whether I like it or not. The solution is not to do away with culture (how could we do that anyway?), or to bury our heads and pretend we can live outside of reality, but rather, to help move the culture. How? I think Greg gave us some great application Sunday…
Don’t respond the way everyone else responds. Why do we have to act/respond to difficult times, or making fun of a neighbor or co-worker, or our spouse the same way everyone else does?
We’re about serving people, not building wealth. We’re not about stepping on others to get ahead. This needs to be seen because it is our relationship with Christ that compels us to act this way. In responding this way, we help people understand who Christ is. Not that we will always get it right, but even in that we act like a Christ follower in admitting it or repenting from it or making restitution for it.
In short, I’m thankful for a church that is known for what it is for rather than what it is against.
Colossians 4:5-6
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
53. The Birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-40).
by Wesley Blackburn
So chances are that many of you are probably already familiar with this story. We've all probably sat through Christmas services at one time or another and heard the story of the birth of Jesus read. Maybe in your family you all gathered together to read it aloud a time or two before Christmas. Certainly, the birth of Jesus is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible.
But sometimes these well-known stories cause us to sort of grow complacent. We're so familiar, we don't really think about what's special in this story, or how bits and pieces of it apply to our lives. To be really honest, my familiarity with the whole birth of Jesus narrative makes me sort of dislike it; it's just been beat into my brain so many times I've grown tired of it.
But yet, Scripture still speaks into our lives. That's part of the power of Scripture. And I think that the birth of Jesus has something huge to show us about worship.
Think about this story. Jesus is born. He is a little baby, wrapped in some old blankets in a stinky barn. But what happens? A choir of angels appears to some lowly shepherds, announcing his birth. This may sound stupid to say, but Jesus is a big deal. Big enough that before He has even really done anything (other than just be born), a choir of angels is already singing praise to the King of Kings. That's huge.
And then the temple... Jesus' parents bring him there to consecrate and dedicate their son, just as was the custom for every other firstborn Jewish boy. But what happens? There is a prophet and a prophetess at the temple, and both sing the praises of Jesus, announcing Him to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Again, not to sound stupid, but Jesus is kind of a big deal. In the biggest possible way.
This should lead us to worship. Obviously, Jesus has done way more than just being born. He lived the perfect life. He taught us how to live. He has shown us the perfect image of what and who God is like. But most importantly, He died on the cross to forgive our sin and rose from the dead to secure us life forever. Jesus lived in a way that means we never have to wonder if God loves us, if God has grace for our sin, or if God truly can overcome. He's already shown us that the answer to all of those questions is a firm "yes."
And that, my friends, is a real reason to worship.
So chances are that many of you are probably already familiar with this story. We've all probably sat through Christmas services at one time or another and heard the story of the birth of Jesus read. Maybe in your family you all gathered together to read it aloud a time or two before Christmas. Certainly, the birth of Jesus is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible.
But sometimes these well-known stories cause us to sort of grow complacent. We're so familiar, we don't really think about what's special in this story, or how bits and pieces of it apply to our lives. To be really honest, my familiarity with the whole birth of Jesus narrative makes me sort of dislike it; it's just been beat into my brain so many times I've grown tired of it.
But yet, Scripture still speaks into our lives. That's part of the power of Scripture. And I think that the birth of Jesus has something huge to show us about worship.
Think about this story. Jesus is born. He is a little baby, wrapped in some old blankets in a stinky barn. But what happens? A choir of angels appears to some lowly shepherds, announcing his birth. This may sound stupid to say, but Jesus is a big deal. Big enough that before He has even really done anything (other than just be born), a choir of angels is already singing praise to the King of Kings. That's huge.
And then the temple... Jesus' parents bring him there to consecrate and dedicate their son, just as was the custom for every other firstborn Jewish boy. But what happens? There is a prophet and a prophetess at the temple, and both sing the praises of Jesus, announcing Him to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Again, not to sound stupid, but Jesus is kind of a big deal. In the biggest possible way.
This should lead us to worship. Obviously, Jesus has done way more than just being born. He lived the perfect life. He taught us how to live. He has shown us the perfect image of what and who God is like. But most importantly, He died on the cross to forgive our sin and rose from the dead to secure us life forever. Jesus lived in a way that means we never have to wonder if God loves us, if God has grace for our sin, or if God truly can overcome. He's already shown us that the answer to all of those questions is a firm "yes."
And that, my friends, is a real reason to worship.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
52. Gabriel's Message: Luke 1:1-80
…by Kay Roberts
As I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of husband to come home from his 13 day work stint in Michigan, I reflected on the idea of waiting. I don’t like to wait: for my husband to return home, in lines anywhere, for test results, for Christmas, my coffee …you fill-in the blank here. I can’t think of one person who likes waiting! Yet, as the we begin reading this passage today, we have had the fortunate advantage of fast forwarding through the waiting part of history…God’s story to us. Gabriel’s message to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Mary is the first time in 400 years that God has spoken to mankind. You did catch that, right? 400 YEARS! No waaaaay! I can’t wait 5 minutes for my coffee to brew let alone 400 years to hear from God! But that is where we find ourselves today in our reading. God has broken the silence and with that He sends Gabriel, His messenger, to announce of the coming and arrival of the loooong awaited Messiah. Well, not really announcing yet. More like getting His game-players ready and moving them into place for the ULTIMATE play of the game. It’s all unfolding right before our very eyes!
Jesus did come to earth. He is alive today! He lives in each of us who call HIM Lord and Savior and I am sooooo thankful for Gabriel’s message and God’s unwavering FAITHFULNESS to His plan for us.
As I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of husband to come home from his 13 day work stint in Michigan, I reflected on the idea of waiting. I don’t like to wait: for my husband to return home, in lines anywhere, for test results, for Christmas, my coffee …you fill-in the blank here. I can’t think of one person who likes waiting! Yet, as the we begin reading this passage today, we have had the fortunate advantage of fast forwarding through the waiting part of history…God’s story to us. Gabriel’s message to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and Mary is the first time in 400 years that God has spoken to mankind. You did catch that, right? 400 YEARS! No waaaaay! I can’t wait 5 minutes for my coffee to brew let alone 400 years to hear from God! But that is where we find ourselves today in our reading. God has broken the silence and with that He sends Gabriel, His messenger, to announce of the coming and arrival of the loooong awaited Messiah. Well, not really announcing yet. More like getting His game-players ready and moving them into place for the ULTIMATE play of the game. It’s all unfolding right before our very eyes!
To be used by God for such an indescribable moment, I am rendered speechless. I am thinking, who am I Lord, that you would chose not ONLY to speak to me after this long awaited silence, but to USE me in such a significant and profound way?! UH,uh. No way. I am completely unworthy. Yet, somehow, I imagine that Mary and Elizabeth and Zechariah felt similarly which is probably the very real reason God chose them! Humbled, and honored.
Jesus did come to earth. He is alive today! He lives in each of us who call HIM Lord and Savior and I am sooooo thankful for Gabriel’s message and God’s unwavering FAITHFULNESS to His plan for us.
Monday, August 9, 2010
51. The Word Became Flesh (John 1:1-18).
by Wesley Blackburn
This passage has always been one of my favorites in the Bible. I'm not really sure why. Maybe just something about the language John uses here or something like that, but I just really like this verse. When I think about Jesus (or "the Word," as John calls Him here... see John 1:14), these are some pretty cool ways to think about Him. He is God's very own Word to us. He is the One and Only image of God in human form. He is the ultimate light that gives light to all men.
But probably the coolest promise here is the one that is echoed in John 1:12: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." What a great promise! If we simply believe in Jesus and in the message that He preached while here on this earth, we get the right to become God's very own sons and daughters! That's something far beyond simply being cool with God or being on good terms with God. We actually become a part of God's very own family! And we get the benefits, rights, and privileges that follow with that. We know God will take care of us. We know God will set us up for success, not failure. We know that in all things, God will love us and will always work with our best interests in mind, just like a great earthly father.
And better yet, the Bible says that to all who receive Jesus, we get to have those incredible blessings. Christ is a savior for all people. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or what mistakes you made. The blessings of Christ are offered to each and every one of us. We just need to believe in Him and receive Him into our lives.
The promise of being one of God's children is such a cool promise to me, and one that I probably don't really think about and wrap my head around enough. I hope you find it pretty awesome too.
This passage has always been one of my favorites in the Bible. I'm not really sure why. Maybe just something about the language John uses here or something like that, but I just really like this verse. When I think about Jesus (or "the Word," as John calls Him here... see John 1:14), these are some pretty cool ways to think about Him. He is God's very own Word to us. He is the One and Only image of God in human form. He is the ultimate light that gives light to all men.
But probably the coolest promise here is the one that is echoed in John 1:12: "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." What a great promise! If we simply believe in Jesus and in the message that He preached while here on this earth, we get the right to become God's very own sons and daughters! That's something far beyond simply being cool with God or being on good terms with God. We actually become a part of God's very own family! And we get the benefits, rights, and privileges that follow with that. We know God will take care of us. We know God will set us up for success, not failure. We know that in all things, God will love us and will always work with our best interests in mind, just like a great earthly father.
And better yet, the Bible says that to all who receive Jesus, we get to have those incredible blessings. Christ is a savior for all people. It doesn't matter who you are, what you've done, or what mistakes you made. The blessings of Christ are offered to each and every one of us. We just need to believe in Him and receive Him into our lives.
The promise of being one of God's children is such a cool promise to me, and one that I probably don't really think about and wrap my head around enough. I hope you find it pretty awesome too.
Friday, August 6, 2010
50. The Day of Judgment (Malachi 1:1-4:6).
by Bobby Jackson
We’re halfway through this e100 challenge and things here at the end of the Old Testament seem bleak. God seems pretty ticked off with His people. Does God get mad? Yes. Does He hate it when we sin? Yes.
Jesus always seemed strange to me in this way… He was so compassionate with those that did not know God and so strong with those that should know better. As my children get older, I understand that more and more.
It seems like this book was written to priests. God is harsh with those who have every reason to know Him. God is calling us to something higher:
- To give Him honor (2:2)
- For our reverence (2:5)
- Not to show partiality and favoritism (2:9)
- No divisions (2:10)
- Not to divorce (2:14)
- Not to call evil things "good" (2:17)
It’s pretty clear in this book that God is not looking for a sometimes Christianity. He is not looking for the spare time we have or the left over energy in our relationship with Him. How can we expect God to be pleased if we give Him things that don’t matter much to us anyway?
He does not desire selective lordship in our lives. We simply don’t understand who He is and how much He loves us if we don’t make Him Lord over every part and moment of our lives. How can you and I give Him the best parts of who we are?
Thursday, August 5, 2010
49. The Story of Jonah (Jonah 1:1-4:11).
by Wesley Blackburn
If you grew up in church at all, chances are that you heard the story of Jonah (and the whale, or giant fish, or whatever your translation says) several times. But chances are that you probably didn't hear the whole story of Jonah. You didn't hear about how Jonah did all that he could to run away from God and from His will for Jonah's life. You probably didn't hear about how after preaching a message that would save thousands from hell, Jonah cared more about a little plant than people.
But Jonah (just like everyone else in the Bible) was a real person. He had real moments of glory. He also had real struggles. Very real ones, in fact. Jonah's one of the guys I'm glad is in the Bible; you can see his faults, but yet God still uses him and today we even call him one of our prophets in the line of the Christian faith.
What do I learn from the story of Jonah? Well, for one, I think I'm reminded of the importance of following God's call the first time. Look at all the trouble that Jonah brought upon himself because he wouldn't just listen to God and do what God commanded. Did Jonah have his reasons? You bet. Assyria was Israel's sworn enemy, and Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrians. They were known to be extremely brutal to the nations they captured, and they were right on Israel's doorstep. The last thing that Jonah could have wanted was for God's blessing to be with the Assyrians as well. But that doesn't offset the simple fact that God asked Jonah to go. No matter what, that means that Jonah needed to go.
But I think the other thing I see comes at the end of Jonah, in chapter four. Here, Jonah expresses his anger that God forgave the Assyrians. Jonah, quite exhausted and hot, would then lie down and God caused a plant to grow and give Jonah shade. This would make Jonah happy. But then, God would allow the plant to die, which made Jonah extremely angry. God would then ask Jonah, "Why did you care so much about this plant that helped only you, and so very little about the spiritual welfare and well-being of 120,000 people whom you just preached to?"
This question is a big sting to me. There have been a lot of situations where I've been more concerned and excited about myself and what's happening in my life rather than caring about the needs (especially the spiritual ones) of others. Maybe instead of taking so much time to cater to my own needs, God wants me to instead care about the needs of others, especially those who don't yet know Christ. Perhaps God wants me to step out of my comfort zone and boldly engage those who don't yet believe that are around me.
If you grew up in church at all, chances are that you heard the story of Jonah (and the whale, or giant fish, or whatever your translation says) several times. But chances are that you probably didn't hear the whole story of Jonah. You didn't hear about how Jonah did all that he could to run away from God and from His will for Jonah's life. You probably didn't hear about how after preaching a message that would save thousands from hell, Jonah cared more about a little plant than people.
But Jonah (just like everyone else in the Bible) was a real person. He had real moments of glory. He also had real struggles. Very real ones, in fact. Jonah's one of the guys I'm glad is in the Bible; you can see his faults, but yet God still uses him and today we even call him one of our prophets in the line of the Christian faith.
What do I learn from the story of Jonah? Well, for one, I think I'm reminded of the importance of following God's call the first time. Look at all the trouble that Jonah brought upon himself because he wouldn't just listen to God and do what God commanded. Did Jonah have his reasons? You bet. Assyria was Israel's sworn enemy, and Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrians. They were known to be extremely brutal to the nations they captured, and they were right on Israel's doorstep. The last thing that Jonah could have wanted was for God's blessing to be with the Assyrians as well. But that doesn't offset the simple fact that God asked Jonah to go. No matter what, that means that Jonah needed to go.
But I think the other thing I see comes at the end of Jonah, in chapter four. Here, Jonah expresses his anger that God forgave the Assyrians. Jonah, quite exhausted and hot, would then lie down and God caused a plant to grow and give Jonah shade. This would make Jonah happy. But then, God would allow the plant to die, which made Jonah extremely angry. God would then ask Jonah, "Why did you care so much about this plant that helped only you, and so very little about the spiritual welfare and well-being of 120,000 people whom you just preached to?"
This question is a big sting to me. There have been a lot of situations where I've been more concerned and excited about myself and what's happening in my life rather than caring about the needs (especially the spiritual ones) of others. Maybe instead of taking so much time to cater to my own needs, God wants me to instead care about the needs of others, especially those who don't yet know Christ. Perhaps God wants me to step out of my comfort zone and boldly engage those who don't yet believe that are around me.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Beyond Sunday-the Jesus Mission
...by Doug Gamble
I'm humbled when I think about how God has used, is using and will continue to use our church to change lives. It's easy to lose sight that that is why we exist. I'm currently reading a biography on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Bonhoeffer was a pastor, writer and theologian during the time Hitler and the Nazi's rose to power. The persecution of the Jews was a catalyst for him to take a stand for them and eventually be executed because of his work. He wrote during this time that the "church is not the church unless it exists for others." He lived and died by that principle and that is why WE exist. We exist for others...for the least, the lonely and the lost. For those who are not yet connected to Christ. That is why we are going to Highland and Walkerton.
What is my next step from Sunday? Good question. I'm glad you asked. I think we continue to...
- Give sacrificially to the Jesus mission.
- Help in some way with the new campuses. I'm a big believer in EVERYONE doing something. This could mean volunteering for one of their outreach events. Some of us at Hobart campus are going to take a crew to Walkerton to pass out door hangers. It could mean volunteering at either campus in the early weeks to help with Children's Ministry or Greeting or Setup. There are many more opportunities Andy and Jared could use your help on. Just ask!
- Most importantly, PRAY. Pray for the staff and launch team. Pray for their impact into the communities. Pray for changed lives.
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