How to Fireproof Your House
1 Cor. 3:11-15 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
We live in an excuse oriented society. Very few people take responsibility anymore for their actions. We have become experts at giving alibis and excuses. Here are a few of the alibis given to two insurance companies relating to car accidents people were involved with.
1. The telephone pole was approaching. I was attempting to swerve out of the way when it struck my front end.
2. The guy was all over the road. I had to swerve a number of times before I hit him.
3. I was on my way to the doctor with rear end trouble when my universe joint gave way, causing me to have an accident.
4. I had been shopping for plants all day and was on my way home. As I reached an intersection, a hedge sprung up, obscuring my vision.
5. I pulled away from the side of the road, glanced at my mother-in-law and headed over the embankment.
6. An invisible car came out of nowhere, stuck my vehicle and vanished.
7. A pedestrian hit me and went under my car.
8. The pedestrian had no idea which direction to go, so I ran over him.
From our reading today it is clear that we will stand before our Creator and give an account our building. In the analogy used by Paul he says every one of us is constructing a building in our lives. What is critical is the foundation of that building. If it is anything other than Jesus Christ it will not withstand the coming fire. The fire will determine the quality of each persons building materials. There are 6 types of building materials mentioned here... gold, silver, costly stone, wood, hay or straw. We determine what material we build with. The issue is quality not quantity.
One day when we pass from this life we will have to face a fire. This fire will test the material we have used to build our lives.
To make sure you can fireproof your house make certain you are building with materials that will endure for all eternity.
As C. S. Lewis said, “That which does not count for eternity is eternally useless.”
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
November 29: 2 Thessalonians and Acts 18,19
Today's passage covers Paul's continuing ministry in Thessalonia and other cities in Asia Minor. We see both the Apostle's great joy of witnessing the growth and spread of the Gospel, plus the important discipline required to marshall the new believers' faith into full-grown maturity.
I would like to highlight two possible controversies addressed in today's passages:
1. The Second Coming. In both letters to the Thessalonians, Paul discusses the Second Coming in each of the seven chapters. Apparently, the Thessalonians struggled with the dichotomy of living in light of the Lord's imminent return but not fully withdrawing from the world's economy. Their confusion is quite understandable in light of their assumption that the Lord was to return any day.
Instead, Paul explains: "Don't let ayone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." The Second Coming will have clear signs, which involve primarily the emergence of the Evil One in a leadership role. Furthermore, as Jesus noted in Matthew 24:14, "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Still, what type of response should we offer? A right attitude includes both engagement with the world and readiness for the Lord's imminent return. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) gives us a picture: vigilance, engagement, and stewardship. We may view our lives as a currency; how will we choose to spend this time? What priorities will we choose?
2. The burning of the scrolls in Ephesus (Acts 19:17-20). In this vignette, the new believers abandoned their sorcery scrolls as an act of repentance. Seeing the beauty and glory of God, the Christ-followers destroyed those elements that had drawn them and others away from the Lord. What might you abandon that has drawn you or others away from worshiping Christ?
Many observers have seen this passage as an encouragement to disconnect from the world. For example, during the First Great Awakening, James Davenport established the Shepherd's Tent, a seminary to rival Yale, which, he believed, had turned away from the Gospel. As part of this effort, Davenport and his disciples burned many worldly books in response to this passage.
Repentance is a clear sign of faith and an important prompt for growth. Yet, in light of the Second Coming, we are to employ our talents, including worldly knowledge and our intellects in the pursuit of the glory of God. Burning books will not draw people to Christ; changed lives and longsuffering love will.
I would like to highlight two possible controversies addressed in today's passages:
1. The Second Coming. In both letters to the Thessalonians, Paul discusses the Second Coming in each of the seven chapters. Apparently, the Thessalonians struggled with the dichotomy of living in light of the Lord's imminent return but not fully withdrawing from the world's economy. Their confusion is quite understandable in light of their assumption that the Lord was to return any day.
Instead, Paul explains: "Don't let ayone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God." The Second Coming will have clear signs, which involve primarily the emergence of the Evil One in a leadership role. Furthermore, as Jesus noted in Matthew 24:14, "this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Still, what type of response should we offer? A right attitude includes both engagement with the world and readiness for the Lord's imminent return. The Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) gives us a picture: vigilance, engagement, and stewardship. We may view our lives as a currency; how will we choose to spend this time? What priorities will we choose?
2. The burning of the scrolls in Ephesus (Acts 19:17-20). In this vignette, the new believers abandoned their sorcery scrolls as an act of repentance. Seeing the beauty and glory of God, the Christ-followers destroyed those elements that had drawn them and others away from the Lord. What might you abandon that has drawn you or others away from worshiping Christ?
Many observers have seen this passage as an encouragement to disconnect from the world. For example, during the First Great Awakening, James Davenport established the Shepherd's Tent, a seminary to rival Yale, which, he believed, had turned away from the Gospel. As part of this effort, Davenport and his disciples burned many worldly books in response to this passage.
Repentance is a clear sign of faith and an important prompt for growth. Yet, in light of the Second Coming, we are to employ our talents, including worldly knowledge and our intellects in the pursuit of the glory of God. Burning books will not draw people to Christ; changed lives and longsuffering love will.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
November 25
Preparing for Thanksgiving
From our reading today:
Acts 13:5 they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues
Acts 13:15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets
Acts 13:33 As it is written in the second Psalm
Acts 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord
Acts 14:25 and when they had preached the word in Perga
The central focus of the early church was to get people back to the WORD. The proclamation of the WORD was first and foremost in the strategy of the disciples.
Use your Thanksgiving celebrations to bring up the WORD. Ask your families if you can read a scripture passage before the meal. Psalm 100 and Deuteronomy 8 are fantastic passages to read. Then ask if anyone would be interested in reading through the Bible with you in 2010. Tell them about how God has changed your life through our journey.
I will be praying for our whole team as we have this unique opportunity to share the good news with family and friends over the next few days.
Happy Thanksgiving
From our reading today:
Acts 13:5 they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues
Acts 13:15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets
Acts 13:33 As it is written in the second Psalm
Acts 13:44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
Acts 13:48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord
Acts 14:25 and when they had preached the word in Perga
The central focus of the early church was to get people back to the WORD. The proclamation of the WORD was first and foremost in the strategy of the disciples.
Use your Thanksgiving celebrations to bring up the WORD. Ask your families if you can read a scripture passage before the meal. Psalm 100 and Deuteronomy 8 are fantastic passages to read. Then ask if anyone would be interested in reading through the Bible with you in 2010. Tell them about how God has changed your life through our journey.
I will be praying for our whole team as we have this unique opportunity to share the good news with family and friends over the next few days.
Happy Thanksgiving
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
November 24
Welcoming all People
Daniel Lupton in his book, "I Like Church But" tells the story of a community church located in a Midwest college town Church. This church had worked diligently to maintain its high level of tradition in their worship service. The people all had their favorite pews, they came early to pray and meditate, and they came elegantly dressed for generations.
Because of these long held community standards, the local college students rarely attended this church. One Sunday in September, just after the college students had returned, a college student showed up for worship. He was wearing typical college attire, a tee shirt, sandals and shorts. As he started to make his way up the aisle looking for a seat he discovered there were no seats available. Now at the front of the church he was faced with a dilemma. Would he turn around and leave or come up with something creative. Being a college student, he had great creativity so he simply crossed his legs and sat down right aside of the 1st pew. People's expressions could easily be read. Nothing like this had every happened before! This had the potential to disrupt the entire service. You could read the body language in the eyes of the people. “Who does this kid think he is?” At the rear of the sanctuary, gray haired Deacon Oakley, who was serving as head usher, he closely watched this whole incident. From the time Deacon Oakley was a young child, he had been taught how to dress for Church. You wear the clothes you would wear to see Jesus. So he had on a blue 3 piece suit and an elegant tie. A gold watch fob gleamed from his vest. Deacon Oakley was appropriately named. He was old and strong as a tree. In previous years he had chaired the church board, and his reputation was solid. You could just sense from the people, its OK Deacon Oakley will handle this one. Slowly Deacon Oakley began his walk up the aisle. On Sundays he brought a gold and ebony cane to support himself. His trek to the front seemed to take forever. Entire wedding processions had finished in less time. Finally, he stood next to where the student was plopped down. Now what would happen next? Everyone waited. After a long moment the Deacon dropped his cane in the aisle, slowly lowered himself to the carpet, and offered his hand to the young man. “Glad to have you with us today.” The wise elderly man and the young guest worshipped together right there in the center aisle. That’s the perfect picture of what church should be all about. We Christ followers stepping outside our comfort zones to welcome people of different races, ethnicities, economic backgrounds and different clothes styles.
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”
Three keys to welcoming them:
1. We welcome them through loving relationships. The only way to build the bridge is for you to become friends with someone outside of your comfort zone.
2. We welcome them by “GOING” and not expect them to come to us. Work up a plan to leave your comfort zone and enter another person’s world.
3. We welcome people by sitting in the aisle with them. A few years ago a young man attended Grace church and he wore a hat. I do not wear hats inside because of my traditional upbringing but there is nothing in the 10 Commandments that prohibits hat wearing. Sadly, one of our people scolded this young man and he has never come back. We need to look beyond the non-essentials and focus on what is really important. The eternal destinies of people lie in the balance, do not make an issue about hats, clothing, social standing, race or ethnicity. Make an issue about love, forgiveness and salvation.
May the disciples of Deacon Oakley rise in number today!!!
Daniel Lupton in his book, "I Like Church But" tells the story of a community church located in a Midwest college town Church. This church had worked diligently to maintain its high level of tradition in their worship service. The people all had their favorite pews, they came early to pray and meditate, and they came elegantly dressed for generations.
Because of these long held community standards, the local college students rarely attended this church. One Sunday in September, just after the college students had returned, a college student showed up for worship. He was wearing typical college attire, a tee shirt, sandals and shorts. As he started to make his way up the aisle looking for a seat he discovered there were no seats available. Now at the front of the church he was faced with a dilemma. Would he turn around and leave or come up with something creative. Being a college student, he had great creativity so he simply crossed his legs and sat down right aside of the 1st pew. People's expressions could easily be read. Nothing like this had every happened before! This had the potential to disrupt the entire service. You could read the body language in the eyes of the people. “Who does this kid think he is?” At the rear of the sanctuary, gray haired Deacon Oakley, who was serving as head usher, he closely watched this whole incident. From the time Deacon Oakley was a young child, he had been taught how to dress for Church. You wear the clothes you would wear to see Jesus. So he had on a blue 3 piece suit and an elegant tie. A gold watch fob gleamed from his vest. Deacon Oakley was appropriately named. He was old and strong as a tree. In previous years he had chaired the church board, and his reputation was solid. You could just sense from the people, its OK Deacon Oakley will handle this one. Slowly Deacon Oakley began his walk up the aisle. On Sundays he brought a gold and ebony cane to support himself. His trek to the front seemed to take forever. Entire wedding processions had finished in less time. Finally, he stood next to where the student was plopped down. Now what would happen next? Everyone waited. After a long moment the Deacon dropped his cane in the aisle, slowly lowered himself to the carpet, and offered his hand to the young man. “Glad to have you with us today.” The wise elderly man and the young guest worshipped together right there in the center aisle. That’s the perfect picture of what church should be all about. We Christ followers stepping outside our comfort zones to welcome people of different races, ethnicities, economic backgrounds and different clothes styles.
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.”
Three keys to welcoming them:
1. We welcome them through loving relationships. The only way to build the bridge is for you to become friends with someone outside of your comfort zone.
2. We welcome them by “GOING” and not expect them to come to us. Work up a plan to leave your comfort zone and enter another person’s world.
3. We welcome people by sitting in the aisle with them. A few years ago a young man attended Grace church and he wore a hat. I do not wear hats inside because of my traditional upbringing but there is nothing in the 10 Commandments that prohibits hat wearing. Sadly, one of our people scolded this young man and he has never come back. We need to look beyond the non-essentials and focus on what is really important. The eternal destinies of people lie in the balance, do not make an issue about hats, clothing, social standing, race or ethnicity. Make an issue about love, forgiveness and salvation.
May the disciples of Deacon Oakley rise in number today!!!
Monday, November 23, 2009
November 23
What about the heathen in Africa who has never heard about Jesus?
This issue is dealt with in an incredible story in Acts 8. Because of the “great” persecution of the church, the early believers had to get out of Jerusalem. God needed to kick them out of their comfort zones if the mission of going to all the world, was going to be fulfilled. This is a warning to us about using “comfort” to determine God’s Will. Philip’s first mission is to go across racial boundaries and share the WORD to a Samaritan city. He goes down and a great revival breaks out. There is power in just declaring the WORD of God. This revival has miracles, shrieking spirits, healing and it ends with the whole city filled with great joy. If you are playing the numbers game this is the place to be, cities, possible regions are going to be impacted by one guy.
But an angel breaks up the party and says to Philip to head south on a desert road. One would have to question the plan of God with this decision. But God has made a promise and he will always fulfill that promise. In Psalm 19 it tells us that the created world makes it plain to everyone that there is a master designer. The existence of stars, the beauty of the seasons, the intricate design in snow flakes all point to a master watchmaker. God has also placed in our hearts a moral monitor which continually passes judgment upon the rightness or wrongness of our deeds, words and thoughts. Finally God has given us his “Word” by which we can know the heart of God.
Through both general and specific revelation every person on this planet must make a decision. Do they want to respond to this light by receiving more light or will they reject the light and ignore master watchmaker.
In Acts 8 we see exactly what God will do when one person wants to have more light. He removes Philip from the revival and sends him to meet with one guy in the desert who is searching for the truth. That is the commitment of God. By the way, did you see the passage the Ethiopian eunuch was reading? He is reading Isaiah 53 which is an incredible chapter pointing to Jesus 750 years before his birth.
Jesus told us about the heart of God in John 3:17 "For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." God will do anything necessary to give the truth to those who seek to know him.
I know this is true because of our most recent trip to Africa. On Tuesday afternoon a guy walked up to one of my team members, Erik, and said he needed to speak to him. This young man said he was troubled by terrible nightmares and dreams because of his connection to a witchcraft shrine. But during the exact time we were traveling over to Africa God gave him a different dream. God spoke to this young man and told him that in 3 days a white guy was coming to his town and he needed to speak to him and listen to what he said. This young man listened to Erik as he explained the gospel message and he believed the good news about Jesus. If a person in Africa, India or Newark NJ says, they want to know more about God, God will send them more light, that is the heart of God, that is the promise of God.
Finally, we need to switch this question because Africa is more Christian than the US today. The new question is this, "How can God send a heathen in Stamford to eternal condemnation who has never heard about him?” This new question defines our mission; we must share the WORD with the people around us in this dark place called Stamford. Will you join me in the mission?
Start praying about 3 people you can ask to join you in reading through the Bible in 2010. Pray about this for a week and then ask them to join you in the new year.
This issue is dealt with in an incredible story in Acts 8. Because of the “great” persecution of the church, the early believers had to get out of Jerusalem. God needed to kick them out of their comfort zones if the mission of going to all the world, was going to be fulfilled. This is a warning to us about using “comfort” to determine God’s Will. Philip’s first mission is to go across racial boundaries and share the WORD to a Samaritan city. He goes down and a great revival breaks out. There is power in just declaring the WORD of God. This revival has miracles, shrieking spirits, healing and it ends with the whole city filled with great joy. If you are playing the numbers game this is the place to be, cities, possible regions are going to be impacted by one guy.
But an angel breaks up the party and says to Philip to head south on a desert road. One would have to question the plan of God with this decision. But God has made a promise and he will always fulfill that promise. In Psalm 19 it tells us that the created world makes it plain to everyone that there is a master designer. The existence of stars, the beauty of the seasons, the intricate design in snow flakes all point to a master watchmaker. God has also placed in our hearts a moral monitor which continually passes judgment upon the rightness or wrongness of our deeds, words and thoughts. Finally God has given us his “Word” by which we can know the heart of God.
Through both general and specific revelation every person on this planet must make a decision. Do they want to respond to this light by receiving more light or will they reject the light and ignore master watchmaker.
In Acts 8 we see exactly what God will do when one person wants to have more light. He removes Philip from the revival and sends him to meet with one guy in the desert who is searching for the truth. That is the commitment of God. By the way, did you see the passage the Ethiopian eunuch was reading? He is reading Isaiah 53 which is an incredible chapter pointing to Jesus 750 years before his birth.
Jesus told us about the heart of God in John 3:17 "For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." God will do anything necessary to give the truth to those who seek to know him.
I know this is true because of our most recent trip to Africa. On Tuesday afternoon a guy walked up to one of my team members, Erik, and said he needed to speak to him. This young man said he was troubled by terrible nightmares and dreams because of his connection to a witchcraft shrine. But during the exact time we were traveling over to Africa God gave him a different dream. God spoke to this young man and told him that in 3 days a white guy was coming to his town and he needed to speak to him and listen to what he said. This young man listened to Erik as he explained the gospel message and he believed the good news about Jesus. If a person in Africa, India or Newark NJ says, they want to know more about God, God will send them more light, that is the heart of God, that is the promise of God.
Finally, we need to switch this question because Africa is more Christian than the US today. The new question is this, "How can God send a heathen in Stamford to eternal condemnation who has never heard about him?” This new question defines our mission; we must share the WORD with the people around us in this dark place called Stamford. Will you join me in the mission?
Start praying about 3 people you can ask to join you in reading through the Bible in 2010. Pray about this for a week and then ask them to join you in the new year.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
November 22: Acts 6:8 to 8:1a
Today's passage highlights the persecution and murder of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. At the end of yesterday's reading, we learned that the apostles had appointed seven men to serve the people (acting like deacons or trustees) of the early church and to keep injurious divisions from arising (as between the Hellenized and Hebraic Jews). Among this group, Stephen appears to serve as the chief servant, and Luke describes him as a "man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit."
In the martyrdom of Stephen, we see the fulfillment of Jesus's prophecies:
1) Mark 13:9-11: "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."
2) Luke 21:12-19: "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life."
3) Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Please note how Jesus specifically indicates that persecution would come and would signify the world's rejection of Him. From our human perspective, we might view persecution as a hindrance to the advance of the Gospel, but Jesus argues just the opposite: by their standing before councils and proclaiming the truth through the Holy Spirit, the disciples would testify to the Gospel. The key element lies in the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples would not speak of their own accord, but rather the Holy Spirit would empower and direct them for these very moments. In fact, the persecution around the time of Stephen's death acted as the catalyst for the ongoing fulfillment of the promise given in Acts 1:8.
Was persecution merely for the first-century church? Clearly not! Paul notes in 2 Timothy 3:12,13 (during his house arrest in Rome): "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." Hundreds of thousands of Christians are martyred each year, and many more face the rejection of family, friends, and community. How can we endure it? Only by resting in the faithfulness of God Himself and remembering that His presence is more valuable than any earthly comfort.
Aside from the revelation of God's truth (as shown through Stephen's testimony), God also revealed His presence to Stephen, who exclaimed: "Look, I see heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." In his testimony, the revelation, and his forgiving spirit, Stephen pointed clearly to the One Who had conquered death and the grave, bringing Him honor and glory.
QUESTIONS
1. In what ways could you use the filling of the Spirit this week?
2. How can you better glorify the Lord in your struggles?
In the martyrdom of Stephen, we see the fulfillment of Jesus's prophecies:
1) Mark 13:9-11: "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit."
2) Luke 21:12-19: "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life."
3) Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Please note how Jesus specifically indicates that persecution would come and would signify the world's rejection of Him. From our human perspective, we might view persecution as a hindrance to the advance of the Gospel, but Jesus argues just the opposite: by their standing before councils and proclaiming the truth through the Holy Spirit, the disciples would testify to the Gospel. The key element lies in the power of the Holy Spirit. The disciples would not speak of their own accord, but rather the Holy Spirit would empower and direct them for these very moments. In fact, the persecution around the time of Stephen's death acted as the catalyst for the ongoing fulfillment of the promise given in Acts 1:8.
Was persecution merely for the first-century church? Clearly not! Paul notes in 2 Timothy 3:12,13 (during his house arrest in Rome): "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived." Hundreds of thousands of Christians are martyred each year, and many more face the rejection of family, friends, and community. How can we endure it? Only by resting in the faithfulness of God Himself and remembering that His presence is more valuable than any earthly comfort.
Aside from the revelation of God's truth (as shown through Stephen's testimony), God also revealed His presence to Stephen, who exclaimed: "Look, I see heaven open, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." In his testimony, the revelation, and his forgiving spirit, Stephen pointed clearly to the One Who had conquered death and the grave, bringing Him honor and glory.
QUESTIONS
1. In what ways could you use the filling of the Spirit this week?
2. How can you better glorify the Lord in your struggles?
Saturday, November 21, 2009
November 21
Calling all Prayer Warriors
In Acts 4 we see the secret to the growth in the early church. They were committed to prayer. The general attitude towards prayer today is that we know in our heads it is important, but we rarely find time in our hearts to do it because we are so busy. Most Christians don’t think there is any big deal with prayer.
Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Without prayer we can do nothing. We are living in perilous times. To a large extent, the values of our culture no longer come close to the values reflected in the Bible. And who is to blame for this erosion? It is believers who are to blame. We no longer live with the radical commitments of these first century believers. The world sees our powerless faith and lukewarm attitudes and they say, “No thank you.”
Look at these radical prayers from Acts 4 ...
Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Stretch out your hand and perform miraculous signs and wonders.
Shake the meeting place, God.
Fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can speak boldly.
Those prayers show us the great difference between “Lazy Boy” prayers like, give me a good day, bless me, give me this, give me that...and front line prayers like, shake the room, God!!!
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the serious moral and spiritual consequences of the direction our nation is traveling these days.
Today is the day to become a radical prayer, to pray for boldness in our words so that his kingdom can advance. I sense God raising up a new army of prayers. Over the past 3 months this is what has happened at Grace Church.
1. Steve Edwards has called Grace Church to pray and fast the first Friday of each month.
2. The areas churches have committed to praying quarterly for revival.
3. Young Life is praying every Wednesday morning at 8:00 am.
4. Shawn Garan, who is working with our Mosaic Middle school group, is gathering people together for prayer every Saturday night at 5:00.
4. Moms in Touch are praying every Monday afternoon at 1:30.
The revolution has started. Don’t be left behind. Start praying on your knees today and then gather with some fellow believers and ask God to make you bold in declaring his word.
PS we saw three people come to know the Lord this week!!! The harvest is waiting for our prayers.
In Acts 4 we see the secret to the growth in the early church. They were committed to prayer. The general attitude towards prayer today is that we know in our heads it is important, but we rarely find time in our hearts to do it because we are so busy. Most Christians don’t think there is any big deal with prayer.
Well, nothing could be further from the truth. Without prayer we can do nothing. We are living in perilous times. To a large extent, the values of our culture no longer come close to the values reflected in the Bible. And who is to blame for this erosion? It is believers who are to blame. We no longer live with the radical commitments of these first century believers. The world sees our powerless faith and lukewarm attitudes and they say, “No thank you.”
Look at these radical prayers from Acts 4 ...
Enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Stretch out your hand and perform miraculous signs and wonders.
Shake the meeting place, God.
Fill us with the Holy Spirit so we can speak boldly.
Those prayers show us the great difference between “Lazy Boy” prayers like, give me a good day, bless me, give me this, give me that...and front line prayers like, shake the room, God!!!
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the serious moral and spiritual consequences of the direction our nation is traveling these days.
Today is the day to become a radical prayer, to pray for boldness in our words so that his kingdom can advance. I sense God raising up a new army of prayers. Over the past 3 months this is what has happened at Grace Church.
1. Steve Edwards has called Grace Church to pray and fast the first Friday of each month.
2. The areas churches have committed to praying quarterly for revival.
3. Young Life is praying every Wednesday morning at 8:00 am.
4. Shawn Garan, who is working with our Mosaic Middle school group, is gathering people together for prayer every Saturday night at 5:00.
4. Moms in Touch are praying every Monday afternoon at 1:30.
The revolution has started. Don’t be left behind. Start praying on your knees today and then gather with some fellow believers and ask God to make you bold in declaring his word.
PS we saw three people come to know the Lord this week!!! The harvest is waiting for our prayers.
Friday, November 20, 2009
November 20
The Foundation of Our Faith
When we lived in Chicago, we were able to visit the Sears Tower on several occasions. At that time, it was the tallest building in the world. When the Sears Tower was built, the first year was spent making a great hole in the ground. And then they started to pour huge amounts of concrete and iron girders into that hole. You might have even questioned it they were building in the wrong direction. But there is a good reason for spending so much time on the foundation. A solid foundation is absolutely necessary to support the future structure. A doghouse or a chicken coup can be built on little more than a concrete slab. But a skyscraper, that's entirely different. It requires a deep and solid foundation.
So it is with our Christian life. Our upward potential is totally dependent on the foundation underneath it. In Acts 2, we see the foundation that was built for our faith. There are five pillars in this foundation.
1. The pillar of the incarnation. Jesus’ earthly life, his miracles, signs and wonders that he performed. Remember these miracles were not doubted by his enemies, they were said to have come from Satan.
2. The pillar of his crucifixion. Peter points out that this occurred as a result of human wickedness and also the result of a divine plan. There is no sense of denying the human responsibility, we just read about it two days ago. But Peter is careful to point out that the cross was not just the result of wicked men, but it was God's eternal plan being worked out from the very beginning “By God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.”
3. The pillar of the resurrection. The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. On the fact of the resurrection, Christianity either stands or falls. It is either true or false. If it is true, it is the most superlative truth of all of history. If it is false, then you have just wasted a year of your time reading this Bible. But the message from the eyewitnesses is that, "God has raised him from the dead." This was not done in some small hick town in the back woods. It was done in Jerusalem, a world class city, with over tens of thousands of inhabitants. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Gibraltar of our Christian faith. It is also the Waterloo of every skeptic. The tomb is empty.
4. The pillar of the ascension. Jesus has now been placed in the position of final and ultimate authority. He has been taken into heaven and even as you read this blog he is seated on a magnificent throne in heaven. He is Lord right now and one day every knee will bow before him and confess this. We have willingly chosen to bow the knee in our lifetime.
5. The pillar of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured him out on his followers. The risen Jesus now makes it possible for the Holy Spirit to live within the hearts of his followers. His work is to empower, transform, counsel, guide and change us from the inside out. .
There is no better foundation than the one already laid by God in Jesus. The foundation laid by God, will withstand anything. Make sure to build your life upon him.
Today is accountability day. Send me a quick email telling me where you are in the journey. Only 41 days to go!!
When we lived in Chicago, we were able to visit the Sears Tower on several occasions. At that time, it was the tallest building in the world. When the Sears Tower was built, the first year was spent making a great hole in the ground. And then they started to pour huge amounts of concrete and iron girders into that hole. You might have even questioned it they were building in the wrong direction. But there is a good reason for spending so much time on the foundation. A solid foundation is absolutely necessary to support the future structure. A doghouse or a chicken coup can be built on little more than a concrete slab. But a skyscraper, that's entirely different. It requires a deep and solid foundation.
So it is with our Christian life. Our upward potential is totally dependent on the foundation underneath it. In Acts 2, we see the foundation that was built for our faith. There are five pillars in this foundation.
1. The pillar of the incarnation. Jesus’ earthly life, his miracles, signs and wonders that he performed. Remember these miracles were not doubted by his enemies, they were said to have come from Satan.
2. The pillar of his crucifixion. Peter points out that this occurred as a result of human wickedness and also the result of a divine plan. There is no sense of denying the human responsibility, we just read about it two days ago. But Peter is careful to point out that the cross was not just the result of wicked men, but it was God's eternal plan being worked out from the very beginning “By God’s set purpose and foreknowledge.”
3. The pillar of the resurrection. The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith. On the fact of the resurrection, Christianity either stands or falls. It is either true or false. If it is true, it is the most superlative truth of all of history. If it is false, then you have just wasted a year of your time reading this Bible. But the message from the eyewitnesses is that, "God has raised him from the dead." This was not done in some small hick town in the back woods. It was done in Jerusalem, a world class city, with over tens of thousands of inhabitants. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the Gibraltar of our Christian faith. It is also the Waterloo of every skeptic. The tomb is empty.
4. The pillar of the ascension. Jesus has now been placed in the position of final and ultimate authority. He has been taken into heaven and even as you read this blog he is seated on a magnificent throne in heaven. He is Lord right now and one day every knee will bow before him and confess this. We have willingly chosen to bow the knee in our lifetime.
5. The pillar of the Holy Spirit. Jesus has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured him out on his followers. The risen Jesus now makes it possible for the Holy Spirit to live within the hearts of his followers. His work is to empower, transform, counsel, guide and change us from the inside out. .
There is no better foundation than the one already laid by God in Jesus. The foundation laid by God, will withstand anything. Make sure to build your life upon him.
Today is accountability day. Send me a quick email telling me where you are in the journey. Only 41 days to go!!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Nov 19
Jesus' Resurrection and Appearance
"Now the Lord a door has opened
That all Hell could never close."
~Rich Mullins, The Love of God
"No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand"
~Stuart Townsend & Keith Getty, In Christ Alone
"Sound the church bells
Let them ring
Let them ring
For everything can be redeemed
We can be redeemed
Oh, all of us
Oh happiness!
There is grace enough for us
and the whole human race"
~David Crowder, Oh Happiness
"Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!"
~Charles Wesley, Christ the Lord Has Risen Today
"Crown Him the Lord of life
Who triumphed o’er the grave
Who rose victorious to the strife
For those He came to save
His glories now we sing
Who died and rose on high
Who died eternal life to bring
And lives that death may die ”
~ Matthew Bridges & Godfrey Thring, Crown Him With Many Crowns
One could definitely say that today's passage is the most important in our faith: Jesus rising from the dead of His own power. Jesus conquered the curse that has plagued mankind since the fall in the Garden of Eden. He conquered sin and death. He eliminated all the barriers between us and God and made a way for us to have a direct relationship with Him. Because of Jesus, we have hope. Someone who doubts, like Thomas, can be restored to faith. Someone who is afraid, like Peter, can be given the courage to stand up for the truth. Someone who is grieving, like Mary Magdalene, can be comforted and experience joy again. I see myself in everyone of these people. I am a doubting Thomas, a frightened Peter, a grieving Mary. Jesus restored each one of the them and He can do the same for each one of us!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
November 18
What do you think is the greatest love story ever told? The Notebook, Beauty and the Beast, Romeo and Juliet, in our home Pride and Prejudice is very popular... I can still hear the words “Mr. Bennet, Mr. Bennet” ringing in my ears, you might also put some old time movies like Sabrina, My fair Lady and even Singin in the Rain. But none of these even compare with the love story we read today. The greatest love story ever told didn’t occur on some film coming out of Hollywood but on a hill outside the walls of Jerusalem 2000 yrs. ago.
As I read our passage today I felt I needed to read this on my knees. For these words are the most sacred ever recorded in the history of our planet. They tell us about a love story so magnificent it has revolutionized millions of lives, caused millions of books and songs to be written over the centuries. There are two vastly different ways to read this passage, we can read this to know about the Jesus’ cross and we can read it loving Jesus’ cross. I hope you read it today loving the cross and the Savior, who gave himself for you.
Let me pick apart several elements of this love story.
1. It starts with the Savior who willingly came to this planet to give his life for us as a substitute. It wasn’t the nails that held him on the cross, it was love. It was his love for you and me. It was the only way to save us from our sin. So the cross was not an accident it was part of the plan from the very start.
2. This was a horrible death. 2000 years of Christianity have largely domesticated the cross, making it hard for us to realize just how vicious it was. Crucifixion itself was so intense that a wine mixed with gall was offered to help reduce pain. Jesus tasted the narcotic, but he refused to use it to deaden the pain. Jesus would suffer fully conscious and with a clear understanding.
3. When you were crucifying someone, the soldiers felt for depression at the front of the wrist. They would drive a 6 inch heavy spike through the wrists, not the hands, and deep into the wood. They would allow some slack in the arms so the body could move. The feet would be nailed together with a spike driven through the arches of the feet. Other soldiers might possibly tie the victim with ropes to insure not to fall from spikes. The cross would be hoisted to an upright position and dropped into a hole, immediately dislocating both shoulders. The victim would then endure countless hours, even days, of a yo-yo affect - pull with his arms and push with his legs to keep his chest cavity open for breath and then collapse in exhaustion until the demand for oxygen demanded renewed. We don't like crosses like the one I have just described. We tend to gloss over, avoid the gory aspects, forgetting that crucifixion was the most heinous way to die in the ancient world.
Like the Negro spiritual says, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!!
4. Of all the scenes of the cross, this one angers me the most. What kind of sick people would mock a dying man? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain. Yet we read about the insults of the soldiers, the common people and the religious leaders. They aim their insults and mockeries at him and amazingly he doesn’t fight back. In fact, he forgives them. Just this fact alone proves that Jesus is God. No human being could do this. He refused to fight fire with fire. He fought fire with love. Never has the world seen such love.
5. And finally the cry of Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani. We read these words earlier in the year when we read Psalm 22. They are the first line of the Psalm. A devout Jew learned the 22nd Psalm for times of great distress and darkness. When they were in such deep distress, this psalm was prayed. This was the sermon Jesus wanted to preach from the cross but he didn’t have the strength, so he recites the first line and asks us to read it. If you read that Psalm you will see that Psalms ends with victory. “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him.” This love story is not a tragedy, but a triumph.
According to Ripley's Believe it Or Not, the longest love letter ever written in the world was by a Parisian painter named Marcel de Lecture in 1875. The letter was simple in that it only contained 3 words. "I Love You." this phrase was repeated 1,875,000 times. Mr. Lecture forgot one important fact: One cannot prove love by words. Words are cheap... But a deed! The world can't forget the love demonstrated on a cross 2000 yrs ago. The death of Jesus on a cross was the greatest love story ever told. This love story was more than words; this love story was an act that towers above every act of history.
As I read our passage today I felt I needed to read this on my knees. For these words are the most sacred ever recorded in the history of our planet. They tell us about a love story so magnificent it has revolutionized millions of lives, caused millions of books and songs to be written over the centuries. There are two vastly different ways to read this passage, we can read this to know about the Jesus’ cross and we can read it loving Jesus’ cross. I hope you read it today loving the cross and the Savior, who gave himself for you.
Let me pick apart several elements of this love story.
1. It starts with the Savior who willingly came to this planet to give his life for us as a substitute. It wasn’t the nails that held him on the cross, it was love. It was his love for you and me. It was the only way to save us from our sin. So the cross was not an accident it was part of the plan from the very start.
2. This was a horrible death. 2000 years of Christianity have largely domesticated the cross, making it hard for us to realize just how vicious it was. Crucifixion itself was so intense that a wine mixed with gall was offered to help reduce pain. Jesus tasted the narcotic, but he refused to use it to deaden the pain. Jesus would suffer fully conscious and with a clear understanding.
3. When you were crucifying someone, the soldiers felt for depression at the front of the wrist. They would drive a 6 inch heavy spike through the wrists, not the hands, and deep into the wood. They would allow some slack in the arms so the body could move. The feet would be nailed together with a spike driven through the arches of the feet. Other soldiers might possibly tie the victim with ropes to insure not to fall from spikes. The cross would be hoisted to an upright position and dropped into a hole, immediately dislocating both shoulders. The victim would then endure countless hours, even days, of a yo-yo affect - pull with his arms and push with his legs to keep his chest cavity open for breath and then collapse in exhaustion until the demand for oxygen demanded renewed. We don't like crosses like the one I have just described. We tend to gloss over, avoid the gory aspects, forgetting that crucifixion was the most heinous way to die in the ancient world.
Like the Negro spiritual says, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble!!
4. Of all the scenes of the cross, this one angers me the most. What kind of sick people would mock a dying man? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain. Yet we read about the insults of the soldiers, the common people and the religious leaders. They aim their insults and mockeries at him and amazingly he doesn’t fight back. In fact, he forgives them. Just this fact alone proves that Jesus is God. No human being could do this. He refused to fight fire with fire. He fought fire with love. Never has the world seen such love.
5. And finally the cry of Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani. We read these words earlier in the year when we read Psalm 22. They are the first line of the Psalm. A devout Jew learned the 22nd Psalm for times of great distress and darkness. When they were in such deep distress, this psalm was prayed. This was the sermon Jesus wanted to preach from the cross but he didn’t have the strength, so he recites the first line and asks us to read it. If you read that Psalm you will see that Psalms ends with victory. “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him.” This love story is not a tragedy, but a triumph.
According to Ripley's Believe it Or Not, the longest love letter ever written in the world was by a Parisian painter named Marcel de Lecture in 1875. The letter was simple in that it only contained 3 words. "I Love You." this phrase was repeated 1,875,000 times. Mr. Lecture forgot one important fact: One cannot prove love by words. Words are cheap... But a deed! The world can't forget the love demonstrated on a cross 2000 yrs ago. The death of Jesus on a cross was the greatest love story ever told. This love story was more than words; this love story was an act that towers above every act of history.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
November 17
What is Truth?
I often wrestle with this question, “What is the greatest danger we face in the USA?” The answers would certainly include potential issues like terrorism, a financial meltdown, issues concerning the breakdown of the family, the failures of education but I think all of these fall short of the greatest issue. I believe the most dangerous issue facing our culture today is “Relativism.” I define relativism as the existence of a culture without any absolute truths.
This same issue faced Pilate 2000 years ago. It is very obvious from our reading today that Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. Time and time again, he tries to free him because he knows the charges are trumped up by the Jews. But right smack in the middle of this life and death issue a philosophical issue is raised, “What is Truth?” Jesus starts the discussion by this statement in John 18:37 Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." And Pilate ends the discussion with the question, “What is truth?”
If you were privileged to be in the room with Pilate and Jesus at that moment how would you have answered that question? The importance of that answer will determine the outcome of the trial. If truth is relative, if it is in the eye of the beholder, if it is the choice of the individual then there are not absolutes and no one is safe because the law doesn’t exist. This is what happened in Germany in the 1930’s. Truth then became what the strongest political power or the strongest governor said in 33 AD.
What the Bible says about truth is that it is “God’s Reality.” Truth is the way God sees the world. This is not a very popular notion these days but without God determining right and wrong we are left to the arbitrary decisions of political leaders and they will always choose what is expedient for the moment.
Today ask someone the Pilate question, “What is truth?” You might be surprised to see how close we are to danger.
I often wrestle with this question, “What is the greatest danger we face in the USA?” The answers would certainly include potential issues like terrorism, a financial meltdown, issues concerning the breakdown of the family, the failures of education but I think all of these fall short of the greatest issue. I believe the most dangerous issue facing our culture today is “Relativism.” I define relativism as the existence of a culture without any absolute truths.
This same issue faced Pilate 2000 years ago. It is very obvious from our reading today that Pilate knew Jesus was innocent. Time and time again, he tries to free him because he knows the charges are trumped up by the Jews. But right smack in the middle of this life and death issue a philosophical issue is raised, “What is Truth?” Jesus starts the discussion by this statement in John 18:37 Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." And Pilate ends the discussion with the question, “What is truth?”
If you were privileged to be in the room with Pilate and Jesus at that moment how would you have answered that question? The importance of that answer will determine the outcome of the trial. If truth is relative, if it is in the eye of the beholder, if it is the choice of the individual then there are not absolutes and no one is safe because the law doesn’t exist. This is what happened in Germany in the 1930’s. Truth then became what the strongest political power or the strongest governor said in 33 AD.
What the Bible says about truth is that it is “God’s Reality.” Truth is the way God sees the world. This is not a very popular notion these days but without God determining right and wrong we are left to the arbitrary decisions of political leaders and they will always choose what is expedient for the moment.
Today ask someone the Pilate question, “What is truth?” You might be surprised to see how close we are to danger.
Monday, November 16, 2009
November 16
THE STORY OF JUDAS: SO CLOSE AND YET SO FAR
The name of Aldrich Ames will forever be a name tied to the word "Traitor." Ames was the person who in 1994 was charged with betraying his country. Aldrich Ames over a nine year period sold to the KGB the names of 10 Soviet agents and compromised valuable secrets about US surveillance of the Soviet Union. In exchange for this information Ames received 1.5 million dollars. The cost of his betrayal was the lives of at least 10 people and untold damage to our country's security.
The results of betrayal are always tragic but the greatest tragedy is thinking about the possibilities of what that person might have been had they remained faithful.
Today in our reading of the Passion Week we encountered the story of Judas. I can’t help but think about the tragic betrayal of Judas. His life can never be used as a role model but we can learn volumes from the mistakes he made.
One of these lessons he teaches us is that opportunity does not guarantee success. Judas was a privileged man with a lot of gifts. He was raised in Kerioth, a town in the southern part of Judah, which gave him a cultured and privileged upbringing. He had a good business head on his shoulders, which is why he was made treasurer of the group. When picking a treasurer, you want the most knowledgeable, trustworthy and dependable person. He had tremendous spiritual opportunities. Over the 3 years spent with Jesus, Judas had heard the gospel, seen the miracles and participated in declaring the kingdom. He had personal opportunities that only a few in the history of our planet have ever experienced. He was chosen to be part of the 12 Disciples. He walked, talked, ate and laughed with Jesus. He saw and heard everything Jesus had said. He had a perfect view of Jesus.
Judas was on top of the world, moving with full sails, he had everything going for him. Which brings us to the lesson we must learn: opportunity does not guarantee success. Every generation has its lists of people who are blessed with incredible opportunities but they fall short.
Our generation is one of them. We have been blessed with unprecedented freedom, prosperity, educational opportunities, health benefits and yearly bountiful harvests. We have also been handed a heritage rich in the knowledge of Jesus and the Bible. Yet what have we done with these opportunities? We have turned our backs on the Lord and His Word. It is now a crime to have the 10 Commandments in a Courthouse and to display your Bible in school or the work place.
The great tragedy of America in 2009 is that we have not learned the lesson of Judas and we have betrayed our Lord. Do not be ashamed of the Lord today. Speak up for him and share his love with those around you.
The name of Aldrich Ames will forever be a name tied to the word "Traitor." Ames was the person who in 1994 was charged with betraying his country. Aldrich Ames over a nine year period sold to the KGB the names of 10 Soviet agents and compromised valuable secrets about US surveillance of the Soviet Union. In exchange for this information Ames received 1.5 million dollars. The cost of his betrayal was the lives of at least 10 people and untold damage to our country's security.
The results of betrayal are always tragic but the greatest tragedy is thinking about the possibilities of what that person might have been had they remained faithful.
Today in our reading of the Passion Week we encountered the story of Judas. I can’t help but think about the tragic betrayal of Judas. His life can never be used as a role model but we can learn volumes from the mistakes he made.
One of these lessons he teaches us is that opportunity does not guarantee success. Judas was a privileged man with a lot of gifts. He was raised in Kerioth, a town in the southern part of Judah, which gave him a cultured and privileged upbringing. He had a good business head on his shoulders, which is why he was made treasurer of the group. When picking a treasurer, you want the most knowledgeable, trustworthy and dependable person. He had tremendous spiritual opportunities. Over the 3 years spent with Jesus, Judas had heard the gospel, seen the miracles and participated in declaring the kingdom. He had personal opportunities that only a few in the history of our planet have ever experienced. He was chosen to be part of the 12 Disciples. He walked, talked, ate and laughed with Jesus. He saw and heard everything Jesus had said. He had a perfect view of Jesus.
Judas was on top of the world, moving with full sails, he had everything going for him. Which brings us to the lesson we must learn: opportunity does not guarantee success. Every generation has its lists of people who are blessed with incredible opportunities but they fall short.
Our generation is one of them. We have been blessed with unprecedented freedom, prosperity, educational opportunities, health benefits and yearly bountiful harvests. We have also been handed a heritage rich in the knowledge of Jesus and the Bible. Yet what have we done with these opportunities? We have turned our backs on the Lord and His Word. It is now a crime to have the 10 Commandments in a Courthouse and to display your Bible in school or the work place.
The great tragedy of America in 2009 is that we have not learned the lesson of Judas and we have betrayed our Lord. Do not be ashamed of the Lord today. Speak up for him and share his love with those around you.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
November 15: John 15 to 17
"Then Jesus' disciples said, 'Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone asky you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.'" (John 16:29,30)
Today's passage records Jesus's final words of preparation for His sometimes confused and likely trepidatious followers. Not yet fully aware of what might transpire surrounding Jesus's "going away," they had previously shown confidence that they would not fall away during Jesus's upcoming trial. Jesus's words reflect on the function and ongoing work of the Body of Christ, the church, after His death and resurrection.
We may several things regarding God's plan to use fallen people as a vehicle for His truth:
1. The plan was risky. People are fickle, and their enthusiasm can wane.
2. He might have chosen a more organized, powerful group than the specific disciples.
3. Still, it is clear that God can equip His followers to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:4-6: " Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
As one might expect, Jesus's words hold a special gravity given the nature of the transition. We can take away several key teachings that guide our daily walk with Christ to this day:
1. Without a strong connection to Christ, we will not produce fruit. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (15:5) We must remain connected to Christ through His Word and prayer. It requires our choosing to be bound to Him. Then, God will "prune" us so that we may become more fruitful. (Hebrews 12:4-13)
2. There will be struggles, but...
a. The believers' faithfulness will bring glory to God. Jesus points out that it "is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples," in spite of persecution (15:8).
b. The believers' love for one another will sustain the church. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (15:8-13) Jesus then prays that the believers "be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (17:23)
This type of love would sustain even the weak. Over the long run, self-sacrificing love has its source and strength in God Himself. The church, through caring for one another in difficult times, would bear witness to God's loving character and would encourage one another to keep going: "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." (Hebrews 3:13,14)
c. The coming persecution will reveal the world's hearts. Jesus explains that, "if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (15:18,19) We often take rejection in evangelism or the possibility thereof personally; instead, we may view people's reactions to our faith as a rejection of God Himself.
d. The Holy Spirit will empower the church. As Christ promised earlier, the Holy Spirit would guide the church into all truth. (As we consider difficult situations, what we require is not more knowledge, but more of God's wisdom.) In Chapter 16, we hear Jesus explaining that the Holy Spirit will both 1) "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" and 2) "bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." The church would not fly alone. The Holy Spirit would be poured out and would empower, guide, and direct those seeking to honor Jesus.
3. In His high priestly prayer (17:1-23), we find:
a. The vehicle of eternal life. "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (17:3)
b. The humble example of the Suffering Servant. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (17:25,26)
c. The source of all truth and the destination of rightfully directed glory: God Himself. "Father, glorif
QUESTIONS
1. How can you cling more to the Vine this week?
2. How can you reflect on God's eternal plan to bring recognition of complete joy, even during times of trial?
Today's passage records Jesus's final words of preparation for His sometimes confused and likely trepidatious followers. Not yet fully aware of what might transpire surrounding Jesus's "going away," they had previously shown confidence that they would not fall away during Jesus's upcoming trial. Jesus's words reflect on the function and ongoing work of the Body of Christ, the church, after His death and resurrection.
We may several things regarding God's plan to use fallen people as a vehicle for His truth:
1. The plan was risky. People are fickle, and their enthusiasm can wane.
2. He might have chosen a more organized, powerful group than the specific disciples.
3. Still, it is clear that God can equip His followers to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:4-6: " Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant — not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
As one might expect, Jesus's words hold a special gravity given the nature of the transition. We can take away several key teachings that guide our daily walk with Christ to this day:
1. Without a strong connection to Christ, we will not produce fruit. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (15:5) We must remain connected to Christ through His Word and prayer. It requires our choosing to be bound to Him. Then, God will "prune" us so that we may become more fruitful. (Hebrews 12:4-13)
2. There will be struggles, but...
a. The believers' faithfulness will bring glory to God. Jesus points out that it "is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples," in spite of persecution (15:8).
b. The believers' love for one another will sustain the church. "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (15:8-13) Jesus then prays that the believers "be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (17:23)
This type of love would sustain even the weak. Over the long run, self-sacrificing love has its source and strength in God Himself. The church, through caring for one another in difficult times, would bear witness to God's loving character and would encourage one another to keep going: "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first." (Hebrews 3:13,14)
c. The coming persecution will reveal the world's hearts. Jesus explains that, "if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (15:18,19) We often take rejection in evangelism or the possibility thereof personally; instead, we may view people's reactions to our faith as a rejection of God Himself.
d. The Holy Spirit will empower the church. As Christ promised earlier, the Holy Spirit would guide the church into all truth. (As we consider difficult situations, what we require is not more knowledge, but more of God's wisdom.) In Chapter 16, we hear Jesus explaining that the Holy Spirit will both 1) "convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment" and 2) "bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you." The church would not fly alone. The Holy Spirit would be poured out and would empower, guide, and direct those seeking to honor Jesus.
3. In His high priestly prayer (17:1-23), we find:
a. The vehicle of eternal life. "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (17:3)
b. The humble example of the Suffering Servant. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." (17:25,26)
c. The source of all truth and the destination of rightfully directed glory: God Himself. "Father, glorif
QUESTIONS
1. How can you cling more to the Vine this week?
2. How can you reflect on God's eternal plan to bring recognition of complete joy, even during times of trial?
Saturday, November 14, 2009
November 14
Developing a Bold Love
In the first century there were very few paved roads. Roads, alleys and any winding trails would eventually become a thick layer of dust. Combine this with a hot sweaty day in the Middle Eastern sun and you have a foot disaster. The custom of the day would be that a servant would greet you at door and wash your feet, thus preserving the atmosphere of the dinner party. The servant would kneel with a pitcher of water and wash and dry your feet. Shoes, boots, and sandals were left at the door, a custom still prevalent in the Far East. If a home could not afford a slave, one of the early arriving guests would graciously take upon himself the role of the house servant and wash the feet of those who came.
Here we have the future leaders of the church and every one of them came up with an excuse for volunteering for the lowly task. So the room where the greatest celebration of the greatest sacrifice was going to be initiated was filled with proud hearts and dirty feet.
Now keep you eyes on Jesus because he silently gets up and unannounced moves from the table, puts the towel around his waste and picks up the pitcher of water to wash the disciples dirty feet. There is no fanfare, just the silent movements of bold love.
We don’t have any comments recorded until we get to Peter. In the Greek he says, "YOU" emphatic, “MY feet” “NEVER in all eternity.” I picture Peter as drawing up his feet in a jerky motion and holding his knees close to his chest as a protest to the love of Jesus. But Jesus tells him this is necessary and proceeds to wash all of their feet, including Judas’, the one who will betray in a matter of hours.
John 13:12-15 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Do you understand what I have done for you? What a strange question. Obvious anyone with an IQ above 80 would realize their feet are clean now. But Jesus has most in mind than just the obvious - Jesus always does. He wanted them to think deeply, to learn something very insightful and valuable as an obedient servant. He started with his role and TEACHER and LORD. You would expect him to say, “I washed your feet ‑ so ‑ now you should wash MY feet.” That is what we would expect him to say in our world of 2009. The way it goes on the streets of Stamford is this, “I scratched your back now you scratch mine.” That would be a privilege, to wash the feet of Jesus. But Jesus messes up the equation big time when he says, “YOU also should wash one another’s feet.”
To do this as a duty is weakness, to do it as a joy is strength. We need to do it with the right attitude. Don’t wash your enemy’s feet with boiling or ice water. The goal is to remove dirt, not skin, from the feet. So check the temperature and check the attitude.
Tomorrow become a servant to someone in your home. Look for ways to meet their needs, to put their interests ahead of yours, to serve them simply because Jesus has served you!!! Just Do It!!!
In the first century there were very few paved roads. Roads, alleys and any winding trails would eventually become a thick layer of dust. Combine this with a hot sweaty day in the Middle Eastern sun and you have a foot disaster. The custom of the day would be that a servant would greet you at door and wash your feet, thus preserving the atmosphere of the dinner party. The servant would kneel with a pitcher of water and wash and dry your feet. Shoes, boots, and sandals were left at the door, a custom still prevalent in the Far East. If a home could not afford a slave, one of the early arriving guests would graciously take upon himself the role of the house servant and wash the feet of those who came.
Here we have the future leaders of the church and every one of them came up with an excuse for volunteering for the lowly task. So the room where the greatest celebration of the greatest sacrifice was going to be initiated was filled with proud hearts and dirty feet.
Now keep you eyes on Jesus because he silently gets up and unannounced moves from the table, puts the towel around his waste and picks up the pitcher of water to wash the disciples dirty feet. There is no fanfare, just the silent movements of bold love.
We don’t have any comments recorded until we get to Peter. In the Greek he says, "YOU" emphatic, “MY feet” “NEVER in all eternity.” I picture Peter as drawing up his feet in a jerky motion and holding his knees close to his chest as a protest to the love of Jesus. But Jesus tells him this is necessary and proceeds to wash all of their feet, including Judas’, the one who will betray in a matter of hours.
John 13:12-15 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Do you understand what I have done for you? What a strange question. Obvious anyone with an IQ above 80 would realize their feet are clean now. But Jesus has most in mind than just the obvious - Jesus always does. He wanted them to think deeply, to learn something very insightful and valuable as an obedient servant. He started with his role and TEACHER and LORD. You would expect him to say, “I washed your feet ‑ so ‑ now you should wash MY feet.” That is what we would expect him to say in our world of 2009. The way it goes on the streets of Stamford is this, “I scratched your back now you scratch mine.” That would be a privilege, to wash the feet of Jesus. But Jesus messes up the equation big time when he says, “YOU also should wash one another’s feet.”
To do this as a duty is weakness, to do it as a joy is strength. We need to do it with the right attitude. Don’t wash your enemy’s feet with boiling or ice water. The goal is to remove dirt, not skin, from the feet. So check the temperature and check the attitude.
Tomorrow become a servant to someone in your home. Look for ways to meet their needs, to put their interests ahead of yours, to serve them simply because Jesus has served you!!! Just Do It!!!
Friday, November 13, 2009
November 13
The chronology of the “Final Week.”
Sorry to become technical for a day but we have a controversy before us. I am not much of a traditionalist but on the chronology of the final week I am, and here is my reasoning:
1. I have no problem with a day of inactivity. Knowing his upcoming trial and death was imminent, Jesus used Wednesday to strengthen and prepare himself.
2. The most critical issue for those who see a Wednesday Passover and Thursday crucifixion is the phrase “three days and three nights.” LaGard Smith suggests that this must be a “full” 24 hours and therefore is required to have a Thursday afternoon death of Jesus. A traditional Friday crucifixion would not leave 72 hours. You could probably come out with 36-38 hours but that certainly does not equal three “full” days and three “full” nights of 72 hours. But this word “full” has both a western and eastern connotation. In eastern thought this expression could be used to allow the full day and night to be counted when just a part of that time was included.
For example, in 1 Samuel 30:12 we see the same formula "three days and three nights" used by the Egyptian, whom David found as he was pursuing the Amalekites. The Egyptian turned out to be a slave who was abandoned when he became ill "three days ago" (1 Sam 30:13).
The words translated by the NIV as "three days ago," literally translated from the Hebrew read: "Today is the third [day]" (Hebrew: hayyom sheloshah). Thus, he too used the "three days and three nights" stereotype formula, but clearly he did not mean three “full” days and three “full” nights, for on that very day, it was only day three!
Therefore, in accordance with this example and several others in Scripture, a part of a day, night, or year could be counted as a full day or night or year. Likewise, Solomon's navy was gone for three years (1 Kings 10:22), but it becomes clear that any part of a year counted as one year; thus his ships left about the fall of the year, were gone all the next year and returned in the third year about Passover time.
Therefore, it is not necessary to move the crucifixion back to "Good Wednesday" or "Good Thursday" in order to account for the 72 hours.
I want to credit my fantastic Hebrew teacher Dr. Walter Kaiser for opening my eyes to this truth many years ago.
Here are some other reasons to keep Good Friday as the day of the crucifixion.
3. John 9:42 states that it was the "Day of Preparation" which would have been Friday.
4. John 8:28 states that it was during the early morning hours on Friday that Jesus was led into the Governor's official residence. He says that the Jews would not enter the house so that they would not be defiled for the Passover Supper, which they had not eaten yet.
5. John 9:3 further states that because it was the Day of Preparation, the Jews wanted to break their victim's legs; hastening their deaths so that they would not defile the Sabbath (the Jewish Sabbath goes from Friday sun-down to Saturday sun-down). This again shows that they were crucified on a Friday.
6. John also says, in this same verse, that that Sabbath was also a "High Day." This may mean that this Sabbath Supper was also the Passover Supper. If so, Jesus could not have eaten Passover because the Passover Lamb could only be killed in the Temple, and the Priests didn't start the ritual killing of the Lambs until Friday, well after Jesus had been taken into custody.
In the end it does not matter if it was Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. The work of salvation was accomplished by Jesus on one of those days. The real issue is, "Do you believe Jesus died for your sins on that cross?"
Sorry to become technical for a day but we have a controversy before us. I am not much of a traditionalist but on the chronology of the final week I am, and here is my reasoning:
1. I have no problem with a day of inactivity. Knowing his upcoming trial and death was imminent, Jesus used Wednesday to strengthen and prepare himself.
2. The most critical issue for those who see a Wednesday Passover and Thursday crucifixion is the phrase “three days and three nights.” LaGard Smith suggests that this must be a “full” 24 hours and therefore is required to have a Thursday afternoon death of Jesus. A traditional Friday crucifixion would not leave 72 hours. You could probably come out with 36-38 hours but that certainly does not equal three “full” days and three “full” nights of 72 hours. But this word “full” has both a western and eastern connotation. In eastern thought this expression could be used to allow the full day and night to be counted when just a part of that time was included.
For example, in 1 Samuel 30:12 we see the same formula "three days and three nights" used by the Egyptian, whom David found as he was pursuing the Amalekites. The Egyptian turned out to be a slave who was abandoned when he became ill "three days ago" (1 Sam 30:13).
The words translated by the NIV as "three days ago," literally translated from the Hebrew read: "Today is the third [day]" (Hebrew: hayyom sheloshah). Thus, he too used the "three days and three nights" stereotype formula, but clearly he did not mean three “full” days and three “full” nights, for on that very day, it was only day three!
Therefore, in accordance with this example and several others in Scripture, a part of a day, night, or year could be counted as a full day or night or year. Likewise, Solomon's navy was gone for three years (1 Kings 10:22), but it becomes clear that any part of a year counted as one year; thus his ships left about the fall of the year, were gone all the next year and returned in the third year about Passover time.
Therefore, it is not necessary to move the crucifixion back to "Good Wednesday" or "Good Thursday" in order to account for the 72 hours.
I want to credit my fantastic Hebrew teacher Dr. Walter Kaiser for opening my eyes to this truth many years ago.
Here are some other reasons to keep Good Friday as the day of the crucifixion.
3. John 9:42 states that it was the "Day of Preparation" which would have been Friday.
4. John 8:28 states that it was during the early morning hours on Friday that Jesus was led into the Governor's official residence. He says that the Jews would not enter the house so that they would not be defiled for the Passover Supper, which they had not eaten yet.
5. John 9:3 further states that because it was the Day of Preparation, the Jews wanted to break their victim's legs; hastening their deaths so that they would not defile the Sabbath (the Jewish Sabbath goes from Friday sun-down to Saturday sun-down). This again shows that they were crucified on a Friday.
6. John also says, in this same verse, that that Sabbath was also a "High Day." This may mean that this Sabbath Supper was also the Passover Supper. If so, Jesus could not have eaten Passover because the Passover Lamb could only be killed in the Temple, and the Priests didn't start the ritual killing of the Lambs until Friday, well after Jesus had been taken into custody.
In the end it does not matter if it was Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. The work of salvation was accomplished by Jesus on one of those days. The real issue is, "Do you believe Jesus died for your sins on that cross?"
Thursday, November 12, 2009
November 12
Matthew 25:31-46
This week, Travis bought David Crowder's new CD called Church Music. (I was very excited by this, David Crowder is my favorite!) There was one song in particular that spoke so profoundly to me. I was arriving at work and the song How He Loves came on. I decided to wait in my car until the song was over. Before I knew it, I was weeping. The words describing God's love for us overwhelmed me and pierced my heart. I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of God's love. His love has the power, force, intensity, and fury of a hurricane. My first thought was to wonder why does He choose to love us who are weak, small, and insignificant next to Him. My next thought was overwhelming gratitude for His perfect love. Here are the lyrics:
He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.
(YouTube link to the video so you can listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJyW55AXJAk )
The passage in Matthew 25 about the sheep and the goats shows us how we are to love other people. When we see them, we are to see Jesus and love as He loves. When we see someone hungry, thirsty, sick, in need, we are to see Jesus in them. We are to feed them, give them water, care for them, provide for their needs. When we think about how intensely God loves us, how could we NOT share that same love with others.
This week, Travis bought David Crowder's new CD called Church Music. (I was very excited by this, David Crowder is my favorite!) There was one song in particular that spoke so profoundly to me. I was arriving at work and the song How He Loves came on. I decided to wait in my car until the song was over. Before I knew it, I was weeping. The words describing God's love for us overwhelmed me and pierced my heart. I was overwhelmed by the magnitude of God's love. His love has the power, force, intensity, and fury of a hurricane. My first thought was to wonder why does He choose to love us who are weak, small, and insignificant next to Him. My next thought was overwhelming gratitude for His perfect love. Here are the lyrics:
He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.
And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…
He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.
(YouTube link to the video so you can listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJyW55AXJAk )
The passage in Matthew 25 about the sheep and the goats shows us how we are to love other people. When we see them, we are to see Jesus and love as He loves. When we see someone hungry, thirsty, sick, in need, we are to see Jesus in them. We are to feed them, give them water, care for them, provide for their needs. When we think about how intensely God loves us, how could we NOT share that same love with others.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
November 11
Tuesday, a Day of Dissonance
On Tuesday of Passion Week, the Religious leaders mounted a furious attack against Jesus. They questioned his authority on numerous issues. They tried to pinch him in a dispute about money. He was interrogated about an ethical question on the resurrection. And, of course, a theological question was raised. Theologians always stir the water so they appear deep. Well, you had three groups of theologians participating in this free for all.
In the end, Jesus shuts the discussion down with a brilliant question.
Matthew 22:42 "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?"
"The son of David," they replied.
This is the heart of the issue. Who is Messiah? If Messiah is a teacher, a politician, a moralist or even a prophet then we can dismiss his ideas as the reflections of a man. But if Messiah is God’s son come in the flesh then we better pay attention. To disobey the teachings of Messiah could put us in deep weeds with God the Father.
Jesus gives us a hint of his ancestry.
Matthew 22:44-45 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." ' If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" 46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
It is true that the Messiah would be the Son of David, but he is also much more than this. Jesus wants to raise their eyes to see that Messiah is also God the Son. So Jesus quotes from a messianic psalm (Ps 110:1) in which David referred to the Messiah as “my Lord.” The actual Hebrew wording is “Jehovah said to my Adonai.” This word “Adonai” is used only of God the Father. (see Genesis 18:27; Job 28:28). So if Jehovah uses a title used of himself for another, that means the other is himself. You might have to read that last statement twice.
More precisely, Jehovah and Adonai are the same. They are both God. You can say God the Father is Adonai and you can say the Jesus the Son is Adonai. This is a unity in the Godhead that we call the Trinity. David perceives two individuals yet he perceives one title.
This makes the Messiah much more than a mere son. This makes the Messiah, God himself. The complexity of Jesus’ answer was so profound that his opponents were silenced. Can you image that, a theologian silenced!!
“Tuesday” teaches us this lesson. We might not know all the answers to the difficult questions of life but we do know who Jesus is. And even if we don’t have the faintest idea of why there is cancer, heart attacks, death, suffering, infertility and children born with handicaps, in the end Jesus does, because he is God.
The problems of earth can create a lot of dissonance in us. But, in the end, we bow our knees before God and say Adonai, I don't know WHY but I know WHO you are. And I am going to cling onto you with everything I have. A song says it this way, “We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.” That is our hope as we head towards Good Friday of Passion Week.
On Tuesday of Passion Week, the Religious leaders mounted a furious attack against Jesus. They questioned his authority on numerous issues. They tried to pinch him in a dispute about money. He was interrogated about an ethical question on the resurrection. And, of course, a theological question was raised. Theologians always stir the water so they appear deep. Well, you had three groups of theologians participating in this free for all.
In the end, Jesus shuts the discussion down with a brilliant question.
Matthew 22:42 "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?"
"The son of David," they replied.
This is the heart of the issue. Who is Messiah? If Messiah is a teacher, a politician, a moralist or even a prophet then we can dismiss his ideas as the reflections of a man. But if Messiah is God’s son come in the flesh then we better pay attention. To disobey the teachings of Messiah could put us in deep weeds with God the Father.
Jesus gives us a hint of his ancestry.
Matthew 22:44-45 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet." ' If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" 46No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.
It is true that the Messiah would be the Son of David, but he is also much more than this. Jesus wants to raise their eyes to see that Messiah is also God the Son. So Jesus quotes from a messianic psalm (Ps 110:1) in which David referred to the Messiah as “my Lord.” The actual Hebrew wording is “Jehovah said to my Adonai.” This word “Adonai” is used only of God the Father. (see Genesis 18:27; Job 28:28). So if Jehovah uses a title used of himself for another, that means the other is himself. You might have to read that last statement twice.
More precisely, Jehovah and Adonai are the same. They are both God. You can say God the Father is Adonai and you can say the Jesus the Son is Adonai. This is a unity in the Godhead that we call the Trinity. David perceives two individuals yet he perceives one title.
This makes the Messiah much more than a mere son. This makes the Messiah, God himself. The complexity of Jesus’ answer was so profound that his opponents were silenced. Can you image that, a theologian silenced!!
“Tuesday” teaches us this lesson. We might not know all the answers to the difficult questions of life but we do know who Jesus is. And even if we don’t have the faintest idea of why there is cancer, heart attacks, death, suffering, infertility and children born with handicaps, in the end Jesus does, because he is God.
The problems of earth can create a lot of dissonance in us. But, in the end, we bow our knees before God and say Adonai, I don't know WHY but I know WHO you are. And I am going to cling onto you with everything I have. A song says it this way, “We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.” That is our hope as we head towards Good Friday of Passion Week.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
November 10
Are you part of the Sunday Crowd or the Friday Crowd?
The Sunday crowd is about numbers, outward appearances, power, and glitz. The Friday crowd is about crosses, sacrifice, serving and humility. Which crowd are you part of?
The Sunday before Passover Jesus came out of the wilderness on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives (just as the prophecy said the Messiah would come). The Sunday crowd gathered to remember the liberation of Israel from Egyptian bondage. During this period of time many riots occurred because self proclaimed Messiahs would start uprisings during Passover. That is why the Romans brought extra troops into Jerusalem. This crowd was ready for political freedom but not spiritual freedom. The shout of “Hosanna” was an ultra-nationalistic slogan of the Zealots. It meant “Please save us! Give us freedom!” That is why the Jews were so upset, they thought the Romans would come into Jerusalem and create a bloodbath.
The fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 is seen with the mighty warrior Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey. The news paper editorials must have had a field day the next day. What an oxymoron.
This is not a problem with the Friday crowd. We know that servants ride on donkeys and not white horses.
The Sunday crowd has a real problem with the overturning of the tables at the temple. The Jewish merchants were not the problem, it was the Romans. Why would Jesus go after the investment bankers? We need them to finance the revolution.
The big difference between the Sunday crowd and the Friday Crowd is that the Sunday crowd does not hear the voice of God.
John 12:28-30 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
There were three messages heard at this event on Monday:
1. The Sunday crowd heard thunder. They knew something happened out of the ordinary but they couldn’t pick up on the message.
2. The Mid-week crowd heard an angel. They knew it was a spiritual source but the voice was still muffled.
3. The Friday crowd heard the voice of the Father. It was God the Father who said, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
The Good Friday crowd knows the voice of the Father. When was the last time you heard the voice of God?
I pray that today we all hear his voice and join in the mission of bringing glory to Jesus’ name.
The Sunday crowd is about numbers, outward appearances, power, and glitz. The Friday crowd is about crosses, sacrifice, serving and humility. Which crowd are you part of?
The Sunday before Passover Jesus came out of the wilderness on the eastern side of the Mount of Olives (just as the prophecy said the Messiah would come). The Sunday crowd gathered to remember the liberation of Israel from Egyptian bondage. During this period of time many riots occurred because self proclaimed Messiahs would start uprisings during Passover. That is why the Romans brought extra troops into Jerusalem. This crowd was ready for political freedom but not spiritual freedom. The shout of “Hosanna” was an ultra-nationalistic slogan of the Zealots. It meant “Please save us! Give us freedom!” That is why the Jews were so upset, they thought the Romans would come into Jerusalem and create a bloodbath.
The fulfillment of Zechariah 9:9 is seen with the mighty warrior Jesus riding into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey. The news paper editorials must have had a field day the next day. What an oxymoron.
This is not a problem with the Friday crowd. We know that servants ride on donkeys and not white horses.
The Sunday crowd has a real problem with the overturning of the tables at the temple. The Jewish merchants were not the problem, it was the Romans. Why would Jesus go after the investment bankers? We need them to finance the revolution.
The big difference between the Sunday crowd and the Friday Crowd is that the Sunday crowd does not hear the voice of God.
John 12:28-30 Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine.
There were three messages heard at this event on Monday:
1. The Sunday crowd heard thunder. They knew something happened out of the ordinary but they couldn’t pick up on the message.
2. The Mid-week crowd heard an angel. They knew it was a spiritual source but the voice was still muffled.
3. The Friday crowd heard the voice of the Father. It was God the Father who said, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
The Good Friday crowd knows the voice of the Father. When was the last time you heard the voice of God?
I pray that today we all hear his voice and join in the mission of bringing glory to Jesus’ name.
Monday, November 9, 2009
November 9
Having grown up in Bulgaria, I remember that chewing gum with little cartoon drawings inside were popular back home (I do miss those!) When I was in middle school a certain brand of chewing gum was called 'Love is.' Each cartoon picture inside the wrapping was of a cute little boy and a girl blowing each other kisses, giving each other flowers, etc. Kind of like the ones in the U.S. that are made into cute statuettes (check out the Hallmark store.) Each picture had a message starting with 'Love is' and had different ending to the sentence. 'Love is watching the sunset together' or 'Love is caring for the other's puppy.' I collected all of them. It was all nice and cute. But the truth is that growing up I've missed the point about true love. In today's Bible reading, especially through the calling to serve, Christ reminded me of the love He is teaching us. Here are 3 things:
1. Love is child-like: free and simple
The disciples were concerned that the kids were disturbing the order around Jesus. They misunderstood. Jesus hugged the children and blessed them saying that the kingdom of God belonged to such as these. It was said at church yesterday that children just know forgiveness and know God. Their faith is not complicated, it straightforward. We, grownups, keep saying that we want to grow loving Christ more. But sometimes I think we just complicate our relationship with Him. This passage reminded me that our love for God and others needs to be childlike: honest, free, simple (clear-cut.) That is how Christ loves us too. Has His love placed conditions on us? Considering our rebellious behavior towards God, our Creator, we would think it would. But no, He waived all conditions for love by dying for us! His love is free and clear-cut.
The disciples misunderstood something else about God's Kingdom. They thought it would be glorifying if they would be exalted. James and Jon asked Jesus to be seated one at the right and the other at the left of Jesus in His Kingdom. But Jesus said that if we really want to be great we need to become the least:
servants, serving all. This is exactly how Christ loves too! He said: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Wow! This also reminds me of the nature of God being the Holy Trinity. As much as it is a mystery to me, I see ‘Love’ in it. God in three persons submit to each other in a relationship and yet are one - a perfect union. God teaches us how to love by ushering us into a relationship with Him and with others, asking us to practice servantship, and making us one with Him and with each other.
3. Love is lavish
Mary broke all social protocol! I remember that her anointing Jesus’ feet was against some social norm so I looked it up: women of her time did not let their hair down in public. This was considered disgraceful. In addition, Mary poured out an expensive perfume, a year worth wages, to anoint Jesus (I'm thinking of a gallon worth of Channel #5 right now!) This seemed to people as a great waste. But she did it all out of her lavish love for her Lord. This is how Christ loves us too, but with the magnitude of God. In His love He anointed us lavishly with his blood! (Which will read about really soon.)
These are 3 points about love I was reminded today. I promise you I haven’t lived them out in my life. I am not sure if we will ever master love. But I am sure that The Master loves us! I believe the only way for us to get close to true love is through Jesus Christ. And the big bonus of His fellowship is that we are being lavishly loved. For me, that is the one thing that drew me to Christ most.
- What can we do to have more childlike love for Christ?
- In our lives, do we find ourselves performing duties for God and others or do we find ourselves serving them?
- Like Mary pouring out the perfume she owned, do we each have our unique way of loving Christ lavishly and what is it? If not, let’s pray to learn to love Him back lavishly.
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