Numbers 10-15
The importance of Israel’s actual departure from the mountain is underscored by the date in 10:11 (“on the twentieth day of the second month of the second year” since their rescue from Egypt). The divine cloud rose over the tabernacle and Israel set out. Moses was overjoyed at the scene and prayed (vs.35). But unfortunately this is only a prelude to failure.
The Israelites had trouble all along the way. Chapter 11 sets the unfortunate tone for the next several chapter “Now when the people complained in hearing the Lord about their misfortunes, the Lord heard it and his anger was kindled”
The Israelites had complained from the moment they left Egypt about lack of food in the desert. So God had miraculously provided, but their rebellious attitude resulted in desert fires and plagues.
There is something ironic about the Israelites complaining over their desert diet and longing for the food of Egypt.
Had they forgotten they were slaves in Egypt? Is it possible they had so quickly forgotten how God had rescued them from severe pain and suffering? How could they rebuff his guidance? Their complaints were far more serious than merely whining about food.
The Israelites had inner attitude of rebellion, they were prone to reject God’s provisions and leadership for their lives, even after his miracles and deliverance from Egypt and provisions for their needs along the way.
As the Israelites left Hazaroth and moved farther into the desert of Paran, it was obvious they were not willingly following the Lord. Their destination was the Promised Land. But were they capable of following the promise?
Lord, is there any hidden rebellion in my life? Am I capable of following your will?
Israel’s ultimate failure was her refusal to enter the Promised Land when God offered it. When God commanded Moses to send spies into the Promised Land, he intended this reconnaissance mission to prepare Israel for conquering the land. God was already in the process of “giving” the land to his people.
But the spies brought back mixed report. The majority opinion was the task was impossible (apparently Joshua and Caleb were the only ones to demur, 14:6-8). When they heard report, incredibly, the Israelites regretted ever leaving Egypt.
Disaster was narrowly averted when God appeared at the tabernacle in all of His glory and Moses interceded for the people.
As punishment for their distrust and disobedience, the Lord declared that everyone 20yrs and older would die in the desert. They would never see the Promised Land!
Lord, am I accepting all you have to give me?
The next chapters tell us little about events of those years.
They don’t relate the course of the Israelites travels nor any particular timetable for traveling, as the author did for the rest of the book.
Instead, these chapters contain laws the Israelites were to obey once they were in Canaan and a few selected stories of failure and disobedience.
The location of the laws on offering to be observed in Canaan is curious.
The movement from the previous chapter to these cultic and ritualistic laws seems abrupt, and I wonder why they are here instead of Leviticus. But coming immediately after the revolt in Kadash these laws may be intended as a striking statement that God’s purposes would continue, with or without Moses’ generation of Israelites. They had refused to obey God’s direction to enter and occupy the land. They were going to die in the desert. But God intended these laws for worship, and their children were to learn them in anticipation of that future day when they would live in Canaan-a day that would certainly come.
Lord, I know your plan is going to happen with or without me. Give me a heart of obedience and willingness to follow your call on my life. Whatever it may be. Amen
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
National Fine Arts 2010!
What a trip! It was really a blessing being able to go to NFAF in Detroit this year. Not only was it a great time of ministering and developing our God given gifts. But as a group we all became a lot closer. And some much needed healing took place between friendships. It was a powerful week. And I cant wait for Phoenix next year!
At districts in 2010 I got a 39 out of 40
At Nationals with the same sermon I got 36 out of 40
A lot better then last year lol What do you think?
Galatians: How are you saved?
Galatians is the earliest letter we have from the apostle Paul.
And it holds the two most important key arguments for the entire first century church and today.
Galatians 1:6-8 &10 (New American Standard Bible)
6I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
7which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
The first important key on top of the table is simply this:
1. How are we saved?
Paul is quick to call out the Galatians on how they are saved, verse 6 says;
6I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel.
Paul asking the Galatians the same question that we need to ask today. Does the cross of Christ alone save you? Or are you saved by the cross PLUS something else.
It’s a huge question, and most churches at some point will add something else to the cross, some obligation that you have to fulfill.
Some people come from a tradition that says. You are saved by the cross, plus not using instrumental music. Some say, you are saved by the cross, plus not drinking or smoking, and going to church every Sunday and giving tithes. Some come from the tradition that says you are saved be the cross plus rosary beads.
Something always seems to be added.
See, Paul went to the regions of Galatia on his first missionary journey, and the names of the churches he’s writing to are Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derby.
We know this because Acts 13-14 tells the story of Paul planting churches in these areas, we even have recorded part of Paul’s first public sermon, you can read it yourself, but pretty much what happens was the Jews were trying to add circumcision to the cross and the people of Antioch are going crazy over how Paul was trying to correct them.
He goes in to the synagogue and says to the Jews “The Messiah has come” and they all went “YEYY!!!” And then he comes back the next week and the place is packed with people and there saying “Tell us more, tell us more” so he says “ok, last week I said the messiah has come” and all the Jews are like “YEY!!!” and then he’s say “This week I’m telling you the messiah is not just for Jews, he’s for ALL people!” and all the gentiles in the crowed went “YEY!!” and all the Jews went “Say what?!”
Whenever the church gets too big that we don’t all look alike problems begin to take place just like the controversy between the Jews and Gentiles.
So the first key argument on top of the table is “how are we saved” and the second key argument underneath the table is
2. “Who gets to run the church?”
Too many times we begin to think we are more fit to run the church then the Holy Spirit.
After Paul left, the Jewish rabies were going in and saying, we are saved by the cross plus circumcision.
Look, whenever some one starts adding something to the cross, it’s for them. So that they can maintain control.
When Paul goes back a second week to Antioch and they ran him out of town. He continues to travel around, but the political power keeps having him thrown out of the towns. At one point he even gets stoned and nursed back to health by some local Christians. One thing after another keeps happening. But he continues to reach out to these people.
When we go back to Galatians ch. 1, where later Paul gives his testimony, he sounds a little angry. He’s telling them, you know me; I was a persecutor of the church. I was heading to Damascus; I had letters of extradition in my hand. I had beat up men and women, thrown them in jail. I had killed people!
And then I took a 180. Why? Because Jesus appeared to me.
Paul says my own life is my testimony!
Have these Judaizers suffered for you? Did these Judaizers get stoned for you? Did these Judaizers risk their lives for you? I’m telling you, I gave my life for you people.
He says in chapter 6:17
“17From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.”
He had been beaten with rods, he had been thrown in prison, he had been stoned, he had all kinds of scares for these churches. He’s saying, I love you church. And the reason Paul sounds so angry here is because, he loved the church so much there and felt betrayed. And some guy coming in trying to change the gospel because it’s convenient for them. That’s not gonna fly with Paul.
He summarizes the core of the gospel as early as chapter 1 vs. 4. Starting in vs. 3 it says:
“3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
Paul says you can lose your salvation, and if you do it will be because of your attempt to save yourself. Rather trusting in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Don’t get me wrong, its good to have goals, and try to live your life to glorify God.
But those actions are not what saves you.
You cannot pay for your sins. All the legalism, all the self-righteousness, all the earning and points to God, all that heresy will kill you.
Christ CHANGED EVERYTHING when he died on the cross for us.
Lets stop being part of the problem.
Lets grab a hold of his truths, and start letting our lives glorify Christ instead of ourselves.
At districts in 2010 I got a 39 out of 40
At Nationals with the same sermon I got 36 out of 40
A lot better then last year lol What do you think?
Galatians: How are you saved?
Galatians is the earliest letter we have from the apostle Paul.
And it holds the two most important key arguments for the entire first century church and today.
Galatians 1:6-8 &10 (New American Standard Bible)
6I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;
7which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.
8But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!
10For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
The first important key on top of the table is simply this:
1. How are we saved?
Paul is quick to call out the Galatians on how they are saved, verse 6 says;
6I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel.
Paul asking the Galatians the same question that we need to ask today. Does the cross of Christ alone save you? Or are you saved by the cross PLUS something else.
It’s a huge question, and most churches at some point will add something else to the cross, some obligation that you have to fulfill.
Some people come from a tradition that says. You are saved by the cross, plus not using instrumental music. Some say, you are saved by the cross, plus not drinking or smoking, and going to church every Sunday and giving tithes. Some come from the tradition that says you are saved be the cross plus rosary beads.
Something always seems to be added.
See, Paul went to the regions of Galatia on his first missionary journey, and the names of the churches he’s writing to are Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derby.
We know this because Acts 13-14 tells the story of Paul planting churches in these areas, we even have recorded part of Paul’s first public sermon, you can read it yourself, but pretty much what happens was the Jews were trying to add circumcision to the cross and the people of Antioch are going crazy over how Paul was trying to correct them.
He goes in to the synagogue and says to the Jews “The Messiah has come” and they all went “YEYY!!!” And then he comes back the next week and the place is packed with people and there saying “Tell us more, tell us more” so he says “ok, last week I said the messiah has come” and all the Jews are like “YEY!!!” and then he’s say “This week I’m telling you the messiah is not just for Jews, he’s for ALL people!” and all the gentiles in the crowed went “YEY!!” and all the Jews went “Say what?!”
Whenever the church gets too big that we don’t all look alike problems begin to take place just like the controversy between the Jews and Gentiles.
So the first key argument on top of the table is “how are we saved” and the second key argument underneath the table is
2. “Who gets to run the church?”
Too many times we begin to think we are more fit to run the church then the Holy Spirit.
After Paul left, the Jewish rabies were going in and saying, we are saved by the cross plus circumcision.
Look, whenever some one starts adding something to the cross, it’s for them. So that they can maintain control.
When Paul goes back a second week to Antioch and they ran him out of town. He continues to travel around, but the political power keeps having him thrown out of the towns. At one point he even gets stoned and nursed back to health by some local Christians. One thing after another keeps happening. But he continues to reach out to these people.
When we go back to Galatians ch. 1, where later Paul gives his testimony, he sounds a little angry. He’s telling them, you know me; I was a persecutor of the church. I was heading to Damascus; I had letters of extradition in my hand. I had beat up men and women, thrown them in jail. I had killed people!
And then I took a 180. Why? Because Jesus appeared to me.
Paul says my own life is my testimony!
Have these Judaizers suffered for you? Did these Judaizers get stoned for you? Did these Judaizers risk their lives for you? I’m telling you, I gave my life for you people.
He says in chapter 6:17
“17From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.”
He had been beaten with rods, he had been thrown in prison, he had been stoned, he had all kinds of scares for these churches. He’s saying, I love you church. And the reason Paul sounds so angry here is because, he loved the church so much there and felt betrayed. And some guy coming in trying to change the gospel because it’s convenient for them. That’s not gonna fly with Paul.
He summarizes the core of the gospel as early as chapter 1 vs. 4. Starting in vs. 3 it says:
“3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.”
Paul says you can lose your salvation, and if you do it will be because of your attempt to save yourself. Rather trusting in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Don’t get me wrong, its good to have goals, and try to live your life to glorify God.
But those actions are not what saves you.
You cannot pay for your sins. All the legalism, all the self-righteousness, all the earning and points to God, all that heresy will kill you.
Christ CHANGED EVERYTHING when he died on the cross for us.
Lets stop being part of the problem.
Lets grab a hold of his truths, and start letting our lives glorify Christ instead of ourselves.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Fine Arts Short Sermon Extraordinary
Sunday I will be leaving for Detroit Michigan for Nation Fine Arts Festival.
I’m doing a Short sermon.
When I get back and know my score and stuff I will post it.
But for now I thought it would be fun to look at my sermon from last year.
This is the Scoring Scale for Fine Arts
-27 Excellent
28-35 Superior
36-40 Superior with Invitation to Nationals
My score was 33.67
What do you think about it?
Changing Humility into Extraordinary
Micah 6:8 says “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humble with your God.”
· The definition of humility is the state of being humble, and free from pride.
· I think it takes an extraordinary person to have humility in this day in age. And I’m pretty sure we can all agree that the greatest example of humility is the extraordinary person Christ is. None of us deserve the sacrifice Christ made for us. Humbling himself to a sinner’s death on the cross. Humility is more than just being free from pride. Humility is being completely unaware of yourself because you’re consumed by thoughts of serving God and others.
Philippians 2:3-4 says “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interest, but also to the interest of others.”
2. Our humility before God is tested in or humility before others
· “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
· People today need more than a sermon, they need someone to come alongside them and lend a helping hand that reflects the love of Christ. There can be a lot of sacrifice that goes into humility; Christ sacrificed being separated from the father to living an earth life.
· Sacrifice looks different for each person, it could be sacrificing your time, or your money, it might even mean getting out of your comfort zone and speaking to people you wouldn’t usually speak to. It could be any number of things.
· When I think of people who sacrifice things everyday and humble themselves, I think of the leaders in our churches. For example I think of my youth pastor, Pastor Jason. He sacrifices so much time to spend with us crazy teenagers, sometimes he thinks he still is one. He and Amy both sacrifice so much time and effort in making sure that we’re taken care of.
3. We must find joy in humility
Philippians 4:4 says “ rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
· A lot of people don’t really think about the difference between happiness and joy. Happiness is an emotion or feeling. Joy is a perspective and attitude of a lifestyle. Someone who is able to find joy in humility is unshakably optimistic. No matter what comes their way.
The end of Nehemiah 8:10 “…do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”
· When we see others facing tough times and yet holding on to their joy, it’s a powerful example of how true and unshakable the joy of the Lord can be found in our relationship with God.
· Someone who practice humility and yet is still joyful can be considered extraordinary.
4. The extraordinary acts of Christ
John 13:4-5 says “So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”
· Through Christ’s acts of service, he humbled himself to wash the disciples feet. Jesus clearly states that we are to serve; we are to show humility in our walk with Christ. We are not to boast about what we have done, but we should practice humility in everything we do.
· Everyday we are challenged in some way to be more like Christ. And if one of Christ’s greatest attributes was to be a servant then why should ours be any different? Humility teaches us servant hood, and with that we see how extraordinary we can be by humbling ourselves just as Christ did.
Dear Jesus,
You gave us the ultimate example of service. Even though you’re the Son of God, you stooped down to help those in need.
Help us to have your eyes, that we might see the need.
Help us to have your hands, that we might meet the need. And help us to have your heart, that our love would be an extension of your heart.
God, I want to carry out your will in my life. I want to make a difference for you.
But I realize that I am powerless without your help. On my own, my attempts will always fall short.
Empower me, empower your church by your Holy Spirit. That we might hear your voice and do your will. Amen.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Your Job as a Stranger
In Matthew 25 Jesus lists 6 types of people, the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and those in prison. We are obligated to love them if we are going to heaven with him.
Lets get practical, If we are going live like strangers in this world. We have to come to 3 realizations. Ask yourself this, what are you about? Lets not create a moment, but a lifestyle.
You have to come to 3 realizations.
#1. We think that those that have, have because of what they do. After all, you go to work and if you advance its because you work hard.
Those that have money. Imagine they have money because they are wise stewards. Those that have nice houses. Put hard work into them.
And there is enough truth to allow you to live in that mirage for the rest of your life. But here’s the truth. You have what you have because of when and where you where born. And you have nothing to do with that. I would guess that 90% is because you had good parents. And you were born in an extraordinary time and place. You can’t brag about that.
You can’t say that what you have is primarily because of your good effort. Its because of a gift form God. And if you begin to understand that, that its not from what you earned, but a gift that which you are a steward. It will change the way you handle it. It becomes an opportunity to you, to reach out to other people.
#2. Those who have not, have not, not because of their choices, but because of the hand they’ve been dealt. Now I’m going be the last person to take away personally responsibility from an individual. You have to take responsibility for your actions. In till you live up to your choices you will never conquer your addictions.
But I also know this, and I’ve said it before… Most of the time when I judge someone its because I don’t know their story. And people, who are unlovely, are not unlovely because they are unlovable, but because they are unloved…Benevolence is worth it!
God’s perfection in the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and those in prison is shown in and through love. Our job as strangers in this world, as God’s children, is to show His love and bring glory to His name in everything that we do.
Who can you show a little extra love to this week?
Lets get practical, If we are going live like strangers in this world. We have to come to 3 realizations. Ask yourself this, what are you about? Lets not create a moment, but a lifestyle.
You have to come to 3 realizations.
#1. We think that those that have, have because of what they do. After all, you go to work and if you advance its because you work hard.
Those that have money. Imagine they have money because they are wise stewards. Those that have nice houses. Put hard work into them.
And there is enough truth to allow you to live in that mirage for the rest of your life. But here’s the truth. You have what you have because of when and where you where born. And you have nothing to do with that. I would guess that 90% is because you had good parents. And you were born in an extraordinary time and place. You can’t brag about that.
You can’t say that what you have is primarily because of your good effort. Its because of a gift form God. And if you begin to understand that, that its not from what you earned, but a gift that which you are a steward. It will change the way you handle it. It becomes an opportunity to you, to reach out to other people.
#2. Those who have not, have not, not because of their choices, but because of the hand they’ve been dealt. Now I’m going be the last person to take away personally responsibility from an individual. You have to take responsibility for your actions. In till you live up to your choices you will never conquer your addictions.
But I also know this, and I’ve said it before… Most of the time when I judge someone its because I don’t know their story. And people, who are unlovely, are not unlovely because they are unlovable, but because they are unloved…Benevolence is worth it!
God’s perfection in the hungry, thirsty, strangers, naked, sick and those in prison is shown in and through love. Our job as strangers in this world, as God’s children, is to show His love and bring glory to His name in everything that we do.
Who can you show a little extra love to this week?
Comfort for the Stranger
According to Scripture, God's people, should always feel somewhat out of place in this world. They ought to feel like strangers, pilgrims, aliens, like "ducks out of water," out of their proper environment. The Psalmist said, "I am a stranger on earth" (Psalm 119:19a). The phrase, "wherever I lodge," in verse 54, literally means: "in my temporary house." According to Hebrews 11, the "heroes of the faith" "admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth" (verse 13).
As strangers in the world, we are disturbed by many things. Our own mortality can be distressing. Children grow up and parents grow old. Life is going by rapidly. Also distressing is the fact that bad things happen to basically good people, to God's people.
The Psalmist was well aware of his weakness and frailty. In the Psalms we read of both high and low points in the life of faith. Like the Psalmist, there are times when, spiritually speaking, we feel like we could "soar with the eagles." And a short time later, Our own instability can be distressing.
Whether we observe it or experience it, we know that life is simply unfair. Injustice occurs every day, in all aspects of human life. The problems of the world seem so overwhelming that we are tempted to just throw up our hands in despair.
But strangers in the world are not alone in the world. In one Bible version, Psalm 119:49-56 is entitled: "God's Word is my comfort and guide whatever the circumstances." The Psalmist wrote, "My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life" (119:50). "I remember your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them" (verse 52). He found comfort not only in Scripture, but in Scripture's Author: "You have given me hope" (verse 49).
in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people problems are inevitable, so don't expect too much.
There are times in your lives when bruised knees or broken dreams have brought tears to your eyes. You have probably experienced how some people can be downright nasty or unkind. Maybe you yourselves said or did something that made you feel bad, that gave you a guilty conscience. Life simply isn't fair. Some people have great beauty or brains, health or wealth, while our portion seems rather small. Diseases and accidents happen to both believers and unbelievers. The Bible reminds us that while life may be unfair at times and people might be unkind,
God is always just and loving.
Peter reminds his readers that they are "God's elect, strangers in the world...who have been chosen" (I Peter 1:1, 2). Being God's chosen people does not keep us from life's storms, but it is our security in life's storms. Another Psalmist reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." When we are in the midst of a "storm," we usually ask God to calm it. The sea around us might be raging but in our hearts there can be the peace of God.
Psalm 4 says: "Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him" (verse 3). We need to know that we are children of God. The awareness of God's presence helped Jacob on his way (Genesis 28:12ff). Once he was alone under the stars, running for his life, when he saw a stairway with angels on it. He woke up and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.... How awesome is this place!" Then he continued his journey.
If only we could live each moment of every day with that awareness, thinking: "Surely the Lord is in this place and in my life. Because of that, How awesome is this place, and how awesome is life itself and eternal life!" Even though you might feel out of place at times, feel as though you don't belong, you do belong to your Savior.
Because you belong to him, live for him. Peter writes: "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (I Peter 2:11). Abstaining is not a very popular concept. But it’s your God, your Savior, who says: "Abstain from sinful desires." He does not want us to lose the battle for our souls.
It is hard enough to abstain from sinful words and actions, how can we abstain from sinful desires? Perhaps we can't keep inappropriate thoughts from crossing our minds from time to time, but we can keep them from staying there. We can't prevent them from using the road, but we can put up "No Parking" signs, and we can enforce that rule.
Peter urges us to live good lives among those who don't believe (I Peter 2:12). Many people are concerned about treasures on earth, God’s children should desire spiritual riches. We should be thankful for what we have, not angry or bitter about what we do not have. We should confess and repent of our faults, but not be obsessed with them. We know we have physical, mental, emotional, financial limitations. We accept God's love and forgiveness, and do our best.
Hopefully we, God's children, never waste our time wishing for things that others have, Hopefully we realize how beautiful and special we are in the eyes of God and in the eyes of those who love us. Hopefully we enjoy ourselves, our lives, our Lord, and develop the unique gifts he has given us. Hopefully we seek first God's kingdom and God's will for our lives. Hopefully we will be the best that we can be, for God's glory and for our own good.
Abraham was a great man of faith, who interceded for Sodom and rescued Lot. Like Abraham, Peter urges believers to make a difference in this world. All of us are called to fulfill our part of the Great Commission. Many of us have been strangers at some time in our lives, newcomers to a certain city or community. After living for awhile in a place, people usually become more and more comfortable. They adjust, and may even adopt some of the customs and traditions of their new home. In time, they no longer feel like strangers.
Yet Scripture warns us not to become too comfortable here on earth. The Bible does not promise us comfortable lives. It teaches us that our lives on earth are temporary, and that, spiritually speaking, even when we are in the world we are not of it. It informs us of the comfort that comes from knowing that we belong to Jesus.
As strangers in the world, we are disturbed by many things. Our own mortality can be distressing. Children grow up and parents grow old. Life is going by rapidly. Also distressing is the fact that bad things happen to basically good people, to God's people.
The Psalmist was well aware of his weakness and frailty. In the Psalms we read of both high and low points in the life of faith. Like the Psalmist, there are times when, spiritually speaking, we feel like we could "soar with the eagles." And a short time later, Our own instability can be distressing.
Whether we observe it or experience it, we know that life is simply unfair. Injustice occurs every day, in all aspects of human life. The problems of the world seem so overwhelming that we are tempted to just throw up our hands in despair.
But strangers in the world are not alone in the world. In one Bible version, Psalm 119:49-56 is entitled: "God's Word is my comfort and guide whatever the circumstances." The Psalmist wrote, "My comfort in my suffering is this: your promise preserves my life" (119:50). "I remember your ancient laws, O Lord, and I find comfort in them" (verse 52). He found comfort not only in Scripture, but in Scripture's Author: "You have given me hope" (verse 49).
in an imperfect world filled with imperfect people problems are inevitable, so don't expect too much.
There are times in your lives when bruised knees or broken dreams have brought tears to your eyes. You have probably experienced how some people can be downright nasty or unkind. Maybe you yourselves said or did something that made you feel bad, that gave you a guilty conscience. Life simply isn't fair. Some people have great beauty or brains, health or wealth, while our portion seems rather small. Diseases and accidents happen to both believers and unbelievers. The Bible reminds us that while life may be unfair at times and people might be unkind,
God is always just and loving.
Peter reminds his readers that they are "God's elect, strangers in the world...who have been chosen" (I Peter 1:1, 2). Being God's chosen people does not keep us from life's storms, but it is our security in life's storms. Another Psalmist reminds us that "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." When we are in the midst of a "storm," we usually ask God to calm it. The sea around us might be raging but in our hearts there can be the peace of God.
Psalm 4 says: "Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him" (verse 3). We need to know that we are children of God. The awareness of God's presence helped Jacob on his way (Genesis 28:12ff). Once he was alone under the stars, running for his life, when he saw a stairway with angels on it. He woke up and said, "Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.... How awesome is this place!" Then he continued his journey.
If only we could live each moment of every day with that awareness, thinking: "Surely the Lord is in this place and in my life. Because of that, How awesome is this place, and how awesome is life itself and eternal life!" Even though you might feel out of place at times, feel as though you don't belong, you do belong to your Savior.
Because you belong to him, live for him. Peter writes: "I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (I Peter 2:11). Abstaining is not a very popular concept. But it’s your God, your Savior, who says: "Abstain from sinful desires." He does not want us to lose the battle for our souls.
It is hard enough to abstain from sinful words and actions, how can we abstain from sinful desires? Perhaps we can't keep inappropriate thoughts from crossing our minds from time to time, but we can keep them from staying there. We can't prevent them from using the road, but we can put up "No Parking" signs, and we can enforce that rule.
Peter urges us to live good lives among those who don't believe (I Peter 2:12). Many people are concerned about treasures on earth, God’s children should desire spiritual riches. We should be thankful for what we have, not angry or bitter about what we do not have. We should confess and repent of our faults, but not be obsessed with them. We know we have physical, mental, emotional, financial limitations. We accept God's love and forgiveness, and do our best.
Hopefully we, God's children, never waste our time wishing for things that others have, Hopefully we realize how beautiful and special we are in the eyes of God and in the eyes of those who love us. Hopefully we enjoy ourselves, our lives, our Lord, and develop the unique gifts he has given us. Hopefully we seek first God's kingdom and God's will for our lives. Hopefully we will be the best that we can be, for God's glory and for our own good.
Abraham was a great man of faith, who interceded for Sodom and rescued Lot. Like Abraham, Peter urges believers to make a difference in this world. All of us are called to fulfill our part of the Great Commission. Many of us have been strangers at some time in our lives, newcomers to a certain city or community. After living for awhile in a place, people usually become more and more comfortable. They adjust, and may even adopt some of the customs and traditions of their new home. In time, they no longer feel like strangers.
Yet Scripture warns us not to become too comfortable here on earth. The Bible does not promise us comfortable lives. It teaches us that our lives on earth are temporary, and that, spiritually speaking, even when we are in the world we are not of it. It informs us of the comfort that comes from knowing that we belong to Jesus.
Who's A Stranger?
We look at strangers as the awkward weird kid a school. Or that homeless woman living on the streets. Jesus had read the word stranger over 100 times in the OT or its cousin Alien.
And all those passages had one of two emphases on them.
#1 If you have an alien living among you they need to live like you.
So if a group of Jewish people stop working come Friday night, if your living with them your supposed to stop working too.
If you get to the temple and the Jews are making sacrifice in a particular way. You’ve got to follow the pattern.
If you are going to live among us, you better live like us. Only exception is you can eat bacon. We don’t care about that. Your a Gentile, oy vey!
#2 God kept saying you’ve got to care for the aliens among you. And out of the dozens of passages we could turn to, I just want to leave you with one
Deuteronomy 24:17
“Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.”
Three categories of people are mentioned in this text. Orphans, widows, and aliens. This trilogy is consistent throughout the old testiment that Jesus read.
Even Jesus’ Half brother James wrote a little book in the NT In James chapter 1:26 he says pour and undefiled religion is ministering to orphans and widows in there distress. And keeping on with stand from the world.
Now He only mentioned two. Where did the strangers go for James? Was it like, Oh were Christians we don’t take care of strangers anymore? I think not! Put that in your pocket and save it for later.
James is missing one third of the trilogy. Vs.18 in Deuteronomy 24 “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.”
why did Jews take care of the aliens? God is saying you people where
strangers, you know what it was like to be put in slavery.
Your people where strangers, you know what its like to not be able to find a job, don’t do that to other people. You know what its like to be hungry, you know what its like to be naked, you know what its like to be abused, don’t do that to other people. Sound familiar?
Like “Do unto others like you would have them do unto you.”
So Jesus comes along and says look, you’ve got to take care of strangers. That’s as kosher as a dill pickle. He didn’t make that up. That’s Jewish.
How did they take care of strangers? Lets look at vs. 19”When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands”
Take a look at how many times the trilogy comes up. vs. 21”When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.” Chapter26:13 “Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.”
Its right to support the clergy. And the trilogy has just as much right o it as the Levites. Vs 11 “And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.”
If the trilogy keeps coming up, even in the sacred tithes, why does James miss one third of the trilogy. How come he says to take care of widows and orphans but doesn’t talk about the stranger? I think the clue is actually in Peter. 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.”
You need to understand who James was speaking to, and who peter was speaking to. these where Christians living in a roman world. They were the strangers and aliens.
To the Jews who came into there own land. You could say, do you remember where you lived? Who you used to be? If you remember that don’t treat the current strangers like that.
But in Peters world and in James world they where the aliens. They were the ones getting beat up, run out of town. They where the ones who couldn’t find a job.
And I would suggest, we fuss when we go a little bit without electricity, but we can go out and by a generator. We fuss a little bit when we don’t have running water, but we can still go buy bottled water. And even so, do you ever feel like your a stranger in this place?
I watch the news and I’m going “Am I really one of these people? Is this the world that I’m really leaving in?” Look we are described as Christians, aliens, and foreigners to this world.
So if someone else also fits that category, they belong. A homeless person belongs. Though they might not live like us (yet). They understand what its like to have people stare at them as they walk by. A prostitute belongs, because they know what its like to be used abused and lie’d too. They know what its like to be treated inappropriately by a culture that pushes them off to the margins. These people may not agree with you theologically (yet). They may not live like you morally (yet). But they understand something of what its like to be a Christian already, because they live counter culturally where they are. That’s theology.
And all those passages had one of two emphases on them.
#1 If you have an alien living among you they need to live like you.
So if a group of Jewish people stop working come Friday night, if your living with them your supposed to stop working too.
If you get to the temple and the Jews are making sacrifice in a particular way. You’ve got to follow the pattern.
If you are going to live among us, you better live like us. Only exception is you can eat bacon. We don’t care about that. Your a Gentile, oy vey!
#2 God kept saying you’ve got to care for the aliens among you. And out of the dozens of passages we could turn to, I just want to leave you with one
Deuteronomy 24:17
“Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge.”
Three categories of people are mentioned in this text. Orphans, widows, and aliens. This trilogy is consistent throughout the old testiment that Jesus read.
Even Jesus’ Half brother James wrote a little book in the NT In James chapter 1:26 he says pour and undefiled religion is ministering to orphans and widows in there distress. And keeping on with stand from the world.
Now He only mentioned two. Where did the strangers go for James? Was it like, Oh were Christians we don’t take care of strangers anymore? I think not! Put that in your pocket and save it for later.
James is missing one third of the trilogy. Vs.18 in Deuteronomy 24 “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.”
why did Jews take care of the aliens? God is saying you people where
strangers, you know what it was like to be put in slavery.
Your people where strangers, you know what its like to not be able to find a job, don’t do that to other people. You know what its like to be hungry, you know what its like to be naked, you know what its like to be abused, don’t do that to other people. Sound familiar?
Like “Do unto others like you would have them do unto you.”
So Jesus comes along and says look, you’ve got to take care of strangers. That’s as kosher as a dill pickle. He didn’t make that up. That’s Jewish.
How did they take care of strangers? Lets look at vs. 19”When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands”
Take a look at how many times the trilogy comes up. vs. 21”When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.” Chapter26:13 “Then say to the LORD your God: "I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the alien, the fatherless and the widow, according to all you commanded. I have not turned aside from your commands nor have I forgotten any of them.”
Its right to support the clergy. And the trilogy has just as much right o it as the Levites. Vs 11 “And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the LORD your God has given to you and your household.”
If the trilogy keeps coming up, even in the sacred tithes, why does James miss one third of the trilogy. How come he says to take care of widows and orphans but doesn’t talk about the stranger? I think the clue is actually in Peter. 1 Peter 2:11 “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.”
You need to understand who James was speaking to, and who peter was speaking to. these where Christians living in a roman world. They were the strangers and aliens.
To the Jews who came into there own land. You could say, do you remember where you lived? Who you used to be? If you remember that don’t treat the current strangers like that.
But in Peters world and in James world they where the aliens. They were the ones getting beat up, run out of town. They where the ones who couldn’t find a job.
And I would suggest, we fuss when we go a little bit without electricity, but we can go out and by a generator. We fuss a little bit when we don’t have running water, but we can still go buy bottled water. And even so, do you ever feel like your a stranger in this place?
I watch the news and I’m going “Am I really one of these people? Is this the world that I’m really leaving in?” Look we are described as Christians, aliens, and foreigners to this world.
So if someone else also fits that category, they belong. A homeless person belongs. Though they might not live like us (yet). They understand what its like to have people stare at them as they walk by. A prostitute belongs, because they know what its like to be used abused and lie’d too. They know what its like to be treated inappropriately by a culture that pushes them off to the margins. These people may not agree with you theologically (yet). They may not live like you morally (yet). But they understand something of what its like to be a Christian already, because they live counter culturally where they are. That’s theology.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
What Do You Do For God?
Tonight I had the wonderful God (and Pastor Jason) given opportunity to speak at the student lead service at Altared Reality. This is what I shared...
What Do You Do For God?
Matthew 25.
It was towards the end of a not very good day. Its two days after the triumphal entry –that was a good day! - Jesus spent it in the temple fighting with one religious group after another, and about the time he thinks its over, they are walking out of the temple, which would be Jesus final time. And one of the disciples pops up with “man, look at these great buildings!” and that just set Jesus off, because in his mind they are NOT great buildings, they were cursed to destruction. He doesn’t say another word.
They go up to mt. Olive and they still ask him “but what about those buildings” Jesus then begins in Matthew 24 through the end of 25 whats called the Olivet Discourse. Where he just threatens the destruction of the temple he saying “you know what’s gonna happen down there? Gods gonna come and blow the place up! Using the wrath of the roman empire”
Then somewhere in the middle of that sermon Jesus moves from talking about the destruction of the temple and starts talking about his own second coming. This is the last parable of 5 or 6 depending on what you call a parable. And Jesus is just steaming you can hear it in his voice. Starting in..
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Last week Amy talked about things in our life we need to give up for God, things that are hindering our walk without us even realizing it. And this week I want to know ‘What ARE you going to do for God?’
When we help the people God has put in our lives, the poor, broken and the hurting, Jesus takes it personally. And also takes it personally when we don't.
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
It’s not going to be a good bad when the king separates the sheep from the goats. The most frightening verse is in 44 when the goats on the left will say…
'44'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you”
Notice how they address him “LORD”. People who go to church think because they go to church they have a relationship with Jesus
If you ask anyone walking through these doors “Do you do good things for God?” almost all of us would say “Well yeah, I do” “what do you do?” “Well we go to church” For God? Like he needs you here? No this is not your gift to him, this is his gift to you. “Well I read my bible?” For God? What are you going to edit it? I mean seriously, this is not your favor to him this is his favor to you. “Yeah, but I pray!” oh congratulations! Like if the president let you call him on the phone, would you consider it your favor to him to call him? I know you may think he needs to know your opinion on a few things. But seriously is that his favor to you or your favor to him? Lets be honest about it now, when you pray it is Gods gift to you not your gift to him. He loves to spend time with us yes. But we’re not helping God through most of these things. “Well I got baptized” No, that was his gift to you. That’s his grace for you.
If you want to do something for God, what does that look like?
We just read the answer…you can feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, welcome the stranger, and heal those who are sick, that is what we do for God.
Now I’m not saying we are all supposed to go feed the homeless and visit people in prison. This Call is going to look different to every one of us
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
We are called to help people and when we do our Lord Jesus Christ takes it personally. As Christians our greatest goal is to live a life like Christ and to bring glory to him in everything we do. Jesus was compassionate. Why shouldn’t we be? And it shouldn't be something we practice once a week when an opportunity presents itself and we remember. But it should become a lifestyle. And if we are going to make a habit of being compassionate. We better have a good theological foundation for it.
Because there are a lot of people out there being compassionate. People who are in the world who are atheists, Moslems, Mormons, lots of people are being compassionate, but if your just being compassionate for compassion’s sake. Jesus said the poor you’ll always have with you. You think your gonna change the world? Jesus promised you there would be poor till he comes back. The compassionate ministry’s of the body of Christ has to have a greater impetus and firmer foundation then just being nice to people.
We have a message of salvation that is best preached through a holistic gospel, caring for the body, economics, family, social, intellectual, spiritual and physical needs of people.
Teenage statistics video. And story time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaGfNBM8o7I
When I judge someone, I realize its because I don’t know their story, and it leads me to believe… People, who are unlovely, are not unlovely because they are unlovable, but because they are unloved…Benevolence is worth it. Even when the people are not.
We nice to people because it is effective; we do it because we understand that’s where we used to be. And we treat people the way we want to be treated, with the love that God showed us. Weather its effective or ineffective. We need to come to the realization that it’s not our call. It is our job to do the biting of God.
We are not out to change the world; we are out to change one life at a time. And sometimes that life is out there, but more often its in here. When we recognize that we all live fragile lives, but by the grace of God alone we stand here, it isn’t in till we understand that, that we will be able to live a life compassionately in love with Christ. What we do in benevolence may never be effective, but its still worth it
Our end game is to bring the message of Jesus Christ to people. Not just create a utopia on earth. That’s why we need to have our theology strait.
For the last 200 years Protestants have been preaching directly that we are saved by grace through faith, and not of ourselves.
There is nothing you can do. That will make you anymore loved by Jesus then you are right now.
Lets understand what role our works have to do in our salvation, because Jesus did say that those who do work for God, not just read our bibles, and going to church. but ministry to the hungry, poor, naked, those that do that kind of work are saved, and those who don’t do that kind of work are damned, your work does impact your salvation.
Matthew 25 is not the only passage that describes your judgment based upon your behavior.
Jesus already said it in the Sermon on the Mount, in matthew7.
When the lord comes back its not going to be those who claim of a relationship with Jesus, it’s going to be those who obey him and do what he says.
Same thing chapter 5 the words of Jesus again where he said "When I judge those who have done good they will be rewarded, those who have done evil will be punished.” The apostle Paul say the same in Romans 2 “those who have done good will be rewarded, those who have done evil will be punished” 2 Corinthians 5 same, revelations 20 same thing. Every time you have a judgment sermon in the New Testament it says the same thing.
So that brings us to the question HOW CAN I BE SAVED BY GRACE AND JUDED BY WORKS? Its really very simple, those of us who have a real relationship with Jesus, we’ve meet him, we know him, love him. That changes us. That changes the way we look at the people, the poor, the wealthy, the kind, the wicked, our world view is different and we get a new set of eyes and a new set of hands, therefore are works is merely an extension of what Jesus would be doing if he where here in this world.
So when we give ourselves to Jesus we say Jesus enough of my eyes, enough of my mind, enough of my mouth, enough of my hands. You take control of my eyes let me see what you see. You take control of my hands; you take control of my feet. And if your life is not an embodiment of the ministry of Jesus, then I have to question weather you ever meet him over here in grace.
His half brother James said it this way “you say you have faith, ill show you my faith by my works, you keep talking about it. But I’m going to live it.”
It’s not your works that earn you salvation.
It is that your salvation always works itself out in compassion to the broken. We hear it all the time from pastor Jason “If you love Jesus, if you have a relationship with him, your going to do SOMETHING” So What are you doing for God?
My prayer is that people would start saying about you and I (the students of Life 360 youth group). What our heavenly father is saying. ‘Now I see who they really are’ and my hope and pray is that its an embodiment of Christ
What Do You Do For God?
Matthew 25.
It was towards the end of a not very good day. Its two days after the triumphal entry –that was a good day! - Jesus spent it in the temple fighting with one religious group after another, and about the time he thinks its over, they are walking out of the temple, which would be Jesus final time. And one of the disciples pops up with “man, look at these great buildings!” and that just set Jesus off, because in his mind they are NOT great buildings, they were cursed to destruction. He doesn’t say another word.
They go up to mt. Olive and they still ask him “but what about those buildings” Jesus then begins in Matthew 24 through the end of 25 whats called the Olivet Discourse. Where he just threatens the destruction of the temple he saying “you know what’s gonna happen down there? Gods gonna come and blow the place up! Using the wrath of the roman empire”
Then somewhere in the middle of that sermon Jesus moves from talking about the destruction of the temple and starts talking about his own second coming. This is the last parable of 5 or 6 depending on what you call a parable. And Jesus is just steaming you can hear it in his voice. Starting in..
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
Last week Amy talked about things in our life we need to give up for God, things that are hindering our walk without us even realizing it. And this week I want to know ‘What ARE you going to do for God?’
When we help the people God has put in our lives, the poor, broken and the hurting, Jesus takes it personally. And also takes it personally when we don't.
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
It’s not going to be a good bad when the king separates the sheep from the goats. The most frightening verse is in 44 when the goats on the left will say…
'44'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you”
Notice how they address him “LORD”. People who go to church think because they go to church they have a relationship with Jesus
If you ask anyone walking through these doors “Do you do good things for God?” almost all of us would say “Well yeah, I do” “what do you do?” “Well we go to church” For God? Like he needs you here? No this is not your gift to him, this is his gift to you. “Well I read my bible?” For God? What are you going to edit it? I mean seriously, this is not your favor to him this is his favor to you. “Yeah, but I pray!” oh congratulations! Like if the president let you call him on the phone, would you consider it your favor to him to call him? I know you may think he needs to know your opinion on a few things. But seriously is that his favor to you or your favor to him? Lets be honest about it now, when you pray it is Gods gift to you not your gift to him. He loves to spend time with us yes. But we’re not helping God through most of these things. “Well I got baptized” No, that was his gift to you. That’s his grace for you.
If you want to do something for God, what does that look like?
We just read the answer…you can feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit those in prison, welcome the stranger, and heal those who are sick, that is what we do for God.
Now I’m not saying we are all supposed to go feed the homeless and visit people in prison. This Call is going to look different to every one of us
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
We are called to help people and when we do our Lord Jesus Christ takes it personally. As Christians our greatest goal is to live a life like Christ and to bring glory to him in everything we do. Jesus was compassionate. Why shouldn’t we be? And it shouldn't be something we practice once a week when an opportunity presents itself and we remember. But it should become a lifestyle. And if we are going to make a habit of being compassionate. We better have a good theological foundation for it.
Because there are a lot of people out there being compassionate. People who are in the world who are atheists, Moslems, Mormons, lots of people are being compassionate, but if your just being compassionate for compassion’s sake. Jesus said the poor you’ll always have with you. You think your gonna change the world? Jesus promised you there would be poor till he comes back. The compassionate ministry’s of the body of Christ has to have a greater impetus and firmer foundation then just being nice to people.
We have a message of salvation that is best preached through a holistic gospel, caring for the body, economics, family, social, intellectual, spiritual and physical needs of people.
Teenage statistics video. And story time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaGfNBM8o7I
When I judge someone, I realize its because I don’t know their story, and it leads me to believe… People, who are unlovely, are not unlovely because they are unlovable, but because they are unloved…Benevolence is worth it. Even when the people are not.
We nice to people because it is effective; we do it because we understand that’s where we used to be. And we treat people the way we want to be treated, with the love that God showed us. Weather its effective or ineffective. We need to come to the realization that it’s not our call. It is our job to do the biting of God.
We are not out to change the world; we are out to change one life at a time. And sometimes that life is out there, but more often its in here. When we recognize that we all live fragile lives, but by the grace of God alone we stand here, it isn’t in till we understand that, that we will be able to live a life compassionately in love with Christ. What we do in benevolence may never be effective, but its still worth it
Our end game is to bring the message of Jesus Christ to people. Not just create a utopia on earth. That’s why we need to have our theology strait.
For the last 200 years Protestants have been preaching directly that we are saved by grace through faith, and not of ourselves.
There is nothing you can do. That will make you anymore loved by Jesus then you are right now.
Lets understand what role our works have to do in our salvation, because Jesus did say that those who do work for God, not just read our bibles, and going to church. but ministry to the hungry, poor, naked, those that do that kind of work are saved, and those who don’t do that kind of work are damned, your work does impact your salvation.
Matthew 25 is not the only passage that describes your judgment based upon your behavior.
Jesus already said it in the Sermon on the Mount, in matthew7.
When the lord comes back its not going to be those who claim of a relationship with Jesus, it’s going to be those who obey him and do what he says.
Same thing chapter 5 the words of Jesus again where he said "When I judge those who have done good they will be rewarded, those who have done evil will be punished.” The apostle Paul say the same in Romans 2 “those who have done good will be rewarded, those who have done evil will be punished” 2 Corinthians 5 same, revelations 20 same thing. Every time you have a judgment sermon in the New Testament it says the same thing.
So that brings us to the question HOW CAN I BE SAVED BY GRACE AND JUDED BY WORKS? Its really very simple, those of us who have a real relationship with Jesus, we’ve meet him, we know him, love him. That changes us. That changes the way we look at the people, the poor, the wealthy, the kind, the wicked, our world view is different and we get a new set of eyes and a new set of hands, therefore are works is merely an extension of what Jesus would be doing if he where here in this world.
So when we give ourselves to Jesus we say Jesus enough of my eyes, enough of my mind, enough of my mouth, enough of my hands. You take control of my eyes let me see what you see. You take control of my hands; you take control of my feet. And if your life is not an embodiment of the ministry of Jesus, then I have to question weather you ever meet him over here in grace.
His half brother James said it this way “you say you have faith, ill show you my faith by my works, you keep talking about it. But I’m going to live it.”
It’s not your works that earn you salvation.
It is that your salvation always works itself out in compassion to the broken. We hear it all the time from pastor Jason “If you love Jesus, if you have a relationship with him, your going to do SOMETHING” So What are you doing for God?
My prayer is that people would start saying about you and I (the students of Life 360 youth group). What our heavenly father is saying. ‘Now I see who they really are’ and my hope and pray is that its an embodiment of Christ
Thursday, May 13, 2010
The Fall
When God created man, he wired us so we get our glory, security, understanding of value, feeling of purpose, feeling of rightness with our Maker, security for eternity, from Him. This relationship is so strong, and God’s love is so pure, that Adam and Eve felt no insecurity at all.
But when that relationship was broken, all of their glory, the glory that came from God, was gone.
It wouldn’t be unlike being in love and having somebody love you and then all of a sudden that person is gone, like a kid lost in the store. All of the insecurity rises the instant you realize you are alone. No insecurity was felt when the person who loved you was around, but in His absence, it instantly comes to the surface.
If man was wired so that something outside himself told him who he was, and if God’s presence was giving him a feeling of fulfillment, then when that relationship was broken, man would be pining for other people to tell him that he was good, right, okay with the world, and eternally secure.
We all compare ourselves to others, and none of our emotions –like jealousy and envy and lust- could exist unless man was wired so that somebody else told him who he was, and that somebody else was gone.
Think about it. Moses, in Genesis 2-3 has presented a personality theory more comprehensive then the writings of Freud, Maslow, Fankle, and Skinner combined. Moses explains exactly why all of us feel, act, desire, and dream the things we feel, act, desire, and dream.
How awful it must have been for Adam and Eve to be deceived by Satan, to have been tricked into breaking their relationship with God.
We have it easier. We were born this way.
How painful it was for Adam and Eve to have the feeling of being separated from the Father. Having an infinite amount of love pouring through their lives and then it’s suddenly gone. How terrible it must have felt, at the fear of no longer feeling God, at the ache of emptiness and sudden and horrifying awareness of self.
Scripture indicates, when Adam and Eve ate from the tree, there was a war in heaven and Satan hates God. We want to blame all the world’s problems on individual responsibility, to say that everyone is responsible for everything they do. But Adam and Eve were deceived. Something in them wanted something they couldn’t have, but they were tricked into thinking those thoughts. It’s a both/and situation. We are wired so that when deception is fed to us, we make bad decisions.
War is complicated. It isn’t black and white. In a way, the war in heaven, the war between God and those against Him, is the war to explain all other wars. If you want to believe one side is good and another is bad, if you want to look through history and find a perfectly innocent kingdom attacked by an enemy, you have to go back to the Garden of Eden. A perfect innocent kingdom hasn’t been attacked since.
The Bible paints a picture of a certain evil tricking innocent humans, into betraying the God who loved them, the king who was their friend.
Adam and Eve can be considered somewhat innocent, and yet the crime committed almost seems unforgivable, they fell for a trick. Eating the fruit was a heart-level betrayal between committed friends: God and man.
God was betrayed. Imagine what he felt, knowing all he’d made was ruined, and understanding at once the sacrifice that would be required to win the hearts of his children from the grasp of their seducer. God had to break the relationship when man sinned against him, that because his nature is purely good, purely right and lovely, He could not directly interact with beings who were, in there hearts, set against him. This should not be confused with a lack of love, a lack of compassion; it must be understood only as two opposite natures unable to interact without one tainting the other. Its beautiful. Because you and I need for God to be perfectly good, we need for him to be the voice that did, and one day will in the future, speak pure glory into our lives, but for now, because of this act of war, relationships have been strained. And we can feel it in our souls. We will never feel complete in till that relationship is whole again. Beyond the point of forgiveness. Not in till we are reunited with out Maker
But when that relationship was broken, all of their glory, the glory that came from God, was gone.
It wouldn’t be unlike being in love and having somebody love you and then all of a sudden that person is gone, like a kid lost in the store. All of the insecurity rises the instant you realize you are alone. No insecurity was felt when the person who loved you was around, but in His absence, it instantly comes to the surface.
If man was wired so that something outside himself told him who he was, and if God’s presence was giving him a feeling of fulfillment, then when that relationship was broken, man would be pining for other people to tell him that he was good, right, okay with the world, and eternally secure.
We all compare ourselves to others, and none of our emotions –like jealousy and envy and lust- could exist unless man was wired so that somebody else told him who he was, and that somebody else was gone.
Think about it. Moses, in Genesis 2-3 has presented a personality theory more comprehensive then the writings of Freud, Maslow, Fankle, and Skinner combined. Moses explains exactly why all of us feel, act, desire, and dream the things we feel, act, desire, and dream.
How awful it must have been for Adam and Eve to be deceived by Satan, to have been tricked into breaking their relationship with God.
We have it easier. We were born this way.
How painful it was for Adam and Eve to have the feeling of being separated from the Father. Having an infinite amount of love pouring through their lives and then it’s suddenly gone. How terrible it must have felt, at the fear of no longer feeling God, at the ache of emptiness and sudden and horrifying awareness of self.
Scripture indicates, when Adam and Eve ate from the tree, there was a war in heaven and Satan hates God. We want to blame all the world’s problems on individual responsibility, to say that everyone is responsible for everything they do. But Adam and Eve were deceived. Something in them wanted something they couldn’t have, but they were tricked into thinking those thoughts. It’s a both/and situation. We are wired so that when deception is fed to us, we make bad decisions.
War is complicated. It isn’t black and white. In a way, the war in heaven, the war between God and those against Him, is the war to explain all other wars. If you want to believe one side is good and another is bad, if you want to look through history and find a perfectly innocent kingdom attacked by an enemy, you have to go back to the Garden of Eden. A perfect innocent kingdom hasn’t been attacked since.
The Bible paints a picture of a certain evil tricking innocent humans, into betraying the God who loved them, the king who was their friend.
Adam and Eve can be considered somewhat innocent, and yet the crime committed almost seems unforgivable, they fell for a trick. Eating the fruit was a heart-level betrayal between committed friends: God and man.
God was betrayed. Imagine what he felt, knowing all he’d made was ruined, and understanding at once the sacrifice that would be required to win the hearts of his children from the grasp of their seducer. God had to break the relationship when man sinned against him, that because his nature is purely good, purely right and lovely, He could not directly interact with beings who were, in there hearts, set against him. This should not be confused with a lack of love, a lack of compassion; it must be understood only as two opposite natures unable to interact without one tainting the other. Its beautiful. Because you and I need for God to be perfectly good, we need for him to be the voice that did, and one day will in the future, speak pure glory into our lives, but for now, because of this act of war, relationships have been strained. And we can feel it in our souls. We will never feel complete in till that relationship is whole again. Beyond the point of forgiveness. Not in till we are reunited with out Maker
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Were we made to be relational?
Welcome blog readers.
I was thinking about what my first GDBS blog should be about, and I think if we are really gonna get deep and figure out the whole story, we need to know a little bit about ourselves. And what better why to do that then to take a look at the very first two people every created Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.
Now the Garden of Eden beyond our usual perspective of the little cottage by a pond on a small plot of land, it was actually very large, possible as large as a continent. Moses said a great river flowed out of the garden, dividing into four rivers; the Pishon, which flowed through Gavilah, a land full of gold, resin, and onyx stone; then the river split into the Gihon and flowed through a land called Cush. And there were still two more rivers, the Hiddekel and the Euphrates. The great river, the river that created the other four, flowed out of the garden. But for such a river to gather enough strength within the garden to be split into four, defining the landscape for four territories, means the land that created the river must have been very large. This ending any thoughts of a little cottage by a pond on a small plot of land.
So in this large, I imagine very beautiful place called Eden, was Adam.
To be honest I envy Adam quite a bit. I have to wonder what it would have been like to have had the kind of relationship with God that Adam enjoyed. Adam and Eve, after all, are the only people in all history who had a good relationship with God, everybody else after the fall, had a pretty screwed-up idea of who God is. But Adam and Eve had the whole Deity before their eyes.
God told Adam his task was to name the animals. So I imagine his days went about naming all the animals (which probably wasn’t the effortless task we sometimes presume, being that there was somewhere between one million and fifty million species around in the time of the garden. And Adam apparently had to name each and every one of them.) And then going on long walks with God through the garden passing by waterfalls and having the most beautiful conversations.
But with all this, having the Godhead with him, Adam was still lonely. This thought comforts me because I realize loneliness in my own life doesn’t mean I am a complete screw-up; rather that God made me this way. I picture the emotionally perfect human being someone who doesn’t need anybody. But here is Adam going around wanting to be with somebody else, needing another person to fulfill a certain emptiness in his life. And even though Adam was lonely. I don’t think he had any self-doubt or any low self-esteem because he had God there.
Just as a plant gets its life from the sun, people must have received their life from God. Jesus talked about how His glory came from God, as though God was shining on Him. The thing that made Jesus good, and the thing made Adam good, was God’s shining on them. Can you imagine something like that? What it must feel like in the soul to have God shining through you at that level? With that much glory, that much love. You would never have a self-defeating or other-person-bashing thought again. It would be amazing!
Now God recognizing this loneliness, this need for companionship, he created Eve. I don’t think he created her right away though. Adam a man who despite feeling a certain need for a companion preformed what must have been nearly one hundred years of work, naming and perhaps even categorizing the animals. It would have taken him nearly a year just to name the species of snakes alone. Moses said that Eve didn’t give birth to their third child till Adam was well into his hundreds, which means they would have had Cain and Abel some thirty or so years before, which also means either it took Adam more then a hundred years to name the animals, or he and Eve didn’t ‘get it on’ for a good, long centaury.
So when Adam finished his work, God put him to sleep, took a rib from his side, and created Eve.
Here is a guy who was intensely relational (Lets just go ahead and admit we are all are very relational creatures, the loneliness thing proves that) he’s in need of another person. And in order to cause him to appreciate the gift of companionship, God had him hang out with chimps for a hundred years. God directed Adam’s steps so when he created Eve, Adam would have the utmost appreciation, respect, and gratitude. And then I think how wonderful it was that God made Adam work for so long because there is no way, after a hundred years of being alone, looking for a helpmate, somebody whom you could connect with in your soul, there would be no doubt that when you found that person in the world, you’d probably wake up every morning and thank God for them.
I used to read the bible and think of it more as a text book, a book of rules, dos and don’ts. But when you set back and read it as the beautiful historical literature it is. You see that these where real people, with real emotions, and these things really did happen to them.
How wonderful it is to see that you and I were created to need each other. The romantic need is just the beginning, we need our friends and we need our families. In this way, we are made in God’s image. Certainly God does not need people in the way you and I do. But he feels a joy at being loved, and He feels a joy at delivering love. It’s striking to realize that, in paradise, a human is incomplete without other people.
So were we made to be relational? Yes, we definitely were.
God made me, He knows me, He understands me, and He wants community
Have a good week everyone! and remember I love feedback, good and bad.
Comment or send your thoughts to: seekingtheunseen@yahoo.com
I was thinking about what my first GDBS blog should be about, and I think if we are really gonna get deep and figure out the whole story, we need to know a little bit about ourselves. And what better why to do that then to take a look at the very first two people every created Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden.
Now the Garden of Eden beyond our usual perspective of the little cottage by a pond on a small plot of land, it was actually very large, possible as large as a continent. Moses said a great river flowed out of the garden, dividing into four rivers; the Pishon, which flowed through Gavilah, a land full of gold, resin, and onyx stone; then the river split into the Gihon and flowed through a land called Cush. And there were still two more rivers, the Hiddekel and the Euphrates. The great river, the river that created the other four, flowed out of the garden. But for such a river to gather enough strength within the garden to be split into four, defining the landscape for four territories, means the land that created the river must have been very large. This ending any thoughts of a little cottage by a pond on a small plot of land.
So in this large, I imagine very beautiful place called Eden, was Adam.
To be honest I envy Adam quite a bit. I have to wonder what it would have been like to have had the kind of relationship with God that Adam enjoyed. Adam and Eve, after all, are the only people in all history who had a good relationship with God, everybody else after the fall, had a pretty screwed-up idea of who God is. But Adam and Eve had the whole Deity before their eyes.
God told Adam his task was to name the animals. So I imagine his days went about naming all the animals (which probably wasn’t the effortless task we sometimes presume, being that there was somewhere between one million and fifty million species around in the time of the garden. And Adam apparently had to name each and every one of them.) And then going on long walks with God through the garden passing by waterfalls and having the most beautiful conversations.
But with all this, having the Godhead with him, Adam was still lonely. This thought comforts me because I realize loneliness in my own life doesn’t mean I am a complete screw-up; rather that God made me this way. I picture the emotionally perfect human being someone who doesn’t need anybody. But here is Adam going around wanting to be with somebody else, needing another person to fulfill a certain emptiness in his life. And even though Adam was lonely. I don’t think he had any self-doubt or any low self-esteem because he had God there.
Just as a plant gets its life from the sun, people must have received their life from God. Jesus talked about how His glory came from God, as though God was shining on Him. The thing that made Jesus good, and the thing made Adam good, was God’s shining on them. Can you imagine something like that? What it must feel like in the soul to have God shining through you at that level? With that much glory, that much love. You would never have a self-defeating or other-person-bashing thought again. It would be amazing!
Now God recognizing this loneliness, this need for companionship, he created Eve. I don’t think he created her right away though. Adam a man who despite feeling a certain need for a companion preformed what must have been nearly one hundred years of work, naming and perhaps even categorizing the animals. It would have taken him nearly a year just to name the species of snakes alone. Moses said that Eve didn’t give birth to their third child till Adam was well into his hundreds, which means they would have had Cain and Abel some thirty or so years before, which also means either it took Adam more then a hundred years to name the animals, or he and Eve didn’t ‘get it on’ for a good, long centaury.
So when Adam finished his work, God put him to sleep, took a rib from his side, and created Eve.
Here is a guy who was intensely relational (Lets just go ahead and admit we are all are very relational creatures, the loneliness thing proves that) he’s in need of another person. And in order to cause him to appreciate the gift of companionship, God had him hang out with chimps for a hundred years. God directed Adam’s steps so when he created Eve, Adam would have the utmost appreciation, respect, and gratitude. And then I think how wonderful it was that God made Adam work for so long because there is no way, after a hundred years of being alone, looking for a helpmate, somebody whom you could connect with in your soul, there would be no doubt that when you found that person in the world, you’d probably wake up every morning and thank God for them.
I used to read the bible and think of it more as a text book, a book of rules, dos and don’ts. But when you set back and read it as the beautiful historical literature it is. You see that these where real people, with real emotions, and these things really did happen to them.
How wonderful it is to see that you and I were created to need each other. The romantic need is just the beginning, we need our friends and we need our families. In this way, we are made in God’s image. Certainly God does not need people in the way you and I do. But he feels a joy at being loved, and He feels a joy at delivering love. It’s striking to realize that, in paradise, a human is incomplete without other people.
So were we made to be relational? Yes, we definitely were.
God made me, He knows me, He understands me, and He wants community
Have a good week everyone! and remember I love feedback, good and bad.
Comment or send your thoughts to: seekingtheunseen@yahoo.com
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