With 2the New Year rapidly approaching we often begin to ask ourselves what we want to change in our lives in the year to come. As I think about this I wanted to encourage my friends and family to embrace a new focus for the New Year.
So often our life gets caught up in our own little lives that we lose sight of the bigger picture of life. So times we even find ourselves detracted by all the good things we are doing that we fail to see the depth of the vision that God has put in our lives.
In Luke 4:38-44 we find the great illustration in the life of Jesus about the importance of gaining a new focus in our lives. Let's read this passage:
Then He got up and left the synagogue, and entered Simon's home Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him to help her.
And standing over her, He rebuked the fever, and it left her; and she immediately got up and waited on them.
While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.
Demons also were coming out of many, shouting, "You are the Son of God!" But rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ.
When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.
But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
What I love about this story in scripture is that Jesus illustrates the ease in which someone can be caught up in the good work they are doing while missing the best that God has called them too. (Not that it happened to Jesus but we can see the point in this narrative.)
When I read this account from Jesus' life it would be very easy to focus in on all the people who Jesus is helping. As the sun was setting people began to line up to bring Jesus all those who needed to encounter the life changing Christ. He healed the sick, cured the diseased, and cast out demonic spirits. All of these thing were good things and Jesus could have spent the rest of His life in that home serving the people brought to Him day and night and would have been seen as a great man of God who cared about all people.
However, the story doesn't end like that. We read that while it was still dark out Jesus got up early and went to a solitary place to pray. When the other people woke up the began to look for Him. There was so many people that needed His help. When Peter found Jesus he tried to persuade Jesus to coming back to the house but after spending time with God, Jesus has to refocus His energy. "But He said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose."
Jesus knew that if He stayed there that the true purpose of His mission would never be accomplished. This year we need to ask the serious question about our focus. Following God's plan for your life will not always be easy. In fact it may require us sacrificing good things in our lives but in the end we can state like Paul, "More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;" ~Philippians 3:8-10
May you gain a New Focus for the New Year as you grow deeper in your relationship to God in this New Year.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Christmas Update/December 2010 Newsletter
Merry Christmas!!!!
I want to thank each of you for all of your prayers and support over the last couple of months. It has been amazing to watch God move in powerful ways!
With this being our first Christmas back in Ohio, things have been a little hectic but, as always, God is in full control. We are extremely excited about all the things that God is doing to get things going for LifePoint. God has provided for our family in ways that only He can. We have had loving brothers and sisters provide gifts for us when we needed it, as well as providing a second vehicle for our family. (It needs a battery and we have to get all the registration and insurance taken care of, but we have it!) This is a huge praise because we are putting a lot of miles on our one family van with my current work schedule.
We completed our Church Planters Assessment back in November, and we are excited to share that it went very well! After the first of year, we will begin the paperwork process so that we may begin to receive support from the SBC. That is a BIG praise and we are VERY thankful to have the partnership of the SBC as we begin this new church work in the area!
We are also excited to have our brothers and sisters at First Baptist Church of Miamisburg joining us this week of Christmas in a Christmas Light Prayer Drive. We are picking a night of the week to load up the car, drive around the city, looking at lights and praying over the city. Our hope is that God will prepare the hearts of this city to encounter our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As many of you know, my (Brad) Grandmother passed away earlier this month. This has been a season of mourning and remembrance for us. I would like to encourage each of you by sharing that we had at least 10 people accept Jesus as their personal savior at her memorial service. Thanks be to God for His faithfulness in the midst of times of pain!
I am also very excited to be preaching on Sunday, December 26th during the evening service at First Baptist Church of Miamisburg. This will be my first time preaching since October, as you can imagine, I have a lot to say!
Prayer Requests:
Please continue to pray for God to open up job opportunities for me. I am currently looking at two jobs that could work very well for us. One as a Special Education Teachers Aide in Miamisburg City School District and the other is with MRDD doing nearly the same thing I did in PA. Also continue to pray for Jess and her new home business with Lia Sophia. It is going well, and she really enjoys it!
Pray that God will provide the words I need on the 26th when I preach at FBC. Pray that His spirit will move in a powerful way to move people into a deeper relationship with Him.
Pray that God will move in a mighty way when we start up our Bible Study in the New Year. We plan to start off meeting in First Baptist and then moving it to a home study once we get our own home, or to another home if God puts it on someones heart to host the group.
Also pray that God will open up opportunities for us to share our vision, our passion and most importantly the hope we have in Jesus Christ.
We thank our Lord Jesus Christ for each and every one of you,
Thanks,
Brad and Jessica Herbst & family
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Embracing The Unexpected Plan of God
As we are all preparing to celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus Christ, I wanted to spend a little time looking at a few elements of the Christmas story. Today, I want to think about a young teenage girl probably between 13 and 15 years old. (This story kind of hits home for me because my daughter is 14.)
As we examine this girl I am amazed by the depth of her faith. At a time in her life when everything was going well she embraced God's unexpected plan for her life. This all started one day when she was visited by an unexpected visitor.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. ~Luke 1:26-38
At the moment when Gabriel showed up, Mary's life was changed forever. By agreeing to God's plan for her life she risked it all. Her family would disown her. In the worst case, her fiance could have her put to death; at best case, she would be shunned by her community as a loose woman. Knowing this, this young girl agreed to accept God's plan.
Take some time this Christmas season to remember the faithfulness of a teenage girl who risked it all to bring us a savior. This took place to fulfill what was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah. "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." ~Isaiah 7:14
Because this young woman embraced the unexpected plan of God, we can experience the Immanuel, the God with us. Jesus came into this world to be the sacrificial lamb of God.
During this Christmas will you accept God's plan for your life by accepting the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ? Make this Christmas the most important of your life by embracing the greatest gift of all, the sacrifice of the Christ.
As we examine this girl I am amazed by the depth of her faith. At a time in her life when everything was going well she embraced God's unexpected plan for her life. This all started one day when she was visited by an unexpected visitor.
In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. ~Luke 1:26-38
At the moment when Gabriel showed up, Mary's life was changed forever. By agreeing to God's plan for her life she risked it all. Her family would disown her. In the worst case, her fiance could have her put to death; at best case, she would be shunned by her community as a loose woman. Knowing this, this young girl agreed to accept God's plan.
Take some time this Christmas season to remember the faithfulness of a teenage girl who risked it all to bring us a savior. This took place to fulfill what was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah. "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." ~Isaiah 7:14
Because this young woman embraced the unexpected plan of God, we can experience the Immanuel, the God with us. Jesus came into this world to be the sacrificial lamb of God.
During this Christmas will you accept God's plan for your life by accepting the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ? Make this Christmas the most important of your life by embracing the greatest gift of all, the sacrifice of the Christ.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Other Man
I was thinking about this passage in 2 Samuel 12 last night while I was at work and I wanted to share it with you today.
1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”
5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
As I was thinking about this passage, my mind was drawn to verse 4 where it says, "Now a traveler came to the rich man..." I began to focus on this line because as we read about David's sin with Bathsheba the only other person we read about is Uriah, who is represented by the poor man in Nathan's story. So who is this other guy?
The traveler in this story is a personified representation on David's sinful lust and desire. A traveler that so often wants to visit each of us. In this story we find David, the man after God's own heart, welcoming the traveler in and desiring to fill this guy's appetite. David then had a choice. He could do the right thing and resist the urges of the traveler and could satisfy his desires with his own wife or he could give in to the passions of his sinful nature and progress in a downward spiral of sin. It started simple enough with a lustful longing that quickly turned into a covetousness of his neighbors wife, then progressed to a rebellious decision to act upon the lust in his heart, and then David moved to the physical act of adultery. After this he began to lie and scheme to cover up his sin and finally ended with him having Uriah killed.
The fact is each and every one of us has a traveler that comes to call. This traveler can come in many shapes and sizes but each and every time we are faced with an opportunity to appease the traveler or be obedient to God. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we have this promise, No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
It is great to know that we have a Savior who is greater than our darkest temptation and has the power to provide the way out if we would just turn to Him.
I don't know what you are battling today but I know this, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." ~ 1 John 4:4 So what ever it is that is pulling at you today rest assured that you need not worry, just lean not in your own understanding but trust in Him who has already gained the victory.
1 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.
4 “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.”
5 David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! 6 He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.”
7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.
As I was thinking about this passage, my mind was drawn to verse 4 where it says, "Now a traveler came to the rich man..." I began to focus on this line because as we read about David's sin with Bathsheba the only other person we read about is Uriah, who is represented by the poor man in Nathan's story. So who is this other guy?
The traveler in this story is a personified representation on David's sinful lust and desire. A traveler that so often wants to visit each of us. In this story we find David, the man after God's own heart, welcoming the traveler in and desiring to fill this guy's appetite. David then had a choice. He could do the right thing and resist the urges of the traveler and could satisfy his desires with his own wife or he could give in to the passions of his sinful nature and progress in a downward spiral of sin. It started simple enough with a lustful longing that quickly turned into a covetousness of his neighbors wife, then progressed to a rebellious decision to act upon the lust in his heart, and then David moved to the physical act of adultery. After this he began to lie and scheme to cover up his sin and finally ended with him having Uriah killed.
The fact is each and every one of us has a traveler that comes to call. This traveler can come in many shapes and sizes but each and every time we are faced with an opportunity to appease the traveler or be obedient to God. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 we have this promise, No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
It is great to know that we have a Savior who is greater than our darkest temptation and has the power to provide the way out if we would just turn to Him.
I don't know what you are battling today but I know this, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." ~ 1 John 4:4 So what ever it is that is pulling at you today rest assured that you need not worry, just lean not in your own understanding but trust in Him who has already gained the victory.
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Legacy We Leave
With the passing of my Grandmother on Dec. 4, 2010 I wanted to write about the legacy that each and every one of us leave in this life. In James 4:14 we are told, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." There is great truth in that statement. However, as I remember my Grandma today I found myself thinking about a can of air freshener.
I know that might make me sound a little out of my mind but please bear with me. Every time you spray air freshener what happens? You see a mist or vapor that hangs in the air for a few seconds before it dissipates. This is what God calls our lives. Nothing more than a mist.
As I thought of this I was reminded of the fact that even though that mist may last for a moment, and then it is gone, it can leave behind a pleasant fragrance that can be enjoyed by others. Or it can leave behind a nasty smell that pushes others away. Each of us is like a can of air freshener. The question that we must ask is, what kind of scent will we leave behind.
As I remember my grandma I remember all of her mannerisms, her stubbornness, her certainty, but more importantly, I remember her love, her joy, her laughter and her hugs. I remember the weeks I'd spend with her as a kid and the times I'd show up with my friends as a teenager. I remember her baked Mac and Cheese that she made just because she knew I liked it.
The fact is we all leave behind memories, what will people remember you for? In Paul's second letter to Timothy he wrote these words, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." ~2 Timothy 1:5
Thank you Jesus for giving me a Grandma that left a legacy of love and joy. I look forward to seeing her again while we sit at your feet in heaven.
I know that might make me sound a little out of my mind but please bear with me. Every time you spray air freshener what happens? You see a mist or vapor that hangs in the air for a few seconds before it dissipates. This is what God calls our lives. Nothing more than a mist.
As I thought of this I was reminded of the fact that even though that mist may last for a moment, and then it is gone, it can leave behind a pleasant fragrance that can be enjoyed by others. Or it can leave behind a nasty smell that pushes others away. Each of us is like a can of air freshener. The question that we must ask is, what kind of scent will we leave behind.
As I remember my grandma I remember all of her mannerisms, her stubbornness, her certainty, but more importantly, I remember her love, her joy, her laughter and her hugs. I remember the weeks I'd spend with her as a kid and the times I'd show up with my friends as a teenager. I remember her baked Mac and Cheese that she made just because she knew I liked it.
The fact is we all leave behind memories, what will people remember you for? In Paul's second letter to Timothy he wrote these words, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also." ~2 Timothy 1:5
Thank you Jesus for giving me a Grandma that left a legacy of love and joy. I look forward to seeing her again while we sit at your feet in heaven.
Friday, December 3, 2010
By Your Side
I wanted to share this song by Tenth Avenue North with all my readers today.
It seems like things can get so complicated in life, especially between Thanksgiving and Christmas as we remember past loved ones and make new memories. I also know that this year is very tough on many people as we have had our economy crash down upon us. In these times of uncertainty we can find ourselves struggling with depression, anger, and frustration.
It is at these time that I find it helpful to remember that we have a God that is so much greater than our circumstances. One who loves us so much that He doesn't turn away from us but holds us close to Him. When we are sad, He cries with us. When we fall, He picks us up. When we cry out, He is there to comfort us. When we are broken, He picks up the pieces and makes them into something beautiful. He promises to never leave us and to never forsake us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Matthew 28:20b And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
May you rest in the promise that His love for you is without limit. There is nothing you can do to make Him love you any more or any less than He already does. He loves you so much that He sent His Son to pay the price for your sins, so that you can obtain the Life that is truly worth living.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Cause and Effect
This afternoon I had the opportunity to discuss "cause and effect" with my son as part of his school work. At first he was having problems understanding how to determine which was which as he was learning of the uses of "because" and "so". We went through his story and he was still struggling so I put it into terms that he could understand. We began to talk about Star Wars. We went through the life of Darth Vader from a slave boy to Sith Lord. We examined the the causes and the effects of the choices that were made by Anakin and by others that lead him down the road to the darkside.
Then I pointed out that every book, every movie and every life is a series of cause and effect. This got me thinking about the state of man.
(Cause) In the beginning man was created good.
(Effect) God walked with man daily in the Garden of Eden.
(Cause) Man in his free will chose to be disobedient to God.
(Effect) Sin and death entered into all man kind.
(Cause) Man continued to rebel against God.
(Effect) God enacted the first part of His plan of redemption by establishing a people of His own and giving them the law.
(Cause) The Law of God is given to man.
(Effect) Man's sin is reveled by the perfect law of God.
(Cause) God is Holy and Just and Perfect.
(Effect) Man is separated from God due to the sin in our life.
(Cause) Man is sinful.
(Effect) We deserve eternal damnation in hell.
(Cause) No one is good, not even one.
(Effect) God must be true to Himself and deal out justice.
(Cause) God is Loving and Merciful.
(Effect) God pays the price for man's sin by sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice.
(Cause) Jesus is righteous.
(Effect) He lives a life without sin.
(Cause) Jesus is crucified by sinful man.
(Effect) Jesus pays the penalty for sin (the wages of sin is death.)
(Cause) Jesus dies.
(Effect) Sin can no longer separate man from God.
(Cause) Salvation is a free gift from God.
(Effect) All mankind can find salvation through Jesus Christ.
(Cause) Each of us has free will to accept or reject salvation through Jesus Christ...
(Effect) ...The choice is yours...
I have often been asked how a loving God could send anyone to hell, but the truth is God isn't sending anyone - He has simply set two choices before each of us and gives us the freedom to choose.
Genesis 2:15-17 "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Joshua 24:15, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Matthew 7:13-14, "“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Then I pointed out that every book, every movie and every life is a series of cause and effect. This got me thinking about the state of man.
(Cause) In the beginning man was created good.
(Effect) God walked with man daily in the Garden of Eden.
(Cause) Man in his free will chose to be disobedient to God.
(Effect) Sin and death entered into all man kind.
(Cause) Man continued to rebel against God.
(Effect) God enacted the first part of His plan of redemption by establishing a people of His own and giving them the law.
(Cause) The Law of God is given to man.
(Effect) Man's sin is reveled by the perfect law of God.
(Cause) God is Holy and Just and Perfect.
(Effect) Man is separated from God due to the sin in our life.
(Cause) Man is sinful.
(Effect) We deserve eternal damnation in hell.
(Cause) No one is good, not even one.
(Effect) God must be true to Himself and deal out justice.
(Cause) God is Loving and Merciful.
(Effect) God pays the price for man's sin by sending Jesus to be the atoning sacrifice.
(Cause) Jesus is righteous.
(Effect) He lives a life without sin.
(Cause) Jesus is crucified by sinful man.
(Effect) Jesus pays the penalty for sin (the wages of sin is death.)
(Cause) Jesus dies.
(Effect) Sin can no longer separate man from God.
(Cause) Salvation is a free gift from God.
(Effect) All mankind can find salvation through Jesus Christ.
(Cause) Each of us has free will to accept or reject salvation through Jesus Christ...
(Effect) ...The choice is yours...
I have often been asked how a loving God could send anyone to hell, but the truth is God isn't sending anyone - He has simply set two choices before each of us and gives us the freedom to choose.
Genesis 2:15-17 "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
Joshua 24:15, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”
Matthew 7:13-14, "“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."
Monday, November 29, 2010
Perspective
I remember taking a trip with my Geology class where we were traveling through the Appalachia learning about various geological features. We were in a car caravan with CB radios listening as our professor gave lectures on the various "fingerprints of God" that encompass the world in which we live. I was driving along in my Jeep with Denford, a pastor from Zimbabwe who came to America to earn his degree before returning home. As we are driving down the road we began passing homes that were nothing more than rundown shacks. I remember this one home that was just in shambles, the windows where covered with Duct Tape and the car in the yard was covered with rust holes, and the yard was covered in thousands of various chunks of broken machinery. As we passed this house Dr. Bullard told us to look around so we could see the conditions in which the poorest people in America live.
This was a very somber moment, that was until Denford started to laugh. I was caught off guard, I looked over at him and asked what he found so funny. I will never forget his answer. "I find it funny that America's poorest people would be among the richest people in Zimbabwe." He continued, "Look at their home, they have a car, clean clothes, (as he pointed out the cloths hanging on the line) they have a t.v. antenna, and running water. In my country I live in one of the wealthiest families and in our family of 8 we have one car that will seat only 4 people. We must walk nearly everywhere and if we want to get there fast, we run."
That conversation taught me a valuable lesson on perspective. We get so caught up in ourselves, what we do or do not have. We get so caught up in our relative circumstances that we loss sight of the bigger picture.
As we enter into this Christmas season maybe it is time for a paradigm shift. Rather than being so concerned with all of the things we want or finding that perfect gift, our focus should be on the the Christ child who came into the world lowly, humble, meek, and mild born in a barn and swaddled in a blanket resting peacefully in a feeding trough (a manger).
Jesus entered this world poor to make us rich in Him. Our wealth is but garbage compared with the riches to come. May we remember those in need this season and provide for those who can't give back.
“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. For 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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
This was a very somber moment, that was until Denford started to laugh. I was caught off guard, I looked over at him and asked what he found so funny. I will never forget his answer. "I find it funny that America's poorest people would be among the richest people in Zimbabwe." He continued, "Look at their home, they have a car, clean clothes, (as he pointed out the cloths hanging on the line) they have a t.v. antenna, and running water. In my country I live in one of the wealthiest families and in our family of 8 we have one car that will seat only 4 people. We must walk nearly everywhere and if we want to get there fast, we run."
That conversation taught me a valuable lesson on perspective. We get so caught up in ourselves, what we do or do not have. We get so caught up in our relative circumstances that we loss sight of the bigger picture.
As we enter into this Christmas season maybe it is time for a paradigm shift. Rather than being so concerned with all of the things we want or finding that perfect gift, our focus should be on the the Christ child who came into the world lowly, humble, meek, and mild born in a barn and swaddled in a blanket resting peacefully in a feeding trough (a manger).
Jesus entered this world poor to make us rich in Him. Our wealth is but garbage compared with the riches to come. May we remember those in need this season and provide for those who can't give back.
“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. For 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, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Thursday, November 25, 2010
So the Turkey Lives
Interestingly enough there is a belief that every president since World War II has pardoned a turkey a few days before Thanksgiving every year. The fact is this tradition is far newer than this. According to snopes.com (http://www.snopes.com/holidays/thanksgiving/pardon.asp) this tradition can only be traced back to 1989 when then President George H.W. Bush officially pardoned the Turkey given to the White house. This tradition quickly became a yearly ritual that every President has maintained. Yesterday, President Obama followed suit sparing the life of two such birds with a pardon that will allow them to live out the rest of their days.
Now I write all of this because on this Thanksgiving day I see myself as a turkey. Due to my nature (a sinful man) I am destined to die. Like a turkey I am headed for a dark hot place where I will be cooked for all eternity and even though I don't deserve it, and I can not earn it, the King of kings and the Lord of lords has given me a full pardon.
The Bible is very clear that each and every one of us are guilty of sin and we deserve to spend eternity in hell. However, God loves us so much, that He sent His Son to die on our behalf that by His blood we could be declared free of our guilt and be granted a pardon for all eternity.
Let us be thankful today because we are the Turkeys that have received the pardon and as you sit down to eat with your family may the turkey on the table remind you that Jesus paid the price for you, and may you truly be thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving! God bless you!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Time for a Change
In this song my nephew sings a song he wrote about a man with no hope left in life that he played for us one Sunday morning when I was preaching in Venango Woods Church in PA. To me this song tells about a desperation that is deep within all people. A desperation that is calling out for something that makes this life have value.
Since that Sunday morning I have listened to this song often and every time I think back on my life. I remember all the times that I felt so broken and desperate. I remember walking down so many roads; drugs, sex, violence, ect.. just desiring something to sooth the pain, something to make my life more livable.
The fact is each of of has within us a God shaped hole that we just can't fill with anything else. Our lives are so full of junk. We carry around so much pain, heartache, anger, resentment, and guilt that we can easily become bitter and guarded in every area of life. We put up a front, a perception of who we want people to believe that we are but deep down we wish people knew the real me.
During Jesus' earthly ministry, He warned the religious leaders of the day about wearing masks (the Greek word hypocrite simply means "one who wears a mask")Jesus was telling the people that the Kingdom of God is a place that we can be real. A place where we can deal with all that junk that we try to hide and carry on our own.
Listen to these words of Master Jesus as He speaks to your heart today, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
The fact is Jesus doesn't want you to carry those burdens anymore but wants us to carry His yoke. A yoke in Jesus' time is a set of teachings that a rabbi teaches His disciples. It is the yoke that binds them together that allows them to carry the load of life.
Jesus was once asked what was the greatest commandment and He responded, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40
When we come into God's Kingdom our only burden is a burden of love for all people. All the garbage that life throws at us just isn't that important any more. Our life has value and purpose and as we pour ourselves into others we find that our own problems are lightened. Ephesians 4:2 says, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
Friends, God never intended us to go through this life alone. We are meant to live in community with one another. We are part of a "Kingdom". we are citizens of a heavenly kingdom that has a great way of living then this earthly kingdom we grew up in. It is time for us to get real, stop playing church and be the men, women, and children God created us to be. When we do we will find the healing and refreshing that our souls so long for.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
LifePoint Community Church: Church Planters Profile
Following you will find the profile that I sent out to many of our friends and loved ones about the church we are starting in Miamisburg. I would love to hear what you think. We are asking that you join us in prayer as we seek God's direction and provision.
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I would like to introduce myself: My name is Bradley Herbst. I am married to my best friend, Jessica. We have been married for 14 years and have 4 children together: Julie 13, Ruthie 11, Elijah 8, and Ellie 5. God has placed it on our hearts to begin a new work in Miamisburg, Ohio called Life Point Community Church.
The vision to plant a church was placed on my heart 12 years ago when God first called me to ministry. Over the last 12 years, God has shaped and directed this vision as well as developed in us the skills necessary for the task. Depending upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit we have had the opportunities to be shaped and mentored by various godly men and women as God prepared us for such a time as this.
The Journey to Today:
My journey with God began as a young child. I grew up in a broken home and though my parents both loved me in their own way, I never felt love or acceptance. At an early age I was introduced and engulfed into the world of drugs, alcohol, pornography and sex.
When I was 17 my sister invited me to go to a small, country church with her. Spiritual things fascinated me, though I didn’t believe there was a god or gods of any kind, so I agreed to go.
In this church the pastor began to talk about the sin that was oppressing the area. He spoke in detail about a party that I had attended on Friday night. While he spoke something happened. Tears began to run down my face as I was confronted with the darkness that was my life. I accepted Jesus as my savior that day and followed the Lord in baptism by immersion.
I was very hungry to learn more about God and Jesus but something was wrong. I had many conversations about what I should dress like, how I needed to shave and cut my hair, and about all the things I needed to stop or start doing. A few months later I left the church.
I tried to lose myself in the pleasures of the flesh more than ever before. I hurt more and felt more shame then I could ever remember. I hated myself for being weak. I became bitter and violent.
Over the next few years my life began to change. It was during this period that Jesus pursued me to bring about His will in my life. A new church started in Clayton, Ohio called Northern Hills Christian Church. This is where God first began to really teach me His word. He sent Jessica into my world to save my life. He gave us our first child, Julie, to teach me about a Father’s love. Life became bearable, and even though I still got drunk or high from time to time, I had goals and plans and people who loved me. And even more, I had people that I loved more than myself.
While attending Northern Hills Christian Church I began to see the beauty of Christian love and fellowship. Jessica and I wanted to raise our children to have these moral values taught in the church. God began to deal with me about some of the sin issues in my life. At the same time a guy I worked with started talking to me about Jesus.
During our discussions I had shared with him the story of my salvation, more in hope that he would leave me alone then anything else. After listening, he asked me a question that changed my life: “What about your relationship with Jesus, what does that look like?”
Over the next few weeks we discussed in depth what it means to live in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I started reading my Bible, and more importantly, I began to understand it. God began to radically change me. He removed addictions and forgiveness issues from my life. He started a mighty work of sanctification in me. It was these changes that brought my wife to Christ.
Soon after, I was at work when I felt God call to me. When I answered, He told me to prepare because I was going to preach and gave me the desire to start a new church. I went to my pastor and asked what I was to do and he began training me as a pastor. Though it hasn’t always been easy I have never turned from that calling.
For twelve years God has moved us through seasons of our life, leading us to different places to teach us the things we needed to know for ministry. God surrounded us with godly men and women to help develop and grow us. At each point in our walk God has continued shape that vision for planting a new church.
While at Northern Hills, God taught us the value of love and acceptance. He also allowed us to see the pain of a pastor falling into public sin. God showed us how priceless a great support and accountability network is. While here I trained for 2 years under a godly eldership and was ordained as a pastor.
From Northern Hills God lead us to First Christian Church in Cookeville, TN where we got to see the importance of a solid foundation in the scripture. We also got to see the danger of church focused ministry (keeping the church in its four walls.) While here I worked with the Pastor of Education to develop and teach a bible survey class that taught Genesis to Revelation in 12 weeks.
From there God lead us to the River Community Church in Cookeville, Tennessee. This church has a heart and passion for church planting, missions, and community outreach. God used the River as a catalyst to teach us the power of true faith and the benefit of a debt free church. While here God allowed us to help with some of the groundwork on a new church plant, as well as help out in their children’s church. It is also at the River that we first became associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
From the River Community Church God called us to serve as an associate pastor at Venango Woods Church, a SBC church in Northwest Pennsylvania where we have been for nearly 4 years. We moved to Pennsylvania with no income, to a church that couldn’t pay us, and God displayed His faithfulness for all to see by providing all of our needs. After being at Venango Woods for one year, the Sr. Pastor left to plant a church in Florida. After much prayer I agreed to be Interim Pastor. It was during this time that God made it clear that I was not to apply for the Senior Pastor position of this church.
During my time as Interim Pastor God did many things to move the church into a healthier condition. Through the study of scripture, the church structure and by-laws were changed from a pastor led body (where the Sr. Pastor was like a CEO of a corporation) to an eldership led body (where the pastor and elders of the church serve united to lead the church.) God has also used us to deal with some sin issues within the leadership that were causing strife and division in the body. While here God allowed us to establish a children’s worship service and a mid-week prayer and study service. We have seen addictions broken, shattered lives restored, and lives changed through the message of Jesus Christ. While here God taught us to endure, to stand firm and not be shaken. We have learned to communicate vision and direction to help others move into a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. God has taught us to love even when we are ready to quit.
Now He is calling us to step out once more, trusting in His promises, to start a new work in Miamisburg, Ohio called LifePoint Community Church.
The Vision For LifePoint Community Church:
LifePoint is a progressive church in a rapidly changing culture. We are determined to remain real and relevant without compromising the truth of God’s word. LifePoint will
be a multi-staffed, contemporary church geared toward those who don’t feel comfortable
in most churches. LifePoint will be service driven, creating on ramps of service to draw people into a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. LifePoint will focus on kingdom growth and will be committed to Church Planting.
Purpose: LifePoint exists to Engage people with the truth of Jesus Christ, Embracing them as part of God’s family, Encouraging them to grow deeper in their faith, Equipping them for service, while Exalting God in a way that is real and relevant.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 12:28-31; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Mission:
To impact the world with the life-changing truth of Jesus Christ.
Values: P.U.L.S.E.
People Matter – Because people matter to God, they matter to us. Jesus came into a world full of darkness, pain and sin to reconcile people to God. He then sent us out as His ambassadors with the mission and purpose of reconciliation.
Luke 4:18-21; John 1:1-14, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Unity of Believers – As a new creation through Christ Jesus we are called to demonstrate our love for one another in a spirit of unity. Jesus entered the world to breakdown the walls of division in our lives and teach us how to love others with an active love.
John 13:34-35; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17;
1 John 4:7-12
Living in Community – The world is full of people making their way through this life alone but God said it is not good for man to be alone. Jesus came to bring us into God’s family. As God’s children we are to live in relationship with God and our fellow man. We are a community of believers living together to encourage and strengthen each other in this life.
Genesis 2:18; Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35
Service Driven – Jesus did not come into the world to be served but to serve others. He set an example for us to follow. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and ultimately laid His life down for others. He taught that the greatest in the kingdom of God would be the servant of all.
Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:1-16; Philippians 2:1-11
Engaging The Culture – Jesus constantly took the everyday things of life and used them to teach the deep truths of God and His kingdom. He met people where they where not expecting them to become something else to meet with Him.
Matthew 4:18-19; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; see the parables of Jesus
Our Beliefs:
About God:
He is God and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-5; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
1 Peter 1:2
About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dieing on the cross. He rose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4;
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15
About the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift or gifts when they are saved. As Christians we must seek to live under His control daily.
John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17;
Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
About the Bible:
The Bible is a love letter from God to man. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. God inspired it; therefore it is truth without any mixture of error from Genesis to Revelation.
Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
About Human Beings:
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates us from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23
About Salvation:
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can anyone be saved from the penalty of sin. The penalty of sin is death, which is eternal separation from God. Eternal life begins the moment that one receives Jesus Christ into their life through faith.
John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
About Eternity:
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18
Our Goals:
LifePoint will seek areas of need in Miamisburg and the greater Dayton area with a seriousness to meet these needs and bring people the hope that can be found through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11; Acts 20:35; Galatians 5:13-14; Mark 9:35
LifePoint will develop community by multiplying LifeGroups throughout the community. These LifeGroups shall meet in people’s homes and in places of business to foster relationships that lead to service in the lives of one another.
Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:3-13; Hebrews 10:24-25
LifePoint will remain mission focused in all we do. At LifePoint every member is a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LifePoint will continually focus on discipleship and leadership development to equip people for the service God has called them into.
Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:7; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; Romans 10:14; 1 Peter 2:9; James 5:16
LifePoint will be a launch point for new ministries: locally, nationally and throughout the world. LifePoint will multiply by starting other churches. LifePoint will seek to help launch a new church within the first 3 years followed by a new church every other year for the next 10 years. After that LifePoint shall seek to help start a new work once a year.
2 Corinthians 9:6; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 13:2
LifePoint will engage in ministry along side other bodies of believers desiring to make a greater impact for the kingdom of God. LifePoint will not allow denominational difference to hinder the forceful advancement of God’s kingdom.
John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:20; Hebrews 10:24
LifePoint will constantly seek new and fresh ways to deliver the timeless truths of God’s word without compromising the integrity of that word.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 9:11-13
LifePoint will continue to grow as we daily take the hope of Jesus to a lost and dieing world.
Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 1:13-19; Ephesians 4:11-12; Matthew 16:18
LifePoint will be 100% debt free. LifePoint will be financially responsible not living beyond it’s means.
Romans 13:8; Proverbs 22:7; Luke 14:28; Luke 16:11
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I would like to introduce myself: My name is Bradley Herbst. I am married to my best friend, Jessica. We have been married for 14 years and have 4 children together: Julie 13, Ruthie 11, Elijah 8, and Ellie 5. God has placed it on our hearts to begin a new work in Miamisburg, Ohio called Life Point Community Church.
The vision to plant a church was placed on my heart 12 years ago when God first called me to ministry. Over the last 12 years, God has shaped and directed this vision as well as developed in us the skills necessary for the task. Depending upon the guidance of the Holy Spirit we have had the opportunities to be shaped and mentored by various godly men and women as God prepared us for such a time as this.
The Journey to Today:
My journey with God began as a young child. I grew up in a broken home and though my parents both loved me in their own way, I never felt love or acceptance. At an early age I was introduced and engulfed into the world of drugs, alcohol, pornography and sex.
When I was 17 my sister invited me to go to a small, country church with her. Spiritual things fascinated me, though I didn’t believe there was a god or gods of any kind, so I agreed to go.
In this church the pastor began to talk about the sin that was oppressing the area. He spoke in detail about a party that I had attended on Friday night. While he spoke something happened. Tears began to run down my face as I was confronted with the darkness that was my life. I accepted Jesus as my savior that day and followed the Lord in baptism by immersion.
I was very hungry to learn more about God and Jesus but something was wrong. I had many conversations about what I should dress like, how I needed to shave and cut my hair, and about all the things I needed to stop or start doing. A few months later I left the church.
I tried to lose myself in the pleasures of the flesh more than ever before. I hurt more and felt more shame then I could ever remember. I hated myself for being weak. I became bitter and violent.
Over the next few years my life began to change. It was during this period that Jesus pursued me to bring about His will in my life. A new church started in Clayton, Ohio called Northern Hills Christian Church. This is where God first began to really teach me His word. He sent Jessica into my world to save my life. He gave us our first child, Julie, to teach me about a Father’s love. Life became bearable, and even though I still got drunk or high from time to time, I had goals and plans and people who loved me. And even more, I had people that I loved more than myself.
While attending Northern Hills Christian Church I began to see the beauty of Christian love and fellowship. Jessica and I wanted to raise our children to have these moral values taught in the church. God began to deal with me about some of the sin issues in my life. At the same time a guy I worked with started talking to me about Jesus.
During our discussions I had shared with him the story of my salvation, more in hope that he would leave me alone then anything else. After listening, he asked me a question that changed my life: “What about your relationship with Jesus, what does that look like?”
Over the next few weeks we discussed in depth what it means to live in relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I started reading my Bible, and more importantly, I began to understand it. God began to radically change me. He removed addictions and forgiveness issues from my life. He started a mighty work of sanctification in me. It was these changes that brought my wife to Christ.
Soon after, I was at work when I felt God call to me. When I answered, He told me to prepare because I was going to preach and gave me the desire to start a new church. I went to my pastor and asked what I was to do and he began training me as a pastor. Though it hasn’t always been easy I have never turned from that calling.
For twelve years God has moved us through seasons of our life, leading us to different places to teach us the things we needed to know for ministry. God surrounded us with godly men and women to help develop and grow us. At each point in our walk God has continued shape that vision for planting a new church.
While at Northern Hills, God taught us the value of love and acceptance. He also allowed us to see the pain of a pastor falling into public sin. God showed us how priceless a great support and accountability network is. While here I trained for 2 years under a godly eldership and was ordained as a pastor.
From Northern Hills God lead us to First Christian Church in Cookeville, TN where we got to see the importance of a solid foundation in the scripture. We also got to see the danger of church focused ministry (keeping the church in its four walls.) While here I worked with the Pastor of Education to develop and teach a bible survey class that taught Genesis to Revelation in 12 weeks.
From there God lead us to the River Community Church in Cookeville, Tennessee. This church has a heart and passion for church planting, missions, and community outreach. God used the River as a catalyst to teach us the power of true faith and the benefit of a debt free church. While here God allowed us to help with some of the groundwork on a new church plant, as well as help out in their children’s church. It is also at the River that we first became associated with the Southern Baptist Convention.
From the River Community Church God called us to serve as an associate pastor at Venango Woods Church, a SBC church in Northwest Pennsylvania where we have been for nearly 4 years. We moved to Pennsylvania with no income, to a church that couldn’t pay us, and God displayed His faithfulness for all to see by providing all of our needs. After being at Venango Woods for one year, the Sr. Pastor left to plant a church in Florida. After much prayer I agreed to be Interim Pastor. It was during this time that God made it clear that I was not to apply for the Senior Pastor position of this church.
During my time as Interim Pastor God did many things to move the church into a healthier condition. Through the study of scripture, the church structure and by-laws were changed from a pastor led body (where the Sr. Pastor was like a CEO of a corporation) to an eldership led body (where the pastor and elders of the church serve united to lead the church.) God has also used us to deal with some sin issues within the leadership that were causing strife and division in the body. While here God allowed us to establish a children’s worship service and a mid-week prayer and study service. We have seen addictions broken, shattered lives restored, and lives changed through the message of Jesus Christ. While here God taught us to endure, to stand firm and not be shaken. We have learned to communicate vision and direction to help others move into a deeper commitment to Jesus Christ. God has taught us to love even when we are ready to quit.
Now He is calling us to step out once more, trusting in His promises, to start a new work in Miamisburg, Ohio called LifePoint Community Church.
The Vision For LifePoint Community Church:
LifePoint is a progressive church in a rapidly changing culture. We are determined to remain real and relevant without compromising the truth of God’s word. LifePoint will
be a multi-staffed, contemporary church geared toward those who don’t feel comfortable
in most churches. LifePoint will be service driven, creating on ramps of service to draw people into a deeper relationship with God through Jesus Christ. LifePoint will focus on kingdom growth and will be committed to Church Planting.
Purpose: LifePoint exists to Engage people with the truth of Jesus Christ, Embracing them as part of God’s family, Encouraging them to grow deeper in their faith, Equipping them for service, while Exalting God in a way that is real and relevant.
Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 12:28-31; John 4:24; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Mission:
To impact the world with the life-changing truth of Jesus Christ.
Values: P.U.L.S.E.
People Matter – Because people matter to God, they matter to us. Jesus came into a world full of darkness, pain and sin to reconcile people to God. He then sent us out as His ambassadors with the mission and purpose of reconciliation.
Luke 4:18-21; John 1:1-14, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Unity of Believers – As a new creation through Christ Jesus we are called to demonstrate our love for one another in a spirit of unity. Jesus entered the world to breakdown the walls of division in our lives and teach us how to love others with an active love.
John 13:34-35; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; 2 Corinthians 5:17;
1 John 4:7-12
Living in Community – The world is full of people making their way through this life alone but God said it is not good for man to be alone. Jesus came to bring us into God’s family. As God’s children we are to live in relationship with God and our fellow man. We are a community of believers living together to encourage and strengthen each other in this life.
Genesis 2:18; Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35
Service Driven – Jesus did not come into the world to be served but to serve others. He set an example for us to follow. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and ultimately laid His life down for others. He taught that the greatest in the kingdom of God would be the servant of all.
Matthew 20:25-28; John 13:1-16; Philippians 2:1-11
Engaging The Culture – Jesus constantly took the everyday things of life and used them to teach the deep truths of God and His kingdom. He met people where they where not expecting them to become something else to meet with Him.
Matthew 4:18-19; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; see the parables of Jesus
Our Beliefs:
About God:
He is God and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed in three personalities: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit. These three are equal and are one God.
Genesis 1:1, 26-27; Psalm 90:2; Matthew 28:19; John 1:1-5; 2 Corinthians 13:14;
1 Peter 1:2
About Jesus Christ:
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is equal with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dieing on the cross. He rose from the dead on the third day to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:22-23; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Acts 1:9-11; Romans 1:3-4;
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13; Hebrews 4:14-15
About the Holy Spirit:
The Holy Spirit is equal with the Father and the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation and provides Christians with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. He gives every believer a spiritual gift or gifts when they are saved. As Christians we must seek to live under His control daily.
John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17;
Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13, 5:18
About the Bible:
The Bible is a love letter from God to man. Human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit, wrote it. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian belief and living. God inspired it; therefore it is truth without any mixture of error from Genesis to Revelation.
Psalm 12:6, 119:105, 160; Proverbs 30:5; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21
About Human Beings:
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called “sin”. This attitude separates us from God and causes many problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalm 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23
About Salvation:
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ can anyone be saved from the penalty of sin. The penalty of sin is death, which is eternal separation from God. Eternal life begins the moment that one receives Jesus Christ into their life through faith.
John 1:12, 14:6; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5
About Eternity:
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by sin, or with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from God is Hell. To be eternally in union with God is Heaven. Heaven and Hell are real places of eternal existence.
John 3:16, 14:17; Romans 6:23, 8:17-18
Our Goals:
LifePoint will seek areas of need in Miamisburg and the greater Dayton area with a seriousness to meet these needs and bring people the hope that can be found through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11; Acts 20:35; Galatians 5:13-14; Mark 9:35
LifePoint will develop community by multiplying LifeGroups throughout the community. These LifeGroups shall meet in people’s homes and in places of business to foster relationships that lead to service in the lives of one another.
Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:3-13; Hebrews 10:24-25
LifePoint will remain mission focused in all we do. At LifePoint every member is a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. LifePoint will continually focus on discipleship and leadership development to equip people for the service God has called them into.
Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:7; 2 Timothy 1:6-8; Romans 10:14; 1 Peter 2:9; James 5:16
LifePoint will be a launch point for new ministries: locally, nationally and throughout the world. LifePoint will multiply by starting other churches. LifePoint will seek to help launch a new church within the first 3 years followed by a new church every other year for the next 10 years. After that LifePoint shall seek to help start a new work once a year.
2 Corinthians 9:6; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 13:2
LifePoint will engage in ministry along side other bodies of believers desiring to make a greater impact for the kingdom of God. LifePoint will not allow denominational difference to hinder the forceful advancement of God’s kingdom.
John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:7; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:20; Hebrews 10:24
LifePoint will constantly seek new and fresh ways to deliver the timeless truths of God’s word without compromising the integrity of that word.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 9:11-13
LifePoint will continue to grow as we daily take the hope of Jesus to a lost and dieing world.
Acts 2:47; 1 Peter 1:13-19; Ephesians 4:11-12; Matthew 16:18
LifePoint will be 100% debt free. LifePoint will be financially responsible not living beyond it’s means.
Romans 13:8; Proverbs 22:7; Luke 14:28; Luke 16:11
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Good News: The Holy Place
I am often amazed how often we get the best news at the least expected times and often at moments that we don't think anything will cheer us up. I remember early in our marriage when Jess an I were struggling with finances and I was getting ready to start collage and we were living on love because there wasn't anything in the bank. I was talking to Jess about how important I thought it was for us to come up with money to get a computer so I could do my course work at home and she was more concerned about how we were going to pay for the apartment we lived in. Priorities!
I remember many times feeling like a failure as a husband, as a father and as a man because I couldn't provide for all our needs. I must admit I was frustrated and overwhelmed. I was 20 and Jess was 18 and I was absolutely clueless. It was at that time that I got a phone call from my dad. He told me to get a pen and paper and write down a # so I did. Then I asked him what it was about. His response was brief, "This lady has some money for you from where I hurt my back when you were a kid." then he got off the phone. Well of course I called her and she worked for Social Security and indeed she had money for me. Almost $10,000 worth. This money allowed us to get a computer and was enough to help us supplement our income as I started my time in school.
The reason I share this is because when we look at Mark 15 and we read about the events that lead up to the death of Jesus and the event of the crucifixion we are confronted with the total depravity of man. Jesus was mocked, beaten, spit upon, flogged and nailed to a cross. The flogging was done by a scourge that would have had pieces of metal and bone in the leather thongs that would have dug into Jesus' flesh and ripped of strips of skin. The art of crucifixion (yes, to the Romans this was an art) is still to this day considered the most painful and brutal form of execution. A person who was crucified was stretched out in a manor that made it very difficult to breath. So if they wanted to breath they had to push themselves up on the nails that were driven through there feet until the pain was so intense that they would drop their weight onto the nails in their hands which was bad enough but the moment that they did that the could no longer breath. In a few moments their body would start fighting for air and push themselves up again. (And don't forget that with every movement they are scraping their raw and bleeding back across a rough wooden surface.) This would continue until either the person suffocated to death or the guards broke the legs of the person forcing them to suffocate.
It is at this moment when Jesus when Jesus breathed His last breath that we find one of the single greatest moments in all the history of man. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The Good News:
To many people reading about this curtain, the image that first comes to mind is an image of intense morning - as well it should, but we can not miss the importance of this moment. We must understand the importance of this curtain. It was this curtain that was the entrance to the Holy of Hollies, the most sacred place. A place that only the High Priest could enter and then only once per year after being made ceremonially clean.
When this curtain was ripped in two from top to bottom God was announcing that there is no longer a barrier between man and God. By the death of Jesus all man kind is now able to walk boldly into the presence of the Almighty. The old system has been done away with a new covenant has come.
May you always remember that Jesus made a way for all men to be reconciled with the creator of all things. That by His death we to may die to our sinful nature and through His resurrection we are raised into a new life as a child of God.
John 1:9-13 says, "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
I remember many times feeling like a failure as a husband, as a father and as a man because I couldn't provide for all our needs. I must admit I was frustrated and overwhelmed. I was 20 and Jess was 18 and I was absolutely clueless. It was at that time that I got a phone call from my dad. He told me to get a pen and paper and write down a # so I did. Then I asked him what it was about. His response was brief, "This lady has some money for you from where I hurt my back when you were a kid." then he got off the phone. Well of course I called her and she worked for Social Security and indeed she had money for me. Almost $10,000 worth. This money allowed us to get a computer and was enough to help us supplement our income as I started my time in school.
The reason I share this is because when we look at Mark 15 and we read about the events that lead up to the death of Jesus and the event of the crucifixion we are confronted with the total depravity of man. Jesus was mocked, beaten, spit upon, flogged and nailed to a cross. The flogging was done by a scourge that would have had pieces of metal and bone in the leather thongs that would have dug into Jesus' flesh and ripped of strips of skin. The art of crucifixion (yes, to the Romans this was an art) is still to this day considered the most painful and brutal form of execution. A person who was crucified was stretched out in a manor that made it very difficult to breath. So if they wanted to breath they had to push themselves up on the nails that were driven through there feet until the pain was so intense that they would drop their weight onto the nails in their hands which was bad enough but the moment that they did that the could no longer breath. In a few moments their body would start fighting for air and push themselves up again. (And don't forget that with every movement they are scraping their raw and bleeding back across a rough wooden surface.) This would continue until either the person suffocated to death or the guards broke the legs of the person forcing them to suffocate.
It is at this moment when Jesus when Jesus breathed His last breath that we find one of the single greatest moments in all the history of man. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
The Good News:
To many people reading about this curtain, the image that first comes to mind is an image of intense morning - as well it should, but we can not miss the importance of this moment. We must understand the importance of this curtain. It was this curtain that was the entrance to the Holy of Hollies, the most sacred place. A place that only the High Priest could enter and then only once per year after being made ceremonially clean.
When this curtain was ripped in two from top to bottom God was announcing that there is no longer a barrier between man and God. By the death of Jesus all man kind is now able to walk boldly into the presence of the Almighty. The old system has been done away with a new covenant has come.
May you always remember that Jesus made a way for all men to be reconciled with the creator of all things. That by His death we to may die to our sinful nature and through His resurrection we are raised into a new life as a child of God.
John 1:9-13 says, "The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God."
Sunday, November 14, 2010
The Good News: Three Strikes
As I began blogging about "The Good News" while studying the book of Mark, I had intended to complete this study at the end of October. The most amazing thing about this study is that we can find the Good News of God's kingdom in every passage as Jesus exposes the depth and glory of the kingdom of God. I know that we could spend a lot more time exploring the depths of this book. However, God is leading me towards writing about other topics as well. My goal is to finish up this study in my next couple of posts, knowing I will never be able to examine the height or depth of the Good News we have through Jesus Christ.
Today I want to jump ahead to a passage in Mark 14.
Here we find Jesus talking to His disciples. Jesus knows that the time of His death is near and He wants these guys to be ready to take the Good News to the world. Jesus also knows their hearts, their fears, and their weakness. With all this knowledge, Jesus wants His disciples to know that He loves them, despite all of these things, so He warns them.
"You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered'" Vs. 27
The Jesus goes on to tell them, "But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." vs. 28
Jesus wants them to know that even though these men will reject Him during His darkest moments that He will not forsake them. Yes, Jesus knows He is about to die, but He also knows that the grave can't hold him. So he tells them what is about to happen and of course they don't want to believe Him. Would you?
The great thing about this event in the life of Jesus and His disciples is the very fact that the God-man looks at a mans heart and not his outward appearance. Because Peter and the others were confident in who they wanted to be but they weren't there yet. Listen to Peter's response, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” vs 29 How often do we each get caught up in our own self righteous perceptions. We begin to see ourselves as more faithful, more holy, more righteous, more steadfast, more determined, and on and on. But the fact remains, none of us even know the depths of our own hearts.
Jesus goes then addresses Peter directly, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
But you have to love Peter. He is so confident in his own resolve. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” vs 31a of course Peter isn't the only one because the rest of the verse says, "And all the others said the same."
Then we read about the events that transpire in the garden of Gethsemane and it looks like Peter is determined to prove Jesus wrong. When they come to arrest Jesus, Peter draws his sword and goes on the attack. (It is funny that Jesus teaches Peter that the way of the sword is not the way of the kingdom of God, but that is a study for another time.)
And the disciples fled. Though Peter followed at a distance. and then it happened. As Peter stood by the fire warming his hands, a servant girl saw Peter and made the dreaded statement, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” vs. 67 and Peter denies it saying that he doesn't know what she is talking about. (Strike 1)
Now if we are going to be fair, Peter was surrounded by a hostile crowd. This was an illegal trial being held by people who wanted Jesus dead. (Often we deny Jesus by our actions when the crowd isn't hostile.) We become fearful of what someone might say or think about us - where Peter was afraid for his life.
Of course Peter goes on to deny knowing Jesus two more times - once to another servant girl (Strike 2) and once to one of the guys with him at the fire. (Strike 3) Peter is then consumed with the guilt of His failure as Jesus' words resounded in his heart. Three strikes and your Out!
The Good News:
If Peter's story ended there it would truly be tragic. We can see the completion of this story as it plays out in John 21:15-19. Here we find a resurrected Jesus confronting Peter once again.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
The truth is, everyone of us has denied Jesus. Whether by thought or deed, both in our words and in our silence, we are all guilty, and despite our guilt Jesus has come back to us time and time again and asked, "Do you love ME?"
May you trust Jesus to take away your guilt. He already paid the price for it and it is no longer yours to carry. May you be ever drawn toward Jesus knowing that there is nothing you can do to make Him love you anymore or any less than He already does. And May you acknowledge Him in all your ways!
Today I want to jump ahead to a passage in Mark 14.
Here we find Jesus talking to His disciples. Jesus knows that the time of His death is near and He wants these guys to be ready to take the Good News to the world. Jesus also knows their hearts, their fears, and their weakness. With all this knowledge, Jesus wants His disciples to know that He loves them, despite all of these things, so He warns them.
"You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered'" Vs. 27
The Jesus goes on to tell them, "But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee." vs. 28
Jesus wants them to know that even though these men will reject Him during His darkest moments that He will not forsake them. Yes, Jesus knows He is about to die, but He also knows that the grave can't hold him. So he tells them what is about to happen and of course they don't want to believe Him. Would you?
The great thing about this event in the life of Jesus and His disciples is the very fact that the God-man looks at a mans heart and not his outward appearance. Because Peter and the others were confident in who they wanted to be but they weren't there yet. Listen to Peter's response, “Even if all fall away, I will not.” vs 29 How often do we each get caught up in our own self righteous perceptions. We begin to see ourselves as more faithful, more holy, more righteous, more steadfast, more determined, and on and on. But the fact remains, none of us even know the depths of our own hearts.
Jesus goes then addresses Peter directly, “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
But you have to love Peter. He is so confident in his own resolve. "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” vs 31a of course Peter isn't the only one because the rest of the verse says, "And all the others said the same."
Then we read about the events that transpire in the garden of Gethsemane and it looks like Peter is determined to prove Jesus wrong. When they come to arrest Jesus, Peter draws his sword and goes on the attack. (It is funny that Jesus teaches Peter that the way of the sword is not the way of the kingdom of God, but that is a study for another time.)
And the disciples fled. Though Peter followed at a distance. and then it happened. As Peter stood by the fire warming his hands, a servant girl saw Peter and made the dreaded statement, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” vs. 67 and Peter denies it saying that he doesn't know what she is talking about. (Strike 1)
Now if we are going to be fair, Peter was surrounded by a hostile crowd. This was an illegal trial being held by people who wanted Jesus dead. (Often we deny Jesus by our actions when the crowd isn't hostile.) We become fearful of what someone might say or think about us - where Peter was afraid for his life.
Of course Peter goes on to deny knowing Jesus two more times - once to another servant girl (Strike 2) and once to one of the guys with him at the fire. (Strike 3) Peter is then consumed with the guilt of His failure as Jesus' words resounded in his heart. Three strikes and your Out!
The Good News:
If Peter's story ended there it would truly be tragic. We can see the completion of this story as it plays out in John 21:15-19. Here we find a resurrected Jesus confronting Peter once again.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
The truth is, everyone of us has denied Jesus. Whether by thought or deed, both in our words and in our silence, we are all guilty, and despite our guilt Jesus has come back to us time and time again and asked, "Do you love ME?"
May you trust Jesus to take away your guilt. He already paid the price for it and it is no longer yours to carry. May you be ever drawn toward Jesus knowing that there is nothing you can do to make Him love you anymore or any less than He already does. And May you acknowledge Him in all your ways!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 15
Like most people my life can be much like a roller coaster. I can be at the top of a hill on moment and plummeting at neck braking speeds down a hill the next, followed by an endless series of twists, turns, loops, and corkscrews that can leave us dizzy and disoriented. This is life.
As we continue our study of the Good News in the book of Mark, I want to draw your attention to Mark 9:2-13. This event in the life of Jesus is commonly known as the transfiguration, but to me there is a beautiful message in this event that we pastors often overlook.
This event transpires like this: Jesus takes His inner circle of disciples (Peter, James and John) up a mountain with Him. While up on this mountain Jesus reveals His glory by being transfigured. Then while they are watching, two of the great OT saints (Moses and Elijah) show up to talk with Jesus. I can't imagine what it would have been like at that moment, but the disciples are obviously overwhelmed and caught up in the moment. This is the moment of a life time.
At this moment Peter, caught up in the excitement of the moment says to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (vs. 6 tells us, "(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)"
Now lets step back for a second and examine what just happened.
The Son of Man has just exposed His glory as the one and only Son of God and great saints of old show up and Peter is ready to worship all three of them. Yes that is what it means by let us put up three shelters. This word for shelter is the word "Tabernacle" which is the tent that the Hebrew people used to worship God before the Temple was built.
We must understand that in Jewish faith there where no figures greater that Moses and Elijah. This type of worship is very common among people today. (If you don't believe me look at what happened when little girls found out Justin Bieber shared that he had a girl friend)
As if this moment isn't amazing enough. As soon as Peter says that they can build three shelters a cloud covers the whole area and God the Father speaks, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
The Bible then tells us that when they looked around they saw no one but Jesus!
The Good News:
Many times, like Peter, we get so caught up with the events going on around us that we lose sight of what is important. When we do we begin to divide our focus and we don't focus on what is truly important. As I read this passage I am filled with a since of peace by seeing God's gentle and loving rebuke to His disciples. He doesn't scold them or strike them down when they lose focus. He simple states, "This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him."
Focus! Look to Jesus alone! There is no one else!
May you remain focused on Jesus no matter what is going on around you. Whether you are sitting on the mountain top or walking in the Valley of the Shadow of Death may your eyes remain on the one and only Son of God who can and will see you through. May we always pay attention to the gentle rebuke to "Listen to Him!"
As we continue our study of the Good News in the book of Mark, I want to draw your attention to Mark 9:2-13. This event in the life of Jesus is commonly known as the transfiguration, but to me there is a beautiful message in this event that we pastors often overlook.
This event transpires like this: Jesus takes His inner circle of disciples (Peter, James and John) up a mountain with Him. While up on this mountain Jesus reveals His glory by being transfigured. Then while they are watching, two of the great OT saints (Moses and Elijah) show up to talk with Jesus. I can't imagine what it would have been like at that moment, but the disciples are obviously overwhelmed and caught up in the moment. This is the moment of a life time.
At this moment Peter, caught up in the excitement of the moment says to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (vs. 6 tells us, "(He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)"
Now lets step back for a second and examine what just happened.
The Son of Man has just exposed His glory as the one and only Son of God and great saints of old show up and Peter is ready to worship all three of them. Yes that is what it means by let us put up three shelters. This word for shelter is the word "Tabernacle" which is the tent that the Hebrew people used to worship God before the Temple was built.
We must understand that in Jewish faith there where no figures greater that Moses and Elijah. This type of worship is very common among people today. (If you don't believe me look at what happened when little girls found out Justin Bieber shared that he had a girl friend)
As if this moment isn't amazing enough. As soon as Peter says that they can build three shelters a cloud covers the whole area and God the Father speaks, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
The Bible then tells us that when they looked around they saw no one but Jesus!
The Good News:
Many times, like Peter, we get so caught up with the events going on around us that we lose sight of what is important. When we do we begin to divide our focus and we don't focus on what is truly important. As I read this passage I am filled with a since of peace by seeing God's gentle and loving rebuke to His disciples. He doesn't scold them or strike them down when they lose focus. He simple states, "This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him."
Focus! Look to Jesus alone! There is no one else!
May you remain focused on Jesus no matter what is going on around you. Whether you are sitting on the mountain top or walking in the Valley of the Shadow of Death may your eyes remain on the one and only Son of God who can and will see you through. May we always pay attention to the gentle rebuke to "Listen to Him!"
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 14
I am simply amazed by how often we put on this act like we have it all together when in reality we are far from the mark. It seems like everyday I meet a new person who is determined to convince me that they are a spiritual giant. (By the way if your wondering, I am no where close. Just ask anyone who knows me, I am all messed up)The reason I share this is because in today's study we are going to look at what it means to be a follower of Jesus and embrace the heart of what the kingdom of God is all about.
Look with me at Mark 8:31-38
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
In this passage Jesus starts out telling His disciples in plan words what He would have to suffer so that He could bring the kingdom of God to fulfillment. Peter, ever the first to stick his foot in his own mouth rebuked Jesus. (I love that God can use someone like this to do great things, it gives me hope)
After this Jesus speaks to the crowd and His disciples with this great proclamation, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." This might sound like a great poetic statement to many of us today but in Jesus' day in the ancient Middle East this statement carried a great weight to it.
Let's break this down some
Whoever wants to be my disciple: Being the disciple of a rabbi was the greatest honor a person could have in their culture. If you were a rabbi's disciple it meant that he believed you could do the things he is doing.
Must deny themselves: This is the heart of being a disciple. You say, "no" to your own way of doing things and say, "yes" to your rabbi. This wouldn't have been a very unusual saying for a rabbi. Self denial is a great means of growing deeper in ones faith.
Take up their cross: WOW! Now this would have turned some heads. The "CROSS" was and instrument of torture, pain and death. A form of execution set aside for the most grievous of criminals and political rebels. To this day it is viewed as one of the cruelest forms of death man has ever devised.
Follow me: A rabbi's statement of total acceptance.
The Good News:
The most beautiful thing in this passage is the overwhelming reminder that God's kingdom isn't limited by our goodness. In fact, none of us are good enough for the kingdom of God. Jesus brought us God's kingdom in His very life and in His teaching and in His sacrifice on the cross and in His resurrection.
What Jesus is telling us is that as we surrender ourselves to God that we too will bring God's kingdom to people here and now. It isn't something that people need to sit around and wait on. God's kingdom is here.
May we stop waiting for a kingdom that is to come and embrace the kingdom that has already came and is here and is to come as we take it to others. This is the kingdom that Jesus spoke about. One that transcends all the junk we deal with everyday and produces a better life, one that is worth sharing with others.
This is at the heart of the great commission, that we take God's kingdom to the world as we are going!
Look with me at Mark 8:31-38
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
In this passage Jesus starts out telling His disciples in plan words what He would have to suffer so that He could bring the kingdom of God to fulfillment. Peter, ever the first to stick his foot in his own mouth rebuked Jesus. (I love that God can use someone like this to do great things, it gives me hope)
After this Jesus speaks to the crowd and His disciples with this great proclamation, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." This might sound like a great poetic statement to many of us today but in Jesus' day in the ancient Middle East this statement carried a great weight to it.
Let's break this down some
Whoever wants to be my disciple: Being the disciple of a rabbi was the greatest honor a person could have in their culture. If you were a rabbi's disciple it meant that he believed you could do the things he is doing.
Must deny themselves: This is the heart of being a disciple. You say, "no" to your own way of doing things and say, "yes" to your rabbi. This wouldn't have been a very unusual saying for a rabbi. Self denial is a great means of growing deeper in ones faith.
Take up their cross: WOW! Now this would have turned some heads. The "CROSS" was and instrument of torture, pain and death. A form of execution set aside for the most grievous of criminals and political rebels. To this day it is viewed as one of the cruelest forms of death man has ever devised.
Follow me: A rabbi's statement of total acceptance.
The Good News:
The most beautiful thing in this passage is the overwhelming reminder that God's kingdom isn't limited by our goodness. In fact, none of us are good enough for the kingdom of God. Jesus brought us God's kingdom in His very life and in His teaching and in His sacrifice on the cross and in His resurrection.
What Jesus is telling us is that as we surrender ourselves to God that we too will bring God's kingdom to people here and now. It isn't something that people need to sit around and wait on. God's kingdom is here.
May we stop waiting for a kingdom that is to come and embrace the kingdom that has already came and is here and is to come as we take it to others. This is the kingdom that Jesus spoke about. One that transcends all the junk we deal with everyday and produces a better life, one that is worth sharing with others.
This is at the heart of the great commission, that we take God's kingdom to the world as we are going!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 13
I remember my trip to Washington DC when I was in High School. During that trip I got to explore the nations capital with a bunch of crazy high school students while learning about leadership. During this trip I also was moved by the countless numbers of disabled vets that lined the streets of our nations capital. I remember this one man in particular. He sat in a wheel chair, both legs were missing and he had a nasty scare down the side of his face. Yet, despite all the things this man had suffered he sat there smiling sharing stories with anyone that would listen about the joy and pride he had for the service he gave to his country. Though this man never asked for a dime a few of us were moved to buy this man lunch and spend a little time listening to his story.
I had almost forgot about this event till I was reading in Mark 6 today. As I was reading I came across the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 with a couple fish and a few loves of bread. As soon as I started reading this passage I was struck by the power of Jesus' miracle. However, what I found to be most striking in this passage isn't the miracle but the compassion in our Lord Jesus.
You see, while Jesus' disciples were ready to send everyone away Jesus wanted to meet their most immediate need. The reason Jesus wanted to meet this need was because He knew that He was their greatest need and that by showing them this compassion that He could show them the good news of God's kingdom.
Much like this old vet I meet in DC we all are in need of some compassion from time to time and Jesus wants to supply our greatest need. The fact is each one of us has a God shaped hole in our hearts and no matter how hard we try, we just can fill it.
The Good News:
As with this crowd, Jesus doesn't just meet the need we have at the moment but He exceeds our need in such a mighty way that He leaves enough leftovers for the doubting hearts of His followers. I love the fact that Jesus created enough for each disciple to pick up a basket full of the leftovers.
May you remember that Jesus knows your needs and that when He sees you struggling He doesn't look upon your need and send you away but He will meet that need with abundance. May you know that you have nothing to worry about if your life is in His hands.
I had almost forgot about this event till I was reading in Mark 6 today. As I was reading I came across the story of Jesus feeding the 5000 with a couple fish and a few loves of bread. As soon as I started reading this passage I was struck by the power of Jesus' miracle. However, what I found to be most striking in this passage isn't the miracle but the compassion in our Lord Jesus.
You see, while Jesus' disciples were ready to send everyone away Jesus wanted to meet their most immediate need. The reason Jesus wanted to meet this need was because He knew that He was their greatest need and that by showing them this compassion that He could show them the good news of God's kingdom.
Much like this old vet I meet in DC we all are in need of some compassion from time to time and Jesus wants to supply our greatest need. The fact is each one of us has a God shaped hole in our hearts and no matter how hard we try, we just can fill it.
The Good News:
As with this crowd, Jesus doesn't just meet the need we have at the moment but He exceeds our need in such a mighty way that He leaves enough leftovers for the doubting hearts of His followers. I love the fact that Jesus created enough for each disciple to pick up a basket full of the leftovers.
May you remember that Jesus knows your needs and that when He sees you struggling He doesn't look upon your need and send you away but He will meet that need with abundance. May you know that you have nothing to worry about if your life is in His hands.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 12
It seems to me that when people first get saved they have this zeal and excitement about there faith and the first thing they want to do is take the good news of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God to their family and friends. This excitement is beautiful and powerful but seems to fade so quickly.
As I was reading in Mark 6 today I was amazed by this event when Jesus goes to His home town. Jesus and His disciples go into the synagogue where Jesus starts teaching. His teaching and passion and knowledge of God's word amazed the people. But no matter what Jesus did or said He was view as nothing more than the kid who grew up down the street.
"Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him."
Many of us tend to lose our passion for sharing our faith because we are rejected by those that we are the closest to. Jesus responded to this with this statement, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." Jesus knew that this would be a great challenge in the lives of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
The Good News:
What I like most about this event in Jesus' life isn't what happened at this moment but the bigger picture of Jesus' ministry. I don't believe that it was just by chance that two of our New Testament books where penned by two of Jesus' younger brothers. First we have the letter from James. James called himself, "James, the lesser," because he saw himself as the lesser brother of Jesus. The other book is the book of Jude. Jude was written by Judas who refers to himself as, "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James" ~Jude 1:1 Judas didn't even consider himself worthy to be called the brother of our Lord so called himself the brother of James.
The fact is Jesus knew His brothers would come around, you and I don't. We need to remain steadfast, knowing that God will richly bless those who take Him to others, even those who reject Him.
May you hold on to the zeal and excitement of your salvation. May you never be discouraged when you are rejected for His name sake. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD." ~Psalm 118:26a
As I was reading in Mark 6 today I was amazed by this event when Jesus goes to His home town. Jesus and His disciples go into the synagogue where Jesus starts teaching. His teaching and passion and knowledge of God's word amazed the people. But no matter what Jesus did or said He was view as nothing more than the kid who grew up down the street.
"Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him."
Many of us tend to lose our passion for sharing our faith because we are rejected by those that we are the closest to. Jesus responded to this with this statement, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." Jesus knew that this would be a great challenge in the lives of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
The Good News:
What I like most about this event in Jesus' life isn't what happened at this moment but the bigger picture of Jesus' ministry. I don't believe that it was just by chance that two of our New Testament books where penned by two of Jesus' younger brothers. First we have the letter from James. James called himself, "James, the lesser," because he saw himself as the lesser brother of Jesus. The other book is the book of Jude. Jude was written by Judas who refers to himself as, "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James" ~Jude 1:1 Judas didn't even consider himself worthy to be called the brother of our Lord so called himself the brother of James.
The fact is Jesus knew His brothers would come around, you and I don't. We need to remain steadfast, knowing that God will richly bless those who take Him to others, even those who reject Him.
May you hold on to the zeal and excitement of your salvation. May you never be discouraged when you are rejected for His name sake. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD." ~Psalm 118:26a
Thursday, October 28, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 11
As we finish up Mark 5 (verses 21-43)we find two powerful stories in Jesus' life wrapped together in a beautiful tapestry of love and power that can shouts the good news of God's kingdom in a way that is so often over looked by many of us. In fact the beauty of this passage is something that I had missed until I was studying this passage for this blog.
As I began reading this passage, I felt God really impress upon me the fact that this event had everything to do with the fact that God's kingdom is not a kingdom based on gender, age, or race. (Though race isn't in this passage, it can be spelled out clearly with a study of John 4)
As I read this passage from Mark 5 I find in it mainly the story of a sick little girl and a tortured woman. First lets understand the right's of women in the society in which Jesus grew up:
Through Jewish laws and customs (more so customs) women had very little to no rights. For the most part they could have little to no authority. Even in their personal lives they were largely confined to their father's or husband's home. As such the were viewed as vastly inferior to men. "By the time of Jesus, women no longer had the freedoms and status they had enjoyed in the Old Testament era. Jewish society had become very much male-dominated. Women were considered to be inferior beings and were assigned almost the same status as slaves. They were not educated, not allowed to take any leadership roles, and confined to mostly domestic duties." http://www.twopaths.com/faq_womensrights.htm
At the time it wouldn't have been a big deal for a rabbi to go and pray for or bless a religious leaders son but not his daughter. For many a daughter was another mouth to feed until you could get her married. But Jesus saw value in Jairus' daughter. This in its self was a great declaration of God's invitation to women as important members of His kingdom but what follows was even more amazing.
Now if we think back to part 5 of this study when Jesus healed the leper how we discussed the way in which Jesus handled the issue of being unclean, here Jesus does it again. This time it is with a woman with an issue of blood. According to the Jewish law a menstruating woman was ceremonially unclean.
When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. Whoever touches them will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening.
" 'When she is cleansed from her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean. On the eighth day she must take two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest is to sacrifice one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way he will make atonement for her before the LORD for the uncleanness of her discharge. ~Leviticus 15:25-30
This woman had been considered unclean for twelve years! This woman then did the unthinkable: she reached out and touched Jesus. Now according to Leviticus 15 this act should have made Jesus unclean, but something happened. Instead of Jesus becoming unclean this woman was made clean, instantly.
The Good News:
Jesus is willing to go and heal the young girl while healing the body and heart of a woman who is called unclean. Woman, Jesus came to bring the kingdom of God to you as well as to men. You are just as valuable and important. As Jesus' ministry on earth continued some of His most dedicated disciples were woman and some of His great leaders were influenced and brought into faith because of the legacy of godly woman. In fact God used woman more than once in the Old Testament used woman to save the nation of Israel.
May you remember your place as a child of God. May you remember always the value that God has placed on you. A value not based on how you may be abused or miss treated. A value not based on your looks or your success. It is a VALUE based in the price that He paid for you sins when He sent His son Jesus to die for you. You are loved by Him who created all things, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Ladies may you stand proud as a daughter of the KING and know the value your Father has in you, His Princess!
As I began reading this passage, I felt God really impress upon me the fact that this event had everything to do with the fact that God's kingdom is not a kingdom based on gender, age, or race. (Though race isn't in this passage, it can be spelled out clearly with a study of John 4)
As I read this passage from Mark 5 I find in it mainly the story of a sick little girl and a tortured woman. First lets understand the right's of women in the society in which Jesus grew up:
Through Jewish laws and customs (more so customs) women had very little to no rights. For the most part they could have little to no authority. Even in their personal lives they were largely confined to their father's or husband's home. As such the were viewed as vastly inferior to men. "By the time of Jesus, women no longer had the freedoms and status they had enjoyed in the Old Testament era. Jewish society had become very much male-dominated. Women were considered to be inferior beings and were assigned almost the same status as slaves. They were not educated, not allowed to take any leadership roles, and confined to mostly domestic duties." http://www.twopaths.com/faq_womensrights.htm
At the time it wouldn't have been a big deal for a rabbi to go and pray for or bless a religious leaders son but not his daughter. For many a daughter was another mouth to feed until you could get her married. But Jesus saw value in Jairus' daughter. This in its self was a great declaration of God's invitation to women as important members of His kingdom but what follows was even more amazing.
Now if we think back to part 5 of this study when Jesus healed the leper how we discussed the way in which Jesus handled the issue of being unclean, here Jesus does it again. This time it is with a woman with an issue of blood. According to the Jewish law a menstruating woman was ceremonially unclean.
When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. Whoever touches them will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening.
" 'When she is cleansed from her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean. On the eighth day she must take two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest is to sacrifice one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way he will make atonement for her before the LORD for the uncleanness of her discharge. ~Leviticus 15:25-30
This woman had been considered unclean for twelve years! This woman then did the unthinkable: she reached out and touched Jesus. Now according to Leviticus 15 this act should have made Jesus unclean, but something happened. Instead of Jesus becoming unclean this woman was made clean, instantly.
The Good News:
Jesus is willing to go and heal the young girl while healing the body and heart of a woman who is called unclean. Woman, Jesus came to bring the kingdom of God to you as well as to men. You are just as valuable and important. As Jesus' ministry on earth continued some of His most dedicated disciples were woman and some of His great leaders were influenced and brought into faith because of the legacy of godly woman. In fact God used woman more than once in the Old Testament used woman to save the nation of Israel.
May you remember your place as a child of God. May you remember always the value that God has placed on you. A value not based on how you may be abused or miss treated. A value not based on your looks or your success. It is a VALUE based in the price that He paid for you sins when He sent His son Jesus to die for you. You are loved by Him who created all things, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Ladies may you stand proud as a daughter of the KING and know the value your Father has in you, His Princess!
Monday, October 25, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 10
Today I want to draw your attention to the passage of Mark 5:1-20. In this passage we find Jesus and His disciples arriving in the region of the Gerasenes, a place on the east of the Sea of Galilee. When they arrived they were meet by a naked man who was possessed by many demons. This man was so feared by the people of this region. They found that they couldn't restrain him even with chains.
Jesus commanded the spirits to leave the man and the begged Him not to torture them. They asked Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. Jesus agreed and the pigs ran into the sea killing themselves.
We then read about the town people coming to see what happened and there reaction. The scriptures say, "When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." vs. 15
I find it very interesting how people respond to change, even positive change. It seems we get so comfortable with the way things are that the very notion of change scares us.
The Good News:
What I really love about this event in the life of Lord Jesus is the fact that it didn't matter to Him how messed up this guy was. Think about it. What would be your reaction if a naked man covered in cuts and scars and broken pieces of chain came walking to you from a tomb? How many of us would have got right back on that boat and sailed away?
But not Jesus. Jesus looked at the man and saw great need. This gives me hope! Like this guy I come with a lot of baggage. I come before God with everything exposed, He sees my nakedness. He sees all my cuts and scars. He sees my chains of bondage and all the filth of the grave, in and on me. He also sees the "Legion" of darkness in me. He sees it all and doesn't turn away. He knows my need and He acts, casting away all of these things that corrupt me before Him so that I too may be found, "sitting there, dressed and in his right mind"
The Good News we have is that God doesn't want us to get our life straightened out so that we can come to Him. On the contrary, He bids us to come to Him and then He will straighten out our life. It is this kind of love that set me free from the bondage of addiction. It is this kind of love that cleansed me of the filth of my sin. It is this kind of love that healed my broken heart and mind.
May you come to Jesus as you are, knowing that He loves you and accepts you.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ~2 Corinthians 5:17
Jesus commanded the spirits to leave the man and the begged Him not to torture them. They asked Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs. Jesus agreed and the pigs ran into the sea killing themselves.
We then read about the town people coming to see what happened and there reaction. The scriptures say, "When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid." vs. 15
I find it very interesting how people respond to change, even positive change. It seems we get so comfortable with the way things are that the very notion of change scares us.
The Good News:
What I really love about this event in the life of Lord Jesus is the fact that it didn't matter to Him how messed up this guy was. Think about it. What would be your reaction if a naked man covered in cuts and scars and broken pieces of chain came walking to you from a tomb? How many of us would have got right back on that boat and sailed away?
But not Jesus. Jesus looked at the man and saw great need. This gives me hope! Like this guy I come with a lot of baggage. I come before God with everything exposed, He sees my nakedness. He sees all my cuts and scars. He sees my chains of bondage and all the filth of the grave, in and on me. He also sees the "Legion" of darkness in me. He sees it all and doesn't turn away. He knows my need and He acts, casting away all of these things that corrupt me before Him so that I too may be found, "sitting there, dressed and in his right mind"
The Good News we have is that God doesn't want us to get our life straightened out so that we can come to Him. On the contrary, He bids us to come to Him and then He will straighten out our life. It is this kind of love that set me free from the bondage of addiction. It is this kind of love that cleansed me of the filth of my sin. It is this kind of love that healed my broken heart and mind.
May you come to Jesus as you are, knowing that He loves you and accepts you.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ~2 Corinthians 5:17
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 9
Since our last study Jesus has continued traveling around and teaching the people about the kingdom of God. Though they can be a fun study I don't intend to go through all the parables in this series. So we will be jumping ahead to Mark 4:35-41. This event in the life of Jesus' disciples opens our eyes to the fullness of who Jesus is.
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
In this narrative we find Jesus and His disciples climbing on a boat to sail across the Sea of Galilee. It is prefaced with Jesus telling them, "Let us go over to the other side." These words are quit possibly the more important then the rest of the events that happened in this event, but we will get to that more later in this blog.
So these guys set sail and Jesus goes below deck to sleep. As they are sailing a fierce storm hits. Based on the geographic location the Sea of Galilee it is subject to sudden, violent storms that could capsize a ship in a mater of minutes. Many of these guys on the ship had been fisherman, they knew this body of water well. They had seen these sudden storms rise up many times. They knew how to handle a ship in a storm. This is important to note because this particular storm was so bad that these experienced sailors where afraid.
Life is full of storms! It seems all through life we find ourselves in situations and circumstances that are greater than we are. Life is full of these storms! Sometimes they are related to our jobs or families. It could be financial or relational, these storms fill us with dread. We cry out, "why me!" or "What did I do to deserve this?" We throw our hands up knowing we are in a situation we can't escape.
That is where these disciples found themselves. They were in a situation that all their knowledge, experience, and skills couldn't get them out of. Here they were fearing for there lives the cried out to Jesus, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
How often are we guilty of this?
We find ourselves in a tough spot and we think God doesn't care. We feel that we are unworthy of His notice or that He has far more important things to worry about than our problems, but the truth is we missed something.
Remember the words Jesus had spoke, "Let us go over to the other side."
Jesus had already provided assurance for the conclusion of this journey. He didn't say, "Hey we're going on this boat and we might make it through." No, He said they were going to the other side.
The Good News:
As we are going through the storms of life we can be assured that we will make it through because of the words of God Almighty, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Again we are told, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
May you trust in the one who can take the storms of life and make them calm. May we trust Him when He says we will make it to the other side, and trust that He will keep us safe in the midst of the storm.
That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
In this narrative we find Jesus and His disciples climbing on a boat to sail across the Sea of Galilee. It is prefaced with Jesus telling them, "Let us go over to the other side." These words are quit possibly the more important then the rest of the events that happened in this event, but we will get to that more later in this blog.
So these guys set sail and Jesus goes below deck to sleep. As they are sailing a fierce storm hits. Based on the geographic location the Sea of Galilee it is subject to sudden, violent storms that could capsize a ship in a mater of minutes. Many of these guys on the ship had been fisherman, they knew this body of water well. They had seen these sudden storms rise up many times. They knew how to handle a ship in a storm. This is important to note because this particular storm was so bad that these experienced sailors where afraid.
Life is full of storms! It seems all through life we find ourselves in situations and circumstances that are greater than we are. Life is full of these storms! Sometimes they are related to our jobs or families. It could be financial or relational, these storms fill us with dread. We cry out, "why me!" or "What did I do to deserve this?" We throw our hands up knowing we are in a situation we can't escape.
That is where these disciples found themselves. They were in a situation that all their knowledge, experience, and skills couldn't get them out of. Here they were fearing for there lives the cried out to Jesus, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"
How often are we guilty of this?
We find ourselves in a tough spot and we think God doesn't care. We feel that we are unworthy of His notice or that He has far more important things to worry about than our problems, but the truth is we missed something.
Remember the words Jesus had spoke, "Let us go over to the other side."
Jesus had already provided assurance for the conclusion of this journey. He didn't say, "Hey we're going on this boat and we might make it through." No, He said they were going to the other side.
The Good News:
As we are going through the storms of life we can be assured that we will make it through because of the words of God Almighty, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13
Again we are told, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Romans 8:37
"But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
May you trust in the one who can take the storms of life and make them calm. May we trust Him when He says we will make it to the other side, and trust that He will keep us safe in the midst of the storm.
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 8
I sometimes look at God's people and think, "why do we do that? Why do we say the things we say? Is this the way God intended us to be or have we become so caught up in our traditions that we have lost sight of God's intention for the church?"
This is the heart of our passage today. Our text will be Mark 2:18-3:6 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:18-3:6&version=NIV
In this passage we see a few things going on. First we find Jesus in a discussion about fasting, then we find two encounters where the sabbath is being disputed between the Pharisees and Jesus. In all of these passages we find Jesus or His disciples going against the grain of the religious norm.
In the first incident we find Jesus' disciples daring to eat while the rest of the people are fasting. (It might be important to note that Jewish Law only required one day of fasting every year but tradition at that time had instilled many more days of fasting.)
It is during this account that we find the point of our good news today. It is found in Jesus' response in Mark 2:21-22 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.
Jesus wants these people to know that God is bringing about something new. That by Jesus being here all of these man made traditions don't matter any more. As we saw with Jesus and the tax collectors Jesus isn't interested in man's ways of doing things He wants to see God's purpose and design to be fulfilled.
This point is then illustrated in two back to back narratives.
The first account has to do with His disciples picking off some grain and eating it while they were walking and the second has to do with whether or not it is ok to heal on the sabbath. In both of these places Jesus challenges the traditions of man and the standard intent of God.
To properly understand what was going on we have to understand what sabbath tradition looked like. Teachers of the law had bogged the sabbath down with so many regulations that it had become a burden. In fact there was specified 39 areas in which a person was prohibited to work. These are:
1. Carrying
2. Burning
3. Extinguishing
4. Finishing
5. Writing
6. Erasing
7. Cooking
8. Washing
9. Sewing
10. Tearing
11. Knotting
12. Untying
13. Shaping
14. Plowing
15. Planting
16. Reaping
17. Harvesting
18. Threshing
19. Winnowing
20. Selecting
21. Sifting
22. Grinding
23. Kneading
24. Combing
25. Spinning
26. Dyeing
27. Chain-stitching
28. Warping
29. Weaving
30. Unraveling
31. Building
32. Demolishing
33. Trapping
34. Shearing
35. Slaughtering
36. Skinning
37. Tanning
38. Smoothing
39. Marking
This doesn't even touch the areas that they had made restrictions for such as walking. On the sabbath a person was only allowed to walk approx. 3/4 of a mile.
The Good News: Jesus isn't interested in us following a long list of do's and don'ts. He desires to see us being drawn closer to the creator of all things. Jesus wants us to know that the law has a purpose but not to drag us down. the purpose of the law is to show us the depth of our sin and our need for a savior. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26
Jesus wants us to throw off the heavy burden of sin and accept His yoke upon us. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus also tells us this, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40
May you remember that Jesus isn't wait for you to get you life straightened before you come to Him but He calls you, "Come Follow Me." Jesus loves you as you are right now and He desires to show you a better way. You can embrace the kingdom of God in your life today through Jesus.
This is the heart of our passage today. Our text will be Mark 2:18-3:6 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%202:18-3:6&version=NIV
In this passage we see a few things going on. First we find Jesus in a discussion about fasting, then we find two encounters where the sabbath is being disputed between the Pharisees and Jesus. In all of these passages we find Jesus or His disciples going against the grain of the religious norm.
In the first incident we find Jesus' disciples daring to eat while the rest of the people are fasting. (It might be important to note that Jewish Law only required one day of fasting every year but tradition at that time had instilled many more days of fasting.)
It is during this account that we find the point of our good news today. It is found in Jesus' response in Mark 2:21-22 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.
Jesus wants these people to know that God is bringing about something new. That by Jesus being here all of these man made traditions don't matter any more. As we saw with Jesus and the tax collectors Jesus isn't interested in man's ways of doing things He wants to see God's purpose and design to be fulfilled.
This point is then illustrated in two back to back narratives.
The first account has to do with His disciples picking off some grain and eating it while they were walking and the second has to do with whether or not it is ok to heal on the sabbath. In both of these places Jesus challenges the traditions of man and the standard intent of God.
To properly understand what was going on we have to understand what sabbath tradition looked like. Teachers of the law had bogged the sabbath down with so many regulations that it had become a burden. In fact there was specified 39 areas in which a person was prohibited to work. These are:
1. Carrying
2. Burning
3. Extinguishing
4. Finishing
5. Writing
6. Erasing
7. Cooking
8. Washing
9. Sewing
10. Tearing
11. Knotting
12. Untying
13. Shaping
14. Plowing
15. Planting
16. Reaping
17. Harvesting
18. Threshing
19. Winnowing
20. Selecting
21. Sifting
22. Grinding
23. Kneading
24. Combing
25. Spinning
26. Dyeing
27. Chain-stitching
28. Warping
29. Weaving
30. Unraveling
31. Building
32. Demolishing
33. Trapping
34. Shearing
35. Slaughtering
36. Skinning
37. Tanning
38. Smoothing
39. Marking
This doesn't even touch the areas that they had made restrictions for such as walking. On the sabbath a person was only allowed to walk approx. 3/4 of a mile.
The Good News: Jesus isn't interested in us following a long list of do's and don'ts. He desires to see us being drawn closer to the creator of all things. Jesus wants us to know that the law has a purpose but not to drag us down. the purpose of the law is to show us the depth of our sin and our need for a savior. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Romans 3:20-26
Jesus wants us to throw off the heavy burden of sin and accept His yoke upon us. "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus also tells us this, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:37-40
May you remember that Jesus isn't wait for you to get you life straightened before you come to Him but He calls you, "Come Follow Me." Jesus loves you as you are right now and He desires to show you a better way. You can embrace the kingdom of God in your life today through Jesus.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Intermission: the two things
I am feeling a little like Jude today. I sat down to continue in our study of Mark and just couldn't focus on it. The fact is I just have a lot on my mind and heart today. I am feeling a little overwhelmed.
When I am feeling overwhelmed I like to think about the Sermon on the Mount. I particularly like to focus on Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus' message is simple, "Do not worry."
"Simple! Simple!," you may be yelling at me right now, but yes "simple." The fact is we expend a lot of energy worrying about all kinds of things that we have no control over. We get stressed out over all kinds of things. Money, sex, food, money, sex, traffic, money, sex, house repairs, money,ect... and on and on it goes. (The reason I kept listing money and sex is because psychology tells us that they are the two things that people worry and stress out about the most.)
Jesus tells us that there is an answer to the problem of worry. "Seek first..." The simple answer to dealing with worry is to put first things first. The fact is when we worry rather than seeking God first, we are expressing doubt in God's plan for dealing with the things a head of us. When we focus on God first we will find that these other things in our lives that are fighting for our attention don't seem to matter as much anymore.
Are you trusting in God's plan and provision for you? Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
The fact is when we focus on God, we will be forced to see ourselves in light of who He is. When we do this we will begin to see how blessed we really are. This my friend is the simple way to handle your worry.
An old man once told me that there are two things you should never worry about. First never worry about anything you can control because the situation is in hand. Second he said that we should never worry about anything we can't control because there isn't anything we can do about it anyways.
May you seek God in your moment of worry and bring all things to His feet and leave it there.
P.S. God loves you!
When I am feeling overwhelmed I like to think about the Sermon on the Mount. I particularly like to focus on Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Jesus' message is simple, "Do not worry."
"Simple! Simple!," you may be yelling at me right now, but yes "simple." The fact is we expend a lot of energy worrying about all kinds of things that we have no control over. We get stressed out over all kinds of things. Money, sex, food, money, sex, traffic, money, sex, house repairs, money,ect... and on and on it goes. (The reason I kept listing money and sex is because psychology tells us that they are the two things that people worry and stress out about the most.)
Jesus tells us that there is an answer to the problem of worry. "Seek first..." The simple answer to dealing with worry is to put first things first. The fact is when we worry rather than seeking God first, we are expressing doubt in God's plan for dealing with the things a head of us. When we focus on God first we will find that these other things in our lives that are fighting for our attention don't seem to matter as much anymore.
Are you trusting in God's plan and provision for you? Philippians 4:6 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
The fact is when we focus on God, we will be forced to see ourselves in light of who He is. When we do this we will begin to see how blessed we really are. This my friend is the simple way to handle your worry.
An old man once told me that there are two things you should never worry about. First never worry about anything you can control because the situation is in hand. Second he said that we should never worry about anything we can't control because there isn't anything we can do about it anyways.
May you seek God in your moment of worry and bring all things to His feet and leave it there.
P.S. God loves you!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 7
Today I'd like to look at Mark 2:13-17. In this passage we find Jesus calling another disciple Levi son of Alphaeus, who is later called Matthew. Levi is a tax collector and believe it or not in Jesus' day they were more disliked then they are today.
In fact a Jewish tax collector could assign his own wages. It worked like this. If it was tax time and the tax collectors came to your town they could say, "you owe $10,000 in taxes." The problem is that they knew how much you really owe and you don't. So you might only owe 5 or 6 thousand but they are charging you more.
These guys were not very popular. This disciple being called is a big deal. Jesus calls to Levi, "Follow me." And he does.
After this we find Jesus in Levi's house eating diner. And in this house we find Jesus, Levi, Jesus' other disciples, other tax collectors, and "sinners". (Historical oral tradition suggests that this reference to "sinners" may have been a denotation of loose women or prostitutes.)
This is a huge deal because in the ancient Middle East the sharing of a meal was one of the greatest symbols of intimacy. When they sat at a table they would sit on the floor or on cushions, they would lean on their left hand and eat with their right. Each person would lean on the person sitting next to them. So to say the least you only ate with people you really cared for.
Well it is no surprise that Pharisees became indignant. They couldn't believe that a rabbi would dare to eat with the likes of this crowd. How dare He surround Himself with this kind of filth.
The Good News: When Jesus heard about the complaints of the Pharisees, He responded with these words, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
This is great news for you and me. We have sinned, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. Jesus came to help and call people like you and me. He knows how messed up we are and He still desires to come in and eat with us. Listen to His words in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
May you open the door of your heart to Jesus today. knowing that there is nothing you can do to make Him love you any more or any less than He does right now. May you rest assured that Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life that you would be saved.
In fact a Jewish tax collector could assign his own wages. It worked like this. If it was tax time and the tax collectors came to your town they could say, "you owe $10,000 in taxes." The problem is that they knew how much you really owe and you don't. So you might only owe 5 or 6 thousand but they are charging you more.
These guys were not very popular. This disciple being called is a big deal. Jesus calls to Levi, "Follow me." And he does.
After this we find Jesus in Levi's house eating diner. And in this house we find Jesus, Levi, Jesus' other disciples, other tax collectors, and "sinners". (Historical oral tradition suggests that this reference to "sinners" may have been a denotation of loose women or prostitutes.)
This is a huge deal because in the ancient Middle East the sharing of a meal was one of the greatest symbols of intimacy. When they sat at a table they would sit on the floor or on cushions, they would lean on their left hand and eat with their right. Each person would lean on the person sitting next to them. So to say the least you only ate with people you really cared for.
Well it is no surprise that Pharisees became indignant. They couldn't believe that a rabbi would dare to eat with the likes of this crowd. How dare He surround Himself with this kind of filth.
The Good News: When Jesus heard about the complaints of the Pharisees, He responded with these words, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
This is great news for you and me. We have sinned, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23. Jesus came to help and call people like you and me. He knows how messed up we are and He still desires to come in and eat with us. Listen to His words in Revelation 3:20, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
May you open the door of your heart to Jesus today. knowing that there is nothing you can do to make Him love you any more or any less than He does right now. May you rest assured that Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life that you would be saved.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 6
Continuing or study of Mark we will move to chapter 2 where we find Jesus returning to Capernaum after preaching throughout the Galilee region. The people are excited that Jesus has returned and they begin to crowd around to hear Him teach.
Now there was at that time four guys who had a paralyzed friend who believed that Jesus could help there friend so the picked him up and carried him to the house where Jesus was. The house was so crowded that the couldn't even get to the door.
I don't know about you but when I look at the world all around me and I see all the problems and suffering going on, I wonder how in the world does Jesus have time for me? These guys could have just given up. The could have told their friend, "sorry there are just to many people here." but they didn't.
Look at what they did, "Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on." Mark 2:4 The faith of these men was so strong that were willing to do whatever it took to get there friend to Jesus.
Now lets look at Jesus' response, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Jesus saw their faith! James 2:18 says, "But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."
Now as the passage goes on some of the teachers of the Law got angry because Jesus said the man's sins were forgiven. So Jesus to prove that He has the authority to forgive sins heals the man.
The Good News: Jesus will always reward sincere faith. May you be willing to do whatever it takes to bring people to Jesus. May we believe that Jesus has the answers to both our physical and spiritual needs. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for your sins and want to heal you, so that you too may walk boldly in front of everyone so that they will be amazed and praise God because of His greatness.
Now there was at that time four guys who had a paralyzed friend who believed that Jesus could help there friend so the picked him up and carried him to the house where Jesus was. The house was so crowded that the couldn't even get to the door.
I don't know about you but when I look at the world all around me and I see all the problems and suffering going on, I wonder how in the world does Jesus have time for me? These guys could have just given up. The could have told their friend, "sorry there are just to many people here." but they didn't.
Look at what they did, "Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on." Mark 2:4 The faith of these men was so strong that were willing to do whatever it took to get there friend to Jesus.
Now lets look at Jesus' response, "When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." Jesus saw their faith! James 2:18 says, "But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."
Now as the passage goes on some of the teachers of the Law got angry because Jesus said the man's sins were forgiven. So Jesus to prove that He has the authority to forgive sins heals the man.
The Good News: Jesus will always reward sincere faith. May you be willing to do whatever it takes to bring people to Jesus. May we believe that Jesus has the answers to both our physical and spiritual needs. Jesus gave His life as a ransom for your sins and want to heal you, so that you too may walk boldly in front of everyone so that they will be amazed and praise God because of His greatness.
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 5
Today we will be closing Mark chapter one looking at the healing of a man with leprosy.
"Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation." health.google.com
In Bible times leprosy was incurable and fast spreading and any who contracted the disease was made an outcast of society. The were forced to leave their family, friends, jobs, and places of worship. They were considered "unclean." If you were to touch a person with leprosy you would be considered unclean and where treated as if you had the disease as well.
This knowledge will help us to better understand the Good News we have in Jesus Christ as we look at Mark 1:40-45. Here we find Jesus as He and His disciples are traveling through out Galilee spreading the message that the Kingdom of God is at hand when a man with leprosy comes and knells down before Jesus saying, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Now the custom of the time was this, if you saw a person with leprosy you would point and yell, "UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN!" to run the person off and let others know that the leper was there and they too would take up the call, "Unclean,unclean..."
It is an understatement to say that lepers suffered. The disease it's self effects the sin and nerves in such a way that it deadens the nerves causing people to get cuts and infections. The infections cause their skin to rot which attracts rats and insects to eat their flesh while they sleep, but on top of that the would be void of human contact. The lost everything.
The Good News: "Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Mark 1:41
Jesus did the unthinkable, He touched the man. This single act was greater than the fact that Jesus healed the leprosy. Jesus looked at this man who had lost it all. Who had dropped to his knees before Him and call out for help and say his greatest need. This man needed to the loving touch of another person. So Jesus reached out His hand and touched the leper.
In that one action Jesus declared, "I will become unclean for you." This News is the heart of the message we have in Jesus Christ. Every one of us have become "unclean" in our sin. Our sin is more infectious, more deadly, and more offensive then the worst case of leprosy the world has ever seen. And Jesus is willing to make us clean. More than Just wanting to make us clean, He is willing to reach out and touch us in such a way that takes our filth and grime upon Himself and leave us clean.
May you come to the feet of Jesus, hit your knees and cry out, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Knowing fully that Jesus loves you so much that He took your filth with Him upon the cross and in Him you too shall be clean.
"Leprosy is an infectious disease that has been known since biblical times. It is characterized by disfiguring skin sores, nerve damage, and progressive debilitation." health.google.com
In Bible times leprosy was incurable and fast spreading and any who contracted the disease was made an outcast of society. The were forced to leave their family, friends, jobs, and places of worship. They were considered "unclean." If you were to touch a person with leprosy you would be considered unclean and where treated as if you had the disease as well.
This knowledge will help us to better understand the Good News we have in Jesus Christ as we look at Mark 1:40-45. Here we find Jesus as He and His disciples are traveling through out Galilee spreading the message that the Kingdom of God is at hand when a man with leprosy comes and knells down before Jesus saying, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."
Now the custom of the time was this, if you saw a person with leprosy you would point and yell, "UNCLEAN, UNCLEAN!" to run the person off and let others know that the leper was there and they too would take up the call, "Unclean,unclean..."
It is an understatement to say that lepers suffered. The disease it's self effects the sin and nerves in such a way that it deadens the nerves causing people to get cuts and infections. The infections cause their skin to rot which attracts rats and insects to eat their flesh while they sleep, but on top of that the would be void of human contact. The lost everything.
The Good News: "Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Mark 1:41
Jesus did the unthinkable, He touched the man. This single act was greater than the fact that Jesus healed the leprosy. Jesus looked at this man who had lost it all. Who had dropped to his knees before Him and call out for help and say his greatest need. This man needed to the loving touch of another person. So Jesus reached out His hand and touched the leper.
In that one action Jesus declared, "I will become unclean for you." This News is the heart of the message we have in Jesus Christ. Every one of us have become "unclean" in our sin. Our sin is more infectious, more deadly, and more offensive then the worst case of leprosy the world has ever seen. And Jesus is willing to make us clean. More than Just wanting to make us clean, He is willing to reach out and touch us in such a way that takes our filth and grime upon Himself and leave us clean.
May you come to the feet of Jesus, hit your knees and cry out, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Knowing fully that Jesus loves you so much that He took your filth with Him upon the cross and in Him you too shall be clean.
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Good News: Mark Part 4
Sorry about the delay in this study, we lost internet for a couple of days.
As we continue our look at Mark (Mark 1:21-39), we find Jesus in Capernaum, a fishing village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. While there Jesus goes into the synagogue to teach. The Bible tells us that the people were amazed because Jesus taught as one with authority. Jesus' authority was so great that a demon cried from a possessed man, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus then rebuked the demon, and freed the man from it's presence.
After Jesus leaves the synagogue He went to Simon and Andrew's home where He finds Simon's Mother-in-law sick with a fever. Jesus heals her sickness. That evening the whole community shows up with their sick and demon possessed looking to Jesus for the answers to their problems.
Jesus worked late into the night healing the sick and freeing the possessed. I can imagine an exhausted Jesus climbing into be. Everyone counting on Him to fix their problems. The people sleeping on the ground around the house waiting for Jesus to wake up.
Then we read the most interesting thing, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."
The Good News:
There are three things that we need to focus on in these passage. The first two I will just briefly look at because we will look at them later the third is the main focus of today's blog.
1. We have a teacher in Jesus who isn't like the other teachers. He has authority over every created thing, both physical and spiritual, and at His very word the demons tremble. James 2:19 says, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."
2. We have a Lord who cares deeply about His people. He is concerned about all of our problems. Whether we are dealing with sickness, disease, demonic influence, depression, addiction, or a host of other problems that we face in this life freedom is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Who will always bring blessing to His people. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
3. This is the main point that I wanted to share today. When we find Jesus going to pray and then telling His disciples that it is time to go somewhere else, it might catch us off guard. What about all those people that are looking for Him?
The beauty in this passage is that Jesus goes to pray. This gives us a great example for handling the stresses of life. It is easy to get caught up in all the needs surrounding us. And we could spend our lives in one place dealing with one need after another, which would be a good thing. But in the end we could miss God's best for our lives. Jesus could have stayed in that little fishing town healing the sick and casting out demons but then the greater work that God called Him to do would have been sacrificed to the needs of the masses. Jesus' mission was to preach the good news and to ultimately become the fulfillment of the greatest news of all. Your sin debt is paid in full.
Jesus wants us to know that no matter what is going one in your life, we have a friend in Jesus who is always looking out for our best. We may not always understand what is going on around us but we can be sure that Jesus is in control.
May you rest in the good news that Jesus finished is finished the work He came to do. While He was on the cross, He declared, "It is finished." The curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom freeing us all to have full access to the Holy of Holies.
As we continue our look at Mark (Mark 1:21-39), we find Jesus in Capernaum, a fishing village on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. While there Jesus goes into the synagogue to teach. The Bible tells us that the people were amazed because Jesus taught as one with authority. Jesus' authority was so great that a demon cried from a possessed man, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" Jesus then rebuked the demon, and freed the man from it's presence.
After Jesus leaves the synagogue He went to Simon and Andrew's home where He finds Simon's Mother-in-law sick with a fever. Jesus heals her sickness. That evening the whole community shows up with their sick and demon possessed looking to Jesus for the answers to their problems.
Jesus worked late into the night healing the sick and freeing the possessed. I can imagine an exhausted Jesus climbing into be. Everyone counting on Him to fix their problems. The people sleeping on the ground around the house waiting for Jesus to wake up.
Then we read the most interesting thing, "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."
The Good News:
There are three things that we need to focus on in these passage. The first two I will just briefly look at because we will look at them later the third is the main focus of today's blog.
1. We have a teacher in Jesus who isn't like the other teachers. He has authority over every created thing, both physical and spiritual, and at His very word the demons tremble. James 2:19 says, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror."
2. We have a Lord who cares deeply about His people. He is concerned about all of our problems. Whether we are dealing with sickness, disease, demonic influence, depression, addiction, or a host of other problems that we face in this life freedom is found in the person of Jesus Christ. Who will always bring blessing to His people. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
3. This is the main point that I wanted to share today. When we find Jesus going to pray and then telling His disciples that it is time to go somewhere else, it might catch us off guard. What about all those people that are looking for Him?
The beauty in this passage is that Jesus goes to pray. This gives us a great example for handling the stresses of life. It is easy to get caught up in all the needs surrounding us. And we could spend our lives in one place dealing with one need after another, which would be a good thing. But in the end we could miss God's best for our lives. Jesus could have stayed in that little fishing town healing the sick and casting out demons but then the greater work that God called Him to do would have been sacrificed to the needs of the masses. Jesus' mission was to preach the good news and to ultimately become the fulfillment of the greatest news of all. Your sin debt is paid in full.
Jesus wants us to know that no matter what is going one in your life, we have a friend in Jesus who is always looking out for our best. We may not always understand what is going on around us but we can be sure that Jesus is in control.
May you rest in the good news that Jesus finished is finished the work He came to do. While He was on the cross, He declared, "It is finished." The curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom freeing us all to have full access to the Holy of Holies.
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