The world is going downhill fast, if you have looked at the news recently. Trouble in Egypt, Sudan, Floods in Australia .. lets face it, there's alot to get stressed over, ontop of everyday life. Times like this, I like Psalm 11 were it talks about the wicked shooting from the shadows, and "The foundations of law and order have collapsed." and the question that follows "What can the righteous do?" Beyond screaming and yelling, jumping up and down, it doesn't seem like there's alot we can do.
But then comes vs 4 "But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth." It continues to say that he sees the righteous and the wicked, and that his judgement comes upon the wicked.
We are never alone, the lord sees us, and examines our actions and attitudes, and in a way, it's a warning to us that we need to be careful of what we do, but on the positive, we are not alone. Millions of dollars are spent to look for life in outer space, to see if we can find life out there.. so that we 'will not be alone in the universe' But we aren't alone are we? The Lord is with us, he sees us, and he comforts us, and he walks with us.
It's also good to know that nothing in this world is really 'out of control', that the Lord has final say, that this world isn't just spinning out of control, and there is no hope. With the Lord there is hope, there is a promise for us. There is justice for the weak.
It is comforting to know that our hope doesn't lye in this world, or it's troubles, but the hope in Christ, and that he will return. Very good thing to know, when we feel discouraged or lonely.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Psalm 10 - Cry of the weak
We in North America live in a protected bubble, and sometimes when we read the Psalms we can easily go into the trap of "Oh, here goes David again, complaining about being chased around, and the verses are once again talking about wickedness .. talk about something else would ya?!?!" But the majority of the world get it, where we don't. The majority of the world don't complain about internet access, or have a major decision of the day being how to juggle all the kids' after school activities. One of the problems when we live in an overabundant society is that we don't understand the context of the scriptures, like some in other parts of the world do.
Take a look at an international news agency, like the BBC, and you begin to notice how blessed we are, but there are so many in the wold that are dealing with similar issues of 'wickedness' that David is singing about. In vs. 10 "Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked."; vs. 8 "They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They are searching for helpless victims." David is wondering why the wicked seem to prospering .. and then at the end of the song we have vs. 17-18 "Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them."
Some people ask "Where is God in all of this"; "Why doesn't God do something about this" ... yet that's our job isn't it? That's what God has called us to do ... look after the oppressed, seek justice (Isaiah 58). We can count our blessing and when we do, we need to realize that there is cost to the blessing, and that's to bless others ... pray for others. Again the whole idea of Loving others as God loved us, and seeing the world as God sees it.
Take a look at an international news agency, like the BBC, and you begin to notice how blessed we are, but there are so many in the wold that are dealing with similar issues of 'wickedness' that David is singing about. In vs. 10 "Their helpless victims are crushed; they fall beneath the strength of the wicked."; vs. 8 "They lurk in ambush in the villages, waiting to murder innocent people. They are searching for helpless victims." David is wondering why the wicked seem to prospering .. and then at the end of the song we have vs. 17-18 "Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them."
Some people ask "Where is God in all of this"; "Why doesn't God do something about this" ... yet that's our job isn't it? That's what God has called us to do ... look after the oppressed, seek justice (Isaiah 58). We can count our blessing and when we do, we need to realize that there is cost to the blessing, and that's to bless others ... pray for others. Again the whole idea of Loving others as God loved us, and seeing the world as God sees it.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Psalm 9 - A Warning for the Nations, A shelter for the Poor.
As I was reading Psalm 9 I'm again reminded God's heart for the poor. Encouraging verses like vs. 9 "The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble", and vs 12b "For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless, He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer".
I'm also reminded of the folly of nations that forget about their God in verse 5 "You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever." This is in contrast to the book of life in Revelation 20:15 "And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire." God is a God of Judgement as well as love. Sometimes I'm reminded how trivial things are, how much stock we put into our nation, or into our 'things' and in the end that's not what matters ... but investing our time and energy in what God deems important needs to take precedence.
In 9:16 we have "The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds." We have a picture of God being just, but the wicked are always trapped by their own design. It's so true, and though it's not necessarily a physical trap, people who insist on doing wrong suffer in their sin. Thank goodness for the blood of Christ that restores us to God, and for His grace that sets us free.
The second part of verse 20 is interesting .. 'Let the nations know they are merely human.' I think many people place too much faith in their nations sometimes, and in their leaders. Some countries more than others. But they are just 'merely human'. During election time, politicians continue to remind us that they are working for us, after election is over, we sometime lift people higher than we should, and sometimes we lift up the ideals of a nation higher than we should. Here is a verse that puts it all into perspective. 'They are merely human'. Though I'm not one to lift up our nation into godhood, or put that much trust in my country ... it is a warning again even my person desires, and how I look at my life. Putting God first in everything is such a struggle against pride, and yet that is what God calls us too. To set aside our pride of country, of nation, of self, and lift Him up in everything.
When I say that you can say "YEAH I'M WITH YOU ... GOD'S AWESOME!" But then the ramification of that is to .. love what God loves ... the poor, the orphans, the widows .... and to hate what God hates ... wickedness .. selfishness etc. It's easy to say that I'm putting my life in the hands of God, it's another to actually embrace it, believe it, be molded in it, and walk with it.
Song today: Riding on a donkey by Great Big Sea. I like at the end in London where the King with the golden crown ends up on a donkey.... big thought, but really who cares... this is a fun song. :)
I'm also reminded of the folly of nations that forget about their God in verse 5 "You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have erased their names forever." This is in contrast to the book of life in Revelation 20:15 "And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire." God is a God of Judgement as well as love. Sometimes I'm reminded how trivial things are, how much stock we put into our nation, or into our 'things' and in the end that's not what matters ... but investing our time and energy in what God deems important needs to take precedence.
In 9:16 we have "The Lord is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds." We have a picture of God being just, but the wicked are always trapped by their own design. It's so true, and though it's not necessarily a physical trap, people who insist on doing wrong suffer in their sin. Thank goodness for the blood of Christ that restores us to God, and for His grace that sets us free.
The second part of verse 20 is interesting .. 'Let the nations know they are merely human.' I think many people place too much faith in their nations sometimes, and in their leaders. Some countries more than others. But they are just 'merely human'. During election time, politicians continue to remind us that they are working for us, after election is over, we sometime lift people higher than we should, and sometimes we lift up the ideals of a nation higher than we should. Here is a verse that puts it all into perspective. 'They are merely human'. Though I'm not one to lift up our nation into godhood, or put that much trust in my country ... it is a warning again even my person desires, and how I look at my life. Putting God first in everything is such a struggle against pride, and yet that is what God calls us too. To set aside our pride of country, of nation, of self, and lift Him up in everything.
When I say that you can say "YEAH I'M WITH YOU ... GOD'S AWESOME!" But then the ramification of that is to .. love what God loves ... the poor, the orphans, the widows .... and to hate what God hates ... wickedness .. selfishness etc. It's easy to say that I'm putting my life in the hands of God, it's another to actually embrace it, believe it, be molded in it, and walk with it.
Song today: Riding on a donkey by Great Big Sea. I like at the end in London where the King with the golden crown ends up on a donkey.... big thought, but really who cares... this is a fun song. :)
Psalm 8 - Praise and our Place
A nice jazzy opening for this Wednesday as we look at Psalm 8 we see that it is a pure piece of praise, but we can also find some neat reflections in the word.
These verses tell of our place in this world ... it tells of children and infants praising God, telling people of his strength. Sometimes I wonder why in Church services we tend to bring the kids 'downstairs' during the service, when we realize that God loves the children, and God has gifted children to be his ministers too. Children are invaluable when it comes to showing their zeal for the Lord. Christ told us in the new testament that our faith is to be like that of a child. In the NLT version in 8:2 it says "You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength." It's the same in parenting, we sometimes miss the role that God has for our children, and miss out on their ministry to us and others.
I love verse 4 "what are people that you (God) should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them?" (also Hebrews 2:6-8) When I look at the newspaper or hear the news sometimes I'm wondering why God keeps us around. We've messed up alot, and yet God not only keeps us around, but provides for us, and even sent his son to die on the cross for us.
You look at vs 5-9 - you see that God made us a little lower than him .. or a little lower than the angels depending on the text, and we are crowned with glory and honor. We are special creations of God, and but we are also care-takers of this world. vs. 6-8. I find myself sometimes wondering about some environmentalist views, but the fact is, is that we need to take our roles of caretakers and overseer's of this world very seriously. Even before the fall of Adam we were created to take care of the animals and the earth, and just because of the 'fall of man' doesn't mean that this role was taken away from us.
Out of any area, this is probably one that we have failed the most, and by we I mean myself and the Church. Many just put environmental issues into the court of Liberal politics, but the fact is, is that it is a God given role for us.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Psalm 6 - One of those days
As I read this, I'm reminded that it's alright to have an off day. It's alright to cry out to God, heck, even Jesus cried out to the God in Gethsemane. Here we have David just crying his heart out in this Psalm, we don't have a joyful song, we have a song full of lament. Again at the end of the Psalm there is the knowledge that YES God hears my cry, and you evil doers better run, because God has listened to my prayers.
I like that these Psalms aren't always about the 'good times' that they are honest to whatever David is feeling, or the Psalmist is feeling in relation to David. Sometimes we aren't as honest with ourselves or each other as believers, and yet here we have the King of Israel, the annointed one of God crying out to him. We need to be honest to God, and the neat things about God is that he's so into having a relationship with us that sometimes he breaks us down to where we need to cry out to him.
In your lowest low, don't run away from God, run to Him knowing that He is the God that answers prayer and does see our tears, and He is a God of compassion and unfailing love.
Here's not a 10 stringed lyre by as this Psalm was meant to be done, with a choir, but a couple good rabbis who's music actually reminds me of this Psalm... times of joy, and crazyness that life brings. Thought it was kinda cool :)
I like that these Psalms aren't always about the 'good times' that they are honest to whatever David is feeling, or the Psalmist is feeling in relation to David. Sometimes we aren't as honest with ourselves or each other as believers, and yet here we have the King of Israel, the annointed one of God crying out to him. We need to be honest to God, and the neat things about God is that he's so into having a relationship with us that sometimes he breaks us down to where we need to cry out to him.
In your lowest low, don't run away from God, run to Him knowing that He is the God that answers prayer and does see our tears, and He is a God of compassion and unfailing love.
Here's not a 10 stringed lyre by as this Psalm was meant to be done, with a choir, but a couple good rabbis who's music actually reminds me of this Psalm... times of joy, and crazyness that life brings. Thought it was kinda cool :)
Psalm 5 - Shields of Love
It's funny how some people think that God has two sides when looking at the scriptures, like the Old Testament is a vengeful angry God, while the New Testament is a picture of a loving God. But that's not true either, because we see in the New Testament that Jesus was angry at wrong doings in the Temple, and he did warn of the end times, and times of judgement. In the Old testament we have verses that speak of the Love of God .... especially in the Psalms we have David seeking refuge in the Lord ... in verse 7 it says "Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with the deepest awe." and in verse 12 "For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love." A shield of love!
God's love doesn't fail those who seek Him, and His love is like a shield. His love is a protection against the evil of this world, a shield that doesn't fail.
Notice something else about this chapter, in verse 3 "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly" I really like the last part about waiting expectantly, because alot of times we take things to prayer to God, but we don't wait expectantly for the answer. Sometimes we get bogged down by the world, or our own problems, and we don't look for what the Lord is going to provide answers too. God wasn't just alive in the New Testament, but God is very much alive in the Old Testament, and He continues to work in our lives today. I think we all need to pray expectantly, knowing that He does answer.
For Closing, apparently this Psalm was supposed to be accompanied by a flute .. so here we go :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
Psalm 4 - Joy and Peace
4:7-8 "You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep for you alone, O Lord, will keep my safe."
A great reminder of where our faith takes us, and the joy that is found in our Lord isn't it? People can have all the money, all the riches of the world, but many times they are not satisfied with what they have. They seek joy and fulfillment in this world but never find it.
I like that these two verses have references to Joy and peace. In many liturgies in Churches we have the blessing of the 'peace and joy of the Lord by with you' and the response 'and also with you'. It's a nice blessing and a reminder that even though we have hope of eternal life, but that while we are struggling with problems here, that the Lord does provide joy and peace to His people.
A great reminder of where our faith takes us, and the joy that is found in our Lord isn't it? People can have all the money, all the riches of the world, but many times they are not satisfied with what they have. They seek joy and fulfillment in this world but never find it.
I like that these two verses have references to Joy and peace. In many liturgies in Churches we have the blessing of the 'peace and joy of the Lord by with you' and the response 'and also with you'. It's a nice blessing and a reminder that even though we have hope of eternal life, but that while we are struggling with problems here, that the Lord does provide joy and peace to His people.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Psalms 3 - Victory from the Lord
I don't know what version of the bible your reading from, but I enjoy the New Living Translation though sometimes it is a little wonky. Anyway, I love what the NLT says about 3:7 "Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!" That's like gangsta talk, but true dat! lol, what I do get out of that is that David is leaving the vengeance to God isn't he? God is the one in control, and He'll judge the wicked. Sometimes we like to get all angry and puffed up, but things that upset us we've gotta give up to the Lord, instead of us doing God's work in the vengeance department. Don't forget what we NEED to do, pray for our enemies... that's our roll... let God do his. (Matt. 5:44)
Friday, January 21, 2011
Psalm Chapter 2
Here it talks about rulers that don't want to bow to God's authority, and try to plot against God, and his 'chosen king' (David) on the throne. It talks about the joy people will have when they take refuge in that king.
In the NLT version I'm reading out of ..it says in vs. 12 "Submit to God's royal son." And David was the chosen king for Israel (Not Saul who was chosen by the people, not God). For us, I can see this relation to submitting to Christ, who is God's chosen SON. David sang about the refuge of God in 2 Samuel 22:2-4 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies."
We have that same refuge in the Lord. No matter what trouble comes our way.
We have that same refuge in the Lord. No matter what trouble comes our way.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Psalms 1:1-6 Strength of the righteous
I thought I'd dabble a bit in the Psalms, and check out some O.T. Truth. In these six verses we see that that the difference between those who are wicked, and those who are righteous. Here are a few things that keep us away from the path of wickedness.
-The don't stand with sinners or join in with mockers.
- those who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on God's word ... thinking about what it means, and reflecting on the truth in its pages.
These verses tell us that those who do what is right are like strong trees, who's roots are along the riverbank, producing fruit year long.
These verses are a call of reflection on our lives, and an encouragement to stop wickedness from crawling into our hearts. It also warns that the path of the wicked leads to destruction, and that there is a time of judgement for those that do wrong.
-The don't stand with sinners or join in with mockers.
- those who delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on God's word ... thinking about what it means, and reflecting on the truth in its pages.
These verses tell us that those who do what is right are like strong trees, who's roots are along the riverbank, producing fruit year long.
These verses are a call of reflection on our lives, and an encouragement to stop wickedness from crawling into our hearts. It also warns that the path of the wicked leads to destruction, and that there is a time of judgement for those that do wrong.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Mark 16:9-20 Great commission
Here we have the Great Commission, Jesus first berates his disciples for not believing the witnesses who had seen him alive (vs.14) and then he tells them to go into the world, and preach the Good News to everyone. "Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned" This is followed by some miraculous signs that are given to those who believe ... handle snakes with safety, cast out demons, drink poison and survive, speak in new languages, place their hands on the sick and they will be healed.
Ok, I'll admit, I'm not quite sure about the snake thing, or the poison thing.... I do know though that the disciples were given the ability to do these miraculous things though. Does that mean that we should all go and handle snakes and drink poison? No, I don't think so, I do think this was protection for the disciples, instead of some carnival act for people. Considering that the disciples were called to go into all the world, they would encounter harm from others, from the natural things ..like poisonous snakes. This also goes with new languages as well right? That makes sense. But that's just me. Also, you can place your hands and heal people, and cast out demons. There's some serious power that comes to a believer, and God will use us as he will.
All these things and more, to bring the gospel to the world, and to show people who God is, and what Christ has done for us. We are part of a living faith, children of a living God, and as children given the power to do his will to bring people into the saving knowledge of him. Pretty potent stuff I tell ya.
Ok, I'll admit, I'm not quite sure about the snake thing, or the poison thing.... I do know though that the disciples were given the ability to do these miraculous things though. Does that mean that we should all go and handle snakes and drink poison? No, I don't think so, I do think this was protection for the disciples, instead of some carnival act for people. Considering that the disciples were called to go into all the world, they would encounter harm from others, from the natural things ..like poisonous snakes. This also goes with new languages as well right? That makes sense. But that's just me. Also, you can place your hands and heal people, and cast out demons. There's some serious power that comes to a believer, and God will use us as he will.
All these things and more, to bring the gospel to the world, and to show people who God is, and what Christ has done for us. We are part of a living faith, children of a living God, and as children given the power to do his will to bring people into the saving knowledge of him. Pretty potent stuff I tell ya.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Mark 16:1-8 He Is Risen
Here we have the risen Lord, conquerer of death. When I was preaching yesterday, I was reminded of Mark 12:27 were Jesus is saying that God is the God of the Living, not the dead. We tend to see things in a carnal, in a human limited point of view. Just to emphasize this Jesus is raised from the dead, and meets his disciples and tells them to spread the good news around the world (and yes, that's for tomorrow's lesson).
I love comics, and superhero's, its great to imagine what it would be like to fly or have other superpowers... but alot of that is based on Greek gods ... think of Wonder Woman as the best example... yet those are false gods, no Greek god rose from the dead. You think of any other 'god' in the world, and none has the claim to rise from the dead, and walk among people, with 500 witnesses.
The resurrection is 'proof in the pudding' it has a solid case, and yet people still try to dismiss it. Without the virgin birth, and without the resurrection the Christian faith would be meaningless.
What a wonderful account we have in the gospels, and what a wonderful savior we have. Reflect on the risen Savior today, and remember the hope we have lies a living God.
I love comics, and superhero's, its great to imagine what it would be like to fly or have other superpowers... but alot of that is based on Greek gods ... think of Wonder Woman as the best example... yet those are false gods, no Greek god rose from the dead. You think of any other 'god' in the world, and none has the claim to rise from the dead, and walk among people, with 500 witnesses.
The resurrection is 'proof in the pudding' it has a solid case, and yet people still try to dismiss it. Without the virgin birth, and without the resurrection the Christian faith would be meaningless.
What a wonderful account we have in the gospels, and what a wonderful savior we have. Reflect on the risen Savior today, and remember the hope we have lies a living God.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sermon of the day ...
Here is the transcript, general notes of the sermon that I preached on today. Enjoy.
Abraham, God’s Faithful.
Hebrews 11:8-19
11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”
Genesis 13:1-13
At this point in the story as we read chapter 13, we have had relatively little information about these two men. We gain some insight into the man Abram, but really little to this point has been said about Lot.
We know that Abram certainly had spiritual influences in the development of his world-view. We know that the Lord spoke to him. We know that he listened and was obedient and followed the Lord’s direction. Well almost!
We know that he had shortcomings, lying to the Egyptian about his wife. But we also see him on two occasions building an altar and calling on the name of the Lord. So Abram had a world view that had a strong spiritual influence. When he looked at the world around there was a spiritual dimension to what he saw.
To this point we know nothing of Lot really other than he should not have been there. But in ch. 13 we gain an insight into Lot’s world view.
Abram gives Lot the choice of where his people could go, to solve the contention between their workers. Abram didn’t have to do that, being his elder, but he chose to do it to save grief. Lot is free to choose whatever he sees.
We need to remember that by the standards of the the culture around them, at this time they are both really wealthy, but when Lot takes a long look at the land (or as the KJV says, he lifted his eyes up) he saw only one thing. His world view is dominated by the natural desires of human nature and the world around him. He sees an opportunity to make more wealth, and become more prosperous. His decision is made without any other consideration.
Even though Lot is making the biggest decision in his life, perhaps ever, definitely since he left his homeland with Abram, there is NO reference here that there was any consideration of spiritual guidance from God, he didn’t seek any direction from God.
Now lets read the rest of the story:
Genesis 13:14-18
Abram, but contrast to Lot who never considered the voice of God, the Lords leading; Abram has made a habit of listening for the voice of God, and following his leading. His world view is one where he listens for, hears and sees God’s plan, God’s principles and obedience to God as the main decision making factor.
Secondly, I want you to note carefully here something you may not have noticed before. God tells Abram to look. He includes every direction north, south, east, weest which would then include the land taken by Lot. In essence he is saying Lot may have chosen the best land for now, but that concession will pass away, all these lands will be given to him and his ancestors.
When we make our decisions based on material and human values and wishes, they are at best temporal. There is no eternal perspective.
VS. 12-13 Abram dwelled in land of Canaan, Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord”
There was something in his world-view that attracted him to Sodom. We don’t know the reason for this attraction, it could have been the influence of his wife or children but before very many verses pass in this Genesis account we find Lot actually living in Sodom, and he is far away from the influences of Godly Abram and the place of altars, and eventually the immersian in the culture of Sodom will take its toll.
- One of the tragedies of Christianity, is the number of people who claim to be the followers of Jesus, claim to be believers, claim to love the Lord, and yet their camp is firmly pitched in the direction of the world.
Their world view when it comes to priorities, when it comes to personal ambitions, their world view when it comes to God’s standards for Holy Living, their entrie world view is almost identical to the non Christians around them and has changed little as a result of their claim to have given their lives to Jesus.
When their faith is nothing but their personal fire insurance, when it comes to major descions in their lives, they see only their ambitious goals, money, how to get ahead in life, and they leave God out of the equation … and they don’t consider the affect that their descisions could have on their family and their future.
God has given us this wonderful gift of freedom. This wonderful gift of choice. Like LOT we frequently find ourselves lifting up our eyes and seeing choices before us.
Choice on where we live. Choices on how we will earn a living, choices about where and what sort of work we will do. Lifestyle choices, choices about relationships. Will we adopt the standards of the world, or will we apply God’s standards on how we live?
You learn a lot growing up on a farm. You cannot live and work in a barn without eventually smelling like a barn. If we make choices in life that result in us being constantly surrounded by the sin and values of the culture around us, it will eventually begin to creep in our lives.
2Corinthians 6:14 - This is NOT a call to isolation, but it is a clear call, a very clear call not to become so entangled in relationships, so immersed with the culture of the world that it will drag us down threatening our own spiritual welfare and the spiritual welfare of our families
Now, lets take a look at the ultimate impact of Lot ‘pitching his tent’ toward Sodom
1)14:11-16 - Sodom is overrun, Lot and his family are taken captive and it is only through the rescue at the hands of Abram that he is set free. -- in those days, you can only imagine that that could have been like.
2) Genesis 19 - Lot even offeres his own daughters to satisfy the lustful urges of the men of Sodom
3) When God destroyed the city, his 2 sons-in-law mocked the warning and were destroyed leaving his daughters as young widows
4) Lot and his wife and two daughters escape, but Lot’s wife is still so attracted to the city and it’s ways that she looks back and dies
5) And so Lot escapes with his life but his herds are gone, his wealth is gone, his wife is gone, and his sons-in-law are gone
6) And then his only remaining family members, his daughters manipulate him into an incestuous relationship.
The reason that God calls us to seperation is to live in Holiness for Him.
When we really understand the cost at the cross, when the Holy Spirit connects with our Spirit and makes the truth come alive in our hearts, when we really understand what the Lord did for us to free us from the penalty of our sin, from God’s wrath that would have come our way had we not been forgiven, the natural and normal and healthy response would be a desire to set aside our desire, our attraction our tolerance for sin and the standards of the world and try our best to live in the Holiness that He calls us to.
But there is a very practical reason that he calls us to live in holiness as well. He wants us to avoid the potential pain and heartache that will eventually be ours if we allow ourselves to be entangled in the sinful practises of this world.
One last thing -- At some point Lot came to his senses. Unlike his sons-in-law, he realized that if he remained in that place of sin, God’s judgement was indeed about to fall and so he was obedient to the call to leave it all behind.
Unlike his wife who apparently still was attracted to the place he, he was obedient and set his face in the opposite direction. He didn’t look back, he realized that survival required a complete about face, survival required setting and persuing a new direction.
Hebrews 11:11-12 By Faith, Abraham had a son, not in herself, it wasn’t a thing that said if I really believed in myself, I will have a child in my 90’s … but, she had faith that God would fulfill His promise (Genesis 13:16) “And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted.” This was a promise to be fulfilled. But Sarah wasn’t perfect, she did try to rush things by having her husband sleep with the servant girl which had bad ramifications later on, but God kept his promise, even though it took awhile for Sarah to grasp it.
We try to do things our way, instead of God’s.
(three men came visiting .. Angels? Vs. 18)
Genesis 18:12 “So she laughed silently to herself .. Vs. 13 “Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did she laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby? Is anything to hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year and Sarah will have a son.”
ILL. Of Rob and Valerie.
Hebrews 11:17-19 By Faith, Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrafice (Genesis 22:1-19)
God asks Abraham to sacrafice his one and only son on Mount Mariah .. Which is a 3-day journey. God calls out to Abraham Twice… to stop him from killing his son.
What’s interesting is in Hebrews, we get our eyes opened up about this incident. Abraham had his faith in the promise of God … he knew that he was going to be the father of many nations. So he placed his sons life in the hands of God, and that if he killed Isaac, God had the power to raise him from the dead.
Jesus talked to the Sadducees in Mark 12:18-27 where the Sadducees believe there is no resurection from the dead, they doubted the power of God to do this, because to Moses the Lord declared that “I am the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac.” HE is the God of the living.
Do you have faith in the power of God, do you take his him at his word? Because it affects our whole outlook on life.
God’s faithfulness in times of temptation:
1 Cor. 10:12 “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” -- Abram could of said, I’ll take the land on the east, but he didn’t .. he was going to let Lot decide, and allow God to guide him.
God is Faithful even when we sin: 1Jhn.1:8-9 “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
God is Faithful to protect you 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 “Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”
God is Faithful to Change you 1 Thess. 5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Abraham, God’s Faithful.
Hebrews 11:8-19
11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”
Genesis 13:1-13
At this point in the story as we read chapter 13, we have had relatively little information about these two men. We gain some insight into the man Abram, but really little to this point has been said about Lot.
We know that Abram certainly had spiritual influences in the development of his world-view. We know that the Lord spoke to him. We know that he listened and was obedient and followed the Lord’s direction. Well almost!
We know that he had shortcomings, lying to the Egyptian about his wife. But we also see him on two occasions building an altar and calling on the name of the Lord. So Abram had a world view that had a strong spiritual influence. When he looked at the world around there was a spiritual dimension to what he saw.
To this point we know nothing of Lot really other than he should not have been there. But in ch. 13 we gain an insight into Lot’s world view.
Abram gives Lot the choice of where his people could go, to solve the contention between their workers. Abram didn’t have to do that, being his elder, but he chose to do it to save grief. Lot is free to choose whatever he sees.
We need to remember that by the standards of the the culture around them, at this time they are both really wealthy, but when Lot takes a long look at the land (or as the KJV says, he lifted his eyes up) he saw only one thing. His world view is dominated by the natural desires of human nature and the world around him. He sees an opportunity to make more wealth, and become more prosperous. His decision is made without any other consideration.
Even though Lot is making the biggest decision in his life, perhaps ever, definitely since he left his homeland with Abram, there is NO reference here that there was any consideration of spiritual guidance from God, he didn’t seek any direction from God.
Now lets read the rest of the story:
Genesis 13:14-18
Abram, but contrast to Lot who never considered the voice of God, the Lords leading; Abram has made a habit of listening for the voice of God, and following his leading. His world view is one where he listens for, hears and sees God’s plan, God’s principles and obedience to God as the main decision making factor.
Secondly, I want you to note carefully here something you may not have noticed before. God tells Abram to look. He includes every direction north, south, east, weest which would then include the land taken by Lot. In essence he is saying Lot may have chosen the best land for now, but that concession will pass away, all these lands will be given to him and his ancestors.
When we make our decisions based on material and human values and wishes, they are at best temporal. There is no eternal perspective.
VS. 12-13 Abram dwelled in land of Canaan, Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord”
There was something in his world-view that attracted him to Sodom. We don’t know the reason for this attraction, it could have been the influence of his wife or children but before very many verses pass in this Genesis account we find Lot actually living in Sodom, and he is far away from the influences of Godly Abram and the place of altars, and eventually the immersian in the culture of Sodom will take its toll.
- One of the tragedies of Christianity, is the number of people who claim to be the followers of Jesus, claim to be believers, claim to love the Lord, and yet their camp is firmly pitched in the direction of the world.
Their world view when it comes to priorities, when it comes to personal ambitions, their world view when it comes to God’s standards for Holy Living, their entrie world view is almost identical to the non Christians around them and has changed little as a result of their claim to have given their lives to Jesus.
When their faith is nothing but their personal fire insurance, when it comes to major descions in their lives, they see only their ambitious goals, money, how to get ahead in life, and they leave God out of the equation … and they don’t consider the affect that their descisions could have on their family and their future.
God has given us this wonderful gift of freedom. This wonderful gift of choice. Like LOT we frequently find ourselves lifting up our eyes and seeing choices before us.
Choice on where we live. Choices on how we will earn a living, choices about where and what sort of work we will do. Lifestyle choices, choices about relationships. Will we adopt the standards of the world, or will we apply God’s standards on how we live?
You learn a lot growing up on a farm. You cannot live and work in a barn without eventually smelling like a barn. If we make choices in life that result in us being constantly surrounded by the sin and values of the culture around us, it will eventually begin to creep in our lives.
2Corinthians 6:14 - This is NOT a call to isolation, but it is a clear call, a very clear call not to become so entangled in relationships, so immersed with the culture of the world that it will drag us down threatening our own spiritual welfare and the spiritual welfare of our families
Now, lets take a look at the ultimate impact of Lot ‘pitching his tent’ toward Sodom
1)14:11-16 - Sodom is overrun, Lot and his family are taken captive and it is only through the rescue at the hands of Abram that he is set free. -- in those days, you can only imagine that that could have been like.
2) Genesis 19 - Lot even offeres his own daughters to satisfy the lustful urges of the men of Sodom
3) When God destroyed the city, his 2 sons-in-law mocked the warning and were destroyed leaving his daughters as young widows
4) Lot and his wife and two daughters escape, but Lot’s wife is still so attracted to the city and it’s ways that she looks back and dies
5) And so Lot escapes with his life but his herds are gone, his wealth is gone, his wife is gone, and his sons-in-law are gone
6) And then his only remaining family members, his daughters manipulate him into an incestuous relationship.
The reason that God calls us to seperation is to live in Holiness for Him.
When we really understand the cost at the cross, when the Holy Spirit connects with our Spirit and makes the truth come alive in our hearts, when we really understand what the Lord did for us to free us from the penalty of our sin, from God’s wrath that would have come our way had we not been forgiven, the natural and normal and healthy response would be a desire to set aside our desire, our attraction our tolerance for sin and the standards of the world and try our best to live in the Holiness that He calls us to.
But there is a very practical reason that he calls us to live in holiness as well. He wants us to avoid the potential pain and heartache that will eventually be ours if we allow ourselves to be entangled in the sinful practises of this world.
One last thing -- At some point Lot came to his senses. Unlike his sons-in-law, he realized that if he remained in that place of sin, God’s judgement was indeed about to fall and so he was obedient to the call to leave it all behind.
Unlike his wife who apparently still was attracted to the place he, he was obedient and set his face in the opposite direction. He didn’t look back, he realized that survival required a complete about face, survival required setting and persuing a new direction.
Hebrews 11:11-12 By Faith, Abraham had a son, not in herself, it wasn’t a thing that said if I really believed in myself, I will have a child in my 90’s … but, she had faith that God would fulfill His promise (Genesis 13:16) “And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted.” This was a promise to be fulfilled. But Sarah wasn’t perfect, she did try to rush things by having her husband sleep with the servant girl which had bad ramifications later on, but God kept his promise, even though it took awhile for Sarah to grasp it.
We try to do things our way, instead of God’s.
(three men came visiting .. Angels? Vs. 18)
Genesis 18:12 “So she laughed silently to herself .. Vs. 13 “Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did she laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby? Is anything to hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year and Sarah will have a son.”
ILL. Of Rob and Valerie.
Hebrews 11:17-19 By Faith, Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrafice (Genesis 22:1-19)
God asks Abraham to sacrafice his one and only son on Mount Mariah .. Which is a 3-day journey. God calls out to Abraham Twice… to stop him from killing his son.
What’s interesting is in Hebrews, we get our eyes opened up about this incident. Abraham had his faith in the promise of God … he knew that he was going to be the father of many nations. So he placed his sons life in the hands of God, and that if he killed Isaac, God had the power to raise him from the dead.
Jesus talked to the Sadducees in Mark 12:18-27 where the Sadducees believe there is no resurection from the dead, they doubted the power of God to do this, because to Moses the Lord declared that “I am the God of Abraham, Jacob and Isaac.” HE is the God of the living.
Do you have faith in the power of God, do you take his him at his word? Because it affects our whole outlook on life.
God’s faithfulness in times of temptation:
1 Cor. 10:12 “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” -- Abram could of said, I’ll take the land on the east, but he didn’t .. he was going to let Lot decide, and allow God to guide him.
God is Faithful even when we sin: 1Jhn.1:8-9 “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
God is Faithful to protect you 2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 “Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”
God is Faithful to Change you 1 Thess. 5:23-24 “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Mark 15:42-47 Pass the Ointment Please!
In today's verses we have an account of a righteous man, Joseph of Arimathea who donated a tomb for Jesus' body to be placed in. He asked for permission from Pilate to take Jesus' body away, Pilate agreed, and the burial preparations were made. Joseph wrapped Jesus' body in a linen cloth, and had a stone rolled in front of the tomb.
Luke's gospel goes into a little more detail, in that the women from Galilee were preparing to put spices and ointments on Jesus' body, as was customary, but they ran out of time because it was time for Sabbath.
Remember that whole conversation that Jesus had with people who complained about this woman that poured expensive perfume on him in Mark 14? Mark 14:8 "She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time" Not a coincidence!
Everything to God's timing, and His plans. Before his death, somehow, some way that only Jesus could, he knew that this perfume was going to be needed, while others did not.
Again, we worry way to much about things that we have no control over, yet this example in one of many of how God is in control. Praise God!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Mark 15:33-41 It is Finished
Jesus final words on the cross in the book of Mark are "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" A human plee to his heavenly father. How hard it must of been for God to not come and save Jesus. When Jesus did die on the cross that day, the "curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom" the separation from God and man was no more. But Jesus death we have redemption, Adam's curse was broken, and the penalty for all our sins had been paid. Glory Hallelujah ... as one Roman officer finally realized "This man truly was the Son of God!" -- this coming from a Roman nonetheless.
How hard it must of been for his mother to witness what Christ had done, the sorrow in her heart, and in the hearts of others who knew him personally. A tragic event, that brings victory to us... even more so a few days later.
How hard it must of been for his mother to witness what Christ had done, the sorrow in her heart, and in the hearts of others who knew him personally. A tragic event, that brings victory to us... even more so a few days later.
His work of redemption, the saving of man-kind was done. The sin price had been paid. In John's gospel, he writes Jesus' last words "It is Finished" (19:30)
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Mark 15:22-32 Mocking of Christ on the Cross
In this text we're looking at today, Christ is being ridiculed on the cross. First wine was mixed with myrrh, as a bitter reprieve by the Roman soldiers, but it was refused by Jesus. Not only the Roman soldiers were mocking him, but also the leading priests and teachers.
Listen to what they say "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!" vs. 30 They were scoffing him, but they knew of the miracles that Jesus did, and it was their pride and sinfulness that caused them to be blinded by Jesus claims. Also, Jesus came here for this, to serve others, by giving his life a ransom for us all didn't he? Oh, that the eyes of these men would of been open to what this event really entailed.
They even say tell Jesus to come off the cross so that they may "see" and believe Jesus is who he said he is. (vs. 32) But that isn't faith is it? For some people I think if Jesus came off the cross they still wouldn't believe, because their pride was keep them from believing.
In Marks gospel we also have vs 12 "Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him", but in Luke 23:40-43 we have the account of one of the men putting their faith in Christ. That's why it's good to read all the gospel accounts, because it does help to get a clearer picture of events. Luke's gospel points out things that the others don't, and same with Marks.
Listen to what they say "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!" vs. 30 They were scoffing him, but they knew of the miracles that Jesus did, and it was their pride and sinfulness that caused them to be blinded by Jesus claims. Also, Jesus came here for this, to serve others, by giving his life a ransom for us all didn't he? Oh, that the eyes of these men would of been open to what this event really entailed.
They even say tell Jesus to come off the cross so that they may "see" and believe Jesus is who he said he is. (vs. 32) But that isn't faith is it? For some people I think if Jesus came off the cross they still wouldn't believe, because their pride was keep them from believing.
In Marks gospel we also have vs 12 "Even the men who were crucified with Jesus ridiculed him", but in Luke 23:40-43 we have the account of one of the men putting their faith in Christ. That's why it's good to read all the gospel accounts, because it does help to get a clearer picture of events. Luke's gospel points out things that the others don't, and same with Marks.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Mark 15:21 Ministry of the Cross
"A passerby named Simon, who was from Cyrene, was coming in from the countryside just then, and teh soldiers forced him to carry Jesus' cross. (Simon was the father of Alexander and Rufus)."
Reading the crucifixion story I came across this little gem of a verse. Now remember that this gospel was primarily for the Gentiles, and I just thinking about what the writer says .... Simon the father of Alexander and Rufus. The audience knew of these two people. Isn't it amazing that we have this great account of the ministry of the cross, before it became a common phrase in today's churches?!
Simon from Cyrene -- a northern Africa town, came from the countryside, some soldiers ordered him to help this 'stranger' with the cross ... this was no doubt a horrible thing for a stranger to come into, and through this experience we have his children being known intimately by the gospel writer and the church.
Jesus ministry continues even when he's carrying the cross, and something must of clicked in the heart of Simon, for this experience to of touched his family. Simon didn't just pick up the cross, do what he was told, and then run away from what was a pretty stressful situation. Through this hardship he learned something about Jesus. I'm wondering if he stood and watched this Jesus who died, and when he heard that this man that he carried the cross for, rose from the dead .. what was going through Simon's mind at the time.
This is a great example of God using a tragic thing, and still changing lives. While Christ was still carrying the cross, God moved the heart of a man. Very awesome.
Reading the crucifixion story I came across this little gem of a verse. Now remember that this gospel was primarily for the Gentiles, and I just thinking about what the writer says .... Simon the father of Alexander and Rufus. The audience knew of these two people. Isn't it amazing that we have this great account of the ministry of the cross, before it became a common phrase in today's churches?!
Simon from Cyrene -- a northern Africa town, came from the countryside, some soldiers ordered him to help this 'stranger' with the cross ... this was no doubt a horrible thing for a stranger to come into, and through this experience we have his children being known intimately by the gospel writer and the church.
Jesus ministry continues even when he's carrying the cross, and something must of clicked in the heart of Simon, for this experience to of touched his family. Simon didn't just pick up the cross, do what he was told, and then run away from what was a pretty stressful situation. Through this hardship he learned something about Jesus. I'm wondering if he stood and watched this Jesus who died, and when he heard that this man that he carried the cross for, rose from the dead .. what was going through Simon's mind at the time.
This is a great example of God using a tragic thing, and still changing lives. While Christ was still carrying the cross, God moved the heart of a man. Very awesome.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mark 15:16-20 Wicked young men
This reminds me of Alice Coopers song 'Wicked young man' from his Brutal Planet CD .. where some people are just wicked. As J.R.R. Tolkien says in the Fellowship of the Ring, they are "villains". Yesterday I talked about Pilate, and here we have a regiment of soldiers taking Jesus into the courtyard of the governor, to be tortured, flogged, and mocked by his soldiers. They dressed Jesus in a purple robe, saluted him, then taunted him. After they were done, they put Jesus' own clothes back onto him.
Yet, as horrible as this action is, as horrible these soldiers were, and Pilate was for allowing this to happen, to encourage this to happen ... the kicker of it is ... Jesus died for their sins as well.
Anger wants to rise up in me about these guys, and if I was in the situation that Jesus was in, I would of fought back, I would of sent legions of angels to decimate everyone there, left earth and said, "To hell with you all"
Yet, that's not what Jesus did. Jesus didn't just suffer on the cross for the good guys did he? Now the challenge is .. where do we place our anger? This goes hand-in-hand with "love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." (Matthew 5:43-45)
What a testimony of God's work in us, if every time we get angry at someone, we crash on our knees, and pray for them!! Why? Because Jesus suffered and died for them.
Yet, as horrible as this action is, as horrible these soldiers were, and Pilate was for allowing this to happen, to encourage this to happen ... the kicker of it is ... Jesus died for their sins as well.
Anger wants to rise up in me about these guys, and if I was in the situation that Jesus was in, I would of fought back, I would of sent legions of angels to decimate everyone there, left earth and said, "To hell with you all"
Yet, that's not what Jesus did. Jesus didn't just suffer on the cross for the good guys did he? Now the challenge is .. where do we place our anger? This goes hand-in-hand with "love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike." (Matthew 5:43-45)
What a testimony of God's work in us, if every time we get angry at someone, we crash on our knees, and pray for them!! Why? Because Jesus suffered and died for them.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Mark 15:1-15 Brought before Pilate
In the Church's past history, the leaders always seemed to blame the Jews for the death of Christ, but here's Pilate who turned Jesus over to the Roman soldiers for crucifixion, even though he knew that Jesus was brought to him NOT out of any wrong-doing on Jesus' part, but because of the 'envy of the leading priests) vs. 10. The fact is, is that Pilate had the chance to release an innocent man, and instead condemned Jesus, while releasing a known criminal ... under the persuasion of the religious leaders.
Christ died, out of not only the selfishness and short-sightedness of the Jews, but of the Gentiles as well. Public pressure at its worst.
I hate confrontation, I dislike arguments, and I'm worried way to many times about how my actions reflect on others perception of me. It's one of those things that I struggle with, and I think we all like to be 'liked', and well thought of by others. Intellectually I know that what matters is my relationship with my heavenly Father foremost. There are times that no matter what, we need to stand up for what is right. Actually it's most times. And this is the time that Pilate failed big time ... but we can take his character flaw, and strengthen ourselves, can't we?
We need to be strong enough in the word, in our faith and allow God's word to saturates us. When the world starts pull us away from the 'light' that we need to take a stand against the darkness. It's not just the darkness either, but standing up for our faith when the opportunity rises.
I was at a company retreat, and the big question is "What do you believe in?" It was on how our beliefs dictate why we work with intellectually challenged individuals. I gave my testimony to 20 co-workers that day. Was I scared, heck ya ... I'm definitely not a door-to-door evangelist, but after that people knew where I stood, and respected my position.. It was also a blatant opportunity that God had opened for me.
May you be strong, and courageous, not bending to the world, but being strong in the word.
Christ died, out of not only the selfishness and short-sightedness of the Jews, but of the Gentiles as well. Public pressure at its worst.
I hate confrontation, I dislike arguments, and I'm worried way to many times about how my actions reflect on others perception of me. It's one of those things that I struggle with, and I think we all like to be 'liked', and well thought of by others. Intellectually I know that what matters is my relationship with my heavenly Father foremost. There are times that no matter what, we need to stand up for what is right. Actually it's most times. And this is the time that Pilate failed big time ... but we can take his character flaw, and strengthen ourselves, can't we?
We need to be strong enough in the word, in our faith and allow God's word to saturates us. When the world starts pull us away from the 'light' that we need to take a stand against the darkness. It's not just the darkness either, but standing up for our faith when the opportunity rises.
I was at a company retreat, and the big question is "What do you believe in?" It was on how our beliefs dictate why we work with intellectually challenged individuals. I gave my testimony to 20 co-workers that day. Was I scared, heck ya ... I'm definitely not a door-to-door evangelist, but after that people knew where I stood, and respected my position.. It was also a blatant opportunity that God had opened for me.
May you be strong, and courageous, not bending to the world, but being strong in the word.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
The Loin Cloth of Disrepair
Ok, so today I didn't get to blog my usual study, because I spent the day preaching, and hanging out with friends. So, for those interested, here below are my sermon notes, though some things that were said were not written down. Your loss, you should of been at the Sunday service ;) This is basic notes on the sermon But here ya go ... enjoy.
The story is told of two ducks and a frog who lived happily together in a farm pond. The best of friends, the three would amuse themselves and play together in the waterhole. When the hot summer days came, however, the pond began to dry up, and soon it was evident they would have to move. This was no problem for the ducks, who could easily fly to another pond. But the frog was stuck. So it was decided that they would put a stick in the bill of each duck that the frog could hang onto with his mouth as they flew to another pond. The plan worked well -- so well, in fact, that as they were flying along-- a farmer looked up in admiration and mused, “Well, isn’t that a clever idea! I wonder who thought of it?” The frog said, “I did …”
(Background courtesy of Wiki)
For a quarter century prior to the destruction, Jeremiah repeatedly issued prophecies predicting God's forthcoming judgment; advocating the Israelites put down their idols and repent in hopes of turning away God's judgment and fulfilling their destiny as his chosen people. Jeremiah's fellow Israelites refused to heed his warnings and did not repent. His efforts failed and he witnessed the destruction of everything he knew, the exile of the Israelite elite to Babylonia, and the fleeing of the remainder to Egypt.
-This linen loin cloth represented the relationship between God and Israel
- Linen was used in Priestly duties (Ezekiel 44:17-19) - it was used only in the presence of God, and when they would go to the outer court where the people were, they had to change their clothes .. So they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.
- Jesus was wrapped in Linen when he was put in the tomb (Luke 23:53)
I. God Draws us to Himself
- If we told people that God had told us to go and buy a loin cloth and put it around our waist, it would seem silly.
In Jeremiah 1 we seee a young man that God has chosen as a prophet, and he first seems reluctant, but then God assures him the He will be with him. Jeremiah’s willingness to do something that seems silly like buying a linen loin cloth shows that he fully trusted God in what He wanted…
- Jeremiah was OBEDIENT, knowing that the Lord had a reason for this and a reason for him doing what he did.
- As this cloth was a symbol of Israel’s relationship to God, we can take this lesson and see how it applys to us.
II. Our Sin Draws us away from Him
- Jeremiah takes the cloth he was wearing and takes it to the Euphrates River and Hide it there in a hole
- If the first step represented God’s closeness to His people, this act represented a Wayward People
- They put other things ahead of their relationship with the Lord.
- What happened to the cloth when Jeremiah was told to take it out of the hole? “it was rotting and falling apart. The loincloth was good for nothing” was it an animal that tore it apart? No it was the exposure to the elements. In the same way, Israel became corrupt from their unfaithfulness to God. Their trust in themselves was their undoing.
What drew Israel away from God?
1)Worshiping other gods (Jeremiah 1:8-9; Placing idols in the Temple 7:30 & child sacrifices “They set up abominable idols right in the Temple that bears my name, defiling it. They have built pagan shrines at Topheth, the garbage dump in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they burn their sons and daughters in the fire.”); Do we put our faith in man-made objectives above the Lord? Our society dismissed an one-road path to heaven … but Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
2) Listening to False Prophets Jeremiah 8:8 “How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies.” 2Peter 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”
3) Alliance with other nations (Jeremiah 1:18) - Egypt and Assyria (not only trade, but influences that these nations brought)
What influences you and your decisions?
2 Cor. 6:14 “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with the darkness”
4)Injustice 5:28 “They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor”
How do we help the poor? How do we seek justice in our community? How do we treat our elderly, our widows, orphans, those who have trouble getting through the day.
2 Cor. 8:14-15 “Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough”
5) Strength from ourselves (Jeremiah 17:5-7) they have no hope in the future
Vs.….
Trust in God 17:7-8
6) Hypocrasy
Jeremiah 7:8-11; Mark 11:17
7) Selfishness (Jeremiah 6:16) “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No that’s not the road we want!”
13:15-17 (Pride)
Pride is so devastating because of its deceptiveness. C.S. Lewis said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.” We may eaily point out pride in the life of someone else, completely oblivious to the stranglehold that pride may have in our own lives. How then can we recognize the presence of pride within us?
(remember the illustration)
Christ draws us back to the Father.
Conclusion:
Our hope …Romans 5:1-11 - Our Salvation our hope, we are drawn back into the right relationship with God.
The Lesson of the Loin Cloth (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
The story is told of two ducks and a frog who lived happily together in a farm pond. The best of friends, the three would amuse themselves and play together in the waterhole. When the hot summer days came, however, the pond began to dry up, and soon it was evident they would have to move. This was no problem for the ducks, who could easily fly to another pond. But the frog was stuck. So it was decided that they would put a stick in the bill of each duck that the frog could hang onto with his mouth as they flew to another pond. The plan worked well -- so well, in fact, that as they were flying along-- a farmer looked up in admiration and mused, “Well, isn’t that a clever idea! I wonder who thought of it?” The frog said, “I did …”
(Background courtesy of Wiki)
For a quarter century prior to the destruction, Jeremiah repeatedly issued prophecies predicting God's forthcoming judgment; advocating the Israelites put down their idols and repent in hopes of turning away God's judgment and fulfilling their destiny as his chosen people. Jeremiah's fellow Israelites refused to heed his warnings and did not repent. His efforts failed and he witnessed the destruction of everything he knew, the exile of the Israelite elite to Babylonia, and the fleeing of the remainder to Egypt.
-This linen loin cloth represented the relationship between God and Israel
- Linen was used in Priestly duties (Ezekiel 44:17-19) - it was used only in the presence of God, and when they would go to the outer court where the people were, they had to change their clothes .. So they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.
- Jesus was wrapped in Linen when he was put in the tomb (Luke 23:53)
I. God Draws us to Himself
- If we told people that God had told us to go and buy a loin cloth and put it around our waist, it would seem silly.
In Jeremiah 1 we seee a young man that God has chosen as a prophet, and he first seems reluctant, but then God assures him the He will be with him. Jeremiah’s willingness to do something that seems silly like buying a linen loin cloth shows that he fully trusted God in what He wanted…
- Jeremiah was OBEDIENT, knowing that the Lord had a reason for this and a reason for him doing what he did.
- As this cloth was a symbol of Israel’s relationship to God, we can take this lesson and see how it applys to us.
II. Our Sin Draws us away from Him
- Jeremiah takes the cloth he was wearing and takes it to the Euphrates River and Hide it there in a hole
- If the first step represented God’s closeness to His people, this act represented a Wayward People
- They put other things ahead of their relationship with the Lord.
- What happened to the cloth when Jeremiah was told to take it out of the hole? “it was rotting and falling apart. The loincloth was good for nothing” was it an animal that tore it apart? No it was the exposure to the elements. In the same way, Israel became corrupt from their unfaithfulness to God. Their trust in themselves was their undoing.
What drew Israel away from God?
1)Worshiping other gods (Jeremiah 1:8-9; Placing idols in the Temple 7:30 & child sacrifices “They set up abominable idols right in the Temple that bears my name, defiling it. They have built pagan shrines at Topheth, the garbage dump in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they burn their sons and daughters in the fire.”); Do we put our faith in man-made objectives above the Lord? Our society dismissed an one-road path to heaven … but Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
2) Listening to False Prophets Jeremiah 8:8 “How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies.” 2Peter 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”
3) Alliance with other nations (Jeremiah 1:18) - Egypt and Assyria (not only trade, but influences that these nations brought)
What influences you and your decisions?
2 Cor. 6:14 “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with the darkness”
4)Injustice 5:28 “They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor”
How do we help the poor? How do we seek justice in our community? How do we treat our elderly, our widows, orphans, those who have trouble getting through the day.
2 Cor. 8:14-15 “Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough”
5) Strength from ourselves (Jeremiah 17:5-7) they have no hope in the future
Vs.….
Trust in God 17:7-8
6) Hypocrasy
Jeremiah 7:8-11; Mark 11:17
7) Selfishness (Jeremiah 6:16) “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No that’s not the road we want!”
13:15-17 (Pride)
Pride is so devastating because of its deceptiveness. C.S. Lewis said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.” We may eaily point out pride in the life of someone else, completely oblivious to the stranglehold that pride may have in our own lives. How then can we recognize the presence of pride within us?
(remember the illustration)
Christ draws us back to the Father.
Conclusion:
Our hope …Romans 5:1-11 - Our Salvation our hope, we are drawn back into the right relationship with God.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Mark 14:66-72 Peter's denies Jesus
Peter went followed Jesus to the High Priest's house (vs. 54) no doubt to see what was going to happen to Jesus, and here in the verses that we just read, Peter denies Jesus ... just as Jesus said Peter would do... 3x before the rooster crows twice.
Peter "broke down and wept". We can easily criticize Peter for denying Jesus, and we wouldn't be that wrong to do that, but no doubt he was scared of the whole situation, but he wasn't that smart either.. warming up by the fire, right were the guards were. Bad judgement on his part. I do think that we need to look at our own attitude when we see Peters mistakes, and realize that there are times when we are talking to co-workers, or even online, that we may deny Christ, and his work in our lives. Peter denied Christ out of fear, and repercussions that may of happened. We deny Christ ... why? Because of reputation, because of how others will perceive us after a fashion?
Here's one, when we go into our car do we switch from our Christian music to secular? Do we leave our Phillip Yancy book at home and bring the Clive Cussler novel instead. There are little subtle ways we deny Christ in front of other isn't there?
Peter "broke down and wept". We can easily criticize Peter for denying Jesus, and we wouldn't be that wrong to do that, but no doubt he was scared of the whole situation, but he wasn't that smart either.. warming up by the fire, right were the guards were. Bad judgement on his part. I do think that we need to look at our own attitude when we see Peters mistakes, and realize that there are times when we are talking to co-workers, or even online, that we may deny Christ, and his work in our lives. Peter denied Christ out of fear, and repercussions that may of happened. We deny Christ ... why? Because of reputation, because of how others will perceive us after a fashion?
Here's one, when we go into our car do we switch from our Christian music to secular? Do we leave our Phillip Yancy book at home and bring the Clive Cussler novel instead. There are little subtle ways we deny Christ in front of other isn't there?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Mark 14:53-65 Still in Egypt Land
Jesus is brought to the High priest's house, and apparently there's alot of room, because this was where charges were brought against Jesus. The charges were false, and the testimony faulty, people didn't get their stories right. The the high priest asks Jesus if he was the "Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" (vs. 61) Jesus answered "I AM. And you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God's right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven."
Everyone there (Priests, elders and teachers) proclaimed him guilty and spat on Jesus. They also blindfolded him and beat him with their fists, mocked him, and the guards as they took Jesus away slapped him. What anger and viciousness.
To them, Jesus proclaimed that he was the "I AM" the same title for God (Ex. 3:14), which is quite the statement for the religious leaders to hear, and Jesus knew that they would react like they did, just as he knew that they wouldn't let him go in any case. The religious leaders were there to see Jesus punished one way or another.
Here is another instance were hard hearts were turned harder. Where people were blinded by preconceived notions, and really by their unbelief. Think about this, the Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah, the promised one, but did they even have faith that he would come? These were the religious teachers and priests, they knew scripture, but they didn't put their faith in the message, or they were to blinded by their reality that they didn't make room for God to work the way He was going to work.
How about the analogy of Moses taking the Israelites out of Egypt, and what would of happened if the people just resigned to be slaves, or they didn't want to go into the desert because they liked the life they had in the service of the Egyptians? Basically over time there would no longer be Israelites, they would of blended into the Egyptian people. Here we have Jesus coming to lead the people out of slavery to sin, to go into the promised land ... but they people are not willing to move out of their slavery to their past, because they see it as a threat to their way of life, to their understanding. In fact the religious leadership is acting like the Pharaoh's of old. Another possible reason why I think Jesus used Ex. 3:14.
The leaders were set in their ways, and wouldn't have the message that Jesus taught change them, or their way of doing things. God became inconvenient.
How true about us though isn't it? The Gospel message is inconvenient for us, it isn't easy, what it tells us isn't easy, what God wants us to do isn't easy. But we exchange God's truth too many times for the lies of the world around us, and the false promises that it tells us. Oh, that we would be open allowing God to shape us, and move in us. It is my prayer that I would never become hard hearted that I would reject the I AM like the religious leadership did.
Everyone there (Priests, elders and teachers) proclaimed him guilty and spat on Jesus. They also blindfolded him and beat him with their fists, mocked him, and the guards as they took Jesus away slapped him. What anger and viciousness.
To them, Jesus proclaimed that he was the "I AM" the same title for God (Ex. 3:14), which is quite the statement for the religious leaders to hear, and Jesus knew that they would react like they did, just as he knew that they wouldn't let him go in any case. The religious leaders were there to see Jesus punished one way or another.
Here is another instance were hard hearts were turned harder. Where people were blinded by preconceived notions, and really by their unbelief. Think about this, the Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah, the promised one, but did they even have faith that he would come? These were the religious teachers and priests, they knew scripture, but they didn't put their faith in the message, or they were to blinded by their reality that they didn't make room for God to work the way He was going to work.
How about the analogy of Moses taking the Israelites out of Egypt, and what would of happened if the people just resigned to be slaves, or they didn't want to go into the desert because they liked the life they had in the service of the Egyptians? Basically over time there would no longer be Israelites, they would of blended into the Egyptian people. Here we have Jesus coming to lead the people out of slavery to sin, to go into the promised land ... but they people are not willing to move out of their slavery to their past, because they see it as a threat to their way of life, to their understanding. In fact the religious leadership is acting like the Pharaoh's of old. Another possible reason why I think Jesus used Ex. 3:14.
The leaders were set in their ways, and wouldn't have the message that Jesus taught change them, or their way of doing things. God became inconvenient.
How true about us though isn't it? The Gospel message is inconvenient for us, it isn't easy, what it tells us isn't easy, what God wants us to do isn't easy. But we exchange God's truth too many times for the lies of the world around us, and the false promises that it tells us. Oh, that we would be open allowing God to shape us, and move in us. It is my prayer that I would never become hard hearted that I would reject the I AM like the religious leadership did.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Mixing it with some Alice ...
Just downloaded Alice Cooper's 2000 album 'Brutal Planet'. Fun stuff. Sometimes I find Alice's albums to be more gospel orientated than some mainstream Christian albums. If you have a chance check out his 1994 Album 'The Last Temptation' for example which, by the way was made into a graphic novel by famed writer Neil Gaiman. Alice is still controversial in his own right, but his faith comes out in his work. Anyway, here's a taste of what I'm downloading.
This song just speaks to me so much when I look at the betrayal of Jesus, and the persecution that awaited Him. The pain Christ went through, not only physically, but emotionally. The price of our sin, and it's hard to go through this without contemplating how cruel this world had been to the Son of God.
This song just speaks to me so much when I look at the betrayal of Jesus, and the persecution that awaited Him. The pain Christ went through, not only physically, but emotionally. The price of our sin, and it's hard to go through this without contemplating how cruel this world had been to the Son of God.
Mark 14:43-52 The Betrayal
In this passage we have the priests, teachers, and elders coming out to capture Jesus, and Judas signals the arrest by giving him a kiss. Judas calls Jesus 'Rabbi' which is not untrue, but for me it reminds me that Judas didn't get who Jesus was, that he was more than a teacher. That he was the Son of God. We read in Matt. 27 that he had come to grips with what he had done.
Notice in verse 50 "Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away" as Jesus had stated in verse 27. For some reason, I forgot about verse 51-52 which is probably a strange thing to read after the serious verses of Jesus' capture in the previous verses. It's about a young man that followed behind, and the mob tried to grab him, but "he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked". I have nothing profound to say about this, but it does show the hostility in the mob, and the anger that was shown toward Jesus.
Jesus' message was a profound one for the people, and anytime the truth is spoken out there will be some sort of hostility in one way or another, because Jesus message cut down to the heart of the matter. Christians throughout the world undergo some sort of persecution, because of the life changing message of the gospel. What I take away from this horrible event, is that we need to pray for the persecuted church, for those Christians who take a stand against the evil of this world.
Notice in verse 50 "Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away" as Jesus had stated in verse 27. For some reason, I forgot about verse 51-52 which is probably a strange thing to read after the serious verses of Jesus' capture in the previous verses. It's about a young man that followed behind, and the mob tried to grab him, but "he slipped out of his shirt and ran away naked". I have nothing profound to say about this, but it does show the hostility in the mob, and the anger that was shown toward Jesus.
Jesus' message was a profound one for the people, and anytime the truth is spoken out there will be some sort of hostility in one way or another, because Jesus message cut down to the heart of the matter. Christians throughout the world undergo some sort of persecution, because of the life changing message of the gospel. What I take away from this horrible event, is that we need to pray for the persecuted church, for those Christians who take a stand against the evil of this world.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Mark 14:32-41 More Sleep please ...
Jesus goes to an olive grove called Gethsemane and Jesus goes there to pray. vs. 34 says that Jesus' heart was crushed with grief to the point of death, and so he decides to go an pray. The disciples were told to keep watch. But the disciples (James, John and Peter) ... but when Jesus went off to pray and he came back, 3 times he caught his disciples sleeping ... despite given instruction not to.
Here is Jesus, praying that his cup of suffering would be taken away from him, he was in the midst of grief, but his disciples couldn't stay awake and keep watch. It may of been a long day for the disciples, and as Jesus said "the spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (vs. 38) Here is their master going through the toughest time yet, and they couldn't resist sleep.
We know the disciples messed up, and you know, I don't know if I could do any better. I mean these guys didn't have any Jolt cola, or Red Bull, or coffee for that matter. But I think what added to the situation is that Jesus was suffering from grief, and despite all the warning in the world, the disciples didn't get it, and didn't realize how soon Jesus would leave them, because that night Jesus was taken away from them.
If there is a lesson in what the disciples didn't do, it's that we shouldn't take for granted the time we have to perform the task that God wants us to do while we're here. The disciples could of been loyal followers, friends of Jesus, but they let him down. That's the kind of guilt that I think must of worked on the heart of them afterwards. Giving in to temptation when a Master and friend needed them the most.
In this passage there is another lesson that I take with me, is that we have a reminder that Jesus was not only fully God, but fully human... that he was going through a tough time, that he was crying out to God in his hour of need is not only a sad thing to read, but strangely comforting. Comforting to know that God knows what we go through, and that if Jesus could follow through on doing what needed to be done, despite his wanting to give back the "cup of suffering" ... his prayer was for God's will to be done.
Here is Jesus, praying that his cup of suffering would be taken away from him, he was in the midst of grief, but his disciples couldn't stay awake and keep watch. It may of been a long day for the disciples, and as Jesus said "the spirit is willing, but the body is weak" (vs. 38) Here is their master going through the toughest time yet, and they couldn't resist sleep.
We know the disciples messed up, and you know, I don't know if I could do any better. I mean these guys didn't have any Jolt cola, or Red Bull, or coffee for that matter. But I think what added to the situation is that Jesus was suffering from grief, and despite all the warning in the world, the disciples didn't get it, and didn't realize how soon Jesus would leave them, because that night Jesus was taken away from them.
If there is a lesson in what the disciples didn't do, it's that we shouldn't take for granted the time we have to perform the task that God wants us to do while we're here. The disciples could of been loyal followers, friends of Jesus, but they let him down. That's the kind of guilt that I think must of worked on the heart of them afterwards. Giving in to temptation when a Master and friend needed them the most.
In this passage there is another lesson that I take with me, is that we have a reminder that Jesus was not only fully God, but fully human... that he was going through a tough time, that he was crying out to God in his hour of need is not only a sad thing to read, but strangely comforting. Comforting to know that God knows what we go through, and that if Jesus could follow through on doing what needed to be done, despite his wanting to give back the "cup of suffering" ... his prayer was for God's will to be done.
- Christ suffered grief, we are allowed to feel sorrow and sadness when life throws us a curve-ball
- Christ prayed in confidence that his father was listening, and we too can have confidence that our heavenly father listens to our pleas
- God's will in our lives needs to take precedence over our will. Christ took strength from that, and so should we.
- Even though Christ's disciples didn't stay awake, I like how he invited his friends to be with him at this time. I think there's a lesson of not taking our grief alone, but to have our friends close by in times of trouble.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Mark 14:27-31 The heart of man
Usually the heading in your bible in regards to these few verses reads something like Jesus Predicting Peter's Denial. ... Which is a false hood because all of the disciples vowed to not deny Jesus, yet Peter's always pointed out, because he's the most emphatic that he would never leave the Saviour's side.
Peter usually had a foot-mouth disease whenever he speaks up, because yes he does deny Jesus in later verses 66-72 ... put you gotta admire his enthusiasm.
Peter's told by Jesus that he will deny knowing the Saviour 3 times before the rooster crows THAT night. That is how soon it was before the prophesy came true. Why did Peter say to Jesus that he wouldn't deny Him in the first place? I think it was because he didn't believe that Jesus would be taken away so soon, I mean they just had a great meal together, celebrating the Passover Feast ... everything seems to be going alright, they were like rock celebrities in Jerusalem, crowds following them everywhere. What could go wrong? He didn't let his heart speak to his mind, he didn't let the truth of the upcoming events, which Jesus talked about again and again sink into his head.
Our hearts can be easily deceived, which is why our faith can't just rely on the heart saying we love Jesus, but also let our mind accept that too. It isn't enough for our faith to be led by the heart, but we need to intellectually also accept the truth of the Gospel. Only then will we be strong for the trials that we face day in and day out.
Peter usually had a foot-mouth disease whenever he speaks up, because yes he does deny Jesus in later verses 66-72 ... put you gotta admire his enthusiasm.
Peter's told by Jesus that he will deny knowing the Saviour 3 times before the rooster crows THAT night. That is how soon it was before the prophesy came true. Why did Peter say to Jesus that he wouldn't deny Him in the first place? I think it was because he didn't believe that Jesus would be taken away so soon, I mean they just had a great meal together, celebrating the Passover Feast ... everything seems to be going alright, they were like rock celebrities in Jerusalem, crowds following them everywhere. What could go wrong? He didn't let his heart speak to his mind, he didn't let the truth of the upcoming events, which Jesus talked about again and again sink into his head.
Our hearts can be easily deceived, which is why our faith can't just rely on the heart saying we love Jesus, but also let our mind accept that too. It isn't enough for our faith to be led by the heart, but we need to intellectually also accept the truth of the Gospel. Only then will we be strong for the trials that we face day in and day out.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Mark 14:12-26 The last Supper (NLT)
This is the account of the last supper, and funny enough I had communion yesterday at my Church, so this seems like a recap for me. What I noticed this time going through the story, is that there was someone who had the upper room waiting and ready for Jesus and his disciples to celebrate. Jesus send 2 of his disciples to go into Jerusalem and find this room that is prepared for this feast. This is one of those things that gets easily overlooked by the feast itself, but I find it a neat account of how the preparations are ready, the room is all set up for them to celebrate.
The feast, the symbol of what is yet to come has been celebrated for centuries and continues to be a beautiful reminder of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The bread representing his body, and the wine his blood that was spilled. Depending on your church background, many traditions celebrate the communion weekly, monthly or even just yearly.... but the important part of it is the reminder of what Christ has done.
Jesus tells the disciples what the feast will represent ... a change from the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt, and instead of animal blood saving the people from the coming plague, this time it's the ultimate covenant of Christ's blood shed to save us from the plague of sin.
This must of been so hard for Jesus to endure, and knowing what the next few days will entail. But then the promise is there "I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the kingdom of God." (vs. 21)
We celebrate communion knowing that Christ would pay the price for our sin. But he rose again, triumphing over death ... what a great hope we have in Jesus. Our hope doesn't lay in the death of Christ, but the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour.
The feast, the symbol of what is yet to come has been celebrated for centuries and continues to be a beautiful reminder of Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The bread representing his body, and the wine his blood that was spilled. Depending on your church background, many traditions celebrate the communion weekly, monthly or even just yearly.... but the important part of it is the reminder of what Christ has done.
Jesus tells the disciples what the feast will represent ... a change from the story of Moses leading the people out of Egypt, and instead of animal blood saving the people from the coming plague, this time it's the ultimate covenant of Christ's blood shed to save us from the plague of sin.
This must of been so hard for Jesus to endure, and knowing what the next few days will entail. But then the promise is there "I tell you the truth, I will not drink wine again until the day I drink it new in the kingdom of God." (vs. 21)
We celebrate communion knowing that Christ would pay the price for our sin. But he rose again, triumphing over death ... what a great hope we have in Jesus. Our hope doesn't lay in the death of Christ, but the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Mark 14:10-11 A Betrayer in the Midst
In these verses we have the set up to Judas eventually betraying Jesus. It's sad that this man had once stood by and followed Christ and sometime or another he decided that Jesus had gone too far, or that he felt betrayed for some reason. These verses come right after a woman pouring expensive perfume on the head of Jesus, and maybe it was this that Judas couldn't understand, or maybe he thought that Jesus' teachings were just a little to radical.
I think that we are all just a few steps from doing what Judas did, and as the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This is in no way trying to make light of anything that he did, but this is a warning to check our attitudes when it comes to our sin. I do think that it was the teaching that drove Judas to what he did, he did not come to grips that Jesus as the Son of God. .. he was the Messiah.
It's not the only time that someone chose to do something so bad so wrong for their beliefs, think about the crusades, think about the tension between Protestant and Catholic churches and how easily Satan comes and tempts people to harm each other over belief systems.
And if Judas decided to betray Jesus primarily for money, it's another warning that Satan will use our weaknesses to try and thwart the work that God wants to do.
In the end, I believe we need to protect and guard our hearts against temptations that can so easily entangle us. To think that Judas walked with Jesus, talked with him, learned from him and still fell so far, how much more easily is it for anyone of us to fall as well. A sad and urgent warning for all of us.
I think that we are all just a few steps from doing what Judas did, and as the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. This is in no way trying to make light of anything that he did, but this is a warning to check our attitudes when it comes to our sin. I do think that it was the teaching that drove Judas to what he did, he did not come to grips that Jesus as the Son of God. .. he was the Messiah.
It's not the only time that someone chose to do something so bad so wrong for their beliefs, think about the crusades, think about the tension between Protestant and Catholic churches and how easily Satan comes and tempts people to harm each other over belief systems.
And if Judas decided to betray Jesus primarily for money, it's another warning that Satan will use our weaknesses to try and thwart the work that God wants to do.
In the end, I believe we need to protect and guard our hearts against temptations that can so easily entangle us. To think that Judas walked with Jesus, talked with him, learned from him and still fell so far, how much more easily is it for anyone of us to fall as well. A sad and urgent warning for all of us.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Mark 14:1-9 Smelling good.
Here we have the story a woman that is pouring expensive perfume on Jesus, and the people around the table criticize her for doing so, because she should of spent the money for the perfume on feeding the poor. Jesus says in effect, you will always have the poor, you can't help them every time you want to, but you will not always have me (Jesus). It's interesting that the passage sets up a plot to kill Jesus ... so you know that the betrayal will come soon.
How many of us would be the same type of person around the table, saying the same thing, "why are you wasting this expensive perfume??" But I like how Jesus puts a spin on it, saying that she has anointed his body for burial. This woman recognized who Jesus was, and I don't know if she was just giving him a gift for the who he was, but this was another reminder to those around him that his time was short.
Funny enough, he prophesied that this woman's work would be shared around the world. How true was that!!!
For us, I think we can take out of the story the fact that good works doesn't replace Jesus in our lives. Think about it, we always have the poor, the world always has needs. The world continues to have one natural disaster after the next. We can help people, and we should help them get through whatever trajedy they're going through ... spreading the compassion of Christ as it were. But without the good news, without Christ in people's lives, all our helping will only go so far.
We need to look for opportunities in the midst of doing 'good deeds', to share the gospel. Because in the end, all the good deeds we do, won't save anyone from hell. But Jesus saves, he IS the good news. Not just for today or tomorrow, but forever!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)