Good morning,
I was struck by something I read this morning and wanted to hop on and share.
Some of us live in regions that look like they will slowly be reopening; some of us, live in regions that feel as if we might suffocate under the weight of these orders. Where ever we are these are crazy perilous times. What are we to do?
Read Isaiah 6. It is a profound moment. The study notes of my bible struck deepily as I pondered this moment and I wanted to share the hope and encouragement that lies within this scripture.
Things were changing for the people of Israel, the leader of the past 50 years had died and the future felt uncertain. God granted Isaiah this experience and I believe we can pull from it very much so right now.
1st thing to note- Isaiah looked up- He had to look up because God was seated on high. He saw that God is absolutely holy, sovereignly ruling from His glorious throne (Reformation Heritage Bible). Worshiping and serving God with a correct view of who He is has never been more important. Do no look into yourself for strength right now, it will be weak and flawed. Do not look out to the world for guidance- it is incredibly opinionated and political and conspiracy laden. Look to God, He is ever good and never changing. More so, look to him correctly, allow yourself to mediate in His holiness and set your compass there.
2nd thing to note: Isaiah in light of God's holiness looked inside himself and saw his own uncleanliness and unworthiness. He saw himself as a sinner. He saw God's holiness and it showed him his own wretchedness. This is good. We are not compatible to God. I am reminded in this with our current situation- I do not know better than He what is needed for me, for my town, for humanity right now. This is a mess. Regardless of it be judgement or man's wickedness or simply the result of a fallen world where sickness comes and conquers. What I am responsible for is my reaction and interaction; and there are many moments I have needed to repent for. My aroma has been at times a stench of my attitude rather than a pleasing sacrifice.
3rd thing to note: He looked to the alter to see the greatness of God's grace that provided the cleansing and atonement for his sins. We now have the privileged of knowing and experiencing first hand the greatness and depth of that grace through the atoning work of Jesus Christ on the Cross! Jesus IS ENOUGH!!!! He is enough when circumstances are good, he is enough if we are sitting in a jail cell, or laying on a bed during a chemo treatment, or surrounded by children who are running amuck, or sitting in isolation. In Jesus we have everything we need. We have the glorious joy of being able to fellowship with His Son at every moment and turn and breath.
4th thing to note: Isaiah was able to look out to the world who who need this message. Are you looking out to a world that needs this good news? That is we lose everything that we have the one thing that can never be taken? That when our hope is rooted and grounded in Jesus Christ our Lord we are free forever? That whether in life or in death we have nothing but gain? Are you able to plant seeds of salvation right now or are we too busy looking inward at our current situation and that we are prevented at looking up to the glorious high throne of God and the truth that Jesus Christ is seated at His right hand. He came as it was predicted- and He is coming back again.
Sister this situation is HARD- regardless of where you are, but we have everything we need through Jesus Christ our Lord and His living active Word. May you cling to what is right and good and help others build their house upon the Rock. Every moment of every day may we be reminded of this. Worship for this thought.
Friday, May 8, 2020
Sunday, April 19, 2020
Be kind to everyone
2 Timothy 2
I have been chewing through some thoughts for quite a while now, about a Christian's response to Covid-19. I have sat and watched and seen so many things from foolishness to outright anger and civil disobedience. I have prayed and pondered and waited to share these thoughts.
Then I came upon 2 Timothy today. Paul is teaching young Timothy how to shepherd the flock. He is teaching him what it means to be entrusted with the gospel. And as believers, co-heirs in this; we too have been entrusted with the Gospel. This advice is for us too.
I first need to jump to 1 Peter 2:13-25 because I think it lays out how we should be responding. We are to be under the authority of those put in charge with us, even when we disagree. As long as they are not asking us to disobey God.And as of now, we are not. We are not being stopped to preach, or teach, we are not being told we cannot share the Gospel with our neighbors- in fact we are being given one of the greatest opportunities of our lifetime to display the gospel to our neighbors through both word and deed. We are not being told we cannot gather- even if at the time its only electronically; we cannot have knee jerk responses to things not occurring. 1 Peter says it is GOD who puts our leadership into place. He knew where we would be located, under which governor and which town when Covid-19 struck - why do we question His Sovereignty? Be subject for the LORD's sake to every human institution...for this is the will of God... Live as people free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil but as living servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. These words are literally meant for moments like this. Where we feel a need to interject our 2 sense. As Americans I firmly believe we confuse civil liberties with biblical commandments. We are NOT guaranteed freedom in anything other than Christ. Yes as citizens in American we have rights; but make no mistake our citizenship does not lie here. My question for us today- does our response to the leaders put over us proclaim the Gospel story or does it look like a worldy response? This is hard for us Westerners, we have never had to live under communism, or oppression or slavery- yet these verses were written when there were leaders who HATED Christians. Yet Peter does not teach civil disobedience but to use the opportunity to be Gospel witnesses. This book was written to Christians in persecution for their faith yet no where do we read words to incite a rebellion.
Peter goes on, for this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly...For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. Jesus Christ is our Supreme example. And he did suffer under unjust political and religious persecution. Yet he did not rebel; he did not slander- he bore witness to His father. Does your response cause others to sin or stumble? Or are you pointing people to the Cross with your response to Covid-19?
Jumping into 2 Timothy 2 now... I was struck by the simplicity and beauty of this passage for a timely manner. Paul is discussing false teachers; but I ask, if we reject a biblical narrative to the pandemic; are we becoming false teachers as well? Paul says, But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness and their talk will spread like gangrene. Does your Social Media platform please the Lord as an aroma or are you so set on misinformation and your rights that you spread hate and fear? Have nothing to do with foolish controversies; you know they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach and patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. So this really struck me- am I living in a way that I can demonstrate the gospel to my neighbors? If I have non believing neighbors who are terrified of getting sick- am I offering the hope of Christ or fear mongering them by demanding from a system whose leaders do not turn their head to the right or the left without God's permission?
I am reminded of Chinese Pastors right now- they do not teach their congregations how to petition the government but how to be gospel witnesses in prison. So that by their behaviors others might come to Christ.
We have but one purpose- to glorify God, our we showing the love of Christ Jesus to all those around us? Does our response teach of the hope that is within us? And maybe the question is, is our hope in American freedom or in Christ who sustains all things? When this is over; will people ask us how we managed well in our shackles? Do not grow weary in doing what is good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up! Sister- may we respond that our language is love and our determination the Gospel- may we not become gangrene in a world already full of fear. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earthly things.
May Jesus be your portion but today and tomorrow, amen. <3
P.S. Bible study will start again this week- look out for further detail.
Undone
I have been chewing through some thoughts for quite a while now, about a Christian's response to Covid-19. I have sat and watched and seen so many things from foolishness to outright anger and civil disobedience. I have prayed and pondered and waited to share these thoughts.
Then I came upon 2 Timothy today. Paul is teaching young Timothy how to shepherd the flock. He is teaching him what it means to be entrusted with the gospel. And as believers, co-heirs in this; we too have been entrusted with the Gospel. This advice is for us too.
I first need to jump to 1 Peter 2:13-25 because I think it lays out how we should be responding. We are to be under the authority of those put in charge with us, even when we disagree. As long as they are not asking us to disobey God.And as of now, we are not. We are not being stopped to preach, or teach, we are not being told we cannot share the Gospel with our neighbors- in fact we are being given one of the greatest opportunities of our lifetime to display the gospel to our neighbors through both word and deed. We are not being told we cannot gather- even if at the time its only electronically; we cannot have knee jerk responses to things not occurring. 1 Peter says it is GOD who puts our leadership into place. He knew where we would be located, under which governor and which town when Covid-19 struck - why do we question His Sovereignty? Be subject for the LORD's sake to every human institution...for this is the will of God... Live as people free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil but as living servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King. These words are literally meant for moments like this. Where we feel a need to interject our 2 sense. As Americans I firmly believe we confuse civil liberties with biblical commandments. We are NOT guaranteed freedom in anything other than Christ. Yes as citizens in American we have rights; but make no mistake our citizenship does not lie here. My question for us today- does our response to the leaders put over us proclaim the Gospel story or does it look like a worldy response? This is hard for us Westerners, we have never had to live under communism, or oppression or slavery- yet these verses were written when there were leaders who HATED Christians. Yet Peter does not teach civil disobedience but to use the opportunity to be Gospel witnesses. This book was written to Christians in persecution for their faith yet no where do we read words to incite a rebellion.
Peter goes on, for this is a gracious thing, when mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly...For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in His mouth. Jesus Christ is our Supreme example. And he did suffer under unjust political and religious persecution. Yet he did not rebel; he did not slander- he bore witness to His father. Does your response cause others to sin or stumble? Or are you pointing people to the Cross with your response to Covid-19?
Jumping into 2 Timothy 2 now... I was struck by the simplicity and beauty of this passage for a timely manner. Paul is discussing false teachers; but I ask, if we reject a biblical narrative to the pandemic; are we becoming false teachers as well? Paul says, But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness and their talk will spread like gangrene. Does your Social Media platform please the Lord as an aroma or are you so set on misinformation and your rights that you spread hate and fear? Have nothing to do with foolish controversies; you know they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach and patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. So this really struck me- am I living in a way that I can demonstrate the gospel to my neighbors? If I have non believing neighbors who are terrified of getting sick- am I offering the hope of Christ or fear mongering them by demanding from a system whose leaders do not turn their head to the right or the left without God's permission?
I am reminded of Chinese Pastors right now- they do not teach their congregations how to petition the government but how to be gospel witnesses in prison. So that by their behaviors others might come to Christ.
We have but one purpose- to glorify God, our we showing the love of Christ Jesus to all those around us? Does our response teach of the hope that is within us? And maybe the question is, is our hope in American freedom or in Christ who sustains all things? When this is over; will people ask us how we managed well in our shackles? Do not grow weary in doing what is good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up! Sister- may we respond that our language is love and our determination the Gospel- may we not become gangrene in a world already full of fear. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earthly things.
May Jesus be your portion but today and tomorrow, amen. <3
P.S. Bible study will start again this week- look out for further detail.
Undone
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
The better Adam. Romans 5
Today read: Romans 5 focusing on verse 12-18; Colossians 1 and 2
Today is the day I have been both looking forward to and dreading. This topic is so big yet so glorious and it reveals every single insecurity I have about being completely unfit to write on it. Jesus Christ came to take away the sins of the world. This is an easy statement to write; easy to read incredibly hard to understand. Our study began as a foundation for this pivotal point. We must understand Genesis 1-3 to help with Roman's 5. Adam must be a historical figure for Christ and His work to make absolute sense. How can I say that? Well we read because of one man's sin death entered; and it is now through one man's death sin is covered.
I am adding a photo chart today showing Adam and Christ. Study it for a minute then jump back in.
Today is the day I have been both looking forward to and dreading. This topic is so big yet so glorious and it reveals every single insecurity I have about being completely unfit to write on it. Jesus Christ came to take away the sins of the world. This is an easy statement to write; easy to read incredibly hard to understand. Our study began as a foundation for this pivotal point. We must understand Genesis 1-3 to help with Roman's 5. Adam must be a historical figure for Christ and His work to make absolute sense. How can I say that? Well we read because of one man's sin death entered; and it is now through one man's death sin is covered.
I am adding a photo chart today showing Adam and Christ. Study it for a minute then jump back in.
This comparison chart is simply put: beautiful. It shows the first Adam and the Last. The difference of one man verses the Son of Man. Adam was made in the image of God; Jesus Christ is the image of the invincible God, the firstborn of all creation. Full man yet fully God.
As we read Romans 5 many would object; it is not fair that one man's sin would condemn us all. But to understand the imputation of our sins on Christ we must recognize the imputation of Adam's sin on man. R.C.Sproul in his book, The Gospel of God, says that we must be careful not to take away our merit of salvation by refuting the fact that through one man sin entered; because now through Christ all sin is covered. Adam was our representative as mankind, and he sinned. Christ comes and serves yet again as the perfect representative of man, taking on the sin of man and bearing it on the cross. There is a message that I am adding at the bottom- please listen. It is by R.C. Sproul and it explains this a million times better than I can.
Why did I bring us here before Passion week? What was the point of understanding the first and last Adam? Because we need to know who Jesus Christ is. We need to understand that He IS the Son of God. That He is God. That we cannot, on our own merit, earn our salavation. We will never be good enough. We can never do enough works. We can never arrive at the place of perfection. Salvation is a free gift of God! He sent His Son while we were yet sinners; died a death on the Cross; was the perfect propitiation. Jesus Christ. He came that He might die.
In closing, I recommended Colossians 1 and 2 to be tied into this because of some of the deep, deep truths of a life in Christ. My prayer for this group is constantly Colossians 1:9-14. And my hope for this group is that finding yourself in Christ, that we are able to be rooted and grounded in Him. Colossians 2:6-7 is the exact hope and prayer I have.
Later in the chapter Paul writes, and you who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by cancelling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
He nailed it to the cross via Jesus the Messiah. Jesus died to take away our sins. The Son of God; crucified. We are at one of the most unique points of a Lenten study our generation has maybe seen. Global pandemic and fear race through the world; and we have had most things stripped away. But the one thing that can never be taken, is Christ. Use this time- this time you will never get back; to really pause and allow yourself to meditate on the work of the Cross. On the fact that the Son of God died to take away your sins. That while you were yet a sinner Jesus died for you! This is remarkable. He came, He died, and He rose again. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World! May you fall ever more in love with Jesus today.
Sermon: Death in Adam, Life in Christ
Worship: Lamb of God
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
I am the door, I am the good shepherd John 10
John 10
I am nervous to even start writing again about this chapter. Such big things are being expressed and direct teachings from Christ. I approach this study daily with fear and trepidation with the responsibility of discussing scripture well. We are teaching out kids this week about exegesis. And it is the practice of going to scripture with the understanding that you are not to input your thoughts and values on what you think it means; but to take from scripture what God meant it to mean. It is so easy especially in the new testament to diverge here. Many of the verses coming up and leading into Resurrection Sunday are grossly mishandled and misinterpreted. The Bible is God's living and breathing Word! This is incredible- yet also terrifying to me. I have in my hands God's Word. I am responsible for how I handle, learn and use this.
Jesus has 7 I am statements in John. 3 and 4 are mentioned in this passage. Jesus is shifting from the metaphor discussing teachers in verses 1-5 to now talking more directly about himself. This fits in well with where we are going Wednesday and Thursday which will be jumping a bit into Romans 5 before circling back for an introduction to Palm Sunday. Jesus first discusses the poor religious teachers verse good shepherds. We now see him say in verse 7 " I AM THE DOOR of the sheep." If anyone enters by me he will be saved. Jesus Christ is the only way. We see him say in John 14 I AM the way, the truth and the life. Here he is saying I am the door. There is but one way to eternal salvation and it is through Jesus Christ. He is and always will be the only means to heaven. He is the access point to the Father because He is the only one worthy to stand before the Father on our behalf. And that he did. He did it to the point of dying for our sins. He did it while we were yet sinners. He did it while we were lost in our transgressions; while we were sheep that had gone astray. He came and died and rose again; that we might have life and life more abundantly. There is but one way- JESUS.
I am nervous to even start writing again about this chapter. Such big things are being expressed and direct teachings from Christ. I approach this study daily with fear and trepidation with the responsibility of discussing scripture well. We are teaching out kids this week about exegesis. And it is the practice of going to scripture with the understanding that you are not to input your thoughts and values on what you think it means; but to take from scripture what God meant it to mean. It is so easy especially in the new testament to diverge here. Many of the verses coming up and leading into Resurrection Sunday are grossly mishandled and misinterpreted. The Bible is God's living and breathing Word! This is incredible- yet also terrifying to me. I have in my hands God's Word. I am responsible for how I handle, learn and use this.
Jesus has 7 I am statements in John. 3 and 4 are mentioned in this passage. Jesus is shifting from the metaphor discussing teachers in verses 1-5 to now talking more directly about himself. This fits in well with where we are going Wednesday and Thursday which will be jumping a bit into Romans 5 before circling back for an introduction to Palm Sunday. Jesus first discusses the poor religious teachers verse good shepherds. We now see him say in verse 7 " I AM THE DOOR of the sheep." If anyone enters by me he will be saved. Jesus Christ is the only way. We see him say in John 14 I AM the way, the truth and the life. Here he is saying I am the door. There is but one way to eternal salvation and it is through Jesus Christ. He is and always will be the only means to heaven. He is the access point to the Father because He is the only one worthy to stand before the Father on our behalf. And that he did. He did it to the point of dying for our sins. He did it while we were yet sinners. He did it while we were lost in our transgressions; while we were sheep that had gone astray. He came and died and rose again; that we might have life and life more abundantly. There is but one way- JESUS.
V11 I AM the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. Jesus identifies himself as both the way i n and the caretaker. He is the Shepherd. He is the lead of the church. The church is His and He is ours. He goes on to discuss the hireling and it is thought to be something of the "hired leader" who is there in good times but when tragedy strikes or hardship comes he flees- because he is hired to care for the sheep- he is not maybe fully invested (discussing in point the evil leadership in Israel at the time). But Christ as the Shepherd knows his sheep by name, and they know him. And he lays down His life for them.
v14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for my sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold, I must bring them also, that they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock and one shepherd. I audibly sigh even reading this. It is so big. I pray that I can get a grasp of it and get it from my head to my heart. I love the words I know my own and my own know me, just as my Father knows Me and I know the Father. We, through Christ, are invited into this intimate relationship with God. We are not strangers or aliens. We are invited into the fold. No longer will the chasm created by the sin of Adam; separate from the love of the Father. Through Jesus Christ, and then being kept by Jesus Christ we are invited to know the Father as He already knows us. He knew us before we were born. We intricately knit us together in our mothers wombs. Before we were even a thought he numbers and orders are days. This God, who created all; sustains all; through His son invites us to call him Abba. Father. Is this not mind blowing? And He did it through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. He did it through the blood of the Lamb. Jesus.
Jesus continues- there are others not of this fold... that is me and you sister! He is referring to gentiles! He is talking about us- that he came that ALL might be redeemed. One flock- One shepherd. It is incredible to think all over the world, in thousands of tribes tongues and languages we have brothers and sisters IN Christ! Who lift up His name! Who share the same Heavenly Father and that one day we will all worship Him together. But in the mean time we all have one Good Shepherd- Jesus Christ the Lord! This is gloriously good news!
In the times we are facing we must come to realize we are not alone. We cannot buy into the isolation or the sorrow that I see running rampant. We are not alone! We have Jesus- and Jesus is enough! I hear Paul's words echo from Philippians, " I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Christ who strengths me." He is our strength, our portion, our Redeemer. He is our good shepherd; and He satisfies our needs.
Jesus says, I AM the Door, I AM the Good Shepherd... to the woman at the well, I AM he. Do you believe this? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life? He came and died and rose again! Jesus is Lord.
Worship today:
Monday, March 30, 2020
For they know His voice. John 10
Read: John 9 and 10.
John 10 builds directly off of John 9- but for time's sake I am jumping to two key passages here and then John 12. But I want to make sure we are able to read all of John straight through before Easter.
Again- there is so much we could talk about. Again and again I come back to the verse that concludes John: Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:25) I feel this way about processing and discussing all that the Lord has said and done. It is why it will take us our lifetime to study scripture and even in that- never satisfy our longings to know Him more till we meet Him in eternity. So, As I jump in the study; please know my desire is that this ignites a passion to study our Lord a study that will take a lifetime.
Today: John 10:1-6 This passage is continuing off of chapter 9. It is vital that we do not cherry pick scripture and put our own presuppositions into its reading. This passage and the one after are incredibly abused within the church due to poor exposition and exploitation. We can know our Savior best when we listen to His words.
To set this up, there are many sheep stories and parallels spoken of in the old and new testament. Sheep and shepherding were very common place and an easy to understand metaphor. But for us, we will typically look even at this with Western eyes. Near Eastern shepherds operate much differently than our western exposure. If you think of a shepherd you might think more of a cattle drive, they push from behind, its loud, the western shepherd will often have sheep dogs coming in from the sides and running along. Eastern shepherd lead from the front. The sheep follow him. They know their shepherds voice. As we draw into this metaphor keep this understanding in mind.
John 10 builds directly off of John 9- but for time's sake I am jumping to two key passages here and then John 12. But I want to make sure we are able to read all of John straight through before Easter.
Again- there is so much we could talk about. Again and again I come back to the verse that concludes John: Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. (John 21:25) I feel this way about processing and discussing all that the Lord has said and done. It is why it will take us our lifetime to study scripture and even in that- never satisfy our longings to know Him more till we meet Him in eternity. So, As I jump in the study; please know my desire is that this ignites a passion to study our Lord a study that will take a lifetime.
Today: John 10:1-6 This passage is continuing off of chapter 9. It is vital that we do not cherry pick scripture and put our own presuppositions into its reading. This passage and the one after are incredibly abused within the church due to poor exposition and exploitation. We can know our Savior best when we listen to His words.
To set this up, there are many sheep stories and parallels spoken of in the old and new testament. Sheep and shepherding were very common place and an easy to understand metaphor. But for us, we will typically look even at this with Western eyes. Near Eastern shepherds operate much differently than our western exposure. If you think of a shepherd you might think more of a cattle drive, they push from behind, its loud, the western shepherd will often have sheep dogs coming in from the sides and running along. Eastern shepherd lead from the front. The sheep follow him. They know their shepherds voice. As we draw into this metaphor keep this understanding in mind.
10:1-2 Jesus is speaking about the Pharisees. False teachers who come to hard and damage the church. The picture is that the sheep are in the pen- in the evening they would be kept somewhere safe and have one entrance. The thief or bad teachers would come in from at the sides, and they would not use the door- because neither the doorkeeper nor the sheep would recognize them. So they come in through a separate measure. Their objection is not to lead the sheep but to steal them.
v3 The doorkeeper was a hired under-shepherd who knew the shepherd and would watch the flock. He was in charge of keeping them safe. A beautiful though of a pastor and a flock. A glimmer of what we hear echoed on the beach between Peter and Jesus, "Do you love me Peter," Feed my sheep. The under-shepherd is charged with knowing both the Shepherd and the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. John MacArthur points out that " This shepherd goes even further by calling each sheep bu its own special name. Jesus point is that He comes to the fold of Israel and calls out His own sheep individually to come into His own messianic fold. The assumption is that there are already in some way His sheep, even before He calls them by name."
The entire first few verses had been lost on me for a long time. I can easily and readily admit to my error of so many times going to scripture and trying to read it through my modern western lenses. Not taking the time to understand original audience and what was going on. Or to pick up the bible and through inconsistent reading and flipping land on scripture, read it and misinterpret it because I had no understanding of context. This is a terrible practice. John Piper talks about being so careful to not go to the Word with a preconceived idea; but the need to let the Word teach and speak. We don't do that, often times we go to the Word seeking something for ourselves- not seeking the Savior and letting Him guide us.
Verse 4-6 exemplify how the flock should follow the leader. It is a common New testament leadership to lead by example. Paul says to follow him as he follows Christ. We see over and over to let our walk be worthy of the Gospel. Why is that? Because discipleship is through leading by example, not from behind. A heart that loves those that are being taught and that you demonstrate through your obedience to Christ in word and deed. Jesus told the woman at the well the Father is seeking those who will worship in spirit and in truth.
v6- they did not understand what Jesus was saying.
There were many in the crowd that heard the words of Jesus yet did not understand. So it is today. Many can sit in church and hear the words of the preacher and not understand. Or go to scripture and read with little avail. This is a heart issue- not a mind one. These are those that hearing the Word refuse to listen; or put it through their own worldview filter and wash it out as rubbish, or fairy tales, or foolishness.
Today is a good day to evaluate your heart. We are told to examine our hearts- the Psalmist cries out search me O God! Where are you today? Do you follow false teaching because you do not know the Shepherd? DO you go to scripture and try to fit it into your own philosophies and trim off the edges where it doesn't match? If you lead women or teach children- are you teaching well? Are you leading by example so that if they follow you, you are in fact leading them to the Savior? Have you responded to the Shepherd? Do you know his voice?
Tomorrow we move into verse 7-18. Jesus declares I AM the door of the sheep. He declares that He is the only way to the Father.
May we know His voice.<3
Worship today:
Friday, March 27, 2020
I Am.
Read John 8
We are focusing today on Christ eternal. I have found the exchanges in John 8 rather intriguing and shocking the more and slower I go through them. From the adulteress not condemned; to the religious experts not recognizing the Messiah standing in front of them; to the truth of Christ proclaiming constantly He came to glorify the Father- His testimony is from the Father and He seeks to glorify Him in all that He does.
I have said it before but I will say it again- we could spend the rest of our study in the one chapter- but I would like to finish it out for the weekend.
Jesus identifies Satan as the father of lies- he says he was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. (v44) Satan came to kill- we saw that in the garden. Adam and Eve were told not to eat lest they would die- and Satan set out to ensure it would happen. The father of lies had death of God's creation in mind when he struck up conversation with Eve.
Yet here stands Christ, the one who came to conquer death telling those in the temple- the one you have waited for is here! And they knew him not. They accuse him of having a demon! The demons recognize Christ and call him by name- the religious recognize him not- and call him a demon! Jesus says" I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and your dishonor me. Yet I o not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it, and He is the judge. Truly, Truly I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." The Jews freak out at this point. Saying this is proof he is demonic! Jesus is saying- if you take of me- my Father's Word- you will have eternal life; yet they respond opposite the Samaritan woman, in fact rather than putting down their books to run and tell others they have encountered the Messiah- they pick up stones to KILL him.
"Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, all the prophets died. Who do you say that you are.... listen carefully, "Your father Abraham would have rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad." You are not 50 years old! How can you have seen Abraham and Jesus says," Before Abraham was, I am."
Boom. There is no retort for this statement. He declares He is the eternal. This is amazing. And yet the Jews respond in rage. The pick up stones to kill him.
This passage is so profound and moving. And I think we see it played out time and time again. People fall into religion. They follow persons who follow Jesus rather than Jesus. To the point that when they come face to face with Christ they do not recognize Him. Paul sees this in the early church; in 1 Corinthians 3:4 He says for when one says I follow Paul, and another I follow Apollos...are we not just mere human beings( paraphrased). But he sees this right from the start- people lose sight of Christ and follow an easier example. It is far easier to follow a sinner following Christ- that to allow Christ to be our standard.
I ask- where are you today? Do you know who you are following? Do you follow a teacher rather than the Teacher? Are you more inline with someones theology than Christ's theology? Do you know song lyrics better than scripture- and hold them more true than what the written word says? If Christ were to stand before you- would you recognize him- or have you allowed yourself to make a more self satisfying version of the Savior, to the point that Jesus would be enraging to your core? Would you respond like a Pharisee saying who do you think you are? Or would you be a Samaritan who after hearing His testimony believed and run to tell others?
Jesus says, I am. God told Moses- I AM. They are one in the same. Get in the Word. Do not allow Christians to set the standard for your life and beliefs- we are all alike- sinners saved by grace; trying our best to serve our Savior. Serve Jesus. Look to Jesus. Jesus is enough <3
Worship for the weekend:
Hallowed be your name
God only Wise
Christ our Hope in life and death
His mercy is more
We are focusing today on Christ eternal. I have found the exchanges in John 8 rather intriguing and shocking the more and slower I go through them. From the adulteress not condemned; to the religious experts not recognizing the Messiah standing in front of them; to the truth of Christ proclaiming constantly He came to glorify the Father- His testimony is from the Father and He seeks to glorify Him in all that He does.
I have said it before but I will say it again- we could spend the rest of our study in the one chapter- but I would like to finish it out for the weekend.
Jesus identifies Satan as the father of lies- he says he was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. (v44) Satan came to kill- we saw that in the garden. Adam and Eve were told not to eat lest they would die- and Satan set out to ensure it would happen. The father of lies had death of God's creation in mind when he struck up conversation with Eve.
Yet here stands Christ, the one who came to conquer death telling those in the temple- the one you have waited for is here! And they knew him not. They accuse him of having a demon! The demons recognize Christ and call him by name- the religious recognize him not- and call him a demon! Jesus says" I do not have a demon, but I honor my Father, and your dishonor me. Yet I o not seek my own glory; there is one who seeks it, and He is the judge. Truly, Truly I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death." The Jews freak out at this point. Saying this is proof he is demonic! Jesus is saying- if you take of me- my Father's Word- you will have eternal life; yet they respond opposite the Samaritan woman, in fact rather than putting down their books to run and tell others they have encountered the Messiah- they pick up stones to KILL him.
"Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, all the prophets died. Who do you say that you are.... listen carefully, "Your father Abraham would have rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad." You are not 50 years old! How can you have seen Abraham and Jesus says," Before Abraham was, I am."
Boom. There is no retort for this statement. He declares He is the eternal. This is amazing. And yet the Jews respond in rage. The pick up stones to kill him.
This passage is so profound and moving. And I think we see it played out time and time again. People fall into religion. They follow persons who follow Jesus rather than Jesus. To the point that when they come face to face with Christ they do not recognize Him. Paul sees this in the early church; in 1 Corinthians 3:4 He says for when one says I follow Paul, and another I follow Apollos...are we not just mere human beings( paraphrased). But he sees this right from the start- people lose sight of Christ and follow an easier example. It is far easier to follow a sinner following Christ- that to allow Christ to be our standard.
I ask- where are you today? Do you know who you are following? Do you follow a teacher rather than the Teacher? Are you more inline with someones theology than Christ's theology? Do you know song lyrics better than scripture- and hold them more true than what the written word says? If Christ were to stand before you- would you recognize him- or have you allowed yourself to make a more self satisfying version of the Savior, to the point that Jesus would be enraging to your core? Would you respond like a Pharisee saying who do you think you are? Or would you be a Samaritan who after hearing His testimony believed and run to tell others?
Jesus says, I am. God told Moses- I AM. They are one in the same. Get in the Word. Do not allow Christians to set the standard for your life and beliefs- we are all alike- sinners saved by grace; trying our best to serve our Savior. Serve Jesus. Look to Jesus. Jesus is enough <3
Worship for the weekend:
Hallowed be your name
God only Wise
Christ our Hope in life and death
His mercy is more
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
The truth will set you free
read: John 8
John 8 is a rather long chapter. We could spend the next 2 months in this alone breaking it down; so in many ways I feel I am doing a great disservice to the chapter by rushing it. However, for the sake of the study I am wanting to draw two key points out of it today.
We are in the midst of a conflict it is the Pharisees verse Jesus in a question and answer format. They are looking to trick Jesus that they might stone him. These were highly respected religious Jewish men; who would have known the books of the Torah inside and out and lived to the letter of that law with zeal and a self boasting pride.
V. 31 Jesus is teaching that if you abide in His word, you are truly His disciples; and if you know the truth, the truth will set you free. This leads to confusion for the audience. They say we have never been enslaved. and Jesus responds, "truly truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin...if the Son sets you free you are free indeed. We are all born sinners. We are born into a curse that we ourselves cannot overcome. But there is one who came to do just that. Jesus says in John 16:33 "But take heart! I have overcome the world!" Jesus Christ came that we might be redeemed. The problem for the Pharisees is that they saw no need for redemption because they were doing it for themselves through their works. They were following all the religious rules- how dare someone call them a sinner. Is that not where many of us can fall even today? We try to come to the cross with proof we don't need it. A checklist of the things WE do. "I am basically a good person," that should not be punishable by death. God will weigh my good and my bad. That is not how it works. There is none righteous, no not one. We need the atoning blood of the Messiah to close the chasm between us and the Holy One. We cannot do it ourselves, and we never will be able to. No list of works, or virtues, not in dress or empty prayer. We need Jesus. He is the one who came to take away the sins of the world; by placing them on Himself and bearing the wrath of His Father. Only Christ will ever understand the full penalty of our sins; because only the Son understood in full measure the wrath of God- simply because He is God.
v37 "I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." They are born into religious families yet have no understanding of God. They serve their father who Jesus will identify later as the Father of Lies- and call them children of Satan- rather than what they hold as their heritage. So stuck in religion they are blinded to the fact that the Anointed One was standing in front of them. The Seed who had been promised was an arm distance away- and they were so blinded by pride and arrogance they could not see Jesus.
I wonder how often this can happen to those who grow up in Christian households. You can get so easily swept into a pattern of behaviors and rituals and traditions that you end up serving a building rather than the Architect. And dare someone question your salvation- you have a list of things to point to. The problem is- we find ourselves pointing to ourselves- our own saviors- our own mini-gods. So lost is what has become habitual we either no longer or maybe never even have looked to Christ. If you have lost your love of the Savior- or do not have a love of Christ, pause even this day. Examine who you serve. Is it a denomination, a building, a blog? Or is it the Messiah- the Promised One, who came to take away death and give us life!! Jesus came to set us free!
*Please do not get me wrong. Those who know me well know I am passionate about a healthy local church, solid preaching and a healthy church body. But Christ must be the reason behind that passion. It must be all about HIM.
Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
We cannot imitate what we do not know. Spend time with the Savior through His word. Be saturated in the Gospel. I am attaching a sermon today by Derek Thomas. I think it goes well with the need to know through the Word.
A book in his hand
Worship Songs of the day:
Not in me
Yet not I
John 8 is a rather long chapter. We could spend the next 2 months in this alone breaking it down; so in many ways I feel I am doing a great disservice to the chapter by rushing it. However, for the sake of the study I am wanting to draw two key points out of it today.
We are in the midst of a conflict it is the Pharisees verse Jesus in a question and answer format. They are looking to trick Jesus that they might stone him. These were highly respected religious Jewish men; who would have known the books of the Torah inside and out and lived to the letter of that law with zeal and a self boasting pride.
V. 31 Jesus is teaching that if you abide in His word, you are truly His disciples; and if you know the truth, the truth will set you free. This leads to confusion for the audience. They say we have never been enslaved. and Jesus responds, "truly truly I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin...if the Son sets you free you are free indeed. We are all born sinners. We are born into a curse that we ourselves cannot overcome. But there is one who came to do just that. Jesus says in John 16:33 "But take heart! I have overcome the world!" Jesus Christ came that we might be redeemed. The problem for the Pharisees is that they saw no need for redemption because they were doing it for themselves through their works. They were following all the religious rules- how dare someone call them a sinner. Is that not where many of us can fall even today? We try to come to the cross with proof we don't need it. A checklist of the things WE do. "I am basically a good person," that should not be punishable by death. God will weigh my good and my bad. That is not how it works. There is none righteous, no not one. We need the atoning blood of the Messiah to close the chasm between us and the Holy One. We cannot do it ourselves, and we never will be able to. No list of works, or virtues, not in dress or empty prayer. We need Jesus. He is the one who came to take away the sins of the world; by placing them on Himself and bearing the wrath of His Father. Only Christ will ever understand the full penalty of our sins; because only the Son understood in full measure the wrath of God- simply because He is God.
v37 "I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father." They are born into religious families yet have no understanding of God. They serve their father who Jesus will identify later as the Father of Lies- and call them children of Satan- rather than what they hold as their heritage. So stuck in religion they are blinded to the fact that the Anointed One was standing in front of them. The Seed who had been promised was an arm distance away- and they were so blinded by pride and arrogance they could not see Jesus.
I wonder how often this can happen to those who grow up in Christian households. You can get so easily swept into a pattern of behaviors and rituals and traditions that you end up serving a building rather than the Architect. And dare someone question your salvation- you have a list of things to point to. The problem is- we find ourselves pointing to ourselves- our own saviors- our own mini-gods. So lost is what has become habitual we either no longer or maybe never even have looked to Christ. If you have lost your love of the Savior- or do not have a love of Christ, pause even this day. Examine who you serve. Is it a denomination, a building, a blog? Or is it the Messiah- the Promised One, who came to take away death and give us life!! Jesus came to set us free!
*Please do not get me wrong. Those who know me well know I am passionate about a healthy local church, solid preaching and a healthy church body. But Christ must be the reason behind that passion. It must be all about HIM.
Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2
We cannot imitate what we do not know. Spend time with the Savior through His word. Be saturated in the Gospel. I am attaching a sermon today by Derek Thomas. I think it goes well with the need to know through the Word.
A book in his hand
Worship Songs of the day:
Not in me
Yet not I
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