The Tent of Meeting (continued)
How interesting! God had the people of Israel build a “Tent of Meeting” as part of the tabernacle, however, only the High Priest was allowed to enter the place of His very presence, and he was only allowed to do this once a year? In addition, bells had to be sewn onto the robe of the High Priest in order to announce his presence, so he would not die (See Exodus 28:33-35). How is it a tent of Meeting if it is not accessible? It almost sounds more like a chamber of horrors!
Obviously, one of the lessons we see from this lack of accessibility is the tremendous thing Jesus did for us when He opened up our way into the very throne room of God. We have been given a beautiful gift through His sacrifice that allows us to develop an incredible level of intimacy with God. However, what about the people who lived before the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus? Was there no way for them to experience the personal presence of God? Could it be that there is more here than meets the eye?
One thing I have noticed about human behavior is that we have a tendency to take the things of God and use them as He never intended. When I was a student at LCU there was a door at one of the Catholic Churches nearby on which “the face of Jesus” appeared. It was crazy to see people come from all over the area to worship this image. Just imagine what they would have done with the Tent of Meeting if it was opened to the public? The same has been done in our own churches. I have seen people treat an auditorium as if it is the “sanctuary of God”. Unfortunately, there are some people that have more trust in, and a better relationship with the Bible than in the God who had the Bible written.
God wants to “Meet” with us, but what if He never intended for it to be at one specific place? Suppose the Tent of Meeting demonstrated the awesome gift Jesus would provide, but was off limits to most of the people because God wants to meet us in our everyday lives?
There is a powerful book written by Gary Thomas called, “Sacred Pathways”. The premise of his book is that there are many different ways to meet God and develop intimacy with Him (in fact, he writes about 9 different pathways). Different personalities experience the power and presence of God through different means. One person may experience closeness to God through being outdoors, enjoying nature and its wonders, while another will never feel closer to God than when they serve someone in a real and profound way. One person may realize the presence of God through study of a Bible passage in which they glean a new gem, while another needs quiet and solitude to hear Him speak. Many people typically have two or three pathways that are particularly meaningful to them, and all of the pathways Gary Thomas talks about are significant.
Where do you meet with God? Do you have a special place? Where can you go, or what can you do that helps you hear the voice of God and feel His presence more clearly and more distinctly? God is accessible! That is why He planned for and then sent Jesus. The Tent of Meeting is now in our hearts and souls. Do you know yourself well enough to recognize the pathway(s) that will best feed your soul? If you go to the following website, you can take an assessment that helps you recognize which pathway(s) are more significant to your walk with God: http://www.sacchurch.org/action-steps/sacred_pathways.htm
I would love to hear back from you as to what pathways are significant to you. Maybe together we can brainstorm ideas to help make intimacy with God a more powerful realization in your life!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 7
The Tent of Meeting
Imagine living in a time where the prescription for everything that ails you is to have leeches draw blood from you. Whatever your symptoms, leeches! From fever to a rash to a sore throat to headaches, leeches! Even broken bones would need to be properly cared for with—leeches! For centuries these blood-sucking creatures were a mainstay of medical care. What brought about such a primitive and barbaric practice, and how could it be a bastion of medical science for 2500 years when its results were questionable and sporadic, at best? In today’s medical world, doctors realize there is not a basic cure for everything. Different symptoms demand different medical care. And, while leeches still have some value in the medical world, it is only for specialized treatments that they are prescribed (like when a finger is reattached in order to stimulate circulation).
Unfortunately, some people fall into the same trap when it comes to worshiping God and experiencing intimacy with Him. They prescribe a common method of experiencing Him, even if some of their forms have become outdated. They would have you believe that what worked for them is the solution for everyone else. “God is the same yesterday, today, yes, and forever.” If it worked in the past, then it should continue working today, and even tomorrow. But, could it be that an age more “enlightened” than our own will look back at some of our practices in religion and shake their head, wondering what we were thinking?
Consider the use of a church building and especially the auditorium, or “sanctuary”, as some people refer to it. Whether by actual teaching, or merely by practice, it appears this has become our modern-day “Tent of Meeting”. Many hold the view that this is THE PLACE to meet with God. As a result, everyday encounters with Him are missed or misunderstood. Some see this as the place to bring people in order to help them see the truth and be converted to God. However, how was any of this the case with the original Tent of Meeting? For one thing, Gentiles were not even allowed into the courtyard. Second, only those who were already set apart for God as priests could enter the Tent of Meeting. It was certainly not the place where teaching was done. That happened in the homes (or at least it was supposed to—See Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Thirdly, how many instances of conversion actually take place at the Tabernacle or Temple? John the Baptist led people away from the Temple, out into the wilderness, to call them into a right relationship with God. When Jesus sent His apostles out to preach about the Kingdom of God, they did not call people to gather at the Temple. They showed them the activity and love of God in their very midst, as they went about everyday living.
The Tent of Meeting was a portable facility that enabled the presence of God to dwell in the midst of the camp of the Israelites. It represented God being at the core of their community. Everything else revolved around Him! However, it was not where God encountered the people. He met them in their everyday lives! Today, we have no Tent of Meeting because He has taken up residence within us. He still meets us in our everyday lives! Let us be careful not to turn His Tent of Meeting into more than what it is. We must consistently reevaluate our religious practices instead of unquestioningly accepting what has been done for generation after generation, or we might find ourselves prescribing leeches in an era of modern medicine.
(Next week we will continue with some more thoughts on the Tent of Meeting)
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Imagine living in a time where the prescription for everything that ails you is to have leeches draw blood from you. Whatever your symptoms, leeches! From fever to a rash to a sore throat to headaches, leeches! Even broken bones would need to be properly cared for with—leeches! For centuries these blood-sucking creatures were a mainstay of medical care. What brought about such a primitive and barbaric practice, and how could it be a bastion of medical science for 2500 years when its results were questionable and sporadic, at best? In today’s medical world, doctors realize there is not a basic cure for everything. Different symptoms demand different medical care. And, while leeches still have some value in the medical world, it is only for specialized treatments that they are prescribed (like when a finger is reattached in order to stimulate circulation).
Unfortunately, some people fall into the same trap when it comes to worshiping God and experiencing intimacy with Him. They prescribe a common method of experiencing Him, even if some of their forms have become outdated. They would have you believe that what worked for them is the solution for everyone else. “God is the same yesterday, today, yes, and forever.” If it worked in the past, then it should continue working today, and even tomorrow. But, could it be that an age more “enlightened” than our own will look back at some of our practices in religion and shake their head, wondering what we were thinking?
Consider the use of a church building and especially the auditorium, or “sanctuary”, as some people refer to it. Whether by actual teaching, or merely by practice, it appears this has become our modern-day “Tent of Meeting”. Many hold the view that this is THE PLACE to meet with God. As a result, everyday encounters with Him are missed or misunderstood. Some see this as the place to bring people in order to help them see the truth and be converted to God. However, how was any of this the case with the original Tent of Meeting? For one thing, Gentiles were not even allowed into the courtyard. Second, only those who were already set apart for God as priests could enter the Tent of Meeting. It was certainly not the place where teaching was done. That happened in the homes (or at least it was supposed to—See Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Thirdly, how many instances of conversion actually take place at the Tabernacle or Temple? John the Baptist led people away from the Temple, out into the wilderness, to call them into a right relationship with God. When Jesus sent His apostles out to preach about the Kingdom of God, they did not call people to gather at the Temple. They showed them the activity and love of God in their very midst, as they went about everyday living.
The Tent of Meeting was a portable facility that enabled the presence of God to dwell in the midst of the camp of the Israelites. It represented God being at the core of their community. Everything else revolved around Him! However, it was not where God encountered the people. He met them in their everyday lives! Today, we have no Tent of Meeting because He has taken up residence within us. He still meets us in our everyday lives! Let us be careful not to turn His Tent of Meeting into more than what it is. We must consistently reevaluate our religious practices instead of unquestioningly accepting what has been done for generation after generation, or we might find ourselves prescribing leeches in an era of modern medicine.
(Next week we will continue with some more thoughts on the Tent of Meeting)
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 6
The Bronze Laver
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” How many times have you heard this statement? You will find this verse right next to the one that says, “God helps those who help themselves.” Neither of these are really Scripture, but the concept of this first statement can easily be supported. Over and over again there is an emphasis in the Scriptures on our necessity to be washed in order to dwell in the presence of God. David begged God to wash him clean and remove his sin after his affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband (Psalm 51:2, 7, 10); John the Baptist called people to “a baptism (washing) of repentance for forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Jesus told Peter during the last meal He had with His disciples prior to being taken and killed, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). Paul was told by Ananias, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).
The need to be clean to dwell in the presence of God is a message taught as early as the construction of the tabernacle. God instructed the Israelites to build a laver of bronze that was placed between the altar of burnt offerings and the tent of meeting. Moses writes, “And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it; when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, that they may not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 30:19-20). The message here is simple: Be washed before you enter into the presence of God, or DIE! Approaching God’s altar or His dwelling place is not something to take lightly. Without proper preparation, it is a dangerous place to be!
It is interesting that the washing of water is not a once-for-all-time act. God knows His priesthood is going to need a continual cleansing and requires them to learn this lesson by what He requires at the Tabernacle. It is not that God will have nothing to do with them when they are unclean. The altar of burnt offering provides the means to be cleansed from their sin. Like the father of the Prodigal son, God runs to the unclean child who shows repentance and dresses them in a new robe, killing the fattened calf in order to fellowship with them. However, there is a respect for the holiness of God that must never be forgotten. While He runs to the child who chooses to repent from living among the unclean pigs, He still demands our efforts to show respect for His holiness before we barge into His presence.
Once again, Jesus is the fulfillment of what God requires at the Tabernacle. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). The cleansing by Jesus is perpetual and allows us into the presence of God. What the Tabernacle points to is fulfilled once-and-for-all in Jesus. As the Scriptures reveal, being washed is vital! How wonderful that God satisfies His own requirement and our need through Jesus!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” How many times have you heard this statement? You will find this verse right next to the one that says, “God helps those who help themselves.” Neither of these are really Scripture, but the concept of this first statement can easily be supported. Over and over again there is an emphasis in the Scriptures on our necessity to be washed in order to dwell in the presence of God. David begged God to wash him clean and remove his sin after his affair with Bathsheba and murder of her husband (Psalm 51:2, 7, 10); John the Baptist called people to “a baptism (washing) of repentance for forgiveness of sins” (Luke 3:3). Jesus told Peter during the last meal He had with His disciples prior to being taken and killed, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). Paul was told by Ananias, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).
The need to be clean to dwell in the presence of God is a message taught as early as the construction of the tabernacle. God instructed the Israelites to build a laver of bronze that was placed between the altar of burnt offerings and the tent of meeting. Moses writes, “And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it; when they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, that they may not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the Lord” (Exodus 30:19-20). The message here is simple: Be washed before you enter into the presence of God, or DIE! Approaching God’s altar or His dwelling place is not something to take lightly. Without proper preparation, it is a dangerous place to be!
It is interesting that the washing of water is not a once-for-all-time act. God knows His priesthood is going to need a continual cleansing and requires them to learn this lesson by what He requires at the Tabernacle. It is not that God will have nothing to do with them when they are unclean. The altar of burnt offering provides the means to be cleansed from their sin. Like the father of the Prodigal son, God runs to the unclean child who shows repentance and dresses them in a new robe, killing the fattened calf in order to fellowship with them. However, there is a respect for the holiness of God that must never be forgotten. While He runs to the child who chooses to repent from living among the unclean pigs, He still demands our efforts to show respect for His holiness before we barge into His presence.
Once again, Jesus is the fulfillment of what God requires at the Tabernacle. John tells us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9). The cleansing by Jesus is perpetual and allows us into the presence of God. What the Tabernacle points to is fulfilled once-and-for-all in Jesus. As the Scriptures reveal, being washed is vital! How wonderful that God satisfies His own requirement and our need through Jesus!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Mission Minded
WANTED: People with confidence and equipping to handle the role of a priest for God’s service. Skill set should include: The ability to provide sound counsel and teaching based upon the nature and will of God; a desire to share the love of God through word and deed; a love for the souls of people; and a humble spirit with the emotional make-up of being a peace-maker.
God is looking for more than just a few good men and women! He has called each of His followers to become part of “a Royal Priesthood”. In fact, the job opening listed above is really a REQUIREMENT FOR ALL OF GOD’S FOLLOWERS!!! Peter states, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). The blessing of being God’s chosen people and His treasured possession brings with it the responsibility of representing Him and even calling others out of darkness into His marvelous light.
God always intended for His people to serve as a priesthood to the rest of the world! His challenge to the Israelites as He called them into covenant with Him at Mt. Sinai was to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). They were His “treasured possession among all the peoples,” but He also said, “all the earth is Mine” (Exodus 19:5). In other words, He was not content with only the Israelites knowing Him in this special relationship. That is why He poured out His Spirit upon the Gentiles in the same manner that He did to the Jews in Acts 10. That is why God went out of His way to show a eunuch that he could now be acceptable to God and worship in His presence in Acts 8.
There are none whose lives are so messed up that God does not care for them and want to restore order and peace to their existence! We are His priesthood—representing Him to the fallen world and helping the fallen see the cleansing and new life available to them through Jesus. Do we even think about others in a priestly way? Do we see our need to reconcile people to the LORD? Will we fulfill our call to be missionaries and priests, or will we leave that up to the “professionals”? (This terminology is foreign to God’s word and intention!)
This morning you will have an opportunity to hear about mission work being done by others through our support. Be excited about what is going on and how we get to play a small part in that, BUT, don’t think that fulfills your duty as a priesthood for God! If you are not ready to share the truth about who God is and what He offers in Jesus, when will you be ready? What are you doing to develop the confidence and abilities to help others get right with God? You are God’s priesthood! Will you fulfill your role?
-Scott
God is looking for more than just a few good men and women! He has called each of His followers to become part of “a Royal Priesthood”. In fact, the job opening listed above is really a REQUIREMENT FOR ALL OF GOD’S FOLLOWERS!!! Peter states, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9). The blessing of being God’s chosen people and His treasured possession brings with it the responsibility of representing Him and even calling others out of darkness into His marvelous light.
God always intended for His people to serve as a priesthood to the rest of the world! His challenge to the Israelites as He called them into covenant with Him at Mt. Sinai was to be “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). They were His “treasured possession among all the peoples,” but He also said, “all the earth is Mine” (Exodus 19:5). In other words, He was not content with only the Israelites knowing Him in this special relationship. That is why He poured out His Spirit upon the Gentiles in the same manner that He did to the Jews in Acts 10. That is why God went out of His way to show a eunuch that he could now be acceptable to God and worship in His presence in Acts 8.
There are none whose lives are so messed up that God does not care for them and want to restore order and peace to their existence! We are His priesthood—representing Him to the fallen world and helping the fallen see the cleansing and new life available to them through Jesus. Do we even think about others in a priestly way? Do we see our need to reconcile people to the LORD? Will we fulfill our call to be missionaries and priests, or will we leave that up to the “professionals”? (This terminology is foreign to God’s word and intention!)
This morning you will have an opportunity to hear about mission work being done by others through our support. Be excited about what is going on and how we get to play a small part in that, BUT, don’t think that fulfills your duty as a priesthood for God! If you are not ready to share the truth about who God is and what He offers in Jesus, when will you be ready? What are you doing to develop the confidence and abilities to help others get right with God? You are God’s priesthood! Will you fulfill your role?
-Scott
Sunday, November 30, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 5
The Altar of Burnt Offerings
What does it take to enter into the presence of God? In one word—ATONEMENT! OK, maybe two words—ATONEMENT & REDEMPTION! Well, come to think of it, there is a third word—RECONCILIATION, and even a fourth word—JUSTIFICATION! And, how about COMMITMENT? Wow, there are a lot of things needed to enter into the presence of God! How does anyone remember all of these, in addition to knowing what some of these fancy words even mean?
The holiness of God demands a lot, but the love of God is large enough to not only teach what brings satisfaction to His holiness, but to also ultimately provide the only thing that will satisfy Him for eternity. This is where the layout of the Tabernacle has significance. God began teaching about and pointing to His ultimate provision right after the people of Israel entered into covenant with Him. However, instead of giving them volumes of theological exposition to read, He gave them an object lesson from which to learn—there is no entering into His presence without a proper sacrifice.
The first thing you come to upon entering the Tabernacle is the altar for burnt offerings. This was a five foot tall bronze altar shaped in a square that measured approximately eight feet across on each side. It was here that the priests offered before God the various sacrificial offerings on behalf of the people of Israel. Some of these sacrifices demonstrated complete devotion to God (such as the burnt offering, in which every part of the sacrifice was given to God), and some were used for atonement for sin. Some were offerings in which the priest and the one offering the sacrifice would share in a meal after choice portions of the sacrifice were offered to God. The animals offered up to God were to be the first and best of the flocks and herds of the Israelites. No sick or deformed animals were acceptable. God did not want Israel’s leftovers. He sought the first of what they had (thus requiring the first-born of their flocks and herds to be dedicated to Him), and the best, most prized animals. The price for their sins and to maintain a healthy relationship with God was considerable!
The significance was that Israel was learning what it takes to dwell in the presence of their holy God. One cannot accidently please God! It takes devotion and commitment and intention. It takes SACRIFICE! Even the pursuits of what seem so important in this world were to be laid aside or offered to God upon the altar of burnt offerings. To have God in our midst takes a willingness to put Him above all other pursuits and to recognize the high price tag placed upon Atonement, Redemption, Reconciliation, Justification and Commitment!
The incredible thing is how all of this points to the great gift of God, Himself, as He offers up the ultimate sacrifice—His Son—to provide an eternal answer to these needs. God did not ask for anything more than He was willing to give Himself! He provided His first and best in order to provide Atonement, Redemption, Reconciliation, Justification, and to show His Commitment to us!
Today, we do not have to offer up animals for sacrifice because Jesus is the once-for-all-time sacrifice. However, God still seeks our first and best. He still wants to our devotion, our commitment, our intention. Are we serving Him leftovers, or giving Him the choice selections of what we have to offer? This is what the altar is truly about!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
What does it take to enter into the presence of God? In one word—ATONEMENT! OK, maybe two words—ATONEMENT & REDEMPTION! Well, come to think of it, there is a third word—RECONCILIATION, and even a fourth word—JUSTIFICATION! And, how about COMMITMENT? Wow, there are a lot of things needed to enter into the presence of God! How does anyone remember all of these, in addition to knowing what some of these fancy words even mean?
The holiness of God demands a lot, but the love of God is large enough to not only teach what brings satisfaction to His holiness, but to also ultimately provide the only thing that will satisfy Him for eternity. This is where the layout of the Tabernacle has significance. God began teaching about and pointing to His ultimate provision right after the people of Israel entered into covenant with Him. However, instead of giving them volumes of theological exposition to read, He gave them an object lesson from which to learn—there is no entering into His presence without a proper sacrifice.
The first thing you come to upon entering the Tabernacle is the altar for burnt offerings. This was a five foot tall bronze altar shaped in a square that measured approximately eight feet across on each side. It was here that the priests offered before God the various sacrificial offerings on behalf of the people of Israel. Some of these sacrifices demonstrated complete devotion to God (such as the burnt offering, in which every part of the sacrifice was given to God), and some were used for atonement for sin. Some were offerings in which the priest and the one offering the sacrifice would share in a meal after choice portions of the sacrifice were offered to God. The animals offered up to God were to be the first and best of the flocks and herds of the Israelites. No sick or deformed animals were acceptable. God did not want Israel’s leftovers. He sought the first of what they had (thus requiring the first-born of their flocks and herds to be dedicated to Him), and the best, most prized animals. The price for their sins and to maintain a healthy relationship with God was considerable!
The significance was that Israel was learning what it takes to dwell in the presence of their holy God. One cannot accidently please God! It takes devotion and commitment and intention. It takes SACRIFICE! Even the pursuits of what seem so important in this world were to be laid aside or offered to God upon the altar of burnt offerings. To have God in our midst takes a willingness to put Him above all other pursuits and to recognize the high price tag placed upon Atonement, Redemption, Reconciliation, Justification and Commitment!
The incredible thing is how all of this points to the great gift of God, Himself, as He offers up the ultimate sacrifice—His Son—to provide an eternal answer to these needs. God did not ask for anything more than He was willing to give Himself! He provided His first and best in order to provide Atonement, Redemption, Reconciliation, Justification, and to show His Commitment to us!
Today, we do not have to offer up animals for sacrifice because Jesus is the once-for-all-time sacrifice. However, God still seeks our first and best. He still wants to our devotion, our commitment, our intention. Are we serving Him leftovers, or giving Him the choice selections of what we have to offer? This is what the altar is truly about!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 4
Go West, Young Man & Young Lady
So, you are standing at the altar of God just inside the gate of the Tabernacle. You are here because this is the place to bring your sacrifices in order to make atonement and show appreciation for the things God has done. It is always difficult to take the best of your flock and hand it over to the priests after laying your hands upon it to pass on your sins, just so they can slaughter it and present it as an offering to God. But now that you have rededicated yourself to the Lord, what will you do? What direction will your life go now?
Life is full of decisions! It always has been, and it always will be. How many times has a decision made in a fleeting moment produced consequences that last a lifetime? Should the fruit be eaten, or not even touched? Sarai, should we take Lot with us, or leave him to fend for himself in Ur? After viewing the Promised Land and seeing the people who inhabit the land along with their fortified cities, should we go up and attack, or persuade the people to turn back to Egypt? Should the king go to battle with the troops, or stay home at the palace and sit this one out? Decisions, decisions, decisions; how do we know what to do? Which direction should we take? Will this decision move me closer to God, or further away?
God has not left us without some GPS help! He wants to give us some direction for our lives—the Tabernacle demonstrates this! You see, the Tabernacle was always set up in the same direction. The entryway to the courtyard was pointed to the east every time it was set up. That means that once you finished bringing your sacrifice before God, there were only two primary directions one could go—east, away from the presence of God, or west, deeper into the presence of God. Is it a foreboding sign God provided that most of the people, once they performed their act of worship, would turn and go AWAY FROM the presence of God? How many of us fall into this trap, even today?
East is not a good direction to go in the Scriptures! When God kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden, it was to the east that He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword to protect the way back into the garden (Genesis 3:24). After Cain murdered his brother and was made a vagrant, it was to the east of Eden that he finally wound up settling and beginning a civilization that was so corrupt (Genesis 4:16). In the time of the Tower of Babel, the people continued to move east, away from the presence or will of God (Genesis 11:2). When Lot separated from Abraham, he traveled to the east, toward the land of Sodom, which we all know was a giant step in the wrong direction (Genesis 13:11). There are several other examples of this motif in the book of Genesis, but perhaps the best example of moving the other direction comes in the birth narrative of Jesus when Magi (or astrologers) from the Far East travel to the WEST in order to find the “King of the Jews” who would also become the Savior of the world (Matthew 2:1-2). They saw a sign from God calling them back into His presence “to worship Him”!
God is calling us deeper into His presence as well! This morning, after you present your offering before God through your praise and worship, don’t exit through the same door you normally do if it only takes you to the EAST. Choose a different direction! Jesus has reestablished the priesthood so all people can move deeper into the presence of God. Will you take advantage of this? Or, will you continue to maintain the same habits, watching others enjoy a closeness with God that could be yours, as well, if only you chose a different direction? GO WEST, YOUNG MAN & YOUNG LADY—and experience a deeper intimacy with God!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
So, you are standing at the altar of God just inside the gate of the Tabernacle. You are here because this is the place to bring your sacrifices in order to make atonement and show appreciation for the things God has done. It is always difficult to take the best of your flock and hand it over to the priests after laying your hands upon it to pass on your sins, just so they can slaughter it and present it as an offering to God. But now that you have rededicated yourself to the Lord, what will you do? What direction will your life go now?
Life is full of decisions! It always has been, and it always will be. How many times has a decision made in a fleeting moment produced consequences that last a lifetime? Should the fruit be eaten, or not even touched? Sarai, should we take Lot with us, or leave him to fend for himself in Ur? After viewing the Promised Land and seeing the people who inhabit the land along with their fortified cities, should we go up and attack, or persuade the people to turn back to Egypt? Should the king go to battle with the troops, or stay home at the palace and sit this one out? Decisions, decisions, decisions; how do we know what to do? Which direction should we take? Will this decision move me closer to God, or further away?
God has not left us without some GPS help! He wants to give us some direction for our lives—the Tabernacle demonstrates this! You see, the Tabernacle was always set up in the same direction. The entryway to the courtyard was pointed to the east every time it was set up. That means that once you finished bringing your sacrifice before God, there were only two primary directions one could go—east, away from the presence of God, or west, deeper into the presence of God. Is it a foreboding sign God provided that most of the people, once they performed their act of worship, would turn and go AWAY FROM the presence of God? How many of us fall into this trap, even today?
East is not a good direction to go in the Scriptures! When God kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden, it was to the east that He stationed the cherubim and the flaming sword to protect the way back into the garden (Genesis 3:24). After Cain murdered his brother and was made a vagrant, it was to the east of Eden that he finally wound up settling and beginning a civilization that was so corrupt (Genesis 4:16). In the time of the Tower of Babel, the people continued to move east, away from the presence or will of God (Genesis 11:2). When Lot separated from Abraham, he traveled to the east, toward the land of Sodom, which we all know was a giant step in the wrong direction (Genesis 13:11). There are several other examples of this motif in the book of Genesis, but perhaps the best example of moving the other direction comes in the birth narrative of Jesus when Magi (or astrologers) from the Far East travel to the WEST in order to find the “King of the Jews” who would also become the Savior of the world (Matthew 2:1-2). They saw a sign from God calling them back into His presence “to worship Him”!
God is calling us deeper into His presence as well! This morning, after you present your offering before God through your praise and worship, don’t exit through the same door you normally do if it only takes you to the EAST. Choose a different direction! Jesus has reestablished the priesthood so all people can move deeper into the presence of God. Will you take advantage of this? Or, will you continue to maintain the same habits, watching others enjoy a closeness with God that could be yours, as well, if only you chose a different direction? GO WEST, YOUNG MAN & YOUNG LADY—and experience a deeper intimacy with God!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, November 16, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 3
Only One Way In!!!
Who doesn’t like options and the freedom to express themselves in unique fashion? In fact, tell most of us there is only one way to solve something and we will immediately begin looking for loopholes or alternatives to prove you wrong. We don’t like being limited to one path!
I was watching the TV show The Amazing Race this past Sunday night and each team was given a task to follow a tangled mess of power lines where there were tags in random places with numbers upon them. Once they found all the numbers, they were to turn their list in to be checked by one of the natives to see if they found them all. I was startled to see one team follow the power lines looking at the wrong numbers and then get mad when the person checking their answers told them they were wrong. They went through the course several times searching in the wrong places and became angrier and more frustrated each time they were rejected. The truth is, there was only one right way to solve the challenge and because of their inability to step back and consider what the real task was, they wound up being eliminated from the race.
How many of us treat the ways of God in this manner? How many times do we get locked into a certain way of looking at things and then just can’t imagine that our way is not THE WAY? There must be something wrong with God; because we are convinced we are right. The problem could not possibly be with us! Right, Job? (He tried to bring a case before God about being mistreated and found out that God’s ways are far above his own, and he needed to walk by faith.)
The Tabernacle is such a beautiful teaching tool because it shows God’s desire to dwell among His people. Each element of the Tabernacle emphasizes what it takes to actually dwell in the presence of God. The first of those elements is the gate or door to enter into the courtyard of the Tabernacle. The walls of the courtyard were solid on every side but one, the side facing the east, in which there was an opening that served as the gate or door.
ONE WAY IN!
ONLY ONE WAY IN!!!
Every element of the Tabernacle points to the ministry of Jesus (as we will see as we go through each part of the Tabernacle). The gate is not an exception! John records some interesting words of Jesus in John 10:9 in which He states: “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Consider also the teaching of Peter before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:12 where he proclaims, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Jesus also proclaims about Himself in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” This last quote comes in the midst of a discussion with His disciples in which He shares with them the plan of preparing a place for them with His Father, so they can DWELL with Him.
God wants to dwell among us, but there is only one way in to His presence. People are not allowed to invent their own ways to come before Him. That might come across as “politically incorrect” or “intolerant”, but God is not concerned about our short-sighted and incorrect ways of looking at things. Do you want to draw near and dwell in the presence of God? Then come to the One Way In: JESUS!!!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Who doesn’t like options and the freedom to express themselves in unique fashion? In fact, tell most of us there is only one way to solve something and we will immediately begin looking for loopholes or alternatives to prove you wrong. We don’t like being limited to one path!
I was watching the TV show The Amazing Race this past Sunday night and each team was given a task to follow a tangled mess of power lines where there were tags in random places with numbers upon them. Once they found all the numbers, they were to turn their list in to be checked by one of the natives to see if they found them all. I was startled to see one team follow the power lines looking at the wrong numbers and then get mad when the person checking their answers told them they were wrong. They went through the course several times searching in the wrong places and became angrier and more frustrated each time they were rejected. The truth is, there was only one right way to solve the challenge and because of their inability to step back and consider what the real task was, they wound up being eliminated from the race.
How many of us treat the ways of God in this manner? How many times do we get locked into a certain way of looking at things and then just can’t imagine that our way is not THE WAY? There must be something wrong with God; because we are convinced we are right. The problem could not possibly be with us! Right, Job? (He tried to bring a case before God about being mistreated and found out that God’s ways are far above his own, and he needed to walk by faith.)
The Tabernacle is such a beautiful teaching tool because it shows God’s desire to dwell among His people. Each element of the Tabernacle emphasizes what it takes to actually dwell in the presence of God. The first of those elements is the gate or door to enter into the courtyard of the Tabernacle. The walls of the courtyard were solid on every side but one, the side facing the east, in which there was an opening that served as the gate or door.
ONE WAY IN!
ONLY ONE WAY IN!!!
Every element of the Tabernacle points to the ministry of Jesus (as we will see as we go through each part of the Tabernacle). The gate is not an exception! John records some interesting words of Jesus in John 10:9 in which He states: “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” Consider also the teaching of Peter before the Sanhedrin in Acts 4:12 where he proclaims, “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Jesus also proclaims about Himself in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” This last quote comes in the midst of a discussion with His disciples in which He shares with them the plan of preparing a place for them with His Father, so they can DWELL with Him.
God wants to dwell among us, but there is only one way in to His presence. People are not allowed to invent their own ways to come before Him. That might come across as “politically incorrect” or “intolerant”, but God is not concerned about our short-sighted and incorrect ways of looking at things. Do you want to draw near and dwell in the presence of God? Then come to the One Way In: JESUS!!!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, November 9, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle—Part 2
God Dwelt Among Us
Creation accounts from various cultures are interesting, particularly in the way they portray the purpose behind creating mankind. Both the Enuma Elish (an ancient Babylonian creation account) and The Atrahasis Epic (an ancient Assyrian creation account) have some similarities with the account found in the Hebrew Scriptures, yet the differences are striking! In both accounts mankind was an afterthought and created to perform menial tasks that the gods did not want to do themselves. In The Atrahasis Epic, some of the gods were responsible for digging the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and revolted because they did not want to do this work. In fact, the poem states, “Let him bear the yoke! Let him bear the yoke! Let man assume the drudgery of the god” and afterward, mankind was created.
How wonderful is it that the story found in our Bibles portrays an entirely different and empowering view behind the creation of mankind? The picture we are given is one of purpose (See Ephesians 2:10) and intimacy with God (See Genesis 3:8). We are shown high value! We have a God who wants to dwell among us!
The picture we find as we work our way through the Scriptures is that God has continually sought deeper levels of intimacy with us! From a portable dwelling (the Tabernacle) in the midst of the camp as His people traveled through the wilderness, to a permanent building (the Temple) as His people established themselves in the land He promised them, to God coming to “dwell” or “tabernacle” among His people in the form of Jesus (See John 1:14), to His people becoming the very Temple of God, housing His presence in our hearts (See I Corinthians 3:16), God has sought to lead us to a deeper experience of intimacy with Him.
The plan of God to dwell with mankind is evident throughout the Scriptures. Even before God made it clear to the Israelites that they would build a tabernacle (Exodus 25:8-9 is the 1st mention of the Tabernacle), He foretold His intentions in Exodus 15:17-18. Exodus 15 provides a song the Israelites sang right after being rescued by God from Pharaoh and his army by passing through the Red Sea on dry land. The song concludes with these thoughts: “You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” His objective is clear! He wants to dwell among His people! This is what constructing a Tabernacle was all about (READ Exodus 25:8-9).
The problem is, too many of us are content to have God dwell in a tent in the midst of the wilderness instead of giving Him room to take up residence within our hearts. God is not satisfied with this! The furniture and other elements of the Tabernacle all point to His desire for more (as the rest of this series will demonstrate). And, as already seen, God created us with more in mind! So, the question is simple: “Will we strive to live with God in the core of our lives?” It is where He belongs and where He wants to be!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Creation accounts from various cultures are interesting, particularly in the way they portray the purpose behind creating mankind. Both the Enuma Elish (an ancient Babylonian creation account) and The Atrahasis Epic (an ancient Assyrian creation account) have some similarities with the account found in the Hebrew Scriptures, yet the differences are striking! In both accounts mankind was an afterthought and created to perform menial tasks that the gods did not want to do themselves. In The Atrahasis Epic, some of the gods were responsible for digging the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and revolted because they did not want to do this work. In fact, the poem states, “Let him bear the yoke! Let him bear the yoke! Let man assume the drudgery of the god” and afterward, mankind was created.
How wonderful is it that the story found in our Bibles portrays an entirely different and empowering view behind the creation of mankind? The picture we are given is one of purpose (See Ephesians 2:10) and intimacy with God (See Genesis 3:8). We are shown high value! We have a God who wants to dwell among us!
The picture we find as we work our way through the Scriptures is that God has continually sought deeper levels of intimacy with us! From a portable dwelling (the Tabernacle) in the midst of the camp as His people traveled through the wilderness, to a permanent building (the Temple) as His people established themselves in the land He promised them, to God coming to “dwell” or “tabernacle” among His people in the form of Jesus (See John 1:14), to His people becoming the very Temple of God, housing His presence in our hearts (See I Corinthians 3:16), God has sought to lead us to a deeper experience of intimacy with Him.
The plan of God to dwell with mankind is evident throughout the Scriptures. Even before God made it clear to the Israelites that they would build a tabernacle (Exodus 25:8-9 is the 1st mention of the Tabernacle), He foretold His intentions in Exodus 15:17-18. Exodus 15 provides a song the Israelites sang right after being rescued by God from Pharaoh and his army by passing through the Red Sea on dry land. The song concludes with these thoughts: “You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, O LORD, which You have made for Your dwelling, the sanctuary, O LORD, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” His objective is clear! He wants to dwell among His people! This is what constructing a Tabernacle was all about (READ Exodus 25:8-9).
The problem is, too many of us are content to have God dwell in a tent in the midst of the wilderness instead of giving Him room to take up residence within our hearts. God is not satisfied with this! The furniture and other elements of the Tabernacle all point to His desire for more (as the rest of this series will demonstrate). And, as already seen, God created us with more in mind! So, the question is simple: “Will we strive to live with God in the core of our lives?” It is where He belongs and where He wants to be!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Out of Town
In case you have not discovered this yet, I am out of town this week! I have the pleasure of performing a wedding ceremony for a former student of mine in New Jersey and then I will be spending 6 days with my mom and brother in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia. I am looking forward to some time to receive a little TLC from my mommy and to have some face-to-face time with my brother and sister and their families. Thank you, Garden Ridge for allowing me this opportunity to get away like this once in a while.
Deeann and I (and Whitney, also) consider ourselves quite blessed to work with the church family here and we hope to see the Lord work through this church family (ourselves included) in powerful ways that bring about bountiful harvests of spiritual fruit so the communities around us will sit up and notice how real our God is and the beauty and value of trusting in His ways.
Next week we will resume our series on covenant. We will be jumping ahead to the book of Exodus to consider a model found throughout the Scriptures of Covenant—Grace—Empowerment—Intimacy. I will share how covenant is just the foundation of what God is truly desiring—a bond of intimacy with each of us! I will attempt to show how covenant leads to an outpouring of grace and a desire to empower, which result in deeper intimacy.
This morning, my dear friend and one of my favorite ministers on staff (he is ranked way up there with another minister on staff) will be filling in for me. Thank you, Philip, for your willingness and desire to proclaim God’s word and for the talents you possess. May God bless this church family with a powerful and enriching time of worship and fellowship so you are each well-equipped to face the challenges of the week ahead.
In conclusion, I will express my gratitude for the outpouring of love and appreciation Deeann and I received from this church family last week. We are moved by your generosity and expressions of appreciation. We hope you understand the joy we have being here with you and the quest we are on to walk the path of God with you for as long as He desires us to be together. We are overwhelmed by your kindness. Thank you!
-Scott
Deeann and I (and Whitney, also) consider ourselves quite blessed to work with the church family here and we hope to see the Lord work through this church family (ourselves included) in powerful ways that bring about bountiful harvests of spiritual fruit so the communities around us will sit up and notice how real our God is and the beauty and value of trusting in His ways.
Next week we will resume our series on covenant. We will be jumping ahead to the book of Exodus to consider a model found throughout the Scriptures of Covenant—Grace—Empowerment—Intimacy. I will share how covenant is just the foundation of what God is truly desiring—a bond of intimacy with each of us! I will attempt to show how covenant leads to an outpouring of grace and a desire to empower, which result in deeper intimacy.
This morning, my dear friend and one of my favorite ministers on staff (he is ranked way up there with another minister on staff) will be filling in for me. Thank you, Philip, for your willingness and desire to proclaim God’s word and for the talents you possess. May God bless this church family with a powerful and enriching time of worship and fellowship so you are each well-equipped to face the challenges of the week ahead.
In conclusion, I will express my gratitude for the outpouring of love and appreciation Deeann and I received from this church family last week. We are moved by your generosity and expressions of appreciation. We hope you understand the joy we have being here with you and the quest we are on to walk the path of God with you for as long as He desires us to be together. We are overwhelmed by your kindness. Thank you!
-Scott
Sunday, October 26, 2008
A Study of the Tabernacle: Is God Distant?
Have you ever felt like God has abandoned you? Maybe you are facing things that seem devastating and oppressive. Perhaps you feel taken advantage of by people who are only concerned about their own gain. It may be that wave after wave after wave of discouraging things have crashed against your hopes and dreams eroding the foundation of what you believe about the provision and protection of God. In desperation and frustration you cry out the words of Gideon from Judges 6:13, “If the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord deliver us from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us . . .”
Feeling abandoned by God is not a new thing. Each generation faces the question of whether God is real and cares. Gideon mentions the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but before God sent Moses and brought the 10 plagues to deliver Israel, what do you suppose that generation’s thoughts were about the provision and protection of God? Does He not see what we are going through? Sure, God had foretold these 400 years of oppression to our father, Abraham, but doesn’t God see how desperate we are? Can’t He feel our pain and recognize that enough is enough? It is hard to worship a God who seems so removed from the struggles we face in this life!
Perhaps, this is part of the reason behind the orders by God to build the Tabernacle while they are camped at Mt. Sinai, awaiting the march to the Promised Land. They had been witnessing His power and presence through the pillar of fire & cloud and the gift of manna each morning, but what about a God who actually dwells within their camp? Who had ever heard of such a thing? What might that do to provide comfort in the midst of the trials and challenges that come with living in this world? And, suppose this Tabernacle provides the foreshadow of an even deeper longing that God desires in His relationship with mankind? Instead of a God who dwells within the camp, suppose, through the Tabernacle, He pointed to a way that would allow Him access to take up residence within our hearts?
Over the next eleven weeks (or so), we will consider the various elements that were part of the Tabernacle and how they pointed to the plan of God to bring mankind into a relationship with Himself through the work of His own Son, Jesus. We will see that abandoning us is the farthest thing from His mind! So, you want a relationship with the God of the universe? Guess what? He wants one with you as well—up close and personal! And, He wants to give us plenty of reason to trust in His provision and protection through the things Jesus came to do on our behalf! He is not a distant God—He wants to live right in our midst!!!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Feeling abandoned by God is not a new thing. Each generation faces the question of whether God is real and cares. Gideon mentions the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, but before God sent Moses and brought the 10 plagues to deliver Israel, what do you suppose that generation’s thoughts were about the provision and protection of God? Does He not see what we are going through? Sure, God had foretold these 400 years of oppression to our father, Abraham, but doesn’t God see how desperate we are? Can’t He feel our pain and recognize that enough is enough? It is hard to worship a God who seems so removed from the struggles we face in this life!
Perhaps, this is part of the reason behind the orders by God to build the Tabernacle while they are camped at Mt. Sinai, awaiting the march to the Promised Land. They had been witnessing His power and presence through the pillar of fire & cloud and the gift of manna each morning, but what about a God who actually dwells within their camp? Who had ever heard of such a thing? What might that do to provide comfort in the midst of the trials and challenges that come with living in this world? And, suppose this Tabernacle provides the foreshadow of an even deeper longing that God desires in His relationship with mankind? Instead of a God who dwells within the camp, suppose, through the Tabernacle, He pointed to a way that would allow Him access to take up residence within our hearts?
Over the next eleven weeks (or so), we will consider the various elements that were part of the Tabernacle and how they pointed to the plan of God to bring mankind into a relationship with Himself through the work of His own Son, Jesus. We will see that abandoning us is the farthest thing from His mind! So, you want a relationship with the God of the universe? Guess what? He wants one with you as well—up close and personal! And, He wants to give us plenty of reason to trust in His provision and protection through the things Jesus came to do on our behalf! He is not a distant God—He wants to live right in our midst!!!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, October 19, 2008
So, This is What a Stroke Feels Like!
What a Monday! Talk about a dark and depressing day! This past Monday sure fell into that category! It seemed like no matter what I said . . . it was the wrong thing! It felt like everyone I talked to had a major crisis or serious problem they were dealing with. There was depressing news about people’s health, financial burdens, addictive behavior, etc. Some of my words meant to provide comfort and a spiritual blessing were twisted out of context and unappreciated. Add to this the stress I was feeling concerning the various lesson plans and sermon notes I needed to work on, plus two wedding ceremonies rapidly approaching, and it was a setting for trouble.
The morning was blown up when I got to the office and found out there would be no secretary to help cover the phones until later in the morning (unless you consider Philip a secretary—haha—By the way, Pam was sick and Sheri was out of town, so this is not an indictment against them, it is just the way this particular Monday happened to work out). After several interruptions due to phone calls, I could see this was not going to be a productive day. I still had a bulletin article to write and the ideas were not flowing (as you can probably tell). I tried to get involved in reading some material in preparation for my class on Acts, but my mind kept jumping to thoughts of people dealing with loved ones hurting or dying and other struggles going on in personal lives. My prayers felt cold and ineffective. It was just a bad morning!
Deeann called me to have lunch with her and I thought I better try to get something done, so I decided to isolate myself in my office and skip lunch. (Maybe I could get something done this way?) Unfortunately, that only resulted in my developing hunger pangs and a headache. My mood was going downhill fast! Not only that, but it also felt like the creator of time was playing this huge cosmic joke on me. Every time I would look at my watch, what seemed like 10 minutes had passed would be over an hour! Where was this day going?
One more interruption on the phone from a salesman and I was set up for it to happen. I had no warning that a stroke was on the way, but I sure recognized it when it happened! To be honest, it was two strokes within minutes of each other that pretty much changed my day. The first one was a message that said, “I love you!!! Remember, you are special!!” and the second one was a note of thanks and appreciation for some things I had said earlier. TWO STROKES of love and encouragement within minutes of one another! Oh, how that changed my day!!!
Perhaps, that is why the author of Hebrews writes the message he does in 10:24. It says, “ . . .and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds . . .” Who has God placed on your heart to pray for and send a message of encouragement? There are no doubt others who have had much worse days than the one I just described and could sure use a stroke to carry them through! Will you be a resource for God this week to lift up someone else and help them feel appreciated? Go ahead—take time to make someone’s day. When they get over the shock, they may even pass on what they have received!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
The morning was blown up when I got to the office and found out there would be no secretary to help cover the phones until later in the morning (unless you consider Philip a secretary—haha—By the way, Pam was sick and Sheri was out of town, so this is not an indictment against them, it is just the way this particular Monday happened to work out). After several interruptions due to phone calls, I could see this was not going to be a productive day. I still had a bulletin article to write and the ideas were not flowing (as you can probably tell). I tried to get involved in reading some material in preparation for my class on Acts, but my mind kept jumping to thoughts of people dealing with loved ones hurting or dying and other struggles going on in personal lives. My prayers felt cold and ineffective. It was just a bad morning!
Deeann called me to have lunch with her and I thought I better try to get something done, so I decided to isolate myself in my office and skip lunch. (Maybe I could get something done this way?) Unfortunately, that only resulted in my developing hunger pangs and a headache. My mood was going downhill fast! Not only that, but it also felt like the creator of time was playing this huge cosmic joke on me. Every time I would look at my watch, what seemed like 10 minutes had passed would be over an hour! Where was this day going?
One more interruption on the phone from a salesman and I was set up for it to happen. I had no warning that a stroke was on the way, but I sure recognized it when it happened! To be honest, it was two strokes within minutes of each other that pretty much changed my day. The first one was a message that said, “I love you!!! Remember, you are special!!” and the second one was a note of thanks and appreciation for some things I had said earlier. TWO STROKES of love and encouragement within minutes of one another! Oh, how that changed my day!!!
Perhaps, that is why the author of Hebrews writes the message he does in 10:24. It says, “ . . .and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds . . .” Who has God placed on your heart to pray for and send a message of encouragement? There are no doubt others who have had much worse days than the one I just described and could sure use a stroke to carry them through! Will you be a resource for God this week to lift up someone else and help them feel appreciated? Go ahead—take time to make someone’s day. When they get over the shock, they may even pass on what they have received!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Power to Accomplish What God Desires: There is Strength in Numbers!—Part VI
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states:
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
What a great teaching on the necessity of community! There is strength in numbers! This is why God instituted what we call the Church (a collection of believers separated from the ways of the world and able to spur one another on to greater love and good deeds because of the core things we hold in common). Yet, how many of us are attempting to live out our faith as though we are the Lone Ranger? How many of us keep our fears and failures bottled up inside of us because we have to put on the front that we are strong in our faith? How many of us would love to see the power of prayer bring about miraculous changes but are afraid to ask our brothers and sisters for help because we do not want to appear weak or needy?
Our calling is not to be solitary Christians, but to be members of a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9). When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began His model prayer with, “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9). What part of our life in Christ is supposed to be an individual endeavor? Granted, we will stand before God to give a personal accounting on the Day of Judgment, but even that accounting will be about how we treated others and fulfilled the roles we were called to play in family, church and community!
Elijah went through a rough time in his ministry. Following the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in which the prophets of Baal were destroyed, he was threatened by Jezebel. His response was to run! He ran all the way out of the Promised Land and eventually isolated himself in a cave on the mountain where God had visited Moses and given him the 10 Commandments (I Kings 19:1-8). In his dialogue with God following the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire that God was not in, God told him there were 7000 in Israel (the land he had just run away from) that had not bowed their knee to Baal (V. 18). SEVEN THOUSAND!!! Elijah had just said to God, “I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (V. 14). How did he not know about the SEVEN THOUSAND who were faithful to God? What kind of strength could this have given him as he dealt with a threat against his life and discouragement and fear?
Is it possible for us to become so preoccupied with our own struggles and frustrations that we fail to see the resources God has placed all around us through other believers in Him? We run to our caves of isolation feeling weak, tired and alone and convince ourselves that no one else understands or cares. We seek powerful displays from God to demonstrate our significance and value to Him, and to be affirmed in His care for us, but when He is in the gentle blowing wind instead of the fire and earthquake, we might not hear Him or experience Him because we are looking in the wrong place. And yet, we may have been surrounded by SEVEN THOUSAND who would walk right alongside us, if we only gave it a chance.
It was God who said, “It is not good for the man to be alone . . . .” It seems as though He understands the power we could have in numbers! Do we?
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.
What a great teaching on the necessity of community! There is strength in numbers! This is why God instituted what we call the Church (a collection of believers separated from the ways of the world and able to spur one another on to greater love and good deeds because of the core things we hold in common). Yet, how many of us are attempting to live out our faith as though we are the Lone Ranger? How many of us keep our fears and failures bottled up inside of us because we have to put on the front that we are strong in our faith? How many of us would love to see the power of prayer bring about miraculous changes but are afraid to ask our brothers and sisters for help because we do not want to appear weak or needy?
Our calling is not to be solitary Christians, but to be members of a royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9). When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He began His model prayer with, “Our Father” (Matthew 6:9). What part of our life in Christ is supposed to be an individual endeavor? Granted, we will stand before God to give a personal accounting on the Day of Judgment, but even that accounting will be about how we treated others and fulfilled the roles we were called to play in family, church and community!
Elijah went through a rough time in his ministry. Following the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel in which the prophets of Baal were destroyed, he was threatened by Jezebel. His response was to run! He ran all the way out of the Promised Land and eventually isolated himself in a cave on the mountain where God had visited Moses and given him the 10 Commandments (I Kings 19:1-8). In his dialogue with God following the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire that God was not in, God told him there were 7000 in Israel (the land he had just run away from) that had not bowed their knee to Baal (V. 18). SEVEN THOUSAND!!! Elijah had just said to God, “I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away” (V. 14). How did he not know about the SEVEN THOUSAND who were faithful to God? What kind of strength could this have given him as he dealt with a threat against his life and discouragement and fear?
Is it possible for us to become so preoccupied with our own struggles and frustrations that we fail to see the resources God has placed all around us through other believers in Him? We run to our caves of isolation feeling weak, tired and alone and convince ourselves that no one else understands or cares. We seek powerful displays from God to demonstrate our significance and value to Him, and to be affirmed in His care for us, but when He is in the gentle blowing wind instead of the fire and earthquake, we might not hear Him or experience Him because we are looking in the wrong place. And yet, we may have been surrounded by SEVEN THOUSAND who would walk right alongside us, if we only gave it a chance.
It was God who said, “It is not good for the man to be alone . . . .” It seems as though He understands the power we could have in numbers! Do we?
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Power to Accomplish What God Desires: Are You Sure You Want It?—Part V
Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” If his statement is accurate, how many of us fall within the parameters of this definition when it comes to our spiritual walk? We say we want to develop deeper intimacy with Jesus and for His power to work in us and through us, but is that true? Could it be that to have His power unleashed in our lives is too scary a proposition, requiring too much from us? Our spiritual lives get into a rut, but we keep hoping for better outcomes, as long as we don’t have to change anything!
I remember a time working with the campus ministry at ENMU when I became discouraged and frustrated because some of the students couldn’t seem to get their lives out of the world. They professed belief in Jesus, but they wanted to enjoy various things the world also has to offer, and couldn’t see how this was adversely affecting their witness for Jesus. (You can imagine on the campus of a State University what types of distractions were readily available for our students to struggle with.) Our ministry was not very powerful or effective that semester and I was tired from trying to provide intercession where it was not wanted or appreciated. As I began to get depressed, Deeann sent me an article based on Mark 5 that gave me some new perspective.
We encounter a story of Jesus in the region of the Gerasenes where He will heal a man possessed by a legion of demons. The description of the man is that he was able to tear apart shackles and chains and “no one was strong enough to subdue him” (V. 3-4). Well, almost no one!!! The overwhelming power of Jesus is quite clear when this demon-possessed man says to Him, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God, do not torment me!” (V. 7). Jesus allows the demons to enter a herd of 2000 swine, which promptly run off a steep bank into the sea and are drowned (V. 13). This incredible display of POWER is realized by the townspeople when they hear the report from the herdsmen and come to Jesus and see the formerly demon-possessed man sitting down, clothed, and in his right mind (V. 14-15). Jesus has just restored a life!!! His power is strong enough to clean up any mess!
How do the townspeople respond to this power? The end of V. 15 tells us they were “frightened” and V. 17 informs us that they begged Jesus to leave their region! Even though what Jesus did was good, they are not sure this new power, the disruption to their lives, or the economic loss are worth having around. Thus, they ask Him to take His power and go! Perhaps, they preferred the status quo? Maybe they were afraid of what might happen if Jesus began tinkering around in their own lives? The point is we must be open to incredible measures being taken within our lives when Jesus unleashes His power and cleans them out. Perhaps, that is what we are afraid of most of all!
Are you struggling with what God is able to do through you? His power is awesome! What would you like for Him to do? Leave you in “peace”, or stay to clean up your life? The choice is yours, but the power is His, and He won’t give it to you on “your terms”. Are you sure you want it? Not everybody does!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
I remember a time working with the campus ministry at ENMU when I became discouraged and frustrated because some of the students couldn’t seem to get their lives out of the world. They professed belief in Jesus, but they wanted to enjoy various things the world also has to offer, and couldn’t see how this was adversely affecting their witness for Jesus. (You can imagine on the campus of a State University what types of distractions were readily available for our students to struggle with.) Our ministry was not very powerful or effective that semester and I was tired from trying to provide intercession where it was not wanted or appreciated. As I began to get depressed, Deeann sent me an article based on Mark 5 that gave me some new perspective.
We encounter a story of Jesus in the region of the Gerasenes where He will heal a man possessed by a legion of demons. The description of the man is that he was able to tear apart shackles and chains and “no one was strong enough to subdue him” (V. 3-4). Well, almost no one!!! The overwhelming power of Jesus is quite clear when this demon-possessed man says to Him, “What do I have to do with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore you by God, do not torment me!” (V. 7). Jesus allows the demons to enter a herd of 2000 swine, which promptly run off a steep bank into the sea and are drowned (V. 13). This incredible display of POWER is realized by the townspeople when they hear the report from the herdsmen and come to Jesus and see the formerly demon-possessed man sitting down, clothed, and in his right mind (V. 14-15). Jesus has just restored a life!!! His power is strong enough to clean up any mess!
How do the townspeople respond to this power? The end of V. 15 tells us they were “frightened” and V. 17 informs us that they begged Jesus to leave their region! Even though what Jesus did was good, they are not sure this new power, the disruption to their lives, or the economic loss are worth having around. Thus, they ask Him to take His power and go! Perhaps, they preferred the status quo? Maybe they were afraid of what might happen if Jesus began tinkering around in their own lives? The point is we must be open to incredible measures being taken within our lives when Jesus unleashes His power and cleans them out. Perhaps, that is what we are afraid of most of all!
Are you struggling with what God is able to do through you? His power is awesome! What would you like for Him to do? Leave you in “peace”, or stay to clean up your life? The choice is yours, but the power is His, and He won’t give it to you on “your terms”. Are you sure you want it? Not everybody does!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Power to Accomplish What God Desires: Where Does It Come From?—Part IV
Do the situations of your life ever get so frustrating or overwhelming that you wonder if continuing to live is even worth the effort? Does it ever feel like the God you have heard about did all His good work in the past? Stories of Him rescuing people; fighting in miraculous ways to provide victory; bringing plagues to show His power and authority over all creation and that there is no comparison between Him and the gods of the nations all around—where are these things now? The God who sent the death angel to set His people free; who parted the Red Sea and drowned Pharaoh’s army; who provided direction through a pillar of cloud and fire; who made the walls of Jericho fall flat; who sent hail stones and made the sun stand still so Israel could conquer the Promised Land—where is that God now? Do I worship an obsolete and irrelevant God who lives only in stories of the past?
Do you suppose these were some of the thoughts of the Israelites who witnessed the attack of the Assyrians upon Jerusalem during the time of Isaiah? If God really sees our desperation and does nothing about it, could it be that He is not powerful enough to overcome? Maybe He just doesn’t care? Could it be that he is too tired or weary to make a difference? How could the creator of the universe profess to love His people and then sit back and watch as they were thrown out of their homes and sent into captivity as slaves? Perhaps the promises of God aren’t worth the tablets they were written upon?
Isaiah addresses these very questions as he writes to those in Jerusalem about what God is doing through the Assyrians. In Chapter 40, he speaks to their fear, calling them to be comforted (V. 1). He claims God is a shepherd caring for the ewe lambs, carrying them and keeping them safe (V. 11). In answer to any questions about the power of God, he writes about His immense size, power and control as the creator who weighs the mountains in scales and measures the heavens. The nations are like a speck of dust to Him (V. 12-17)! He is also the One who created the stars, names them, and makes sure not one is missing (V. 26). Thus, what will you compare Him to (V. 25)? As far as His promises are concerned, Isaiah boldly claims in V. 8, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever!” In other words, His promises will not fail! The picture Isaiah is painting is that there is nothing that compares with God! He is the All-Powerful Creator who still works in His world!
Notice where Isaiah’s thoughts turn as he applies his understanding of God and His ways to those facing pain, displacement, an uncertain future and fear. He reminds the Israelites to wait upon the Lord. In so doing, they will gain new strength, soar like eagles, run without getting tired, and walk without becoming weary (V. 31). When things seem overwhelming, it is not that God is weak, uncaring, full of hot air, or irrelevant! Trusting Him means He will work things out according to His timing as is best for His eternal kingdom. Our power comes in waiting upon Him! There are many things calling for our allegiance or causing distraction, but turning to things less than Him never works. Don’t settle for temporary fixes when the One completely in control offers His strength for an eternal solution! He is our power!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Do you suppose these were some of the thoughts of the Israelites who witnessed the attack of the Assyrians upon Jerusalem during the time of Isaiah? If God really sees our desperation and does nothing about it, could it be that He is not powerful enough to overcome? Maybe He just doesn’t care? Could it be that he is too tired or weary to make a difference? How could the creator of the universe profess to love His people and then sit back and watch as they were thrown out of their homes and sent into captivity as slaves? Perhaps the promises of God aren’t worth the tablets they were written upon?
Isaiah addresses these very questions as he writes to those in Jerusalem about what God is doing through the Assyrians. In Chapter 40, he speaks to their fear, calling them to be comforted (V. 1). He claims God is a shepherd caring for the ewe lambs, carrying them and keeping them safe (V. 11). In answer to any questions about the power of God, he writes about His immense size, power and control as the creator who weighs the mountains in scales and measures the heavens. The nations are like a speck of dust to Him (V. 12-17)! He is also the One who created the stars, names them, and makes sure not one is missing (V. 26). Thus, what will you compare Him to (V. 25)? As far as His promises are concerned, Isaiah boldly claims in V. 8, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever!” In other words, His promises will not fail! The picture Isaiah is painting is that there is nothing that compares with God! He is the All-Powerful Creator who still works in His world!
Notice where Isaiah’s thoughts turn as he applies his understanding of God and His ways to those facing pain, displacement, an uncertain future and fear. He reminds the Israelites to wait upon the Lord. In so doing, they will gain new strength, soar like eagles, run without getting tired, and walk without becoming weary (V. 31). When things seem overwhelming, it is not that God is weak, uncaring, full of hot air, or irrelevant! Trusting Him means He will work things out according to His timing as is best for His eternal kingdom. Our power comes in waiting upon Him! There are many things calling for our allegiance or causing distraction, but turning to things less than Him never works. Don’t settle for temporary fixes when the One completely in control offers His strength for an eternal solution! He is our power!
Click to listen to sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Power to Accomplish What God Desires: Where Does It Come From?—Part III
Imagine being ripped out of your home and bound with chains, cast into a line of slaves and marched hundreds of miles to live in squalor in a land that is not your own! You saw your property destroyed and neighbors killed as they stood in resistance! Some of your family was taken from you! You are not sure where they are, or if they are even alive! All you can think about is, “WHY? Why is all this happening?”
Jeremiah is writing to such an audience as this in Jeremiah 29 in an effort to provide them some encouragement. He writes to Israelites who have lost everything and are living as refugees in Babylon! And, why are they in this predicament? As a people, they became desensitized to the evil and unholy practices of the nations around them and allowed compromise to creep into their lives. The power they had available to them was hindered because they did not stay true to the power source. A long history of defeating nations more powerful and larger in size than them was forgotten and negated because they became dependent upon their own wisdom, power, ingenuity and fleshly desires. Thus, the Babylonians were allowed to enter Jerusalem and capture God’s people, sending them into exile!
Now, which of these two groups do you suppose is in more danger—the exiles in Babylon, or the Israelites still living in Jerusalem who were not taken into captivity? The answer is: the group who refuses to learn from the circumstances they have experienced! God has an interesting message for both groups. To the exiles, He says:
For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.' (Jer. 29:10-14)
However, to the Israelites still in Jerusalem He has a quite different message:
thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Behold, I am sending upon them the sword, famine and pestilence, and I will make them like split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness. I will pursue them with the sword, with famine and with pestilence; and I will make them a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse and a horror and a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, because they have not listened to My words,' declares the LORD, 'which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,' declares the LORD. (Jer. 29:17-19)
Don’t let your circumstances deceive you! Those humbled by exile would be rescued and restored, while those living in Jerusalem would be destroyed? Those with the Temple in their midst did not have the presence of God in their midst? Those removed from the Promised Land had a future, a hope, and would be heard by God? What is going on? Isn’t this backwards?
Do you want to experience the power of God? Be humble, teachable, moldable, and open to His discipline and direction! Don’t let your circumstances fool you—they may just be in place to get your attention and allegiance. God’s power is for those who are seeking Him. If your trials and struggles move you to seek Him, give thanks for them because you will quickly find that He also has a future and a hope for you !!!
Click to listen to this week's sermon.
-Scott
Jeremiah is writing to such an audience as this in Jeremiah 29 in an effort to provide them some encouragement. He writes to Israelites who have lost everything and are living as refugees in Babylon! And, why are they in this predicament? As a people, they became desensitized to the evil and unholy practices of the nations around them and allowed compromise to creep into their lives. The power they had available to them was hindered because they did not stay true to the power source. A long history of defeating nations more powerful and larger in size than them was forgotten and negated because they became dependent upon their own wisdom, power, ingenuity and fleshly desires. Thus, the Babylonians were allowed to enter Jerusalem and capture God’s people, sending them into exile!
Now, which of these two groups do you suppose is in more danger—the exiles in Babylon, or the Israelites still living in Jerusalem who were not taken into captivity? The answer is: the group who refuses to learn from the circumstances they have experienced! God has an interesting message for both groups. To the exiles, He says:
For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.' (Jer. 29:10-14)
However, to the Israelites still in Jerusalem He has a quite different message:
thus says the LORD of hosts, 'Behold, I am sending upon them the sword, famine and pestilence, and I will make them like split-open figs that cannot be eaten due to rottenness. I will pursue them with the sword, with famine and with pestilence; and I will make them a terror to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse and a horror and a hissing, and a reproach among all the nations where I have driven them, because they have not listened to My words,' declares the LORD, 'which I sent to them again and again by My servants the prophets; but you did not listen,' declares the LORD. (Jer. 29:17-19)
Don’t let your circumstances deceive you! Those humbled by exile would be rescued and restored, while those living in Jerusalem would be destroyed? Those with the Temple in their midst did not have the presence of God in their midst? Those removed from the Promised Land had a future, a hope, and would be heard by God? What is going on? Isn’t this backwards?
Do you want to experience the power of God? Be humble, teachable, moldable, and open to His discipline and direction! Don’t let your circumstances fool you—they may just be in place to get your attention and allegiance. God’s power is for those who are seeking Him. If your trials and struggles move you to seek Him, give thanks for them because you will quickly find that He also has a future and a hope for you !!!
Click to listen to this week's sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Power to Accomplish What God Desires: Where Does It Come From?—Part II
I had an interesting conversation with one of our members at Garden Ridge last week. He asked me how the sign-up for the prayer & fasting time was looking and I informed him that at the moment there were only about 10 out of 48 time slots signed up for (this was on Tuesday, just 3 days from the prayer and fasting time to begin). His response struck me! Hard! He said, “That really scares me! Why do so many of our church members believe our prayers won’t make any difference?” I believe his question is one we had better wrestle with, or stop calling ourselves a church! (If you are reading this article, you may have just said to yourself, “WHOA—how did you jump that far? What do you mean we are not a church?”)
The last letter written to the churches of Asia in Revelation 3:14-22 deals with a church that has become lukewarm. From the things stated in V. 17, they are apparently an affluent church and their ability to provide for themselves has caused them to go blind (spiritually). They are able to take care of their own needs, which has led to a scary and serious problem—they do not even realize that Jesus is NOT among them! He is on the outside, knocking on the door to get in, but they are so busy with their trivial pursuits that He does not know whether they will come open the door for Him (V. 20). They may not even hear Him! Now, seriously, how can you be a church if Jesus is not in your presence? (OK—so now you are probably saying to yourself, “What does the church of Laodicea and their problems have to do with us?”)
Suppose we became so focused on our own pursuits that we neglected the things Jesus wanted us to give our time, energy and focus upon? Let me say it this way: If Jesus was truly in our midst, what things would He be pursuing? What did He give His time, energy and focus to while He walked upon this earth? How much time did He give to sharing the love and teachings of His Father with everyone He could spend time with? Now compare the minimal efforts most of us make to share the teachings of God with those around us who are not in a right relationship with Him. Could it be that we are the lukewarm church Jesus is writing to in Revelation 3:14-20? Is it possible that He has been knocking, trying to get our attention, but we have been so busy with other things that seem important that we have ignored His knocking? Is this an area we try to ignore because it only reveals the “shame of [our] nakedness;” or demonstrates our need for “eye salve” because we are spiritually blind—V. 18?
God has a plan for the body at Garden Ridge! He wants to see us succeed in going into all the world with His Good News and making disciples. He wants that truth to produce fruit in our lives that demonstrates how real He is and how good it is to live according to His will. But, isn’t it all just a foolish masquerade if we do not believe our prayers make any difference? Our prayer life is a barometer of the trust we have in our Father, and of our willingness to be submissive to His direction. Our prayer life reveals whether we believe God will act on our behalf. Our prayer life is a way to show the world that there is something different about our “religion” because there is something special about our God! He is personal and intimate! (LET’S TALK MORE ABOUT THIS NEXT WEEK!)
Click to listen to this week's sermon.
-Scott
The last letter written to the churches of Asia in Revelation 3:14-22 deals with a church that has become lukewarm. From the things stated in V. 17, they are apparently an affluent church and their ability to provide for themselves has caused them to go blind (spiritually). They are able to take care of their own needs, which has led to a scary and serious problem—they do not even realize that Jesus is NOT among them! He is on the outside, knocking on the door to get in, but they are so busy with their trivial pursuits that He does not know whether they will come open the door for Him (V. 20). They may not even hear Him! Now, seriously, how can you be a church if Jesus is not in your presence? (OK—so now you are probably saying to yourself, “What does the church of Laodicea and their problems have to do with us?”)
Suppose we became so focused on our own pursuits that we neglected the things Jesus wanted us to give our time, energy and focus upon? Let me say it this way: If Jesus was truly in our midst, what things would He be pursuing? What did He give His time, energy and focus to while He walked upon this earth? How much time did He give to sharing the love and teachings of His Father with everyone He could spend time with? Now compare the minimal efforts most of us make to share the teachings of God with those around us who are not in a right relationship with Him. Could it be that we are the lukewarm church Jesus is writing to in Revelation 3:14-20? Is it possible that He has been knocking, trying to get our attention, but we have been so busy with other things that seem important that we have ignored His knocking? Is this an area we try to ignore because it only reveals the “shame of [our] nakedness;” or demonstrates our need for “eye salve” because we are spiritually blind—V. 18?
God has a plan for the body at Garden Ridge! He wants to see us succeed in going into all the world with His Good News and making disciples. He wants that truth to produce fruit in our lives that demonstrates how real He is and how good it is to live according to His will. But, isn’t it all just a foolish masquerade if we do not believe our prayers make any difference? Our prayer life is a barometer of the trust we have in our Father, and of our willingness to be submissive to His direction. Our prayer life reveals whether we believe God will act on our behalf. Our prayer life is a way to show the world that there is something different about our “religion” because there is something special about our God! He is personal and intimate! (LET’S TALK MORE ABOUT THIS NEXT WEEK!)
Click to listen to this week's sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Power to Accomplish What God Desires: Where Does It Come From?
Isn’t it amazing that we live in a time where more books about how to build a healthy marriage have been written than at any other time in history (maybe more than all other times of history combined) and yet we see families crumbling at as high a rate as ever? And, why is it that with all the books written on parenting strategies, spending quality time with your children, how to discipline, speaking your child’s love language, etc. that there are more problems than ever with rebellion, teenage pregnancies, drug use, violence, eating disorders and anti-social behavior? What is going on? How can it be that there are at least 20 different Bible translations packaged in every form of genre’ imaginable (teen bibles, couples devotional bibles, sports bibles, bibles in the form of magazines, study bibles, parallel version bibles, etc.), but bible illiteracy and Scripture ignorance are at an all-time high? Has a nation ever had available to it the amount of self-help materials and copies of Scripture that we are “blessed” with? At what point will we stop to question what is missing between having these resources available and life-changing behavior?
The lie we seem to have fallen into is that we can solve our problems by thinking through things and coming up with more creative and thought-provoking ideas. Where is our dependence upon God? Imagine if half the time spent writing, publishing and even reading these resources was spent on prayer to our Father who sits on the throne and has all power to create goodness out of chaos. How much better would family and community be? We seem to have reached the point that we give vocal recognition to “the power of prayer”, but don’t really trust it to do anything.
Do you remember the story of Abram facing the famine in Genesis 12:10-20? He considered the problem and came up with a solution that seemed wise for the situation—“Please say you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.” Why not talk to the ONE who created the heavens and the earth and see if He has a solution? As you may remember, Abram’s plan did not go so well for him. Sarai was taken from him and would have been taken as another man’s bride except that the GOD of HEAVEN stepped in to protect Sarai. That is the power they had available to them all along! Who knows, He may have taken them to a brook and fed them with ravens so they didn’t even have to go down to Egypt, but they never called upon Him!
How many of our problems are the result of our lack of trust in the power of our God? We have been given numerous promises throughout the Scriptures of what God will do if we will call out to Him! Do we believe them? James says, “You do not have because you do not ask” (4:2). Matthew writes, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you” (7:7). It is in calling upon the Lord that we have REAL POWER!!! So, why do we settle for our own ingenuity and wisdom when the Maker of All wants to guide us to the Promised Land and a life of abundance? Will we call upon Him with confidence that He will hear us and lead us? Or, is this just another vocal recognition that we do not really trust? (CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)
Click to listen to this week's sermon.
-Scott
The lie we seem to have fallen into is that we can solve our problems by thinking through things and coming up with more creative and thought-provoking ideas. Where is our dependence upon God? Imagine if half the time spent writing, publishing and even reading these resources was spent on prayer to our Father who sits on the throne and has all power to create goodness out of chaos. How much better would family and community be? We seem to have reached the point that we give vocal recognition to “the power of prayer”, but don’t really trust it to do anything.
Do you remember the story of Abram facing the famine in Genesis 12:10-20? He considered the problem and came up with a solution that seemed wise for the situation—“Please say you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you, and that I may live on account of you.” Why not talk to the ONE who created the heavens and the earth and see if He has a solution? As you may remember, Abram’s plan did not go so well for him. Sarai was taken from him and would have been taken as another man’s bride except that the GOD of HEAVEN stepped in to protect Sarai. That is the power they had available to them all along! Who knows, He may have taken them to a brook and fed them with ravens so they didn’t even have to go down to Egypt, but they never called upon Him!
How many of our problems are the result of our lack of trust in the power of our God? We have been given numerous promises throughout the Scriptures of what God will do if we will call out to Him! Do we believe them? James says, “You do not have because you do not ask” (4:2). Matthew writes, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you” (7:7). It is in calling upon the Lord that we have REAL POWER!!! So, why do we settle for our own ingenuity and wisdom when the Maker of All wants to guide us to the Promised Land and a life of abundance? Will we call upon Him with confidence that He will hear us and lead us? Or, is this just another vocal recognition that we do not really trust? (CONTINUED NEXT WEEK)
Click to listen to this week's sermon.
-Scott
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Developing Spiritual Wisdom & Understanding—Colossians 1:9-12
On Being a Disciple—The Cycle of Spiritual Maturity
Developing Spiritual Wisdom & Understanding—Colossians 1:9-12
Do you know the difference in knowledge and wisdom, or knowledge and understanding? You see, Paul prays for the Colossians to not only be filled with the “knowledge of His will” in Colossians 1:9, but also for it to be “in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. In other words, having a head full of knowledge is not enough! God desires for us to grasp how to apply the knowledge we have to the things we face in this life in light of the spiritual realm! Spiritual maturity comes from learning about the things of God and then recognizing how those things provide guidance for the situations we face in this earthly realm.
How often do we go through experiences that are wasted because we are not prepared or disciplined enough to learn the lessons they could teach us? How many times do we have to learn lessons two, three, four times because we did not take the knowledge the situation was supplying and apply it to who our God is and what this means in the spiritual realm?
For instance, how many lessons do you think Judas heard about not being able to serve God and mammon; or about storing up treasure in this life and not being rich toward God? Yet, John tells us clearly at the end of Jesus’ ministry that Judas was a thief who used to pilfer money from the moneybox the apostles had with them (John 12:6). Surely, he could have repeated many of the lessons Jesus had taught in his presence! So, why didn’t they change his behavior? It appears Judas had a really hard time discerning the spiritual implications behind Jesus’ teachings and missed out on a grand scale!
LOOK! The Scriptures are loaded with stories where people had the teachings of God before them and somehow missed out on the real meaning behind them! What part of, “Thou shall not make any graven images” did Aaron misunderstand? Yet 40 days without Moses, and a mob that is getting impatient and possibly unruly can sure affect one’s spiritual perception—Right, Jesus? Solomon was given a gift of wisdom by God that led to him becoming the most powerful, wealthy and influential king, perhaps of all time. So, what happened? Remember, it is a Spiritual Maturity CYCLE!!! We are called to continue through the process of learning the knowledge of the will of God in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so it becomes part of our walk and then bears fruit over and over again. Somehow the process was short-circuited in the life of Solomon as he chased after women, riches and other things that took his heart away from God.
Do you see what Paul was praying for? He was praying for our eyes to be opened to the spiritual realm so we evaluate everything according to this perspective. Spiritual maturity is an impossibility without this! So, as you face the trials, frustrations, and even the joys of this upcoming week, may you take the time to consider how they apply to this world AND how they prepare you for life in the next. That is true wisdom and understanding!
-Scott
Developing Spiritual Wisdom & Understanding—Colossians 1:9-12
Do you know the difference in knowledge and wisdom, or knowledge and understanding? You see, Paul prays for the Colossians to not only be filled with the “knowledge of His will” in Colossians 1:9, but also for it to be “in all spiritual wisdom and understanding”. In other words, having a head full of knowledge is not enough! God desires for us to grasp how to apply the knowledge we have to the things we face in this life in light of the spiritual realm! Spiritual maturity comes from learning about the things of God and then recognizing how those things provide guidance for the situations we face in this earthly realm.
How often do we go through experiences that are wasted because we are not prepared or disciplined enough to learn the lessons they could teach us? How many times do we have to learn lessons two, three, four times because we did not take the knowledge the situation was supplying and apply it to who our God is and what this means in the spiritual realm?
For instance, how many lessons do you think Judas heard about not being able to serve God and mammon; or about storing up treasure in this life and not being rich toward God? Yet, John tells us clearly at the end of Jesus’ ministry that Judas was a thief who used to pilfer money from the moneybox the apostles had with them (John 12:6). Surely, he could have repeated many of the lessons Jesus had taught in his presence! So, why didn’t they change his behavior? It appears Judas had a really hard time discerning the spiritual implications behind Jesus’ teachings and missed out on a grand scale!
LOOK! The Scriptures are loaded with stories where people had the teachings of God before them and somehow missed out on the real meaning behind them! What part of, “Thou shall not make any graven images” did Aaron misunderstand? Yet 40 days without Moses, and a mob that is getting impatient and possibly unruly can sure affect one’s spiritual perception—Right, Jesus? Solomon was given a gift of wisdom by God that led to him becoming the most powerful, wealthy and influential king, perhaps of all time. So, what happened? Remember, it is a Spiritual Maturity CYCLE!!! We are called to continue through the process of learning the knowledge of the will of God in all spiritual wisdom and understanding so it becomes part of our walk and then bears fruit over and over again. Somehow the process was short-circuited in the life of Solomon as he chased after women, riches and other things that took his heart away from God.
Do you see what Paul was praying for? He was praying for our eyes to be opened to the spiritual realm so we evaluate everything according to this perspective. Spiritual maturity is an impossibility without this! So, as you face the trials, frustrations, and even the joys of this upcoming week, may you take the time to consider how they apply to this world AND how they prepare you for life in the next. That is true wisdom and understanding!
-Scott
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Filled With the Knowledge of His Will—Colossians 1:9-12
On Being a Disciple—The Cycle of Spiritual Maturity
Filled With the Knowledge of His Will—Colossians 1:9-12
Having recently moved to the Dallas area, there have been many times I have not known how to find a place I was supposed to be at. OK—maybe I should just say it—I have been lost! Mapquest has been a help at times, but it is certainly not flawless. So, can you just picture me lost in the midst of the Metroplex and stopping to ask a young man who is by the side of the road for directions? I roll down the window and ask, “Excuse me, but could you tell me the way to Parkland Hospital from here?” “Well,” the boy answers, “You go down this road about a mile and turn left by the gas station. Then you turn right at the 3rd street. That will bring you to a place where three streets meet at the George Bush Tollway. Once you get there, you had better find someone else to ask how to get the rest of the way.”
How many of you would be frustrated with directions like this? If so, perhaps that is why we find it so hard to walk with God during various trials or uncertain situations. This is a parable of life! When the ultimate end is uncertain, isn’t it good to get directions, however sketchy they might be, that move us, if only a few steps, in the right direction rather than in an incorrect direction? “Can’t you just give it all to me now?” “God, you know where I am supposed to wind up, so why not just give me the whole picture now and I will do my best to follow directions?”
Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12 for the believers at Colossae to become more mature in their spiritual walk began, and came back to, their developing an increased knowledge of God and His will. As stated in last week’s article, the point of this cycle is that we are never to stop growing in our relationship with God. The steps of the cycle lead us back to an “increase in the knowledge of God” so every other part of the cycle also increases each time we work through it.
Do you understand what this means, Church? There should never be a point in which we have arrived and are done growing! Life itself should teach us this lesson! How many things that you learned the first 20 years of your life have changed since that time? How many things have been discovered or invented over the past 20 years? How could you possibly keep up if you stopped learning? It is a true statement that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever,” however, at what point will you have Him and His ways all figured out? We can count on His consistency (thus the teaching from Hebrews 13:8), but the very nature of things calls for us to keep on growing in our knowledge of Him (thus Paul’s prayer on behalf of the Colossians).
So, what does God want you to learn today? Are you ready? Is your spirit teachable and moldable? What have the experiences of your past week taught you about who God is and what he wills for your life? I am sure Paul prays the same prayer for us as he did for the Colossians! But, even if you are not confident in that, then I will offer this prayer on your behalf throughout this week! Let’s keep growing in our knowledge of God and see where that takes us in the other parts of the cycle of spiritual maturity. Next week we talk about developing spiritual wisdom and understanding.
-Scott
Filled With the Knowledge of His Will—Colossians 1:9-12
Having recently moved to the Dallas area, there have been many times I have not known how to find a place I was supposed to be at. OK—maybe I should just say it—I have been lost! Mapquest has been a help at times, but it is certainly not flawless. So, can you just picture me lost in the midst of the Metroplex and stopping to ask a young man who is by the side of the road for directions? I roll down the window and ask, “Excuse me, but could you tell me the way to Parkland Hospital from here?” “Well,” the boy answers, “You go down this road about a mile and turn left by the gas station. Then you turn right at the 3rd street. That will bring you to a place where three streets meet at the George Bush Tollway. Once you get there, you had better find someone else to ask how to get the rest of the way.”
How many of you would be frustrated with directions like this? If so, perhaps that is why we find it so hard to walk with God during various trials or uncertain situations. This is a parable of life! When the ultimate end is uncertain, isn’t it good to get directions, however sketchy they might be, that move us, if only a few steps, in the right direction rather than in an incorrect direction? “Can’t you just give it all to me now?” “God, you know where I am supposed to wind up, so why not just give me the whole picture now and I will do my best to follow directions?”
Paul’s prayer in Colossians 1:9-12 for the believers at Colossae to become more mature in their spiritual walk began, and came back to, their developing an increased knowledge of God and His will. As stated in last week’s article, the point of this cycle is that we are never to stop growing in our relationship with God. The steps of the cycle lead us back to an “increase in the knowledge of God” so every other part of the cycle also increases each time we work through it.
Do you understand what this means, Church? There should never be a point in which we have arrived and are done growing! Life itself should teach us this lesson! How many things that you learned the first 20 years of your life have changed since that time? How many things have been discovered or invented over the past 20 years? How could you possibly keep up if you stopped learning? It is a true statement that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, yes and forever,” however, at what point will you have Him and His ways all figured out? We can count on His consistency (thus the teaching from Hebrews 13:8), but the very nature of things calls for us to keep on growing in our knowledge of Him (thus Paul’s prayer on behalf of the Colossians).
So, what does God want you to learn today? Are you ready? Is your spirit teachable and moldable? What have the experiences of your past week taught you about who God is and what he wills for your life? I am sure Paul prays the same prayer for us as he did for the Colossians! But, even if you are not confident in that, then I will offer this prayer on your behalf throughout this week! Let’s keep growing in our knowledge of God and see where that takes us in the other parts of the cycle of spiritual maturity. Next week we talk about developing spiritual wisdom and understanding.
-Scott
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Cycle of Spiritual Maturity
On Being a Disciple—The Cycle of Spiritual Maturity
Colossians 1:9-12
John emphasized three attributes a disciple of Jesus is required to demonstrate: (1) abide in His word; (2) have love for one another; and (3) bear much fruit. Hopefully, each one of us can look into our lives (or have people we trust who will provide a spiritual mirror) and honestly evaluate how we are doing in these three foundational areas. However, how do we grow to become true disciples if we find ourselves deficient? Is there a process we can follow that will move individuals and a whole church family towards spiritual maturity and better service in the Kingdom of God? This is a question the elders and ministers have been wrestling with for several months as we have sought the direction of God to help this church family become all He has called us to be as ambassadors for His Kingdom.
Interestingly, Paul provides a prayer in the letter to the Colossians that shows his insight into the process of developing spiritual maturity. (Please read Colossians 1:9-12 before moving on with this article.) What we find in this prayer is what I will refer to as the Cycle of Spiritual Maturity. It is a prayer Paul has for the Colossian believers to grow in their understanding of Jesus and His ways, and the fruit that should come about as a result. Understand that Paul is writing to a body of believers he has not met (like us!) and he is trying to spur them on in their faith walk so they do not settle for a watered down version of discipleship and trust in Jesus. He will challenge them through the rest of the letter to avoid mixing faith in Jesus with empty philosophies and legalistic practices. Where he begins is a process that we at Garden Ridge need to consider carefully and weigh all our ministries and activities against to see if they are helping us or hindering us from becoming spiritually mature disciples. Activity, even spiritual activity, does not necessarily lead to spiritual maturity.
Paul begins with praying for the believers at Colossae to “be filled with the knowledge of His will.” Knowing God and His will provides the spiritual map everything else must follow in order to be pleasing to Him and true to His nature. However, knowledge of God’s will is not enough! It should produce spiritual wisdom and understanding (as Paul next prays for) so we can evaluate the things we face in this life according to His nature and will. Wisdom is the application of knowledge to everyday life situations. Understanding shows we grasp how the things we face in this world are really under the influence of God and His will. Having knowledge is a foundational start, but Paul’s prayer is for much more than knowledge! Can we apply that knowledge and demonstrate wisdom and understanding?
This leads Paul to pray for what the next step would be—(knowledge, wisdom and understanding become a part of who we are at our core)—Our Walk! As we learn to evaluate all of life through the eyes of God’s will, we develop disciplines and habits in our lives that constitute our WALK. However, even when His will becomes part of our core being, we have not arrived! He continues on with his prayer to call them to go another step forward by Bearing Fruit. In other words, this is a process meant to be shared. It is meant to influence others to draw them to a right relationship with Him.
The cycle then comes full circle (hence the term, cycle) by resulting in an “increase in the knowledge of God”. As one experiences the will of God in their daily life, through their walk, and in producing a harvest of good fruit, they learn about God at a deeper level and are pulled into the cycle at a deeper level. The beauty of this is that we never stop growing!
Over the next several weeks I will take each stage in this cycle and develop thoughts about them more completely so we can see how beautiful and powerful Paul’s prayer truly is. In the mean time, let us be praying that God will lead us to growth through the Cycle of Spiritual Maturity.
-Scott
Colossians 1:9-12
John emphasized three attributes a disciple of Jesus is required to demonstrate: (1) abide in His word; (2) have love for one another; and (3) bear much fruit. Hopefully, each one of us can look into our lives (or have people we trust who will provide a spiritual mirror) and honestly evaluate how we are doing in these three foundational areas. However, how do we grow to become true disciples if we find ourselves deficient? Is there a process we can follow that will move individuals and a whole church family towards spiritual maturity and better service in the Kingdom of God? This is a question the elders and ministers have been wrestling with for several months as we have sought the direction of God to help this church family become all He has called us to be as ambassadors for His Kingdom.
Interestingly, Paul provides a prayer in the letter to the Colossians that shows his insight into the process of developing spiritual maturity. (Please read Colossians 1:9-12 before moving on with this article.) What we find in this prayer is what I will refer to as the Cycle of Spiritual Maturity. It is a prayer Paul has for the Colossian believers to grow in their understanding of Jesus and His ways, and the fruit that should come about as a result. Understand that Paul is writing to a body of believers he has not met (like us!) and he is trying to spur them on in their faith walk so they do not settle for a watered down version of discipleship and trust in Jesus. He will challenge them through the rest of the letter to avoid mixing faith in Jesus with empty philosophies and legalistic practices. Where he begins is a process that we at Garden Ridge need to consider carefully and weigh all our ministries and activities against to see if they are helping us or hindering us from becoming spiritually mature disciples. Activity, even spiritual activity, does not necessarily lead to spiritual maturity.
Paul begins with praying for the believers at Colossae to “be filled with the knowledge of His will.” Knowing God and His will provides the spiritual map everything else must follow in order to be pleasing to Him and true to His nature. However, knowledge of God’s will is not enough! It should produce spiritual wisdom and understanding (as Paul next prays for) so we can evaluate the things we face in this life according to His nature and will. Wisdom is the application of knowledge to everyday life situations. Understanding shows we grasp how the things we face in this world are really under the influence of God and His will. Having knowledge is a foundational start, but Paul’s prayer is for much more than knowledge! Can we apply that knowledge and demonstrate wisdom and understanding?
This leads Paul to pray for what the next step would be—(knowledge, wisdom and understanding become a part of who we are at our core)—Our Walk! As we learn to evaluate all of life through the eyes of God’s will, we develop disciplines and habits in our lives that constitute our WALK. However, even when His will becomes part of our core being, we have not arrived! He continues on with his prayer to call them to go another step forward by Bearing Fruit. In other words, this is a process meant to be shared. It is meant to influence others to draw them to a right relationship with Him.
The cycle then comes full circle (hence the term, cycle) by resulting in an “increase in the knowledge of God”. As one experiences the will of God in their daily life, through their walk, and in producing a harvest of good fruit, they learn about God at a deeper level and are pulled into the cycle at a deeper level. The beauty of this is that we never stop growing!
Over the next several weeks I will take each stage in this cycle and develop thoughts about them more completely so we can see how beautiful and powerful Paul’s prayer truly is. In the mean time, let us be praying that God will lead us to growth through the Cycle of Spiritual Maturity.
-Scott
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Bear Much Fruit
The Characteristics of a Disciple:
Attribute #3: Bear Much Fruit
Does your life have purpose? It is supposed to! For instance, both the Old and New Testaments have imagery of God planting a vineyard and expecting a harvest of fruit. One example is found in Isaiah 5:1-7. This passage begins as a love song in which a vineyard is planted and cared for in numerous ways. Fertile soil on a hillside was chosen; the ground was dug up and stones were removed; choice vines were chosen to provide a good crop; a wall and tower were built to protect the crop; and then a wine press was built for once the crop was harvested. However, the song quickly changes tone. Instead of yielding a crop of good grapes, it only produces bad fruit! God’s response was to remove His protection and care. He was looking for a harvest of righteousness and justice, but that is not what He found. The rest of the chapter goes on to explain why there was no fruit—6 “Woe Oracles” were pronounced showing areas that needed to be pruned (or cleaned up) before the vine would be able to produce.
Interestingly, John uses the same imagery as he teaches about the third attribute of a disciple in John 15:8: Bear Much Fruit. He begins in V. 1 by referring to Himself as the true vine and then teaches about the pruning (or cleansing) the branches (us) need to go through in order to produce fruit. What is different about this picture is that Jesus is the VINE and His followers are branches that come from the vine. In other words, the fruit is guaranteed to be a good crop as long as we abide in the vine!!! God created us to produce fruit for His kingdom but we are not responsible for making the fruit happen—only for staying true to the VINE and allowing the VINEDRESSER (GOD) to prune away the tangles and other areas where we will hinder our growth.
Perhaps, that is the struggle with this third attribute—letting God prune us! However, no vine will produce great fruit without pruning. Otherwise, the nutrients and energy are used producing branches and leaves, instead of fruit. The vine might get big, but its produce will be small. (Unfortunately, this sounds like a description of some people’s lives and even of some church work.) Abiding in the Word (who also happens to be the Vine) and loving one another is not our purpose—bearing fruit is! However, it is through abiding in the Word and loving one another that we are pruned by God and become productive. The bottom line is: God wants you to produce fruit!
Consider one last story to see how serious this is to Him: Why do you suppose Jesus reacted to the barren fig tree He encountered on His way into Jerusalem at the end of His ministry the way He did? Do you know the story I am referring to in Mark 11:12-14? He was hungry as He traveled from Bethany to Jerusalem and came upon a fig tree that was green with leaves but had no fruit on it. He cursed it saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and it withered and died. What is astounding is that Mark also happens to mention that it was not the season for figs! That’s right!—Jesus killed a fig tree for not having figs on it when it was not the season for figs! Why would He do such a thing? He was making a point! We are supposed to produce fruit in season and out of season. We cannot look like we are healthy and green but have no fruit. That tree is worthless and Jesus will wind up cursing it!
So, how are we doing, Church? Would Jesus be pleased and would He call us His disciples?
-Scott
Attribute #3: Bear Much Fruit
Does your life have purpose? It is supposed to! For instance, both the Old and New Testaments have imagery of God planting a vineyard and expecting a harvest of fruit. One example is found in Isaiah 5:1-7. This passage begins as a love song in which a vineyard is planted and cared for in numerous ways. Fertile soil on a hillside was chosen; the ground was dug up and stones were removed; choice vines were chosen to provide a good crop; a wall and tower were built to protect the crop; and then a wine press was built for once the crop was harvested. However, the song quickly changes tone. Instead of yielding a crop of good grapes, it only produces bad fruit! God’s response was to remove His protection and care. He was looking for a harvest of righteousness and justice, but that is not what He found. The rest of the chapter goes on to explain why there was no fruit—6 “Woe Oracles” were pronounced showing areas that needed to be pruned (or cleaned up) before the vine would be able to produce.
Interestingly, John uses the same imagery as he teaches about the third attribute of a disciple in John 15:8: Bear Much Fruit. He begins in V. 1 by referring to Himself as the true vine and then teaches about the pruning (or cleansing) the branches (us) need to go through in order to produce fruit. What is different about this picture is that Jesus is the VINE and His followers are branches that come from the vine. In other words, the fruit is guaranteed to be a good crop as long as we abide in the vine!!! God created us to produce fruit for His kingdom but we are not responsible for making the fruit happen—only for staying true to the VINE and allowing the VINEDRESSER (GOD) to prune away the tangles and other areas where we will hinder our growth.
Perhaps, that is the struggle with this third attribute—letting God prune us! However, no vine will produce great fruit without pruning. Otherwise, the nutrients and energy are used producing branches and leaves, instead of fruit. The vine might get big, but its produce will be small. (Unfortunately, this sounds like a description of some people’s lives and even of some church work.) Abiding in the Word (who also happens to be the Vine) and loving one another is not our purpose—bearing fruit is! However, it is through abiding in the Word and loving one another that we are pruned by God and become productive. The bottom line is: God wants you to produce fruit!
Consider one last story to see how serious this is to Him: Why do you suppose Jesus reacted to the barren fig tree He encountered on His way into Jerusalem at the end of His ministry the way He did? Do you know the story I am referring to in Mark 11:12-14? He was hungry as He traveled from Bethany to Jerusalem and came upon a fig tree that was green with leaves but had no fruit on it. He cursed it saying, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and it withered and died. What is astounding is that Mark also happens to mention that it was not the season for figs! That’s right!—Jesus killed a fig tree for not having figs on it when it was not the season for figs! Why would He do such a thing? He was making a point! We are supposed to produce fruit in season and out of season. We cannot look like we are healthy and green but have no fruit. That tree is worthless and Jesus will wind up cursing it!
So, how are we doing, Church? Would Jesus be pleased and would He call us His disciples?
-Scott
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Love for One Another
The Characteristics of a Disciple:
Attribute #2: Love for One Another
It is incredible what people are capable of doing “in the name of God” in order to police His church and stand in His name! For instance, over the past two months there have been two full-page ads taken out in The Oklahoman newspaper denouncing a particular Church of Christ in Oklahoma for their decision to add a contemporary worship service in which musical instruments are employed. Now, people may not agree on the right or authority to use instrumental music during a worship service, but could we at least agree that running a full-page ad in a public forum is not the most loving way to deal with one another? (Besides the fact that each ad cost $11,000 and was sponsored by individuals who do not even live in the same town as the congregation in question.) Seriously, if your neighbor had something against you, would you want them to put up a billboard in town to advertise your offense, or just come talk to you?
What are we advertising by the way we deal with one another? Are we showing we are part of something those without hope want to be part of because of how we stand with one another and bless one another? Or, do those looking in figure they get beaten up enough by the ways of the world and have no time or energy to have to deal with it in their religion as well?
Some of the danger of living in a culture in which we emphasize our “rights” and “freedom of speech” is that we become insensitive to others because we are focused on ourselves. However, Jesus clearly called us to a different level in our relationships. John 13:34-35 states: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” He said this in the context of just having finished washing the feet of His disciples! Imagine that—a Rabbi washing the feet of His own students. There is no place in any literature from the time of Jesus or before, except John 13, where an account of a Rabbi serving in this manner is recorded.
And how do you suppose Jesus handled the task of washing the feet of Judas, who would soon after betray Him? Apparently it was with tenderness and care, because when Jesus states that one would soon betray Him, the disciples began looking at one another at a loss to know who He was talking about (John 13:21-22).
The same is true of the cross! Do you understand that Jesus died for all the sin of the world? All the sin!!! He died for those who will never accept Him! He died for those who will try to use Him and His Father for their own gain! He paid the price for all sin, setting an example of what this new commandment of love should look like. Does this advertisement by Jesus look a little different than the one mentioned in the 1st paragraph?
Abiding in the word (the 1st attribute we looked at 2 weeks ago) sets the foundation for the disciple. Loving one another helps this first attribute of a disciple be about relationship with a living God and His creation rather than a checklist of rules and regulations. It puts the heart into our “religious” experience with God and His people. It makes following the letter of the Law more about caring for the souls of people than just being “right with God”. Besides, how can you be “right with God” if you don’t care about the souls of people?
-Scott
Attribute #2: Love for One Another
It is incredible what people are capable of doing “in the name of God” in order to police His church and stand in His name! For instance, over the past two months there have been two full-page ads taken out in The Oklahoman newspaper denouncing a particular Church of Christ in Oklahoma for their decision to add a contemporary worship service in which musical instruments are employed. Now, people may not agree on the right or authority to use instrumental music during a worship service, but could we at least agree that running a full-page ad in a public forum is not the most loving way to deal with one another? (Besides the fact that each ad cost $11,000 and was sponsored by individuals who do not even live in the same town as the congregation in question.) Seriously, if your neighbor had something against you, would you want them to put up a billboard in town to advertise your offense, or just come talk to you?
What are we advertising by the way we deal with one another? Are we showing we are part of something those without hope want to be part of because of how we stand with one another and bless one another? Or, do those looking in figure they get beaten up enough by the ways of the world and have no time or energy to have to deal with it in their religion as well?
Some of the danger of living in a culture in which we emphasize our “rights” and “freedom of speech” is that we become insensitive to others because we are focused on ourselves. However, Jesus clearly called us to a different level in our relationships. John 13:34-35 states: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” He said this in the context of just having finished washing the feet of His disciples! Imagine that—a Rabbi washing the feet of His own students. There is no place in any literature from the time of Jesus or before, except John 13, where an account of a Rabbi serving in this manner is recorded.
And how do you suppose Jesus handled the task of washing the feet of Judas, who would soon after betray Him? Apparently it was with tenderness and care, because when Jesus states that one would soon betray Him, the disciples began looking at one another at a loss to know who He was talking about (John 13:21-22).
The same is true of the cross! Do you understand that Jesus died for all the sin of the world? All the sin!!! He died for those who will never accept Him! He died for those who will try to use Him and His Father for their own gain! He paid the price for all sin, setting an example of what this new commandment of love should look like. Does this advertisement by Jesus look a little different than the one mentioned in the 1st paragraph?
Abiding in the word (the 1st attribute we looked at 2 weeks ago) sets the foundation for the disciple. Loving one another helps this first attribute of a disciple be about relationship with a living God and His creation rather than a checklist of rules and regulations. It puts the heart into our “religious” experience with God and His people. It makes following the letter of the Law more about caring for the souls of people than just being “right with God”. Besides, how can you be “right with God” if you don’t care about the souls of people?
-Scott
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Abide in the Word
The Characteristics of a Disciple:
Attribute #1: Abide in the Word
Do you like where you live? Now, don’t fall into the trap that we so often do and immediately think on a physical level! I am not talking about the house you live in or whether you like the neighborhood or community where you reside. I am talking about your spiritual walk! Do you like where you live?
One of the clear characteristics of a disciple of Jesus is that they abide in His word. Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). The first part of this statement by Jesus is really just common sense, isn’t it? How could you be a disciple (student, learner, follower) of Jesus if you are not willing to follow His teachings or use His word as the foundation for your life? “Abiding” or “living” in His word means we make it a part of our everyday living. It becomes the guide we use to navigate through the challenges of this life!
The context of these verses in John 8 is about the very trap we tend to fall into with religion. As people came to believe in Jesus (V. 30), He wanted them to see the constant seeking, learning and growing that needed to be part of their development. He was calling them away from becoming stagnate, thinking they had arrived because they were of the right bloodlines. They saw themselves as right with God and ultimately free because they were “children of Abraham” (V. 33, 39) however, Jesus challenges them to “do the deeds of Abraham”! You see, Abraham would recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God because Abraham walked with God throughout his life. He was constantly growing in spiritual maturity and even in a land where he was a stranger, he was never enslaved! The Israelites, in contrast, had a long history of being enslaved by almost every nation who came down the road because they would stop listening to the word of God and would allow their lusts and the distractions of the nations around them to lead them astray.
The point is this: Too many Christians are not enjoying the fullness of life God wants us to experience because we are not abiding (living, dwelling) in His word. We become enslaved by addictions, dysfunction and bad habits that are not in line with the nature and will of God and then get angry at God when we are conquered and live in oppressive situations. If He was in control and truly loved us, wouldn’t He fix things and help me clean up my mess? (This is what the Israelites of Jesus’ time were waiting for!) But it is THE TRUTH that makes us free, not the MAGIC GENIE IN THE SKY who wants to follow after us and fix every bad thing we get into! We would be free and able to live lives of contentment, joy, peace and hope if we let His word be where we dwelled!
What does “FREE” look like? How about a marriage where you don’t have to worry about contracting an infectious disease or threaten one another with the D-Word (divorce) because you make your decisions based upon His Word on what marriage should look like and how it should function? Could it be that freedom is not having to worry about what you said or did in your past because you have lived as a true disciple of Jesus? How about the ability to not only overcome the addictions and dysfunction in your life, but also to then use what you have learned from those things to bless the lives of others who are struggling and looking for answers?
So, do you like where you live? If not, try moving into the neighborhood of God’s Word and see if your living conditions don’t improve.
-Scott
Attribute #1: Abide in the Word
Do you like where you live? Now, don’t fall into the trap that we so often do and immediately think on a physical level! I am not talking about the house you live in or whether you like the neighborhood or community where you reside. I am talking about your spiritual walk! Do you like where you live?
One of the clear characteristics of a disciple of Jesus is that they abide in His word. Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32). The first part of this statement by Jesus is really just common sense, isn’t it? How could you be a disciple (student, learner, follower) of Jesus if you are not willing to follow His teachings or use His word as the foundation for your life? “Abiding” or “living” in His word means we make it a part of our everyday living. It becomes the guide we use to navigate through the challenges of this life!
The context of these verses in John 8 is about the very trap we tend to fall into with religion. As people came to believe in Jesus (V. 30), He wanted them to see the constant seeking, learning and growing that needed to be part of their development. He was calling them away from becoming stagnate, thinking they had arrived because they were of the right bloodlines. They saw themselves as right with God and ultimately free because they were “children of Abraham” (V. 33, 39) however, Jesus challenges them to “do the deeds of Abraham”! You see, Abraham would recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God because Abraham walked with God throughout his life. He was constantly growing in spiritual maturity and even in a land where he was a stranger, he was never enslaved! The Israelites, in contrast, had a long history of being enslaved by almost every nation who came down the road because they would stop listening to the word of God and would allow their lusts and the distractions of the nations around them to lead them astray.
The point is this: Too many Christians are not enjoying the fullness of life God wants us to experience because we are not abiding (living, dwelling) in His word. We become enslaved by addictions, dysfunction and bad habits that are not in line with the nature and will of God and then get angry at God when we are conquered and live in oppressive situations. If He was in control and truly loved us, wouldn’t He fix things and help me clean up my mess? (This is what the Israelites of Jesus’ time were waiting for!) But it is THE TRUTH that makes us free, not the MAGIC GENIE IN THE SKY who wants to follow after us and fix every bad thing we get into! We would be free and able to live lives of contentment, joy, peace and hope if we let His word be where we dwelled!
What does “FREE” look like? How about a marriage where you don’t have to worry about contracting an infectious disease or threaten one another with the D-Word (divorce) because you make your decisions based upon His Word on what marriage should look like and how it should function? Could it be that freedom is not having to worry about what you said or did in your past because you have lived as a true disciple of Jesus? How about the ability to not only overcome the addictions and dysfunction in your life, but also to then use what you have learned from those things to bless the lives of others who are struggling and looking for answers?
So, do you like where you live? If not, try moving into the neighborhood of God’s Word and see if your living conditions don’t improve.
-Scott
Sunday, March 16, 2008
The Marks of a Disciple
A popular skit series from the television show Saturday Night Live was about an individual named Pat whose character was intentionally made to be gender neutral. The point of the skits were to put Pat in various situations in which one could try and figure out if Pat was male or female. However, things were left so vague that one was always left wondering. The cast of Saturday Night Live made people laugh at the absurdity and awkwardness of something that should be quite clear yet was hard to define in this one individual.
How much of life is like this? Imagine if my references from when I was trying out for the preaching opening here at Garden Ridge made glowing statements like, “I am pleased to say that this candidate is a former colleague of mine”; or, “I can assure you that no person would be better for the job”; or, “I would urge you to waste no time in making this candidate an offer of employment.” Huh? What would they mean? Are these positive statements, or negative ones? (Go back and read each one again from both perspectives.)
I believe we have done the same thing with some of our different religious terms. One example of this would be the word, “disciple”. Ask a group of people what it means to be a disciple and you will get a lot of different answers. Some would be positive and some would not! Perhaps, the reason for this is because we fall into the trap of letting the world define what this means instead of allowing the Scriptures to provide its own definition. What was Jesus calling people to be and do when He invited them to follow Him and become His disciples? How much of what He desired from those walking with Him in His time applies to us in this present age? How much of what the first disciples were able to do in His name should we be able to accomplish?
One book that powerfully deals with the concept of discipleship throughout its pages is the Gospel of John! He begins his gospel on the very high plain of God creating through His Son, Jesus, and then sending Him to His creation to “explain” (the Greek term means to exegete) God. In so doing, His goal was not to bring God, His Father, down to the level of mankind, but to help mankind attain to the level of His Father! This is why John will make statements like, “there was the true light which, coming into the world enlightens every man”; and “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:9, 12). Do you see by these statements that we are called to His level? He enlightens us, not vice-versa! As a child of God, I am to live according to the ways of my Father, thus proving I am part of His family (See John 8:39-47 for a scathing discussion on being true children of God).
John helps define what a disciple is and what he does in three powerful quotes of Jesus found in John 8:31; 13:35; and 15:8. These are descriptive marks one must portray in order to truly be a disciple of Jesus. He calls His followers to: (1) abide (or live) in His word, which will set us free; (2) to love one another; and (3) to bear much fruit. Over the next three weeks I hope to take each of these statements made by Jesus and discuss what the implications are for our lives today. Following that, we will consider the cycle of maturity Paul prays for in Colossians 1:9-12 and how we can implement this in our daily living and ministries here at Garden Ridge.
Please recognize that the leadership at Garden Ridge is committed to searching out the truth of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and then challenge the members of this body to strive to live according to His high standard. We do not want to present a weak or impotent picture of what it means to be a follower of Jesus to our community, or one another, so that it is abundantly clear what a GREAT thing it is to be a disciple of Jesus and a child of God.
-Scott
How much of life is like this? Imagine if my references from when I was trying out for the preaching opening here at Garden Ridge made glowing statements like, “I am pleased to say that this candidate is a former colleague of mine”; or, “I can assure you that no person would be better for the job”; or, “I would urge you to waste no time in making this candidate an offer of employment.” Huh? What would they mean? Are these positive statements, or negative ones? (Go back and read each one again from both perspectives.)
I believe we have done the same thing with some of our different religious terms. One example of this would be the word, “disciple”. Ask a group of people what it means to be a disciple and you will get a lot of different answers. Some would be positive and some would not! Perhaps, the reason for this is because we fall into the trap of letting the world define what this means instead of allowing the Scriptures to provide its own definition. What was Jesus calling people to be and do when He invited them to follow Him and become His disciples? How much of what He desired from those walking with Him in His time applies to us in this present age? How much of what the first disciples were able to do in His name should we be able to accomplish?
One book that powerfully deals with the concept of discipleship throughout its pages is the Gospel of John! He begins his gospel on the very high plain of God creating through His Son, Jesus, and then sending Him to His creation to “explain” (the Greek term means to exegete) God. In so doing, His goal was not to bring God, His Father, down to the level of mankind, but to help mankind attain to the level of His Father! This is why John will make statements like, “there was the true light which, coming into the world enlightens every man”; and “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:9, 12). Do you see by these statements that we are called to His level? He enlightens us, not vice-versa! As a child of God, I am to live according to the ways of my Father, thus proving I am part of His family (See John 8:39-47 for a scathing discussion on being true children of God).
John helps define what a disciple is and what he does in three powerful quotes of Jesus found in John 8:31; 13:35; and 15:8. These are descriptive marks one must portray in order to truly be a disciple of Jesus. He calls His followers to: (1) abide (or live) in His word, which will set us free; (2) to love one another; and (3) to bear much fruit. Over the next three weeks I hope to take each of these statements made by Jesus and discuss what the implications are for our lives today. Following that, we will consider the cycle of maturity Paul prays for in Colossians 1:9-12 and how we can implement this in our daily living and ministries here at Garden Ridge.
Please recognize that the leadership at Garden Ridge is committed to searching out the truth of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus and then challenge the members of this body to strive to live according to His high standard. We do not want to present a weak or impotent picture of what it means to be a follower of Jesus to our community, or one another, so that it is abundantly clear what a GREAT thing it is to be a disciple of Jesus and a child of God.
-Scott
Sunday, March 9, 2008
What is Our Purpose?
Imagine a shoe manufacturing plant that has been operating for two years without ever producing shoes. Employees have been hired; safety procedures have been approved; machinery has been purchased and tested and maintained; insurance has been bought; a cafeteria has been staffed and operated; even marketing strategies and shipping procedures have been implemented. However, what is the point of all this activity if the plant doesn’t manufacture shoes?
Do you suppose we have ever been guilty of going through the motions of religion without fulfilling the very things our religion is supposed to be about? Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples”! Of all the things we do as a church, if we are not doing this, we are not truly functioning as the “body of Christ”, are we? As His body, shouldn’t our main activity be bringing people to God; training them in His ways so they are equipped to stand in the battle for their soul? Shouldn’t reaching into the darkness to rescue the perishing and equipping others who already understand their need for Jesus as their Savior be our primary goals? All the church activities, charity and service projects don’t mean much if we are not helping people see their need to be in a deep bond of intimacy with God!
Indulge me in a very personal illustration for the Garden Ridge family. Suppose we had a Christian School we facilitated on our premises and a great amount of time, energy and financial backing were given to this effort. Suppose the school grew to provide training for over 200 students each year. Staff and teachers were hired; playgrounds were built and maintained; auctions were held to promote the school and to help with new programs; scholarship funds were started and maintained; etc. However, suppose the church family did not know the families who sent their children to school throughout the year and had very little contact with the students. Would they be missing out on a beautiful opportunity to fulfill Jesus’ command to go and make disciples?
Imagine if the church family became more intentional about making disciples and made efforts to make the most of a resource already easily accessible. What might happen? Suppose Life Groups adopted classes and held birthday parties and other fun activities for the students? How might that speak to their parents? Suppose children who graduated were presented with Bibles in the assembly of worship and their parents were treated as guests of honor. Consider what might happen if students were followed up on each year after they graduated to see how they were doing spiritually and if this church family could help them grow closer to God. Suppose families were contacted each semester to see if they had a church home and if there were any prayer needs they had that our church family could lift up before God for them. Imagine if parenting seminars with free babysitting were done specifically for families in the stage of life these families are at. Could these things open more doors to evangelize and train disciples?
If our purpose is to make disciples (and I firmly believe this is first and foremost what God calls us to do), then we must evaluate each ministry and activity we do as part of the body here at Garden Ridge and consider how we might make the most of the opportunities already before us. We must become more intentional about finding ways to reach out with the Good News we hold dear. God will provide the growth, but we must plant the seed! Are we ready to grow? Not if we lose sight of our purpose! There are a lot of shoeless people that need us to do our job.
What does it mean to be a disciple? Over the next several weeks my articles will provide some biblical insight into what God calls us to as disciples of Jesus. We will look at various characteristics of disciples and the process of maturation Paul prays for when writing Colossians.
-Scott
Do you suppose we have ever been guilty of going through the motions of religion without fulfilling the very things our religion is supposed to be about? Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples”! Of all the things we do as a church, if we are not doing this, we are not truly functioning as the “body of Christ”, are we? As His body, shouldn’t our main activity be bringing people to God; training them in His ways so they are equipped to stand in the battle for their soul? Shouldn’t reaching into the darkness to rescue the perishing and equipping others who already understand their need for Jesus as their Savior be our primary goals? All the church activities, charity and service projects don’t mean much if we are not helping people see their need to be in a deep bond of intimacy with God!
Indulge me in a very personal illustration for the Garden Ridge family. Suppose we had a Christian School we facilitated on our premises and a great amount of time, energy and financial backing were given to this effort. Suppose the school grew to provide training for over 200 students each year. Staff and teachers were hired; playgrounds were built and maintained; auctions were held to promote the school and to help with new programs; scholarship funds were started and maintained; etc. However, suppose the church family did not know the families who sent their children to school throughout the year and had very little contact with the students. Would they be missing out on a beautiful opportunity to fulfill Jesus’ command to go and make disciples?
Imagine if the church family became more intentional about making disciples and made efforts to make the most of a resource already easily accessible. What might happen? Suppose Life Groups adopted classes and held birthday parties and other fun activities for the students? How might that speak to their parents? Suppose children who graduated were presented with Bibles in the assembly of worship and their parents were treated as guests of honor. Consider what might happen if students were followed up on each year after they graduated to see how they were doing spiritually and if this church family could help them grow closer to God. Suppose families were contacted each semester to see if they had a church home and if there were any prayer needs they had that our church family could lift up before God for them. Imagine if parenting seminars with free babysitting were done specifically for families in the stage of life these families are at. Could these things open more doors to evangelize and train disciples?
If our purpose is to make disciples (and I firmly believe this is first and foremost what God calls us to do), then we must evaluate each ministry and activity we do as part of the body here at Garden Ridge and consider how we might make the most of the opportunities already before us. We must become more intentional about finding ways to reach out with the Good News we hold dear. God will provide the growth, but we must plant the seed! Are we ready to grow? Not if we lose sight of our purpose! There are a lot of shoeless people that need us to do our job.
What does it mean to be a disciple? Over the next several weeks my articles will provide some biblical insight into what God calls us to as disciples of Jesus. We will look at various characteristics of disciples and the process of maturation Paul prays for when writing Colossians.
-Scott
Sunday, March 2, 2008
The Race
When everything is said and done, what will you have accomplished that is truly exemplary? When you reach the Finish Line of life, what accolades will be awaiting you? Could it be that there is an enemy running alongside of us trying to trip us up or lead us down the wrong path?
A story is told of two paddleboats that left Memphis at the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they were traveling side by side, words were exchanged, competition flared, and the two boats began racing to see who could reach their destination first. One of the boats began falling behind because it was running short of fuel. There had been plenty brought aboard for the entire journey, but not enough once they began to race! As the boat fell back, the captain took some of the ship’s cargo and tossed it into the furnace. The response was immediate—the little boat picked up speed. The captain proceeded to fuel his boat with the material he had been assigned to transport down to New Orleans. He ended up winning the race, but burned up his cargo!
Could it be that we have fallen into the same trap when it comes to family responsibilities? One husband, out to prove his love for his new wife, swam the deepest river, crossed the widest desert and climbed the highest mountain. Unfortunately, she divorced him because he was never home! Too many of us get caught up in the rat race of life, striving to see, do and conquer more than any who have come before us. As a result, we often lose sight of the precious cargo that is right before us—our families! How many times have they been sacrificed in the quest for something truly amazing that winds up being only superficial and temporary?
Garden Ridge is a church that believes in the priority of developing healthy families according to the will and plan of God. With this in mind, the elders have seen to it that there are several tools in place to assist families in a variety of areas to challenge them and help them maintain proper priorities in all areas of family life. Programs such as Financial Peace, Dynamic Marriage, and Celebrate/Recovery are incredible tools for developing healthier families! “What are these”, and “How can they help me”, you ask? Consider the following:
Financial Peace University is a 91-day program designed to help couples learn how to pay off debt and build financial security through training and accountability. Several couples have already participated in this program and have paid off vast amounts of debt as well as started savings plans that have helped them become more responsible financially, and less stressed out emotionally.
Dynamic Marriage is an 8-week interactive marriage program in which the participants learn the plan of God for marriage and how to fulfill the roles He has designed husbands and wives to play. It is a communication training exercise in which couples learn how to speak love to one another in a way they will hear, and meet one another’s needs so they grow in intimacy.
Celebrate/Recovery is a Bible based recovery program designed to help people find and experience God’s healing power in whatever areas are stripping this away. This would include areas such as: overworking, divorce, food addiction, overspending, physical and/or sexual abuse, lying, perfectionism, fear and/or anxiety, sexual addiction, guilt, eating disorders, grief, hurtful relationships, rejection; control issues, insecurity, anger, gambling, alcohol and/or drugs, and co-dependency. In other words, this is a training, fellowship and accountability program for dealing with destructive behaviors or hurts that can adversely affect one’s family life.
Interestingly, as my mom used to say, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” Good programs are not worth much if, like the paddle-boat captain, we forget what our mission is and get caught up in some other task or pursuit that actually destroys the core of what we are. Remember what will truly last and set your sights on achieving that so there will be no heartache at the end of the race!
-Scott
A story is told of two paddleboats that left Memphis at the same time, traveling down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. As they were traveling side by side, words were exchanged, competition flared, and the two boats began racing to see who could reach their destination first. One of the boats began falling behind because it was running short of fuel. There had been plenty brought aboard for the entire journey, but not enough once they began to race! As the boat fell back, the captain took some of the ship’s cargo and tossed it into the furnace. The response was immediate—the little boat picked up speed. The captain proceeded to fuel his boat with the material he had been assigned to transport down to New Orleans. He ended up winning the race, but burned up his cargo!
Could it be that we have fallen into the same trap when it comes to family responsibilities? One husband, out to prove his love for his new wife, swam the deepest river, crossed the widest desert and climbed the highest mountain. Unfortunately, she divorced him because he was never home! Too many of us get caught up in the rat race of life, striving to see, do and conquer more than any who have come before us. As a result, we often lose sight of the precious cargo that is right before us—our families! How many times have they been sacrificed in the quest for something truly amazing that winds up being only superficial and temporary?
Garden Ridge is a church that believes in the priority of developing healthy families according to the will and plan of God. With this in mind, the elders have seen to it that there are several tools in place to assist families in a variety of areas to challenge them and help them maintain proper priorities in all areas of family life. Programs such as Financial Peace, Dynamic Marriage, and Celebrate/Recovery are incredible tools for developing healthier families! “What are these”, and “How can they help me”, you ask? Consider the following:
Financial Peace University is a 91-day program designed to help couples learn how to pay off debt and build financial security through training and accountability. Several couples have already participated in this program and have paid off vast amounts of debt as well as started savings plans that have helped them become more responsible financially, and less stressed out emotionally.
Dynamic Marriage is an 8-week interactive marriage program in which the participants learn the plan of God for marriage and how to fulfill the roles He has designed husbands and wives to play. It is a communication training exercise in which couples learn how to speak love to one another in a way they will hear, and meet one another’s needs so they grow in intimacy.
Celebrate/Recovery is a Bible based recovery program designed to help people find and experience God’s healing power in whatever areas are stripping this away. This would include areas such as: overworking, divorce, food addiction, overspending, physical and/or sexual abuse, lying, perfectionism, fear and/or anxiety, sexual addiction, guilt, eating disorders, grief, hurtful relationships, rejection; control issues, insecurity, anger, gambling, alcohol and/or drugs, and co-dependency. In other words, this is a training, fellowship and accountability program for dealing with destructive behaviors or hurts that can adversely affect one’s family life.
Interestingly, as my mom used to say, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.” Good programs are not worth much if, like the paddle-boat captain, we forget what our mission is and get caught up in some other task or pursuit that actually destroys the core of what we are. Remember what will truly last and set your sights on achieving that so there will be no heartache at the end of the race!
-Scott
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Go And Make Disciples!
Deeann, Whitney and I have been overwhelmed by the loving care we see the members of this body share with one another here at Garden Ridge! When our family members come to visit, they all remark on the friendliness and spirit of joy they encounter as they worship and fellowship with the body here. It is uplifting and refreshing to the soul! It is a testimony to the Spirit of God working among His people to produce fruit. (Now don’t go letting this give you the big head!)
As a result of this type of love for one another and joy in worshiping the Lord we have seen God doing some powerful things all around us. 2008 has started off with awesome things happening as each week this year we have seen our church family grow. Thus far, in 2008, we have seen 5 new births into the Lord and 15 individuals express interest in being part of the church family here. (Let God receive the glory for this!) However, with this type of growth we need to consider how we will help people connect to the church family in ways that encourage spiritual maturation and empowerment so individuals are confident and equipped to put their talents and passions to work in ways that serve the Lord, one another, and our community.
The eldership and ministry staff have been meeting to try and organize a process for helping each member move forward in their spiritual growth so they become tools in God’s hand and ambassadors who can serve within His will, while also providing a witness that attracts many more to realize their need to live within a bond of covenant love with their Father in heaven. The goal is to make disciples—just as Jesus called His apostles to do as He prepared to ascend back to the Father. The task is to provide training, love, support, encouragement, empowerment, accountability and opportunity to grow in our understanding of God and His ways and to put our faith into practice in real ways that make an eternal difference. The process is multi-layered.
One of the things each member should realize is the importance of the various types of group encounters provided through the various classes, worship times and ministries at Garden Ridge each week. It would be ideal for each member to be involved in a time of worship with the whole church family; a time of more intensive Bible study (at least once a week); and a time of small group interaction to develop intimacy with others in the family and have accountability from some who really know what is going on in our lives each week. That is why there are Bible classes and Life Groups to participate in beyond the worship time we have together on Sunday. Each of these provides a dynamic for spiritual growth that the others cannot offer.
In addition to this, each of us must learn to exercise our faith by putting it to work in practical ways. Our talents and passions need to be employed in the work of the Kingdom so that our God is presented as real and His ways as truly beneficial in everyday living. A faith that does not work is useless (or barren—as the word James uses in James 2:20 also means) and we all know what Jesus did to the fig tree that was barren in Mark 11:13-14, don’t we? Putting our faith to work shows it is part of us and not just something we give lip service to. Our “religion” actually becomes a lifestyle; part of our character and personhood.
This is what Jesus was calling us to as He told His followers to “make disciples”. He wants us to follow Him, learn from Him, and draw others to Him as ambassadors of God, helping people see the reconciliation available to them in their relationship with God. He wants us to be intentional in the way we use our time, talents, resources and opportunities so we consistently grow in the ways of our Father in Heaven.
Most of us have already signed up for this—let the training and service continue!!!
-Scott
As a result of this type of love for one another and joy in worshiping the Lord we have seen God doing some powerful things all around us. 2008 has started off with awesome things happening as each week this year we have seen our church family grow. Thus far, in 2008, we have seen 5 new births into the Lord and 15 individuals express interest in being part of the church family here. (Let God receive the glory for this!) However, with this type of growth we need to consider how we will help people connect to the church family in ways that encourage spiritual maturation and empowerment so individuals are confident and equipped to put their talents and passions to work in ways that serve the Lord, one another, and our community.
The eldership and ministry staff have been meeting to try and organize a process for helping each member move forward in their spiritual growth so they become tools in God’s hand and ambassadors who can serve within His will, while also providing a witness that attracts many more to realize their need to live within a bond of covenant love with their Father in heaven. The goal is to make disciples—just as Jesus called His apostles to do as He prepared to ascend back to the Father. The task is to provide training, love, support, encouragement, empowerment, accountability and opportunity to grow in our understanding of God and His ways and to put our faith into practice in real ways that make an eternal difference. The process is multi-layered.
One of the things each member should realize is the importance of the various types of group encounters provided through the various classes, worship times and ministries at Garden Ridge each week. It would be ideal for each member to be involved in a time of worship with the whole church family; a time of more intensive Bible study (at least once a week); and a time of small group interaction to develop intimacy with others in the family and have accountability from some who really know what is going on in our lives each week. That is why there are Bible classes and Life Groups to participate in beyond the worship time we have together on Sunday. Each of these provides a dynamic for spiritual growth that the others cannot offer.
In addition to this, each of us must learn to exercise our faith by putting it to work in practical ways. Our talents and passions need to be employed in the work of the Kingdom so that our God is presented as real and His ways as truly beneficial in everyday living. A faith that does not work is useless (or barren—as the word James uses in James 2:20 also means) and we all know what Jesus did to the fig tree that was barren in Mark 11:13-14, don’t we? Putting our faith to work shows it is part of us and not just something we give lip service to. Our “religion” actually becomes a lifestyle; part of our character and personhood.
This is what Jesus was calling us to as He told His followers to “make disciples”. He wants us to follow Him, learn from Him, and draw others to Him as ambassadors of God, helping people see the reconciliation available to them in their relationship with God. He wants us to be intentional in the way we use our time, talents, resources and opportunities so we consistently grow in the ways of our Father in Heaven.
Most of us have already signed up for this—let the training and service continue!!!
-Scott
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Do You Have an Emotional, Intellectual, or Willful Relationship With Jesus?
What type of relationship do you have with Jesus? What type do you want to have? There are three elements one should involve in developing a covenant bond with Jesus: the emotions, the intellect, and the will. Typically, we begin with emotions, move to the intellect and finish with the will. Take a young man becoming attracted to a young woman for example. His emotions could get him into trouble if they were acted upon alone. Rushing into a relationship solely based upon emotion is a train wreck waiting to happen! The intellect should slow down the emotional response causing him to question things such as whether they are compatible, or if he is financially able to support a dating relationship, or what they will do if this should move on to something deeper. This is where some of the time element that goes into dating comes into play, so the two can get to know each other well enough to make both an emotional and intellectual decision about where their relationship should go.
However, there is a third element that must also be considered—the will! The will goes beyond the feelings of emotion and the rationale of the intellect to the very heart of commitment. The will is what one uses to decide about changes in lifestyle and the cost they are willing to pay in order to follow through on one’s decision. The will is the part that will hang in there when the emotions are not quite feeling it and the intellect is in doubt. The will is the glue that holds these other transitory elements together.
The text for the sermon this morning (Luke 4:14-5:11) includes three challenging stories. In the first one (4:16-30), Jesus is in His hometown and goes to the synagogue to proclaim God’s year of Jubilee. However, because the townspeople can only see Him as Joseph’s son (V. 22) instead of God’s Son (as has been emphasized consistently throughout our study of Luke), they wind up seeking to kill Him by the time He finishes teaching them (V. 28-29). This is a story of emotion! The townspeople who watched Jesus grow up are excited about His message of Jubilee, however, once He begins challenging their intellect and will, they let their emotions drive them to seek to destroy Him.
This is followed by a story of intellect (Luke 4:31-43)—the healing of the demon possessed man in the synagogue! In this account, the people let their emotions cause them to marvel at the authority and power in Jesus’ teaching (V. 32, 36) to the point that they search for Him when He withdraws to a lonely place. They then want Him to stay with them so they can learn more (V. 42). These people are searching and hungry to be with Jesus, but we are not told of any of them changing their lifestyle to follow Him!
That is where the third story comes in (Luke 5:1-11)—where Jesus teaches from Simon’s boat and then takes them out fishing. Simon has already encountered Jesus when He healed his mother-in-law (4:38-39). He has heard Him teach and witnessed a miraculous catch of fish. It moves him to confess he is a sinful man (5:8) and to feel unworthy to be with Him, however, when Jesus offers to make him a fisher of men he leaves everything to follow Him (5:10-11). This is a decision of the will to change his lifestyle and take on new commitment, even at great cost!
So, which story best describes your walk with Jesus? Are you in an emotion-level relationship in which you bounce all over the place, based upon the feelings of the day? Or, are you in an intellectual-level relationship in which you are searching to know more so you can figure Him out? You long to be with Him, but not to the point of making commitment or changing lifestyle. What He wants you to reach is a will-level relationship so you will live sold out to Him and pay the price to walk with Him, whatever it takes! He wants your heart in a bond of covenant! Are you willing to surrender this to Him?
-Scott
However, there is a third element that must also be considered—the will! The will goes beyond the feelings of emotion and the rationale of the intellect to the very heart of commitment. The will is what one uses to decide about changes in lifestyle and the cost they are willing to pay in order to follow through on one’s decision. The will is the part that will hang in there when the emotions are not quite feeling it and the intellect is in doubt. The will is the glue that holds these other transitory elements together.
The text for the sermon this morning (Luke 4:14-5:11) includes three challenging stories. In the first one (4:16-30), Jesus is in His hometown and goes to the synagogue to proclaim God’s year of Jubilee. However, because the townspeople can only see Him as Joseph’s son (V. 22) instead of God’s Son (as has been emphasized consistently throughout our study of Luke), they wind up seeking to kill Him by the time He finishes teaching them (V. 28-29). This is a story of emotion! The townspeople who watched Jesus grow up are excited about His message of Jubilee, however, once He begins challenging their intellect and will, they let their emotions drive them to seek to destroy Him.
This is followed by a story of intellect (Luke 4:31-43)—the healing of the demon possessed man in the synagogue! In this account, the people let their emotions cause them to marvel at the authority and power in Jesus’ teaching (V. 32, 36) to the point that they search for Him when He withdraws to a lonely place. They then want Him to stay with them so they can learn more (V. 42). These people are searching and hungry to be with Jesus, but we are not told of any of them changing their lifestyle to follow Him!
That is where the third story comes in (Luke 5:1-11)—where Jesus teaches from Simon’s boat and then takes them out fishing. Simon has already encountered Jesus when He healed his mother-in-law (4:38-39). He has heard Him teach and witnessed a miraculous catch of fish. It moves him to confess he is a sinful man (5:8) and to feel unworthy to be with Him, however, when Jesus offers to make him a fisher of men he leaves everything to follow Him (5:10-11). This is a decision of the will to change his lifestyle and take on new commitment, even at great cost!
So, which story best describes your walk with Jesus? Are you in an emotion-level relationship in which you bounce all over the place, based upon the feelings of the day? Or, are you in an intellectual-level relationship in which you are searching to know more so you can figure Him out? You long to be with Him, but not to the point of making commitment or changing lifestyle. What He wants you to reach is a will-level relationship so you will live sold out to Him and pay the price to walk with Him, whatever it takes! He wants your heart in a bond of covenant! Are you willing to surrender this to Him?
-Scott
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