Journeys in the WORD

WEEKLY NOTES ON SERMONS AND KEY TEACHINGS

The Week of May 13, 2007  -- Mothers -- Women of the Word

Certainly the Bible recognizes women in positions of power - women who contributed to making the world a better place.

THERE WAS
Miriam who led the people in praising God after the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 15:21), Ruth who put God first and became the ancestress of King David (Ruth 1:16;4:17), Deborah, a judge in Israel (Judges 5), Hannah who 'lent to the Lord' the child of her prayers (1Sam 1:28), Esther who took her life in her hands to plead for her doomed people, the widow whose obedience sustained the prophet Elijah (1Kings 17:9-16), a little captive maid who told Naaman's wife of the man of God who could cure Naaman of his leprosy (2Kings 5:2-4), the woman who anointed Jesus with the expensive ointment (Mk14:3), the poor widow's gift of two mites which won Jesus' praise (Mk 12:43), Mary who gave birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Luke 1:28), Martha who served and Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:38-42), Mary Magdalene who brought spices to anoint Jesus, who first greeted the risen Lord and who received the first commission -'Go tell' (Jn 20:17-18; Mk 16:9), Lydia one of the first converts in Macedonia (Acts 16:14), Dorcas - full of good works (Acts 9:36), Phebe & Priscilla - servants of the church (Ro 16:1-4), Lois and Eunice who had sincere faith (2Tim 1:5), Persis 'the beloved' and Tryphena and Tryphosa who laboured for the Lord (Romans 16:12).

Being a Chrstian mother involves getting priorities straight. It doesn't mean freeing men from all responsibility with young children. It means sharing responsibility but recognizing gifts.

Emerson (the American essayist) said 'People are what their mothers make them' and Abraham Lincoln said 'All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother'. Most of the greats throughout history have had dedicated mothers and it is interesting to note that Nero's mother was a murderess, and that the rather dissolute Lord Byron had a mother who was proud and violent. But let's be quick to acknowledge that Christianity has lifted women to equality with men. In many parts of the world women are still considered almost a beast of burden. It was Jesus Christ who elevated womanhood, and it was Paul the apostle who said that in Christ there is neither male nor female.

You may know of Lord Shaftesbury's statement 'Give me a generation of Christian mothers, and I will undertake to change the whole face of society in twelve months.' It is true to say that the influence of a mother in her home upon the lives of her children cannot be measured. The mother-infant bond is an intense relationship of unparalleled human affection. It is the foundation of the child's emotional and physical survival.

A MOTHERS' DAY CREED

I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who was born of the promise to a virgin named Mary.

I believe in the love Mary gave her Son, that caused her to follow him in his ministry and stand by his cross as he died.

I believe in the love of all mothers, and its importance in the lives of the children they bear.

It is stronger than steel, softer than down, and more resilient than a green sapling on the hillside.

It closes wounds, melts disappointments, and enables the weakest child to stand tall and straight in the fields of adversity.

I believe that this love, even at its best, is only the shadow love of God, a dark reflection of all that we expect of him in this life and the next.

And I believe that one of the most beautiful sights in the world is a mother who lets this greater love flow through her to her child, blessing the world with the tenderness of her touch and the tears of her joy.

Thank God for mothers, and thank mothers for helping us understand God!

(Rev. Jan Croucher. Preached at Heathmont Baptist Church, Victoria, Australia

My life is a journey. Your life is a journey. We share our lives and we are on a journey together.

What you and I need individually are the same things we need together. We need love in our hearts and love for each other. We need to make sure everyone is OK. We need our precious memories that remind us of who we are and where we are on our journey. We need to remember what we stand for.

These essential memories we must always carry with us.

Beyond our love and our memories, we need our hope and dreams. Without them we lose our way. Without them the future has no meaning. Without hopes and dreams the challenges of our journey become insurmountable obstacles. With vision and hope the challenges of the journey become bumps along the way that we overcome together.

We are on a journey. Let us leave fear, doubt, useless tradition, guilt and coldness behind. We can’t get anywhere trying to drag them along.
We get one small carry-on. Let’s pack love, memory, ideals, hope, vision and courage. That is all we really need. That is all we have ever needed.
We are on a journey. Grab your light carry-on. Let us be on our way. Amen.

eek of April 22 2007

Read Isaiah 60:1-5

Isaiah also tells us how to respond to the light of the glory of God in Christ. He says, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you."
Notice what happens. The light of God in Christ that shines on us and in us must also shine through us and out of us and from us.

December 2006 Notes

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown.

The Colors of Advent

Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.  Purple is still used in Catholic churches.  The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week.  This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent.

In the four weeks of Advent the third Sunday came to be a time of rejoicing that the fasting was almost over (in some traditions it is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice"). The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday Advent candles reflected this lessening emphasis on penitence as attention turned more to celebration of the season.

In recent times, however, Advent has undergone a shift in emphasis, reflected in a change of colors used in many churches.  Except in the Eastern churches, the penitential aspect of the Season has been almost totally replaced by an emphasis on hope and anticipation.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.

In this double focus on past and future, Advent also symbolizes the spiritual journey of individuals and a congregation, as they affirm that Christ has come, that He is present in the world today, and that He will come again in power. That acknowledgment provides a basis for Kingdom ethics, for holy living arising from a profound sense that we live "between the times" and are called to be faithful stewards of what is entrusted to us as God’s people. So, as the church celebrates God’s inbreaking into history in the Incarnation, and anticipates a future consummation to that history for which "all creation is groaning awaiting its redemption," it also confesses its own responsibility as a people commissioned to "love the Lord your God with all your heart" and to "love your neighbor as yourself."

The Spirit of Advent

Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!

It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however distant He sometimes seems, which brings to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation. It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.

Part of the expectation also anticipates a judgment on sin and a calling of the world to accountability before God. We long for God to come and set the world right!

So, we celebrate with gladness the great promise in the Advent, yet knowing that there is also a somber tone as the theme of threat is added to the theme of promise. This is reflected in some of the Scripture readings for Advent, in which there is a strong prophetic tone of accountability and judgment on sin. But this is also faithful to the role of the Coming King who comes to rule, save, and judge the world.

Because of the dual themes of threat and promise, Advent is a time of preparation that is marked by prayer. While Lent is characterized by fasting and a spirit of penitence, Advent’s prayers are prayers of humble devotion and commitment, prayers of submission, prayers for deliverance, prayers from those walking in darkness who are awaiting and anticipating a great light (Isa 9)!

The spirit of Advent is expressed well in the parable of the bridesmaids who are anxiously awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom (Matt 25:1-13). There is profound joy at the Bridegroom’s expected coming. And yet a warning of the need for preparation echoes through the parable. But even then, the prayer of Advent is still:

Come, O Come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel!

Evergreens and The Advent Wreath

The beginning of Advent is a time for the hanging of the green, decoration of the church with evergreen wreaths, boughs, or trees that help to symbolize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ. Some churches have a special weekday service, or the first Sunday evening of Advent, or even the first Sunday morning of Advent, in which the church is decorated and the Advent wreath put in place. This service is most often primarily of music, especially choir and hand bells, and Scripture reading, along with an explanation of the various symbols as they are placed in the sanctuary.

The Advent wreath is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches as well as homes. It is a circular evergreen wreath (real or artificial) with five candles, four around the wreath and one in the center. Since the wreath is symbolic and a vehicle to tell the Christmas story, there are various ways to understand the symbolism. The exact meaning given to the various aspects of the wreath is not as important as the story to which it invites us to listen, and participate.

The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end. The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life. Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son. The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.

The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season. The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope. It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to others (Isa 42:6). The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience. As the candles are lighted over the four week period, it also symbolizes the darkness of fear and hopelessness receding and the shadows of sin falling away as more and more light is shed into the world. The flame of each new candle reminds the worshippers that something is happening, and that more is yet to come. Finally, the light that has come into the world is plainly visible as the Christ candle is lighted at Christmas, and worshippers rejoice over the fact that the promise of long ago has been realized.

The first candle is traditionally the candle of Expectation or Hope (or in some traditions, Prophecy). This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of a Messiah that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament history. As God’s people were abused by power hungry kings, led astray by self-centered prophets, and lulled into apathy by half-hearted religious leaders, there arose a longing among some for God to raise up a new king who could show them how to be God’s people. They yearned for a return of God’s dynamic presence in their midst.

And so, God revealed to some of the prophets that indeed He would not leave His people without a true Shepherd. While they expected a new earthly king, their expectations fell far short of God’s revelation of Himself in Christ. And yet, the world is not yet fully redeemed.  So, we again with expectation, with hope, await God’s new work in history, the second Advent, in which He will again reveal Himself to the world. And we understand in a profound sense that the best, the highest of our expectations will fall far short of what our Lord’s Second Advent will reveal!

The remaining three candles of Advent may be associated with different aspects of the Advent story in different churches, or even in different years. Usually they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season. So, the sequence for the remaining three Sundays might be Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels. Or Peace, Love, Joy. Or John the Baptist, the Magi, Mary. Or the Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfillment. Whatever sequence is used, the Scripture readings, prayers, lighting of the candles, the participation of worshipers in the service, all are geared to telling the story of redemption through God’s grace in the Incarnation.

The third candle, usually for the Third Sunday of Advent, is traditionally Pink or Rose, and symbolizes Joy at the soon Advent of the Christ.  Sometimes the colors of the sanctuary and vestments are also changed to Rose for this Sunday. However, as noted above, increasingly in many churches, the pink Advent candle is used on the fourth Sunday to mark the joy at the impending Nativity of Jesus.

Whatever sequence is adopted for these Sundays, the theme of Joy can still be the focus for the pink candle. For example, when using the third Sunday to commemorate the visit of the Magi the focus can be on the Joy of worshipping the new found King. Or the Shepherds as the symbol for the third Sunday brings to mind the joy of the proclamation made to them in the fields, and the adoration expressed as they knelt before the Child at the manager. If used on the fourth Sunday of Advent, it can symbolize the Joy in fulfilled hope.

The center candle is white and is called the Christ Candle.  It is traditionally lighted on Christmas Eve or Day. However, since many Protestant churches do not have services on those days, many light it on the Sunday preceding Christmas, with all five candles continuing to be lighted in services through Epiphany (Jan 6). The central location of the Christ Candle reminds us that the incarnation is the heart of the season, giving light to the world.

Celebrating Advent

Advent is one of the few Christian festivals that can be observed in the home as well as at church.  With its association with Christmas, Advent is a natural time to involve children in activities at home that directly connect with worship at church.  In the home an Advent wreath is often placed on the dining table and lighted at meals, with Scripture readings preceding the lighting of the candles, especially on Sunday. A new candle is lighted each Sunday during the four weeks, and then the same candles are lighted each meal during the week. In this context, it provides the opportunity for family devotion and prayer together, and helps teach the Faith to children, especially if they are involved in reading the daily Scriptures.

It is common in many homes to try to mark the beginning of Advent in other ways as well, for the same purpose of instruction in the faith. Some families decorate the house for the beginning of Advent, or bake special cookies or treats, or simply begin to use table coverings for meals. An Advent Calendar is a way to keep children involved in the entire season.  In congregational worship, the Advent wreath is the central teaching symbol of the season, the focal point for drawing the congregation into the beginning of the story of redemption that will unfold throughout the church year. For this reason, members of the congregation are often involved in lighting the Advent candles and reading the appropriate Scriptures each Sunday.  While in some churches it is customary for this to be done by families, it can also be an especially good opportunity to demonstrate the unity of the entire community of Faith by including those without families, such as those never married, divorced, widowed, elderly who live by themselves, or college students away from home.

An Advent Reflection

It is truly a humbling experience to read back through the Old Testament and see how frail and imperfect all the "heroes" actually are. Abraham, the coward who cannot believe the promise. Jacob, the cheat who struggles with everybody. Joseph, the immature and arrogant teen. Moses, the impatient murderer who cannot wait for God. Gideon, the cowardly Baal-worshipper. Samson, the womanizing drunk. David, the power abusing adulterer. Solomon, the unwise wise man. Hezekiah, the reforming king who could not quite go far enough. And finally, a very young Jewish girl from a small village in a remote corner of a great empire.

It never ceases to amaze me why God could not have chosen "better" people to do His work in the world. Yet if God can use them, and reveal Himself through them in such marvelous ways, it means that He might be able to use me, inadequate, and unwise, and too often lacking in faith that I am. And it means that I need to be careful that I do not in my own self-righteousness put limits on what God can do with the most unlikely of people in the most unlikely of circumstances. I think that is part of the wonder of the Advent Season.

Week of September 10

Read 1 Samuel 16 and Psalm 23.

We have been doing a sermon series on David and we learned he was a man after God's own heart, according to the Scripture (1 Samuel 16).

A shining example of the faith God appreciated is David's famous Psalm 23. Just take a meditative look at this great psalm.

Fact: Only when you can say "The Lord is my Shepherd" can you say, "I shall not want."

Just think of all we have when we say "the Lord is my Shepherd."
1.  Green pastures speak of provision.
2.  Still waters speak of peace.
3. The restoring of my soul speaks of pardon.
4.  Leading in the paths of righteousness speaks of providence.
5.  His being with us in dark valleys speaks of presence.
6.  His rod and staff speaks of preservation.
7.  The table in the presence of my enemies speaks of protection.
8.  The anointing of our head with oil and the cup overflowing speaks of plenty.
9.  Dwelling in the house of the Lord forever speaks of paradise.

Note: David had not only a theology of God: He had a testimony of God.

• "The Lord is my Shepherd "(his theology) 

• "I shall not want" (his testimony) 

Fact:  If the Lord is our Shepherd - He will provide for us and we will not want.

• We shall not want for health, for "with his stripes we are healed, Isa.53:5. And Jesus Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sickness, Matt. 8:17. 

• We shall not want for prosperity, for "my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus", Phil 4:19. 

• We shall not want for security, for God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind, 2 Tim 1:7. 

• We shall not want for power, for "ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" ,Acts 1:8. 

• We shall not want for peace, for "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.",Isa. 26:3. 

• We shall not want for joy, for "the joy of the Lord is our (my) strength", Neh. 8:10. 

• We shall not want for ability, for "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.", Phil. 4:13. 

• We shall not want for blessings, because we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, Eph. 1:3. 

Fact: These promises are valid in your life only if Jesus is made vital in your life.

Thoughts for Week of August 13 -- Read 1 Corinthians 13th chapter  and John 15 and 17

Love is at the center of the Christian life. It is the sure foundation of all of our interactions with each other. The warm word agape is the characteristic term of Christianity. This word for love is used several different ways in the Bible.

1. Agape love indicates the nature of the love of God toward His beloved Son (John 17:26), toward the human race generally (John 3:16; Rom 5:8), and toward those who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:21).

2. Agape love conveys God's will to His children about their attitude toward one another. Love for one another was a proof to the world of true discipleship (John 13:34-35).

3. Agape love also expresses the essential nature of God (1 John 4:8). Love can be known only from the actions it prompts, as seen in God's love in the gift of His Son (1 John 4:9-10). Love found its perfect expression in the Lord Jesus. Christian love is the fruit of the Spirit of Jesus in the believer (Gal 5:22).  

Love is like oil to the wheels of obedience.  It enables us to run the way of God's commandments (Ps. 119:32)  Without such love we are NOTHING!  Such SPIRIT INSPIRED LOVE NEVER FAILS (1 Cor. 13:8), but always flourishes (1 Peter 4:8)  "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

The Week of August 6

Read 1 Chronicles 4:10; James 5:14-18; 1 John 5:14,15; John 15:7,8

Prayer means calling upon God whose Spirit is always present with us. In prayer, we approach God with reverence, confidence and humility. Prayer involves both addressing God in praise, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, and listening for God's word within our hearts. When we adore God, we are filled with wonder, love and praise before God's heavenly glory. When we confess our sins to God, we ask for forgiveness with sorry hearts. When we give thanks to God, we acknowledge God's great goodness in all that has been provided for us. Finally, when we call upon God to hear our requests, we affirm that God is always near to us in times of need and sorrow.

Communication with God. Because God is personal, all people can offer prayers. However, sinners who have not trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation remain alienated from God. So while unbelievers may pray, they do not have the basis for a rewarding fellowship with God. They have not met the conditions laid down in the Bible for effectiveness in prayer.

Christians recognize their dependence upon their Creator. They have every reason to express gratitude for God's blessings. But they have far more reason to respond to God than this. They respond to the love of God for them. God's love is revealed through the marvelous incarnation and life of Christ, His atoning provision at the Cross, His resurrection, as well as His continuing presence through the Holy Spirit.

Prayer cannot be replaced by devout good works in a needy world. Important as service to others is, at times we must turn away from it to God, who is distinct from all things and over all things. Neither should prayer be thought of as a mystical experience in which people lose their identity in the infinite reality. Effective prayer must be a scripturally informed response of persons saved by grace to the living God who can hear and answer on the basis of Christ's payment of the penalty which sinners deserved. As such, prayer involves several important aspects.

      The most meaningful prayer comes from a heart that places its trust in the God who has acted and spoken in the Jesus of history and the teachings of the Bible. God speaks to us through the Bible, and we in turn speak to Him in trustful, believing prayer. Assured by the Scripture that God is personal, living, active, all-knowing, all-wise, and all-powerful, we know that God can hear and help us. A confident prayer life is built on the cornerstone of Christ's work and words as shown by the prophets and apostles in the Spirit-inspired writings of the Bible.

         What a wonderful thing it is that prayer brings us into communion with God. The more our lives are rooted in prayer, the more we sense how wonderful God is in grace, purity, majesty and love. Prayer means offering our lives completely to God, submitting ourselves to God's will, and waiting faithfully for God's grace. Through prayer God frees us from anxiety, equips us for service, and deepens our faith.

Wisdom from Week of July 16 --

Read Psalm 1:1-6

Studying God's Word and meditating on His truths brings success and prosperity.  "3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. "  What a great promise. 

At the same time, we are warned about the company we keep, and the penalties of bad choices: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers."

Studying God's word does many things for us. Three major benefits of the Word are: 1. It inspires us. 2: It informs us. and 3. It empowers us as we allow the word to incarnate our prayers.  When we pray in line with God's promises, there is a power that comes from the Word's own God infused power.  The Spirit watches over God's Word and our interactions with it.

Psalm 1:6: "For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but he way of the wicked shall perish."  Praise God!  Through Jesus Christ we are made righteous (in right standing with God) -- and God, through His Holy Spirit, watches over us.

WISDOM FOR WEEK OF JULY 2

Read 2 Chronicles 7:14, Romans 13:8-14

Four Keys of Revival -- Of our Nation, and for us as Individuals, as Families and as Churches:

1. HONOR JESUS AS YOUR LORD -- If my people, who are called by my name,

2. HUMBLE YOURSELF -- will humble themselves

3. PRAY AND SEEK GOD DEEPLY --and pray and seek my face

4. REPENT AND TRUST GOD -- and turn from their wicked ways

THEN EXPECT GOD'S ANSWER WITH HOPE AND FAITHFUL SERVICE TO HIM -- RECEIVE HIS BLESSING WITH THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE!

then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Week of June 25            Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17

This Sunday in Church we had a great experience with sacred reading, called lectio divina in Latin. L ectio divina has four stages. There was a country preacher who described his sermon preparation in a way that exactly matches the classic stages: “I read myself full, I think myself clear, I pray myself hot, and I let myself go.” The four stages are lectio divina are similar: 1. Reading (“I read myself full”).We ask for the Spirit’s guidance and then we reverentially listen for God’s “still, small voice” (1 Kg 19:12). Then we read and listen to a portion of God's Word. It is listening attentively for what God is saying through the Scripture. First, we visualize the passage in our minds, letting the images become as vivid as our minds can make them. We think of the complete meaning the first time we read or hear it, but then we dig deeper. As we listen again, we find a word or phrase that speaks to us in a personal way. We listen for the deeper meanings God may have for us. 2. Meditation (“I think myself clear”). Once we have found the word that seems meant for us, we mull it over. We turn the word or phrase over in our minds to let God’s Word become God’s Word for us. 3. Prayer (“I pray myself hot”). Now we are ready to offer the word back to God in prayer. We may dialogue with God about what we have heard. We are also often drawn to offer to God parts of ourselves that perhaps we had previously withheld. 4. Contemplation (“I let myself go”). The final stage is simply resting in God’s presence. Contemplation moves us beyond words, to Him.

Lectio in a Group Setting -- The same Scripture text is read three times, each time followed by silence and then an opportunity for sharing, if people wish to share. 1. At the first reading, the passage is read twice. Participants focus on hearing a word or phrase that touches the heart. When they find it, they ponder it in the silence.(for a minute or two). Each person then shares his or her word or phrase.
2. At the second reading, participants try to “hear” or “see” Christ in the text. Where does the word they found touch their lives? How does Christ reach out through the text? Participants may share if they wish.
3. At the third reading, participants seek to discern Christ’s calling. What are they to do or be today or this week? People share one last time, and then each person prays for the person on his or her right.
As we seek to nurture adults and youth toward spiritual maturity, let us not lose sight of the need to engage both the mind and the heart. Let us remember that God’s Word, living and powerful, is able to transform every part of us, to baptize imaginations and renew minds!

On this Father's Day we all need to salute the men of the church -- fathers and spiritual fathers and helpers in the nurturing of our children. I also want to salute my own father, Sherman Wilson, and my grandfather, Henry Beecher Boyd, both ordained ministers.

My grandfather Henry Beecher Boyd died when my mother was 11 and he was 62.  Obviously, I never met him, but I have heard many stories about him. He was a minister in the Methodist Church for 38 years.  I have been told that he began each his sermons for many years with this statement: “I am a sinner saved by His grace.  I am learning to live as a child of the Living God.”  Even though God had called him to be His minister, Pastor Boyd realized how fragile he was as a human being, and that he was nothing without God’s help.  So it is with me.  Without God’s Holy Spirit, I am nothing.  I am a human and I make mistakes, and I am sorry for that fact. Thank God that He still chooses to use me. “For when I am weak, then I am strong through Christ. (2 Corinthians 12:10) Thank God for each of you.  Pastor Glenn

As we witness the National Basketball Association Finals going on, I was reminded of an email sent to me by Dave Snyder about the great old coach John Wooden. There's never been a finer man in American sports than John Wooden, or a finer coach. He won 10 NCAA basketball championships at UCLA, the last in 1975. Nobody has ever come within six of him. He won 88 straight games between January 30, 1971, and January 17, 1974. Nobody has come within 42 since. "Discipline yourself, and others won't need to," Coach would say.  "Never lie, never cheat, never steal," and "Earn the right to be proud and confident." If you played for him, you played by his rules: Never score without acknowledging a teammate. One word of profanity and you're done for the day. Treat your opponent with respect. No showboating.  No jersey retired.  All contribute! He was guided by a deep faith in God. 

Wooden knows Jesus in the ultimate answer.  Coach Wooden writes: "There is only one kind of a life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere. Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.”

READ MARK 11:22-26

In Mark 11:24 Jesus gives us a very powerful teaching: Mark 11:24, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them and you will have them."                                                      

So, Jesus here is reminding us of that spiritual law. Confess (speak) and believe in your heart. In order for our prayers to be answered, we need to obey this law. Now let us look carefully at this scripture. It says, when you pray believe that you receive what you pray for. Not that you will receive them (what you pray for), but that you receive them when you pray. If you do that, then you will receive them. Remember Daniel, God answered his prayer when he prayed but the kingdom of darkness held up the answering for 21 days. And, sometimes God knows that the timing is not right when you pray, but will be right at a later time. But Jesus says we are to believe that God has given us what we prayed for when we pray. Therefore, once you pray, start thanking God for whatever you prayed. I will show you further scripture on this later - but now note in Mark 11:25 and Mark 11:26, Jesus once again relates forgiveness and prayer. Mark 11:25, "And whenever you stand praying. If you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 11:26, "But, if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." Apparently, in order for our prayers to be fully answered, we need to forgive.

Paul said in his letter to the Philippians: Philippians 4:6, Be anxious for nothing (do not worry), but in everything by prayer and supplication (earnest asking), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 4:7, And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.                                     Paul is saying, speak and believe. Demonstrate your faith by thanking God for what you prayed for. This verbal thanking not only demonstrates your faith but your mind hearing you giving thanks increases in faith each time it hears it. Also, you give God honor by thanking Him. Then, Paul tells us we can have peace and not worry because we trust that God has answered our prayers. Paul, in his letter to the Colossians, says the same thing - but goes further. Colossians 4:2, Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanks giving.  Paul is saying to pray earnestly and then look for the answers with thanksgiving. We are to continue thanking God for what we prayed for until we receive it.  When what we pray for is conceived with baptized imaginations, in God’s will, lining up with the Bible, answers will come, as we use our Christian imaginations to conceive, believe and to believe that we are receiving, in Jesus’ Name.

May 14 -- MOTHER's DAY -- THANK GOD FOR PRAYING MOTHERS!

READ 2 Timothy 1:5-10

In 1865 William Ross Walker penned the immortal words, "The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world."

The tradition of this holiday seems to have stemmed from an English celebration in the 1600's honoring the mothers of England called, "Mothering Sunday." Employees were given the day off to visit their mothers, and many people gave their mothers a special treat called a "Mothering Cake." With Christianity came a different celebration called "Mother Church," which honored the spiritual protection from the church. This holiday eventually combined with "Mothering Sunday" to form one day of celebration.

In 1872, a Boston poet and suffragist named Julia Ward Howe organized "Mother's Day" meetings in an attempt to create a day for peace. You're probably more familiar with her for the glorious, Christ-filled song lyrics she wrote for the Battle Hymn of the Republic.

The initial outpouring for a Mothers' Day was on the social application of motherhood -- peace. Mothers' Day, contrary to popular wisdom, was not invented by the Florists' Association; nor by the telephone company. Mothers' Day came out of movement protesting the killing and horror of war. It started out of the horrors of our own Civil War, and it grew as Ana Jarvis, another primary Mother's Day advocate, got involved, and as World War I approached, and Congress got in the act. Finally, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson pronounced the second Sunday in May as Mothers' Day, a day dedicated to honoring mothers, but also to honor their wishes – to pray for peace.  It is always a good thing to pray for peace. to pray for our children, and to honor our mothers!

On Mother's day in the church we not only honor active mothers, with kids in school, but mothers with grown kids and all the women of the church, who are all mothers in a sense, helping in the nurturing of the church's children.  Thanks to all the women of the church.

And in our scripture today we have the glorious examples of women who kept the fire of the Lord going, and who passed it on!  Eunice and Lois, the mother and grandmother of Paul’s associate Timothy, were women of faith.  From the text we read today it is evident that Paul was pleased with the vital role that families could play in nurturing the faith of their children. If the church only concentrated her attention on new horizons, her own children could easily fall through the cracks. If only evangelism was stressed, and not the education of children, the church may not grow at all. It would make gains in some areas, but within a generation most of those gains could be lost. Nurturing families and Sunday schools and Vacation Bible School is so important!

Transmission of faith to children is evidenced in what Paul says about Eunice and Lois. How can children in Christian homes best learn about the love and holiness of God? The natural answer is through our own families. What better place could there be? Paul therefore encouraged parents not to overlook the importance of training their own children. He instructed them to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).

And here in the second letter to Timothy we find a believing mother and grandmother who are excellent models of family faith transmission. Paul's best friend and young traveling companion Timothy came from a godly home.  He had fires that had begun with his family and now needed care -- fanning the flame and rekindling.  That is what church is all about -- keeping the fires of the Lord burning brightly and warmly in our hearts!

 Paul was personally acquainted with both Lois and Eunice, and he undoubtedly spent time in their home. Therefore he was able to discern the very significant part they played in nurturing Timothy's faith, and in helping to produce such a godly man and Christian leader. Although the reference to Lois and Eunice is brief, this is a remarkable verse which we shouldn't quickly skim over. It points to the tremendous potential of families in transmitting faith. Faith first lived in the grandmother, Lois, then in the mother, Eunice, and finally in Timothy too. In giving credit to Timothy's mother and grandmother for their role in his faith development, Paul begins to tell a story that has been told hundreds and thousands of times since, the story of how caring family members can shape and mould a young life. Mother's Day is a good day to hear about the positive impact we can have in the lives of our children. It is a day when we celebrate and honor mothers and all they do to help nurture their children.

Paul's recognition of Eunice and Lois pays a wonderful tribute to mothers and grandmothers everywhere. It is an indication that from the very beginning of the church women played a key role in transmitting faith from one generation to the next. Throughout church history women weren't always allowed to teach or preach in public, but collectively, by the influence they have wielded in the home, women have probably done more than men to help ensure the future of the church. Much attention is given to large, public evangelistic crusades, and big efforts like our won MUSIC FEST, as a means of reaching others with the good news of God's love, and there is certainly a place for them, but much more influential still is the small-scale transition of faith that takes place within families, from a Lois to a Eunice to a Timothy.

Mothers are unsung heroes. In many ways they have been the backbone of the church. Mothers often find their days occupied with mundane tasks like cleaning and cooking and breaking up quarrels and making sure homework is done and driving children to music lessons, sports events, and friend's houses, and teaching their children to share for the umpteenth time. Mothers don't get days off of work, they are always on call, and they receive little or no praise for their efforts. Mothers who work outside of the home may receive more recognition for their work, but when they arrive home they face the same challenges. But in all of this, in the daily give and take of family life, mothers have countless opportunities to relate to their children. Therefore they have profound potential like no one else has to shape the next generation, to help instill good and godly habits in their children.

I know my own mother, Ruth Boyd Wilson, was and is an inspiration to me.  She spent many tireless hours helping her three children with schoolwork and projects and sports and the affairs of growing up.  And she was a woman of faith and prayer who made sure we got to Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and that we got instruction in the Lord.  And she was a woman of prayer.  I wonder how many situations I made it through because of my mother's prayers.  How about you?  Has your life been hemmed in by a mother's faithful prayers in your behalf?  Thank God for praying mothers, for praying parents!  Amen, amen!

Our Scriptures today call on us to rise up as a church of God and do the work He calls us to do together! As my old friend, Dr. Soboleff, my Alaskan mentor has said, “let the church be the church! " We msut be the church. Not a just a social gathering or a country club or a line on your resume – but let the church be the church of Jesus Christ and all it is called on to be for Him. It is time to stop playing church and BE THE CHURCH, to go from a little dab will do ya religion to being rooted and grounded and dedicated to serving your Lord and Savior. From giving Jesus a mere sliver of your life, to fully living for Him! From being bought our by the world to being sold out to Jesus Christ!

Where are you in those comparisons. Where is your church?

Our scriptures inform us of three aspects of the church fulfilling Christ’s call – Ministering to God, Ministering to fellow Christians, and Ministering all humanity. Psalm 100 talks of ministering to God by glorifying and praising Him. Isn’t it awesome that God has given us the ability to bless Him and glorify Him in our worship and praise! To do this, we must know who God is, and that we are His people. The Psalm plainly shows us this in simple, yet profound words. We are to come into His presence with thanksgiving. to enter His courts with praise! When you think about it, it is a tremendous privilege to be able to come to church and worship Him with other Christians!

We are to minister to God with love and praise, and to minister to other Christians with love and caring. Read the remarkable ways that the early church was devoted to God and to each other in Acts 2:38-47. The early church was a devoted church. We must be devoted to God and to each other if we are to be successful church. And then, from that position of strength, we can reach out to a broken and dying world with God's love and promise.

Jesus wants us to finish what He began. He came to the disciples, taught them, and worked with them. He then died on the cross and rose from the dead. But, before He ascended into heaven, He gave them, and us, the commission to reach out to the world. Matt 28:19-20 says “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. “ This is the Great Commission. And He gives us the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit so that we may accomplish this marvelous task. He will not ask you to do the impossible. He wants us to do our part, right here in our own community. We will look at how we might better minister to God, to each other, and to our community and the world. So let the church be the church! Rise up O church of God!

5007-06 -- Rise Up O Church of God -- Let the Church Be the Church! We Mus

4-30-06 -- YOU MUST REAFFIRM YOUR DECISION TO FOLLOW JESUS -- EACH AND EVERY DAY, WITH YOUR CHOICES AND ACTIONS!

READ ISAIAH 6:1-8

READ MARK 8:34-38

The great song proclaims, "I have decided to follow Jesus....No turning back, no turning back.... The world behind me the cross before me, No turning back, no turning back" It is a decision to follow -- to join oneself to God in Christ. Matthew's gospel puts meaning even more dramatically, "The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light." This illumination sets one's hopes, values, aspirations, and entire being on God. Isaiah' call, found in Isaiah 6th Chapter, givces us rich images of a vision of calling forth.

In fact, in the passage from the Gospel of Mark today, Jesus tells the disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Jesus tells us plainly that we have a decision to make -- it is our decision to move in a new direction. This is an act of will that God allows us to decide. We have a choice. Have you made yours? If you have, then I urge you to stick with it. Reaffirm it every day. Live for Jesus in all that you do.

For Christians, the will is perfected when it mirrors the will of God. Our whole life strives to live it out, as we say in the Lrod’s Prayer, "thy will be done on earth as in heaven."

We want to pray as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane with the great idea he used -- "your will be done." We want our will be to congruent with the will of God because we know that -- we are what we are through the will and grace of God. The Apostle Paul acknowledged that he was made an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God. Just look at what he says in the epistles about his dramatic conversion on the Damascus road.

The New Testament describes this encounter with God with numerous words -- as light, as a spiritual rebirth, a cleansing, becoming a new creation, or a transition from death to life -- to mention just a few, but throughout the testament there is a common theme -- God's will is discovered as loving, efficient, definite, resolute, and assured. And we accept God’s will for us – it begins by receiving Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and then by receiving his call and his gifts for our life.

St. Paul wrote to the Romans (12:2) that God's will is "good, well pleasing and perfect," and the knowledge of which is possible only for one whose mind has been continually renewed through the divine Spirit given in baptism. In Colossians (1:9 and 4:2) he said that knowledge of the divine will is related to the wisdom and insight which is given by the Spirit so that God's will can shape our lives. Thus St. Paul said that he was an apostle "through God's will" -- it was not his own determination, but God's will which brought it about"

It is amazing gwhat God gives to all of us -- moments of closeness with the divine. And God gives us the opportunity to answer His call. Isaiah had a choice -- and he chose rightly -- He said "Here am I, Lord, send me!" What do you say to God's call? It is wonderful when we are still and quiet and listen to God and know that He loves us and wants us to do something for Him.

This is our experience of the divine will. It is God's gift to us. It is incredible for any of us to take in the extent of God's gift of love and grace to us. We will always be sinners, but God's gift is that we are not judged, but justified. We are welcomed home -- the price of pain has been paid. We are made His children. We do not have to earn the price, it has been paid. But the question remains for us to answer, "But you, who do you say that I am?"

Are we going to take up our cross and follow Him? If so, it is a lifetime job – to take it up each day and follow in His way.

Our answer may be suddenly transforming or it may draw us in degrees toward the realization that we have to decide for ourselves and embrace the answer as a new life, a new way. Either way, when we answer God’s call we will never be the same. We know there will be sacrifice, but we also know that we are called to a larger hope, a greater vision of our lives. It is a journey with Christ in the way of the cross. We do not know exactly where it will lead us, but we know that we have a companion in the person of Christ. We are invited to begin our journey with Christ. It is the decision that changes our lives. And like the hymn says, "Though none go with me, still I will follow. Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back."

Our confirmands affirmed that decision today. They decided to follow Jesus and all of you were witnesses of that special, life altering decision. And now you can help themn by continuing to pray for them and nurture them in the faith.

And this week we all have the chance to follow Jesus in a big and important way – to help our evangelical outreach be a success. We have a chance to help foster new decisions for Christ, to ignite revival and renewal for Burt and all the county around us. It will take sacrifice – you will have to come to church more than usual for next weekend, and you will have to pray more than usual this week, but Music Fest gives us an opportunity that for some people may be a once in a lifetime chance to come to know Jesus Christ.

What can you do – well, first off, come to the meetings. Just being in the congregation can life up other folks and make you a part of the corporate anointing that will be on these meetings. If you can pray and come to the meetings you can do a world of good. Every person that comes can and will encourage the singers and speakers, and you can pray for the meetings as they unfold, and I know the Spirit responds to such prayers and such faithfulness, in mighty ways. It has happened in many other places as God moves powerfully in the midst of congregations that come dedicated to Him and who praise and worship Him in Spirit and in the truth of the Word!

THE BLESSINGS CHRIST WON FOR YOU ON THE CROSS --4-23-06

READ EPHESIANS 1:1-23

There are two ways of being rich. One is to have all you want, the other is to
be satisfied with what you have. (Proverb).
May I be so bold as to ask today, as a believer, are you satisfied with what you
have in Christ? Anotehr question might be -- are you aware of what you have in Christ? Do you fully know what He purchased for you on the cross?

The story is told of a farmer who had lived on the same farm all his life. It
was a good farm, but with the passing years, the farmer began to tire of it. He
longed for a change--for something "better." Every day he found a new reason for
criticising some feature of the old place. Finally, he decided to sell, and
listed the farm with a real estate broker who promptly prepared a sales
advertisement. As one might expect, it emphasised all the farm's advantages:
ideal location, modern equipment, healthy stock, acres of fertile ground, etc.
Before placing the ad in the newspaper, the agent called the farmer and read the
copy to him for his approval. When he had finished, the farmer cried out, "Hold
everything! I've changed my mind. I am not going to sell. I've been looking for
a place like that all my life."

We cannot help but realize as we read through the first fourteen verses of
Ephesians chapter one that as the people of God we are a most privileged and
blessed people indeed. We have been brought into His banqueting house and his
banner over us is love, wonderful love. Eph. 1v3."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."
Yet, like the farmer just mentioned we tend not to realise the benefits and
blessings of what we have. We are prone to treat our spiritual resources like
that moaning, miserable farmer. It’s amazing, it was only when the estate agent
read back to him the advertisement that he realised the fullness of what he
all ready had. Such believers are in real danger of not realising the treasure
they are to God. Because that beloved is what we are! As verse 14 reminds us,
"we are His purchased possession." He paid an enormous price for us at that
place called Calvary; He purchased us, not with silver or gold but with precious
blood. That blood covers our sin when we come into relationship with Him, and it paves the way for so much more -- help in the here and now, and heaven in the life eternal!
The book of Ephesians has been called, The believer’s bank, The Christian’s
checkbook, and the treasure house of the Bible. This beautiful book reminds
Christians of their great riches, their wonderful inheritances, and the fullness
they have in Jesus Christ and in His church. It tells them what they possess and
how they can claim their precious possessions.

Read through the first chapter several times and meditate on these profound promises. They are ours to stand on. God has provided a way to take us to higher ground, both now, and in the world to come. Allow that to sink in dear folks, because in Him, in Jesus Christ we become complete. He is the head, and he has chosen us -- me and you, to be His body. He actually lives inside us -- all the power of the universe in in Him -- and He has taken up residence in you! So become Christ centered, living in that reality, and no telling what might happen through His grace adn power. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4

So I believe I can say without any doubt, we are a treasure purchased for us by Jesus.
So from verse 18-23 The Apostle lays before us what the dear Lord Jesus wants us
to understand about his priceless treasure and how much we matter to God.
May we grow in the understanding of the manifold Greatness Of God’s Plan! v18.
"I pray that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened; that you may
know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of the glory of
his inheritance in the saints." That is my prayer for you -- WISDOM from Him!

He Lives -- and He is Lord! -- 4-16-06

Read John 20:1-18, Phil 2:5-11

Mary was crying in the garden, outside the tomb -- we think of the great hymn "In the Garden" when we read these words. She did not know where they had taken his body. Had it been stolen? What a terrible thought! But we can't blame Mary for thinking the worst. It is a human failing we often fall into ourselves. We try to stay positive. We need to stay positive. But that is why we need Christian friends and spouses to encourgage us whne we despair and get depressed and think the worst.

Mary was just like us! Have you ever found yourself in a distressing circumstance, when the sky seemed to come crashing down on you, and Christian that you are, sometimes you temporarily forget all the promises of God? You felt sorry for yourself, you became anxious and upset. I have. We so quickly forget the promises of God. We need other Christians to remind us and encourage us.

Martin Luther once spent three days in a black depression over something that had gone wrong. And he had lots of things go wrong. On the third day his wife Katie came downstairs dressed in mourning clothes, all dressed in black. "Who's dead?" he asked her. "God," she replied. Luther rebuked her, saying, "What do you mean, God is dead? God cannot die." "Well," she replied, "the way you've been acting I was sure He had!"

Katie, ever the good wife and a strong Christian herself, brought her good husband back to the reality that God was on the throne and in control and that Martin would be helped by his Lord. And Martin Luther came out of his depression and went on to write one of his greatest sermons.

But many of us have been caught in that trap. We forget who is in charge. We forget whose children we really are. This is also what had happened to Mary.

But Jesus has to speak but one word to her to open her eyes. With indescribable tenderness he simply uttered her name -- not Mary, which is what the account here says, but "Miriam," as he reverted to their native Aramaic. Mary instantly recognized his voice, just as any one of us would recognize a loved one's voice on the telephone. Responding in Aramaic, Mary flung herself at his feet and cried, "Rabboni!" (which means "Teacher"). She seized him by the feet and began to weep tears of joy.

Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"

And Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. She was the Apostle to the Apostles. She told them that Jesus Lives. He lives! And that is a message we should share, just like Mary, with enthusiasm and love.

I believe this is the first and the chief "good news" of Easter. Most celebrate Easter as a reminder that there is hope on the day when they have to leave this earth -- that Easter means because he lives we shall live also. The hymn says,

Jesus lives, and so shall I,
Death, thy sting is gone forever.

And Jesus now makes His home with you. Through the Spirit, He is with you always. That is great good news of Easter. Through two thousand years of Christian witness what has sustained the hearts of millions is the realization that Jesus can enter one's life and go with you through the trials, pressures, tears and joys of life right here on earth. He will be with you at the hour of death, yes, but not as a stranger just then entering your experience. He will already long have been a trusted Friend, not merely a comforting Companion, but as Lord, Sovereign, authoritative and able to work through the difficulties you face.

No one wants to face pressures all alone; it helps to have someone with you. And not only someone like yourself, one who can understand how you feel, but if it can also be someone who has authority and power, one who can work out solutions to your seemingly insoluble problems, what a comfort that is!

And the good news of Easter is, not only can you know him, but he can be close to you all the time, through every situation. The risen Lord offers to share his victory with you, to take you through whatever you must face as your close and competent Companion who will never, never leave you.

Some of you have to face very serious problems this week. Some confront what looks like the end of their hopes and dreams. Fears and anxieties, loneliness, emptiness, heartache and sorrow are before them. But the good news of Easter is, you don't have to face any of that alone.

And one day, when these trials are over, we will meet Him on that shore, face to face. What a day of rejoicing that will be. As the great Christ hymn of Philippians 2:5-11 says -- "Every knew shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!"

And until then, we have work to do here on this earth. You and I are set free through His mighty power to do His mission and live our lives abundantly ! For Christ, having risen from the dead, has purchased for us salvation and healing and power and promise

Heaven awaits us and nothing on earth can defeat us, because we are His – and He is our Savior! And that is great good news for each and everyone of us! To Christ be glory and power forever and ever. Amen! Amen!

4-09-06 Have Faith in God and Practice Forgiveness  -- If You Do Not Forgive, It Will Affect You in Negative Ways, Hampering Your Prayer Life and Fostering a Root of Bitterness in You

Read Mark 11:1-26

Here we see the great story of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem by the Lord Jesus, coming humbly on the back of a young colt.  The chilkdren sing "Hosanna!", literally saying "Save us!". as they wave their palms.  Then Jesus goes to the Temple in verse 11 and looks around.  It is late, so he goes back to rest in Bethany.  Bu the next day he and the disciples return for a second entry into Jerusalem.  The first one was triumphant, but this one was with a purpose of cursing and overturning, of coming against fruitlessness and playing games.  He comes a second time to condemn going through the motions of worship, but lacking true commitment, and of living life without substance and purpose.

And so He curses the fig tree for not being fruitful, for appearing to be healthy, but not producing fruit.  Then he overturns the tables of the moneychangers and animal sellers in the temple.  They were clogging up the outer courts, leaving little room for the Gentiles to come and worship.  They were making worship an exclusive club, not open to all people.  Jesus comes against that kind of form wihtout substance, of playing church without true love and respect.  And He does it with a righteous anger.  Jesus was all about inclusion.  He was a champion of the outcast, of the down and out.  He tore down barriers between people.  He called on the place of worship to be a House of Prayer.

Then Jesus gives us the great lessons of Mark 11:22-26.  Here the Lord is revealing the principle and priority of life. He is revealing to us the dynamic of a faith priority, the dynamic of a life of faith, so that we will not be cursed like that fig tree.

The lesson we have here is that faith is the priority of our lives. God is calling us to a relationship with Himself, to communion with Him, fellowship with Him, a life of prayer, a life of trust, a life of faith.  Have faith in God!

Through a relationship with Jesus Christ, we come to know God. Through daily communion with Him in prayer and reading His word, our faith is built and grows strong. As we daily follow Jesus, we come to trust Him more. As we grow in that trust and in the knowledge of His word, we come to know His will. And when we know His will, we do not doubt, but we are able to pray in power, knowing the Lord hears us, and standing on His promises, on the things he purchased for us on the cross. And when we know His will, we know that those things for which we pray will be done; perhaps not according to our timetable, but they will come to pass. This is what Jesus is getting at.  Have faith in God!

We must not only live a life of faith, we must also live a life of forgiveness, which is a demonstration of love at its highest level. Unforgiveness, which is based in pride, is certainly one mountain which needs to be moved out of the way. You see, unforgiveness, in itself, is a block to our receiving forgiveness. Verse 26 in our text is also found in the Lord's Prayer. He says, "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father, who is in heaven, forgive your transgressions."

Unforgiveness blocks our relationship with God! God will not forgive us if we do not forgive others. Unforgiveness blocks our faith. It blocks our power in prayer. It starts a downward cycle in which we spiral further and further away from God.

We choose not to forgive, and so we do not receive forgiveness. Sin comes between us and God. Our fellowship is broken. We become hard. We are even more unwilling to forgive. And so we are hardened in our sin. Down, down, down we go, until we are not able to recover. We grow cold, and our relationship with God becomes a lifeless religion. Instead of bearing fruit, we are barren and fruitless. We only seem alive because we go through the motions. But we are dead, sapped of all the vital dynamic of God. Unforgiveness is the enemy of faith.

But we can avoid lifeless, fruitless religion by cultivating a life of faith, by developing our relationship with Jesus, by rekindling our first love, by coming to Him in humble repentance, by being willing to forgive and receive His forgiveness. We can be made alive. This is why Jesus says, "Have faith in God."

That's where it all begins. And really, that's where it all ends. In the final analysis, Jesus is really all we need, and He is exactly what we need. He is the answer to every question, the solution to every problem. In Him is life, and He imparts that life to us by faith. By faith, He enables us to live and to bear fruit, much fruit, fruit that remains.

When we only go through the motions, we're in grave danger. If we are not careful, we will be lulled to sleep. If we are not careful, we will begin to think that ceremony is a substitute for communion with God, that ritual is reality. We will become life the barren fig tree, luxurious but fruitless. We will become like the dead Temple worship, involved in ceremony but not with Jesus. We must recognize the danger of empty religion - of going through the motions.

The character of true Christianity is fruitfulness. True Christianity results in dynamic life. It is characterized by an inner love for the Lord Jesus, in which Jesus fills our life. A mark of true Christianity is that we press on in our walk with God, that we are never content to stay where we are, but that the fire of God burns in our bones. A true Christian loves Jesus passionately, and because he loves Jesus, he cares for those who are lost. Christianity that is alive is active. And we act because we care, because we love Jesus.

Let me ask you: Where are you in your relationship with God right now? Do you see the emptiness of religion without a vital faith relationship with Jesus? Is there more than an appearance of Christianity about you? Is there real substance to your walk with God? Is there real fruitfulness? Are you just going through the motions? Have you left your first love? If you've lost that fire, by God's grace He can rekindle it right now. While God judges phony religion, He receives with open arms those who come in humble surrender. Come to Christ and He will make you a fruitful tree, blessed by God.  Stay in Christ, and He will continue to build you up, and He will keep using this church a House of Prayer and as a lighthouse of His love.

Bible Truths  4-2-06 -- "His Remarkable Compassion and the Will of Jesus Christ"

Read Mark 1:40-42

Think of this leper in our gospel story this morning.   He was a leper – and leprosy can malform the body and destroy the skin, causing a leper to slouch and stagger.  What is more, in ancient society, a leper was the outcast of outcasts, and untouchable of the darkest order.

What a story this is, in these few short verses.  I like this passage of scripture because it has many important items for us to see.
First the scripture says; And a leper came to him beseeching him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 

Notice the first item of importance. The leper said,  "If you will". If you will. no demand, no pleading, no begging, no bargaining with Jesus, just a simple statement, "if you will". The leper let his healing be in the hands of Jesus. If you will.  And the leper had no question that Jesus had the power to heal.  It was only a matter of Jesus will.  The power to heal was there. The Leper was convinced of that fact.

Being a leper, this man was taking a chance that Jesus might walk away as the scribes and Pharisees did, or cast stones at him, or taunt him like many of the people were accustomed to doing, but he felt that Jesus was different, that this man might just be the one who could change his whole life.

So he approached Jesus, not demanding that Jesus do anything, but coming to him and letting Jesus' will be done. He didn't come to Jesus saying, you have to heal me, but he was willing to take a risk, saying If you will. In other words, he was saying to Jesus, I am putting my whole life into your hands, if you will you can cure me, and if you decide I shall remain this way, then so be it. Isn't that an act of faith, a tremendous act of surrender, an attitude that tells us something about this man's convictions, and this man's belief in Jesus Christ.

If you will.  If you will heal me then I will be grateful, but if healing does not come, what then?  Maybe he would tag along with Jesus to see if Jesus would do it another time. We don't know because Jesus revealed His will – he willed that the leper be healed – and healing came.  Jesus will is to heal – he has compassion for humanity – what great good news this is!

The text says that Jesus is moved with compassion stretched out his hand and touched  him and said to him, " I will; be clean." And immediately the leprosy led him and he was made clean. Jesus didn't forsake the man, he didn't turn his back on him, he didn't ignore him, he didn't tell him he had to do something before he would act. Jesus was moved with pity and reached out to touch this man, and made him clean.

Jesus acted. Jesus acted because he knew how lonely, how miserable, how forsaken this man was. Jesus acted because no one else would. Jesus acted because the rest of society forsook this man, Jesus acted because this man's own religion ignored him, because they couldn't be bothered.  But Jesus saw His faith, and he healed the man. He revealed His will –he said be clean!

Jesus reached out when no one else would. Jesus acted in compassion.  Jesus did not turn the man away.  Jesus healed Him!  What great good news that is!

Jesus led the leper out of the ditch of despair, of loneliness, of misery, of pain and suffering. With Jesus simple words, " I will; be clean" this man's whole life was turned up side down. He was saved from a life of misery and pain. And it all began with a few simple words from the leper, “If you will, you can make me clean.” 

This leper had great faith in Jesus. "If you will'. What we are talking about is faith with trust. Trusting in Christ to act in our lives. Faith believing that Jesus can act, and trust in Him to act in our best interest. Trust is the second big lesson of this text. Trust!

Billy Graham said this about trust:

  I once watched a little baby learning to walk.  As long as it kept its eyes on its mother it was relaxed and in perfect
balance.  But as soon as it looked down at its little wobbly legs, it failed. ¹

Trust is learning to keep our eyes on Jesus and having faith His grace will prevail in our lives. If you will are words of faith as well as trust. If you will do your will upon me Jesus. I trust that your will, will be in my best interest even if I at times cannot see it or understand it.

The leper had that kind of trust,  He says, “Jesus, if you choose, you can make me clean.”    Notice --  He doesn’t offer any money, any obedience, any moral improvement project to sway Jesus to be merciful.   He just says, “If you want it, it will be so.”    And Jesus says, “I want it.   There is nothing in this whole world I want more than you to be clean, healthy, and mine.”

Now it is all fine and good that Jesus wanted some anonymous leper 2,000 years a go to be cured.    What about us?    What about you and me?      How can we know what Jesus wills and wants and chooses, for us?    What evidence exists that Jesus says to you, “I choose you—with whatever leprosy you have, whatever dishonor is yours, whatever failure of body or spirit has your name on it—I choose you.”  How can we know that this is so, for us?    The cross is the pledge that Jesus chose you.     The cross is the way Jesus chose to say, I choose you, no matter what.   Jesus’ entrance into suffering and death is his vow.

Elsewhere Jesus said, “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”    Jesus goes us better than that.    No one has greater love than this Son of God, because he lays down his life, not only for his friends, but even for his enemies.    Because before we accept him as Lord and Savior, we are in the enemies’ camp.      But the cross reveals Jesus’ will, what he wants, what he chooses.   He tells us where he stands—even before we can draw in the breath to make a case for ourselves, he is already choosing in our favor.

Think of the healing that Jesus has given us in our day with the advance of medical practices.  I am alive today because of the work of a surgeon in 1986.  I believe the Bible, so I believe in healing and I believe laying on of hands and in confessing and proclaiming God’s word and promises in our lives.  And I believe that God often brings healing through the work of doctors and nurses and the chemicals he has put into the earth that we call medicines.  All healing comes from God and Jesus is the Great Physician.  Make no mistake about that.  And that greatest of all physicians makes His home inside you!

But when we see healings in the Bible there is more to the story than just the wonder of the miracle itself.  They show the love and compassion of God, they reveal His ultimate will and they show how we are to live, tearing down the walls that separate us from those whom society views as poor and outcasts.