Luke 17:33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. (ESV)
Jesus answers the Pharisees question about the coming of the kingdom (they are thinking eschatologically) that it is already present in the person of Jesus and reign of God (ESV Study Bible, p. 1993 on v. 21). Then he goes on to describe the not yet of the consummation of the kingdom (v. 25f.) as a time of judgment (v. 29) and separation of the redeemed from the unregenerate (v. 34-35). Escape from the coming judgment is found in living a life that is (not self-centered) but outward focused/other-centered. Thus the missional nature of kingdom living.
I think maybe I'm beginning to get it. Self-centeredness and rebellion against God go hand in hand (ESV Study Bible, p. 1911 on Mark 8:35). And losing my self-centeredness means eternal communion with God (ibid.), both then and now.
God help me to find it. To finally get it. Holy Spirit come. Presence of Jesus come. Your kingdom come in the midst of me. Lord God, prepare my heart for missional other-centered, outward focused living - "Change My Heart O' God." Let my sufficeincy be found in You (Col. 1:15-23).
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 23, 2012
Let's Get to Work!
Luke 15:20b But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (ESV)
Three parables all focused on the rejoicing that occurs when a lost sinner repents (v. 3-22). And it all begins with the Pharisee's grumbling accusation that "This man receives sinners and eats with them" (v. 2). The father sees the silhouette of his son far off - probably recognizing his gate. The rejoicing, the compassion, the party: "let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (v. 23-24).
Let's not be like the older brother here: 'Him, you're letting him back in the house!?!' (v. 30f.). Brad, don't disdain the heart of an evangelist. You want others to affirm your gift? You can't be critical of the gifting of another. The heart of the evangelist and the heart of a teacher work together to accomplish the great commission. "You bring 'em in, I'll disciple them." Repentance is at the heart of the gospel. When one sinner repents, it's time to throw a party! (v. 7, 9-10).
God bless my friends and brothers (& sisters) in Christ: the Pastor-Evangelists. Though it is not my gifting it is Your gifting for them and to the body, for Your glory. I repent for my judgmental attitude. 'Bring 'em in fellas* - and let's get to work!' Holy Spirit, put a check in my soul when the spirit of the older brother (the Pharisee) tries to rise up in me. Jesus I present myself as a living sacrifice - for Your kingdom, for Your glory.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*with apologies, Ladies, for the non- gender neutral language here (That would have gotten me in all kinds of trouble in grad school!)
Three parables all focused on the rejoicing that occurs when a lost sinner repents (v. 3-22). And it all begins with the Pharisee's grumbling accusation that "This man receives sinners and eats with them" (v. 2). The father sees the silhouette of his son far off - probably recognizing his gate. The rejoicing, the compassion, the party: "let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (v. 23-24).
Let's not be like the older brother here: 'Him, you're letting him back in the house!?!' (v. 30f.). Brad, don't disdain the heart of an evangelist. You want others to affirm your gift? You can't be critical of the gifting of another. The heart of the evangelist and the heart of a teacher work together to accomplish the great commission. "You bring 'em in, I'll disciple them." Repentance is at the heart of the gospel. When one sinner repents, it's time to throw a party! (v. 7, 9-10).
God bless my friends and brothers (& sisters) in Christ: the Pastor-Evangelists. Though it is not my gifting it is Your gifting for them and to the body, for Your glory. I repent for my judgmental attitude. 'Bring 'em in fellas* - and let's get to work!' Holy Spirit, put a check in my soul when the spirit of the older brother (the Pharisee) tries to rise up in me. Jesus I present myself as a living sacrifice - for Your kingdom, for Your glory.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*with apologies, Ladies, for the non- gender neutral language here (That would have gotten me in all kinds of trouble in grad school!)
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Light Inside*
Luke 11:41 But give as alms those things that are within and behold, everything is clean for you. (ESV)
Jesus was just speaking in the previous paragraph about your whole body being full of light (v. 34). Here in the Pharisees house, He is similarly addressing "greed and wickedness" (v. 39) within. If the condition of our heart (inner self, real self) is good then we can freely give of that goodness within in the site God with no shame. This is completely freeing. But if there is darkness within us, all we can give is external appearance of obedience to a moral code or some (perhaps arbitrary) religious rule(s). But what about "justice and the love of God" (v. 42)?
Lord Jesus, search my heart. Know me, Holy Spirit for You now me. Fill me with light from the Father of light - for all good gifts come down from above (James 1:17). I am not deserving of this. But You have called me - "Come." You have loved me - Me! You have saved me - King Jesus. And now you bid me to "Follow."
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*taken from the title of the Album The Light Inside by Gary Chapman
Jesus was just speaking in the previous paragraph about your whole body being full of light (v. 34). Here in the Pharisees house, He is similarly addressing "greed and wickedness" (v. 39) within. If the condition of our heart (inner self, real self) is good then we can freely give of that goodness within in the site God with no shame. This is completely freeing. But if there is darkness within us, all we can give is external appearance of obedience to a moral code or some (perhaps arbitrary) religious rule(s). But what about "justice and the love of God" (v. 42)?
Lord Jesus, search my heart. Know me, Holy Spirit for You now me. Fill me with light from the Father of light - for all good gifts come down from above (James 1:17). I am not deserving of this. But You have called me - "Come." You have loved me - Me! You have saved me - King Jesus. And now you bid me to "Follow."
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*taken from the title of the Album The Light Inside by Gary Chapman
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Spiritually Reproducing
Matthew 21:43 Therefore I tell you the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing fruits. (ESV)
In this parable (v. 33-46) Jesus gets the Chief Priests & Elders to proclaim their own ill fate (v. 41). Note how masterfully here He turns it back to the vineyard analogy - those who do receive the kingdom will be a "fruit-bearing" people. When those who were not worthy rejected the kingdom, God invites all to come (22:9). It was the tax collectors and prostitutes who believed the message of John (v. 32). "Many are called but few are chosen" (v. 14). Of those who come, there must be a fruit-bearing transformation!
In Jesus, God takes the kingdom from the religious, legalistic, ethnically-pure, and offers it to all the world (Gentiles). But those of us who are fortunate enough to receive it must be fruit-bearing people - spiritually reproducing! Brad, go and make disciples - not disciples of you, followers of Jesus. Point the way to Him. Teach them His words, show them His way.
Who You love, I'll love. How You serve, I'll serve. Where You go, Lord Jesus, I will go. I will follow You.* You are my King, Lord God. Come Holy Spirit. Fill me and empower me to make disciples of Jesus. For I have it not (this ability) within myself. I present myself as as living sacrifice to bear fruit for the kingdom.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*from the song I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin
In this parable (v. 33-46) Jesus gets the Chief Priests & Elders to proclaim their own ill fate (v. 41). Note how masterfully here He turns it back to the vineyard analogy - those who do receive the kingdom will be a "fruit-bearing" people. When those who were not worthy rejected the kingdom, God invites all to come (22:9). It was the tax collectors and prostitutes who believed the message of John (v. 32). "Many are called but few are chosen" (v. 14). Of those who come, there must be a fruit-bearing transformation!
In Jesus, God takes the kingdom from the religious, legalistic, ethnically-pure, and offers it to all the world (Gentiles). But those of us who are fortunate enough to receive it must be fruit-bearing people - spiritually reproducing! Brad, go and make disciples - not disciples of you, followers of Jesus. Point the way to Him. Teach them His words, show them His way.
Who You love, I'll love. How You serve, I'll serve. Where You go, Lord Jesus, I will go. I will follow You.* You are my King, Lord God. Come Holy Spirit. Fill me and empower me to make disciples of Jesus. For I have it not (this ability) within myself. I present myself as as living sacrifice to bear fruit for the kingdom.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
*from the song I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Prayer
Matthew 21:13 He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers." (ESV)
In Jesus' day, temple worship had been turned into a money-making scam. After tossing them out (apparently He had authority to do so), He quotes the prophet Isaiah who said God's house should be a house of Prayer to all nations (including foreigners). Prayer is one of the key components of the New Testament church (Apostolic teaching, fellowship, prayer & praise - Acts 2:42, 47). And the power of prayer (with faith) is the main point of Jesus teaching to the disciples that follows immediately (v. 20-22).
There is no temple in the New Testament, no sacred space, building or geographical location set aside (sanctified) for the worship of God. We ourselves (believers) are the dwelling place of His Spirit. So in His church (that's us) we ought to be regularly engaged in prayer - this key component of New Testament worship. As Pastor Jeff said a couple of weeks ago - "Pray, pray, pray!"
Lord Jesus - its to You I pray. Oh God my Father hear my prayer. Holy Spirit make me a man of prayer - prayer without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17). Oh God, hear my prayer. Make me, this sinner, a bible teacher - for Your glory, for Your kingdom, for Your people.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
In Jesus' day, temple worship had been turned into a money-making scam. After tossing them out (apparently He had authority to do so), He quotes the prophet Isaiah who said God's house should be a house of Prayer to all nations (including foreigners). Prayer is one of the key components of the New Testament church (Apostolic teaching, fellowship, prayer & praise - Acts 2:42, 47). And the power of prayer (with faith) is the main point of Jesus teaching to the disciples that follows immediately (v. 20-22).
There is no temple in the New Testament, no sacred space, building or geographical location set aside (sanctified) for the worship of God. We ourselves (believers) are the dwelling place of His Spirit. So in His church (that's us) we ought to be regularly engaged in prayer - this key component of New Testament worship. As Pastor Jeff said a couple of weeks ago - "Pray, pray, pray!"
Lord Jesus - its to You I pray. Oh God my Father hear my prayer. Holy Spirit make me a man of prayer - prayer without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17). Oh God, hear my prayer. Make me, this sinner, a bible teacher - for Your glory, for Your kingdom, for Your people.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Greatest
Mathew 18:10 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. (ESV)
Jesus speaks here in response to the disciples question "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (v. 1). This whole secton seems to be about how we treat other people: Don't cause others to sin (v. 6); Forgive your brother (v. 15-35). And here, God diligently seeks out the one lost little sheep (v. 12-14).
If someone is irritating you, you may need to do a heart check. That "little one" is precious in the eyes of God. They may be acting out because of some past hurt. Try to understand. Encourage and call to account: "admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all" (1 Thes. 5:14). You might be better to have a great millstone fastened about your neck and be thrown into the sea (v. 6) than to offend one of these little ones.
Oh God, grant me to be patient with them all. That I might be humble like a child. I have been forgiven much. Grant me a big, generous heart toward others.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
Jesus speaks here in response to the disciples question "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (v. 1). This whole secton seems to be about how we treat other people: Don't cause others to sin (v. 6); Forgive your brother (v. 15-35). And here, God diligently seeks out the one lost little sheep (v. 12-14).
If someone is irritating you, you may need to do a heart check. That "little one" is precious in the eyes of God. They may be acting out because of some past hurt. Try to understand. Encourage and call to account: "admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all" (1 Thes. 5:14). You might be better to have a great millstone fastened about your neck and be thrown into the sea (v. 6) than to offend one of these little ones.
Oh God, grant me to be patient with them all. That I might be humble like a child. I have been forgiven much. Grant me a big, generous heart toward others.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
Friday, March 4, 2011
People vs. Religion
Matthew 15:5-6 But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or his mother, "What you have gained from me is given to God," he need not honor his father.' So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. (ESV)
It is interesting that God's command valued people (the parents) whereas the Pharisee's tradition valued religion above people. So much so that if one made a religious vow they were accordingly allowed to ignore/violate one of the 10 Commandments. Thus Jesus' indictment that they valued their tradition more than the word of God. To be sure, our allegiance to God ought to exceed our allegiance to men (humans - Luke 14:26), but 6 of the 10 Commandments are concerned with horizontal relationships (i.e. with our fellow man/human).
Brad, there are things that God does require of you. But don't let the word of God become void to you in respect to what He requires of you in human relationships so that you can fulfill religious duty or obligations.
God help me to see. You make relationship a priority. So ought I. Let my time spent with You flow out into blessing for others I encounter. God grant me disciples, if even I am worthy of such.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
It is interesting that God's command valued people (the parents) whereas the Pharisee's tradition valued religion above people. So much so that if one made a religious vow they were accordingly allowed to ignore/violate one of the 10 Commandments. Thus Jesus' indictment that they valued their tradition more than the word of God. To be sure, our allegiance to God ought to exceed our allegiance to men (humans - Luke 14:26), but 6 of the 10 Commandments are concerned with horizontal relationships (i.e. with our fellow man/human).
Brad, there are things that God does require of you. But don't let the word of God become void to you in respect to what He requires of you in human relationships so that you can fulfill religious duty or obligations.
God help me to see. You make relationship a priority. So ought I. Let my time spent with You flow out into blessing for others I encounter. God grant me disciples, if even I am worthy of such.
In Jesus' name - Amen,
Son
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