Can We Make a Change?

In terms of redemptive influence, how would you say followers of Christ are doing as a whole?  More importantly, how am I doing?  Am I even influential?

Do people have a problem with Jesus, or the church?  What are we (the church) peddling?  Is it the same thing Christ came to bring by way of good news?  Is hypocrisy the real reason people dismiss the church?  In my opinion the anti-thesis of influence is hypocrisy.  So to be influential, I must align my words with my works, which seems altogether quite biblical.

Culture cannot be escaped.  Culture is complex, broad, and not easily changed.  When culture has been shaped in the past, what was the stated goal?  Did influential people and trends set out to change culture, or did they simply want to do something well or different than it had been done before, and the resultant change was an influenced culture?  The goal would then be to create culture instead of change culture.  It becomes what we are for, not what we are pushing against.

Now I suppose the real question is, how can we partner with Holy Spirit to motivate and influence a culture to accept the message of hope?  Our words cannot do it alone.  The ability to maximize redemptive influence must first being with an absolute reliance on the Spirit's work and will.  But that does not excuse us from action.  Over the course of these next couple months, I hope to understand how I am being called into this work.

House Church #7. Identity. The Gap.

Genesis 2-3.

God Frustrates?

What causes us to turn to God?  The gap.  The gap between what it should be, and what it is.  Frustrations can set in, and will lead us to one of two things:  doubt or dependence.  The choice is ours.  And what we do with the gap, is where we can find life.  To live and thrive, means to pray through the gap, and find God within.  We are not called to be numb.

Numb.  We can find ourselves numb and unable to expect or desire more in the face of the gap.  Sometimes it hurts too much to even be hopeful.  What does God expect us to do?  Lament.  Come before him, with honesty.

Honesty.  Are we honest with our prayers?   Psalm 4.  Psalm 10.  Psalm 13.  Just as examples.  What do our prayers sound like?

What gaps do we see in our lives?

What do we do with the gaps?

How do we pray about the gaps?

What scriptures stand out?

Sermon on the Mount. Stones and Serpents.

Matthew 7.7-11

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be given to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Or which of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

Ask Seek Knock.

Here we see a section of scripture where Jesus repeats himself twice within the same breath.  This asking, seeking, and knocking seem to be tied to good gifts, since Jesus continues with an analogy about gifting.  But to what end?  What are we being given?  What are we finding? What should we be asking our Father in heaven for?  The promise seems so inclusive and absolute.  It cannot be speaking of us asking for our whims and desires.  Why is there no clause directing our requests?  Kids don’t know what to ask for.  The analogy he continues with evinces a child asking for food.  Maybe that is a clue.  The child is not asking for a Play Station.  He is asking for the simple groans within him for sustenance and life.  Maybe if our heartbeats were more attune to its needs, our requests would look different?

Stones and Serpents.

Can you imagine?  Going to a café and ordering a turkey club, and getting a pile of rocks instead; or coming together for a family Easter feast to find snakes as the main course?  Can you imagine a parent completely contrary to their child’s needs?  Even bad parents tend to feed their children.  So what is the promise herein?  God is far better at providing for us then we are for ourselves.  And if parenthood is a shadow of God’s love and care for us, wont he be far better at providing for his children their needs?  If that is true, why do we worry?  Kids generally don’t worry about being taken care of.  And we have a perfect Father in heaven doing the care.  This stuff links together in the Sermon on the Mount, and this section seems to link quite well with the anxiety and prayer section.  Both subjects are laced within.

Sermon on the Mount. Speck and Log.

Matthew 7.1-6

“Judge not, that you be not judged.  For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.  Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to a brother, ‘let me take the speck out of your eye,’ where there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.  Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

1 cor. 5:9-13

jn. 5:22, 27; 9:39; acts 10:42; 17:31;

Judge.

Are there really different levels of forgiveness?  It seems weird to me that Jesus would suggest a measurement of forgiveness. I think his point is not that judgment will be measured out, but that we are not called to judge others.  At the center of the universe is a throne, and sitting on that throne is God himself, not us.  That is a truth, that when it gets muddy we put ourselves onto the judgment seat.  We then find ourselves trying to rectify all things to us.  There is something that seems altogether backwards about that when clearly stated; but how do we live?  It is in that place judgment occurs, and the effects of judging are clearly laid out in this passage. How are judgment and forgiveness linked?

Speck and Log.

What a great visual to use when describing the folly in allowing ourselves to judge and fix a brother.  This section does not disallow the rebuke and redirection of those going off the path of Christ.  What it does, is require us to be in a place of unobstructed vision before doing so.  How do we make sure the log is gone?  Once we have properly prepared our heart and mind for the assistance of a brother, we are called to help remove the speck.  In fact, a speck is really hard to get out yourself.  A log can easily be removed.  The obstruction is so large and undeniable, and the removal so painless, the task just needs to be done.  But to remove a speck from someone else’s eye is far more precise, and requires a whole new level of care.  How can we lovingly and respectfully remove a speck from a brother’s eye?

Dogs and Pigs.

This little tag on is a bit of a mystery to me.  I don’t claim to understand its meaning in full. One possible application of this analogy is once we have removed the log, and are ready to remove a speck, do not attempt to do so to one who is not pursuing holiness.  The effort and attention will fall on deaf ears, and may be responded with harm and malice.  I am quite sure an in-depth study of this scripture would yield a far more insightful commentary.

Sermon on the Mount. Your Father Knows.

Prayer and Anxiety are linked.  What are we seeking, and how are we seeking it?  What are we worried about, and whom are we trusting with it?

Matthew 6.in part

7-15:  “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.  Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  Pray then like this:  Our Father in heaven, hallowed is your name.  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For if you forgive others their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Quantity and Content.

Christian-religion-talk finds its way into our prayers.  If we listen to our prayer lives closely, I think we will begin to hear these empty phrases Jesus speaks of.  God is not counting our words.  There is no essay, or grading structure to our conversation with him.  We are to approach prayer with the understanding that God knows our needs before we even begin.  If we began with that understanding, wouldn’t we be affected?  Wouldn’t our prayers sound more like what Jesus suggests here as an outline for our prayers?  What do we need to learn and adopt from Jesus’ statements on this subject?

25-34:  “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air:  they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not of more value than they?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  And why are you anxious about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow:  they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.  But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Analogy and Anxiety.

Is there something specific to this use of analogy?  What do lilies and birds tell us about what we get anxious over and how to deal with it?  Life throws curve balls.  How we handle them says something about our faith and trust in God.  We can measure our faith by how distraught we get when uncertain of what life has for us.  It also proves what we are seeking after.  What comes first?  The world or the kingdom?

House Church #3. The Stories of Jesus. Rich Young Ruler.

Mark 10.17.

Kneel.

What posture do we assume when coming before God with a petition?  Doesn’t that posture say something about our heart?  What sorts of things do we find ourselves asking for?  Are we even brave enough to be asking Jesus what ways we can be working for Heaven as opposed to our comfort?

Do.

Aren’t we too like this man?  Asking Jesus to clarify the list of dos and don’ts in order to make following him easier.  If only Jesus made it that simple.  Instead of complying with a list of do’s, he calls us to submit and let die the thing we hold onto.  What things are we currently doing that we think leads to eternal life?  What does Jesus say leads to eternal life? 

Difficult.

Impossibility.  That doesn’t leave much room for interpretation.  If our entire nation is considered rich, what does that mean for us?  What do we need to strip out of our live to be compliant to this call?  Why is Jesus’ warning so grave?  Why does he repeat himself?  Whom does he point to for the answers the disciples find themselves asking?

Reward.

Jesus seems strangely wrapped up in our understanding the heavenly reward system.  He is always pointing to us considering the location of our rewards and hopes.  Why is that?  Do we need this promise to comply?  It seems Jesus is calling us to die to an innate desire for self…hmm…that doesn’t seem to be a very new message when we look at the scriptures in the whole.  Maybe there is something to that.

House Church #2. The Real Jesus. Love [AND Judge.]

The Love.

Grace on Display in the Person of Jesus.

Example 1.  John 4.  Woman at the Well.

God’s grace always strikes up a conversation, it is proactive.  Jesus here was breaking down societal boundaries.  He was speaking to a woman, which was unheard of for someone in his position.  What boundaries do we enforce today by being unwilling to interact?  What would following Christ’s example look like in today’s society?

God’s grace is not afraid to deal with people’s problems.  v.16.  It seems random here for Jesus to instruct this woman to call her husband to come.  He was plunging deeper into the woman’s condition, and need for healing, by making the request.  This conversation ultimately resulted in a claim to salvation and a call to sin no more.  Is this questioning something we can do effectively?  Are we ready to assist in humility and truth with people’s struggles when we are made aware of them?

Example 2.  John 8.  Woman to be Stoned.

God’s grace is not tolerance.  Grace acknowledges the wrong thing done, but forgives and prompts to right living in response.  Tolerance ignores the wrong, and does not want anyone to speak of it.  Jesus was never a man of tolerance.  He was also never looked upon as judgmental.  I mean, look at the people who are coming to him.  How do we also attract the hurting without judging?  Do we have people in our lives that stand beside us and do not condemn us, but call us to sin no more?

Example 3.  Luke 7.  Woman with the Hair.

God’s grace is understood by those who feel the weight of their sin.  The woman in this story is remiss in her adoration for Jesus.  She holds nothing back.  Not resources.  Not pride.  Not timidity.  Not affection.  So too are we called.  But how do we get there?  Isn’t it easier to acknowledge God’s redeeming grace if we come out of a life like this woman?  We all should be able to relate to her, actually.  When we compare ourselves to Jesus himself, we all should be devastated by our sin.  Do we play the comparison game?  Who are we comparing ourselves to?  What does that do to our relationships with others/God?

Saftey Following God’s Will.

In response to 1 Samuel 18-20

I have heard it said, and even said myself, the safest place to be is in the center of God’s will.  I actually don’t think that is true.  The best place, the blessed place, the useful place, the challenging place, the growing place, the called to place is the center of God’s will.  But safety is not something to be ensured by following God.

This can be seen throughout scripture and martyrdom.  This section of scripture describing David’s life and tumultuous relationship with Saul is case and point.  Here is where God placed him.  And in the middle of this placement, he finds the ruler of the country seeking his destruction because the blessings of the Lord on him are obvious.  And to make matters worse, God sends a “harmful spirit from the Lord” to Saul [19.9]. 

So, here is David, seeking hard after the Lord, and running for his life.  It is sometimes too easy to look at this story, and knowing the final outcome to not feel the weight of this moment.  Since we know all works together for God’s will and purpose, and we have the account of the rest of David’s life, we can see how God is weaving the situations together to glorify himself through David in his kingship and leadership of his people.  But here in this moment of David, it must have felt dangerous and all together confusing.

Don’t we too find ourselves in these situations?  Following after the Lord, but confused by the situations raging around us.  How difficult can it be to rest in the knowledge that ultimately all will work to glorify the Lord?  How we hope for safety.  Do we do so at the cost of calling and blessing?

Lord, grant me the perspective of your plan and will.  Divorce me from my myopic view of life’s situations.  Marry me to your will and purpose.  Continue to teach me to die to self, so I may be found alive and well pleasing to you.  May I be involved in the work you are already doing.

Law versus Legalism.

In response to Matthew 5.17-20

Is it legalistic to abide by the rules of the road?  Is it legalistic to submit to the laws of our country?  Is it legalistic to follow a vow or creed with undying commitment and dedication?  Would we consider the binding nature of marriage to be a legalistic contract with an onerous list of dos and don’ts that we should not be expected to keep?  I think not.

In all of the above, we take on the rules and expectations of the arrangement, and follow.  We do not warn people around us to not take the guidelines set before us with a grain of salt, or with a level of freedom that confuses the rules.  And when we do so with something like marriage, the very thing falls apart on itself.  No, rules and regulations are quite necessary to keep the very thing we operate under.

So, true, is our walk with God.  It is not legalistic to follow his law, or at least try to.  It is not legalistic to allow it to set forth things that are beneficial and things we are to abstain from.  Why then today, do Christians the world over, warn against legalism?  Are they jumping the gun?  I would argue yes. 

You see, I believe before we can worry about legalism, we need to be so wrapped up and burdened by the law that it consumes us and makes relationship impossible.

Back to the analogy.  If within a marriage all we can think about and focus on are the things we are, and are not to do, the marriage will also fail.  The relationship will be overburdened with responsibility.  It is that point when legalism in our walk with the Lord is a problem.  Not before.  And the fear of being legalistic is certainly not an excuse for throwing out the law.

House Church #1. The Real Jesus. Humanity AND Divinity.

The Humanity.

TAKE 1.  Born and lived.  Luke 2v51-52.  Can you imagine Jesus learning?  Luke 4v1-2.  What is the significance of having a God who can relate to us?  Mark 1v35.  If he prayed, and in the morning nonetheless, what should that mean for us? John 11v33-36.  What does Jesus being deeply moved in the spirit and troubled mean for us?  Matthew 26v36-38.  What does this say to us about the closeness of a brotherhood?

TAKE 2.  Resurrected and ascended.  Luke 24v36-43.  Why did Jesus take back on a physical body?   1.  Example:  1 John 2v1-6.  Can we walk as he walked?  2.  Solidarity:  Hebrews 2v14-18.  A God who can relate.  This is the answer to the before mentioned.  3.  Worship:  Philippians 2v5-11.  “If this is true. If Jesus gave up absolute, total freedom as divinity in heaven, and he “made himself nothing” and he “humbled himself” and he “became obedient to death”, we should worship. We should bow down, in humility, and glorify him with all we are.“

The Divinity.

EXAMPLES:  Mark 2v1-12.  Do we find ourselves on the mat asking God for more than the forgiveness of our paralyzing sins?  John 8v51-59.  No questions here, just an amazing story of proclamation.  John 10v24-33.  Do we know the Sheppard’s voice? Mark 4v35-41.  “Moral teachers don’t boss around hurricanes.”  Luke 24v1-8.  He comes back from the dead.  Why didn’t anyone dispute it?

RESPONSES: John 20v24-29. Doubt.  Thomas.  Jesus was okay with his doubt, why do we often think we need to have it all figured out?  Luke 23v33-37 or 43.  There are the “unbelievers” (both religious and pagans) who don’t buy the claims of Jesus.  His response is Forgiveness. Luke 4v33-35 + 40-41.  The demons have good theology, and are not saved. Mark 9v14-27.  Weak faith.  Doesn’t Jesus still do his work, and the man’s faith was sure to grow because of what he saw.

Sermon on the Mount. Quiet. Gift.

I have been thinking a lot about this God and Jesus thing lately.  There are some things about him I never used to think too much about, that have been really impacting me lately.  Here are a few things that tie into this next section.  God is a Gentleman.  He stands at the door and knocks.  He would not impose himself or his will on us.  He waits.  He wants us to choose him.  God is Quiet.  He is a God of whispers.  We need to be far more quiet to actually here him speak.  He will not yell his promises or will into our ears.  God gives Gifts.  He does not only want us to follow him, he wants to lavish blessing on us.  He is not into making us do hard stuff merely to prove adoration and commitment to him.  He wants to give us blessings and rewards for a pure heart and work well done.

Matthew 6.in part

1-6:  "Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.  So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

Quiet.

We all want to be respected.  Having the adoration of our fellow man means we are honorable and trustworthy, right?  Doing good things for others, as long as we direct credit to the Lord is a calling, isn’t it?  Praying in community is healthy, and the mature faith evinces a mature prayer, doesn’t it?  This warning must have been directed to the religious elite of yesterday, and not to those of us within the modern church as we know it.  Then why are these words so convicting?  I find myself in these warnings.  How much of my walk with the Lord is on display, and how much of it is shielded from other’s awareness?  Not much.  It seems clear to me the call here is to spend for more time and energy in a walk and work that is not known and seen by all.

Gift.

We shouldn’t be worried about blessings and rewards from the Lord right?  Everything we do on this earth should be an outpouring of the spirit alive and working within us.  Doesn’t it seem like Jesus is putting a carrot before the horse here by asking us to do good and seek him in private so we will get something from him later?  If our motives were right, wouldn’t we do the right things regardless of the potential benefit?  It seems Jesus is willing to concede the benefits to following him, so long as we accept them on his terms.  Giving up eternal rewards for men’s praise seems crazy when I think about it.  The rewards Jesus is speaking of here are very loose.  They will not be tangible respect from others that we are used to.  Are we willing to accept a reward that is other?

16-21:  “Whenever you fast, do not put on a gloomy face as the hypocrites do, for they neglect their appearance so that they will be noticed by men when they are fasting Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full.  But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face so that your fasting will not be noticed by men, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.  Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Quiet.

Why is it that we seem to need a huge decision before us, or a church sponsored call to fast before we find ourselves using this spiritual tool?  Are we missing an opportunity to know the Lord and his will in a new way by forsaking this call?  We have moved so far away the religious laws of the elite that we just abstain from their practices entirely.  The call here is clear.  Fast.  For God, and the rewards he wants to give, not for the respect man will pay you for embarking on a counter cultural ritual. 

Gift.

The result of abstaining from food is a blessing from the God who rewards us in secret.  I have no idea what those rewards might be, but if they give us a better understanding of who God is and what he calls us to, isn’t it worth the sacrifice.  Come to think of it, I can’t really think of anything the Lord calls us to sacrifice that doesn’t first provide some form of pain or difficulty, to only be found with some tremendous blessing in the end.  The same goes for stuff.  We are called to not “store up” these things here on earth.  The things our heart and soul desire to collect should be things that cannot be affected by the erosive ways of this earth.

Sermon on the Mount. Cheeks, Cloaks and Paradox.

Matthew 5.38-48

“You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'  But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek; turn the other to him also.  If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.  Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'  But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Cheeks.

Turning the cheek is the antithesis of all of our natural inclinations.  When struck, wronged, or insulted the natural response is for self-justice.  The problem with justice is that it often comes at a price; the souls of those among us whom do not know the truth, and do not experience labored love from us in response.  Jesus here calls us to a deeper relation with our fellow man that does not include our third-grade response to harm. Christians are to be more concerned with doing right before God than anything else.  So, it is clear what he calls us not to do…but what would you say he is calling us to?  Are we called to be Christian pushovers in hope of winning souls to Christ?

Cloaks.

Giving of our resources is one thing, but are we really called here to give to the thief whom has chosen to steal from us?  I can’t help but think of Victor Hugo’s character of Jean Valjean.  The priest in his story gives him the candlesticks when he learns of Valjean’s theft of the silverware.  This single act of giving radically changes the man’s life for good.  Although fictitious, is this not exactly the result we would desire from our belongings?  How do we view what the Lord has blessed us with?  Does a loose grip on these things mean being willing to give them to even the most unlikely and undeserving?  [Deut. 15:9-11]

The Paradox.

Love those whom hate you.  Pray for those whom seek to do you harm.  Allow judgment to be God’s alone, and in the meantime seek to love and bless regardless of the way we are treated. Behave in a way that is counter to the way society expects.  This is the core of Christ’s calling on our lives.  We are not called to simply embrace and surround ourselves with the easy and lovable.  We are instead challenged to pray for the ones whom like us least.  Why isn’t being neutral (not repaying evil for evil) enough?  Why the impossible call to be perfect?  How is it related to the challenge to love those who hate us?

Deuteronomy 10/11.

We are not asked, but required to fear, obey, love, and serve God, in order to remain in his promised land.  The requirement is clearly stated in chapter 10:12.  “And now oh Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your should, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord which I command of you for your good.”

No question there.  Complete devotion.  It is out of this that God becomes my praise.  Then, and only then, will he give us rain in our lands and make our bounty plentiful.  Then the desire will be to announce on my doorpost that the Lord God is my God, and has done amazing things.  We are called to be careful as to the position we give to God, so that we might not experience Him departing from us.  The theme is clear, as is the call on my life and walk with God.  Priorities need shifted.  Disciplines enforced.  Law be known and done.  No more excuses or lukewarm religion.

In fact, it makes me wonder how I have gone all of these years under the teachings of the church, and missed the message.  It seems so fundamental to living for God to understand the importance and impact a life devoted to Him should exhibit.  Now that I know, I feel a bit overwhelmed to the ways I must pursue harder after His will and commands on my living. 

Deuteronomy 5.

Giving of the Ten Commandments.  The warning was given to “be careful to do them.”  This phrase is repeated a few times within chapter 5.  The first command; “To have no other gods before me,” is already a point of failure.  The Israelites and I both share a similar distraction.  Why is it so easy to put things of this world before the things of God?  The tangible and temporal are both immediate and fleeting, yet my mind finds ways to meditate on those things, and not on God.  Why is that so?  Can’t I train my mind, heart, and soul to focus on the God above?  I know his ways are worthy of my adoration and praise, yet I fail to do so.  I need to allow the spirit within me to redirect my thoughts and passions far more often in order to better keep this very first of commandments.

God’s jealousy demands the proper focus on Him.  Not only to “not carve an image,” but to refrain from allowing my mind to worship anything above him.  His wrath comes when provoked to jealousy.

“Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy;” another very straightforward command that is lacking in my spiritual discipline.  The legalism involved in the discussion of what is and is not work does not interest me, nor did it Jesus, but the keeping of it does.  How can I be better focused to indeed keep one day of seven focused on God and holiness?  Not hat is not needed the other six, but somehow by removing other things, and distilling the day down to holiness alone allows my heart and life to pulse and pump more healthily.

“Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear Me and to keep my commands, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever.” Deuteronomy 5:29

Law.

Matthew 5:17-18 says “Do not think I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.  For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished.”

This section of the Sermon on the Mount got me thinking about the law in an entirely new way.  The call to know and do the law was clear, but the alarming reality that the law was not really known to me began to impress upon my soul.  So begins a one investigation into the law and what it means for me during my travels to SE Asia.

Sermon on the Mount. The Similitudes.

Matthew 5:13-16

Salt and Light.

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored?  It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  ~Matthew 5:13-16

Utility.

 

Salt and light are good for something.  They have a purpose and value.  Life would look very strange without these two things.  Claiming devotion to God is not something that stops in the quiet of our heart. It becomes a declaration to the world.  What is our purpose as a believer in today’s world?  How are we doing with that purpose?

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.”  ~1 Peter 2:13-15

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or a sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”  ~James 2:14-17

“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.  Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”  ~James 1:26-27

Good Works.

Grace and salvation is not cheap.  The result of a changed life in Christ will result in something.  Desire to glorify God.  The only way we can express our gratitude for what God has done is to devote ourselves to knowing him better, AND doing good to those around us.  These good works MUST point to the Father in heaven.  Good works are not relegated to mission trips or feeding the homeless once a week.  We are called to bless and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ, and called to love our enemies as our selves. How do we treat ourselves?  How do we treat others?

Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes Continued.

Matthew 5:9-12

The Peacemakers:

We will begin to show attributes like God the father himself once we have reached this point in the progression of the Sermon on the Mount.  Not only will be peacemakers, but we will be a people able to usher the unknowing to the person of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Rom. 12:18:  “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Pr. 17:9: “He who covers a transgression seeks love.”  1 Pet 4:8:  “Above all keep loving one another earnestly since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Called Sons of God:

Our son-ship begins here on earth.  We begin to receive the blessings and responsibilities of familial ties once we accept our true place under Jesus.

Persecuted for Righteousness:

Following Christ, and being shaped into one who looks and acts like him does not mean ease and comfort.  Instead we are promised troubles, tribulation, and persecution.  In the midst of a broken world, righteousness is not celebrated.  It is looked upon as awkward, and ultimately when pushed too far is subject to hatred. 

2 Timothy 3:12: “Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ will be persecuted…” Persecution is not something to be sought, but when we find ourselves under it we should consider it blessed.  Do any of us have examples of this we can share?

1 Pet. 4:12-19:   Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing as though some strange thing were happening to you. But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing,; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoers, or troublesome meddler. But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not feel ashamed, but in that name let him glorify God. For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right. 

Rev. 2:10-11:  Do not fear what you are about to suffer.  Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days.  Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life. He, who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death. 

Heb. 12:4:  You have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against sin; and you have forgotten the exhortation, which is addressed to you as sons. My sons do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.

Is. 51:7-8: Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart is My law; Do not fear the reproach of man, Neither be dismayed at their reviling. For the moth will eat them like a garment and the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness shall be forever and My salvation to all generations.

Theirs in the Kingdom of Heaven:

Again, the promise of things to come.  Although I have no specific idea of what that will look like, it is an exciting thing to know the maker of it all, and the only one able to comfort has a plan that includes the faithful who stay abiding in the vine. 

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.  Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

1 Pet 3:15:  “…always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.  For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

Sermon on the Mount. The Beatitudes.

Matthew 5:1-9

The Beatitudes – The Blessed – The Be Attitudes – Well Off – Blissful – Fortunate – Joyful.  Assault on Pharisaic Legalism.  Opposite of the Pursuit of Happiness.  Pursuit of Blessing does not equal ease. 

WHAT DO WE THINK OF WHEN WE THINK OF BLESSING?  WELL OFF?  BLISSFUL?

“It closes off every possible avenue of human merit and leaves sinners dependant on nothing but divine grace for salvation.”

Poor in Spirit:

Opposite of self-sufficiency…no spiritual assets…does that sound blessed?  It should.  Are we aware of our lacking spirit apart from God, or do we think we are generally decent, and God is frosting on the cake?  How do we live…with which truth?

Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven:

We only gain the kingdom when we recognize our own spiritual poverty.  Are we willing to see our own depravity in order to receive heaven in its place?

Those who Mourn:

A godly sorrow over sin. Only a deep and true understanding of sin and how God views it will ever cause true repentance from sin.  We need to learn to hate it as God does in order to have the mind of Christ.  God does not condemn us because we sin.  He has provided a way.  What is our relationship with our sin?  Have we learned to excuse it?  Ignore it?  Feel guilty about it?  Dwell on it?  Hate ourselves because of it?

They shall be Comforted:

Knowledge we will be forgiven and salvation is ours.  The only comfort when we understand the depth of our sin is that God has provided a way.  Jesus’ work on the cross covers a multitude of sin.  It is finished.  We are not called to live in perpetual guilt over sin.  We are called to accept forgiveness and allow the healing power of Christ infuse a joy in forgiveness that propels us to live differently.  Do we feel the comfort of the Lord when we consider our sin?  Or do we live in perpetual guilt, shame, or denial?

The Meek:

Meek is not Weak.  It is the highest level of self-control.  This whole list of Blessed-s is progression.  We first need to learn we are lacking, then mourn our deficiency, which should then empower us to act with meekness for the one who provided a promise and way to claim that promise.  Who do you know (bible story or real) that is meek?  How would you describe their life, interactions, and demeanor?  Moses (Numbers 12:3), Jesus (Matthew 11:29).

They Shall Inherit the Earth:

Psalm 37:11  “But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”  What does this mean?

Those who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness:

The emptying of the above allows for the filling of righteousness.  You can’t be filled with it if you are already filled with pride and self-sufficiency.  We need to seek righteousness like we would the very thing that sustains life.  It is not just an ideal, but something we need and should be empty and ready to receive if we have a right view of ourselves.  If we were to consider the things we strive hard for, would righteousness be on the list?  Do we have the capacity to be filled, or are we already full of ourselves?

They shall be Filled:

Being filled with righteousness is like being filled with Christ himself.  This is not a self-righteousness.  The kind the world abhors.  This is an ability to know our place, live in thankful acceptance of the saving power of God, and then allowing Him to fill and use us as he sees fit.  This is a wonderfully terrifying reality.  Are we open and willing to be used by the Lord in whatever way He sees fit?

The Merciful:

The more righteous a person is, the more merciful he will be toward others.  The converse is also true.  The more sinful a person is, the more critical and judgmental he will be toward others.  Which are we?  What does that say about sin in our lives?  Are we ready to go to the beginning of this list and make some changes?

They Shall Obtain Mercy:

God’s mercy is something we all need.  Without it, what would befall us?  Knowing mercy should cause us to extend it.  Extending mercy softens us to receive it from God when we need it.  We should be a merciful people.

Pure in Heart:

The difference here is between a clean heart (forgiven), and a pure heart (undistracted).  Purity is something that is difficult in a society bent toward impurity.  How can we be a separate and distinct people in the midst of this society?  What should it look like?  What does it mean abstaining from?

They Shall See God:

There will be a cost to purity that may seem like you are giving something up. If we truly commit to the first part of this scripture, we would only desire the things that are pure.  But if our heartbeat is to see God, are we willing to be pure before him?

The Peacemakers:

We will begin to show attributes like God the father himself once we have reached this point in the progression of the Sermon on the Mount.  Not only will we be peacemakers, but we will be a people able to usher the unknowing to the person of Jesus, the Prince of Peace.

Called Sons of God:

Our son-ship will begin here on earth.  We begin to receive the blessings of familial ties once we accept our true place under Jesus.

Apostasy.

Josh White sermon notes…eerily reminiscent of Gary’s comments about joy killers only 2 weeks later.  I don’t believe in coincidence.  I think there is something I am supposed to learn from this.  Here are the notes in a jumbled mess.  I will reconcile the two into a cohesive whole later…but here are the raw themes.

The source text:

Jude 12-13…”These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, looking after themselves; waterless clouds swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.”

Apostasy is repentance in the wrong direction.  Taking God off of his throne.  Ezekiel 34:8b…”since there was no Shepard and because my shepherds have not searched for my sheep, but the shepherds have fed themselves, and have not fed my sheep, therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the Lord.”

Looking after themselves…Selfishness…allowing our passions to dictate our actions.  The entire sea changes because of one rock.  Reckless abandon should only be true in speaking of my spiritual being; all other pursuits should be done cautiously.

Waterless clouds…Purposelessness…A cloud without rain only hides the sun/son.  How much larger would my world be if I were smaller in it?

Fruitless trees…Baroness…True fiath finds its home in commitment.

Wild waves of the sea…Destructiveness…Your sin will impact everyone.

Wandering stars…Directionless…Burn out and exhastion.

If doctrine does not lead to duty, it has no point.  The spirit is the device that allows man to behave as a man. 

Justice.

Gary Haugen, founder and CEO of IJM spoke…it was profound…here are my notes:

We see 3 emotions in the life of Jesus that his followers should exude: Love, Peace, and Joy.

Joy is a great delight in a good secured.

Joy is the face of God I might otherwise miss. Apropos.

Joy is the treasure that is found in the field of earthly pain. (Meaning what God intends to mine out of earthly pain is joy)

Joy is the oxygen that sustains life on this earth.

The accuser tries to suffocate the oxygen out, and not allow the believer to experience joy.

The airplane analogy of first securing your own oxygen mask before helping others is well suited for this cause.  Secure your own joy, before attempting to serve others.

A good reminder, this fallen world is the same world God has sent us into.  There is still good in it.

There are a few things that are sure to kill joy:  exhaustion, guilt, relational bareness, and purposeless.  All of which the enemy will attempt to place upon you if you listen to his voice.

You can always find great joy in the service of others, so if you are looking for a source, there is an easy one.

Joy is a spiritual exercise.  Prepare for today for what you want to do tomorrow.

2 things IJM requires of its task force:

Celebration.  

It is a commandment.  Create the opportunity to experience joy.

Sabbath.

Our opportunity to rest in order to stop exhaustion from coming.