What am I missing? Did you notice in this record of a disabled man being healed that he doesn't pay much attention to Jesus other than to tell the Pharisee's it was his fault that he was "breaking the Sabbath".
Today at our Creative Team meeting where we evaluate past services and plan for those upcoming , we were looking at Thanksgiving and I was reminded of the many passages I have preached in years past on thanksgiving and was thinking about what my text ought to be this year. There's the old stand bye- 10 lepers that are healed by Jesus but only one returns to give thanks but that one's been done to death. It really highlights the truth of the statement that too often we are more concerned about the gift of God than we are God, the giver.
Think about this friends. Say that somehow your income was cut by 40% (let's hope you never have to experience that). What "fat" do you have to cut? I think just a brief evaluation of what "luxuries" could go demonstrates just how wealthy we really are- cell phones, cable/satellite, internet service, your home phone, one less vehicle, smaller house.... the list goes on.
How thankful are you and to whom are you thankful?
Lord you have blessed me beyond what I could have ever imagined and far beyond what I deserve. Forgive me for taking your blessings for granted. You truly are so good to me and if earthly riches are not enough you give me all that you are and a place in your presence for all eternity. Thank You.
What say you?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
What not to say.
Taking my son to school today he reminded me of what not to say if a police officer pulls you over and asks "Do you know why I pulled you over?" Never, I repeat never say "Because you thought I might have donuts?"
Have a great day friends!!!!
Have a great day friends!!!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Something we don't realize is that while it may not take great effort for Jesus to turn water to wine, heal a sick son or cause a lame man to walk, it cost him a great deal.
This week the trouble begins in our study of the seven signs. Jesus walks up to a man who for 38 years is practically helpless and out of nothing but grace, Jesus changes his life. "Get up and Walk!" Jesus says. I wonder, if that was you where would you go first? This man chose the temple but on the way he is descended on like vultures by the Pharisees.
"Why are you carrying your bed? Don't you know it's the Sabbath?" "The man who healed me, he told me to" and instead of focusing on the healing they are stuck with a so called violation of their law. The Pharisees had developed 39 rules about obeying the Sabbath and one of them was that no one was to bear a burden. Interestingly, the one thing they accused him of doing was the exact opposite of what happened. Jesus had just relieved him of a 38 year burden.
Think of it this way, some one you love is sick and they're spiraling fast. You hit the gas to get to the emergency room and in doing so you have surpassed the speed limit. What would be the right response of a policeman- lecture you for 20 minutes on the importance of the speed restrictions? No, of course not he should see the real issue is the life that is in danger and assist you in getting there quickly and safely. They missed it completely. If the law is for the preservation and keeping of life then they should have focused on how this purpose was fulfilled in this man's life.
This sign/miracle became the impetus for the Pharisees to oppose Jesus and would eventually lead to His Crucifixion. All because He showed mercy and exhibited power on the Sabbath.
God has given us much instruction how to live but let's make sure that in following it and teaching it we don't choke the life out of others or ourselves.
What say You? Seriously, write something. ;0)
This week the trouble begins in our study of the seven signs. Jesus walks up to a man who for 38 years is practically helpless and out of nothing but grace, Jesus changes his life. "Get up and Walk!" Jesus says. I wonder, if that was you where would you go first? This man chose the temple but on the way he is descended on like vultures by the Pharisees.
"Why are you carrying your bed? Don't you know it's the Sabbath?" "The man who healed me, he told me to" and instead of focusing on the healing they are stuck with a so called violation of their law. The Pharisees had developed 39 rules about obeying the Sabbath and one of them was that no one was to bear a burden. Interestingly, the one thing they accused him of doing was the exact opposite of what happened. Jesus had just relieved him of a 38 year burden.
Think of it this way, some one you love is sick and they're spiraling fast. You hit the gas to get to the emergency room and in doing so you have surpassed the speed limit. What would be the right response of a policeman- lecture you for 20 minutes on the importance of the speed restrictions? No, of course not he should see the real issue is the life that is in danger and assist you in getting there quickly and safely. They missed it completely. If the law is for the preservation and keeping of life then they should have focused on how this purpose was fulfilled in this man's life.
This sign/miracle became the impetus for the Pharisees to oppose Jesus and would eventually lead to His Crucifixion. All because He showed mercy and exhibited power on the Sabbath.
God has given us much instruction how to live but let's make sure that in following it and teaching it we don't choke the life out of others or ourselves.
What say You? Seriously, write something. ;0)
Monday, September 28, 2009
You Are HEEEAAAAAALLLLLDDDDD!!!!
This week we meet a man in John 5 "who had been an invalid 38 years" . He is laying by a pool along with others in desperate straits. He is ill, he has no friends, and has been in this condition for nearly 4 decades. They were waiting there, according to the text, for a stirring of the waters. (v.7) It seems that, according to local tradition, the first one in the water would be healed, the others were simply left to wait. The Bible nowhere teaches this kind of superstition, a situation which would be a most cruel contest for people who are already suffering..
Interestingly, this is the second of signs in John's Gospel, that involves a healing. So it is appropriate to consider a theology of sickness. The presence of sickness is not hard to explain, we live in a fallen world and the presence of sin brings death. One day, sickness, pain and death will be removed but for today we all live under the scarring of sin. What really stands out to me today is the response to sickness. Consider what this man's view of God must have been. "God's mercy is based on first come, first serve"? It is this kind of confusion that open's the door for others to step in and take advantage of those in desperation because of illness.
I am enraged when I think of "cure" pushers on the radio "Take this pill 3 x's a day ", "other places couldn't cure my cancer but when I went to X they were so friendly, I knew they cared and now my cancer is gone". As disgusted as I am about these folks, the ones that really burn me are the "Faith Healers". "If you just have enough faith" and "If you'd only go to see Y he could heal you". Now I believe that God heals but no where in the Bible do we see such a circus as these "healing services" And if people aren't healed, to pile on top of their pain, they are told "It's because you just don't have enough faith". It's near criminal, especially how through this so called gift these "healers" have enriched themselves in every worldly way. OK, don't get me started. (too late!)
Perhaps we would be better off thinking of such things in the following way. Jesus came, not just to deal with the symptoms of Sin but to deliver us from Sin itself and bring us into a relationship with God. These bodies, like it or not, are dying. What Jesus is most concerned about is your Soul.
What say you?
Interestingly, this is the second of signs in John's Gospel, that involves a healing. So it is appropriate to consider a theology of sickness. The presence of sickness is not hard to explain, we live in a fallen world and the presence of sin brings death. One day, sickness, pain and death will be removed but for today we all live under the scarring of sin. What really stands out to me today is the response to sickness. Consider what this man's view of God must have been. "God's mercy is based on first come, first serve"? It is this kind of confusion that open's the door for others to step in and take advantage of those in desperation because of illness.
I am enraged when I think of "cure" pushers on the radio "Take this pill 3 x's a day ", "other places couldn't cure my cancer but when I went to X they were so friendly, I knew they cared and now my cancer is gone". As disgusted as I am about these folks, the ones that really burn me are the "Faith Healers". "If you just have enough faith" and "If you'd only go to see Y he could heal you". Now I believe that God heals but no where in the Bible do we see such a circus as these "healing services" And if people aren't healed, to pile on top of their pain, they are told "It's because you just don't have enough faith". It's near criminal, especially how through this so called gift these "healers" have enriched themselves in every worldly way. OK, don't get me started. (too late!)
Perhaps we would be better off thinking of such things in the following way. Jesus came, not just to deal with the symptoms of Sin but to deliver us from Sin itself and bring us into a relationship with God. These bodies, like it or not, are dying. What Jesus is most concerned about is your Soul.
What say you?
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Trusting God from a Distance
In our passage this week, John 4:46-54, A man comes to Jesus with a great need, a son who is sick and near death. This man pleads with Jesus to come and heal him. Honestly, Jesus response feels a little like one of Job's friends. Where's the compassion? He needs a miracle not a rebuke. The man persists and receives this answer. "Go, your son will live". This man had heard about the things that Jesus was doing and came to him in light of his reputation of power but all he got from Jesus were words. The Bible says this man believed and he turned around an began the 20 mile journey home.
Think of how hard that must have been. Each step filled with questions, perhaps doubt making it's move. "Why won't he come? If I wait until I get home it could be too late." That must have been a hard trip to take. "If he's in Cana, how can he make a difference in Capernaum?"
I wonder, if like me, you have struggled with this dilemma - trusting God with someone when you can't see either of them. Last summer Emily, my oldest daughter worked at a camp in Wisconsin. I had never been there and would not see her for 6 weeks. How could I be the Dad I'm supposed to be and protect her if I can't even see her?
It was 6 weeks. If I struggled with 6weeks, how will I possibly endure her being away in college? I have had to remind myself time and time again that if I can trust God to watch her while I'm near, I can trust Him to care for her when I'm not.
In what circumstance do you most struggle when it comes to trusting God?
What say you?
Think of how hard that must have been. Each step filled with questions, perhaps doubt making it's move. "Why won't he come? If I wait until I get home it could be too late." That must have been a hard trip to take. "If he's in Cana, how can he make a difference in Capernaum?"
I wonder, if like me, you have struggled with this dilemma - trusting God with someone when you can't see either of them. Last summer Emily, my oldest daughter worked at a camp in Wisconsin. I had never been there and would not see her for 6 weeks. How could I be the Dad I'm supposed to be and protect her if I can't even see her?
It was 6 weeks. If I struggled with 6weeks, how will I possibly endure her being away in college? I have had to remind myself time and time again that if I can trust God to watch her while I'm near, I can trust Him to care for her when I'm not.
In what circumstance do you most struggle when it comes to trusting God?
What say you?
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Curse
I've had it up to here! (points to top of eye brows) Today is September 22, 2009, what would be my Dad's 77th birthday and instead of celebrating a birth I am saddened by a death. Every so often I think of how death has cheated me. I never got to see my Dad or my Mom bounce my kids on their knee. They weren't there to see me preach in front of the faculty and student body of Dallas Seminary and they weren't there to see me receive a Masters Degree in Theology (Th.M). They would have been proud, we would have laughed and we all could have been amazed together at what God did through a guy like me.
A long time ago a decision was made to listen to the advice of a liar and reject the Word of God and we fell. As beautiful as the sunsets are, as gorgeous as the colors of Fall we have no idea how good it really was before sin entered in through one man's disobedience. People get sick because of sin. People hurt people because of Sin. I lost the opportunity to grow in a new found friendship with my Dad because sin is everywhere and the proof is everywhere- the penalty of Sin is Death.
When I read in John 4:46-54 of the Official that comes to plead with Jesus to heal his son, I can't help but realize how desperate he must have been. If he was in any kind of political position as many commentators assume, he most likely pulled every string out there, called in every debt, spent every last drachma to make his son healthy again but to no avail. Jesus was his last and only chance.
Only Jesus could reverse the effects of the Curse and in His mercy, he did. Remember the purpose of these signs is to cause us to believe that He is "the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing we would have life in His name" In this "sign" Jesus does indeed reverse the curse and the young man who would surely died, lived demonstrating his divine power.
It's got me thinking, "what else am I missing out on because of the scarring sin has wrought in this world?"
What are you missing today because of Sin?
What say you?
A long time ago a decision was made to listen to the advice of a liar and reject the Word of God and we fell. As beautiful as the sunsets are, as gorgeous as the colors of Fall we have no idea how good it really was before sin entered in through one man's disobedience. People get sick because of sin. People hurt people because of Sin. I lost the opportunity to grow in a new found friendship with my Dad because sin is everywhere and the proof is everywhere- the penalty of Sin is Death.
When I read in John 4:46-54 of the Official that comes to plead with Jesus to heal his son, I can't help but realize how desperate he must have been. If he was in any kind of political position as many commentators assume, he most likely pulled every string out there, called in every debt, spent every last drachma to make his son healthy again but to no avail. Jesus was his last and only chance.
Only Jesus could reverse the effects of the Curse and in His mercy, he did. Remember the purpose of these signs is to cause us to believe that He is "the Christ, the Son of God and that by believing we would have life in His name" In this "sign" Jesus does indeed reverse the curse and the young man who would surely died, lived demonstrating his divine power.
It's got me thinking, "what else am I missing out on because of the scarring sin has wrought in this world?"
What are you missing today because of Sin?
What say you?
Monday, September 21, 2009
Loose Ends
Once again, the sermon is history and I come to the realization that I left out something significant. While I laid out John's structure of his gospel; 7 signs, 7 sermons and 7 "I am" statements, I failed to connect Jesus "private" sign with his following "public" action in John 2.
Remember those stone pots for ceremonial cleansing? Remember they were empty? They symbolized the condition of Judaism at the time and Jesus turning the water for ceremonial cleansing into wine begins the contrast between the emptiness of the hoops the Pharisees made people jump through and the life and Joy that Jesus offered.
While it is symbolic in 2:1-11 it is literal in John 2 13-16 when Jesus goes to the Temple and finds that it has been turned it into a Den of theives, a place of business as opposed to a "House of Prayer" (Mt. 21)
As I consider this, I began wondering "In what way have I cheapened what God is offering with mere 'religiosity'?" In what ways do we trade an authentic relationship with God for mere insufficient substitutes?
What say you?
By the way, what do you suggest I do to make this sermon series more effective/helpful?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
