The next three weeks I will refer to an 18th Century writer named Søren Kierkegaard. He is best known as a philosopher, but he wrote many thoughtful things about the message of Jesus and the kingdom of God. He could write esoteric philosophical ideas, but he could also employ simple images and parables that communicated important spiritual truths.
One of the first of his stories that I read nearly forty years ago, described a man who wanted to understand swimming. Every day he went down to the sea to watch those in the water. He would carefully analyze their movements, make notes and use his knowledge of science to determine just what was causing them to stay afloat and move forward. He recorded many observations and wrote his conclusions for others to read. He believed that his description of swimming was one of the most technically accurate that one could find.
But, says, Kierkegaard, such a man really knows nothing of swimming, and he will not know anything of it until he himself plunges into the sea and commits his body to the water.
All around Kierkegaard saw people who were experts in languages and theology and could describe in great detail what Christianity was about. But, in his mind, these people did not know anything about the kingdom of God, because they had never plunged in and abandoned themselves to Jesus and his teaching.
And so Kierkegaard would encourage us to study and learn, but to take all that and charge by faith into the water. In terms we talk about here each week, no mind change really has any value until we believe the promises of God so much that we leave our comfort zone and take the plunge.
Focus Scriptures:
Hebrew 11: 8
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
Hebrews 11:17-18
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned." 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
Hebrews 11: 24-26
By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
1/17/10
1/10/10
Repent and Rest!
When we hear the word “repent” it is often followed in Scripture with an admonition to take action, as in the word addressed to the church in Ephesus, “Repent and do the things you did at first.” However, there is a beautiful text in Isaiah 30 that shows us that repentance may not always be followed by something we “do.”
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15
Repentance is about turning but sometimes what is most needed is not for us to turn and “do” but to turn and “rest.” When we have trusted in all our “doing” and lived as if everything depends on our performance and effort, we need to repent and rest on God’s promises and his faithfulness. In such quietness and trust God tells Isaiah, we will find our strength.
“Doing” and taking action will always be a part of faithfulness. But our doing needs to come from a confidence that our salvation and our strength is found in resting in God’s grace and God’s provision.
This reminds me of Psalm 23. It sounds a lot like lying down in green pastures and letting God prepare a feast before us and just enjoying the fact that our relationship cup overflows. In such quietness and rest we will then find the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.
Sadly, the Jews would have none of it. We need to have a lot of it.
Isaiah 30:15 in different versions:
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,"In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.But you were unwilling" ESV
For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
"In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength."
But you were not willing, NASB
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not. AMPLIFIED
This is what the Sovereign LORD,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it. NLT
This is what the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"If you come back to me and trust me, you will be saved.
If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong."
But you don't want to do that. NEW CENTURY
God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me—The very thing you've been unwilling to do.
MESSAGE BIBLE
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15
Repentance is about turning but sometimes what is most needed is not for us to turn and “do” but to turn and “rest.” When we have trusted in all our “doing” and lived as if everything depends on our performance and effort, we need to repent and rest on God’s promises and his faithfulness. In such quietness and trust God tells Isaiah, we will find our strength.
“Doing” and taking action will always be a part of faithfulness. But our doing needs to come from a confidence that our salvation and our strength is found in resting in God’s grace and God’s provision.
This reminds me of Psalm 23. It sounds a lot like lying down in green pastures and letting God prepare a feast before us and just enjoying the fact that our relationship cup overflows. In such quietness and rest we will then find the strength to get up and do what needs to be done.
Sadly, the Jews would have none of it. We need to have a lot of it.
Isaiah 30:15 in different versions:
For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel,"In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.But you were unwilling" ESV
For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
"In repentance and rest you will be saved,
In quietness and trust is your strength."
But you were not willing, NASB
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not. AMPLIFIED
This is what the Sovereign LORD,
the Holy One of Israel, says:
“Only in returning to me
and resting in me will you be saved.
In quietness and confidence is your strength.
But you would have none of it. NLT
This is what the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"If you come back to me and trust me, you will be saved.
If you will be calm and trust me, you will be strong."
But you don't want to do that. NEW CENTURY
God, the Master, The Holy of Israel,
has this solemn counsel:
"Your salvation requires you to turn back to me
and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves.
Your strength will come from settling down
in complete dependence on me—The very thing you've been unwilling to do.
MESSAGE BIBLE
1/3/10
Go For It!
I’ve felt a bit of pressure this week knowing that since it is the first Web cast of January, some of you may be looking for words of wisdom to launch you into a new year. But, on the other hand, I told myself that since it is the fourth of the month, you probably have your goals set, your theme scripture passage selected, and your motor revved up and ready to go. Assuming that, I have decided not to confuse or distract you with some other ideas.
Instead, I just want to remind you of a few things as you pursue godly growth and change in a new year.
First of all, you are in same mode as Paul when he wrote: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
But if you should have doubts about yourself, hear the words the angel spoke to Gideon, a man who also had his doubts: "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12). And later “Go in the strength that you have…Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14).
A few weeks from now, after hitting some obstacles and wondering if you can do it, keep in mind the words from Hebrews. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
Finally, when you have had some victories, have the attitude of Paul when he said “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 10).
Now go for it in the New Year!
Instead, I just want to remind you of a few things as you pursue godly growth and change in a new year.
First of all, you are in same mode as Paul when he wrote: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
But if you should have doubts about yourself, hear the words the angel spoke to Gideon, a man who also had his doubts: "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior" (Judges 6:12). And later “Go in the strength that you have…Am I not sending you?” (Judges 6:14).
A few weeks from now, after hitting some obstacles and wondering if you can do it, keep in mind the words from Hebrews. “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
Finally, when you have had some victories, have the attitude of Paul when he said “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 10).
Now go for it in the New Year!
12/27/09
Feel-Good Story?
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against…" Luke 2:34
Some people and some things that are said make us all feel good. Let me tell you the first example I thought of: Jackie DeShanon’s 1965 hit “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Most people think accounts of Jesus’ birth belong in that same category. Sweet little baby with angels, shepherds and wise men all around: what’s not to feel good about?
However, the passage we read from Luke reflects something else. The elderly Simeon prophesies that this child-to-become-a-man will cause the falling and the rising of many. There will be something about his message that will lead some to triumph but others to tragedy.
He offers good news to anyone and everyone, but not everyone will rise because not everyone will welcome the message of his kingdom. Some will be sure that they have a better way. They will either find him offensive or irrelevant. They will speak against him or ignore him. Though he came to condemn no one, on the last day the words he has spoken will judge them (John 12:48). If they protest the unfairness of this, they will surely be reminded that they had a choice and they rejected God’s extravagant generosity. While others rise, they will fall.
Jackie DeShannon had a feel-good song that became a big hit. The story of Jesus belongs in a different genre.
Some people and some things that are said make us all feel good. Let me tell you the first example I thought of: Jackie DeShanon’s 1965 hit “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Most people think accounts of Jesus’ birth belong in that same category. Sweet little baby with angels, shepherds and wise men all around: what’s not to feel good about?
However, the passage we read from Luke reflects something else. The elderly Simeon prophesies that this child-to-become-a-man will cause the falling and the rising of many. There will be something about his message that will lead some to triumph but others to tragedy.
He offers good news to anyone and everyone, but not everyone will rise because not everyone will welcome the message of his kingdom. Some will be sure that they have a better way. They will either find him offensive or irrelevant. They will speak against him or ignore him. Though he came to condemn no one, on the last day the words he has spoken will judge them (John 12:48). If they protest the unfairness of this, they will surely be reminded that they had a choice and they rejected God’s extravagant generosity. While others rise, they will fall.
Jackie DeShannon had a feel-good song that became a big hit. The story of Jesus belongs in a different genre.
12/21/09
The Inconvenient Path to Peace
Luke 1:79 --“to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the path of peace."
Luke 2:14 -- "Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
We are not surprised at all to find statements about peace connected with the birth narrative in the Jesus story. “Peace on earth” may be one of the phrases most associated with the nativity story. But here is where we may need one of the most radical changes of our minds.
I’m afraid too many people sing about peace on earth and good will to men without seriously considering what Jesus taught his disciples about the pursuit of peace. Contrary to the Empire that believed the Pax Romana – the peace of Rome – was maintained through a strong standing army ready to violently crush any rebellion, Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies and do good to them.
Contrary to his own Jewish countrymen who believed God’s peace on earth would be established by a forceful and violent overthrow of the pagan invaders, Jesus taught his disciples to pray for their enemies and to go the second mile for those very invaders.
Isaiah had prophesied of the coming kingdom where men would beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and learn war no more. The Jews believed that would happen, but only after they had destroyed the Gentile unbelievers.
When Jesus came he was saying, “No, we are going to start living the kingdom right here and right now in the middle of the world and all its wars. We are going to be citizens of heaven and conduct ourselves by the standards of the age to come. And in the middle of all the fighting and the killing, we are going to practice peace and return good for evil. And in this way we will show them the real path to peace.”
Is anyone listening? Is anyone willing to change his mind this much?
FOCUS SCRIPTURES
Isaiah 2:3-4
Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:27-36
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 2:14 -- "Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
We are not surprised at all to find statements about peace connected with the birth narrative in the Jesus story. “Peace on earth” may be one of the phrases most associated with the nativity story. But here is where we may need one of the most radical changes of our minds.
I’m afraid too many people sing about peace on earth and good will to men without seriously considering what Jesus taught his disciples about the pursuit of peace. Contrary to the Empire that believed the Pax Romana – the peace of Rome – was maintained through a strong standing army ready to violently crush any rebellion, Jesus taught his disciples to love their enemies and do good to them.
Contrary to his own Jewish countrymen who believed God’s peace on earth would be established by a forceful and violent overthrow of the pagan invaders, Jesus taught his disciples to pray for their enemies and to go the second mile for those very invaders.
Isaiah had prophesied of the coming kingdom where men would beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and learn war no more. The Jews believed that would happen, but only after they had destroyed the Gentile unbelievers.
When Jesus came he was saying, “No, we are going to start living the kingdom right here and right now in the middle of the world and all its wars. We are going to be citizens of heaven and conduct ourselves by the standards of the age to come. And in the middle of all the fighting and the killing, we are going to practice peace and return good for evil. And in this way we will show them the real path to peace.”
Is anyone listening? Is anyone willing to change his mind this much?
FOCUS SCRIPTURES
Isaiah 2:3-4
Many peoples will come and say,
"Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths."
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Luke 6:27-36
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
12/13/09
God with Us
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"--which means, "God with us." Matthew 1:22-23
In our last installment we saw that the child born in Bethlehem was bringing more that season’s greetings or the “most wonderful time of the year.” He was bringing the kingdom of God. That kingdom is about the breaking of the age to come into this present age. It is about the divine intersecting the human realm. It is about Immanuel—God with us.
"God with us." Those three words tell us what life is not. It is not about people whose lives are as meaningful as a rock trying to use all the intellectual or literary or musical talent, they just accidentally have, to try and give it some meaning. It is not about trying to find enough entertainment, diversion or substances to help one forget it has no meaning.
"God with us." Life is about God who gives life its purpose. It is about God who wants to be with us. It is about a God we need to be with. It is about a God who comes to us. Specifically in this story, it is about a God who comes to us, first as a child. It is about a God we would never make up, who comes to us in weakness, even though he still has all power.
Life is about a God who comes to us, but who gives us a choice. In Jesus and in the Holy Spirit, he let’s us know: “God with us.” In our hearts we have to decide to say: “And I am going to be with God.”
Focus Scripture
John 1:7-14
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
In our last installment we saw that the child born in Bethlehem was bringing more that season’s greetings or the “most wonderful time of the year.” He was bringing the kingdom of God. That kingdom is about the breaking of the age to come into this present age. It is about the divine intersecting the human realm. It is about Immanuel—God with us.
"God with us." Those three words tell us what life is not. It is not about people whose lives are as meaningful as a rock trying to use all the intellectual or literary or musical talent, they just accidentally have, to try and give it some meaning. It is not about trying to find enough entertainment, diversion or substances to help one forget it has no meaning.
"God with us." Life is about God who gives life its purpose. It is about God who wants to be with us. It is about a God we need to be with. It is about a God who comes to us. Specifically in this story, it is about a God who comes to us, first as a child. It is about a God we would never make up, who comes to us in weakness, even though he still has all power.
Life is about a God who comes to us, but who gives us a choice. In Jesus and in the Holy Spirit, he let’s us know: “God with us.” In our hearts we have to decide to say: “And I am going to be with God.”
Focus Scripture
John 1:7-14
He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
12/6/09
Inflatable Jesuses and Kingdom Living
Driving near our home you can see an inflatable manger scene right there in a yard with about ten other inflatables including, Frosty the Snowman, Santa in race car and a train loaded with Christmas gifts. It is the time of the year when Jesus shows up in all kinds of places and in many songs.
For the next four weeks I want to look at some Bible texts connected with the birth of Jesus, and hopefully see some things often overlooked this time of year.
Today let’s consider Luke 1:33 where the angel says to Mary, “and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." That little child who would be “asleep on the hay” was coming to bring a long-awaited kingdom. He was coming to rule and reign. He was coming not to bring us the Christmas season and give us another yard ornament, but to become absolutely sovereign in our lives.
We know that Herod felt threatened when he learned men from the east had come seeking this child of destiny. Herod’s paranoia is well known to historians, but in this case he was right about something. This child was bringing a kingdom that would stand opposed to the kingdoms of this world.
The king himself would come as a little child, enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and wash the feet of his followers. Those who accepted his rule would live by values opposite of those of this world. They would be so captured by the age to come that they would not live so much as people of this nation or that one, but as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20).
Let me challenge you this season to evaluate everything in light of the kingdom life and values that this child brings.
Focus Scriptures
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 5:3 and 10
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (emphasis added).
For the next four weeks I want to look at some Bible texts connected with the birth of Jesus, and hopefully see some things often overlooked this time of year.
Today let’s consider Luke 1:33 where the angel says to Mary, “and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." That little child who would be “asleep on the hay” was coming to bring a long-awaited kingdom. He was coming to rule and reign. He was coming not to bring us the Christmas season and give us another yard ornament, but to become absolutely sovereign in our lives.
We know that Herod felt threatened when he learned men from the east had come seeking this child of destiny. Herod’s paranoia is well known to historians, but in this case he was right about something. This child was bringing a kingdom that would stand opposed to the kingdoms of this world.
The king himself would come as a little child, enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and wash the feet of his followers. Those who accepted his rule would live by values opposite of those of this world. They would be so captured by the age to come that they would not live so much as people of this nation or that one, but as citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20).
Let me challenge you this season to evaluate everything in light of the kingdom life and values that this child brings.
Focus Scriptures
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
Matthew 5:3 and 10
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 6:9-10
9 "This, then, is how you should pray: "'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (emphasis added).
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