Tag: teach

Posted on

Matthew: Fourth Discourse — Family Matters

Read: Matthew 18-20

The fourth discourse recorded by Matthew provides a wide array of teaching points that continue Jesus’ counter culture concept. It’s interesting that children are mentioned twice, though we may skim over that from our cultural perspective. There is much to learn here. May God speak to you this morning as Jesus teaches through His words.

Who Is Greatest?

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:2-4

The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:13-14

Playing with young children is great fun! Hearing the word, “Again!” with such enthusiasm and joy just makes me smile as I toss Brennan on the sofa “when the bow breaks” or when Cali is dancing as we sing a song. They have no particular cares in the world. Their moms and dads tend to every need and they trust them completely. It’s a beautiful thing. Surrounded by love, disciplined as necessary, Brennan and Cali are growing quickly. When I read the scripture above, I see their smiles and it reminds me of precious time with our own four girls, each having their moments of great innocence and unstoppable laughter, each reminding Zoë and I what it means to be a child in the presence of the King. I don’t want to forget that–ever.

But oh how it goes by so quickly! Four year olds turn into teenagers and young adults far too quickly. Lord, help us to treasure the moments and remember Your words when we become too grown up in our own minds, make the Gospel too complicated and lose our innocence. Forgive me in those times and remind me what it’s like to have complete faith and trust.

Don’t miss the next two passages that continue to point back to Jesus’ regard for children:

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Matthew 18:6

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven Matthew 18:10

From children to brothers and sisters, Jesus seems to make the point that we should be acting like a family. What a concept! Chapter 19 expands the audience to include husband and wife in discussing divorce. Jesus is pretty clear here:

So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:6

Marriage is a sacred covenant between one man and one woman, it was designed that way from the beginning. Our society doesn’t see it that way, but clearly we should. Don’t forget, this lesson is long after Jesus said:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28

This is directed at men because it’s the men who are trying to skirt around the issue at hand. Husband: keep your eyes on your wife! I wish I could say I wasn’t guilty, but that simply wouldn’t be truthful. I’m so glad Jesus forgives me seventy times seven times!

Continuing the theme of family, Jesus addresses those who refuse to let go of the wealth they’ve been given in the parable of the Rich Young Man. Family matters to Jesus, it should matter to us. That’s often easier said than done, especially as children become adults, but it is something we need to take seriously. Peter gets it, but wonders how it works out in the end. Jesus assures Peter, and all of those who are truly willing to be followers:

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. Matthew 19:29

The key phrase in the passage above is, “for my sake.” It’s not about walking away from something, it’s about being called to something. I believe Jesus is pleased when we honor our marriage and follow His ways, when we love our children and offer them to God with open arms, and when we try our best to model His words with our extended family.

That’s a lot to consider this morning. I hope you have coffee!

 

Posted on

Matthew: Some Parables to Consider

Read: Matthew 13

Jesus loved to teach using parables, short stories that invite us to step back and learn from seemingly everyday experiences. We learn a lot through this kind of lesson because it’s more like teaching someone to fish than simply supplying a fish dinner when asked. The funny thing I’ve found is how the application of the simple narrative changes over time. I wish I had kept journals from my youth to compare with thoughts today, but I am completely certain these parables are much more vividly colored today than they were 20 years ago.

I should probably write a post on each of the above, it seems somewhat trite to gloss over the lessons embodied in each. Or perhaps you should read them yourself and hear what God is speaking to you this morning.

Matthew 13:10-17 provides Jesus’ explanation for the use of parables. I pray we are those who can read and learn, see and hear, that our hearts would be transformed by His words. Amen!

Matthew chooses to end this chapter with an observation: a prophet is not honored in his own town. People that saw Jesus growing up, walking with Joseph and Mary to the market, looking like a simple child, and doing normal everyday tasks had a hard time accepting Him for who He was. Something we have to expect in our own lives. I think of this like stained glass windows.

Parable of the Stained Glass Window

Consider the beauty of a stained glass window. The patterns of broken glass, careful selection of lead borders, and the choice of colors provide a wonderful depiction of the image portrayed. It’s especially wonderful when the sun hits the window and filtered light fills the room with a rainbow of colors.

We appreciate a stained glass window because, well, the glass is not clear. The glass is in fragments, held together with gray, rather ugly, lead. Yet somehow, when it is put together properly it becomes a work of art, something we put in a place of honor and gaze upon with wonder.

We are each a stained glass window. Each of us has broken pieces of our lives in the past, all held together by lead. Jesus takes our brokenness, our sin, our mistakes and creates an image much more beautiful than we could ever imagine. The Spirit is the lead, not seen, not the focal point of the window, but without which the window would never hold together.

While there is some desire to be a clear pane of glass once again, I rather think the beauty found in a stained glass window creates a tapestry that reveals a work of art my more authentically.

Thank you Lord for stained glass windows. May I always remember you are the ultimate artist that pieces together the oddly broken shapes of my life and give You the honor and glory You deserve.

Posted on

Matthew: Jesus Sends Out His Disciples; Working Within Your Gifts

Read: Matthew 10

In this incredible chapter we read about Jesus sending out his fledgling followers we revere as His amazing disciples. They weren’t so amazing when they started, but they had one major advantage: they knew. They knew Jesus was the Messiah because they walked and talk and watched Him do things beyond their wildest imaginations. Here’s the thing: we know that at well! We might be beaten down by the world in which we live, but we know beyond a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah and He has given us the same Spirit — “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6).

Truly Called

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:6-8

One of the first and most important steps in church planting is to affirm the calling of the pastor. It’s significant for obvious reasons because the level of responsibility is incredible and the cost of failure is devastating for the pastor and everyone associated with the church plant.

In this incredible passage in Matthew, Jesus himself sends out the disciples He has called. Including Judas. Let that sink in for a while. He sends them out with power and authority, with words and capability far beyond their training as fishermen, tax collectors, etc. Even though The Pentecost event has yet to occur, Jesus provides assurance that the Spirit is there:

But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:19-20

I’d rather only give you verse 20 above, for it will not be…, but look what Jesus tells them before letting them know the Spirit will provide the right words: when they arrest you… Hold on! How am I supposed to hear the rest of the sentence when it starts with arrest, flogging, and humiliation? Are you sure you want to be called to pastor a church? Really?

Jesus continues His own special form of encouragement:

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Matthew 10:22

Yes! Sign me up! Really?

Many times we encourage someone to enter ministry, anything from teaching a class to starting a church, by painting this wonderful picture of service with a pat on the back from Jesus. The lesson I take from these words would suggest the opposite is more appropriate, but don’t overdo it! Here’s what I mean. In church planting circles, you hear over and over again, “church planting is hard…” It goes deeper than that, but that’s the tagline for any church planting discussion.

While it’s true, it is incredibly rewarding to be working in a field that is commensurate with your gifts and abilities. This past Sunday we spent the afternoon at Hope Fellowship talking about this very subject. I would contend that working within your gifts is always a joy–even when it sucks!

Greg Wiens would call this your A-Game.

“The challenge with most of us in ministry is that we are not really clear about what our A-game is and what venues of ministry capitalize on our strengths. Too many of us fulfill roles which are either based on someone’s expectations or that simply don’t align with our strengths. Every leader has a venue for their leadership to extend the Kingdom.”HGC Assessments

Find your A-Game through assessments, introspective times surrounded by prayer, and working with a mentor or coach — the counsel of those who have gone before. You might feel like a pioneer, but you are not the only one who has had to step out in faith and do that which God has called them to do!

Here some words of encouragement from Jesus:

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

We are not in this alone, far from it, we go to battle with the Holy Spirit indwelling within us. Lord, help us to find our A-Game, to go into the world with confidence that You are there with us, that You are for us and that You have a unique plan for our lives to grow Your kingdom on earth — today!

Posted on

Matthew: Sermon on the Mount

Read: Matthew 5-7

There is no way that this simple post can adequately cover the vast material in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Seriously.

I have to point back to the primary purpose of this blog at this time: read through the Bible and post thoughts that stick out as significant.

With that disclaimer, let’s fly through this profound discourse of 111 verses in red letters — Jesus’ words — as captured by Matthew. Prepare to be amazed:

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,
because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.
Matthew 7:28-29

Each section of this narrative invites us to get lost in the words of the greatest teacher the world has ever known. Jesus was much more than a great teacher, but from this perspective alone we have much to learn. Here’s an outline with links:

  1. The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:3-12
  2. Salt and Light: Matthew 5:13-16
  3. Christ Came to Fulfill the Law: Matthew 5:17-20
  4. Anger === Murder: Matthew 5:21-26
  5. Lust === Adultery: Matthew 5:27-30
  6. Divorce: Matthew 5:31-32
  7. Oaths: Matthew 5:33-37
  8. Retaliation, Eye for Eye: Matthew 5:38-42
  9. Love Your Enemies: Matthew 5:43-48
  10. Give to the Needy: Matthew 6:1-4
  11. The Lord’s Prayer: Matthew 6:5-15
  12. Fasting: Matthew 6:16-18
  13. Lay up Treasures in Heaven: Matthew 6:19-24
  14. Do Not Be Anxious: Matthew 6:25-34
  15. Judging Others: Matthew 7:1-6
  16. Ask, Seek, Knock: Matthew 7:7-11
  17. The Golden Rule: Matthew 7:12
  18. The Narrow and Wide Gates: Matthew 7:13-14
  19. True and False Prophets: Matthew 7:15-20
  20. True and False Disciples: Matthew 7:21-23
  21. Wise and Foolish Builders: Matthew 7:24-27

The outline alone is overwhelming! How can we begin to talk about this today? The simple answer: pick one of the 21 items above and listen to the words of Jesus for your life at this moment. A quick search on Amazon.com revealed: 3,599 results for “sermon on the mount.”

Here are some thoughts to consider:

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12

During the Servant Leadership class yesterday, one of the Spiritual Gifts we discussed was that of prophecy. While it may be wonderful to be given the gift of prophecy, it comes with a price. Reading through the prophets in the Old Testament, we certainly walk away with the appreciation for the difficulty that surrounded their ministry. The prophet’s reward is not one received on earth.

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20

That’s a verse that preaches well — not! In the Bible-belt south, where tracts are handed out and evangelists put notches in their belts for leading someone to say a prayer, the idea that “you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” is completely lost. Bonhoeffer’s idea of Cheap Grace comes to mind. On the other hand, Jesus didn’t think much of the Pharisees, so perhaps the bar really isn’t that high after all.

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;
anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Matthew 5:37

Wouldn’t life be much simpler if we would learn to just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’? No complicated oaths or legal documents, just speak the truth.

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:46-48

Loving our enemies is hard enough most of the time, but Jesus tags this hard lesson with “Be perfect.” Put that on a meme and post it! I wonder if He said this just before lunch, right after talking about loving enemies and walking the extra mile, oh, by the way, be perfect and pass the salad please. Forgive me for heretical thoughts, but seriously? We’ll have to unpack that section for sure!

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Matthew 6:3-4

I long for the day when I can be so attuned to the Spirit that giving to the needy is so second nature that I don’t even notice. The concept of helping those in need is discussed so many times throughout the Bible! This morning’s Our Daily Bread covered the concept from Psalm 41:1-3. Lord, help us to consider those in need and do something about it.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Lord Jesus, help us to keep this in mind as we know we need funds to eat, to pay bills, to survive in this world. I earnestly pray that people will simply give to ministry without me asking for a dime. If my thoughts are so focused on building the kingdom, it seems like that would work out, yet we often ask for funding and donations, etc. How else can we survive? May we remain devoted to You, Lord, trusting You will take care of the details as You promised in the very next section: Do Not Worry.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

That is my overwhelming prayer each day: Seek First. Thank you Jesus for that reassurance!

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

Lord, help us to seek You first and ask for that which is truly important today. May our hearts be driven by the Spirit that our desires naturally ask for things that matter most.

So many thoughts to ponder as we read some highlights from the Sermon on the Mount. Sometimes I wish you had waited to come at a time when we could have recorded your sermons, broadcast them live, etc., but then again, Your timing and Your plans are so much better than the least of my thoughts.

Posted on

Matthew: John Prepares the Way; Jesus’ Ministry Begins

Read: Matthew 3-4

TheBibleProject.org’s video introduction to Matthew helps provide context and a framework within which we gain his perspective on the life of Jesus. Matthew choice of stories depend on some knowledge of what we call the Old Testament, common knowledge for those in his time. Today we read about John the Baptist’s preaching and baptizing many in the wilderness, most notably Jesus himself! Then the earthly ministry of Jesus begins following his own wilderness experience where He is confronted by Satan. In these two short chapters we move from preparation to call of disciples to news about Jesus healing the sick. Matthew uses few words to cover much territory.

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

Why would people come out and confess their sins to a wild man in the wilderness? Did he look like one of the prophets of old? Were the people tired of the weight of rules and regulations created by the Pharisees and Sadducees? Lots of questions come to mind. Matthew’s account of John the Baptist is succinct, highlighting several important aspects of his ministry that impacted the entire region–that alone is truly impressive.

People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Matthew 3:5-6

It’s been some 400 years since Malachi preached to those who returned from exile. John’s message must have been incredibly compelling since his reach is well beyond the local community. The time is right and the people were drawn to hear from this man who challenged the established religious leaders. When the Pharisees and Sadducees come to check him out, he dismisses them with blunt words of rebuke, “you brood of vipers” is bold to say the least.

One point I would like to learn from this is simply that John’s message, like the prophets before him, has nothing to do with promoting himself. He has nothing to gain personally from his preaching. He doesn’t say, “look at me…” In fact, it’s completely the opposite. John’s message is, “look to the one who is coming,” though he didn’t know it was his cousin!

Jesus is Baptized by John

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. Matthew 3:13-15

The anointing of the Holy Spirit must have radically changed the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth. They grew up together as cousins. Elizabeth and Mary certainly knew each other as family ties in those days were significant. I suspect they gathered consistently over the 30 years prior to this point, but now everything has changed.

See how the Spirit moves in the lives of those who love God above all else. There is nothing like feeling the very presence of the Spirit move inside my chest. Just a few days ago, Beth and I were reading through Scripture and out of nowhere tears began to form as we were writing a song that would compel people to think about loving God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. As we dwelled on this theme, it was clear that the Spirit wants us to pray with people as the body of Christ, to lay hands on those who are desperately looking for answers, who hear the message of hope and want to know how that works today. Music has a way of opening hearts. We know we’re just messengers. The memory comes to mind, but it is insignificant compared to the story here in Matthew.

The proclamation of Jesus’ ministry is awesome and brief from Matthew’s perspective. He moves the story along quite quickly to the next foundational phase.

Temptation in the Wilderness

Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights as He prepared to begin his ministry. Though I haven’t really thought about this before, I can’t imagine this was a secret to those around him. Can you imagine any of your friends or family fasting for an extended period without being noticed? Much less in a day when families lived in close community. Something was happening, but I’m sure no one really knew just what was going on between the cousins.

After this extended fast, Jesus was hungry and the devil was ready with his 3-pronged attack:

  1. “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
  2. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down…”
  3. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus replies, “it is written…” all three times and dismisses Satan. The scene evokes all kinds of thoughts, but one that prevails is the idea that Jesus, the Son of God, allowed Satan to confront Him. He allowed time and space for the interaction, for the words of deception to be spoken and the words of correction to be heard. We must know that when the Spirit moves deep within, Satan will be present. Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). Jesus shows us how to win these battles and has given us more tools than those in Matthew’s day–we have the entire Bible!

Jesus Begins to Preach

John the Baptist gets tossed in prison as a result of his harsh, though accurate, words. Now Jesus begins to preach to the people that John has stirred into action. People are prepared to hear, not everyone, but crowds are ready to listen.

From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17

Notice that Jesus didn’t tell people to grab their lambs and head to the temple for sacrificial cleansing. His message is much more personal: Repent yourself! The focus is changing from following a system to one of personal transformation.

Matthew briefly covers the call of Jesus’ first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James and John (Zebedee brothers), each immediately left their boats and followed Jesus.

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23

Jesus teaches in the synagogues, the very heart of the Israelites’ religious community. The chosen people hear first from the Chosen One–and it’s good news people! Jesus shows up to preach repentance for the good of all. On top of spiritual healing, Jesus is concerned about physical illness and goes about healing disease and sickness.

This must have been an incredible change in the lives of those in Jesus’ day. They’ve been waiting for the Messiah with all kinds of hopes for what that might mean, but no idea that their generation would be the generation that would see Him.

Lord Jesus, please let us be a people that hear your voice and act like it! Let us be those who follow you completely, wherever that would lead, for Your purpose and not our hidden agendas. You alone are worthy to be praised.

 

 

A few interesting links from research and reading this morning:

  • http://www.seekfind.org/
  • https://bible.org/seriespage/4-john-baptist-and-jesus-matthew-31-17
Posted on

Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus — The Women

Read: Matthew 1:1-17

The New Testament begins with a list of who’s who from the Old Testament, a very direct link to the past. The list of characters range from good to notoriously bad and even includes five women! As I tried to get through the first two chapters, I found myself digging into the details of these women. The text below briefly summarizes a lot of what I found, but it’s incredibly interesting that in a male-dominated culture that women would even be mentioned, let alone honored, in such a way.

Before diving into the details, I simply have to say I’m somewhat overwhelmed by the list of names of real people that lived through incredible times spanning so many years. Though I’ve glossed over this section other times, it seems prudent to look closely at the names, the people, and gain some appreciation for the role they played in the ancestry of Joseph, the man who raised Jesus as His earthly father. That alone is worth thinking about!

Side note: We’re began a series on Exodus at Hope Fellowship a few days ago, so it’s interesting that Moses is not mentioned here at all. Though his role was profoundly significant, his progeny was not required. Yet another idea for a post!

Five Women in the Lineage of Jesus

Obviously, there were a lot more women involved in the genealogy of Jesus, but these are the five named in Matthew’s account. Each is a story all by herself, but here are some thoughts from reading this morning.

Tamar

Judah’s firstborn son was Er, a wicked son that God put to death (Genesis 38:6). But before this, Judah selected Tamar as his wife, so Tamar was Judah’s daughter-in-law. The crazy drama is covered in Genesis 38 where Judah tries to extend his bloodline by having another son sleep with Tamar. That doesn’t work, so he puts her aside and forgets about her. After some time, Tamar hears Judah is coming to town so she dresses up like a prostitute and Judah sees her and arranges to have sex with her, cuz that makes sense somehow! She has a plan and the deal is consummated. Later the men accuse Tamar of prostitution and call her out to be put to death. No punishment is mentioned about the man, only the woman, but Tamar is clever and produces evidence that Judah was the one who had sex with her, so the torches are set aside and Tamar has twins: Perez and Zerah, but Perez is first to be born, though Zerah got a hand out first (crazy story within a crazy story).

Rahab

Joshua 2 provides the backstory for Rahab, the prostitute turned savior for Joshua and Caleb. Once again, the idea of a prostitute as a normal, everyday interaction is at best odd from our cultural perspective. I’m in no way trying to suggest we should think of prostitution as anything other than hedonistic and sinful, but it is challenging to read how casually it’s mentioned as part of the narrative. Rahab’s reward is to be welcomed into the family of Israelites after the fall of Jericho and she marries Salmon who gives birth to Obed.

Ruth

The marriage of Rahab and Salmon is difficult to find explicitly, but the union of Ruth and Boaz is a wonderful story captured in the book of Ruth (some notes here). Ruth and Mary seem to be the only women of virtue, though it’s fair to say that Rahab must have changed her ways when she become part of the Israelites.

Bathsheba

The story of lust, desire, adultery, and murder surround the legacy of David and Bathsheba (some notes here). David caves into his lustful desires for Bathsheba and, since he’s the king, she appears to go along with the plan, though there’s no implication that she knew anything about David’s ultimate plan to have Uriah killed in battle.  Fast-forward, the son they had through adultery dies and she eventually gives birth to Solomon and the lineage of Jesus continues.

Mary

Mary is an incredible woman, revered by many, highly favored, the woman who bore Jesus. Ted Dekker casts a respectful and favorable light on Mary in his book A.D. 30. Honorable is the word that comes to mind. I can understand, in part, how the Roman Catholic church sees Mary as significant and important in her role as the woman who carried Jesus through childbirth, beyond the life of Joseph, and no doubt played a part in the early church as people knew who she was. Who knows, perhaps Mary is the one that really got James’ ministry started (complete conjecture on my part).

Some Thoughts

God’s master plan includes women from the very beginning of life on earth. It is His plan that man and woman would be joined and through that relationship the world is populated. We, the big we, have no doubt messed that up more times than we’ve got it right! Yet where would we be without the women in our lives? Our culture is still predominantly male-oriented, as if being male is somehow better than being female. That is crazy talk! It’s easy to support the concept that all are created in God’s image, all are equal, but our society tends to make some more equal than others.

From my perspective, especially as I prepare to teach a class on Spiritual Gifts, God is not bound by limits of our definitions or ridiculous musings. The Spirit gives gifts to those who call Jesus their Lord, their Savior. Those gifts could be incredible wisdom, knowledge, etc., and He can use women in roles of leadership and servanthood — there is no conflict in definition in my mind. We’ve seen great women role models in our time like Mother Teresa, Fortune 500 CEOs and Angela Merkel. Each gifted with leadership abilities that men follow without reservation. I would suggest they are not followed because of their gender, rather, they are followed because of their great example, for being who they were called to be without concern for conforming to a role imposed on them.

At the minimum we should embrace our calling in the body of Christ, figure out what that is by studying those who have gone before while praying for discernment and understanding as we learn from these examples given to us in Scripture.

Jesus, born of a woman, came from a line of men and women who didn’t get it right most of the time, yet did their part as best they knew how. I can’t wait to get into the New Testament and see how men and women served faithfully in sharing the Gospel by actions, through faith and deeds that changed the world for good!

 

 

Interesting references:

  • https://bible.org/seriespage/1-origins-jesus-christ-matthew-11-25
  • http://www.recoveryversion.bible/matthew.html
  • http://www.bible-codes.org/Names-Bible-Prophecy-Code-notes.htm
  • https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/issues/issues-v05-n06/ the-genealogy-of-the-messiah
Posted on

Nehemiah: Individuals and Families Matter

Read: Nehemiah 11-12

I’m amazed at how Nehemiah focused on the people, individuals and families, through this entire process. Most of the time I see lists of names and numbers and just move on, but this time I saw faces and families, men, women and children–real people living in difficult times. Nehemiah invested a lot of time keeping track of names because he knew this was the overwhelming reason for the Law in the first place. The Law provided a framework for the all to worship God properly, but without people, it would not be useful.

Ultimately our call is about making disciples of all nations. Jesus came, died and was resurrected for individuals, eternal souls walking around in skin and bones. People matter to God, they should matter to us.

New Residents in Jerusalem

The city was spacious, but not infinite. Nehemiah had a plan that everyone went along with:

Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns. The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. Nehemiah 11:1-2

The rest of chapter 11 identifies descendants of Judah and Benjamin, the surviving tribes of the southern kingdom, as well as the priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple servants and others. I get the impression that Nehemiah kept details to honor the people and perhaps to protect them by listing their names specifically. His position in the palace back in Susa was one of great power and his enemies, namely Sanballat and Tobiah, had to know it.

I really appreciate how the musicians are always recognized in these lists along with gatekeepers and servants. They are part of the fabric of this thing we call church. We can’t lose sight of musicians as we work to create the modern version of the church. At the same time, we have to recognize the appropriate position of musicians and the role they play in supporting worship.

The chief officer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mika. Uzzi was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the musicians responsible for the service of the house of God. The musicians were under the king’s orders, which regulated their daily activity. Nehemiah 11:22-23

Note: Asaph’s descendants are credited with writing 12 of the psalms (50, 73-83).

The gatekeepers get special attention as well:

Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon and Akkub were gatekeepers who guarded the storerooms at the gates. They served in the days of Joiakim son of Joshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra the priest, the teacher of the Law. Nehemiah 11:25-26

Names matter to people. We have a responsibility to learn names of people, to remember their children and family names. It matters because it reflects whether we truly love our neighbors as Jesus commanded. It’s not a request or suggestion.

Dedication of the Wall of Jerusalem

Nehemiah provides some great details about the dedication ceremony — production does matter! I say that to support the notion that how we worship God makes a difference. In Nehemiah 12:27-46 we read about the details of the production, the order of officials, the two choirs marching in opposite directions and ultimately meeting in a climactic celebration of God’s amazing provision for his people.

So in the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah, all Israel contributed the daily portions for the musicians and the gatekeepers. They also set aside the portion for the other Levites, and the Levites set aside the portion for the descendants of Aaron. Nehemiah 12:47

Lord, help me to love people, to remember names, to honor others appropriately and be an effective disciple maker that loves you above all else.

Posted on

Imagine: No Bible

Last night I was having coffee with a friend as we explored Part III, Chapter 1 of Multiply, Disciples Making Disciples. The chapter is titled: Why Study the Bible? On the surface, those of us who were raised in the church don’t even consider the question, of course we study the Bible, don’t we? Or perhaps not. As I ask the question of pastors about biblical literacy, most shudder to think someone would evaluate their congregation, much less their own staff. Here’s the reality:

we, as a church, don’t study the Bible.

Chronologically, through this blog, we’re about to read the last books of the Old Testament, Ezra, Haggai & Zechariah, Nehemiah, Esther and Malachi. But before we venture into these books, I want you to imagine there is no Bible to explore the histories and prophecies of old. Whether you think about this in some sort of dystopian future world where books have been banished or you enter a time machine and land somewhere around A.D. 50, just imagine you no longer have the luxury of reading the printed Word of God.

Having just read A.D. 30 and A.D. 33, my mind lands on the time when Paul was writing the church plants in his day. Our Daily Bread included this reference today:

19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. Ephesians 2:19-22

In typical Pauline fashion one paragraph is bound to the previous thought which was built on another and under the assumption that you understood the context. So many paragraphs start with “therefore” or in this case “consequently.” We have the ability to simply zoom out and see the rest of the text, but those around A.D. 50 relied on scrolls of the prophets which few had access to and the precious words from a letter that circulated through small gatherings of people known as Christians.

This is all they had and yet they became those who held fast to God’s Word, who hungered to learn more for they heard the message and story of Jesus from people who actually witnessed his teaching, death and resurrection!

Read these words from Paul to the church in Ephesus and consider our role in the church:

10His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:10-11

Bouncing through a handful of translations and the MOUNCE Reverse-Interlinear edition (whatever that means!), the church, ekklēsia, suggests that we have a responsibility to make known to the world the purpose for which Jesus Christ came and dwelt among us.

But in A.D. 55, I wouldn’t have had the ability to click a few buttons and read more. I would have had to rely on the Spirit within me to comprehend those words.

I’m such a spoiled brat! I have BOTH the Spirit within me and the Bible in a dozen translations sitting on my bookshelf! God is all around me trying to teach me his Word.

Lord, I pray that I would thirst for your word and drink it up every day. Nourish me, Lord, for your purpose, not to make me fat! Show me how to impart this incredible story to the rest of the world in whatever ways I can.

Imagine no Bible for a moment.

Now imagine you are sitting in God’s library, a room full of books and writings that seem to have no end. The smell of bound leather is all around you as you make yourself comfortable. Jesus walks in the room and looks into your eyes with care and kindness. He sits across from you and begins to speak. He tells you stories about weddings and miracles, his concern about the establishment and the lost. He’s in no hurry to leave you as he laughs and smiles and cries. He just wants to answer all of your questions if you would simply ask with a heart that desires to hear the answer. He redeems and forgives. His incredible dialogue with Peter at the end of the Gospel of John always fascinates me, words of kindness and authority:

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep…Follow me!” John 21:17,19

Now open your eyes and see God’s Word in your hands. Be strong and courageous as you go out into the world today. Make him known to everyone!

Posted on

Micah: Our Plans vs God’s Plan

Read: Micah 1-7

May we read the words of the prophets of old and hear God’s voice for us, to us, this day. There is a reason we have ancient writings to study. What does this say to you? Should we dismiss this as something from the past that is no longer relevant or important? Holy Spirit, fill our minds with your presence as we read this small portion of the Bible this morning. May your plans be our plans; your ways, our ways.

The prophet, “Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem” Micah 1:1.

Micah’s words speak directly to Israel for their sins, their errant ways:

All this is because of Jacob’s transgression,
because of the sins of the people of Israel.
What is Jacob’s transgression?
Is it not Samaria?
What is Judah’s high place?
Is it not Jerusalem?
Micah 1:5

For what they have done, they will be punished. Here he lets them know their children will go into exile.

Shave your head in mourning
for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
for they will go from you into exile.
Micah 1:16

It’s one thing to punish me for my transgressions, it’s a whole different level to threaten my children.

The plans of the people are just that–their plans. These are not God’s plans or desires. Yet the people are blind to that which is set before them. Micah reminds us that God’s desire is for unity, the the time when we are all together.

“I will surely gather all of you, Jacob;
I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel.
I will bring them together like sheep in a pen,
like a flock in its pasture;
the place will throng with people.
Micah 2:12

Honestly, I think this is very relevant to our discussion today:

This is what the Lord says:
“As for the prophets
who lead my people astray,
they proclaim ‘peace’
if they have something to eat,
but prepare to wage war against anyone
who refuses to feed them.
Therefore night will come over you, without visions,
and darkness, without divination.
The sun will set for the prophets,
and the day will go dark for them.
Micah 3:5-6

We should not be so easily led astray, but we are easily captivated by charismatic teaching, words that please the ears and capture our imagination. Wonderful words, but are they God’s words? One day we will hear the words directly from the Lord, his kingdom will be established. On that day:

He will judge between many peoples
and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
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.
Micah 4:3

Lord, I long for the day when there will be no more war, when people no longer pursue their agendas above yours–this will be a glorious day! This is your plan, your desire:

“In that day,” declares the Lord,
“I will gather the lame;
I will assemble the exiles
and those I have brought to grief.
I will make the lame my remnant,
those driven away a strong nation.
Micah 4:6-7

The lame, those who were outcast because of their inability to contribute to the community, are not rejected by the Lord, rather, they are gathered to his house as his people. The outcasts will become the chosen.

Hear the great promise from the Lord through Micah:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2

Oh how I long for this:

The remnant of Jacob will be
in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the Lord,
like showers on the grass,
which do not wait for anyone
or depend on man.
Micah 5:7

For in that day, declares the Lord:

I will destroy your idols
and your sacred stones from among you;
you will no longer bow down
to the work of your hands.
Micah 5:13

Have we forgotten the Lord’s way? Have we made complex that which was always intended to be simple?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Micah reminds us that we are mere mortals, that we are not the creators that our wild imagination believes. He calls us to be humble and walk with God. This is not news, but to some it sounds like an unfamiliar language, just gibberish.

This is a horrible time in history. Could these be current events?

The faithful have been swept from the land;
not one upright person remains.
Everyone lies in wait to shed blood;
they hunt each other with nets.
Both hands are skilled in doing evil;
the ruler demands gifts,
the judge accepts bribes,
the powerful dictate what they desire—
they all conspire together.
Micah 7:2-3

Is not doing good the same as doing evil? I think so. We are called to do good for the kingdom, not simply to avoid doing evil. The word “gloat” always gets my attention because it’s such a provocative word that expresses arrogant pride, an unholy perspective of my triumph and not God’s. In this case, those who gloat over Israel will soon realize their mistake:

Do not gloat over me, my enemy!
Though I have fallen, I will rise.
Though I sit in darkness,
the Lord will be my light.
Micah 7:8

Micah leaves us with great hope, with words we should read over and over again with wonderful assurance that we need to share with our family, our neighbors, our world:

Who is a God like you,
who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
but delight to show mercy.
Micah 7:18

 

 

 

Posted on

Jonah: A Man Like Me?

Read: Jonah 1-4

Jonah is a short story that has captured the imaginations of countless people of all ages, but especially children in Sunday Schools and Vacation Bible Schools around the globe. It’s ironic that children enjoy the story while adults, if they would answer honestly, will most likely say it’s a fictional or allegorical work based on legend or folklore.

The NIV Study Bible provides this insight:

Although their specific suggestions range from fictional short story to allegory to parable, they share the common assumption that the account sprang essentially from the author’s imagination, despite its serious and gracious message. On the other hand, it must be acknowledged that Biblical narrators were more than historians.
They [Old Testament prophets] interpretatively recounted the past with the unswerving purpose of bringing it to bear on the present and the future. In the portrayal of past events, they used their materials to achieve this purpose effectively. Nonetheless, the integrity with which they treated the past ought not to be questioned. The book of Jonah recounts real events in the life and ministry of the prophet himself.

Why is it that we choose to believe one miracle and not another? We are so well educated that we think we can explain the universe, but in reality, through many apologetic arguments, at some point, we have to step out on faith. I’m not suggesting we put on blinders or act ignorant, but if we believe in a God that created the universe out of nothing, at some level it is possible that the same God could create a divine appointment between prophet and fish.

Then there’s the red-letter evidence in Matthew, the words of Jesus himself:

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” 39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
Matthew 12:38-41

I have much to learn and I don’t claim to have any knowledge at all except that I believe in the incarnational life of Jesus Christ, his death by crucifixion and subsequent miraculous resurrection. These beliefs already put me in the crazy pen, why not add the story of Jonah?

The Story

God tells Jonah to preach redemption to the evil city of Nineveh, a city so large that it would take three days to walk around it. That’s huge! Jonah decides to run away rather than be subjected to the humiliation of preaching in such a place as Nineveh. He pays for passage on a boat in the opposite direction and the trouble begins.

The superstitious sailors see the storm as a sign, something from the sea-gods must be happening. They cast lots and determine Jonah is the culprit. After Jonah begs them, they toss him overboard and the sea calms down.

At this the men greatly feared the Lord, and they offered a sacrifice to the Lord and made vows to him. Jonah 1:16

Jonah’s first converts are on the boat after they are saved by removing him.

Chapter 2 contains Jonah’s short prayer in the belly of the fish, his repentance is recounted briefly here. Three days and nights is a long time to be trapped inside, plenty of time to think about mistakes and misgivings!

Chapter 3 describes Jonah’s renewed mission — he preaches to the Ninevites and they repent!

The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth. Jonah 3:5

Chapter 4 provides Jonah’s pathetic response, this is where I draw the title for this post, is this my response to God when his voice clearly tells me to do one thing and I choose to do another?

He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. Jonah 4:2

Jonah’s mission was so successful that he wanted to die. These corrupt people, those who lived in great extravagance and self-absorbed living, actually repented and would reap the rewards for turning to God. Historically, we know this doesn’t last long, but for some, it seems, eternity was changed–they turned to God. Jonah is comforted by a plant, then God takes the plant away. God is in control the entire time, but Jonah has a part to play, he has a story to tell and many lives hang in the balance.

Jonah’s main flaw: he didn’t love the Ninevites as God loves all people. I continue to pray for God’s help in learning how to love as He loves, to see people as He sees them. When I get a taste for that kind of love, I know it’s real, but it’s hard to express in words.

Lord, help me to love as you do, at least one bit more today than yesterday. Help me to put aside the lessons this world has taught me and let me focus on your words, your actions, your ways.

Proudly powered by WordPress