Tom Peters encourages people to make an annual report of their lives in his business leadership book 'project:04'. I encouraged the church to do this last Sunday morning. The title, of the annual report I asked people to make was this: What Jesus did for me in 2004. Here is a slightly edited version of my report:
What Jesus did for me in 2004:
He built new friendships. (I don’t want to list the names here for fear of leaving some out).
He built stronger friendships. (I did not list names for the same reason as above). Blogging and the glccalumni board has allowed me to renew and strengthen several friendships.
He revitalized my relationship with my brother, Brandon.
He developed me further as a father and husband by teaching me more about how to love.
He increased my love and appreciation for my wife, Cindie and vice versa.
He blessed me with a new addition (soon to arrive).
He taught me more about the kingdom, and especially its manifestation within Christian fellowship.
He has developed more partners to carry the load of building the church.
He kept my whole family alive and in relatively good health. He delivered Hannah from her Mother’s Day sickness.
He has not only kept us financially afloat, but has increased our resources.
He taught me to wait on him by delaying our move and the baby’s arrival.
He challenged me with the writings of Rick Warren, John Ortberg, Bill Hybels, and Dallas Willard, and with films like The Passion, Signs, Bruce Almighty, Saved!, Bourne Supremacy, Miracle on 34th Street, and many others.
He kept my fire for church-work burning.
He opened my mind to the bigness of God by causing me to see a place within his kingdom for those I have considered to be liberal theologically.
He used me to comfort some who were dying, some who were losing loved ones, some who faced many other crises.
He used to me to challenge people to deeper, richer, riskier living for the cause of Christ.
He used me to help usher several individuals across the line into God’s good graces.
With my family about expand, and the church in motion, he has set me up for a wonderful and fruitful 2005.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Thursday, December 23, 2004
An update
We were expecting to have a baby today. Cindie went in last night to be induced into labor, but the doctor decided not to do it after some tests came back reporting that the baby was not ready.
They have rescheduled us to go in Sunday January 2.
Your conintued prayers are appreciated.
They have rescheduled us to go in Sunday January 2.
Your conintued prayers are appreciated.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
3 baptisms, 1 funeral, and an ultra-sound
When the phone rang at 11:30 p.m. Sunday night, I knew who would be on the other end adn what the call would be about. "She's gone." It was the voice of a lady from our church. Her mother, whom she lived with, had been given only hours to live.
my heart really went out to her and her family. they are a tight bunch and will miss their mother.
Monday, cindie and I finished off our Christmas shopping list and visited the family who had lost their mother. I went back there a second time later that day to gather as much information on her life as possible.
Tuesday, I was busy with funeral prep and two visitation times. I'm not complaining about any of this. I actually love doing funerals. It's not a morbid thing. It's just that I want to be about meeting people's needs, and there is no more needed time than after the death of a loved one.
I arrived at the church Wednesday morning at 7 am. I had three baptisms scheduled for 9, but I had forgot to turn on the heater on the baptististry. The first thing I did when I got there was check on the water. While doing that, I dropped my Minister's Manual (book I use to plan weddings and funerals) in the baptistry. Knowing how badly I needed the book, I quickly went in after it, soaking my sockas and shoes.
Those being baptized were three generations of women from one family. A gal my age (mid-twenties), her mom, and grandmother. That was really cool. By the way, they started coming because of a funeral that was done at our church for the sister of the youngest. This is case in point why I love funerals.
To my surprise, they had invited family, who arrived in church clothes. And when I say church clothes, I mean the kind of thing I might wear if it were Christmas or Easter. I, conversely was wearing some sweats over my bathing suit, and was barefoot becasue my socks and shoes got soaked. I felt awkward, but other than that it was really cool. The whole church has been working with them for a long while.
After that I rushed home and showered and changed for the funeral. I have to say that it was one of the more tearful funerals that I have been to. She had a huge family (7 kids, 18 grandkids, 27 great-grandkids and one great-great-grandkid). And as I said earlier, they are tight bunch. I was glad to be there and really feel like God used me. with all of the functions it took from 11:00 am till about 6:00 pm, at which time I headed over to our Bible study. I mention this part only tosay, I was exhausted by the end of the day.
The next morning (this morning) Cindie, Hannah and I got up early to go the doctor's for an ultra-sound Cindie is 36 weeks pregnant (40 is full term). But our last child had to be induced early because she was getting so big. That is why we had this ultra-sound, to see if the same thing was happening. The baby is an estimated 8 lbs. right now, give or take a half pound. In the last four week babies grow on average two more pounds. That could put the bay at as heavy as 10.5 lbs. That's way too big for someone as petite as Cindie birth naturally. So it looks like the doctor is going to induce labor next Wednesday, 3 weeks early, and 3 days before Christmas You can imagine how paniced we are right now.
This has been a week of life and death. 3 baptisms, a funeral, an ultra-sound, and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Life himself. Big stuff. Today, after the doctor's visit, I finally got a chance to start my sermon for this Sunday. The theme that had already been chosen for this Sunday is "Making room for Christ's Peace." The text is Phil 4:4-7 which instructs us to anxious about nothing.
I guess I won't be short on illustrations.
my heart really went out to her and her family. they are a tight bunch and will miss their mother.
Monday, cindie and I finished off our Christmas shopping list and visited the family who had lost their mother. I went back there a second time later that day to gather as much information on her life as possible.
Tuesday, I was busy with funeral prep and two visitation times. I'm not complaining about any of this. I actually love doing funerals. It's not a morbid thing. It's just that I want to be about meeting people's needs, and there is no more needed time than after the death of a loved one.
I arrived at the church Wednesday morning at 7 am. I had three baptisms scheduled for 9, but I had forgot to turn on the heater on the baptististry. The first thing I did when I got there was check on the water. While doing that, I dropped my Minister's Manual (book I use to plan weddings and funerals) in the baptistry. Knowing how badly I needed the book, I quickly went in after it, soaking my sockas and shoes.
Those being baptized were three generations of women from one family. A gal my age (mid-twenties), her mom, and grandmother. That was really cool. By the way, they started coming because of a funeral that was done at our church for the sister of the youngest. This is case in point why I love funerals.
To my surprise, they had invited family, who arrived in church clothes. And when I say church clothes, I mean the kind of thing I might wear if it were Christmas or Easter. I, conversely was wearing some sweats over my bathing suit, and was barefoot becasue my socks and shoes got soaked. I felt awkward, but other than that it was really cool. The whole church has been working with them for a long while.
After that I rushed home and showered and changed for the funeral. I have to say that it was one of the more tearful funerals that I have been to. She had a huge family (7 kids, 18 grandkids, 27 great-grandkids and one great-great-grandkid). And as I said earlier, they are tight bunch. I was glad to be there and really feel like God used me. with all of the functions it took from 11:00 am till about 6:00 pm, at which time I headed over to our Bible study. I mention this part only tosay, I was exhausted by the end of the day.
The next morning (this morning) Cindie, Hannah and I got up early to go the doctor's for an ultra-sound Cindie is 36 weeks pregnant (40 is full term). But our last child had to be induced early because she was getting so big. That is why we had this ultra-sound, to see if the same thing was happening. The baby is an estimated 8 lbs. right now, give or take a half pound. In the last four week babies grow on average two more pounds. That could put the bay at as heavy as 10.5 lbs. That's way too big for someone as petite as Cindie birth naturally. So it looks like the doctor is going to induce labor next Wednesday, 3 weeks early, and 3 days before Christmas You can imagine how paniced we are right now.
This has been a week of life and death. 3 baptisms, a funeral, an ultra-sound, and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Life himself. Big stuff. Today, after the doctor's visit, I finally got a chance to start my sermon for this Sunday. The theme that had already been chosen for this Sunday is "Making room for Christ's Peace." The text is Phil 4:4-7 which instructs us to anxious about nothing.
I guess I won't be short on illustrations.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
Psalm 23, the prodigal sheep
In our Sunday School class, we are going through the book “Living by the Book” by Hendricks and Hendricks. The book teaches the basic skills necessary to read and understand the Bible. This week’s lesson encouraged us to try to read a passage as for the first time. It listed several very familiar passages and asked your to read it in four versions, and try to engage as it as for the first time.
The whole book has been really fun, but I especially enjoyed this exercise. I chose Psalm 23, perhaps the second most familiar passage in all of Scripture. I read it in The MESSAGE Paraphrase, Young’s Literal Translation, The Good News Translation, and The Holman Christian Standard Bible.
The challenge was to then set aside my preconceptions about this passage. I have read this passage a billion times, give or take a hundred million, so this was difficult. I had always read this Psalm as a comfort, reminder that God is taking care of things. This is, of course true, and a big reason it is by far the most-read passage at funerals.
But as I read this passage over and over again, a new theme rose from the page. I began to see them as the words of a believer who had returned from rebellion.
Yahweh is shepherd: the one who gathers me from wayward wonderings.
I don’t need (lack, want) a thing: perhaps a confession of someone who had gone searching from something more. (I think verse 2 just rewords the same concept).
He renews my strength leads me in righteous paths: the words of someone who had exhausted himself on the path of unrighteousness.
Even walking through the valley of Death’s Shadow: the road of repentance can be scary, and the road to repentance will doubtlessly run near temptation where death is so close you may feal like you are in the darkness of it’s shadow.
I’ll not fear for you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me: I don’t need to fear further falling because Yahweh is there to yank and nudge me back on to the road.
You prepare a meal for me in the face of my enemies, revive me and make my once-dry cup overflow: this is an example of God’s unbelievable grace. His blessings for wanderer are multiplied on his return.
Your Beauty and Faithful Love chase after me without ceasing: good news for someone who wandered away. And this is the kind astounding realization someone might have if they have had their relationship with God restored.
I will live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life: I’m noit ever leaving again.
Now go back and compare this with the story of the prodigal son, which is the ultimate portrayal of a wayward returned to God. I think the parallels will become obvious. Let me know what you see.
The whole book has been really fun, but I especially enjoyed this exercise. I chose Psalm 23, perhaps the second most familiar passage in all of Scripture. I read it in The MESSAGE Paraphrase, Young’s Literal Translation, The Good News Translation, and The Holman Christian Standard Bible.
The challenge was to then set aside my preconceptions about this passage. I have read this passage a billion times, give or take a hundred million, so this was difficult. I had always read this Psalm as a comfort, reminder that God is taking care of things. This is, of course true, and a big reason it is by far the most-read passage at funerals.
But as I read this passage over and over again, a new theme rose from the page. I began to see them as the words of a believer who had returned from rebellion.
Yahweh is shepherd: the one who gathers me from wayward wonderings.
I don’t need (lack, want) a thing: perhaps a confession of someone who had gone searching from something more. (I think verse 2 just rewords the same concept).
He renews my strength leads me in righteous paths: the words of someone who had exhausted himself on the path of unrighteousness.
Even walking through the valley of Death’s Shadow: the road of repentance can be scary, and the road to repentance will doubtlessly run near temptation where death is so close you may feal like you are in the darkness of it’s shadow.
I’ll not fear for you are with me. Your rod and staff comfort me: I don’t need to fear further falling because Yahweh is there to yank and nudge me back on to the road.
You prepare a meal for me in the face of my enemies, revive me and make my once-dry cup overflow: this is an example of God’s unbelievable grace. His blessings for wanderer are multiplied on his return.
Your Beauty and Faithful Love chase after me without ceasing: good news for someone who wandered away. And this is the kind astounding realization someone might have if they have had their relationship with God restored.
I will live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life: I’m noit ever leaving again.
Now go back and compare this with the story of the prodigal son, which is the ultimate portrayal of a wayward returned to God. I think the parallels will become obvious. Let me know what you see.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
In the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 3)
Luke has just given us a general picture of what the first church looked like (Acts 2:42-47). They met in the Temple. They committed themselves to prayer. They were filled with awe. Many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. They had the favor of the people, and so on. Luke follows this general description with a specific example.
Peter and John head to the Temple to pray, meat and heal a lame man, and use the attention it draws to testify about Jesus. If you had to identify one theme of this whole chapter, it would be the “name of Jesus”.
The man was healed, chapter 3 emphatically declares, by the name of Jesus (vs. 6, and 16). This we saw in verse six, and this is the central theme of Peter’s sermon.
The theme of “the name of Jesus” is further promoted by the large number of titles for Jesus found in chapter 3. Jesus Christ of Nazareth (6), His Servant Jesus (13), the Holy and Righteous One (14), the Author of Life (15), His [God’s] Christ (18), a prophet like Moses (22), and [Abraham’s] Offspring (25).
I’m not going to tell you what each of these mean right now (though, that would be a fruitful exercise). I just bring this up to show the emphasis on the theme “the name of Jesus”. You may be aware that when the Bible speaks of a name, there is deeper significance than what we typically infer. For instance, if someone donated money to a school in your name, that would simply mean that it was done on your behalf. In biblical language, though, it would mean much more. It would mean the money was donated by your power and in your character. It was rooted in you and reflected you.
So with the healing being done in the name of Jesus (Yeshua), the whole thing reflects and finds its beginnings in Jesus. These two men look at the crippled man, this comes from Christ’s character. Peter’s faith that is so courageous as to declare the lame man well comes from Jesus. His compassion to reach out and grab this lame man by the hand comes from the name (character) of Jesus. Peter and John’s willingness to have their prayer time interrupted to do God’s work, comes from Jesus. The power to heal a man, who had been lame his whole life, so completely that he is able to walk and jump without even being taught certainly came from Jesus. But the power of Jesus is not released without the character of Jesus.
A church which exists in the name of Christ have the compassionate character of Christ to identify a need, the humility of Christ to reach out to that need, and the faith in Jesus’ power to handle it.
Peter and John head to the Temple to pray, meat and heal a lame man, and use the attention it draws to testify about Jesus. If you had to identify one theme of this whole chapter, it would be the “name of Jesus”.
The man was healed, chapter 3 emphatically declares, by the name of Jesus (vs. 6, and 16). This we saw in verse six, and this is the central theme of Peter’s sermon.
The theme of “the name of Jesus” is further promoted by the large number of titles for Jesus found in chapter 3. Jesus Christ of Nazareth (6), His Servant Jesus (13), the Holy and Righteous One (14), the Author of Life (15), His [God’s] Christ (18), a prophet like Moses (22), and [Abraham’s] Offspring (25).
I’m not going to tell you what each of these mean right now (though, that would be a fruitful exercise). I just bring this up to show the emphasis on the theme “the name of Jesus”. You may be aware that when the Bible speaks of a name, there is deeper significance than what we typically infer. For instance, if someone donated money to a school in your name, that would simply mean that it was done on your behalf. In biblical language, though, it would mean much more. It would mean the money was donated by your power and in your character. It was rooted in you and reflected you.
So with the healing being done in the name of Jesus (Yeshua), the whole thing reflects and finds its beginnings in Jesus. These two men look at the crippled man, this comes from Christ’s character. Peter’s faith that is so courageous as to declare the lame man well comes from Jesus. His compassion to reach out and grab this lame man by the hand comes from the name (character) of Jesus. Peter and John’s willingness to have their prayer time interrupted to do God’s work, comes from Jesus. The power to heal a man, who had been lame his whole life, so completely that he is able to walk and jump without even being taught certainly came from Jesus. But the power of Jesus is not released without the character of Jesus.
A church which exists in the name of Christ have the compassionate character of Christ to identify a need, the humility of Christ to reach out to that need, and the faith in Jesus’ power to handle it.
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
Everything that I needed to know about prayer, I learned from my 2 year-old
If you didn’t know, I have a two year-old daughter named Hannah. She is the one pictured below on Santa’s lap. We have been letting her do the prayer before meals now and again, and it has proved to be quite cute. Let me share three examples:
1. Hannah began her prayer with pure gibberish. I don’t think she was “in the Spirit” or anything. This is just what she does when she wants to talk, but does not know which words to say. After doing that for about thirty to forty seconds, she closed her prayer with “Twinkle Star… A,B,C… Itsy Spider… Amen”
2. A second prayer came after a bad in potty training. She began with her normal lists of thank you’s for everyone she knows, and then unprompted said, “Sorry to Mommy and Daddy for potty in my pants.”
3. Recently she added a new item to her normal list of Thank you’s. She thanked God for the store. Unfortunately, she caught us giggling at that one. So, last night she said it seven times in a row until she got laugh she desired. “thank your for the store… the store… the store…” (I peak and see she is looking straight at me.) “the store…”
There might be lessons about prayer here. I’ll leave that to you to decide.
1. Hannah began her prayer with pure gibberish. I don’t think she was “in the Spirit” or anything. This is just what she does when she wants to talk, but does not know which words to say. After doing that for about thirty to forty seconds, she closed her prayer with “Twinkle Star… A,B,C… Itsy Spider… Amen”
2. A second prayer came after a bad in potty training. She began with her normal lists of thank you’s for everyone she knows, and then unprompted said, “Sorry to Mommy and Daddy for potty in my pants.”
3. Recently she added a new item to her normal list of Thank you’s. She thanked God for the store. Unfortunately, she caught us giggling at that one. So, last night she said it seven times in a row until she got laugh she desired. “thank your for the store… the store… the store…” (I peak and see she is looking straight at me.) “the store…”
There might be lessons about prayer here. I’ll leave that to you to decide.
The ideal church (Acts 2:42-47)
This is one of my favorite passages in the whole Bible. It gives us just a brief glimpse of what church can look like when it clicks perfectly on all cylinders. Three thousand+ fired-up converts, all 1) devoted to apostle’s teaching 2) devoted to fellowship 3) devoted to the Eucharist 4) devoted to prayer 5) in awe of the Lord 6) sharing with each other 7) committed to meeting daily with each other 8) sharing meals 9) glad and sincere 10) praising God 11) appreciated by the community. So perfect that God was pleased to add converts daily to their number.
It was this potent church that was the seed for every church around the world. This church so completely portrayed what God’s Kingdom is like that people could not stay away. I think it is fair to say that the more ideal the church, the more likely it is to have this sort of far-flung, generational impact.
There is, however a danger to ideals. When we decide that only the ideal will do, we become incapable of having any involvement of in this fallen world. If we decide that an “Acts 2” type of church is the only church worth being a part of, then we put ourselves in a hard place. We must either be a part of no church, or close our eyes and deceive ourselves about the church we belong to. Both are absurd.
One of my professors at Bible college counseled me not to look for the perfect church. For the moment I joined it, he said, the whole thing would be ruined—no longer perfect.
As you will see, even this ideal church did not stay ideal for long. Or, more accurately, when this infantile, untested church hit some bumps in the road, she was shown more fully for what she was—an unfinished product. We’ll discuss this more when we get to Acts 5.
This brings me back to “Acts 29”. A lady at church was quick to point out, there is no Acts 29. I explained to her that there is not a written twenty-ninth chapter of Acts, but that we as the modern church are the unwritten twenty-ninth chapter. The church we belong to began on Pentacost with 3,000 fired-up converts, and continues today. We look back to the first-century church to learn more about being a twenty-first century church.
It was this potent church that was the seed for every church around the world. This church so completely portrayed what God’s Kingdom is like that people could not stay away. I think it is fair to say that the more ideal the church, the more likely it is to have this sort of far-flung, generational impact.
There is, however a danger to ideals. When we decide that only the ideal will do, we become incapable of having any involvement of in this fallen world. If we decide that an “Acts 2” type of church is the only church worth being a part of, then we put ourselves in a hard place. We must either be a part of no church, or close our eyes and deceive ourselves about the church we belong to. Both are absurd.
One of my professors at Bible college counseled me not to look for the perfect church. For the moment I joined it, he said, the whole thing would be ruined—no longer perfect.
As you will see, even this ideal church did not stay ideal for long. Or, more accurately, when this infantile, untested church hit some bumps in the road, she was shown more fully for what she was—an unfinished product. We’ll discuss this more when we get to Acts 5.
This brings me back to “Acts 29”. A lady at church was quick to point out, there is no Acts 29. I explained to her that there is not a written twenty-ninth chapter of Acts, but that we as the modern church are the unwritten twenty-ninth chapter. The church we belong to began on Pentacost with 3,000 fired-up converts, and continues today. We look back to the first-century church to learn more about being a twenty-first century church.
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Da Vinci Code
Well, I guess I have ignored this phenomenon long enough. The book The Davinci Code, I thought was just for people obsessed with wacko conspiracy theories. It was for the JFK and Wag the Dog crowd. It is a murder mystery novel that introduces the world to the idea that there is a secret society dating back to the time of Christ. That society has protected the secrets of Jesus (i.e. he was not deity, and got married to Mary Magdalene). Da Vinci, the book asserts, was a member of that society.
From what I hear, it's a very interesting and exciting read. It has become a best seller. I still doubted what impact this book could have. But now Newsweek has just reported that Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, two of Hollywood's most successful producers, are making the film and that it will star none other that Tom Hanks. I guess I can't ignore it anymore.
Within two years most Americans will probably have read the book and/or seen the movie. They will have questions about the assertions. That means, as the defenders of a reasonable faith, we need to be ready to answer those questions.
Let teh research begin. I will own my own copy before teh end of the year.
From what I hear, it's a very interesting and exciting read. It has become a best seller. I still doubted what impact this book could have. But now Newsweek has just reported that Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, two of Hollywood's most successful producers, are making the film and that it will star none other that Tom Hanks. I guess I can't ignore it anymore.
Within two years most Americans will probably have read the book and/or seen the movie. They will have questions about the assertions. That means, as the defenders of a reasonable faith, we need to be ready to answer those questions.
Let teh research begin. I will own my own copy before teh end of the year.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
I got good news and good news
Acts 2:37-41
I was studying this passage and found the following passage (from the Expositor’s Bible Commentary) written about it:
"Peter's words came to his hearers as the best news they had ever heard--far better, indeed, than they deserved or could have hoped for. So today these words remain the best of good news and should be read as the proclamation of that news and not as just a set of theological problems."
I found it interesting that what followed was a long discussion of theological minutia. However, they will be treated here.
It says that those who heard Peter’s message were cut to the heart. I bet. These people who have traveled the world to worship Yahweh during Passover and Pentecost are told they just murdered His Son… the only hope they ever had for salvation. Imagine the panic. The stomach turns. The lungs cannot pull in air. The mind spins. Some feel as if they will faint. “What did we do!? What can we do now?”
Peter replies with the best news ever given anywhere… Forgiveness is available. Simply depart from (repent) the group you now belong (“corrupt generation” of v. 40), and be baptized to live a new life (see Romans 6:3-4) as a part of a new group (see 1 Corinthians 12:13 as well as Acts 2:41 and following).
And if forgiveness for rejecting the Son of God is not enough, there is the promise of the Holy Spirit. Recently God was among them, but now God will be in them.
Luke (the author) makes a big deal out of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church. So, let me ask you this: What difference has his presence made in your life?
I was studying this passage and found the following passage (from the Expositor’s Bible Commentary) written about it:
"Peter's words came to his hearers as the best news they had ever heard--far better, indeed, than they deserved or could have hoped for. So today these words remain the best of good news and should be read as the proclamation of that news and not as just a set of theological problems."
I found it interesting that what followed was a long discussion of theological minutia. However, they will be treated here.
It says that those who heard Peter’s message were cut to the heart. I bet. These people who have traveled the world to worship Yahweh during Passover and Pentecost are told they just murdered His Son… the only hope they ever had for salvation. Imagine the panic. The stomach turns. The lungs cannot pull in air. The mind spins. Some feel as if they will faint. “What did we do!? What can we do now?”
Peter replies with the best news ever given anywhere… Forgiveness is available. Simply depart from (repent) the group you now belong (“corrupt generation” of v. 40), and be baptized to live a new life (see Romans 6:3-4) as a part of a new group (see 1 Corinthians 12:13 as well as Acts 2:41 and following).
And if forgiveness for rejecting the Son of God is not enough, there is the promise of the Holy Spirit. Recently God was among them, but now God will be in them.
Luke (the author) makes a big deal out of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church. So, let me ask you this: What difference has his presence made in your life?
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Long live the King!
Acts 2:22-36. After Peter explains the phenomenon of Pentecost, he gets right to the heart of his message: Jesus. He was God’s Son. You (with the help of pagans and by the pre-determined plan of God) killed him. God raised him from the dead.
Therefore, let there be no doubt, God has made him Master (Lord, kurios) and King (Christ, christos) (36). Now, he is the authority above all. Verse 35 is both fulfilled and being fulfilled. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18, that he now has that authority. But we hardly see a world that is subject to him. That day is coming though (Revelation 5:13).
The Kingdom (Kingship or Reign) of Jesus has begun (as promised in 1:6-8). And it advances and grows stronger in me and through me. It grows stronger in me as I subject more and more of my life to his rule. And it expands through me as His reign in me has effect on others.
As agents or soldiers of this aggressive Kingdom (Matthew 11:12), let us not stop fighting until everything in us and around is subject to Him!
Long live King Jesus!
Therefore, let there be no doubt, God has made him Master (Lord, kurios) and King (Christ, christos) (36). Now, he is the authority above all. Verse 35 is both fulfilled and being fulfilled. Jesus says in Matthew 28:18, that he now has that authority. But we hardly see a world that is subject to him. That day is coming though (Revelation 5:13).
The Kingdom (Kingship or Reign) of Jesus has begun (as promised in 1:6-8). And it advances and grows stronger in me and through me. It grows stronger in me as I subject more and more of my life to his rule. And it expands through me as His reign in me has effect on others.
As agents or soldiers of this aggressive Kingdom (Matthew 11:12), let us not stop fighting until everything in us and around is subject to Him!
Long live King Jesus!
Saturday, November 13, 2004
Morning Star
Someone from my Sunday School wanted to know about the term “morning star” in Scripture. Here is what my study has shown me thus far. The phrase shows up four times in the NIV. Isaiah 14:12 uses the term:
ISA 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
This is traditionally taught to represent Satan’s fall from heaven before creation. Traditionally, this is taken and paired with Luke 10:18, “He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
However, if you read the Isaiah passage in context (try reading 14:3-14:24), you will clearly see that this passage is about megalomaniacal king of Babylon. There is nothing there to make you think Isaiah is referring to anybody else. The stuff about falling from heaven is something you might say about someone who thought they were a god, who thought they were immortal.
And I don’t think it is fair to tie it to the Luke passage. If you take that passage in context, Jesus is not saying, “Once upon a time Satan lived in heaven with God, but sinned and got kicked out.” All he is saying is that Satan’s authority is cracking or has cracked, now that even Christ’s followers can dismiss demons.
The other three uses of Morning Star are in the NT (2 Peter 2:28, Rev. 2:28, 22:16) and refer to Jesus (with the possible exception of Rev. 2:28, which may refer to some blessing the church receives in eternity that is not Jesus himself). I should note that the Greek term for morning star in Peter and Rev. are not the same. This breaks down the idea that “Morning Star” is an important theme throughout Scripture.
In summary, the king of Babylon may have thought of himself as the Morning Star, but it is Jesus whose light breaks up the darkness of night to introduce a new day.
I hope this answers your questions.
ISA 14:12 How you have fallen from heaven,
O morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
you who once laid low the nations!
This is traditionally taught to represent Satan’s fall from heaven before creation. Traditionally, this is taken and paired with Luke 10:18, “He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
However, if you read the Isaiah passage in context (try reading 14:3-14:24), you will clearly see that this passage is about megalomaniacal king of Babylon. There is nothing there to make you think Isaiah is referring to anybody else. The stuff about falling from heaven is something you might say about someone who thought they were a god, who thought they were immortal.
And I don’t think it is fair to tie it to the Luke passage. If you take that passage in context, Jesus is not saying, “Once upon a time Satan lived in heaven with God, but sinned and got kicked out.” All he is saying is that Satan’s authority is cracking or has cracked, now that even Christ’s followers can dismiss demons.
The other three uses of Morning Star are in the NT (2 Peter 2:28, Rev. 2:28, 22:16) and refer to Jesus (with the possible exception of Rev. 2:28, which may refer to some blessing the church receives in eternity that is not Jesus himself). I should note that the Greek term for morning star in Peter and Rev. are not the same. This breaks down the idea that “Morning Star” is an important theme throughout Scripture.
In summary, the king of Babylon may have thought of himself as the Morning Star, but it is Jesus whose light breaks up the darkness of night to introduce a new day.
I hope this answers your questions.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
We are not a non-prophet organization
When I was in college, I used to frequent a coffee shop called Hill of Beans. There was a guy I met there a few times. He thought of himslef as a prophet, or he was training to be (I do not remember which). He wore strange clothes to make himself standout. He would approach strangers in the coffe shop in a very intimidating way. The workers couldn't stand him.
It seemed to me (upon observation and after a little discussion) that his desire to be a prophet was based upon some felt need for significance. I mean, who in God's community is more honored than a prophet? I know others who have entered the paid ministry for the same reason. The idea of being common is among the scariest of them all.
Such a motive is obviously faulted. But the means he employed were equally faulted. In Acts 2:14-21, Peter begins his sermon by quoting Joel's prophecy about these last times (Joel 2:28-31). The prophecy tells us that in these last days God's Holy Spirit will be poured out onto all who call on his name. It explains that all believers (young, old, male, female, slave, rich) receive the Spirit to prophesy.
What a striking declaration that must have been. The same Spirit which fell on Elijah, David, Saul, Gideon, Samson, and few others, now falls on the slave, the decrepite, the peasant, the commoner. Now falls on you and me? The same Spirit that came on Samson so he could destroy a lion with his bare hands, and take down a thousand men with a donkey's jawbone; the same Spirit that allowed Elisha to see an army of angels ready to defend him, allowed Daniel and John to see the Son of Man in heavenly form, allowed Elijah and Philip to outrun chariots; the same Spirit that was poured out on Christ at his baptism, is now poured out on the church.
The Holy Spirit of God is in the public school teacher, the preacher, the trucker, the waitress, the shop rat, the hair dresser, the manager of the Mobil, the maintanance man, the retiree, the student, and every other baptized follower of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the Living God is... IN YOU!
Vive le revolucion
It seemed to me (upon observation and after a little discussion) that his desire to be a prophet was based upon some felt need for significance. I mean, who in God's community is more honored than a prophet? I know others who have entered the paid ministry for the same reason. The idea of being common is among the scariest of them all.
Such a motive is obviously faulted. But the means he employed were equally faulted. In Acts 2:14-21, Peter begins his sermon by quoting Joel's prophecy about these last times (Joel 2:28-31). The prophecy tells us that in these last days God's Holy Spirit will be poured out onto all who call on his name. It explains that all believers (young, old, male, female, slave, rich) receive the Spirit to prophesy.
What a striking declaration that must have been. The same Spirit which fell on Elijah, David, Saul, Gideon, Samson, and few others, now falls on the slave, the decrepite, the peasant, the commoner. Now falls on you and me? The same Spirit that came on Samson so he could destroy a lion with his bare hands, and take down a thousand men with a donkey's jawbone; the same Spirit that allowed Elisha to see an army of angels ready to defend him, allowed Daniel and John to see the Son of Man in heavenly form, allowed Elijah and Philip to outrun chariots; the same Spirit that was poured out on Christ at his baptism, is now poured out on the church.
The Holy Spirit of God is in the public school teacher, the preacher, the trucker, the waitress, the shop rat, the hair dresser, the manager of the Mobil, the maintanance man, the retiree, the student, and every other baptized follower of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of the Living God is... IN YOU!
Vive le revolucion
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
How Pentacostal are you?
Before I begin this section of Acts, I'd like to introduce you to It has a ton of Bible study tools that can be very helpful.
The text for today is Acts 2:1-13. I'd recommend reading it before and after having read what shannonthinks about it.
It seems to me that to get what is happening here we must have in mind two events: 1. The celebration of Pentacost and 2. the baptism of Jesus.
Let's first look at it in light of Jesus's baptism. In Luke's gospel, John the Baptist predicts a new baptism that only Jesus can do whick will involve the Holy spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). When Christ was baptized, the Holy Spirit was manifested in a visible form, and there was some heavenly audio ("This is my Son...") This was the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The parallel's are obvious. The new phase of ministry to be done through Jesus' new body (the church). This is the baptism of fire and the Holy Spirit that John the Baptist spoke of. The Holy Spirit comes on the new body of Christ in a physical form. There is some more heavenly audio (the sound like the blowing of violent wind). And the new phase of ministry is commenced.
Now let's look at Pentacost and see what is symblolic about the church being birthed on this day. Pentacost literally refers to the fact that it is 50 days after Passover, and we learn about the original purpose of it from Leviticus 23:15-16. It is to be the celebration of harvest where the very first fruits are presented to God. Synbolically, we are about to witness the first harvest of souls for God. The very first fruits will come right after PEter speaks.
Later Judaism also saw Pentacost as a time to remember and celebrate the giving of the Law to Moses (the time which the first covenant was cememnted between God and the nation of Israel). Here on the celebration of that event, the New Covenant is introduced to all nations (as is sybolized by the list of nations in 10 and 11).
We might say then that being a Pentacostal church is one that is:
A. Presenting a sacrifice of harvested lives to God
B. Relishing in the New Covenant (the Kindom of God)
I'm interested in your observations.
The text for today is Acts 2:1-13. I'd recommend reading it before and after having read what shannonthinks about it.
It seems to me that to get what is happening here we must have in mind two events: 1. The celebration of Pentacost and 2. the baptism of Jesus.
Let's first look at it in light of Jesus's baptism. In Luke's gospel, John the Baptist predicts a new baptism that only Jesus can do whick will involve the Holy spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). When Christ was baptized, the Holy Spirit was manifested in a visible form, and there was some heavenly audio ("This is my Son...") This was the beginning of Jesus' ministry. The parallel's are obvious. The new phase of ministry to be done through Jesus' new body (the church). This is the baptism of fire and the Holy Spirit that John the Baptist spoke of. The Holy Spirit comes on the new body of Christ in a physical form. There is some more heavenly audio (the sound like the blowing of violent wind). And the new phase of ministry is commenced.
Now let's look at Pentacost and see what is symblolic about the church being birthed on this day. Pentacost literally refers to the fact that it is 50 days after Passover, and we learn about the original purpose of it from Leviticus 23:15-16. It is to be the celebration of harvest where the very first fruits are presented to God. Synbolically, we are about to witness the first harvest of souls for God. The very first fruits will come right after PEter speaks.
Later Judaism also saw Pentacost as a time to remember and celebrate the giving of the Law to Moses (the time which the first covenant was cememnted between God and the nation of Israel). Here on the celebration of that event, the New Covenant is introduced to all nations (as is sybolized by the list of nations in 10 and 11).
We might say then that being a Pentacostal church is one that is:
A. Presenting a sacrifice of harvested lives to God
B. Relishing in the New Covenant (the Kindom of God)
I'm interested in your observations.
Monday, November 08, 2004
brotherly love
I will return to Acts on Tuesday. Here is a little bit of follow up from yesterday's sermon:
1 John 4:7-8
My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. 8 The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love - so you can't know him if you don't love.
(MESSAGE Paraphrase)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (New American Standard Bible)
We looked at this passage in Sunday's sermon. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is love God with ALL... all of our heart, all of soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. John says here that without loving eacth other, we can't even know God (much less love him).
As enter into the routine of the week, how might we show love to others? Is there phone call you should make or a card you should write? Is there someone who just needs your time or a your listnening ear? Is there someone you know of who needs your help with something? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness?
The promise from John is that those who are involved in loving are experiencing a relationship with God.
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
1 John 4:7-8
My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. 8 The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love - so you can't know him if you don't love.
(MESSAGE Paraphrase)
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (New American Standard Bible)
We looked at this passage in Sunday's sermon. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is love God with ALL... all of our heart, all of soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. John says here that without loving eacth other, we can't even know God (much less love him).
As enter into the routine of the week, how might we show love to others? Is there phone call you should make or a card you should write? Is there someone who just needs your time or a your listnening ear? Is there someone you know of who needs your help with something? Is there someone who needs your forgiveness?
The promise from John is that those who are involved in loving are experiencing a relationship with God.
Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
Thursday, November 04, 2004
The Upper Room
Acts 1:12-26 is the calm before the storm. It is the short time between Jesus going up to heaven and the Holy Spirit coming to God's people.
It seems to me an odd text. The Kingdom is on the verge of exploding onto the scene, and those who would usher it in are having a board meeting to elect Matthias to Judas' office (NASB uses that word). It seems so insignificant, because we never hear from Matthias again. I think there is something about him in church history, but I'm not sure what.
How much do we make out of the fact that this is the church minus the Holy Spirit? Should we be casting lots to clarify God's will?
I really like v. 14 (also see Luke 24:52-53). On a whole, the lesson here might be about knowing what season it is. Is it time to till the soil in preparation (to devote ourselves to prayer, praise, fellowship; and to get your administrative ducks in a row) or is it time to reap (day of Pentacost)?
It seems to me an odd text. The Kingdom is on the verge of exploding onto the scene, and those who would usher it in are having a board meeting to elect Matthias to Judas' office (NASB uses that word). It seems so insignificant, because we never hear from Matthias again. I think there is something about him in church history, but I'm not sure what.
How much do we make out of the fact that this is the church minus the Holy Spirit? Should we be casting lots to clarify God's will?
I really like v. 14 (also see Luke 24:52-53). On a whole, the lesson here might be about knowing what season it is. Is it time to till the soil in preparation (to devote ourselves to prayer, praise, fellowship; and to get your administrative ducks in a row) or is it time to reap (day of Pentacost)?
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Acts 1:1-11
Acts 29
1:1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
(from New International Version)
Luke (the author of Acts) begins by telling Theophilus (literally "God-lover") that his previous writing to him (The Gospel of Luke) was about what Jesus "began to do and teach". And with those words he sets the stage for the book of Acts, which is the continuation of what Jesus did and taught through the birth of the church in the world.
The church is the post-resurrection body of Christ on earth (1 Corinthians 12:27). That body ought to be as much to his service as his previous earthly body was. We should be busy doing together the sort of things he did in the flesh while here.
After Jesus' resurrection, he spent 40 days with those who would be the next phase of Jesus' ministry. And what did he do with them?
He spoke with them about the Kingdom of God. I will have to spend another blog talking about the kingdom, because I believe it is perhaps the most important concept in all of Christianity. But suffice it to say here, given just forty days in the flesh with the small group of people he has chosen to turn the world upside down with, the key theme of their discussions was the Kingdom of God.
It's usually taught that the apostles still did not understand, and that their questions shows that. I'm not sure that's fair. They have just recieved soem pretty intense instruction on the kingdom. Perhaps they mean, "Is it yet time for the kingdom to come here to Israel?" (v.6) Jesus answer seems to answer that question more than it would a question about overthrowing Rome.
Jesus seems to say, "I'm not telling you when this kingdom will come, but you'll know it when the Spirit of the Lord comes on you and your witness about me spreads throughout the world."
Verse 8 provides an outline of sorts for Acts 1-28. My question is why this map? Why start in Jerusalem? Can we learn strategy for the Acts 29 church from these words?
If you are not yet pumped up about Christ's promise of his kingdom coming to earth, and about his promise of the Spirit of God being poured out on all kingdom citizens (as I think Luke intends you to be), Luke uses the next three verses to light your fire. King Jesus is coming back.
Long live the King!
1:1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."
(from New International Version)
Luke (the author of Acts) begins by telling Theophilus (literally "God-lover") that his previous writing to him (The Gospel of Luke) was about what Jesus "began to do and teach". And with those words he sets the stage for the book of Acts, which is the continuation of what Jesus did and taught through the birth of the church in the world.
The church is the post-resurrection body of Christ on earth (1 Corinthians 12:27). That body ought to be as much to his service as his previous earthly body was. We should be busy doing together the sort of things he did in the flesh while here.
After Jesus' resurrection, he spent 40 days with those who would be the next phase of Jesus' ministry. And what did he do with them?
He spoke with them about the Kingdom of God. I will have to spend another blog talking about the kingdom, because I believe it is perhaps the most important concept in all of Christianity. But suffice it to say here, given just forty days in the flesh with the small group of people he has chosen to turn the world upside down with, the key theme of their discussions was the Kingdom of God.
It's usually taught that the apostles still did not understand, and that their questions shows that. I'm not sure that's fair. They have just recieved soem pretty intense instruction on the kingdom. Perhaps they mean, "Is it yet time for the kingdom to come here to Israel?" (v.6) Jesus answer seems to answer that question more than it would a question about overthrowing Rome.
Jesus seems to say, "I'm not telling you when this kingdom will come, but you'll know it when the Spirit of the Lord comes on you and your witness about me spreads throughout the world."
Verse 8 provides an outline of sorts for Acts 1-28. My question is why this map? Why start in Jerusalem? Can we learn strategy for the Acts 29 church from these words?
If you are not yet pumped up about Christ's promise of his kingdom coming to earth, and about his promise of the Spirit of God being poured out on all kingdom citizens (as I think Luke intends you to be), Luke uses the next three verses to light your fire. King Jesus is coming back.
Long live the King!
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Acts 29
Acts 29
test 1... test 1,2... Is this thing on?
Okay, I'll begin by explaining the title. I believe we are called to keep a delicate balance between our biblical/historical foundation and the reality of our current cultural context. To be relevant, we must speak timeless truths (biblical) in timely ways (cultural). That is the idea behind this blog. We are Acts 29. We are that same Acts church, existing in the next (unwritten) chapter.
I hope to use this space to encourage us to live as the next phase of the Biblical church.
test 1... test 1,2... Is this thing on?
Okay, I'll begin by explaining the title. I believe we are called to keep a delicate balance between our biblical/historical foundation and the reality of our current cultural context. To be relevant, we must speak timeless truths (biblical) in timely ways (cultural). That is the idea behind this blog. We are Acts 29. We are that same Acts church, existing in the next (unwritten) chapter.
I hope to use this space to encourage us to live as the next phase of the Biblical church.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)