Dr. Glen A. Thorp: December 11, 2011
Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:57-80 (All Rights Reserved)
"SIGNS OF HOPE"
(Third in an Advent Series)
INTRODUCTION:
Three years ago, our nation was excited & hopeful. The first African-American had been elected as President of the United States. After the elections of November, 2010, in his own words, Barack Obama said: "We received a shellacking."
This coming January 3, 2012 our nation, once again starts the whole procedure of electing leaders, including President & Vice-President to lead our nation for the next four years. My purpose is not to raise political issues, but to illustrate that placing hope in anything other than God is False Hope.
Advent is four weeks focused on the Hope of the One who came and promises to come again. We are reminded of the hope of the Prophets. Isaiah 35* is one such message of hope, an oasis between the wasteland of chapters 1-34, with its message of judgment on all nations including Israel & Judah & history of war, sickness famine.
God Never Allowed His People to Go Without Hope or Comfort. The same is true for us. God Will Never Leave Us Without Hope.
Is. 35: 3-4 When our hands are feeble, & knees give way ...
When hearts are filled with fear ...
God says: Be strong, do not fear,
I will Come ... I AM With You!
1. Historical Event.
As time drew near for the Israelites to return to their homeland, it was important to remember the lessons of their ancestors. The coming Exodus would be greater than the first when they were liberated from Egypt. Inspired by the H.S., Isaiah exhausts the picture of a stricken earth, shrouded in smoke from the smoldering ruins, haunted by wild beasts, empty of all human life, the stench of the slain, clinging to the very soil drenched with rotten death. In Contrast ...
One passes from a sense of despair to hope, thanksgiving, beauty & joy, "oracle of divine redemption." The homecoming would be glorious, traveling on the Kings Highway. God’s Coming makes the desert blossom.
2. King’s Highway.
God said: "This is the WAY." (Isaiah 30:21)
The Will of God is that all find it.
Jesus said: I AM the Way ...
Luke 1:57-80 Is the story of John, son of Elizabeth & Zachariah -
(Read the passage.** Also printed at end of this blog.)
Notice the wonder interaction about naming the baby & why Elizabeth said & Zachariah wrote: "He is to be called JOHN." (Luke 1:13-17)
John’s mission was to Prepare the Way for the Messiah.
- he lived a life of strict discipline.
- he rebuked evil wherever he saw it.
- his message was: repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.
- he had nothing to loose, especially after baptizing Jesus.
- his career ended in disaster ...
- he fearlessly & defiantly spoken against Herod Antipas of Galilee, who during a trip to Rome had seduced his sister-in-law. Returning home he dismissed his wife, & married his sister-in-law whom he lured away from his brother.
John publically & sternly rebuked Herod.
- Herod took revenge & had John thrown into the dungeon of the fortress Machaerus near the Dead Sea. For anyone that would be a terrible fate, but for John, a child of desert; where all his life he had lived in open space, with wind blowing on his face & the spacious sky for his roof; being confined by four walls in an underground dungeon must have been almost un-bearable.
- John sent his disciples to ask Jesus, Are you the one who was to come, or
should we expect someone else? (Matthew 11:3)
- Danger of following a dream that is only a dream.
Gave his life in preparing the Way, had it been in vain?
Did John expect a military take over! Judgement!
- Jesus answered: Go back & report to John what you hear & see. The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is preached to the poor. Notice how this is a fulfilment of Isaiah 35:5.
- You are not following just a dream. You are following me.
Jesus was the only person who could ever demand without qualification & condition to
be judged not by what he said, but what he did. The same is true today.
- Jesus says: Look at what I can do for you.
See what I have done for others.
- What Jesus did in Galilee he still does today.
3. Picture of Final Kingdom.
Isaiah 35 is a beautiful picture of the final kingdom in which God will establish Justice & destroy Evil. This is the world we can anticipate when all creation will rejoice.
Isaiah pictures the days when life will be peaceful and relationships will be made right. Carmel & Sharon were regions of thick vegetation & fertile soil. They were symbols of productivity & plenty.
Isaiah 35:8-10 "Highway of Holiness" is the way that those in right relationship with God will take from the desert of suffering to Zion (Jerusalem).
It is found only by following God.
As they/we travel God’s Highway, they/we will be protected from the wicked & harmful animals. Jesus said: I will go and prepare a place for you, so that where I AM you may be also. God will be with us. God never stops at simply pointing the way, God is the Way & always beside us.
Jesus said to John & to us: Maybe I don’t do what you expect me to do. But the powers of evil are still being defeated, by unanswerable love. Sometimes Jesus doesn’t meet our expectations or doesn’t act as rapidly as we expect.
CONCLUSION:
We are living in the Age to Come.
We live in Hope. Not a dream, but reality.
Signs of Hope even in world in turmoil.
Celebrate the Birth of the One who brought hope!
Are you a member of God’s Kingdom?
Are you placing your hope in someone or something other than God?
Are dreams your hope?
If so, all you need do is say:
"Jesus, I can’t do it on my own. Love is non existent in my life. Please take over my life & give me hope & peace Give me the assurance & hope of your love that transforms.
Then you will be truly ready when Jesus comes to permanently set up his kingdom.
Following a School Bus, I thought
"Not too much Change since buses were first introduced."
Their purpose is to Transported students to & from school in safely, comfort, joy & hope. Unfortunately, accidents occur & the purpose is interrupted.
Advent is a time for remembering & Anticipating.
Even though we live in the "Age to Come.," we also still live in the "This Age" where we still are affected by those things that in the "Age to Come" will no longer exist.
We may not know the future. We know who holds the future.
C.S. Lewis’ The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Chronicles of Narnia
writes of an Unlikely hero, Eustace, bumbling Cousin.
If you know the story, when Eustace falls overboard & is struggling Aslan says:
... I Am With You.
Fear not! Strengthen weak hands, feeble knees. (Isaiah 35:5)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Isaiah 35:1-10
1-2 Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower—
Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom,
a symphony of song and color.
Mountain glories of Lebanon—a gift.
Awesome Carmel, stunning Sharon—gifts.
God's resplendent glory, fully on display.
God awesome, God majestic.
3-4Energize the limp hands,
strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
"Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
He's on his way! He'll save you!"
5-7Blind eyes will be opened,
deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer,
the voiceless break into song.
Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness,
streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis,
thirsty ground a splashing fountain.
Even lowly jackals will have water to drink,
and barren grasslands flourish richly.
8-10There will be a highway
called the Holy Road.
No one rude or rebellious
is permitted on this road.
It's for God's people exclusively—
impossible to get lost on this road.
Not even fools can get lost on it.
No lions on this road,
no dangerous wild animals—
Nothing and no one dangerous or threatening.
Only the redeemed will walk on it.
The people God has ransomed
will come back on this road.
They'll sing as they make their way home to Zion,
unfading halos of joy encircling their heads,
Welcomed home with gifts of joy and gladness
as all sorrows and sighs scurry into the night.
**Luke 1:57-80
57-58When Elizabeth was full-term in her pregnancy, she bore a son. Her neighbors and relatives, seeing that God had overwhelmed her with mercy, celebrated with her.
59-60On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child and were calling him Zachariah after his father. But his mother intervened: "No. He is to be called John."
61-62"But," they said, "no one in your family is named that." They used sign language to ask Zachariah what he wanted him named.
63-64Asking for a tablet, Zachariah wrote, "His name is to be John." That took everyone by surprise. Surprise followed surprise—Zachariah's mouth was now open, his tongue loose, and he was talking, praising God!
65-66A deep, reverential fear settled over the neighborhood, and in all that Judean hill country people talked about nothing else. Everyone who heard about it took it to heart, wondering, "What will become of this child? Clearly, God has his hand in this."
67-79Then Zachariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied,
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he came and set his people free.
He set the power of salvation in the center of our lives,
and in the very house of David his servant,
Just as he promised long ago
through the preaching of his holy prophets:
Deliverance from our enemies
and every hateful hand;
Mercy to our fathers,
as he remembers to do what he said he'd do,
What he swore to our father Abraham—
a clean rescue from the enemy camp,
So we can worship him without a care in the world,
made holy before him as long as we live.
And you, my child, "Prophet of the Highest,"
will go ahead of the Master to prepare his ways,
Present the offer of salvation to his people,
the forgiveness of their sins.
Through the heartfelt mercies of our God,
God's Sunrise will break in upon us,
Shining on those in the darkness,
those sitting in the shadow of death, Then showing us the way, one foot at a time,
down the path of peace.
80The child grew up, healthy and spirited. He lived out in the desert until the day he made his prophetic debut in Israel.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
"HOPE: All Will See"
Dr. Glen A. Thorp December 4, 2011
Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11 (All Rights Reserved)
"HOPE: All Will See"
(Second in an Advent Series: “Prepare the Way”)
INTRODUCTION: Two years ago Jeannie and I spent almost two weeks preparing for the arrival of my sister and brother-in-law with whom we had a wonderful five days. We wanted the house clean, the garden as beautiful as possible and the front door re-finished. If we did this for family members imagine what we would have done if we knew Jesus was going to stay with us?
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus, both his birth in Bethlehem, of which we read about last Sunday. Advent is a promise of his return. Today we look at theHope: of salvation, completion His work ...
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...All these people were still living by faith when they died
They did not receive the things promised. (Hebrews 11:1, 13)
Read Malachi 3:1-3* (End of Message)
It had been centuries since these words had been spoken. Micah was the last of the Prophets to appear among Israel. Now John, the Baptist is summoned by God to give up his secluded life in the desert and act as God’s mouthpiece. He proclaimed the hope that the Messiah/Christ was coming soon.
The crooked roads shall become straight,the rough ways smooth. (Luke 3:5)
You may have read or heard of the famous words uttered by the Welsh Journalist Henry Stanley who searched throughout Africa for a Scottish Missionary. Upon finally finding the Missionary, Stanley uttered his now famous words, “Doctor Livingstone I Presume?”
When Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa as a medical missionary, a group of friends wrote to him saying, "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?"
Dr. Livingstone wrote back and said, "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all." Livingstone wanted men who were willing to pay the price of following Jesus.
In John’s day, before a king took a trip, messengers would tell those he was planning to visit to prepare the roads for him. Similarly John told his listeners make their lives ready for the Messiah to come to them.
He was concerned for the state of their hearts not the state of roads. “Mend not your roads, but your lives.”
During the Coronation Service in Westminster Abbey of Queen Elizabeth II, (1952), after all the guest had been seated, a squad of cleaners unexpectedly emerged with brushes & vacuum cleaners and proceeded to sweep the carpets so that they would be spotless for the coming of the Queen. “The King is Coming!” Hope ... Ready?
“All Will See God’s Salvation ...” (Luke 3:6)**
Luke, the Historian, places John clearly in Time & Space. With historical aptitude Luke gives a full chronology for John’s public appearance. Approximately, six months later Jesus approaches John for baptism. Luke is concerned that full light fall on Christ. John’s divine
charge was to act openly as a forerunner of Christ.
The emergence of John was one of the hinges on which history turned.
No fewer than six different ways given.
1. Tiberius Caesar, successor to Augustus, 2nd Emperor.
(14 A.D. - 37 A.D. --15th year 29 A.D.) Rome.
2. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, 26-36 AD Palestine
In one sentence Luke gives a panoramic view of the division of the Kingdom which had once belonged to Herod the Great until he died in 4 B.C.
3. Religious situation: Annas & Caiaphas.
Only one High Priest at a time. Romans appointed Priests.
Annas was High Priest (7-14 AD but succeeded by
four sons & Caiaphas, Son-in-law. Annas was the power behind the
Priesthood. Why Jesus was brought before to Annas when arrested.
(John 18:13)
During this time conditions in the world and Palestine were dark and desperate. In the reign of Tiberius Caesar moral degeneration and political chaos characterized the Roman Empire, which in the course of time brought about its downfall. Chaos was also present in the religious life of the God’s people. (Priests arbitrarily deposed and replaced by Romans - Political Peace.) During this dark and desperate period John Came ...
“Prepare the Way by Repenting, receiving forgiveness of sin and being baptized.” Repentance has two sides:
Turning away from sin and turning toward God. Do both.
As we prepare for Christ’s coming, continue asking God to point out areas that need forgiveness and put your trust in God alone to guide you.
Focus on Jesus, listen afresh to his words and respond obediently to his direction. You are not an outsider.
No one wanting to follow Jesus will be left out.
All mankind will see God’s salvation.
This does not mean that all who see will respond. John 1:6-18
(He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all those who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God. - v. 12)
Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him.
Even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will
mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen.
Unlike preparing for the visit of my sister & brother-in law, who we knew were arriving on Thanksgiving morning, We neither know the time or the day of Jesus’ Coming. Hope is assurance he will come.
It could be any time. Imagine that you knew for certain he would come on this December 25. How would you prepare? When he comes all will see him. Will you be ready for him? Will you be scuring around?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Malachi 3:1-3
1 "Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!" A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
2-3 But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?
He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.
** Luke 3:1-6
1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah's son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:
Thunder in the desert!
"Prepare God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Every ditch will be filled in,
Every bump smoothed out,
The detours straightened out,
All the ruts paved over.
Everyone will be there to see
The parade of God's salvation."
Philippians 1:1-11
1-2 Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.
3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
7-8 It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11 (All Rights Reserved)
"HOPE: All Will See"
(Second in an Advent Series: “Prepare the Way”)
INTRODUCTION: Two years ago Jeannie and I spent almost two weeks preparing for the arrival of my sister and brother-in-law with whom we had a wonderful five days. We wanted the house clean, the garden as beautiful as possible and the front door re-finished. If we did this for family members imagine what we would have done if we knew Jesus was going to stay with us?
Advent is a time of preparation for the coming of Jesus, both his birth in Bethlehem, of which we read about last Sunday. Advent is a promise of his return. Today we look at theHope: of salvation, completion His work ...
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see...All these people were still living by faith when they died
They did not receive the things promised. (Hebrews 11:1, 13)
Read Malachi 3:1-3* (End of Message)
It had been centuries since these words had been spoken. Micah was the last of the Prophets to appear among Israel. Now John, the Baptist is summoned by God to give up his secluded life in the desert and act as God’s mouthpiece. He proclaimed the hope that the Messiah/Christ was coming soon.
The crooked roads shall become straight,the rough ways smooth. (Luke 3:5)
You may have read or heard of the famous words uttered by the Welsh Journalist Henry Stanley who searched throughout Africa for a Scottish Missionary. Upon finally finding the Missionary, Stanley uttered his now famous words, “Doctor Livingstone I Presume?”
When Dr. David Livingstone was working in Africa as a medical missionary, a group of friends wrote to him saying, "We would like to send other men to you. Have you found a good road into your area yet?"
Dr. Livingstone wrote back and said, "If you have men who will only come if they know there is a good road, I don't want them. I want men who will come if there is no road at all." Livingstone wanted men who were willing to pay the price of following Jesus.
In John’s day, before a king took a trip, messengers would tell those he was planning to visit to prepare the roads for him. Similarly John told his listeners make their lives ready for the Messiah to come to them.
He was concerned for the state of their hearts not the state of roads. “Mend not your roads, but your lives.”
During the Coronation Service in Westminster Abbey of Queen Elizabeth II, (1952), after all the guest had been seated, a squad of cleaners unexpectedly emerged with brushes & vacuum cleaners and proceeded to sweep the carpets so that they would be spotless for the coming of the Queen. “The King is Coming!” Hope ... Ready?
“All Will See God’s Salvation ...” (Luke 3:6)**
Luke, the Historian, places John clearly in Time & Space. With historical aptitude Luke gives a full chronology for John’s public appearance. Approximately, six months later Jesus approaches John for baptism. Luke is concerned that full light fall on Christ. John’s divine
charge was to act openly as a forerunner of Christ.
The emergence of John was one of the hinges on which history turned.
No fewer than six different ways given.
1. Tiberius Caesar, successor to Augustus, 2nd Emperor.
(14 A.D. - 37 A.D. --15th year 29 A.D.) Rome.
2. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judea, 26-36 AD Palestine
In one sentence Luke gives a panoramic view of the division of the Kingdom which had once belonged to Herod the Great until he died in 4 B.C.
3. Religious situation: Annas & Caiaphas.
Only one High Priest at a time. Romans appointed Priests.
Annas was High Priest (7-14 AD but succeeded by
four sons & Caiaphas, Son-in-law. Annas was the power behind the
Priesthood. Why Jesus was brought before to Annas when arrested.
(John 18:13)
During this time conditions in the world and Palestine were dark and desperate. In the reign of Tiberius Caesar moral degeneration and political chaos characterized the Roman Empire, which in the course of time brought about its downfall. Chaos was also present in the religious life of the God’s people. (Priests arbitrarily deposed and replaced by Romans - Political Peace.) During this dark and desperate period John Came ...
“Prepare the Way by Repenting, receiving forgiveness of sin and being baptized.” Repentance has two sides:
Turning away from sin and turning toward God. Do both.
As we prepare for Christ’s coming, continue asking God to point out areas that need forgiveness and put your trust in God alone to guide you.
Focus on Jesus, listen afresh to his words and respond obediently to his direction. You are not an outsider.
No one wanting to follow Jesus will be left out.
All mankind will see God’s salvation.
This does not mean that all who see will respond. John 1:6-18
(He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all those who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God. - v. 12)
Revelation 1:7 Look, he is coming with the clouds,
and every eye will see him.
Even those who pierced him;
and all the peoples of the earth will
mourn because of him.
So shall it be! Amen.
Unlike preparing for the visit of my sister & brother-in law, who we knew were arriving on Thanksgiving morning, We neither know the time or the day of Jesus’ Coming. Hope is assurance he will come.
It could be any time. Imagine that you knew for certain he would come on this December 25. How would you prepare? When he comes all will see him. Will you be ready for him? Will you be scuring around?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Malachi 3:1-3
1 "Look! I'm sending my messenger on ahead to clear the way for me. Suddenly, out of the blue, the Leader you've been looking for will enter his Temple—yes, the Messenger of the Covenant, the one you've been waiting for. Look! He's on his way!" A Message from the mouth of God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
2-3 But who will be able to stand up to that coming? Who can survive his appearance?
He'll be like white-hot fire from the smelter's furnace. He'll be like the strongest lye soap at the laundry. He'll take his place as a refiner of silver, as a cleanser of dirty clothes. He'll scrub the Levite priests clean, refine them like gold and silver, until they're fit for God, fit to present offerings of righteousness. Then, and only then, will Judah and Jerusalem be fit and pleasing to God, as they used to be in the years long ago.
** Luke 3:1-6
1-6 In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah's son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:
Thunder in the desert!
"Prepare God's arrival!
Make the road smooth and straight!
Every ditch will be filled in,
Every bump smoothed out,
The detours straightened out,
All the ruts paved over.
Everyone will be there to see
The parade of God's salvation."
Philippians 1:1-11
1-2 Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.
3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.
7-8 It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
"RECEIVING OUR INHERITANCE"
Dr. Glen A. Thorp November 20, 2011
Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 65:1-13 (All Rights Reserved)
“RECEIVING OUR INHERITANCE”
(Christ the King Sunday*)
INTRODUCTION: The highly anticipated DVD release of
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part II” reminds me of how,
one year ago, four days ahead of the world debut,of the seventh movie:
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part I,” the first 36 minutes of the film were available on file-sharing sites on the Internet. Warner Brothers said it would investigate how, despite all the security, this happened.
We have been re-watching a series of programs on how the “Harry Potter” movies were made. The first was started on location until there was difficulty with the owls being distracted by other birds & activity.
It was difficult finding a village without signs of contemporary life.
A Dinning Hall, in one of the Oxford Colleges, was ideal but impractical for filming. The result was building sets that replicated to every detail the “on site” locations.
Those living in California know that things are not what they appear on screen & know the secrets of making movies. Movie sets may look realistic, but they are just shells of the real. They are Just Illusions.
The same could be said of Scripture ... Historically,
Jesus of Nazareth was executed on a Roman Cross.
It would seem Jesus was defeated.
It would seem that His followers & those called Christians, naively follow/ed Jesus’ teachings with little evidence of benefit or reward
TEXT: Then the King will say ... “Come you who are blessed
by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared
for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
Jesus was saying, “you are not living in vain ...
I was not defeated on the cross ...
I was raised from the dead into life ...
I was taken back to Heaven &
now sit at God the Father’s right hand.
Encourage one another to remain faithful to God by
living as I, Jesus taught, a holy & upright life.”
We are to see with eyes of faith, behind the movie set,facade & curtain
of life which is now concealed & will remain so until Christ returns.
Lessons from one of Jesus’ most vivid parables.
1.Jesus will be given the Title of King. Christ the King Sunday*
in his glory...he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory..
- He will Complete the work begun while he was on earth ...
- Glory we now obtain by faith, is a mere taste
of what will then have it’s full effect.
- Reign restraining the enemy & protecting the church.
- Will be openly established & the enemy will be crushed,
believing people will partake of an everlasting life
- Jesus will ascend to the Judgement Seat ... appear in glory
On earth he was seen as a Servant
Now he is seen as Ruler/Glory
- Nations: more than a simple struggle of one small nation.
- Judge whole world.
- Good & Bad will not share alike.
- He will bring reward for both.
- His kingdom will be fully established
That is when those in a right relationship with God
will receive the crown of glory.
That is when those not in a right relationship with God
receive the reward they deserve.
2.Today those living as obedient followers of Jesus
& pretenders or unbelievers are mixed together.
Read: Ezekiel 34:17-24** (Printed at end of this message)
It speaks of Separating sheep & goats because of the
fierceness of the goats ... (Note other reasons.)
What type of sheep are you:
A Trampler, Drinker, Muddier, Fat, Lean or butterer?
Or are you look out for the weak, Sick, injured, lost ...?
- Obedient followers realize the need of living together
Even sustaining serious attacks & annoyances
Being aware of being infected by values & cynicism
Living Innocent & holy lives are not wasted,
one day the differences will appear.
- The real evidence of being obedient is the way we act.
Not every one who calls me Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom, but the one who does what I command.
- Kingdom of which we take possession at the last day,
was prepared for us before we were born.
- Christ does not invite us to possess the kingdom by our own merits,
but says it is bestowed on us as heirs.
- Argument for being patient.
We do not run in vain.
Keep our minds from acting in pride
So our hope won’t be weakened by afflictions.
Remember the inheritance awaiting us in heaven.
For those who are addressed as Blessed of the Father.
3.Separate obedient from pretenders (Sheep from Goats)
- Treating all persons we encounter as they are Jesus
Is Not an easy task.
- Notice the six actions Jesus uses as illustrations.
- Doing for others demonstrates what we think about Jesus.
Feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay,
look after the sick & welcome strangers etc.
Acts of mercy we can do every day, in Jesus’ name,
Do not depend on wealth, ability or intelligence
Simple acts freely given & freely received.
No excuse neglecting those having deep need.
Not handing over just to the government.
Personal involvement in caring for others.
- Parable Jesus told opened the way of affirming simplest acts
- Not earning kingdom or piling up merit.
Helped out obedience to Jesus, care for humans
Others, if we had known we would gladly have...
we thought they were just an ordinary...
If we receive public praise & thanks...
Simply pandering to self-esteem
Not generosity, selfishness disguise
Giving for nothing but the sake of helping.
CONCLUSION: Receiving Our Inheritance implies there is:
- An inheritance - Take your inheritance (Matthew 25:34)
- A giver- The King will say ...Jesus is King (Matthew. 25:34)
- Receiving is based on believing & acting by faith that Jesus,
the Son of Man, is God’s Son, Our Savior.
Realizing that when do what Jesus asks we are not only ministering & helping another ...
We are doing it as unto Jesus himself ...
Two Stories: Francis of Assisi ... was wealthy high-born/spirited.
His life was not happy. He felt life was incomplete.
One day he met a leper, loathsome, repulsive in ugliness of the disease. Something moved Francis to dismount his horse & fling his arms around this wretched sufferer; & lo, in his arms the face of the leper changed to the face of Jesus.
Martin of Tours ... was a Roman soldier & a Christian.
One cold winter day, a beggar asked for alms. Martin had no money; saw man blue with cold & gave him what he had. Removed his soldiers cloak &
cut it in two, giving half to the beggar. That night Martin had a dream.
He saw the heavenly places, all the angels & Jesus in the midst of them.
Jesus was wearing half a Roman soldier’s cloak.
One the angels asked: “Master, why are wearing a battered old cloak? Who gave it to you?” Jesus softly answered: “My servant Martin gave it to me.”
(William Barclay, Gospel of Matthew, 360)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian calendar year. It is the one Sunday of the year when Jesus is honored
& worship as “King of Kings & Lord of Lords”
Next Sunday is the First Sunday of the Christian Year.
It is the Start of Four Weeks of Advent in preparation for
the coming (that is meaning of Advent – Coming) at
Christmas. Advent also focuses on the Return of Christ,
of which Matthew 25:31-46 speaks.
** Ezekiel 34:17-24 (The Message)
17-19 "'And as for you, my dear flock, I'm stepping in and judging between one sheep and another, between rams and goats. Aren't you satisfied to feed in good pasture without taking over the whole place? Can't you be satisfied to drink from the clear stream without muddying the water with your feet? Why do the rest of my sheep have to make do with grass that's trampled down and water that's been muddied?
20-22 "'Therefore, God, the Master, says: I myself am stepping in and making things right between the plump sheep and the skinny sheep. Because you forced your way with shoulder and rump and butted at all the weaker animals with your horns till you scattered them all over the hills, I'll come in and save my dear flock, no longer let them be pushed around. I'll step in and set things right between one sheep and another.
23-24 "'I'll appoint one shepherd over them all: my servant David. He'll feed them. He'll be their shepherd. And I, God, will be their God. My servant David will be their prince. I, God, have spoken.
Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 65:1-13 (All Rights Reserved)
“RECEIVING OUR INHERITANCE”
(Christ the King Sunday*)
INTRODUCTION: The highly anticipated DVD release of
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part II” reminds me of how,
one year ago, four days ahead of the world debut,of the seventh movie:
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow: Part I,” the first 36 minutes of the film were available on file-sharing sites on the Internet. Warner Brothers said it would investigate how, despite all the security, this happened.
We have been re-watching a series of programs on how the “Harry Potter” movies were made. The first was started on location until there was difficulty with the owls being distracted by other birds & activity.
It was difficult finding a village without signs of contemporary life.
A Dinning Hall, in one of the Oxford Colleges, was ideal but impractical for filming. The result was building sets that replicated to every detail the “on site” locations.
Those living in California know that things are not what they appear on screen & know the secrets of making movies. Movie sets may look realistic, but they are just shells of the real. They are Just Illusions.
The same could be said of Scripture ... Historically,
Jesus of Nazareth was executed on a Roman Cross.
It would seem Jesus was defeated.
It would seem that His followers & those called Christians, naively follow/ed Jesus’ teachings with little evidence of benefit or reward
TEXT: Then the King will say ... “Come you who are blessed
by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared
for you since the creation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
Jesus was saying, “you are not living in vain ...
I was not defeated on the cross ...
I was raised from the dead into life ...
I was taken back to Heaven &
now sit at God the Father’s right hand.
Encourage one another to remain faithful to God by
living as I, Jesus taught, a holy & upright life.”
We are to see with eyes of faith, behind the movie set,facade & curtain
of life which is now concealed & will remain so until Christ returns.
Lessons from one of Jesus’ most vivid parables.
1.Jesus will be given the Title of King. Christ the King Sunday*
in his glory...he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory..
- He will Complete the work begun while he was on earth ...
- Glory we now obtain by faith, is a mere taste
of what will then have it’s full effect.
- Reign restraining the enemy & protecting the church.
- Will be openly established & the enemy will be crushed,
believing people will partake of an everlasting life
- Jesus will ascend to the Judgement Seat ... appear in glory
On earth he was seen as a Servant
Now he is seen as Ruler/Glory
- Nations: more than a simple struggle of one small nation.
- Judge whole world.
- Good & Bad will not share alike.
- He will bring reward for both.
- His kingdom will be fully established
That is when those in a right relationship with God
will receive the crown of glory.
That is when those not in a right relationship with God
receive the reward they deserve.
2.Today those living as obedient followers of Jesus
& pretenders or unbelievers are mixed together.
Read: Ezekiel 34:17-24** (Printed at end of this message)
It speaks of Separating sheep & goats because of the
fierceness of the goats ... (Note other reasons.)
What type of sheep are you:
A Trampler, Drinker, Muddier, Fat, Lean or butterer?
Or are you look out for the weak, Sick, injured, lost ...?
- Obedient followers realize the need of living together
Even sustaining serious attacks & annoyances
Being aware of being infected by values & cynicism
Living Innocent & holy lives are not wasted,
one day the differences will appear.
- The real evidence of being obedient is the way we act.
Not every one who calls me Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom, but the one who does what I command.
- Kingdom of which we take possession at the last day,
was prepared for us before we were born.
- Christ does not invite us to possess the kingdom by our own merits,
but says it is bestowed on us as heirs.
- Argument for being patient.
We do not run in vain.
Keep our minds from acting in pride
So our hope won’t be weakened by afflictions.
Remember the inheritance awaiting us in heaven.
For those who are addressed as Blessed of the Father.
3.Separate obedient from pretenders (Sheep from Goats)
- Treating all persons we encounter as they are Jesus
Is Not an easy task.
- Notice the six actions Jesus uses as illustrations.
- Doing for others demonstrates what we think about Jesus.
Feed the hungry, give the homeless a place to stay,
look after the sick & welcome strangers etc.
Acts of mercy we can do every day, in Jesus’ name,
Do not depend on wealth, ability or intelligence
Simple acts freely given & freely received.
No excuse neglecting those having deep need.
Not handing over just to the government.
Personal involvement in caring for others.
- Parable Jesus told opened the way of affirming simplest acts
- Not earning kingdom or piling up merit.
Helped out obedience to Jesus, care for humans
Others, if we had known we would gladly have...
we thought they were just an ordinary...
If we receive public praise & thanks...
Simply pandering to self-esteem
Not generosity, selfishness disguise
Giving for nothing but the sake of helping.
CONCLUSION: Receiving Our Inheritance implies there is:
- An inheritance - Take your inheritance (Matthew 25:34)
- A giver- The King will say ...Jesus is King (Matthew. 25:34)
- Receiving is based on believing & acting by faith that Jesus,
the Son of Man, is God’s Son, Our Savior.
Realizing that when do what Jesus asks we are not only ministering & helping another ...
We are doing it as unto Jesus himself ...
Two Stories: Francis of Assisi ... was wealthy high-born/spirited.
His life was not happy. He felt life was incomplete.
One day he met a leper, loathsome, repulsive in ugliness of the disease. Something moved Francis to dismount his horse & fling his arms around this wretched sufferer; & lo, in his arms the face of the leper changed to the face of Jesus.
Martin of Tours ... was a Roman soldier & a Christian.
One cold winter day, a beggar asked for alms. Martin had no money; saw man blue with cold & gave him what he had. Removed his soldiers cloak &
cut it in two, giving half to the beggar. That night Martin had a dream.
He saw the heavenly places, all the angels & Jesus in the midst of them.
Jesus was wearing half a Roman soldier’s cloak.
One the angels asked: “Master, why are wearing a battered old cloak? Who gave it to you?” Jesus softly answered: “My servant Martin gave it to me.”
(William Barclay, Gospel of Matthew, 360)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian calendar year. It is the one Sunday of the year when Jesus is honored
& worship as “King of Kings & Lord of Lords”
Next Sunday is the First Sunday of the Christian Year.
It is the Start of Four Weeks of Advent in preparation for
the coming (that is meaning of Advent – Coming) at
Christmas. Advent also focuses on the Return of Christ,
of which Matthew 25:31-46 speaks.
** Ezekiel 34:17-24 (The Message)
17-19 "'And as for you, my dear flock, I'm stepping in and judging between one sheep and another, between rams and goats. Aren't you satisfied to feed in good pasture without taking over the whole place? Can't you be satisfied to drink from the clear stream without muddying the water with your feet? Why do the rest of my sheep have to make do with grass that's trampled down and water that's been muddied?
20-22 "'Therefore, God, the Master, says: I myself am stepping in and making things right between the plump sheep and the skinny sheep. Because you forced your way with shoulder and rump and butted at all the weaker animals with your horns till you scattered them all over the hills, I'll come in and save my dear flock, no longer let them be pushed around. I'll step in and set things right between one sheep and another.
23-24 "'I'll appoint one shepherd over them all: my servant David. He'll feed them. He'll be their shepherd. And I, God, will be their God. My servant David will be their prince. I, God, have spoken.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
COMMITED TO THE LORD
COMMITTED TO THE LORD
(Trust in the Lord ... he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6)
I used the Scriptures from the Old Testament and the New Testament, printed at the bottom of this Blog, in a Memorial Service yesterday.
The following are some reflections on those Scriptures which
I pray will be of value in your life.
Read each scripture before reading the reflection. Use your own Bible or those printed at the end of these thoughts. I used the Good News Bible for the quotes.
Psalm 27:1: This has been my life verse. I it used when I traveled alone from Guatemala to Minnesota after graduating from eighth grade.
I have used many times when facing challenges. I read it with Jeannie when she being prepped for surgery to remove the cancer in her breast.
I used it each time I prayed with a member of my church facing surgery or other significant medical procedure over which they had no control.
This is a great affirmation of God’s presence no matter what we may fear.
Fear is a dark shadow enveloping and ultimately imprisoning us ...
Fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness ...
Ultimately death ...
Fear can be conquered, according to this passage,
and by using the bright light of the Lord,
Who brings salvation.
The Shadow of Darkness and Fear is Dispelled by remembering and
Trusting the Lord who is the Stronghold of our lives.
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24: Describes God as all-seeing, all-knowing,
all-powerful and ever-present. God knows us. God is with us.
God’s Greatest gift is Allowing us to Know God.
Sometimes we don’t let people know us completely for fear
they will discover something about us they won’t like.
We try hiding from God when we do something wrong.
Matthew 10:30 Jesus says: God knows everything about us ...
even to the number of hairs on head.
God knit us together. We are wonderfully made us.
The value of a piece of art comes from the creator.
Our days of life ordained for us written before one came to be.
God loves us. God is with us through every situation ...
God guides, wherever we are. Nothing can separate us from God.
Psalm 84:1-12: God’s living presence is our greatest joy,
helping us grow in strength, grace and glory.
Nehemiah 8:10 The Joy of the Lord is my Strength ...
The Psalmist Longs for the courts of the Lord means desiring to be
in God’s presence...
Pilgrimage though Valley of Baca (means “weeping”-struggles)
Similar to the Shadow of death ... in Psalm 23:4.
Sometimes we have to go through dark, scary and dangerous places
before reaching our desired destination.
Philippians 4:4-9: The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote
this letter. Yet he uses the word joy 17 times in 4 chapters.
Lesson: inner attitude does not need reflect outer circumstances.
Joy came from knowing no matter what he faced, Christ was with him
It is easy getting discouraged with unpleasant circumstances ...
Joy comes when Christ dwells within us and knowing Christ is near ...
There was a song I learned as a child: JOY, which taught us that true joy comes when we keep our priorities straight.
Jesus, Others, You.
Focus on vs. 8 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think
about...
9 whatever you have learned or received or learned ...
or seen in me – put into practice.
What a great recipe for life! We tend to focus on everything that is going wrong rather the excellent, praiseworthy etc.
Colossians 3:10-14: Put on a new self, which is being renewed each and
every day. Learning is a life-long process.
Applying lessons, is like dressing each day.
Only instead of clothes ...
Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience. Forgiving as the Lord has forgiven you
vs. 3:17 Whatever you do ... do it in the name of the
Lord Jesus giving thanks...
3:24 Since you have received an inheritance from the Lord as reward ...
Be Committed to the Lord & Doing God’s Will ..
Galatians 5:22-23: This is the Fruit of the Spirit evidenced in our lives:
overflowing to others when we allow the Holy Spirit
living in us: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
The Spirit produces these character traits found in Christ’s life.
They Can’t obtain them by trying to get them on our own.
John 15:4-5 Jesus said: Remain in me and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine...
I AM the vine, you are the branches remain in me and
you will bear much fruit.*
I Corinthians 15:35-58: Addresses the Resurrection of the Body.
Our present bodies are perishable and prone to decay.
Resurrection bodies will be transformed, not limited to laws
of nature.
Hope in times of suffering. Death no longer a source of dread and
fear.
Christ overcame death ... we will when we leave our earthly bodies
Because of resurrection nothing we do is in vain.
Believing Christ has won the ultimate victory,
impacts how we live now and
Allows us to commit our lives to the Lord, Trusting Him to lead us,
no matter how challenging the way may be.
* John 15:4-5 is the Inspiration for the title: onthevine, of this Blog.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
(Good News For Modern Man)
Psalms 21:1: The Lord is my light and my salvation;
I will fear no one.
The Lord protects me from all danger;
I will never be afraid.
Psalms 139:1-18, 23-24:
Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
2 You know everything I do;
from far away you understand all my thoughts.
3 You see me, whether I am working or resting;
you know all my actions.
4 Even before I speak,
you already know what I will say.
5 You are all around me on every side;
you protect me with your power.
6 Your knowledge of me is too deep;
it is beyond my understanding.
7 Where could I go to escape from you?
Where could I get away from your presence?
8 If I went up to heaven, you would be there;
if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.
9 If I flew away beyond the east
or lived in the farthest place in the west,
10 you would be there to lead me,
you would be there to help me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
or the light around me to turn into night,
12 but even darkness is not dark for you,
and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You created every part of me;
you put me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because you are to be feared;
all you do is strange and wonderful.
I know it with all my heart.
15 When my bones were being formed,
carefully put together in my mother's womb,
when I was growing there in secret,
you knew that I was there—
16 you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me
had all been recorded in your book,
before any of them ever began.
17 O God, how difficult I find your thoughts;
how many of them there are!
18 If I counted them, they would be more
than the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you...
23 Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
24 Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way.
Psalms 84:1-12:
How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty!
2 How I want to be there!
I long to be in the Lord's Temple.
With my whole being I sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrows have built a nest,
and the swallows have their own home;
they keep their young near your altars,
Lord Almighty, my king and my God.
4 How happy are those who live in your Temple,
always singing praise to you.
5 How happy are those whose strength comes from you,
who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.
6 As they pass through the dry valley of Baca,
it becomes a place of springs;
the autumn rain fills it with pools.
7 They grow stronger as they go;
they will see the God of gods on Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.
Listen, O God of Jacob!
9 Bless our king, O God,
the king you have chosen.
10 One day spent in your Temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God
than live in the homes of the wicked.
11 The Lord is our protector and glorious king,
blessing us with kindness and honor.
He does not refuse any good thing
to those who do what is right.
12 Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!
NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS
Philippians 4:4-9:
4 May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord.
I say it again: rejoice!
5 Show a gentle attitude toward everyone.
The Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God
for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding,
will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
8 In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things
that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true,
noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.
9 Put into practice what you learned and received from me,
both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives
us peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:10-14:
10 and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.11 As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.
12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14 And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.
Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control.
There is no law against such things as these.
I Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44, 50, 53-58:
35 Someone will ask, How can the dead be raised to life?
What kind of body will they have? 36 You fool! When you plant a seed in the ground, it does not sprout to life unless it dies.
37 And what you plant is a bare seed, perhaps a grain of wheat or some other grain, not the full-bodied plant that will later grow up. 38 God provides that seed with the body he wishes; he gives each seed its own proper body...
42 This is how it will be when the dead are raised to life. When the body is buried, it is mortal; when raised, it will be immortal. 43 When buried, it is ugly and weak; when raised, it will be beautiful and strong. 44 When buried, it is a physical body; when raised, it will be a spiritual body.
There is, of course, a physical body, so there has to be a spiritual body...
50 What I mean, friends, is that what is made of flesh and blood cannot share in God's Kingdom, and what is mortal cannot possess immortality...
53 For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal;
what will die must be changed into what cannot die.
54 So when this takes place, and the mortal has been changed into the immortal, then the scripture will come true: Death is destroyed; victory is complete!
55 Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?
56 Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law.
57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58 So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady.
Keep busy always in your work for the Lord,
since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.
(Trust in the Lord ... he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6)
I used the Scriptures from the Old Testament and the New Testament, printed at the bottom of this Blog, in a Memorial Service yesterday.
The following are some reflections on those Scriptures which
I pray will be of value in your life.
Read each scripture before reading the reflection. Use your own Bible or those printed at the end of these thoughts. I used the Good News Bible for the quotes.
Psalm 27:1: This has been my life verse. I it used when I traveled alone from Guatemala to Minnesota after graduating from eighth grade.
I have used many times when facing challenges. I read it with Jeannie when she being prepped for surgery to remove the cancer in her breast.
I used it each time I prayed with a member of my church facing surgery or other significant medical procedure over which they had no control.
This is a great affirmation of God’s presence no matter what we may fear.
Fear is a dark shadow enveloping and ultimately imprisoning us ...
Fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness ...
Ultimately death ...
Fear can be conquered, according to this passage,
and by using the bright light of the Lord,
Who brings salvation.
The Shadow of Darkness and Fear is Dispelled by remembering and
Trusting the Lord who is the Stronghold of our lives.
Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24: Describes God as all-seeing, all-knowing,
all-powerful and ever-present. God knows us. God is with us.
God’s Greatest gift is Allowing us to Know God.
Sometimes we don’t let people know us completely for fear
they will discover something about us they won’t like.
We try hiding from God when we do something wrong.
Matthew 10:30 Jesus says: God knows everything about us ...
even to the number of hairs on head.
God knit us together. We are wonderfully made us.
The value of a piece of art comes from the creator.
Our days of life ordained for us written before one came to be.
God loves us. God is with us through every situation ...
God guides, wherever we are. Nothing can separate us from God.
Psalm 84:1-12: God’s living presence is our greatest joy,
helping us grow in strength, grace and glory.
Nehemiah 8:10 The Joy of the Lord is my Strength ...
The Psalmist Longs for the courts of the Lord means desiring to be
in God’s presence...
Pilgrimage though Valley of Baca (means “weeping”-struggles)
Similar to the Shadow of death ... in Psalm 23:4.
Sometimes we have to go through dark, scary and dangerous places
before reaching our desired destination.
Philippians 4:4-9: The Apostle Paul was in prison when he wrote
this letter. Yet he uses the word joy 17 times in 4 chapters.
Lesson: inner attitude does not need reflect outer circumstances.
Joy came from knowing no matter what he faced, Christ was with him
It is easy getting discouraged with unpleasant circumstances ...
Joy comes when Christ dwells within us and knowing Christ is near ...
There was a song I learned as a child: JOY, which taught us that true joy comes when we keep our priorities straight.
Jesus, Others, You.
Focus on vs. 8 if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think
about...
9 whatever you have learned or received or learned ...
or seen in me – put into practice.
What a great recipe for life! We tend to focus on everything that is going wrong rather the excellent, praiseworthy etc.
Colossians 3:10-14: Put on a new self, which is being renewed each and
every day. Learning is a life-long process.
Applying lessons, is like dressing each day.
Only instead of clothes ...
Clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness, patience. Forgiving as the Lord has forgiven you
vs. 3:17 Whatever you do ... do it in the name of the
Lord Jesus giving thanks...
3:24 Since you have received an inheritance from the Lord as reward ...
Be Committed to the Lord & Doing God’s Will ..
Galatians 5:22-23: This is the Fruit of the Spirit evidenced in our lives:
overflowing to others when we allow the Holy Spirit
living in us: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.
The Spirit produces these character traits found in Christ’s life.
They Can’t obtain them by trying to get them on our own.
John 15:4-5 Jesus said: Remain in me and I will remain in you.
No branch can bear fruit by itself, it must remain in the vine...
I AM the vine, you are the branches remain in me and
you will bear much fruit.*
I Corinthians 15:35-58: Addresses the Resurrection of the Body.
Our present bodies are perishable and prone to decay.
Resurrection bodies will be transformed, not limited to laws
of nature.
Hope in times of suffering. Death no longer a source of dread and
fear.
Christ overcame death ... we will when we leave our earthly bodies
Because of resurrection nothing we do is in vain.
Believing Christ has won the ultimate victory,
impacts how we live now and
Allows us to commit our lives to the Lord, Trusting Him to lead us,
no matter how challenging the way may be.
* John 15:4-5 is the Inspiration for the title: onthevine, of this Blog.
OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
(Good News For Modern Man)
Psalms 21:1: The Lord is my light and my salvation;
I will fear no one.
The Lord protects me from all danger;
I will never be afraid.
Psalms 139:1-18, 23-24:
Lord, you have examined me and you know me.
2 You know everything I do;
from far away you understand all my thoughts.
3 You see me, whether I am working or resting;
you know all my actions.
4 Even before I speak,
you already know what I will say.
5 You are all around me on every side;
you protect me with your power.
6 Your knowledge of me is too deep;
it is beyond my understanding.
7 Where could I go to escape from you?
Where could I get away from your presence?
8 If I went up to heaven, you would be there;
if I lay down in the world of the dead, you would be there.
9 If I flew away beyond the east
or lived in the farthest place in the west,
10 you would be there to lead me,
you would be there to help me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
or the light around me to turn into night,
12 but even darkness is not dark for you,
and the night is as bright as the day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You created every part of me;
you put me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because you are to be feared;
all you do is strange and wonderful.
I know it with all my heart.
15 When my bones were being formed,
carefully put together in my mother's womb,
when I was growing there in secret,
you knew that I was there—
16 you saw me before I was born.
The days allotted to me
had all been recorded in your book,
before any of them ever began.
17 O God, how difficult I find your thoughts;
how many of them there are!
18 If I counted them, they would be more
than the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you...
23 Examine me, O God, and know my mind;
test me, and discover my thoughts.
24 Find out if there is any evil in me
and guide me in the everlasting way.
Psalms 84:1-12:
How I love your Temple, Lord Almighty!
2 How I want to be there!
I long to be in the Lord's Temple.
With my whole being I sing for joy
to the living God.
3 Even the sparrows have built a nest,
and the swallows have their own home;
they keep their young near your altars,
Lord Almighty, my king and my God.
4 How happy are those who live in your Temple,
always singing praise to you.
5 How happy are those whose strength comes from you,
who are eager to make the pilgrimage to Mount Zion.
6 As they pass through the dry valley of Baca,
it becomes a place of springs;
the autumn rain fills it with pools.
7 They grow stronger as they go;
they will see the God of gods on Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty.
Listen, O God of Jacob!
9 Bless our king, O God,
the king you have chosen.
10 One day spent in your Temple
is better than a thousand anywhere else;
I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God
than live in the homes of the wicked.
11 The Lord is our protector and glorious king,
blessing us with kindness and honor.
He does not refuse any good thing
to those who do what is right.
12 Lord Almighty, how happy are those who trust in you!
NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS
Philippians 4:4-9:
4 May you always be joyful in your union with the Lord.
I say it again: rejoice!
5 Show a gentle attitude toward everyone.
The Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything, but in all your prayers ask God
for what you need, always asking him with a thankful heart.
7 And God's peace, which is far beyond human understanding,
will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.
8 In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things
that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true,
noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.
9 Put into practice what you learned and received from me,
both from my words and from my actions. And the God who gives
us peace will be with you.
Colossians 3:10-14:
10 and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself.11 As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.
12 You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14 And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity.
Galatians 5:22-23:
22 But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 humility, and self-control.
There is no law against such things as these.
I Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44, 50, 53-58:
35 Someone will ask, How can the dead be raised to life?
What kind of body will they have? 36 You fool! When you plant a seed in the ground, it does not sprout to life unless it dies.
37 And what you plant is a bare seed, perhaps a grain of wheat or some other grain, not the full-bodied plant that will later grow up. 38 God provides that seed with the body he wishes; he gives each seed its own proper body...
42 This is how it will be when the dead are raised to life. When the body is buried, it is mortal; when raised, it will be immortal. 43 When buried, it is ugly and weak; when raised, it will be beautiful and strong. 44 When buried, it is a physical body; when raised, it will be a spiritual body.
There is, of course, a physical body, so there has to be a spiritual body...
50 What I mean, friends, is that what is made of flesh and blood cannot share in God's Kingdom, and what is mortal cannot possess immortality...
53 For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal;
what will die must be changed into what cannot die.
54 So when this takes place, and the mortal has been changed into the immortal, then the scripture will come true: Death is destroyed; victory is complete!
55 Where, Death, is your victory? Where, Death, is your power to hurt?
56 Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law.
57 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
58 So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady.
Keep busy always in your work for the Lord,
since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
UNIVERSAL CONDITION
Dr. Glen A. Thorp October 19, 2025
I Timothy 6:3-21, Luke 16:19-31 (All Rights Reserved)
“UNIVERSAL CONDITION”
INTRODUCTION: Some of the richest people I know are poor
Some of poorest people I know are rich.
It is not what we own that is important.
It is what we do with what we have &
whether we are content with what we have.
There is a universal condition which all people have in common, whether living in the United States, Korea, Angola, the Congo, Colombia, Israel, Egypt, Spain, France or Syria which may lead to personal or national conflict.
That universal condition is Discontentment.
Proverbs.30:7-9 says:
7 “Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Rich caught in endless cycle. “The one who dies with most toys, wins.” Solutions: Wealth, Fame, Filling Time or Withdrawing.
Greek Philosophers defined contentment as
autarkeia - self-sufficiency, autonomy & autocratic.
Frame of Mind completely independent of all outward or external things.
Contentment comes from an inner attitude towards life
Those having wealth & power don’t have to flaunt it.
Henry VI, Shakespeare, Third Act draws a picture of the king wandering through the country un-recognized. Meeting two gamekeepers he tells them he is the king. One of them asks:
“If thou be king, where is thy crown?”
The king gives this great answer:
“My crown is in my heart, not on my head,
not decked with diamonds & Indian stones,
nor to be seen: My crown is call’d contentment
a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.
Epicurious wrote: “The secret to Contentment:
Add not to a man’s possessions,
But take away his desires.”
Christianity does not promote poverty.
There is no virtue in being poor. (Blessed are the poor ...)
It acknowledges what I Timothy 6:7 says:
We brought nothing into the world & it is clear
that we can take nothing with us when we die.
Beatles’ Songs: Which best expresses your attitude towards money:
Money (That’s what I want) or
Money Can’t Buy Me Love?
ILLUSTRATION: A close friend worked hard & long hours
became a millionaire. That was not his goal. It was the result of his labor & investments. He was proud of doing it on his own. Not quite:
• long hours meant his family was neglected.
• drain on his energy & health.
• a major law suite took away years of life & finances.
• result he was divorced from his wife.
“I would give anything, money, if I could have my wife back”
Jesus said: What good is it for a person to gain
the whole world but loose her/his soul?
Read Luke 16:19-31. It is a parable ( a story with a point) taught by Jesus about a Rich man & a poor man named Lazarus ... Notice what the rich man asks in vs. 27, 28 & Abraham’s responses.
Jesus also said: Seek first the kingdom of God and these thinngs will be given to as well. (Matthew 6:33)
We acknowledge that all we have comes from God.
We are not autonomous: Don’t need anything or anyone.
There is no such thing as a self-made person.
Wealthy Barron - discovered minerals:
gold, silver, diamonds, oil etc.
Used cheap labor ...
Business person - Markets products or services
Needs customers...
Athlete or Actor - Someone: discovered him/her, developed his/her talent.
payed to see him/her play or act.
Autonomy often leads to loneliness.
That is not what the Greek Philosophers & definitely, not Paul, meant by “contentment.”
“Happiness/Contentment comes from relationships.
Paul, nearing the end of his life, writes to Timothy: (6:6)
Do you want to be rich?
You are when you are content.
On another occasion Paul wrote: (Philippines 4:11-12)
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need.
I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any & every
situation, whether fed or hungry, in plenty or in want.
Contentment comes when we escape the servitude to things & find our wealth in the love, friendships & especially our friendship with God made possible through Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: It is that love & friendship we celebrate each Sunday.
1. God loved us so much that he came in human form.
Jesus took our place of condemnation,
dying that we might live.
We read a story or see a movie where some saves another’s life.
What is the response? “Because you saved my life,
I owe you.”
Jesus saved our lives, yet ...
we owe nothing except gratitude.
2. We are God’s children, so are those born in bamboo huts.
We each came into the world the same.
We each will leave this world the same.
What is the difference?
We have been given opportunity, good diet,
medical care, education & an atmosphere of support.
Acknowledge it all as God’s provision.
Use it wisely
Share what we have learned & earned with others.
We enjoy:
The Good News given to us.
The beautiful churches which have been entrusted to us
What will we do with what we have received?
Paul writes:
You are people of God:
Walk with shoulders straight,
head high.
Given commission from God.
I Timothy 6:11-16 Pursue: (Greek Words - Translated)
dikaiosune: Right Relationships - God, others, self.
eusebeia: Godliness - Aware of God’s presence.
pistis: Faith - Fidelity to God.
agape: Love - Love of God for us.
hupomone: Patience - Victorious endurance.
paupatheia: Gentleness - Doesn’t blaze into anger for
for its own wrongs, but
for wrongs against others.
- Humility that all one has comes from God &
- Pride of calling from God.
Remembering our Baptism:
Our Helplessness
Public Confession of Faith
All we have comes from God.
Joel 2:23, 26 Affirms how we respond to God for all that God
provides for us:
Be glad, oh people of (insert you city),
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers, but autumn & spring rains..
You will have plenty to eat, you are full &
you will praise the name of the Lord.
Stuart Hamblem “had a series of highly popular radio programs on the West Coast or the United States (1931-1952.)
He composed music & acted with others stars as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers & John Wayne ...Hamblem didn’t cope well with the pressure ... sought relief in alcohol ... which often landed him in jail for public brawling & other destructive behavior...
In 1949 he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles.
His life was dramatically changed when he turned his life over to Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. He described this as “the turning point” of my life. He was fired from his radio career when he declined to continue with his radio station’s sponsor’s beer commercials. Hard times were upon him. During this struggle, John Wayne took him aside & told him “your troubles started when you ‘got religion’ & asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, “Yes.”
Then John said, “You liked booze so much. Don’t you ever miss it?”
The answer was “no.” John continued:
“I don’t understand how you could give it up so easily.”
Hamblen’s response was “It’s no big secret. All things are possible with God.” To this John said,
“That’s a catch phrase. You should write a song about it.”
He did and it is called: It Is No Secret . The first verse is:
“The chimes of time ring out the news Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strenght Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened For I bring hope to you.
It is no secret, what God can do What he's done for others, he'll do for you With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do. With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do.”
I Timothy 6:3-21, Luke 16:19-31 (All Rights Reserved)
“UNIVERSAL CONDITION”
INTRODUCTION: Some of the richest people I know are poor
Some of poorest people I know are rich.
It is not what we own that is important.
It is what we do with what we have &
whether we are content with what we have.
There is a universal condition which all people have in common, whether living in the United States, Korea, Angola, the Congo, Colombia, Israel, Egypt, Spain, France or Syria which may lead to personal or national conflict.
That universal condition is Discontentment.
Proverbs.30:7-9 says:
7 “Two things I ask of you, LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
Rich caught in endless cycle. “The one who dies with most toys, wins.” Solutions: Wealth, Fame, Filling Time or Withdrawing.
Greek Philosophers defined contentment as
autarkeia - self-sufficiency, autonomy & autocratic.
Frame of Mind completely independent of all outward or external things.
Contentment comes from an inner attitude towards life
Those having wealth & power don’t have to flaunt it.
Henry VI, Shakespeare, Third Act draws a picture of the king wandering through the country un-recognized. Meeting two gamekeepers he tells them he is the king. One of them asks:
“If thou be king, where is thy crown?”
The king gives this great answer:
“My crown is in my heart, not on my head,
not decked with diamonds & Indian stones,
nor to be seen: My crown is call’d contentment
a crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.
Epicurious wrote: “The secret to Contentment:
Add not to a man’s possessions,
But take away his desires.”
Christianity does not promote poverty.
There is no virtue in being poor. (Blessed are the poor ...)
It acknowledges what I Timothy 6:7 says:
We brought nothing into the world & it is clear
that we can take nothing with us when we die.
Beatles’ Songs: Which best expresses your attitude towards money:
Money (That’s what I want) or
Money Can’t Buy Me Love?
ILLUSTRATION: A close friend worked hard & long hours
became a millionaire. That was not his goal. It was the result of his labor & investments. He was proud of doing it on his own. Not quite:
• long hours meant his family was neglected.
• drain on his energy & health.
• a major law suite took away years of life & finances.
• result he was divorced from his wife.
“I would give anything, money, if I could have my wife back”
Jesus said: What good is it for a person to gain
the whole world but loose her/his soul?
Read Luke 16:19-31. It is a parable ( a story with a point) taught by Jesus about a Rich man & a poor man named Lazarus ... Notice what the rich man asks in vs. 27, 28 & Abraham’s responses.
Jesus also said: Seek first the kingdom of God and these thinngs will be given to as well. (Matthew 6:33)
We acknowledge that all we have comes from God.
We are not autonomous: Don’t need anything or anyone.
There is no such thing as a self-made person.
Wealthy Barron - discovered minerals:
gold, silver, diamonds, oil etc.
Used cheap labor ...
Business person - Markets products or services
Needs customers...
Athlete or Actor - Someone: discovered him/her, developed his/her talent.
payed to see him/her play or act.
Autonomy often leads to loneliness.
That is not what the Greek Philosophers & definitely, not Paul, meant by “contentment.”
“Happiness/Contentment comes from relationships.
Paul, nearing the end of his life, writes to Timothy: (6:6)
Do you want to be rich?
You are when you are content.
On another occasion Paul wrote: (Philippines 4:11-12)
I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances.
I know what it is to be in need.
I know what it is to have plenty.
I have learned the secret of being content in any & every
situation, whether fed or hungry, in plenty or in want.
Contentment comes when we escape the servitude to things & find our wealth in the love, friendships & especially our friendship with God made possible through Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: It is that love & friendship we celebrate each Sunday.
1. God loved us so much that he came in human form.
Jesus took our place of condemnation,
dying that we might live.
We read a story or see a movie where some saves another’s life.
What is the response? “Because you saved my life,
I owe you.”
Jesus saved our lives, yet ...
we owe nothing except gratitude.
2. We are God’s children, so are those born in bamboo huts.
We each came into the world the same.
We each will leave this world the same.
What is the difference?
We have been given opportunity, good diet,
medical care, education & an atmosphere of support.
Acknowledge it all as God’s provision.
Use it wisely
Share what we have learned & earned with others.
We enjoy:
The Good News given to us.
The beautiful churches which have been entrusted to us
What will we do with what we have received?
Paul writes:
You are people of God:
Walk with shoulders straight,
head high.
Given commission from God.
I Timothy 6:11-16 Pursue: (Greek Words - Translated)
dikaiosune: Right Relationships - God, others, self.
eusebeia: Godliness - Aware of God’s presence.
pistis: Faith - Fidelity to God.
agape: Love - Love of God for us.
hupomone: Patience - Victorious endurance.
paupatheia: Gentleness - Doesn’t blaze into anger for
for its own wrongs, but
for wrongs against others.
- Humility that all one has comes from God &
- Pride of calling from God.
Remembering our Baptism:
Our Helplessness
Public Confession of Faith
All we have comes from God.
Joel 2:23, 26 Affirms how we respond to God for all that God
provides for us:
Be glad, oh people of (insert you city),
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains in righteousness.
He sends you abundant showers, but autumn & spring rains..
You will have plenty to eat, you are full &
you will praise the name of the Lord.
Stuart Hamblem “had a series of highly popular radio programs on the West Coast or the United States (1931-1952.)
He composed music & acted with others stars as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers & John Wayne ...Hamblem didn’t cope well with the pressure ... sought relief in alcohol ... which often landed him in jail for public brawling & other destructive behavior...
In 1949 he attended a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles.
His life was dramatically changed when he turned his life over to Jesus Christ as Lord & Savior. He described this as “the turning point” of my life. He was fired from his radio career when he declined to continue with his radio station’s sponsor’s beer commercials. Hard times were upon him. During this struggle, John Wayne took him aside & told him “your troubles started when you ‘got religion’ & asked if it was worth it all. Hamblen answered simply, “Yes.”
Then John said, “You liked booze so much. Don’t you ever miss it?”
The answer was “no.” John continued:
“I don’t understand how you could give it up so easily.”
Hamblen’s response was “It’s no big secret. All things are possible with God.” To this John said,
“That’s a catch phrase. You should write a song about it.”
He did and it is called: It Is No Secret . The first verse is:
“The chimes of time ring out the news Another day is through
Someone slipped and fell Was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strenght Your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened For I bring hope to you.
It is no secret, what God can do What he's done for others, he'll do for you With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do. With arms wide open, he'll pardon you It is no secret what God can do.”
Saturday, August 20, 2011
"REVOLUTIONIZED RELATIONSHIPS"
Dr. Glen A. Thorp August 21, 2011
Philemon 1-25, Psalm 139:1-18 (All Rights Reserved)
“REVOLUTIONIZED RELATIONSHIPS”
INTRODUCTION: The giant wrecking ball hit the wall with dynamite force snapping bricks and concrete like twigs. Repeatedly, the powerful pendulum reduced the wall of what had been St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, Ca., where my, wife, Jeannie had two separate surgeries to remove cancer from her body. What had once been her hospital room lay in rubble. The steel reinforcing bars set aside, the rubble was ground up into sand and carried away so that new construction could begin. Today earth movers prepare the earth for the foundation of a brand new hospital facility.
Life has many walls and fences dividing, separating, and compartmentalizing. Not walls made of concrete, stone or wood, but personal obstructions blocking people from each other and from God.
Jesus Christ came as the great wall remover, tearing down the partition of sin separating us from God and blasting the barriers keeping us from each other. Christ’s death and resurrection opened the way to God, bringing all who believed in him into God’s family.
Roman, Greek and Jewish cultures were littered with barriers, as society assigned people to classes and expected them to remain in their place - men, women, free, slave, rich, poor, Jews, Gentiles and Greeks.
In contrast, God’s Word recorded in Galatians 3:28
In Christ’s family there can be no division into
Jew and Non-Jew, slave and free, male and female.
Among us you are all equal. That is,
we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: This life-changing truth forms the backdrop for Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, and plea for Onesimus. (Philemon is the shortest book in the Bible with only 25 verses, yet is one the most revolutionary in the New Testament.)
Onesimus was a slave who “belonged” to Philemon.
Apparently he had stolen from his master and run away.
He found Paul, under house arrest, in Rome which lead to Revolutionized Relationships. Onesimus came to faith in Christ who radically forgave him and brought him into his family. Paul writes: revolutionized relationship meant he was sending Onesimus back not only as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
The barriers of slavery, Onesimus’ theft and desertion were no longer a divide – they were removed by Christ.
This letter is a masterpiece of grace, tact, a profound demonstration Christ’s power and Christian fellowship of Revolutionized Relationships in action.
Let us look, in more depth, at the dramatic story of the conversion of a runaway slave and implications for us.
Philemon and his wife Apphia hosted the Christian community of Colosse, Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) in their home. Onesimus as slave served the guests. Slavery was a major factor in building and maintaining the Roman Empire. 60 million slaves formed a constant danger. If they ever revolted there would serious trouble. Rebellious slaves were promptly eliminated. If a slave ran away, at best s/he would be branded on the forehead with a the letter F = fugitivus, Latin for fugitive, runaway. At worst a slave would be tortured and or crucified. Paul learned firsthand, what it was like being a slave, from Onesimus = useful. Paul puns on Onesimus’ name: Once useless, was he beaten or told he was useless? Was that why he ran away?
Did he steal to have money on which to live?
When Christ revolutionized his life, Onesimus lived into his name and character. Useful to me and you.
SPECULATION: How did Onesimus find Paul?
Was that his intention or by accident? There are no accidents with God. God transformed Onesimus from being a slave of sin to being a free man in Christ.
Paul writes: Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
My very heart ... Useful - Profitable. Indispensable ... (vs. 16)
Why did Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon? Identified? Trying to remain incognito?
Epaphras recognized Onesimus as Philemon’s slave in the home where Christians met. Is that why Onesimus came clean?
Paul knew well the risk of sending Onesimus back ...
A slave was a living tool not a person. Master had absolute power over a slave. A Roman named Pliny: writes: “A slave was carrying a tray of crystal goblets. He dropped and broke one. The master ordered that the slave be thrown into the fishpond in the courtyard, were the lampreys (fish with rasping teeth that sucked out blood) tore him into pieces.”
The slave was deliberately held down.” (William Barclay, Philemon,)
Some believe it is strange that Paul does not attack the institution of slavery. Revolutionized Relationships come from God’s revelation in Christ. All are One. The Master regards the slave as “brother” while the dishonest slave found new life in Christ who “knew no sin” and came not to be served but to serve “purchased with blood.” Paul wrote this letter from Rome @ 60 AD to convince Philemon to forgive, not punish his runaway slave and accept, Onesimus, as a brother in faith.
Christian Revolutionized Relationships are full of forgiveness and acceptance. Is there someone who has wronged you and whom you are having difficulty forgiving? Pray that God will guide and work through you in removing the barriers between him or her.
Treat him or her as you would want to be treated.
Paul as friend of both Philemon and Onesimus, could have used his authority, as an apostle, to tell Philemon what to do. Yet he chose to appeal, in Christian love, rather than ordering him.
Tactful persuasion accomplishes more than commands.
Courtesy and respect in relationships exhibit Christ’s love.
v. 4-16 Paul reflected on Philemon’s faith and love.
How he opened his home to the Christians.
Paul described himself as an old man and prisoner of Christ who is in chains. I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother...in the Lord.
Christians did not have the political power to change the slavery system. God through Paul radically revolutionized relationships. The Good News begins changing social structures by changing people within those structures. In Christ Onesimus and Philemon equals. Paul personally guaranteed payment for any stolen property or wrong for which Onesimus might be responsible. His investment in the young Christian no doubt encouraged and strengthened Onesimus’ faith.
Reciprocal Relationships - demonstrate confidence.
We can invest in others through Bible study, prayer, encouragement, support and friendship.
Philemon owed his life to Paul who lead him to Christ.
Paul as Philemon’s spiritual father hoped Philemon would feel a dept of gratitude that would be repaid by accepting Onesimus with a spirit of forgiveness.
v.20 Says in charming wit: Let me make some Christian profit out of you! I am writing with confidence for I know you will do more than I ask. (21)
v.23 Epaphras founded the church in Colossea and fought to hold it together in spite of growing persecution and struggles with the false teachers in prison for preaching
v.24 Compare names with those in Colossians 4:10-14.
Mark is the same as the author of 2nd Gospel of the NT.
CONCLUSION: Paul urged Philemon to be reconcile with
his slave, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God’s family. Reconciling means reestablishing relationships. Christ reconciled us to God and others. Many barriers come between people. But Christ can break down those barriers of race, social status, sex, personality differences. Jesus Christ Revolutionized Onesimus’ Relationships with Philemon from slave to brother.
Christ can revolutionize our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships.
Bishop of Ephesus? 50 years later, Ignatius, one of the Christian Fathers, who was executed (martyred) writes to the churches of Asia Minor including the Church at Ephesus. He has much to say about their wonderful Bishop. Name? Onesimus. Ignatius uses the same pun as Paul: Onesimus by name, Onesimus by nature the profitable (useful) one to Christ. Was he the run away slave? If so, that is truly Revolutionary!
Onesimus was Freed, became a Student, Ordained as a Pastor, a life of a different type of Service and Given Authority as a Bishop.
Radical Forgiveness - Revolutionized Relationships.
True story: Maria Fearing was born in slavery 1838.
She said: “I will go to Africa some day if I can.”
Freed from slavery in 1865 at the age of 27 she found her way to Talledega College where she completed 9th grade and taught in a nearby school. Years later she returned to supervise boarding school students. There she met a William Shepphard, co-founder of the Presbyterian Mission to Congo. He was recruiting other African Americans to join him in that mission. Maria, at 56 yrs. old, volunteered herself to the Mission Committee who rebuffed her application. She sold her little house, collected money from friends and returned to the committee, offering to pay her own fare and support herself on the field, if she were allowed to travel with the Sheppard party.
Reluctantly, the committee agreed.
In the Congo, Maria’s house became a haven for young girls in need: orphaned, sickly, abused, enslaved. Girls called her: mama wa mptu - “mother from far away.” For 20 years, Maria continued her work as mother and evangelist. 3 of the first 7 converts, who experienced the Revolutionized Relationship through the Mission later carried on the work started by Maria. Other girls in Congo and yes around the world experience those Revolutionized Relationships that come through faith in Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1-25, Psalm 139:1-18 (All Rights Reserved)
“REVOLUTIONIZED RELATIONSHIPS”
INTRODUCTION: The giant wrecking ball hit the wall with dynamite force snapping bricks and concrete like twigs. Repeatedly, the powerful pendulum reduced the wall of what had been St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica, Ca., where my, wife, Jeannie had two separate surgeries to remove cancer from her body. What had once been her hospital room lay in rubble. The steel reinforcing bars set aside, the rubble was ground up into sand and carried away so that new construction could begin. Today earth movers prepare the earth for the foundation of a brand new hospital facility.
Life has many walls and fences dividing, separating, and compartmentalizing. Not walls made of concrete, stone or wood, but personal obstructions blocking people from each other and from God.
Jesus Christ came as the great wall remover, tearing down the partition of sin separating us from God and blasting the barriers keeping us from each other. Christ’s death and resurrection opened the way to God, bringing all who believed in him into God’s family.
Roman, Greek and Jewish cultures were littered with barriers, as society assigned people to classes and expected them to remain in their place - men, women, free, slave, rich, poor, Jews, Gentiles and Greeks.
In contrast, God’s Word recorded in Galatians 3:28
In Christ’s family there can be no division into
Jew and Non-Jew, slave and free, male and female.
Among us you are all equal. That is,
we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.
TRANSITION: This life-changing truth forms the backdrop for Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, and plea for Onesimus. (Philemon is the shortest book in the Bible with only 25 verses, yet is one the most revolutionary in the New Testament.)
Onesimus was a slave who “belonged” to Philemon.
Apparently he had stolen from his master and run away.
He found Paul, under house arrest, in Rome which lead to Revolutionized Relationships. Onesimus came to faith in Christ who radically forgave him and brought him into his family. Paul writes: revolutionized relationship meant he was sending Onesimus back not only as a slave but as a brother in Christ.
The barriers of slavery, Onesimus’ theft and desertion were no longer a divide – they were removed by Christ.
This letter is a masterpiece of grace, tact, a profound demonstration Christ’s power and Christian fellowship of Revolutionized Relationships in action.
Let us look, in more depth, at the dramatic story of the conversion of a runaway slave and implications for us.
Philemon and his wife Apphia hosted the Christian community of Colosse, Asia Minor (today’s Turkey) in their home. Onesimus as slave served the guests. Slavery was a major factor in building and maintaining the Roman Empire. 60 million slaves formed a constant danger. If they ever revolted there would serious trouble. Rebellious slaves were promptly eliminated. If a slave ran away, at best s/he would be branded on the forehead with a the letter F = fugitivus, Latin for fugitive, runaway. At worst a slave would be tortured and or crucified. Paul learned firsthand, what it was like being a slave, from Onesimus = useful. Paul puns on Onesimus’ name: Once useless, was he beaten or told he was useless? Was that why he ran away?
Did he steal to have money on which to live?
When Christ revolutionized his life, Onesimus lived into his name and character. Useful to me and you.
SPECULATION: How did Onesimus find Paul?
Was that his intention or by accident? There are no accidents with God. God transformed Onesimus from being a slave of sin to being a free man in Christ.
Paul writes: Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.
My very heart ... Useful - Profitable. Indispensable ... (vs. 16)
Why did Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon? Identified? Trying to remain incognito?
Epaphras recognized Onesimus as Philemon’s slave in the home where Christians met. Is that why Onesimus came clean?
Paul knew well the risk of sending Onesimus back ...
A slave was a living tool not a person. Master had absolute power over a slave. A Roman named Pliny: writes: “A slave was carrying a tray of crystal goblets. He dropped and broke one. The master ordered that the slave be thrown into the fishpond in the courtyard, were the lampreys (fish with rasping teeth that sucked out blood) tore him into pieces.”
The slave was deliberately held down.” (William Barclay, Philemon,)
Some believe it is strange that Paul does not attack the institution of slavery. Revolutionized Relationships come from God’s revelation in Christ. All are One. The Master regards the slave as “brother” while the dishonest slave found new life in Christ who “knew no sin” and came not to be served but to serve “purchased with blood.” Paul wrote this letter from Rome @ 60 AD to convince Philemon to forgive, not punish his runaway slave and accept, Onesimus, as a brother in faith.
Christian Revolutionized Relationships are full of forgiveness and acceptance. Is there someone who has wronged you and whom you are having difficulty forgiving? Pray that God will guide and work through you in removing the barriers between him or her.
Treat him or her as you would want to be treated.
Paul as friend of both Philemon and Onesimus, could have used his authority, as an apostle, to tell Philemon what to do. Yet he chose to appeal, in Christian love, rather than ordering him.
Tactful persuasion accomplishes more than commands.
Courtesy and respect in relationships exhibit Christ’s love.
v. 4-16 Paul reflected on Philemon’s faith and love.
How he opened his home to the Christians.
Paul described himself as an old man and prisoner of Christ who is in chains. I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good – no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother...in the Lord.
Christians did not have the political power to change the slavery system. God through Paul radically revolutionized relationships. The Good News begins changing social structures by changing people within those structures. In Christ Onesimus and Philemon equals. Paul personally guaranteed payment for any stolen property or wrong for which Onesimus might be responsible. His investment in the young Christian no doubt encouraged and strengthened Onesimus’ faith.
Reciprocal Relationships - demonstrate confidence.
We can invest in others through Bible study, prayer, encouragement, support and friendship.
Philemon owed his life to Paul who lead him to Christ.
Paul as Philemon’s spiritual father hoped Philemon would feel a dept of gratitude that would be repaid by accepting Onesimus with a spirit of forgiveness.
v.20 Says in charming wit: Let me make some Christian profit out of you! I am writing with confidence for I know you will do more than I ask. (21)
v.23 Epaphras founded the church in Colossea and fought to hold it together in spite of growing persecution and struggles with the false teachers in prison for preaching
v.24 Compare names with those in Colossians 4:10-14.
Mark is the same as the author of 2nd Gospel of the NT.
CONCLUSION: Paul urged Philemon to be reconcile with
his slave, receiving him as a brother and fellow member of God’s family. Reconciling means reestablishing relationships. Christ reconciled us to God and others. Many barriers come between people. But Christ can break down those barriers of race, social status, sex, personality differences. Jesus Christ Revolutionized Onesimus’ Relationships with Philemon from slave to brother.
Christ can revolutionize our most hopeless relationships into deep and loving friendships.
Bishop of Ephesus? 50 years later, Ignatius, one of the Christian Fathers, who was executed (martyred) writes to the churches of Asia Minor including the Church at Ephesus. He has much to say about their wonderful Bishop. Name? Onesimus. Ignatius uses the same pun as Paul: Onesimus by name, Onesimus by nature the profitable (useful) one to Christ. Was he the run away slave? If so, that is truly Revolutionary!
Onesimus was Freed, became a Student, Ordained as a Pastor, a life of a different type of Service and Given Authority as a Bishop.
Radical Forgiveness - Revolutionized Relationships.
True story: Maria Fearing was born in slavery 1838.
She said: “I will go to Africa some day if I can.”
Freed from slavery in 1865 at the age of 27 she found her way to Talledega College where she completed 9th grade and taught in a nearby school. Years later she returned to supervise boarding school students. There she met a William Shepphard, co-founder of the Presbyterian Mission to Congo. He was recruiting other African Americans to join him in that mission. Maria, at 56 yrs. old, volunteered herself to the Mission Committee who rebuffed her application. She sold her little house, collected money from friends and returned to the committee, offering to pay her own fare and support herself on the field, if she were allowed to travel with the Sheppard party.
Reluctantly, the committee agreed.
In the Congo, Maria’s house became a haven for young girls in need: orphaned, sickly, abused, enslaved. Girls called her: mama wa mptu - “mother from far away.” For 20 years, Maria continued her work as mother and evangelist. 3 of the first 7 converts, who experienced the Revolutionized Relationship through the Mission later carried on the work started by Maria. Other girls in Congo and yes around the world experience those Revolutionized Relationships that come through faith in Jesus Christ.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
"EMBRACING LIFE"
Dr. Glen A. Thorp August 14, 2011
II Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 57 (All Rights Reserved)
“EMBRACING LIFE”
(Teaching to Live Well!)
INTRODUCTION: “This must have been one the worst weeks of the year.” As a result of the Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the United State’s credit rating from AAA to AA+, the Stock Market plunge 634.76 points, on Monday. The worst drop since 2008. Tuesday, after the Federal Reserve indicated it would keep interest rates where they were for two years, the Stock Market jumped 420 points. Wednesday, the Market was back down 500 points. Ended week: up 126.
“Rioters Spread a Trail of Theft and Destruction Across London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester, England. This worst outbreak of civil unrest in a decade, was sparked by the shooting of a local man by the police, aggravated by economic uncertainty and lawlessness youth broke windows of shops then stole items like cell-phones and plasma TVs. Fires were set causing destruction to building, buses and cars. The masked hooligans took advantage of the situation to have fun destroying and stealing.
Tuesday, through Twitter and Premier Christian Radio thousands of volunteers showed up with brooms to clean up the affected neighborhoods. One man said: “I am more encouraged by thousands who came to help than I am discouraged by those who caused such destruction.” England follows the pattern began last summer in France and evidenced this year in Greece.
It reminds me of the riots that occurred in SE LA after the police were acquitted of excessive force of the beating of Rodney King in Sylmar,1992.
During times of economic downturn, almost any incident can spark a riot, looting and destruction to property.
This week the bodies of 30 Special Forces including 25 Navy Seals, were flown home. Last week, a Chinook helicopter transporting 38 members of the Special Forces, including 8 Afghans, crashed killing all aboard. It was the worst loss of life in one incident in the Afghan war.
We live in uncertain times: Economic, Drought, Fires etc. The 9.0 earthquake in Japan followed by a huge tsunami causing mas destruction, including four nuclear plants lead to evacuation of large areas in Northern Japan, shut-down of automobile assembly plants and rationed amount of electricity resulting in office workers arriving in casual clothes because the A.C was turned off. During a normal calendar year Southern California has around 367 earthquakes of 3.0. That is more than one every day. We take them for granted. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake of 6.7 one our church members gave me Psalm 57:1-2
O God in you ... my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 18:31-33 (Read) Who is God beside the Lord?
Who is the Rock except our God?
It is said that the safest place during the “BIG ONE” is the Golden Gate Bridge. It is said to be able withstand a 9.0 earthquake. Sway and Cantilever Construction: every bit of concrete, pavement and steel interrelated with two giant cables attached to two pillars deeply embedded into Bed Rock. God is our Bed Rock!
Each of the Scriptures has a similar theme:
Embracing Life rather than being paralyzed by it.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom. The Message: Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely & well!
II Peter Was written to warn, teach about False Teachers
and handling heresy within their community.
I Peter addressed handling persecution (trials from outside.)
3:1 Dear friends, this is my second letter to you.
I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate
you to wholesome thinking. Emb!racing Life
Three Great Truths on which to do this.
1. Time to God is not the same as to us.
God may have seemed slow to act as Christians faced persecution every day and were seeing their friends die. False teachers: Scoffed:
“See Jesus did not keep his word. He has not returned." (3:8)
Psalm 90:4: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day.
Time as viewed from human and divine perspectives:
Century - human calendar like a couple of hours with God.
Reversal of relationship between days and years. That is true.
2. Time is regarded as an opportunity.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise ...
He is patient with you." (Time for Repentance)
Jesus is waiting so more people will come to believe.
Jn.10:10 I have come that you may have life, have it to the full
In the mean time we are embracing life to the fullest.
Living each day as it may be our last and planning as if Jesus will not return for a long time. Each day is a gift to use, to develop ourselves,
to grow closer to God and to render service to another.
Embrace God’s gift of time.
3. God does not wish that any should perish.
Not wanting anyone to perish,
But everyone come to repentance.
Genesis 15:16 For the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure God told Abraham 400 years before fulfilled, longer than the USA has existed.
v. 10 The day of the Lord will come like a thief.
The heavens will disappear with a roar,
the elements will be destroyed by fire and
the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
"Everything that is done will disclosed." (NRSV)
Maintains the nuances of the Greek preserving the basic verb: erga from the word “to work, to do.”
Day of Lord: (Read) Isaiah 34:4. Joel 3:15,16 –2:12,13
Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Revelation 6:12-17
Acts 3:19-21, Romans 2:4
Epicureans, False Teachers: “Since God had yet to intervene to reverse human injustice, it was proof that there would be no ultimate judgment of humans before God ... Truth: Divine judgement was seen in connection with redemption.” “New Heaven/Earth”
“In his kindness, God holds back his judgement giving people time to repent. It is easy to mistake God’s patience for approval of the wrong way we are living.”
“Everything God does is true to God’s character.
God is merciful, knows all, and acts justly –
and his timing is perfect.” (Application Bible, Gn. 15)
v. 5 God created the world by His Word.
God’s Word will play a similar part in the final catastrophe. God does not need to submit to the so called laws of the universe. (Richard Dawkins)
v. 9 God’s mercy is an alternative explanation for
the alleged delay of the parousia the coming of a head-state.
C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, p. 137
“God was everlasting. His life was infinite in time.
Nothing outlasts God, nothing slips away from Him.
Timeless as an eternal present.”
The Eternal may meet us in what is by our present measurements, a day or a minute, or a second but we have touched what is not in any way commensurable with lengths of time, whether long or short.”
Psalm 18:31-33 “God promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but he doesn’t promise to eliminate them ... God stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.” (Application Bible)
II Peter 3:18 Grow in grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Elmer Leslie, The Psalms.
“The greatest contrast between God and man is that between eternity and finitude. We fragile children think of a millennium as a vast epoch. But eternal God as though it were but yesterday. God has appointed man a time of living comparable to a swiftly passing watch in the night. (3 hours)
Like grass luxurious in the morning only to wither by evening tide under the harsh oriental sun.
Pray that God, the great teacher, will teach people to pay earnest heed to the brevity of life and therefore embrace each passing day with a wise heart. Truly apply that wisdom when omprehending the shortness of human life.”
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 57:2 In the shadow of your wing I will take refuge..
Indescribable majesty and power. Keep trusting God.
In God’s timing will come and save ...
CONCLUSION: Pray Like There’s No Tomorrow!
Story: Roger lead Mr. Hanover to Christ on May 7. Five years later he met Hanover’s wife, learning that same day May 7, Mr. Hanover was killed in an car accident. Mrs. Hanover: I prayed that my husband would accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I thought God had not kept his promise.
I stopped living for God because I thought God had not kept His Word!”
Peggy Noonan, Opinion writer the Wall Street Journal:
After the London Riots (August 13, 2011, A13)
“The riots in Britain left some Americans shaken...
We have been to England, visited a lot of those neighborhoods.
They were peaceful; now they’re in flames...We saw something over there that in smaller ways we’re starting to see over here...
The violence has root causes that government can’t reach...” Noonan quotes a couple of British Newspapers: “Young people have been looting shops they like: JD Sports and Mobile Phone shops,,,yet Waterstone’s Bookstore was left alone...Criminality in a raw form, not politics...”
“Philadelphia right now is under curfew because of flash mobs. Young people send out the word on social media, and suddenly dozens or hundreds of them hit a targeted store, steal everything on the shelves, and run, know one will stop or catch them...
Some of these young people come from brokenness, shallowness and terror...2009, census data, there are 74 million children under 18... 20 million live in single parent families...Over 700,000 children have been the subject of reports of abuse.
The problem, at the bottom, is love, something we never talk about in public policy discussions because it is too soft and cannot be quantified or legislated. But little children ( I would add, adults) without love and guidance are afraid. They are terrified–they have nothing solid in the world, which is a pretty scary place. So they never feel safe. As they grow, their fear becomes rage...violence.
What’s needed cannot be provided by government.”
Embracing Life starts with Embracing God's Love Appreciating every moment of life and Seeking to Demonstrate the Transforming Power of God's Love to all, espcially those who have not known love and live in fear. Perfect love casts out fear.
II Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 57 (All Rights Reserved)
“EMBRACING LIFE”
(Teaching to Live Well!)
INTRODUCTION: “This must have been one the worst weeks of the year.” As a result of the Standard & Poor’s downgrade of the United State’s credit rating from AAA to AA+, the Stock Market plunge 634.76 points, on Monday. The worst drop since 2008. Tuesday, after the Federal Reserve indicated it would keep interest rates where they were for two years, the Stock Market jumped 420 points. Wednesday, the Market was back down 500 points. Ended week: up 126.
“Rioters Spread a Trail of Theft and Destruction Across London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Manchester, England. This worst outbreak of civil unrest in a decade, was sparked by the shooting of a local man by the police, aggravated by economic uncertainty and lawlessness youth broke windows of shops then stole items like cell-phones and plasma TVs. Fires were set causing destruction to building, buses and cars. The masked hooligans took advantage of the situation to have fun destroying and stealing.
Tuesday, through Twitter and Premier Christian Radio thousands of volunteers showed up with brooms to clean up the affected neighborhoods. One man said: “I am more encouraged by thousands who came to help than I am discouraged by those who caused such destruction.” England follows the pattern began last summer in France and evidenced this year in Greece.
It reminds me of the riots that occurred in SE LA after the police were acquitted of excessive force of the beating of Rodney King in Sylmar,1992.
During times of economic downturn, almost any incident can spark a riot, looting and destruction to property.
This week the bodies of 30 Special Forces including 25 Navy Seals, were flown home. Last week, a Chinook helicopter transporting 38 members of the Special Forces, including 8 Afghans, crashed killing all aboard. It was the worst loss of life in one incident in the Afghan war.
We live in uncertain times: Economic, Drought, Fires etc. The 9.0 earthquake in Japan followed by a huge tsunami causing mas destruction, including four nuclear plants lead to evacuation of large areas in Northern Japan, shut-down of automobile assembly plants and rationed amount of electricity resulting in office workers arriving in casual clothes because the A.C was turned off. During a normal calendar year Southern California has around 367 earthquakes of 3.0. That is more than one every day. We take them for granted. After the 1994 Northridge Earthquake of 6.7 one our church members gave me Psalm 57:1-2
O God in you ... my soul takes refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings
until the disaster has passed.
Psalm 18:31-33 (Read) Who is God beside the Lord?
Who is the Rock except our God?
It is said that the safest place during the “BIG ONE” is the Golden Gate Bridge. It is said to be able withstand a 9.0 earthquake. Sway and Cantilever Construction: every bit of concrete, pavement and steel interrelated with two giant cables attached to two pillars deeply embedded into Bed Rock. God is our Bed Rock!
Each of the Scriptures has a similar theme:
Embracing Life rather than being paralyzed by it.
Psalm 90:12 Teach us to number our days, that we may gain wisdom. The Message: Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely & well!
II Peter Was written to warn, teach about False Teachers
and handling heresy within their community.
I Peter addressed handling persecution (trials from outside.)
3:1 Dear friends, this is my second letter to you.
I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate
you to wholesome thinking. Emb!racing Life
Three Great Truths on which to do this.
1. Time to God is not the same as to us.
God may have seemed slow to act as Christians faced persecution every day and were seeing their friends die. False teachers: Scoffed:
“See Jesus did not keep his word. He has not returned." (3:8)
Psalm 90:4: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years,
and a thousand years are like a day.
Time as viewed from human and divine perspectives:
Century - human calendar like a couple of hours with God.
Reversal of relationship between days and years. That is true.
2. Time is regarded as an opportunity.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise ...
He is patient with you." (Time for Repentance)
Jesus is waiting so more people will come to believe.
Jn.10:10 I have come that you may have life, have it to the full
In the mean time we are embracing life to the fullest.
Living each day as it may be our last and planning as if Jesus will not return for a long time. Each day is a gift to use, to develop ourselves,
to grow closer to God and to render service to another.
Embrace God’s gift of time.
3. God does not wish that any should perish.
Not wanting anyone to perish,
But everyone come to repentance.
Genesis 15:16 For the sin of the Amorites has not yet reached its full measure God told Abraham 400 years before fulfilled, longer than the USA has existed.
v. 10 The day of the Lord will come like a thief.
The heavens will disappear with a roar,
the elements will be destroyed by fire and
the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.
"Everything that is done will disclosed." (NRSV)
Maintains the nuances of the Greek preserving the basic verb: erga from the word “to work, to do.”
Day of Lord: (Read) Isaiah 34:4. Joel 3:15,16 –2:12,13
Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, Revelation 6:12-17
Acts 3:19-21, Romans 2:4
Epicureans, False Teachers: “Since God had yet to intervene to reverse human injustice, it was proof that there would be no ultimate judgment of humans before God ... Truth: Divine judgement was seen in connection with redemption.” “New Heaven/Earth”
“In his kindness, God holds back his judgement giving people time to repent. It is easy to mistake God’s patience for approval of the wrong way we are living.”
“Everything God does is true to God’s character.
God is merciful, knows all, and acts justly –
and his timing is perfect.” (Application Bible, Gn. 15)
v. 5 God created the world by His Word.
God’s Word will play a similar part in the final catastrophe. God does not need to submit to the so called laws of the universe. (Richard Dawkins)
v. 9 God’s mercy is an alternative explanation for
the alleged delay of the parousia the coming of a head-state.
C.S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, p. 137
“God was everlasting. His life was infinite in time.
Nothing outlasts God, nothing slips away from Him.
Timeless as an eternal present.”
The Eternal may meet us in what is by our present measurements, a day or a minute, or a second but we have touched what is not in any way commensurable with lengths of time, whether long or short.”
Psalm 18:31-33 “God promises to give us strength to meet challenges, but he doesn’t promise to eliminate them ... God stands beside us, teaches us, and strengthens us to face them.” (Application Bible)
II Peter 3:18 Grow in grace and knowledge
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Elmer Leslie, The Psalms.
“The greatest contrast between God and man is that between eternity and finitude. We fragile children think of a millennium as a vast epoch. But eternal God as though it were but yesterday. God has appointed man a time of living comparable to a swiftly passing watch in the night. (3 hours)
Like grass luxurious in the morning only to wither by evening tide under the harsh oriental sun.
Pray that God, the great teacher, will teach people to pay earnest heed to the brevity of life and therefore embrace each passing day with a wise heart. Truly apply that wisdom when omprehending the shortness of human life.”
Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Psalm 57:2 In the shadow of your wing I will take refuge..
Indescribable majesty and power. Keep trusting God.
In God’s timing will come and save ...
CONCLUSION: Pray Like There’s No Tomorrow!
Story: Roger lead Mr. Hanover to Christ on May 7. Five years later he met Hanover’s wife, learning that same day May 7, Mr. Hanover was killed in an car accident. Mrs. Hanover: I prayed that my husband would accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. I thought God had not kept his promise.
I stopped living for God because I thought God had not kept His Word!”
Peggy Noonan, Opinion writer the Wall Street Journal:
After the London Riots (August 13, 2011, A13)
“The riots in Britain left some Americans shaken...
We have been to England, visited a lot of those neighborhoods.
They were peaceful; now they’re in flames...We saw something over there that in smaller ways we’re starting to see over here...
The violence has root causes that government can’t reach...” Noonan quotes a couple of British Newspapers: “Young people have been looting shops they like: JD Sports and Mobile Phone shops,,,yet Waterstone’s Bookstore was left alone...Criminality in a raw form, not politics...”
“Philadelphia right now is under curfew because of flash mobs. Young people send out the word on social media, and suddenly dozens or hundreds of them hit a targeted store, steal everything on the shelves, and run, know one will stop or catch them...
Some of these young people come from brokenness, shallowness and terror...2009, census data, there are 74 million children under 18... 20 million live in single parent families...Over 700,000 children have been the subject of reports of abuse.
The problem, at the bottom, is love, something we never talk about in public policy discussions because it is too soft and cannot be quantified or legislated. But little children ( I would add, adults) without love and guidance are afraid. They are terrified–they have nothing solid in the world, which is a pretty scary place. So they never feel safe. As they grow, their fear becomes rage...violence.
What’s needed cannot be provided by government.”
Embracing Life starts with Embracing God's Love Appreciating every moment of life and Seeking to Demonstrate the Transforming Power of God's Love to all, espcially those who have not known love and live in fear. Perfect love casts out fear.
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