BE Prepared

+

“BEING PREPARED ...”

(Giving Account of our Hope)

 

INTRODUCTION:  What is the earliest Graduation you remember?  Mine was 8^th Grade.  Our Day Care, at Community PC, WC. had graduation, children, some who had been with us since infancy, graduated from Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten in the public schools.   (They wore robes, mortar boards with tassels and received a large diplomas.)  It seems diplomas get smaller at each level of education. My graduation was low key, no robes or diplomas. I attended a Boarding School, 1^st- 8^th grade with 3 in my class.  

My Dad said: “This is more than a graduation, it is a commencement, a beginning.  You are prepared for the next stage in your education."  For me it truly was.

 

Were you born or raised in another country?  If so, what was your experience in coming to the USA?  I was raised in Guatemala and flew to the USA, alone after graduating from 8th grade.  My parents put me on a plane to Houston, Texas where I was to meet a man wearing a large cowboy hat.  Every man in the airport was wearing such a hat.  Fortunately, my hosts had a photo of me.  When I arrived in their home, I began walking around looking for water to drink. The hostess asked what I was looking for? I told her and she said:  "we drink water out of a tap."  In Guatemala, we always drank water our of a bottle.  Cultural Shock 1!  The TV was on and there were women walking across a stage in swim wear.  Seeing a women in shorts, let alone a swim suit, in public, other than a lake, ocean or swimming pool, was considered poor taste.  Yes, it was 1957 and dress codes were different then.  I learned I was watching the "Miss America Contest."  A couple minutes later, four teenagers walked in.  The boys were my hosts and their girlfriends were wearing short shorts. Culture Shock 2!

I was invited to go to a party with them.  We got in a Hot Rod and started driving on a Free Way when I young lady in a Corvette pulled up next to us and we were off on a Drag Race. Culture Shock 3! (I knew about Hot Rods and Drag Races, but this was first experience riding in or participating in either.)  We arrived at the party where everyone was dancing.  At the Boarding School we were told dancing was wrong and doing anything on Sunday other that reading the Bible, attending Sunday School, Worship or writing letters to home was forbidden. Thus Culture Shock 4!  After a little while, some said:  "Let's go TP."  We walked down the street and started throwing roles of toilet paper over trees.  Then some nut lit a match and the TP caught fire.  Every one ran away.  We got in the Hot Rod and arrived home, after dropping the girls off at their home, around 1:00 AM.  I had never been up that late.  Culture Shock 5!  The next morning we attended the First Baptist Church, Houston.  It was a multi story building.  We went to the terrace where their were youth playing basket ball.  Cultural Shock 6!  The Sunday School Class had hundreds of youth.  During worship I was asked by the pastor to say a word about growing up in Guatemala and what my parents did, as missionaries.  I was terrified, but believe I did OK. Culture Shock 7!

That afternoon the hosts put me on a sleeper car train to Minneapolis, Minnesota where I was to live with my grandparents while attending 9th grade.  I wrote a post card to my parents:  "I am ready to come home!"  My parents had prepared me for life in the USA but I was not prepared for all the Cultures Shocks I experienced in 24 hours.     

 

Are you attending some level of education?  Those of us who have completed our formal education have been prepared to move into the work force etc.  Many of us are beyond the years of “formal education.” Yet the lessons of being prepared still apply to us. 

 

In addition to my academic studies, I learned about the Bible, had music lessons  and was a Boy Scouts leader.  Each was invaluable in my being prepared. 

The Boy Scout Motto is Be Prepared.  Read I Peter 3:13-17

TEXT: Be ready at anytime to give a quiet and reverent answer to anyone who wants to know a reason for the hope that you have within you.  (I Peter 3:15)

 

In Peter’s day Christians suffered persecution because of their decision to follow Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Some were  “banned from their families,”  others whipped, thrown into prison or placed in arenas with tigers and lions. Today Christians, every day, around the world are experiencing similar treatment for making the decision of following Jesus.+  (Nun is Arabic symbol for N.  It is painted on the homes, in Syria & Iraq by ISIS, of those who are called Nazarene.  ISIS will not use Christian.  Like, in Peter's day, these Christians join others around the world that have to choose each day whether to continue following Jesus or denying him and "converting to Islam or whatever religion is being imposed on a specific community. (I Peter 1:3-12)

 

Christians did not suffer because they placed their trust in Jesus, but because their faith permeated every area of their lives.  Roman Emperors were threatened because a Christian's first allegiance was to God/Jesus Christ & then Caesar.    Caesar was the “ultimate” accountable to no one.

 

If you as Christians suffer, Peter writes, you should know why you chose to follow Jesus.  You ought to take every opportunity of explaining why you are not afraid of human power or death & the hope within you.

 

The Apostle Paul never lost an occasion of telling his story.  Each Christian knew there was nothing too loose.  The worse that could happen was death and that meant joining their Lord in Heaven.

 

Few of us suffer because of our faith. Some of our friends colleagues may not know we are Christians.  Some, knowing we attend church, may tease or harass us/faith.

At some point they may ask “why are you different?”

Will you be ready to answer?  If you followed what the early followers of Jesus did in Acts 2:42-47, you will be ready.  They Learned, Fellowshipped & Prayed.

 

Peter gives Two Characteristics of good & effective responses to the hope within us.

 
1.  The First Characteristic is Reasonableness.   Reverence. 

 

Use language and illustrations understood by the person asking you. Theological and Philosophical terminology may impress but not clarify.  Unless one knows the names of the different knots used by scouts, a bowline, half-hitch or square knot they mean nothing to you.  Most know what a square knot is even if they do not know how to tie one.  If one can name the knots and tie them, & never uses them for their determined purpose, of what use are they?*

 

Scouts learn to tie the knots while camping in the wilderness.  More importantly they learn to follow instructions, set goals, work in teams, lead as well as many other interpersonal skills in assisting them in being ready/prepared for various situations.  (They sure helped me.)

 

Using words like “Born Again.” “Saved,” “Grace” even “Sin” in today’s world, have very little meaning.  If we have experienced the meaning of those words we can Reasonably, Intelligently and Temperately tell our story giving an explanation to the hope in which we live.

 

We can only do that if we know and live what we believe. That comes from Learning. It is one thing knowing Bible stories, reciting creeds and even answering the questions of Shorter Catechism, which at one time was required for church membership, it is another to understand what we are saying and have thought out the implications. We say “Jesus is Lord.” Is Jesus truly Lord of our daily lives? Are we following and implementing his teachings?

 

Unfortunately, some are not ready when challenged in College or at Work. We find ourselves tongue-tied or exasperated.  In Scouting one learns not only what to do but why.  So too with our Christian faith.  If we never wrestle with the why, we will not comprehend the what.

 

Experience is the best teacher.  Scouts learn about camping from a handbook and set up tents in the church, but if the scout never goes camping, all the knowledge will be of little use.  Scouts need the experience of setting up camp in the dark, rain and wind to truly appreciate the skills they have learned.

 

So too with our Christian Faith.  “We need a first hand discovery not a second hand story.”  (W. Barclay, 273)  The tragedy is that many Christians don’t know what they believe let alone why they believe.  (That is one reason for having Bible Studies.)

 

Can others see our hope in Christ?  Are we prepared to tell them what Christ has done in our lives?

   

Giving a reasonable / logical explanation of the hope within us is the 1st Characteristic

     

2.  The Second Characteristic is Gentleness.

 

Teachers instruct in a clear and sensitive manner.   Arrogance, belligerence or trying to cram something down someone’s throat will back fire.

 

Amazingly, some Christians try “sharing their faith” in this manner.  They think, “anyone not believing as I do is a fool or knave.”  Throughout history people have been forced to accept their conqueror’s beliefs. 

 

Jesus taught: “You are light and salt.  Light brings clarity to what is hidden in darkness.  Salt heals, purifies, enhances, preserves and causes thirst.  A friend of ours who had a battery of tests, including colonoscopy and endoscopy for cause of nausea, dizziness, dehydration learned that she had low sodium.  I wonder if part of the what is affecting our nation is a lack of Salt.

 

Treating those with whom we are sharing our faith with love, gentleness, and appropriate manner, may open opportunities of giving account of our hope. Bludgeoning  closes opportunities of explaining our faith. 

 

Illustration:

Story of a Christian Barber convinced he needed to share his faith in Christ with others.  He decided that the next Saturday he would tell one of his clients about Christ.  Throughout the day opportunities arose but he froze and was unable to say anything.  As the day drew to a close the tension was building.  He said: “hook or by crook” I am going share my faith with the next person who comes in.  In walked a man asking for shave.  The barber thought: “this is the one!” Preparing himself mentally and winding up the courage, he lathered up the man’s face, picked up the razor and sharpened it on a leather strap. Walking to the front of the chair, his voice quivering and his hand shaking he blurted out: 

“Brother are you prepared to die?” The man jumped up and ran right through the plate glass window, tearing down the street screaming.”  (D. Roper. “Loving Life”)

 

Fortunately, that is not the way of sharing our faith.  Sometimes we may come across too heavy or argumentatively scaring people away. 

 

We may not be able to keep people from slandering us for sharing our faith.  We can stop supplying them with ammunition.  As long as we are “light” and “salt” living as Jesus taught, their accusations will be empty and embarrass them. 

 

Let us keep our conduct above criticism. Remembering that:  Gentleness opens doors to giving a logical reason for our hope within us enabling us to live without fear.

Pray for opportunities to share the Hope we have in Christ with others we come in contact with during this journey. Pastor John Foye, CPCWC, before meal introduces himself & me and asks: “Is there anything for which you would like us to pray?”  She was surprised and then said:  "Yes, my mother is failing in her health and I am afraid."

CONCLUSION:   Even as scouts learn, practice and experience first hand being ready  means, applying the knowledge when necessary, so we as Christians can do the same, so we are ready when called upon explain our faith.

When we are confident of what and why we believe we may be instruments of God’s love.  The Holy Spirit will enable us to respond in a reasonable and gentle manner. 

When we are not ready, we will likely stutter and become argumentative. 

 A Godly conduct will silence slander & disarm criticism.

The only un-answerable argument for a Christian is a life that is light and salt consistent with Jesus’ teachings, causing an eagerness in believing in God.

That life is one securely anchored on knowledge and experience of the saving activity of Jesus Christ. How we live, How we handle difficulty and

How we treat others will say more than all our words.

But the fruit of the Spirit is live, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Against such things there is no law...Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

                                                (Galatians 5:22,23,25)

 Two Illustrations:

1.  Weaver who did more talking than work: 

          “He needs to let his Christianity come out

          through his fingers rather than his mouth.”    

2.  Woman who got into a shouting match with her husband.  Enraged, stormed through the kitchen swearing under her breath – opening all the cupboard doors then slamming them shut.  Walking by an open kitchen door – she was startled to see a neighbor on the other side of the screen door.  Terror raced through the woman when she recognized the neighbor as one for whom she had praying and was seeking a way of leading her to Christ for two years.  She thought: “I have really blown it this time.”  She invited the neighbor to come in, apologized, admitted her own weakness & of the Lord who forgives.

Her neighbor was so impressed with the woman’s honesty. courage and certainty of God’s forgiveness that she invited Christ into her life that day.  The Christian woman had been prepared to lead her neighbor in starting of a new life in Jesus Christ– beginning a new chapter and being prepared to tell others of the change in her life and reason for the hope within her.  Read Again:  (I Peter 3:15)

 

Be ready at anytime to give a quiet and reverent answer to anyone who wants to know a reason for the hope that you have within you. 

 

It is not failure that discourages us – it is not being ready to give a reason for the hope within us.  May that not be so!

Continue Learning, Worshipping faithfully and Praying & Keeping in step with the Spirit who reminds us of all we have learned about Jesus & assisting us in telling others of the hope within us, that enables us to live with joy & without fear in a time when it is risky talking about our faith in Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives.       
*

GOD WILL PROVIDE: Devotional # 5

                                               Genesis 22:15-18

 

Abraham!  Abraham!, is the title of this painting.    Salvador Dali (1904-1989), a Spanish surrealist painter, included this lithograph into a selection of 105 renditions of biblical stories in Biblia Sacra (Holy Bible), a new version of the Vulgate, Catholic, Bible. 

Dr. Giuseppe Albaretto, a devout Christian and man of faith who was dedicated to the Catholic Church, commissioned his close friend Dali to create the illustrations for the new Bible he wanted to print.  He knew the project would require Dali studying the Bible to fully depict the meaning of the stories. His hope was that the commission would bring Dali back to God.  There is no account of that occurring.

What is the first thing you see in the painting?  What do you think Dali was emphasizing?  Read again Genesis 22:11-14.  How would draw the story?  If you haven’t seen Rembrandt’s version of this passage, look for it.  What are the differences and similarities between the two?

Dali stared with watercolor, then showed a range of creativity both in use of color and context.     His works show spontaneity with the use of “bulletism,” a Dalinian invention where an arquebus    (a type of antique gun) was used with ink filled capsules and then fired at blank sheets of paper.  The results were patterns/designs incorporated into the illustrations.* Note its use on Abraham!  Abraham!  The commissions were done between 1963-1964.  Bible published in 1969.  The painting is 19” x 13.75”.                                                             

Today’s scripture affirms Abraham’s obedience and the angel proclaiming God’s promise would be fulfilled.  Note verse 18.  Abraham named the place The Lord Will Provide.  How do God’s promises to Abraham relate to us?  What and how did The Lord provide for us?  What are the similarities and differences between what God provided for Abraham and Isaac and what God provides for us today?   Our lives have been changed as result of knowing of the faith of Abraham.  (Romans 4:1-3).   All nations on Earth will them find themselves blessed through your descendants because you obeyed me  (Genesis 22:18, The Message)    

* Bernad Ewell, Park West Gallery, 2009 and  William Bennett, Madison Ave. Gallery, 2015. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:

What is the primary lesson you have learned from these studies in Genesis 21 and 22?  Does that lesson impact your daily life?  If so how?  What lesson did Abraham learn between the events recorded in Genesis 21 and 22?  Are you ready to trust God with your entire life and family?  

PRAYER:

Pray for your pastor as he or she prepares to proclaim God’s Word and interpret God’s Word, this Sunday.  Pray that you will have the courage of trusting God with all you have, including your family.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you would like to hear a sermon based on Dali’s painting, The Rev. Jim Miller, Pastor of Glenkirk Church, Glendora, California will be using “Abraham!  Abraham!” in his sermons this Sunday, June 7. Glenkirkchurch.org has all the details regarding address and times of services.  If you cannot attend, the sermon will be posted on their website early next week.

GOD WILL PROVIDE: Devotional # 4

                                       Genesis 22:11-14

Upon reaching the place God had told him, Abraham prepares the altar for a sacrifice.  Reread:  Genesis 22:9.  Note the frightful accuracy.  The wood is taken off Isaac’s back and laid across the stones set up as an altar.  Then he gently binds Isaac’s arms behind him and ties his feet.  He lifts his son – his only son whom he loved – lays him on the wood.  Taking a knife, he raises it above his head; pounding in his mind were the words:  God will Provide. 

Artists, including Salvador Dali, have tried capturing this moment.  Look at the Photo at the bottom.  What do you see?  What is Dali portraying?  Is it accurate with this Scripture?  Rembrandt van Rijn’s painting is different.  Look for it on your search engine or books on art.  Compare it to Dali. Tomorrow, we will look more into Dali and this piece entitled:  Abraham! Abraham!  Why the title?

Just as Abraham was going to thrust the knife into Isaac, an angel called his name twice and said: Do not lay a hand on the boy … Now I know you fear God, because you have not withheld your son,    your only son.  The greatness of Abraham’s faith, was not that he would sacrifice his son, but that he believed God would Provide.  Tears of joy must have run down Abraham’s face when the voice said:  Stop!  He is a different God!  Looking around Abraham saw a ram in a thicket caught by it’s horns.

In place of his son, God Provided a ram for the sacrifice.  In that moment of ultimate risk Abraham makes the ultimate discovery:  God’s unconditional, unmerited and free love of God.  God had told him: I will be you God. All that I AM I will give to you. 

Comparing Isaac and Jesus:  both carried wood on which they would be sacrificed.  The difference:  God gave His one and only son as a sacrificial lamb for us.  There within eyesight of Mt. Moriah, on Golgatha, Jesus died for our sins fulfilling:  All the world will be blessed through him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION: 

Did you notice the parallel between the ram being offered as a substitute for Isaac and Jesus being offered on a cross as a substitute for us?  Whereas God stopped Abraham from sacrificing his son, God did not spare his only Son so that we would not experience eternal death.  (John 3:16)

PRAYER:                                                                                                                                                           

Pray, in thanksgiving, for God provision of Life in its fullness.  Offer your life to God as a living sacrifice, as your spiritual worship.  (Romans 12:1)  All God wants is You.  Will you say:  Here I am!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GOD WILL PROVIDE: Devotional # 3

                                        Genesis 2:1-10   

Isaac is the one through whom the whole world would be blessed. This must have run through Abraham’s mind when God Called him and said:  Take your son, your only son – yes, Isaac, whom you love so much – to the Land of Moriah.  Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering.  (Genesis 22:1-2)  Life was good.    Isaac had grown into a young man.  For over 50 years Abraham had hoped for a son.  He had learned a lesson with the birth of Ishmael.  God wanted Abraham to learn an additional lesson.

God tested Abraham’s faith not to trip him up (James 1:12-13 says:  God blesses those who patiently endure testing … God never tempts anyone)., but to deepen his capacity of obeying God and developing his character.  It was a lesson for Isaac as well.  God took Father and Son through an experience which severely tested their trust in God and each other.  Something profound is revealed in this moving story.

Abraham takes a huge risk, acting in obedience, as he traveled 50 miles to Mount Moriah on the eastern side of today’s Old Jerusalem.  Taking that ultimate risk leads to an ultimate discovery.  There is a universal feeling that humans must do something to please God.  Many religions practiced human sacrifice to appease their gods.  That was the case in Abraham’s day.  (Read Micah 6:7)

During the three day ride to Mount Moriah, Abraham must have wrestled with what God was asking of him.  “God had promised to bless the whole world through his son.”  God had said “it would be through Isaac’s descendants.”  God kept his promises.  Therefore, God likely would raise Isaac from the dead.  (Read Romans 4:18 and Hebrews 11:19)

As Abraham (carrying the fire) and Isaac (carrying the wood) walked to the top of the mountain,  Isaac asks: Where is the lamb for the…offering?  Abraham’s heart must have broken.  Trying to explain to his son that he was the sacrifice, Abraham answers, God will provide.  He didn’t have the slightest clue how God would provide, only believed God is a different God.          (Continues Tomorrow) 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:

Have you ever been asked by God to “give up someone you deeply love”?  What was your response?   My Grandfather was a Baptist Pastor who strongly supported overseas mission.      When his daughter said that she and her husband were called by God to serve as missionaries in Guatemala, C.A., he said:  “There is plenty of need in this country, why do you have to go to another country?”  For him, it was “almost as painful as death.”  How has your character been strengthened though God’s testing? 

PRAYER:                                                                                                                                                                           
Thank God for the provision of forgiveness through the death of Jesus on the cross.  Pray for a heart of gratitude and courage in telling others of God’s Amazing Love.  Pray for courage to trust God when asked to give up something or someone, you love, for God’s Service.   
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                                                                                                                                                       

 

GOD WILL PROVIDE: Devotional # 2

                                    Genesis 21:8-21
                   (Read Passage of Scripture)

Not everyone laughed and rejoiced at the news of Isaac’s birth.  Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, was unhappy.  Read Genesis 16:1-15 for the background of Hagar’s disappointment.  Since Abram’s wife, Sarai, could not bear children, she suggested that her husband “sleep” with Hagar.  It was a common custom, for a married woman who could not have children, to give her female servant to her husband to produce an heir.  The children born were considered children on the wife.

God told Abram that he would have heirs but Hagar was not what God meant.  Abram’s and Sarai’s lack of faith resulted in unintended consequences.  Sarai took matters into her own hands, having difficulty believing God.   God was teaching Abram and Sarai patience.   The consequence of Hagar’s pregnancy was that she despised her mistress (vs. 4) Hagar likely said:  “I can do something you can’t, get pregnant” 

Sarai said to Abram:  You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering … Do with her whatever you think best, replied Abram, (vs. 5-6).  It was Sarai’s idea of giving Hagar to her husband.  When Hagar “mocked” her, Sarai blamed her husband for the way she was being treated.     

Sarai mistreated Hagar, so she fled from her (vs. 6) Hagar ran away from her problem.  An angel of God gave advice to return and face Sarai and the problem, by submitting to her.  Hagar needed to work on her attitude no matter how justified she was (vs. 7-15).

Note the similarities to Genesis 21:8-21.  This time it is Hagar’s son Ishmael who mocked. Sarah said:  Get rid of that slave woman and her son … for he will never share in the inheritance with my son, Isaac, (vs. 10).  God tells Abraham that it is through Isaac that the whole world would be blessed.  Ishmael will be father of a nation as well.  Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away with provisions.  Vs.14-20 records what happened and how Ishmael became father of a great nation, the Arabs. Muslims believe it is through Ishmael not Isaac that God’s covenant and promise is fulfilled.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION :
How does this scripture illustrate the consequences of past mistakes?  What does it teach about God’s care for those experiencing the results of other’s actions?   Have you been such a person?   Did you blame, run away or seek God’s guidance?

PRAYER:
Think of someone who has mistreated you or a problem from which you ran away, rather than face.  Pray that God will give you insight on how to respond to the person and or face the problem.        Pray for the courage of following God even when revenge would “feel” better. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 * Written for Glenkirk Church, Glendora, California:  Weekly Devotional On Salvador Dali's Painting:  "Abraham!  Abraham!"                                        

GOD WILL PROVIDE: Devotional *

                                                      Genesis 21:1-7

                                  (Read Passage of Scripture)

God was faithful in his promise to Abraham and Sarah.  The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.  She became pregnant and gave birth to a son … This happened at just the time God said it would, (Genesis 21:1).  Who would believe that Abraham at the age of 100 and Sarah long beyond her child bearing years would have a son.  Abraham named their son Isaac … Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God commanded, (vs. 3-4).  This fulfilled what God had promised Abram (Genesis 18:1-21). (This passage gives us insight into God’s patience:  The sins of the Amorites do not yet warrant their destruction, (vs. 16).  It was stating that Abram’s descendants would not live in the land, promised him, for 400 years.  The circumcision carried on God’s covenant to Isaac made to Abram in Ur, on the Euphrates River, in today’s Iraq.    All the families on earth will be blessed through you, (Genesis 12:1) 
Isaac means he laughs.  Sarah declared:  God has brought me laughter.  All who hear about this will laugh with me … Who would have said … Sarah would nurse a baby?  (Genesis 21:1-7}  As we will see in the next blog, not everyone laughed and rejoiced at the news.  Some of you may have experienced heartbreak when your desire for a child was not fulfilled, whether difficulty in getting pregnant or loss of an infant/child through death.  You may have rejoiced with the birth of your child only to learn she or he had physical or mental issues.  You don’t love the child any less.         Yet, the initial pain is severe.  Those pains are augmented when you learn of another having a healthy baby, with no difficulty.

During these studies we will learn God is faithful, patient and merciful even though at the time of our pain it seems impossible to comprehend.  Hopefully we will learn, that the way of bringing peace into a troubled heart is focusing on God’s promises and trusting God to do what God says.    

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION:
Do you have a personal dream you would like to see fulfilled?  Do you believe God can still do the impossible today?  Will you trust God to lead in fulfilling the dream or handling a problem you face?

PRAYER:                                                                                                                                                             Pray in gratitude to God for fulfilled promises.  Pray for promises for an understanding of promises not fulfilled.  Pray for faith and courage to trust God daily even we are not sure of the future.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* Written for Glenkirk Church, Glendora, California:  Weekly Devotional On Salvador Dali's Painting:  "Abraham!  Abraham!" 

 

Greatness: A Child

                                  "GREATNESS: A CHILD"   
      Whoever receives one of these children in my name, receives me.
                                                 Mark 9:30-37         
           
INTRODUCTION: The Competition for who is greatest begins.         March Madness: the NCAA Basketball Tournament begins the 17th, TV Sweeps, Dancing With Stars..*

The need for greatness starts early in life.

Despite trying to eliminate "competition" from educational events, "not keeping score etc." so that some children will not feel badly about themselves, "competition" is prevalent. Why? "So that one is noticed, not picked on, nor left out."

Search engines on the Internet: Google is # 1 Microsoft launched its own search engine with the goal of knocking Google out of the #1 position. Nothing wrong in being # 1.

Jesus accepts that desire and teaches what it really takes for true greatness. Mk 9:30ff 

Jesus, aware of what the disciples were discussing, took it seriously and dealt with it. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve taught them what greatness was, which was in stark contrast to the greatness around them and us.

Three Observations:

I. The disciples were arguing among themselves.

A. The context is one of three references where Jesus predicts his death.

The closer Jesus got to his approaching death. the more frequently he warned his disciples lest there be a violent shock to their faith.

How many times did Jesus tell the disciples about going to Jerusalem? (See End)

Three times Jesus told the disciples that he was headed to Jerusalem and about his death and resurrection.  Note the increased amount information Jesus gives each time. 
The references are easy to remember: Mark 8:31, Mark 9:31 and Mark 10:33-34. 
Read each of the scriptures.  Did you notice any difference?  Is betrayed. In Greek the is word paradidotai,which means traitor.  Jesus could move forward with assurance  is going to be betrayed, - there will no surprises when they see Suffering or Rejection.

Jesus was leaving the safety of the northern country, taking his first step towards Jerusalem and the cross.

Returning from Caesarea Philippi to Capernaum, Galilee home base, Jesus passed through this region for last time. His Ministry in Galilee ended. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples

There were times when Jesus limited his public ministry in order to train his disciples in depth. He knew the importance of equipping them to carry on, his ministry, when he returned to Heaven. He could have left a series of propositions, but Jesus knew that was not enough. His goal was to leave a band of persons on whom the propositions were written. He wanted to make sure that these disciples understood, however dimly, who he was and why he had come to earth.

B. The disciples did not understand, let alone comprehend, the significance of Jesus’ death.  The disciples did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him.     Mark 9:32, (Afraid of knowing more?)

Are we any different?  Do we accept parts of the Bible/ Christianity which appeal to us and reject those that we don’t like.

"Nothing so well shows how far the disciples were from realizing the real meaning of Jesus’ Messiahship than this incident." William Barclay, The Gospel of Mark, p. 228

It is heart breaking thinking of Jesus Dying.  The disciples may have thought,
"Jesus seems morbidity preoccupied with death." In reality it was the disciples who were wrongly preoccupied – constantly thinking about the kingdom they hoped Jesus would establish and what their roles would be in it.

Despite Jesus’ re-teaching his disciples - Mark 8:31, they failed to hear or grasp: rising from dead.  They were:

1.) Still thinking about Jesus’ kingdom in earthly terms.

2.) Saw themselves as Chief Ministers of State.

3.) Sought to receive glory, meaning lording it over others.

If Jesus died, the Kingdom as they imagined, could not come. Consequently they preferred not asking him about what he had said.
They were arguing among themselves and Jesus asks What were you arguing about?  They remained quiet because they had been arguing about who what the greatest.   Silence of shame? Arguing in secret. The disciples were caught up in their own personal success and were embarrassed to answer Jesus question, at least not openly.

If Jesus were present ... It is not if but is present.
Do we hear and see what we are to say and do?
It painful comparing our motives with Christ’s.

The disciples argued among themselves ...

II. Jesus instructed his disciples as a Rabbi.

A. Sitting down was a sign of authority and teaching.
(Chair) in University.

It takes time to learn Deep Spiritual Truths.
Growth does not occur instantly, regardless of the quality of experience or instruction.    If the disciples needed to set aside time from work periodically in order to learn from the Master, how much more do we need alternating work and learning.

B. Taking a child uses a visual illustration.
                    (Artist is Richard Hook)
Jesus taught to welcome children. This was a new approach in a society where children were treated as second-class citizens. It is important to respect children and teach them about Jesus.  Sunday School is one place to learn about Jesus.  So is the way we live.

Luke 9:48 One who is the least among you, is the greatest

Jesus taught that whoever welcomes a child, welcomes Jesus; giving a cup of cold water, in his name, to someone who is thirsty is the same as giving an offering to God, the Father.  Story told by a missionary:
       "She had been telling a class of African primary children about giving a cup of cold water in the name of Jesus.  Sitting on the verandah of house she saw a company of native bearers enter the village square.  They were carrying heavy packs.  They were tired and thirsty, and sat down to rest.  The men were from another tribe.  If they had asked for water they would have been told to go and find it for themselves, because of the barrier between tribes.  As the men sat wearily, the missionary saw tiny girls emerge from the school with pitchers of water on their heads.  Shyly and fearfully they approached the tiered bearers, knelt and offered their pitchers of water.  In surprise the bearers took the water and drank it, handing back the pitchers.  Then suddenly the little girls took to their heals and ran to the missionary.  We have given a thirsty man a drink, they said, in Jesus's name.  The children took the story and the duty literally.  (Ibid. p. 236)  

Jesus cautions against harming or mis-teaching children or failing to care for them, it would better for them to have millstone tied around their neck and thrown into to the sea. Lasting greatness is measured by God’s standards.

What do you use in determining greatness?

III. We learn that achieving greatness means:

A. Asking not "what do I get?" but

B. Asking "what can I give? How can I use ...?"

Greatness comes not in being first but being last. Jesus does not abolish ambition. It is not wrong being industrious or ambitious. When ambition pushes obedience and service aside, it may become a sin. Pride or insecurity can cause us to overvalue position and prestige.

Jesus recreates and sublimates (purifies) ambition. Such motives can be destructive in God’s kingdom. Ambition to rule substituted for ambition to serve and advancement of Christ’s Kingdom rather than our own advancement.

Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)

It is Not how can I use the State and Society to further my own prestige and ambition.  But how can I use my personal gifts and talents in serving the State?
  
CONCLUSION: William Barclay tells a story by O. Henry, an American master of the short story of girl arriving in Heaven.  Her mother had died.  Her father would come home from work and sit down and take off his jacket and open his paper and light his pipe and put his feet on the mantel place. The little girl would come in and ask him to play with her for she was lonely.  He told her he was tired and to go out to the street to play.  She played on the streets.  The inevitable happened -- she too the streets.  The years passed on and she died.  The girls soul goes to heaven.  Peter saw her and said to Jesus, "Master, here's a girl who was a bad lot.  I suppose we send her to hell?"  "No" said Jesus gently, "let her in."  Then his eyes grew stern, "But look for the man who refused to play with his little girl and who sent her out to the streets and send him to Hell." (Ibid. p. 237)

Greatness is Serving others, spending time with children and giving a cup of water in Jesus' name.  It living, in humility, the life to which Jesus has called us.  As we continue traveling with Jesus to Jerusalem and the cross over the next weeks, let us read the three scripture passages each day and seek to comprehend that Jesus allowed himself to be arrested, falsely charged, beaten and nailed to a Roman cross, as common criminal because he loved each of us and wanted us to be freed from the power of sin.  Let us also remember, he told his disciples and us that "Death would not hold him.  On the third day, he would rise from the grave destroying the power of death through his resurrection."
____________________________________________________________________　
*Dancing With Stars, begins new season tomorrow.
Television icon Suzanne Somers, music great Patti LaBelle, football star Michael Sam and gymnast Nastia Liukin, winner of 5 Gold Metals in 2008 Olympics.

Noah Gallaway, Sergeant lost his left arm & leg in an IED.

"Shark Tank" mogul Robert Herjavec, "Hunger Games" actress Willow Shields, artist-actress Rumer Willis, Singers Redfoo and Riker Lynch will be vying to see who is the Greatest this season.

_______________________________________________________________________________
He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.  (Mark 8:31)
He was teaching his disciples. He said to them,                          "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise."  (Mark 9:31)

He said, "and the Son of May will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him.     Three days later he will rise." (Mark 10:33-34)