Focus on Jesus
Yesterday, i preached a message on Romans 4:25 that I titled Core Faith. I hope to post the five parts of the message over the course of this week. This post contains the into and the 1st point.
Gene
Core Faith
Romans 4:25a
Intro
I like to preach from long passages, so I’ve been harassing Pastor Dennis a bit for assigning me seven words from which to preach. Not seven verses, not even one whole verse, 7 words!
I love it. I love the challenge. Of course, he left himself even less to preach on for Easter. I like being given assignments.
It’s my hope that today’s message will model for you a way to meditate richly on a small portion of scripture. I pray it will open your eyes to the reality that the word of God is living and active and that every word holds a rich depth of meaning that is like an iceberg with only a small portion visible while the full weight is there waiting to be discovered by those who delight to know God.
The heart of what we are about is right here in this short verse. I studied the wider context and have pondered deeply over the book of Romans, so I am confident that I am dealing with this verse fairly within its context. I’m giving you both verse 24 and 25, because I need you to see the last of verse 24.
Romans 4:24–25 (ESV) 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
The antecedent to the word “who” in verse 25 is “Jesus our Lord.” So that our text for this message are these words:
Jesus our Lord, was delivered up for our trespasses.
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Focus completely on Jesus the grand subject of our faith.
Jesus is and was the Son of God and the Son of man. He is the image of the invisible God. The firstborn over all creation. The alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. In the beginning was the word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God. He came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. He came to seek and to save those how are lost. He took upon himself the nature of a servant, and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, even though he dies yet shall he live. Jesus said, Before Abraham was born. I am. Jesus said, the am the bread of life. He said, I am the light of the world. John called him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Jesus said,
John 7:37–38 (ESV) 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV) 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Jesus is the great subject of our faith. He is our Lord, he is the central figure. We may try to make it about something else. We may make it about church attendance or involvement. It can become just what we do, or where we meet friends. We may get side tracked into our various involvements of cutting grass or running sound or mentoring teens or playing in the band or setting budgets or writing PD’s or caring for widows and all those are important but the subject is Jesus. He is the reason we are here. He is the one we worship.
What’s your focus?
Finding God in the Dark
Men’s Meeting
April 5, 2011
Finding God in the Dark, Part 1
Habakkuk 3
Questions for Discussion
- How can we know God is real in light of the terrible stuff that happens?
- How do we match up the awful things that happen in the world with the promises in God’s word?
- What are the similarities and differences between a person’s who receives God’s mercy and one who receives God’s judgment?
- Is it possible to experience God’s peace in the midst of turmoil? If so, how?
Trust God no matter what
Habakkuk 3:17–19 (ESV)
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
Easy to say. How in midst of deep hurt? How can experience strength described in v. 19?
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Address all circumstances through a lifestyle of prayer
Habakkuk 3:1 (ESV) A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.
Ask God to show himself and to be merciful
Habakkuk 3:2 (ESV)
2 O Lord, I have heard the report of you,
and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it;
in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
Develop a lifestyle of worship that generates genuine fear of God
Habakkuk 3:3-16 (ESV)
Trust justice to God
Habakkuk 3:16 (ESV)
16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
Only then can we experience God as our strength
Habakkuk 3:19 (ESV)
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments
Worship prompted by the Spirit of God
This morning in my personal devotions, I had a rich experience reading very slowly through Philippians 3. I can easily rush through my bible reading so that I can mentally check off that task in my head. I have to bully myself into slowing down to really pay attention. This morning, I won that fight, allowing the words of this chapter to wash over my mind and give them an opportunity to sink into my soul. Reading out loud helps me with this tremendously. One of the verses there I wanted to share with you because of its relevance to worship. Verse 3 says
Philippians 3:3 (ESV) 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—
Here are my reflections on this verse from my study this morning:
The phrase, “we are the circumcision” is symbolic in this instance. It means that in contrast to those who want to decide who is in and who is out of God’s kingdom by some external measurement, we are those who are genuinely connected to Christ. The rest of the verse speaks of the marks of genuineness. The first of those is “we who worship by the Spirit of God.” Much could be said about that, but it at least means that worship is something more than singing songs and playing instruments in a service that is called a worship service. Worship by the Spirit of God means worship prompted by God, worship that is energized and empowered by God, and as such it will be worship that involves the whole being, both heart and mind. God is calling all believers to kind of worship, especially those who serve in a worship ministry. The second mark of genuineness is “we who glory in Christ Jesus.” That means those who rejoice and find joy in their connection to Jesus; this is what defines their life and brings joy to it. The phrase, “who put no confidence in the flesh” in context means those who don’t rely on external religious performance to secure their right standing with God.
The worship choir and band will be performing “Nothing but the Blood” this Sunday. I know that several of you will be away because of spring break. Will you let me know if you will be out this Sunday? That will help me be mentally prepared for who I will have serving alongside me in the band and worship choir.
Below is the rehearsal plan for worship choir tonight and suggested songs for the band to check.
I urge you to download these songs and use this material in your own personal devotions. It was though listening to recordings of worship music like this that first developed in me a new heart and passion for worship. That is my desire for you as well.
I can’t wait to see you this evening.
Gene
The importance of words
There was one point that i did not get to share this morning in the men’s meeting. We were discussing Col. 3:16 which begins, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly . . . ”
Christianity is about words. Our culture is about images. We spend so much time viewing images. We get rather addicted to the relentless pace in which they change on the screen. We are fascinated with what happens before us and it takes little to no effort to keep watching. I see it in myself. After returning from the men’s retreat, excuse me, men’s advance,. I plopped in front of the TV and watched two entire basketball games. Nothing wrong with watching basketball per se. But when it was over I couldn’t bring myself to get out of the recliner. By then i was addicted to viewing images and had no appetite for consuming words. I suspect this is played out in myriads of ways through devices and game systems and computers with young and old daily.
Much of what is available to be seen is good and wholesome. The problem is that just the act of taking in images can make us lazy, working against our “letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly.” That takes effort to read, to think, to meditate, to study and thus to treasure.
The importance of God’s Word in your life
Gents,
I attended the men’s retreat this past weekend with 40 plus men from Seaford. Along with some very cool activities, the men there engaged in honest and meaningful conversation around God’s word. I didn’t lead it, i was allowed to just be one of the guys. It was a tremendous experience for everyone present.
Most of us anonymously expressed a primary issue with which we were struggling. I am planning to address these issues in the men’s breakfast over the next several weeks. I know the early hour, 6:00 AM on Tuesday, doesn’t work for some, but I wanted to remind you that there’s a seat available for you at this breakfast.
The two issues mentioned more than any other were: struggling to spend time in God’s word and struggling with personal finances. There were others such as stress, health issues, and anger to name a few which we will get to in the weeks to come. Tomorrow morning we will talk about the first of those, spending time in God’s word.
Gene
Here are the verses, discussion questions and other helps we will use tomorrow.
Men’s Meeting
March 29, 2011
Colossians 3:16 (ESV) 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV) 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Matthew 4:4 (ESV) 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Joshua 1:8 (ESV) 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Questions for Discussion:
- What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “you need to spend time in God’s word?”
- What does the phrase, “spend time in God’s word” mean to you? What does that look like?
- Assuming you believe it is important to read the bible, why do you believe it is important?
- What hinders you from a more meaningful experience with God’s word: lack of motivation, lack of knowing what to read, time pressure, lack of a good plan for reading.
Significant books to help
Eat this Book, Eugene Peterson
How to Read the Bible for All its Worth, Gordon Fee and Douglas Stewart
The Disciplines of a Godly Man, Kent Hughes
Significant web site helps
One Year Bible online http://www.oneyearbibleonline.com/
Bible reading plan I use by Robert Murray McChayne
Worship Choir Rehearsal moved to 6:30 Thursday, this week only
Seaford worship ministry,
I hope you are having a terrific Monday. Thank you for praying for me last Thursday. I don’t think my thesis defense could have gone any better than it di. I’ve got a little clean up work to do but no new writing to accomplish. I am relieved to be putting that project behind me. However, I am hugely grateful for the things that I learned through my work on this degree. I have never had a more fruitful or productive formal learning experience. It took six years. Many things happened over that time, some wonderful, some tragic and a lot of things in between.
I have wanted for a few weeks to show you an article that God used to redirect me into a focus on a worship choir. It is written by an arranger named Phil Barfoot and is called, “Are Choirs Still Relevant,” It is a short article, but I think you will find it motivational and encouraging. You can read that here.
Worship choir is rehearsing this week on Thursday evening! I didn’t think it wise for us to miss a week of rehearsal right now (there is a week off coming soon) and since Upward Awards Night is Wednesday evening, we would not be able to rehearse at our normal time. So we will rehearse in the multipurpose room from 6:30-7:30. At 7:30 I will accept all hands that are willing to assist in resetting the stage for Sunday morning. Among other things, I hope to set up four sets of choir risers. This work should not take long, everyone should be on their way by 8:00 PM or before.
Here is the agenda for this weeks rehearsal.
Tommy Walker introducing the song “Do it Lord”
We are singing this song in the morning in worship. This you tube link shows Tommy talking about the song and introducing it at a worship gathering. Great stuff.
Actively Embrace Jesus
That is the subtitle of the chapter on worship from the book Transformational Church which the Seaford Pastors are reading together at the moment. It may be the most effective short description of worship i’ve ever seen.
I’m attaching a quote from the book that is a strong statement about preparing to lead worship.
Gene
The significance of one voice
What is the significance of one life, one voice? How do you know that your presence in a worship leading group would not be the very one that would encourage a unique set of people within the congregation to worship? In most lists that I’ve seen from writers and theologians concerning the purposes of the church, worship is listed first. Though there is a critical place for private worship, it is obvious that the expectation of scripture throughout is that God’s people will gather regularly and faithfully to worship. In the early church, they seemed to meet every single day! Acts 2:46–47 (ESV) 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” This passion to be together and to worship God exuberantly was a significant part of the atmosphere that led to the Lord adding to their number daily in an amazing harvest of spiritual new births! None of us are fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives if we are not regularly, faithfully and overtly worshipping God. What does it mean to worship? The shortest and most clear definition I have seen is that worship is the “expression of reverence and adoration of God.” [1]
So what does this have to do with the worship choir? There are people who you and only you can reach. There is a segment of people in this community and this body that your worshipping presence in the worship choir would encourage strongly. Your involvement in this group is not just about whether it works for you and your schedule. How do you know that God is not calling you to do this? It’s hard for me to imagine something more important than helping people worship. A person becoming a faithful and consistent worshipper of God is the path to greater joy, the path to greater spiritual strength to overcome sin, the path to a greater experience of God’s peace. It’s not enough to know that God is awesome in our minds. God created us in such a way that we will not experience that at a level in our lives that makes any practical difference unless we are faithfully and authentically expressing praise to God with a body of believers.
I plead with you to seek God as to whether or not you cannot move things around in your life so that you can serve in this ministry group. We need you. The benefit to this church body, this community and to you personally I believe will be great.
Here is the rehearsal plan for tonight
[1] Walter A. Elwell and Barry J. Beitzel, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1988), 2164.
understanding parables
In preparing to preach on Mark 4:1-20 this coming Sunday (and Thursday night at Greensville Correctional Center) I came across this quote regarding parables that I thought was so insightful i wanted to share it before Sunday. it’s from a technical Greek commentary but this paragraph is not hard to read.
The extensive modern discussion of Jesus’ parables has shown how inadequate is the Sunday School definition, ‘an earthly story with a heavenly meaning’. Even those παραβολαί which take the form of a ‘story’ (and many, such as vv. 21–22, 24–25, do not) are often not simple illustrations of heavenly truth. They tend to puzzle as much as enlighten, and are designed to shock and challenge rather than to offer reassuring explanations or illustrations of moral platitudes . . . (parable) is perhaps best defined negatively as the opposite of prosaic, propositional speech. It is speech whose meaning does not lie on the surface, but demands enquiry and insight, so that the degree of communication which it achieves will depend on the extent to which the hearer shares the background of thought and the values of the speaker. Parables are ‘narratives that mean more and other than they seem to say, and mean different things to different people’. And their meaning, when discovered, is not likely to lie at the purely cognitive level, but will include (indeed, may even simply be) a call to response at the level of attitude, will, and action. To understand a (parable) is usually to be changed (or at least challenged to change), not just enlightened.[1]
[1] R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark : A Commentary on the Greek Text (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 183.
The extensive modern discussion of Jesus’ parables has shown how inadequate is the Sunday School definition, ‘an earthly story with a heavenly meaning’. Even those παραβολαί which take the form of a ‘story’ (and many, such as vv. 21–22, 24–25, do not) are often not simple illustrations of heavenly truth. They tend to puzzle as much as enlighten, and are designed to shock and challenge rather than to offer reassuring explanations or illustrations of moral platitudes . . . (parable) is perhaps best defined negatively as the opposite of prosaic, propositional speech. It is speech whose meaning does not lie on the surface, but demands enquiry and insight, so that the degree of communication which it achieves will depend on the extent to which the hearer shares the background of thought and the values of the speaker. Parables are ‘narratives that mean more and other than they seem to say, and mean different things to different people’. And their meaning, when discovered, is not likely to lie at the purely cognitive level, but will include (indeed, may even simply be) a call to response at the level of attitude, will, and action. To understand a (parable) is usually to be changed (or at least challenged to change), not just enlightened.[1]
[1] R. T. France, The Gospel of Mark : A Commentary on the Greek Text (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Carlisle: W.B. Eerdmans; Paternoster Press, 2002), 183.