Wanted to post a few thoughts on the lesson from last night.
Paul talks about putting on the Armor of God.
Remember, it isn't our armor.
It isn't the armor of achievement.
It isn't the armor of performance.
It isn't the armor of intelligence.
It isn't the armor of strength.
It is the Armor of God.
It is Truth
It is Righteousness
It is Peace
It is Salvation
It is Spirit
It is Faith
It is Word
It is Jesus.
With Jesus as our Armor, we are able to attack the gates of Hell and take back what belongs to God.
With Jesus as our Armor, we are able to withstand any attack from Satan and his demons.
With Jesus as our Armor, we can be assured victory.
Victory over the stress that keeps us up at night.
Victory over the secrets we don't want anyone to find out.
Victory over the sins that we can' forget.
The good news of the Gospel promises victory to Christians.
Victory today
Victory tomorrow
Victory at the end.
Because of Jesus, I Am Victorious.
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Thursday, October 2, 2014
I Am Forgiven
Last night we talked a lot about forgiveness. We can be fully forgiven for every sin against God. Past, Present, Future - all of the wrong we have done, are doing, and will do is wiped away by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
It is that forgiveness that we find real freedom. We find that we are free from our performance as something that has to be done in order to gain favor with God. Performance is the opposite of grace. There is nothing we can do to earn favor with God. It is given freely to us through Jesus.
We also find that we are free to forgive others who have wronged us. Not forgiving those who have done evil to you leads to bitterness and wrath that well up inside you and ultimately control you. The release comes when you offer forgiveness.
In the book "Who Do You Think You Are" Mark Driscoll tells us what forgiveness is and what it isn't.
Forgiveness is:
Canceling a debt owed to you
Removing the control your offender has over you
Giving a gift to your offender and yourself
Forsaking revenge
Leaving justice in God’s hands
An ongoing process
Wanting good for your offender
Forgiveness is not:
Denying sin occurred or diminishing its evil
Enabling sin
Necessarily a response to a repentant apology
Not covering up sin committed against us
Not Forgetting
Not Trust
Not reconciliation
Who do you need to forgive?
It is that forgiveness that we find real freedom. We find that we are free from our performance as something that has to be done in order to gain favor with God. Performance is the opposite of grace. There is nothing we can do to earn favor with God. It is given freely to us through Jesus.
We also find that we are free to forgive others who have wronged us. Not forgiving those who have done evil to you leads to bitterness and wrath that well up inside you and ultimately control you. The release comes when you offer forgiveness.
In the book "Who Do You Think You Are" Mark Driscoll tells us what forgiveness is and what it isn't.
Forgiveness is:
Canceling a debt owed to you
Removing the control your offender has over you
Giving a gift to your offender and yourself
Forsaking revenge
Leaving justice in God’s hands
An ongoing process
Wanting good for your offender
Forgiveness is not:
Denying sin occurred or diminishing its evil
Enabling sin
Necessarily a response to a repentant apology
Not covering up sin committed against us
Not Forgetting
Not Trust
Not reconciliation
Who do you need to forgive?
Monday, April 21, 2014
The Greatest Hero
Last week the students were asked "who is the greater superhero, Batman or Ironman?" Two men, from the planet earth, because let's face it - there is no planet Krypton. We needed to decide once and for all who was the greatest.
Well maybe not once and for all, but at least for the night. The Junior High Boys group had great arguments concerning the two heroes that included "Batman is just a guy with a utility belt," and "Ironman is drunk or drinking most of the time." Clearly some of them have not engaged in the art of comic book reading.
The point of the exercise was to decide who was the greatest hero and what made them the greatest. That question brought forth answers like "willing to fight any form of evil," and "stand for what is right."
Good thoughts from a Junior High Boy.
As we wrapped up our HERO series last week, we looked at the story of Jesus from 30,000 feet. A quick flyover to hit the highlights of a life that was perfectly lived and given as a sacrifice for us.
A lot of us know the Gospel. We know the stories of Jesus and around Easter we specifically focus on the death, burial, and resurrection. Of course that is what we should focus on this time of year, but what would happen if that was our focus the entire year.
All of the characters we studied in the last eight weeks have all pointed to Jesus and His work on the cross. What has changed today that we tend to only think about this around Easter and an occasional evangelistic rally?
Just after the resurrection, Jesus walked seven miles who two people and explained how all of the Old Testament pointed to Him. If the Old Testament looks forward and the New Testament looks back, what are we to do?
Live it. Love it. Take it everywhere we go.
What is "it?"
The Gospel. The hope of the change that takes place in us when Jesus saves us. He transfers us from darkness to light, from death to life, from hopeless to hope-filled. He qualifies un disqualified.
He fought the battle for us and is victorious. Let's tell everyone about this great victory!
Well maybe not once and for all, but at least for the night. The Junior High Boys group had great arguments concerning the two heroes that included "Batman is just a guy with a utility belt," and "Ironman is drunk or drinking most of the time." Clearly some of them have not engaged in the art of comic book reading.
The point of the exercise was to decide who was the greatest hero and what made them the greatest. That question brought forth answers like "willing to fight any form of evil," and "stand for what is right."
Good thoughts from a Junior High Boy.
As we wrapped up our HERO series last week, we looked at the story of Jesus from 30,000 feet. A quick flyover to hit the highlights of a life that was perfectly lived and given as a sacrifice for us.
A lot of us know the Gospel. We know the stories of Jesus and around Easter we specifically focus on the death, burial, and resurrection. Of course that is what we should focus on this time of year, but what would happen if that was our focus the entire year.
All of the characters we studied in the last eight weeks have all pointed to Jesus and His work on the cross. What has changed today that we tend to only think about this around Easter and an occasional evangelistic rally?
Just after the resurrection, Jesus walked seven miles who two people and explained how all of the Old Testament pointed to Him. If the Old Testament looks forward and the New Testament looks back, what are we to do?
Live it. Love it. Take it everywhere we go.
What is "it?"
The Gospel. The hope of the change that takes place in us when Jesus saves us. He transfers us from darkness to light, from death to life, from hopeless to hope-filled. He qualifies un disqualified.
He fought the battle for us and is victorious. Let's tell everyone about this great victory!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Self Reliance vs. Sole Reliance
Last week we talked about Gideon from Judges 6 and 7. I have to admit that I knew the story peripherally. More than anything I knew about the fleece that was laid out by Gideon and how God was tested to see if what He told Gideon was really true. Maybe some background on the story would help...
Israel is being raided by the Midianites. Israel had turned its back on the Lord and worshiped Baal. God allowed the Midianites to oppress and harass Israel, but one day they cried out to God, He would deliver them through Gideon.
Gideon is found in a winepress beating out wheat. In order to separate the wheat from the chaff, Gideon would be beating it with something like a blanket in order to get the chaff in the air to be blown away in the wind. The problem is that Gideon is beating wheat in a winepress with is either dug into the ground or often found inside a cave. There would be very little wind available for Gideon, making his best efforts futile.
Gideon is afraid. He doesn't want the Midianites coming and taking the wheat so he hides out. It is here that God calls him to deliver Israel.
Because the Lord is with Gideon, he will be a mighty man of valor. There is no evidence of Gideon being this mighty man of valor prior to the Lord coming to him. It is God who is going to work through Gideon to deliver Israel from oppression.
Gideon grabs an army of 32,000 but God says that is too many people. The Lord does not want Israel to have a reason to think they were the ones who fought and won this battle so He strips the army down to 10,000. Still a pretty good number - but He isn't done.
9,700 more are taken away and the army is left with 300 people to go and take out the Midianites. By the way - no swords, spears, shields, or anything like that. Just a torch, a jar, and a trumpet.
God gives Israel the victory over the Midianites. What seemed impossible for man is always possible with God, but here is what really sticks out to me. God stripped Israel, Gideon, and the army down so that they HAD to rely on HIM in order for victory.
He does the same with us. He will strip of of our self-reliance to get things done, to be successful, to have a great victory so that He can be our sole-reliance. Trying to trust ourselves or our own strength will never get done what God wants to accomplish in us and through us.
He gives the victory in our lives, and sometimes we have to get out of the way. He will take everything He needs to away so that He can shine bright through us.
He isn't afraid to strip us down so that all we have is Jesus. From there He begins to build us up.
I talked about this Wednesday night and experienced it days later. He is still working. Let Him work.
Israel is being raided by the Midianites. Israel had turned its back on the Lord and worshiped Baal. God allowed the Midianites to oppress and harass Israel, but one day they cried out to God, He would deliver them through Gideon.
Gideon is found in a winepress beating out wheat. In order to separate the wheat from the chaff, Gideon would be beating it with something like a blanket in order to get the chaff in the air to be blown away in the wind. The problem is that Gideon is beating wheat in a winepress with is either dug into the ground or often found inside a cave. There would be very little wind available for Gideon, making his best efforts futile.
Gideon is afraid. He doesn't want the Midianites coming and taking the wheat so he hides out. It is here that God calls him to deliver Israel.
Because the Lord is with Gideon, he will be a mighty man of valor. There is no evidence of Gideon being this mighty man of valor prior to the Lord coming to him. It is God who is going to work through Gideon to deliver Israel from oppression.
Gideon grabs an army of 32,000 but God says that is too many people. The Lord does not want Israel to have a reason to think they were the ones who fought and won this battle so He strips the army down to 10,000. Still a pretty good number - but He isn't done.
9,700 more are taken away and the army is left with 300 people to go and take out the Midianites. By the way - no swords, spears, shields, or anything like that. Just a torch, a jar, and a trumpet.
God gives Israel the victory over the Midianites. What seemed impossible for man is always possible with God, but here is what really sticks out to me. God stripped Israel, Gideon, and the army down so that they HAD to rely on HIM in order for victory.
He does the same with us. He will strip of of our self-reliance to get things done, to be successful, to have a great victory so that He can be our sole-reliance. Trying to trust ourselves or our own strength will never get done what God wants to accomplish in us and through us.
He gives the victory in our lives, and sometimes we have to get out of the way. He will take everything He needs to away so that He can shine bright through us.
He isn't afraid to strip us down so that all we have is Jesus. From there He begins to build us up.
I talked about this Wednesday night and experienced it days later. He is still working. Let Him work.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Noah's Gospel
The Gospel is present everywhere in the pages of Scripture. In stories and the characters, every story "whispers the name of Jesus" (Sally Lloyd Jones - Jesus Storybook Bible). That was the whole purpose of the series "HERO." To see if Jesus really is all over the pages of the Bible.
With only a couple weeks left we looked at Noah last week. Noah is getting a lot of buzz these days because of the new movie that bears his name. Aside from the name of Noah on the title, a flood, and an ark - there probably isn't much more that relates to the story told in Genesis 6-9.
The story of Noah from the Bible finds the entire earth corrupt because of sin. Adam's choice in Genesis 3 has spread to every one and everything to the point that man's heart sought to do evil all the time. God decides that He is going to wipe out man from the face of the earth (which is His RIGHT as the Creator and the offended party).
But God gave Noah favor. Noah received grace and was offered salvation from the coming destruction. You probably know the rest of the story - Noah is given instructions on building the ark and he obeys. You may think that his obedience is what saved him, but do not miss what Genesis says, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." It is only after Noah finds favor that he is considered right with God.
The same goes for us. We need grace. We need favor from God and He gives us that favor through the work of His Son, Jesus. Jesus, who lived a life we could not live and met the perfect standard of God. Jesus, who put Himself on my cross in my place and took my punishment. A wonderful picture of grace.
Noah's new relationship with God prompts him to action, to build the ark. The way of salvation from the destruction of the flood had only one way in. The ark could hold a lot of people, but only EIGHT entered through the door.
That door in Genesis points to Jesus and what He says in John 10, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved..."
Every story whispers HIS name.
With only a couple weeks left we looked at Noah last week. Noah is getting a lot of buzz these days because of the new movie that bears his name. Aside from the name of Noah on the title, a flood, and an ark - there probably isn't much more that relates to the story told in Genesis 6-9.
The story of Noah from the Bible finds the entire earth corrupt because of sin. Adam's choice in Genesis 3 has spread to every one and everything to the point that man's heart sought to do evil all the time. God decides that He is going to wipe out man from the face of the earth (which is His RIGHT as the Creator and the offended party).
But God gave Noah favor. Noah received grace and was offered salvation from the coming destruction. You probably know the rest of the story - Noah is given instructions on building the ark and he obeys. You may think that his obedience is what saved him, but do not miss what Genesis says, "But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD." It is only after Noah finds favor that he is considered right with God.
The same goes for us. We need grace. We need favor from God and He gives us that favor through the work of His Son, Jesus. Jesus, who lived a life we could not live and met the perfect standard of God. Jesus, who put Himself on my cross in my place and took my punishment. A wonderful picture of grace.
Noah's new relationship with God prompts him to action, to build the ark. The way of salvation from the destruction of the flood had only one way in. The ark could hold a lot of people, but only EIGHT entered through the door.
That door in Genesis points to Jesus and what He says in John 10, "I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved..."
Every story whispers HIS name.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Jesus Shows Up In Exodus
Last week we looked at a couple huge events in the life of Moses. Moses was a pretty big deal to the nation of Israel. He was the one that God called to lead them out of the slavery of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Moses was a murderer. Moses was reluctant. Moses had speech problems.
Moses had a lot of excuses, but those excuses were no match for what God was going to do through Moses. Moses is talked about in Hebrews 11 which highlights the faith of some Old Testament characters and God's work through them.
A reminder about what God did through Moses:
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned." - Hebrews 11:23-29 ESV
Passover and crossing the Red Sea. These were events in the history of Israel that were seen as foundational to the nation's existence. Time after time these events were referenced by the people of Israel and by the Lord.
So what do they really mean?
Starting with the Passover - we see the death of the firstborn of every family and animal coming as a result of the final plague. One exception would be to take a perfect male lamb, kill it, and cover the doorposts of your house in its blood.
The destroyer would passover the house covered in the blood of the lamb. Sound familiar?
Next we see the crossing of the Red Sea. Pharaoh tells the Israelites to leave and they head out. They are lead to the Red Sea and into an impossible situation from a human viewpoint. Surrounded by the sea on one side and the army of Egypt on the other, there seems to be no hope.
God instructs Moses to raise his hand over the sea and Israel crosses over on dry land with a wall of water on the right and a wall of water on the left. The army begins to follow and the walls of water come crashing down on the army once the Israelites are though safely.
The wrath was withheld while the people of God moved through to safety. Sound familiar?
These two events picture the work of Jesus for you and for me. He was the perfect Lamb of God whose blood covers us and gives us life while defeating death. Through his completed work on our behalf, the wrath of God toward us because of our sin is withheld and we are kept safe.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!
Moses had a lot of excuses, but those excuses were no match for what God was going to do through Moses. Moses is talked about in Hebrews 11 which highlights the faith of some Old Testament characters and God's work through them.
A reminder about what God did through Moses:
"By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned." - Hebrews 11:23-29 ESV
Passover and crossing the Red Sea. These were events in the history of Israel that were seen as foundational to the nation's existence. Time after time these events were referenced by the people of Israel and by the Lord.
So what do they really mean?
Starting with the Passover - we see the death of the firstborn of every family and animal coming as a result of the final plague. One exception would be to take a perfect male lamb, kill it, and cover the doorposts of your house in its blood.
The destroyer would passover the house covered in the blood of the lamb. Sound familiar?
Next we see the crossing of the Red Sea. Pharaoh tells the Israelites to leave and they head out. They are lead to the Red Sea and into an impossible situation from a human viewpoint. Surrounded by the sea on one side and the army of Egypt on the other, there seems to be no hope.
God instructs Moses to raise his hand over the sea and Israel crosses over on dry land with a wall of water on the right and a wall of water on the left. The army begins to follow and the walls of water come crashing down on the army once the Israelites are though safely.
The wrath was withheld while the people of God moved through to safety. Sound familiar?
These two events picture the work of Jesus for you and for me. He was the perfect Lamb of God whose blood covers us and gives us life while defeating death. Through his completed work on our behalf, the wrath of God toward us because of our sin is withheld and we are kept safe.
O praise the One who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead!
Monday, March 17, 2014
Jacob the hero?
Last week we talked about Jacob. Remember that he was seen as a pretty big deal by people centuries after his death. The woman at the well in John 4 even asked Jesus if he was GREATER than Jacob.
Jacob may have been a big deal years after his death, but during most of his life he spent it trying to gain favor from his father, on the run from his brother, and cheating his uncle. Jacob was not a great guy. If you read up on his life in the book of Genesis you can see the tracks that lead to his life being a train wreck.
Jacob spent most of his life doing what we do. Fighting to make it on our own. Wanting to generate some sort of significance. Doing things to make ourselves matter and be happy. Desiring to be favored in the eyes of someone else.
He spent his whole life trying to justify himself. He wanted to guarantee that his life passed the test and tried everything he could to make that happen.
We are the same way. We hate to fail. We want approval from someone. We feel pressure to be a success.
So we work... and work... and work.. to make this happen.
In every way - we are just like Jacob.
The good news is that in every way Jesus is greater than Jacob!
One story, found in Genesis, seems to connect the dots for us.
Jacob is about to be killed by his brother so Jacob's dad, Isaac, sends him away to find a wife because Jacob's mom, Rebekah, would not be able to live if her son married the wrong person. (Talk about a dysfunctional family!)
Jacob may have been a big deal years after his death, but during most of his life he spent it trying to gain favor from his father, on the run from his brother, and cheating his uncle. Jacob was not a great guy. If you read up on his life in the book of Genesis you can see the tracks that lead to his life being a train wreck.
Jacob spent most of his life doing what we do. Fighting to make it on our own. Wanting to generate some sort of significance. Doing things to make ourselves matter and be happy. Desiring to be favored in the eyes of someone else.
He spent his whole life trying to justify himself. He wanted to guarantee that his life passed the test and tried everything he could to make that happen.
We are the same way. We hate to fail. We want approval from someone. We feel pressure to be a success.
So we work... and work... and work.. to make this happen.
In every way - we are just like Jacob.
The good news is that in every way Jesus is greater than Jacob!
One story, found in Genesis, seems to connect the dots for us.
Jacob is about to be killed by his brother so Jacob's dad, Isaac, sends him away to find a wife because Jacob's mom, Rebekah, would not be able to live if her son married the wrong person. (Talk about a dysfunctional family!)
Jacob was considered great because through him God preserved and expanded His people
Jesus was considered great because through him God purified an impure people that reaches every tribe, tongue, and nation
Isaac sent his lying son away to find a faithful bride
God sent his son who was full of truth away to save an unfaithful bride
Jacob chose the pretty one (Rachel)
Jesus chose the ugly one (the church)
Because Jesus is greater we don’t have to live our lives trying to justify ourselves.
We are free from the pressure to make ourselves matter and to prove ourselves to anyone - because the One that truly matters has already proved that we matter.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Who fought the battle of Jericho?
Last week we talked about Joshua 6 and the battle of Jericho. Most of us know the song about Joshua fighting the battle of Jericho. It talks about how great and mighty Joshua is and that once the horns blew and people shouted the walls came tumblin' down!
One of the problems with that song is that it never mentions God. The primary character in the song is Joshua and how there is "none like good ol' Joshua."
Major problem. I don't want to pick on children's songs but I don't want us to miss what is really being said in Joshua 6 and the battle of Jericho.
Yes, Joshua was there. Yes, horns were blown and people shouted. Yes, people marched. Yes, the walls came tumblin' down. But don't think Joshua had much to do with it.
Take a look at verse 2
"But the LORD said to Joshua, 'I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors."
The victory was already given to Joshua and Israel before the battle plan was announced. Before there was any obedience on the people's part.
It was an unconditional victory. God gave them the victory over Jericho. Over the tallest and thickest walls that harbored people full of fear, but thought their walls could save them.
God tore those walls down.
Years later another victory was given over the walls of "self-salvation" projects. We put up walls hoping to keep us safe and even to save us. The conquering of those walls cost The Father the life of His Son. The victory is secure.
It is time to live in the victory.
One of the problems with that song is that it never mentions God. The primary character in the song is Joshua and how there is "none like good ol' Joshua."
Major problem. I don't want to pick on children's songs but I don't want us to miss what is really being said in Joshua 6 and the battle of Jericho.
Yes, Joshua was there. Yes, horns were blown and people shouted. Yes, people marched. Yes, the walls came tumblin' down. But don't think Joshua had much to do with it.
Take a look at verse 2
"But the LORD said to Joshua, 'I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors."
The victory was already given to Joshua and Israel before the battle plan was announced. Before there was any obedience on the people's part.
It was an unconditional victory. God gave them the victory over Jericho. Over the tallest and thickest walls that harbored people full of fear, but thought their walls could save them.
God tore those walls down.
Years later another victory was given over the walls of "self-salvation" projects. We put up walls hoping to keep us safe and even to save us. The conquering of those walls cost The Father the life of His Son. The victory is secure.
It is time to live in the victory.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Christ > Adam
Most of us know the story of Genesis 3. The "Fall" of Adam and Even. The single event in the history of creation that allowed sin, death, destruction, and disease into the world.
While mankind did fall - that fall was a result of a leap. Adam and Eve were tempted to be like God. To be higher that God and make themselves the ultimate authority. It was a giant leap that failed and lead to a giant fall.
That fall has been felt in all of creation since that time. Every person and relationship has tasted disease and destruction in some way. Everyone has felt that their life is empty, meaningless, and without purpose at some point.
This all stems from one colossal sin. Mutiny. Treason. Rebellion.
The created Adam telling Creator God that there needs to be a new sheriff in town.
Adam and Eve immediately knew they had lost something. The Bible says they realized they were naked so they sewed fig leaves together. A poor attempt to regain something that was lost. These "self salvation projects" are all attempts to fix what was broken.
The only problem is that this problem can be fixed by Adam and Eve. Someone needed to step in and save them. Someone who had never sinned.
God promised that would happen - just moments after the fall.
God always keeps His promises. The One who came was Jesus. Known as the 2nd Adam, Jesus never sinned even though He was tempted in a garden. Jesus too would deal with a tree just like Adam. In every way that Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.
The failure of Adam leads to death for all. The success of Jesus leads to life for all who would believe.
The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man.
We are either "in Adam" or "in Christ." EVERYONE starts "in Adam" in that we are all broken sinners by nature. We don't have to teach others how to lie, steal, cheat, and disobey. This is what is within us. By being "in Adam" we are all condemned to death and eternal torment away from the blessing of God in Heaven.
We can be "in Christ" and be saved from that eternal torment and condemnation. We can have a life that has meaning, value, and purpose. By placing our faith in Christ as the only Savior from our sins we are now transferred from "in Adam" to "in Christ," from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, and ultimately from death to life.
While most of us don't think of Adam as a hero we must remember that Adam points to the true hero of the story - Jesus. The one who has come to show one way love and clean up our mess.
While mankind did fall - that fall was a result of a leap. Adam and Eve were tempted to be like God. To be higher that God and make themselves the ultimate authority. It was a giant leap that failed and lead to a giant fall.
That fall has been felt in all of creation since that time. Every person and relationship has tasted disease and destruction in some way. Everyone has felt that their life is empty, meaningless, and without purpose at some point.
This all stems from one colossal sin. Mutiny. Treason. Rebellion.
The created Adam telling Creator God that there needs to be a new sheriff in town.
Adam and Eve immediately knew they had lost something. The Bible says they realized they were naked so they sewed fig leaves together. A poor attempt to regain something that was lost. These "self salvation projects" are all attempts to fix what was broken.
The only problem is that this problem can be fixed by Adam and Eve. Someone needed to step in and save them. Someone who had never sinned.
God promised that would happen - just moments after the fall.
God always keeps His promises. The One who came was Jesus. Known as the 2nd Adam, Jesus never sinned even though He was tempted in a garden. Jesus too would deal with a tree just like Adam. In every way that Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.
The failure of Adam leads to death for all. The success of Jesus leads to life for all who would believe.
The essence of sin is man substituting himself for God while the essence of salvation is God substituting Himself for man.
We are either "in Adam" or "in Christ." EVERYONE starts "in Adam" in that we are all broken sinners by nature. We don't have to teach others how to lie, steal, cheat, and disobey. This is what is within us. By being "in Adam" we are all condemned to death and eternal torment away from the blessing of God in Heaven.
We can be "in Christ" and be saved from that eternal torment and condemnation. We can have a life that has meaning, value, and purpose. By placing our faith in Christ as the only Savior from our sins we are now transferred from "in Adam" to "in Christ," from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light, and ultimately from death to life.
While most of us don't think of Adam as a hero we must remember that Adam points to the true hero of the story - Jesus. The one who has come to show one way love and clean up our mess.
Thursday, February 20, 2014
What Makes For A Good Relationship?
Some of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs is as follows:
I stand amazed in the presence,
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!
He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
'Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me!
- I Stand Amazed in the Presence
This song strikes a chord within my soul. It speaks of the love that Jesus has for me. If you stop and think about how holy and great He is, then take a moment to compare us to Him - we dont'... we can't live up to the standard.
Usually if something doesn't live up to my standard it is hard for me love it. Especially when it falls short. For example - I have been craving a really good hamburger. It is February in Nebraska and my grill needs to be fired up. Until that happens, I will have to settle for some restaurant burger. There are a few that top my list here in Nebraska. There are times I can taste that burger in my mouth with all the toppings piled high. I can see myself take a bit and have a glimpse of what Heaven will be like!
Often times I build up that burger and set the standard so high there is no chance of it living up to that standard.
That is how you are I are when it comes to God. We have no chance of living up to the perfect standard He has set. Instead of leaving us hopeless and helpless - God chose to love us. His love is shown through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life I could never live and then died in MY place on MY cross, taking MY punishment.
How can we not "stand amazed" at what He has done? Just like the second verse of the song tells us:
"He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone."
My relationship with Jesus doesn't end there. He died, but He didn't stay dead. He came back to life and destroyed the power of death over me! How Marvelous! How Wonderful!
When I think of what makes a good relationship - I think of love. Unconditional love. Love that puts someone before self. Love that says I will serve you. Love that is exemplified by Jesus giving up His life so that I could live.
I have had a lot of different relationships in my life. Some good, some bad, but one has been greater than all of them. My relationship with Jesus - one in which I am COMPLETELY known. Think about that. He knows everything. Every sin, every mistake, every thought and still loves me. Not only does He love me - He is changing me from the inside out.
I stand amazed in the presence,
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned unclean.
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!
He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
'Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me!
- I Stand Amazed in the Presence
This song strikes a chord within my soul. It speaks of the love that Jesus has for me. If you stop and think about how holy and great He is, then take a moment to compare us to Him - we dont'... we can't live up to the standard.
Usually if something doesn't live up to my standard it is hard for me love it. Especially when it falls short. For example - I have been craving a really good hamburger. It is February in Nebraska and my grill needs to be fired up. Until that happens, I will have to settle for some restaurant burger. There are a few that top my list here in Nebraska. There are times I can taste that burger in my mouth with all the toppings piled high. I can see myself take a bit and have a glimpse of what Heaven will be like!
Often times I build up that burger and set the standard so high there is no chance of it living up to that standard.
That is how you are I are when it comes to God. We have no chance of living up to the perfect standard He has set. Instead of leaving us hopeless and helpless - God chose to love us. His love is shown through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life I could never live and then died in MY place on MY cross, taking MY punishment.
How can we not "stand amazed" at what He has done? Just like the second verse of the song tells us:
"He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone."
My relationship with Jesus doesn't end there. He died, but He didn't stay dead. He came back to life and destroyed the power of death over me! How Marvelous! How Wonderful!
When I think of what makes a good relationship - I think of love. Unconditional love. Love that puts someone before self. Love that says I will serve you. Love that is exemplified by Jesus giving up His life so that I could live.
I have had a lot of different relationships in my life. Some good, some bad, but one has been greater than all of them. My relationship with Jesus - one in which I am COMPLETELY known. Think about that. He knows everything. Every sin, every mistake, every thought and still loves me. Not only does He love me - He is changing me from the inside out.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Then What?
We all look forward to different things in our lifetime. I remember how I could not wait to get my driver's license. It was such a great day when I could drive my 1980 Mercury Grand Marquis around my small neighborhood. Who needs to ride a bike anymore?
Then it was my high school graduation. I had big plans for after high school and could not wait to get started. During college I had dreams of getting married and getting a job. Then having kids and starting a family.
Here I am and I begin asking myself what is next? Well, I would guess I will continue to work and raise my family. One day I will see them go through some milestones of their own.
Too often we think that we need to get through all the milestones, retire, and then die. Life is over right?
No. Death is just the beginning.
Everyone dies. I think most of us get that. We have been impacted by death one way or another. A family member, friend, or teacher - we have experienced death and the aftermath it leaves. What happens after we die?
The answer to that question hinges on how you answer another question - what will you do with Jesus? In John 3 we see that those who believe that Jesus is who He says He is and that He came to save us from the punishment of Hell will spend forever with Him in Heaven. Those who don't believe this will spend forever separated from Him in punishment and torment.
Jesus came to take the punishment that you and I deserve because we have done things that offend God. Things like lie, cheat, steal, disobey our parents are all considered sins. Even if we think evil thoughts we are considered guilty before God who is perfect.
God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us.
Death is really the beginning.
What will you do with Jesus?
Then it was my high school graduation. I had big plans for after high school and could not wait to get started. During college I had dreams of getting married and getting a job. Then having kids and starting a family.
Here I am and I begin asking myself what is next? Well, I would guess I will continue to work and raise my family. One day I will see them go through some milestones of their own.
Too often we think that we need to get through all the milestones, retire, and then die. Life is over right?
No. Death is just the beginning.
Everyone dies. I think most of us get that. We have been impacted by death one way or another. A family member, friend, or teacher - we have experienced death and the aftermath it leaves. What happens after we die?
The answer to that question hinges on how you answer another question - what will you do with Jesus? In John 3 we see that those who believe that Jesus is who He says He is and that He came to save us from the punishment of Hell will spend forever with Him in Heaven. Those who don't believe this will spend forever separated from Him in punishment and torment.
Jesus came to take the punishment that you and I deserve because we have done things that offend God. Things like lie, cheat, steal, disobey our parents are all considered sins. Even if we think evil thoughts we are considered guilty before God who is perfect.
God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to save us.
Death is really the beginning.
What will you do with Jesus?
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Worth
"The value of something is determined by what you are willing to pay for it." - Zane Black
We give things value all of the time. We have determined that a double cheeseburger from McDonalds is worth about a dollar. We determine a pair of Air Jordan shoes are worth about $160. Everything has a value - homes, cars, animals, books, music - the list is endless.
The list includes you and me.
We have value. We are worth something.
A lot of the time that value is determined by our actions. When we do good things we feel more valuable than when we do bad things. When we are recognized for our actions we feel as if we are given value. Maybe it is the clothes we wear or the things we own. Maybe our value has something to do with our past and what we have done, or our future and what we could do.
We have a value that has already been determined and we are worth far more than we can imagine. Our value is not determined by what we do or who we are but by the act of Jesus who died on a cross in our place so that we could have life. Jesus gave up His life in order to save ours. With this act, He tells the world we matter and we are worth dying for.
No matter who we are, where we have been, or how we have been used, know that God loves us. Because you have sinned, we need a Savior.
Jesus came and died on the cross for us, not to condemn us, but in order to save us.
You matter.
You are valuable.
Jesus' actions prove it.
We give things value all of the time. We have determined that a double cheeseburger from McDonalds is worth about a dollar. We determine a pair of Air Jordan shoes are worth about $160. Everything has a value - homes, cars, animals, books, music - the list is endless.
The list includes you and me.
We have value. We are worth something.
A lot of the time that value is determined by our actions. When we do good things we feel more valuable than when we do bad things. When we are recognized for our actions we feel as if we are given value. Maybe it is the clothes we wear or the things we own. Maybe our value has something to do with our past and what we have done, or our future and what we could do.
We have a value that has already been determined and we are worth far more than we can imagine. Our value is not determined by what we do or who we are but by the act of Jesus who died on a cross in our place so that we could have life. Jesus gave up His life in order to save ours. With this act, He tells the world we matter and we are worth dying for.
No matter who we are, where we have been, or how we have been used, know that God loves us. Because you have sinned, we need a Savior.
Jesus came and died on the cross for us, not to condemn us, but in order to save us.
You matter.
You are valuable.
Jesus' actions prove it.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Wonder
Last night we started a new series from Dare 2 Share called "SALT: Creating Thirst." It is the goal of this 5 week series to use 5 questions to get students thinking about God. Last night we started at the beginning with asking the question "Have you ever wondered about God?"
Most of us at some point have wondered about God. The question of "What is He like" pops into my mind most often. I remember asking myself that question many times as I was growing up. Too often I thought of God as either a genie that would grant my wishes if I was good enough, or as a cosmic deity up in the sky not really caring about what was going on.
I could not have been farther from the truth. Since accepting Christ at the age of 14 I have been on a journey of knowing God. There are times I go back to thinking He is a genie and I have to be good enough. There are times I live as if He really doesn't care about what goes on here - but for the most of the past 15 years I have been trying to figure out who God is.
The best place to go for this information is His written Word - the Bible. Let's remember that this question "What is God like" is not original with you or me but has been on that has been asked ever since Genesis 1 when God created our first parents - Adam and Eve.
One of Jesus' followers asked Him what God was like and Jesus answered that if a person wanted to know what God was like - look at the life of Jesus. Colossians 1:15 tells us that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God" - so that makes us ask "what was Jesus like?"
Jesus was kind and compassionate to the outcast and broken. Prostitutes, tax collectors, the sick and diseased all flocked to Him looking for healing. Not only did Jesus give them physical healing, but He provided a spiritual healing as well for all who would believe.
Jesus loved. He loved people so much He was willing to take their place and be punished for all their wrong doing. Not just the people who walked around with Him, but people who were alive hundreds of years before He was on earth and thousands of years after. There is much more about Jesus but not the space here to explain all of who He is.
Basically, if you want to know God - know Jesus. This doesn't mean filling your head with facts about Jesus, but to really know Him. As friends get to know each other, they do know facts about each other, but at some point really good friends know more than addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays. They are able to know what each other is thinking and some can even finish sentences for the other. This is a deep and intimate knowledge.
Do you KNOW Jesus?
Jesus has come to satisfy the deep cravings that are within us. The desire to be accepted and loved. The desire to be known and understood. The desire to really live and believe that we matter. In Jesus we are able to have all of these desires (plus many more) fulfilled.
What does it mean to know Jesus? It means having life. Real life - something more than the physical life you have now - but a spiritual life that will never end. A life where you know you matter because someone gave His life for you. A life where you know you are accepted and loved because you are now in a family with a perfect Father. A desire to be understood because Jesus walked in this world just like you and me.
Most of us at some point have wondered about God. The question of "What is He like" pops into my mind most often. I remember asking myself that question many times as I was growing up. Too often I thought of God as either a genie that would grant my wishes if I was good enough, or as a cosmic deity up in the sky not really caring about what was going on.
I could not have been farther from the truth. Since accepting Christ at the age of 14 I have been on a journey of knowing God. There are times I go back to thinking He is a genie and I have to be good enough. There are times I live as if He really doesn't care about what goes on here - but for the most of the past 15 years I have been trying to figure out who God is.
The best place to go for this information is His written Word - the Bible. Let's remember that this question "What is God like" is not original with you or me but has been on that has been asked ever since Genesis 1 when God created our first parents - Adam and Eve.
One of Jesus' followers asked Him what God was like and Jesus answered that if a person wanted to know what God was like - look at the life of Jesus. Colossians 1:15 tells us that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God" - so that makes us ask "what was Jesus like?"
Jesus was kind and compassionate to the outcast and broken. Prostitutes, tax collectors, the sick and diseased all flocked to Him looking for healing. Not only did Jesus give them physical healing, but He provided a spiritual healing as well for all who would believe.
Jesus loved. He loved people so much He was willing to take their place and be punished for all their wrong doing. Not just the people who walked around with Him, but people who were alive hundreds of years before He was on earth and thousands of years after. There is much more about Jesus but not the space here to explain all of who He is.
Basically, if you want to know God - know Jesus. This doesn't mean filling your head with facts about Jesus, but to really know Him. As friends get to know each other, they do know facts about each other, but at some point really good friends know more than addresses, phone numbers, and birthdays. They are able to know what each other is thinking and some can even finish sentences for the other. This is a deep and intimate knowledge.
Do you KNOW Jesus?
Jesus has come to satisfy the deep cravings that are within us. The desire to be accepted and loved. The desire to be known and understood. The desire to really live and believe that we matter. In Jesus we are able to have all of these desires (plus many more) fulfilled.
What does it mean to know Jesus? It means having life. Real life - something more than the physical life you have now - but a spiritual life that will never end. A life where you know you matter because someone gave His life for you. A life where you know you are accepted and loved because you are now in a family with a perfect Father. A desire to be understood because Jesus walked in this world just like you and me.
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