Monday, April 30, 2012
Snapshots Series: "Jesus & Children"
Mark 10:13-16
Questions for Community Groups
1. How do you feel about what the disciples did?
2. Think of a time when you learned something from a child about the Lord?
3. How do you feel your household view children?
4. How do you treat children?
5. Are you involved in any children's ministries?
On the heals of marriage Jesus talks about children, remember God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply.
Vrs 13a "They" most likely based upon the masculine gender of the verb were most likely fathers bringing their children for Jesus to bless them. This could also me mothers and older siblings as well. But I do want to point out that Dad's have to take an interest in their children.
Vrs 13b The disciples rebuke because of their lack of understanding.
They probably thought children were unimportant (cf. 9:36-37) and should not waste His time—another instance where they thought only in human-cultural categories. BKC They have no strength or influence.
Note that the Pharisees had had easy access to Jesus! How foolish when we place our emphasis on the important persons of this world and ignore the little ones who are much more important to the Lord!
If there was anyone the disciples should have kept away it should have been the Pharisees, not children.
Vrs 14 Jesus places a high value on children and their capability to trust.
This is not saying that children automatically inherit the Kingdom of God. But Jesus is communicating that even though in that culture and society they are viewed as unimportant the Kingdom is still reserved for them as well. God is no respecter of man. Acts 10:34-35
"God is no respecter of persons." That means that in the disposition of his saving grace, God is totally sovereign, giving it freely to whom he will (Rom. 9:15-16). Neither earthly condition, hereditary descent, nor outward circumstance secures God's grace, nor even makes one person more likely to be saved than another (John 1:11-13) God has no regard for those things that distinguish man from one another
Dr. Suess said "A person is a person, no matter how small"
Vrs 15 Childlike faith is what we need to learn from children and have for Salvation.
-Children are willing to accept gifts. They have not learned to be prideful yet. ("no I will pay" illustration). A child will take openly and confidently what is offered.
-Children realize their helplessness and look to others to meet their needs. As a dad it always touched my heart when my kids look up to me and ask for help.
-Children are willing to trust. Kids believe us. That is why it is so important to teach them truth.
Vrs 15b If you don't receive Jesus you will not enter the Kingdom (Gospel)
Vrs 16 The callous attitudes that the Hellenistic society would not treat Children like Jesus did.
How do you treat (your) children?
-Compassion
-Patience
-Grace
-Gentle
That is how Jesus treats them and us.
Spend our remaining time talking about out Theology of children.
Children in the household.
-They are a blessing. Psalm 127:5
-They are second to the marital relationship. Gen 2:23-24
-They are our first ministry. 1st Tim and Titus
Children in the church.
Why it is so important. The statistics: International Bible Society 84% of people become Christians before the age of 14
As a church we want to underline what the family is doing. We believe we do not take the place of the family structure.
Thursday was bring your child to work day. Zane came with me.
Why is it important to have children's programs? By Zane
-Reach out to them with the Gospel
-So they don't fall into sin (drug abuse)
-So Jesus is not a third wheel, your relationship does not fall apart.
-Kids may be board listening to the sermon in church
-Sunday School: Helps you memorize Scripture, because that is how we fight the devil off.
-Fun
-Learn Biblical concepts and values (little kids learn how to share)
-Kids understand how serious God is about sin.
How we treat our children will reflect our commitment to the Lord.
Nelson Mandela said "There can be no keener revelation of a society's soul, then the way it treats its children"
Here is what we are going to do. We always have needs for children's programing. If you are interested you can sign up in the foyer or write it on a communication card & Pastor Steve will reach out to you this week. And talk with you.
Jesus loved and served children so should we.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Snapshot Series: "Marriage & Divorce"
Snapshot27 "Marriage is not spelled with a D"
Questions for Community Groups
1. What type of encounters have you had with divorce?
2. Why do you think God is so serious about marriage?
3. What are looking for in your marriage or future marriage?
4. What type of advice can you give the other people in your group about marriage?
5. How do you feel about God's view of divorce and remarriage?
When the topic of marriage and divorce comes up in the church setting people respond in a various different ways and it all depends on their life situation.
-Proud - I have a good marriage. *Good marriages encounter problems and Proverbs 18 tells us that pride goes before fall.
-Guilt- my marriage is falling apart. *I am glad you are here because you desperately need to hear this.
-Shame- I have a failed marriage. *Jesus wants to heal your shame and help you move past that and receive His comfort.
-Fear- I don't think I ever want to get married. *It is and can be a beautiful thing that illustrates Christ and His love for the church.
-Lack of concern- I am young and this is not on my radar. *Right now you are developing habits and values and worldview issues that will impact you future marriage.
I am an older widow/widower and I will never get married again. Why do I need to know about marriage? *You never know.
Text Mark 10:1-12
Jesus questioned about divorce. Vrs 1-4 The question was prompted by the Rabbinic debate and the issue with Herod Antipas because that was the region He was in. In Mark 6:17 we find that John the Baptist had charged Herod Antipas for marrying his brothers wife Herodias which was committing adultery.
The strict view of Rabbi Shammai allowed divorce only if a wife were guilty of immorality; the lenient view of Rabbi Hillel allowed a husband to divorce his wife for almost any reason. The Pharisees thought Jesus would take sides in this dispute and thereby split the ranks of His followers. BKC
Jesus challenges the heart. Verse 5. This passage is not saying that God bowed to the people and said "ok I will allow it because it is inevitable going to happen so I will make it legal" This command was written to protect the women of that day to not get killed because their husbands were divorcing them and therefore ruining their lives. So in essence Jesus was saying "your heart was messed up and I will not allow you to mess up this women (my daughters) life because you are messed up.
William Lane says it this way..."Mosaic provision was made for the contingency of divorce, but did not itself say whether the contingency was right or wrong"
Jesus teaches the origin of marriage. Verses 6-9
Marriage is not an invention of men, but a divine institution, and therefore is to be religiously observed, and the more, because it is a figure of the mystical inseparable union between Christ and his church. MH
1. Vrs 6 From the beginning. Adam and Eve was the first marriage
2. Vrs 7 Their new life together A. Isaksson “leave” and “cleave” were covenant terms and were later employed to refer to God’s covenant with Israel, Gen 2:24
3. Vrs 8 Two become one (covenant) Gen 2:23
“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” This terminology is used elsewhere of blood relatives (29:14). This sentence and the story of Eve’s creation both make the point that marriage creates the closest of all human relationships.
Henry Ford's when asked on his 50th wedding anniversary for his rule for marital bliss and longevity. He replied, "Just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model."
4. Vrs 9 This should not be separated.
Jesus teaches not to break the marriage covenant. Verses 10-12
My fear for many of you is that you are looking for or will look for any "good" reason to get divorced.
Fifty years ago parents were apt to have a lot of kids. Nowadays kids are apt to have a lot of parents. E. Lawson.
Three Views on divorce and remarriage
1. If divorced there is no grounds for remarriage. Ultra conservative view
2. Instone-Brewer Exodus 21 Negligence is grounds for divorce. Liberal
3. Traditional view - Immorality Matt 19:9 or unbelieving partner wants to leave 1 Cor 7:15
There are many "what ifs?" in divorce situations
What if I was not a Christian when I was divorced?
What if it is a safety issue?
If you were coming to me for pastoral advice I would have to look at your situation, pray with you and help you come up with a plan to work out your marriage. (much information on the topic has been written but the Bible is not exhaustive in its treatment of all those issues)
This is the heart of Jesus' teaching...marriage is a covenant instituted by God it is not something to be thrown away. Trouble will come in any marriage and the mandate and call of the Christian is to work those issues out.
William Heth said I am convinced that Jesus’ goal would parallel God’s relentless pursuit of unfaithful Israel throughout the OT and that he would try to save a marriage at all costs. Hosea
Many who rush into divorce eventually realize it was a mistake
A study of divorced couples with preschool children shows that after a year of divorce, 60% of men and 73% of women feel they made a mistake and should have tried harder to make marriage work. People have no idea how much anguish and stress is caused by divorce. Dr. E. Mavis Hetherington in Homemade, October, 1989.
As Christians we should fight for our marriages and work diligently on our marriages. As a church we need to come along side one another and encourage marriage. We are sinners in need of help and when two sinners decide they love one another and take the covenant of marriage they need to go to great lengths to keep it together. It may be miserable for long seasons.
At those points we have to remember the forgiveness of the Lord Jesus and what He did for us and how we should live that out to our spouse. GOSPEL
(Communication cards if you are having those types of problems)
In closing to help your current or future marriage (our website)
Wisdom from Song of Solomon by Dr. Allen Ross
Practical principles in SOS to safeguard your marriage and have it bring glory to God
Chapter 1
1. Mutual Adoration, lavish praise on one another through life
2. Long to be with one another
Chapter 2
3. Reassure one another that that is the only one
4. Sense of place is together
Chapter 4
5. Marriage has to be protected. No flirting and no open doors (foxes) can be inlaws, work, children anything that gets in the way.
Chapter 5
6. Praise your spouse to other people. Way of safeguarding marriage
The unfortunate thing is people complain about their spouse
Chapter 6
7. At ease with one another
Chapter 7
8. Recapture your initial love, relive that exciting time
Chapter 8
9. Erase the memory of bad experiences. (She had a bad experience with her brothers making her work hard in the vineyard)
Solomon was there for her emotionally
The call to the Christian is to keep the marriage covenant.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Snapshot Series: "Avoid Sin"
Snapshot26 Mark 9:42-50 "Avoid Sin"
Questions for Community Groups
1. Do you feel that you have ever caused someone else to sin?
2. Do you feel that someone else's actions ever caused you to sin?
3. Is there anything in your life that you feel you need to take drastic measures against because it is causing sin in your life?
4. How do you think you can negotiate that?
Sin is anything that we think, say or do that displeases God. Unfortunately in our society we have taken sinful actions, thoughts and speech and have normalized it so that people are confused as to what is sin and what is not. Some have made sin subjective meaning that sin, is only sin if you feel like it is sin. Each person can make their own decisions as to what is right or wrong.
Obviously we know that does not work because if... I or you think something is fine and acceptable but it hurts or offends another we will have a problem. If I or you set standards we may not agree on what the standard is and if we cannot agree then who is right.
There has to be and is someone who makes the standards. He is the Lord Jesus.
There are many things that the Lord calls sin and we will not have enough time to talk about all of them. What we do know about the Lord is that He wants us to "avoid sin" at all costs and todays passage talks about that.
Avoid causing others to sin. Vrs 42
This verse follows the passage in which we see the disciples desire to stop the other people from casting out the demons in Jesus' name. Remember the "nobodies are somebodies" message. Jesus was pretty much saying to the disciples if you stop my people from doing my work you are causing them to sin. It would be what we call a sin of Omission, James tells us if we know the right thing to do and do not do it we sin. Jesus was rebuking the disciples and communicating let them be and let them serve...a cup of cold water.
Are you causing others to sin?
Maybe it is just outright, you are doing something wrong and you want them to join in. Come on complain with me, gossip with me, steal with me, get drunk with me, beat someone down with me.
But it is more likely that it is more subtle then that.
Maybe...
-You are a parent who is embittering their child by harsh forms of discipline, unfair consequences or unfair treatment.
C-further rebellion
-You are a child that is making your parents life very difficult.
C-Outbursts of anger
-You are a wife that disrespects your husband and acts like he is incapable.
C-complaining about wife to others
-You are a husband who does not pay attention to the needs of your wife.
C-complaining about husband to others
-Student that is trying to get the right answers from another.
C-others to compromise standards
-Employer that is unfair to his employees.
C-employee to hate
-Employee not working well
C-employer to treat you wrong
-A friend that is not loyal.
C-friend to seek revenge
-A friend that thinks gossip is a hobby.
C-Dragging others down with you
-A boyfriend or a girlfriend that does not value purity.
C-Compromise purity
Maybe like the disciples you in some way are trying to stand in the way of the service others want to render to the Lord.
In your actions you may be causing others to react in sinful ways, not that they should act that way but you are not helping.
Jesus is saying this is so serious that here is what is better.
This is better...The large millstone (“donkey millstone”) was a heavy, stone turned by a donkey when it was grinding grain. Punishment by drowning someone this way was no doubt familiar to Jesus’ disciples (cf. Josephus The Antiquities of the Jews 14. 15. 10). BKC
Now Jesus moves on to the reality of what might cause us to sin and what we need to do.
We need to take drastic measures to avoid sin. Vrs 43-48
Jesus meant a disciple should take prompt, decisive action against whatever would draw him away from his allegiance to Him. The same is true of the foot and the eye, for temptations come through various means. Whatever tempts a disciple to cling to this world’s life must be removed much as a surgeon amputates a gangrenous limb. BKC
Let me be clear that there are three primary things that cause us to sin. Satan, our heart and our environment.
Jesus is dealing with our environment
If there is something in our lives that is causing us to sin we need to take drastic measures to get it out of our lives.
Men are willing to admit that they are sinners, but not that they are sinning. IVAN PANIN
What in your environment is causing you to sin?
-Computer/technology
-Friendship/relationship
-Job or career/school
-A Place you go
-What you eat or drink
You may say...I can't get rid of that. I would ask...can you continue to keep it in your life?
Sin always wounds the sinner. CAROL HOUSELANDER
No one said it was going to be easy and in fact the next verses help us to understand that
Avoiding sin results in a life of sacrifice. Vrs 49-50 (Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice) Hebrews 4 we have a high priest who understands. Jesus lived and did not sin. He sacrificed and was a sacrifice GOSPEL
It is no more effort for a man to be a saint than to be a sinner; it becomes a mere matter of habit. JEROME
And Serves as a...
1. A reminder of the fiery trials of past sins, "salted with fire" will help us to understand the sacrifice is worth it. Ex. You were involved with something or someone that caused you to sin and you paid for it. And now you look at that fiery trial and say "not going back there" We avoid because we remember.
2. A reminder to practice of repentance. "Salt is good" Matthew Henry It was appointed by the law of Moses, that every sacrifice should be salted with salt, because it was the food of God’s table, it was therefore particularly required in the meat-offerings, Lev. 2:13
Knowing that we will need to repent helps us avoid.
3. A reminder of continual sacrifice. Vrs 50
Our main concern is, to present ourselves living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1)
Avoiding sins pleasure is a continual sacrifice.
4. A reminder to live at peace with one another. Vrs 50b
Our speech must be always with grace seasoned with this salt, that no corrupt communication may proceed out of our mouth.
We seek to avoid sin because when we do it keeps the peace in my relationships
When we avoid causing others to sin and take drastic measures to avoid personal sin it will result in a life of sacrifice that the Lord Jesus is pleased with.
Questions for Community Groups
1. Do you feel that you have ever caused someone else to sin?
2. Do you feel that someone else's actions ever caused you to sin?
3. Is there anything in your life that you feel you need to take drastic measures against because it is causing sin in your life?
4. How do you think you can negotiate that?
Sin is anything that we think, say or do that displeases God. Unfortunately in our society we have taken sinful actions, thoughts and speech and have normalized it so that people are confused as to what is sin and what is not. Some have made sin subjective meaning that sin, is only sin if you feel like it is sin. Each person can make their own decisions as to what is right or wrong.
Obviously we know that does not work because if... I or you think something is fine and acceptable but it hurts or offends another we will have a problem. If I or you set standards we may not agree on what the standard is and if we cannot agree then who is right.
There has to be and is someone who makes the standards. He is the Lord Jesus.
There are many things that the Lord calls sin and we will not have enough time to talk about all of them. What we do know about the Lord is that He wants us to "avoid sin" at all costs and todays passage talks about that.
Avoid causing others to sin. Vrs 42
This verse follows the passage in which we see the disciples desire to stop the other people from casting out the demons in Jesus' name. Remember the "nobodies are somebodies" message. Jesus was pretty much saying to the disciples if you stop my people from doing my work you are causing them to sin. It would be what we call a sin of Omission, James tells us if we know the right thing to do and do not do it we sin. Jesus was rebuking the disciples and communicating let them be and let them serve...a cup of cold water.
Are you causing others to sin?
Maybe it is just outright, you are doing something wrong and you want them to join in. Come on complain with me, gossip with me, steal with me, get drunk with me, beat someone down with me.
But it is more likely that it is more subtle then that.
Maybe...
-You are a parent who is embittering their child by harsh forms of discipline, unfair consequences or unfair treatment.
C-further rebellion
-You are a child that is making your parents life very difficult.
C-Outbursts of anger
-You are a wife that disrespects your husband and acts like he is incapable.
C-complaining about wife to others
-You are a husband who does not pay attention to the needs of your wife.
C-complaining about husband to others
-Student that is trying to get the right answers from another.
C-others to compromise standards
-Employer that is unfair to his employees.
C-employee to hate
-Employee not working well
C-employer to treat you wrong
-A friend that is not loyal.
C-friend to seek revenge
-A friend that thinks gossip is a hobby.
C-Dragging others down with you
-A boyfriend or a girlfriend that does not value purity.
C-Compromise purity
Maybe like the disciples you in some way are trying to stand in the way of the service others want to render to the Lord.
In your actions you may be causing others to react in sinful ways, not that they should act that way but you are not helping.
Jesus is saying this is so serious that here is what is better.
This is better...The large millstone (“donkey millstone”) was a heavy, stone turned by a donkey when it was grinding grain. Punishment by drowning someone this way was no doubt familiar to Jesus’ disciples (cf. Josephus The Antiquities of the Jews 14. 15. 10). BKC
Now Jesus moves on to the reality of what might cause us to sin and what we need to do.
We need to take drastic measures to avoid sin. Vrs 43-48
Jesus meant a disciple should take prompt, decisive action against whatever would draw him away from his allegiance to Him. The same is true of the foot and the eye, for temptations come through various means. Whatever tempts a disciple to cling to this world’s life must be removed much as a surgeon amputates a gangrenous limb. BKC
Let me be clear that there are three primary things that cause us to sin. Satan, our heart and our environment.
Jesus is dealing with our environment
If there is something in our lives that is causing us to sin we need to take drastic measures to get it out of our lives.
Men are willing to admit that they are sinners, but not that they are sinning. IVAN PANIN
What in your environment is causing you to sin?
-Computer/technology
-Friendship/relationship
-Job or career/school
-A Place you go
-What you eat or drink
You may say...I can't get rid of that. I would ask...can you continue to keep it in your life?
Sin always wounds the sinner. CAROL HOUSELANDER
No one said it was going to be easy and in fact the next verses help us to understand that
Avoiding sin results in a life of sacrifice. Vrs 49-50 (Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice) Hebrews 4 we have a high priest who understands. Jesus lived and did not sin. He sacrificed and was a sacrifice GOSPEL
It is no more effort for a man to be a saint than to be a sinner; it becomes a mere matter of habit. JEROME
And Serves as a...
1. A reminder of the fiery trials of past sins, "salted with fire" will help us to understand the sacrifice is worth it. Ex. You were involved with something or someone that caused you to sin and you paid for it. And now you look at that fiery trial and say "not going back there" We avoid because we remember.
2. A reminder to practice of repentance. "Salt is good" Matthew Henry It was appointed by the law of Moses, that every sacrifice should be salted with salt, because it was the food of God’s table, it was therefore particularly required in the meat-offerings, Lev. 2:13
Knowing that we will need to repent helps us avoid.
3. A reminder of continual sacrifice. Vrs 50
Our main concern is, to present ourselves living sacrifices to God (Rom. 12:1)
Avoiding sins pleasure is a continual sacrifice.
4. A reminder to live at peace with one another. Vrs 50b
Our speech must be always with grace seasoned with this salt, that no corrupt communication may proceed out of our mouth.
We seek to avoid sin because when we do it keeps the peace in my relationships
When we avoid causing others to sin and take drastic measures to avoid personal sin it will result in a life of sacrifice that the Lord Jesus is pleased with.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Snapshot Series: "Believe the Resurrection"
Snapshots25: Mark 16:1-20 Easter Sunday
Questions for Community Groups
1. Do you know people who do not believe for one of the reasons we heard in the sermon?
2. How do you feel about the fact that Jesus is the only way?
3. Do you know "Christians" who don;t believe Jesus is the only way? Is that a problem?
4. Are you on mission to share the Good News with the people around you?
5. Give some examples of how other people helped you share the Good News with family and friends.
This morning we are going to look at the resurrection account in the Gospel of Mark. Through that account we are going to look at three questions.
1. Why won't you believe?
2. What do we need to believe?
3. What do we do when we believe?
1. Why won't you believe?
-Business as usual-Vrs 1-3 The women going to bring spices to Jesus body They were not expecting the resurrection. They were expecting to bring spices to a dead body. Maybe that is you...you are not expecting God to do anything, spiritual things are not on your radar. Business as usual. Or maybe for you it is I am too busy for God. Technology and
A.W. Tozer said “Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. It wears us out by multiplying distractions and beats us down by destroying our solitude, where otherwise we might renew our strength before going out to face the world again.”
Winston Churchhill said Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
Don't fall in to the business as usual trap
-Not ready or do not want life change Vrs 4-8 The women were not prepared for this and it scared them. They were trembling.
Maybe that is you, the whole Christian thing scares you, you don't want a change or feel you are incapable of a change. Leave that to the Lord. If you trust Him He will change you. Jesus does not say clean yourself up and come to me. He changes us and renews us.
-Lack of evidence- Vrs 10-11 The disciples did not see Jesus yet. They only spent all that time with Him, heard Him teach and talk about the resurrection. Maybe you are saying to yourself these are fairy tails, how can this be true? I can't answer all those questions for you now but what I would say is...educate yourself, do you have something better that answers life's questions.
Dr. Paul L. Maier (a prominent professor of ancient history) stated: "No shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy or archaeology that would disprove that the tomb in which Jesus was buried was actually empty on the morning of the 1st Easter."
Most people just fall into the category of saying.."it just does not sound like it could be true.
C.S. Lewis said A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him, than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.
Don't just dismiss Jesus because you have heard others say that there is not enough evidence.
-Ignoring the void- vrs 10b only Jesus can fill this void. It is common that people spend much of their lives trying to fill the void not realizing that there is a void. We try to make ourselves happy and feel good and in the pursuit of that often times we are let down. Ref. Eccl
Ravi Zacharias said The loneliest moment in life is when you have just experienced that which you thought would deliver the ultimate, and it has just let you down.
What are you trying to fill the void with?
-Being skeptical- Vrs 12-13 Jesus appeared to two disciples and the rest would still not believe. They were skeptical. Maybe you are skeptical of Christians, "oh that is a crutch" "they will not trust Jesus when something bad happens"
Jesus rebukes the skeptics Vrs 14
Dante Gabriel Rossetti said The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful, and has nobody to thank.
Maybe this is NOT you maybe you believe in God but you are not believing the right thing about God.
2. What we need to believe?
Let me tell you why this day is so important. Vrs 16
- The Gospel Jesus Died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is an act of obedience after belief not a condition for salvation.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.
Jesus is the only way....... Card or prayer
3. What do we do when we believe?
-Get on mission Vrs 15 If you are not down with the mission you may be very uncomfortable here because this is what we are about. Why? Because Jesus said so.
Someone once said "make your life a mission...not an intermission"
-Rely on the power Jesus Vrs 17-18 Don't try this at home, these were apostolic signs to be used before the Scriptures were complete.
The power is displayed by the resurrection 1 Cor 15.
-Remember you are not alone Vrs 19-20 They had each other but more importantly they had Jesus. As you are on mission know that others went before you, others will go after you, we are with and Jesus is with you.
He will never leave us or forsake us.
Questions for Community Groups
1. Do you know people who do not believe for one of the reasons we heard in the sermon?
2. How do you feel about the fact that Jesus is the only way?
3. Do you know "Christians" who don;t believe Jesus is the only way? Is that a problem?
4. Are you on mission to share the Good News with the people around you?
5. Give some examples of how other people helped you share the Good News with family and friends.
This morning we are going to look at the resurrection account in the Gospel of Mark. Through that account we are going to look at three questions.
1. Why won't you believe?
2. What do we need to believe?
3. What do we do when we believe?
1. Why won't you believe?
-Business as usual-Vrs 1-3 The women going to bring spices to Jesus body They were not expecting the resurrection. They were expecting to bring spices to a dead body. Maybe that is you...you are not expecting God to do anything, spiritual things are not on your radar. Business as usual. Or maybe for you it is I am too busy for God. Technology and
A.W. Tozer said “Modern civilization is so complex as to make the devotional life all but impossible. It wears us out by multiplying distractions and beats us down by destroying our solitude, where otherwise we might renew our strength before going out to face the world again.”
Winston Churchhill said Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.
Don't fall in to the business as usual trap
-Not ready or do not want life change Vrs 4-8 The women were not prepared for this and it scared them. They were trembling.
Maybe that is you, the whole Christian thing scares you, you don't want a change or feel you are incapable of a change. Leave that to the Lord. If you trust Him He will change you. Jesus does not say clean yourself up and come to me. He changes us and renews us.
-Lack of evidence- Vrs 10-11 The disciples did not see Jesus yet. They only spent all that time with Him, heard Him teach and talk about the resurrection. Maybe you are saying to yourself these are fairy tails, how can this be true? I can't answer all those questions for you now but what I would say is...educate yourself, do you have something better that answers life's questions.
Dr. Paul L. Maier (a prominent professor of ancient history) stated: "No shred of evidence has yet been discovered in literary sources, epigraphy or archaeology that would disprove that the tomb in which Jesus was buried was actually empty on the morning of the 1st Easter."
Most people just fall into the category of saying.."it just does not sound like it could be true.
C.S. Lewis said A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him, than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.
Don't just dismiss Jesus because you have heard others say that there is not enough evidence.
-Ignoring the void- vrs 10b only Jesus can fill this void. It is common that people spend much of their lives trying to fill the void not realizing that there is a void. We try to make ourselves happy and feel good and in the pursuit of that often times we are let down. Ref. Eccl
Ravi Zacharias said The loneliest moment in life is when you have just experienced that which you thought would deliver the ultimate, and it has just let you down.
What are you trying to fill the void with?
-Being skeptical- Vrs 12-13 Jesus appeared to two disciples and the rest would still not believe. They were skeptical. Maybe you are skeptical of Christians, "oh that is a crutch" "they will not trust Jesus when something bad happens"
Jesus rebukes the skeptics Vrs 14
Dante Gabriel Rossetti said The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful, and has nobody to thank.
Maybe this is NOT you maybe you believe in God but you are not believing the right thing about God.
2. What we need to believe?
Let me tell you why this day is so important. Vrs 16
- The Gospel Jesus Died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism is an act of obedience after belief not a condition for salvation.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction.
Jesus is the only way....... Card or prayer
3. What do we do when we believe?
-Get on mission Vrs 15 If you are not down with the mission you may be very uncomfortable here because this is what we are about. Why? Because Jesus said so.
Someone once said "make your life a mission...not an intermission"
-Rely on the power Jesus Vrs 17-18 Don't try this at home, these were apostolic signs to be used before the Scriptures were complete.
The power is displayed by the resurrection 1 Cor 15.
-Remember you are not alone Vrs 19-20 They had each other but more importantly they had Jesus. As you are on mission know that others went before you, others will go after you, we are with and Jesus is with you.
He will never leave us or forsake us.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Snapshot Series: "Obey and See"
Snapshots24 Mark 11:1-10 "Obey and See"
Questions for Community Groups
1. Have you witnessed the Lord using you in the salvation of another person? Explain
2. Looking at the reason you may not obey the Lord (lack of prayer, lack of confidence, lack of passion, lack of purpose and fear of man) which best describes why you do not tell others about Jesus?
3. Is there someone that you have been praying for their salvation?
4. Is there someone you would like to invite to church this Easter?
Mark 11:1-6 Jesus made a request of the disciples they listened, it worked and the people were excited about Jesus.
Fulfills a Prophecy Zech 9:9 tells us the Messiah will ride on a colt/donkey
The disciples had and opportunity to obey and responsibility to obey.
We have an amazing opportunity and a responsibility as a Christian to be obedient when it comes to Matthew 28:19 "Go and tell" We call it evangelism.
The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed -- Hudson Taylor
There are three schools of thought on the topic of evangelism.
1. It's our problem. If you don't tell others about Jesus it is your fault they do not hear and they are going to hell "the blood is on your hands".
2. It's God's problem. If God calls a person to be saved there is nothing I can say or do to change that...the Lord's will be done. So why bother telling them Jesus takes care of that.
3. God calls people and uses His people. God calls a person to be saved and has given us the great opportunity & joy to be a part of them coming to Him and has also given us a responsibility to obey.
It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor. --Martin Luther
Looking back at the passage again we see the disciples. Their response could have been..."Jesus why do we have to do this? This is part of the prophecy, get the donkey yourself. But they didn't they "obeyed" Part of the reason they obeyed was because by this time in the life of disciples they witnessed many mighty works of Jesus.
What mighty works of Jesus have you witnessed?
Reminder of our Salvation GOSPEL-salvation actually proves that God is willing to provide for us (spare His own son) Romans 8:32
Paul reminds us why he is "not ashamed of the gospel" because "it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe" Romans 1:16
Why don't we obey and follow the call to "tell others" about Jesus so they can experience what we have?
-Lack of Prayer Col 4:2-6
-Lack of Purpose – (what am I supposed to do in life?) Proverbs 4:25-27. We are just not living in the gospel centered focus that we need to live in. When we go to work or school, family events, school functions for our kids, talking to a neighbor. We are not thinking..."God has be in this time and space to be a witness for Him"
The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose. --C. S. Lewis
-Lack of Passion - We just have a hard time caring about it. It is not that we have no passion, the question is...what do you have passion for. How can you tell?
I have but one passion: It is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ. -- Count Nicolaus Ludwn Zinzendorf
-Lack of Confidence - In yourself, that you know the right words to say. The Holy spirit will help you. You may say "I don't want to be pushy"
In the Body of Christ if I bring them to church I may be embarrassed. (next week what you can expect) Jesus music and Jesus message. If your friend or family member is offended, it is because of Jesus.
-Fear of Man Feel awkward don't know what to say or how to say it. Have a broken relationship with that person and are angry with them,
When we "Obey" we "See" that what the Lord asks is good.
Back to the passage…
Verses 7-10 This was a group with a variety of people in it and some may have just been caught up in the Passover feast moment. The Triumphal entry begins at the beginning of the week of Passover which celebrates the Israelites liberation from slavery.
I have often heard Pastors say in “how did it go from everybody praising Jesus to killing Him” that is easy…they were believing the wrong thing about Jesus and when He did not deliver that they said "kill Him".
"Hosanna" means "please save"
The people may have thought that Jesus' coming in signified how He was going to deliver them from the oppression of Rome, but what it signified was much more then that…deliverance from sin. But what these people wanted and really needed were two very different things.
They wanted deliverance from the tyranny of harsh rule from Rome and Jesus was offering deliverance from sin. What they needed was the deliverance from sin. What everyone needs is deliverance from sin.
How can we go from next week everyone is packing churches across the country and the world and then the following week it is business as usual? I will tell you how, people don't realize their need.
They think it is all about the holiday, fun seeing family going on vacation, relaxing and recharging but they don't know they need to be saved. That my friend is where we come in!
We have a few things going in your favor.
1. People like to be invited even if they don’t accept the invitation. So don’t worry about rejection. (invite cards)
2. People desire to go to church. Many people still feel some obligation to go to church on Easter by giving them an invitation, you have eliminated the work for them of finding another place to go.
3. Jesus is worthy, and He is worthy to be worshiped. His victory over Satan, sin, and death is worth celebrating. And our neighbors, image bearers of God, are worth the risk of awkward conversation to invite them to meet the Savior of world and their only hope.
Jesus makes a request of us to "go and tell", will you obey? The results of that obedience can be those that you know receiving the exciting gift of salvation.
Questions for Community Groups
1. Have you witnessed the Lord using you in the salvation of another person? Explain
2. Looking at the reason you may not obey the Lord (lack of prayer, lack of confidence, lack of passion, lack of purpose and fear of man) which best describes why you do not tell others about Jesus?
3. Is there someone that you have been praying for their salvation?
4. Is there someone you would like to invite to church this Easter?
Mark 11:1-6 Jesus made a request of the disciples they listened, it worked and the people were excited about Jesus.
Fulfills a Prophecy Zech 9:9 tells us the Messiah will ride on a colt/donkey
The disciples had and opportunity to obey and responsibility to obey.
We have an amazing opportunity and a responsibility as a Christian to be obedient when it comes to Matthew 28:19 "Go and tell" We call it evangelism.
The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed -- Hudson Taylor
There are three schools of thought on the topic of evangelism.
1. It's our problem. If you don't tell others about Jesus it is your fault they do not hear and they are going to hell "the blood is on your hands".
2. It's God's problem. If God calls a person to be saved there is nothing I can say or do to change that...the Lord's will be done. So why bother telling them Jesus takes care of that.
3. God calls people and uses His people. God calls a person to be saved and has given us the great opportunity & joy to be a part of them coming to Him and has also given us a responsibility to obey.
It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor. --Martin Luther
Looking back at the passage again we see the disciples. Their response could have been..."Jesus why do we have to do this? This is part of the prophecy, get the donkey yourself. But they didn't they "obeyed" Part of the reason they obeyed was because by this time in the life of disciples they witnessed many mighty works of Jesus.
What mighty works of Jesus have you witnessed?
Reminder of our Salvation GOSPEL-salvation actually proves that God is willing to provide for us (spare His own son) Romans 8:32
Paul reminds us why he is "not ashamed of the gospel" because "it is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe" Romans 1:16
Why don't we obey and follow the call to "tell others" about Jesus so they can experience what we have?
-Lack of Prayer Col 4:2-6
-Lack of Purpose – (what am I supposed to do in life?) Proverbs 4:25-27. We are just not living in the gospel centered focus that we need to live in. When we go to work or school, family events, school functions for our kids, talking to a neighbor. We are not thinking..."God has be in this time and space to be a witness for Him"
The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose. --C. S. Lewis
-Lack of Passion - We just have a hard time caring about it. It is not that we have no passion, the question is...what do you have passion for. How can you tell?
I have but one passion: It is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ. -- Count Nicolaus Ludwn Zinzendorf
-Lack of Confidence - In yourself, that you know the right words to say. The Holy spirit will help you. You may say "I don't want to be pushy"
In the Body of Christ if I bring them to church I may be embarrassed. (next week what you can expect) Jesus music and Jesus message. If your friend or family member is offended, it is because of Jesus.
-Fear of Man Feel awkward don't know what to say or how to say it. Have a broken relationship with that person and are angry with them,
When we "Obey" we "See" that what the Lord asks is good.
Back to the passage…
Verses 7-10 This was a group with a variety of people in it and some may have just been caught up in the Passover feast moment. The Triumphal entry begins at the beginning of the week of Passover which celebrates the Israelites liberation from slavery.
I have often heard Pastors say in “how did it go from everybody praising Jesus to killing Him” that is easy…they were believing the wrong thing about Jesus and when He did not deliver that they said "kill Him".
"Hosanna" means "please save"
The people may have thought that Jesus' coming in signified how He was going to deliver them from the oppression of Rome, but what it signified was much more then that…deliverance from sin. But what these people wanted and really needed were two very different things.
They wanted deliverance from the tyranny of harsh rule from Rome and Jesus was offering deliverance from sin. What they needed was the deliverance from sin. What everyone needs is deliverance from sin.
How can we go from next week everyone is packing churches across the country and the world and then the following week it is business as usual? I will tell you how, people don't realize their need.
They think it is all about the holiday, fun seeing family going on vacation, relaxing and recharging but they don't know they need to be saved. That my friend is where we come in!
We have a few things going in your favor.
1. People like to be invited even if they don’t accept the invitation. So don’t worry about rejection. (invite cards)
2. People desire to go to church. Many people still feel some obligation to go to church on Easter by giving them an invitation, you have eliminated the work for them of finding another place to go.
3. Jesus is worthy, and He is worthy to be worshiped. His victory over Satan, sin, and death is worth celebrating. And our neighbors, image bearers of God, are worth the risk of awkward conversation to invite them to meet the Savior of world and their only hope.
Jesus makes a request of us to "go and tell", will you obey? The results of that obedience can be those that you know receiving the exciting gift of salvation.
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