Spiritual Laziness and Lethargy 02/21/2012

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Last Friday night I spent a few hours with my high school students hangin' out, worshiping our Heavenly Father, and studying His words to us. We talked about how our lives are short and we never know when they could end (see Psalm 90:12; Luke 12:15-21; and James 4:13-17).
In our group this brought up a train of thought about spiritual laziness and lethargy.
Since our Heavenly Father could call us home at any moment (if you are a Christian) or call us to eternal judgement and punishment (if you are not) we must always be ready.
Being spiritually lazy is what will cause God to say, at your death, "‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you." (Luke 12:20 NIV). I would much rather hear the words "Well done, good and faithful slave" (Matthew 25:21 NASB)!
Yet this takes work. The Christian life is not an easy one and the path of a believer is not one of only intellectual consent. A slave must work for his master. You (if you are a Christian) were bought with a price (see 1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23) from being a slave to sin to become a slave to Christ. This is infinitely better but it is a path of work.

Growing up in a Christian home I heard often of the sin of being lazy. I was to do my chores, school work, and work well. After all, the concept of being destroyed by your laziness in material things is all over the book of Proverbs.
Often this is the only area we think of when we consider laziness. Yet there is a laziness that is far more destructive and far more painful than that of being lazy in school or employment. Spiritual laziness can keep you from becoming a Christian or stunt or stop your spiritual growth once you are one.

One Holy Spirit filled author wrote the following:
"...in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." - Hebrews 6:9-12 (ESV).
As saints ("people who have been separated from the world and consecrated to the worship and service of God") we are to show "earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."
To be sluggish is to move slowly, be dull, or be lazy. Laziness is the opposite of earnest perseverance.

Laziness in your faith can take both inward and outward forms.
Perhaps you are being lazy in your own growth by not often and regularly praising God, studying Scripture, confessing your sins, and praying.
Or perhaps you are being lazy in your service to God by not loving on other people, meeting their physical needs, or reaching out to them with the infinitely Good News of Christ Jesus.

This laziness can creep in over time and without being noticed. To combat this laziness we must instead be earnestly imitating unshakable believers (of the past and present). We must constantly evaluate our own lives to see if we are living out our faith to its fullest.

Reader, do not be spiritually lazy. You do not know how long you have to grow in your faith or impact others with it. "You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14 NASB). Your life could end when you least expect it so instead work hard on your own faith and live it out boldly today.

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The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001.

Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Dictionary, ed. Ronald F. Youngblood, F. F. Bruce, R. K. Harrison and Thomas Nelson Publishers (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1995).

 

God, I Want to Change 02/08/2012

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I want to change.
That is, I feel like every couple of days I realize that I need to revise a part of myself or completely scrap it and start over. I am a sinful man to be sure. "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard" (Romans 3:23 NLT).
Then in discouragement I go to God. I spend time in prayer, worship, and reading Scripture. I am eventually encouraged by my place as God's child through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" - John 3:16 (NASB).
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" - John 1:12-13 (NASB).

Yet I want more than to simply have eternal life. I want to live this eternal life to its fullest and serve God to the best of my ability.
Can you relate?
If you can there is an answer for us who want to change and become more like Christ TODAY.

"...we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" - Hebrews 10:10 (NASB).
First, brothers and sisters, if we desire to change we need to recognize that the power to be made more holy (sanctified) is through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are both declared holy (justified) and made more holy (sanctified) through Jesus Christ.
But we work alongside of Jesus Christ's work in changing to be more like Him. We have the Holy Spirit to do His work and it is by His power that we work with Him. Secondly, we let our Heavenly Father's words transform our hearts and minds.
Jesus prayed to the Father "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17 NASB).
If you desire to become more like Jesus you need to spend time in Scripture and strive to understand Scripture.
Paul wrote "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2 NIV).
By soaking in Scripture we will be sanctified by the transforming of our minds.

It is my prayer that you and I can both say:
Yahweh, instead of meditating on my plans and regarding sinful ways "I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word." - Psalm 119:15-16 (NASB).
Lord, I want to press onward to know you more. I have been so distracted as of late and have not spent much time alone with You. Lord, I know I need You. I feel my need for You deep within the core of my being. My heart, soul, and mind crave and pant for you. I need you to survive so Lord I come to you now. I come to You not only because I love You but also because I need You and I need you to transform and CHANGE me.

Holy Father, sanctify me and my readers in Your truth.

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Tyndale House Publishers. Holy Bible: New Living Translation. 3rd ed. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

The New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011.

 

A FUN Life with God 01/31/2012

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"I wonder if fun is an attribute of God." Pastor Mark Drsicoll commented recently during a conference of well known pastors.

Well I don't know if fun can be labeled as an attribute of God theologically but I do know that God is OK with fun. Actually, I think that God is a big fan of fun!

I find that often people, within and without the Church, believers and nonbelievers, see God as the divine quencher of FUN. We think "He can't be for fun He has all these RULES" (and He does). We ponder how "I need to submit to Christ's Lordship; being a slave of God isn't fun" (and we DO need to see Christ as LORD). But neither of these realities of redemption require a failure to have fun and be fun.

Consider the wise words of the preacher who wrote the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes.
"Young people, enjoy yourselves while you are young; be happy while you are young. Do whatever your heart desires, whatever you want to do. But remember that God will judge you for everything you do." (Ecclesiastes 11:9 NCV).
Essentially the Holy Spirit inspired a verse that says "Have fun! Have as much fun as you can! But remember that God will hold you accountable for your wrongdoings."

God's rules and our fun are not two mutually exclusive things. In fact, I think they complement each other. I am a youth director at a small church. I spend almost all of my time with God and serving God. But I am having the most fun of my life! How is this possible? Knowing that God is pleased with me, His chosen and redeemed son, and choosing to love my God in return fuels my fun. My redeemed state gives me passion. It supplies me with joy. It drives me to love. And passion, joy, and love are FUN.

Four times in Scripture we read that we, God's people, need to "love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; and Luke 10:27 NASB).
Jesus said that "This is the great and foremost commandment" (Matthew 22:38 NASB). If we love God with all we are we are going to find following His commands easier than ever before.
Love brings joy and fun to obedience. And it frees us to have fun in all else.

I love Yahweh my God for many reasons. Chiefly I love Him because He is MY God and He has chosen me and redeemed me. I also love Him because He is BEAUTIFUL. He is the author of beauty and all beauty I see in life is a mere shadow of His glorious beauty. I take joy and have fun in all things in life knowing that these things show me little glimpses of my Creator.

Brother, sister, nonbeliever, are you having fun in chasing after God? If not, ask Him to change you, in Jesus name.

His blessing be on you!

Joshua Rystedt

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The Everyday Bible : New Century Version (Nashville, TN.: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005).

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995)._

 

Magnify the Mighty One 12/13/2011

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_ *You may listen to this sermon's audio here.

Our Lord is so Good!
We are already two weeks from Christmas! Can you believe it?
The stores are packed and I feel like everyone is rushing to get everything ready for Christmas. I thoroughly enjoy this season and the anticipation of Christ’s coming but I am often loosing focus on Jesus as I go about ordinary life type things such as shopping for gifts, decorating, bearing with corny holiday sales, and discussing how close Christmas is getting.
I mean, I am just an “ordinary” man going about “ordinary” Christmas preparations before (probably) another “ordinary” year.
Well before I dig into the passage of Scripture for the post I would like you to read about two ordinary women being overwhelmed by the magnificent works of their mighty God.
Read: Luke 1:26-45.

Mary is in no way given any honor even close to what God is given in this passage. As in all of God’s Word He is the focus of praise.
Now read: Luke 1:46-55.

Big Idea of Luke 1:46-55: We should magnify the Lord for His blessings.

The following section of Scripture is often referred to as “the Magnificat”. This is because in Latin “magnificat” is the first word in this section and it adequately describes the entire eleven verses. “Magnificat” simply means “it magnifies”.
When I was a young boy I had a strong fascination with ants and would often stop outside to examine an anthill. At one point my mom purchased a toy detective kit for me. It contained a notebook, pencil, magnifying glass, and various other “detective equipment”. But I think the only thing I used was the magnifying glass… and not to solve mysteries… I used this magnifying glass to get a better look at those ants! My cheep toy made the ants look bigger so I could understand them better. This is what it means to magnify someone.
Luke 1:46 [NASB] “And Mary said: / ‘My soul exalts [makes great, magnifies] the Lord…”
For Mary to exalt, make great, or magnify the Lord was for her to make Him appear bigger to those who would hear or read this song. God, of course, is larger than everything else. In fact, He has no physical limits and is bigger than anything our imagination could conceive of. But we don’t often see Him that way. We are often, to quote Pastor Carl Strine, “placing Him in a box”. In striving to understand and explain God we often make Him look smaller rather than larger. Mary is going to make your God look larger to you than you often see Him. She is about to “magnify the Lord” so that all those who hear or read her song will understand Him better.
To magnify God is to make Him look bigger so others can understand Him better.

I. Magnifying the Lord for His Blessings to Me (vv. 46-49).
Mary begins her song with personal adoration and thanks; magnifying the Lord for how He has blessed her personally. Often our praise springs up like this, flowing out of the joy we have at those mountaintop experiences when the Lord shows Himself to us in a mighty and merciful manner.
               A. Beginning to Praise the Lord (vv. 46-47).
               “Some question whether a young, uneducated country girl could have composed this magnificent prophetic poem. Yet Mary might have been well acquainted with the O.T. passages alluded to from worship in the synagogue and talk in her home.” (Richards).
                    Vv. 46-47 (NASB) “And Mary said: / ‘My soul exalts the Lord, / And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.’”
                    “She called God my Savior (sōtēri mou) showing an intimate acquaintance with Him” (Walvoord).
               B. Personal Praise to the Lord (vv. 48-49).
               Vv. 48-49 (NASB) “For He [the Lord] has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave; / For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. / For the Mighty One has done great things for me; / And holy is His name.”
               Christian, has the Lord done great things for you? You better believe it! This entire passage, and the Advent and Christmas season, centers on, flows out of, and brings glory to Jesus. Jesus is our savior from Hell, death, sin, and God’s wrath. Jesus is our Lord and master (a perfect, loving, and caring master). Jesus even sent us the Holy Spirit when, in faith, we laid our lives at His feet. God now resides within us! Christian, God has indeed done great things for you that began with the coming of Christ at Christmas. Due to the events that would follow God being born as a man our Lord would choose you, forgive you, redeem you, fill you, sanctify you, and one day will glorify you.
               Our praise, in every song at church, in every daily prayer, in every conversation we have about God, begins with the fact that you are blessed of God. Feel free to praise God for what He has done for you personally. Feel free to praise God like Jesus’ mother, Mary.

But don’t stop there. Remember that you are not the only Christian being blessed. Take a moment to think of your brothers and sisters in your local church. All around you are people blessed of God. People that God has changed, healed, forgiven, encouraged, and empowered. Now imagine how many blessings God has shown to His people over 2,000 years of the existence of His Church. Our Lord has even blessed Israel and repentant Gentiles throughout all of Earth’s history. We can also magnify and praise our mighty Lord for all He has done for all of His people.

II. Magnifying the Lord for His Blessings to His People (vv. 50-55).
Now the more we know of God’s works throughout history the more specifics we have to praise Him for. In other words, if you love God, the better you know Scripture, the easier magnifying Him will be.
Mary must have known the Scriptures very well. There could be up to fifteen different OT references and allusions in this song!
“Mary took God’s promises to Israel literally and did not explain them away” (Wiersbe).
            A. Continued Blessings Bring Us to Praise (vv. 50-53).
            Vv. 50-53 (NASB) “And His mercy is upon generation after generation / Toward those who fear Him. / He has done mighty deeds with His arm; / He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. / He has brought down rulers from their thrones, / And has exalted those who were humble. / He has filled the hungry with good things; / And sent away the rich empty-handed.”
            This is typical Jewish prophecy in that it is pointing both to the past and to the future. Mary is describing the Lord’s works in Israel’s history as well as the works her son, the Messiah, would do in the future.
            In v. 50 Mary is quoting a Psalm of David. Psalm 103:17 (NRSV) reads “But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting / on those who fear him, / and his righteousness to children’s children, / to those who keep his covenant / and remember to do his commandments.”
            In v. 51 Mary could be remembering a couple different Psalms. One possible passage she could have had in mind is Psalm 98:1 (NRSV) “O sing to the Lord a new song, / for he has done marvelous things. / His right hand and his holy arm / have gotten him victory.”
            In v. 52 perhaps Mary is remembering some of the oldest words in all of Scripture; the words of righteous Job. Job 5:10-11 (NRSV) reads “He gives rain on the earth / and sends waters on the fields; / he sets on high those who are lowly, / and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”
            In v. 53 Mary may be quoting Psalm 107:9 where David wrote “For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things” (NRSV).
            God has always had mercy on those who revere Him, He has always given victory and lifted up the humble, He has always supplied the needs of the needy who seek Him.
            Ultimately, though, these acts will have their complete fulfillment (here comes the prophecy) in the reign of Jesus Christ on earth. Mary is recognizing that her Son, the Messiah, is going to have mercy on all, He is going to defeat all of the proud, and He is going to eradicate all hunger and starvation from humankind. Jesus will bring about a perfect world. God may do these acts of mercy for His people today but one day we will be practically drowning in His merciful works in a perfect world.  
            B. The Help of the Messiah Brings Us to Praise (vv. 54-55).
            Vv. 54-55 (NASB) “He has given help to Israel His servant, / In remembrance of His mercy, / As He spoke to our fathers, / To Abraham and his descendants forever.”
            Through the Child that Mary was to give birth to, God was being merciful to Abraham and his descendants. Mary was aware that the birth of her Child was a fulfillment of the covenant promises to Abraham and his people.

Goodness! Talk about a lot to praise God for. So what is it that keeps us from magnifying God as we should during Christmas? Could it be that not all of life is filled with these mountaintop experiences like what Mary is having here in our text? Could it be that ordinary life suppresses our desire to praise God for all He has done?

Conclusion: We should magnify the Lord for His blessings.
Luke 1:56 (NASB) “And Mary stayed with her [Elizabeth] about three months, and then returned to her home.”
At times we will be overwhelmed by what God is doing in our lives. But the magnificent can soon seem ordinary. Even with an air of anticipation of Jesus’ birth Mary went home to go about her normal life. For us, Christ has already come to earth and returned to Heaven. Many of us have already been overwhelmed by the Gospel and driven to give our lives to God and praise Him. We have God living within us. But we still must go to work, maintain finances, plan meals, care for children, go to school, keep up with family, upkeep our homes, and make Christmas plans. Mary went through something similar. But for Mary, the mother of God, and for us, the dwelling places of God, we have the same reasons to praise and magnify God in the “ordinary” as we do in the magnificent. Our lives will never be the same now that God has shown mercy to us and is residing with us. While we go about everyday life we can praise God as we serve Him in our families, in our church, and in our jobs… because God has now changed the normal into the magnificent permanently. Let us permanently magnify the Lord for this!

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Mills, M. S. The Life of Christ: A Study Guide to the Gospel Record. Dallas, TX: 3E Ministries, 1999.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Readers Companion. electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1997.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989.

 

True Wisdom 11/14/2011

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_ Us Christians, we have the truth. We have the light of Christ residing within us and radiating out of us. We know and believe the truth of the Gospel. However, many of us begin to think that we have all truth. You know, those secondary beliefs that you hold to that don’t change the Gospel message. Sometimes we can start to hold to those so strongly that we will harshly argue those points with those around us. Some people who profess Christ will even start to act in selfishness and bitter jealousy (I did that often not all that long ago). This is how church splits happen. That kind of living is neither truly Christian nor truly wise. The author of the New Testament book of James wrote on this very subject.

James 3:13-18 (NCV)
“Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, do not brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth. That kind of ‘wisdom’ does not come from God but from the world. It is not spiritual; it is from the devil. Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.  But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living.”

James is here contrasting true wisdom with false wisdom. Some people think they are wise when they are really not.
Look at James 3:13-18 to answer the following questions.
Where does false wisdom come from?
False wisdom comes from the world around us, our sinful bodies, and demonic forces.
How does false wisdom act?
False wisdom acts in arrogance from the heart.
What does false wisdom bring?
False wisdom brings “disorder and every evil thing” (v. 16 NASB).
Where does true wisdom come from?
True wisdom comes down “from above” (vv. 15 and 17 NASB).
How does true wisdom act?
True wisdom acts in goodness, gentleness, purity, peacefulness, reasonableness, mercy, and sincerity.
“What is this wisdom like?
James says:
•             It is ‘pure’. This means it is free from all the things that characterize false wisdom.
•             It is also ‘peaceable’. It delights in peace and promotes peace.
•             It is ‘gentle’. It is not combative and abrasive. It is reasonable and courteous.
•             It is ‘willing to yield’. It is open to reason. It doesn’t insist on its rights and its own way.
•             It is ‘full of mercy’, that is, it shows compassion to those who are in need.
•             It is ‘full of … good fruits’. That means it is rich in good deeds.
•             It is ‘without partiality’. It does not show favoritism.
•             It is ‘without hypocrisy’. It is sincere and genuine. It doesn’t put on a front.
This is God’s wisdom, and when we allow this wisdom to drive us down the road of life—which is another way of saying we allow God to drive us—we achieve a wonderful result.” (Ellsworth).
What is the result of wisdom?
“That result is righteousness (v. 18). Righteousness is, of course, right conduct. It is right living, that is, living in accordance with the will of God.” (Ellswroth).
V. 18 shows us that true wisdom is multiplied through peaceful living.

Being a wise person is not only being a smart person. Being a truly wise person is to act on what you know through “right-living” (v. 18 NCV). Taking a moment to breathe when a conversation gets hot may help you to speak with “a gentleness that comes from wisdom” (v. 13 NCV). The Kingdom of Christ and righteous living in His Church can be spread through peaceful wisdom. Next time you get in a disagreement with another Christian, a non-believer, a friend, or a family member be gentle and willing to yield. The truths of God will not spread through abrasive living but only through gentle and righteous living.

*You may watch me preach a short sermon on this subject here.

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The Everyday Bible: New Century Version. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

Ellsworth, Roger. Opening Up James. Leominster: Day One Publications, 2009.

 

Abding in Christ 11/09/2011

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Getting Filled vs. Being Filled
Read: Ephesians 5:18-21
We have all been told to avoid things. What are some things that you have been told to avoid or not do?
When I was a sophomore in high school the first Transformers movie was released. My mom had read a review on it and there were a number of things she did not like about the movie. Suffice it to say I was told to not watch Transformers… even though a friend of mine wanted to watch it with me. It would have been easy for me to follow my mom’s instructions to avoid the movie but I decided to disobey and watch it. I disappointed my mom quite a bit with that decision.
We aren’t only told to avoid things in life. We are also told to do things. What are some things that you have been told to do?
I began working at Target Westminster as a sophomore in high school and stayed at that store for three years. I was always being told when I would work. What days and times and even what I would do. 20 of my hours of every week were planned by someone else. But I was told to do it and I did.
In v. 18 did Paul tell the Ephesian Christians to do something?
V. 18 (HCSB) “And don’t get drunk with wine, which ⌊leads to⌋ reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:”
He didn’t tell them to do something. Rather, he told them to be something. Then He lists things to do in vv. 19-21: sing to each other and to the Lord, thank God for everything, and submit to each other.
Why do you think Paul told these Christians to “be filled by the Spirit” (HCSB) before He told them some things to do?
If these Christians were not filled by the Spirit they could not do the other things properly.
Have you ever been told to be something?
Growing up I was often told to be an example for my younger siblings.
How difficult is it to be something? How do you go about becoming something?
Depends on what you want to become and how far away you are from it.
If you are a Christian you have already been submersed (baptized) in the Holy Spirit but Paul here tells us we need to be filled in order to follow the other commands. What do you think it means to be filled by the Holy Spirit?
Being submersed in the Spirit means that He is always with us and always available to us but being filled is letting the Holy Spirit consume us.
How do you think you can let the Holy Spirit fill you?
Be available to His work.
Do you think you can fill yourself with other things? If so, what other things are consuming you?
I often let my friendships consume my time and energy.

Abiding in the Culture:
“We’re shaped by the place and the manner in which we live. By living in a certain manner and in a certain place, we give permission for this shaping to take place, though most of us aren’t aware it’s happening.” (Jared C. Wilson in Abide).
In order to be moved by the Spirit you need to be available to the Holy Spirit. But by being available to the consuming nature of other things we push the Holy Spirit out of our lives and we make living for Christ even more difficult. Pretty soon Christianity just looks like a lot of Holy Homework rather than faith filled living.
Take a moment and reflect on what consumes you. Are you being consumed by anything other than the Holy Spirit? When has this happened and why? When have you been consumed by the Spirit? Why do you think that was?

Re-formation:
Philippians 2:12-13 (NASB)
“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Imagine if Paul and Timothy had stopped writing after “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (NASB). What would be your reaction to a command like that without any hope?
I would probably spend most of my life trying to save myself from the consequences of my sin.
But Paul and Timothy did not stop there. They went on to write “for it is God who is at work in you…” (NASB). The command here was not to save ourselves but rather to work with God on demonstrating our willingness and service of faith. The Gospel is the message of God’s work in us by the blood of Jesus Christ!
“Often missing from my own spiritual formation attempts in the past was the central place of the good news of Jesus’ complete and sufficient work” (Jared C. Wilson in Abide).
We need to recognize that we are not working our way to God on our own. We are working with God to a better relationship. Your relationship with God and your availability to the Holy Spirit is a mutual effort.
The Gospel is our way out of the consuming cultural demands around us.

Sailing and Bearing:
“Being filled with the Spirit is like sailing. There are roughly 20 to 30 working parts on a sailboat, which means there are always plenty of tasks to accomplish when sailing. You will definitely break a sweat, and you have to stay attentive. But there is one thing you can’t control, and it makes all the difference in the world: the wind. You can hoist the sail, but only the wind can push a sailboat along.” (Jared C. Wilson in Abide).
Jesus used vines to illustrate the same thing. Probably because “the OT frequently uses the vineyard or the vine as a symbol for Israel, God’s covenant people… the OT prophets envisioned a time when God’s people would ‘blossom and put forth shoots and fill the whole world with fruit’ (Isaiah 27:6)” (ESV Study Bible; consult Isaiah 5:1-7 and 27:2-6).
Read: John 15:1-11
1) Pruned Branches (vv. 1-3)
Who do we need to abide in so that we can serve our Heavenly Father?
Jesus.
What allows us to “bear fruit” (NASB)?
God’s pruning. The Gospel (“the word which I have spoken to you” NASB) is what prunes us. If you are truly a Christian God has already prepared you to serve Him and He is using the same Gospel that brought you to salvation to continually prune and clean you.
2) Abiding in Jesus (vv. 4-7)
Are we the only one trying to “abide”? 
No, both Jesus and His followers must want to abide together: it is a mutual effort (see esp. v. 5).
3) Bearing Fruit (vv. 8-11)[1]
Jesus does not want your faith to be nothing but holy homework (see vv. 10-11). “Obedience is not to be equated with drudgery; it is all about joy” (ESV Study Bible).
Fruit comes from abiding (v. 6) and abiding comes from bearing fruit (v. 10). See, this isn’t something we can even try to do on our own. Abiding in Christ, being filled with the Spirit, and working with God is something we do with God. We prime the parts of our spiritual sailboats and wait for the Spirit’s wind to propel us forward.

Applying Abiding:
Do you want to abide in Christ?
Do you want to be filled with the Spirit?
Do you want to work right beside God?
Are you pushing away unnecessary things that are filling you and distracting you from Christ?
Are you sitting in God’s presence all the time, waiting for Him to move you, change you, and work through you as He wants?
Get out a piece of paper and a pen or open up a word processor and make a list of what has been consuming you. Then write or type out how you can be filled with God instead of those unsatisfying things. If you are being consumed by something other than God you may or may not have to eliminate it from your life. The point isn’t to throw out the entertainment, sporting event, education, or social life (etc.) but rather to keep it from consuming you. Inside of you, replace the selfish endeavors with the presence and power of God.

[1] If you are confused about the translation “and so become my disciples” (NASB footnote) read John 8:31.
John 8:31 (NKJV) “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.’”
“Fruit bearing is evidence of being true believers, or being Jesus’ disciples” (ESV Study Bible).

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The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009.

Wilson, Jared C. Abide: Practicing Kingdom Rhythms in a Consumer Culture. Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2010. 9-11. Print.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.

 

Navigating the Maze 10/24/2011

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Have you ever been so overwhelmed by trying to navigate your life that you feel like you are trapped in a maze of decisions? You know, that time when you know you need to get somewhere in life but you don't know how to get there. Maybe even the Lord has told you where to go or promised to bring you somewhere but you just cannot see how you could make it to that elusive destination. The sons of Israel sure felt that way as they were wandering the wilderness while trying to get to the land the Lord had promised them. Notice below how the Lord guided them through this confusing period of time.

Numbers 9:15-22 (NASB)
"Now on the day that the tabernacle was erected the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony,    and in the evening it was like the appearance of fire over the tabernacle, until morning. So it was continuously; the cloud would cover it by day, and the appearance of fire by night. Whenever the cloud was lifted from over the tent, afterward the sons of Israel would then set out; and in the place where the cloud settled down, there the sons of Israel would camp. At the command of the Lord the sons of Israel would set out, and at the command of the Lord they would camp; as long as the cloud settled over the tabernacle, they remained camped. Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the sons of Israel would keep the Lord’s charge and not set out. If sometimes the cloud remained a few days over the tabernacle, according to the command of the Lord they remained camped. Then according to the command of the Lord they set out. If sometimes the cloud remained from evening until morning, when the cloud was lifted in the morning, they would move out; or if it remained in the daytime and at night, whenever the cloud was lifted, they would set out. Whether it was two days or a month or a year that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, staying above it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not set out; but when it was lifted, they did set out."

God’s people must follow His leading and obey His commandments.

Do you feel lost? Are you unsure of what turn to take in the maze of life decisions? The sons of Israel sure did as they wandered the wilderness. Yet God’s presence is with His people to lead them and guide them to where they need to go. Often the Lord is telling you to stay put and other times He is pushing you to move into a new place. Follow His leading and obey His commandments and you will arrive in a better place. Follow the leading of His presence, the Holy Spirit, as you seek His will through the confusing times.

As you navigate the confusing and twisted maze of life remember that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NASB). Go where the Lord takes you and stay where the Lord places you.

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New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

 

Sharing 10/18/2011

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When was the last time you shared something with someone in need?
When was the last time you shared because you simply wanted to?

Sharing Naturally Flows Out of the Presence of the Spirit
We read about the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-13 and about Peter’s sermon in vv. 14-36.
Read: Acts 2:37-47
Westminster Bible Church’s PHILEO youth group in a series this year on who we are in Christ and what that should look like in our actions. Here in Acts 2:37-47 what results do you see of people coming to Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit? What do these early Christians look like?
New believers were baptized,
-   They brought more people to hear the words of God,
-   They devoted themselves to the teaching and fellowship of the Apostles,
-   They remembered Christ’s death on a regular basis,
-   They sought God in prayer,
-   They were in awe of God,
-   And they shared with anyone who had need.
Tonight we are going to discuss sharing.
What were these early Christians sharing? Property, possessions, and food.
Did these early Christians sell everything they had? No (see v. 46).
Did these early Christians have an obligation to share or was it simply something they wanted to do? It appears that their sharing was an outflow of their love and thankfulness for God.
“2:44 all things in common. Though some people have referred to this situation as ‘early communism,’ this is clearly not the case, since (1) the giving was voluntary and not compelled by the government, and (2) people still had personal possessions, because they still met in ‘their homes’ (v. 46) and many other Christians after this still owned homes (see 12:12; 17:5; 18:7; 20:20; 21:8, 16; Rom. 16:5; 1 Cor. 16:19; Col. 4:15; Philem. 2; 2 John 10). Further, Peter told Ananias and Sapphira that they did not have any obligation to sell their property and give away the money (Acts 5:4). In contrast to communist theory, the abolition of private property is not commanded or implied here. (See 1 Tim. 6:17–19; but also 1 Tim. 6:6–10.) On the other hand, there is a voluntary generosity in sharing possessions that is seen as commendable.” (ESV Study Bible).

Sharing Can Meet the Needs of the Needy
Read: Acts 4:32-37
When would these early Christians share what they had? When someone had need of something (see vv. 34-35).
Did these early Christians literally sell everything they had to give it away? No. How do you know that? In vv. 36-37 “Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas” (NASB) only sold “a field” (ESV) rather than all of his fields.
“Please note that this sharing of goods was a temporary occurrence and is not required by the church of Christ today. While Christians today are to have the same spirit of love, they are not expected to sell their goods and form a separate community.” (Wiersbe).

Heavenly Riches Bring “Life Indeed”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NASB) “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.”
Where can Christians find enjoyment (see v. 17)?
“Enjoyment consists in giving, not in holding fast” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
What is different about being “rich in good works” (see v. 18)?
“Rich in good works” (NASB) is here contrasted with “rich in this present world” (v. 17 NASB). Being “rich in good works” (NASB) leads to a life much better than those who live without God.
What does it feel like “to be generous and ready to share” (NASB)?
“To be generous and ready to share” (NASB) means “the heart [is] not cleaving to possessions, but [is] ready to impart to others” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
If “good works” brings about a better life what should we do with the stuff we have in this world (see v. 19)?
“Good works” (v. 18 NASB) “is a treasure which we act wisely in laying up in store, whereas the wisest thing we can do with earthly treasures is ‘to distribute’ them and give others a share of them (1Ti 6:18)” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).
“We gather by scattering” (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown). Proverbs 11:24 (ESV) “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.”

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Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001.

Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

 

I Have Peace in Christ 10/08/2011

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What is “peace”?
Take a moment to think about that. You may find that peace seems to be a more nebulous concept than you once thought.
What do you think “peace” means in Scripture? In the Old Testament? In the New Testament?

Peace for the Jews who wrote the Old Testament was embodied by the word “shalom”. Shalom “had a much richer connotation than the English word does since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God (e.g., Num. 6:24–26; cf. Ps. 29:11; Hag. 2:9, and also, as a result, the idea that “all is well” in one’s life).”[1]

The most common word translated “peace” in the New Testament is the word “eirēnē”. Eirēnē can mean to be free from worry and undisturbed.

By examining these Hebrew and Greek words as well as looking at some passages in Scripture perhaps we can learn a little bit more about peace than just a feeling of being calm and serene.

When in your life have you been lacking peace?
When have you had peace?
If you have peace now how do you keep it?
If you don’t have peace how can you get it?

We Have Peace Because We Have Faith
Where does a Christian’s peace come from?
Romans 5:1-2 (NLT) “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”[2]
“The word ‘therefore’ reaches back to the contents of chapter four—therefore being justified [‘made right in God’s sight’ (NLT)], not by works (1–8), not by ordinances (9–12), not by law obedience (13–25), but by faith, we have peace. The first three never give peace to the soul. Faith does.”[3]
In this passage we see “peace” (Greek “eirēnē”) referring to a ceasing of warfare. Only through faith are we made right with God. Without peace with God we cannot receive the fullness of peace in freedom from worry or blessings.
What does St. Paul tell us in this passage comes with divine peace?
A joyful looking forward to sharing God’s glory!

We Have Jesus’ Gift of Peace
Read: John 14:25-33
Can we have peace without knowing what Jesus has said to us?
Vv. 26-27 (NASB) “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My [Jesus’] name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”[4]
It appears here that the Holy Spirit’s assistance and teaching comes with peace.
“In all the turmoil and heartache of leaving them, Jesus gives his friends his peace. ‘Peace’ is the everyday Jewish greeting — ‘shalom’. But Jesus doesn’t use the word lightly. He gives them God’s own peace; the settled conviction that God is in control, and that all will be well.”[5]

We Have Peace in the Presence of Christ
Read: John 16:23-33
How strong does the disciple’s faith appear in this passage?
How does Jesus respond to their degree of faith?
What would the disciples find in the midst of the trials they were soon to face?
“Note the contrast between ‘in Me’ and ‘in the world.’ In Christ there is peace; in the world there is tribulation. This is the position we need to claim: we are in Christ, and therefore we can overcome the world and all of its hatred…. ‘In Me’ is the key. In ourselves, we have nothing; but ‘in Christ’ we have all that we need.”[6]

Application
What do you do when times get rough? How do you respond?
How do you think you should respond?
During trials we should concentrate on increasing our faith and living in the presence of Jesus.

Psalm 29:11 (NLT)
“The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.”[7]

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[1] Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008). 2053.

[2] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ro 5:1–2.

[3] Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament : For the English Reader (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997). Ro 5:1.

[4] New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995). Jn 14:26–27.

[5] Andrew Knowles, The Bible Guide, 1st Augsburg books ed. (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg, 2001). 521.

[6] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1996). Jn 16:29.

[7] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible : New Living Translation., 3rd ed. (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2007). Ps 29:11.

 

I Am Christ’s Witness 10/05/2011

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Empowered Witnessing Until the Kingdom Comes
How many of you are looking forward to Jesus coming back to earth?
Have you ever asked yourself when Jesus is coming back?
Do you think Jesus will come back soon (say, in your lifetime) or a long time from now (after you die, perhaps)?
If Jesus was coming back soon how would that effect your witnessing of Him?
If Jesus was coming back a long time from now how would that effect your witnessing of Him?
Acts 1:6-8 (NASB) "So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, 'Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?' He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.'"
“When the kingdom comes is not our concern. What we do until it comes is: we are to be His witnesses.” (Dockery).
What else do you see in Acts 1:6-8 that has something to do with being a witness?
-     We have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses and
-     We know that witnesses are needed everywhere.

Confessing Jesus before Men Because He Provides For Us
Read: Matthew 10:24-33.
What do you think it means to “confess” (NASB) the Son of Man?
“Confess” (NASB; Greek: ὁμολογέω “homologeō”) literally means “(of one mind); to speak the same, to agree” (NASB Dictionaries).
Will all Christians witness? How do you know this? See verses 32-33.
Does this passage offer any comfort to people who witness of Christ? What is it?
 “Disciples were to remember their great value to God the Father, and do His will without fear of men” (Richards and Richards).
Have you ever been afraid to “confess” (NASB) the Son of Man to your peers? When was that?
Next time you have an opportunity to confess Christ what comfort can you rely on (based on Acts 1:6-8 and Matthew 10:24-33)?
-     We have been given the power we need in order to be witnesses and
-     Jesus is providing for us even when men reject us.

Reporting What the Lord Has Done
What does it mean to “share your testimony”?
Read: Mark 5:1-20.
What was this man’s testimony?
Based on this passage what does it mean to share your testimony?
Sharing your testimony is as simple as telling someone what great things Jesus has done for you.
How hard would it be to do THAT with a friend?
Sometimes we get so caught up worrying about whether we are sharing the right verses or using the right illustration when it can be much simpler than that. We have been given the Holy Spirit to help us and God is providing for and protecting us. Often all we need to start with is sharing what God has done for us and then letting the Holy Spirit carry the conversation for us. Try sharing your testimony with a non-believer.

New American Standard Bible : 1995 Update. LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995.

 

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