John 19:30 "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."
Those were the last words Jesus spoke on Friday afternoon.
His first words Sunday morning are not recorded, but they may have been something like ... "It has begun".
What was "finished" Friday was the Old Covenant. The arrangement between a sinful people and a Holy God, that partially restored a relationship that had been fractured by our sin.
What "began" Sunday morning was the New Covenant...which fully restored our relationship, and has since been called the Gospel, which translated means the "Good news"...and that is the ultimate understatement.
What happened Sunday morning, means nothing will ever be the same. We are no longer slaves to sin. We now have the power to defeat sin because His Spirit lives within us. If we stumble, the sin does not stick because His blood is on us. We have gone from being subjects, to children. Instead of servants, he calls us friends. And for the fist time since The Garden, we have the ability to freely fellowship with God.
This explains why the most horrific day in all of history is now called "Good Friday". Nothing short of Salvation, and the restoration of God's children to Himself, could cause such a abhorrent day to be referred to as "good".
"It is finished" means the price has been paid in full...And that is the "Good News"..that through His death and resurrection we have been offered a new, beautiful and unimpaired relationship with our Heavenly Father.
"He drained the cup of God's wrath bone dry, leaving not a drop for us to drink."
- Richard Allen Bodey
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Luke 24: 3-5 3/22/16
Luke 24: 3-5 "but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?"
Look around ...What are you pursuing? What have you collected? What have you pinned your hopes on?
If you're standing in a graveyard, Easter provides you the key to get out.
Use it to leave death behind - and find abundant life.
"Why do you seek the living among the dead?"
I think the question the Angels asked that first Easter morning, is still being asked of us today.
It must be difficult for Angels to comprehend how those of us who know the Savior, continue to search for meaning, in empty and lifeless pursuits. They must wonder why we focus on decaying, inanimate objects instead of pursuing a living God.
It must be difficult for Angels to comprehend how those of us who know the Savior, continue to search for meaning, in empty and lifeless pursuits. They must wonder why we focus on decaying, inanimate objects instead of pursuing a living God.
I imagine the Hosts of Heaven are astonished that we can be so far off-course. Did we not hear what Jesus said? Did He not leave His Word, and His Spirit to show us the way? Yet here we stand in the graveyard, baffled that we can't find what we seek.
To celebrate Easter this year, let's leave the cemetery. Let's stop wasting our time looking for Christ in a tomb.
As we observe the most important holiday of all, let's determine to stop chasing money, lust, power, and all the things our dying flesh has to offer ... and instead seek the God who gave His Son, so we could truly live.
As we observe the most important holiday of all, let's determine to stop chasing money, lust, power, and all the things our dying flesh has to offer ... and instead seek the God who gave His Son, so we could truly live.
Look around ...What are you pursuing? What have you collected? What have you pinned your hopes on?
If you're standing in a graveyard, Easter provides you the key to get out.
Use it to leave death behind - and find abundant life.
"Why do you seek the living among the dead?"
- Two Bewildered Angels
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Exodus 17:12 Matthew 6:3 3/15/16
Exodus 17:12 "So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses' hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other."
We've all heard of Moses, the leader of Israel ...but probably heard less about Aaron and Hur. However they were both instrumental in Israel surviving the battle against Amalek.
Aaron and Hur were the offensive lineman in this battle, and Moses was the Quarterback...Aaron and Hur provided critical, behind the scenes support. They were willing to anonymously do their job to advance God's cause, even while knowing the credit would go to Moses.
How about us? Are we willing to toil in the shadows without acknowledgment? The church today has too many quarterbacks, and not enough lineman. We need more servants who are willing to battle in the trenches, with no expectation or need of recognition.
Every sermon you have ever heard required dozens and dozens of people to make it happen. Each one, every bit as important as the preacher. Someone had to set up chairs, others had to work the sound system, some helped with parking, etc. Numerous unnamed people, all essential to the gospel being spread. They are in every church, and they are indispensable....but by definition, you don't know their name.
This week let's look for opportunities to be linemen. Sweep a floor, Stack some chairs, help in the nursery. Do something behind the scenes that advances the cause of Jesus..."and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." (Matt. 6:3).
Be so in love with Christ that the honor of serving His children is all the spotlight you need.
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
― Harry S. Truman
We've all heard of Moses, the leader of Israel ...but probably heard less about Aaron and Hur. However they were both instrumental in Israel surviving the battle against Amalek.
Aaron and Hur were the offensive lineman in this battle, and Moses was the Quarterback...Aaron and Hur provided critical, behind the scenes support. They were willing to anonymously do their job to advance God's cause, even while knowing the credit would go to Moses.
How about us? Are we willing to toil in the shadows without acknowledgment? The church today has too many quarterbacks, and not enough lineman. We need more servants who are willing to battle in the trenches, with no expectation or need of recognition.
Every sermon you have ever heard required dozens and dozens of people to make it happen. Each one, every bit as important as the preacher. Someone had to set up chairs, others had to work the sound system, some helped with parking, etc. Numerous unnamed people, all essential to the gospel being spread. They are in every church, and they are indispensable....but by definition, you don't know their name.
This week let's look for opportunities to be linemen. Sweep a floor, Stack some chairs, help in the nursery. Do something behind the scenes that advances the cause of Jesus..."and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." (Matt. 6:3).
Be so in love with Christ that the honor of serving His children is all the spotlight you need.
“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
― Harry S. Truman
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Luke 15:28-30 3/8/2016
Luke 15: "28 The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
So far we have discussed the Prodigal Son, and the Father...now lets talk about the only one who missed the party...The older brother.
The fatal flaw for the older brother was a self-centerdness, which produced self pity. It is ironic that the one who presumably obeyed the father out of love and respect, could not find the love or respect necessary to follow the fathers heart. Apparently his service was not a product of love, but instead he had been "slaving" for years in order to get what he felt he deserved.
What about you? What does the Father owe you? Are you lovingly serving God, or have you been "slaving" out of some Pharisaical sense of duty, and a desire to get what you consider yours? If so then like this young man, you may be lost in the shadow of the fathers house.
Selfishness and self pity are two of the most dangerous and destructive forces on earth. They destroy everything they touch...and once you allow them into your life they will take control. They produce powerful deceptions that overwhelm facts, and common sense.
You won't find self pity in nature. It is exclusively a human emotion, and we have produced a generation which specializes in entitlement, and feeling sorry for themselves. This must change. Open your eyes and realize how undeservedly blessed you are. Examine your heart. If you find any hint of self -centerdness or self-pity rip it out before it becomes entrenched.
If you allow it to remain in your life, you are guaranteed to miss the party.
"A man wrapped up in himself is the smallest of packages."
Benjamin Franklin
So far we have discussed the Prodigal Son, and the Father...now lets talk about the only one who missed the party...The older brother.
The fatal flaw for the older brother was a self-centerdness, which produced self pity. It is ironic that the one who presumably obeyed the father out of love and respect, could not find the love or respect necessary to follow the fathers heart. Apparently his service was not a product of love, but instead he had been "slaving" for years in order to get what he felt he deserved.
What about you? What does the Father owe you? Are you lovingly serving God, or have you been "slaving" out of some Pharisaical sense of duty, and a desire to get what you consider yours? If so then like this young man, you may be lost in the shadow of the fathers house.
Selfishness and self pity are two of the most dangerous and destructive forces on earth. They destroy everything they touch...and once you allow them into your life they will take control. They produce powerful deceptions that overwhelm facts, and common sense.
You won't find self pity in nature. It is exclusively a human emotion, and we have produced a generation which specializes in entitlement, and feeling sorry for themselves. This must change. Open your eyes and realize how undeservedly blessed you are. Examine your heart. If you find any hint of self -centerdness or self-pity rip it out before it becomes entrenched.
If you allow it to remain in your life, you are guaranteed to miss the party.
"A man wrapped up in himself is the smallest of packages."
Benjamin Franklin
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
Luke 15:22 3/01/2016
Luke 15:22 " But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. "
The story of the prodigal son has three characters. The Father, the prodigal, and the brother.
We have all been each of them.
Last week we talked about the prodigal, today lets look at the Father.
The father was unappreciated, disrespected, and wounded by his youngest son. By all accounts he was a great Dad, heartbroken by a self-centered and unappreciative child.
Have you ever been there? Have you ever given all you had to someone who apparently didn't care? Have you ever been truly mistreated? If so, you've been where this man was.
Our response to mistreatment is anger, or at best, righteous indignation. When offended, most of us begin to prepare the "I told you so" speech in case the person tries to reconcile. We might be persuaded to eventually entertain an apology, but it will be a long road back to a partial, and tentative relationship.
That was not the Fathers response, and it should not be ours.
We have to get to the place where when someone offends us, and walks out of our life, we yearn for their return. - We have to love others enough to joyfully accept their request for forgiveness.
This Father was apparently on the porch staring down the road longing for his son's return. Waiting for the day his son would "come to himself" and turn around.
When he finally saw him, he didn't prepare his lecture, didn't wait for his son to beg forgiveness.... He sprinted down the road and almost tackled him with a hug and a kiss... waved off his sons apology....and began planning the party.
That is love. That is forgiveness. That is what God did for us. That is what we are to do for others.
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
― C.S. Lewis
The story of the prodigal son has three characters. The Father, the prodigal, and the brother.
We have all been each of them.
Last week we talked about the prodigal, today lets look at the Father.
The father was unappreciated, disrespected, and wounded by his youngest son. By all accounts he was a great Dad, heartbroken by a self-centered and unappreciative child.
Have you ever been there? Have you ever given all you had to someone who apparently didn't care? Have you ever been truly mistreated? If so, you've been where this man was.
Our response to mistreatment is anger, or at best, righteous indignation. When offended, most of us begin to prepare the "I told you so" speech in case the person tries to reconcile. We might be persuaded to eventually entertain an apology, but it will be a long road back to a partial, and tentative relationship.
That was not the Fathers response, and it should not be ours.
We have to get to the place where when someone offends us, and walks out of our life, we yearn for their return. - We have to love others enough to joyfully accept their request for forgiveness.
This Father was apparently on the porch staring down the road longing for his son's return. Waiting for the day his son would "come to himself" and turn around.
When he finally saw him, he didn't prepare his lecture, didn't wait for his son to beg forgiveness.... He sprinted down the road and almost tackled him with a hug and a kiss... waved off his sons apology....and began planning the party.
That is love. That is forgiveness. That is what God did for us. That is what we are to do for others.
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
― C.S. Lewis
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