When God Comes: So You Say You Want a Real Revival? Isaiah 64:1-9

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on May 2, 2010. The lesson is on Isaiah 64:1-9 and discusses what happens when God comes into our midst. Isaiah cries out here for God to come and rend the heavens, but he acknowledges that nothing is the same when God shows up. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

When God Comes
So, You Say You Want a Real Revival?
Isaiah 64:1-9

Introduction
Changing lesson topics and serendipity: I had worked all week on a different topic, and then last night I felt compelled to change a bit

Talent show at Arts and Fun: My family and I attended the Arts and Fun end of the year show, and a couple of young ladies did an interpretive dance to the song, “I can only imagine.” This is one of my favorite songs, and it reminds me of what things will be like when we see God face-to-face. It also brought to mind the verse in 1 Corinthians that says, “Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard.” As I used my software to look up that verse, I realized that it was actually a quote from Isaiah 64. I went to Isaiah 64 and decided that God may be directing my path to this passage. I changed my lesson to share a burden I have had on my heart for a few months.

A burden on my heart
For some time now I have been burdened to pray for revival
It seems like something is bubbling just out of reach, like something is about to happen
How does it feel just before lightning strikes?

I am asking for God to come--to come and rend the heavens! Isaiah 64 gives us an idea of what will happen when God comes.

Isaiah 64—When God comes
1. Things are changed
2. Sins are exposed
3. Repentance helps

1. Things Are Changed
Isaiah 64:1-5a

This is a prayer, more specifically, a lament
a. Isaiah is concerned because of the recent exile of the people of Israel
b. He is concerned that God has “forgotten” his people and his promise
c. Chapters before 64 are not very “hopeful”
d. Things look really bad
e. Then Isaiah cries out to God this prayer: “Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down!”

What would happen if we prayed this prayer and God answered?

When God comes, things are changed

2. Things Are Shaken

Note how Isaiah understood God’s coming
The mountains quaked in his presence
a. Even things as solid as bedrock were moved
b. God’s holy presence caused a stir (“fear” anyone?)

Things come to a boil
a. Spirits are stirred
b. Stuff “bubbles” up
c. Heat is applied

Enemies and nations tremble
a. Things change on an international and national level

When God comes, things are shaken

3. Things are Remembered

Isaiah points out what God has done

Awesome things we did not expect
a. Where has God caught you by surprise?
b. Have we boxed God up so that he “cannot” surprise us anymore?
c. What do we expect from God? What if he did something we did not expect?

Ears have not heard, eyes have not seen what God will accomplish for those who “wait on him”
a. “Waiting” here contains a sense of “longing”
b. “Longing” is desire in waiting
c. What do you “long” for God to do?
d. Are you trying to “make it happen” for God so he won’t have to do it?

When God comes, his works are remembered
a. We remember God’s deeds on our behalf, and we rejoice in his righteous deeds and his holiness
b. When God shows up, we don’t focus on what we have to offer him, we focus on what he has done

As we remember his works, we know our condition

4. Sin Is Exposed
Isaiah 64:5b-9

God’s coming in this passage is also described as a “Day of the Lord” moment by Isaiah
a. This coming brings not only deliverance but also distress as God’s holiness exposes sin
b. Like a white garment with a faint stain held to the brightest light, our sins are more clearly evident when held up to God’s light (John 1:4-5; 9-12; 3:20-21)

God’s presence reveals our sin
a. If we cry for God to rend the heavens and come down, we must be prepared to also deal with our sinful condition
b. Our attempts to be righteous on our own initiative are polluted garments, filthy rags
c. We become like dried leaves blown away by our own sin

When God comes, our sin is exposed

5. Sin is Confessed

What are the sins of which we are guilty? Isaiah lists a few:
a. Lack of urgency to pray
b. Lack of a pursuit of God, to lay hold of him
c. We refuse to repent
d. We refuse to pursue a life that exhibits his character

As a result, God has hidden his face from us, he has given us up to our iniquities

When God comes, sin is confessed

6. Repentance Helps

When our sin is exposed and confessed, an attitude of repentance is needed
a. Repentance is not feeling “sorry” we sinned
b. Not feeling sorry we “got caught”
c. Repentance is turning away from the sin and turning to God
d. It is 180 degrees, not merely looking away or feeling bad

Repentance requires me to place myself at God’s disposal, not to put God at my disposal
a. He is the potter
b. I am the clay
c. Clay doesn’t have a say, it is simply malleable in the Maker’s hands

When God comes, he will get his way

What Do You Expect?
2 Chronicles 7:14 (cf. vv. 12-16)

“If my people”
a. Revival (the coming of God) is not dependant upon the actions of the lost
b. Revival (the coming of God) will only happen when God’s people repent and ask

The Background
a. Solomon built a big temple
b. Solomon asked God to come
c. God showed up, and people were stunned
d. God promised to show up wherever repentance was a way of life

When God comes, healing follows

Now What? How do we respond to these things?
What do we need besides a touch from God?
What ills attack our lives, our nation, or our church that the coming of God won’t repair?

Some things to do this week:

a. Make time to cry out to God
Remember his works
Remember his holiness
Repent where needed

b. Make time to pray
Set aside at least 10 minutes a day to simply ask God to come and heal our land
Be specific in your own life, in the life of this church, in this nation
Don’t hold out

c. Make time to share with others what God is doing
Find one person this week and share with them what God has done
Pray for that person

When God comes, things are changed forever
I don’t know about you, but I really want that!

Thanks for reading!

What's Your Indulgence? Galatians 5:13-16

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on April 25, 2010. The lesson is on Galatians 5:13-16 and discusses our freedom to indulge our flesh or to follow the Spirit. The contrast between fleshly living and Spirit-led living are given. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

What’s Your Indulgence?
Galatians 5:13-16

Introduction
When you think of the word “indulgence,” what comes to mind?
How do you define “indulgence”?

What is a favorite indulgence of yours?
A good cup of coffee, some rich dark chocolate, good conversation, and a good book are some of my favorite indulgences

We typically engage in indulgences when we have freedom

Indulgences spring from desire and opportunity

Today’s passage talks about freedom and indulgence
Some background: Gentiles, Jews, and Galatians!
Liberty is both freedom from and freedom to

Galatians 5:13-16

1. Called to Freedom
Galatians 5:13

“Called to freedom”: eklathate/kaleo, eleutheria—Paul indicates that all Christians have a call on their lives, a vocation to live in liberty

In verse 1, Paul reminds his Gentile readers that Jesus has “freed you unto freedom;” that is, Christ paid the price for our salvation/freedom so that we could live as free individuals

Now we are reminded that we are “called” to a vocation, to a ministry of freedom ( John 8:36; 2 Cor. 3:17; cf. 2 Cor. 3:4-6; 5:15)

Liberty gives freedom for us to “indulge” in luxuries or pleasures

“Indulgence” or “opportunity” here refers to a base of operations, a starting point, or an opportunity to pursue something

Paul reminds us that freedom heads toward two different indulgences:
a. A fleshly indulgence
b. A spiritual indulgence

2. Fleshly Indulgence
Galatians 5:13a, 15

Paul claims that we can use our freedom (the one we received from Christ) to indulge or to satisfy our fleshly desires

What is the flesh?
a. Sinful nature (Rom. 8:6-8)
b. That which opposes God (Rom. 7:18-23)
c. Flesh is the opposite of what Christ would want from us
d. Bottom line, Flesh is selfish

To engage the flesh, Paul says, is to “submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1b)

If God has called me to freedom and I use that freedom to indulge my flesh, I am essentially returning to bondage to sin (to which I am supposedly dead, cf. Rom. 6:6-9)

Paul commands us to avoid using our freedom to indulge the flesh

Since the flesh tends to selfishness, it also tends to divisive behavior

“Bite and devour”—refer to the actions of wild animals who hunt one another or prey on each other in an effort to find sustenance or to protect territory

Living in the flesh usually manifests itself in an attempt to build up myself by making others look bad (“biting and devouring”)

Living in the flesh means viewing my needs or my position as more important than others (cf. Phil. 2:3-4)

The warning is that if we live in the flesh, we will destroy ourselves; we will be consumed

2. Spiritual Indulgence
Galatians 5:13b-14, 16

Paul claims that we should use our new-found freedom in Christ as an opportunity for spiritual indulgence

Verse 16: “Walk in the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh”
a. “Walk in the Spirit”—allow the Spirit to guide your everyday behavior; learn to act in ways that are in keeping with the character of God
b. “Carry out the desires of the flesh”—fulfill or complete the desires of the flesh; the flesh is our sinful aspect that fights to keep us living opposite of God’s plans

Freedom should be used to serve one another in love

“Serve” (doulete/doulew)—to be a slave, to serve as a slave
“Serve one another.” But the language is really stronger—“be slaves to one another.” Christians are “not to be masters with a lot of slaves, but each should be one poor slave with a lot of masters.” (Stephen Neill)

No wonder some translations soften the phrase from “slaves” to “servants.” It’s hard enough to act like a “servant,” but “slave” sounds even more demanding.

The word “slave” is all about service
a. Slaves don’t consider themselves more important than the masters they serve. They don’t act superior!
b. Slaves serve whether they feel like it or not
c. Slaves do whatever job their Master gives them; no matter whether it’s hard or easy, dirty or clean
d. Slaves don’t expect recognition or reward or even a pat on the back for their service
e. Slaves serve because that’s what slaves do

Paul is calling us to be slaves in loving one another
Romans 12:9-13

Fulfill (complete) the law by loving each other (Rom. 13:9b-10)

How do we do this?
Being a servant begins with proper attitude.
a. Love is the foundation of a life of a servant
b. Humility is a necessity
c. Determination to do what needs to be done is a part of it

Being a servant requires sensitivity or discernment
a. We must be aware of opportunities around us
b. We need to learn to act, not react
c. We need to develop the habit of listening
To God
To others

As Nike reminds us, we need to “just do it.”

Application
Now what?
We are left with a choice, we know we have freedom and that this freedom provides us the luxury of indulging desires
So, what desires will we choose?

Will we carry out or complete our selfish desires?
Will we walk by the Spirit?

If you desire to walk by the Spirit, here are some suggestions for this week:
a. When you are tempted this week to “put someone in their place” or to “speak the truth in love” by gossiping about someone, instead take a few minutes to make a list of the good things God has done in that person’s life. List the positives and then pray specifically for that person that God will give a blessing.
Look for a specific opportunity to “love your neighbor”

b. Go out of your way to serve someone this week and do it with no expectation of recognition or payment in exchange

c. Share the love of Christ by serving: make some cookies, clean a room, pick up some trash, volunteer to a charity, or simply tell someone how Jesus changed your life

Discussion Questions
a. Read Romans 13:8-10. How are all of these commandments from God summed up by Paul?

b. Jesus loved us enough that he died for us. Look at Philippians 2:5-11. How can we imitate Jesus’ love when we love others?

c. Read Jeremiah 31:31-33. How does this passage relate to Paul’s discussion about freedom and the law in Galatians 5?

d. Where do we get the power to live godly lives that include loving our neighbors? See 2 Peter 1:3-9

e. How can your life be characterized as “walking by the Spirit”? What will need to change?

f. How can you love your neighbors this week in such a way as to reveal God’s love to them?

Thanks for reading!

Symphony of Prayer: Corporate Time with God, April 18, 2010

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. This past week my wife and I decided to lead the class in a corporate time of prayer. So, here is the outline we used for that prayer meeting on April 18, 2010. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Symphony of Prayer
Corporate Time with God

1. Worship God for Who He Is
Isaiah 45:5-8

During this time, worship God for Who He is
Offer praise to Him for His character

Some names of God
El Elyon (God Most High)
El Roi (God Who Sees)
El Shaddai (God Almighty)
Immanuel (God with us)
Yahweh (“I am who I am”—refers to God’s self-disclosure and self definition—God is defined by himself alone!)
Yahweh-Yireh (Jehovah-Jireh: God who provides)
Yahweh-Rohi (God my shepherd)
Yahweh-Rapha (God who heals)
Yahweh-Shalom (God my peace)
Yahweh-Tsidkenu (God my righteousness)
Jesus (Jeshuah/Joshua: “Yahweh Saves”)

2. Praise God for What He Has Done
Psalm 64:1-9
Ephesians 2:4-7

During this time, praise God for the things He has done in your life

Some suggestions
Salvation/Freedom
Hope
Encouragement
Protection
Provision
Trials through which He has sanctified you
Healing/Health
Hearing prayer
Direction

3. Confession
James 5:16
1 John 1:9-10

During this time make your conscience clean before God
Cry out to Him with your failures, your sins, and receive His promised forgiveness
Bring the secret things to the light
Repent, turn your back on these things
Share with one another as you feel led

4. Supplication
Psalm 20:1-5
1 John 5:13-15

During this time, make your requests known to the Father of life, and He will hear and respond

Pray for one another (Remember James 5)
Use the cards provided
Pray for this request every day this week

Do you have a need?
Do you desire direction?
Do you need a touch from God?
Do you need His Spirit of Wisdom?

5. Thanksgiving
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Hebrews 13:15

During this time, offer thanks to God for His provision and answer to prayer
Show your gratitude to God by saying “Thank you” and living a grateful life

Let G.A.P. be known as a group of praying people
Let G.A.P. be known as a grateful people

Thanks for reading!

What Does Worship Smell Like? John 12:1-11

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on March 21, 2010. The lesson is on John 12:1-11 and Mary anointing Jesus' feet. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

What Does Worship Smell Like?
John 12:1-11

Introduction
Most of us can relate some memory (whether good or bad) to a particular smell
We smell that item and immediately relate it to our memory

Some Smells and Memories
a. The great skunk killing—another day in Lynchburg!
b. Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter
c. Fudge or other sweet smells
d. The smell of freshly brewed coffee
e. The smell of a good cigar: Memories of dad!
f. Farm smells: animals, ploughed ground, crops, etc.
g. Spring smells: new blossoms, new growth, new flowers
h. Perfume/cologne

We all have similar memories and related smells
Those smells permeate our lives and cause us to return to those memories when we encounter them

But did you know that worship has a smell?

Our passage today (John 12:1-11) reveals that worship may smell in one of three ways

What does your worship smell like?

The Scene: Look Who Came to Supper
John 12:1-11

The dinner at Bethany
Occurs six days before Passover

The guest list
a. Simon the Leper (?): Mark 14:3-9; Matthew 26:6-13 (May not be the same dinner, but the similarities are intriguing. Simon could not host a dinner if he was still a leper, so the implication is that Jesus may well have healed him!)
b. Lazarus the formally dead man (see John 11)
c. Jesus
d. The Disciples
e. Martha, Mary, and assorted gawkers

The foot washing
This act interrupts the dinner. The guests are reclining (probably on their left sides as they eat right handed from a table on the floor), and Mary interrupts the dinner and conversation to wash Jesus' feet. This is not the appropriate time. If she wanted to clean his feet she should have done it BEFORE the meal. Most likely she was performing a burial rite! At any rate, her act disrupts the order of things and changes the smell of the room from dinner to sweet perfume.

The three “scents” of worship
1. Extravagant
2. Egocentric
3. Observer

Let’s take them in reverse order

1. The Observers
John 12:9: The large crowd

The Observers who are primarily in it for the adventure
a. Came not to learn, but to gawk
b. Came for the rubbernecking, not the relationship
c. Is more concerned about the next “big event” than in truly meeting God or serving others
d. Doesn’t want to miss something that may be worth gossiping about later

Observer worship smells like burnt eggs: Watching but no involvement

What does your worship smell like?
a. Are you in it for the adventure?
b. For the miracles?
c. For the spectacle?

2. Egocentric Worship: Judas and the Chief Priests
John 12:4-6; 10-11

Egocentric worship
a. Sounds very pious on the surface
Notice that Judas spoke up with a “concern”
b. Seems concerned about legitimate issues
Why not give money to the poor?
c. Focuses on selfish desires
Wants money for himself (Judas)
Doesn’t want to lose authority (the chief priests)

Egocentric worship wants to know: What’s in it for me?

Egocentric worship smells like old used sweat socks

What does your worship smell like?
a. Are you in it only for selfish gain?
b. For what you can get out of it?
c. For recognition and prestige?

3. Extravagant Worship: Mary
John 12:1-3; 7-8

O. Henry’s Gift of the Magi: The story of a married couple who give up what is precious in order to show extravagant love to each other. It is the story of a young couple named Della and Jim. They were a poor couple but they loved each other deeply. Each one had their own unique possession. Della's hair was her pride and joy. When she let her hair down it was like a robe on her back. Jim had a gold watch, which his father had given him.

On the day before Christmas, Della had exactly $1.87 with which to buy Jim a present. She wanted to get him something he would really like, but she knew that she could not get much with a $1.87. So, she went and sold her hair for $20.00. With the money she bought a platinum chain for Jim's precious watch.

Jim came home from work that night. When he saw Della's shorn head, he was left speechless. Slowly he handed her his gift. His gift was a set of expensive tortoise-shell combs with jeweled edges for her lovely hair. He had sold his gold watch to buy them for her. Each had given all he or she had to give.

Extravagant Worship
a. It is precious
Cost Mary almost a year’s worth of money
300 denarii
A year’s salary

May have been saving it for her own (or Lazarus’) burial
This nard was not normally used to wash dirty feet
It was used to bury loved ones

b. It is motivated by love and is intimate
Mary uses her hair
Women did not let down their hair in public or in front of men other than their own husbands
This was a very intimate act and showed Mary’s love for Jesus
She anoints his feet (an act of kindness or a burial ritual?)

c. It is humble (i.e., she kneels at his feet, washes his feet, serves Jesus)

d. It is obvious/pleasant to others
The smell remained on Mary (i.e., her hair)
The smell filled the room (i.e., all the guests smelled it)
The smell stayed on Jesus as he entered the week of his Passion

“The delicious fragrance ran down over his shining hair. It enfolded His body with its delightful aroma. Even his tunic and flowing undergarment were drenched with its enduring pungency. Wherever he moved during the ensuing days, the perfume would go with Him. Into the Passover; into the Garden of Gethsemane; into Herod’s hall; into Pilate’s patio; even into the cruel hands of those who cast lots for his clothing.” Philip Keller

The smell remained with Jesus through:
His last supper
His prayer
His trial
His beating and crucifixion

e. It permeates everything

f. It pleases Jesus

Extravagant worship smells like an expensive perfume

What does your worship smell like?
a. Are you extravagant?
b. Are you serving?
c. Are you intimately involved?
d. Does your worship overwhelm the place with a sweet fragrance that lingers?

Application
Story of the little boy and the bus minister (Michael Hensley)
The little boy had never seen a church or an offering before, and when the plate was passed he realized that he had no money to give to Jesus. He took the plate and set it in the aisle. Stepping in he says: "Jesus, I don’t have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!"

Mark 14:8—”She has done what she could”: Jesus' words about Mary's act

What does your worship smell like?

What can we do that will show extravagant worship this week?

First, stop counting the cost. Give your very best.
Mary didn’t dip her finger into the perfume and sprinkle a bit on Jesus. She “wasted” it on him.
“Waste” some time serving God this week. Pick one hour of your schedule and spend it only in service to God or to others for God. Don’t scrimp!
“Waste” some money that you’ve been “saving”! Give to that ministry or that event.
Help someone and do it with no boundaries.

Second, learn to let your worship permeate your life and circumstances
Don’t stop with a private worship
Be extravagant in public too
Be bold in sharing your love for Christ—find someone that needs encouragement, or someone who needs salvation, or someone who just needs a friend, and spend time dumping love on them in an extravagant manner

Live so that your worship smells like an extravagant perfume that overwhelms all in its range (2 Corinthians 2:14-17)

So, what does your worship smell like?

Thanks for reading!

Is it Monday? It sure "feels" like one!

Have you ever felt an ache in your heart that you didn't want to express because it might hurt others? That's where I have been lately. Don't really want to blog about it, don't really want to say it because it seems "selfish" in part. But it still hurts. Someday I hope I outgrow this kind of immaturity, but there it is.

I guess my problem is that I feel underappreciated or something, but then at the same time I feel like an idiot for wanting "appreciation" instead of just doing the right thing because it is the right thing.

I don't know, maybe it is just a bad Wednesday.

I can't seem to shake this feeling, and it has been around about 2 weeks.

Little things happen regularly that seem to feed it. Just when I think I've "divorced" myself from it, something happens to bring it back. The enemy of our souls takes advantage of "little" things to stir up the stupid thoughts in my head and heart. When others are blessed, he tries to make me think I have somehow "missed out" or been treated worse.

Now you know why I hate satan so! I look forward to the day when he and his ugly demons are cast forever in the abyss.

At any rate, I thought it might be a bit therapeutic to "say" this on-line. This is not an attempt to get a response, I'm simply "thinking out loud" in a way.

So, my friends, pray for me. Pray that I outgrow this immaturity, pray that I learn simply to do the right thing because it honors my Lord. Pray that I cherish his "Well done!" far above the kind words of others.

I know that I am NOT underappreciated, and I know that my friends care. Maybe I just need a vacation or something. I think I'll go listen to some Dylan.

Thanks for listening!

Going Sane in a Crazy World: Standing Still When Things Fall Apart, Psalm 46

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on February 28, 2010. The lesson is on Psalm 46. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Going Sane in a Crazy World
Standing Still When Things Fall Apart
Psalm 46

Introduction
The Tick and Arthur
“You aren’t going crazy chum, you’re going sane in a crazy world”

We live in a crazy world
Branch Davidians and Fallen Towers (9/11)

Facing Personal Loss
My father's death
Steve Huisman's death
Your situation?

Going Sane in a Crazy World

Psalm 46: The Frame is God’s Presence (v. 1) and our Position (v. 10)
1. When God seems silent, be still and know his presence
2. When the world turns against us, be still and know his power
3. When things get hectic, be still and know him
Going Sane means to Stand Still

1. When God Seems Silent
Psalm 46:1-3

When life goes crazy, where is sanity? Where is God?
In what way is God a refuge when life is in tatters?

C. S. Lewis—A Grief Observed
“Where is God? When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be -- or so it feels -- welcomed with open arms. But to go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. You may as well turn away. The longer you wait, the more emphatic the silence will become. . . . What can this mean? Why is God so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in times of trouble?”

God’s presence has not changed, yet we seem to be unable to access it
God seems distant, or at least a bit unconcerned
Our world is shattered, where is the glue to hold us together?
The Absence of God? Is he there?

Be still and know his presence

Col. 1:15-17: Jesus is the glue that holds reality together

The Psalmist calls us to put our trust in God who holds all things together
The words “refuge” and “strength” speak of God’s security and power

Our security is not in the ground beneath our feet (remember Haiti or Chile?)
God is our ultimate unshakeable reality and the greatest power of all
Just because I don’t see the sun that doesn’t mean it ceases to exist

When life gets hard, we need to stand still, to desist, to stop striving and to dwell on his presence

God is omnipresent, he has gone nowhere
Be quiet, and listen
Psalm 91:7

Be still and know his presence

2. When the World Turns Against Us
Psalm 46:4-7: God is with his beloved Jerusalem

2 Corinthians 4:7-10—Jars of Clay
We are not exempt from hardships, difficulties, and bad emotions
But we are more than survivors (Romans 8:31-39; especially v. 37)
We may be shaken, but we cannot be destroyed

The power by which we live and Jerusalem is sustained is the power of God
When things go south, we must learn NOT to rely on our abilities
Our power MUST come from a higher source
God is There, and He is Able

Be still and know his power

3. When Things Get Hectic
Psalm 46:8-11

God's Word to us when we're on the ragged edge of reality: Be Still, Desist, Cease striving, Stop Struggling, Relax.

Psalm 46:10 says to "Be still," which may mean “relax.” It means something like "let your arms down to your side"—to be vulnerable to God.

God also says to "know that I am God." He calls for a cognitive and a personal response.

We cease striving not because we know how it's going to work out, but because we know the God who will work it out.

C. S. Lewis, A Grief Observed (continued)
"I have gradually been coming to feel that the door is no longer shut and bolted. Was it my own frantic need that slammed it in my face? The time when nothing at all in your soul except a cry for help may be just the time when God can’t give it; you are like the drowning man who can’t be helped because he clutches and grabs. Perhaps your own reiterated cries deafen you to the voice you hoped to hear."

All kinds of things may be going wrong, but God remains unmoved and unchanged
He is constant, he is there, he is not silent, he has not moved
To know him is to know security even in the most hectic time

To know him requires time and stillness
We must sit with him, spend time with him
We need lap time with our Father
We need to unravel, to experience Selah

His presence is ours, our position is to be still with him

Be still and know him

Now What?
So, life is going crazy
How do we go sane in a crazy world?
How can we find firmness when things seem unsound?

1. We must begin with a proper focus
Whatever consumes our attention soon overwhelms our senses and colors our perspective
Instead of being consumed by the problem, we should turn our face to the Lord
This week we must schedule time with God

2. We must stand still on God’s firmness and stability
We must learn to quit striving, to cease kicking, to be still and to be vulnerable to what God may be doing
We must embrace God as our sole refuge, as our primary source of satisfaction
This week find ways to create a space of peace in your hectic schedule. Take time to sit still.

3. This week, when the bottom falls out, when God seems silent, when the world turns against you, when things get hectic
Be still, and know God’s power, presence, and person
And you’ll find that he is a genuine refuge in time of trouble

Thanks for reading!

Don't Shoot the Wounded: Our Role in Accountability, Galatians 6:1-10

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on February 28, 2010. The lesson is on Galatians 6:1-10. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Don’t Shoot the Wounded
Our Role in Accountability
Galatians 6:1-10

Introduction
False accusations and a wounding
Loss of fellowship and misunderstanding

The Story of Chuck Girard
a. Conversion
b. Contemporary Christian musician
c. Late 70s
d. Leaving the music business
e. A bout with alcoholism
The Song: "Don’t Shoot the Wounded"

Galatians 6:1-5, 9-10
Our role in accountability
1. Passionate involvement
2. Radical hospitality
3. Extravagant Generosity
4. Intentional Discipleship
5. Risk-Taking Service

Galatians 6:1
1. Accountability is being Passionately Involved in each other’s lives

Caught in a Trap (James 5:19-20)
a. Note that this is a “brother”—accountability works best where relationship exists
b. We are family
c. Note that this sibling is “caught”
This is not a perceived sin
There are no “gotchas” in the body of Christ
This is apparent trespass, something already made known, something already “out there”

2. Accountability requires us to practice a Radical Hospitality

Spirit of Gentleness (Ephesians 4:25-32)
a. Accountability works best where love exists
b. This restoration should not be done with a harsh attitude
c. Accountability requires a level of trust and grace

Watch Out! (2 Cor. 2:7-8; 2 Thess. 3:14-15)
a. Accountability works best when we are paying as much attention to our own failures as to those of others, we must have an intentional discipleship for ourselves
b. Remember that you are most likely to see problems where you struggle the most

Don’t Shoot the Wounded
They need healing and help: Accountability should lead to restoration
Someday you may be one

Galatians 6:2
3. Accountability requires an Extravagant Generosity

Bearing Burdens and the Law of Christ (Romans 15:1-2; John 13:34-35; 15:12-14)
a. Accountability works best when we build up instead of tear down (Hebrews 12:12-16): We must be ready to strengthen others and to help them in their weakness instead of looking for opportunities to make ourselves look better in light of the failures of others
b. Bearing burdens requires effort on our part. We may actually have to lift and carry. It is not passive.

What is the Law of Christ?
a. The Law of Christ is Life (Romans 8:2)
b. The Law of Christ is Love (John 13:34-35; 15:12-14)
c. Accountability works best when love is present (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Love is patient, transparent, does not try to belittle another
Love is willing to be wronged rather than to do harm

Don’t Shoot the Wounded
Love Requires that we deal with the problem and not ignore it
Accountability should lead to restoration, not death

Galatians 6:3-5
4. Accountability requires an Intentional Discipleship in our own lives

Humility or Pride? (James 1:25; Phil. 2:3-4)
a. Accountability works best when we operate with a realization of our own sinfulness instead of a perception of our own superiority
b. We must learn to put the sincere needs of others ahead of our own needs
c. We must not presume sin, but neither should we ignore it
d. If sin is clear in our hearts, we must confess
e. If sin is clear in others, we must confront BUT with love

Bearing Burdens, Part 2
a. Accountability works best when we are brutally honest about ourselves and to ourselves
b. Before Christ we are responsible primarily for our own actions, not the actions of others
c. I am responsible to God for what I do, not for what others do (Speck and log)

Don’t Shoot the Wounded
Seek to offer the help you want when you are injured

Galatians 6:9-10
5. Accountability involves a Risk-Taking Attitude of Service

Don’t Lose Heart, Don’t Grow Weary, Don’t Give in
a. Perseverance counts in helping others
b. The end result is worth the effort (Hebrews 12:12-16): Sanctification
c. Satan doesn’t give up, neither should we!

Do Good, Not harm

Take advantage of opportunities
a. Do not go looking for “bad situations,” but look for a chance to do good
b. Keep an eye out for things you can do to bless others

Don’t shoot the wounded
Do no harm
Do as God has done for you

Now What?
What does accountability look like?
First, choose partners wisely
Pray and wait
Don’t rush into this relationship
Keep the group small, no more than 3 or 4

Second, meet regularly
Set a date and keep it

Third, practice transparency
Tell the truth about your own struggles
Be honest

Fourth, keep confidences

Fifth, practice hospitality and acceptance

Don’t shoot the wounded, love them back to health

Thanks for reading!

Love Bound: Do We Give Love a Bad Name? 2 Corinthians 5:14-17

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on February 14, 2010. The lesson is on 2 Corinthians 5:14-17. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Love Bound
Do We Give “Love” a Bad Name?
2 Corinthians 5:14-17

Introduction
Yes, Valentines Day and yet another lesson on “love”

We’ve been snow bound the past few weeks
a. What does that mean?
b. What was that like?
c. What did you do?

Being “love bound” is in some ways like being snow bound
a. Being “love bound” means to have limits placed on you
b. Being “love bound” means to be overwhelmed with a good thing
c. Being “love bound” means doing what love compels you to do

Love compels us to live new lives!
When we fail to do as we are compelled, we give love a bad name

2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Paul wants us to be bound by love
a. To be bound by love invigorates us
b. To be bound by love obligates us

Questions for Consideration
a. What do you think Paul means by “the love of Christ”?
b. What do you think Paul means by “the love of Christ compels” or “constrains” or “controls us”?
c. What is the nature of a person who is “compelled” or “constrained”?
d. How do old things become new? What does that look like?

"Love is not blind; that is the last thing it is. Love is bound; and the more it is bound the less it is blind." G. K. Chesterton

Point 1. Love Bound: Are We Dead or Alive?
2 Corinthians 5:14-15

Love leaves us dead or alive in that we are either compelled by love to pursue the beloved, or we are repelled by love and reject him.
a. If we reject love, we remain dead
b. If we allow love to control us, we receive new life

In this passage Paul mentions the Love of Christ: Two possibilities to understand this phrase
a. Our love for Christ (1 John 4:19)
b. Christ’s love for us (1 John 4:10, 16-17)
c. Could Paul mean both? Christ’s love compels us to love him and be like him

Paul says that this love “Controls” or “Compels” or “Holds Together”
Sunecho—We are love bound if we are in Christ! We are bound to the love of Jesus and to love as he loves us

Paul concludes that as One died for all, so all died
Christ died for our sins (Romans 5:8; cf. 3:23; 6:23)

What does Paul mean by “all died” then?
a. Probably not a reference to the wages of sin, Christ’s death took care of that
b. Might be a spiritual reference (Ephesians 2:1-2)

Those who remain dead have not been made alive by the love of Christ, they have chosen to remain in their old way of life. For those of us who died with Christ (Romans 6), we have been raised to a new life.

What is the nature of dead things?
a. Don’t do much, stuck in their ways
b. Decay, it slowly falls apart
c. Stench

What is the nature of a “live” thing?
a. Moves about, sometimes tries new things
b. Growth
c. Has the ability to produce more life

Jesus died so that we could live for him who rose again for us
He died so that we could live on his behalf as he died and rose again on ours

"We cannot help conforming ourselves to what we love." Francis de Sales

Are you dead or alive?

To be bound by love invigorates us
To be bound by the love of Christ is to be truly alive
We ought to be alive in love, not dead in sin

Point 2: Are you living in the Old or the New?
2 Corinthians 5:16-17

“Therefore” or “For this reason” or even “Because”
Because we are invigorated by Christ’s binding love, Paul now reminds us that we are obligated to live a new way

The compelling love of Christ causes us to see things differently
a. We no longer see in a worldly or purely human way
b. No more focus on what is best for me
c. No more looking out for number one
d. No more making friends only for personal benefit

By the love of Christ we must trade the old way for a new way of life
a. We must care for those who can’t repay us
b. We must put ourselves at risk for others
c. We must care for those that have no one to defend them

1 John 4:7-12; Ephesians 2:8-10

"Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays." Andrew Murray

To be bound by love obligates us to live a new way
We are obligated to leave the old way of life behind

What do I do now? Points of Application
Many Christians live as though the love of Christ has no constraint on them. They act as though their “fire insurance” or “get out of hell free” card is the primary thing for which Jesus died and rose again. They give love a bad name by the way they live!

If we genuinely believe that the love of Christ is binding for us, that it compels us, that it is a constraining force in our life, what should we do in response?

This week
a. Spend some time in 1 John 4 and Ephesians 2. Focus on what we are called to do as well as the means by which we are saved
b. Ask the hard questions—Do the people in your life know you love Jesus or have been loved by Christ by the way you treat them? Does Christ’s love have an impact on how you treat others? Friends? Enemies? The weird people everyone tries to avoid?
c. Look for opportunities to love others: Give where no one expects it, do a random act of kindness, pray for your waiter or waitress while he or she is there, go out of you way to bless those who will not or cannot bless you back
d. Look for those who need to be loved back to life, or need the grace of God to produce new life in the place of the old death. Then, share that love and that grace with them
e. Share God’s message of life over death and new ways for old ways
f. Let God’s love bind you, compel you, constrain you to do the things you know you should

Be Love Bound

Some Things to Consider
a. What does Christ’s love mean for you? What does his death and resurrection mean for you?

b. What effect does Christ’s love have on your love for Christ? How about on your love for others?

c. What about Christ’s love invigorates you?

d. In what way does Christ’s love bind or compel you?

e. What old things passed away when the love of Christ became real in your life? What new things showed up as a result of this love?

f. How does Christ’s love obligate you?

g. Who in your circle of influence needs new life or love? What will you do to share it with them?

Live Love Bound This Week

Thanks for reading!

Our Stories Matter: Telling Our Stories Following Paul's Example Acts 26

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A while back I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on January 17, 2010. The lesson is on Acts 26:1-23. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Our Stories Matter
Telling Our Story Following Paul’s Example
Acts 26:1-23

Introduction
My Story

The Power of Personal Testimony
Think of them as “transformational stories” rather than “witnessing”

Questions
What is the gospel?
How often do you tell the gospel story?
Describe the last time you shared the gospel

Paul’s Story: An Example for Us
Acts 26
A strategy for sharing our story
Your story matters, but it must be told to be effective

Prelude: Keep Your Story Fresh
If you aren’t a Christ follower, become one
If you are, show integrity in living the story

Proverbs 20:6-7 Many a man proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy man? A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.

Love God
Frederick Buechner describes the Word of God as a portrait of a Lover pursuing his beloved, of God’s pursuit of all of us in love, of our failures and his successes. I’m pretty sure that he is right. Once the biblical story becomes my story, then I in some sense begin to incarnate the written word of God so as to complete the mission that Jesus started (and finished) so many centuries ago. Didn’t Jesus say to us that he will send us in the same way that the Father sent him? Didn’t he tell us that we would do greater works than he did? Why are we so unwilling to enter the story, to become willing participants in the great work and story of almighty God? We 21st century Christians are sometimes out of sync with God’s story and miss his “Once upon a time” and “happily ever after.” John Eldredge is (to a degree at least) correct to point out to us our loss of story, our loss of God’s great epic being told even today. Take the verses quoted above—in today’s post-modern culture, the idea is to win at all costs. But if we live without faithfulness or without integrity, we are actually hurting the generation after us.

Love your neighbor
Treat them kindly
Listen to their stories
Find their need so that you can meet it

Your story matters, but it must be fresh before it is told
Your story matters, but it must be told to be effective

How do we “tell” our story?

1. Tell Your Past
Acts 26:1-11

Paul’s Past
a. Religious man
b. Full of zeal
c. A leader in his religion
d. Opposed to Christians

What was your life like before Christ?
Maybe you grew up in a church
Or were Irreligious
or were Running from God

On this point avoid putting blame on others or on religious organizations for your sin. Don’t glorify your past, but be honest about it. If you don’t have a story like Paul’s, simply tell the truth. Don’t try to “make your story better.”

Your story matters, but it most be told to be effective

2. Tell Your Conversion
Acts 26:12-18

Paul’s Conversion
a. Not many stories of becoming a Christ follower are as amazing as this
b. Bright lights, audible voices, a conversation with Christ
c. No wonder Paul converted

How did you come to Christ?
a. Family member shared
b. Altar call
c. Prayer
d. Reading the Bible
e. A chance encounter with a Christ follower

It doesn’t matter how “flamboyant” the story is, tell it straight.
Be specific in “how” you put faith in Christ

Your story matters, but it most be told to be effective

3. Tell Your Current Walk
Acts 26:19-23

Paul’s Current Experience
a. On trial for his faith
b. Faithful in sharing the story of faith in Christ
c. Telling the story to any who will hear
d. Bold and Unashamed

What’s your current walk like?
a. Don’t sugar coat
If you are struggling, admit it
If you are experiencing good times, admit it
b. Keep the focus on what God is doing
c. The story is about him and what he can accomplish
Remember, even it your walk isn’t a great one now, your God is still great
Your struggles may help others to relate to Truth
Don’t let the focus be on your emotions or experiences, focus on God's work

Your story matters, but it must be told to be effective

4. Tell the Content of Scripture
Acts 26:22-23
1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Luke 24:26-27; Acts 8:26-40

Let the Truth of God’s Word talk
Your experience should reflect what God has said
If not, go back to the prelude

Your story matters, but it most be told to be effective

This point requires practice
We must find an approach that we can easily use

Some Methods

a. Romans Road
Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:8b-10; 10:13; 5:1; 8:1; 8:38-39

b. John 3:16-22: Gospel in a nutshell

c. FAITH
F is for Forgiveness: We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God's forgiveness(Eph. 1:7)
A is for Available: Forgiveness is available for all, but not automatic (John 3:16; Matthew 7:21)
I is for Impossible: It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven. God is loving and just and therefore judges sin. We are all sinners. (James 2:13; Romans 3:23)
T is for Turn: Turn means to repent. Turn from sin and selfishness. Turn to Christ alone (Luke 13:3b; Romans 10:9)
H is for Heaven: Heaven is eternal life both here and hereafter (John 10:10b; John 14:3)

d. Four Spiritual Laws

e. Others?

Sources
5clicks.com

Evangelismcoach.org

Namb.net (North American Mission Board of SBC)

Application
1. This week, go to 5clicks.com and write out your testimony

2. Practice your story every day
Tell it in the morning before you leave the house
Tell it again when you return

3. Pray for an opportunity

4. Listen to conversations around you

5. Share your story with someone else

Thanks for reading!

The Biggest Losers, Part 1: Jesus Lost His Grip, Philippians 2:5-11

Hello y'all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on January 10, 2010. The lesson is on Philippians 2:5-11. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

The Biggest Losers
Jesus: Lost His Grip
Philippians 2:5-11

Introduction

Last week’s message: “My Name is Jacob”
Ended with a list of folks the world would consider “losers”

Traveling home from Christmas in Tennessee
DeGarmo and Key: “All the Losers Win”

"You say 'winners don't need a crutch
Only losers could believe in such'
You don't need God, you don't need anything
You'll face life alone and take what the future will bring

"Here's to all the losers that lose all guilt and sin
Here's to life in Jesus, where all of the losers win

"You think I've missed what success can bring
I miss success like trees miss cold in spring
You think that all is far too much to give
That's what Jesus gave so that this loser could live

"Here's to all the losers that lose all guilt and sin
Here's to life in Jesus, where all of the losers win"

Biggest Losers
Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24; John 12:25

Philippians 2:5-11
The lesson from today’s passage
Jesus lost his grip and gained a lot

If we lose our grip, we will find gain

1. Losing a Grip on Position
Philippians 2:5-8

Questions
a. In what way did Jesus not regard equality with God as something to be grasped or used for his own advantage? What did it look like?
b. In what way did Jesus “empty” himself?
c. What does humility look like in Jesus’ life?

Jesus lost his grip on his personal position
Jesus laid aside his glory to identify fully with humanity
2 Cor. 8:9; Heb. 4:14-16

He did not grasp personal benefits too tightly
He became sin, so that we might be righteous
2 Cor. 5:21

He did not take advantage of his position
a. He emptied himself
b. He became a servant (“form” and “likeness”); Mark 9:35
c. He humbled himself; John 13 (foot washing)
d. He was obedient even to death; Rom. 5:8

C. S. Lewis quote
“God descends to reascend. He comes down – down to the very roots and sea-bed of the nature he has created. But he must go down – to come up again – and bring the ruined world up with him.”

He did not demand attention
Instead of expecting recognition, applause, or service, Jesus served others

By losing his grip on his position, Jesus found great gain
a. He gained salvation for others
b. He gained followers
c. He gained exaltation

If we lose our grip, we will find gain

2. Losing a Grip on Promotion
Philippians 2:9-11

Notice that the next few verses tell what is done “for” Jesus, not by him
Jesus didn’t go out and “grasp” an opportunity for promotion
His humble obedience simply lead to exaltation
2 Peter 5:5-7

Jesus’ exaltation includes:

a. The “Name”
Name above all names may equal God’s own name: “Yahweh”
“Jesus” or “Jeshua” already means “Yahweh saves”
Jesus also is “Lord” over all things: Lord means master, king, ruler

b. Worship: Every knee will bow

c. Disciples/Followers

Jesus lost his grip on promotion and found himself the center of not only God’s attention but of the attention of all creation

If we lose our grip, we will find gain

Application
Jesus existed in the form of God, but he did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped for his own advantage. He was willing to let it all go. He lost his grip. He became a loser. Christ was willing to abandon those external trappings that declared him unmistakably to be God. Jesus was willing to lose it all, even his own life, so that we could gain life.

We are not able to claim that we are conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of Jesus’ gospel unless we share his attitude, until we are willing to surrender the things that give us an advantage as he was willing to sacrifice for us.

"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.“ C. T. Studd

In light of this truth, are we prepared to follow in Jesus’ footsteps? Are we willing to release all the things that we value in order to live a life pleasing to Christ who loved us and gave himself for us? Are we willing to serve others as he served us?

Here are some suggestions for this week:

a. Your title should not shape your attitude
b. Rather your life should exhibit humble obedience/service/death
c. Make a list of things in your life that are benefits to you, that give you an advantage
d. Choose one of those things prayerfully and let it go or to use it for the promotion or advantage of someone else
e. Make a commitment this week to do one random act of kindness without any hope of recognition or repayment
f. Learn to serve others, especially those who cannot pay you back
g. Make a meal for someone, go visit an elderly person you don’t even know, write that check for a charity you want to support, help that person that “bugs” everyone else, give a 30 percent tip, share the love of Christ with a stranger

The result will be that God will certainly reward your servant attitude

Discussion Questions
What are the privileges, rights, perks, titles, or status you tend to want to “grasp” for your own benefit or advantage? What can you do to avoid using these for selfish benefit or promotion? How can you use them to bless or to promote others?

In what ways can you empty yourself on behalf of others? What would that look like?

Where are servants needed in our church? At your job? In your neighborhood? Where can you serve? Will you?

What is your level of obedience? Are you willing like Christ to humble yourself in obedience even to the point of death to those things that benefit you?

Who in your circle of influence could use the benefits God has given you? Will you be a humble servant to them to make sure they receive those benefits?

What can we do as Christ followers to focus less on our own gain so that we may focus on serving others? What stands in our way?

Thanks for reading!

The Sacrament of Life

I don't have a lot to say today, and I'd rather let two authors whose writings I respect speak for me. I want to say, however, that I have been thinking a bit today about how life is sacramental--how all that we experience can be full of the holy awesomeness that is God. Remember, Jeremiah said that God's mercies were new every morning, just like the morning dew. Today can be full of the sort of radical presence of God as to overwhelm us. In 1999, Ray Bradbury gave the following view of life:

"It is neither all beautiful nor all terrible, but a wash of multitudinous despairs and exhilarations about which we know nothing. Our history is so small, our experience so limited, our science so inadequate, our theologies so crammed in mere matchboxes, that we know we stand on the outer edge of a beginning and our greatest history lies before us, frightening and lovely, much darkness and much life."

This description of life sees our existence as awe inspiring and frightening, and such it is on many occasions. Storms come and blow and bluster against us, threatening to undo not only our homes, but our very lives. As Bradbury said, life can be frightening and lovely at the same time. For the child of God, however, life has a more sacramental flavor. Oh, we may not "feel" it every day, but the truth is (as the Greek Orthodox have said) Jesus' very life has in some sense sanctified the mundane daily experiences of human life. His birth sanctified the birth process, his childhood sanctified childhood, yes, even his teen years consecrated those experiences in our own lives. As Frederick Buechner said:

"[C]hurch isn’t the only place where the holy happens. Sacramental moments can occur at any moment, any place, to anybody. Watching something getting born. A high school graduation. Somebody coming to see you when you’re sick. A meal with people you love. Looking into a stranger’s eyes and finding out he’s not really a stranger. If we weren’t blind as bats, we might see that life itself is sacramental." From Wishful Thinking.

I like that last part--"if we weren't blind as bats, we might see that life itself is sacramental." Yesterday God spoke to me in silence, today I seem to hear his voice in the mundane. Life is sacramental and sacred.

Don't take it for granted.

Enjoy the sacramental wine of your life, drink deeply from the grace of God in the everyday.

You won't be sorry.

Thanks for reading!

My Annual Christmas Post

Hey y'all:

Here is a little meditation I wrote about 6 years ago that sums up for me what is the "Mystery of Christmas" as I meditated on the Incarnation. The very idea of God becoming "one of us among us" (Immanuel, anyone?) still fascinates and overwhelms me. God, the creator of all things, entered his own creation so as to renew and redeem us (and, ultimately, it as well). As you celebrate the first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, I hope you enjoy this rerun! Feel free to make comments if you'd like!

A little over 2000 years ago, a tiny child was born in the bleakest of conditions. Oh, he wasn’t the only one born in a bad state. In fact, in some ways, he was one of the lucky ones. He and his mother actually survived childbirth and thrived. Still, this story is unique and amazing on several levels.

First, this child would literally change the way time is reckoned in the world. His life and abilities would so impress generations of others that a brand new movement would be created, one that would radically change the very face of the earth (sometimes for good, sometimes for bad). His name would become recognized among the names of the greatest of humans, yet he never forgot his humble beginnings or lost a sense of who he was.

The second thing about this child is tied to the first in that this baby, this helpless lad full of spittle and mush, was born as the very Son of God. When Mary held his little head to her breast, he drank human milk. Yet, he was (and is) the God of the universe. Can you picture this simply ridiculous, yet somehow poetic scene? God, who calls the stars by name, pressed to the human breast for sustenance. Humble, yet almighty, is how most folks would no doubt recall this child.

A little over 2000 years ago, God proposed that the only remedy for the human condition of sin would be if he humbled himself, stepped out of eternity and into human flesh, and suckled at Mary’s breast in preparation for the greatest, most impressive conversion of all. God, in Mary’s arms, toddling around Joseph’s shop, learning to talk, learning to walk, tasting and touching things with human hands. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 139, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for us, we cannot contain it.”

God knew that the only way to redeem us was if he did it himself. Haven’t you ever had that thought? You know, the one where you say, “If I want something done right, I’ll just have to do it myself?” Imagine God having that thought about bringing us back to proper relationship with him. Imagine again that the only way he knew he could do that is if he came to earth as a baby. Think of it—-how vulnerable the almighty God was at that moment, how paradoxical that the God of all creation had to learn to walk! And why did he put himself in this situation? Out of his inexpressible love for each of us he acted in this manner.

He became insane that we may be sane. He became flesh so that we might walk in the Spirit. He became sin that we might be righteous. He became poor so that we might be rich. He became a toddling, dribbling, helpless babe so that we could become mature humans in the image of almighty God. What wondrous love! What humility and service! How then can anything he asks of us be too difficult?

Lord, in this Christmas season, remind me of your sacrifice and love so that I might be a light shining in darkness to others. May the grace of God and the peace of Christ rule in my family and my life.

Thanks for reading!

Merry Christmas!

Pathways to Peace: Philippians 4:4-9

Hello y'all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on December 13. The lesson is on Philippians 4:4-9 and is entitled "Pathways to Peace." If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Pathways to Peace
Philippians 4:4-9

Introduction
Isaiah 9:6 & Luke 2:9-14
Jesus is described in these verses as the “Prince of Peace” and the one who will bring “peace on earth”

Questions
1. What comes to mind when you hear the word “peace”?
2. Describe a moment/time/situation in your life where “peace” would be the best description
3. When life is hectic, what tends to happen to “peace”?

The background to our passage in Philippians 4
1. The church had division (Euodia and Syntynche; Phil. 4:1-2)
2. Epaphroditus almost died (Phil. 2:25-30)
3. False teachers threatened the church (Phil. 3:2)
4. Paul was in prison (Phil. 1:12-14)
Yet Paul claimed to be content (Phil. 4 :11-14)

Philippians 4:4-9—Pathways to Peace: Praise, Prayer, and Practice

Peace follows Christ; he is the path

Pathway 1: A Proper Attitude of Praise
Philippians 4:4-5

Paul tells us that attention determines perspective.
a. In spite of the issues with which Paul and the Philippians are dealing, he tells them to rejoice, to practice praise
b. Praise focuses our attention off of our circumstances and on to God’s abilities
c. Praise helps us pay attention to the Prince of Peace as our foundation

When we focus on Jesus, we are better able to practice “graciousness” or “loving consideration” towards others as we learn to love and act as Christ loved and acted

An attitude of praise is the proper starting point for a life of peace

Peace follows Christ; praise focuses on him

Pathway 2: Prayer is an Antidote to Anxiety
Philippians 4:6-7

Paul tells us that attention can determine our peace
Anxiety is a thief to peace, it will rob us of peace and burden us
When we focus on anxiety, we usually find ourselves lacking peace

This passage commands (it is an imperative) to avoid anxiety by following Paul’s advice
a. Worry about nothing
b. Pray about everything
c. Thank God for anything

If we follow Paul’s path here, we will find ourselves under the guard of God’s peace
Just like Paul is currently under the garrison or guard of Roman soldiers, the Christian who learns to pray and praise in the presence of God can find protection in God’s peace

Peace is a strong place, a place of protection
It guards our hearts (seat of the emotions)
It guards our minds (seat of decision)

Peace follows Christ; Prayer points to him

Pathway 3: Proper Practice Leads to Peace
Philippians 4:8-9

Paul tells us that attention to what we think and do can lead to peace
Right thinking and right living create an environment for peace to invade our lives

Pay attention to these things
What is True
What is Honorable
What is Just
What is Pure
What is Lovely
What is Commendable
Things that contain moral excellence or lead to praise

Then do them!
Do what you have learned from God’s Word
Do what you have learned from others
If you do, God’s peace will follow

Peace follows Christ; do what he does to gain his peace

Quote from Wiersbe

Sow a thought, reap an action
Sow an action, reap a habit
Sow a habit, reap a character
Sow a character, reap a destiny

Peace follows Christ; his peace is our destiny

Application
1. Life has a way of stealing our joy. Yet Jesus and his love and grace never change. Therefore, we should rejoice even if things are difficult.
God has said that he will never leave us or forsake us, and that is the reason we can be joyful. Take the command to rejoice seriously! Spend time this week praising God.

2. If we truly want the peace of God, let us pray and bring our burdens, requests, and needs to him.
Spend time in prayer daily. Make a specific appointment for it. Do it as an expression of your desire to know God and to experience his peace.
As you pray, do it with a thankful heart. Thankfulness is central to the Christian faith. An attitude of gratitude can create an atmosphere of peace. Find specific things for which to give thanks to God.

3. In this season of Christmas, the idea of peace is on the minds of a lot of people. The war against terror, the problems with the economy, and the cares of everyday life cause many to look for a pathway of peace. Look for things you can do that will show the presence of Christ in your life.
Look for opportunities this week to share your experience with Jesus (the Prince of Peace) as the means for true peace in our world today
As you hear Christmas carols played, focus on the words that mention Christ’s role in bringing peace and find ways to be an instrument of peace to others
Focus on commendable things and things of moral excellence as a means to share the truth of Christ and his gospel with others

Discussion Questions
How can we have peace when we are not at peace with one another?

What relationships does God want to work on with you right now?

Do you focus on your demands, or on being patient and kind with people around you?

Can you trust God with the concerns of your life? If not, how can you start?

What is it in God’s character that makes him worthy of our praise and of our trust? How can you show your praise to him? How can you show trust?

Who in your realm of influence needs peace? What can you do to introduce them to the prince of peace?

What will the church look like if we do what Paul commands us in Philippians 4?
What will the world think if we did it?

How can you live a life of peace? Will you?

Thanks for reading!

Truth on Trial: John 18:25-38

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 29. The lesson is on John 18:25-38 and is entitled "Truth on Trial." If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Truth on Trial
John 18:25-38


Introduction
Struggles with truth
I am a philosopher by nature, and a skeptic as well
I like to pursue truth, but often find myself in a struggle to know what it is in certain situations (e.g., news stories, sermons, personal testimonies)

Our society has a problem with truth as well
Barna Research
Politics
Even university education

Today’s lesson looks at a time when truth was on trial
The end of the story is that Truth put everyone else on trial

Three views of truth are expressed in our passage for today:
1. Truth is Relative
2. Truth is Pragmatic
3. Truth is Absolute

John 18:25-38

When truth is on trial, what is our testimony?

1. Truth is Relative
Peter and the Jews (John 18:25-32)

Discussion Questions
a. When confronted with a true statement, how does Peter respond?
b. Why do you think Peter responded this way?
c. When given a chance to tell the truth, how did the Jews respond?
d. The Jewish leaders would not enter Pilate’s court to avoid being defiled. Would lying defile a person at Passover?

Peter and the Jewish leaders seem to relate to truth as a malleable substance subject to their own interpretation
a. They deny it outright (Peter)
b. They spin it (Jewish leaders)
c. They only use part of it for their own ends (Jewish leaders)

The Problem with Relative Truth
a. It creates a situation where bad cultural ideas become in some sense “true” or “good” (e.g. Nazi Germany, genocide, etc.)
b. It can be very contradictory (My truth and your truth may not be THE truth), and in fact it is self-contradictory
c. It claims absolute authority (all truth statements are relative to the person(s) making the statement)
d. It doesn’t fit with how we live out lives everyday (we make decisions based on an idea of absolute truth or objective reality—e.g. we don’t buy the green meat at Wal-Mart)

“In the absence of truth, power is the only game in town.” Richard John Neuhaus

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?
Do you spin it to fit your own terms, or do you stand for God’s truth (the absolute Truth)?

2. Truth is Pragmatic/Power
Pilate (John 18:33-38)

Bear with me in a bit of speculation here
a. Scholars are not sure why Pilate asked his infamous question
b. It is not clear exactly what Pilate may have thought about truth
c. Pilate certainly spoke some truth in his encounter with Jesus
d. Pilate finally decides to give up one man to preserve the peace of a nation (pragmatism)

Pilate’s experience with the Jews shows that he often operated from a pragmatic stance in which he understood truth to be determined by the person with the most power or by the idea that seemed to work the best

Let’s take a closer look at Pilate’s dilemma
a. He had a bad history with the Jews
b. He had to please his superiors and keep peace with the Jews
c. It was early in the morning
d. He had problems accepting the story of the Jewish leaders
e. It was Passover, a high holy day for the Jews
f. Jesus didn’t look like much of a king or a threat for that matter
g. He had to make a choice that would please the most people and cause the least problem

Pilate questioned the Truth as it stood before him, but failed to stay and listen when he asked the most important question—”What is Truth?”

Truth often confronts us in silence before it screams to us

Jesus stood before Pilate as the revelation of Truth, and Pilate simply turned away and chose a pragmatic or practical route instead
But pragmatic truth has some of the same problems as “relative” truth, doesn’t it?

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?
Do you simply do what works, or do you stand for God’s Truth?

3. Truth is Absolute
Jesus (John 18:33-38)

Look at what Jesus says to Pilate
a. He gets to the heart of the issue by asking Pilate a question (v. 34—Do you really want to know?)

b. In response to Pilates’ question “What have you done?”, Jesus responds with a definition of his kingdom
His kingdom does not have a worldly origin
Doesn’t mean that it won’t have influence in the world
Means that the authority of Jesus and his kingdom is higher than the authority of worldly kingdoms

Jesus defines his kingdom by its testimony to the truth
a. Jesus’ kingdom is true
b. Jesus’ followers listen to him
c. Jesus’ kingdom is characterized by people who speak and live the truth

Jesus seems to promote a view of truth that corresponds to what is real, to reality

Jesus’ view of truth is an absolute one
a. Truth is defined by a reality outside of the observer
b. Truth corresponds to actual or absolute reality
c. Something is either true or false as it describes what is real or actual
d. Truth is not simply an “it,” it is a person
e. Jesus came to testify to the Truth of God and his relationship to humanity (John 1:9-18; 14:6)
f. Jesus is Truth

When the Bible speaks of truth, it speaks of that which corresponds to reality, that which is factual and absolute

What is Truth? Truth is Jesus, everything that does not correspond to his character is false

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?

Application
“What is Truth?” asks Pilate, while Jesus reminds us that his kingdom and his very existence is to testify of the Truth. Jesus further says, “Everyone who is of the truth hears (or listens to) my voice.”

Do the lives we live give evidence that we hear the voice of Christ, that we live his truth?

If God’s Word is Truth (John 17:17), and if that Truth produces holiness, then what should our response to Truth be?

To be “true” followers of Christ we must be “true” to his word

This week:
a. Examine your life for “truth.” What in your life corresponds to the character and teaching of Christ and what doesn’t?
b. Spend at least 15 minutes every day reading the Truth, the Word of God
c. List at least one thing you can do in response to the Scripture that will show you are living God’s Truth, then go out and do it
d. Speak the truth of God’s redeeming love or encouraging grace to someone who needs it this week—show them God’s love by sharing with them his Truth

When truth is on trial, what is your testimony?

Thanks for reading!

Some things to be thankful for from a psalm of David

Psalm 138

1 A Psalm of David. I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. 3 On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. 4 All the kings of the earth will give thanks to You, O LORD, When they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the LORD, For great is the glory of the LORD. 6 For though the LORD is exalted, Yet He regards the lowly, But the haughty He knows from afar. 7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. 8 The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Since this is the season of Thanksgiving, and since I seem to hear more complaints lately (most of them coming from my own heart), I decided to post a list of things I am thankful for based off of some words from David about Thanksgiving. Psalm 138 above describes a Hymn of Thanksgiving. With David, I'd like to remind myself to be thankful for the following:

1. There is no god like the God of the Bible. The Triune God is not a part of his creation, nor is his subsistence dependent on it. He is above all things, and by him all things exist. In fact, Paul tells us in Colossians 1 that Jesus holds all things together and is the author of creation. There is nothing outside of God's authority.

2. God's lovingkindness and truth are available to all of us. Jeremiah reminds us that God's mercy is new every morning. The Psalmist reminds us on numerous occasions that God is patient and longsuffering, showing mercy and lovingkindness unto many generations. His love is such that he gave us what he treasures most: Jesus, his only Son. His lovingkindness not only gave us life, but it also provides us with all we need to live this life and to obey his ways. His mercy is amazing! His truth is convicting. God does not lie. He reveals truth inside humans, but he also makes truth known in nature itself. Even God's very attributes are observable in nature around us. God has made Truth known, and he is the very essence of Truth. All truth points to him, and he alone knows all truth. His truth and lovingkindness lead to salvation.

3. God has given us a Word that will never fail. He has magnified, valued, advanced, enlarged, even exalted his Word above his own name. If the name of God is the name above all names, then his Word must be the Word above all words. He has revealed himself in Jesus who is the Logos, the Word of God in flesh, the exact representation of the image and character of God himself. The Word God has provided for us is active, alive, and powerful. It can bring knowledge, life, and salvation. God has given us his Word!

4. God answers prayer. When we call on God, he is faithful to respond. And his response emboldens us and gives us courage. Conversation with God leads to conversion of our souls. His response to our requests shows his presence, his love, and his great kindness towards us. He hears when we call, and he responds.

5. God is friends with the humble, but he is an enemy to the proud. I am grateful that even though our God is so exalted, yet he finds it satisfactory to dwell with those who are humble and lowly. He is not at home with those who think too highly of themselves, but he chooses to dwell with those who humble themselves to him.

6. God will be with me in trouble. There is no obstacle or problem that can separate me from God (Romans 8:28-39). His love for me is never ending and his reach cannot be blocked. No matter the circumstances in my life, God is faithful and will be my closest friend. He will walk with me in the midst of my problems and provide me what I need to live a life of godliness even in hard circumstances (Psalm 23). He does not always deliver me from trouble, but he never abandons me in it. Like the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, God is with me in the midst of my trials, troubles, or problems. He bears them with me, he walks with me, he gives me his joy in spite of my trouble, and he never fails.

7. God will complete the task he has begun (Phil. 1:6). He will not forsake the works of his hands. He will accomplish all those things that pertain to me. He will not fail. He is constant, kind, considerate. He will finish what he starts and will bring to pass all that he has promised (Isaiah 66:9). His Word is true and he is faithful to complete it. Not a single stray mark of his Scripture will fail to happen. If God speaks it or if God begins it, it will be done in his time and by his outstretched hand. There is nothing too difficult for God, and he is worthy of my praise.

Because of these things and so many others, I want to develop a grateful and thankful heart. May we all find comfort in God's character, Word, and love this season. May we give him the thanks and praise he deserves!

Thanks for reading!

Just One Thing: Hebrews 10:11-18

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too so as to keep the blog a bit more active. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 15. The lesson is on Hebrews 10:11-18. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Just One Thing
A Lesson in Contrasts
Hebrews 10:11-18

Introduction
The tyranny of the urgent
Swimming in a sea of “things to do”
Going through the motions just living life
The straw that broke the camel’s back
The negative impact of “just one more thing”
What if "just one thing" could have a positive impact?

Background for our passage
Daily sacrifices versus one sacrifice

Hebrews 10:11-18
In God’s hands, just one thing is enough

1. Contrasting Sacrifices
Hebrews 10:11-14

Questions
a. Why do the priests offer sacrifices daily?
b. What do these ongoing sacrifices accomplish for folks?
c. How is Christ’s sacrifice different?
d. How is it that one sacrifice accomplishes what many sacrifices couldn’t do?

The priests’ daily sacrifices is incomplete
a. Like a pile of dirty clothes, cleaning is temporary and must be continued as the pile of clothes grows
b. Human sin is like that, it is overwhelming
c. The priests do not have what it takes to gain complete forgiveness

Jesus’ “once for all” sacrifice is complete (John 19:30)
a. This sacrifice is not partial or temporary
b. This sacrifice is singular and sanctifying (Rom. 8:1-4)
c. God finishes what he starts (Phil. 1:6)

In God’s hands, just one thing is enough

2. Contrasting Covenants
Hebrews 10:15-18

The first covenant
a. Laws written on stone
b. Many laws and sacrifices required
c. Unable to forgive multiple sins “once for all time”

The second covenant
a. Endorsed by the Spirit
b. Written on hearts, a “living” word that brings life (2 Cor. 3:4-6; Hebrews 4:12)
c. Requires only one sacrifice to forgive multiple sins “once for all time”
d. One sacrifice of Christ removes the need for multiple sacrifices

In God’s hands, just one thing is enough

3. Application
"If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him." C. T. Studd

If God has given his best for us, and if that “one thing” is sufficient to provide all we need for life and holiness; then how should we live?

This week
a. Determine to give God your best, not a half hearted effort, in whatever you do
b. Commit yourself to God to live in the victory and Spirit of his Son and his offering
c. Live a sacrificed life doing just one thing—Seek to please God at all times
d. Find just one thing you can do for God, and do it to the best of your ability
e. Take time this week to look for just one opportunity to share your faith
f. Find just one person who needs your help or encouragement and give it

Remember, in God’s hands, just one thing is enough

4. Discussion Questions
What point is the writer making when he stresses the repeated offerings of the Jewish priesthood? What do we do over and over again in an effort to “gain” God’s approval?

What point is being made by noting that after Christ's sacrifice he sat down?
"He sat down at the right hand of God.“ What does this infer about the status of Christ?

In what sense have we been "made perfect"?

In what sense are we "being made holy"? How are you doing in living a holy life? Where do you need God’s Spirit and Christ’s sacrifice to help?

In what sense is the law "in" our hearts and "on" our minds? In what ways do we ignore it? How can we learn to pay more attention?

What sins need forgiving in your life?

Who in your world needs to hear about God’s “just one thing” in Christ and the salvation and sanctification it can bring?

What “just one thing” will you do this week to show God’s grace?

Thanks for reading!

Are You All in? Mark 12:38-44

Hello all:

I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too so as to keep the blog a bit more active. So, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 8. The lesson is on Mark 12:38-44. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

All in?
Selling Out or Sold Out?
Mark 12:38-44

Introduction

Questions
What comes to mind when you think of someone who is a “sell out”? Is it negative or positive?
What comes to mind when you think of the phrase “sold out”? What does it mean that someone is “sold out” to a particular cause?

The term “All in”
a. Poker term (don’t panic!): It means putting everything you have into the pot
b. This is a risky move: You’ll either win it all or lose it all!

My testimony
Mark 12:38-44
Two things in this passage: 1. The Warnings and 2. The Widow

1. The Warnings (Don’t sell out)
Mark 12:38-40
The people Jesus described had become sell outs because what they offered was only for selfish reasons

The warnings
a. Beware the desire for prominence (don’t sell out for a reputation)
b. Beware the desire for deference (don’t sell out for perks)

This is false religion!
a. False religion asks, “What’s in it for me?”

Are you “all in” with God?
Or are you hedging your bets, holding out for a “better offer”?
How much is your soul worth?
What risks will you take?

2. The Widow (Be Sold Out)
Mark 12:41-44

The Problem with Money
a. More money often leads to more worry
b. More money often leads to a wrong focus

The People and their Money
It’s not how much you give, it’s how much it cost you

The Poor Widow
a. She didn’t focus on percentages
b. She didn’t compare her gift to others
c. She gave her all—she was sold out to God’s cause

Are you “all in” with God?
What are you willing to risk?
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.“ Jim Elliot

3. Application
Hebrews 9:24-28

When God wanted to effect salvation for humanity, he didn’t offer his leftovers or a percentage of his wealth.
a. He offered everything
b. He offered his most precious possession
c. He gave his only Son--Jesus gave his all!

Jesus was sold out to God’s plan
He was “all in” for salvation/He was “all in” for us

What can we possibly offer in response to that?
Can we give anything less than our best?
Can we be anything less than “all in” for God’s plan?

This week
a. Make a list of your priorities and responsibilities
b. Rate them by how important they are in your life. What role does God play in each area?
c. Where do you need to risk to reach others in an effort to be sold out to God’s plan?
d. Commit a time to pray for each of these items this week, and ask God what being “all in” for him looks like there

Are you “all in” for God?

4. Discussion Questions

Look at the warnings in Mark 12:38-40. Which one(s) do you struggle with the most? Where have you been selling out your integrity instead of being sold out to God?

What do you give to God? Money? Time? Work? Study? Relationships? Is it a mere percentage, or is it “all in” for his use?

What are your “widow’s mites”? What are the most precious things to you? Are you willing to give them to God for others?

Compare Hebrews 9:24-28 to Mark 12:38-44. What do these verses have in common? How do they complement each other? What role does “judgment” and “offering” play in each?

Who in your world could benefit from the offering Christ made in Hebrews 9? How can you (like the widow) give into their lives to help them see the importance of that gift?

Are you willing to be “all in” for God? If so, what changes will you have to make?

Thanks for reading!

Waiting for Jesus: Lessons from the Story of Lazarus, John 11

Hello all:

As noted before, I teach an Adult Bible Community at Thomas Road Baptist Church called the G.A.P. (for Graduates and Professionals), and each week I post the outlines and discussion questions from my lessons on the G.A.P. page on Facebook. A few weeks ago I started posting these notes on the blog too so as to keep it a bit more active. So, with that introduction, here is the outline and questions for our meeting on November 1. The lesson is on John 11. If you have any questions or would like to add a comment or two, that would be great!

Waiting for Jesus
Lessons from Lazarus
John 11

Introduction
Creation and John’s Gospel

Seven days of Creation vs. Seven Signs in John
1. Jesus is taking everything that went wrong with creation and making it right again
2. After the seventh day: Death enters the world
3. The seventh sign: Lazarus (Jesus is the resurrection and the life)
4. The world waited thousands of years for Jesus to come and begin the work that will ultimately reverse the effects of sin and death

The problem is the waiting

Waiting for Jesus can cause anxiety but it is always worth it
John 11

1. Waiting for Jesus can cause anxiety

The Beginning of the Story
Jesus waits even though he loves Lazarus
His friend dies
What are the results of his waiting to go to his friend?

Jesus’ waiting has an effect on others
a. The disciples
Going with Jesus now could be dangerous
They may find themselves dead as a result
Why doesn’t Jesus just “play it safe”?

b. Mary and Martha
The loss of their loved one causes grief and anxiety
Perhaps their dream has died with Lazarus
Why didn’t God stop the pain?
Why didn’t Jesus come sooner?

c. The Jewish leaders
Jesus’ actions threaten their position and authority
They want to wait for him to “mess up” so that they can stop him
Why doesn’t Jesus leave things well enough alone?

God acts in his own time to save in his own way
Waiting on God requires confidence in his character

2. Waiting for Jesus is worth it

a. Jesus waits for the proper time
He waits for God’s glory to be revealed

b. The Words of Jesus
This is for God’s glory
I am the resurrection and the life
Remove the Stone
Lazarus, Come forth
Unbind him

c. The anger of Jesus
Why is he upset?
Jesus is upset that folks are only looking at the “impossible” circumstances
Jesus is upset because others are sad
Jesus is upset because they didn’t believe his words

d. The dead man comes alive
When we wait for Jesus, dead things can be made alive
Dreams we thought had died can be renewed

e. New threats may also arise
Waiting on Jesus is living in the faith that God will act

God acts in his own time to save in his own way
Waiting on God requires confidence in his character

3. Application
Waiting usually produces anxiety, but waiting for Jesus may result in new life

Learn from the lessons of the people in our story
a. Make your waiting worthwhile by focusing on God’s character instead of your expectations
b. Spend time in God’s Word
c. Pay attention to what God says instead of your circumstances
d. Recognize that no dream is too dead that God can’t raise it
e. Obey God until he shows up
f. Love your neighbor
g. Pray for others
h. Encourage one another
i. Hold fast to the faith
j. Don’t give up

Waiting on God requires confidence in his character

4. Discussion Questions

a. Jesus calls Lazarus out of the grave and orders him to be unbound. What is binding you up and keeping you from new life? What caves do you need to be called out of? What are the obstacles that are in the way, in between you and life, you and God?

b. Have you ever felt dead? Lifeless? How did the life get suck out of you? What do you think would happen if the breath of God was breathed back into you? What might happen if breath was breathed back into the church?

c. Do you think resurrection is something we experience only in an afterlife, or can we experience it right now?

d. Why do you think Jesus wept for Lazarus even though he knew he would raise him from the dead?

e. What needs are you waiting on Jesus to address? How has anxiety become a part of your waiting? How does God’s character address those anxieties?

f. Who needs your encouragement as they wait for a touch or word from Jesus?

Thanks for reading!