Tuesday, March 28, 2006
THE YEAST OF THE PHARISEES AND HEROD-1
Like the disciples, we wonder what that might mean. Matthew, in his telling of the story, provides an application. For Matthew it is to beware of the teaching of the Pharisees (and Sadducees, rather than Herod). The saying similarly appears in Luke's gospel account, where it is simply the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast is identified as hypocrisy.
Only Mark pairs the Pharisees with Herod, which strikes us as strange, and does not directly tell us what the yeast means. One can either look for the contrast between the Pharisees and Herod or look for a similarity.
The first inclination is to see them as contrasts. Their beliefs and postitions in the world are polar opposites and perhaps Jesus is warning against two possible extremes. On the one hand we are not to be like the Pharisees. Avoid a hard-hearted legalism that revels in externals and details while often completely missing the real point. Avoid a self-centered works righteousness that results in pride. Elsewhere in the gospels Jesus clearly condemns these traits in the Pharisees.
On the other hand, do not be like Herod. Do not be so lax about God that in reality you become the enemy of God. Do not use religion merely for political and personal gain. Do not become a cynic concerning genuine religious commitment and action.
So this is one possible application of Jesus' metaphor. There are almost always two ends of the spectrum that lead us astray. In this case it would be legalistic religion and religious apathy. It is a good application, but is that what Jesus was saying? Probably not...
Friday, March 17, 2006
FLAMING ARROWS
Maybe you have shared my experience at times. The week began in a time with the church family that uplifted, enriched, encouraged and filled with joy. It was, in fact, one of the most powerful of such times.
And now, by Friday, almost a feeling of despair. Satan will not leave us alone. Even with the Son of God, Luke tell us (4:13) that he only left Jesus alone "until an opportune time." That means he backed off, regrouped, waited - and attacked again.
He will use family disharmony, disagreements with Christian brothers or sisters diverting us from our purpose, and even bodily ailment or other external circumstances--anything to bring us down and cause us to be less intense and focused on God's mission. Anything to snatch away victory.
It is vital that we recognize that behind the physical, material or relational struggles there is a spiritual struggle. We are most vulnerable when we do not recognize that. And recognizing the underlying spiritual battle is the first step toward a successful defense against the flaming arrows.
After lunch I realized this needed to be given over to God in prayer. Simply pray for protection and victory. Pray not to be defeated or even discouraged.
When I prayed about this descending despair, it wasn't 10 minutes until I received a phone call. The call had nothing directly to do with any source of attack. It was a call from a Christian sister who had been to visit my elderly mom who is not doing well. Even the report of mom's condition was not positive. But the positive, caring concern of the caller, the heart of a servant of God who was living out the victory today, made a huge difference. Thank you, Lynn. Thank you, God.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
JOYFUL ASSEMBLY
After last Sunday's joy-filled assembly I received a note from a college-age student who said that being here on Sunday was not only more fulfilling than being out with friends dancing on Saturday night, but was actually a better time. The joy of Sunday morning exceeded the fun of Saturday night. That is the sort of thing I have heard all my life should be the case, but often was not so in actuality.
The passages below are the ones provided in the handout Sunday and discussed briefly. Of course, the power of the morning was that we were joyful and expressed our joy rather than simply studied about joy or said that we should be joyful.
Hebrews 12:22-24
But you have come to
1 Thessalonians 5:16
Be joyful always;
Leviticus 9:24
Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown.
1 Chronicles 16:27
Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and joy in his dwelling place.
Ezra 6:16
Then the people of
Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Nehemiah 8:17
From the days of Joshua son of Nun until that day, the Israelites had not celebrated it like this. And their joy was very great.
Psalm 16:11
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 27:6
Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
My heart leaps for joy
and I will give thanks to him in song
Psalm 42:4
These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.
Psalm 47:1
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
Clap your hands, all you nations;
shout to God with cries of joy.
Psalm 66:1
For the director of music. A song. A psalm.
Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Psalm 71:23
My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you--
I, whom you have redeemed.
Psalm 95:1
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Isaiah 12:6
Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."
Matthew 13:44
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
Luke 2:10
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
John 17:13
"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
Acts 13:52
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17
For the
2 Corinthians 8:2
Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
Galatians 4:15
What has happened to all your joy? I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me.
1 Peter 1:8
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
3 John 1:3-4
It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. [4] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS LIKE...
Note: I believe there was some confusion between the "kingdom of heaven" and "heaven." In Matthew the phrase "kingdom of heaven" equates with Luke's "kingdom of God." The kingdom is God's rule and reign in his people and is available now in contrast with the ultimate consummation to come in heaven. Obviously they are connected, but not identical. So some responses below may more appropriately describe heaven. But here are many of the responses.
The
An unlimited credit card
A recycling plant
Extreme Makeover (current TV show)
The internet (or Spam or a computer virus)
A perfect computer chip
A never-ending reunion party
A garden of flowers
A gourmet meal/banquet table
A child being born
An amazing 60 inch HDTV (you can only watch if you plug into the power source)
A new pair of glasses allowing you to see what you couldn’t see before
A coloring book that once colored, comes to life
Going to Starbucks to buy a small, regular coffee and getting a Venti caramel frappuchino with extra whipped cream
A man who owned 6 motorcycles but sold them all to get the perfect one
Universal health care
Finding an affordable home in
An Ipod loaded with all your favorite music plus unlimited downloads
A sanctuary house – peace and safety within
A family reunion
The Olympics
A “One-hit Wonder” – you only get it right once but that changes everything
Catching a homerun ball in McCovey Cove
A great classroom where students are “getting it”
Doing what you love for a living
Forwarded emails – spreads to all
A child dancing on the father’s feet
A banker settling accounts
A zygote
A Redwood tree seed
New car smell
Love, love, love
An infinite-speed internet connection with all knowledge at your fingertips
Coming home after a long day of work
Mama’s dinner every night
Going through a deceased person’s house and finding an art masterpiece
A drop of food coloring in a glass of water
Sun after rain
Helping an elderly person or stranded motorist
A Christian start-up
Finding a true friend for life
A software program – a few lines are very powerful
Tiffany’s jewelry – everything is sparkly and beautiful
Laughter of an innocent child
Being in love – nothing else really matters
Unlimited free parking
An organ donation
A homeowner hiring workers in front of Home Depot
Willy Wonka’s golden ticket
Mixing color into white paint
A scavenger hunt where one finds a real treasure
A cure for cancer or AIDS
A fountain of youth
Meeting your spouse for the first time and knowing you will be together for life
Eating chocolate and favorite foods but not gaining weight
Finding the ultimate pair of shoes on sale
Meals and showers for homeless people
Cubs winning the World Series
Sunday, March 05, 2006
ROY ROGERS (one more time)
Roy had his "Rider's Rules" for the kids that idolized him. How did he try to use his influence?
1. Be neat and clean.
2. Be courteous and polite.
3. Always obey your parents.
4. Protect the weak and help them.
5. Be brave but never take chances. (Remember, this was for kids.)
6. Study hard and learn all you can.
7. Be kind to animals and take care of them.
8. Eat all your food and never waste any.
9. Love God, and go to Sunday School regularly.
10. Always respect our flag and country.
We inhabit a different planet (culture) from that world which is all the more reason why Christians must shine like stars without fault in a crooked and depraved generation. (see Philippians 2:14-15)
