Its Back to School time! I would hate to have to go back to school today… there is so much I’ve forgotten and would have to go back and re-learn! Especially Math! It’s been 20 yrs since I’ve had a math class. If I had to go back and take math again, I’d need to go back to the basics and re-learn everything… I’ve forgotten so much. Today I want to begin a new series of lessons… Christianity 101… and challenge us to go back and take a fresh look at some of the “basics” of the Christian faith. This is always good for us… for new Christians… to learn why we do things the way we do him… the fundamentals. It is good for our children… to instruct them in the basics… AND even for those of us who’ve been Christians for a long time… to go back and re-examine what we know (or think we know) about some of the basic doctrines of Christianity.
In the next few weeks, I want us to take a fresh look at Worship, at Prayer, at Baptism & Lord’s Supper, etc. There may be more…
Today… start with the most basic: What is Christianity? What is the Christian faith? That may be a difficult question to answer since there are so many different views out there… different definitions of Christianity. Some see it simply as a HERITAGE… the way they grew up… how they were raised. It’s the tradition that their family abided in, and so they are ‘Christian’ by virtue of the fact that momma & daddy raised them in the Christian tradition. Some see it as a PHILOSOPHY of life… a moral code or system of ethics that one ought to abide by. Live by the code, be blessed. Some see it as their IDENTITY… its what sets them apart from others. I’m not Moslem, or Jewish or Hindu… I’m Christian. Some see it as a SYSTEM of truths that must be believed… doctrines that one needs to ascribe to in order to be ‘right’ instead of ‘wrong.’
I’m wondering… WHAT did Jesus really intend to start? When he called those guys out at the sea of Galilee… what was he calling them to? Because I don’t think he was interested in starting just another religion! The world in the 1st century was FULL of religions… there was a religion for everybody! The Greeks had their pantheon of ‘gods’; the Romans largely adopted the ‘gods’ of ancient Greece and gave them Greek names… but again there was a religion for everything. There were mystery religions. There were cultic religions. There were all sorts… and I don’t think they really needed another one! The world today is full of religions! Again, there’s a religion for everything! If you want to lose weight- there’s a religion for that. If you want to feel good about yourself- there’s a religion for that. If you want to go out and kill others- there’s a religion that will tell you that’s what you need to do in the name of God in order to get to heaven! If you want to worship Elvis- there’s a religion for that. The world doesn’t need another religion! But I don’t think Jesus went out to the sea of Galilee that day thinking, “Gee, I think I’ll start a new religion today.” So, what was his intention? What is Christianity really & truly about? What is at the heart & core of the Christian faith?
Let’s look again at the text:
Matthew 4:18-20
18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.
21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. NIV
Jesus called them to “follow him.” He didn’t invite them to be a part of his social network, a club, a clique, a church or a denomination! He called them to follow him. He was inviting them to discipleship. Some observations…
Christianity is about a person: Jesus
When Jesus invited them to follow him, he was inviting them to discipleship… not membership. It was about them becoming his students, his apprentices. A disciple is a student… but being a student is more than writing real neatly, turning your homework in on time and making passing grades! Being a disciple is about becoming like your teacher… taking on their trade… adopting the ways of your teacher… becoming so much like him that the products you produce can’t be differentiated from the products produced by the master. A disciple’s goal is to become like his master in every way… THAT’S what Jesus was inviting them to. We mustn’t forget that Christianity is first & foremost about Jesus.
Christians have always had a tendency to tack on other things… all sorts of traditions & interpretations… opinions & creeds… And some of those may be good and may be things we ought to do or believe… but let’s not forget that at the heart of Christianity is a REAL person… Jesus. He really lived… and he really gave us an example.
1 Peter 2:21
21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. NIV
Now, this is so simple… Walk as Jesus walked. Listen to what Jesus said. Believe who Jesus is. Why do we complicate it? Why do we fuss & fight and splinter into hundreds of denominational groups… when the call to follow him seems so simple? That’s why I love the restoration plea that we’ve been screaming in churches of Christ for 200 years… let’s just go back to the Bible and to new testament Christianity and simplify! Let’s forget the opinions & interpretations & creeds of men that have separated us… and come back to the Bible (& the Bible alone) as all-sufficient for us to know God. I love that idea… if we could just go back to that… go back to simple Christianity… Jesus.
I’m going to be somewhat critical of churches of Christ here (even though I love them) I’m not sure we’ve always had the emphasis on the right syllable… In our zeal to restore pure & simple Christianity as it was practiced in the early church.. I wonder if we’ve missed the point? I wonder if we’ve focused too much on the pattern of the NT church to the neglect of the pattern laid out for us by Jesus. In our efforts to get church right, have we gotten Jesus right? Example: We’ve gone back and studied church leadership & try to organize our churches like they were in the 1st century. But have we had the same desire to restore Jesus’ care for the poor, the orphaned, the widow, the undesirable in our churches? We cannot forget that 1st & foremost… Christianity is about Jesus!
And so everything we do & believe as Christians ought to be firmly rooted in the person of Christ. What do I mean by that? Everything we do ought to be linked to the character & work of Jesus in some way. The doctrine of baptism? I believe in baptism not only b/c Jesus himself was baptized, but also because of the symbolism involved. It is a death/burial & resurrection… like Jesus. Ro. 6 Why do we do Lord’s Supper on Sundays? Well, Jesus commanded us to AND he gave great meaning to it… as we ‘remember’ the body & blood of Jesus. Rooted in Jesus. Why do we worship on Sundays? We DO know the early church did that… but they worshipped on Sunday because that was the day of Jesus’ resurrection! Everything we do ought to find its roots in the person of Jesus… he is the “author & perfector of our faith” the Hebrew writer would say!
Christianity is about CHANGE
Jesus said to that bunch of guys that day, “Follow me… and I will make you fishers of men.” Now look at who he’s talking to… a bunch of fishermen. I imagine them to be a rough bunch of dudes. Peter & Andrew… James & John. Maybe I just imagine that because I’ve got a stereotype in my mind of what a professional fisherman looks like. But I don’t think I’m way off. You don’t get a nickname like the “Sons of Thunder” by being a wimp or a sweet little gentleman! And Jesus says I’m going to give you a new life. You used to fish for fish… NOW you’re going to fish for men! He gave them a new job… and a new heart! Its about CHANGE!
Bill Brant spoke to us last week and mentioned Matt 5… where Jesus calls his disciples to be SALT & light. We like to think about being a light, but salt? Salt is essentially a change-agent. It’s a preservative that changes the makeup & flavor of food that it comes into contact with. Jesus is saying that Christianity is about change. Some people act as if they’re afraid of change! Talk about change as if it’s a bad thing! But following Jesus demands change… it calls us to change from who we used to be to become who God wants us to be! Sometimes that change is painful… but Christianity is about change!
Changing within ourselves… but also out in the world as agents of change in our culture. And don’t we all agree that our culture could use a few more Christian change-agents in it?
Christianity is about Pagans/Unbelievers/Non-Christians
Really, let’s be honest. Christianity isn’t about us… its about others. What does Jesus tell the disciples to do? Who are they supposed to go find? “Fishers of … ?” What kind of men? Yea… the world. He doesn’t call them to go and look out for just one another. He doesn’t call them to go create a commune somewhere where all the Christians could huddle up together and not have to deal with the outside world. NO! He calls them to ‘go into the world’ (Mk 16)… he calls them to get out there in the sea of humanity and go FISHING! Not sheep-stealing. Not member-transfers. But fishing! And if you’re like me (and not a big fisherman) you’re thinking… BUT, Jesus, fish are slippery. They’re slimy & scaly. They smell bad… and its an awful lot of trouble to get out there! But isn’t that what Jesus told the disciples to do? Isn’t that at the heart of what Christianity is all about… reconciling a broken and chaotic world with its creator? Christianity is about getting outside the walls of “Christianity” or the church… and bringing others in. Its about telling the world who Jesus is!
Jesus said…
Luke 19:10
10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." NIV
Matthew 9:13
13 … For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." NIV
Jesus’ focus was always squarely on the lost… on the sinners… on the pagans & the outsiders. The church is often so focused today on the saved… on its building… on the programs… that we forget… at the heart of Christianity is a love for those outside of Christ… and a desire for them to come to know him like we do. THAT’S the heart of Christianity! Having the heart of Jesus for those who don’t know him.
Towards the end of Paul’s life… in Acts 26, the worn-out, beleaguered apostle found himself standing before King Agrippa having to give a defense of his ministry. He had witnessed to his faith… he had laid out his case, made his defense and proclaimed the gospel of Christ to the unbelieving king… to all those in the court… to anybody within earshot… And Agrippa responded… “Do you think that in such a short time you can convince me to become a Christian?” (its one of only 3 times the word ‘christian’ is used in Scripture.)
Acts 26:29
29 Paul replied, "Short time or long-I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." NIV
Monday, October 10, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Day Seven
Well it's day seven. We were actually only supposed to be here six days. Today was to be our travel day but we missed our flight this morning and so we are waiting. After watching Ricky Pierce come unglued we got back to the hotel where we will wait and try again tomorrow. Actually Ricky handled it really well.
The airline is going to do everything they can to help us get a seat on their flight tomorrow but they can't guarantee it. We'll have to see. So be praying for some cancellations and/or no-shows tomorrow! If we can get to Miami I think we can figure out a way home. The airlines aren't guaranteeing anything but I know God is in control and he'll work it all out. Jim
Sent from my iPod
The airline is going to do everything they can to help us get a seat on their flight tomorrow but they can't guarantee it. We'll have to see. So be praying for some cancellations and/or no-shows tomorrow! If we can get to Miami I think we can figure out a way home. The airlines aren't guaranteeing anything but I know God is in control and he'll work it all out. Jim
Sent from my iPod
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Day Six
At least I think it's day six. They have started running together for me. But today was another great day in Honduras. The weather was just perfect as we drove to the community of Maqualiso (spelling?) to distribute bags of food. They were gone in no time. It's one of the poorest areas I have ever seen but the area is absolutely beautiful. It sits on the side of a mountain with a breathtaking view of the Honduran countryside. The people were so friendly and wonderful to meet. We gave away 200 or more bags and could have given away hundreds more.
Jimmy and Joel finally picked up their bags from the airport today! Yay! Just in time for tomorrow's return flight home. Ha ha.
What a wonderful trip this has been. It's going to be hard to leave our Honduran family here in the morning but I am sure looking forward to getting home. I have four little boys and a pretty special wife at home that I've missed quite a bit.
I can't wait to share more stories of our Honduran adventures with you in the days ahead. In the meantime be praying for us as we travel tomorrow and start thinking about making the trip with us next year! Jim
Sent from my iPod
Jimmy and Joel finally picked up their bags from the airport today! Yay! Just in time for tomorrow's return flight home. Ha ha.
What a wonderful trip this has been. It's going to be hard to leave our Honduran family here in the morning but I am sure looking forward to getting home. I have four little boys and a pretty special wife at home that I've missed quite a bit.
I can't wait to share more stories of our Honduran adventures with you in the days ahead. In the meantime be praying for us as we travel tomorrow and start thinking about making the trip with us next year! Jim
Sent from my iPod
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Days Four & Five
Exhausted is the best way to describe myself tonight. I tell you what... It takes a LOT to keep up with Ricky Pierce down here!
After a little down time on Sunday in the Valle de Angeles on Monday it was back to work! We headed out to Jovenes en Camino to finish up some projects that the Smyrna group wasn't able to complete last week. Jimmy's plumbing skills came in handy as they worked on getting water to a new washer. I did some carpentry work (if you can call it that) with Ray & Leroy. After working all day there we met up with Walter Goodwin last night and visited the hospital. We setup some cots and gave away 350 burritos. If you've never been there there is no way to describe the hospital to you. We were so blessed to be there.
Today we returned to Jovenes and finished up the projects we started yesterday. I think we got everything done and had a great day! It's such a great place. Some of the guys got drenched riding in the back of the truck on the way home but they didn't seem to mind.
Good news today! Jimmy's lost luggage has been found and is at the airport today! We couldn't get there before it closed however so we'll have to get it tomorrow... Just in time for leaving on Thur! Now we're waiting on our orders for tomorrow from our fearless leader.
Sent from my iPod
After a little down time on Sunday in the Valle de Angeles on Monday it was back to work! We headed out to Jovenes en Camino to finish up some projects that the Smyrna group wasn't able to complete last week. Jimmy's plumbing skills came in handy as they worked on getting water to a new washer. I did some carpentry work (if you can call it that) with Ray & Leroy. After working all day there we met up with Walter Goodwin last night and visited the hospital. We setup some cots and gave away 350 burritos. If you've never been there there is no way to describe the hospital to you. We were so blessed to be there.
Today we returned to Jovenes and finished up the projects we started yesterday. I think we got everything done and had a great day! It's such a great place. Some of the guys got drenched riding in the back of the truck on the way home but they didn't seem to mind.
Good news today! Jimmy's lost luggage has been found and is at the airport today! We couldn't get there before it closed however so we'll have to get it tomorrow... Just in time for leaving on Thur! Now we're waiting on our orders for tomorrow from our fearless leader.
Sent from my iPod
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Day three
What a great day in Honduras. We received an overwhelmingly warm welcome by the brethren at church this morning! They sang Bienvinidos as we arrived welcoming us with smiles, hugs, a few kisses and Honduran coffee! My kind of church!
After worship we enjoyed a great meal they prepared for us and then did a little shopping in the Valle de Angeles... In the rain.
The highlight had to have been getting to see a little girls face light up when we presented her with a wheelchair for her to have. She is 9 yrs old, has cerebal palsy and.... I'll have to let Ricky share the story with you. It was so touching to see! God is at work and I was blessed to see Him today! Jim
After worship we enjoyed a great meal they prepared for us and then did a little shopping in the Valle de Angeles... In the rain.
The highlight had to have been getting to see a little girls face light up when we presented her with a wheelchair for her to have. She is 9 yrs old, has cerebal palsy and.... I'll have to let Ricky share the story with you. It was so touching to see! God is at work and I was blessed to see Him today! Jim
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Day Two
It was a crazy but typical day in Honduras! One crew finished up the house. Another crew ran errands with Carlos picking up materials at Jovenes and trying to find an alternator for his truck. It took the better part of the day and most of it was spent waiting. Speaking of waiting, Joel & Jimmy spent all day at the airport looking for their luggage... No luck. The airline can't tell them where the bags are. Otherwise it was a great day!
Tomorrow it's off to worship with our bros and sisters in the Valle de Angeles! We'll send greetings from all at Washington St. Jim
Sent from my iPod
Tomorrow it's off to worship with our bros and sisters in the Valle de Angeles! We'll send greetings from all at Washington St. Jim
Sent from my iPod
Friday, June 24, 2011
Day One
We drove up to the most beautiful spot today to build a house on the top of a mountain! What a view! It rained on us a couple of times but I sure can't complain. The temp that high up stayed in the 70's all day making for a very pleasant day. We plan to finish it tomorrow.
We ended the day with a celebration at El Patio honoring Darrion's 13th Birthday. A great day! Now it's off to bed to get ready for tomorrow.
By the way... It looks like Jimmy's luggage is sightseeing in El Salvador and should be rejoining the group tomorrow at least he hopes so!
Sent from my iPod
We ended the day with a celebration at El Patio honoring Darrion's 13th Birthday. A great day! Now it's off to bed to get ready for tomorrow.
By the way... It looks like Jimmy's luggage is sightseeing in El Salvador and should be rejoining the group tomorrow at least he hopes so!
Sent from my iPod
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Safe Arrival
Well, we all arrived more or less on time this afternoon in Tegucigalpa! Thankfully, it was an uneventful flight and pretty smooth' all things considered. After a quick minute to freshen up and an even quicker bite to eat, we headed out to the clinic where we packed over 300 food bags which you donated! Thank you! Lord willing, we will be delivering those this week. Tomorrow, our plan is to head out to the Valle de Angeles to start construction on a house for Sis. Rosa from the church there. I met her in 2007 and let me tell you... she lives WAYYYY up a very high mountain! Will keep you posted.
By the way, Jimmy has recieved proper introduction to Honduras as he awaits the arrival of his luggage. Apparently, his bag decided it wanted another day layover in Miamai... perhaps to sight see... Hopefully it will arrive in the morning.
God bless!
By the way, Jimmy has recieved proper introduction to Honduras as he awaits the arrival of his luggage. Apparently, his bag decided it wanted another day layover in Miamai... perhaps to sight see... Hopefully it will arrive in the morning.
God bless!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Honduras 2011
This week our Honduras Brigade leaves for Tegucigalpa, Honduras for another great week of work and ministry alongside our dear missionary friends, Carlos & Marla Toledo. We solicit your prayers and ask that you remember us as we are away! We plan to spend a couple of days building a house for a sister in the church in the Valle de Angeles and then the rest of the time working on some facilities at Jovenes en Camino just outside of town. Thanks for your prayers!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Praying for Curt
We are learning new meaning to what the Apostle Paul instructed the Christians at Thessolonica to do... "Pray without ceasing" he told hem. Our church family at Washington Street has been doing just that these last few days and we would like to ask the entire Christian community in Fayetteville to join us today in prayer for a little boy so dear to us .
Curt Cannon, the 7 yr old son of David & Marcia Cannon was injured in an accident on Sunday evening, was med-flighted to Vanderbilt and remains there in very critical condition. David, Marcia, Curt and his sister, Amy Ann are dear members of our church family as are his grandparents, Curtis & Ruth Ashby. Our hearts go out to them, our thoughts are with them, and our prayers are covering them through this difficult time. They would cherish your prayers as well as they wait.
Tonight, following an abbreviated Bible class time, our church family with gather for a concentrated period of prayer. All are welcome to join us around 7:30pm for this. We'll ask all of our teachers to excuse their classes at that time so that we can all gather in the auditorium to lift this precious little boy up in prayer. We would love for other churches to do the same.
God bless & thank you for your concern,
Jim Black
for the Washington St Church Family
Curt Cannon, the 7 yr old son of David & Marcia Cannon was injured in an accident on Sunday evening, was med-flighted to Vanderbilt and remains there in very critical condition. David, Marcia, Curt and his sister, Amy Ann are dear members of our church family as are his grandparents, Curtis & Ruth Ashby. Our hearts go out to them, our thoughts are with them, and our prayers are covering them through this difficult time. They would cherish your prayers as well as they wait.
Tonight, following an abbreviated Bible class time, our church family with gather for a concentrated period of prayer. All are welcome to join us around 7:30pm for this. We'll ask all of our teachers to excuse their classes at that time so that we can all gather in the auditorium to lift this precious little boy up in prayer. We would love for other churches to do the same.
God bless & thank you for your concern,
Jim Black
for the Washington St Church Family
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Missio Dei: The Role of Christ... "A Savior Has Been Born!"
Luke 2:1-14
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." NIV
What a beautiful text to read… I can’t help but remember the Charlie Brown Christmas special… and Linus reading these words every year… the children singing around that poor pitiful little tree. This story is especially important this time of year as the world pauses to remember the significance of what God did in the sending of his Son! Today amidst all the hustle and bustle of the season… and the battles that wage over Santa Claus & Snowmen… that those of us who know of the truth of THIS story won’t let it die… and won’t let it be heard ONLY this time of year… but all year round! It is perhaps THE most significant story in all of human history… it was certainly the biggest NEWS story as far as Heaven was concerned on that day… “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you!” But what does that mean? “A Savior has been born to you”???
We’re talking about the Missio Dei- the Mission of God… and looking at what his grand plan has been for his fallen world. How God has been working his plan to bring all things “in heaven & on earth” back unto him… (cf. Col 2) … to rescue his fallen creation from the dominion of darkness & into the kingdom of Christ! That is what he has been up to since the very beginning… even taking Abraham & Sarah (an elderly childless couple living in Babylon) and forging their descendants into a nation… a people who existed for the purpose of “blessing the nations.” We know now that one of the ways they were a “blessing” was in their being the family thru which the Messiah would be born. Joseph & Mary both trace their ancestry straight back to Abraham & Sarah!
Today, I want to focus our lens on Jesus… not because its Christmas… but because He has been at the center of this grand Missio Dei all along! The Bible doesn’t give us much about Jesus in the years that immediately followed those events in Bethlehem… The gospel of Luke gives us more than the others. In ch. 2 we read about Mary & Joseph presenting the baby Jesus at the Temple and the blessing by Simeon who had waited his whole life for the Messiah. We also get the story of Jesus getting left behind in Jerusalem and his distraught Mom finding him in the Temple, listening to the teachers. (that’s right where your kids would go if you left them, right? School.) In ch. 3 (at the age of 30) we see Jesus presenting himself for baptism at the Jordan River… and the great moment when John baptizes him… the heavens open, the Spirit comes down, the Father speaks “THIS is my Son!” and Jesus is anointed for ministry. Of course in ch. 4, not immune to the temptations of the devil, Jesus squares off against the Tempter himself… but unlike Adam & Eve, Jesus stands & doesn’t succumb to the tempter’s snares.
But its his first official act of ministry in Luke’s gospel (ch. 4) that I want to look at more closely this morning… because it’s a fundamental text for understanding Jesus’ mission. If you were to ask Jesus, what’s YOUR mission statement… I think this would be it. It’s a hugely significant text… and for us Gentiles we may not get the full sense of whats going on here without a little background. Let’s look at it…
Luke 4:14-22
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked. NIV
Galilee—we know Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just outside of the big city of Jerusalem… but Nazareth was home. That’s where his Momma & Daddy were from and that’s where he was raised… and that’s where people knew him. News about him spread—we know about how news travels in small towns, right? The Synagogue—of course this was something Jesus did every week… not once or twice a year, but this was his custom. It was just a natural part of his life. And folks were used to men standing up to read scripture… but look at what he reads. It says he “found the place where it is written”… he deliberately selected Isaiah 61 to read. Why? Was it the random selection that day? No, he chose it and he chose it for a reason!
Isaiah 61… which Isaiah wrote some 800 yrs before Jesus… was about the Messiah. Clearly that was understood as a Messianic text. When Isaiah spoke of the “Lord’s Anointed” he was talking about the Messiah… who would bring good news! And so when Jesus selected that passage and then said, “Today this is fulfilled in your hearing” he was saying to them, “I’m him! I’m the anointed one. I’m the messiah. And I’m the one who has come bringing good news! THIS is the year of the Lord’s favor!” More than just being a great quote from a great prophet, Jesus was setting the stage for the rest of his ministry. As you read thru the gospels, you see that this mission is really the framework for what Jesus would do in the next 3 yrs.
THIS was his mission… and it ought to be ours, too!
Notice Jesus saw it as his mission to…
“To Preach Good News to the Poor”
Who needs ‘good news’ more than the poor? The poor are constantly the focus of Jesus’ attention. In Luke 6:20 he said, “Blessed are the poor.” In Luke 12:32-33 he told an audience of hearers, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” NIV In Luke 14:13 he said, “When you throw a party, invite the poor… b/c they can’t repay you.” Over & over again, Jesus taught & modeled looking after the needy.
Matthew 6:2
2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. NIV
And when he told stories as he loved to do… the poor were often the heroes! Like in the story of the rich man & Lazarus in Luke 16. The rich man is portrayed as proud & arrogant. Lazarus has nothing… and yet the point of the parable is that it’s the poor man who ends up at Abraham’s bosom… while the rich man burns in torment.
Why all this attention given to the poor? Maybe it’s because the poor often responded to Jesus more readily than others? I think of the story in Luke 21 of the widow who put in two very small copper coins (worth only a fraction of a penny) into the Temple treasury. Yet when contrasted to the fellow who threw in a massive amount, SHE was commended for her offering… because he gave out of his abundance and she out of her poverty. Maybe it’s because God has always had a heart for those who realized they needed NOTHING but Him in this life. So, when Jesus came… he ministered to the poor, and he fed the hungry… not because it was the politically correct thing to do… but because it was a heart of God thing to do! And we could do that, too!
“To Proclaim Freedom for the Prisoners”
The word transl. ‘freedom’ here is elsewhere in Luke translated ‘forgiveness’… and that makes sense doesn’t it? That’s what most prisoners need most… forgiveness. Now is Jesus/ Isaiah speaking of those literally imprisoned? I think so. But is he also speaking of a spiritual bondage… a spiritual imprisonment? That too! Unforgiven sin holds each of us prisoner… and in a way no physical jail cell can accomplish! When we have unforgiven, aka unconfessed sin, in our lives… it holds us back… enslaves us…
But OH, how liberating it is to be set free from all of that! What do you suppose it feels like to be a prisoner? I’ve never been in jail (other than at Cahoots) but it can’t be a good feeling… can’t go where you want to; can’t do whatever you want to; can’t act on your own; completely at the mercy of the one who has bound you. Like sin? I understand that. We just this Fall finished a 9 week series in Galatians… and the theme: “Finding Freedom in Christ.” It could have just as easily been called… “Finding Forgiveness in Christ” because that’s what freedom is! Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” NIV
Paul wrote to the Galatians 5:1
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. NIV
There were those who did not understand that freedom… either wanted to take it away from others… OR wanted to turn it into a license to sin. T for those who understood!
They understood that THIS was the very reason Christ had come! To secure their freedom!
Matthew 20:28
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." NIV
What’s a ransom? It’s the price you pay to free somebody from bondage! When the jailer is the government you call it ‘bail’ but when it’s a kidnapper or the devil… it’s a ransom! Jesus paid it… with his own life! We could tell people that message, too, couldn’t we?
“And Recovery of Sight for the Blind”
Do you think Jesus is talking about a literal, physical blindness or a spiritual one? Yeah, probably both! We know that Jesus healed many blind folks! (almost a specialty!) In Luke 18, there was a beggar on the side of the road as Jesus was going to Jericho. He cried out to Jesus, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Even though he was annoying everybody around, Jesus took the time to go to the man, talk to him, and he healed him. And people praised God b/c of it. In Matt 9, there were two blind men… same thing. In John 9:25, the authorities hauled in a man whom Jesus had healed and they were questioning him… he told them, “I don’t know who he is, but one thing I DO know… I was blind but now I see!” (sort of sums it up well!)
There was a lot of spiritual blindness, too… in Jesus’ day AND in ours. Jesus in fact said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." John 9:39 NIV What was he talking about? For those “who had eyes to see” who were ready to believe… Jesus lifted a veil from their eyes! But for those who weren’t ready… the veil remained. Isn’t it a shame… that there are so many with 20/20 vision who cannot see that God is real! Or cannot see all that he has done!
Our world is darkness… that’s the way John describes it…
John 3:19-20
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. NIV
Jesus came to shine a light into our dark world… “I am the light of the world,” he said (John 8:12). Isn’t that what WE ought to be doing, too? Shining our lights? Its going to make some uncomfortable. Its going to make some run & hide from us. It may even make a few folks mad at us. But the world doesn’t need any more darkness! It needs light!
“To Release the Oppressed”
The 21st century is much different from the 1st, but we know a thing or two about oppression, too! Have you ever felt beaten down by the world… by the drudgery of life? By sin, sickness, circumstances? Has the hurt & heartache of the world ever gotten you down? Ever felt like the score was “The World - 17…. Me- 0”?? Ever felt like life wasn’t fair… (you’re right!)
This world is a fallen place and part of what Jesus came to do was to release people from the oppression… from the cares… from the burdens & worries of this life! He said, “If your Father in heaven cares about the birds of the air and the grass in the field… how much more do you think he’ll take care of you?” (paraphrasing here –Matt 6)
“To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!”
What a proclamation! “The Lord loves you! The Lord is looking with favor/ kindness upon you!” Wouldn’t you love to get THAT in a Christmas card from God? And it harkened back to the year of Jubilee. Built into the law (Lev. 25:8-17) was this provision, that every 50 years Israel would celebrate the “Year of Jubilee” as a reminder to them of God’s grace and provision! Debts were forgiven. Slaves were freed. It was a time when God would bring freedom from the guilt & effects of sin and a time in which Israel would look expectantly towards a new age when these problems would be done away with once & for all!
Jesus was proclaiming, “That time is NOW! NOW is the time of the Lord’s favor!” With Jesus, God was ushering in a new era… an era in which God would act to finally do away with the problems of sin & death once & for all! Jesus would go to the cross and take those with him… so that we wouldn’t have to!
THIS was Jesus’ mission… the center of the overarching Mission of God (Missio Dei)… and it is OUR mission, too!
Not to get ahead of myself… because I want to talk about the role of the church in the next post… but as the body of Christ on the planet today… isn’t it incumbent on US to continue the work of Christ in our day & time? To continue his ministry to the poor, the imprisoned, the blind, the oppressed? Including those who are poor in spirit, those imprisoned by sin, those blinded by the glitter of this world AND those oppressed by the fallen structures of this world?
WE have good news to share! “A Savior has been born!” It doesn’t get any better than that? What are we doing to proclaim that message? What are YOU doing?
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." NIV
What a beautiful text to read… I can’t help but remember the Charlie Brown Christmas special… and Linus reading these words every year… the children singing around that poor pitiful little tree. This story is especially important this time of year as the world pauses to remember the significance of what God did in the sending of his Son! Today amidst all the hustle and bustle of the season… and the battles that wage over Santa Claus & Snowmen… that those of us who know of the truth of THIS story won’t let it die… and won’t let it be heard ONLY this time of year… but all year round! It is perhaps THE most significant story in all of human history… it was certainly the biggest NEWS story as far as Heaven was concerned on that day… “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you!” But what does that mean? “A Savior has been born to you”???
We’re talking about the Missio Dei- the Mission of God… and looking at what his grand plan has been for his fallen world. How God has been working his plan to bring all things “in heaven & on earth” back unto him… (cf. Col 2) … to rescue his fallen creation from the dominion of darkness & into the kingdom of Christ! That is what he has been up to since the very beginning… even taking Abraham & Sarah (an elderly childless couple living in Babylon) and forging their descendants into a nation… a people who existed for the purpose of “blessing the nations.” We know now that one of the ways they were a “blessing” was in their being the family thru which the Messiah would be born. Joseph & Mary both trace their ancestry straight back to Abraham & Sarah!
Today, I want to focus our lens on Jesus… not because its Christmas… but because He has been at the center of this grand Missio Dei all along! The Bible doesn’t give us much about Jesus in the years that immediately followed those events in Bethlehem… The gospel of Luke gives us more than the others. In ch. 2 we read about Mary & Joseph presenting the baby Jesus at the Temple and the blessing by Simeon who had waited his whole life for the Messiah. We also get the story of Jesus getting left behind in Jerusalem and his distraught Mom finding him in the Temple, listening to the teachers. (that’s right where your kids would go if you left them, right? School.) In ch. 3 (at the age of 30) we see Jesus presenting himself for baptism at the Jordan River… and the great moment when John baptizes him… the heavens open, the Spirit comes down, the Father speaks “THIS is my Son!” and Jesus is anointed for ministry. Of course in ch. 4, not immune to the temptations of the devil, Jesus squares off against the Tempter himself… but unlike Adam & Eve, Jesus stands & doesn’t succumb to the tempter’s snares.
But its his first official act of ministry in Luke’s gospel (ch. 4) that I want to look at more closely this morning… because it’s a fundamental text for understanding Jesus’ mission. If you were to ask Jesus, what’s YOUR mission statement… I think this would be it. It’s a hugely significant text… and for us Gentiles we may not get the full sense of whats going on here without a little background. Let’s look at it…
Luke 4:14-22
14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. "Isn't this Joseph's son?" they asked. NIV
Galilee—we know Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just outside of the big city of Jerusalem… but Nazareth was home. That’s where his Momma & Daddy were from and that’s where he was raised… and that’s where people knew him. News about him spread—we know about how news travels in small towns, right? The Synagogue—of course this was something Jesus did every week… not once or twice a year, but this was his custom. It was just a natural part of his life. And folks were used to men standing up to read scripture… but look at what he reads. It says he “found the place where it is written”… he deliberately selected Isaiah 61 to read. Why? Was it the random selection that day? No, he chose it and he chose it for a reason!
Isaiah 61… which Isaiah wrote some 800 yrs before Jesus… was about the Messiah. Clearly that was understood as a Messianic text. When Isaiah spoke of the “Lord’s Anointed” he was talking about the Messiah… who would bring good news! And so when Jesus selected that passage and then said, “Today this is fulfilled in your hearing” he was saying to them, “I’m him! I’m the anointed one. I’m the messiah. And I’m the one who has come bringing good news! THIS is the year of the Lord’s favor!” More than just being a great quote from a great prophet, Jesus was setting the stage for the rest of his ministry. As you read thru the gospels, you see that this mission is really the framework for what Jesus would do in the next 3 yrs.
THIS was his mission… and it ought to be ours, too!
Notice Jesus saw it as his mission to…
“To Preach Good News to the Poor”
Who needs ‘good news’ more than the poor? The poor are constantly the focus of Jesus’ attention. In Luke 6:20 he said, “Blessed are the poor.” In Luke 12:32-33 he told an audience of hearers, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.” NIV In Luke 14:13 he said, “When you throw a party, invite the poor… b/c they can’t repay you.” Over & over again, Jesus taught & modeled looking after the needy.
Matthew 6:2
2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. NIV
And when he told stories as he loved to do… the poor were often the heroes! Like in the story of the rich man & Lazarus in Luke 16. The rich man is portrayed as proud & arrogant. Lazarus has nothing… and yet the point of the parable is that it’s the poor man who ends up at Abraham’s bosom… while the rich man burns in torment.
Why all this attention given to the poor? Maybe it’s because the poor often responded to Jesus more readily than others? I think of the story in Luke 21 of the widow who put in two very small copper coins (worth only a fraction of a penny) into the Temple treasury. Yet when contrasted to the fellow who threw in a massive amount, SHE was commended for her offering… because he gave out of his abundance and she out of her poverty. Maybe it’s because God has always had a heart for those who realized they needed NOTHING but Him in this life. So, when Jesus came… he ministered to the poor, and he fed the hungry… not because it was the politically correct thing to do… but because it was a heart of God thing to do! And we could do that, too!
“To Proclaim Freedom for the Prisoners”
The word transl. ‘freedom’ here is elsewhere in Luke translated ‘forgiveness’… and that makes sense doesn’t it? That’s what most prisoners need most… forgiveness. Now is Jesus/ Isaiah speaking of those literally imprisoned? I think so. But is he also speaking of a spiritual bondage… a spiritual imprisonment? That too! Unforgiven sin holds each of us prisoner… and in a way no physical jail cell can accomplish! When we have unforgiven, aka unconfessed sin, in our lives… it holds us back… enslaves us…
But OH, how liberating it is to be set free from all of that! What do you suppose it feels like to be a prisoner? I’ve never been in jail (other than at Cahoots) but it can’t be a good feeling… can’t go where you want to; can’t do whatever you want to; can’t act on your own; completely at the mercy of the one who has bound you. Like sin? I understand that. We just this Fall finished a 9 week series in Galatians… and the theme: “Finding Freedom in Christ.” It could have just as easily been called… “Finding Forgiveness in Christ” because that’s what freedom is! Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” NIV
Paul wrote to the Galatians 5:1
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. NIV
There were those who did not understand that freedom… either wanted to take it away from others… OR wanted to turn it into a license to sin. T for those who understood!
They understood that THIS was the very reason Christ had come! To secure their freedom!
Matthew 20:28
28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." NIV
What’s a ransom? It’s the price you pay to free somebody from bondage! When the jailer is the government you call it ‘bail’ but when it’s a kidnapper or the devil… it’s a ransom! Jesus paid it… with his own life! We could tell people that message, too, couldn’t we?
“And Recovery of Sight for the Blind”
Do you think Jesus is talking about a literal, physical blindness or a spiritual one? Yeah, probably both! We know that Jesus healed many blind folks! (almost a specialty!) In Luke 18, there was a beggar on the side of the road as Jesus was going to Jericho. He cried out to Jesus, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!” Even though he was annoying everybody around, Jesus took the time to go to the man, talk to him, and he healed him. And people praised God b/c of it. In Matt 9, there were two blind men… same thing. In John 9:25, the authorities hauled in a man whom Jesus had healed and they were questioning him… he told them, “I don’t know who he is, but one thing I DO know… I was blind but now I see!” (sort of sums it up well!)
There was a lot of spiritual blindness, too… in Jesus’ day AND in ours. Jesus in fact said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." John 9:39 NIV What was he talking about? For those “who had eyes to see” who were ready to believe… Jesus lifted a veil from their eyes! But for those who weren’t ready… the veil remained. Isn’t it a shame… that there are so many with 20/20 vision who cannot see that God is real! Or cannot see all that he has done!
Our world is darkness… that’s the way John describes it…
John 3:19-20
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. NIV
Jesus came to shine a light into our dark world… “I am the light of the world,” he said (John 8:12). Isn’t that what WE ought to be doing, too? Shining our lights? Its going to make some uncomfortable. Its going to make some run & hide from us. It may even make a few folks mad at us. But the world doesn’t need any more darkness! It needs light!
“To Release the Oppressed”
The 21st century is much different from the 1st, but we know a thing or two about oppression, too! Have you ever felt beaten down by the world… by the drudgery of life? By sin, sickness, circumstances? Has the hurt & heartache of the world ever gotten you down? Ever felt like the score was “The World - 17…. Me- 0”?? Ever felt like life wasn’t fair… (you’re right!)
This world is a fallen place and part of what Jesus came to do was to release people from the oppression… from the cares… from the burdens & worries of this life! He said, “If your Father in heaven cares about the birds of the air and the grass in the field… how much more do you think he’ll take care of you?” (paraphrasing here –Matt 6)
“To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor!”
What a proclamation! “The Lord loves you! The Lord is looking with favor/ kindness upon you!” Wouldn’t you love to get THAT in a Christmas card from God? And it harkened back to the year of Jubilee. Built into the law (Lev. 25:8-17) was this provision, that every 50 years Israel would celebrate the “Year of Jubilee” as a reminder to them of God’s grace and provision! Debts were forgiven. Slaves were freed. It was a time when God would bring freedom from the guilt & effects of sin and a time in which Israel would look expectantly towards a new age when these problems would be done away with once & for all!
Jesus was proclaiming, “That time is NOW! NOW is the time of the Lord’s favor!” With Jesus, God was ushering in a new era… an era in which God would act to finally do away with the problems of sin & death once & for all! Jesus would go to the cross and take those with him… so that we wouldn’t have to!
THIS was Jesus’ mission… the center of the overarching Mission of God (Missio Dei)… and it is OUR mission, too!
Not to get ahead of myself… because I want to talk about the role of the church in the next post… but as the body of Christ on the planet today… isn’t it incumbent on US to continue the work of Christ in our day & time? To continue his ministry to the poor, the imprisoned, the blind, the oppressed? Including those who are poor in spirit, those imprisoned by sin, those blinded by the glitter of this world AND those oppressed by the fallen structures of this world?
WE have good news to share! “A Savior has been born!” It doesn’t get any better than that? What are we doing to proclaim that message? What are YOU doing?
Monday, January 3, 2011
2010 in review
The stats helper monkeys at WordPress.com mulled over how this blog did in 2010, and here's a high level summary of its overall blog health:
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.
A helper monkey made this abstract painting, inspired by your stats.
A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 5,000 times in 2010. That's about 12 full 747s.
In 2010, there were 25 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 133 posts. There were 23 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 7mb. That's about 2 pictures per month.
The busiest day of the year was June 1st with 62 views. The most popular post that day was Why I love Riverside Christian Academy.
The top referring sites in 2010 were washingtonstreetchurch.org, facebook.com, preacherjim.blogspot.com, thentchallenge.blogspot.com, and search.aol.com.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for ezekiel, ezekiel dry bones, whatever you do to the least of these, ezekiel bones, and whatever you do for the least of these you do for me.
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
Why I love Riverside Christian Academy June 2010
Ezekiel and the Valley of the Dry Bones September 2009
"Whatever you do for the least of these..." April 2009
Melody Roach November 2009
3 comments
Faith & Politics October 2008
The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.
Crunchy numbers
A helper monkey made this abstract painting, inspired by your stats.
A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 5,000 times in 2010. That's about 12 full 747s.
In 2010, there were 25 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 133 posts. There were 23 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 7mb. That's about 2 pictures per month.
The busiest day of the year was June 1st with 62 views. The most popular post that day was Why I love Riverside Christian Academy.
Where did they come from?
The top referring sites in 2010 were washingtonstreetchurch.org, facebook.com, preacherjim.blogspot.com, thentchallenge.blogspot.com, and search.aol.com.
Some visitors came searching, mostly for ezekiel, ezekiel dry bones, whatever you do to the least of these, ezekiel bones, and whatever you do for the least of these you do for me.
Attractions in 2010
These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.
1
Why I love Riverside Christian Academy June 2010
2
Ezekiel and the Valley of the Dry Bones September 2009
3
"Whatever you do for the least of these..." April 2009
4
Melody Roach November 2009
3 comments
5
Faith & Politics October 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)