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King & Countries series (Matthew 9-14)

This week we’re preparing to launch a new sermon series called King & Countries (Matthew 9-14). We’re pairing this up with our new Friends & Family groups that will discuss the passages these sermons will come from each week for the next 6 weeks.

Equipping and encouraging people to step out in faith and host a group of people that they themselves invite is a challenge! I’m praying that many will step up and do just that. We’re giving them everything they need to succeed here. 

Jesus has all authority in the world, so that all nations will pledge all allegiance to him, as is appropriate. This is the theme of the book of Matthew. 

Special thanks to commentaries by Kent Hughes, Sean O’Donnell, RC Sproul, and David Platt. 

Special thanks to Allen White who’s great book helped me structure a workable plan when I couldn’t come up with one on my own. He’s a great coach too. 

Jesus Teaches How to Stop Worry

 This video message is trending higher than most of my recent ones. Clearly, people are wanting answers on how to deal with worry. I know this can help.

8/28/2022 Jesus Teaches How to Stop Worry

https://youtu.be/paTRdk_MjOk #worry #anxiety #stress #peace 

Does Bible Literacy Matter?

 New book out entitled: Truth over Tribe: Pledging allegiance to the lamb instead of the donkey or elephant. 

Not bad title. Wondering if the book lives up to that. Looks promising.

Our nation is dividing into tribes. Sometimes we self-identify. Other times somone puts us in a tribe. Regardless, this makes it easier to divide and conquer. And there are forces at work trying to divide our nation…and the Church. 

As it relates to the Church, unity around the basics of the faith is essential. This requires Bible literacy.

Yes, doctrine matters.

Theology too.

But without the foundation of Bible literacy, we’re not going to have sound doctrine, theology or teaching. It starts and stays with Bible literacy. 

We must listen-to, read, study, memorize and mediate on God’s word daily. This gives us a good five-fingered grip on His word. That’s the foundation. This is essential to staying unified around what really matters.

As Christ-followers:

Q. Do we believe that the Bible is truly God’s word to humanity? 

Q. Do we really believe that the Bible is the inspired words of our Creator?

If you do, then ask yourself: 

Q. Do my actions, words, and thoughts reflect that belief? 

Q. Does my lived life look consistent with the words, ways and works of Jesus?”

Because they should.

Dear Dad, please help your kids get their act together starting with what you’ve already said to us. 

God vs Lucifer

 Michael, the arch angel, means “Who is like God?”

Lucifer, the fallen angel, means “I will be like the Most High.”

Lucifer tried to overthrow God and heaven so he could become the one everyone worshipped. Michael serves God as his highest ranking angel.

The battle between good and evil is the battle between God and Satan. Satan leads his rebellion against his own creator while God, uniquely divine, works all things for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

Whenever I yearn to be like God, I need to ask myself: 

Do I want to be like God in character? 

Or

Do I want to be like God in that I want all of creation to worship me?

Lucifer wanted the latter. We should want the former.

What about you? Which do you want?

“This is the Way”

 “This is the way” is a phrase used by Star Wars’ Mandalorian character from the series of the same name. It’s also a saying that the sect of the Mandalorian’s character is a part of say to each other to remind them of why they do what they do the way they do it.

This is not an original saying. 

The early Christians were called followers of “The Way”. 

Acts 9:2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A2&version=NIV

What is this way?

It is the way of Jesus. 

What does this look like? 

Start by reading:

Luke 4:18-19

Mark 1:14-15

Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount

This is the way. It’s the way I choose to live. It’s the way I’m leading others to live. 

How about you?

Surrender to Others Like Jesus

 Surrender to others like Jesus would.

How would Jesus surrender to others? He tells us in Matthew 5:39-42...

“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (39)

This speaks to fighting back when assaulted. It seems to me you could retreat. Or you could just allow the assault but you are not to fight back. You will have to fight the temptation to pay back violence with violence, but Jesus says here no. When it comes to defending yourself, Jesus rests in his Father’s protection. If the Father wishes to protect him, he will. And the Father did protect him all the way until he didn’t just before and on the cross. And Jesus never resisted the evil people in his path.

“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” (40)

When we are sued, we want to defend ourselves there as well. We go to court and fight it out there. Instead, Jesus wants us to not only give them what they want, but even more. It seems to me he wants to pour out grace and mercy on to this person selfishly suing. It seems that the Lord sometimes wants to bless the one suing at our expense. Since God knows all things including what he’s doing in someone’s life who would sue God’s children, we would be right and wise to gladly submit to the Lord in this as well.

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (41)

In those days, it was not unusual for a Roman soldier to ask you to carry some of his gear (say, his heavy armor) for him for a mile. It was a legal request, by Roman law. Now it’s hard to do that when you’re walking carrying your own stuff. But when it’s your enemy asking you, this seems like too much. But Jesus says not only is it not too much—he wants you to do even more for them. Again, surrendering to God and showering others, undeserving though they are—with grace and mercy. This is the way.

“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (42)

Whether someone is asking for money or to borrow money, Jesus wants us to live so open-handed that we freely give as we’ve freely received. This is gracious and merciful. This is also good for us. It teaches us to live open-handedly with all that the Lord has freely given us. It chases away a heart of greed and replaces it with a heart of gratitude.

May God change our hearts so that we think, believe and live more like Jesus. May God find us surrendering to others like Jesus would.

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Remember Who You Are. Act Accordingly.

Remember who you are and act accordingly. 

In Matthew 4:3, Satan meets Jesus in the wilderness to tempt him to sin; to derail him from God’s plan.

Driven there by the Holy Spirit, Jesus resists the temptation to eat bread, to doubt his identity, to be derailed by Satan’s agenda and a host of other things. As a result, he comes out stronger than ever. 

Jesus knew who he was. He rested in that even in the midst of suffering. He let his suffering and deprivation strengthen him, instead of giving in and letting his flesh weaken him. He knew who he was. He acted accordingly. 

By God’s grace, let’s do the same.

Welcome 2021: The Best is Yet To Come

 I’ve often hear coach Dabo Swinney say when things don’t turnout well, “The best is yet to come.” After last night’s drubbing of Clemson by Ohio State, he may need to pull that line back out again. 

And he probably will. 

Because he has that kind of perspective on life. It’s not all about football. And it’s not all about my life or yours either. That’s why God let’s us lose sometimes. It’s why we he sometimes lets us crash and burn.

2020 has been a crash and burn year. Brutal. Tragic. Devastating. 

Once again, I am encouraged by these words: “The best is yet to come.”

Then recording artist Ben Rector posts this song today for all to hear. It’s perfect for this thought. This truth. Give it a listen and ask yourself, “Do I believe that the best is yet to come? Is there really this kind of hope?”

Ben Rector - A Song for 2021 https://youtu.be/aduZReLQeMM via @YouTube

Lyrics:

As I think about the rollercoaster year 2020 was, my emotions run the gamut. God has blessed us way more than we deserve. 

So many have suffered. You may ask, “Why?” Well, there’s a simple reason for that. Because sin has consequences. Evil was released. And we all give in to the temptation to selfishly live for ourselves. I know I often do. And while this is what we get when we live life on our terms instead of God’s, it’s not without hope. 

God made a way for us to get back to him; to be reconciled to him in the here and now AND the hereafter. It’s why we can say and sing that “The best is yet to come.” 

When we live in light of eternity—eternity with God—it does more than change our perspective. It releases us to live surrendered lives—for others instead of for ourselves. 

We often pass on this opportunity. But it is there none-the-less. 

Imperfect though we are, we followers of Jesus Christ, let us walk in the hope that the best truly is yet to come and rejoice in that no matter what. Because the path to that best goes through dark valleys...dark valleys indeed. 

So let’s keep the Son in our eyes as we walk through it. Welcome 2021. For good or for ill, we rejoice that the best is yet to come through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Let God Influence You Daily

Let God Influence You Daily

The contrast in Psalm 1 is vivid: The wicked vs. the righteous (which includes the Lord). To find God’s blessing, we must rest in his presence and influence soaking in his words, ways, and works so that we may become more like him. Then we’re able to influence others where we live, work, learn, and play. This is a daily rhythm/habit of time with the Lord prayerfully listening to him through his word. Psalm 1:1-2 

What’s your Vision?

I love these two definitions of “vision.”

“Vision is a ‘holy discontent’ – a deep dissatisfaction with what is, combined with a clear grasp of what could be. It is a picture – ‘a mental sight’ – of the future that inspires hope. 

Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision is a nightmare! But vision combined with action can change the world.” -Nicky Gumbel

“Vision is a picture of what could and should be.” -Andy Stanley

What’s your vision?

My vision is motivated by loving God and people to lead others to become the best neighbors ever where they live, work, and play. 

This vision guides me in life now. It’s the mission of Jesus contextualized in my life. And I am determined to lead others in it. 

What’s your vision? Take a few minutes to begin thinking about that. If you trust God to guide this, ask him to help you. 

Do the Math. Is your faith adding up?

 This article is interesting on the future of the American church. 

What’s even more interesting to me though is that it was written in February 2020–essentially pre-Covid since nothing had closed down yet. 

The reason I say that is because Covid has accelerated everything is hasn’t stalled.

So encourage you to read this short article.

My question to you is not what is your church doing but what are you doing with respect to your faith and church? Have you let this pandemic derail your best source of encouragement in your faith?

“Church” biblically defined isn’t a building or event. It is literally the people of God gathered in Jesus’ name. 

It means that healthy Christians are regularly gathering with other Christians. This is part of what sustains us as the Church when we’re scattered to where we live, work, learn, and play. (Depending on how locked-down you are)

It means that if you’re not gathering with other Christians (in-person or online) around God’s word, then you’re undermining your faith in Christ. You’re not walking in obedience to a command as basic as do not forsake gathering with other Christians.

I pray that God will remind you of the hope you and I have in Christ.

The Word of God +

The Spirit of God + 

The People of God =

———————————————

Become like the Son of God

Do the math of your faith. How do you score? 

I have https://www.wsj.com/articles/thank-god-american-churches-are-dying-11582243546

New Discovery Bible Study

Hey, heads up for my blog readers. I’m setting up an online group to study Matthew 5-7 for a few weeks on Zoom. We’ll do it on Facebook. 

This bible study is for those new to the Bible. It is not for those who are comfortable with the Bible or have a lot to say about it going in. It’s more of a process of teaching people how to discover what the Bible says on their own. 

So, if you want in, you need to message me asap with the phrase, “I want in to the DBS” to info@gracetoday.net. I’ll see what I can do. Space is limited.

Better Together: Body Builders, 1 Corinthians 12

 Sunday’s message “Body Builders”

Bottom line: God sovereignly arranges the body of Christ with his spiritual gifts for the common good.

links and notes are now up on our website:

https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast/2020/9/15/body-builders-better-together-1-corinthians-12

Dabo Swinney on 2020

 Dabo Swinney shares how he’s dealt with the many challenges of 2020. Great leadership and faith insights here.

https://www.tigernet.com/update/Dabo-Swinney-leaning-on-faith-during-tough-times-of-2020-36272

“Judge Yourself Wisely” Romans 12:3

“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is easy to judge your character and your competency towards one of two extremes—overly harsh or overly able. 

In my case, I swing back and forth and do both. 

Paul warns us against doing this. He calls us to assess ourselves soberly not too positive and not too negative. 

He also calls us to assess ourselves “in accordance with the measure of faith God has distributed to (us).” These are necessary competencies to master. 

We also need to ask other trusted friends and family to help us with this self-assessment. Just remember to keep this tension in mind because others can also run to the extremes. 

I struggle doing this well a lot. I can swing from high to low pretty quickly and let it take me down. 

The remedy? Remember who I am in Christ. Remember to live in light of eternity too. 

“I am thankful for 2020”

 This is from-the-heart video is by our good friend Dee McGinnis. She calls it, “I am thankful for 2020.”

I encourage you to check out her Prayer Zoom. This happens Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:00 PM EST. Go to https://www.pray4sc.com/ for more info.

She mentioned her church which is Grace Christian Fellowship in Ladson, SC: https://www.gracetoday.net/

Creation Symphony by Christopher Karpus

One way I’m keeping Chris Karpus on my mind as I pray for his recovery is to listen to the music he’s created and shared on SoundCloud. He has his Creation symphony there plus several other pieces. I thought I’d share this link so you could listen and follow him. 

Go to your web browser or search for him on your Sound Cloud app. Here’s the link:
https://soundcloud.com/christopher-karpus

Don’t Sit On Your Hands

 When our girls were younger (we had four) and were getting mouthy with each other in the car, we used to tell them to sit on their hands. And the rule was when you sit on your hands, you cannot talk. You really can’t do anything but look and listen.

Too many Christians are just sitting on their hands. Not doing anything, they’re just looking and listening. 

We’re not speaking when we should be. We can do better. 

We should be showing and telling the good news that God’s kingdom is near and dear.

Imagine Change That Works

Imagine if everyone walked rightly with God and with people, in peace, and in joy. 

Imagine if this happened because they believed that God empowered them to through his Spirit living inside of them. 

Imagine if people were honored that they get to serve their Creator-King knowing how it pleases him. 

All these things are possible through Christ. It’s why God works the way he works. 

Want to change the world? Start by humbling yourself and asking God to change you. 

This is why so little changes. So few are willing to do that—humble themselves and admit that they need someone bigger than themselves to change (REALLY change). Change at a level that says I’m not just going to change my behavior. I’m going to change my motives behind my behaviors. 

I know that I cannot do this without God’s help. That’s why I pray and seek God in the Bible early and often. 

I have no hope to make a real difference in this hurting world apart from God in me. Thankfully, that is possible in Christ. Lord help us!