Mark 6:30-44 Sermon Reflection

"How Do We Serve?"

Discovery: The question of how we serve is not about mechanics or methodology. It is about understanding and living out the heart of God. In our passage today, we see Jesus' heart. Our challenge is to emulate it.

After a successful ministry venture, in which Jesus sent out the disciples two by two to proclaim the gospel and to drive out evil spirits, the whole group gathers for a time of debrief. In v. 31, Jesus noticing that the crowds were gathering again and thus not giving his disciples even a chance to eat he suggests, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest."

When they do get to this quiet place, our text tells us that people had already gone ahead of them and were already there when they landed. Our key verse is v. 34, "When Jesus landed and saw the large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."

Application: How would you have felt if you were one of these disciples? Your expectation was that Jesus was going to give you a time of rest and now it feels as though the needs of other people are creeping into that space. In the sermon, I talked about the whole story of how Jesus responded to the people and what it means to follow in his footsteps.

For those who have gone through the InterVarsity Mark Manuscript study, you may be familiar with one of the key questions and observations from this passage. Who was the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 for? Was it for the crowds or was it for the disciples?

Clearly the crowds benefit from this miracle. They see the compassion, the wisdom, and the power of God all manifest during this time. But the ones who were most impacted by this miracle had to be the disciples.

Jesus is teaching, demonstrating, and modelling what it means to have God's heart. When Jesus looks at the crowd, he doesn't see them as a nuisance or inconvenience but rather as an opportunity to show the mercy of God. By recruiting the disciples to break the groups into small groups of 50 and 100 and to hand out the food, Jesus is pushing them out of their comfort zones and reminding them this simple truth: ministry is about interacting and touching people's lives. By taking the 5 loaves and 2 fish and performing a miracle of provision, Jesus is telling the disciples: I can take what little you have a multiple it a hundred fold.

This is the lesson for the disciples and it is our lesson as well.

Prayer: Jesus, help me see every person who comes across my path as an opportunity to serve versus an obstacle to overcome. Help me get back to the "bread and butter" of discipleship by getting back involved in the lives of our church members. Take what little I have and what little I give and multiply it for Your glory sake.

1 John 4:19 Sermon Reflection

"Why Should We Serve?"

Discovery: Many things in life are "caught" and not "taught." This is very true in the Christian life. The principle of serving and loving is not something that we do because someone told us to. It is something that is modeled to us and thus we learn to emulate it. 1 John 4:19 tells us this: "We love because he first loved us." God set the example of how to love and serve. We need to simply reflect this to the world around us.

Application: It's one thing to know the truth but it is another to live it out. This love that God demonstrated to us is not some sort of philosophical idea or intellectual principle. It needs to be a living reality. We need to ask ourselves the question, "Am I experiencing the love of God for myself firsthand?" In addition, we need to be asking the question, "Am I loving and serving others in the same way that God loved me?" We need to do a little inventory of our lives to see if love is truly flowing in and out of us.

The reality is that being loved and loving others is not easy and thus there are real barriers and obstacles that prevent us from doing it. For some, they have never experienced the love of God at all. They have not acknowledge the fact that God is the seeker and savior of the lost. Others have become calloused in their hearts and thus have forgotten that they were once counted among the lost. One way to know if you have a calloused heart is if you have fallen out of the practice of repenting of your sins. As we get "older" in our faith, we begin to simply accumulate our sins until it reaches a boiling point before we come to the cross and repent of them. For others, they simple stop coming to the cross at all.

The only way that we can love and serve is to ask God to pour out His love anew into us today. We need to remove things such as sin that blocks our ability to receive this love but most importantly we need to choose to turn our hearts towards Him again. We can't settle for a broken, defeated, lesser life. We need to settle for nothing less that experiencing His love on a daily basis. This is why we love and serve... because He first loved (and continues to love) us.

Prayer: Lord I love being at the foot of the cross. Help me find my way back "home" to this place each and every day.

Luke 9:18-27 Sermon Reflection

"Who is called to serve?"

Discovery: In vv.18-22, Jesus asks two questions of His disciples, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" and "What about you? Who do you say I am?" Jesus is not interested in doing some market research here. He is wanting to know if His disciples truly understand the meaning of following after Him. Even after Peter responds, "You are the Christ of God," Jesus goes on to tell them what that statement truly means.

He says that road to the cross is marked by three things: denying self, taking up the cross daily, and following Him. In vv.24-27, Jesus acknowledges that there are real temptations that would prevent us from following in His footsteps. The temptation to save one's life and to attempt to profit the world are real and tempting alternatives to the three-fold call to follow Him. Jesus warns however that there are real consequences to these choices and He ends our section by pointing to the promise of eternal life.

The simple answer to the question, "who is called to serve?" is this: anyone who chooses to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. The road to the cross is not easy and there are real temptations and challenges but the heart of serving is found in following His example.

Application: The question for us today is what is your faith marked by? Are you someone who is saving your life or are you someone who is losing it for Jesus and the gospel?

Is you life marked by vanity and success? These are just two ways in which we are holding on to our physical lives and striving to accumulate the "toys" of this world.

Is your life marked by immaturity and irresponsibility? These are two others ways in which we are trying to hold to a mirage of our lives being free from responsibility and duty and seeking to fill ourselves with the pleasures of this world.

Is your life marked by control and rigidity? We want to be in the driver's seat of our lives and thus it is difficult to allow Jesus to lead us and direct us in directions that we are unfamiliar with.

Ultimately we need to evaluate our lives through the three-fold call to follow after Him.

Is your life marked by the ways that you deny yourself and elevate Jesus and others?

Is your life marked by the ways that you take up the cross daily and strive to live your life in service to Jesus and to be His ambassador of grace to the world around you?

Is your life marked by the ways that you are following after Him? Does your day start by asking that God's will be done in your life rather than your own will?

Prayer: Lord, help me take a long look in the mirror so that I can truly see if I am following in your footsteps everyday. Help me get back to the basics of discipleship of starting each day asking that Your will would be done in me and through me.

2 Cortinthians 13:5-11 Sermon Reflection

(I was guest speaking this past weekend and I never got to post the final sermon for our Corinthians Series. So here it is)

"Parting Words"

Discovery: At the end of the movie "Saving Private Ryan," Tom Hank's character last words to Matt Damon's character Private Ryan is this: "Earn this." As we see at the end of the movie, we see how these parting words totally changed his life. I only hope that my last words would leave as powerful of an imprint on someone's life.

Paul's parting words in his letter to the Corinthians is also meant to leave an indelible imprint. Paul mentions in the beginning of chapter 13 that he plans on coming and visiting again for a 3rd time but that the nature of this visit may not a pleasant one. As always, there is something that needs to change in the lives of the Corinthians. In v.5, Paul says, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith: test yourselves." Paul is not telling them to doubt their salvation nor is he questioning the authenticity of their conversion. Paul is merely turning the tables back on those in the church who had been testing and questioning Paul's apostleship. Paul is merely placing a mirror in front of their faces and asking them the same questions that they had been asking him. It reminds me of Jesus' words in regards to judging others, "How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye" (Matt. 7:4).

Paul continues in v. 8 by saying, "For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." The litmus test of whether or not one has "failed" the test of faith, is to look at the evidence in one's life. Paul uses the term "truth" here. The definition of truth is "a standard or guide." But truth is not merely propositional statements or doctrinal beliefs. Truth is where our beliefs intersect with our actions. All along in his defense of his ministry, Paul points back to the truthfulness of his life's action. His beliefs and actions line and point back to the "truth" in his ministry. He challenges the Corinthian church to do the same.

Application: The call to do this serious self-reflection and personal accountability is a daunting challenge. I found myself this morning in one of my regular struggles. I love my children. I am so grateful for them and I know that I am blessed to have them in my life. Yet at the same time, I find myself losing my patience with them all quite frequently (especially in the mornings as I try to get them to school on time). In my frustration and anger, I usually snap at them or raise my voice. After I drop them off and my emotions settle down, I find myself time and time again feeling guilty and ashamed. I always question why I can't be more patient with them and my prayer is always the same: "Lord help me be a more patient father."

It struck me this morning that I just want God to to take away my problems. I just want Him to "zap" me or something so that I don't have these bouts of frustration or anger. It dawned on me this morning that I am not willing to put in the work to become more patient and loving. I realized that I know the truth (be a patient father) but I don't always live it out in my life. It felt as if God was putting a mirror to my face and asking "what do you see?" and "what do you want to become?"

Similar to the Corinthian church, there is always something that needs to change in my life. I want my life to be marked by this kind of truth where my beliefs and actions intersect.

Prayer: Help me Lord live and grow in truth. Let my convictions and beliefs continually intersect with everyday challenges and opportunities. And thank you again for my kids. :)

Why We Worship: Isaiah 6:1-8

"The Movement of Worship"

Discovery: There is movement in worship. We move into the presence of God and in doing so we are moved by Him. This is what happens to Isaiah in Isaiah 6:1-8.

Isaiah has a supernatural and transcendant experience of being in the presence of God. He sees seraphs who have a total of six wings. Normally wings are used for flying but in the case of these seraphs, two pair of wings cover the eyes and feet. This symbolizes the humility required to be in the presence of God's holiness. In fact, in v. 3 these seraphs were calling out to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."

Isaiah's reaction is initially strange but understandable. He cries out in v. 5: "'Woe to me!' I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Isaiah realizes that he is standing before the holy God and unlike the seraphs who have their eyes and feet covered as signs of respect for God's holiness, Isaiah is looking at God face to face.

In vv. 6-7 we see a seraph taking a live coal from the alter and putting it to Isaiah's "unclean lips" and thus sanctifying and purifying him.

Finally in v. 8 we hear the voice of God calling out, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" Isaiah responds by saying, "Here am I. Send me!"

Application:

The reason why we worship is because we need to have a change of heart similar to Isaiah. The first part of worship is moving into the presence of God. In doing so, there are things that are praiseworthy (i.e. Isaiah seeing the Lord high and exalted and the train of His robe filling the temple), there are things that are awe-inspiring (i.e. the voices of the seraphs causing the doorposts and thresholds to shake and to have the temple filled with smoke) and there are moments of repentance (Isaiah's honest and heartfelt confession of sin).

But the movement of worship doesn't allow us to stay where we are. Instead true worship moves us to change and to be transformed. We see that God purifies Isaiah, we see God calling Isaiah, and we see Isaiah responding. I love the movement of Isaiah's heart and attitude throughout this passage. He goes from being awe-struck, broken, and repentant to becoming purified, redeemed, and emboldened.

This is what should happen to us as well as we worship the Lord. I remind you that God is holy. There needs to be a healthy measure of awe and reverence for Him. I also remind you that we need to seek to be purified. We too are a people of unclean hearts and lips and we live among a people of unclean hearts and lips. We need to seek God's forgiveness and grace everyday. In addition, we also need to hear the call of God and seek His Kingdom. He wants us to move from places of fear and insecurity to places of faith and boldness. He wants us to share the Good News of His saving grace that we ourselves have experienced firsthand.

Prayer: Let there be movement in my life! Purify my heart of all the sin that so easily entangles and free me to be bold in living my life passionately for You.

Who We Worship: Basic Church Sermon Series

"Who We Worship"

Intro: We started a new series this past Sunday. It is entitled "Basic Church." We will be looking at various aspects of the life of the church. This week is focused on worship.

"Worship changes the worshipper into the image of the One worshipped." Jack Hayford

Discovery: This week we are looking at the object of our worship: God Himself. We talked about a number of different aspects of God's character but I am going to focus on just one for this blog.

The One True God: In Mark 12:28-34, we find the familiar verses that contain the Great Commandment. When posed with the question, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus answers, "The most important one is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." When thinking of the Great Commandment, we often focus on the later part (love God, love others) and we simply read over the first part of Jesus' reply, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one."

That verse comes from Deut. 6:4 and it is known as the Shema. It is arguably the most important verse in all of Judaism. It is the centerpiece of the both the morning and evening prayers of every observant Jewish person and it is often the last words uttered before one dies. The Shema affirms the core theological tenant in all of Judaism: The monotheistic essence of God. The Jewish people have professed this faith and confession despite all the obstacles, challenges, and persecutions that they have faced in their long history. Despite the odds, God's people have kept the faith and continued to trust in their God despite both external and internal challenges. Jesus affirms this core truth as He answers the question about the greatest commandment.

Application: The question for us is whether or not we have this kind of faith. Do we have a faith that can withstand the challenges that come our way. I am not talking about apologetics or philosophical arguments. I am talking about a loyalty and fidelity to this One True God. The Shema testifies to the unchanging nature of God. Not just in essence but in character. Our worship is about looking and giving praise to a God who is unchangeable, unshakeable, and unstoppable. This is the God that we worship! He is the God who never gives up on His people and continues to seek them out no matter how far they have strayed.

When we worship, we need to remember who we are worshipping. The Shema reminds us that God is the One True God whose essence and character has never changed. Let this truth sink in and wash over you this week as you spend time in devotionals, prayer, and worship. May you experience His love and presence in new ways this week in your individual times of worship. Especially for those of us who have a heavy burden or dealing with impossible circumstances... remember to look towards the One who never changes and always remains the same.

Prayer: Remind me Lord that you have never changed and that Your affections for me have never ceased. May my worship to You be inspired and strengthened by this truth. Let my life of worship lead me to become more and more like You.

Sermon Reflection: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

"Sufficient Grace"

Discovery: Paul says in v. 8: "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me." Paul is speaking of this mysterious "thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan." Whatever it was, it is clearly something that Paul agonized over and fought with. He says that this thorn in the flesh "tormented" him. This word torment literally means, "to strike with the fist or to beat." Paul was being beat down and struck down by this mysterious thing and all he could do was call out to God and do so repeatedly.

We don't know how long Paul called out to God but we do know it took him three times before he received an answer from the Lord. I can't even begin to explain how this feels like the story of my life. To call out to God and to not initially hear anything back in return. It is frustrating and often demoralizing experience.

Application: And yet the response of God always come... just not in the ways that we expect or hope. In v. 9 God's response to Paul is this: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God is not suggesting this to Paul (or to us) as a possible solution: He is stating a reality. God's grace is sufficient and his power is somehow magnified and exemplified in our moments of weakness.

These "thorns in the flesh" are realities of life. They are often used by Satan to undo or harm us. But the good news is that whatever Satan intends for harm, God intends for good. How else can you explain the heart of a mature Christian who is able to draw good things out of terrible circumstances. Its because they see the hand of God in their lives.

I also strikes me that these "God-moments" in which we are weak and calling out to Him happen all the time. In fact, it seems like His love, power, and presence takes on new significance whenever we are down and out. God's "sufficient grace" is truly amazing during those times.

Finally, I realize that like Paul my expectations are not always in line with God's will. My reaction to pain and difficulty is to simply ask God to take it away. When He doesn't, my sinfulness comes out in full force. I fail to see that God is desiring to show Himself to me even in those difficult times. In fact, He is trying to show me the full extent of His power and majesty in those moments of personal weakness. I just fail to see that when I am looking for the easy way out.

Prayer: Lord, help me this week look for those God-moments in which I am weak and in need of your sufficient grace. I pray that you would show me Your glory and Your strength to me throughout this busy and hectic upcoming week.