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God
SERMON NOTEBOOK: 'People Like Us' Full Bored The resume of Jesus Christ Managing Change QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: How dangerous is wealth? Your Valley Gate Your worth The Holy Alphabet
SERMON NOTEBOOK: 'People Like Us'
Four Friends: Mark 2: 1-12
The healing of the paralysed man may well have taken place in Jesus' own house. However, Jesus' word of forgiveness had to do with more than just a hole in the roof! His action teaches us important principles for our own ministry to those in need.
Love As people crowded into the house where Jesus was preaching, the men had to lower the paralytic through the roof. Typically, Jesus didn't allow the occasion to prevent him ministering to the man's needs. He always received people with love and compassion, like the man's friends who broke open the roof. How are we called to make Jesus' love real today?
Authority Jesus proved his authority on earth to heal and forgive sins by restoring the man. For those present this was blasphemy, as only the priests were permitted to declare forgiveness in God's name. Jesus' authority arose from obedience to his heavenly Father. Obedience to Jesus will also give us authority to act in his name. In what areas do we need Jesus' authority?
Forgiveness Jesus pronounced forgiveness of the man's sins before healing him, as he discerned that the paralytic needed forgiveness first, to heal deep seated hurts. For us, inner restoration is often necessary before physical healing can happen. How have you experienced God's forgiveness?
Faith The men's faith was demonstrated by their determination to get the paralytic to Jesus! No doubt, they had already seen Jesus healing many in Capernaum, which encouraged them to act. We too need to encourage each other in faith. In what ways can we demonstrate faith in Christ?
'Once you've met the living, forgiving God in Jesus, you'll find yourself on your feet, going out into the world in the power of God's love' (Tom Wright).
Full Bored - A holiday in the Mediterranean remembered
Free! Nothing more to pay! All-in price! How those words fascinated me. It was holiday-booking time again and I just loved 'brochure-browsing'. It seemed that I'd worked and saved for a whole year just for this fortnight's break. Normally we took it in Scarborough or Morecambe.
I had a word with my wife and family. This time we decided on a trip abroad. Actually it appeared to be cheaper than any British holiday. Happily we queued at the airport with our suitable array of T-shirts and sun-hats.
The Mediterranean hotel was exquisite, with laughing handshakes and delightful continental room-maids. But as soon as we stepped outside, we became pestered by Time-Share Touts. “All free sir. We provide the lunch and we guarantee, no pressure will be put onto you. Come and see for yourself.”
A little further on we were stopped by a character selling top of the range watches for a fraction of the price. Or how about a hire car to tour the island; a glass-bottomed boat trip or a speedboat to the next island?
Everybody wanted our money. Who said there's no such thing as a free lunch?
My finances began to dwindle. That 'low-priced all-in hotel' wanted to sell us their high priced liquors and when I asked for a cup of tea they supplied a tasteless teabag laced with tinned milk in warm water.
I was glad when we got home again. A cup of my favourite tea, brewed carefully in the family teapot tasted like nectar. I felt I had learned a bit more sense; maybe a case of 'Once Bitten, Twice Shy'?
Something like Jesus' biblical story of the Prodigal Son? (Luke 15 v11). The son in question took his own inheritance when he went abroad to enjoy a bit of riotous living. Soon, he became ruined. Condemned to a pigsty life he yearned for family life back home. Thoroughly ashamed, he received a wonderful welcome from his father. The past was forgotten, the future assured.
Some of those far-off holiday attractions can deceive us. After all, people have to make a living out of our holiday money. Money isn't everything, nor is it everlasting.
But life with our ever-welcoming God most certainly is. his Word is our free passport. There nothing more to pay... and there is nothing to lose.
The resume of Jesus Christ
Have you ever wondered what a job application from Jesus might look like? Perhaps something like the following...
Hello. My name is Jesus - the Christ. Many call me Lord. I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
Qualifications
I founded the earth and established the heavens (Proverbs 3:19). I formed man from the dust of the ground (Genesis 2:7). I breathed into man the breath of life (Genesis 2:7).
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (Galatians 3:13). The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me (Galatians 3:14).
Occupational Background
I've only had one employer. (Luke 2:49). I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful. My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me. (Matthew 3:15-17)
Skills/Work Experiences
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the broken-hearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counsellor, (Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil (Proverbs 1:33).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins (1 John 1:7-9).
Educational Background
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart (Psalms 44:21).
Major Accomplishments
I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times (Genesis 1:26).
I laid down my life so that you may live (II Corinthians 5:15).
I defeated the arch-enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly (Colossians 2:15).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.
In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6) and lead you into everlasting life (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence (See Hebrews 3:15).
Managing Change
Change has a bad press nowadays. How many people really admit to thriving on change?
In employment the inevitable re-structures and re-assignments are now a grudgingly accepted part of working life. The whole of our life is full of change, often unexpected and sometimes unwanted: unemployment, bereavement, divorce, illness, children arriving and leaving, moving home and so on. All bring their stresses for us to bear. Let's be honest, people like their comfortable rut and rather enjoy a good moan about there being too much too soon and too quick! Never admitting to seeing change as something positive, and always wanting to resist it!
Jonathan Draper in his book, 'To Love and to Serve', describes change as 'a new experience'. He describes the new experience God had when he came to live on earth as Jesus, and the new experience of the crucifixion; and that as a result of these experiences He changed. Creation is constantly changing and evolving and we are part of that creation. So change is a natural sign of life and part of God. We know we are made in the image of God, so if God has new experiences and changes then so do we. Could we really ever grow closer to God if we did not face and adapt to change?
Change is a good thing if we face it with an open mind and are prepared to accept and work through it. If we trust in God as our strength and shield we know we will be able to adapt to anything life throws at us, and so grow in knowledge and faith. Every change can be an opportunity for revelation by God and a chance to learn more about ourselves. God moves on to new things and changes us – if we let Him.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: How dangerous is wealth?
Q: What are the moral issues surrounding the topic of wealth creation?
A: First of all, we should recognise that Christianity doesn't present us with a biblical economic theory. Rather, it gives us a viewpoint, a perspective on life, that helps us to cope with money and to manage it. Here is an example:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19).
Clearly, although there is a great danger attached to riches, and although the believer is to show a solidarity with the poor, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with wealth in itself. And poverty is not an indispensable mark of the believer. It is not God's will that poverty should be the rule of life across the world.
However, 'wealth is like a viper', said Clement of Alexandria at the turn of the second century. Richard Foster of our own time gets close to this opinion, with his claim that money has a spiritual, even a demonic character of its own. (Money, Sex and Power, Hodder and Stoughton). Perhaps this view fails to take into account the difference between 'money' and 'mammon' – which is the love of money and its virtual personification (see Luke 16:11 and 1 Timothy 6:10).
The debate about wealth creation has been a long one. Max Weber in The Protestant Ethic and the Spread of Capitalism (1904) maintained that the biblical outlook of Protestantism enabled a person “to see in his ordinary daily work an activity pleasing to God and therefore to be pursued as actively and profitably as possible.” Weber maintained that the ethos of Protestantism promoted, as nothing else could have done, the spirit of the entrepreneur, and for that reason wealth creation was to be found largely in countries with a biblical heritage.
Weber was challenged by R H Tawney in Religion and the Rise of Capitalism (1926). While Weber saw wealth creation as one of the positive results of the Protestant view, Tawney attacked not only capitalism for its failure to provide social justice, but also Protestantism for perverting the Christian message of poverty and charity into a gospel of 'success'.
Tawney was not entirely right. For it is obvious that Luther and Calvin, to take two earlier Protestant leaders, disapproved of profit-making as something worthy in itself. The characteristic emphasis of all early Protestant teaching about wealth was moralistic – with the stress on charity, rather than self-advancement. As John Wesley was to advise in the 18th century: “Make all you can, save all you can, give all you can.”
All too easily, or course, a productive, biblical world-view can become eroded by the Fall – then mammon takes over. Conversely, when wealth has come into the hands of true Christians, the benefits are wide-ranging indeed.
“The people from Zanoah...rebuilt the valley gate...” (Nehemiah 3:13)
Your Valley Gate
One of the ancient ways into Jerusalem was through the valley gate. And at some point in each of our lives, we will have a 'valley experience'. No one leaps from peak to peak throughout life. Sometimes all we can do is just 'walk and not faint' (Isaiah 40:31).
But there is help promised to each of us: 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.' God will allow us to walk through situations in life that bring us to a place of total dependence on him.
This is not to destroy us, but to help us to grow our faith in him. For He promises: “The Lord himself goes before you, and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).
Your worth
A £5 note found in the gutter, filthy dirty, is the same value as a pristine one. Every person, no matter how messed up, is just as valuable to God.
The Holy Alphabet
A Although things are not perfect B Because of trial or pain C Continue in thanksgiving D Do not begin to blame E Even when times are hard F Fierce winds are bound to blow G God is forever able H Hold on to Him you know I Imagine life without his love J Joy would cease to be K Keep thanking him for all the things L Love imparts to thee M Move out of 'camp complaining' N No weapon that is known O On earth can yield the power P Praise can do alone; Q Quit looking at the future R Redeem the time at hand S Start every day with worship T To 'thank' is a command. U Until we see him coming V Victorious in the sky W We'll run the race with gratitude X Xalting God on high; Y Yes there will be good times and Yes there will be bad, but Z Zion waits in glory where none are ever sad!
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