I read this last night, and couldn't contain myself. Many of us are familiar with Romans 3:23, but we rarely read beyond it.
Sinners, that's all of us, get back on good terms with God ONLY by believing in Jesus. Jesus was the sacrifice that closed the gap that existed between mankind and God since Adam & Eve introduced sin into the world.
That's amazing stuff.
1. Today's Monday Ten has been delayed due to some issue with Blogger. But, it's back, and so am I. So, here's the remaining nine.
2. It was two years ago today that my middle son found salvation in Jesus Christ. We're going to celebrate that tonight.
3. We're also celebrating life, because my wife and my two youngest kids were in a violent, roll-over crash two years ago today. The boys walked away, but my wife had three tendons sliced on her right hand, and sustained numerous other injuries. She's mostly healed, but still deals with problems in her hand, and the after-effects of the concussion.
4. Our lives turned up-side-down that night, but the life changes that resulted have been positive. My wife has made sure of that.
5. She determined to accomplish something before the 2nd anniversary of that crash. She wanted to learn sign language or playing the piano, but those are difficult with out the use of the right hand. Instead, she learned how to swim. I'm proud of her.
6. Last night, my youngest son started asking how Jesus can live in your heart. That is very encouraging to know that we could soon all be headed to Heaven after our lives end on earth.
7. Our church is participating in the One Prayer campaign this month. This past weekend we watched a sermon from Lifechurch.tv's Craig Groeschel about Unstoppable Courage. Very good!
8. This past weekend was also promotion weekend at North Point Church, which meant that my oldest child left my class and entered the Middle School area. He got to join us for the 2nd service on Saturday nights. He was very excited to go to "big church."
9. Promotion weekend also meant I gained a lot of new kids moving into the 4th grade. It's time to show them who's boss.
10. Finally, I won't be teaching that class this weekend. I have been asked to preach at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Mountain Grove this Sunday. Looking forward to talking about personal convictions.
Jesus gave the religious establishment plenty of reasons to conspire his demise. He constantly pointed out their hypocrisy. On a few occasions, they plotted to grab him, but because it wasn't time for him to die, God prevented it.
But, the Bible records for us a single event that became the tipping point in their hatred of the Messiah. We find it in John 11 in an event that showcases God's power like none other.
Jesus' friend Lazarus had died. His sisters had pleaded with Jesus to come heal their brother, but Jesus delayed. His reason for delaying? He told his disciples it was all happening so they would finally believe. If all the miracles and teaching hadn't convinced his followers, then this event would.
At the same time, it was also going to seal his fate.
The event was phenominal. Lazarus had been dead for four days. His body had begun to decay. And, with a prayer, Jesus spoke three words that changed Lazarus' life, "Lazarus, come out!"
And, he did.
This single event led the Pharisees to start plotting the death of Jesus. And, they didn't keep quiet their plans. With orders out (and wanted posters) that they wanted to arrest Jesus, he stopped his public ministry and stayed away from public areas until it was time to go to Passover.
This single event led many more to people to follow Jesus.
This single event fueled the jealousy of the religious leaders, because all the people flocked to Jesus.
As a result, this single event also led the religious leaders to plot the second death of Lazarus.
This event set the stage for the final act to be played out in God's plan to provide salvation to the world.
1. It's Memorial Day. Thank you to all the men and women who have given their lives in military service to our country.
2. We visited family this weekend, and also stopped by a couple of grave sites.
3. We woke up this morning to a power outage in our neighborhood. Fortunately, the power came back on and all is well.
4. We're planning on grilling today, and might hit a swimming pool for some splashing fun.
5. We just learned last week that we have a public pool less than two miles from us. It's just a regular, outdoor pool, but it's a pool nonetheless.
6. Our city just finished renovating an older public pool, transforming it into a water park. Should be a lot of fun.
7. I'm losing all of my 5th graders in my Saturday night class at church (including my oldest son). They're moving into the middle school department next week. So, I'll be getting a fresh set of kids (3rd graders moving to 4th) joining the class next week. Time to get my bluff in.
8. I have scheduled my first speaking date of the summer on Sunday, June 13th. Can't wait.
9. Tomorrow, I'm going to conclude the Stories That Mess You Up series. It'll be fun.
10. Have a great and safe summer.
In our society today, preachers are essentially taught to build their messages around a single point, and keep them to around 30 minutes. In some areas of the country, the message length might stretch out to an hour or so, but the majority of American churches do a 30 minute message.
So, what would happen if Jesus showed up on the scene today and whipped out His "Sermon on the Mount?" In these three chapters of Matthew, Jesus violates both of these public speaking "rules."
By most accounts, Jesus hits on around 20 separate points. He doesn't expound much on these, but what he does say is extremely revolutionary and life changing. What he says here is essentially the foundation for Christian living today.
It's a "no holds barred" teaching that was so foreign to their typical teachers that when it's over with, the crowds were astonished, not just for what he said, but because he said it was someone who had authority, not just as a teacher.
How would we react today to words like "if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also," or "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," or "when you give to teh needy (do it in such a way) that your giving may be in secret," or "anyone who looks at another person lustfully has committed adultery in his heart?"
Jesus didn't pull any punches, and his words still sting today, but for the believer who applies them, these words are life changing. They are counter-culture. They get noticed. They mess you up.
