If you're leading a small group along our series in Ruth, I've put some possible discussion questions in bold, below.
Someone once said, I want God to save me and to be with Him in heaven, but I don't want God to do anything wrong to get me there. He had a clearer view of himself, and how unfit he was for relationship with God, than m ost of us do. If we really are that bad (you are), how can God forgive us, remove our guilt, without being an unjust, or at least unforgivably lenient judge? Could there be anyone so bad or evil that God would not redeem them?
She's the lady Boaz wants, yet he won't do anything wrong to make her his. The scene at the city gate is carefully played so that all is done justly and above board, out in the open, no back-room deals. And, he's willing to do what another will not: pay the price to gain the her, even though it costs him. How does this compare to our salvation in Romans 3:23-26; 4:5; 5:6-10?
What about the other guy, Mr. No-name? What happens to him? Exactly! The one who would not preserve his relatives name among God's people--his own name is purposely not mentioned--in a story full of names! How does this compare to our participation in God's saving work? If that's true, how can I get started, where can I get started? I had better get started! To whom am I God's ambassador (2 Cor 5:12-21)? Compare Mr. Shoeless to Romans 10:15...
Before we rush on, scan back over the first couple of chapters. Find Naomi's prayer for God's blessing on Ruth in chapter 1 and Boaz's in chapter 2. Did either of them see how this was going to work out? I remember a line about shooting in a movie: aim small, hit small. Maybe in praying we should pray big, hit big? Yet, even when I pray small, maybe I don't even think God's really listening--God just might answer big! What does this tell us about God?
On more thought, if you've still got time. What's with the blessing like Rachael and Leah, like Perez born to Tamar? Had they read those stories? These are some of the classic dysfunctionalities in the Bible. "May your family be really messed up like these were!" What kind of blessing is that? Maybe it is the blessing of grace? Maybe even my family could be........great? Why do we so easily think God will do his work through someone else? Is this false humility or just a not knowing God's grace? Is our God to small, that he needs strong workers and competent helpers? Why do we pretend we have it more together than we do, and then stay back in the shadows so no one will see any different?
What are you waiting for? Ruth 3:14-18
Ruth 3 reminds me of my introduction to the Air Force, it was "Hurry up" and "Wait." After this very intriguing midnight proposal, now Ruth must return and wait to see how the matter will fall. Will Boaz be able to work things out? What is this "nearer relative" who "might redeem her" all about. Will she be married to Boaz, so other joker she doesn't even know, or to no one? First, she has to wait. Wait. Wait.
We love to wait. In our "instant" and "now" culture we love it when something is unresolved, we can't hurry it, we can't make it happen, all we can do is wait.... We love that don't we? We don't?
There are some beautiful parallels in this section between Ruth waiting for Boaz and the Church waiting for Christ to complete his promise of our redemption. These parallels are an important part of the story of Ruth, it is both a human story and a theological illustration of our redemption.
In your Growth Group:
We love to wait. In our "instant" and "now" culture we love it when something is unresolved, we can't hurry it, we can't make it happen, all we can do is wait.... We love that don't we? We don't?
There are some beautiful parallels in this section between Ruth waiting for Boaz and the Church waiting for Christ to complete his promise of our redemption. These parallels are an important part of the story of Ruth, it is both a human story and a theological illustration of our redemption.
In your Growth Group:
- You could ask the group: Is there a time when you have waited for something promised (or expected) that you never did receive? How does this effect how you hope or wait for things now? Is there perhaps some doubt or guarding yourself against possible disappointment?
- You could discuss together how this passage parallels waiting for God to act in a situation when there is nothing more you can do. What was that like, or what is it like now? What helps you wait in faith?
- When we wait on God, do we always know what outcome we will see? (Did Ruth?) What outcomes do we know for sure? (the big ones, the eternal ones.) What outcomes do we not know as clearly?
- How do some things that Boaz did before departing for the "city" help Ruth to wait in faith? How can you compare this to what Christ provided for us before his departure?
The Awakening of Hope
Act 2, scene 3 Ruth 2:17-23
In the midst of their trouble, through the grace extended to Ruth, Naomi first gets a glimmer of hope that indeed God may be moving in their present circumstances leading Ruth to this field, provoking such hesed in Boaz, when in fact God has been moving from long before to prepare the way for this grace in the law of gleaning, in the law of the Goel or kinsman redeemer, and even in His earlier still provision of an even greater kinsman redeemer than Boaz.
1. God is at work in our present circumstances. Naomi has seen it in God’s provision through Ruth.
It would be good for the group to rehearse some of the ways Ruth and Naomi has seen God’s grace or faithful loving kindness (Hebrew word: hesed).
Then, recount some stories of how they have experienced God’s faithful love to them when they were not looking for it or where in a place of despair.
Thirdly, how have some of the group been used to help, or give grace, to someone to whom help was more needed than you realized (times when God used them to meet a need.)
2. God has been working to give grace Naomi’s hope is rekindled in remembering the provision of God’s law which Boaz fits, a near relative (Goel) who could redeem. Does Naomi know yet what Boaz WILL do, or is she encouraged merely that she has seen God’s grace in the midst of trouble?
…from long ago. Rev 13:8; 1 Pet 1:18-22; Eph 1:3-6
A good further discussion on this point, is how does this relate to us? What difference does it make to you in life’s current storms, to know that God has been working with the whole world in view, and yet also knowing you, from before creation?
What is more important, knowing God will solve/fix/change the problem, or knowing God in the midst of the problem?
What do you think:
The point of the book of Ruth is not that that the end of this story will be even better than the beginning—that your tragedy is because God is working something even better. “What could be better than the death of my husband?! What could be better than the loss of my two children?! –How dare you!” The point is that even in the brokenness of this world, the shattered dreams that are the way of broken people in a broken world, God has not abandon us here. Out of brokenness He works redemption, all the while showing us we were made for, meant for, a redeemed reality that will surpass the brokenness of this life and world and will surpass even our best imaginings.
“Where can I find grace?”
Setting the scene. 2:1-3
Ruth finds grace, through Boaz, from God.
Who is this? (cp. John 10) 2:4-5
Humility meets God’s provision 2:6-7
(cf. Lev. 19:9-10; Dt. 19-22)
The danger of looking somewhere else (Gen. 3) 2:8-9
An outsider finds grace (Eph. 2:12-19) 2:10-13
Can I supersize that? 2:14-16
Ruth finds grace from God through Boaz.
Chapter 2 turns the corner from the bitterness of Naomi to provision and hope experienced in the introduction of Ruth to the godly man Boaz. The section drips with take-aways and application. There is the evident hand of the sovereign God at work as Ruth “happens to happen upon the part of the fields belonging to Boaz.” There are the evident character qualities of Ruth (faithfulness, industriousness, humility) and of Boaz (warmth, generosity, care). There are specific punch lines, “Where can I find grace?” “You have spoken to my heart.” that compare to our own experience.
There is dramatic real-life theology, truth about God, in his care for the powerless, His sovereignty in circumstances, His knowing of His own, the provision of grace even in OT Law, and the abundance of His grace above and beyond our hope or need.
There is also some big picture theology. You can compare Naomi to
I’m hesitant to tell you just how to apply and dig deeper here in your Growth Group. One suggestion I would make is that just as this is a real story, the members of your group have been or are in a similar story. They will identify with different characters: Ruth, Boaz, the foreman, the reapers? How have they seen God’s hand of grace working through others. Most importantly for those who know Grace, how would we desire to see God extend His grace through us. Urge one another to be very specific on this, share the past failings and successes and commit to what the next time will look like.
In this story we see the heart of God revealed in the cross of Christ, and are reminded that God’s grace is best shared with others in the midst of the desperate needs of real life.
Where is God—when I can’t see Him… Ruth 1:19-22
There is an interesting chiasm that points out the center of this section, and its contrast between went out/brought back, full/emtpy:
19 they came to Bethlehem
20 Don’t call me pleasant…the Almighty…bitter
21 I went out full, empty the Lord brought me back
21b Why call me pleasant…the Almighty…calamity
22 …and they came to Bethlehem
The big issue is Naomi’s perspective, is she seeing things as they really are?
I went away full.
Was she really “full”? Depends on how you define full. She had her family intact but it was a time of famine and desperation, not plenty, the boys were weak and sick, not strong, they apparently chose to leave their inheritance and even have their sons take foreign wives, and settle in a foreign land. Life was not pleasant for Naomi then, and her husband Elimelech didn't really seem to trust and obey “My God is King.” It was perhaps more a cultural religious practice than real personal faith that stood the test of trials.
The Lord has brought me back empty.
She sees empty in terms of alone, with nothing, no hope of either provision or enduring happiness. She is not the first to fell this way: compare Exodus 5:21-23; Numbers 11:11-15; 1 Kings 17:20. Israel out of Egypt, Moses when the people grumbled, even Elijah expressed the same thing. God has done this to me! Yet, in that God was working new life from Egypt, and resurrection (in Elijah’s case). The prophet Habbakuk, in chapter 1 of that book, says” God where are you, why don’t you do something, and then, “no God, you can’t do that!” He openly challenges and questions God, but chapter 3 of his book closes in full trust. Naomi has not even recognized the blessing of Ruth. She is not alone, Ruth is beside her and God himself is there.
The truth is that Naomi, like Adam and Eve, and like us, has gone away and the Lord has brought her back.
Try to have people in your Growth Group describe situations where “someone” has felt this way, a time of darkness when it seemed the All powerful God either caused or did not prevent calamity. Let the group be a safe place for people to tell their story, people can be honest to God and one another. It is not good that church is often a place where one cannot be honest about how they really feel. We are taught not to express what we really feel, our anger and bitterness even toward God. But, does He not know? Find some psalms and other Biblical examples where people can be “honest to God” when their faith is shaken. Perhaps the group can find some.
What will help Naomi?
Naomi’s night-vision goggles.
My God is King (Ruth 1:2, 20b, 21c)
She heard (Ruth 1:6; Romans 10:17)
Now the two of them… (1:19; Hebrews 10:24-25)
The story has hinted toward three things that can help a person who has lost perspective and cannot see God.
19 they came to Bethlehem
20 Don’t call me pleasant…the Almighty…bitter
21 I went out full, empty the Lord brought me back
21b Why call me pleasant…the Almighty…calamity
22 …and they came to Bethlehem
The big issue is Naomi’s perspective, is she seeing things as they really are?
I went away full.
Was she really “full”? Depends on how you define full. She had her family intact but it was a time of famine and desperation, not plenty, the boys were weak and sick, not strong, they apparently chose to leave their inheritance and even have their sons take foreign wives, and settle in a foreign land. Life was not pleasant for Naomi then, and her husband Elimelech didn't really seem to trust and obey “My God is King.” It was perhaps more a cultural religious practice than real personal faith that stood the test of trials.
The Lord has brought me back empty.
She sees empty in terms of alone, with nothing, no hope of either provision or enduring happiness. She is not the first to fell this way: compare Exodus 5:21-23; Numbers 11:11-15; 1 Kings 17:20. Israel out of Egypt, Moses when the people grumbled, even Elijah expressed the same thing. God has done this to me! Yet, in that God was working new life from Egypt, and resurrection (in Elijah’s case). The prophet Habbakuk, in chapter 1 of that book, says” God where are you, why don’t you do something, and then, “no God, you can’t do that!” He openly challenges and questions God, but chapter 3 of his book closes in full trust. Naomi has not even recognized the blessing of Ruth. She is not alone, Ruth is beside her and God himself is there.
The truth is that Naomi, like Adam and Eve, and like us, has gone away and the Lord has brought her back.
Try to have people in your Growth Group describe situations where “someone” has felt this way, a time of darkness when it seemed the All powerful God either caused or did not prevent calamity. Let the group be a safe place for people to tell their story, people can be honest to God and one another. It is not good that church is often a place where one cannot be honest about how they really feel. We are taught not to express what we really feel, our anger and bitterness even toward God. But, does He not know? Find some psalms and other Biblical examples where people can be “honest to God” when their faith is shaken. Perhaps the group can find some.
What will help Naomi?
Naomi’s night-vision goggles.
My God is King (Ruth 1:2, 20b, 21c)
She heard (Ruth 1:6; Romans 10:17)
Now the two of them… (1:19; Hebrews 10:24-25)
The story has hinted toward three things that can help a person who has lost perspective and cannot see God.
- First, remembering who God is. He is sovereign, the king, even if he doesn’t seem to be doing anything, He is the Almighty. The other name used, Yahweh or Jehovah, is God’s covenant keeping loyal love and mercy, redeemer of Israel name. God is all powerful and he is faithful in mercy and loving kindness to us, even when it doesn’t seem like it.
- She heard. Compare Romans 10:17.
- The two of them. Hebrews 10:24-25. Naomi is not alone, Ruth is there and Ruth with her, not with answers, but being there, will be central to the reversal that is coming and Naomi getting hope again. How have any of these three made a difference in dark times for members of your group?
You may have time to point out how chapter 1 ends. Have a Bible dictionary or other reference work ready and have someone look up what time of year Barley harvest is and what big feast of Israel occurs then. What does this suggest about the hint hope at this point of the story? Is the hope merely for barley bread, or is God hinting at something bigger?
What can I do when someone has lost hope?
Outline:
Hopelessness is closer than you think.
“everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25
What hopeless looks like. 1:7-13
“You’re better off without me.”
“I can never have joy.”
“My troubles are God’s fault.”
Show them what God’s faithfulness looks like. 1:14-18
Faithful even when others are not.
Faithful even when they tell you to go away.
Faithful toward God and people.
The first steps toward joy are often taken in uncomfortable silence.
A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 ESV
Overview:
In this section, Naomi has lost hope. She has no prospect of any help for herself in
To Consider:
How have you been tempted to live in an ungodly way, that is to resolve something completely from your own perspective and resources?
The “three lies of hopelessness” are great to unpack in a group.
- Does the group agree with them?
- These three come from the story, can the group identify where Naomi exhibits them?
- Can anyone share a life situation where they have felt that way? Are you feeling something like this now? (Many of us are walking wounded, trying hard to keep our game face on, although we’re really ready to give up.)
Many times people will not be able to recognize the faithfulness of God until they have seen in expressed through someone near them. Ruth is used by God in this way with Naomi.
- Do you think Ruth sees what God is going to do? What is different between her and Naomi?
- What could this kind of faithfulness look like in family or marriage situations?
- Have you given or needed this kind of faithfulness? What happened?
- What kind of answers does Ruth not give? Can you give hope to someone even if you don’t have answers? How might you do that?
- Who could you help to give hope to?
How did I ever get here…
Outline:
We want life to be normal, good and happy. 1:1-2
She saw the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise…
Too often we find ourselves with shattered dreams. 1:3-5
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away…
Blessed be the name of the Lord???
But shattered dreams can lead the way
to something better. 1:6
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death
Jesus said I am the bread of life…I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever… John 6:35-58
Overview
Ruth 1:1-5 or 1:1-6 is a set-up for the rest of the story. Read it verse by verse, as if you were reading it for the first time, not knowing what comes next or how it ends. As you read it substitute the meaning of the names for the name itself:
· Elimelech – “my God is king” or “God is my king”
· Naomi – “pleasant” (life is good, a happy life in the suburbs?)
· Mahlon – weak/sick, Chilion – frail, pining (pronounce kill-eon)
· Bethlehem – house of bread
Some questions to consider with others:
1. What do you know about the time of the judges? How does that compare to our contemporary society.
2. Why is the contrast between Bethlehem and Moab so prevalent? (How is Bethlehem alluded to again in 1:6?) What would an Israelite in King David’s time think about their move.
3. Is there anything wrong with them moving to Moab? The group may want to debate this, after all both Abraham and Jacob moved to Egypt during a famine… This can open up a whole discussion as to how we use Bible examples to justify what we choose to do.
4. Try to identify with Naomi’s sorrow and aloneness in 1:5. The Hebrew word fro her sons changes back to a word normally used of children.
5. What do this couple expect to happen by moving to Moab versus how did it turn out? How do the names fit in now?
6. What hint of hope is there in 1:6. But really, from Naomi’s view, does it seem like much hope?
We are easily tempted to judge Naomi rather than identify with her, yet, inside our own hearts, don’t we have similar questions about God’s faithfulness when our life’s dreams are shattered? Try to get the group to share about times when they have experienced shattered dreams. What did it feel like? What helped? What didn’t? How does it still affect them? This is tender territory. Don’t be afraid to go here, but do it sensitively, knowing your group.
We want life to be normal, good and happy. 1:1-2
She saw the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise…
Too often we find ourselves with shattered dreams. 1:3-5
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away…
Blessed be the name of the Lord???
But shattered dreams can lead the way
to something better. 1:6
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death
Jesus said I am the bread of life…I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever… John 6:35-58
Overview
Ruth 1:1-5 or 1:1-6 is a set-up for the rest of the story. Read it verse by verse, as if you were reading it for the first time, not knowing what comes next or how it ends. As you read it substitute the meaning of the names for the name itself:
· Elimelech – “my God is king” or “God is my king”
· Naomi – “pleasant” (life is good, a happy life in the suburbs?)
· Mahlon – weak/sick, Chilion – frail, pining (pronounce kill-eon)
· Bethlehem – house of bread
Some questions to consider with others:
1. What do you know about the time of the judges? How does that compare to our contemporary society.
2. Why is the contrast between Bethlehem and Moab so prevalent? (How is Bethlehem alluded to again in 1:6?) What would an Israelite in King David’s time think about their move.
3. Is there anything wrong with them moving to Moab? The group may want to debate this, after all both Abraham and Jacob moved to Egypt during a famine… This can open up a whole discussion as to how we use Bible examples to justify what we choose to do.
4. Try to identify with Naomi’s sorrow and aloneness in 1:5. The Hebrew word fro her sons changes back to a word normally used of children.
5. What do this couple expect to happen by moving to Moab versus how did it turn out? How do the names fit in now?
6. What hint of hope is there in 1:6. But really, from Naomi’s view, does it seem like much hope?
We are easily tempted to judge Naomi rather than identify with her, yet, inside our own hearts, don’t we have similar questions about God’s faithfulness when our life’s dreams are shattered? Try to get the group to share about times when they have experienced shattered dreams. What did it feel like? What helped? What didn’t? How does it still affect them? This is tender territory. Don’t be afraid to go here, but do it sensitively, knowing your group.
Who is worship for? Colossians 3:16
In one verse, Col 3:16, worship is directed three ways. As we give thanks to God through a variety of music, we teach/remind and console/exhort one another in the truth who Chirst is and what he has done, becasue this truth has found its home in us. So worship is to God and for encouraging one another (and even guests who visit). Participation in worship for other's spiritual benefit lives out Christ's life in me. When it is no longer about me or which psalms, hymns or spiritual songs I want, but about sincerely exalting God and edifying one another, Christ's life, the glory of God, is all the more seen in me, and this is worship.
I shared a story from Skye Jethani, out of his book: The Divine Commodity, Discovering a faith Beyond Consumer Christianity; Zondervan 2009. Some folks asked me for it after the service, so her it is:
Years ago I was walking in New Delhi, India, with my father. We were hoping to catch a break in the traffic to cross the street when a boy approached us. He was probably six or seven years old, skinny as a rail, and naked but for tattered blue shorts. His legs were stiff and contorted, like a wire hanger twisted upon itself. He waddled on his hands and kneecaps, which were covered with huge calluses from the broken pavement. As I had many other times in India, I wanted to close my eyes and pretend people in such misery didn't exist. But this persistent boy wouldn't let me.
He shouted at us, "One rupee, please! One rupee!" The little guy was amazingly fast on his kneecaps, managing to stay ahead of us and in our field of vision. Finally, realizing he wasn't going to give up, my father stopped.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"One rupee, sir," the boy said while motioning his hand to his mouth and bowing his head in deference. My father laughed.
"How about I give you five rupees?" he said. The boy's submissive countenance suddenly became defiant. He retracted his hand and sneered at us. He thought my father was joking, having a laugh at his expense. After all, no one would willingly give five rupees. The boy started shuffling away mumbling curses under his breath.
My father reached into his pocket. Hearing the coins jingle, the boy stopped and looked back over his shoulder. My father was holding out a five rupee coin. He approached the stunned boy and placed the coin into his hand. The boy didn't move or say a word. He just stared at the coin. We passed him and proceeded to cross the street.
A moment later the shouting resumed except this time the boy was yelling, "Thank you! Thank you, sir! Bless you!" He raced after us once again—not for more money but to touch my father's feet. He blocked our way and alternated raising his hands with shouts of acclamation and bowing at my father's shoes. He was literally worshiping us.
This, I imagine, is how our God sees us—as miserable creatures in desperate need of his help. But rather than asking for what we truly need, rather than desiring what he is able and willing to give, we settle for lesser things. And when God graciously says "no" to our misled desires and instead offers us more, we reject him. We turn away, cursing him under our breath. We simply cannot imagine a God who would give five rupees when all we desire is one.
C.S. Lewis says: "Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
The dilemma posed by consumerism, including the Christian variety, is not the endless manufacturing of desires, but the temptation to settle for desires far below what we were created for. The forces of marketing have captured our imaginations and convinced us to desire mud pies and sneer at the possibility that even greater pleasures exist. We have been re-programmed to desire immediate satisfaction rather than infinite satisfaction. We do not desire too much, but too little.
I shared a story from Skye Jethani, out of his book: The Divine Commodity, Discovering a faith Beyond Consumer Christianity; Zondervan 2009. Some folks asked me for it after the service, so her it is:
Years ago I was walking in New Delhi, India, with my father. We were hoping to catch a break in the traffic to cross the street when a boy approached us. He was probably six or seven years old, skinny as a rail, and naked but for tattered blue shorts. His legs were stiff and contorted, like a wire hanger twisted upon itself. He waddled on his hands and kneecaps, which were covered with huge calluses from the broken pavement. As I had many other times in India, I wanted to close my eyes and pretend people in such misery didn't exist. But this persistent boy wouldn't let me.
He shouted at us, "One rupee, please! One rupee!" The little guy was amazingly fast on his kneecaps, managing to stay ahead of us and in our field of vision. Finally, realizing he wasn't going to give up, my father stopped.
"What do you want?" he asked.
"One rupee, sir," the boy said while motioning his hand to his mouth and bowing his head in deference. My father laughed.
"How about I give you five rupees?" he said. The boy's submissive countenance suddenly became defiant. He retracted his hand and sneered at us. He thought my father was joking, having a laugh at his expense. After all, no one would willingly give five rupees. The boy started shuffling away mumbling curses under his breath.
My father reached into his pocket. Hearing the coins jingle, the boy stopped and looked back over his shoulder. My father was holding out a five rupee coin. He approached the stunned boy and placed the coin into his hand. The boy didn't move or say a word. He just stared at the coin. We passed him and proceeded to cross the street.
A moment later the shouting resumed except this time the boy was yelling, "Thank you! Thank you, sir! Bless you!" He raced after us once again—not for more money but to touch my father's feet. He blocked our way and alternated raising his hands with shouts of acclamation and bowing at my father's shoes. He was literally worshiping us.
This, I imagine, is how our God sees us—as miserable creatures in desperate need of his help. But rather than asking for what we truly need, rather than desiring what he is able and willing to give, we settle for lesser things. And when God graciously says "no" to our misled desires and instead offers us more, we reject him. We turn away, cursing him under our breath. We simply cannot imagine a God who would give five rupees when all we desire is one.
C.S. Lewis says: "Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
The dilemma posed by consumerism, including the Christian variety, is not the endless manufacturing of desires, but the temptation to settle for desires far below what we were created for. The forces of marketing have captured our imaginations and convinced us to desire mud pies and sneer at the possibility that even greater pleasures exist. We have been re-programmed to desire immediate satisfaction rather than infinite satisfaction. We do not desire too much, but too little.
Worship: on earth as it is in heaven.
Revelation 4 and 5 give us a glimpse of what worship in heaven looks like. If anyone gets worship right anywhere, certainly it must be in heaven. We can learn something from what we see.
Worship in heaven is overwhelmingly God-centered. The hymn is about Him. Its about who God is, what he as done, he is the subject of every song. When we are found in heaven;'s song, it is only as object of of God's grace, singing about what He has done for us in Christ.
Worship in heaven is corporately and passionately practiced. The 24 elders are all together, the follow worship leadership and actively, passionately participate. worship is practiced repeatedly,it continues and will continue, they do not rest. This is not the bland leading the bland, but obeisance with abandon! You could say that heaven's worship is liturgical in its depth and intentionality and it is charismatic in its zeal and devotion.
In Revelation 5 worship in heaven is a joyful response to God for what He has done in Christ to make all creation right: heaven celebrates humanity reconciled, the rebellion of Satan put down, and paradise restored across all of creation. Their songs suggest that our worship, Sunday by Sunday, should be a joyful response to God, for what He has done in Christ, in anticipation of His making creation right. Although we don't yet see glory restored, we anticipate it in hope, and worship in faith. Believing enables worship.
Allan Ross writes, "If we ever begin to comprehend the risen Christ in all His glory, or faintly hear the heavenly choirs that surround the thone with the anthems of praise...then we can never again be satisfied with worship as usual. So, we join in with Chris Tomlin singing: I hear the voice of many angles sing, "worthy is the Lamb" and I hear the cray of every longing heart, "worthy is the Lamb!" Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. victory is won, He is risen from the dead...
Worship in heaven is overwhelmingly God-centered. The hymn is about Him. Its about who God is, what he as done, he is the subject of every song. When we are found in heaven;'s song, it is only as object of of God's grace, singing about what He has done for us in Christ.
Worship in heaven is corporately and passionately practiced. The 24 elders are all together, the follow worship leadership and actively, passionately participate. worship is practiced repeatedly,it continues and will continue, they do not rest. This is not the bland leading the bland, but obeisance with abandon! You could say that heaven's worship is liturgical in its depth and intentionality and it is charismatic in its zeal and devotion.
In Revelation 5 worship in heaven is a joyful response to God for what He has done in Christ to make all creation right: heaven celebrates humanity reconciled, the rebellion of Satan put down, and paradise restored across all of creation. Their songs suggest that our worship, Sunday by Sunday, should be a joyful response to God, for what He has done in Christ, in anticipation of His making creation right. Although we don't yet see glory restored, we anticipate it in hope, and worship in faith. Believing enables worship.
Allan Ross writes, "If we ever begin to comprehend the risen Christ in all His glory, or faintly hear the heavenly choirs that surround the thone with the anthems of praise...then we can never again be satisfied with worship as usual. So, we join in with Chris Tomlin singing: I hear the voice of many angles sing, "worthy is the Lamb" and I hear the cray of every longing heart, "worthy is the Lamb!" Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed. victory is won, He is risen from the dead...
Free to Worship: Let my people go...
The book of Exodus has several major movements: Moses, plagues on Egypt, Passover, the exodus from Egypt, Sinai and the Law, instructions for worship, rebellion and idolatry around a golden calf, yet finally the fulfillment of worship in God's tabernacle. It's a story of grace, redemption and worship, that rings through the ages, as God intended. Jesus himself took the Passover table, that celebrated this redemption, made it the table of the New Covenant, celebrating our salvation in Christ, our passover.
The goal of the Exodus salvation is the same as ours: God says "Let my people go (free from bondage, into new life) so that they may worship me." And not surprisingly, as soon as they crossed the red sea on dry ground, they sang a new song or worship and praise to their great deliverer.
Sinai and the Law drew a line they could not cross, they were unable to approach God on their own and made a god of gold that seemed more reasonable and manageable to them. Still through sacrifices and a tabernacle/temple, God made a way for continuing forgiveness so that they could dwell with him and worship him.
I fail, I'm not worthy, but God desires me, has redeemed me, given me new life to live in, and the focus of that new life is to worship him. Christ has died for my guilt once for all, and He ever lives to intercede for me, to keep on cleansing me. Indeed, I am Free to Worship!
The goal of the Exodus salvation is the same as ours: God says "Let my people go (free from bondage, into new life) so that they may worship me." And not surprisingly, as soon as they crossed the red sea on dry ground, they sang a new song or worship and praise to their great deliverer.
Sinai and the Law drew a line they could not cross, they were unable to approach God on their own and made a god of gold that seemed more reasonable and manageable to them. Still through sacrifices and a tabernacle/temple, God made a way for continuing forgiveness so that they could dwell with him and worship him.
I fail, I'm not worthy, but God desires me, has redeemed me, given me new life to live in, and the focus of that new life is to worship him. Christ has died for my guilt once for all, and He ever lives to intercede for me, to keep on cleansing me. Indeed, I am Free to Worship!
outside my comfort zone
There are three movements in Acts 10 (at least as I see it...)
God prepares people to hear the gospel (Cornelius, a roman, religious and good, but not good enough without Christ. He needs Jesus who died for him.)
God prepares someone to share the gospel (Peter, apostle, fisherman, outside the box but religiously traditional. He knows Jesus, but he needs to get to know Cornelius...)
God brings the two of them together (its a little awkward at first, but the Spirit works through the gospel.)
The interesting part of the story, for me, is that God has to do a lot more preparing of the Christian than he does the one who needs to hear. Is that true in my story? Could unsaved people seem so far away because I am withdrawn and isolated from them?
God prepares people to hear the gospel (Cornelius, a roman, religious and good, but not good enough without Christ. He needs Jesus who died for him.)
God prepares someone to share the gospel (Peter, apostle, fisherman, outside the box but religiously traditional. He knows Jesus, but he needs to get to know Cornelius...)
God brings the two of them together (its a little awkward at first, but the Spirit works through the gospel.)
The interesting part of the story, for me, is that God has to do a lot more preparing of the Christian than he does the one who needs to hear. Is that true in my story? Could unsaved people seem so far away because I am withdrawn and isolated from them?
Grace acts 9
Wow, has it been so long since I posted? Oh my, was there nothing in the last several chapters, or was there too much?
Acts 9 is a chapter of grace, God's grace that extends mercy to a murderer, the persecutor is transformed by God into the chief proclaimer of the gospel. Perhaps he can tell God's grace so well because he has drunk of it so deeply?
I outlined chapter 9 this way:
Acts 9 is a chapter of grace, God's grace that extends mercy to a murderer, the persecutor is transformed by God into the chief proclaimer of the gospel. Perhaps he can tell God's grace so well because he has drunk of it so deeply?
I outlined chapter 9 this way:
- Grace reaches the least likely people, 9:1-9
- Grace gives us courage in our fear, 9:10-19
- Grace transforms us, 9:20-25
- Grace to one person changes the church, 9:26-31
Somewhere between those last two points, I'm reminded how the conversion of Saul of Tarsus and his transformation into Paul the Apostle is considered by historians to be one of the greatest historical proofs of the reality of Christianity, second only to the resurrection of Christ. When one compares the depth of commitment, both before and after, and the distance between the two points of view held by Saul and by Paul (although he likely always had both names), there is no other rational explanation except that Paul genuinely knew to be true all that he so faithfully proclaimed to others.
Think on it, the best testimony of the risen Christ who forgives sin and gives new life is that new life lived out in the one who believes in Him. That is not just for Paul, you and I have that same opportunity. I so want God to do a great work through me, maybe I don't pay enough attention to the greatness of the work God would do in me.
Acts 5 God on Mission
What a whirlwind in Acts 5!. Two people in the church get called out by the Holy Spirit and an early call home. God is working, people stop pretending, the disciples keep telling, they get arrested, angels release them, the council is perplexed, wonder what to do, could this really be God at work? Maybe it is, but we'll beat these guys anyway. The disciples in the end are a real contrast to the two at the beginning of the chapter. They had wanted others to think admire them spiritually, whereas the disciples don't mind being despised for Jesus' name.
In this chapter there are people in the church and in the opposition (Gamaliel) who are trying to carefully walk the middle, have it either way. God, and his disciples, do not. God is ON MISSION in we who follow Him.
Worth chewing on:
1. Where do I pretend and who am I trying to impress?
2. Read 1 Peter 4:12-17. How does this passage relate to Acts 5?
3. How or where could you live out Acts 5:40-42?
In this chapter there are people in the church and in the opposition (Gamaliel) who are trying to carefully walk the middle, have it either way. God, and his disciples, do not. God is ON MISSION in we who follow Him.
Worth chewing on:
1. Where do I pretend and who am I trying to impress?
2. Read 1 Peter 4:12-17. How does this passage relate to Acts 5?
3. How or where could you live out Acts 5:40-42?
Acts 4 courage on mission
One thing about Peter, he's always willing to speak up. But there seems to be one difference after Christ's resurection--Peter is right on.
The last chapter went really well, but now the thought police show up. The highest political figures, with the police and lawyers in tow, say "Who gave you the right to say these things here? Who do you think you are? You're not qualified or approved!"
After a night in the slammer to cool off, Peter and John are real cool. "Are we on trial for healing a lame man? That's really lame!" "Well, since you asked who and why, its all about Jesus." The defendants turn chief witness and even prosecution as they use this platform to testify to the whole nation from CNN's Jerusalem bureau.
Where does that kind of courage come from? Part of it is personality perhaps, but a big part of it is life by the Spirit lived out in community. Follow P and J home for the council and you see where there courage comes from. They are joined together with other like-minded, sold-out Christians. They pray together (Like Paul, Eph 6) asking God to give them boldness, and they understand the present difficulties in light of God's word ("Hey, this is just like Psalm 2!"). Somebody recently said that each morning they read their Bible and the newspaper, that way they know what both sides are up to!
The earth still shakes when God's people pray and press foward in mission--I've seen it, felt it! We want to have more courage on mission, than we do. It's not out of reach. Are you trying to go into battle alone, who's with you? Who do you pray with? Have you reviewed your morning "intel briefing" sent from heaven, disguised as a book? Do your mision prep, and then let God surprise you with courage under fire.
The last chapter went really well, but now the thought police show up. The highest political figures, with the police and lawyers in tow, say "Who gave you the right to say these things here? Who do you think you are? You're not qualified or approved!"
After a night in the slammer to cool off, Peter and John are real cool. "Are we on trial for healing a lame man? That's really lame!" "Well, since you asked who and why, its all about Jesus." The defendants turn chief witness and even prosecution as they use this platform to testify to the whole nation from CNN's Jerusalem bureau.
Where does that kind of courage come from? Part of it is personality perhaps, but a big part of it is life by the Spirit lived out in community. Follow P and J home for the council and you see where there courage comes from. They are joined together with other like-minded, sold-out Christians. They pray together (Like Paul, Eph 6) asking God to give them boldness, and they understand the present difficulties in light of God's word ("Hey, this is just like Psalm 2!"). Somebody recently said that each morning they read their Bible and the newspaper, that way they know what both sides are up to!
The earth still shakes when God's people pray and press foward in mission--I've seen it, felt it! We want to have more courage on mission, than we do. It's not out of reach. Are you trying to go into battle alone, who's with you? Who do you pray with? Have you reviewed your morning "intel briefing" sent from heaven, disguised as a book? Do your mision prep, and then let God surprise you with courage under fire.
Acts 3 Broken people made whole
In Acts 3, the broken man, unable to walk since birth, is an illustration of the gospel. His condition kept him out of the temple, the celebration God's presence and relationship with him, and he was unable to help himself--completely dependant on mercy. God was merciful to him: raising him up, strengthening him, causing him dance in God's presence. The crowd wants to know how this can be, and Peter's answer is: Jesus--who died for us but God raised, whom we rejected but need to receive, who is risen-will return-and will restore all things as they should be.
Where am I, where are you in this story? Like the lame man, I was helpless, but wanted to dance in His presence. Like Peter I want to be God's messenger, bringing His good news to others. But, still, at times, we feel so...lame...unable to do we want to do...what we know we should do.
How can we, like Peter be used by God as He changes lives? We can do good to those who need grace. That's what the men's group does in Summer of Service, that's what our Students do in their Saturday work projects. Extending grace to others, because God has shown grace to us. He tells us to love our neighbor--our church neighbor is PHS. They're asking for help and we can give it. It may be a simply as when someone shares their burden with you, you offer to pray for them, do it, and then check back in with them. Practicing "praying for you" puts action to your empathy and opens a spiritual door. Maybe they'll ask you, "Why do you pray?" and then you can say...
In seeing, listening, praying, doing, and telling...Lord use us to do your work in real life.
Where am I, where are you in this story? Like the lame man, I was helpless, but wanted to dance in His presence. Like Peter I want to be God's messenger, bringing His good news to others. But, still, at times, we feel so...lame...unable to do we want to do...what we know we should do.
How can we, like Peter be used by God as He changes lives? We can do good to those who need grace. That's what the men's group does in Summer of Service, that's what our Students do in their Saturday work projects. Extending grace to others, because God has shown grace to us. He tells us to love our neighbor--our church neighbor is PHS. They're asking for help and we can give it. It may be a simply as when someone shares their burden with you, you offer to pray for them, do it, and then check back in with them. Practicing "praying for you" puts action to your empathy and opens a spiritual door. Maybe they'll ask you, "Why do you pray?" and then you can say...
In seeing, listening, praying, doing, and telling...Lord use us to do your work in real life.
Acts 2 What could this mean?
When God began the Church, he started it with a big splash--this is God's big thing, based on God's greatest work. Easter is my favorite holiday because its a game changer-life changer. God has turned death to life, rebellion into reconciliation and this sinner into a son, and a saint!
When God first started the church, people gathered to see what was going on and ask: "What could this mean?" 2:12. Kinda like church on Easter Sunday. The answer is that God has intervened, Jesus is risen and will reign, God has shown us the paths of life and opened the way for us to have joy in His presence. Imagine, standing in the presence of THE GOD, without any fear, any guilt, only joy...
The next question, 2:37, is: if this is true "What shall we do?" Believe it. Turn from rebellion to reliance upon Jesus. You do believe, then be baptized. You already have-then join the church. You are a member-then join in, give yourself to it, 2:42-47, give yourself to Him.
Points some of our Growth Groups will consider:
When God first started the church, people gathered to see what was going on and ask: "What could this mean?" 2:12. Kinda like church on Easter Sunday. The answer is that God has intervened, Jesus is risen and will reign, God has shown us the paths of life and opened the way for us to have joy in His presence. Imagine, standing in the presence of THE GOD, without any fear, any guilt, only joy...
The next question, 2:37, is: if this is true "What shall we do?" Believe it. Turn from rebellion to reliance upon Jesus. You do believe, then be baptized. You already have-then join the church. You are a member-then join in, give yourself to it, 2:42-47, give yourself to Him.
Points some of our Growth Groups will consider:
- How does the quote from Psalm 16 in 2:25-28 refer to the Christ, to David, to us?
- What does it suggest about the importance of our life is David's life experiences could portray Christ?
- What should your next step be in response to the question, "What shall we do?"
- How does practicing spiritual life relate to being saved from this corrupt generation (2:40)?
Acts 1 mission possible
You will receive power... and you shall be witnesses to me (Acts 1:8).
It's stated as fact. Not a command, not even a possibility, but real, actual. We have received power, enablement, the ability to act; the Holy Spirit has come and indwells every Christian. What do I do with this power of the the Living God who abides within me? I watch tv, fool around in the garage, work on the computer, watch the game, go for a walk...I have received power, but what do I do with it?
I am a witness to Him, but what sort, how much, how often, how effective, how intentional? Whether timid or bold, confusing or clear, I want to be more Christ's witness. Like Paul said in the end of Ephesians, let me speak the gospel boldly as I ought to speak. I'm cooped up in the church too much, let me get out and put myself in the path of people. Let me speak up more because people around me need to know Jesus as savior, and faith comes by hearing.
Could it be that God intends to save them, and He intends to use me as His witness?
It's stated as fact. Not a command, not even a possibility, but real, actual. We have received power, enablement, the ability to act; the Holy Spirit has come and indwells every Christian. What do I do with this power of the the Living God who abides within me? I watch tv, fool around in the garage, work on the computer, watch the game, go for a walk...I have received power, but what do I do with it?
I am a witness to Him, but what sort, how much, how often, how effective, how intentional? Whether timid or bold, confusing or clear, I want to be more Christ's witness. Like Paul said in the end of Ephesians, let me speak the gospel boldly as I ought to speak. I'm cooped up in the church too much, let me get out and put myself in the path of people. Let me speak up more because people around me need to know Jesus as savior, and faith comes by hearing.
Could it be that God intends to save them, and He intends to use me as His witness?
Living in Real Life
I just reads a news story about conflict at work. A woman was arrested for putting a sedative into her bosses coffee because she felt "he needed to chill out" a little. Maybe he did...Maybe you do... Ephesians 5 and 6 confronts three places in which who we are as new in Christ Jesus, is lived out in real life. You can be whoever you want to be on Sunday mornings, but who you real are is best known by your spouse, your parents or your children, and those you work with 40 or more each week.
In each of these sets of relationships: wife/husband, child/parent, worker/boss; the naturally tendency towards "me first" sets us up for conflict. On the other hand, submitting ourselves to one another in reverence to Christ (Ephesians 5:21) will turn any of these relationships upside down. God says to submit or set aside my own agenda and instead devote myself to my wife, my kids, those who work with me, for their good. When I do, I am living the mind of Christ before them and for them. This may not eliminate conflict, but it could change the direction of it...
As far as the woman and the coffee--maybe she should have just tried decaf...
In each of these sets of relationships: wife/husband, child/parent, worker/boss; the naturally tendency towards "me first" sets us up for conflict. On the other hand, submitting ourselves to one another in reverence to Christ (Ephesians 5:21) will turn any of these relationships upside down. God says to submit or set aside my own agenda and instead devote myself to my wife, my kids, those who work with me, for their good. When I do, I am living the mind of Christ before them and for them. This may not eliminate conflict, but it could change the direction of it...
As far as the woman and the coffee--maybe she should have just tried decaf...
a sweet fragrance in a garbage dump?
Ephesians 5:2-4 speaks very strongly about the difference in our lives while living in a sinful world. We are not called to be isolationists, but to be light. We want to engage our culture, and even be aware of its "arts" and media, and yet often we don't like what we see and hear.
I've learned about a new way to watch DVDs, that can make them cleaner than airplane movies, its called ClearPlay. Using a downloaded file, you can play any DVD in a ClearPLay enabled player, and it will seamlessly skip scenes or language, according to settings you set, for the content you don't want to hear or see? See the video at: http://www.familysafemedia.com/clearplay_in_the_news.html
(click on the play button for Clear PLay in the News)
Have you used ClearPlay? How has it worked for you, what do you think? I would appreciate hearing your experiences. It seems like this could be a great way to help families keep from being "surprised" by a scene in what they thought was a clean family movie...
I've learned about a new way to watch DVDs, that can make them cleaner than airplane movies, its called ClearPlay. Using a downloaded file, you can play any DVD in a ClearPLay enabled player, and it will seamlessly skip scenes or language, according to settings you set, for the content you don't want to hear or see? See the video at: http://www.familysafemedia.com/clearplay_in_the_news.html
(click on the play button for Clear PLay in the News)
Have you used ClearPlay? How has it worked for you, what do you think? I would appreciate hearing your experiences. It seems like this could be a great way to help families keep from being "surprised" by a scene in what they thought was a clean family movie...
living out new life - ephesians 4 17-32
We heard things were going to be new, different, not like the past, and yet it looks like the same old thing we've known before. That's not what we wanted to see in DC; thats not what we wanted to see closer to home, in my home, in me! God has clearly said the past is enough for the old, it's time to live new (1 Pet 4:3). Paul agrees, and inside of you and I, the new you agrees too.
Because we've been made new, we can live new, and we should, we must, others need to see Christ in us. Given the chance to live, why slip back into the old default of everyday death?
In this passage, godly living stands on gospel truth. Because we've been made new, God gets specific about anger, giving, words we say, things we do--how to live new.
I dare you to ask the question of verses 25-32, "What's new for you?" What should new look like? I don't want this passage be more of what we know, I want it to begin to describe who we look like.
In these very specific and personal ways, we live out new life in Christ, that by His grace looks like Christ, and brings Him praise.
Because we've been made new, we can live new, and we should, we must, others need to see Christ in us. Given the chance to live, why slip back into the old default of everyday death?
In this passage, godly living stands on gospel truth. Because we've been made new, God gets specific about anger, giving, words we say, things we do--how to live new.
I dare you to ask the question of verses 25-32, "What's new for you?" What should new look like? I don't want this passage be more of what we know, I want it to begin to describe who we look like.
In these very specific and personal ways, we live out new life in Christ, that by His grace looks like Christ, and brings Him praise.
a prayer psalm from eph 1-3
God had a plan
God has always had a plan
It was a secret plan that he and only he knew
But now at the end of time God has chosen to reveal it
To reveal it…to us
This was God’s plan:
Before the universe even existed
Before a single star dotted the black velvet of space
God set out to display his glory
And this is how he chose to do it:
He would create a people for himself
He would send his Son to create this people
His Son would give his life to create a holy an blame-free people
And these people would display God’s greatness for all of heaven to see
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
So Before he even made the world he chose us
He chose us to be that people
He chose you, he chose me
He didn’ have to
He didn’t need to
But he chose us in his love
Oh it wouldn’t be easy
No, we would run away from God
We would run so far from God that we couldn’t even run back to him
In our rebelion we died
Our souls were dead
We had no hope
God wasn’t even a distant memory
But that didn’t stop God
No, he reached down raised our souls from the dead
He lifted us up from death
And breathed the life of heaven’s blessing into our souls
God made us his children
He made us heirs of a glorious inheritance
Then he handcrafted our lives one by one
He made us his eternal artwork
Artwork for the angels to see and admire
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
And this wasn’t just for us
No God is calling all peoples to join this great new people
People with a great heritage of faith…he is calling them
People who’ve never even heard of God or his law before…he is calling them
The old distinctions are gone
Everyone can come
Listen to the voice of God calling out
“There is peace for you if you are close by
There is peace even if you are far away.”
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
And God is using each person who comes
Each new member of this people of God
God is building them into a building
God is building a temple, a monument, a cathedral
Jesus is the cornerstone
Another Christian is an archway,
One person is tapesty and another is stained glass
Together we are becoming the grandest structure of all
We are the house of God
And God’s own Spirit will live inside its walls
Then God’s plan will be fulfilled:
We will live in him
And he will live in us
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
-Pastor DJ Jackson
God has always had a plan
It was a secret plan that he and only he knew
But now at the end of time God has chosen to reveal it
To reveal it…to us
This was God’s plan:
Before the universe even existed
Before a single star dotted the black velvet of space
God set out to display his glory
And this is how he chose to do it:
He would create a people for himself
He would send his Son to create this people
His Son would give his life to create a holy an blame-free people
And these people would display God’s greatness for all of heaven to see
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
So Before he even made the world he chose us
He chose us to be that people
He chose you, he chose me
He didn’ have to
He didn’t need to
But he chose us in his love
Oh it wouldn’t be easy
No, we would run away from God
We would run so far from God that we couldn’t even run back to him
In our rebelion we died
Our souls were dead
We had no hope
God wasn’t even a distant memory
But that didn’t stop God
No, he reached down raised our souls from the dead
He lifted us up from death
And breathed the life of heaven’s blessing into our souls
God made us his children
He made us heirs of a glorious inheritance
Then he handcrafted our lives one by one
He made us his eternal artwork
Artwork for the angels to see and admire
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
And this wasn’t just for us
No God is calling all peoples to join this great new people
People with a great heritage of faith…he is calling them
People who’ve never even heard of God or his law before…he is calling them
The old distinctions are gone
Everyone can come
Listen to the voice of God calling out
“There is peace for you if you are close by
There is peace even if you are far away.”
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
And God is using each person who comes
Each new member of this people of God
God is building them into a building
God is building a temple, a monument, a cathedral
Jesus is the cornerstone
Another Christian is an archway,
One person is tapesty and another is stained glass
Together we are becoming the grandest structure of all
We are the house of God
And God’s own Spirit will live inside its walls
Then God’s plan will be fulfilled:
We will live in him
And he will live in us
Sovereign Lord
You alone can open our eyes
To see your awesome design
Help us to see and to grasp and to love
And to you be the glory forever.
-Pastor DJ Jackson
Living in the Gospel Ephesians 4:1-16
I don't feel quite up to it this week. It seems the Lord's apostle, by being in a worse place than I, is in a better place than I to urge what needs urging, to "Make the ask."
Many translations don't quite capture the word order of the first verses of Ephesians 4. My free translation from Greek is: Therefore I urge you--I, the prisoner of the Lord--that you live in a way that well represents the calling with which you were called, living with all humility and gentleness, with all long suffering and forbearance toward one another in love, jealously guarding the unity the Spirit has given in our bond together in peace.
Paul is asking for something radical, he is urging us to dive to the bottom of the pile, to take the worst for one another's best. He's asking for much more than here a little, there a little. But Paul can ask, he's given his all--held nothing back.
In comparison, I'm a little embarrassed to urge the same, it seems I've given so little. And yet, hiding in God's grace, I will ask, I will urge, I will call and encourage us all to live in light of our calling. I have to, for I need the reminder--we all do. And by God's grace, he reminds us, calls us, urges us...to Live in the Gospel...
Many translations don't quite capture the word order of the first verses of Ephesians 4. My free translation from Greek is: Therefore I urge you--I, the prisoner of the Lord--that you live in a way that well represents the calling with which you were called, living with all humility and gentleness, with all long suffering and forbearance toward one another in love, jealously guarding the unity the Spirit has given in our bond together in peace.
Paul is asking for something radical, he is urging us to dive to the bottom of the pile, to take the worst for one another's best. He's asking for much more than here a little, there a little. But Paul can ask, he's given his all--held nothing back.
In comparison, I'm a little embarrassed to urge the same, it seems I've given so little. And yet, hiding in God's grace, I will ask, I will urge, I will call and encourage us all to live in light of our calling. I have to, for I need the reminder--we all do. And by God's grace, he reminds us, calls us, urges us...to Live in the Gospel...
Valley of Vision prayer
The following Puritanesque prayer was part of the worship service last Sunday. Several have asked for it so here it is. I hope your somewhere quiet where you can read it, prayit, out loud. May your sould be filled and your prayer answered...
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;
let me find Thy light in my darkness,
Thy life in my death,
Thy joy in my sorrow,
Thy grace in my sin,
Thy riches in my poverty,
Thy glory in my valley.
Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,
Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see Thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold Thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter Thy stars shine;
let me find Thy light in my darkness,
Thy life in my death,
Thy joy in my sorrow,
Thy grace in my sin,
Thy riches in my poverty,
Thy glory in my valley.
part of something BIGGER ephesians 3
I was thinking this morning about how I respond when things don't go as I wanted. I tried to do good and yet it was thrown back at me. You gave yourself for someone, and yet it wasn't good enough, your kindness was rejected. We give ourselves for the best of reasons and yet at times bad comes from it. Where is God? Right there. What is He doing? Hmmmm.
The old, and not so satisfying, saying goes something like, "God works in mysterious ways." Its not so much a mystery to be solved as a mystery to wait and see, like a street artist whose initial splashes of paint look like chaos, but in the end, when what we thought was the central part of the image is covered over and something else, much grander, like Christ Himself, is seen instead.
Paul is in prison, his friends feel badly for it, but he wants them to know it is not by chance, but fro God, who is working His plan. And that pan is much more than just leading events on the world stage to His intended end, it is working His intending end in each of us, His children, saints, set apart ones. His greatest, above and beyond power is not just working around us, or even for us, but is working in us, for and to His glory, in the misdt of whatever "stuff" is happening.
The old, and not so satisfying, saying goes something like, "God works in mysterious ways." Its not so much a mystery to be solved as a mystery to wait and see, like a street artist whose initial splashes of paint look like chaos, but in the end, when what we thought was the central part of the image is covered over and something else, much grander, like Christ Himself, is seen instead.
Paul is in prison, his friends feel badly for it, but he wants them to know it is not by chance, but fro God, who is working His plan. And that pan is much more than just leading events on the world stage to His intended end, it is working His intending end in each of us, His children, saints, set apart ones. His greatest, above and beyond power is not just working around us, or even for us, but is working in us, for and to His glory, in the misdt of whatever "stuff" is happening.
Christ-centered community, Ephesians 2:11-22
Remember - the only command given in the first three chapters of Ephesians. We're not told to fix anything, but to fix this thing in our minds. What thing? Grace.
It is by grace that we, who were far away from God and without any hope, have been brought near, boldly before the throne, as if we belong there - and we do - in Christ. Grace in Christ made peace between people and between people and God. All have the same access into His temple, through the torn veil, by faith in Christ's death for us.
If we continue remembering that we began by grace, we are more likely to continue in grace (2:19-22). We continue together as the family He has made us: I belong and I'm needed. We continue founded on His word, that that is centered in Christ himself - its all about Him. Together, by His word, we are formed into a growing temple.
The thing that joins us together and which together we must join in is God's grace in Christ!Trophimus was denied access to the temple (Acts 26), but by grace he is now not only in, he is actually part of the true temple, where God dwells.
And by grace, so are we.
Don't forget it.
It is by grace that we, who were far away from God and without any hope, have been brought near, boldly before the throne, as if we belong there - and we do - in Christ. Grace in Christ made peace between people and between people and God. All have the same access into His temple, through the torn veil, by faith in Christ's death for us.
If we continue remembering that we began by grace, we are more likely to continue in grace (2:19-22). We continue together as the family He has made us: I belong and I'm needed. We continue founded on His word, that that is centered in Christ himself - its all about Him. Together, by His word, we are formed into a growing temple.
The thing that joins us together and which together we must join in is God's grace in Christ!Trophimus was denied access to the temple (Acts 26), but by grace he is now not only in, he is actually part of the true temple, where God dwells.
And by grace, so are we.
Don't forget it.
grace changes everything, ephesians 2:1-10
What's so amazing about grace is how far it reaches: in reaches down to us in whatever pit we have fallen into or dug for ourselves (2:1-3), and grace reaches so far as to set us in the presence of God in heaven in Christ (2:4-6). From where I was to where God intends to take me. That's true in God's rescuing us from sin and guilt,and also for His continuing work in us, His special project, His workmanship (2:10).
We each need God's grace, whether to receive spiritual life, for spiritual growth as "His workmanship" (God working in us), or for fulfilling our mission in doing His work (God working through us).
A friend reminded me today that the essence of Christianity has always been missional. Each person relates to the church either as one who is called by God to receive and believe the gospel or as one who is used by God to extend the gospel. If we have believed, than God is best working in us when He is working through us to show His grace to others. That's what "Christ in us" would look like.
We each need God's grace, whether to receive spiritual life, for spiritual growth as "His workmanship" (God working in us), or for fulfilling our mission in doing His work (God working through us).
A friend reminded me today that the essence of Christianity has always been missional. Each person relates to the church either as one who is called by God to receive and believe the gospel or as one who is used by God to extend the gospel. If we have believed, than God is best working in us when He is working through us to show His grace to others. That's what "Christ in us" would look like.
praying towards growing in knowing God
A good start: believing in Jesus and Loving those Jesus loves (1:15). Because of this Paul prays for them along very specific lines. We first learned how to pray by listening in as others prayed, so learn about praying by listening in on Paul.
He prays that we would grow in knowing the hope God has called us to, that we would know how much we mean to God as His particular treasure, and how great is His life from death power toward we who believe in a life from the dead Savior.
There's nothing here about stiff joints, or my difficult circumstance. Too often I pray for a change in circumstances, either for myself or others. Not often enough am I praying that in those hardships, circumstances, either I or those I pray for would grow in knowing God by seeing more clearly His salvation through the storm, seeing more fully how much God loves and seeing His power perfected in our weakness or trouble.
This week I'm praying a different way. I hope it doesn't bring more trails, but whatever comes, my hope is being closer to Him who loves us most of all.
He prays that we would grow in knowing the hope God has called us to, that we would know how much we mean to God as His particular treasure, and how great is His life from death power toward we who believe in a life from the dead Savior.
There's nothing here about stiff joints, or my difficult circumstance. Too often I pray for a change in circumstances, either for myself or others. Not often enough am I praying that in those hardships, circumstances, either I or those I pray for would grow in knowing God by seeing more clearly His salvation through the storm, seeing more fully how much God loves and seeing His power perfected in our weakness or trouble.
This week I'm praying a different way. I hope it doesn't bring more trails, but whatever comes, my hope is being closer to Him who loves us most of all.
the gospel - ephesians 1:3-14
The Gospel of our salvation, planned and perfected by the triune God: Father, Son and Spirit. God chose to save us and has set his plan in motion to bring us all the way to perfection. The Son paid the price (redemption) for our sin so that we could be forgiven, and share in His inheritance. That inheritance is the whole twisted and broken will be restored as it rightly should be, under Jesus. Love and justice prevails, while guilt, shame and selfishness are banished; and we shall be part of it!
In fact, we are already part of it--in part! If you have heard and believed (trusted in) the Gospel of God choosing to save you by Jesus dying for your sin and guilt and being raised from the dead. If so, then you have already been saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit. By His indwelling, the Spirit works in you the first fruits of all we will one day experience.
A Christian's testimony is simple, although the names, places and details vary, the essence is this: God determined to intervene so that I heard the gospel and believed, trusting in Christ for forgiveness of my sin, thus being sealed in Christ by the Spirit who now lives in me and is working in my life new growth that will fit the coming eternal glory.
Maybe you'd like to briefly tell your salvation story in a comment below? Maybe tell some of the work the indwelling Spirit is doing, or what you pray He will do in you? Maybe, like Paul, just praise God for how He has blessed us in life with Him...
In fact, we are already part of it--in part! If you have heard and believed (trusted in) the Gospel of God choosing to save you by Jesus dying for your sin and guilt and being raised from the dead. If so, then you have already been saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit. By His indwelling, the Spirit works in you the first fruits of all we will one day experience.
A Christian's testimony is simple, although the names, places and details vary, the essence is this: God determined to intervene so that I heard the gospel and believed, trusting in Christ for forgiveness of my sin, thus being sealed in Christ by the Spirit who now lives in me and is working in my life new growth that will fit the coming eternal glory.
Maybe you'd like to briefly tell your salvation story in a comment below? Maybe tell some of the work the indwelling Spirit is doing, or what you pray He will do in you? Maybe, like Paul, just praise God for how He has blessed us in life with Him...
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