Chasing the Lion

Man on a Mission: Chasing the Lion

We are all looking for peace in our lives. Whether through money, relationships, or success, we often look in the wrong places and end up embattled in our souls rather than at rest. When God calls us to walk with Him, it is a call to that peace. What we think of God and how He intervenes in our lives will be challenged along the way as we chase this King who also describes Himself as a lion. To find the peace for which we ultimately long, we must understand the cost, embrace the paradox of peace, and through this, enjoy the spoils of the Lion.

Matthew 8:18-22 (NIV)

18When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”  21Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

The Cost

It's been fun. I've had people asking me the cost of admittance to our Sunday service as we've been meeting in the theater.

To follow and continually relate to Jesus is to know peace, yet, like anything else in life, there is a cost to the tranquility that we desire.

Some of the "drivers" in our lives that can have more of an influence over us than Jesus are relationships, money, and the need for success or approval. They are legitimate desires, but become merciless dictators when they are not submitted to Jesus who orders all things properly. All of these are what Jesus challenged as He spoke of the cost of discipleship, because He knew that they would be tyrannical taskmasters rather than the benevolent King that He wishes to be.

To thrive in life is to first understand who God is, and then understand who we are as we walk in the environments in which He has placed us. One of the greatest challenges to this is the daily judgments that we experience. It is a challenge in this city, because, as we saw in Jesus' own temptation in the desert, the eroding of our souls comes when we are tired, deprived of basic needs and isolated.

People treat following Jesus like an extracurricular activity or a hobby. It is something you do when you "feel" like you can make time or you have the energy. Our service to God, translating into the practical building of His Kingdom, is not a priority, or that around which we build our lives. We do what He commands when it is convenient or clearly emotionally advantageous for us; we refrain and justify the reasons why when it seems less expedient. We treat it like a matter of special interest, but this is not the paradigm with which God relates to us.

“Jesus has now many lovers of the heavenly kingdom but few bearers of His cross.” ― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation Of Christ

Time management and priorities are revealed when you see that for which you do and do not have time. We are all busy. We all have responsibilities and free time. When you do not have time for the things of God because you have spent your free time in excessive entertainments, that was a poor practice of time management and prioritization. Finding your part in building God's Kingdom through the local church needs to be a priority if you are going to be a disciple of Jesus.

Jesus deliberately chooses an offensive comparison to point out how extreme our heart devotion needs to be if we are truly to be found pleasing and consecrated in His sight. We will always functionally fall short of complete obedience if we are not found in this place, because there will always be something else weighty competing in our minds to countermand our attention.

Why? It is because the storms of life will always come in this fallen world to challenge our faith and test our commitment.

The Paradox of Peace

Matthew 8:23-27 (NIV)

23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” 

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you." ― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

It is a surprising thing that to follow the Prince of Peace is to many times follow him into the storms of life.

On the job, in the midst of tremendous strain, treacherous dealings, or unethical practices is where you can meet Jesus asking Him to calm the storms.

(Rollan spoke to the storms that can come in marriage.)

Our obedience to the commands and ways of God show us how much we really believe that He exists. If we were standing before Him, being able to clearly see, touch, and audibly hear God, would we spend our time the way that we do, use our money the way that we do, relate to people in the manner that we seem so comfortable, have the attitude toward disappointments that we generally have, or as professing Christians excuse the bitterness that we allow to fester in our hearts?

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:15 NIV)

I would think not.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 NIV)

Like the disciples, we act as if He is not there, or lacks the ability to work out everything for His glory, for the good of those who love Him.

The Spoils of the Lion

Matthew 8:28-34 (NIV)

28When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. 29“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” 30Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.” 32He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. 33Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.

People often speak about their demons as if they are a family member or close friend. At the very least, they are the things with which they identify themselves, whether it be their anger, sexuality, or personality type.

“If I got rid of my demons, I’d lose my angels.” ― Tennessee Williams, Conversations with Tennessee Williams

“Demons were said to be cruel, but a demon would never have been so brutal as this. A demon merely called you by name, threw his arms around you, whispered his plight, understood yours, then took you for his own.” ― Alice Hoffman, The Story Sisters (author of Practical Magic made into 1998 movie)

 “Be careful when you cast out your demons that you don’t throw away the best of yourself.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. (Mark 5:6-9, 14, 15 NIV)

Demons are not our friends. They are unclean spirits who come to limit and take life from us as was seen in the example of the pigs who were driven off of the cliffs under the influence of the demons. When Jesus, or others as agents of Christ, are coming to help and provide Christ's deliverance, we can be fearful and resist, thinking people are attempting to torment us rather than set us free. When our ideologies, self-perceptions, or patterns of behavior are touched with the truth of God, may we experience the same freedom as the two demonized men and not fear as the villagers did.

(Rollan shared commentary on the Boston bombing that happened this week. He shared about how the Holy Spirit tells us to love and serve our enemies versus drive a person or persons to blow up other people. He referenced John 10:10 from the NIV: "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.")

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” (Mark 5:6-9 NIV)

Though these markers are the things that come to take life from us, Jesus, as the conquering lion, comes for His spoils by setting our hearts, minds, and houses in order. It is here that we finally know the peace for which we have always been searching.

There are times that you will be taken out of the herd with which you used to run, and placed in a new body of believers, like the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. However, in this case, there were two demonized men living in the tombs together. Sinners of a feather flock together. Jesus also delivers groups of people at a time. It was Andrew who called his brother Peter to meet Jesus. It was Moses who had his brother Aaron to help lead the people out of their slavery in Egypt. Your old friendship group that you used to run with or a group to whom you are reaching out may be the very people who will walk out the new life in Jesus together.

When we come to God, it is not so much that people are wondering what a church service is like as much as they are asking what it means when they leave this place. The point of the church is that you would come to learn about the omnipotent, sovereign God who made you, draw near to honor His Son who saves you, build relationships and the Kingdom with his body who strengthens you, and grow as you walk together through the storms of life that will face you.

I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. (Romans 15:14 NIV)

Practically:

1) Identify the "drivers" in your life that have had more sway over you than Jesus. 2) Practice going to Jesus and His word first in the midst of daily trials to see Him calm the storms. 3) Commit to at least one relationship building moment in addition to Sunday church to build life in Jesus with people in the congregation.

Second City Church- Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2013

Approaching the King

Man on a Mission: Approaching the King

There is no way around it. When we come to church, it is for the express purpose of worshiping the God who made us, loves us, and came to save us. The Bible reveals Jesus as the Creator King of the universe who ultimately gives us His word to understand who He is and how to have relationship with Him. As we do so, we begin to discover how to approach the King, ways to amaze the King, and finally, how to avail ourselves to being used by the King.

Matthew 8:5-17 (NIV)

5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly. 7Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”8The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.11I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.12But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”13Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.14When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. 15He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. 16When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases."

What was a centurion?

The centurions formed the backbone of the leadership of the Roman legions and were usually tasked with the responsibility of enforcing discipline. They received much higher pay and up to fifteen times more share of the spoils than other soldiers. It is like a police captain, partner at a firm, or an upwardly mobile account manager.

Approaching the King

“Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are going in this ocean of chaos, it has been the authorities, the political, the religious, the educational authorities who attempted to comfort us by giving us order, rules, regulations, informing, forming in our minds their view of reality. To think for yourself you must question authority and learn how to put yourself in a state of vulnerable, open-mindedness; chaotic, confused, vulnerability to inform yourself.” ― Timothy Leary (Richard Nixon once called "the most dangerous man in America")

Though this is how many people in our modern culture approach life and reality, they ultimately end up spiritual wanderers and emotional vagabonds. Because they do not allow the self-revelatory God to show them who He is, and ultimately, who they are to be, there is no true context to the realities of the world in which we live, or way to navigate it successfully, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Only relating to God as he is found in Jesus gives us this comprehensive picture and approach.

What can we learn from the centurion?

The centurion, though a Gentile, showed sensitivity to the Jewish populace knowing that asking the Jewish rabbi to enter the Gentile home would make him ceremonially unclean. Though he stood in awe of God, He still engaged him. Do not stand immobilized at a distance, theorizing through tradition that we are unworthy to see Christ move through the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives because of our uncleanness. It is the cleanness that He gives us through faith in His word that enables us to receive and be used by Him.

Amazing the King

The faith of this simple man is what amazed the King, moving the King to honor the centurion's request.

The centurion had enough wisdom to realize that as you go up the chain, every boss has someone else to whom he or she must answer. Even the CEO of a multi-billion dollar company has their stockholders to whom they need to answer. The ceiling of all authority is the benevolent God, who not only made all things, but, thus, has the ability to manipulate all things created, for our good.

In our society, the arrogance of people causes them to think that we are on level ground with the uncreated, eternal God, and therefore have the right to judge the judge. This is the pride that God resists, giving His grace to the humble, and why many will receive nothing from His hand. The centurion, however, understood his place, acknowledged the authority of Christ as the cosmic King, and was able to benefit from His word.

Allowing the King to Use You

How did Peter's mother-in-law respond to the word of the King?

When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother‑in‑law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. (Matthew 8:14, 15 NIV)

Many people go on a quest to discover more and more broken areas as an end unto itself. However, Jesus makes us whole so that we can rise up in strength and serve alongside of Him. That is His purpose in healing. He is preparing us to know Him fully so that we might one day, in submission to His authority, rule and reign with Him. As we've come to know His healing in relationships, psychologically, or in our physical bodies, He commissions us as vice-regents to be agents of healing for others. Many exclude themselves from the healings when they do not see this resultant service as the ultimate goal - they prefer to stay right where they are, always the recipients.

The man who was used of God to initiate the healing was not in occupational ministry. The centurion was in the marketplace as many of you need to be and believe to do it well for the sake of godly influence. The Bible is full of people who are called to their profession as missionaries and find a way to do the most good that they can there for the kingdom of God.

The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to Him, asking Him to come and heal His servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with Him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. (Luke 7:3-6a NIV)

The centurion was discerning enough to realize that though his influence could be global through the Italian regiment, his impact should first be felt for the Kingdom locally through the synagogue. This is the modern church family to which He has joined you.

“Think globally, act locally.” ― Paul McCartney

You should ask yourself the question, what are the ways that I can excel in my profession and bring the most glory to God through my local family of believers?

The joy that you are looking for in life comes from being found, loved, and accepted in Christ, joined to His community, and empowered to serve those around you. Dealing with the weight of responsibilities is a daunting experience if it is not contextualized in this paradigm.

Last week we saw the leper come on behalf of himself. This is always an option with our loving God who cares for our lives. This week, however, we see a transition, where the centurion comes on behalf of someone else. This is at the heart of the gospel, that when we see God as He truly is and are healed, ministry results where we begin to live outside of ourselves in an effort to serve others.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV)

The centurion could have been content with his place in society. His living conditions. His rise from being a plebeian, a commoner, through societal ranks. Yet, he was concerned about his servant who was valuable to him. Who is valuable to you? In this city, in your workplace, in your family? Last week we talked about the leper who came on his own behalf. This week we see the centurion who comes on behalf of his friend (the mentality of the Roman Empire towards the weak, sickly and dying - mirroring Chicago/America). What will it take to make this Kingdom more than about your personal wholeness, achievement, or success?

Practically:

1) Like the centurion, excel in your profession and do all of the good that you can for the Kingdom, and, specifically, through the church. 2) Spend time studying the reports of God's goodness shown to others in the Bible and in Christian testimony. 3) Begin to come into agreement with the authority of Christ, making requests for yourself and others.

Second City Church - Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2013

If You Are Willing

Man on a Mission: If You Are Willing...

[powerpress url="http://2ndcitychurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Rollan_04_07_2013.mp3"]

Matthew 8:1-4 (NIV) 

1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Completing the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus has already verified himself as an unparalleled moral teacher within the annals of men. However, He is not content to simply be known as a sage or another spiritual guru. Matthew now begins to record the miracles of Jesus, which authenticate His divine origin and subsequent mission. In doing so, Jesus addresses the stumbling block of suffering, validates our need for healing, and clearly ratifies the inclination of God toward our condition.

The Stumbling Block of Suffering

Our response to God isn't always so much an intellectual one as it is an emotional one, trying to comprehend and process the realities of life that we endure. This, undoubtedly, includes suffering of various types that we see around us, including, but not limited to, the incessant weight of physical or emotional distress.

This leprosy was not the man's choice.

We often get trapped in the discussion of why suffering exists in the first place. We enter into the philosophical debate, which either says that, "If God is good and unable to heal, then He is not all powerful," or, "if God is all powerful and does not heal, He is not good." What Jesus came to demonstrate is that God is both omnipotent and benevolent. Over and over Jesus demonstrates that there is a meta narrative far beyond our reasoning capacities, and God will not resign to fitting into a box of the cursory interpretation of life's circumstances.

What we can not say is that God enjoys suffering, because He entered into human suffering to put an end to it. He asked to be relieved of it in Gethsemane.

What we can not say is that He is a god who does not care or understand, because He promises a now present and coming kingdom where He destroys death, suffering, and pain.

Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:1-4 NIV)

Our Need For Healing

“One thing you can't hide - is when you're crippled inside.” ― John Lennon

The lepers in Jesus' day

The word used for leprosy was one that referred to a variety of skin diseases. Many of the skin disorders were considered highly contagious and made it necessary for those suffering from the illness to be examined by the priests. According to Levitical law (Leviticus 13-14), for the protection of the rest of the community, if found leprous, the infected individual would be isolated from the community, be required to wear torn clothes, cover the lower half of their face, and be forced to cry, "Unclean, unclean!"

The form of leprosy with which we are most familiar is Hansen's disease found most often in Asia, Africa, South America, and the Pacific Islands. It results in skin sores, nerve damage, and muscle weakness that escalates over the course of time. It was most debilitating, because, with this illness, because of the internal nerve damage, you could not tell when you were being hurt or burned. This led to injuries which would get infected over the course of time and lead to the loss of parts of the body. What a parallel this is to our spiritual condition.

“Nobody can tell what I suffer! But it is always so. Those who do not complain are never pitied.” ― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

This is not so with Jesus, because He sees it all.

Many of us are good at hiding our suffering, yet the things that drive us in life are many times not only our ambitions, but our pains. Many of these were picked up along the way and play themselves out as insecurities, an inability to find peace in the quiet of our own company, or an inability to relate without a co-dependent manner with the world around us. Whether we admit it or not, we are in need of healing, much like the leper. More often than we'd like, we wear our need on our sleeves. Whether we like it or not, we show our deficiencies. These things do not make you altogether weak, they make you human and in need of a savior. Jesus reaching out to touch the man after years of isolation and disgrace shows His ardent pursuit of each one of us and His heart to touch both our bodies and emotions. As in the case of AA, you have to admit there is a problem before you can get help.

When we are honest with ourselves, we know that we are, or at least the world is, in need, and we want there to be a god who can help. At this point, it is not simply about theories or philosophy; we need a real encounter with a living god who can save. Yet the question still remains with us, "Is He willing to help?"

The Inclination of God

Many of us have become so used to the unhealthy or crippled state in which we find ourselves that we dare not approach God for a change. Some of us realize our brokenness and, like the leper, cry out "Unclean, unclean!" not because we want to get well, but because of the attention that it garners us. Others of us are unaware of our disease, but see all of the indicators of it by the way that others treat us. Instead of always blaming someone else for your condition, it may be time to take ownership and responsibility, and come to Jesus to be made whole. The leper had enough of the isolation.

The word that Jesus uses for "willing" in the Greek was transliterated "Thelo," which means to wish or desire, implying an active volition and purpose. It means endeavoring in love, to be inclined towards something, what one chooses, likes and presses on to perform.

Eventually we must understand that it is not a matter of whether or not Jesus is willing to heal, but whether or not we are willing to approach and believe Him for a miracle, if YOU are willing.

There is an interesting parallel in John 5:1-15:

To verify the healing, the leper would have had to show up in a place that was potentially loaded with traumatic memories and pain. It is possible that the last time that he was vulnerable enough to go to the temple was the same time that he was turned away, diagnosed as unclean, and sent into isolation. Last time, he only met the servant of God, but this time, he has met Jesus, the healer, and He tells him to go back and reengage that which previously put him on the outside, because now he has been pronounced clean by Him.

Jesus, in saying "I am willing," is communicating His place in the aforementioned narrative. This is not a self-help program, rather it is the living God who comes to restore you in relationship to Himself and has supernatural power to heal.

One thing that can not be overlooked is that Jesus sends the leper immediately back into the community of believers as a part of his healing. Many of us are used to isolation or the sin of radical individualism, but, it is time, if you are going to be a part of Jesus' story, to let that go. You see it as a constant theme in Scripture that to walk with God is to walk with His people: to know and to be known.

After the healing, Jesus commands that the man go offer the gift prescribed by the law as a testament to the healing. To re-enter society, the priests had to confirm that the healing took place and would offer thanks to God from whom the healing came. His desire is the same for us today in a three-fold manner. We are to know that God wants His work in our life to be tested and verified, whether physically, emotionally, or relationally. He does a real and complete work. Secondly, he wants us to offer our gifts in a response of thanks for all that He has done to restore our lives. Finally, we are to reengage community through which we walk out our healed life while giving testimony to others that God can have mercy on them as well. The Christian is an envoy of this message, because they have first experienced this reality.

“I could never myself believe in God, if it were not for the cross. The only God I believe in is the One Nietzsche ridiculed as 'God on the cross.' In the real world of pain, how could one worship a God who was immune to it? I have entered many Buddhist temples in different Asian countries and stood respectfully before the statue of the Buddha, his legs crossed, arms folded, eyes closed, the ghost of a smile playing round his mouth, a remote look on his face, detached from the agonies of the world. But each time after a while I have had to turn away. And in imagination I have turned instead to that lonely, twisted, tortured figure on the cross, nails through hands and feet, back lacerated, limbs wrenched, brow bleeding from thorn-pricks, mouth dry and intolerably thirsty, plunged in Godforsaken darkness. That is the God for me! He laid aside his immunity to pain. He entered our world of flesh and blood, tears and death. He suffered for us. Our sufferings become more manageable in the light of his. There is still a question mark against human suffering, but over it we boldly stamp another mark, the cross that symbolizes divine suffering. 'The cross of Christ ... is God’s only self-justification in such a world” as ours....' 'The other gods were strong; but thou wast weak; they rode, but thou didst stumble to a throne; But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak, And not a god has wounds, but thou alone.” ― John R.W. Stott, Cross

Second  City Church- Man On A Mission Sermon Series 2013

He Has Come!

Coming Soon: He Has Come!

The History of Second City Church

(Pastor Rollan gave an overview of the history of Second City Church which can also be explored on the church's website.)

Easter is observed worldwide to commemorate the life, miracles, teachings, and, ultimately, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. To fully celebrate the beauty and power of Easter, we need to be open to looking at what we've always heard differently, acknowledge the struggles of humanity, and embrace the Savior who has come.

(Pastor Rollan read the passage from Isaiah below without making a quote reference.)

I once asked a man on a plane to listen to this description without knowing who I was, what I did for a living, or about whom the passage was speaking. I am asking you to do the same this morning and see what we can discover about the subject and the author from these statements.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 (NIV)

13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness— 15 so he will sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. 1 Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. 11 After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

The man's answer on the plane next to me, who had grown up culturally Jewish and was amazed at the location of the passage, said without hesitation that it referred to the historical Jesus Christ.

Seeing Things Differently

“The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be minds.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Historic evidences for the resurrection will be discussed later. This Easter we will focus on the God who created an address in space, time, and history to bring the prophesied Messiah, the Savior of the world. Think about how many prophecies were fulfilled in Christ and the astronomical statistical improbability.

The author is God, who 700 years before the birth and ministry of Jesus, was giving, through the prophet Isaiah, a URL address of what the promised Messiah, the Savior of both the Jewish and Gentile world, would look like when He came.

Second Look

At Second City Church, part of our motto is that we hope that you will take a second look at Jesus of Nazareth, to rediscover, beyond the tidal waves of misinformed aversion in popular culture, why He in fact is good and alone is worthy of our worship.

"Throughout the New Testament the apostles appealed to two areas of the life of Jesus of Nazareth to establish his messiahship. One was the resurrection and the other was fulfilled messianic prophecy. The Old Testament, written over a one-thousand year period, contains nearly three hundred references to the coming Messiah. All of these were fulfilled in Jesus Christ, and they establish a solid confirmation of His credentials as Messiah." -Josh McDowell, Evidence for Christianity

"Isaiah revealed the manner of the Messiah's birth (of a virgin); Micah pinpointed the place of his birth (Bethlehem); Genesis and Jeremiah specified his ancestry (a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, from the tribe of Judah, the house of David); the Psalms foretold his betrayal, his accusation by false witnesses, his manner of death (pierced in hands and feet, although crucifixion hadn't been invented yet), and his resurrection (he would not decay but would ascend on high); and on and on." -Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ

Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. (Isaiah 52:14, 15 NIV)

The Struggles of Humanity

“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.” ― Maya Angelou

The point of all of this is that God sees and God knows. God knew in advance the family in which you would grow up and the experiences, both good and bad that would shape you. He saw every triumph, every hurt, every disappointment, and every success. In the midst of all of your triumphs and pains, God has brought you to this moment and has determined to be the Savior who would both carry and heal your pain. He offers you His grace taking on the punishments that we rightly deserve for decisions we have made. The self-inflicted trauma He has taken upon Himself.

Huston Smith in The World's Religions said there are only two people in human history about whom people marveled to the extent that they didn't just ask who are you, but what are you? The first was Jesus Christ, and the second was Buddha. The difference, however, is the diametrically opposed responses that they gave of themselves. In both instances, people wanted to worship them because they had never seen such integrity, beauty, wisdom, and compassion. Buddha said absolutely not, look to my Darhma, my teaching, I am not a god. Jesus, on the other hand, when He was worshiped, unequivocally took it (Paraphrased from Timothy Keller's Who is This Jesus? podcast 8:20-9:30).

The Savior Who Has Come

A friend of mine and my wife's recently spoke of sleeping with other women's husbands throughout the years, but feeling no sense that justice should be paid. God, she thinks, would never call those former deeds to account and send her to hell. The wives would think differently.

What is God's nature?

He is gracious, and, therefore, this is a message of God's own benevolence resulting in our being the beneficiaries. It is good news, because there was bad news first. The bad news for us, that we were destroying our lives by our own decisions and those that were thrust upon us, was absorbed fully in the sacrifice of this servant. Despite our cultural, familial, or chosen ignorance of His person, God continues in loving pursuit of His Creation. To those who do not know, He makes Himself known and rescues us from the product of sin in our lives. This salvation is without merit on our part and is available to all.

Maybe you are truly seeing Jesus for the first time. If that is the case, your love for Him can be every bit as real starting today as if you had accepted Him all of your life. All it takes is a change of mind, a change of heart, a willingness to submit and receive what He has done for you as the suffering King.

“The power of a glance has been so much abused in love stories, that it has come to be disbelieved in. Few people dare now to say that two beings have fallen in love because they have looked at each other. Yet it is in this way that love begins, and in this way only.” ― Victor Hugo, Les Misérables

He has come, and He has promised to make a return, so we must be ready.

Second City Church- Coming Soon Sermon Series 2013

The Road Less Traveled

Man on a Mission: The Road Less Traveled

The Road Not Taken BY ROBERT FROST Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair, And having perhaps the better claim, Because it was grassy and wanted wear; Though as for that the passing there Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay In leaves no step had trodden black. Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence: Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

The easier road will always be the more attractive road. Whether you are talking about putting the minimal amount of effort into your work, academics, relationship with family members or church community, the road that leads to God's best where people are fully prospering in life is an atypical one. To walk in the purposes of God, you must discover the road less travelled, be able to identify the right paths by their fruit, and build your life upon the rock of God's Word.

Matthew 7:13-29 (NIV) 

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. 15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ 24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

The Road Less Traveled

When Jesus speaks of the wide road, it is what others in scripture will identify with the nomenclature, "the world." The apostle John wrote:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17 NIV)

What this should practically tell us is that the manner in which the majority of people live around us should be at the very least evaluated in relationship to the precepts of God. If only a few find the way to life, it should be an indicator that I am not going to stumble upon it through the supporting cries of the proud and riotous masses that bellow for moral autonomy while raging against a God who ironically gives His law to set people free from their bondage to destructive appetites. These appetites include our lust for power, unrestrained sexual gratification, and the approval of others at the cost of our convictions and dignity.

It takes less effort to go with what is handed to you, but, "If it were easy, everyone would be doing it."

A Tree and its Fruit

“Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us.” ― P.T. Forsyth

The description of sheep and wolves is important when thinking about the natural enmity that exists between them. Wolves look to devour sheep just like false prophets can ultimately kill the relationship that you maintain with God.

Old Testament prophets were known for speaking on behalf of God and having a predictive element to their ministry. False prophets were also known for several things: 1) They turned the people away from the only true God to follow false gods. 2) They predicted things that did not come true, because their predictions were not authored by God (i.e. - Ponzi schemes). 3) They encouraged people with an illegitimate peace when the people were making war against God with their behavior.

We need to surround ourselves with people who will speak the truth of God's Word to us, not just what we want to hear. The Bible applies to all areas of life, including our relationships, our business practices, our finances, and how we spend our time.

If I am to beware of false prophets, how can I truly know that I am saved?

John the apostle wrote to the church: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (1 John 5:13 NIV)

Jesus is making it very clear that the sad reality is that many people who call themselves Christians and think that they have peace with God will be judged as evildoers. This is primarily because of the lifestyles in which they persist while convincing themselves that they are spiritual.

The danger is that we can be our own false prophets. We speak with self-appeasing, empty affirmations with thoughts such as: "I can just be a good person. I don't have to accept Jesus as God to be good."

The problem with this mentality is that it starts with the premise that we are good enough to be accepted by a perfect God. What begins to happen when we realize that according to His standards, we are not righteous, is that we begin to engineer our own standards of what is good enough and gravitate towards the false prophets that will agree to such terms. The gospel is good news, because we realize that only through the substitutionary sacrifice of an unblemished Savior can we ever truly be brought into friendship with a Holy God. When we come into relationship with Him, our entire nature changes, and we no longer have to live justifying things that fall terribly short of his standard. This is why Jesus says unless you are born again, you can not see or enter the Kingdom of God because you will intrinsically be a bad tree bearing bad fruit. Jesus gives us a new root, a new heart, and a transforming relationship with the living God.

The Rock in the Storm

“Are you letting culture, not scripture, determine your sexuality, how you date, how you present yourself, how you engage in certain relationships with members of the opposite sex? We need to be very clear that the way we do life is different than the rest of the world.” ―Mark Driscoll

As a carpenter's son, Jesus shows familiarity with proper building patterns of his day. The analogy that He uses is one of alluvial sand which makes up the banks of the Sea of Galilee. Alluvial sand is by definition loose and unconsolidated sediment which has been eroded and reshaped by the water around it. It is usually comprised of a mixture of fine particles like silt and clay combined with larger particles of sand and gravel. Expert builders in Galilee knew not to be fooled by the hard surface of the alluvial sand during warm summer months. Instead, they realized that with the winter rains overflowing the banks of the Jordan river flowing into the sea, the alluvial sand would be sifted and anything built upon it would crack at its foundation. To counteract this, wise builders would dig many feet deep, sometimes ten feet below the surface to the bedrock below, to establish a firm foundation for homes.

The picture of building a house upon sand reflects the sad state of modern Christianity which many times seems flaky at best and insincere at worst. The alluvial sand is similar to the maxims that are circulated in our culture from a variety of sources to make a menagerie of philosophical towers in which people hide their lives. They are eclectic, sounding enlightened, yet follow the pattern of the seasonal behaviors of the sand in environments like the one Jesus was describing. Without a proper understanding of who God clearly identifies Himself to be in His Word, we are left beaten and crumbling under the circumstances of life. However, through His Word, God's self-revelation provides stable theology and true doctrine which are the elements of an authentic relationship with God:

Orthodoxy Orthopraxy Orthopathos.

Jesus makes it clear that it is not if, but when the storms come that we will need to have this foundation on the bedrock established.

The Bible is to be that foundational bedrock through which all other philosophies, pursuits, agendas and relationships are weighed, filtered, and judged for long-term success. Anything else will, either in the short-term, or at the latest in eternity, lead to the destruction of what you have attempted to build with the quick and easy path. This is why it is important during the inconvenient seasons to make the things of God a priority, because they will keep you both during the calm and the storm.

The law of entropy following the second law of thermodynamics says that things naturally go from a state of order to disorder. Whatever you don't put effort into will eventually die. Building this type of life on the Word of God takes a time, relational, and resource investment that many are unwilling to make. It is no wonder that they become self-fulfilling prophecies with their worlds coming down with a crash. This is the constant struggle between people's perceptions of communities where there is predominantly a surface Christianity steeped in hypocrisy vs. those with an authentic love for Jesus, His people, and His purposes.

As we prepare to move into the theater, we encourage people to find time to work through and meditate upon the Scriptures found in The Purple Book with a small group.

Second City Church – Man On A Mission Sermon Series 2013

Judgments and the Judge

Man on a Mission: Judgments and the Judge

Matthew 7:1-12 (NIV)

1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

We constantly live under the palpable pressure of judgments. Judgments at work, judgments in the home, judgment from family members and judgment from neighbors drive our daily thinking and activity more than we'd like to admit. To fully embrace the life of God, we must acknowledge the pressure of judgments, identify improper judgments, and find freedom with Jesus the benevolent judge. We will study these by reflecting on common adages that we hear in regards to judgments and why they don't work.

The Pressure of Judgments

1) "Only God can judge me."

The truth is that in this life, you will not escape judgments. Whether you are directing an account at a firm that will eventually be audited, a mother who has to consistently discipline your children to prepare them for society, a teacher in a school who will be graded on the test scores of your pupils, or a man working out trying to catch the eye of a lovely young woman in the city, there will be a reckoning for the manner in which you live your life.

“I shall tell you a great secret my friend. Do not wait for the last judgment, it takes place every day.” ― Albert Camus (Nobel Prize winning Absurdist author of The Plague)

How do we usually respond to the pressure?

We usually react by finding some way to show ourselves superior and another inferior to give us some relief from our own feelings of inadequacy. We live under the constant weight of condemnation feeling like we are not doing enough to please our bosses, parents, spouses or friends. A reaction to this in our secular culture is to try to control the one thing that we think we can in discarding the idea of God who will be one less person to whom we have to give an account. The sad thing is that those who say that they couldn't care less about what others think of them are often trying the hardest to prove it and sit in disdain towards those who live without their abandon.

Jesus first addresses this mentality. Our proclivity, while sitting under others' judgments will be to judge. Yet he is saying that the bar that you set for others will ultimately measure you. The irony is that we are often crushed under the weight of our own expectations. If you want people to show you understanding and mercy, stop looking down your nose at others. Find the times where you are tempted to most freely voice your criticisms, and put a turnicate on it.

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” ― Mother Teresa

Improper Judgments

2) "I don't have to pay attention to this, because Christians are just judgmental."

Are you known as critical and judgmental? Here are some reasons why you may be. The dual side of the coin of insecurity and pride usually accompany judgments.

The reason we make so many improper judgments is because we never deal with our own stuff. The Bible speaks of people as sinners over 300 times. That includes you and me. When you become a follower of Jesus, because of his sinless life and the exchange that he made with you on the cross, he changes your primary identity to a saint. However, if you have not turned from your autocratic, self-sufficient and self-satisfied lifestyle, you still walk before God as a rebel who will be judged. In this, there will be a rude awakening as your sins will not be treated lightly. Instead, you will receive the only reasonable thing, being separated from the one who made and rules everything in his kindness, without an ability to taste his goodness. This is the perpetual torment the Bible calls Hell.

When we have the intellectual honesty combined with the humility to acknowledge the reality of God's existence and the superiority of his prescribed ways, we are saved from the self-destruct button that exists within us all. When we escape this trap it is our moral duty to introduce others to the liberator who will also, by his grace, give them the opportunity to turn.

Jesus said to take the plank out of your own eye first because we usually go to two extremes when we see fault in others. Either we water down our counsel to justify our own shortcomings offering them no help whatever or we, like the Pharisees, sit on a pedestal merely condemning them.

I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O Lord , I will sing praise. I will be careful to lead a blameless life— when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me. Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure. My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. (Psalms 101:1-6 NIV)

It is so unpleasant to be around someone with a critical, judging attitude, because they are not trying to help you, only point out your faults.

“Yes, if truth is not undergirded by love, it makes the possessor of that truth obnoxious and the truth repulsive.” ― Ravi Zacharias

Does this mean that we are not to judge between right and wrong at all?

Some Christians try so hard to be non-judgmental that they don't even stand for the truth of God.

Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment.” (John 7:24 NIV)

God is no respecter of persons, but of their wills. The description of dogs and pigs in Jesus' Jewish hearers context would not be overlooked. Dogs were not the groomed, domesticated family pets that they are today, but were filthy scavengers who would even eat human carcasses when starving. Similarly, pigs were categorized as unclean animals who were omnivorous and would often eat decaying flesh as they searched for food. What a profound parallel this is for those in our communities who are feeding on the scraps of sexual trysts or are willing to satisfy their appetites with the relationships and entertainment that are disease ridden to their souls. Jesus said we must identify his Kingdom message as having the great worth of pearls that we invite people to enjoy but never trample in their judgments. Too often Christians are deterred through insecurity from living the life that others are longing for and hoping exists, but feel is only a dream.

The reason that people feel like we are judging them is because they feel like we are on the outside pointing our fingers rather than being in the struggle with them trying to help. If people feel like we are in it together, they are more likely to open up and help. This is the example of the incarnation of Jesus.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil– and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18 NIV)

God the Benevolent Judge

3) "God knows my heart, it doesn't matter what I do."

There is only one ultimate lawgiver and judge in moral and eternal matters. His name is Jesus and He is good. Strive for his approval alone, but know that he does expect you to please him.

Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father, who sent him. (John 5:22, 23 NIV)

Make no doubt about it, this was revolutionary that Jesus was describing God in very intimate, paternal terms. In ancient, pagan cultures, and even in various religions today, gods are described as distant, unknowable and to be feared for their irrational moods and behaviors. The manner in which people live in response are often an effort to garner favor and appease their erratic whims. Jesus here describes God the Father, the first member of the Trinity, as very relational, personal and kindhearted motivated to give good things to those he calls his own.

This is where rest from the judgments come. It is in the good news that Jesus offered that I am no longer defined by my possessions, titles or achievements. Instead, I am inspired and free to emulate the one who came to pay my debts, counting my record as clean. Because he is a giver, I am free and motivated to posture my heart in like manner, because in the end, my accounts have been settled, and I live to honor the one who has saved me.

Because my own soul is at rest because of what Jesus has done for me in his death, burial and resurrection, I have nothing left to prove. I am approved and accepted through the victory of my King who came to serve and lift me rather than treat me as my sins deserve. Therefore I am liberated to treat others in the same manner. My motivation is not simply to compete with and best them, but as I remove the plank from my own eye, see clearly how I might serve them for their good. I am free to love as I have been loved.

We consider someone a friend if they accept us as we are and think that we have finally found a person with whom our soul can rest. This is exactly what the church is to be - a place full of people learning the truths of the gospel who find the freedom to love, stand with and encourage one another because they themselves have been liberated by Jesus Christ. Let's be that type of people and find someone to encourage this week, rather than judge.

“We should not judge people by their peak of excellence; but by the distance they have traveled from the point where they started." ― Henry Ward Beecher

Second City Church- Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2013

My Precious Possessions

Man on a Mission: My Precious Possessions

In unpacking the Sermon on the Mount, we are ultimately reevaluating our priorities so that we can resolve to live lives that are pleasing to God.  The thought of priorities touches no closer to home than when we talk about how we make money and what we do with it.  We will discover what Jesus says about possessions by identifying two competing masters, clarifying what the Bible says to do with money and finally how to seek the Kingdom of God as a priority.

Matthew 6:19-34 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The Two Masters

People in this city succumb to the pressure of their pursuits, living just to hoard their wealth, pay bills or revel in fleeting pleasures.  Jesus shows us a better and more lasting way.

Do not be misled - you will always have to make a choice in your pursuits.  It is not an issue of success vs. failure, enjoying life vs. asceticism, rather it is a question of the foundation on which your life is built.  For many in this city, the maxim "He who dies with the most toys wins" is what drives people.  In the church it is harrowing because we know that to have such motivations is improper, so we instead find as much temporary reliefs as we can in how we burn through our money on our pleasures.  You then begin serving whatever master you think will enable you to acheive the most.

Some of the most wealthy in the world financially, but always discontent. They never have enough.  There is nothing more frustrating than pouring your blood sweat and tears into something, only to see it lost or squandered through foolish mistakes or circumstances beyond your control.

Pastor Rollan shared about:

My dad's recountings of his colleagues

Jimmy John's parable, "How Much is Enough?"

No "Joie de Vie" in people

“Bilbo almost stopped breathing, and went stiff himself. He was desperate. He must get away, out of this horrible darkness, while he had any strength left. He must fight. He must stab the foul thing, put its eyes out, kill it. It meant to kill him. No, not a fair fight. He was invisible now. Gollum had no sword. Gollum had not actually threatened to kill him, or tried yet. And he was miserable, alone, lost. A sudden understanding, a pity mixed with horror, welled up in Bilbo’s heart: a glimpse of endless unmarked days without light or hope of betterment, hard stone, cold fish, sneaking and whispering.”  ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

What to Do with Money

 

Most of you are in a place now where you are in a station of upward mobility, where your income and resources in life will be increasing substantially.  The question is what to do with it?  Do I increase my lifestyle and standard of living with every pay raise increase and follow the trend of debt precipitated by our American consumerism or is there another purpose for the blessing?  Do I sit on it and try to accumulate as much of it as possible to build a sense of impenetrable security?  The Abrahamic covenant said that we are blessed to be a blessing and this is where we develop the mentality to sow into eternal things.

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. He who answers before listening— that is his folly and his shame. (Proverbs 18:11-13 NIV)

You can either hoard your wealth, squander it or devote it to the things of God with an eternal return. The proper balance is employing the latter with the wisdom of proverbs.  Getting this in order when you do not have a substantial income will pave the way for money not controlling you when you do.  You develop proper disciplines when you are in humble circumstances, and then you never miss it.

Eternal Accounts

This is the point of tithes and offerings when they are taken during our worship moments. It is the exercise of demonstrating your trust in God, thanking him for his provision and bringing your heart into submission by prioritizing his Kingdom first.  As our financial planners can appreciate, he promises that it also comes with an eternal reward, as you deposit money into your heavenly account that can not be affected by market fluctuations or suffer diminish through withdrawals through our lack of discipline in impulse purchasing.  This is better than putting it under a mattress where theives break in and steal or investment properties that end up under water when the market crashes.  Take time to think about it.  This deposit has a guaranteed return and like the new nature when you are born again is imperishable.  It has immediate results in paying for things like facility rentals so that we can have a place to gather, worship and see people come to Jesus.  It has a heavenly return that you will be able to reap for all time.

Where should my money be utilized if it is not being stored up?

The most practical way to begin obeying this command is the tithe.

What is purpose of the tithe?

Develop our acknowledgement of God as our source.  Trust him with the thing we must depend on to live.  It is an outward sign of our total life trust, just as baptism is an outward and public demonstration of our pledge of a good conscience towards God.

If you've never given before, start with something, each time that you get paid to honor the Lord, that your heart might demonstrably be with Him.  He will show himself faithful as you do.

Seeking the Kingdom First

Living for work so never any time to live.

The danger with always putting off what you know God expects you to do until a more convenient time is that the perfect hour never comes.  Our hearts become hard and we become comfortable with ignoring his voice.  This is true in any pursuit of the Kingdom.  It is a deception to think that when you think you have more money, that is when you will begin to tithe, or that once you get through the demands of school or a few years of work under your belt, then you will make church and the pursuit of God's purposes with his people a priority.  We are chronic procrastinators as a race and the more that we travel resistanceless paths, the easier it is to become used to not putting forth effort and taking the way that is easiest. This will inevitably lead to our spiritual demise.  You build faith now, as long as it is called today, which gives you the strength and acumen for tomorrow's tests.  It is foolishness to think that a lack of faithfulness today will spontaneously translate into the necessary faith tomorrow.  Your life is a testimony to be built as you trust God with each progressive life opportunity.

Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4 NIVUK)

It is good to evaluate our ambitions in life.  Are our dreams worldly and self-derived, or are they Holy Spirit inspired and eternal in nature?

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 NIV84)

We absolutely believe that God will promote His people to places of wealth and influence within our culture, arenas where they can make a difference for the Kingdom just like the men and women of Scripture.  At the same time, along the way, we must continually ask ourselves important self-evaluating questions.  Is our pursuit of power in our company or in the community for the purpose of God ordained service to others?  Is the continual acquisition of money as an ambition a derivative of our greed or being blessed to be a blessing?

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive. Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. (Proverbs 23:1-5 NIV)

You must be very clear that the things upon which you are spending the lion's share of your life will be commended by God at the judgement.  Everything else will be burned.  Ask yourself the question, if work is to be worship, how am I utilizing my career to seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, knowing all of the rewards of work will be added to me as I seek this first?

Second City Church- Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2013

The Secret Service

Man on a Mission: The Secret Service

For the past several weeks, we have been unpacking the meat of the sermon on the mount. It was a beautiful way for Matthew to begin summarizing Jesus' teaching and a powerful way for us to begin our year. In reevaluating our priorities this month, we are resolving to be on mission with God. Jesus focuses on three key areas in these passages which are our relationships, our service, and our money. Two Sundays ago we talked about Jesus' exhortation to show grace to those who would otherwise be our enemies. Today we will focus on our service.

Matthew 6:1-18 (NIV):

1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 “This, then, is how you should pray“ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ 14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Hidden Motivators

Good deeds are a fundamental part of the Christian ethic. Much of what we know of the benevolence that is often taken for granted in Western civilization has been precipitated by this ethos. In the midst of these good deeds, however, there can be a lingering, repugnant smell if the motivation behind these deeds is self-serving rather than others focused.

Jesus repeatedly says that those who live to showcase their deeds have already received their reward. I hope that you are ok with what people say to you on the internet, because if you are advertising each of your good deeds, Jesus says that people's praise will be the extent of your reward.

So often after healing someone, Jesus would tell the recipient not to tell anyone who had performed the healing, but to go and offer the prescribed sacrifices as a testimony of God's goodness to the people. Jesus said that the church is to be the light of the world so that people may see our good deeds and praise our Father in heaven. This should be our motivation.

How can I tell if I have ulterior motives?

You might have unhealthy motives if you spend more time talking about God on facebook than you actually do talking to Him in your prayer closet. You might need to check your foundation if the majority of your testimonies about seeing God move are tweeted rather than followed up and discipled. You might need a heart check if you measure the amount that you give to the church in proportion to how much time someone has personally spent with you. You should make adjustments in your life if the only time that you are dissecting the Word of God is in the company of those whose who tell you how amazing you are for being there. Your service might have been about you more than others if you are always waiting to hear your name and are quick to get upset every time you are overlooked during a roll call of honor.

Being driven by a desperate need for validation will leave you perpetually dissatisfied and very difficult to get along with. You will be poor in your parenting, work, and relationships because you are more concerned with appearances than the quality of these endeavors. You will lack focus, because it is always about the next big thing to provide you with a sense of significance. However, the Kingdom of God is built on service in the secret place.

The following is a quote from Counterfeit Gods:

“Not long before the film director Sydney Pollack died, there was an article written about his inability to slow down and enjoy his final years with his loved ones. Though he was unwell, and the grueling process of filmmaking was wearing him down, ‘he couldn’t justify his existence if he stopped.’ He explained, ‘Every time I finish a picture, I feel like I’ve done what I’m supposed to do in the sense that I’ve earned my stay for another year or so.’ But then he had to start over.” (p.73)

The truth is that in giving these exhortations, Jesus is offering to liberate us from the unseen taskmasters in our lives that make all of our interactions unpleasant and dripping with strife, because they are filled with selfish ambition. Those who live with selfish ambition will ultimately not inherit the Kingdom, because they are full of compromise and idolatry while they attempt to build their own empires rather than Christ's. You can tell that someone is driven by selfish ambition when they see everyone as a number or a pawn in their personal scheme to rise to power and prestige. You see them continually giving themselves back-door compliments or speaking of their personal achievements. When someone seems like their opinions need to be heard, regardless of the good direction in which a team at work or elsewhere is headed, this is the sound of a cry from a desperate heart.

The Tyranny of Vanity

"You're nobody until you're talked about." - Gossip Girl tag line

The need to be noticed. This may push you ahead in your career, but it will ultimately hamstring your ability to be a servant leader in the workplace and leave you lacking contentment in your personal life. People who are uncomfortable with obscurity will be perpetually frustrated with their jobs, children, as mothers and fathers having to change diapers, etc. There will always be a time when you have to take the back seat or have to do things faithfully while being imperceptible for things to succeed.

Comparisons are deadly

What drives us to that incessant need for validation?

It may be in your career, where you were always told that you were going to be somebody and do something great with your life, and now you are being driven by an incessant voice that tells you that you are a failure if you don't reach a particular pinnacle of worldly success. To do so, you must be seen and you must be known. Or, it may be the case that you were told by parents or friends that you have only arrived if you can be seen in a particular type of car, have a certain kind of man or woman on your arm, live in a particular neighborhood, or dress in a certain manner of clothing. These are all the things that burn, but they are the things that we chase to be justified in the eyes of others. The problem with this quest is that it is like a sugar rush. Since you know that in your heart of hearts these things are empty, you receive a temporary high, then work that much harder to maintain or acheive the next level. There is never real success. You never really arrive. And one day you will stand before God who says:

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing. (Proverbs 11:4-7 NIV)

The ability to lovingly serve in obscurity, with consistency and without strife, demonstrates the evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. It dons you with the splendor of godliness as you reflect the nobility of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The God Who Sees Me

And now in one hour's time, I will be out there again. I will raise my eyes and look down that corridor; 4 feet wide, with 10 lonely seconds to justify my existence. But will I? - Harold M. Abrahams

The truth is that God sees you and he knows every sacrifice that you make. Whether it be your obedience giving the first 10% of your income to fund the Kingdom, the prayers that you offer every night for your co-worker to come to Jesus, or the way that you fast each week asking God to see revival in the city, He sees it all and promises to reward you. In this instance, we ultimately reap what we sow. What we do faithfully, without fanfare in the secret place, builds our character, true godliness, and a love for Jesus that will not be shaken. Giving, praying, and sacrificing without fanfare is the clearest way in which you will build your enduring love for God. When you see Him openly reward us with Kingdom advance because of your giving (i.e. - we'll be in the theater with more space to see a community of people coming to Jesus built) accompanied with answered prayers and breakthroughs because of our fasting, this is when He becomes the rock for your soul.

The fortitude of your heart is built in hidden service. We should be quick to express gratitude in the home, in the workplace and in our daily interactions with others. Yet each time that you choose to humbly serve without accolades or vocal appreciation, you are flexing the muscle of pure motivation. God sees everything and our focus should be on building an eternal reward with Him. His present rewards are the things that people cannot take away, like:  You will be able to be free in your own heart to give love to others without an expectation of return. Your life will not be reduced to transactional relationships which inevitably leave people feeling used and insecure. Instead you will be able to be like God, a giver and not merely a taker.

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” ― John Wooden

How should we respond?

Many of us have grown up so culturally religious that there is no love for God outside of the social aspects that it provides. This results in a powerless behavior where people know that you do not live like Jesus. If this is you, you must repent of your hypocrisy today. For those who have been driven by the need for people's approval, embrace the gospel today, and take confidence in the fact that you are valuable because of the one to whom you belong and not what you do. Determine for your service to be quiet and faithful, because, by it, you are becoming like your Savior who liberates you from the tyrannical need in your soul to be noticed. Strive for His validation and no one else's. For those who have been serving God faithfully thinking that no one notices, please know that we are thankful, God sees you and will reward you both now and ultimately in the age to come. Set your heart on this.

Second City Church- Man on A Mission Sermon Series 2013

Too Small A Thing

Coming Soon: Too Small a Thing

*** Isaiah 49:1-7 ***

It is hard to conceptualize the relevance of God's thoughts towards man when God is an afterthought in our minds and culture. We want to relegate the divine to positive thinking and self-help programs, yet the problem is that He is so much more than a motivating force. He is the unique, independent, personal Creator of the universe who, out of His love for us, makes demands on our lives. Through the Scripture He is calling us back to relationship with Himself while placing preeminence on the purposes that He has for our lives.

Whether you are walking with Him presently or not, God had something in mind when he created you that was to be part of His redemptive plan for humanity and all of creation. Though we often sell out to lesser things, to throw off the shallowness of our daily living, we must ultimately consider the call of God, press through discouragements, and embrace the extent of Christ's salvation.

The Call of God

Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my birth he has made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 NIV84)

*** Life's struggles are a matter of identity and people's perpetual search for who they are outside of God. This is an incessant losing quest, because from the outset, God is the one who reveals Himself and gives His creation identity. If we try to base our identity on what we have, what we've accomplished, or what we have done, when those things are removed from us, our worlds crumble. Things will change in life - the tax rate, your portfolio, your health, your age, your relationships. If, however, we know to whom we belong, and to what He has called us, we pivot from a place of security and strength, because ultimately our value and reward are in His hands.

What was Jesus appointed to do? He was appointed by God the Father to bring His wandering people back to Himself. The question becomes for us, what have we been appointed by God to do with our days? There is no fulfilling the call of God if you are walking free of His direction or in rebellion to His commands in the manner in which you choose to live. Jesus was the example of consistent submission and perfect fulfillment of the call of God that we are to emulate. So many people have abundant resources in their life, but squander it in either selfish living or thinking that the value of their skills cul de sac with their personal enjoyment. Your call is to give to God, in service to others, as a part of His redeeming plan in the world. He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver. (Isaiah 49:2 NIV84)

The message that you have to communicate and the contribution that you have to make of eternal worth is developed in the hidden place where you are seeking the face of God. It does not matter how old or young that you are; Moses began at 40 and stepped into his role of a deliverer at 80.

There is a process that all of us will have to endure to find ourselves fully immersed in the purpose of God. Much to the chagrin of our pride, like Christ, our road often begins in humble service and in obscurity. Though knowing that he was the unique Son of God, the 27th, 28th, and 29th years of Christ's life brought no relief to this process, but it was all in preparation for his three years that would turn the world upside down.

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back-- Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

A naturalist perspective would say that we are lucky mud waiting to expire when the last cells in our body degenerate. Yet we all, unexplainably outside of the call of God, long for something more, to be of value and to be able to contribute something of worth. To know God is to know your purpose. To follow Jesus is to be faithful to the divinely delegated tasks for which you were created as a part of His church.

The Enemy Named Discouragement

He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.” But I said, “I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the Lord 's hand, and my reward is with my God.” (Isaiah 49:3, 4 NIV84)

Discouragement arrives when, on the surface, our circumstances look different than what we expected them to be. The only way to battle it is not with the placebo of fantasy and positive thinking but with a sincere confidence that your life is being led in such a way worthy of God's reward. Do you have that confidence?

*** Damaged trust in God and a discarded faith is the natural result of being in religious environments where there has been hypocrisy, abuse, or a lack of life-transforming power. Was there a reason for such impotency? Where is God in the midst of these institutions? Is He even there? The Son of God Himself had to wrestle with similar stuggles in the midst of life's trials, and so will we. The voices that you entertain during your years of hiddeness can make or break you, because discouragement will come. How do we recover after being exposed to such empty shells of spirituality? The answer is found in the models laid out in his Word.

As opposed to Western individualistic thinking, the call of God is not found in isolation where you are the end unto yourself. Rather in God, our destiny is found in the community in which He places us, and is fulfilled when we find the local expression of our part of the greater whole. This is the importance and value of the local church, where your presence is felt and you are both known and know others. This is why the company that we keep is so important and can make or break you in God. It is not only the danger of those who are outright rebellious, but the lukewarm attitudes of the religious, that prove to be lethal.

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God–I say this to your shame. (1 Corinthians 15:33, 34 NIV84)

God wants and we want people to do life together in community. However, community isn't an end unto itself. We are to live life together, serving together to bring the Kingdom of God, making this world a better place until His return. Our relationship with God and our relationships with one another are functionally intended for us to become the body of Christ, the hands and feet of Jesus in the earth.

The Extent of Christ's Salvation

*** Let there be no doubt about it, God is in pursuit of those who are wandering and those that have been lost.

And now the Lord says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord and my God has been my strength— he says: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:5, 6 NIV84)

When the text speaks of restoring the tribes of Jacob, the concept of restoration has a powerful connotation. Destruction was common because of both war and neglect. As was the divine assignment of the kings, Jesus comes to restore our devastated lands. He does this individually, in cities and in nations.

The reason God continues to extend His work, and why we as the church join Him, is because He wants to extend His family. Family was God's original idea for the church, and the work of Jesus provided the way for that family to be ultimately inclusive of everyone everywhere who would love Him as He's loved them. Healthy families have children who want to grow even as the family itself desires to grow.

This is what the Lord says— the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel— to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation, to the servant of rulers: “Kings will see you and rise up, princes will see and bow down, because of the Lord , who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.” (Isaiah 49:7 NIV84)

We need people, both young and OLD to be a part. In doing so, we will follow the adage to think globally while acting locally.

What does our participation in God's redemptive plan look like in action?

Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord . “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:17-20 NIV84)

Understanding that all of creation was made through Him, we are free to consider how Jesus is applicable to the whole world, rather than being imperialistic.

If I found a key on the road, and discovered it fit and opened a particular lock at my house, I would assume most likely that the key was made by the lock maker. And if I find set of teachings set out in pre-modern oriental society that has proven itself of such universal validity that it has fascinated and satisfied millions of people in every century, including the best minds in history and the simplest hearts, that it has made itself at home in virtually every culture, inspired masterpieces of beauty in every field of art, continues to grow rapidly and spread and assert itself in lands where a century ago the name of Jesus Christ was not even heard; if such teaching so obviously fits the locks of so many human souls, in so many times and so many places, are they likely to be the work of a deceiver or a fool? In fact it is more likely that they were designed by the Heart Maker… —G.K. Chesterton

The importance of consistent community to model and build such lives is clearly demonstrated in Acts 2 and 4. It is what we invite you to now. If you have not, please get right with God today. If you are following Jesus already, please sign up for our listserv through which you can become a productive member of God's church with a tangible, local expression.

Second City Church – Coming Soon Sermon Series 2013

Keep Your Enemies Closer

Man on a Mission: Keep Your Enemies Closer (God's Perfection)

Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV)

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We live in a fallen world.  Jesus Christ came to restore that world by reconciling humanity and all of creation to himself through the cross.  Until he makes his return, there will be evil in the world which provides the opportunity for enemies.  To live in the freedom of God in the midst of the wrongs that we will inevitably encounter, we must look to the watchful eye of God, be aware of our own proclivity for wrath and aspire to imitate Christ.

Why does it matter?

The Watchful Eye of God

Jesus is speaking to a culture with the law of revenge executed by civil authorities as its standard.  This law was instituted to deter people in their wickedness from unbridled crimes that otherwise would go unchecked.  It was also meant as a form of justice since in ancient societies, punishment was handed out without regard for individual cases with the penalty many times greatly exceeding the crime.

If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse a man of a crime, the two men involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against his brother, then do to him as he intended to do to his brother. You must purge the evil from among you. The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. (Deuteronomy 19:16-21 NIV)

This made them think again about the consequences of their actions, since they understood the equitable cost to themselves.

When speaking of an eye for an eye and a tooth for tooth, Jesus is still saying to leave just punishment to the authorities (Romans 13).  However, in this exhortation, he is going further by giving us individual responsibility to reverse the dynamic.  Instead of taking retribution, we are prompted to give grace as a reflection of God's overarching plan to redeem the world.  The goal is to win people's hearts through this and see them come to repentance as they see our extraordinary response.  The personal benefit is freedom in our own souls as we live in a posture of humble service (i.e. - how Jesus tells the people to respond in the midst of Roman abuses).  You have the liberty to refrain from fending for yourself because you know that there is a God in heaven who will.

This is the clear example that Victor Hugo gives of the priest in Les Misérables, who turned Jean Val Jean's course by showing him grace after being the victim of Jean Val Jean's theft.  As a recipient of this inordinate kindness, Jean Val Jean's heart is arrested by God and he is turned to a life driven to honor God and do good for his fellow man.  Javert, who could not show such grace, was consumed by his judgments and self-righteousness, coming to a pitiable end under the weight of his own condemnations.

Why should we refrain from revenge?

One of the biggest issues that people have with God is why the wicked prosper while the righteous have lives filled with grief. God is a God of justice, and there will be justice done for the evil committed against you, your family and the victims of this world.

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 NIV)

If God did not judge, he would not be loving in regards to those who are the victims of unwarranted crimes, abuse and evil.

Intrinsically, people know that there is a day of reckoning, even if disconnected from God.  The idea of karma is a classic example of human reasoning attempting to explain God's recompense in the world, give encouragement to the downtrodden and hope to the helpless.  Yet there is a real judge who will deal with it all.  Psalm 37

Our Proclivity for Wrath

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” ― Thomas à Kempis

In the workplace or in school, when you know that someone has gotten ahead unfairly or through deceptive means, what do you do?

God has a reputation for being wrathful, punitive and vengeful.  These are characteristics that have secular, modern man writhe in disgust and disdain for the God who takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked.

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord . Repent and live! (Ezekiel 18:32 NIV)

It is ironic, however, that those who so often have the greatest grievances with the idea of God's wrath, have the most of it in regards to others.  It is in these moments that they deliberately forget Jesus' exhortation to love those who have done us the most harm, rather than mirror their sin.  He is the God of the OT who revealed His glory to Moses in this way:

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord , the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” (Exodus 34:6, 7a NIV)

The Imitation of Christ

Jesus begins to provide a more positive and permanent deterrent to the evil amongst men by turning the thrust of our responses from taking to giving. He is calling us into the standard of the eternal Trinity, the perfectly contented God, who created not to receive love, but to give it.  In doing so, he knew that anything created would be less than his perfection, and would, in this sense, fall short.  Yet with that knowledge, he chose to create anyway and remained in the posture of giving to an undeserving and many times unappreciative world.  This is how Jesus saved our lives, won our hearts and calls us now to do the same for others.

We are agents of God's grace in the world.  Just as Jesus was of the same uncreated substance as the Father, so that he said, anyone who has seen me has seen the Father, so we as his adopted children are to reflect him in the world.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-21 NIV)

One of the biggest tests of someone feeling like they've become your enemy is when an offense arises because the seasons and dynamics of your relationship change.  The key to godliness is to remain a giver and not go into self-preservation mode.  For example, the dynamics of relationships naturally change when two friends were working together, one becomes the boss and the other the employee.  Additionally, the time that you were formerly able to spend with a friend when you both were single will understandably undergo a metamorphosis when someone finds their soul mate, gets married and has kids.  The same is true when the demands of a job change.  However does it mean that it needs to be the death of the relationship?  No, Jesus instead instructs us that we are to remain in the humble place of grace, understanding and service to those that we love and with whom we interact.  The alternative is a perpetual cycle of disappointment and loneliness when those who were once your BFF's become friendenemies in your heart.

It is not enough to ignore our oppressors.  Sticks, stones and words actually do damage in the real world.  How should we proactively deal with our enemies?

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. (Proverbs 25:21, 22 NIV)

Why can we do this for our enemies?  Because we were once enemies of God, offered reconciliation through the self-sacrifice of Jesus Christ

“Thunderously, inarguably, the Sermon on the Mount proves that before God we all stand on level ground: murderers and temper-throwers, adulterers and lusters, thieves and coveters. We are all desperate, and that is in fact the only state appropriate to a human being who wants to know God. Having fallen from the absolute Ideal, we have nowhere to land but in the safety net of absolute grace.” ― Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew

How does this apply in the business world or at work when your goal is to make a profit or have bottom-line results?

Circumstances are allowed and used by God to shape us.  Offense often reveals the shortcomings in our own hearts.

One of the regular questions that we must ask ourselves is, with whom am I offended?  Is it valid in God's sight?  If I were to step outside of my myopic perspective, do they really deserve to be considered an enemy?  Even in the worst case scenario, following Christ's example, what can I do to serve and minister to them for their benefit?

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42 NIV)

It does not mean that we enable evil or allow everyone to walk all over us.

Something is always better than nothing. Do not succumb to the paralysis of perfectionism.  It is like exercise, eating healthy and working out.  Something is always better than nothing.  Each decision counts and God is looking to see your progress.  In your relationships, in your service, in your giving, progress.  People should literally be able to find the breadcrumb trail to God's grace through our actions in society.

“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.” ― Winston Churchill

As we go into next week's final pre-launch, we can ask ourselves the question, not only who are our friends that we can invite, but also those who need Jesus who we have had broken family or romantic relationships, or owe us something.  Treat it as an extension of grace.  Who have been your downright enemies to whom you can show the grace that you've been shown?

Second City Church – Man On A Mission Sermon Series 2013

My Word is My Bond

Man on a Mission: My Word is My Bond (God's Promises)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus resolves to make clear what He's after in His teaching.  Life is ultimately about relationships - relationship with God and with one another.  Therefore, there is no serving God without coming to a submitted understanding of how we will relate with those with whom we interact on a daily basis.

“We value virtue but do not discuss it. The honest bookkeeper, the faithful wife, the earnest scholar get little of our attention compared to the embezzler, the tramp, the cheat.” ― John Steinbeck, Travels with Charley

*** Matthew 5:33-37 ***

To understand the value that God places on our words, we will talk about God's character, the detriment of empty words and the results of being trustworthy.

God's Character

*** Our entire relationship with God is predicated on the fact that He is faithful to His Word.  It is the foundation of His holiness

God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19 NIV84)

Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do. (Isaiah 46:9-11 NIV84)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17 NIV84)

The Zondervan commentary makes note that in the Old Testament, God guaranteed his promises with an oath.  The Old Testament also permitted people to swear by the name of God to substantiate important affirmations or promises.  The Pharisees developed a complicated series of rules regarding oaths.  Some interpreters began to say that only oaths made by invoking the name of the Lord would be binding, while they could swear "by heaven" when they weren't taking their oath as seriously.  This search for loopholes in oaths had them include less potent associations with their oaths including things like swearing by "the earth" or "Jerusalem" and led to the devaluation of people's words.

The Detriment of Empty Words

“Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. I have seen a great many lists of her drawing up at various times of books that she meant to read regularly through—and very good lists they were—very well chosen, and very neatly arranged—sometimes alphabetically, and sometimes by some other rule. The list she drew up when only fourteen—I remember thinking it did her judgment so much credit, that I preserved it some time; and I dare say she may have made out a very good list now. But I have done with expecting any course of steady reading from Emma. She will never submit to any thing requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding.” ― Jane Austen, Emma

How many of us have this type of reputation - a lack of commitment and follow through with our family members, our peers and our co-workers?  My mom and my soccer.  It is time to break that pattern!

Here are some of the common mentalities that show us that we've become too comfortable with breaking our word:

1) I meant to do it, so it shouldn't matter that I didn't come through.

Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give. (Proverbs 25:14 NIV84)

It is not enough to live in good intentions.  The weakness of a man or woman's character lies in the fact that they are comfortable talking about what they would have, could have or should have done, rather than acting in even a small measure to make something happen.

2) I'm not up for it anymore/right now.  Can't we just do it later? There are certain circumstances that are out of our control.  Many times, however, dropping the ball has more to do with what we do or do not want to do than we'll admit.  At the end of the day, we find a way to do what we want.  It is pride that allows us to think that people having to reshape their lives and schedules around our offhand change of plans, is of no consequence.  It is a lack of consideration for someone else, valuing your time above theirs.  How many times has this happened to you and cost you at work or with a friend?

*** Our generation's fear of commitment has its root in insecurity and selfishness.  We live in such a way as not to inconvenience ourselves.  We are in a perpetual high school mentality always looking for the cooler party or better opportunity while all the while missing the ability to have any significant impact on the world because we give ourselves to nothing.  Humble and consistent contributions are the measure of a man or woman's greatness. Half of the battle is won by just faithfully showing up in the right places.  The other half is won in the attitude with which you show up (i.e. - parenting).

Why would Jesus speak with such strong language that anything else comes from the evil one?

The erosion of confidence in people's word often begins with parents and their children. Whether it be parents' abdicating their pledge to come to a game, or their marriage vows to one another, broken promises remove a sense of relationships being reliable, safe or secure.  We become damaged and hardened by it, then perpetuate the cycle outside of the home.

An obvious example of this morally unbridled politics.  Another is poor business practices.  Christians should be those with the most excellence in the work force, full of the most integrity and the be the most dependable in their field of industry.  However, the misnomer of grace is thrust upon clients and co-workers to many times give Christian businesses the reputation of being slack or irresponsible.

“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

When a word is broken, someone always suffers. That is why it is called evil, Biblically defined as what is harmful or detrimental.  This is why no liar will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Whether we like it or not, breaking our word is lying.  When we lie enough, we get used to it and develop an immunity to it.  It becomes our common vernacular.  When our words become empty, we are untrustworthy to our families, our co-workers, our clients, our constituents, our friends and even ourselves.  What develops is a culture of skepticism where people are suspicious about everyone and everything.  The first assault that the devil made was on the trustworthiness of God's Word, with devastating results. We are emulating the devil, not God, when we promote a pattern of weightless words and cavalier assertions.

How does this directly relate to our walk with God?

“Christians don't tell lies they just go to church and sing them.” ― A.W. Tozer

When we become followers of Jesus, we are making a pledge to love Him and obey His Word.  This is what our baptism symbolizes.  Whether we acknowledge it or not, the measure of our adherence to God's Word in its fullness is a measure of our love for Him.  When we pick and choose that to which we will be faithful, we are showing the holes in our understanding and devotion.

Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God. (Deuteronomy 12:28 NIV84)

How often have we said "God, forgive me"  with the implication that we're turning away from our sin, only to go right back to it the next day.  We remain in our sin because we don't take our vows seriously.  When we lack follow through, we not only break fellowship with others, but with God.  We don't believe that we can change because we've broken so many promises to ourselves.   The good news is that through the gospel, we can, and protect the strength of our words!

The Results of Being Trustworthy:

We begin to look at God and life differently.  Because we acknowledge God's reliable character, we depend on His word to shape our days and his promises to give us perseverance as we chase his unchanging plan.  As we emulate God's consistency with our words, steadfast relationships can form because you have given yourself to the ingredients that make them work.

The church is to be a community of faithfulness, trust and commitment.  As we look to see God do something great in this city as a church, it takes everyone finding and repeatedly playing their role in word and in deed.  As we are all in, we can build a culture of consistency and dedication to the unchanging plan of God though which we grow individually and as a church.

2nd City Church – Man On A Mission Sermon Series 2013

Cant Take My Eyes Off of You

Man on a Mission: Can't Take My Eyes Off of You (God's Purity)

*** Matthew 5:27-32 ***

We are beginning the year by reorganizing our priorities.  There is no better way to do this than unpacking what Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount stressing how we engage our relationships, our service and our money.   There is no unpacking relationships without thinking through how we approach human sexuality.

We must understand the Scripture as Jesus calls us to examine God's love of beauty, the dangers of cultural sexuality and the blessings of purity.

Understanding the Scripture:

Lust is not just thinking that someone is handsome or acknowledging that they are pretty. Those are facts and should be encouraging to those to whom the compliment is given.

Looking at someone lustfully is Biblically defined as Looks at: (Blepo) - to look, see, take care, watch, be on the lookout. Lustfully: (Pros) - to, toward, for (Epithymeo): to desire, long for.  The word refers to the inclining of one's affections toward or setting of one's heart upon something.

What follows the lust are usually fantasies, whether physical or emotional, which can not be righteously fulfilled or acted upon without damaging another relationship.  Lust is not the natural desire that you would have for a husband, wife or soon to be spouse.  It is essentially self-gratification without the responsibility of commitment.

You are not responsible for the way that someone else is dressed, though you are responsible for how you dress.  Your innocence or guilt comes from your response.

There is a common misconception that the Old Testament presented a wrathful God of vengeance, and that the New Testament introduced a different god, Jesus, who was full of mercy and love.  The thought is that Jesus overturned all of the misrepresentations of the one true God.  What we see in the Sermon on the Mount is that Jesus did nothing of the sort.  He is still full of love and grace, but if anything, presented a truth where he raised the bar in God's expectations for us, taking the issue of sin from external behaviors to the heart, from whence all activity flows.

Why does Jesus give us such a high standard?  Hasn't everyone had moments where we've fallen prey to such thoughts? It is because whether we are talking about murder or adultery, these are the things that we would do when driven to an emotional peak with ease of opportunity and without the immediate threat of consequence.  Essentially, if we thought that we wouldn't get caught or that God would not judge, we would persist in these destructive manners.  This has been the conclusion of nihilistic philosophers for ages.

“What we think about when we are free to think about what we will – that is what we are or will soon become.” ― A.W. Tozer

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you. (Proverbs 23:7 NKJV)

What does Jesus mean when he speaks about gouging out my eyes and cutting off my hands? It means to take the commands of God so seriously that we are willing to get rid of the things that cause us to stumble.  If you love someone, you are willing to go to extreme measures to show them.  You don't need to place your standards on other people.  You need to know yourself and make adjustments accordingly so that you can maintain your purity (i.e. - computer usage in public, refraining from certain types of movies or romance novels, ending unhealthy relationships)

God's Love of Beauty:

There is a paradigm that assumes Christianity's view towards sex is a puritan prudishness or a catholic containment unit.  You hear stories of Catholic girls going wild because of the taboo with which sexuality is treated in the home or Protestant men escaping into debauchery because of the eroticism saturating our culture.  The truth of the matter is that sex, as described by God, is a beautiful thing, a celebrated thing and is spoken of in Scripture in the most satisfying and liberating terms.

Beauty is also venerated in Scripture. However, it is not limited to outward beauty, but an internal beauty that makes the most plain person have a drawing power about them.  God is described in His beauty and both men and women in the Scripture were noted for their handsomeness or loveliness in form.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. (1 Peter 3:3-5a NIV84)

We beautify ourselves, work out or dress to impress because of our God ordained sexuality.

The Dangers of Cultural Sexuality:

“sex is the consolation you have when you can't have love” ― Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez

The well being of society is not found in sexual repression, but in the proper valuation, rather than the objectification, of individuals whose beauty will eventually fade.

Rape and broken intimacy in marriages because of pornography are commonplace tragedies, examples of the results of ignoring this rule. New York Magazine male lebido article:  http://nymag.com/news/features/70976/

We have had black eyes in the church with recent sexual scandals involving priests and molestation.  There have been fanciful inquiries regarding the relationship of Jesus and Mary Magdalene supposing that were married.  People speculate as to whether Jesus, as a man, was able to continually interact with prostitutes without impropriety.  The question has been raised of whether or not it is even possible to live a chaste life.  The answer is a resounding YES and it is through the freedom and fulfillment that he provides through the gospel.  Jesus knew who he was, knew that he had a bride waiting for him and purified himself to be the one that she needed

Hooked book

The Blessings of Purity:

Why are each of the commands set forth in Matthew 5:27-32 part of the good news?:

God is not an impersonal force, but a loving Father who wants the best for those with whom he would relate and adopt as children through Jesus.

“I myself said, “ ‘How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.’ I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me. (Jeremiah 3:19 NIV84)

All of these commands are making an appeal to your commitment to the well being of another individual over the immediate satisfying of your own desires. The breaking of these laws is a selfish fulfillment of your own interests at someone else's expense. Jesus exemplified the exact opposite. (Give examples of each)

“I am convinced that the human heart hungers for constancy. In forfeiting the sanctity of sex by casual, nondiscriminatory "making out" and "sleeping around," we forfeit something we cannot well do without. There is dullness, monotony, sheer boredom in all of life when virginity and purity are no longer protected and prized.” ― Elisabeth Elliot, Passion and Purity

There is a security that comes with a properly placed and God given identity.  B's blossoming and her confidence in my love

The Bible is filled with some of the most descriptive, celebratory and satisfying depictions of sex known to man:  Proverbs, Song of Solomon.  The key to living in God-ordained fulfillment is waiting for the proper time and the proper commitment.  The covenant of marriage is where God places his blessing.  He determines that we will be satisfied in the environment in which you will be most secure.

Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. (Hebrews 13:4 NIV84)

What do I do while I'm waiting for marriage?: Develop the skills that will keep a committed relationship alive after the thrill of the conquest of a sexual relationship has waned.  The idea of falling in and out of love vs. in and out of lust

Take care of yourself

A person's spouse is to be their standard of beauty - Mark Driscoll

Purity is given by God to be both liberating and fulfilling

For the Christian, the truth is that faithfulness to these commands becomes difficult if it simply culde sacs with us.  Because we take for granted that God will forgive us, we are willing to put up with momentary disciplines for our indiscretions.  However, IF we understand that every decision that we make is ultimately larger than ourselves, and has eternal weight in being on mission with Jesus to build an alternate city within a city, then the purpose of every act of obedience comes into clearer view.  We can see the results of our love for God in the lives that are healed, restored and literally saved from death as we honor Jesus on a daily basis with the goal of seeing others come into relationship with him.

2nd City Church – Man On A Mission Sermon Series 2013

The Chosen One

Coming Soon: The Chosen One

*** Isaiah 42:1-9 ***

Throughout Biblical history, several individuals were referred to as royal emissaries for God, those set apart to accomplish His purposes.  A constant subject of Isaiah's ministry is the servant of the Lord, who would turn people away from idols, false saviors, to the only true God.

*** For the salvation that we all need, we must look to Jesus, who is God's chosen one, perfectly expressing his justice, his mercy and his might. ***

God's Justice:

Historical background of Isaiah, the Babylonian exile, Cyrus and Jesus Christ.

Justice is the Hebrew word mispat and determines the difference between right and wrong in the way that we walk out our relationships, conduct our business practices, execute societal governance and utilize our resources.  Scripture is filled with references to God's love for justice.  Justice is directly linked to his law and is a foundational attribute of His character.

Humanity's downward slope begins when we think that we can liberate ourselves from God's commands.  When we substitute anything else as having the highest value in our lives rather than God, whether it be our romantic relationships, careers or beauty, we have succumbed to idols.  As with the king of Babylon, these are the things that try to identify us, and if we place ultimate value upon them, when we lose them, inevitably ruin our lives.

The moment you have a self at all, there is a possibility of putting yourself first-- wanting to be the centre-- wanting to be God, in fact. That was the sin of Satan--and that was the sin he taught the human race. ... What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could 'be like gods'-- could set up on their own as if they had created themselves-- be their own masters-- invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history-- money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery-- the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.

The reason why it can never succeed is this. God made us: invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way without bothering about religion. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing." (C. S. Lewis - Mere Christianity. Macmillan Publishing, 1978. Pgs. 49-54)

Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.) While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.” When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves, and told no one at that time what they had seen. (Luke 9:30-36 NIV84)

Jesus is the chosen one sent by God the Father to bring us back to God and his liberating law.

God's Mercy:

God sent his Son because though we wander, he is full of mercy, and does not leave us in the bondage that our wanderings deserve.

First to the faithful believer:

A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.” (Isaiah 42:3, 4 NIV84)

Faithfulness is the Hebrew word Emet which means firmness, stability, security and continuance.  It speaks of integrity; to be reliable and sure.  It is was a term used frequently of God in the OT and is the primary Hebrew word for truth.  This is what the chosen one provides.

Then to the irreligious: The spiritual but not religious likely to face mental health issues, drug use, study says http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/09/the-spiritual-but-not-religious-likely-to-face-mental-health-issues-drug-use-study-says/

“I, the Lord , have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. (Isaiah 42:6, 7 NIV84)

God's Might:

To come into God's freedom and salvation, we must identify what we have allowed to replace God as the one who defines us.  What people or things have become our functional idols, our subconscious Saviors?

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame. (Isaiah 42:16, 17 NIV84)

Lance Armstrong ordeal

“Our need for worth is so powerful that whatever we base our identity and value on we essentially 'deify.' We will look to it with all the passion and intensity of worship and devotion, even if we think ourselves as highly irreligious. ” ― Timothy Keller

When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals–one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” (Luke 23:33-35 NIV84)

God most clearly expressed his might through Jesus' work on the cross, turning us through repentance to the true Savior.

Next week we will continue to walk through our series in Matthew, Man on a Mission, talking about one of those areas of intrigue, God's design for human sexuality

2nd City Church - Coming Soon Sermon Series 2013

I Just Cant Get Over You

Man on a Mission: I Just Can't Get Over You (God's Peace)

*** Matthew 5:21-26 ***

As we begin the year we are getting on the same page in a unified manner to officially launch our church in the next several months.  (Leading expectations in a church plant)

Last week, we talked about Jesus calling his people to be a city set on a hill, a city within a city, as we will aspire to be as 2nd City Church.  To do so, we are unpacking the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus tackles the things that are essential to a healthy Christian life.  These include how we prioritize our relationships, our service and our money.

Beef with you:

I was angry with my friend: I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow.” ― William Blake

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21, 22 NIV84)

Explanation and significance of: Angry (Greek: orgizo) - enraged Raca - means "empty-headed" and was a personal, public affront.  Name calling was extremely insulting in Jewish culture because it challenged the identity of the individual by stripping the significance attached to one's name.  Think of lible suits. Sanhedrin - the official adjudicating body of the Jews handling matters of the law except when impinging upon Roman rule You Fool - also implies moral failure Hell - Gehenna

It is not ok in the church or in life to carry around grudges.  The anger that Jesus speaks of often originates with a pride in our own righteousness.  This is the inner working of murder which precipitates disparaging speech about others when you are pressed.  It is often overlooked because it is so commonplace in our environments.  However Jesus takes it very seriously because it is the seedbed of bitterness which destroys individuals, households, churches and societies.  I.e. - the ethnic tensions in Chicago We never really recognize how much the grudges that we carry shape and limit us in life.  There is no one who can say they are unaffected without sincere self-evaluation.  It is the motivating factor for both discrimination and merciless judgments against one another.  It removes any motivation to build relationships or move beyond your own desires or needs.  It is a self-absorbed and loveless existence.

* The church should be a place of esteem, affection and commitment  as we consistently engage one another to model Jesus' love while building his Kingdom together.  This is what we will aspire to be as 2CC

Beef with me:

Why would Jesus be so emphatic about these issues?: Ultimately, life is about relationships; relationship with God our Creator and relationship with one another.  This is the summary of the two greatest commands which sum up the law and the prophets which he came to fulfill.

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23, 24 NIV84)

It is not ok to ignore the offense that others have with you, whether it be a co-worker, spouse or friend.  We all have blind spots which precipitate our selfishness and it is the pain that others experience in their interaction with us that can at times point out our sin.  God is clearly saying that you can not both be "spiritual" and negligent of the relationships into which he has sovereignly placed you.

What he is not speaking about is taking on the burden of the things that damage relationships that are not under your control.  What Jesus is enforcing by taking matters to the heart is that we need to take responsibility for our own actions and treat others in their own shortcomings with the grace that we ourselves have been shown in Christ.

C.S. Lewis articulated clearly why we will begin the reorganization talking about relationships:

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously - no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

We live in two extremes in life.  We are products of the fight or flight psychology, but God calls us to deal with relationships squarely and righteously.

Breaking Free:

“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:25, 26 NIV84)

In the Jewish culture, there is no record of debtor's prison. The implication here is that it was a Roman institution.  What this meant for the people of God is that you lose your political immunity per se if you choose to allow yourself indulgences because of your position or walls with which you shelter yourself.  You, in a sense, remove yourself from the amnesty and protection of God until you treat others with the dignity and seriousness with which he views them.

Duke University did a study on “peace of mind.” Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are:

1. The absence of suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness.

2. Not living in the past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression.

3. Not wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying to run away from it.

4. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress.

5. Refuse to indulge in self-pity when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow and misfortune.

6. Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues—love, humor, compassion and loyalty

7. Do not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable.

8. Find something bigger than yourself to believe in. Self-centered egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring happiness.

Source unknown

Javert vs. Jean Val Jean in Les Miserables and Acts 9 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (Hebrews 12:14, 15 NIV84)

Now is an opportunity to get connected to God through Jesus and his grace - the new walk that begins as you receive his forgiveness provided by his death, burial and resurrection.

As we go into next weeks 2nd prelaunch, we can ask ourselves the question, not only who are our friends that we can invite, but also those who need Jesus who are in whom we've hated, had broken family or romantic relationships, those to whom we've lied, or owe us something.  Treat it as an extension of grace.  Who have been your downright enemies to whom you can show the grace that you've been shown?

2nd City Church – Man On A Mission Sermon Series 2013

Re-establishing Priorities

Man on a Mission: Re-establishing Priorities

Matthew 5:13-20 • As we begin the year, we are getting on the same page in a unified manner to officially launch our church in the next several months!

• As we will see in Jesus' teaching, any Christian ministry begins with our own dedication to modeling Jesus' life and commands.  Jesus is never more clear than when he speaks of grudges, sex, marriage, divorce, keeping promises, revenge, how we treat our enemies, generosity, sacrifice, money, prayer, faith, judgments, forgiveness, holiness and personal disciplines.  All of these are covered in the Sermon on the Mount, and in effect, give us the tools to both love and be on mission with Jesus.

The Nature of Salt: • Salt was used as a preservative, flavoring agent and fertilizer.  As such, we are called as the people of God to add to the flourishing of individuals, cities and nations.

• The salt that was used in Jerusalem mostly came from the Dead Sea and was full of impurities.  It therefore lost some of its flavor and was thereafter thrown out.  This is the net result of the church that does not maintain its adherence to the unadulterated, unchanging wisdom of God found in His Word.

• From the outset, discipleship, which means intentionally creating growing communities of those who love, fear and honor God, is on Jesus' mind.

The Dynamics of a City:

• (The habitual reference to cities in the Scripture imply God's love and purpose for the urban environment where ideas, values and cultures are formed, exchanged and exported)

• The very nature of Jesus' first analogies makes things much less ethereal and more tangible than one would expect.  It points to the outward influence that your life is to have on others as salt, the environmental effect you are to have as light and the impact that you are to have as a part of a city, an alternate city within your present city, known as the city of God.

“The Heavenly City outshines Rome beyond comparison. There, instead of victory, is truth; instead of high rank, holiness; instead of peace, felicity; instead of life, eternity,” 
― Augustine of Hippo, City of God

It immediately speaks of the community to which He's called you.  The you is plural as no man or woman is a city by themself.  Nor can a single grain of salt flavor or preserve an entire stock of meat on its own. To be a city set on a hill, it has to be about what we do outside of our Sunday morning gatherings.  Sunday, within the walls,  we rationally understand that we are in a place where God's Word is honored, his name is exalted and His people are built up even as they are built together.  This is imperative for our development and spiritual health as we live and work in environments that deny Jesus' identity, much less reject His commands.

Following Christ means that you always have two sets of people in mind - Jesus, whom you serve, and others, through whom you serve him and with whom you make up this alternate city on a hill.  The challenge is that you don't choose with whom you are living in the city and are therefore dependent - i.e. - bus drivers.

In the city that works, how do I build such relationships?

The Purpose of the Law: • In any city, there is a law that governs it as a representation of its ruling Kingdom.

• The challenge in our generation when everyone is able to share their opinion and deem themselves an authority on the Internet, is how to avoid the Word of God being lumped into the category of white noise.  The city gives a visual image of why things are better in His community and His Word explains how we get there.

“We must allow the Word of God to confront us, to disturb our security, to undermine our complacency and to overthrow our patterns of thought and behavior.” 
― John R.W. Stott

The fulfillment of the Law meant: 1) Jesus would fulfill the sacrificial system's requirements by becoming our Passover lamb 2) Jesus would fulfill Messianic prophecies begun in his first coming, to be completed in his return 3) The term pleroe (fulfilled) in Greek speaks to his completion of the interpratation and application of the prophets words, clarifying God's full intent and meaning behind them.  Therefore, when Mohammad  comes 500+ years later, acknowledging Jesus as a prophet, but claiming to be "the seal", that role had already been taken by the one who showed his authority by his life, miracles, death, burial and resurrection.

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19, 20 NIV84)

The Pharisees were legendary in Israel for their external righteousness, supported by the oral law which they added to stay several paces away from the ledge.  However, Jesus is pointing to a righteousness that can only come from him.  It is because, as we we see in the six examples that follow, it is about the heart.  Jesus brought us to a point of complete helplessness in our own efforts, with the only option being the redemption that He would ultimately provide through His death, burial and resurrection.

2nd City Church - Man On A Mission Sermon Series 2013

A New Response

Man on a Mission: A New Response

Christmas is all about Jesus and His mission to save the world.

At the holidays, God's intention is that we would recalibrate, mending and going deeper in our relationships with Him and one another.

We will look at the response of two individuals to the coming of Jesus, and how we can reorient our lives based on their examples. God wants a fresh response from us.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

18This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

The Bible becomes a mirror to us. Holiday parties and our prep - like the wedding banquet of the Lamb for which we are preparing. The first and second coming of Christ.

Joseph's response

Our paradigm of worship has been shaped by our experiences. Whether it be dead religion or a dynamic walk of trust and obedience to God, the holidays are a good time to evaluate the camp in which we find ourselves.

Joseph could have missed the worship of God if he was only looking at his natural circumstances - a pregnant fiancée that he'd never been with, the shame of his commitment in a small community, the inconvenience of their trip to Egypt.

However, what he learned to do was see his circumstances, as the very things God was using to bring Joseph to Himself and to Joseph's life's purpose.

The chance meeting with the angel was no coincidence. What we call coincidence is better explained as God's providence. What encounters have you had that you can rightly acknowledge as God's providence to call you to a deeper place in your faith?

Matthew 2:1-16 (NIV)

1After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6“ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 7Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”16When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.

Herod's response

King Herod was a paranoid man whose pride and stubbornness eventually destroyed his own family.

As Herod did, we try to get rid of anyone who may infringe on our sense of independence. Though Herod had front row seats to the coming of the King of Kings, He rejected Jesus along with the personal transformation that could have been his.

The fate of his family line.

Salvation is what God intended for Herod, but he would not even think of abdicating his throne, wrecking his own life and family in the process.

How is it that we can be like Herod - suspicious and resistant when anyone begins to speak of another KING that may threaten our place on our own throne?

Our response

Jesus comes to reorient our every day living. Life was never the same for Joseph when he said "yes" to the call of God.

Saying "yes" to Jesus implies new and renewed commitments.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21 NIV)

He came to save us from our sins, meaning that we must both acknowledge and turn from them to live as the child of God that He has called us to be. Anything else is a farce and a mockery of this season He had made holy.

Religious faith vs. genuine faith

It goes beyond mere head knowledge. Herod had head knowledge but would not respond appropriately to the reality of Jesus. Joseph, on the other hand, sought out the directives of God and allowed the commands of God to change him, despite the personal cost. We can be like Joseph:

1) Begin to open the Bible again over the holidays and, through prayer, search out God's directives for your life. 2) As you read, find the places where you've been like Herod, and begin to abdicate your throne. Allow it to be a mirror to you, and, with His help, make the necessary adjustments.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV)

Second City Church - Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2012

Coming Soon - 12-9-2012

Coming Soon - Christmas Child

Our Tendencies:

St. Augustine called Isaiah the fifth gospel because in its pages there is such a clear picture of God, His heart, our estrangement and His clear path of salvation for us.

Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” 
― Saint Augustine of Hippo, The Confessions of Saint Augustine

What does it take to allow God to be more than an afterthought?

• Who was Isaiah?
• Isaiah 7:1-17
• The Assyrian threat, the Israeli/Syrian alliance, and the secular trust of King Ahaz of Judah
  • The backdrop - II Chronicles 28

Who was Tiglath-Pileser and what does he represent for us?

• This is very common in our modern environment as well.  We are bred in the Petri dish of naturalism which tells us that
• It intentionally excludes the supernatural or the spiritual.  We think of ourselves as very modern or progressive in our society holding to this viewpoint, but we'd be surprised to understand that it is not so novel and evolved after all.  It is a very ancient heart condition that becomes destructive as it fails to answer the most challenging questions about the purpose of our existence or to satisfy the deepest needs of our hearts.  We end up damaged and broken, whether or not we have material or professional success, and become the slaves of those structures from which we sought help.  We looked to our careers, intellect, relationships and financial statements for deliverance, but found that like Tiglath-Pileser, they were instead tyrants who would take from us more than we were willing to offer.

“I held my heart back from positively accepting anything, since I was afraid of another fall, and in this condition of suspense I was being all the more killed.” 
― Saint Augustine of Hippo, Confessions

In each of our lives, there are two divergent paths that begin to emerge.  When we have decisions to make or circumstances to surmount, whether at work, in relationships or in the home, we feel it.  It's almost reminiscent of the scene with Neo and Morpheus in the Matrix with the red and blue pills.  We can either choose one path, which humbles us and has us cry out to God, or, like King Ahaz, we can harden our hearts and look to our own devices which have their limits.  The former leaves us liberated as we work.  It is here we see real supernatural intervention out of the mercy of God on our behalf.  We honor Him in response, and in that moment, we are on the road to our salvation.  The latter leaves us without hope and without God in the world while our insides become just a little bit more calloused like the world around us.  It becomes easier, the path of least resistance each subsequent time, to choose this path.

God's Response:

• You must understand that God is in pursuit of you.  He is merciful, witholding for long periods of time what we actually deserve.  He is kind, continually giving us not what we want, but what we need to inevitably find our rest and wholeness in Him.  Despite our disregard of His intervention, God sends both a sign and an inevitable Savior who will rescue us from our self-reliance and dependence on earthly structures that not only disappoint, but enslave.  He came to set people free by His own initiative and at His own personal cost.  God came to those who were not looking for Him and would do for us, because of our foolishness and pride, what we could not do for ourselves.

“I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ (Isaiah 65:1 NIV84)

• What is significant about God's response is the specific mention of particilar kings and kingdoms encamped in antiquity showing that God was dealing with real people, at precise times in the chronology of the world.  It is not a set of superstitious myths, it is history.  The gospel, the good news, is more than a set of do's and don'ts, it is the reporting of an event that changes the very fabric of our lives as we receive its subject, Jesus Christ.

Who we worship and why:

The double meaning of the prophets' words The Jewish writers of the NT understood the inexhaustible, Creator God to be far more complex and his messages far deeper than the immediate relevance of their prophet's predictions.  They understood that because all of creation was made by Him and for Him, all of history is a foreshadowing of what will ultimatley be fulfilled in the person of Christ.  This is why even modern day secular parables found in literature, music and movies resonate with us as they repeat the motif of ensnared people, and a coming Savior.  To be plain, all of the Bible is ultimately about Jesus, and all of the human experience  points to our need for Him as a better Savior.  There is both a present and future fulfillment of these predictions found in the promised Messianic deliver from the line of King David who would come.

Yet who is this Messiah who would be King?

• Isaiah 9:1-7
• We must see from the outset that community is engrained in God's revelation of Himself - to us a child is born.  The privitization of religion has led to incomplete and distorted pictures of this child's identity.

1. Wonderful Counselor - Our desires become our despots, those who provide them our taskmasters.  Like the Midianites, they raid our lives and take whatever is fruitful.  Rather than working to live, we live to work and yet the Counselor, the proper object of worship, gives liberty in these things by assigning balance to His Creation.  So many of us in Chicago go days without connecting with anyone who knows our name.  God is different.  When God loves us, He loves us by name and when He calls to us, He calls to us by name.  He knows our past - he knows our junk.  He knows our present - He is intimately acquainted with our successes and failures.  Yet in the midst of all of this, He calls us to Himself anyway.  This is what's called grace.  This grace is revealed through prayer, the Word of God and interaction with God's people, the church.

This is what the Sovereign Lord , the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. (Isaiah 30:15 NIV84)

2. Mighty God - To bring you to a place of rest, He has revealed the identity of the Messiah-Savior as the eternal, uncreated, Mighty God.  However, the ruler who can redeem your past, heal your present and give you a secure future will do none of this without submission to His will.  There is no place for Him off of His throne.  As we come to Him, it must be through trust and obedience.

3. Everlasting Father - The truth is that we do not like the idea of submission or anyone telling us what to do.  Most often it is because we have had bad examples of authority figures in our lives who have abused that power, whether it be a parent, a boss, a coach, a spouse or even at trusted friend.   Yet the idea that it is legitimate to have an historic, living God, while picking and choosing what we will and will not accept about Him is irrational.  Without His ability to cross your will, there is no real relationship.  Your god is simply a product of your preferences and imagination who will never really be an Everlasting Father.  There is no good father that completely resigns to the whims of the child, especially when he knows it is harmful or destructive.  Of all the imagery that He could use, we see God describe himself potently and invitingly as a father throughout the old and new testaments.  This is sometimes hard to conceptualize because for the first time in our nation's history, there are more children born to women under the age of thirty out of wedlock than within.  The children of these homes grow up without knowing their fathers or having one around.  The product of divorce, abuse or neglect in the home has many times produced similar feelings.  He wants to give us a clear picture of what a good father looks like whether or not we ever had one around, or we need a better image of what a good and benevolent Father should be.  Ultimately, through the work of Jesus, he wants to adopt us into His family.

Families gather together to grow together, and so we do in what is called church.  We meet together to further cultivate our relationships throughout the week in what we call our small groups or community groups.  We invite you to be a part

4. Prince of Peace - Through this submission, He becomes our Prince of Peace.  This Messiah would bring peace with God by satisfying the wrath that we justly deserve in the sacrifice of His own life.  He goes beyond that by providing peace with one another as he restores broken relationships.   We are supernaturally empowered to forgive horrendous atrocities and betrayals because we know that we have first been forgiven.  We emulate the humility that He has demonstrated.  We then have peace within ourselves because we are no longer striving to be accepted, but are forever given rest through what the Son has done for us.  Repentance from sin and trust in this prophesied Savior is the key.  As we continue to discover His goodness, the increase of his government and peace in our lives, and in the earth, knows no end.

Gospel Rest - the zeal of The Lord God Almighty will accomplish this

I think the reason we sometimes have the false sense that God is so far away is because that is where we have put him. We have kept him at a distance, and then when we are in need and call on him in prayer, we wonder where he is. He is exactly where we left him.” 
― Ravi Zacharias, Has Christianity Failed You?

Yet He is Immanuel - God with us!

• This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”–which means, “God with us.”(Matthew 1:18-23 NIV84)
• The point of this declaration is that Christ Jesus is an historical figure.  He emerged in our chronological timeline to show Himself not a myth, but the prophesied God clothing Himself in flesh through the Jewish line who would bring the true deliverance to the world.  He is a better king than Tiglath-Pileser, or those things that we substitute in the place of God to save us.  Jesus is the King who when we cry for help does not exploit us, but rescues us.  The Tiglath-Pilesers call us into further bondage, Jesus comes to liberate.  The Tiglath-Pilesers come under false pretenses.  Jesus makes his love plain, demonstrated on the cross.  Tiglath-Pilesers are selfish in their ambitions to get ahead at our expense.  Jesus is self-sacrificial and gives his life that we might have life.  Jesus humbled Himself, coming as a child, but is now exalted as the greatest King that this world has or ever will know, the eternal one - the benevolent King of all Kings and Lord of all Lords!  The joy of Christmas is that we can submit to HIS PURSUIT and become a Christmas child ourselves, this day.

2nd City Church - Coming Soon Sermon Series 2012

The Pursuit of Happiness

Man on a Mission: The Pursuit of Happiness

As we traverse this time between elections and the Christmas season, we are reminded about the things that people hold dear.  It is engrained in the foundation of our nation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
― Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence

Without a doubt, God cares about us living fulfilled and significant lives. With obvious comparisons to Moses giving the Commandments on Mount Sinai, Jesus shows us how in the Sermon on the Mount.  It is a good reminder to us of the good things into which we will invite people as we prepare for our December 9 prelaunch.

Matthew 5:1-12

The Set-Up:

The story of human history is people's quest chasing things, attempting to be happy without God, and their disappointments that follow.  As a person ages, the temporary, fleeting pleasures of food and sex give way to deeper, more permanent desires that drive a person to the ultimate search for meaning in life.

In the Beatitudes Jesus goes through a survey of the categories and arenas in which people most often pursue happiness.  He addresses each one exhorting them to find rest in Him.

In typical pattern of Jewish teachers, Jesus sits down with his disciples to expound the Law.

• If scholars are correct the location of this mountain was actually a ridge of hills to the West of Capernaum called Eremos, a transliteration of the Greek word for "lonely" or "solitary."
• It is the first block of teaching that Matthew records following Jesus' exhortation to a repentant life.
• In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus paints a picture of what that repentant lifestyle looks like, what it means to follow Him as a disciple, and the blessedness that ensues.

*The meaning of blessed (Greek: Makarios) : blissful (extremely happy or full of joy).  Biblically, one is pronounced blessed when God is present and involved in his/her life.  It means to be fully satisfied.  It is far more than just being happy, which is often associated with a person's "luck" or circumstances.

The Pursuit (and why each substitute fails):

1.) Eternal realities, transcendent inheritance and reward He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV84)

We are on strike, we, the men of the mind.  We are on strike against self-immolation. We are on strike against the creed of unearned rewards and unrewarded duties. We are on strike against the dogma that the pursuit of one's happiness is evil. We are on strike against the doctrine that life is guilt.” 
― Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged

The truth is, if we could, most men would desire to find a way to be happy without the effort of God.  For those with this mentality, the unfortunate fact is, we are like a car that wishes that it did not have to run on fuel.  The reality is, however, that because we were made by Him and for Him, we are not designed to function that way.

2.) Comfort in the midst of the harsh realities of life Leads to escapism and addictions

Psalm 126 Ecclesiastes 7:1-6 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23 NIV84)

• There are both present and future realities to the Kingdom of God, as reflected in the tenses of the Beatitudes. Those that are future are also progressive, having their full expression in the culmination of Jesus' return with the New Heaven, the New Earth and the unchallenged Kingdom of God.  It is unchallenged because it is then that God exerts His full authority and strength.  He came first in His mercy as a sacrificial Lamb, He will return with justice as the conquering Lion.  We see the same reflected in the Beatitudes.

But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet.” In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2:6-9 NIV84)

• TV watching all day does not revitalize you. You still end up tired at the end of the day because there was no rest for your soul which is only found in Him.

Psalm 62

3.) Power to rule their surroundings Exertion of strength, extortion, cut throat business and politics, exploitation, etc

A man wants to earn money in order to be happy, and his whole effort and the best of a life are devoted to the earning of that money. Happiness is forgotten; the means are taken for the end.” 
― Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays

Many of the Jews of the time were waiting for the Kingdom promise that indicated that His people would be given delegated rule over all the earth, and thought that it would be brought about by Messianic political and military force.  Jesus once again turns this expectation on its head.  When He comes to judge, it is clear that it will be against those who persist in evil, or rebel against the loving design of His government.  If this internal work hadn't been the tone of His first advent, we all would have been lost because we would have been the recipients of that judgment.  We would have continued as slaves to sin and pride attempting to usurp His benevolent rulership in our lives.

What you see in the temptation of Jesus is where we live every day in our workplace, relationships. It's not just financial power, but the power to control our world through manipulating relationships with family, lovers and friends trying to extract from them the satisfaction and security that can only come from God.  Thus we bend our convictions or throw off what we know is right to obtain that which we can never really keep. The recent recession was a reminder of this and the broken marriages and relationships that we see daily reaffirm this fact as we forget the ways of God.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe. 
The wealth of the rich is their fortified city;
they imagine it an unscalable wall. (Proverbs 18:10, 11 NIV84)

4.) Sense of morality and decency Why pluralism, relativism and moralism are so popular.  Straight-edge people without religion.  Peace corps and other charities that spring from Judeo-Christian ethos

5.) Mercy in the midst of their shortcomings We want to be shown mercy, but are quick to judge others in the world to alleviate our own sense of bitterness and self-derision

6.) A relationship with the Creator, to know and be known People are open to this as long as they can make their own version of God which bends to their whims, preferences, desires and ideologies imposed by their experience or culture


7.) Belonging and value


8.) A sense of sacrificial fortitude Many find this one difficult because they have not truly identified themselves as followers of Jesus above all else in the world.  They've chosen to gravitate more to cultural norms and memberships in communities that seem more acceptable to them - like being African American, a republican, an artist or a young, independent businesswoman. It is when these measures of identity and our good standing within these subcultures are threatened that our devotion to Christ is tested.

9.) This was ultimately expressed and demonstrated in Christ Himself, the lawgiver Most People at the time did not think that prophets in the OT sense still existed.  It is often spoken of as the intertestamental period with 400 years of perceived silence from God.  As in the Exodus, Jesus shows up to lead the people to deliverance.  He makes the association to the prophets to speak of the importance of His disciples’ life and work.  Like the prophets, they would help turn others back to relationship with the one true God and His standards for living.

They represent paradoxes that contradict the manners in which people think that they are attained.  When you are appealing to people, it is a part of the good news.  Some are intuitive, yet when disconnected from God, incomplete

*When a Christian (this is a shaking question) or non-Christian finds themself without the extreme happiness and joy to which the Beatitudes refer, it is because a substitute has been made for one of the "if", "then" qualifiers.  

• For example, instead of being poor in spirit, trying to be self-reliant or self-righteous gives you no assurance of an eternal home.  Who can ever guarantee that they've been good enough to measure up to the perfection of God.  No one.  Enter the gospel.  Or, instead of taking the time to mourn, being sober about things pertinent to the Kingdom, people ride an emotional roller-coaster searching incessantly for momentary pleasures of temporary highs and devastating lows when the party is over.  There is no sense of stability, people or place that you can truly call home because it is all about finding the next source of entertainment to fight off the boredom and emptiness that lingers.  We can go on and on.

The Rest: The solution is to realign ourselves with the original recipe that Jesus prescribes.   Only then can we once again find our rest in He who holds the destinies of men, past, present and future in His hands.  He is the one who distributes the zoe life of God (John 10:10).
 All of this background in regards to the Jewish expectation of the Messiah and the contextual interaction with the Law and the Prophets is what we see Jesus expound in the rest of the Sermon on the Mount.  Next week, during our first prelaunch, we'll take a look back to examine what one of those Prophets who has already been mentioned several times has said.  We'll begin our prelaunch series, "Coming Soon" working through the book of Isaiah

Practical Faith Challenge of the Week: Let as many people as you can know why the happiness they are looking for is found in Jesus alone and invite them to next week's prelaunch

2nd City Church - Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2012

Jesus at the Holidays

Man on a Mission: Jesus at the Holidays

Psalms like these read during the Jewish holidays highlighted God's goodness to His people and set the foundation for the gospel of grace:

Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them. O house of Israel, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. You who fear him, trust in the Lord— he is their help and shield. The Lord remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel, he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the Lord— small and great alike. May the Lord make you increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to man. It is not the dead who praise the Lord, those who go down to silence; it is we who extol the Lord, both now and forevermore. Praise the Lord. (Psalm 115:1-18 NIV84)


The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” 
― George Orwell

* Jewish, and thus, Christian, holidays are celebrations of God's faithfulness.

• One that was sure to be celebrated during Jesus' time was Hanukkah (December 8-16 this year).  With recorded accounts in the apocryphal book of Maccabees, it commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Antiochus Epiphanes who attempted to eradicate Jewish worship and desecrate the temple in 168 BC.
• Even more than our use of holidays in American culture, the purpose of the holy days were a remembrance Yhwh's care and strength, leading to celebration, consecration and deeper worship of our loving Father.  At the holidays, time was set apart to travel, enjoy feasting with family, rest from our work and offer appreciative sacrifices to God.  All this was meant to recalibrate and realign our hearts before our benevolent King.

“If you don't know history, then you don't know anything. You are a leaf that doesn't know it is part of a tree. ” 
― Michael Crichton

The inter-testamental period

• As we get into things like the Sermon on the Mount, this period sets up everything that we will understand about the NT context, Jesus' life, ministry and teachings within it.
• Following the fall of the Persian Empire, there is an understood "400 years of silence" similar to the 400 years of bondage of Israelites in Egypt.

Things that help to contextualize The times in which Jesus lived: The Second Temple period and Herod's temple Herod Herod's paranoia The Hasmonean Empire Pompey and the Roman Empire The Jewish Diaspora Synagogue Life Pharisees Sadducees Essenes Zealots The development of the use of crucifixion

The Take Away:

1. Even when it seems that God is silent in your circumstances or the ongoing affairs of the world, He is working sovereignty to bring about His salvation for humanity.  God is at work even when we don't recognize it.
2. The perceived absence of the movement of the Holy Spirit was followed by the greatest period of power that the world had ever seen.  The manifestations of the kingdom of heaven were amplified with Jesus and continue long after Pentecost (Joel 2)
3. It is incumbent that as the political climate and culture changes around us, that we cling to the standards of God's eternal Word to maintain a connection to what He is doing in His kingdom advance. Within what has already been written is a picture of where we want to be found in all that He is about to do. i.e. - Daniel's prophecies (especially Daniel 8 and 11), the unfolding of the trade of power between nations and Messianic expectation
4. Possibly most importantly, what we see in the Babylonian exile in 586 BC was the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem and the emergence of the intensified Jewish Diaspora.  Prior to that time, life in Israel centered around God through ceremony at the temple, and the observance of the ethical code in the Torah.  God, through the prophets, continually brought the exhortation that the outward ritual was empty if not accompanied by devotion to him through godly living.

Isaiah, who started his prophetic ministry around 739 BC wrote: “The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says the Lord. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you, this trampling of my courts? Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations— I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (Isaiah 1:11-20 NIV84)

Almost 100 years later, Jeremiah gives similar exhortation: This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Stand at the gate of the Lord's house and there proclaim this message: “ ‘Hear the word of the Lord, all you people of Judah who come through these gates to worship the Lord. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, “This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!” If you really change your ways and your actions and deal with each other justly, if you do not oppress the alien, the fatherless or the widow and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave your forefathers for ever and ever. But look, you are trusting in deceptive words that are worthless. “ ‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known, and then come and stand before me in this house, which bears my Name, and say, “We are safe”—safe to do all these detestable things? Has this house, which bears my Name, become a den of robbers to you? But I have been watching! declares the Lord. “ ‘Go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for my Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of my people Israel. While you were doing all these things, declares the Lord, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer. Therefore, what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears my Name, the temple you trust in, the place I gave to you and your fathers. I will thrust you from my presence, just as I did all your brothers, the people of Ephraim.’ (Jeremiah 7:1-15 NIV84)

• This would be objectified when their place of worship and national identity was removed from the Jews for a time.  Through the synagogues, God arranged a scenario where the emphasis could become the attitude of the heart reflecting the holy days.  Holiness is more than simple morality, it is when we strive to be set apart to God for HIS purposes in all of our pursuits, decision making and activity.  It is that upon which Jesus, prior to the second temple's destruction in AD 70, came to put an exclamation point.  It is now the way we are called to live, and what the Sermon on the Mount will expound.

Practical Faith Challenge for the Week: Share an insight about the holidays with a friend using one observation from Biblical history that would point them to God.

Helpful resources: NIV Study Bible Archeological Study Bible ESV Study Bible IV Press Commentary Zondervan Commentary

2nd City Church - Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2012

Following and Fishing

Man on a Mission: "Following and Fishing"

Matthew 4:18-25

1. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. (Luke 4:14, 15 NIV84)
2. The environment of Capernaum Jesus makes his base of operations for His ministry Capernaum, a prosperous fishing district by the Sea of Galilee, where he would select His first disciples to turn the world upside down.  Because the trade route Via Maris, "way to the sea" ran through it, it was constantly filled with Gentiles, as well as Jews who would take his message of salvation throughout the Roman world.
3. It was called Galilee of the Gentiles because the tribes of Israel in this Northern region were surrounded on three sides by non-Jewish populations.  Ever since the disciplining of Israel through the Assyrian conquest that made it a province under an Assyrian governor in 732 BC, this region experienced continually forced infiltration of Gentile influence. The Sea of Galilee.  Parallels to Chicago are obvious.

*Why did Jesus have such a concern with fishing for people?  Why not just leave them where they are?

1. Understanding the references that Jesus was making within the culture gives us a better understanding of what he intends of the church's activity today.  He frequently uses three activities which describe how the church will be established, sustain itself and grow - fishing, farming and building.As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. (Matthew 4:18 NIV84) 
2. Because fish at the time was a staple food that was cooked, dried and pickled,  fisherman were prosperous businessmen in that area compared to the agrarian farmers who worked the land throughout the Roman Empire.“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19 NIV84)

• When Jesus said, "Come, follow me," he is establishing this as a message and relationship of grace.  In Israel, disciples would go looking for a rabbi who would instruct them, however Jesus turns this on its head.  We do not go looking for God, God comes looking for us.  Even those who look like they're seekers are those that God is drawing by His loving-kindness.  This is why joining Him in fishing for people is imperative.
• *Why would Jesus use the analogy of fishing?  It is because though by grace, any experience, encounter or benefit that we are going to receive in regards to the life of God is going to take effort. It, like anything of value in life, is a product of God multiplying the effort that you put into it.  Like relationships

This is the pattern of God that we see with Abraham, in pagan worship, Moses and the burning bush, etc.  God comes to initiate by interrupting the well worn flow and mundane affairs of people's live

• This is a living relationship, not a philosophy.  We cannot afford to ignore what Jesus is highlighting here - faith is not described as a mental assent, a mere agreement with a set of doctrinal tenets, though they are infinitely important and the foundation of our relationship with God.  For example, the acknowledgement of Jesus' identity as the only, unique Son of God, who came in the flesh, born of a Jewish virgin, was sinless, performed miracles, died and was resurrected from the dead in fulfillment of hundreds of years of prophecies gives us the premise through which we trust him and serve Him as Lord.  However His resurrection and eternal rulership is the catalyst for our daily pursuit of His will as He continues to direct the affairs of men today.  We look for Him to keep in step with Him, FOLLOWING him accordingly.
• When we speak of following Jesus, we are acknowledging the relinquishment of our rights.  It is the essence of Lordship.  We, like Abraham are not told where we will be heading, only the promise that God will be with us and has a better inheritance for us.  In relinquishing control, we are submitting to the idea that Jesus knows what is best, when it is best and how things should be done in our relationships, with our time and our finances and careers, all things that pertain to our security and future, though He has not given us a detailed map of what it looks like.  This is why we live on every word that proceeds from His mouth.  This is why His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.  This is what we rejoice when the instability of the world around us is revealed.  Psalm 46.  This is the essence of Biblically defined faith - trust, or more specifically, entrusting yourself to someone.  He said repent for the Kingdom is near. We have to remember the benefits of the Kingdom (Psalm 103), righteousness peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17 NIV84)

At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:20 NIV84)

• There will always be a leaving of something that is familiar, to follow Jesus.  It is not necessarily a job that you're leaving, though on some paths, it may require such a crossroads.  More often, it is a leaving of comforts, well worn patterns of thinking, and our thoughts of what the future that we planned would look like.  it is putting our security fully in the hands of Christ who we acknowledge as sovereign in this fleeting world.   It is a casting off of the identity to which you've clung so dearly, and allowing the loving, living, omnipotent God to redefine you ("for they were fishermen").  Remember, for Peter, Andrew, James and John to leave their fathers, they were leaving the family business and their promise of a worldly inheritance.  If you did not have to leave anything, if it did not require a change, you would have already been following him, and your life would have reflected the liberties of Scripture.

Practically, we ask these questions:

1. What have you shown through your Word to be your general, overarching will?
2. How are you moving today to accomplish that will in my relationships, family and workplace?
3. What is my part today in serving you to help accomplish that will?
   • Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 4:21, 22 NIV84)
   • Immediacy is the key to obedience in The Lord.  Many a graveyard of calling has been filled with those who took the time to contemplate whether following Christ was feasible and expedient.  With whom are you trying to deliberate when the maker of the universe calls your name?   The term is called "playing the devil's advocate" for a reason.  The longer you wait to obey, the harder it becomes to move, because you begin to be loaded down with anxieties, fears and excuses as to why the middle road of nominal, rather than dynamic, faith is better, doesn't require as much and is acceptable to God.
   • Our faith walk was never intended to cul de sac with our own personal devotions, solely getting our own needs met.  Abraham, the father of our faith, was blessed to be a blessing.

*Jesus, in His call to discipleship, commences with a paradigm disallowing the idea of just showing up at church each Sunday solely thinking of yourself.  This is what the majority of American Christians do, but we are challenged to come looking to contribute in worship as much as we are expecting to receive from God in the community of faith.  Conversely, Jesus immediately establishes the foundation that we should continuously think about how to see others who don't know Him come onto His boat.  This is where we are blessed being a part of a church plant, because it naturally accentuates this goal and need.

• Without a doubt, fishing for men is not a gifting or a characteristic of a special class of Christian, but is the mark of any true disciple of Christ.  If we are following, we're going to be fishing.
• *Whether or not it is on our minds, the penultimate agenda on Jesus' heart is the reconciliation of the individuals of this world with His Father.  It is the very reason for the incarnation, the cross and the talk of the Kingdom of God.

“Give me all of you!!! I don’t want so much of your time, so much of your talents and money, and so much of your work. I want YOU!!! ALL OF YOU!! I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man or woman, but to KILL IT! No half measures will do. I don’t want to only prune a branch here and a branch there; rather I want the whole tree out! Hand it over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams. Turn them ALL over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of you a new self---in my image. Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.”
― C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

A young girl, in citing this passage once asked me, "If Jesus said that when we follow Him, He'll make us fishers of men, does that mean that if we are not fishing for people, we are not following Him?"  Most times, we try to define for ourselves what it means to follow Jesus, rather than allowing Jesus to define it for Himself.  In doing so, we are deceived.  At the very least, the girl's inquiry is a penetrating question exposing the incomplete paradigm in which we live.

A description of fishing in the ancient world :

1. the nets
2. by team - why it is good to bring friends, family and co-workers to an environment of faith where they can be touched by God. The general statistic is it takes 3-7 significant encounters with the gospel before someone comes to Christ and just as many relationships to stick in his church.
3. Repetition in casting the nets

Casting their nets vs. the trammel net

For what type of people should we be fishing?

1. The non-Christian
2. The unconnected Christian
3. The co-worker, friend or family member willing to check things out (John 1)

When should we fish for people?: Jesus comes to the first disciples more than likely after a long night of fishing when they are mending their nets

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV84)

• As one of the disciples, John would witness the first miracle of Jesus at the wedding in Cana (John 1:35-2:11).  First, Jesus shows how powerful and practical he is by touching even their business endeavors. He is saying there is nothing too big for Him to transform in someone's life and nothing too small for him to care about.  He is indicating that when He enters an individual's life, there is no area or sphere that He will leave untouched by His covenant.
• It is no mistake that one of Jesus' first miracles in direct relationship to the disciples had to do with fishing. Luke 5:1-11

*In summary, when you are called by Jesus to be a Christian, you are commissioned by Him to also be a co-laborer of His to build His church and Kingdom.  It takes absolute diligence and focus to be a builder alongside of Jesus.  As we spoke about warfare last week, there is every discouragement and distraction that will attempt to throw you off of the faithful and consistent course of prayer and reaching out.  Though men and women born of the Holy Spirit, we far too often resign to our carnal judgments to determine if an activity is worthwhile.  We know that prayer is important, but we want to see the immediate results of our single request offered to God before we'll consider investing further time into it.  We live in the microwave generation of instant messaging, instant downloads and instant gratification.  However, what this does is make our souls weak.  We lose the value and practice and fruit of patience.  If we do not see an instantaneous finished product, then it is not exciting.  And boy, aren't we encouraged to live for pleasures and the next "new" thing.  We know that it takes love and consistency to make disciples, but if someone doesn't fall on their knees immediately, we assume that either God is not at work or that He is not interested in using us.  These mentalities completely contradict the nature of faith and undercut the analogy that Jesus intentionally made of successful fishing.  There is no parent who has been able to experience the overwhelming joy of parenthood, whether through adoption or natural birth, without the travail of the process.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, (Luke 5:4-9 NIV84)

• We often feel like we do not have the strength to help others, but here is part of the good news of the gospel, that Jesus heals us so that we might have the strength to love and serve Him. It is so often that we are waiting for healing before we move, but instead it is as we go, as we are looking to give, that we are actually healed (Luke - ten lepers).

What does fishing for people look like in our context?:

• Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demonpossessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.  (Matthew 4:23-25 NIV84)
• Just as people BROUGHT to Jesus people in these conditions, physically, psychologically, emotionally or circumstantially, so can we.  And they can be healed.  INVITATION is the key here.
• There is a crescendo leading to Matthew 10 where the disciples first see Jesus' ability, and then are sent to the people to heal themselves by the power of Jesus' authority and the Holy Spirit.

This is one of the unique purposes of our Purple Book groups that are beginning.  Please join not only to be exposed, but to learn to articulate what you have come to believe.  Strengths and weaknesses of invitational style

Different styles of evangelism found in Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels of Willow Creek: Invitational Style

• Percentage of people who said they would come if someone invited them to church vs. percentage invited.  Bringing people to Jesus does not have to be limited to an invitation to church - there are a multiplicity of environments and scenarios to aid this.
• Christmas is an easy time to invite people. It will be fantastic practice for the city even as many of you go home for the holidays.
• This is a fantastic realization as we approach our first Pre-launch service December 9

Practical faith goal for every disciple:

1. Pray for at least three unconnected Christians or non Christians in your sphere daily for the next three weeks.
2. Invite them to join us with the hope of at least one of them coming and drawing closer to Jesus and his church December 9

2nd City Church - Man on a Mission Sermon Series 2012