Christmas. "The most wonderful time of the year" or at least what it is supposed to be, isn't it? We may sing "Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright" but for so many families, this Christmas is anything but calm or bright.
Celebrating Christmas is supposed to be focused on the birth of Jesus Christ who came to the earth tell us the good news (the gospel) in order that we could be saved from our sins. Apart from Jesus Christ, we are all doomed to hell. But thanks be to God for this most amazing gift. Right?
Or are we totally missing the point of Christmas because we are too busy focusing on other things such as arguing about how much money to spend or where you need to be on what day, worried about how we are going to pay for all of the gifts that we bought or trying to make sure that you put up more decorations than anyone else in your neighborhood?
The next time you are tempted to fight about decorations, how many gifts to buy or where to go on Christmas day, think about the many families in our community who are suffering the loss of a loved one this week. People who are wishing they had one more Christmas Day with someone that they love but now is gone. Be grateful that the "biggest problem" you are facing is money or travel arrangements. Be thankful that you get to see your loved ones again this Christmas. Pray for those who are hurting this Christmas because of an empty chair.
Too often, we are tempted to be selfish at Christmas. We think it is all about us when it's really all about Jesus. It's His birthday, not ours. So put away your selfishness and pride so that you can experience what Christmas is really all about. "O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"
A blog produced by Rolling Fork Baptist Church designed to help Christians live out their faith in their homes, their work places, their schools, and their communities.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Thursday, December 3, 2015
HOUSE OF PRAYER OR DEN OF ROBBERS?
Matthew 21:13 (ESV) — 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
Do you remember the context of this verse? When Jesus went into the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers... those who were selling the animals needed for sacrifices instead of treating the Lord's temple with respect and awe?
Is it possible that Jesus is saying the same things about our churches today? Each week when we gather together, is Jesus saying "‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers."? Sure we are not selling animals in the sanctuary to be used as sacrifices unto God but are we praying like we should be? Are we robbing God somehow?
What are some of the ways that we may be robbing God? How about our motives when we gather? Are we gathering for His glory or for our wants? Are we stealing the attention that is due Him because we want people to notice us and give us what we want?
Another way is rebelling against Him. If we are obedient to Him, not only are we blessed for doing so but so are those around us. For example, Luke 5:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Jesus taught the crowd while He was in Peter's boat. Notice that Jesus did not dismiss the crowd when He finished teaching. He just turned to Peter and said “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter did as Jesus said and they caught so many fish that the boat began to sink. What a miraculous catch! But understand this... if Peter had disobeyed Jesus and not gone fishing, he would have robbed Jesus of the opportunity to show His power to all who were watching. Jesus wants to work through you. Don't rob Him of that opportunity.
One more way that we may be robbing God is through our giving. Malachi 3:8–12 (ESV) — 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.
Do you remember the context of this verse? When Jesus went into the temple and overturned the tables of the money changers... those who were selling the animals needed for sacrifices instead of treating the Lord's temple with respect and awe?
Is it possible that Jesus is saying the same things about our churches today? Each week when we gather together, is Jesus saying "‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers."? Sure we are not selling animals in the sanctuary to be used as sacrifices unto God but are we praying like we should be? Are we robbing God somehow?
What are some of the ways that we may be robbing God? How about our motives when we gather? Are we gathering for His glory or for our wants? Are we stealing the attention that is due Him because we want people to notice us and give us what we want?
Another way is rebelling against Him. If we are obedient to Him, not only are we blessed for doing so but so are those around us. For example, Luke 5:3–4 (ESV) — 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Jesus taught the crowd while He was in Peter's boat. Notice that Jesus did not dismiss the crowd when He finished teaching. He just turned to Peter and said “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” Peter did as Jesus said and they caught so many fish that the boat began to sink. What a miraculous catch! But understand this... if Peter had disobeyed Jesus and not gone fishing, he would have robbed Jesus of the opportunity to show His power to all who were watching. Jesus wants to work through you. Don't rob Him of that opportunity.
One more way that we may be robbing God is through our giving. Malachi 3:8–12 (ESV) — 8 Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.
The next time you gather with your church family, ask yourself "Am I really trying to communicate with God through prayer today? Am I doing anything that would rob God of anything that belongs to Him?"
WHEN WE PRAY FOR YOU
Last night, I mentioned Colossians 1:3-14 in my last post. This morning, I would like to share with you that passage once again along with some notes showing how Paul was praying for this church. This will give you another example of how we should be praying for each other...
Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
WHEN WE PRAY FOR YOU,
WE THANK GOD FOR YOU 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
WHY?
1. BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
2. BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE FOR ALL OF THE SAINTS and of the love that you have for all the saints,
3. BECAUSE OF YOUR ETERNITY IN HEAVEN 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
4. BECAUSE YOU HEARD THE GOSPEL Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world
5. BECAUSE THE GOSPEL IS BEARING FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
6. BECAUSE YOU HAVE HAD FAITHFUL TEACHING 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
7. BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT YOUR LOVE IN THE SPIRIT 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
8. BECAUSE GOD HAS SAVED YOU 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
9. BECAUSE GOD HAS DELIVERED FROM THE DEVIL AND TO HIS SON, JESUS. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
10. BECAUSE YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
WE HAVE NOT CEASED TO PRAY FOR YOU
11. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
12. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
fully pleasing to him,
bearing fruit in every good work
increasing in the knowledge of God.
13. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE STRENGTHENED BY GOD’S POWER 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might,
A. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE ENDURANCE for all endurance
B. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE PATIENCE and patience
C. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE JOY with joy,
Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,
6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
WHEN WE PRAY FOR YOU,
WE THANK GOD FOR YOU 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
WHY?
1. BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
2. BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE FOR ALL OF THE SAINTS and of the love that you have for all the saints,
3. BECAUSE OF YOUR ETERNITY IN HEAVEN 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven.
4. BECAUSE YOU HEARD THE GOSPEL Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world
5. BECAUSE THE GOSPEL IS BEARING FRUIT IN YOUR LIFE it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,
6. BECAUSE YOU HAVE HAD FAITHFUL TEACHING 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf
7. BECAUSE WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT YOUR LOVE IN THE SPIRIT 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
8. BECAUSE GOD HAS SAVED YOU 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
9. BECAUSE GOD HAS DELIVERED FROM THE DEVIL AND TO HIS SON, JESUS. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,
10. BECAUSE YOUR SINS HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
WE HAVE NOT CEASED TO PRAY FOR YOU
11. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S WILL asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
12. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL LIVE A LIFE THAT PLEASES GOD 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord,
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
fully pleasing to him,
bearing fruit in every good work
increasing in the knowledge of God.
13. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL BE STRENGTHENED BY GOD’S POWER 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might,
A. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE ENDURANCE for all endurance
B. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE PATIENCE and patience
C. WE ASK THAT YOU WILL HAVE JOY with joy,
I QUIT, HOW ABOUT YOU?
"That's it! I am done. I quit. I am tired of business as usual and just going through the motions. I want more. I need more. God wants to me have more."
That's been my focus for the last few months. As a Christian and as a pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am so hungry for another mighty move of God... not just in my life, not just in my family or my church family, but however big God wants to make it. And not for my glory or our church's glory... but all for God's glory. I really feel a strong passion to focus on two things: God's Word and prayer. That may sound very elementary to you or too obvious but think about it for a moment. Are we really hungry for God? Is our hunger for God being shown in our Bible study and in our prayer lives?
I used to play the keyboard for a quartet called Greater Desire and tonight, I am reminded of a phrase that Kendall Bush, our tenor singer, used to say quite often. The phrase was "living beneath your privileges". If I remember the context of that saying, Kendall was referring to those who didn't know Jesus and was explaining that they are missing out on so much that God has to offer because they have not committed their lives to Christ yet. Tonight, I am thinking about the phrase in the next context which is focusing on those of who are Christians but are satisfied where we are spiritually instead of hungering for more of Him. When we pray, are we really praying to God or just mumbling some memorable phrases that we have rehearsed? When we read God's Word, do we really meditate on it or do we just rush through it so that we can get on with our busy schedules?
So what about the "That's it! I am done. I quit. I am tired of business as usual and just going through the motions. I want more. I need more. God wants to me have more."? Instead of flying on auto-pilot, I want to stop and focus more on connecting with God through reading His Word and through praying to Him. Acts 6:4 (ESV) — 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Instead of thinking "I have to read this much today", I want to focus on "What am I doing with what I read today? Have I applied His Word to my life? Have I meditated on His Word and have I prayed His Word instead of just praying the same things that I usually prayed for?" I want to experience more of God's presence in my life so that those around me will know God. What did Jesus say in Matthew 5:16 (ESV) — 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Do you see it? By letting our light shine before others (living the life that God wants us to live), they will see our good works and give all of the glory to God. Don't you want that to happen in your life too?
Will you join me in seeking for more of God's presence in our lives, in our families and in our churches? Think about the impact that our lives could have if we lived every day for His glory and asked God to make us more faithful and more fruitful. Before I close this post, I want to share with you the passage that we read tonight in our Bible study and I would encourage you to read through it slowly and pray these words for yourself and also for whoever God puts on your heart...
Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
That's been my focus for the last few months. As a Christian and as a pastor of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I am so hungry for another mighty move of God... not just in my life, not just in my family or my church family, but however big God wants to make it. And not for my glory or our church's glory... but all for God's glory. I really feel a strong passion to focus on two things: God's Word and prayer. That may sound very elementary to you or too obvious but think about it for a moment. Are we really hungry for God? Is our hunger for God being shown in our Bible study and in our prayer lives?
I used to play the keyboard for a quartet called Greater Desire and tonight, I am reminded of a phrase that Kendall Bush, our tenor singer, used to say quite often. The phrase was "living beneath your privileges". If I remember the context of that saying, Kendall was referring to those who didn't know Jesus and was explaining that they are missing out on so much that God has to offer because they have not committed their lives to Christ yet. Tonight, I am thinking about the phrase in the next context which is focusing on those of who are Christians but are satisfied where we are spiritually instead of hungering for more of Him. When we pray, are we really praying to God or just mumbling some memorable phrases that we have rehearsed? When we read God's Word, do we really meditate on it or do we just rush through it so that we can get on with our busy schedules?
So what about the "That's it! I am done. I quit. I am tired of business as usual and just going through the motions. I want more. I need more. God wants to me have more."? Instead of flying on auto-pilot, I want to stop and focus more on connecting with God through reading His Word and through praying to Him. Acts 6:4 (ESV) — 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Instead of thinking "I have to read this much today", I want to focus on "What am I doing with what I read today? Have I applied His Word to my life? Have I meditated on His Word and have I prayed His Word instead of just praying the same things that I usually prayed for?" I want to experience more of God's presence in my life so that those around me will know God. What did Jesus say in Matthew 5:16 (ESV) — 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Do you see it? By letting our light shine before others (living the life that God wants us to live), they will see our good works and give all of the glory to God. Don't you want that to happen in your life too?
Will you join me in seeking for more of God's presence in our lives, in our families and in our churches? Think about the impact that our lives could have if we lived every day for His glory and asked God to make us more faithful and more fruitful. Before I close this post, I want to share with you the passage that we read tonight in our Bible study and I would encourage you to read through it slowly and pray these words for yourself and also for whoever God puts on your heart...
Colossians 1:3–14 (ESV) — 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
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