Excerpt from my notes in Sermon Series: Fool-Proofing Your Life- a Study of Proverbs
What is the PORTRAIT of a FOOL from teachings of Solomon in Proverbs?
The fool is the antithesis of a God-follower. While the Book of Proverbs, and the Bible as a whole use several words for “fool”, it must be understood that this individual isn’t just silly or goofy like the Three Stooges, but an actual menace- full of destruction, deceit, and death.
Fools can be recognized by the following characteristics:
We are called to apply wisdom. Wisdom is ONLY found in the Fear of the LORD. To Fear God is to hate what is evil, love what is good, and to stand in reverent awe of God and His law.
Wisdom in SKILLFUL LIVING and the only way to AVOID playing the FOOL.
At the end of each year, we go through a New Year’s ritual. We evaluate the previous year, and set resolutions to change our habits and lifestyles.
Resolutions start with good intentions:
We set goals. We make commitments.
We tell our friends. We start…
Then, as quickly as the new year begins, our resolve wanes. Busyness kicks in and old habits find new life.
What was once comfortable becomes comfortable again.
And what happens to our resolutions? We want and even intend to do what we couldn’t do in the past. Yet, new resolutions require new disciplines. We get tired. We experience setbacks, delays, and unanticipated obstacles.
We get busy. Daily life distracts us. Deadlines and demands zap our energy and quiet our enthusiasm.
Therefore, I’m calling for no more resolutions. 2012 will be RESOLUTION-FREE.
Let’s NOT make any more commitments with good intentions but no execution.
Let’s NOT recycle the same guilt, failures, and regrets into yet another year of broken promises, disappointments, and inadequacies.
At Lifehouse, our goal is to provide resources that will empower you to live RELENTLESSLY for God. We want to assist you in developing a vibrant relationship with Jesus by establishing a daily prayer time and reading through the Bible. We want to challenge you to give your talents, time, and treasures to the Cause of Christ, and to join this authentic community of Jesus followers called the Church.
What do you need in order to be RELENTLESS in 2012?
Join us THIS Sunday for a powerful call to a radical commitment to live relentlessly in 2012.
What do you want to be different about your life this time next year?
Are you willing to commit? Will you give God your all this year?
Hearing from God is key to walking in God's design and purposes for our life.
Obviously, as a pastor, it's essential that I walk in the confidence that God is leading and directing me, our elders, and the vision of Lifehouse. Since God's plans are not always as clear as reading a roadmap, it is critical that we know how to hear from God. In 2011, we hit up against some obstacles in the course of leading the church that required that I, and the elders, hear from God. So, how do we do it (you know, hear from God)?
Here's as straight-forward a process as I know in hearing from God and discerning His will and plans for life and His Church:
Pray Daily. We can't expect God to lead if we're not regularly discuss life and matters with Him.
Dedicate and commit our days and ways to Him. Surrender our daily activity to God.
Read the Bible Daily. God leads and directs through His Word. As we read, study, meditate, memorize, and apply the Bible, it becomes alive in our hearts. God can speak directly through us reading His Word, and most often does.
Repentance. Clear disobedience to God will hinder His guidance and our sensitivity to His leadership in our hearts. Once we get sin out of the way, then we are more apt to hear the quiet voice of God.
Fasting and Prayer. There are times when I/ we need to quiet ourselves and the other appetites in our life, leverage them to focus on God, and seeking God by laying aside other distractions. During times when we most need to hear from God for the church, I set aside a day or days to fast and pray, and at times I invite the elders and even the pastoral team to join in. We pray for God to speak to us, direct us, and guide our decision making.
Confession and Reflection. During fasting and prayer, I have a 3-step process to hearing from God and discerning His direction: 1st- repeat and ask God to reveal any hidden sin that might be hindering His will in my life or the church; 2nd- lay down "our" agenda for God's plans, and I ask God if the direction we were planning to go is truly His desire; 3rd- ask, "is there a door that God has opened that I/ we have not walked through, so that is why He has not opened another?" At times, God opens a door, but since it's not the door we wanted or expected, we don't walk through. Meanwhile, God desires obedience. And He won't open another door, because He's waiting for our submission and obedience to His desires.
Confirmation. God will only confirm His desires through others- whether it's simple encouragement or a prophetic word or counsel. These words are never directional but ONLY conformational. We only listen if they match what God has already spoken into our hearts. If not we tuck them away, like Mary (mother of Jesus) did when she "pondered them in her heart."
Live Obediently. There are times when we don't necessarily hear a direction from God. What do we do in those moments? We do all of the above, then we trust and obey God, and follow Proverbs 3:5-6, and trust that God will direct our thoughts, decision-making, and actions. We believe that God does order our steps.
I could probably write a blog about each of these. If I get strong feedback, I will! Let me know.
ASK YOURSELF:
How can I adjust my disciplines to clearly hear God's desires and will for my life?
In what area of my life do I need to trust and obey God and follow through on what He has already spoken?
Rules can seem so… restrictive, so… prudish. Morals and regulations seem to limit all of our fun and freedom. What’s more, Christianity seems to be the greatest offender of that freedom. Many people view the Bible as nothing more than a list of do’s and don’ts. In their estimate, it’s filled with rules designed to restrict and rob us of pleasure. Could their assumptions be true?
Join Pastor Patrick Sundays 8:45, 10:00 or 11:15 AM as he dives into "LAW & ORDER: St. Patrick Unit," a new series that explains that God's laws were not meant to be burdensome but to be a blessing. God's laws reveal his heart and his character, so as we turn our focus from the law to the Lawgiver, we discover the key to a free and fulfilled life!
Catch a sneak peak of the series by watching the trailer, and we hope to see you this Sunday!
My confession- I've done it. When I fall or do something dumb or humiliate myself. I try to recover. Pick myself up and act like nothing happened. Never mind that there is blood dripping down my need or that I really did just trip over my own feet. The higher the stakes, the higher the tendency to "save face".
That's why I deeply appreciate the role model in Bible of the life of David. In 2 Samuel 6, he models for a key principle in life and leadership about how we need to stop trying to save face.
Here's some context- David has recently taken over as king of Israel after long run for his life from his predecessor and father-in-law, King Saul. David has also decide to bring the "ark of the Covenant" (the place where God's presence resided for the nation of Israel) into the capital city of Jerusalem. They brought the ark in with great festivities, religious pomp, sacrifices, and celebration. After celebrating, David came home to his wife...
Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”2 Samuel 6:20.
She saw David's worship and love for God as a vulgar humiliation before the people. He was supposed to act dignified and regal. How much pressure do we get to act and perform in a certain matter? How often have we allowed expectations to change our attitude of worship?
David said to Michal, “It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD’s people Israel—I will celebrate before the LORD.2 Samuel 6:21.
His response- "I don't serve you or obey what anyone else thinks. I exist to honor God." Who are we trying impress? We will worship them.
"I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.”2 Samuel 6:22.
David is willing to be humiliated in the sight of God. No one does this to him, but he willingly recognizes that he is nothing before God, and considers it a privilege to worship God.
David also deeply understands that when a person humbles themselves before God, then God honors them. When we are willing to be humiliated before God, only then can God use us to bring Him great glory. Since, only then can God trust us to not attempt to take the glory or desire attention. We read this principle many times by several authors- Job 22:29; Ps. 138:6; Prov. 3:34; Matt. 23:12; James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5.
When we give glory to God and are willingly humiliated before God, interestingly we gain honor and are viewed with greater respect.
“Faith which does not doubt is dead faith” -Miguel de Unamuno
Many contend that we shouldn’t doubt, that doubt is some how the enemy of our faith.
However, doubt isn’t our enemy. God is big enough for our questions and doubts. The Bible deals with people who struggled with doubt and hard questions head on:
“I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me… when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness." Job 30:20, 26, NIV.
Many biblical heroes of the Faith doubted and struggled with dry season in their journey with God! Men like Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Elijah, Samuel, John the Baptist, and even Jesus’ disciples.
David expressed, under inspiration of Holy Spirit, his doubts and spiritual dryness.
"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? 2 O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent." Psalm 22:1-2, NIV.
Circumstances led to doubt. Experience trumped belief. Pain darkened his faith.
So, if doubting isn’t unbiblical or an indication of a lack of faith, what do we do with it?
We Walk by Faith.
How? To Walk by Faith, Explore Your Doubts.
God doesn’t correct doubt and spiritual struggle, but teaches His followers to embrace these seasons as part of their faith-journey.
We’re not robots programmed on how to think nor lemmings in a mindless religious cult. Jesus' called us to make "disciples" which means literally "students".
When hard questions arise, don’t run from them, allow them to drive you to deeper exploration of the Bible, heightened understanding of truth, and an emboldened faith. The greatest struggles in doubt forge our strongest convictions.
To walk by faith, trust.
"All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: 8 “He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Psalm 22:7-8, NIV.
But faith isn’t just a blind belief. Faith is substance. Faith is active.
How do we demonstate trust? In a bridge? We are willing to rely on it and put our life into care. This trust is earned and learned. Observed and experienced.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17, NKJV.
Faith grows as we hear and read God’s Story in the midst of scar stories.
We are invited to trust what we discover to be trustworthy- that Jesus is the Son of God.
To walk by faith, obey.
LORD, I praise you in the great meeting of your people; these worshipers will see me do what promised. Psalm 22:25, NCV.
The word “faith” in Greek is means both to trust (rely on) and obey. Not just belief, but my dependence on truth produces action.
And in Hebrew, there is no separation between knowledge and action. To" know" means to live accordingly. We often “know”, but don’t respond. Faith means that my actions match my beliefs.
God’s story intersects with our story, and the scars of Jesus heal our scars.
Do you love to travel? To see new places? To experience new cultures?
But more than anything, do you love to make a DIFFERENCE in someone else's life? They may not speak your language, or have their own bed, or even have enough food, but they are in need of JESUS!
Lifehouse Church East is taking 7 Missions Trips in 2011, and I seriously think you should consider going on one of them (whoever you are out there in the virtual world).
There's something for everyone, whether you're a homebody or an world-traveler:
Dresden, Germany: June 20-27
Quito, Ecuador: July 1-8
Dominican Republic: July 16-23
SIGN UP THIS SUNDAY! Worry about the details later!
Every destination has a city full of hurting people who need the hope that you have. So before you say "no" because of time, money, or other concerns...promise me this: you'll pray about it. Deal?
Deal. (I can see all of your virtual heads are nodding yes right now.) So while you're praying about it, pick up a MISSIONS PASSPORT at the Info Center THIS Sunday, or email brian@lifehousechurcheast.org for more info on upcoming trips. You can also watch a video of my good friend Lisa talking about her experience on one of the recent LHCE Missions trips HERE.
Travel. See the World. Make a Difference. SHARE JESUS!
The enemy doesn't want God's purposes to prevail, and if you are following and serving God and His purposes than you are a target of the enemy's attacks. Examining the narrative of Ezra and Nehemiah, we discover several strategies the enemy of our soul uses to attempt to destroy God's destiny and purposes in and through our lives.
PLOT 1
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, 2 they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” Ezra 4:1-2 (NIV).
The enemy of God in your life will first try to befriend you and flatter you.
The plot of Satan is to distract you through ungodly alliances and the facade of friendship. However, he is plotting to destroy God's purposes in your life and to prevent you from continuing in the work of God.
How? The enemy will do the following:
claim to be like you and share your love for God and His work,
flatter you with praise and affirm your efforts,
publicly express these sentiments for others to hear, so that others will be persuade and possibly persuade you.
How did Zerubbabel recognize this tactic and first plot of the enemy?
But Zerubbabel, Jeshua and the rest of the heads of the families of Israel answered,
“You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.” Ezra 4:3 (NIV).
These wise and discerning God-fearers and God-followers saw past their enemies words to the fruit of their intentions. They recognized that their enemies did NOT serve God but had other gods- false gods.
Application: are you being lured away from doing God's work through enticing offers of "friends"? Is flattery distracting you from God's best and greatest purpose for your life? Are these "friends" serving God or do they have false gods of power, politics, pride, and/ or the purse (money)? If those who are appealing to you claim to worship God but worship another god then they are being used by the enemy to plot against you.
Anytime someone attempts something great for God and takes a step of faith, the enemy will set a trap for them by trying to sweeten the offer to stay where you offer. Sometimes that's a pay raise, new or better opportunity, friends or family getting upset. But every time, it's also an attempt to keep you back from following God.
I enjoy eating as much as anyone, especially meats and sweets. But there are seasons when we must learn to NOT eat. First, you can watch this guy to learn why you shouldn't eat "ghost peppers". But I'm not writing about avoiding foods that will light your intestines on fire, but about a critical principle in life and ministry.
DON'T EAT YOUR SEED.
If a farmer started with a single seed, what would he do? Cultivate the soil. Bury the seed. Water. Fertilize. Weed around the growing seed to protect it. At harvest, the seed might produce100 or 60 or 30 fold. Then what? Does he eat the entire harvest? If so, what will he plant in the spring?
A wise farmer knows to only eat what he must, so that he can sow even more seed in spring, and expect an even greater return the next harvest.
What's the point?
In ministry and life, we have a choice: enjoy the moment, eat our "seed" of financial resources and time OR only use what we must so that we can invest our finances and time into more fruitful ministry and the Cause of Christ.
Christ called us to be "good and faithful" AND to allow the grain of wheat to fall to the ground and die. When we follow the example of Christ, and willingly give up our life and agenda for Christ, our life (seed) produces a harvest- some 100, 60, or 30 fold.
Jesus promised, "If you are faithful with little, you will be entrusted with much. But to those who are not faithful with little, even what they have will be taken and given to those are already have much."
Are you eating away the little seed you have or are you investing it into what matters for eternity?
It's not the BIG plans but the LITTLE steps that matter.
Here are a few sub principles that undergird this one:
under promise, over deliver. And when we can't deliver on the promises or expectations we've given, we must come to you and tell you honestly, and explain why.
set realistic deadlines, eventually they arrive.
There are lots of big dreams and bold ambitions buried among the tombs of cemeteries. Why? There is a great divide between dreaming and doing the necessary action steps everyday to arrive at that dream.
Big dreams and bold initiatives feel illusive and unrealistic. And they are, especially if they're God-size and God-led. Those kind of Kingdom- dreams should scare us and leave us feeling like we will fail if God doesn't intervene. But should we sit around and wait for God to accomplish His dream in our life? NO!
How are we responsible to live out the BIG dreams of God in our life?
Pray and listen to God to receive God-sized dreams that will accomplish His purposes for our life, and advance His Kingdom rather than our agenda.
Develop clear strategy to accomplish this dream, set objectives and timelines,
Develop measurable, realistic, actionable small steps that daily move you in the direction of fulfilling the strategy of the dream. Attach reasonable timelines AND deadlines to these action steps.
JUST DO IT! Every day we must do the hard work of acting out our dreams by taking action and laboring.
Prayerful seek out the resources (people, finances, etc) needed to accomplish the objectives of the dream.
Share and give away every small "win" or victory along the way. Give God ALL the glory! No matter how hard we've worked to fulfill the dream, God gives the increase and produces the results through us.
Adjust the strategy and action steps as needed but NEVER loose sight of the BIG dream. When you fail, don't give it, it was just a good lesson in achieving the ultimate dream.
Dreams are lived in the little, daily steps. We only make it to the mountaintop if we're willing to pay the price in preparation, pain, hiking, and enduring.
As a reference, read Collin's, Good to Great, chapter on the Flywheel Principle or a brief overview here.
Every little step leads in a direction.
Are you taking small steps toward God's purposes and plans for your life? Or are you stepping one direction but dreaming in another?
Here's NOT why we said, "don't go to church" on Sunday, October 31st:
to save money- we didn't do this to be cheap or try to save on expenses. We believe reaching people for Christ and leading people in life transforming experiences on Sunday mornings are worth the investment,
to get out of the theater- we like meeting in rented facilities that gives us the flexibility of keeping our focus on reaching the unchurched and serving our city by showing and sharing God's love. Meeting in the theater allows us to do that.
Here's the BIG whys behind why we lead Lifehouse to "don't go to church":
To say "YES" to God. First and foremost, this was a God-led idea. We didn't come up with this in a planning meeting. I had been sharing some ideas with our team that I felt God had placed on my heart, but I kept wrestling with them, and finally shared that it wasn't the right timing. However, i also expressed that there was something BIG that God wanted us to do to conclude the Bare-Naked Faith series, but I didn't know what it was. The next morning, in our staff prayer meeting, Lois Quesenberry shared an idea and my spirit leapt. I said, "That's it! That's the thing God wants to do." That's the genesis of the life group Sunday. It happened on a Tuesday, we announced on Sunday. When God calls us to respond, I've made a commitment to always just say "YES!"
To teach Lifehouse and our community that we DON'T GO to church, we ARE the Church. Church isn't a location, a building, or a Sunday morning experience. The Church is people gathered through their common faith in Jesus Christ for the purpose of worship, spiritual growth, building community, and sharing the Gospel with unbelievers,
To model our commitment to taking bold faith-risk steps. We, at Lifehouse, will do WHATEVER IT TAKES to teach and lead people to being devoted Jesus-followers,
To break us out of our routine of Sunday morning "church". Sometimes we need to be shaken out of routine. Even good routines can lose their effectiveness if we forget why we're doing them. So, Lifehouse's leadership takes bold, God-led steps to mix things up, surprise you with creativity, and catch you off guard with how powerful the Christian life is everyday,
To empower our life groups and leaders that they can effectively lead a life- transforming worship experience in their home,
To tease our community and Lifehouse with fresh ideas. I don't know if we'll lead a "Don't Go to Church" Sunday again, but I do know that we'll continue encouraging people to meet in homes for life groups. Who knows? We may even develop an idea of launching video church campuses in homes all around this region... Who knows?
Thanks for understanding the "why" behind the "what".
Jesus called himself gentle and meek. Does meekness mean weakness? Was Jesus weak?
Best word picture for "meekness" is velvet covered steal. A gentle strength. A soft but unwavering firmness.
We are called to be meek, and can be meek, because we trust God alone to be our defense, our advocate, and we believe that He does look out for us. When we are fully surrendered to Him, we can have meek confidence that He will protect us, vindicate us, provide for us.
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. Isaiah 58:8-9
Love the picture that God is my rear guard. He's looking out for me.
Charles Stanley stated, "God takes full responsibility for those who are fully devoted to Him."
We don't have to fight or defend ourselves.
I'm learning to walk in meekness, and leave my concerns, worries, fears, stresses with God. Guess I'm better off with God looking out for His Kingdom and His servants than for me to try to do that job. He's a little bigger, stronger, wiser, and more powerful.
few want to be in a miracle- requiring situation. We like miraculous healing, provision, protection, wisdom, and strength. But how many of us are willing to allow God to place us in situations of that require such miraculous breakthrough.
We read the Bible with the end of the story in mind, but for those who lived it, they were desperate and in need of God's power. Put yourself in these situations, could you have handled them as these biblical heroes did?
Moses and Israelites were cornered between the Red Sea and the charging Egyptian army BEFORE the Sea was parted (Exodus 14),
Israelites were wandering in the desert, Elijah was enduring a famine, a widow was about to eat her last meal, and 5000 men were hungry BEFORE God supplied an abundance of food (Exodus 16; 1 Kings 17; Matthew 14)
Daniel broke the law against prayer, was thrown into a den of lions BEFORE he saw God's protection (Daniel 6),
Gideon has challenged by God to narrow his vastly outnumbered army down to 300 men against the Midianites that were as vast as locust over the valley BEFORE God used them to deliver Israel from their siege (Judges 6),
Elisha and Gehazi were surrounded by a vast army of Arameans BEFORE God sent chariots of fire to destroy the opposing army (2 Kings 7),
Early Jesus-followers endured persecution, beatings, martyrdome, running for their lives BEFORE the gospel spread throughout all the regions surrounding Jerusalem and Asia Minor (Acts 8:1-8).
Curious as to why you might be in a difficult situation, enduring hardship, suffering?
For Israel in Judges 7:1-4, God "stacked the deck" against them so that they wouldn't take credit for the victory but so that God would get ALL the glory. Are we giving glory to God in our situations and with our victories?
In 2 Kings 7:15-17, Elisha prayed that Gehazi's eyes would be opened to see spiritually that "those who were with us are more than those who are with them". Maybe God wants you to see with spiritual eyes rather than with eyes of doubt and fear?
In Acts 8:1-8, the persecution and suffering was necessary to scatter the believers and spread the God News of the Gospel to the "ends of the Earth". How can we grow through hard times?
In each situation, obedience is required before the miracle comes. And always, God wants the Glory for His miraculous power.
Sunrise this morning was a great reminder that God's powerful and in charge. That's an especially necessary thought when things seem out-of-control or profoundly tragic. This is critical now both, personally and globally.
I imagine that those who have family and friends in Haiti are praying most passionately for those they love and for the rescue/ humanitarian efforts. Let's pray with that same level of fervency, urgency, and conviction that we would if our loved one was unreachable in Haiti. Let's cry out to God for people's lives to be spared, safety for humanitarian workers and efforts, and for an open door of the Gospel to penetrate a spiritual dark and antagonistic nation. Pray that many people would discover Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior through this devastating, tragic earthquake.
Our prayer focus today, as part of our topical approach during these 21 days of fasting and prayer, is from Matthew 9:35-38. Read the challenge from Jesus,
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matthew 9:37-38 (NIV).
Pray:
those who attend the Church (not just Lifehouse but we're praying for transformation in the whole Church) would become fully devoted Christ-followers,
Jesus-followers would obey Him through service and ministry, both in the local church but also to the needs and needy in their community,
that God would stir the hearts of people so that they would be Spirit-prompted to serve, give, lead rather than need to be compelled by leaders in the Church.
for many servant-minded people to step up to volunteer, serve, and minister,
that ministries would be fully staffed and that new ministries would be launched through people passionate to begin living their service to Christ.
"Pray like everything depends on God". -Martin Luther
There are elemental laws, forces, principles of nature and universe that "operate" to meticulous perfection. Mankind, especially scientists for thousands of years, has worked to discover “how” these laws work. However, they always work, whether we know or understand them. So, our goal is to not only figure out how they work, but more importantly, to cooperate with them.
All of these forces and laws are so finely "tuned" to perfection that to the objective observer, the whole of existence can be described as nothing less than the “Elegant Universe".
The force of gravity is perfect, but it didn’t have to be that way. Newton discovered and theorized gravity (the force of attraction between any 2 atoms). Gravity is usually undetectable, but with great mass can come significant gravity, i.e. on earth, which makes apples fall from trees, but also keeps the moon in orbit (9.81m/s2 or 32ft/s2).
Gravity on earth doesn’t change because the mass of earth doesn’t change, but what if it did? Exact pull keeps not only us from being thrown form earth as it spins, it keeps certain gases in our atmosphere in and others out. It keeps sea water in the ocean, and air breathable. That’s why if you go to higher elevations, it’s harder to breathe. Atmospheric pressure (based on gravity) is lower, which means fewer O2 molecules concentrated per unit of volume of air.
Newton figured out most of the formulas that we still use to this day, and he didn’t even know WHY it worked. Einstein came along and wrote theory, discovered laws of relativity, including gravity.
If you’re thinking, “I don’t get it.” That’s okay. Remember, you don’t have to understand the laws for them to work. Sometimes things do work as we think, like a bowling ball sinking in water. We certainly try to understand, more importantly cooperate with and live in harmony with these “laws”.
Then, there are times when these laws don't work as we expect. Then what do we do?
For sake of illustration, what about this 10 lbs bowling ball that floats? Not what we expect, right?
Explanation: density is the key (mass in volume). Density of water (about 1 g/cm3, or 8lbs/gal). If the density of the bowling balls are greater than the density of water, they'll sink. If less, then they'll float.
Don’t always work as we think they should, sometimes even want to fight them. We can try to resist, and become frustrated, or fight them to own misfortune and destruction.
Similarly, there are fundamental principles in human life that are always in operation, whether we know or understand them. And like the laws of nature, it is always best to live in harmony and cooperation with these principles.
However, sin messed up natural tendencies and instincts, reversed our innate understanding, more importantly to cooperate. Sin turned everything upside-down, broken.
Our sin nature is out to destroy us. Like someone with an urge to jump from high places, which everyone agrees is contrary to nature and a destructive tendencies (Psychologists would call it Masochistic/ Self-Defeating Personality Disorder).
The Bible states that sin fractured our nature, our understanding, and even messed up the whole of nature, by inserting death and sin into a perfect world.
Here's one example of how sin messed things up. When God designed creations, it was absent of death and destruction. However, through sin, death entered into our world, death led to the basic instinct of self-preservation, which leads to all sorts of evil, especially selfishness.
We are hard-wired by our fractured nature to be selfishness. Even my "perfect" daughters say things like, “I want” and "It's mine", too often. We are constantly looking out for MY needs. We want the last cookie.
This instinctive selfishness doesn’t preserve us, however, but actually destroys us and the relationships with others that we value.
When we follow our natural tendencies, it's similar to following the urge to jump from a cliff against the force of gravity. However, instead of protecting or liberating us, it destroys us and others.
Sin is always out to destroy us, and therefore, our nature is a destructive force in our life. Read John 10:10. Were not not alone, as soon as sin entered world back in Eden, mankind has been living under it’s cruel curse. Even Jesus’ disciples show the self-protecting, self-exalting cycle with all it's selfish instincts: Read John 13:3-8, 12-17.
This is a counter-intuitive model of life, that goes against everything instinctive and selfish.
Jesus came to restore our lives back to the original design, help us re-discover the basic principles of true life so that we would not live destructive lives leading to death, but so that we could truly live in cooperation with God and in harmony with His perfect plan. Now, read the full verse from John 10:10.
So, what can we learn from Jesus teaching that will help us prosper, live in harmony with God’s absolute principles of life so that we can experience true life and blessing, as Jesus promised in John 13:17?
Here's the Big Idea: To be first, be last!
No, were not in kindergarten anymore! So, we’re not pushing and shoving to get to the front of the line, well unless you're driving down the road in rush hour traffic... But Jesus wasn’t talking about trying to get to first place in line, but about posturing for fame, greatness, recognition, and self-preservation.
His completely counter-intuitive lessons challenge us to stop following our natural, sinful tendencies that lead toward the destruction of all things, and start following His way and listening to God’s Spirit inside of us, leading us toward a new way of living and thinking.
What does it mean to “be last”?
If we want to be greatest, become the servant of all. If we strive to be in charge as a master, then we must follow His example and become a servant in the most humble of circumstances.
This isn’t about looking down on yourself, or having low self-esteem or any lack of self-worth. Jesus had great self-worth and a knowledge of His value and position with the Father, as clearly stated in John 13:3-4.
Just the opposite is the case, when we’re aware of our true value and worth to God, then we stop fighting and posturing. We stop living so cut-throat, and following the self-defeating life that leads to destruction. Then, we can willing serve others, because we’re not looking out for our interests but God’s.
By trying to be first or greatest or most recognized or to be see as important, we fall into the self-defeating, destructive trap that destroy us and leave us as the least. We become a slave to sin and in bondage to the very things we seek. Money becomes a snare, fame a curse, and power a tool for destruction.
BUT when we take on the role of a servant (counter-intuitive), we reverse the forces of sin, and embrace a whole new way of true life that Jesus offers.
TO BE LAST means to serve others, rather than ruling over them. Preferring others ahead of ourselves. Wanting the best for them, as much as for ourselves. Lift others up rather than always wanting to puff ourselves up. To be humble and bend down, while others stand proud. To wash feet while others refuse to ever do the work of the slave.
Do you want to get ahead in this life? You may achieve it, only to arrive at that end, and discover that it gave you the opposite results as you expected.
Jesus’ teaching is NOT complicated. It’s just so contrary to our instinctive way of living, that it seems wrong, weak, “it’ll never work”. But we, and our world, are the ones who are broken, not this teaching.
Jesus reveals one of the most profound, yet basic principles of life. It's even taught in MBA programs, politics, business, consultation- servant leadership. 820,000 links on Google. It’s always at work, not matter whether we understand it or not, whether we agree wit it, or expect it to work as it does.
Jesus challenged His disciples, and in turn us, to live in harmony and cooperation with God’s plan for all life.
Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13: 17, NIV.
I personally grew up having "carrots" dangled in front of me, by my parents, teachers, and spiritual leaders to keep me motivation. These "carrots" eventually consumed my attention? Most of them revolved around grasping and living the American dream.
However, I discovered that these carrots weren't worth living for, but especially worth dying for. I became discouraged, and maybe even disillusioned. what’s worth dying for. Even faith seemed led by those who had practice without passion, content without conviction. I longed for what would so inspire, grip me that I’d give my life to and for?
What in this life is worth your life? Can you live your entire life only for this life?
Meet a group of guys who were "going crazy" in Acts 4.
What has so gripped you, that you can’t help but speak of what you’ve seen and heard? What is it about you that “astonishes” people?
Big Idea: Follow JESUS!
Why give my life to Jesus? Why be crazy about Him, surrender whole life and purpose to Him? Why would Peter and John be so willing to face threats, persecution, even death for the sake of Jesus? (see Acts 4:20)
Only when the truth of Jesus takes hold of your life, will you be unable to give your life to any thing else. Only when you become so aware of his love and sacrifice for you, do you willingly give your life and all to Him?
What has He done for me? What did they see and hear? (Acts 4:12)
Well, examine the example of Jesus Christ: he gave His life as a ransom for our sin. Sacrificially died to pay the penalty for our sin. Took our place. Lived perfect sinless life, then, in his perfection, took the full weight of all our sins upon himself, and paid the full price for all those sins through his own brutal death. But sin couldn’t hold him down in death, and Jesus triumphantly rose victorious over death and the grave, and offered all who believe in Him new, eternal life.
We don’t follow religion, church, others in faith, BUT Jesus. He is our Cause, our faith.
Is our life marked by Jesus? Or are we still trying to make our way, find our carrot to chase?
What else consumes my life? Everything else will disappoint!
Once you find Jesus, and discover that He is worth living and dying for, then what?
Big Idea: FOLLOW Jesus!
When our life is centered, focused, aimed solely at Jesus, we are transformed. (see Acts 4:13)
What was their mark of greatness? What caught their persecutors off guard?
Peter and John had “been with Jesus” and it showed through them. Does your experience, your prayer life, worship, study of God’s word so impact you, that it transforms you?
Is it obvious that you’ve been with Jesus? Does it astonish anyone around you?
Following Jesus is extreme, risky, and astonishing.
When we follow Jesus, we follow His example, live boldly, walk in faith and faithfully.
When we follow Jesus, our life is not our own, but abandoned to His Cause and purpose.
Are you willing to surrender to HIS will? To decrease so that Jesus can increase in your life? Are you willing to be seen as ordinary so that Jesus is know as extraordinary?
Didn’t count their life worth anything other than to follow Jesus. (see Acts 4:29-31)
It's not ancient history, but a contemporary struggle voiced by U2. Echoed by a generation that wants to see what is worth living for? Even dying for?
Lived everyday by millions of Jesus-followers under extreme persecution, living an amazing faith, offering astonishing obedience, and extraordinary sacrifice: Karen Watson, lived from 1973-2004, and was killed as a missionary worker in Iraq by terrorists.
Dear Pastor, You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death. When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn’t called to a place, I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward… The Missionary Heart cares more than some think is wise, risks more than some think is safe, dreams more than some think is practical, expects more than some think is possible. I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience. There is no joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you and my church family. In his care, Karen.
Imagine if we lived like this.
Does my biblical presentation seem simplistic? This big idea to basic? You ask, "Is that it?"
It’s like the egg and bacon breakfast, the chicken got involved and contributed to the meal, but the pig was totally committed and all in.
Imagine we actually lived totally consumed with the person of Jesus and committed to following Him with abandon? Imagine we discovered His love, forgiveness, peace, joy, and then shared it with the world?
Would those around us be astonished, because they know that we’re just ordinary, not-that-smart people who have BEEN with JESUS?
When something big happens in my life and/or ministry, nearly everytime there is a well meaning person that will give me a compliment followed by, "just don't let it go to your head, 'cause I don't want you to get prideful".
Now, I'm aware enough that the "pride of life" is a core temptation and struggle for all, and part of our sin nature. However, I thought I'd share briefly why I don't personalize Lifehouse "success" or anything else "big" that happens with my life.
Six and half years ago, at the lowest point in my ministry life, I felt like a failure and wanted out of ministry all together. I was leading a prayer time in my home, when I felt God speak to my heart,
"Patrick, do you believe I (God) can do something great with your life?"
It was the word "great" that scared me, and my response was, "Honestly God, NO, I don't."
Immediately, God stirred my heart with these words, "You are not doubting your abilities, but Mine (God's)." Ouch! I got the point and responded,
"Far be it from me to question Your power or plan. God, if you desire to little or much with me, small or great, I will obey and be Your servant."
So, when small or great things happen through my life for God's Kingdom, I remember nearly immediately and everytime a moment in life, when I genuinely had no self-esteem or confidence, and fully realize that I am walking in God-esteem. I know that God can do whatever He wants through whoever He wants whenever He wants. I continue to desire to be fully obedient to God regardless of whether His plans for my life are "small" or "great".
Regarding "greatness", I'm also aware that God doesn't measure it as we do. God said the last would be first, servant would be master, and least would be greatest. So, who am I to judge what parts of my ministry life are truly "great" and which only look great through a worldly perspective. My desire is to only desire to be "great" in God's eyes.
When others see my life, may their response be, "ONLY GOD!" That's the only comment I care to hear.
There are seed moments in God's design. These are moments when God plants a dream, idea, prayer, passion, and/ or destiny. Initially, it feels vague, impossible, and "pie-in-the-sky", and often we have to just trust God and keep praying.
Through obedience and faithfulness, God will cause the seed to germenate into a growing plant that eventually breaks the surface of the earth. And as the young plant grows and develops, it becomes a strong and mature plant that produces much fruit.
God's desire for our lives is that we would THRIVE! Read John 15:8.
Watch the seed moment for Lifehouse Church east revealed. This is an amazing story of God's faithfulness to bring the seed to fruit-bearing tree through our faithfulness and obedience. Thank God for the giants of our faith who have prayed our dreams into existence.
What seeds are in you that God desires to grow to fruitfulness? Are you being obedient and faithful?
Got to be honest, reading Leviticus and Numbers is NOT very exciting. Matter of fact, I almost encouraged Rebecca to skip it and get to the "good stuff". But she actually keeps asking questions and is learning a lot, although sometimes she'll ask a question and I'll think, "what is she reading? I can't let her read stuff like that!" For example, she recently asked me, "Daddy, what is sexual relations?" Yea, I almost took her Bible away!
While reading through these lists of rules, rituals, methods of sacrifice and various offerings, and never-ending lists of names and details of the Jewish national census, I think I have an idea of why it's all in there. Now, this is not official, and there are amazing lessons and typology mixed into these books, so I'm not discounting them, but this ONE lesson really jumped out to me:
God cares and knows about all the details!
Reading all the minutia of detailed plans for the temple, geneologies, etc, I've become aware that God cares and is involved in the details of His Church and our lives. How amazing! I have a tendency to still think that God cares about the "Big" picture of my life but isn't actively involved in the "minor" details. But reading Leviticus and Numbers, I'm learning just how much God cares about and is actively involved in the "minorest" of details in my life.
God cares and knows about my need for a day off, insurance policies, technology malfunctions, stress, business plans, building codes, financials, emotional issues, family concerns, investment options... Our life is full of a ton of details, but God knows and cares about each one. Our role is to listen and seek guidance in prayer and from the Bible, then trust God and live out the details.
Make God-led decisions, and trust that God is leading our steps in each detail.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Pr 3:5-6
In what details do you need to invite God into your life?
On occasion I'm caught off guard by God, or better yet God-moments. Subtle encounters where you can see the fingerprint of God looking back on what just happened.
Well, I had one last week.
I've been carrying $5 in my pocket waiting to fulfill my day 16 challenge to give the money to someone that I didn't know who was in need. It wasn't for lack of effort. I've been carrying it with me looking for the "right" person. It feels like so little, but I knew I needed to be led by God in the moment when to give.
Well, I was early to a meeting at 6:30 one morning, and waiting in my car, I prayed, "God, I really want to give this money away, but I don't know to whom, and I'm wondering why you haven't led me to anyone yet. Please lead me, so they I can be a blessing to someone in Your Name." Then I reached over and grabbed my devotional to read the challenge of that day.
Just then, a guy with a gas can in-hand walked right up to the window of my car and ask for help with some gas money. He was coming to town for a job interview and his van stalled right across the street from where I was parked.
I helped him happily. He was genuinely grateful and even came into the restaurant to find and thank me. It's cool when you can see the "fingerprints" of God in your life.
