Share your answer to ONE of the following:

1. Which is taller this week – your IN box or your OUT box?
2. What is your ideal job?
3. What three barriers keep you from reaching your full potential? What would help you overcome these barriers?

Study

Please read Exodus 18:13-23 and discuss the following with your Group:

1. From your knowledge of Moses, what do you infer was his job description from God?
2. How do you think Moses and his father-in-law got along? Why would Moses listen to him?
3. What were the key elements to Jethro’s plan? In what ways was he “on target”?
4. Why do you think Moses might have had a hard time with this idea? Why would he adopt it?
5. What is a key role of church leaders today (Ephesians 4:11-13)?
6. Why do you think church leaders may get off track from their calling?

Apply

1.  On a church level:

• How can you help our church leaders’ stress levels?
• What criteria will you use to select our next elders? Which is biblical and which is personal?

2.  On a Personal Level:

• As a Group, create a list of your top 5 Stresses.
• Now, help each other deal with your top stresses.

Exodus 18.12-23

Jethro – “What are you doing?” “This is not good.”

I.       The Burden on Leadership

[Number of People at SY – Members + Children + Regular Visitors = 885

A.     Primary Role to Equip Members for Ministry – Ephesians 4.11-13

Training/Caring For/Leading/Mentoring

[Barna Survey – 10% of church members are active in any kind of personal ministry (does not have to be official church ministries); 50% of all church members have NO interest in serving in ANY form of Ministry –

Reason we are uninvolved – Don’t see a need – saved by grace; waiting to die

B.     Danger – Burnout – Numbers 11.11

1.       Massive Numbers – 3 Million for Moses
2.       6 Elders for All of SY
3.       Can’t be done

C.     A Solution – More Leaders (18.21-23)

1.       Levels of Leaders (efficient at 1:10; early church 30 members)
2.       Qualified Leaders – CAPABLE – Ability; FEAR God – Spiritual; TRUSTWORTHY – Honest/Integrity; HATE A Bribe – No Dishonest Gain (Ezekiel 34)

Qualifications Continue: Deacons – Acts 6; Elders – 1 Timothy 3; Titus 1

II.    The Delegation of Leadership (Matthew 10.1 – power given by another; not inherent)

A.     Acknowledge Limitations

1.       Community/Body (1 Corinthians 12.1) is significant
2.       No one can do everything; all can do something

[T-Shirt – “I know 2 things – There IS a God; and You are NOT Him!”

B.     Determine Priorities Eastern Flight 401

1.       Moses was called to Lead/Represent God to the People; People to God
2.       NOT to be a Counselor (Even Jesus understood this – Luke 12.13-15 ¹³ Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” ¹⁴ But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”)
3.       #1 Goal – get people to the Promised Land
4.       Examples

Apostles – Ministry of Word & Prayer

Elders – Ephesians 4.11-12 (People, not programs)

C.     Train Leaders

D.     Restrain Ego

1.       What do I give up to delegate?
2.       Is this about ME or Jesus?

E.     Accept Ultimate Responsibility

[Jethro did not tell Moses to take a vacation

1.       Be available
2.       Jimmy Carter – detail-oriented; scheduled use of White House tennis courts

III. Our Selection of Leadership – No Coin Toss

Methods:

A.     Casting Lots to Replace Judas (Acts 1) – Qualifications/Choices

B.     Deacons – Qualifications – select from the people (Acts 6)

C.     Elders – Qualifications – Timothy and Titus

D.     Hybrid Model – Qualifications – Preacher – PEOPLE

Remember, we are looking for Shepherds, not Administrators

1.       The process begins today
2.       Prayerfully consider anyone meeting the qualifications (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1) who are shepherding and could be shepherds within our congregation
3.       Remember, it is about ability; availability; and Spirituality
4.       It’s about SERVICE

Often when I come to an intersection, I think of the people who are meeting there. Some have come a long distance; some short. Yet, we have all arrived at the same time.

Arriving at the intersection, we all have decisions to make. Will we obey the laws or break them? Will we be courteous to other drivers or selfish?

As we travel on our journey through this world we often come to some serious intersections. We repeatedly come to intersections of the “broad” and “narrow” ways (Matthew 7:13-14). Each time we have an important decision to make. Do we choose the narrow way along with the “few” or do we choose the broad way with the “many”? Will we follow the instructions or refuse them? It is a serious choice that demands our attention and exercises our wisdom.

Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6). Today, with the rising of the sun, we have made it to yet another intersection. Which road will we take?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Please share your response to one of the following with your Group:

• When are you the most happy? Do other people play into this happiness? Why or Why Not?
• How can people tell if you are angry? Is it usually easy or hard to tell?

Study

Please read Jeremiah 29:10-14 and share your responses to the following:

1. What seems to be the reason for the exile?
2. How do you think the goodness of God is attractive to people?
3. Do you think people are attracted to God to avoid his wrath?
4. What do you see as God’s primary purpose for us? What are some examples?
5. Why is it important that we do not procrastinate when it comes to following God? (James 4:13-14)
6. Why do you think God demands whole-hearted effort from us?

Apply

• Do you think God uses evil to accomplish good? Why? Why Not?
• When have you seen God bring good out of a bad situation?
• Is there an easy way to learn our lessons?
• Why do you think it takes 100% effort on our part to seek and find God?
• How do you KNOW God has your best in mind?
• What do you think it takes to find God?

2.      There is something within us that says we are important; that we want to rise higher than our current position

3.      God agrees – EACH one of us is important to God – Galatians 2.20 (the life I now live)

a.       We each have shortcomings

b.      We each have things to overcome

4.      Jeremiah 29.10-14

a.       Captivity of Judah

b.      Based on sinfulness of the people (see Jeremiah – no converts)

I.       God’s Good Intentions

A.     God Attracts Us by His Goodness

1.      Physical Necessities – (Matthew )

2.      Spiritual Necessities – “Son’s Reign”

B.     God Wants the BEST, not the Worst

1. Sometimes God DOES get angry – Moses’ Call
2.  He is seeking our good

Too often good intentions stay INTENTIONS – not with God. . .

II.    God’s Good Intentions Lead to God’s Good Actions

A.     God’s Purpose is to Act for Our Good

God Does NOT Forget His Purpose!

1.       We Do Not Always See what God is Doing – Genesis 50.20
2.       Not all is “good” – Romans 8.28
3.       Not our timeline – Moses 80 years; Joseph 30 years; Jesus 30 years
4.       But God makes great things happen – Ephesians 3.20

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom.

B.     God Delivered His People:

1.       From Egypt – he said he would
2.       From Babylon – He said he would
3.       From Sin and its consequences – he said he would

a.       Ultimate Sin Offering

b.      Ultimate Relationship (Note the New Covenant) – Jeremiah 31.31-34

III. God’s Good Actions Lead to Our Choices

A.     “Seek and Find” – Not “Hide and Seek”

1.       He Has Been Seeking Us and Wants Us to Find Him
2.       Turn Around – “Repent”
3.       No Procrastination – Proverbs 27.1 (James 4.13-14)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

B.     It IS Whole-Hearted Effort – Deuteronomy 6.4

1.       God is not our hobby/our convenience
2.       God is our life
3.       Jealous God – not second place

C.     To Be With His Whole People

1.       Gathering from Babylon
2.       Gathering in the world to come

Conclusion

1.       What does it take to find God? 1 Corinthians 13.13

a.       Faith – Hebrews 11.1; 11.6

b.      Hope – Assurance

c.       Love

2.      Things are not always as they seem –

a.       Judah was captive in Babylon (greatest country in the world) – coming home in 70 years;

b.      Joseph in Egypt – saved the nation; sent home via Moses

c.       Mordecai – Daniel – 3 Hebrew boys – Christ on the cross (stumbling block; foolishness)

d.      Effects of our sins

3.      Stop Running and start looking!

I was recently sitting in a restaurant and heard a bird chirping. Or, at least so I thought. It was actually a ringtone on someone’s cellphone. I could not help but think of all of the excellent tones people are using today (my phone is the sound of an old telephone – no imagination). These tones are an imitation of something or someone.

In 1820, Charles Caleb Colton coined the phrase that states: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” Those words are still true. It is especially true for the life of a disciple of Jesus.

The Christian journey is not just a life that doesn’t “cuss or smoke or drink or chew or go with girls who do.” It is a life given to the imitation of Jesus himself. A disciple of a rabbi would give all he had to become just like his rabbi. That is what we are called to do. Paul said it this way to his disciples, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11.1)

This is especially evident in the trials we encounter. I understand that a jeweler has a sure-fire test to establish a diamond’s authenticity. He places the jewel under water. A true diamond will always out-sparkle an imitation. In fact the imitation will lose its sparkle.

Tests come and go. What do they reveal? They may reveal the real image of Jesus in our lives or they may reveal a cheap imitation. Who am I trying to imitate? What am I trying to become?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

Acts 7.17-22

Moses was raised to deliver the nation – as was predicted in Genesis 15.13-14

¹³ Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. ¹⁴ But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

I.       Moses Jumped the Gun

A.     Moses Was Esteemed

1.      He was Esteemed by God – 7.20

2.      He was Esteemed by his Parents (Exodus 2.2)

3.      He was Esteemed by Pharaoh’s Daughter

4.      He was Esteemed by Pharaoh (Acts 7.22)

• Mighty in Words and Deeds
• Groomed to be a leader in Egypt

5.      He Esteemed Himself

B.     Moses Expected a Following (7.23-25)

1.      Apparently Understood his destiny – a type of king to deliver Hebrews from affliction (7.18 cf. Exodus 1.7-8)

2.      Tried to right a wrong by doing wrong

• Did not see God at work and did not wait on him – Psalm 27.14
• [Do we ever deal with church issues in Moses’ manner?
• No one is trying to fix it – so I will; no one is looking and I assassinate a person’s character with a whisper campaign
• See Galatians 5.14-15
• What SHOULD we do?

3.      Rejected and Fled to Midian

4.      Good News – even when we make rash decisions God can still use us – in time; Moses needed more training – with the sheep

II.    Moses Tried to Dodge God’s Bullet

“Send Me a Sign” – Flaming Arrow, etc.

A.     An Enlightening Encounter – a Burning Bush

1.      Pattern for the Hebrews’ Menorah in Tabernacle/Temple

2.      God’s Lamp for Man’s Light

B.     Elaborate Excuses

It was Benjamin Franklin who said: “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”

1.      Excuse #1 – Who Am I? – Exodus 3.10-11

a.       Already tried and failed

b.      “I am with you” – Exodus 3.13

2.      Excuse #2 – I Don’t Know Enough – Exodus 3.13

a.       Who knows it all? The more I study, the less I know

b.      God’s Assurance – Exodus 3.14-22

1)      YHWH

2)      The People will listen

3)      Pharaoh will even listen – eventually

3.      Excuse #3 – They Won’t Listen – Exodus 4.1-9

1)   Signs of Power

2)   Staff to snake to staff/hand leprous and back

4.      Excuse #4 – I Don’t Have the Gift – Exodus 4.10

a.       “Mighty in his words and deeds” (Acts 7.22) = talent

b.      Sheep?

c.       God’s Presence – Exodus 4.11-12

d.      God is not looking for ability, he is looking for availability

Availability, not Ability

Moses was old and shepherd of sheep on the backside of the desert. He failed at age 40 with his talent, rank and money to deliver his people. He tried to do it in his own strength. God moved into his life at age 80; not in the palace but in a pasture.

God does not need out talents, rank and money, He need us. When God gets us He gets everything else.

5.      Excuse #5 – I Don’t Want to get Involved – Exodus 4.13

III. Moses Was “On Target” with God (Acts 7.35-36)

A.     Solutions from an Angry God – Exodus 4.14-17

B.     Success from a Acquiescent Moses

Easy to criticize Moses

Aristotle wrote: “It’s easy to avoid criticism: all you have to do is say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”

Rabbi Zusya years ago said, “In the world to come I will not be asked (by God), ’Why were you not Moses?’ I will be asked, ’Why were you not Zusya?’” B. Larsen, Luke, p. 42.

Please share your response to one of the following:

• What do you want to be remembered for?
• Are you comfortable going to dinner or a movie alone? How about a vacation? Why or why not?

Study

This study will come from Acts 7.17-44 and Exodus 3-4. Please refer to the appropriate texts as you discuss the following with your Group:

• How do you think Moses was viewed by others (Acts 7.20-22)? By God; His parents; etc.
• How do you envision his self-image before he left Egypt?
• What significance do you see with the burning bush? Why do you think it was represented in the Hebrews lamp (Menorah) in the tabernacle and temple?
• Which of Moses’ excuses (Exodus 3.10-4.13) seemed the lamest to you? The best?
• Why do you think God makes compromises for Moses and allows him to use Aaron (Exodus 4.14-17)?

Apply

• How might we imitate the bad example of Moses taking matters into his own hands?
• Do the ends ever justify the means?
• What typically happens when we do not do things God’s way?
• Why do you think God does not operate by a democratic process?
• In what ways does Moses effectively pursue God? How does this apply to us as a church? To you as a follower of Jesus?
• Since God does not ask you to be anything you are not, what do you need to do to be the person God made you?

Please share your response to one of the following:

• What is the worst thing that can happen if you take a risk and fail? What is the best thing that could happen if you take a risk and succeed?
• What is the worst rejection you have experienced? How did you handle it?
• Do you think it is possible to live with no regrets? Explain.

Study

Please read Acts 7.9-16 and discuss the following:

1. What were some of the reasons Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him? (See Genesis 37)
2. How do you think Joseph felt when he rose in status in Potiphar’s house (Genesis 39)? When he went to prison? When he became “second in command” in Egypt (Genesis 41)?
3. How do you think Joseph was able to endure his circumstances?
4. What do you think were his greatest struggles?
5. How does Joseph gift of dream interpretation become a “gift and a curse”?
6. How do you think Joseph gained wisdom in his life?
7. How do you think Joseph is able to honor God and not blame him in Genesis 50.20?

Apply

• What do you wish others knew/understood about you that you think they usually do not? How does the account of Joseph apply to your situation? What can you do to improve others’ view of you? Your lack of understanding with others?
• How is the Joseph account a lesson on parenting? On faith?
• What responsibilities do you see in connection with the abilities God gives us? (As Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams; Genesis 40.8; 41.16, 25, 32)
• How have you gained wisdom through your trials?
• How do YOU know God is in control, even in the dark times?

When the tides of life turn against you

And the current upsets your boat

Don’t waste those tears on what might have been

Just lie on your back and float.

• Joseph was a man who repeatedly who saw the tides of life turn against him. His boat was upset more than once. His difficulties would have crippled the faith of a lesser man. BUT, he didn’t sink and he didn’t even float. He overcame AND he rose above the waves of adversity. He overcame these difficulties because of his “philosophy of life” – a philosophy of life was nobler and wiser than that of Ed Norton.
•         There is more space devoted to Joseph in the book of Genesis than Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob
•         God does not speak against him at any point – even though he was imperfect (great encouragement in our Quest for God; we do not have to be perfect, just pursuing Him)

Acts 7.9-16

1. I.       Joseph Found Favor
   1. A.     With Jacob – Genesis 37.3

Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors [or long coat].

1.       Death of Rachel; Death of Isaac (Genesis 35)
2.       Comforted himself with Joseph

  B.     With God –

1.       Ability to Interpret Dreams –

a.       Attributes ability to God (40.8; 41.16, 25, 32)

b.      Remember where we get abilities

2.      Providential Protection

C.     With Egyptians

1.       Potiphar (39.1-6)a.       Young – 17

   b.      Good Character/work ethic

2. c.       God’s Favor Brings Potiphar Benefit – Genesis 39.5

2.      Prison Warden (39.21-23)

a.       In Charge of Prisoners

b.      Trustee

3.      Pharaoh (41.38-46)

a.       At age 30 Treated as a Prince in Egypt

b.      Second in command over the land

II.    Joseph Endured Fighting

A.     Joseph Started Off with (Over) Confidence

B.     He Had Some Serious Struggles

1.       His Brothers

2.      Mr. & Mrs. Potiphar/His Own Temptation (39.6b-8a)

•          The Hebrew people represented a DIFFERENT morality
•          Until the Hebrews people tended to be Amoral

 III. Joseph was Given Foresight

A.     The Dreams

1.      Right about His Family bowing before him

2.      Right about Baker and Butler

3.      Right about 7 years of plenty and 7 years of famine

B.     His Wisdom –

1.      In the Years of Plenty – stockpiling

2.      In the Famine (gathering riches for Egypt)

3.      In Dealing with his brothers

a.       Saves his family and the lineage of Yeshua (Jesus)

[Satan has always tried to destroy the people of God

 b.      Honors God – Genesis 50.20

[God’s ways are not always comfortable but they always ensure his success

4.      Wisdom Demonstrated by Joseph (and others) is from God – Proverbs 2.6

Yogi Bera, the famous catcher for the New York Yankees once said: “If you don’t know where you’re going, you’re likely to end up someplace else.”

Joseph was a man who knew where he was going.

He may not have known HOW he would get there, but he knew WHERE he was headed. At the age of 17, God had given him a vision. He had a vision that he would be man of great importance.

“Man’s Quest for God” depends on faith, not knowledge.

She said, “Go back to your room and drink lots of orange juice, take two aspirins, cover yourself with all the blankets you can find and sweat the cold out. I know what I’m talking about; I’m Billie Burke from Hollywood.” 

The man smiled and said, “Thanks.” Then he added, “By the way, I’m Dr. Mayo from the Mayo Clinic.”

When it comes to medical matters, I would prefer to take the advice of an esteemed doctor over that of a famous actress.

Likewise, when it comes to spiritual matters, we have choices. We can look to celebrities. We can look to those we regard as “wise”. We can look to the stars (astrology). We can even look to the angels. Or we can look to Jesus Christ. It should not be a difficult choice.

Jesus Christ is superior in every way (Hebrews 1.4; 3.56-6). He is the Son of God, the Lord of lords and King of kings.  He is God. He creates, sustains, governs, redeems and cleanses us of sin. He is the one to be worshiped by the angels. He is omniscient, omnipotent, unchanging and eternal. Why would you look anywhere else?

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

She said, “Go back to your room and drink lots of orange juice, take two aspirins, cover yourself with all the blankets you can find and sweat the cold out. I know what I’m talking about; I’m Billie Burke from Hollywood.” 

The man smiled and said, “Thanks.” Then he added, “By the way, I’m Dr. Mayo from the Mayo Clinic.”

When it comes to medical matters, I would prefer to take the advice of an esteemed doctor over that of a famous actress.

Likewise, when it comes to spiritual matters, we have choices. We can look to celebrities. We can look to those we regard as “wise”. We can look to the stars (astrology). We can even look to the angels. Or we can look to Jesus Christ. It should not be a difficult choice.

Jesus Christ is superior in every way (Hebrews 1.4; 3.56-6). He is the Son of God, the Lord of lords and King of kings.  He is God. He creates, sustains, governs, redeems and cleanses us of sin. He is the one to be worshiped by the angels. He is omniscient, omnipotent, unchanging and eternal. Why would you look anywhere else?

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)

Isn’t it tempting to just coast along? We don’t get much or grow much, but it is comfortable. We just “rock along.”

Our challenge is to make our whole life count for God. When our here time is over, will we be able to say we did not hold back? Will we have put our whole effort into what God has placed before us?

Philippians 3.13-14 can inspire us: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Football players have a saying — “leave it all on the field.” It means that during the game they don’t hold anything back. Win or lose, their best effort is in the game, not the locker room. For what will our best efforts be?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

Please share your response to one of the following with your Group:

• When you discover a new interest do you tend to jump in with both feet or pace yourself? Give an example.
• Who is your favorite story teller? Why?
• What was your favorite bedtime story as a child?

Study

Please read Acts 7.2-8 and discuss the following:

• Why do you think Stephen begins his defense with Abraham? In what ways could his “Hellenistic” background have influenced this?
• If God called Abraham twice (once before Haran and once in Haran – see Genesis 11.31-12.1), what does this say about God? What does this say about Abraham?
• When God tested Abraham in the sacrifice of Isaac, what point was He making with Abraham? What did Abraham learn? What does this say about his faith (see also Hebrews 11.19)?
• How does the account of Isaac’s sacrifice parallel what God did in Jesus?
• In what ways did God reward Abraham (see Genesis 12.1-3)?

Apply

• What causes you to hold back in your walk with God? What can you do to “let go and let God” lead you?
• How does it affect you knowing that God works with us in our imperfections? – Does it energize you to live in the power of God’s grace? Does it make you slack off and take advantage of him?
• What ONE thing do you have trouble giving to God? What causes you to hold on to it?
• As a church, how can we learn to “leave it on the field”?

At 3:00 a.m. one cold morning a missionary candidate walked into an office for a scheduled interview with the examiner of a mission board. He waited until 8 a.m. when the examiner arrived. The examiner said, “Let us begin. First, please spell baker.” “B-a-k-e-r,” the young man spelled. “Very good. Now, let’s see what you know about figures. How much is twice two?” “Four,” replied the applicant. “Very good,” the examiner said. “I’ll recommend to the board tomorrow that you be appointed. You have passed the test.”

At the board meeting the examiner spoke highly of the applicant and said. “He has all the qualifications of a missionary. Let me explain. First, I tested him on self-denial. I told him to be at my house at three in the morning. He left a warm bed and came out in the cold without a word of complaint. Second, I tried him out on punctuality. He appeared on time. Third, I examined him on patience. I made him wait five hours to see me, after telling him to come at three. Fourth, I tested him on temper. He failed to show any sign of it; he didn’t even question my delay. Fifth, I tried his humility. I asked him questions that a small child could answer and he showed no offense. He meets the requirements and will make the missionary we need.” (7,700 Illustrations # 3461)

2.      In our Quest for God:

  a.       We are tested – To help us improve

  b.      To check our progress

3.      Abraham was called by God (Quest for Man) and Responded (Quest for God)

I.       God’s Persistent Attention to Abraham

  A.     God Called – Abram Responded – A Little

    1.      Mesopotamia and Haran – Acts 7.2; Genesis 11.31-12.1

    2.      God did not give up on his imperfect man

      a.       A work in progress

      b.      Lying about Sarah

      c.       Laughing about Isaac (17.17; S in 18.12)

      d.      Ishmael

Years ago, when John D. Rockefeller was running a gigantic empire known as the “Standard Oil Company,” one of the employees made a disastrous decision that cost the company more than $2 million. Fear swept through the company as everyone expected Rockefeller not only to fire the man responsible – but take out his wrath on them as well.

Edward T. Bedford, a partner in the company, was scheduled to see Rockefeller that day and as he entered he saw the this powerful man bent over his desk/ busily writing (with a pencil) on a pad of paper. Bedford stood silently, not wishing to interrupt. After a few minutes, Rockefeller looked up.

“Oh, it’s you, Bedford,” he said calmly. “I suppose you’ve heard about our loss?”

Bedford said that he had.

“I’ve been thinking it over,” Rockefeller said, “and before I ask the man in to discuss the matter, I’ve been making some notes.”

Bedford later told the story this way:

“Across the top of the page was written, ’Point in favor of Mr. ______.’ And there, underneath that title, was a long list of the man’s virtues, including a brief description of how he had helped the company make the right decision on 3 separate occasions. Decisions that had earned the company many times the cost of his recent error.

The man kept his job, and Bedford left the meeting forever changed in how he viewed other employees of the company.

Now, why did I tell you that story?

I told you that story so you’d understand how God viewed Abraham… and how He views us:

Yes, Abraham made mistakes

Yes, Abraham failed God on a number of occasions

Yes, Abraham had a past filled with miserable disappointments…

BUT God didn’t look at Abraham to see his past, God looked at Abraham, to see his potential. He looked him to see his possibilities.

  B.     His Perseverance Resulted in his title, “Friend of God” (James 2.23; 2 Chronicles 20.7; Isaiah 41.8)

    1.      Faithfulness

    2.      NOT perfection

II.    God’s Penetrating Assessment of Abraham (Genesis 22.1-19)

  A.     Clarification of His Progress

    1.      God saw Abraham’s progress

    2.      God Showed Abraham his progress

  B.     Consecration of His Possessions

    1.      God asked for his most valued possession – his one and only son (Genesis 22.2)

First use of “love”

Unique son – supernatural element

    2.      All Abraham’s possessions had come from God – including Isaac

    3.      How could Abraham withhold from God the only thing He was asking from him after God had protected him from Pharaoh (Genesis 12:17) to Abimelech (Genesis 20:3), from famine (Genesis 12:10) to warfare (Genesis 14:15), from Chaldee to Canaan?

    4.      What is your most valuable possession? Can you give it to God? If not, that is an idol in your life; RYR (Matthew 19.16-22)

  C.     Culmination of His Priorities

    1.      Preparation

Wood ON Isaac – foreshadows the cross on Yeshua

Fire – foreshadows the torment of Yeshua

Knife – foreshadows the blood of the lamb

    2.      Location – Mt. Moriah (22.2) – temple

    3.      Replacement – God to provide the lamb (22.8)

      a.       Passover Lamb – Exodus; crucifixion

      b.      Ram’s Horn (22.13)

Shofar/Trumpet – call to worship/war

Crown of thorns

    4.      Reward for Abraham

      a.       Life of Isaac (able to resurrect – Hebrews 11.19 – figuratively received him from dead – foreshadow of Yeshua)

      b.      Multiplication of descendants

      c.       Land of promise to descendants

      d.      Blessing for nations (in Yeshua)

      e.       BECAUSE he HEARD/OBEYED the voice of God (Genesis 22.18; 26.4-5)

In Our Quest for God we remember to put our faith into practice!

Don’t Hold Back

Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time. Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art. One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities. Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, “Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!” (Gary Inrig, A Call to Excellence)

Too often Christians are just like Michelangelo in that we simply coast through worship service by simply going through the motions. Going through the motions of singing songs and taking notes is cheap; dedication to true worship is costly.

Football players have a saying — “leave it all on the field.” It means that during the game they don’t hold anything back.

Lesson for us as we walk with God – Don’t hold back!

The son answered, “Two.”

“No,” the dad replied, “There are three frogs and one decides to jump, how many are left?”

“Oh, I get it,” the son said, “It’s like peer pressure, if one decides to jump, they will all jump. So, there would be none left.”

“No, son, the answer is three. One frog only DECIDED to jump.” The dad responded.

Does that sound like any New Year’s resolutions you have heard of? Too often we DECIDE we will make some changes but either we fail to begin or we start and do not follow through.

Maybe weight loss is your resolution. Maybe it is something even more important, getting your relationship back on track with God. Don’t just make the decision, make the decision count and follow through!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

Jesus told a parable in Luke 19.11-27 in which a ruler gave money to ten servants. They were to “occupy” (KJV), or “do business” or “busy themselves” until her returned. Some of the servants were productive, at least one was not. Each was rewarded accordingly. The achievers were given privilege and more responsibility. The unproductive one lost what he had (not vice versa).

Jesus IS returning for a day of accounting. While we are of differing abilities (Matthew 25.14-30), he has entrusted us with a common task while we wait: do business/occupy with the message of the Kingdom of Heaven (1 Thessalonians 2.4; 1 Timothy 1.11; 6.20).

We are not to be idle as we wait for the return of Jesus; we are to be on the offensive to advance his Kingdom (Matthew 16.18). His disciples have tasks to do. We are taught to love God supremely – that is action, not just emotion. We are to actively love our neighbors as ourselves. We care for those who need (Matthew 25.31ff).

The business of the Kingdom of Heaven is different than the business of Wall Street. In fact, God’s business is far more important, far more significant! The Kingdom of Heaven is faith business that impacts the now as well as the eternal. With what are you occupied?

Keep The Light Burning

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

Please share with your Group your response to ONE of the following:

• As a child did you ever run away from home or want to run away? Where did you go or want to go?
• What is one thing you dream of trying if you knew you could not fail and money was not an issue?

Study

Please read Luke 15.11-32 and discuss the following:

• Why do you think the younger son wanted to leave home?
• What are some significant things about:

• The son’s request?
• The father’s gift?
• The father looking for his son?
• The father RUNNING to his son?
• The father restoring his son?
• The father throwing a party?
• What brings the young son to his senses?

Apply

• With whom do you most identify in this story? (Father; Older Son; Younger Son) – Why?
• How is this story a picture of what Jesus was doing?
• In what ways have you been like the “prodigal”? What snapped you out of your delusions?
• What can we do to help modern “prodigals” return home? In what ways could this be awkward for us?

Please share your response to one of the following with your group:

• What is the most expensive item you have ever lost? Found?
• What was your first nickname?

Study

Please read Luke 15.8-10 and discuss the following:

• Why do you think that losing ONE coin was such a big deal to this woman?
• How does this coin represent repentance and salvation for us?
• Who does the woman represent in the story?
• In what ways is this significant? How is it unusual?
• What is important about the woman admitting that she lost the coin?
• Why was the coin hard to find?
• What is the reason Jesus mentioned the woman lighting the lamp?

Apply

• What is the key point Jesus is making with this story (and whole chapter)?
• How do you feel knowing that God has expended immense energy and resources to find YOU?
• When you have been found by God, what motivations do you have?

1.        Background – Yeshua’s (Jesus’) critics are offended with the company he keeps
2.       He uses “Lost & Found” stories to help them understand his purpose – to seek and save the lost (Luke 19.10; Ezekiel 34)
3.        The first story – a sheep is lost from its shepherd and the shepherd goes into the wilderness after it
4.       This story – a woman loses a coin and searches until she finds it

I.      The Object of the Quest

A.     The Pursuit of People (Luke 19.10; Ezekiel 34)

1.    Created by in the image of God – image on coin?
2.    Value expressed – lost sheep; lost coin

              a.       May have represented 1 of 10 coins on a woman’s wedding attire – never to be taken from her; similar to wedding rings and diamond sets; sentimental value?  Jeremiah 2.32

             b.      May have represented a day’s wages – survival (daily bread)/10 days’ savings; this is evidence of stewardship if the woman, entrusted with this money as the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31;

B.     The Prominence of the Words of God (Proverbs 2.1-5

1. We seek earthly things – silver & gold; Of how much more value is the eternal – God’s word?
2. These critics needed to do some Torah-searching for themselves – they were forgetting such things as “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19.18)    a.       In dealing with sinners there is the temptation to avoid them so as not to fall into temptation

       b.      In dealing with sinners there is the duty to restore them

                c.       Then again, who isn’t a sinner? – Luke 15.7 (humor of Yeshua)

II.                The Effort of the Quest

A.     There was a Cost – lit lamp; used oil and wicks – significant to the poor

B.     There was Exertion – sweeping straw/dirt/stone floor – basalt in Capernaum

• Lay bare the floor
• Open selves to God

C.     There was Diligence – Not an Easy Task

1. Dark Houses (stone/small or no windows – required lamps)
2. Small Houses – 1 car garage
3. Tireless love of God

       4.  Woman stopped all of her chores to search – what is God doing today?

III.             The Initiator of the Quest

A.     A Responsibility – “I lost the coin”

1. A Critique of the Leaders of the Nation – Losing the people
2. did not seem to care

B.     A Representation

1. God has a feminine side – YHWH – ½ is masculine/1/2 is feminine
2. Cares for us as a mother to her children – Isaiah 49.13-16

IV.              The Conclusion of the Quest — Celebration

A.     The Thrill of the Find

B.     The Relief of Restoration

With God the JOY is REAL!

Conclusion

1. This and the other stories in this chapter give us insight into the heart of God.
2. EVERY person matters to God, EVERY ONE of us!
3. Have you ever interrupted someone? How do you feel? How were you made to feel?
4. You are not an interruption to God – you are the most important thing in the world to him!

God seeks and finds but we still have the choice as to how we will respond to him.

When we think of Jesus we think of a mighty king and a humble servant. We see him serving through his teaching; through healings; through his ability to raise people from the darkness of despair. Ultimately his servant’s heart would take him to the cross to express the love of God in his death, burial, and resurrection.

One of the most enjoyable things I have been a part of was a recent celebration of the volunteer servants at the South Yukon congregation. We had a nice Chick-Fil-A catered breakfast, some amusing entertainment, some gifts, and a presentation of a towel to people who have given their time and energies to a cause beyond themselves. This towel is a reminder of our call to service.

Without our willing servants, our churches cannot function. Where do they get their motivation? What makes them want to sacrificially give of themselves? Why do they “pick up the towel”? It is an imitation of the one who sacrificially served them!

Which side of the towel are you on?

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

This story is not unique to our community. Over the years we have heard of many intense search and rescue missions. Each branch of the military has stories of finding the misplaced. This is because people are important!

These stories remind me of a great lesson that Jesus taught in Luke 15:1-7. He told of a shepherd who had lost a sheep. Instead of cutting his losses, he left the remaining ninety-nine and went into the dangers of the wilderness to find the one lost sheep. When he found the sheep, he carried it home and had a great celebration with his friends and neighbors.

In the grand scheme of things some of us may be like the lost sheep of the story. We know we are lost, but are clueless as to how to go home without the leading of our Shepherd. The reality is that God has initiated the search process and mapped out the way of salvation for us. His grace is so strong that it is as if he is carrying us to a great celebration of salvation!

This week’s sermon deals with this great story. I am calling it, “Sometimes I Get Carried Away!” Come and share in the truth that God cares intensely for YOU! YOU are important to him! How important? Enough to give his all!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

1. Survivor Eva Hart remembers the night, April 15, 1912, on which the Titanic plunged 12,000 feet to the Atlantic floor, some two hours and forty minutes after an iceberg tore a 300-foot gash in the starboard side: “I saw all the horror of its sinking, and I heard, even more dreadful, the cries of drowning people.” Although twenty life-boats and rafts were launched-too few and only partly filled-most of the passengers ended up struggling in the icy seas while those in the boats waited a safe distance away.
   Lifeboat No. 14 did row back to the scene after the unsinkable ship slipped from sight at 2:20 A.M. Alone, it chased cries in the darkness, seeking and saving a precious few. Incredibly, no other boat joined it. Some were already overloaded, but in virtually every other boat, those already saved rowed their half-filled boats aimlessly in the night, listening to the cries of the lost. Each feared a crush of unknown. Swimmers would cling to their craft, eventually swamping it.
2.  One of the Impressive things about our God is how much he cares about us. HE initiates our relationship with him

•            Adam – “Where are you?”
•            Abram

       3.      Luke 15.1-7

I.                   The Defiant Disapproval

A.     Scribes and Pharisees

1.      Knew the Torah (specially trained scribes copied; Pharisees studied it and oral law)

2.      5 Bad Pharisees and 2 Good; Yeshua (Jesus) close to Pharisees in Theology

3.      Zealots were a branch of the Pharisees – impatient with God – “DIY”

4.      “Separated Ones”

a.       Separate from Sadducees/Priest – sold out to Rome/Hellenism (no EL)

b.      Separate from sin and sinful people – holiness issues/uncleanness

B.     Misunderstanding God  Isaiah 65.1

Samuel Colgate, the founder of the Colgate business empire, was a devout Christian. During an evangelistic service that he’d attended, an invitation was given at the close of the sermon for all those who wished to turn their lives over to Christ and be forgiven.

One of the first persons to walk down the aisle was a well-known prostitute. She wept openly as she expressed her desire to become a Christian and to become a member of this church. For a few moments, the silence was deafening. This was in the days when some churches “voted” on whether a person would be accepted into their congregation, and it became apparent that these people weren’t sure they wanted her in their church.

Apparently Samuel Colgate understood this. Maybe he was even thinking of these parables (in Luke) when arose and said, “I guess we blundered when we prayed that the Lord would save sinners. We forgot to specify what kind of sinners.

We’d better ask him to forgive us for this oversight. The Holy Spirit has touched this woman and made her truly repentant, but the Lord apparently doesn’t understand that she’s not the type we want him to rescue. We’d better spell out for him just which sinners we had in mind.”

Almost immediately, a motion was made and unanimously approved that the woman be accepted into membership in the congregation.

Paul wrote in I Corinthians 6:9-11

1.      By misunderstanding the nature of God, they misunderstood the mission of the Messiah (Luke 19.10)

2.      By misunderstanding the nature of God, they misunderstood their mission – instead of seeking lost sinners they kept to themselves in their religious club

II.                The Searching Shepherd (A Picture of Messiah/God)

The boss of a big company needed to call one of his employees about an urgent problem with one of the main computers. He dialed the employees home telephone number and was greeted with a child’s whispered, “Hello?”

The boss asked, “Is your Daddy home?”
“Yes,” whispered the small voice.
“May I talk with him?” the man asked.
To the boss’ surprise, the small voice whispered, “No.”
The boss persisted, “Is your Mommy there?”
“Yes,” came the answer.
“May I talk with her?”
Again, the small voice whispered, “No.”
“Well, is there someone else there I might talk to?” the boss asked the child.
“Yes,” whispered the child, “a policeman.”
“Well then, may I speak with the policeman?”
“No,” whispered the child “he is busy”
“Busy doing what?” asked the boss.
“Talking to Daddy and Mommy and the Fireman,” came the whispered answer.
Now the boss was growing concerned and just then he heard what sounded like a helicopter through the ear piece on the phone, the boss asked, “What is that noise?”
“A hello-copper,” answered the whispering voice.
Alarmed, the boss nearly shouted: “What is going on there?”
In an awed whispering voice, the child answered, “The search team just landed the hello-copper!”
“Why are they there?”
There was a muffled giggle as the child said, “They are looking for me!”

A.     Sees the Value in ONE Sheep

1.      Left 99 to find the ONE

2.      Took Risks in the Wilderness

a.       Dangerous animals; terrain; thirst; hunger

b.      Yeshua encountered the Adversary in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4)

B.     Has Compassion on ONE Sheep

³He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.  Psalm 23.3

1.      RESTORES my soul – repentance; to go from waywardness to paths of righteousness

2.      Relief when retrieved – Isaiah 40.11

He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms;
he will carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead those that are with young.

C.     A Depiction of Yeshua (Jesus)

1.      Good Shepherd – John 10.11

2.      Shepherd who seeks his sheep – Luke 19.10

a.       Reference to Ezekiel 34.11ff

b.      Condemns bad shepherds and does the work himself

c.       Carries the helpless home

III.             The Community Celebration

Several years ago the city of Pittsburgh constructed a large, new post office at the cost of several million dollars. On the day of its opening, the Governor made a speech, the bands played and the people cheered. It was quite a celebration.

But when the first man entered to mail a letter, to the embarrassment of the engineers, it was discovered that in the rush to meet the deadline, they had omitted the usual letter drop. Here was a costly new post office, but no place to mail a letter! It was a slight omission, but it negated the very reason for its existence.

A.     The Return Home

1.      Sheep is Safe

2.      The Shepherd is Successful

B.     The Focus of the Party – the Found Sheep

1.      Saved from Disuse – while lost of no value

(sheep are not smart/have no sense of direction)

2.      Saved from Danger (sheep are defenseless)

3.      Saved from Death – given new life

1.      A man was walking down a deserted Mexican beach at sunset. As he walked along, he began to see another man in the distance. As he grew nearer, he noticed that the local native kept leaning down, picking something up and throwing it out into the water. Time and again, he kept hurling things out into the ocean.

As the man approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach and, one at a time, he was throwing them back into the water.

The man was puzzled. He approached the man and said, “Good evening, friend. I was wondering what you are doing.”

“I’m throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it’s low tide right now and all of these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If I don’t throw them back into the sea, they’ll die up here from lack of oxygen.”

“I understand,” the man replied, “but there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly get to all of them. There are simply too many. And don’t you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can’t you see that you can’t possibly make a difference?”

The local native smiled, bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and as he threw it back into the sea, he replied, “Made a difference to that one!”

2.      WE are like the lost sheep

All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53.6

3.      How important is each of us?

a.       Important enough for God to come after us

b.      Important enough for Yeshua to die and rise for us

4.      The Bible tells us to seek God because he is seeking us

Seek the LORD while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near; Isaiah 55.6

You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29.13

(That is what he has done for us)

5.  Sheep was lost and did not know how to get home – shepherd came to the rescue!

Please share your response to one of the following:

• In the “Lost & Found Department” do you lose more or find more?
• If you were to pick one place to live the rest of your life, where would that be? If you had to live in several places, where would they be and why?

Study

Please read Luke 15.1-7 and discuss the following questions with your Group.

• What do you think are some significant things about the purpose of this parable?
• Why do you think Jesus (as well as other rabbis) chose to speak in parables?
• What is the point of this parable? How does it indict the Pharisees and Scribes?
• In what ways had the religious leaders misunderstood God?
• How is the shepherd in this story a symbol of Jesus? Who does the lost sheep represent?
• What is the value of the sheep to the shepherd? Of a person to God?
• Why is there a celebration over the sheep that was found? Over the sinner who is found?

Apply

• How did God seek you?
• How does this story make you feel about your worth to God?
• Why do you think we may wander from God?
• How can this story help some you know who have wandered from God?

We do not learn well – Example of Israel; American Civil War; STILL ignoring God

Deuteronomy 8.10

Thanksgiving is Over – Are we satisfied? Are we blessing God?

Easy to remember him in times of need

More difficult in prosperity

NOTE – the command to bless God AFTER eating rather than before

In our Post-Thanksgiving Lesson, let’s look at Deuteronomy 8 and key on two important Lessons:

I.                   The Gift of Need (so we can find God) – 8.1-10

A.     A Tested People (2-6)

When airlines train their pilots they first test them in a simulator. The simulator is designed to present the pilot with a variety of potential problems so that they will be able to handle any emergency in the future. First the pilot is tested with simple challenges, which eventually build up to catastrophic situations. The pilots are given more difficult problems only when they have mastered the previous ones. The result is that when the pilots have completed their courses, they are prepared to handle any problem that comes their way.

This is similar to God’s method of working with us. God teaches us how to handle the problems of life, but never gives us more than we can handle. He teaches us through each situation, so that we can be fully prepared and mature people, ready to handle any challenge in life that might come our way.

1.      40 Years in Wilderness brought learned lessons

2.      Humble Dependence on God

Needed help out of Egypt (cried out)

Need help to survive the desert (brought us here to die)

God is the Key

Benjamin Franklin wrote an essay called The Ways to Wealth and in it he said: Do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though excellent things, for they may all be blasted without the blessing of Heaven.

3.      Areas of Testing:

• Hunger — -Manna (Quail)
• NOTE – 8.3 cf. Matthew 4.4 – “THE” Man – veiled reference to Messiah
• Water from Rock
• Clothing
• Discipline of a loving Father

B.     A Blessed People (7-10)

• Land promise
• From Poverty to Prosperity
• Attitude of Gratitude

Cotton Mather, a preacher in New England, offered this advice to the young Benjamin Franklin as Franklin approached a low-hanging beam in Mather’s parsonage: You are young and have the world before you; stoop as you go through it, and you will miss many hard bumps.

II.                The Curse of Prosperity (We forget God) – 8.11-20

A man with notoriously poor memory left for work one day. Wife: “Don’t forget today is the day we move. Don’t come here tonight, go to the new house.” Man forgot. Wandered through vacant house for a few minutes & it finally dawns on him they’ve moved–can’t remember where. Runs outside, stops little boy on bicycle: “Little boy, can you tell me where this family moved?” Boy: “Aw Dad, Mom said you’d forget!”

A.     Forgetting Commands (even the little ones)

1.      Basis of well-being/life – words of God

2.      Impacts all areas of life

3 Great Institutions of God – Family/Government/Church

We have abdicated from the Government – now it is trying to control the other 2 – Same Sex Marriage; Silence Our Political Involvement

First Amendment – Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Why are we surprised? We have allowed our government to run contrary to the laws of God – we have chosen prosperity (The economy, stupid) over God.

B.     Forgetting the Source (11-17)

The 1965 film classic, Shenandoah, features a memorable and outlandish prayer. With his eight children seated for dinner, the father, played by James Stewart observes, “Now, your mother wanted all of you raised as good Christians. And I might not be able to do that thorny job as well as she could, but I can do a little something about your manners.” After a forgetful and now convicted son removes his cap, Stewart then leads them in a thoroughly ungrateful prayer: Lord, we cleared this land; we plowed it, sowed it, and harvested. We cooked the harvest. It wouldn’t be here, we wouldn’t be eatin’ it, if we hadn’t done it all ourselves. We worked dog-bone hard for every crumb and morsel, but we thank you just the same anyway Lord for this food we are about to eat. Amen. On DVD Shenandoah Scene #2 Family Supper

Few have the gall to say it outright, but many think the same as this movie father; they see themselves as “self-made” men and women. This attitude was certainly a temptation for the Israelites, so God issued them a warning through Moses.

1.      A Relationship with God is our greatest gift
2.      Danger in taking credit for his work

The mouse and the elephant walked across the swinging bridge. Of course, the bridge shook and swayed under the elephant’s weight. When they reached the other side, they looked back at the swinging bridge and the mouse said, “Look what we did!”

Pride— (Proverbs 29:23) A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.

Danger of Idolatry

Tony Campolo tells of being invited to speak at a ladies meeting. There were 300 women there. Before he spoke the president of the organization read a letter from a missionary. It was a very moving letter.

In the letter the missionary expressed a need for $4,000 to take care of an emergency that had cropped up. So the president of the organization said, “We need to pray that God will provide the resources to meet the need of this missionary. Brother Campolo will you please pray for us?”

Tony Campolo, who is very outspoken said, “No.” Startled, she said, “I beg your pardon.”

He said, “No, I won’t pray for that.” He said, “I believe that God has already provided the resources & that all we need to do is give. Tell you what I’m going to do. I’m going to step up to this table & give every bit of cash I have in my pocket. And if all of you will do the same thing, I think God has already provided the resources.”

The president of the organization chuckled a little bit & said, “Well, I guess we get the point. He is trying to teach us that we all need to give sacrificially.”

He said, “No, that is not what I am trying to teach you. I’m trying to teach you that God has already provided for this missionary. All we need to do is give it. Here, I’m going to put down all of my money I have with me.”

He wrote, “I only had $15 in my pocket so I wasn’t too worried about that.” So he put down his $15 & then looked at the president of the organization. Reluctantly, she opened her purse & took out all of her money, which was about $40, & put it on the table. One by one the rest of the ladies filed by & put their money on the table, too. When the money was counted they had collected more than $4,000.”

Tony Campolo said, “Now, here’s the lesson. God always supplies for our needs, & he supplied for this missionary, too. The only problem was we were keeping it for ourselves. Now let’s pray & thank God for His provision.”

A psychiatrist once unknowingly referred to one of God’s paradoxes, remarking, “The greatest secret of mental health comes down to us in the words, ’Whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will save it.’” He added, “I forget who said that, but it is a great truth.”

¹ As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
² My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?  Psalm 42.1-2

Please discuss your response to one of the following:

• What memory aids do you have to keep you from forgetting things?
• What are three things you are thankful for? How do you demonstrate that thankfulness?

Study

Read Deuteronomy 8.1-20 and discuss the following:

• Why do you think we tend to forget the things God does for us? How does prosperity enhance this memory lapse?
• In what ways do you think the time in the wilderness was a blessing to the Hebrew people? Why does these seem unlikely to us?
• What lessons do you think they learned in the wilderness?
• How does God discipline us as a father disciplines his children? (similarities/differences)
• Why do you think God wants us to bless him AFTER we have eaten and are satisfied? (8.10)
• How is God the source of all blessings?

Apply

• What do you think it will take to keep us mindful of the things of God?
• What lessons can we learn by observing the Hebrews in the wilderness? In the promised land?
• In what ways is the prosperity of our land detrimental to us?
• What do you think God wants us to do with the blessings he has given us?

“I walked in the door and my wife got historical.”

“Don’t you mean hysterical?”

“No, historical. She told me everything I ever did wrong.”

Have you ever met those people, the ones who seem to rehash the past forever? The ones who seem to live in their memories more than in the present? The ones who can’t seem to get past some issue, some hang-up, some roadblock in their past? As if they are still chained to something years ago.

The ancient Sages of Israel said that there were 4 groups of people for whom it would have been better if they had never been born; Those who dwell on things Above (heaven – people who think so much of heaven they are of no earthly good); Below (hell/grave/afterlife, etc.); Before (only think of future); and Behind (live in past)

Matthew 18.21-35

God offers and commands forgiveness

He can because he has already paved the way

Yeshua (Jesus) is the author/pioneer of our faith

Two Questions about Forgiveness:

I.                   Is Forgiveness an Obligation or Opportunity? (YES)

A.     Obligation – If I want forgiveness, I must Forgive

1.      Law of Sowing and Reaping

2.      A man named General Oglethorpe once said to John Wesley: “I never forgive and I never forget.” To which Wesley replied: “Then, sir, I hope that you never sin.”

3.      Matthew 6.14-15

B.     Opportunity:

1.      To Be Like God –  Colossians 3.12-13; Ephesians 4.20-24

a.       Extravagant in Forgiveness

b.      Doing more than the minimum -  Rabbis – 3 times/Peter 7 times/Yeshua(Jesus) – 70 times seven or 77 times

1)      Lamech – Genesis 4.23-24

2)      Forgive beyond revenge

Mitsuo Fuchida was one of the pilots who bombed Pearl Harbor. This man took part in many of the major battles in the Pacific. He was there on the deck of the USS Missouri at the surrender ceremonies. Though defeated, he was pleased with his behavior as a pilot. After the war, though, he became disillusioned. He was surprised to learn that Japanese POWs were treated humanely—a sharp contrast to the Japanese treatment of Allied prisoners. He also learned of a woman who ministered to the Japanese prisoners. Her parents were missionaries to Japan but had been beheaded by his countrymen. She had forgiven the Japanese and met the needs of their captured soldiers. Such love led him to the Bible. He eventually became a Christian, and later an evangelist. Before his death in 1976, he led many to Christ through his preaching in Japan and the United States. Transformation started when one woman chose to forgive like Christ. (Illustration 340 in Something to Think About; edited by Raymond McHenry)

- Consider the following two words of wisdom“Whoever opts for revenge should dig two graves.” (Chinese proverb)

2.      To Appreciate Our Forgiveness

a.       We can forget

b.      Forgiving is a constant reminder

3.      To Remember that No One Has Suffered more Abuse than God

Adam & Eve; Cain & Abel; People of Noah’s day; our day (2 Peter 3.9-10)

II.                Does Forgiveness Bring Freedom or Slavery?

Old Joe was dying. For years he’d been at odds with Bill, formerly one of his best friends. Wanting to straighten things out, he sent word for Bill to come and see him.

When Bill arrived, Joe told him that he was afraid to go into eternity with such bad feelings between them. Then, very reluctantly and with great effort, Joe apologized for things he had said and done. He also assured Bill that he forgave him for his offenses.

Everything seemed fine until Bill turned to go. As he walked out of the room, Joe called out after him, “Now, just remember, if I get better, this doesn’t count.”

A.     Tendency to Hold Grudges – Hold 8 Oz. of water and see how long you are able;

1.      Unforgiving Spirit/Grudges put us into prisons/Torture (Matthew 18.34-35)

2.      May feel imprisoned by forgiving – opposite is true

3.      God offers us freedom – His way (Matthew 18.27)

B.     There is Importance in Letting Go of Grudges

1.      Not Easy – Do-able with HS

2.      Unforgiving Spirit is a subtle sin we are not always aware of

3.      Dangerous – may not cause accidents/overdoses/ but divides spouses/families/churches

4.      Letting go gives freedom

The year was 1947. It was almost two full years after the liberation of Auschwitz, as Corrie Ten Boom, a survivor of that terrible concentration camp, stepped forward in a German church to share her testimony. As she stepped forward, she prayed that God would use her words to bring about healing, forgiveness, and restoration. When she finished her message, a man stepped forward, moving his way through the crowd of people there to talk to Corrie. He looked familiar… like she’d seen him somewhere before. As she looked into his eyes, it all became crystal clear. She recognized him. She could see him in the uniform holding a whip. She remembered her sister dying a slow and painful death at his hands. The memories came flooding back to here – memories from Auschwitz and this man who had been a guard at the camp.

He spoke with his eyes looking sadly into hers. He said, “I’m a Christian now. I know that God has forgiven me, but will you forgive me?” He stretched his hand to receive hers. Corrie stood there for what must have seemed like an eternity, although it was probably only a moment or two. She knew that she needed to make a choice. Would she forgive the man at whose hand she experienced so much pain, hurt, and humiliation? Would she? Could she?

She silently prayed, “Jesus, I need your help. I can lift my hand, but you need to supply the feeling.” She slowly raised her hand, reached out to the man and took his hand in hers. As she reached out, a warm sensation filled her heart. God was indeed faithful. She said, “I forgive you, brother – with my whole heart.”

That day, former guard and former prisoner were both healed and set free from the bondage of bitterness and anger.

Conclusion

1.      Sometimes we don’t forgive because:

a.       We want to be victims – easier than standing up; gain attention; sympathy

b.      We are in control

Surrender your right to get even.

- The mother ran into the bedroom when she heard her seven-year-old son scream. She found his two-year-old sister pulling his hair. She gently released the little girl’s grip and said comfortingly to the boy, “There, there. She didn’t mean it. She doesn’t know that hurts.” He nodded his acknowledgement, and she left the room.

As she started down the hall the little girl screamed. Rushing back in, she asked, “What happened?”

The little boy replied, “She knows now.” [source: www.preachingtoday.com]

2.      We can forgive when we remember how much God has forgiven us (power of Lord’s Supper)

3.      Life-giving  Colossians 2.13-14

Please share your answer to one or two of the following:

• What is the most significant thing that has happened to you since we last met?
• How long have you ever held a grudge against someone? How did you (or will you) resolve it?
• Where did you grow up?

Study

Please read Matthew 18.21-35 and discuss the following with your group:

• In what ways do you see forgiveness as an obligation? As an opportunity?
• Why would it be a good idea to be “extravagant” in forgiveness?
• See Genesis 4.23-24 – How is Jesus using this event to teach about forgiveness? How do we generally feel about taking revenge?
• How does forgiveness bring a sense of freedom to us? How is an unforgiving spirit imprisoned?
• What are some consequences to an unforgiving attitude?
• Based on the parable Jesus taught, what is God’s forgiveness like? Ours?
• How is forgiveness life-giving to the one who forgives? How is it life-giving to the one forgiven?

Apply

• Why do you think it is hard for us to be forgiving to others? What specific things can we do to become more forgiving?
• What role does Bible study play in the forgiveness process?
• What are some reasons we may not want to forgive? How can we overcome these?
• In what ways is forgiving a threat to you? What would help you to feel less threatened?

2.      Examples of change

• Service Stations have become Gas stations or Convenient stores – once full-service; now, self-service
• Grocery stores – bag and carry to car – now Do It Yourself, even with self-checkout lanes; long ago I am told that some groceries would even allow you to call in your order and have it waiting for you when you arrived.
• Business are catching on to the idea of second mile service and are profiting from it – Chick -fil-A’s purpose statement reveals the heart of their company: “That we might glorify God by being a faithful steward in all that is entrusted to our care, and that we might have a positive influence on all the people that we might come in contact with.”

Church –  Is it Service or Serve Us?

In business for the sake of others

• Needs – Matthew 25
• Reconciling people to God – 2 Corinthians 5.17-19

3.      Luke 22.24-30

4.      God has set the pace for service – it involves:

I.                   Service Involves: Proper Motives (22.24)

A.     Disputing Reveals the Problem of Self

[Muhammad Ali – “I am the greatest!”; On one occasion Ali was flying to a fight and refused to buckle his seatbelt; the flight attendant insisted but Ali said, “Superman don’t need no seatbelt.” The attendant replied, “Superman don’t need no plane.” So he buckled.

Dispute about greatness may have involved the mother of James and John (and Yeshua’s aunt) in Matthew 20.20-21

James and John are out of focus – thinking of selves instead of Yeshua (Jesus) and their place in his mission

B.     This is a Continuous Battle – James 4.1-3

1.      We battle this even within the church

2.      We try pulling rank; push our agendas over God’s simple commission

II.                Service Involves: People Mattering

Too often I am consumed with ME like James and John – Yeshua (Jesus) shows something different

A.     The Priority of Others (Philippians 2.3-4)

1.      Danger of Burnout – Galatians 6.10

2.      Danger of Abuse – Doormats; Losing Personalities

B.     The Place of Servant Leadership

1.       The Kingdom of God is the opposite of the World’s Pattern
2.       Shepherding vs. Managing
3.       Serving as Youngest/Least – Shepherd – low in prestige

C.     One Category in Kingdom of God – Servants All

1.       There are special servants – Elders/Deacons
2.       Our calling – to be servants of Yeshua (Jesus)a.       To belong to Yeshua (Jesus) -- ⁶including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, Romans 1.6

b.      To serve righteousness -- Romans 6.17-18

Servant Identification

A businessman once asked his Bible study group, “How can you tell if you have a servant attitude?” “By the way you react when you are treated like one,” was the reply.

D.     Question – Which is Greater – Study or Serving?

1.       Study is “greatest form of worship”
2.       Study is given so we can DO the words we learn

III.             Service Involves: Portraying the Master

A.     There are Many Great Servants

1.       Biblical

• Abraham – Genesis 18
• Joseph – second to Pharaoh
• Daniel – Great in King’s Court/no negative criticisms
• Elisha – served Elijah  1 Kings 19.21

2.      Modern

I read of a wonderful example from the life of the great evangelist D.L. Moody. It seems that “ large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody’s Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But of course this was America and there were no hall servants.

Walking the dormitory halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and determined not to embarrass his guests. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but met with only silence or pious excuses. Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the world famous evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret.

When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never knew by whom. Moody told no one, but his friend told a few people, and during the rest of the conference, different men volunteered to shine the shoes in secret. [Gary Inrig. A Call to Excellence. (Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1985), p. 98]

B.     THE Servant is Yeshua (Jesus) – Luke 22.27

1.       Served all the way to the cross
2.       Served by his life – John 13.3-5; 12-17

We are called to serve –

• People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered. – Love them anyway.
• If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. – Do good anyway.
• The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. – Do good anyway.
• Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.- Be honest and frank anyway.
• The biggest men with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men with the smallest minds.- Think big anyway.
• People favor underdogs, but follow only top dogs. – Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
• What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.- Build anyway.
• Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth.- Give the world the best you have anyway.  [John R. W. Stott, The Preacher’s Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies, (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publ. Co., 1961), pp. 100ff]

I heard about a Union Meeting where the Union Representative was explaining the new Work Contract.

He said, “I have great news, Comrades. Management has agreed to lighten our work schedule!”

The crowd shouted, “Hooray!”

“And we will have a 150% pay rise.”

“Hooray!”

“We will finish work at 4 PM, not 5 PM.”

And again the crowd yelled, “Hooray!”

“We will start work at 10 AM, not 9 AM.”

“Hooray!”

“From now on, we will work only on Wednesdays.”

There was dead silence — then a voice from the back asked…

“Which ones?” (Illustration from Sermon Central)

Aren’t you glad Yeshua did not do the minimum but was willing to pay the maximum price?

Please share your response to one or two of the following:

• As a child, how did you get along with your siblings? What did you tend to argue/fight about? How did your parents handle the rivalries?
• Thinking back on your childhood, who were your best neighbors? What made them stand out to you?
• When you were growing up, who in your neighborhood or school did you have trouble getting along with? Explain.
• When do you recall your family doing a service project together?

Study

Please read Luke 22.24-30 and discuss the following:

• Why do you think change is hard for us? How is it inevitable?
• Why is serving others so hard?
• In what ways do we battle “self”?
• Why do you think the Disciples were hung up on being the greatest in the kingdom?
• How is leadership in the church the opposite of worldly leadership? What happens when the church is run like a business? When should business principles be employed in the workings of the church?
• How does Jesus exemplify servant leadership (see also John 13.1-17)? Why do you think he chose to use this demonstration? What are some by-products of servant-leadership?

Apply

• Why did you choose to attend this congregation? In what ways are you served? In what ways do you serve?
• What are some practical steps to get out of the “serve me” and into the “serve others” mode?
• What are some anonymous things you can do to stimulate the serving spirit within yourself and encourage others at the same time?

In recent days there have been a number of tremors in Oklahoma. Many people immediately thought of the end of the world as they shook in their homes. Can the earthquakes be a sign of the end?

It is evident in the Bible that earthquakes were of significance. Elijah looked for God in the earthquake, but he was not there (1 Kings 19). Ezekiel experienced a vision from God that incorporated an earthquake (see chapter 3). Amos 1 and Zechariah 14 recount a devastating earthquake in the history of Israel. Jesus warns of earthquakes in Matthew 24 and at his crucifixion the earth shook (Matthew 27:54).

God may be “sending” earthquakes or they may occur as a sample of nature’s groaning as a by-product of our disobedience (Romans 8:22). However they are coming, they certainly catch our attention and direct us to the One who is in control of all things.

Is Jesus coming soon? That would be great, but we don’t know. In the meantime, we keep our eyes fixed on him (Hebrews 12:1) and prepare for the day we WILL meet him.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

Choose one of the following to open your Group:

Favorite T-shirt

Ask attendees to bring (not wear) their favorite T-shirt to the meeting. Once all participants have arrived, ask each person to show the shirt to the group and explain how the T-shirt best resembles their personality.

Finish the Sentence:

A celebrity (living or dead) I admire is _______________ because ______________.

Study

Read Luke 18.15-17 and Discuss the Following:

• What reasons can you think of that people would bring their babies to Jesus? Does this still happen?
• Why do you think the disciples wanted to keep these babies from Jesus?
• How do you think Jesus feels about the disciples’ actions? Why?
• In what ways do you think God is “child-like”? [Examples – Creative/Wonder-filled; Sense of humor; Celebrations (parties); Teachable]
• In what ways has God given blessings to people in the Bible? What were their reactions?
• What impact can parents verbally and physically blessing their children have?
• What potentials are there in touch?

Apply

• How can you bless someone?
• How can you become more like children in walking with Jesus?
• How can you reach out to those who are neglected by the mainstream Christian?
• What is ONE quality that a child possesses you want to incorporate into your life?

[Actor, Dale Robertson told me that during WWII he would never order his men to do anything he would not do himself. When his division came across a suspected minefield he and his driver drove across it to make sure it was safe for the rest of the soldiers to cross.

Luke 18.15-17

I.                   The Place of Children – “How is God like a Child?”

A.     In church growth we know that if we reach children we reach their parents.

B.     Key Qualities Shared by God and Children:

1.      Creative – In the beginning . . .

[Kindergarteners were surveyed and asked how many thought they were talented as artists – the vast majority believed they were; by late elementary school only a few believed in their artistic abilities;

There’s a lovely story of the father and son who were driving through town together when they came upon a traffic jam. Up ahead they could see that a large semi-trailer with a high load had become wedged under a railway overpass. The father experienced only the frustration of being held up and the anxiety all the trouble they would be in when they finally made it home. His son however experienced a world of unbelievable wonder. There were police everywhere and fire trucks and a big crane. There was even a train stopped at the approach to the bridge. There were important men standing around pointing and trying to figure out how to get the truck out.

While his father was sitting in the car fuming the boy could no longer contain himself. He urged his father to get out of the car and go over and have a closer look. Urged is probable not quite the right word as the young boy opened the door and raced away his father had little choice but to follow. When the father eventually caught up with his son he found him even more excited. “I know how to get the truck out dad!” he cried out. His father tried to calm him by assuring him that there were many trained people around to solve the problem (he did note however that things were a bit light on in the action department so far.) The boy ran to an important man in a yellow hat and tried to tell him his solution but the man was more concerned for the boy’s safety and shooed him away. The young fellow persisted until he found someone who would listen – all the time dragging an exhausted dad behind him. “What do you think we should do?” asked the man. “If you want to get the truck out all you have to do is let the air out of the tires!”

2.      Wonder-filled – WOW! – It is good/very good

3.      Sense of Humor – Giraffe; Ostrich; Duck-billed Platypus

[The average child laughs 400 times a day. The average adult laughs 15 times a day.

What happens in life that makes adults lose their laughter? Do we quit laughing because we are old, or do we get old because we quit laughing?

4.      Celebrations – daily; weekly; monthly; annually

5.      Teachable – Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5.8

6.      Innocent – 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. Isaiah 53.7

II.                The Power of Blessing

A.     We Bless God for His Blessings –

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, you are very great!
You are clothed with splendor and majesty, Psalm 104.1

1.      Verbal Blessings of Yeshua (Jesus)

Regarding meals – 5000; 4000 – “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the earth.”

Passover (LS) – Bread — “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth.”

Fruit of the Vine — “Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.”

2.      There are virtually blessings for everything – 1 Thessalonians 5.17

“Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive and brought us to this special time.”

3.      God gives the good – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1.17

B.     God is the Ultimate Giver of Blessings

• Adam & Eve – Genesis 1.28
• Abraham – Genesis 12.2-3
• Isaac to His Sons – Genesis 27.4
• Jacob to his sons – Genesis 49.28
• Aaron to the Nation – Numbers 6.24-26

²⁴The LORD bless you and keep you; ²⁵the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; ²⁶the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

C.     The Blessing of Children

[Sabbath blessings to children:

The Blessing for a Daughter

May God make you as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah.

The Blessing for a Son

May God make you as Ephraim and Menashe

Over both:

May God bless you and keep you!
May God shine God’s face toward you and favor you!
May God lift up God’s face toward you and grant you shalom!

In the days of Yeshua (Jesus) and even today parents desired blessings from righteous people for their children. God is the source of all blessings. The righteous are the conduits for these blessings. This may be the reasons for healings, etc. in the first century.

This is bigger than getting a picture with a politician.

III.             The Potential of Touch

A.     Touch is Powerful

Many years ago, a King wanted to see what language children would speak if they did not hear adults talking. So, he commanded the workers in orphanages not to speak to babies and to touch them as little as possible. They were only to give the children sustenance. The result of the experiment was that most of the children died. They found out that there is more to life than food and water. Loving touch is also important.

B.     Touch Expresses the Emotions of:

• Anger to Affection
• Approval (Pat on the back)
• Acceptance (Handshake)

C.     Yeshua (Jesus) Touched:

1.      Children (insignificant)

2.      Outcasts – lepers; ill; immoral (unclean)

God tells us to become like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.

He has already shown us how to do that.

“We often learn the most from our children. Some time ago a man criticized his 3-year-old daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was tight, and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a box to put under the tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, ‘This is for you, Daddy.’

“He was embarrassed by his earlier over-reaction, but his anger flared again when he found that the box was empty. He yelled at her, ‘Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside of it?’ The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said, ‘Oh Daddy, it’s not empty. I blew kisses into the box – All for you, Daddy.’

“The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little girl, and he begged her forgiveness. He later said that he kept that gold box by his bed for years. Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

Innocence/Purity/Love

THE GODS we worship write their names on our faces, be sure of that. And a man will worship something —have no doubt about that, either. He may think that his tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of his heart—but it will out. That which dominates will determine his life and character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Worship is an important aspect to the life of God’s People:

We become like what we worship

James Michener, writing in his book, The Source, tells the story of a man named Urbaal, who, was a farmer living about 2200 B.C. He worshiped two gods, one a god of death, the other a goddess of fertility.

One day, the temple priests tell Urbaal to bring his young son to the temple for sacrifice—if he wants good crops. Urbaal obeys, and on the appointed day drags his wife and boy to the scene of the boy’s “religious execution” by fire to the god of death.

After the sacrifice of Urbaal’s boy, and several others, the priests announce that one of the fathers will spend next week in the temple, with a new temple prostitute. Urbaal’s wife is stunned as she notices a desire written more intensely across his face than she had seen before, and she is overwhelmed to see him eagerly lunge forward when his name is called.

The ceremony over, she walks out of the temple with her head swimming, concluding that “if he had different gods, he would have been a different man.”

Worship was intended to be Radical and Revolutionary in society

Micah 6.6-8

I.          Implications of Worship:

A.  Implication #1 – The COMMITMENT is to GOD, Not Self

1.         Worship works inside – out

2.         Purpose is to honor God, not get something – Health/Wealth/Heaven

Not “Let’s Make a Deal”

3.         Because this is how he treats us – We love him because he first loved us

B.   Implication #2 – CONFORM to the God of Heaven, Not the gods of the World

Too often Christians behave like the motorist at the traffic light that Jay Leno said he stopped behind. On this man’s car was bumper sticker that read “Honk if you love Jesus”

So, Leno lightly tapped the horn on his car.

At this, the man rolled down his window, stuck his head out and yelled back: “The light’s still red, you moron!”

1.         Transformation – Romans 12.1-2

2.         Become like Jesus – 2 Corinthians 3.17-18 ¹⁷ Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. ¹⁸ And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

3.         More than rule-keeping to appease an angry God – it is a transformation process

A missionary in India was once teaching the Bible to a group of Hindu ladies. Halfway through the lesson, one of the women got up and walked out. A short time later, she came back and listened more intently than ever. At the close of the hour the leader inquired, “Why did you leave the meeting? Weren’t you interested?” “O yes,” the Hindu lady replied. “I was so impressed with what you had to say about Christ that I went out to ask your driver whether you really lived the way you talked. When he said you did, I hurried back so I wouldn’t miss out on anything.”

God’s Concern: Isaiah 1.10-17

II. Imitations to Consider:

A.     God is the Ultimate One to Imitate – You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 13.4

¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. ²And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5.1-2

One Sunday as they drove home from church, a little girl turned to her mother & said, “Mommy, there’s something about the preacher’s message this morning that I don’t understand.”

The mother said, “Oh? What is it?” The little girl replied, “Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. He said God is so big that He could hold the world in His hand. Is that true?” The mother replied, “Yes, that’s true, honey.”

“But Mommy, he also said that God comes to live inside of us when we accept Jesus as our Savior. Is that true, too?” Again, the mother assured the little girl that what the preacher had said was true. With a puzzled look on her face the little girl then asked, “If God is bigger than us & He lives in us, wouldn’t He show through?”

Be People of Holiness – Leviticus 11.44-45

Compassionate:

Clothed the Naked – Genesis 3.21

Visited the Sick – Genesis 18.1

Comforts the Mourner – ¹¹After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi. Genesis 25.11

Buried the Dead – Deuteronomy 34.6

For Us:

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. ³²Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. ³⁴Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ ³⁷Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? ³⁸And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ³⁹And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ ⁴⁰And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ Matthew 25.31-40

B.     God’s Son Provides the Perfect Example to Imitate – Colossians 1.15

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Servant – John 13.12-17

The Kingdom of God is Upside Down from the world in which we live

Healed the sick/raised the dead

Sacrificial Spirit – Other-centered

Humble Heart

Obedient Attitude

C.     God’s Servants Are for Imitation

1.      Biblical Heroes – Hebrews 11

2.      NT – Leaders – I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 1 Corinthians 4.16

3.      Our Leaders – Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13.7

D.     We Become the Model for Someone

“In 1926, a wealthy Toronto lawyer named Charles Vance Millar died; leaving behind him a will that amused and electrified the citizens of his Canadian province. Millar, a bachelor with a wicked sense of humor, stated clearly that he intended his last will and testament to be an “uncommon and capricious” document. Because he had no close heirs to inherit his fortune, he divided his money and properties in a way that amused him and aggravated his newly chosen heirs. Here are just a few examples of his strange bequests:

“He left shares in the Ontario Jockey Club to two prominent men who were well known for their opposition to racetrack betting.

“He bequeathed shares in the O’Keefe Brewery Company (a Catholic beer manufacturer) to every Protestant minister in Toronto.

“But his most famous bequest was that he would leave the bulk of his fortune to the Toronto woman who gave birth to the most children in the ten years after his death.

“This clause in his will caught the public imagination. The country was entering the Great Depression. As people struggled to meet even their most basic economic responsibilities, the prospect of an enormous windfall was naturally quite alluring. Newspaper reporters scoured the public records to find likely contenders for what became known as The Great Stork Derby. Nationwide excitement over the Stork Derby built quickly.

“In 1936, four mothers, proud producers of nine children apiece in a ten year time span, divided up the Charles Millar’s bequest, each receiving what was a staggering sum in those days – $125,000.” (From Sermon Central sermon by Joanna Beveridge) – Did they love kids or money?

Open

Leaders – Please lead one of the following exercises with your Group:

My Name Is

Go around the group and ask each person to state his/her name and attach an adjective that not only describes a dominant characteristic, but also starts with the same letter of his name e.g. generous Graham, dynamic Dave. Write them down and refer to them by this for the rest of the evening.

Word Link

This is a word association game. Ask the group to sit in a circle. The first person starts with any word they wish i.e. red. The next person repeats the first word and adds another word which links to the first i.e. tomato. The next person repeats the previous word and add another word link i.e. soup, and so on. To keep this moving, only allow five seconds for each word link.

Study

Read Micah 6.6-8 and discuss the following with your Group

1. Which do you think matters more to God: Making financial sacrifices or having a good attitude?
2. Why do you think God is so concerned with our inner person?
3. When you think about who God is, what descriptive words come to mind?
4. How do you think our worship is connected to our activities outside the worship services? (see also Matthew 25.31ff)
5. How do you think we can better allow God to “show through” in our lives?

Apply

1. What things about God do you want to imitate in your life? How do you think you can achieve this?
2. How does Jesus typify these things for you?
3. Do you think it is good to have heroes?
4. How do other Christians impact you?
5. In what ways are you impacting others by the life you are living? Are you helping people get closer to God or are you leading them away from him?

Try this little experiment. When you are in a group of your peers, praise an individual who is not among you. Pick out a virtue of this person and brag on him or her to the others. In many (maybe most) cases you will hear something like, “Yeah but . . .” and then the speaker will begin to tear down the individual by pointing out flaws.

The trouble is, we are all flawed. Sin and our sinful tendencies have distorted the image of God in our lives. This is where God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the scriptures come in.

The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39).This includes praising others as we would want to be praised. This would mean protecting the integrity of others as we would want to be protected.

This is not that easy. It takes appreciation for: God’s love for us (by the way, God loves YOU immensely – he told me so in John 3:16); the gift of Jesus – not just on the cross but in showing us how to live out the instructions of God; the Holy Spirit who empowers our lives to follow his inspired scriptures. It comes when we are able to treat others the way God has treated us.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

In ancient times, rabbis said, “When two sit together and exchange words of torah, then the divine presence is among them.” Hear it from Jesus’ perspective: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).

One of the purest forms of worship is study. When we sing or pray, we give God our words. When we study, we receive God’s words. What a great privilege it is to hear, understand, and do the words of God!

It is important to have friends to encourage us along the way. We understand the value of relationships between friends. The wise man said, “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17a). But we also have the need to be to become more like Jesus. Again, the writer of Proverbs declares, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

We all need people who will challenge, encourage, and hold us accountable to be better people tomorrow than we are today. We know we need to be godly people. We know we need to be like Jesus and “go about doing good.” Yet how often do good intentions come and go with no results?

I want to encourage you to find friends who will be supportive and challenging to your spiritual life. The disciples did that for each other. We need it, too.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

The counselor told him that he needed to build his self-esteem and that this would take time. Then the counselor gave him a book on assertiveness. He was so desperate to change things that he read the whole book on the way home.

Determined to be a victim no more, he stormed into the house and walked up to his wife. Pointing a finger in her face, he said, “From now on, I want you to know that I am the man of this house, and my word is law!

“I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and to finish the meal with a fabulous baked dessert.

“Then, after dinner, you’re going to draw me my bath so I can relax.

And when I’m finished with my bath, guess who’s going to dress me and comb my hair?”

“The funeral director,” said his wife.

Sometimes we get caught up in a battle of self-esteem and the condescension to others.

Yeshua (Jesus) told a story about two men who had self-esteem issues as they approached God

Luke 18.9-14

Two men with things in common and things uncommon:

I.  They Shared a Worship Experience

Francois Fenelon was the court clergy for King Louis XIV of France in the 17^th century. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the preacher. King Louis demanded, “What does this mean?” Fenelon replied, “I had published that you would not come to church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who flatters the king.”

A.     Both were created in the image of God

B.     Both were sinners and in Need of God

C.     Both were Jews – chosen people – entrusted with words of God; chosen to bring the LIGHT to the world

D.     Both worshiped the Same God in the Same Place at the Same Time

•          Going UP to worship – Psalms of Ascent 120-134
•          In the Temple
•          9 AM and 3 PM
•          The God of their Fathers – the call of Abraham – Exodus – Feasts
•          They Gather in a Court in the Temple (Women/Israelites)
•          The Service draws to a climax with singing and instruments; Levitical Choir; chanting Psalms
•          Everyone stands in awe of God
•          Priest takes a lamb – stands with a knife – silence – trumpet blows and the priest cuts the throat of the lamb – catches the blood – takes to the the altar along with pieces of the lamb – burns the meat and sprinkles blood on the altar
•          In essence the priest, by his actions, says, “God, keep your promise that in mercy you will forgive our sins.”
•          This is a picture of the way to God being opened by the blood of the lamb
•          Priest moves from altar to the front of the MHP – stood before altar of incense with a bowl of 21 types of incense and began praying, “God hear us.”
•          As the smoke goes up, the people (standing) begin to verbally pray personal prayers and there is a rumbling of voices – incense is the symbol of prayer and the way has been opened
  •    What if we stood and verbally prayed personal prayers?
  •    It would seem to us like chaos – but God hears each of us!
•          Typically Pharisees were well-respected as teachers of Torah
•          He Uses “I” 4 times in 2 verses

E.     Both incorporated the Same Actions into their Worship – with Different Results

II.                 The Shared Experience Produced a Different Outcome

A.     The Pharisee is Self-Centered

Robert Morley said, “To fall in love with yourself is the first secret of happiness. Then if you’re not a good mixer you can always fall back on your own company.” This fellow enjoys his own company, as a matter of fact, he enjoys it so much that he is praying to himself.

•          He Stands alone – to be seen
•          He Prays with Himself
•          He Exalts Himself
  •    He thinks his external actions produced righteous status
  •    He thinks he has the right to condemn and criticize others
  •    He forgot the gracious nature of God and his condition without it
•          Tax Collectors were NOT respected – resented
•          He Displayed Humility –
  •    Standing away from the crowd
  •    Asks for Mercy/atonement – “Let it be for me.”
  •    For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human 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. Hebrews 2.17

B.     The Tax Collector is God-Centered

•          Beats on his chest as he asks for forgiveness
  •    Usually only women would do such a thing
  •    Happened at the cross – Luke 23.48

And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts.

•          He Got it Right
  •    He saw himself lacking – went to the temple – judged self, not others
  •    He worshiped in externals because of his relationship to God and place in the community of faith
  •    He went home justified Psalm 34.18 – The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
    and saves the crushed in spirit.

Our Context

What if we were preparing for the Lord’s Supper one Sunday morning and in walked one of these and asked for us to help them have a relationship with God?

• Tattooed person
• Homosexuals
• Immoral Heterosexuals
• Bikers
• Town Drunk
• ETC.

What if some great church personality walked into our assembly expecting some great fanfare?

•          What would we do? – Would we be accepting of the sinner who wanted to repent?
•         Would we be dazzled by the church personality in spite of his arrogance?

     At the height of a political corruption trial, the prosecuting attorney attacked a witness.  “Isn’t it true,” he bellowed, “that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?”  The witness stared out the window, as though he hadn’t heard the question.

     “Isn’t it true that you accepted five thousand dollars to compromise this case?” the lawyer repeated.  The witness still did not respond.

     Finally, the judge leaned over and said, “Sir, please answer the question.”

     “Oh,” the startled witness said, “I thought he was talking to you.”

It’s easy to listen to a sermon thinking, “Boy, I sure hope so-and-so is listening to this one!” It is crucial, though, that we listen to all messages that come from the word of God with the thought, “What does this have to say to me?” because only when I make personal application can I learn and grow.

“Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite!  First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”   (Matthew 7:3-5)

Please share your response to one of the following:

• When you were in school, what did it take to be “in”? “Out”?
• Who is the “greatest” person you have met? What made that person great?

Study

Please read Luke 18.9-14 and discuss the following:

• In what ways did these men have a similar worship experience?
• In what ways was it different?
• What was the significance of the animal sacrifice to the Jews?
• Where does prayer fit into the scene? What do you think the people prayed about?
• How were the Pharisee and Tax Collector different in their approach to God?
• In what ways do you think this parable was a “surprise” to Jesus’ hearers?
• Why do you think God applauds humility?

Apply

• It is easy to hear lessons and think that someone else needs to hear them. Maybe that is true, but how does this parable impact YOU?
• How would you respond if a person who was very different from you (in appearance; lifestyle; religious belief; political philosophy; etc.) wanted to become a member of our church?
• When have you been like the Pharisee in your approach to God?
• When have you been like the Tax Collector?

At the end of the service when the invitation was given, her husband went forward. He decided to become a follower of Jesus and was baptized (Acts 2.38; Romans 6.1-4; Galatians 3.27). She was shocked and thrilled!

She asked him what made him decide to become a disciple of Jesus after such a sermon. He responded that in the list all but one of the people died. He realized that he, too would die so he needed to prepare himself to meet God.

Recently Steve Jobs, founder of Apple Computers, passed away. I know nothing of his beliefs about God but I do know that unless Jesus tarries we will also pass from this life into eternity. Regardless of our level of financial success we will die. We have that promise (Hebrews 9.27). What we do between now and then is of paramount importance!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

This is exactly how God’s people deal with the future events of life. We are not able to see what is coming, but we can see where we have been. We trust Jesus to direct our “boats.” He will avoid the dangerous waters and keep us headed in the right direction.

Some of the Psalms, such as the 105^th recount the nation’s story in its walk with God. Stephen recounted the story in Acts 7 just before the enemies of the cross killed him.

One of the benefits in retelling the story is that we can remember what God has done for us in the past. If he took care of us then, will he take care of us now? Faith says that he will. It is the assurance of things hoped for and evidence of the unseen (Hebrews 11.1).

Is your faith wavering? Do you have doubts? Get in the boat! Let Jesus guide your life, knowing that he is faithful to his people as he directs their lives.

Keep The Light Burning!

 Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

Please share your responses to one of the following:

1. How do you feel when you are in a crowd?
2. What three things in your life would you like to send to the recycle bin?

Study

Please read Luke 8.42-48 and discuss:

1. What do you think is significant about the woman’s issue of blood? How has it affected her Socially?; Financially?; Ceremonially?; Emotionally?; Spiritually?
2. What connection do you think there is with the fact that Jairus’ daughter was 12 and the woman had the issue of blood 12 years?
3. What is the role of faith in this story?
4. Why do you think she grabbed the “Tzizit” (fringes) of Jesus’ Tallit (Prayer Shawl/outer garment)? What things was she aware of? (see also Malachi 4.1-3)
5. Why do you think Jesus asked who had touched (literally held on to) him?
6. Do you think she was a “righteous” person? Why or why not?

Apply

1. When are the times you have felt desperate? What role did your faith play in those times?
2. Have you ever been too frightened to bring a problem to God?
3. How does God see our issues?
4. What are some ways you have expressed faith?

I.                 The Sequence of a Woman’s Healing

According to one recent survey 74 % of U.S. doctors believe divine miracles of healing have occurred, and 73% believe they can still occur today. Amazingly, 55% say they had personally seen medical results in patients that they could describe only as miracles. (survey conducted by HCD Research and the Louis Finkelstein Institute for Religious and Social Studies at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City)

Yeshua (Jesus) was known for his miracles as well as his teachings

The Woman’s Illness Produced:

A.     A Physical Issue of Blood Loss

1.      Duration – 12 Years (same as the age of Jairus’ daughter)
2.      Expensive – She spent her money on doctors – no more options

The Talmud (which is the written record of Jewish oral traditions) tells us that there were 11 different “medical” treatments for an issue of blood. For example:

• · “Take of the gum of Alexandria the weight of a small silver coin; of alum the same; of crocus the same. Let them be bruised together, and given in wine to the woman that has the issue of blood.”
• · “If this does not benefit take three pints of Persian onions; boil them in wine, and give her to drink, and say, ‘Arise from thy flux.’”
• · “If this does not cure her, set her in a place where two ways meet, and let her hold a cup of wine in her right hand, and let someone come behind and frighten her, and say, ’Arise from thy flux.’”

Additional “cures” included carrying the ashes of an ostrich egg in a linen bag in summer and in a cotton bag in winter. Or to carry around a barley corn that was found in dung of white female donkey.

One scholar lists common remedies of that day to include eating grasshopper eggs, carrying around the tooth of a fox, or the fingernail of a person who has been hanged!

Common remedies included cutting and burning of the infected area.

3.      Yeshua (Jesus) healed her physical issue

B.     A Spiritual Issue of Uncleanness — Isolation

In those days of the Old Testament, a woman who had an “issue of blood” was unclean. Anything she touched during that time was unclean. She wasn’t allowed to touch or be touched.

1.      Spiritually Unclean – 12 years

Jason Frazier put it this way: “for 12 years, she was considered unclean and could not be touched by a clean person. She could not go to the assemblies, synagogues, or ceremonies.

•         It has been 12 years since she had enjoyed Passover or Sabbath services.
•         It had been 12 years since she had been able to stand before the High Priest to have her sins forgiven on Yom Kippur.
•          For 12 years, she bore the emotional and psychological baggage of

•         being unclean and untouchable
•         no hugs, kisses, or any type of intimacy with a husband (if she had one)
•         She could not prepare her family’s food (if she even had one)
•         she could not do housework;
•         she couldn’t be a wife;
•         she couldn’t be a mommy;
•          She had sat in an isolated house for 12 years staring at the walls.
• For all intents and purpose, she was as good as dead.

2.      Yeshua (Jesus) Cleansed her

a.       She was desperate and took risks

A young man once lost his job, and growing somewhat desperate about his plight, went to see an old preacher that he knew. As he poured out his heart to the preacher he angrily declared “I’ve begged and begged God to say something to help me, preacher. Why doesn’t God answer?”

The old preacher, who was sitting across the room, spoke a reply so quiet the young man was unable to make it out. The young man stepped across the room. “What did you say?” he asked. The preacher repeated himself, again in a soft tone. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher’s chair. “Sorry,” he said. “I still didn’t hear you.” With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. “God sometimes whispers,” he said, “So we will move closer to hear him.”

b.       She risked being in a crowd (unclean)

c.      She risked touching Yeshua (Jesus) – “Who touched me?” [Literally. “Who held on to me?”]

d.       He announced the healing and her new cleanness – she was now touchable again – “resurrected” – just as he would do for Jairus’ daughter

II.                The Source of a Woman’s Healing – Yeshua (Jesus)

A.     Some Things We Know:

1.      Son of God

2.      Messiah

3.      Miracle-worker

4.      Great Rabbi

B.     Some Things She Knew (Malachi 4.1-3)

¹ “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. ²But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. ³And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the LORD of hosts.

1.      Sun of Righteousness – Messianic term – Healing/Judgment

2.      “Healing in His Wings” –

a.       Sun Rays Spreading from Sky to Earth – Light/Warmth – essential for life

b.      Light of God is Greater than the Darkness below

c.       Tallit: God = sum of his commands

d.      Fringes – 39 windings; 39 diseases; 39 stripes; — Isaiah 53.5/1 Peter 2.24

But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed. 

e.       Corners/Wings

3.      Judgment – Burning Up the Unrighteous

a.       “Immanuel” – God with Us – Good Or Bad (depending on relationship to God – Right one or unrighteous one)

b.      Her FAITH made her whole – she had faith in Messiah; she was not burned up but acclaimed – she was a righteous person

4.      Others knew about the Fringes, too – Matthew 14.34-36

³⁴ And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. ³⁵And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick ³⁶and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Conclusion

There is a story about a 6’10″ Texan who walked up to the counter at McDonalds, slammed down his big fist, & said to the girl behind the counter, “I want half a Big Mac.” She said, “What?” He said, “I want half a Big Mac & I want it now.”

Not being sure what to do, she said, “Excuse me for a minute.” And she headed back to her manager without realizing that the man was following right behind her.

She got back to the manager & said, “There’s a big klutz out there who is dumber than lead & he has ordered half a Big Mac.” And just about that moment she suddenly realized that he was standing behind her. Quickly she added, “And this gentleman wants the other half.”

Sometimes you may have to think fast, & what you say is important. But how you say it can be even more important.

While this woman did not have a quick comeback to say when Yeshua (Jesus) asked who had touched him, she did act quickly in reaching out to him.

Sometimes Desperate times require Desperate measures

Some Practical Observations:

1.      Faith Cannot Remain Anonymous
2.      Faith Must Be Expressed
3.      Faith Is Rewarded (Hebrews 11.6)
4.      Faith is Directed at the Sun of Righteousness – Son of God
5.      Faith Sometimes Acts out of Desperation

There is a war going on within our country right now that has nothing to do with the terrorist threat or foreign invasion. It is a war between right and wrong/truth and lies/godliness and ungodliness

We have gone from:

• Kids having fistfights at the bike rack to drive by shootings in the neighborhood
• School searches for chewing gum to searches for weapons
• Mayberry to Brokeback Mountain

John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

 Sweden (2005)

A Swedish appeals court has overturned the “hate crimes” conviction of a Pentecostal pastor who preached a sermon on homosexuality.

“It’s one thing to arrest someone; it’s quite another to arrest someone’s conscience,” said ADF Senior Counsel Glen Lavy. “This pastor had no desire whatsoever to incite hatred against those who participate in homosexual behavior. He was merely stating his views on the morality of such behavior. That should not be a crime.”

The pastor, Ake Green, received a one-month jail sentence last year under a Swedish “hate crimes” law that forbids criticism of those who participate in homosexual behavior. But Friday the Goeta Appeals Court found no fault with Green.

“Nothing indicates the pastor used his position as a preacher as a cover for attacking homosexuals,” the court said in its opinion, concluding that Ake’s speech resulted from “the Bible’s categorical condemnation of homosexual relations as a sin.”

That kind of thing could never happen in America! Or can it?

Wichita, KS (2009)

City of Wichita officials have agreed to a consent order from a federal court that concludes that police violated the constitutional rights of a pastor when they arrested him as he prepared to peacefully express his Christian beliefs on a public sidewalk. Pastor Mark Holick is represented by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund.

“Christians shouldn’t be penalized for expressing their beliefs,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. “We are pleased city of Wichita officials will now ensure that Pastor Holick is free to exercise his First Amendment rights in public without fear of arrest.”

Holick was arrested June 24, 2007, while attempting to peacefully express his faith on a public sidewalk with other members of his church outside of an event celebrating homosexual behavior. Holick, who notified police of the group’s plans a week before the event, was confronted by eight to 10 officers, who informed him that he would be arrested if he did not leave the public sidewalk. They charged him with trespassing and arrested him after he refused to move to a private parking lot across the street. The charges were later dismissed.

“The actions of the police were based solely on the perceived content of our Christian speech and beliefs,” said Holick. “They arrested me before I even had a chance to speak.”

San Juan Capistrano, CA – 2011

Chuck and Stephanie Fromm were fined $300 and ordered to stop holding a regular Bible study at their home. The meeting violates a city ordinance as a “church” and not as a private gathering, they were told. They also face additional charges of $500 per meeting for any further “religious gatherings” in their home, according to the Pacific Justice Institute, which is representing the couple in a legal fight to get the city’s decision overturned.

San Diego, CA 2009

In San Diego, county officials have reneged on their demand that a preacher and his wife discontinue weekly Bible studies in their home until they obtain a Major Use Permit, a process that costs tens of thousands of dollars.

According to news reports out of San Diego, Pastor David Jones and his wife Mary were interrogated by a county official and then threatened with increasing fines if they continued holding their Tuesday night Bible studies. The studies regularly drew about 15 people.

What will we do about it?

I.                   It has ALWAYS been the Job of God’s People to Contend with Ungodly Culture

Examples:

• Noah
• Moses with Pharaoh
• Jonah and Nineveh
• Elijah and Ahab
• Nathan and David
• Isaiah – Counselor to 4 Kings
• Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar
• John the Immerser and Herod
• Jesus

A Charge – Ezekiel 33.2-9

America‘s Foundation

John Adams Letter to Hezekiah Niles, 1818

We have UNALIENABLE Rights based on Scripture

• No President/Congress/Supreme Court/Dictator gives us these rights – only God

II.                   Practical Actions:

#1 – Prepare – Educate Ourselves to Current Events

²Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs, and all their kinsmen under their command.  1 Chronicles 12.32

[Connecticut’s Education Laws – Know Bible – Know Laws of Land

Learn the Constitution – no Department of Education; EPA; etc.

#2 – Practice Your Faith Every Day

Talk about Yeshua – Deuteronomy 6

It won’t be easy/comfortable

#3 – Participate in the Process

Vote

Pressure our REPRESENTATIVES in OKC and DC

•  John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
• We get wrapped up in talking about Heaven and that this world is unimportant
• We are stewards of God’s gifts – Yeshua/FREEDOM/Unalienable Rights/Freedom
• 85% of all mission work originates in US – what happens if/when we can’t openly practice our faith?
• “My kingdom is not of this world” does not mean it is not IN this world – its origin was before this world; it continues in this world; and will eternally exist in the world to come. We need to support its principles NOW as well as in heaven.

#4 – PRAY Diligently

¹⁴if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7.14

Note the conditions

Note the promises

Pray for the help of God

Pray for a Great Awakening

Good News – I read the last chapter – Yeshua wins – we do, too.

• What about “honoring Caesar”?
• In US – elected officials are not our rulers they are our representatives – WE THE PEOPLE are Caesar

The Bible and the Constitution:

• Three Branches of Government – Isaiah 33.22
• President as Citizen – Deuteronomy 17.15
• Not Above the Law, i.e., Treason (A-2; S-4) – Deuteronomy 17.18-19
• Representative form of Government (A-4; S-4) – Exodus 18.21

• How do you respond when you realize someone has “pulled the wool over your eyes”?
• What is your better means of motivation – the “carrot” or the “stick”?

Study

Please read 2 Chronicles 7.11-22 verses and discuss with your Group.

1. Why do you think God appears to Solomon in dreams? (see also 2 Chronicles 1.7ff)
2. How does he motivate Solomon?
3. What is the original situation for verse 14?
4. What are the promises to Solomon? What are the conditions to the promises?
5. Why do you think God makes his promises conditional?
6. Are God’s warnings harsh to you? Why?
7. What is the significance of verse 18?

Apply

• Although the initial intent of verse 14 was to Israel, how may we apply it?
• Contrary to modern history books, America was established on Biblical principles. How do you see our country’s alignment to the scriptures today?
• If you were the “Monarch of America,” what would you do to fix our problems (short answers, please).
• If we honor God as a nation, what will he do for us? What if we don’t?
• What are things YOU can do to help America get back on track?

Please share your response to one of the following:

• As a high school student what did you do in your spare time? (Sports, student government, band, scouts, etc.)
•  
• Outside of your family, where would you say your personality, who you are today, was shaped?

• Junior high school
• High school
• Church
• Club or Organization
• College First Job

Study

Please read the following passages and share your responses to the following questions:

Matthew 22.34-40

• In what ways does this passage simplify our walk with God?
• Why do you think we try to complicate our faith?
• What happens to people when we make things harder than God intended?

Exodus 17.12-13

• What is the symbolism in this passage?
• Who do you think the Amalekites represent?
• What is significant about Moses’ hands?
• What is exemplified by Aaron and Hur? Joshua? His army?
• How does the steadiness of Moses’ hands represent our faith?

Deuteronomy 7.6-12

• What do you think is significant about the “steadiness/faithfulness” of God to us?
• What mutual obligations do we have?

Apply

• How would you say you are “chosen” by God? How is this similar to Israel? What obligations come with it?
• When you feel like wavering from God, what do you do to steady yourself?
• What battle has God won (or is winning) in your life lately?

Do you see ANY problems with this? Has the city of San Juan Capistrano overstepped its bounds? Are the people of the community restricted from practicing freedom of religion? Where does the Constitution limit Christian activity to a church building? If this is an issue of frequency or the size of the crowd, should that not be the regulation rather than restricting a “religious” organization? “At the same time that our government is singling out homosexual groups for special protection (under the guise of civil rights) it is also singling out religious groups for special discrimination!

Isn’t it interesting that when the church began, people met in public places like the temple in Jerusalem as well as in houses (Acts 2:46)? In addition to eating meals together, they taught the bible in homes (Acts 20:20). Those early believers treated their homes as “small temples” in which they would honor God with worship, prayer, and study.

Have you ever heard people say, “That could never happen in America (or Oklahoma)? Well, it IS happening in America. What is to prevent such governmental actions in our state or other parts of the country?

The answer is – WE THE PEOPLE. We are the keys to stopping unconstitutional government activities. We must let our voices be heard in our Capitols, both state and federal. We must demand Constitutional compliance. If we do not, Christian silence will have no voice.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

⁶ “With what shall I come before the LORD,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
⁷ Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
⁸He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6.6-8

³⁴ But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. ³⁵ And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” ³⁷And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ³⁸This is the great and first commandment. ³⁹And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22.34-40

I.       God Demonstrates His Faithfulness, Not Just His Forgiveness

 A.     In Words:

Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.”

1 Corinthians 1:9, “God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”

1 Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”

 B.     In Actions

Giving Abraham his descendants – stars/sand

Psalm 89:5, “The heavens praise your wonders, O LORD, your faithfulness too…”

Giving them the Land

Bringing the Messiah through them

Psalm 36:5, “Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.”

II.    God Desires Our Faithfulness, not Our Flash!

 A.     God is interested in the marathon, not the sprint

“Slow and steady wins the race”

1.      Abraham was a great example of faithfulness for the long-haul – Romans 4.3; Galatians 3.6; James 2.23 All three are Quoting Genesis 15.6 — ⁶And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness. (Covenant for Abraham’s descendants)

2.      Moses is an example of faithfulness for the long-haul – Exodus 17.12-13

¹²But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady (faithful) until the going down of the sun. ¹³And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword.

a.       “Faith” involves belief

b.      Faith involves Steadiness – emunah is used in either place

c.       Often we are tempted to do some “big thing” for God and then rest on our laurels

I built an ark

I killed a giant

I gave money

I built a sanctuary for God

I taught classes

I preached sermons

I visited the sick

 B.     God is interested in Availability more than Ability – Parable of Talents (Matthew 25.14ff)

A talent was a large sum of money – comparable to about $500,000 today

The Master was more interested in the effort than the results – 5 and 2 talent men received the same commendation; the 1 talent man a rebuke

‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’

²⁶But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant!

Also a reminder of the unexpected return of the Messiah

Stewardship and accountability

Invest in what we have been given by God – source of all good gifts

Conclusion

In spite of our near-sightedness God still stands by us and works with us.

God is faithful/steady (emunah) in working with us – Deuteronomy 7.6-12

⁶“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. ⁷It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, ⁸but it is because the LORD loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. ⁹Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful (emunah/steady) God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations, ¹⁰and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. ¹¹ You shall therefore be careful to do the commandment and the statutes and the rules that I command you today. ¹² “And because you listen to these rules and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers.

God desires our faithful steadiness – believing and doing

Please share one of the following with your Group:

• Do you prefer to buy clothes at – a garage sale or a Macy’s? Why?
• What is the greatest act of generosity you have ever seen? What made t so?
• In Dickens’ “Christmas Carol,” which Scrooge do you identify with – the miser or the one who shared?

Study

Please read Matthew 6.19-24 and discuss the following

• Why do you think the eyes are significant in Jesus’ statements here?
• Why would God describe generosity as the “good” eye? Stinginess as the “evil” eye?
• In what ways does the evil eye “see” itself?
• What is the connection between treasure and heart? Where do our eyes fit in?
• How does our choice of treasures affect our actions?
• How do our actions now produce rewards in the world to come? Why is this not about salvation?

Apply

• How do our eyes affect our actions?
• How does thinking as God thinks impact how and what we see and do?
• How can we cultivate an attitude that emphasizes others?
• What role does thanksgiving play?

Matthew 6.22-23

1. Context of Money – 6.19-21
2. Dealing with attitude – 6.24ff

Consider:

I. The Role of the Eyes

A. Good Actions Can Begin with the Eyes –

1. Serving – Matthew 25.44

2. Sharing – John 4.35

3. Avoiding Problems – Lot’s Wife

B. Evil Actions Can Begin with Eyes

1. Garden of Eden – Eve saw that the tree was good for food/delight to eyes (Genesis 3.6)

2. “Thou shalt not covet. . . “

3. GREEK PROVERB: “As rust corrupts iron, so envy corrupts man”

4. “What causes wars, and what causes fights among you? Is it not your passions that are at war in your members? You desire and do not have; so you kill. And you covet and cannot obtain; so you fight and wage war. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James 4:1-3

II. The Right Eye – “Good Eye” – Idiom is Generous (could be Good/Sound/Single)

A. Eye Errors

1. New Age – Single/Third Eye for meditation

2. Neurological/Health Issues

3. A Matter of Focus or Priorities

B. The Idiom Describes How We Are to See Others (graciously/generously)

1. Perceiving and Responding to Needs

2. Generous attitude – Good Samaritan

3.      ⁷ As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10.7-8

III. The Wrong Eye – Evil Eye – Stingy

A. Warnings Against Self-Centeredness –

³Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2.3-4

Generous Landowner — ¹⁵Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Matthew 20.15

A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth; And does not know that want will come upon him. Proverbs 28.22 (NASB)

⁶Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy (has an evil eye, literally); do not desire his delicacies, ⁷for he is like one who is inwardly calculating.“Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. Proverbs 23.6-7

B. Evil Eye is Full of Darkness –

1. Can’t see others as God sees them

2. God makes rain and sun on evil and good – us?

How Can I Gain/Maintain the Good Eye?

1. Learn to think as God thinks – ⁴Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Philippians 2.4-5

2. Have an “Others” Attitude

3. Realize Actions in this world produce rewards in the world to come – Matthew 6.19-21; Matthew 25.44ff

4. Practice Thanksgiving

5. Learn Contentment

People go to Vegas or play the Lottery in an effort to win large sums of money. What are the odds?

Believe it or not, there is a biblical application. Imagine the odds of the accuracy of the Bible if it was not inspired by God. Sixty-six books were written by about forty men over hundreds of years. Yet, the storyline remains intact. Here is a challenge for the skeptics. Go to the library and pull any sixty-six books written by at least forty people over a period of 1500 years. Do they match? Do the stories harmonize?

Here are some more things to consider. What are the odds of the following:

• That Micah could predict the exact location of the Messiah’s birth 700 years in advance?
• 1000 years before Jesus David predicted his betrayal by a friend?
• Six centuries before, Zechariah predicted that he would be sold for thirty pieces of silver?
• In the eighth century before his coming, Isaiah foretold that the Messiah would be born of a virgin?

I am sure you get the point. The coming of Jesus into the world and fulfilling ancient prophecy was no accident. It is not by chance that He is the King of Kings!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

1. Memorable Events in US History: 7.4.1776; 3.6.1836; 12.7.1941; VE/VJ Day; JFK; RFK; MLK; Challenger; 9.11.01

Reminders of conflict with cultures

Reminder of a greater battle going on – good vs. evil

2. Relive those events – TV coverage

3. Emergency 911 Phone Call

4. What do you do when something happens that is beyond your control? What do you do when you stand by watching, wanting to help but completely helpless to correct the situation. Panic has set in as you try to figure out what to do. And then you think of it “Of course” you dial 911 and ask for help.

5. Key 911 verses in times of need:

I. Faith Over Fear (14.26-27; 30-31)

A. The sin-cursed world affects all of us – Ecclesiastes 9.11

Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.

1. Fear is our natural response

2. No answers in fear, only doubt and confusion

B. Faith is the supernatural/spiritual response

1. Faith may appear to be illogical

2. Faith’s origin is God – Romans 10.17

3. Faith’s Response – John 9.11

He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed and received my sight.”

II. Prayer Over Panic

A. Prayer is the Right Action (Matthew 14.28; 30)

B. Prayer is the Reminder of God’s Power and Will

1. The Natural Man Panics the Spiritual Man Prays – Nehemiah 9.11

And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters.

2. Shadow of God = Safety/Relief/Shade/Adversary can’t penetrate – Psalm 91.1

¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

3. There is power in giving thanks – 2 Corinthians 9.11

You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

III. Respond To Over Running From (Matthew 14.33)

A. Do What Needs to be Done

1. Trust in Yeshua – ¹¹And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” Matthew 9.11

2. Worship God in all Circumstances – ¹¹Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds! ¹¹Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
Tell among the peoples his deeds! Psalm 9.11

B. Do What Needs to be Done in Spite of Circumstances (Matthew 9.11 – above)

1. Spiritual Armor (Ephesians 6) – protects the front

2. Soldiers fought back to back – we protect each other’s back

Chinese saying: “True Gold is not afraid of fire”

Gold is:

Expensive – Investment

Coveted – Competed for

High Melting Point – 1945 Degrees F

Almost all the gold that has been mined = the amount of gold in history

Almost indestructible – Jewelry – never rusts or tarnishes

God purifies NATIONS and PEOPLE with fire

⁶In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1.6-7

¹⁸I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Revelation 3.18

Remember 911

• Faith Over Fear
• Prayer Over Panic
• Respond TO Over Running Away

Open

Please discuss one of the following with your Group:

• Where were you when you heard the news of 9.11.01?
• What would you say was your most daring adventure?
• When you are afraid, where do you go?

Study

Please read Matthew 14.22-33 and discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to walk on the water to the disciples (rather than choosing another way)?
2. If you had been in the boat with the disciples and seen someone walking on water, what would you have said?
3. How do you think Jesus’ words calmed the disciples?
4. What do Peter’s actions tell you about him?
5. Why did Jesus allow Peter to sink before rescuing him?
6. What do you think the disciples have concluded about Jesus as a result of this experience?

Apply

• In what ways do you think Jesus is inviting us/you to “get out of the boat”?
• When have you felt like you were sinking? How did Jesus save you?
• When it comes to taking risks, how would you assess yourself?
• Which of the following 911 scriptures is most significant to you? Why?

Psalm 9.11

Ecclesiastes 9.11

John 9.11

Nehemiah 9.11

Psalm 91.1

Do you remember where you were and what you were doing on September 10, 2001? You probably do not. You may, however, vividly remember where you were when you heard the news about the destruction of the Twin Towers on September 11. We stand on the eve of the tenth anniversary of the destruction of the Towers and the murders of innocent people. We haven’t forgotten the attack on America, nor shall we any time soon.

Perhaps a decade ago you felt fear. Maybe you felt anger. Maybe you felt frustration – or any combination of emotions. Maybe you are reliving some of those emotions this weekend.

The Bible gives us some “911 Passages” to help us in trying times. Please consider the following:

• Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9.11

• ¹He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
  will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91.1

• ¹¹Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion!
  Tell among the peoples his deeds! Psalm 9.11

The circumstances of life come to all of us. Yet, we find shelter in the presence of God. We honor Him by telling of His mighty works.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

Believe it or not, the Bible addresses such things as storms, famine, and even earthquakes. With the recent tornadoes, earthquakes in Japan and now the United States, along with a hurricane heading for our eastern coast, some people are wondering if these are signs of the end of the world.

This is not new. The disciples of Jesus wondered such things too. They asked him about his coming and the end of the age (Matthew 24:3-14). He told them about international conflict, famines, and earthquakes. He spoke of false prophets and accepted lawlessness as the beginning of the end. Jesus also reminds us that no one but His Father knows the actual final day (24.36).

So, what can we take away from all that we see today? Is Jesus coming? The answer is a resounding, yes! Can we know the exact day? No!

Whether God is personally sending hurricanes and earthquakes into the world or they are just occurring naturally, there is a reminder for us. The end of the world IS coming and we have a window of opportunity to prepare for it. That window is what we call “life.”

Most believers live in anticipation of the return of Jesus. In the Revelation, John wrote, “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (22:20)

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

A preacher once illustrated the loneliness of Americans by mentioning an ad in a Kansas newspaper. It read, “I will listen to you talk for 30 minutes without comment for $5.00.” While this sounded like a hoax, it wasn’t. People called! It wasn’t long before this individual was receiving 10 to 20 calls a day. The pain of loneliness was so severe that some were willing to try anything for a half hour of companionship.

The fact of American loneliness has been validated by the American Council of Life Insurance. They found that college students are our loneliest group. The students are followed by the divorced, welfare recipients, single Moms, housewives, and the elderly.

As God created the world, he repeated in each phase, “It was good.” Then he said that it was NOT good for the man to be alone. So he created woman. Even from the beginning God declares the reality of our social needs.

There is another creation of God that exists in part to help fill our need for others. This is the community of faith we refer to as the “Church.” We generally think of the church as a worshiping people; a serving people; or a studying people. It is these and more. It also serves the purpose of mutual encouragement and partnership (Acts 2:41-47).

Sure, the church has its imperfections. That is because is made up of the imperfect. Jesus makes the difference for ALL of us (2 Corinthians 5:21). There is a place for each of us!

Keep The Light Burning!

Dr. Perry Greene

Did you hear that Texas Governor, Rick Perry called for a day of fasting and prayer for his state and the country? Over 32,000 gathered in Reliant Stadium in Houston to participate in the special event with the Governor. What a declaration of dependence!

Of course, as you can imagine, protestors opposed the event. Many stood outside the arena to voice their opposition to “a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence” (see the Declaration of Independence, 1776, for the full quote). They know that if Christians have their way there God will rule instead of “every man doing what is right in his own eyes.”

Governor Perry reminds us of what our Founders knew. We are a people who are dependent on God. There are standards to live by (John 14:6; 12:48). There are consequences to abusing those standards (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).

By the year 1815 state and federal governments had issued over 1400 calls to prayer. Thomas Jefferson, whom many vilify in regard to Christian virtue, called Virginia to prayer more than once.

America is in a mess. Our economy is bad. Our morals are in decline. Our integrity is low. The answer is not in voting for the “right” politician or party. The answer is in returning to our foundation – the word and will of God. Stand up for America by bowing to God!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

On a recent road trip I noticed a local “Church of Christ” building in a small town. It was typical in many ways. One thing, however, stood out. Bushes had grown over the “Christ” part of the sign. All you could read was “Church of.”

This may or may not say something about the priority of their landscaping. It did make me think of a pervasive attitude among many churches. We church people often allow the things of the Church to obscure the Christ. The church’s mission is not self-promotion. It is CHRIST promotion. Our job is to lift Jesus so that people can be drawn to HIM (John 12:32).

Churches can easily develop traditions or actions that are well-intentioned. The danger is that these activities can overshadow Jesus and his purposes just as bushes over the sign. It could be a “sacred cow” ministry. It could be an order of worship. It could be a version of the Bible or any number of things that take our eyes off of Jesus and onto ourselves.

Some Greeks came to Philip and made a request. “Sir, we wish to see Jesus” (John 12:21). Showing Jesus to others is a fundamental element to the life of disciples of the Son of God. People are not necessarily interested in our perceptions about Jesus, they want to see Jesus. Thus, in-depth study of the Bible and clear teaching are essential to seeing Him.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

People from all over the world have photographed the spectacular “Mount Taranaki” in New Zealand. Many days of the year clouds obscure the view. Once they have lifted people are amazed at the sight.

This is how I often feel about studying the Bible. There are magnificent truths there. Some of these are very simple and easily seen. Some, however, seem to be covered with a veil of mystery. When this is lifted and we clearly see the realities that God shows us, we are awe-struck by His beauty.

Jesus spoke of eating of his body and drinking of his blood in John 6. Some of his disciples said that it was a “hard (difficult) saying” and walked away from him. When his closest disciples refused to leave Peter gave the reason, “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” (6:68).

There is no doubt that Peter and the other disciples had experienced “seeing” the truths of God displayed in the life of Jesus. They saw his glory at the mount of transfiguration. They heard the Father’s voice at his baptism and witnessed the Holy Spirit’s descent to him as a dove. They saw Jesus as the Son of God.

You and I have an exciting task before us. It requires great determination and perseverance. We have the opportunity to learn the things of God by tenacious study of His Word. Some things are easy – some things require more time and effort. In the end we see a spectacular God!

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene

South Yukon Church of Christ

In every culture, there are words that have special meaning to that culture. In America we know the meaning of phrases like:

• “It is raining cats and dogs.”
• “She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.”
• “You are pulling my leg.”
• “Stop pushing the envelope!”
• “Just cool your heels!”

If someone from outside our country translated those idioms literally into their language the translation would not make sense to the readers. The idea of raining cats and dogs would be confusing.

The same is true of the Bible. There are words and phrases in the original language that we don’t understand because we are reading a translation. Consider:

• What is the “Green Tree” Jesus spoke of in Luke 23:31?
• What is the “Good Eye” in Matthew 6:22-23?
• What is the “Finger of God” in Matthew 12:22-30?
• How did Jesus “Set His Face” in Luke 9:51?

In the next few weeks we will note some of the “idioms” used in the Bible. Perhaps we will gain deeper insights as a result of the study.

Keep The Light Burning!

Perry Greene