Jesus Loves Me This I Know
Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Mark 10:14
Today, Pastor Mary read
Mark 10:13-16 and talked about the upside kingdom we have been learning about in the beatitudes. We have to accept God's kingdom with the trust of a little child!
And Jeremiah gave us some food for thought at the end... it is better to be humbled than to be successful.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Blessed are the Pure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. The Message
Today Pastor Mary talked about this beatitude and read the story of the poor widow's offering. Even though her offering wasn't as much as the other's, Jesus saw her heart. She gave all she had out of her poverty. A person who is pure in heart would be innocent and untainted by evil. As creatures of the fall we can never have perfectly pure motivations, but we need to work on making sure Jesus is the grounding part of our life. We heard about the part in David's life when he became more of a king than a child of God and threw his weight around in the wrong way. After he realized where he had gone wrong, he wrote
Psalm 51. Verse 10 says "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." May we should always seek God to make our minds and heart put right.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Blessed are the Merciful
Today Pastor Mary talked about this beatitude and read the story of the Good Samaritan in
Luke 10. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows us who our neighbor is. This story is so well known today, but it was radical in Jesus' time. She also read Genesis 1:26-31 emphasizing verse 27 where we are created in God's own image. We can be merciful because God has shown mercy to us.
Mary shared a quote from Dorothy Day who said, "I really only love God as much as the person I love the least." This is a powerful quote to think of when we think about loving our neighbors and showing mercy to them. In the end we learn, as Henry Nouwen did, that when we show mercy, we ourselves receive such amazing mercy - the Holy Spirit goes with us!
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Blessed are the Poor in Spirit
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." Matthew 5:2 The Message
Today, Pastor Mary talked about the first of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." She illustrated how this works with the story of the unclean woman in Matthew 9 who had been bleeding for 12 years. She touched the edge of Jesus' cloak and was healed because of her faith. She was at the end of her rope, realized that she could not be made better on her own, and put her faith in Jesus. We realize we are most blessed when we are in the time of greatest need or when we realize our need and we know we can't save ourselves on our own.
Things to think about:
Read the account of this story in the book of Luke and Mark. How are they the same? How are they different?
How is God working in your life today? How can you reach out - or let yourself be reached?
We can't do it ourselves - we need our Savior!
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
A Firm Foundation
Today, we read
Matthew 7:13-29 and focused on how the wise man built his house on the rock. When the floods and troubles came, his house stood firm. I love this image and that is one of the things I want to always remember about the Sermon on the Mount. This gives us a good picture of what we will be like when we seek to do what Jesus says.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
It's Not About Me
Today Pastor Henry told us about Jesus Inconvenient truth in
Matthew 7:1-12. We started out by talking about how we would expect to be treated in different situations and found out that we want to be treated with respect, unconditional love, fairness, honesty, trust. This is how we want to be treated, and the summary statement of this passage is "
So, in everything, do unto others as you would have them do unto you for this sums up the law and the prophets." To be this way, we have to have a change in heart, or a change in focus - to look not in the mirror but to God in everything.
Today's question is "
Where is your heart today and how do you do things to others that you want done to you?" I think one of the ways to do this is to try to pay attention to people and listen to what's going on with them out of respect. This is probably harder to do than one might think because we have a tendency to rush in with our own situations and problems and solution, but it shows respect to really listen to someone when you ask them how they are doing. What are some other ways?
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Your Treasure
Today, Pastor Amy talked about the Inconvenient Truth found in
Matthew 6:19-34. Jesus says here that we should not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, but instead we should be storing up treasures in heaven. The place where our treasure is is where we'll most want to end up being.
The text is best summarized by verse 33:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. The Message puts vs 33 like this:
Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.Today's question is 'Where does your treasure lay and how does this affect you spending habits?' Most of the time I would like to say my treasure is in heaven - this causes me to use stewardship in what we have been given - both at work where we operate on donations and at home. I think the hardest is when we feel like we'll be suffering on this earth forever - then we are prone to spend money on things for quick relief. Our focus instead should be on knowing God and He'll take care of what we need.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Silent Service
Today we read
Matthew 6:1-18 and Pastor Henry talked about doing
acts of righteousness. Jesus warns us not to do these things-prayer, fasting or giving - for the wrong reason. He doesn't tell us not to do them, He just doesn't want us doing them up on the "stage". Our focus should be on Jesus from whom we get salvation, wholeness, life, purpose and not on the audience from whom we might get praise or applause. Our righteosness comes through faith in Jesus, not the stage. When our motivation is right, we'll live for Him whether or not anyone is watching us. We'll be the same even if there is no audiene clapping because we know our true reward is from our Father in heaven.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Revenge is Not the Answer
In
Matthew 5:38-42 we read about what Jesus had to say about the saying "Eye for and eye, tooth for a tooth" which people had been using as reason to use revenge against people who had done them wrong. We learned that this law of retaliation was given to civil authorities in measuring out punishment and was not intended to be used for personal revenge. Pastor Amy illustrated our approach to evil through the stories of the trees - the tree in their backyard that was cut down, the Giving Tree, and the tree where Jesus' died - His way to approach evil. Jesus' grace and mercy brought Him to the cross so we may serve others with that same grace and mercy.
Where do you think the feeling of revenge comes from? How do we counteract it?I think the feeling of revenge is a human response when people take something away from us against our will. We have a need to bring them down to get even. Unfortunately, this reaction often times is encouraged by world around us. But Jesus' shows us a better way! He came here and gave His life for us all - so we may live for the glory of it all. If we believe this, we will never be the same.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Your Word
Pastor Henry talked about the Jesus' inconvenient truth in Matthew 5 :31-37.Jesus summed it up by saying, "Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no' ." When we make a promise, it's important to follow through with what we said we would do or people will lose their trust in us. The question of the week is: When is it hard to let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no'? In the Message, verse 37 reads "Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." If we are being self-centered and manipulative, we will embellish our words and say things we don't mean to get our own way. But if God is in the center, we will only say what we mean.
I was also thinking about how sometimes it's hard to follow through with our side of a promise if the other person has hurt our feelings. We try to justify breaking the agreement and it becomes terribly self-centered. The way to healing is not to hurt the person back, but to finding the wholeness and integrity Jesus promises when we believe in Him and do what he says.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
The Elephant in the Warehouse
Pastor Henry today tackled the subject of Pornograhy at MCC after focusing on Jesus' inconvenient truth in Matthew 5:27.
27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The pastor in the video of the XXX Church made it clear from Romans 7 that Paul also struggled with sin which sabotaged his best intentions to do good. He concluded that Jesus is the one who sets things right with God. We should trust Him with our lives.
People often say that it's no big deal to view pornography because they're harmlessly looking, but the problem is that by wanting or needing to view it, they are turning the subject into an object of desire. This is what lust does. Lust takes, but love gives. And Jesus told us to love our neighbors.
So what is a healthy way to use the internet and what do you do when no one else is looking?
We have our computer right in the family room so this will make us all more accountable to each other about what we are doing. I also feel strongly that we as a church need to make as much available as we can on line that is good so there are positive options for people to view.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Loving Your Neighbor
Today, Pastor Henry spoke about Jesus' inconvenient truth in Matthew 5:21-26.
21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. 25 "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
Jesus is teaching here that not only is it wrong to kill another person, it is wrong just to be angry with them. If we are angry with them, we are killing their spirit. Anger seems like a natural human response to certain situations, but this is because we need a change of heart before we can do what Jesus commands us to do. Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself."
How are we going to love our neighbors and promote their well-being this week? I think we need to remember how every other person we come in contact with is created in God's image just as we are. It is so important to listen to where the other person is coming from and communicate clearly with them and to pray.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
Are You Good Enough?
Today, Pastor Amy continued the series on Jesus' Inconvenient Truth in the Sermon in the Mount. This was the Bible reading:
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven Matthew 5:17-20
This passage was illustrated through the video clip of the
Good-O-Meter. Have you ever wondered if you will be good enough? Many years ago, I wondered if after going through an unsettling experience of death, if I would have the presence of mind to say all the right things to get in to heaven. I also thought there had to be more to being saved than believing the exactly correct reformed theological formula. I know now that what I do can never be good enough and I am saved because of Jesus' sacrifice. All the good we do is a thankful response to what Jesus did for us and we can never do enough to thank Him.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
The Inconvenient Truth
Today, Pastor Amy talked about the Al Gore movie,
An Inconvenient Truth, and compared it to the message of Jesus, and how His truth is inconvenient to live by but how it makes life better for us. We looked especially at Matthew 5:1-12 in
The Message.
1 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down 2 and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
3 "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. 4 "You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you. 5 "You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought. 6 "You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. 7 "You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'carefull,' you find yourselves cared for. 8 "You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and heart - put right. Then you can see God in the outside world. 9 "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete orfight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's
family. 10 "You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom. 11 "Not only that - count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for
comfort and they are uncomfortable. 12 You can be glad when that happens - give
a cheer, even! - for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds.
And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always
gotten into this kind of trouble.
What Jesus taught His discipes is counter-cultural. For instance, the world doesn't think we're blessed if we are content with who we are - it tells us we need more! Or it tells us that the people who care will be taken advantage of. Would the world tell you to think of the time when you lose what is dearest to you as an opportunity to draw closer to Jesus, or if you're at the end of your rope, to let Him in to your life?
I think this translation gives us a clearer idea of how to actually live in the reality of God's kingdom - it's available to us now if we live as Jesus teaches and not as the world tells us to live.
Labels: Sermon on the Mount
