February 2021
The Quest for Power, 28 February 2021
The Quest for Power
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 10:32-45
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is upside-down where the greatest serve.
What comes to mind when you think of power? What is power? Is power good or evil? Yes!
It seems that some want power, some are afraid of power, some need power, …and we all have a certain measure of power, though all of us have limited power.
Andy Crouch has called power “the ability to make something of the world.” I think we all want to make something of the world…and so does God!
Last Sunday we returned to our study of Jesus from the book of Mark. The more we know about Jesus, the more we will know Jesus. He came to earth to create a path not for religion, but relationships. Do you know Jesus? He wants to be known, yet there are so many obstacles that stand in the way, most notably our other gods and idols we discussed last week, such as our love for money, sex, and power.
John Mark, the writer of this gospel or “good news,” tells us
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. (Mark 10:32)
The Passover celebration is near. Jesus is with his disciples and others. He had told them twice already that he would die, though they will seem to be clueless about the prophecies later. He tells them a third time…
“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34)
No wonder there was astonishment and fear. Jesus couldn’t be more clear about what was going the happen, and everything occurred exactly the way he predicted.
I understand there are skeptics who may think Mark simply took historical events and wrote Jesus’ words back into the story. While that may technically be possible, it is impossible for ancient prophets centuries earlier to rewrite the events. One of the greatest proofs of our faith is Jesus and the multiple prophecies he uniquely fulfilled. God knows the future. God is omniscient—all-knowing. The crucifixion was no accident. It was part of God’s plan, even though it didn’t make any sense at the time to the disciples.
This is true in our day, too. Josh Kaiser—pastor of OneHope Church—was telling me last week how one of his goals is to communicate God’s goodness to his congregation and generation. God is good…all the time. All the time…God is good!
“But how can God be good when I’m going through this…?” I don’t know, but your story is not over. As Tony Campolo famously said, “It’s Friday…but Sunday’s coming!”
God is good. God can be trusted. It’s okay if it doesn’t feel like it in this moment. You’ll see! In the meantime, faith fills in the gaps. “I believe, LORD. Help me in my unbelief.”
Now we move to a most interesting conversation.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” (Mark 10:35)
They want a blank check! Can you imagine?! What audacity! Jesus is willing to play along.
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. (Mark 10:36)
They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” (Mark 10:37)
Translation: we want the two best seats in heaven, in the next life. To be fair, James and John were two of Jesus’ three best friends, along with Peter. But this is quite the request.
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38)
Jesus knows what lies ahead for himself…death. Following Jesus—being with Jesus—means following him everywhere…including the cross. Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people come alive. It’s not all fun and games. You take the good with the bad, the hard with the easy, the suffering with the comfort, the pain with the glory. But whatever price you pay in this life for following Jesus will be rewarded in the next…for eternity!
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, (Mark 10:39)
Jesus says they will suffer and die…and they did. It’s believed that all of the disciples died as martyrs except John…who was boiled in hot oil. Jesus doesn’t invite us to a life of pleasure and parties. The invitation is come and die…so you can truly live. Any sacrifice for Christ will be worth it…for eternity. James and John died for their faith…
but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” (Mark 10:40)
We don’t know who will sit beside Jesus…or if it really matters.
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. (Mark 10:41)
Can you blame them? I would be angry, too! Now Jesus seizes this incredible teaching moment.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. (Mark 10:42)
If you thought the lust for political power is a new thing, you haven’t been reading the Bible! Two thousand years ago, people were seeking to rule over others. They had agendas they wanted to implement, power they wanted to exert, and most likely people they wanted to oppress. This is the way of the world…money, sex, and power.
It’s easy to criticize politicians, but don’t you want power, too? Have you ever put someone else down so you could feel better about yourself? Have you ever silently thought you’re glad you're not like that person? Have you ever felt justified cutting in line or cheating because you felt better than another? Have you ever experienced a feeling of entitlement?
I thought so! Me, too! But Jesus says,
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. (Mark 10:43-44)
God’s Kingdom is upside down. Jesus turns the tables. In his world, the greatest serve. The first are last. The word “slave” here is not like our nation’s understanding of slave, but rather a bondservant, someone who is working off a debt for a specific time. They often owned property and could obtain freedom.
Jesus always backs up his words with action. He practices what he preaches!
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Here’s Jesus with his disciples on the way to his crucifixion. He has just told them exactly what would happen. He knows his life will be given for theirs, a ransom or payment for their sins…and ours. God became flesh and spent more than three decades serving. God served us! What kind of God would do that? Furthermore, God died for us! Show me any religion with that love, that mercy, that grace!
Only a God like You/could be worthy of my praise/and all my hope and faith
That’s our God! That’s our King!
So What?
In his book Playing God: Redeeming the gift of Power, Andy Crouch writes,
Power is all about image bearing—reflecting and refracting the creative power of the world’s Maker into the very good creation. And image bearing is for flourishing. But as idolatry fills the world with false images, and as those false images proliferate, the image bearers lose their capacity to bear the true image. The more the image bearers lose this capacity, the more creation itself is diminished, reduced to utilitarian means to bitter ends. Idolatry is the true failure of power.
This flows perfectly with last Sunday’s sermon on money. Our hearts are drawn to money, sex, and power…for our benefit. There’s actually nothing inherently wrong with any of them. Money can be used to bless others. Sex is one of God’s most wonderful ideas, a remarkable experience for a husband and wife in bonding and celebration of their relationship, to say nothing of procreation. Power can bring about freedom for the powerless and justice for the weak.
The issue is the heart. Why do you want money? Is it for yourself or others?
Why do you want sex? Is it for your personal pleasure or strengthening your marriage?
Why do you want power? Is it to bless or oppress others?
Andy Crouch adds,
Every Maundy Thursday, the night before Good Friday in the Western liturgical calendar, Christians around the world gather to wash one another’s feet. Two thousand years after the Teacher and Lord knelt with a towel around his waist, his followers, servants and messengers continue to imitate his example. There is no act of culture-making power more extraordinary than creating a ritual, an act that continues to bear witness to truth from generation to generation, long after the first persons who experienced it lay in the dust of death. The persistence down to this day of the act Jesus performed at that table, and the acts from that night that the other Gospels report—taking, blessing, breaking and giving the bread and wine—is the ultimate test and sign of his power. In this moment, Jesus creates culture, forever transforming the meaning of towel, loaf and cup, forever altering the way teachers and masters will see their roles, and the way their students and servants will see them.
Following Jesus means following his example of service, of washing feet, of daily sacrifice, of putting others first, of praying for one’s enemies, of blessing those who curse you. Could anything be more counter-cultural?
I wish I could say Christians model this well, that we never seek power, that we put others above ourselves, that we are content to go last, that we are known as servants.
The great theologian (!) Jimi Hendrix famously said, "When the power of love takes over the love of power, that's when things will change.”
Tony Campolo notes, “A basic sociological principle is you can’t express love and power at the same time. Whenever you love, you lose power. Love makes you vulnerable … We have a God who loves us so much he was willing to become vulnerable.”
I have to admit I’ve been embarrassed by so-called Christians who clamored for power, especially during this past political season, as if either candidate was the Messiah, the Savior, the answer to the world’s problems…and that somehow their guy would give them power. Washington’s got nothing on the Kingdom of God! I know politics is messy, but our allegiance must never be to a president but to a Priest, the great high Priest, who is also a Prophet, and King, Jesus Christ. His mission wasn’t to seek power for himself. He came with all authority on heaven and earth. He came for the world. In fact, he gave us his power and authority…for the sake of others.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)
What does Jesus do with power? He sends his followers on a mission.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
One final passage from Andy Crouch:
There is no point in this story where Jesus gives up power—instead, it is the culmination and demonstration of his power. What Jesus gives up in this story is not power but privilege and status…
For those of us preoccupied with protecting our privilege and raising our status, this indifference of Jesus is terrifying. It prompts the kind of outburst that came from Peter. It is holy power, utterly purified, without an ounce of self-protection or self-regard. Jesus’ only use of power was to create, never to protect himself or to exalt himself. Perhaps this is the deepest explanation of his nonviolence. Violence, even when used in justifiable self-defense, does nothing to restore, redeem or create. It only damages in return. And Jesus simply never had a thought except to restore, redeem and create a new community among whom power would be used always and only for flourishing. In such a community, privilege and status can only be disdained and discarded. They are distractions from the real calling of image bearers: to be fruitful and multiply, far as the curse is found.
To follow Jesus means rejecting the world. It involves dying to self. It requires you to think—and act—differently. There’s no keeping up with the Joneses, giving them what they had coming to them, or even telling them to pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Some people don’t have bootstraps!
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8)
This includes the unborn, yes, but it also includes the marginalized, the forgotten, the poor, the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the refugee. We all have a certain measure of power, given not for our own sake, but for the sake of others. We’ve been blessed to be a blessing. Everything we have—our money, time, talents, energy, power, influence, relationships—is a gift, on loan from God. We are to be good stewards and will one day given an account for what we did with what we’ve been given.
This is not a message about trying harder. It’s not a message about abusing yourself and being a doormat, either. Love your neighbor…as yourself.
It is a message of surrender, of letting go, of leveraging what you have for others, as Jesus did.
The Kingdom of God is upside-down where the greatest serve, where the first are last, and where power is poured out for others as Jesus poured out his life—and blood—for us.
Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. Christian should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
One more thing…
I want to offer a final challenge to you today. Last week I said generosity kills the money monster, the temptation of greed. Likewise, there are three spiritual practices which kill the power monster, the temptation to selfishly use power. They are solitude, silence, and fasting. These classical disciplines—along with sabbath rest—allow us to disconnect from busyness, achievement, and striving and put our faith and trust into action. Dallas Willard’s classic The Spirit of the Disciplines and John Ortberg’s book The Life You’ve Always Wanted are two recommended titles.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 10:32-45
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: The Kingdom of God is upside-down where the greatest serve.
What comes to mind when you think of power? What is power? Is power good or evil? Yes!
It seems that some want power, some are afraid of power, some need power, …and we all have a certain measure of power, though all of us have limited power.
Andy Crouch has called power “the ability to make something of the world.” I think we all want to make something of the world…and so does God!
Last Sunday we returned to our study of Jesus from the book of Mark. The more we know about Jesus, the more we will know Jesus. He came to earth to create a path not for religion, but relationships. Do you know Jesus? He wants to be known, yet there are so many obstacles that stand in the way, most notably our other gods and idols we discussed last week, such as our love for money, sex, and power.
John Mark, the writer of this gospel or “good news,” tells us
They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. (Mark 10:32)
The Passover celebration is near. Jesus is with his disciples and others. He had told them twice already that he would die, though they will seem to be clueless about the prophecies later. He tells them a third time…
“We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” (Mark 10:33-34)
No wonder there was astonishment and fear. Jesus couldn’t be more clear about what was going the happen, and everything occurred exactly the way he predicted.
I understand there are skeptics who may think Mark simply took historical events and wrote Jesus’ words back into the story. While that may technically be possible, it is impossible for ancient prophets centuries earlier to rewrite the events. One of the greatest proofs of our faith is Jesus and the multiple prophecies he uniquely fulfilled. God knows the future. God is omniscient—all-knowing. The crucifixion was no accident. It was part of God’s plan, even though it didn’t make any sense at the time to the disciples.
This is true in our day, too. Josh Kaiser—pastor of OneHope Church—was telling me last week how one of his goals is to communicate God’s goodness to his congregation and generation. God is good…all the time. All the time…God is good!
“But how can God be good when I’m going through this…?” I don’t know, but your story is not over. As Tony Campolo famously said, “It’s Friday…but Sunday’s coming!”
God is good. God can be trusted. It’s okay if it doesn’t feel like it in this moment. You’ll see! In the meantime, faith fills in the gaps. “I believe, LORD. Help me in my unbelief.”
Now we move to a most interesting conversation.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.” (Mark 10:35)
They want a blank check! Can you imagine?! What audacity! Jesus is willing to play along.
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked. (Mark 10:36)
They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” (Mark 10:37)
Translation: we want the two best seats in heaven, in the next life. To be fair, James and John were two of Jesus’ three best friends, along with Peter. But this is quite the request.
“You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38)
Jesus knows what lies ahead for himself…death. Following Jesus—being with Jesus—means following him everywhere…including the cross. Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good. He came to make dead people come alive. It’s not all fun and games. You take the good with the bad, the hard with the easy, the suffering with the comfort, the pain with the glory. But whatever price you pay in this life for following Jesus will be rewarded in the next…for eternity!
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, (Mark 10:39)
Jesus says they will suffer and die…and they did. It’s believed that all of the disciples died as martyrs except John…who was boiled in hot oil. Jesus doesn’t invite us to a life of pleasure and parties. The invitation is come and die…so you can truly live. Any sacrifice for Christ will be worth it…for eternity. James and John died for their faith…
but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.” (Mark 10:40)
We don’t know who will sit beside Jesus…or if it really matters.
When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. (Mark 10:41)
Can you blame them? I would be angry, too! Now Jesus seizes this incredible teaching moment.
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. (Mark 10:42)
If you thought the lust for political power is a new thing, you haven’t been reading the Bible! Two thousand years ago, people were seeking to rule over others. They had agendas they wanted to implement, power they wanted to exert, and most likely people they wanted to oppress. This is the way of the world…money, sex, and power.
It’s easy to criticize politicians, but don’t you want power, too? Have you ever put someone else down so you could feel better about yourself? Have you ever silently thought you’re glad you're not like that person? Have you ever felt justified cutting in line or cheating because you felt better than another? Have you ever experienced a feeling of entitlement?
I thought so! Me, too! But Jesus says,
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. (Mark 10:43-44)
God’s Kingdom is upside down. Jesus turns the tables. In his world, the greatest serve. The first are last. The word “slave” here is not like our nation’s understanding of slave, but rather a bondservant, someone who is working off a debt for a specific time. They often owned property and could obtain freedom.
Jesus always backs up his words with action. He practices what he preaches!
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
Here’s Jesus with his disciples on the way to his crucifixion. He has just told them exactly what would happen. He knows his life will be given for theirs, a ransom or payment for their sins…and ours. God became flesh and spent more than three decades serving. God served us! What kind of God would do that? Furthermore, God died for us! Show me any religion with that love, that mercy, that grace!
Only a God like You/could be worthy of my praise/and all my hope and faith
That’s our God! That’s our King!
So What?
In his book Playing God: Redeeming the gift of Power, Andy Crouch writes,
Power is all about image bearing—reflecting and refracting the creative power of the world’s Maker into the very good creation. And image bearing is for flourishing. But as idolatry fills the world with false images, and as those false images proliferate, the image bearers lose their capacity to bear the true image. The more the image bearers lose this capacity, the more creation itself is diminished, reduced to utilitarian means to bitter ends. Idolatry is the true failure of power.
This flows perfectly with last Sunday’s sermon on money. Our hearts are drawn to money, sex, and power…for our benefit. There’s actually nothing inherently wrong with any of them. Money can be used to bless others. Sex is one of God’s most wonderful ideas, a remarkable experience for a husband and wife in bonding and celebration of their relationship, to say nothing of procreation. Power can bring about freedom for the powerless and justice for the weak.
The issue is the heart. Why do you want money? Is it for yourself or others?
Why do you want sex? Is it for your personal pleasure or strengthening your marriage?
Why do you want power? Is it to bless or oppress others?
Andy Crouch adds,
Every Maundy Thursday, the night before Good Friday in the Western liturgical calendar, Christians around the world gather to wash one another’s feet. Two thousand years after the Teacher and Lord knelt with a towel around his waist, his followers, servants and messengers continue to imitate his example. There is no act of culture-making power more extraordinary than creating a ritual, an act that continues to bear witness to truth from generation to generation, long after the first persons who experienced it lay in the dust of death. The persistence down to this day of the act Jesus performed at that table, and the acts from that night that the other Gospels report—taking, blessing, breaking and giving the bread and wine—is the ultimate test and sign of his power. In this moment, Jesus creates culture, forever transforming the meaning of towel, loaf and cup, forever altering the way teachers and masters will see their roles, and the way their students and servants will see them.
Following Jesus means following his example of service, of washing feet, of daily sacrifice, of putting others first, of praying for one’s enemies, of blessing those who curse you. Could anything be more counter-cultural?
I wish I could say Christians model this well, that we never seek power, that we put others above ourselves, that we are content to go last, that we are known as servants.
The great theologian (!) Jimi Hendrix famously said, "When the power of love takes over the love of power, that's when things will change.”
Tony Campolo notes, “A basic sociological principle is you can’t express love and power at the same time. Whenever you love, you lose power. Love makes you vulnerable … We have a God who loves us so much he was willing to become vulnerable.”
I have to admit I’ve been embarrassed by so-called Christians who clamored for power, especially during this past political season, as if either candidate was the Messiah, the Savior, the answer to the world’s problems…and that somehow their guy would give them power. Washington’s got nothing on the Kingdom of God! I know politics is messy, but our allegiance must never be to a president but to a Priest, the great high Priest, who is also a Prophet, and King, Jesus Christ. His mission wasn’t to seek power for himself. He came with all authority on heaven and earth. He came for the world. In fact, he gave us his power and authority…for the sake of others.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (Matthew 28:18)
What does Jesus do with power? He sends his followers on a mission.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
One final passage from Andy Crouch:
There is no point in this story where Jesus gives up power—instead, it is the culmination and demonstration of his power. What Jesus gives up in this story is not power but privilege and status…
For those of us preoccupied with protecting our privilege and raising our status, this indifference of Jesus is terrifying. It prompts the kind of outburst that came from Peter. It is holy power, utterly purified, without an ounce of self-protection or self-regard. Jesus’ only use of power was to create, never to protect himself or to exalt himself. Perhaps this is the deepest explanation of his nonviolence. Violence, even when used in justifiable self-defense, does nothing to restore, redeem or create. It only damages in return. And Jesus simply never had a thought except to restore, redeem and create a new community among whom power would be used always and only for flourishing. In such a community, privilege and status can only be disdained and discarded. They are distractions from the real calling of image bearers: to be fruitful and multiply, far as the curse is found.
To follow Jesus means rejecting the world. It involves dying to self. It requires you to think—and act—differently. There’s no keeping up with the Joneses, giving them what they had coming to them, or even telling them to pick themselves up by their bootstraps. Some people don’t have bootstraps!
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8)
This includes the unborn, yes, but it also includes the marginalized, the forgotten, the poor, the widow, the orphan, the stranger, the refugee. We all have a certain measure of power, given not for our own sake, but for the sake of others. We’ve been blessed to be a blessing. Everything we have—our money, time, talents, energy, power, influence, relationships—is a gift, on loan from God. We are to be good stewards and will one day given an account for what we did with what we’ve been given.
This is not a message about trying harder. It’s not a message about abusing yourself and being a doormat, either. Love your neighbor…as yourself.
It is a message of surrender, of letting go, of leveraging what you have for others, as Jesus did.
The Kingdom of God is upside-down where the greatest serve, where the first are last, and where power is poured out for others as Jesus poured out his life—and blood—for us.
Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. Christian should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
One more thing…
I want to offer a final challenge to you today. Last week I said generosity kills the money monster, the temptation of greed. Likewise, there are three spiritual practices which kill the power monster, the temptation to selfishly use power. They are solitude, silence, and fasting. These classical disciplines—along with sabbath rest—allow us to disconnect from busyness, achievement, and striving and put our faith and trust into action. Dallas Willard’s classic The Spirit of the Disciplines and John Ortberg’s book The Life You’ve Always Wanted are two recommended titles.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
The Rich Young Ruler, 21 February 2021
The Rich Young Ruler
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 10:17-31
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: Following Jesus involves total surrender, not just a one-time prayer.
Nearly four years ago we began a series called Mark, the Real Jesus. We’ve been going verse-by-verse through the shortest of the gospels or “good news,” the four biographies of Jesus that include Matthew, Luke, and John. The purpose of the series is to know Jesus…not just know about him, but to know him, to have a relationship with him, to become like him by the power of the Holy Spirit we talked about last Sunday.
Before we look at today’s text in Mark chapter ten, we’re going to go back—way back—to the second book of the Bible. In Exodus chapter twenty, God delivers His Top Ten List, the Ten Commandments. How many of them can you name?
And God spoke all these words: (Exodus 20:1)
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Exodus 20:2)
“You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
That’s the first one: no other gods. What is most important to you? Who is most important to you? What is the foundation of your life? What or who truly matters most?
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. (Exodus 20:4)
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exodus 20:5)
but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)
The second one is no idols. We often think of idols as religious statues, but it’s anything we love and worship more than God. Notice God makes incredible promises concerning these commands. He gives us great freedom, but there are consequences to both obedience and disobedience.
If you’re keeping score, the rest involve misusing the name of the LORD, sabbath, honoring one’s parents, and the “shall nots” of murder, adultery, stealing, false testimony, and coveting.
Today, though, our focus will be on the first two commandments as we look at the gospel of Mark.
Are you rich? Whether you feel like it or not, most of you are rich. Sure, we are all rich in God’s love, but I mean financially rich. You’ve heard of the one-percent, those wealthy Americans who are frequently demonized in the media (despite many create jobs and opportunities for others as business owners). To be in the top one percent in the USA, you need to earn about $500,000 a year. For the record, that is NOT me!!!
To be in the top one percent in the world, you need to earn about $60,000 a year. If you earn $45,000, you are in the top two percent, and if you only earn $38,000, you are in the top three percent of the richest people in the world. If you earn only $19,000 a year, you’re in the top ten percent.
Most of us are rich compared to the rest of the world. With blessings comes responsibility…and temptation.
We’re in the tenth chapter of Mark, beginning at verse 17.
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)
This guy sounds sincere. He runs to Jesus, falls on his knees, proclaims him to be a good teacher, and asks what it takes to inherit eternal life.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. (Mark 10:18)
Maybe the man realized Jesus was God!
Think for a moment about Jesus’ statement. If only God is good, we’re not. Sure, compared to some people we might be good, but we all sin. We are all deserving of eternal punishment for our wicked deeds. None of us is perfect, which is God’s standard for goodness, found only in Jesus, the sinless one.
You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” (Mark 10:19)
These are commandments 6-9 if you’re keeping score, plus “don’t defraud,” and then 5. He skips 1-4 and 10…for now!
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” (Mark 10:20)
That’s a pretty bold statement, but the man didn’t list all ten. Like us, he was self-deceived. He overestimated his goodness after Jesus told him only God is good.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
I always missed the first sentence. Jesus loved him. Jesus loves sinners. It’s out of love that Jesus addresses the commandments related to God first. no idols, and covetousness or greed.
N.T. Wright notes,
When Jesus says ‘You will have treasure in heaven’, he doesn’t mean that the young man must go to heaven to get it; he means that God will keep it stored up for him until the time when, in the Age to Come, all is revealed. The reason you have money in the bank is not so that you can spend it in the bank but so that you can take it out and spend it somewhere else. The reason you have treasure in heaven, God’s storehouse, is so that you can enjoy it in the Age to Come when God brings heaven and earth together at last. And ‘eternal life’, as most translations put it, doesn’t mean ‘life in a timeless, otherworldly dimension’, but ‘the life of the Age to Come’ (the word ‘eternal’ translates a word which means ‘belonging to the Age’).
(Mark for Everyone, Westminster John Knox Press)
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:22)
The rich, young ruler had good feelings for God, but loved wealth more. It’s important to remember most of us have great wealth, too. The world says that’s good, but it can become an obstacle. Do you possess money or does your money possess you?
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23)
I’ve seen a number of people lately writing about downsizing and eliminating clutter in our lives. The more we have, the more we must work to protect, insure, store, and steward. Some in our church family are homeless, which is not a popular or comfortable position to be in, but there are certainly benefits to its simplicity.
As I said, sometimes we demonize the rich, as if their success is somehow evil. Perhaps it’s actually envy that leads to such criticisms.
One of my favorite passages of scripture is found in Proverbs 30. It reads,
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9)
Do you recall someone teaching his friends to pray for daily bread? It’s in Jesus’ model we call the LORD’s Prayer (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3). It’s taken from these words by Agur son of Jakeh, a wise man indeed.
The rich are tempted to feel secure in their wealth and ignore God.
The poor are tempted to steal and dishonor God.
We are to pray for daily bread.
Back to Jesus,
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24-25)
That’s a sobering statement, especially for USAmericans. We often think of the kingdom of God as a disembodied heaven, but rather it’s here on earth where God rules. Jesus taught us to pray for his kingdom to come now, on earth as it is in heaven. We don’t walk on streets of gold, but the Age to Come is emerging here and now, like a baby chick with its beak sticking through the egg shell, as N.T. Wright says. We are in-between.
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26)
Many in Jesus’ day thought wealth was a sign of God’s favor and blessing, and that a place in the Age to Come could be purchased somehow. If the rich can’t get in, who can?
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
Many of you have heard that expression, “All things are possible with God.” But look at the context. It’s about salvation. It’s about the rich entering the kingdom of God. We are saved by grace. It’s a gift. Praise God we have hope because of Jesus, his death, and resurrection!
Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” (Mark 10:28)
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31)
What a promise! This life—eighty years or so, on average—is so short compared to eternity. Why are we so attached to the cares of this world when it’s all so temporary? God’s kingdom is not of this world. It’s the upside-down kingdom. Jesus is saying anything we sacrifice for him will be worth it, both in the present age and in the age to come. He is inviting them—and us—to put away our idols and greed and follow him with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. There’s a price to pay for following Jesus, but it’s worth it.
So What?
Is money evil? No. Money is a tool used for centuries, a means of exchange. It can be used for good or bad.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)
The love of money is dangerous. It is one of the most common idols in our culture. Most of us want more. In fact, one millionaire was asked how much money was enough and he replied, “Just a little bit more.” That’s because money will never truly satisfy, especially if your goal is to hoard it.
Contrast that with generosity. I remember hearing a wise man years ago say his goal was to make as much money as possible and keep as little as necessary for himself. He delighted in giving.
During my five years here at First Alliance I’ve seen many examples of radical generosity. God has blessed us with some wealthy members, and although I don’t see who gives what, I know our budget is met through men and women who are good stewards of their wealth, making eternal investments through their tithes—ten percent-and offerings week after week. But I’ve heard stories of anonymous homeless people giving generously, too. The best way to destroy the money monster—the greed machine, the idol of wealth—is generosity. Giving is a gift. Paul instructed the church in Corinth,
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Do you want to be loved by God? Give! This isn’t a fundraising pitch, but an encouragement to share your wealth, invest your money, be generous. To those of you with little financial wealth, give something! If ten percent seems too much, start with one percent. Columbus takes seven percent! The federal government takes even more! What if you took a faith-filled risk and sowed some seeds, upped your giving, made a wild investment in God’s work, or simply began the godly discipline of generosity? Remember, everything we have belongs to God, not just ten percent.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
We can see from today’s text how money easily becomes an idol. It becomes more important than God. In fact, I believe the reason Christianity has been in decline in the western world for decades isn’t politics or technology or education, but simply wealth. We don’t need God. We have doctors when we’re sick, heaters when we’re cold (until we lose power!), iPhones when we’re lonely, and entertainment when we’re bored. Who needs God? Who has time for God?
It’s amazing how different things are in the developing world. When they are sick, they pray. For many, there is no plan B. For our brothers and sisters around the world without religious freedom, they have no power or rights, but they trust completely on God. Many of us are so comfortable that truly pursuing God seems like work or an obligation rather than a privilege to commune with the Creator of the universe!
Is God first in your life? What idols are between you and God? It might be money, but it could be your career, family, hobbies, or even religion. Anything more important to you than God is a sinful idol. Period. Those are God’s words…Old and New Testament!
Consider these words from the book of Hebrews:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Think about that for a moment. If we have God, what more do we really need? True contentment can only be found in God in the first place.
Listen to Paul’s instructions to Timothy:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2Timothy 3:1-5)
If this doesn’t sound like our country, I don’t know what does. But we’re called to be different! We’re called to follow Jesus, not the world. We’re called to live lives of contentment, peace, faith, hope, and love. We’re called to fully rely on God, not our 401k or bank account.
Conclusion
No other Gods. No idols. No covetousness or greed. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said the greatest commandment was:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)
May it be said of each of us, “In God We Trust,” not the money upon which it is stated.
What is your foundation? What or who is your God. What is your first love?
We can build our lives on the stock market, but it can crash.
We can build our lives on a dream home, but a storm can destroy it.
We can build our lives on a career, but it can be lost in a pandemic.
“Build My Life”
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Series—Mark: The Real Jesus
Mark 10:17-31
Series Big Idea: Mark’s gospel is the most concise biography of Jesus.
Big Idea: Following Jesus involves total surrender, not just a one-time prayer.
Nearly four years ago we began a series called Mark, the Real Jesus. We’ve been going verse-by-verse through the shortest of the gospels or “good news,” the four biographies of Jesus that include Matthew, Luke, and John. The purpose of the series is to know Jesus…not just know about him, but to know him, to have a relationship with him, to become like him by the power of the Holy Spirit we talked about last Sunday.
Before we look at today’s text in Mark chapter ten, we’re going to go back—way back—to the second book of the Bible. In Exodus chapter twenty, God delivers His Top Ten List, the Ten Commandments. How many of them can you name?
And God spoke all these words: (Exodus 20:1)
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. (Exodus 20:2)
“You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
That’s the first one: no other gods. What is most important to you? Who is most important to you? What is the foundation of your life? What or who truly matters most?
“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. (Exodus 20:4)
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exodus 20:5)
but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)
The second one is no idols. We often think of idols as religious statues, but it’s anything we love and worship more than God. Notice God makes incredible promises concerning these commands. He gives us great freedom, but there are consequences to both obedience and disobedience.
If you’re keeping score, the rest involve misusing the name of the LORD, sabbath, honoring one’s parents, and the “shall nots” of murder, adultery, stealing, false testimony, and coveting.
Today, though, our focus will be on the first two commandments as we look at the gospel of Mark.
Are you rich? Whether you feel like it or not, most of you are rich. Sure, we are all rich in God’s love, but I mean financially rich. You’ve heard of the one-percent, those wealthy Americans who are frequently demonized in the media (despite many create jobs and opportunities for others as business owners). To be in the top one percent in the USA, you need to earn about $500,000 a year. For the record, that is NOT me!!!
To be in the top one percent in the world, you need to earn about $60,000 a year. If you earn $45,000, you are in the top two percent, and if you only earn $38,000, you are in the top three percent of the richest people in the world. If you earn only $19,000 a year, you’re in the top ten percent.
Most of us are rich compared to the rest of the world. With blessings comes responsibility…and temptation.
We’re in the tenth chapter of Mark, beginning at verse 17.
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)
This guy sounds sincere. He runs to Jesus, falls on his knees, proclaims him to be a good teacher, and asks what it takes to inherit eternal life.
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. (Mark 10:18)
Maybe the man realized Jesus was God!
Think for a moment about Jesus’ statement. If only God is good, we’re not. Sure, compared to some people we might be good, but we all sin. We are all deserving of eternal punishment for our wicked deeds. None of us is perfect, which is God’s standard for goodness, found only in Jesus, the sinless one.
You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” (Mark 10:19)
These are commandments 6-9 if you’re keeping score, plus “don’t defraud,” and then 5. He skips 1-4 and 10…for now!
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” (Mark 10:20)
That’s a pretty bold statement, but the man didn’t list all ten. Like us, he was self-deceived. He overestimated his goodness after Jesus told him only God is good.
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)
I always missed the first sentence. Jesus loved him. Jesus loves sinners. It’s out of love that Jesus addresses the commandments related to God first. no idols, and covetousness or greed.
N.T. Wright notes,
When Jesus says ‘You will have treasure in heaven’, he doesn’t mean that the young man must go to heaven to get it; he means that God will keep it stored up for him until the time when, in the Age to Come, all is revealed. The reason you have money in the bank is not so that you can spend it in the bank but so that you can take it out and spend it somewhere else. The reason you have treasure in heaven, God’s storehouse, is so that you can enjoy it in the Age to Come when God brings heaven and earth together at last. And ‘eternal life’, as most translations put it, doesn’t mean ‘life in a timeless, otherworldly dimension’, but ‘the life of the Age to Come’ (the word ‘eternal’ translates a word which means ‘belonging to the Age’).
(Mark for Everyone, Westminster John Knox Press)
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (Mark 10:22)
The rich, young ruler had good feelings for God, but loved wealth more. It’s important to remember most of us have great wealth, too. The world says that’s good, but it can become an obstacle. Do you possess money or does your money possess you?
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:23)
I’ve seen a number of people lately writing about downsizing and eliminating clutter in our lives. The more we have, the more we must work to protect, insure, store, and steward. Some in our church family are homeless, which is not a popular or comfortable position to be in, but there are certainly benefits to its simplicity.
As I said, sometimes we demonize the rich, as if their success is somehow evil. Perhaps it’s actually envy that leads to such criticisms.
One of my favorite passages of scripture is found in Proverbs 30. It reads,
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:8-9)
Do you recall someone teaching his friends to pray for daily bread? It’s in Jesus’ model we call the LORD’s Prayer (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3). It’s taken from these words by Agur son of Jakeh, a wise man indeed.
The rich are tempted to feel secure in their wealth and ignore God.
The poor are tempted to steal and dishonor God.
We are to pray for daily bread.
Back to Jesus,
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:24-25)
That’s a sobering statement, especially for USAmericans. We often think of the kingdom of God as a disembodied heaven, but rather it’s here on earth where God rules. Jesus taught us to pray for his kingdom to come now, on earth as it is in heaven. We don’t walk on streets of gold, but the Age to Come is emerging here and now, like a baby chick with its beak sticking through the egg shell, as N.T. Wright says. We are in-between.
The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:26)
Many in Jesus’ day thought wealth was a sign of God’s favor and blessing, and that a place in the Age to Come could be purchased somehow. If the rich can’t get in, who can?
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
Many of you have heard that expression, “All things are possible with God.” But look at the context. It’s about salvation. It’s about the rich entering the kingdom of God. We are saved by grace. It’s a gift. Praise God we have hope because of Jesus, his death, and resurrection!
Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” (Mark 10:28)
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:29-31)
What a promise! This life—eighty years or so, on average—is so short compared to eternity. Why are we so attached to the cares of this world when it’s all so temporary? God’s kingdom is not of this world. It’s the upside-down kingdom. Jesus is saying anything we sacrifice for him will be worth it, both in the present age and in the age to come. He is inviting them—and us—to put away our idols and greed and follow him with all of our heart, all of our soul, all of our mind, and all of our strength. There’s a price to pay for following Jesus, but it’s worth it.
So What?
Is money evil? No. Money is a tool used for centuries, a means of exchange. It can be used for good or bad.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)
The love of money is dangerous. It is one of the most common idols in our culture. Most of us want more. In fact, one millionaire was asked how much money was enough and he replied, “Just a little bit more.” That’s because money will never truly satisfy, especially if your goal is to hoard it.
Contrast that with generosity. I remember hearing a wise man years ago say his goal was to make as much money as possible and keep as little as necessary for himself. He delighted in giving.
During my five years here at First Alliance I’ve seen many examples of radical generosity. God has blessed us with some wealthy members, and although I don’t see who gives what, I know our budget is met through men and women who are good stewards of their wealth, making eternal investments through their tithes—ten percent-and offerings week after week. But I’ve heard stories of anonymous homeless people giving generously, too. The best way to destroy the money monster—the greed machine, the idol of wealth—is generosity. Giving is a gift. Paul instructed the church in Corinth,
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Do you want to be loved by God? Give! This isn’t a fundraising pitch, but an encouragement to share your wealth, invest your money, be generous. To those of you with little financial wealth, give something! If ten percent seems too much, start with one percent. Columbus takes seven percent! The federal government takes even more! What if you took a faith-filled risk and sowed some seeds, upped your giving, made a wild investment in God’s work, or simply began the godly discipline of generosity? Remember, everything we have belongs to God, not just ten percent.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)
We can see from today’s text how money easily becomes an idol. It becomes more important than God. In fact, I believe the reason Christianity has been in decline in the western world for decades isn’t politics or technology or education, but simply wealth. We don’t need God. We have doctors when we’re sick, heaters when we’re cold (until we lose power!), iPhones when we’re lonely, and entertainment when we’re bored. Who needs God? Who has time for God?
It’s amazing how different things are in the developing world. When they are sick, they pray. For many, there is no plan B. For our brothers and sisters around the world without religious freedom, they have no power or rights, but they trust completely on God. Many of us are so comfortable that truly pursuing God seems like work or an obligation rather than a privilege to commune with the Creator of the universe!
Is God first in your life? What idols are between you and God? It might be money, but it could be your career, family, hobbies, or even religion. Anything more important to you than God is a sinful idol. Period. Those are God’s words…Old and New Testament!
Consider these words from the book of Hebrews:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Think about that for a moment. If we have God, what more do we really need? True contentment can only be found in God in the first place.
Listen to Paul’s instructions to Timothy:
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (2Timothy 3:1-5)
If this doesn’t sound like our country, I don’t know what does. But we’re called to be different! We’re called to follow Jesus, not the world. We’re called to live lives of contentment, peace, faith, hope, and love. We’re called to fully rely on God, not our 401k or bank account.
Conclusion
No other Gods. No idols. No covetousness or greed. Perhaps that’s why Jesus said the greatest commandment was:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:30)
May it be said of each of us, “In God We Trust,” not the money upon which it is stated.
What is your foundation? What or who is your God. What is your first love?
We can build our lives on the stock market, but it can crash.
We can build our lives on a dream home, but a storm can destroy it.
We can build our lives on a career, but it can be lost in a pandemic.
“Build My Life”
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
The Holy Spirit, 14 February 2021
14 02 21 Filed in: Sermons | 40 Days of Prayer
The Holy Spirit
Series—40 Days of Prayer with The Alliance
Romans 8:1-6
Series Big Idea: We are beginning—and spending—the year on our knees seeking God’s direction, protection, passion, and unity.
Big Idea: We can live our lives according to the flesh or the Holy Spirit.
Have you experienced God’s love and life-giving Holy Spirit?
Although 40 Days of Prayer officially ended Thursday—we missed a sermon due to Home Missions Sunday—I couldn’t skip the Holy Spirit. After all, the Holy Spirit is the most underrated, mysterious, and misunderstood Member of the Trinity. We serve one God who exists in three Persons…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We sing songs about God the Father. There are countless hymns written about Jesus. But try to find one about the Holy Spirit. The closest hymn in our repertoire I could find is the one we sang…Holy, Holy, Holy.
The Holy Spirit is a Person, not a force or a ghost, though some use the expression Holy Ghost.
Most of us have some idea of God the Father who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth about 2000 years ago to teach, heal, serve, die, and rise from the dead. Jesus literally separates history for us. The Old Testament is the Jewish Bible describing creation until the prophets. The New Testament begins with four gospels—or good news—about the life of Jesus. As the video said, the Holy Spirit is present in both Testaments, but in the second chapter of Acts, the Holy Spirit was unleashed upon multiple believers in multiple places. No longer was God confined to the temple or the Person of Jesus. God moved from a building to the hearts of men, women, and children. If you are a follower of Jesus, you get the Holy Spirit, too!
When I was a kid, I wanted my mom to buy what we called “sugar cereals” at the grocery store. What was your favorite? Mine was Apple Jacks. As much as I enjoyed the sweet goodness of those little circles, there was usually another reason I wanted them. The prize at the bottom! Often that was better than the cereal!
I know it’s a stretch, but just as some people ignore the prize while consuming the cereal, so some are so focused on Jesus, they ignore the Holy Spirit. If you are a follower of Jesus, you get the Holy Spirit, too!
We’ve been looking at Acts 1:8 the past two weeks where Jesus tells his disciples,
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit arrives in the second chapter of Acts in dramatic fashion.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
If you read on, this was not the heavenly language that some speak, but known languages. Imagine if suddenly we all started speaking French, Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic in a room full of people from all over the world. It was a miraculous moment Jesus predicted about 40 days prior.
What was even more surprising to the first Christians—who were mostly Jewish—was the Holy Spirit coming upon Gentiles. Let me say it one more time: If you are a follower of Jesus, you get the Holy Spirit, too!
There’s no way we can say everything about the Holy Spirit in thirty minutes, but I want to look at a passage in the letter written to the church in Rome. Paul is talking about the tension between good and evil, God’s law and our sinful nature. He begins chapter eight with a staggering statement.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1)
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are no longer declared guilty of your sins. Jesus paid it all!
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
O how I love Jesus/O how I love Jesus/O how I love Jesus/Because He first loved me!
I’m not perfect. You’re not perfect. But Jesus is perfect and He died for us on the cross.
The Jewish religion was all about following the law of Moses. Sure, doing so was good for the individuals and the community, but it was impossible to get it all right. The Jews had to slaughter animals and make sacrifices to atone for their sins, to make amends. I’m so glad our gatherings don’t require a butcher!
Only Jesus lived a sinless life, which is also why he was uniquely qualified to die in our place and satisfy the wrath of God we deserve for our mistakes and failures. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
Each day—each moment—we make choices. We’ve been given freedom by God to do good or evil, to follow Him or follow the lust, the flesh, the world, our own selfish desired. Have you ever felt the tension? Paul certainly did! In the previous chapter, he talked about the struggle, the battle, the war raging within him and within us. It’s a war we sometimes win and sometimes lose, but Jesus will ultimately be the Victor. Hallelujah!
What causes you to choose the right thing? Why do you mess up sometimes? How can we do better? It’s not by trying harder, but rather it’s by letting go and letting God. It’s about surrender to the Holy Spirit. It’s about confessing your sins and inviting the Holy Spirit to take control. The late Bill Bright called this spiritual breathing. We exhale and admit our sins and failures and we inhale, welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives.
Religion and rules and regulations condemn us every time we make a mistake, but we have freedom and forgiveness when we live according to the Holy Spirit, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to a church in modern-day Turkey,
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The word “filled” is not a one-time thing, but the Greek word implies a continual activity, just like breathing. It’s a daily, hourly, constant activity. We are to do life with the Holy Spirit, influenced with the Spirit like a drunk is influenced by alcohol. I love that one of the results of being filled with the Spirit is an overflow of music, of worship, of thanksgiving.
Have you ever met someone obsessed with social media? They spend hours on their screens, posting and commenting. They live for it!
Others are consumed by sports. They wake up early, workout, practice, and devote their lives to making the team, earning a medal, or winning the championship.
Tragically, many are controlled by their addictions, whether it’s alcohol or drugs or porn or food or work or whatever rules their life. By the way, if that’s you, Celebrate Recovery meets Wednesdays at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall. But it’s not just for addicts. Anyone who is dealing with grief, loss, depression, hurts, habits, or hangups of any kind is welcome. We could all benefit from it…and I have!
What if your life was truly led by God? Imagine if you wanted to do what’s right? What if prayer, love, praise, and studying the Bible came naturally to you? I can’t promise a quick fix, but when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, when we’re surrendered to the Holy Spirit, our lives begin to change. Day by day, we become more like Jesus, a process called sanctification.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)
Where’s your mind? Who are living for, or where’s your focus?
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
It’s your choice! Death or life and peace?
How do you know if someone is governed by the flesh?
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
What’s the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit? Paul mentioned peace. He repeats it again to the church in Galatia, also in modern day Turkey.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 (Galatians 5:22-23)
Here’s the key.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25)
We need to be filled with the Spirit, to live by the Spirit. We can feed our soul with the flesh or the Spirit.
What are you consuming…on social media? Music? Television?
Are your friends following Jesus or the world? You are your friends…choose wisely.
We can live our lives according to the flesh or the Holy Spirit. Which will you choose?
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Series—40 Days of Prayer with The Alliance
Romans 8:1-6
Series Big Idea: We are beginning—and spending—the year on our knees seeking God’s direction, protection, passion, and unity.
Big Idea: We can live our lives according to the flesh or the Holy Spirit.
Have you experienced God’s love and life-giving Holy Spirit?
Although 40 Days of Prayer officially ended Thursday—we missed a sermon due to Home Missions Sunday—I couldn’t skip the Holy Spirit. After all, the Holy Spirit is the most underrated, mysterious, and misunderstood Member of the Trinity. We serve one God who exists in three Persons…Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We sing songs about God the Father. There are countless hymns written about Jesus. But try to find one about the Holy Spirit. The closest hymn in our repertoire I could find is the one we sang…Holy, Holy, Holy.
The Holy Spirit is a Person, not a force or a ghost, though some use the expression Holy Ghost.
Most of us have some idea of God the Father who sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth about 2000 years ago to teach, heal, serve, die, and rise from the dead. Jesus literally separates history for us. The Old Testament is the Jewish Bible describing creation until the prophets. The New Testament begins with four gospels—or good news—about the life of Jesus. As the video said, the Holy Spirit is present in both Testaments, but in the second chapter of Acts, the Holy Spirit was unleashed upon multiple believers in multiple places. No longer was God confined to the temple or the Person of Jesus. God moved from a building to the hearts of men, women, and children. If you are a follower of Jesus, you get the Holy Spirit, too!
When I was a kid, I wanted my mom to buy what we called “sugar cereals” at the grocery store. What was your favorite? Mine was Apple Jacks. As much as I enjoyed the sweet goodness of those little circles, there was usually another reason I wanted them. The prize at the bottom! Often that was better than the cereal!
I know it’s a stretch, but just as some people ignore the prize while consuming the cereal, so some are so focused on Jesus, they ignore the Holy Spirit. If you are a follower of Jesus, you get the Holy Spirit, too!
We’ve been looking at Acts 1:8 the past two weeks where Jesus tells his disciples,
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
The Holy Spirit arrives in the second chapter of Acts in dramatic fashion.
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2:1-4)
If you read on, this was not the heavenly language that some speak, but known languages. Imagine if suddenly we all started speaking French, Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic in a room full of people from all over the world. It was a miraculous moment Jesus predicted about 40 days prior.
What was even more surprising to the first Christians—who were mostly Jewish—was the Holy Spirit coming upon Gentiles. Let me say it one more time: If you are a follower of Jesus, you get the Holy Spirit, too!
There’s no way we can say everything about the Holy Spirit in thirty minutes, but I want to look at a passage in the letter written to the church in Rome. Paul is talking about the tension between good and evil, God’s law and our sinful nature. He begins chapter eight with a staggering statement.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1)
If you are a follower of Jesus, you are no longer declared guilty of your sins. Jesus paid it all!
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
O how I love Jesus/O how I love Jesus/O how I love Jesus/Because He first loved me!
I’m not perfect. You’re not perfect. But Jesus is perfect and He died for us on the cross.
The Jewish religion was all about following the law of Moses. Sure, doing so was good for the individuals and the community, but it was impossible to get it all right. The Jews had to slaughter animals and make sacrifices to atone for their sins, to make amends. I’m so glad our gatherings don’t require a butcher!
Only Jesus lived a sinless life, which is also why he was uniquely qualified to die in our place and satisfy the wrath of God we deserve for our mistakes and failures. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:3-4)
Each day—each moment—we make choices. We’ve been given freedom by God to do good or evil, to follow Him or follow the lust, the flesh, the world, our own selfish desired. Have you ever felt the tension? Paul certainly did! In the previous chapter, he talked about the struggle, the battle, the war raging within him and within us. It’s a war we sometimes win and sometimes lose, but Jesus will ultimately be the Victor. Hallelujah!
What causes you to choose the right thing? Why do you mess up sometimes? How can we do better? It’s not by trying harder, but rather it’s by letting go and letting God. It’s about surrender to the Holy Spirit. It’s about confessing your sins and inviting the Holy Spirit to take control. The late Bill Bright called this spiritual breathing. We exhale and admit our sins and failures and we inhale, welcoming the Holy Spirit into our lives.
Religion and rules and regulations condemn us every time we make a mistake, but we have freedom and forgiveness when we live according to the Holy Spirit, when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to a church in modern-day Turkey,
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)
We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The word “filled” is not a one-time thing, but the Greek word implies a continual activity, just like breathing. It’s a daily, hourly, constant activity. We are to do life with the Holy Spirit, influenced with the Spirit like a drunk is influenced by alcohol. I love that one of the results of being filled with the Spirit is an overflow of music, of worship, of thanksgiving.
Have you ever met someone obsessed with social media? They spend hours on their screens, posting and commenting. They live for it!
Others are consumed by sports. They wake up early, workout, practice, and devote their lives to making the team, earning a medal, or winning the championship.
Tragically, many are controlled by their addictions, whether it’s alcohol or drugs or porn or food or work or whatever rules their life. By the way, if that’s you, Celebrate Recovery meets Wednesdays at 7 PM in the Fellowship Hall. But it’s not just for addicts. Anyone who is dealing with grief, loss, depression, hurts, habits, or hangups of any kind is welcome. We could all benefit from it…and I have!
What if your life was truly led by God? Imagine if you wanted to do what’s right? What if prayer, love, praise, and studying the Bible came naturally to you? I can’t promise a quick fix, but when we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, when we’re surrendered to the Holy Spirit, our lives begin to change. Day by day, we become more like Jesus, a process called sanctification.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)
Where’s your mind? Who are living for, or where’s your focus?
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
It’s your choice! Death or life and peace?
How do you know if someone is governed by the flesh?
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21)
What’s the result of being filled with the Holy Spirit? Paul mentioned peace. He repeats it again to the church in Galatia, also in modern day Turkey.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 (Galatians 5:22-23)
Here’s the key.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25)
We need to be filled with the Spirit, to live by the Spirit. We can feed our soul with the flesh or the Spirit.
What are you consuming…on social media? Music? Television?
Are your friends following Jesus or the world? You are your friends…choose wisely.
We can live our lives according to the flesh or the Holy Spirit. Which will you choose?
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.
Alliance Missions, 7 February 2021
07 02 21 Filed in: Sermons | 40 Days of Prayer
Repentance
Series—40 Days of Prayer with The Alliance
Series Big Idea: We are beginning—and spending—the year on our knees seeking God’s direction, protection, passion, and unity.
Big Idea: God invites each of us to participate in His mission…here and around the world.
You were made by God.
You were made for God.
You were made for God’s glory.
The same can be said about First Alliance Church. When Albert Benjamin Simpson came to Toledo in 1887, it wasn’t about making a name for himself. It was about creating a God-glorifying community that would impact our city, our region, our nation, and our world. It’s all about Jesus.
We looked at Acts 1:8 last Sunday. Jesus tells his followers,
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Toledo is our Jerusalem. It’s where we live, work, and play. We are all called to be missionaries here, to make disciples here, to love our neighbors, to serve our city.
Judea is the next ring as we move outward. I like to think of it as our Home Missions partners who serve beyond our church campus to impact the region.
Last Sunday we talked about Samaria, the marginalized people who struggle to fit in, perhaps because of their ethnicity, country of origin, language, marital status, education, or wealth.
Today we finish our emphasis on Acts 1:8 by talking about the ends of the earth. The Christian & Missionary Alliance has always been about missions. It’s our middle name!
Missions is in our Alliance DNA. What’s remarkable about that video is it’s not from an American. The Alliance is now a global movement. We send international workers from the US to other nations, but other nations have their own Alliance churches who are also reaching other countries.
In the US, we have 1913 churches with 427,680 worshipers that speak 38 languages and dialects.
We presently have 734 international workers serving 70+ people groups in 138 cities. Last year we added 39 new international workers. aXcess missionaries proclaim the gospel and multiply networks of faith communities among the least-reached of the world.
Alliance Missions also includes Marketplace Ministries which facilitates marketplace professionals who bring their expertise to a community to disciple those around them.
CAMA—Compassion & Mercy Associates—responds to disasters globally and partners locally to restore communities and alleviate poverty.
Envision identifies and develops missional leaders through short-term missions experiences and innovative ministry strategies in 22 locations around the globe.
When you give to the Great Commission Fund, you are supporting all four of these ministries who are reaching the ends of the earth.
The Global Alliance
Because of the great work done by previous generations of Alliance workers, 90% of our Alliance family lives outside of the United States! The Alliance World Fellowship represents over six million people speaking 180 languages in over 22,000 churches!
- • Every four minutes, someone prays to receive Christ.
- • Every hour, three patients receive physical and spiritual care through Alliance medical ministries.
- • Every day through 43 radio broadcasts, people without a gospel witness hear the good news.
- • Every week, over 3,500 new believers are baptized.
- • Every month, 250 new groups or churches join the Alliance worldwide family.
- • Every year, 10,000 students are trained and equipped for ministry through more than 125 Alliance theological schools.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
We are to make disciples of Jesus here…and beyond.
That’s why our church mission states:
We are a Jesus-centered family
Restoring God’s masterpieces
In Toledo and beyond
For His glory.
To God be the glory!
Why Missions?
You might ask, “Why worry about the ends of the earth? Don’t we have enough problems here? Don’t USAmericans need Jesus?”
Yes, of course, but Jesus’ commission in Acts 1:8 was not an either/or, but a both/and. There are nearly eight billion people on the planet and each one is a masterpiece God loves. Each and every life—black, white, brown—matters.
All Christians are called to be missionaries. God calls some to be missionaries in Toledo…in homes, schools, and businesses. Some of us are called to serve through the Pregnancy Center, Cherry Street Mission, Water for Ishmael, or other Home Missions Partners. God has sent our Faith Missions partners to northern Michigan, the Dominican Republic, and to other people groups through the Jesus Film Project. He calls some of us to distant lands, learning new languages, and introducing Jesus to people who have never even heard his name. I pray God will call some of you to become international workers with The Alliance. Over the years, more than 125 missionaries, pastors, pastors’ wives, and other full-time Christian workers have been called to ministry and “sent” from this church. We’re not done yet! I’d like to think we’re just getting started!
We have said the gospel—good news—needs to be shared. We can’t keep Jesus to ourselves! We can’t be selfish with our faith. Our world—our whole world—needs Jesus. This is why although I love our country, I get uncomfortable when Christians put too much emphasis on our nation while ignoring our current and future brothers and sisters abroad. I want God to bless America, but I also want God to bless Bolivia, Belgium, Bangladesh, Brazil, and Burundi. We are not all called to travel overseas, but we can be involved in reaching the ends of the earth through giving to the Great Commission Fund…and through prayer. After all, this is a series on prayer! Paul wrote to the church in Corinth,
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9)
Some are called to stay, others are called to go. Some plant the seeds, some water, some harvest the fruit. Some pray, others give, and still others go. Everyone plays a role in God’s Kingdom. As I said, all Christians are called to be missionaries.
In Luke 10, Jesus gathers a group of his followers and as he sends them
He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (Luke 10:2)
All ministry must begin with prayer. The work we do—here and abroad—cannot be accomplished without a miraculous move of God. Only God can cause a human heart to change, to submit, to surrender.
I find prayer so remarkable. First, we can do life with the Creator of the universe! I’m still just amazed that He hears my voice…and yours. I’m also amazed at how we can participate in God’s Kingdom not only here but on the other side of the world…on our knees. We can be a part of the transformed lives of men, women and children we won’t meet until heaven by simply praying.
So we’re going to do that now. It seems pointless to talk about prayer and not do it! On Zoom prayer each weekday at 9 AM I encourage the participants rather than spending most of the time sharing prayer requests, let’s just pray!
Family, I’d like to guide you into some prayers today. This is a little different from what we typically do on Sunday morning, but maybe it shouldn’t be! Let’s pray for
- the lost without Jesus
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
- unreached people groups (3.4 billion people, 4000 people groups)
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
- Alliance International Workers and their families
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. (Romans 15:30)
- aXcess
- Marketplace Ministries
- Envision
- CAMA—Compassion & Mercy Associates
- New Workers to be raised up
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)
- Breakthrough for financial support
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:7-8)
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
You can watch this video and others at the First Alliance Church Video Library here.