Intro: Jesus a man of authority, to heal and forgive, which was for God alone, he ate with sinners, which was forbidden, he needed no other authority
1.ch1 v 35-39 Popularity
I. v 28, news of Jesus spread like wildfire, overwhelming crowds
A. Gets up to pray in solitary place for hours (not cut like we do)
B. After Peter tells him, he says “lets leave”
II. Why? He was for everyone
A. preacher not just a miracle worker
III. Jesus’ priorities
A. Prayer (leans on the father)
B. Balance of word and deed in ministry
C. Popularity is not a priority (quality rather than quantity is the key to Jesus’ ministry
2. ch 1 v 40-45 Leper
I. Leprosy was a term for variety of skin diseases and disorders
A. Quarantine
B. Ceremonially unclean, even when you came near (tree)
II. Leper approaches Jesus, heals not only with pronouncement but with touch
A. Surprising as not needed for physical healing (cf 2 v 10-11)
B. Surprising because Jesus opens himself to be branded unclean
III. Risky, but touch is significant
A. Not needed for the physical healing, but for the emotional suffering
B. Jesus can’t become unclean
3. ch2 v 1-5 Paralytic
I. Back to Capernaum, preaching this time, not healing
A. Doing good is not the whole of Christianity, if it was Christianity would be just like any other religion
B. It would be a matter of following examples and fulfilling ethical standards
C. But we are saved by faith in what he has done
II. We need to hear the message to believe it! Surprises persistent friends
A. Jesus forgives his sins!
B. Something more radical and basic than physical health, being right with God
C. The only thing that can really kill you is sin
D. The only cure is forgiveness
III. Jesus surprises us the readers
A. How can you forgive someone who isn’t repentant?
B. Jesus reads the motives of the heart
C. We don’t have to say things the right way, or follow a set of rules
D. Have a heart of dependence and desire to get near him
4. ch2 v 6-12 authority to forgive sins
I. third group of people surprised by Jesus
A. Religious leaders, enormous claim about Jesus, blasphemy!
B. Jesus claiming he is God
II. someone sins against you
A. costs you something
B. to forgive means you don’t expect to be reimbursed, you pay for it yourself
C. you can only forgive if a debt is against you or if you are willing to pay for someone else’s debt
III. If Jesus forgives sins, he is claiming all their sins are against him
A. every sin breaks his rules (he is rulemaker)
B. Jesus is claiming he can pay for these sins
C. Religious leaders never expected this!
5. ch 2 v :9 what is the answer to Jesus’ question?
I. Which is easier?
A. Anyone could say “you are forgiven”, need power and authority
B. Jesus says the first does the second, he heals the man
C. Jesus is saying “ I HAVE THE AUTHORITY”
6. Ch 2 v 13-17 Sinners and the righteous
I. Do the righteous not need him? This is a warning to the self righteous
A. When do you go to a doctor? When it is beyond your control
B. You don’t go just for advice, you want intervention
II. Jesus calls the sinners and the righteous
A. Sinners know they are in need of the great physician
B. Righteous think they can do it on their own! (Work hard, live a good life etc) Jesus an example not a saviour
III. Jesus can and will only help those who know they are moral failures, unable to save themselves
A. Self righteousness is in some ways the only fatal sin
B. The moral and righteous are turned off (when Christianity is explained)
C. The big “sinners” are turned on (when Christianity is explained)
7. ch2 v 13-17 Levi
I. Peter, Andrew, James and John, working class, Levi wealthy!
A. No religious type! Jesus’ call is to all!
B. Only the religiously proud exclude themselves
II. Jesus can reach and transform anyone
A. Levi’s call is not merited, it is grace!
B. Jesus’ call over all, to everyone and for everything
8. What is the theme that binds?
COMPASSION, SURPRISING, GRACE!!!!! COLOURS OUTSIDE THE LINES, MOULD BREAKER! HARD CASES, NO PREJUDICE, ONLY MORAL FAILURES NEED APLY, NOT ONLY A TEACHER, REAL POWER! FORGIVENESS CHANGES
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
“When God Increases the Uncertainty”
Series: Race of Faith
Hebrews 11:32 Gideon
INTRO
-one of the great sights is Michelangelo’s David—this massive sculpture regarded as one of the great artistic achievements of all time
-what I did not know was the story behind the materials
-in the late 15th century, the Florentine sculpture Agostino d’Antonio began work on a huge block of marble
-but after several futile attempts—he gave it up as worthless
-and the block of stone—badly disfigured—lay idle for 40 years
-until a young artist by the name of Michelangelo came along and saw what it could become
-and receiving his commission—he spent the next several years sculpting his masterpiece
Those listed in Hebrews 11 represent stories of men and women who God sculpted into masterpieces of faith
-who stepped into vast unknowns
-accomplished great acts of courage
-because they took God at His word
One of those listed is Gideon—11:32
-whose life has been captured in Judges chapters 6-8
In order to understand Gideon—we must understand his world
-and here is what stands out—Gideon’s world was a mess
-no leadership, no moral compass
-everyone doing what was right in their own sight
There was this unending cycle of rebellion—retribution—repentance—and ultimately restoration
-chapter 6 describes the retribution moment (read 1-6)
-Israel’s spiritual neglect invited the Midianites
-a semi nomadic tribe of camel driving warriors from the south
-who took their formidable beasts and wasted the land, pillaged and plundered the people of Israel
-like locusts, they swept in on an annual basis and devoured anything that lived
-and seven years of terrorist campaigns had a devastating effect
-it left Israel “impoverished” (verse 6) (lit reduced to something tiny)
So they cried to God for help
-and God—as He always does—heard and spoke
-but more—He raised a deliverer (read verses 7-12)
-we’re not immediately impressed
-but then—most of those God calls are not necessarily imposing, remarkable, inspiring—Moses, Samson, Jonah, Peter
-Gideon was a simple farmer--improvising-beating out grain in a winepress—so as to not arouse the attention of the Midianites
-but God saw something in this clump of clay, mass of marble
-He saw a mighty warrior, a powerful hero, a man’s man
-who would change his world
-just as He sees something in you—something in me
-and though it may seem so contrary to what we can see
-for all we see is the clump of clay
-He nonetheless occasionally speaks into us what He intends us to be
-speaks His future into us
-calls us to what He intends us to be
-even if it sounds rather absurd at the moment
-for He sees far beyond who we are—out into what we can be when we submit to His refining work
-come to grips with His call
-as McManus puts it—“If everything else remains uncertain—be clear on
this point—there is a calling on your life”
And if we have lost faith that God continues to do this—then maybe we are not listening
And how did Gideon respond?
-the same way many of us do
-with enthusiasm, assurance, passion
-no--with skepticism, doubt, fear, and maybe even a bit of cynicism (read vs 15)
-do you know the meaning of my name Gideon—it means “hacker”, hewer?
-are you aware of my standing?
-I am in the “thinnest” clan, I am the runt of the litter (Peterson)
-I think God you have the wrong number
-and my guess—a lot of us do the same thing with this call of God
-who am I God?
-I’m just this civil servant, this teacher at King’s park, this IT guy trying to survive
-this full time mum trying to maintain a home
But God is not put off by our lack of faith
-He didn’t agree with Gideon—He doesn’t agree with us
-He keeps sculpting, shaping, forming
-Speaking His hope into us- (read vs 16)
Gideon would need some assurance—some sign from God
-Some indication this was of Him (read vs 17)
So God showed Gideon He was in this (read vss 20-21)
But Gideon needed more assurance—facing the enemy, he needed a guarantee
-something that would underscore God’s power to save (read 36-39)
-but before we shake our heads over Gideon’s lack of faith
-let’s remember that God never rebuked Gideon for this
-He quietly accommodated
-proved Himself to Gideon
-and we should remember we do the same thing
-we look for some tangible sign God is in this
-we put God to our own tests
Why?
1. WE PUT GOD TO THE TEST—IN ORDER TO FIND CERTAINTY
-we want to know God is in this
-in the fog—we need an occasional glimpse of light from the shore
-we need God to assure us He has called us
-that He is working out His will in our lives
Illustration—
Illustration—
And sometimes God speaks, acts
-the fleece is wet
But before we go too far down this road
-we must realize God is often doing something as well
2. GOD PUTS US TO THE TEST—TO CREATE UNCERTAINTY
A. Sometimes He takes us out of our experience
-out of the safety and into the dangerous (read 6:25-26)
-He will call us to tear down our altars, destroy our idols
-the things that claim allegiance over us
-things we have built to give us security—money, possessions, careers
-He will call us to tear down anything that comes before Him
-and build a proper kind of altar
B. Sometimes He will demand we remove those things we rely on that make us self-sufficient (read 7:1-8)
-God knows our tendency to build our armies, accumulate our resources—such that we will not have to rely on Him so much
-so that we can take some of the credit
Sometimes God hears our prayers
-gives us reassurance—certainty
-and sometimes He strips us bare of sureness
-leverages the odds against us
-does things that make no sense from a human perspective
-require we travel in dark places
-PUSH US INTO UNCERTAINTY
Why?
-because if we come to a place where it all is certain—-then faith is unnecessary
-and if faith is unnecessary—God is unnecessary
It’s when Gideon came to grips with this tension
-embraced certainty and uncertainty
-the story tells us he worshipped (7:15)
But more—something of the future entered the present (read 7:17-18)
-a doubter became a believer
-a coward—a hero
-a hider—a leader
-a farmer—a warrior
-a slab of marble—a David
CONC
Here are the questions Gideon poses—
Have you come to peace with this ongoing tension of certainty and uncertainty
-that both are necessary in this journey of faith?
-that uncertainty is where God does His greatest work?
But here’s a bigger question—
Are you convinced that slab of marble you see in the mirror is a mighty warrior in the making?
-to fight the good fight with weapons of faith, hope, love
-face our Midianites
-follow our Warrior King Jesus?
Hebrews 11:32 Gideon
INTRO
-one of the great sights is Michelangelo’s David—this massive sculpture regarded as one of the great artistic achievements of all time
-what I did not know was the story behind the materials
-in the late 15th century, the Florentine sculpture Agostino d’Antonio began work on a huge block of marble
-but after several futile attempts—he gave it up as worthless
-and the block of stone—badly disfigured—lay idle for 40 years
-until a young artist by the name of Michelangelo came along and saw what it could become
-and receiving his commission—he spent the next several years sculpting his masterpiece
Those listed in Hebrews 11 represent stories of men and women who God sculpted into masterpieces of faith
-who stepped into vast unknowns
-accomplished great acts of courage
-because they took God at His word
One of those listed is Gideon—11:32
-whose life has been captured in Judges chapters 6-8
In order to understand Gideon—we must understand his world
-and here is what stands out—Gideon’s world was a mess
-no leadership, no moral compass
-everyone doing what was right in their own sight
There was this unending cycle of rebellion—retribution—repentance—and ultimately restoration
-chapter 6 describes the retribution moment (read 1-6)
-Israel’s spiritual neglect invited the Midianites
-a semi nomadic tribe of camel driving warriors from the south
-who took their formidable beasts and wasted the land, pillaged and plundered the people of Israel
-like locusts, they swept in on an annual basis and devoured anything that lived
-and seven years of terrorist campaigns had a devastating effect
-it left Israel “impoverished” (verse 6) (lit reduced to something tiny)
So they cried to God for help
-and God—as He always does—heard and spoke
-but more—He raised a deliverer (read verses 7-12)
-we’re not immediately impressed
-but then—most of those God calls are not necessarily imposing, remarkable, inspiring—Moses, Samson, Jonah, Peter
-Gideon was a simple farmer--improvising-beating out grain in a winepress—so as to not arouse the attention of the Midianites
-but God saw something in this clump of clay, mass of marble
-He saw a mighty warrior, a powerful hero, a man’s man
-who would change his world
-just as He sees something in you—something in me
-and though it may seem so contrary to what we can see
-for all we see is the clump of clay
-He nonetheless occasionally speaks into us what He intends us to be
-speaks His future into us
-calls us to what He intends us to be
-even if it sounds rather absurd at the moment
-for He sees far beyond who we are—out into what we can be when we submit to His refining work
-come to grips with His call
-as McManus puts it—“If everything else remains uncertain—be clear on
this point—there is a calling on your life”
And if we have lost faith that God continues to do this—then maybe we are not listening
And how did Gideon respond?
-the same way many of us do
-with enthusiasm, assurance, passion
-no--with skepticism, doubt, fear, and maybe even a bit of cynicism (read vs 15)
-do you know the meaning of my name Gideon—it means “hacker”, hewer?
-are you aware of my standing?
-I am in the “thinnest” clan, I am the runt of the litter (Peterson)
-I think God you have the wrong number
-and my guess—a lot of us do the same thing with this call of God
-who am I God?
-I’m just this civil servant, this teacher at King’s park, this IT guy trying to survive
-this full time mum trying to maintain a home
But God is not put off by our lack of faith
-He didn’t agree with Gideon—He doesn’t agree with us
-He keeps sculpting, shaping, forming
-Speaking His hope into us- (read vs 16)
Gideon would need some assurance—some sign from God
-Some indication this was of Him (read vs 17)
So God showed Gideon He was in this (read vss 20-21)
But Gideon needed more assurance—facing the enemy, he needed a guarantee
-something that would underscore God’s power to save (read 36-39)
-but before we shake our heads over Gideon’s lack of faith
-let’s remember that God never rebuked Gideon for this
-He quietly accommodated
-proved Himself to Gideon
-and we should remember we do the same thing
-we look for some tangible sign God is in this
-we put God to our own tests
Why?
1. WE PUT GOD TO THE TEST—IN ORDER TO FIND CERTAINTY
-we want to know God is in this
-in the fog—we need an occasional glimpse of light from the shore
-we need God to assure us He has called us
-that He is working out His will in our lives
Illustration—
Illustration—
And sometimes God speaks, acts
-the fleece is wet
But before we go too far down this road
-we must realize God is often doing something as well
2. GOD PUTS US TO THE TEST—TO CREATE UNCERTAINTY
A. Sometimes He takes us out of our experience
-out of the safety and into the dangerous (read 6:25-26)
-He will call us to tear down our altars, destroy our idols
-the things that claim allegiance over us
-things we have built to give us security—money, possessions, careers
-He will call us to tear down anything that comes before Him
-and build a proper kind of altar
B. Sometimes He will demand we remove those things we rely on that make us self-sufficient (read 7:1-8)
-God knows our tendency to build our armies, accumulate our resources—such that we will not have to rely on Him so much
-so that we can take some of the credit
Sometimes God hears our prayers
-gives us reassurance—certainty
-and sometimes He strips us bare of sureness
-leverages the odds against us
-does things that make no sense from a human perspective
-require we travel in dark places
-PUSH US INTO UNCERTAINTY
Why?
-because if we come to a place where it all is certain—-then faith is unnecessary
-and if faith is unnecessary—God is unnecessary
It’s when Gideon came to grips with this tension
-embraced certainty and uncertainty
-the story tells us he worshipped (7:15)
But more—something of the future entered the present (read 7:17-18)
-a doubter became a believer
-a coward—a hero
-a hider—a leader
-a farmer—a warrior
-a slab of marble—a David
CONC
Here are the questions Gideon poses—
Have you come to peace with this ongoing tension of certainty and uncertainty
-that both are necessary in this journey of faith?
-that uncertainty is where God does His greatest work?
But here’s a bigger question—
Are you convinced that slab of marble you see in the mirror is a mighty warrior in the making?
-to fight the good fight with weapons of faith, hope, love
-face our Midianites
-follow our Warrior King Jesus?
The meaning of the Kingdom
Mark 1 v 16-34
Introduction
I. Kingdom of God is near
A. Who is this king? Peter Faulk, Colombo, Jesus identified, but slowly revealed by Mark
B. Nature of the kingdom what is it, how do we enter it?
In v 16-20, what do we learn about the kingdom?
I. It means coming under Jesus’ authority
A. v 16-17, authority extends to work life
B. v 19-20, authority extends to family life
II. It means drawing others into the kingdom too
A. Fishers of men v 17, metaphor for Christian discipleship
III. it means decision
A. at once they left v 18, without delay they left v 20
B. world torn open, ruptures status quo
C. Makes people choose
D. Kingdom requires a decisive act of commitment
What do vs 21-22 teach about the Kingdom of God?
I. Jesus exercises his intellectual authority
A. We must submit our ideas, philosophies, ideologies and opinions to him
B. Beliefs shape practice
II. Mark explicitly uses the term authority v 22
A. “out of the original stuff” He was brand new!
B. Teachers “thus saith the Lord” Jesus “but I say to you”
C. Amen, Amen, usually afterwards, Jesus uses to start
D. No one else ever did this, not kings, priests, prophets
What do vs 23-28 teach us about the kingdom of God? Despite modern prejudices against the idea of demon possession how does the existence of evil spirits help us explain what goes on in the world?
I. Jesus exhibits authority over demons
A. not simply a claim to authority, this is proof
B. This is exhibition of power and authority never seen before
C. No incantation, just “shut up and get out”
D. No call on higher power, he is higher power
II. Our sceptical culture
A. Fair enough for an atheist, but not consistent for a believer to believe in a good God and refuse to believe there is evil supernatural beings
B. Demonic forces explain complexity of psychological problems, many causes, moral, physiological, psychological, demonic
C. Demonic forces can explain systematic social evil. Apartheid, Rwanda
III. Misery and evil not simply because of sinful choices
C. But Jesus can heal
D. His exorcism shows how the kingdom works, not simply rule giver, but liberator and healer, he brings in the new realm of the kingdom
IV. There is an alternative to having Jesus as master
E. Not everyone possessed like this man v 23, 24
F. Ephesians 6- principalities
G. Anything we make an ultimate value becomes a master and exercises enslaving power over us (career idolatry)
H. Jesus comes in as Saviour and therefore King, as we submit, priorities change, kingdom comes in, you become new
Over what areas of life do v 29-34 show his authority? What do we lean about the kingdom here?
I. Jesus is king over the physical world
A. Teaches and heals, word and deed
B. Christians to do likewise, fishers of men from injustice
People today struggle with the idea that we must absolutely submit all of our thinking and practice to the Lordship of Christ. How can we answer a person who struggles like that?
I. we need a king, even though democratic human rights say different
A. We want someone to help us, love us, not rule over us
B. Reason for democracy not because of goodness, but reverse, no power in the hands of one
C. We no longer honour the monarchy, we honour others
D. Wear equality with others, but undress before God, C.S. Lewis
II. If Jesus is not your king, something else will be, it is how we are built
Summary, what have we learned?
I. The kingdom is comprehensive, extending over every part of life and reality
II. The kingdom of God brings healing and wholeness to any area that comes under the king’s authority
Remembering the big picture
I. Who Jesus is
A. he is the king, Christ and the Son of God, B. he is as powerful as John the Baptist said (v7), C. he has supernatural authority
II. Why Jesus came
A. To establish a new kingdom B)He holds the power over the spiritual and physical world
III. How should I respond?
A. Apathy? B. Everyone who meets him is amazed. C. The demons were violently opposed to him
Introduction
I. Kingdom of God is near
A. Who is this king? Peter Faulk, Colombo, Jesus identified, but slowly revealed by Mark
B. Nature of the kingdom what is it, how do we enter it?
In v 16-20, what do we learn about the kingdom?
I. It means coming under Jesus’ authority
A. v 16-17, authority extends to work life
B. v 19-20, authority extends to family life
II. It means drawing others into the kingdom too
A. Fishers of men v 17, metaphor for Christian discipleship
III. it means decision
A. at once they left v 18, without delay they left v 20
B. world torn open, ruptures status quo
C. Makes people choose
D. Kingdom requires a decisive act of commitment
What do vs 21-22 teach about the Kingdom of God?
I. Jesus exercises his intellectual authority
A. We must submit our ideas, philosophies, ideologies and opinions to him
B. Beliefs shape practice
II. Mark explicitly uses the term authority v 22
A. “out of the original stuff” He was brand new!
B. Teachers “thus saith the Lord” Jesus “but I say to you”
C. Amen, Amen, usually afterwards, Jesus uses to start
D. No one else ever did this, not kings, priests, prophets
What do vs 23-28 teach us about the kingdom of God? Despite modern prejudices against the idea of demon possession how does the existence of evil spirits help us explain what goes on in the world?
I. Jesus exhibits authority over demons
A. not simply a claim to authority, this is proof
B. This is exhibition of power and authority never seen before
C. No incantation, just “shut up and get out”
D. No call on higher power, he is higher power
II. Our sceptical culture
A. Fair enough for an atheist, but not consistent for a believer to believe in a good God and refuse to believe there is evil supernatural beings
B. Demonic forces explain complexity of psychological problems, many causes, moral, physiological, psychological, demonic
C. Demonic forces can explain systematic social evil. Apartheid, Rwanda
III. Misery and evil not simply because of sinful choices
C. But Jesus can heal
D. His exorcism shows how the kingdom works, not simply rule giver, but liberator and healer, he brings in the new realm of the kingdom
IV. There is an alternative to having Jesus as master
E. Not everyone possessed like this man v 23, 24
F. Ephesians 6- principalities
G. Anything we make an ultimate value becomes a master and exercises enslaving power over us (career idolatry)
H. Jesus comes in as Saviour and therefore King, as we submit, priorities change, kingdom comes in, you become new
Over what areas of life do v 29-34 show his authority? What do we lean about the kingdom here?
I. Jesus is king over the physical world
A. Teaches and heals, word and deed
B. Christians to do likewise, fishers of men from injustice
People today struggle with the idea that we must absolutely submit all of our thinking and practice to the Lordship of Christ. How can we answer a person who struggles like that?
I. we need a king, even though democratic human rights say different
A. We want someone to help us, love us, not rule over us
B. Reason for democracy not because of goodness, but reverse, no power in the hands of one
C. We no longer honour the monarchy, we honour others
D. Wear equality with others, but undress before God, C.S. Lewis
II. If Jesus is not your king, something else will be, it is how we are built
Summary, what have we learned?
I. The kingdom is comprehensive, extending over every part of life and reality
II. The kingdom of God brings healing and wholeness to any area that comes under the king’s authority
Remembering the big picture
I. Who Jesus is
A. he is the king, Christ and the Son of God, B. he is as powerful as John the Baptist said (v7), C. he has supernatural authority
II. Why Jesus came
A. To establish a new kingdom B)He holds the power over the spiritual and physical world
III. How should I respond?
A. Apathy? B. Everyone who meets him is amazed. C. The demons were violently opposed to him
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