Darth Vader was Blinded

Acts 9: 3-4 says, “As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

Observation: The Darth Vader of the new Christian movement was going around killing Christian Jedi’s, Saul. He was a super bad man. He was a murder, liar, thief. He was bad. He was on his way to Damascus to do what he did best. But while on the way he encountered Jesus Christ. He spent a few moments in the very presence of God. He was blinded and told to go to Ananias. There he was healed and sent on a mission, to preach Jesus and to start churches.

Application: When you are in the presence of God, you will be different. We were teaching the kids at The Crossing Church all this month that when we spend time with God, we can know we will be different. A prayer of every Christian is to be different than how we were (or are). God gives us the key to this mystery. Every time someone was in His presence, they were changed. It didn’t matter how bad you were, you would be changed more into his image. So if you ask me, the secret to becoming more like Christ is to spend more time with Christ. How? Prayer, the Word, study it, think about it, fast from things that are in control of you, sing songs of praise, make your life living worship. You will be different.

Prayer: God, make me different, I thank you that you are making me different even as I write this. Being in your presence is a good place, don’t let me be away from you. Let me bring others with me. Let my light shine.

Giving into the Pressures of Popularity and Pleasing Others

Exodus 32:4-5 “Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, “O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt! Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, “Tomorrow will be a festival to the Lord!”

Observation: Moses was up on a mountain having a conversation with God. God was giving the Law to Moses. This Law would be the foundation to bring His people back into relationship with God. While Moses was away, his “mouth piece,” Aaron, was suppose to be watching the kids. The freshly rescued Israelites were complaining and grumbling. So they pressured Aaron into forming an idol out of gold for them to pray to. Aaron did as they asked. When he saw that it pleased the people, he was pleased..

Application: I will be the first to admit that there have been times in my life when I compromised what was right in the eyes of God in order to please the people around me. We all have at least a small desire to please others, some of us more than others. That is when peer pressure and the idea of popularity can take a Christian and put them in a place of compromise. That is a dangerous place to be in. Jesus told us we would be a people set apart, not of this world. Yet we struggle with the tension of pleasing God and pleasing people. I have learned that we only need to please one. God will be responsible for letting others see what they need to see about us.

Prayer: God, let me please and obey you this week. I know I will be tempted as Aaron was to give into the pressures of those around me, but remind be that I am set apart by you, for you.

Somtimes The Truth Hurts

In Acts 7, Stephen lays down the coolest “just before you get stoned to death, speak the truth in love and make them feel guilty” speech ever! It was pretty much a sermon. The chief priest was all upset that Stephen was telling others about Jesus. So they accuse him and get ready to execute him. He tells pretty much the whole historical story of the Old Testament. It is beautiful. He shows how God had a plan from Day 1. And that Jesus was part of that plan, but they would not listen and crucified him, their savior. Stephen is stoned (to death).

Something that Stephen said sticks out. He told them that every prophet that God sent was persecuted. It made me think that today, we have prophetic duties, And even when we speak the truth in love, we may be persecuted. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that you are blessed because you are persecuted. So keep speaking the truth in love, and even when it hurts, keep preaching it. Someone’s got to do it, so it might as well be you.

Prayer: God, don’t let me back down when persecution comes my way, but give me more resolve to preach what needs to be preached!

Who’s Your Master?

Exodus 2:5-6 “But the slave may declare, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don’t want to go free.’  If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.”

Observation: A salve could only serve a master for 6 years and then be released. But some slaves so loved their masters that they could choose to serve him for the rest of their life. In the New Testament, Paul uses the term “Bond Slave.” This is the definition of a slave who would choose to serve his master for life. A master would have to be pretty amazing for someone to choose to serve him for life.

Application: Everyone has a master. Think about. For some it’s their job or boss, or an addiction, or an idol like TV or even sports. For some it’s their spouse, or kids. Everyone chooses to follow something for life. Some are harmless, others can be dangerous. Paul chose to be a bond slave of Jesus Christ. He freely chose to follow him for life. It’s because Jesus is the best kind of master. He is loving, kind, gracious, giving, compassionate. The list goes on and on. I want to choose to follow Jesus everyday that I wake up. I want to greet people by saying, “Hi, my name is Ryan and I am a bond slave of Jesus Christ.” And even if I don’t say, people can see it. And instead of putting a hole in my ear as a sign, God has put Christ in my heart.

Prayer: God, let it be obvious to everyone that I am your bond slave. You are my loving master, let no other master come before you.

Knowing how much you can handle.

Exodus 17:11-12 As long as Moses held up the staff in his hand, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he dropped his hand, the Amalekites gained the advantage. ¹² Moses’ arms soon became so tired he could no longer hold them up. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. Then they stood on each side of Moses, holding up his hands. So his hands held steady until sunset.

Exodus 18:17-23 “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. ¹⁸ “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. ¹⁹ Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you.  Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

Observation: There are two passages here but the same principal is applied. Moses was trying to do too much by himself and he needed help. If he had not had help keeping his staff above his head his people would have lost the battle. If he had not take Jethro’s advice he would have killed himself trying to solve everyone’s problems. The point was that he was a strong leader but he had to know when he couldn’t handle something without the help from those around him.

Application: Do you ever have a problem asking for help or assistance from others? Or do you look at that as a weakness? Moses could have had an ego trip and said he was going to do it all himself OR he could receive what God wanted to give him…someone who could come along side him. It’s time to stop trying to save the world all by yourself. It’s time to start knowing our own limitations and then finding someone around us who has a strength we don’t have and utilizing them. Maybe it’s your spouse, a co-worker, a friend, or even your children. God has put people around you to lift you up, but we need to be willing to receive it.

Prayer: God, you know there are times when I want to do it all myself because either my pride or ego are holding me back from asking for help. Give me an open heart and open arms to use the people you have placed in my life to make me strong and better.

A roundabout way…God’s detour for your life.

Exodus 13:17-18 “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”  So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.”

Observation: God had just finished doing some of the most amazing works of His hand on this earth with the plagues and mass exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. They had been slaves for 430 years! God worked over Pharoah until he let them go. It was the angel of death who took the first-born sons of Egypt. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back. We need to understand this: for 430 years, God’s chosen people had not seen God’s hand at work in this magnitude. And then Moses bursts on the scene and God rocks it out! It’s important to understand this because after all of His miracles, God knew that if , under extreme circumstances, (a battle) the Hebrews would turn around and run back to Egypt. After all they had seen with their own eyes, their faith was still not strong enough. God purposely sends them in a roundabout way towards the Red Sea because “they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”

Application: How many times have we been led in roundabout ways so that we too would not run back to our old ways if given the chance? When we are in a time of trial or a “wilderness” of our own, maybe we can be thankful that God leads us in a direction that does not allow us to turn back to our wicked ways. The wilderness experience (or a time of trial and suffering) is what God uses to strengthen our faith. That doesn’t mean we have to like it, it just means that God is very purposeful. With Him, there is no accidents. Every step He leads us in has meaning. And from we just read, when the wilderness experience seems to not have an escape plan, hopefully we are reminded of this story and can take at least a little peace and say “God, I don’t like it, but I know you have a plan, and it’s only the A plan, no plan B with you, so do your thing and get me out of here ASAP!” Even if our faith is rocked and we are scared, don’t forget that God’s chosen people were ready to turn around and put themselves back in slavery…after all they had seen.

Prayer: God, when things seem their worst, please remind me of how your hand works. The Israelites were told to remind their children of how amazing you are. Let me be reminded and let me remind my children. Thank you for taking me in a roundabout every once in a while, because even in that, you have purpose.

Women of God…the ultimate servant-leaders – Luke 24

Luke 24: 1-7 “But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead? “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

Observation: The first two humans to learn of the resurrection of Jesus Christ were women. They were on their way to bring spices which they had prepared for his body. They learn from the angel that Jesus is no longer dead and they are to go and report this to the disciples. The disciples dismiss what the two women report as nonsense. It isn’t until Jesus appears to the disciples that they truly believe. Why did God use these amazing ladies to show His glory to?

Application: Women rock. Why did God choose two women to be the first? To honor them. And they believed. The men did not until they saw it for themselves. If think this is another example of God’s love for women and the incredible importance they have to His ministry on earth. Both of my parents were responsible for teaching me about God. My mom taught me Christ-like compassion. My grandmother stood strong like Joshua. My sister has sought after you for many years. My aunts are prayer warriors. My girl-cousins are worship leaders, gifted writes, sold out Christians, my wife is so close to perfection it’s freaky! Moms, wives, grandmothers, sisters, aunts…women of God, you are amazing! You deserve honor. Thank you for teaching boys and men about who Jesus is by the way you act. You truly are examples of Christ. You are the ultimate servant-leader!

Prayer: God, let me learn more about you from the women in my life.

Extreme Forgiveness – Genesis 50:18-21

Genesis 50:18-21 says, “Then his brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place? “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. “So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Observation: Jacob/Israel has died. The sons of Israel are left to the will of Joseph, the Pharaoh’s right hand man. Now consider this: Joseph’s brothers did horrible things to Joseph (first tried to kill him and ended up selling him into slavery). What would you do to your brothers if they had done such things? At the very least I would scare the heck out of them in one way or another. The sons of Israel were all pretty much punks except for Judah (read the final blessings from Israel to his sons). They all deserved punishment. And now that Israel was dead, Joseph could do as he pleased because he no longer had to worry about upsetting his father, Israel. But instead, Joseph says one of the most powerful statements in the Old Testament: “…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…I will provide for you and your little ones.” So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” What!? after all that he went through he was able to not only FORGIVE but he was able to see the GOOD in what they had done. Now, it’s impressive enough to truly forgive someone, but he also looked for God’s purpose in it all. Joseph must have been an amazing man!

Application: I have forgiven people who have done things like calling me names, making up lies, going against my authority, you know, the normal kind of stuff. But I have never truly had to forgive someone that has wronged me in the way the Joseph was wronged. So I can’t even say how I would react to such a thing. Some application #1 is to forgive. But now you’re telling me that if something happens to me like what happened to Joseph, I need to ask God what his intentions were and how they apply to my life? Folks, I gotta be honest here, the prospect of such things makes me nervous.

Prayer: God, I mean this prayer…please help me to have the strength to forgive when the time comes. And please let me have the ability to see your hand at work in everything in my life…good and bad!

Introducing the hardcore, non-sugar coated Jesus Christ

Luke 19:26-27 says, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. “But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence.”

Observation: Have you ever noticed that Jesus, as much as he was loving and compassionate, he was a hardcore preacher of truth? The words, “sugar coating” or the act of taking something that may not taste good and coating it with sugar so it was more palatable, did NOT exist with Jesus. Obviously, he didn’t have the time required to sugar coat truth and try to be Mr. Popular. In this passage he pretty much says this, “You have responsibilities while I am away, but when I get back you better have done what I have asked of you. Be my disciples and more will be given, but if you do nothing, much will be taken…your eternal soul!”

Application: Now days we as Christians and the church sometimes get caught up in trying to sugar coat the truth so that we can get the message to more people and they are willing to accept it. But have we gone too far? Jesus pretty much said it how it was. I think he knew that no matter how much he sugar coated things, that in the end, if they didn’t like what they heard they wouldn’t follow through with anything. So he took the 3 or so years of his public ministry and laid it all out…the good, the bad, and the ugly. He knew that those who needed what he had to say would do something with it. And those who would do nothing with it…well they would still be judged. What do I do with this? I think the best application of this parable/passage is to have a sense of urgency in the ministry God has given me. Maybe I should be less concerned with sugar coating Jesus, and just preach him to everyone I can. Paul said that while we can plant and water seeds of truth in people, only God can make them grow. I need to “invest” what God has given me while he is away…with urgency. The return on the investment is my faithfulness, not how many people I can talk into hearing what I have to say.

Prayer: Much has been given to me, let me do something with it. Don’t let me get caught up in the stuff that would distract me from your purpose in my life…like gossip, slandering, maligning, anger, ungodly frustration, discord, discontent, ego, pride. God, let me have a single mind and focus…to do much with what you have given me and asked of me. In Jesus name!

Stop acting your age and grow down!

Luke 18:14-17 says, “for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.” And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them.But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”

Observation: Being a children’s pastor I have used this passage many times to show the importance of children to God. But it is so much more than His love for children, He loves everyone equally. Jesus was trying to drive home a point, and it began when he was teaching humility in vs. 14. He drives it home with the illustration to have the attitude of a child. If you don’t have kids, you’ve at least been around kids. They have this cool innocence that impresses me. But even more than the innocence of a child, I love the attitude of a child when it comes to the simplest things of this world. The BIble Knowledge Commentary says it best, “Children come with expectation and excitement. They come realizing that they are not sufficient in themselves. They depend totally on others. If these same attitudes are not present in adults, they can never enter into the kingdom.”

Application: When I was a child I remember fishing with my grandpa and dad. One thing that the adult always must do for a child is tie on the hook and bait it correctly. A child must rely completely on the adult otherwise the fishing experience will be unsuccessful. I always assumed that if I was with my grandpa I would always catch a fish because he was a master fisherman. It was a given that we would have a great time. I want that same attitude today, but with God. I want that feeling of going out to catch a fish…knowing that if he ties the hook and is present, I can’t fail. I want to rely on God for everything in my life. I can’t fail when I know that a part from him, I am nothing, but with him, all things are possible.

Prayer: God, continue to teach me humility. Give me the heart of a child. Vs. 27 says that with God all things are possible. Let me have that child-like faith and expectation. And that in itself is the success, trusting in him with all things.