What If Jesus Lived In My Neighborhood

The sun shone brilliant from a faultless sky as we gathered this Sunday for worship at New Life Covenant. Pastor Shannon welcomed us with informality and warmth, stating that today’s theme was to be on Kindness, the third in a series of messages about what it means to love others.

Key announcements:
1. The outdoor service scheduled for August 31 has been temporarily postponed.
2. Sunday School will begin soon, but we’re still in need of teachers.
3. Pam Johnson is helping organize the collecting of school supplies for needy families.
4. There will be a “hymn sing” and pot luck dinner at the Newman’s on September 14. Newman’s will provide the meat.

Today’s Scripture readings:
Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28
Romans 10:5-15

What If Jesus Lived In My Neighborhood

The Bible says we exist for others. As we mature in Christ, and the fruits of our relationship with Christ will mature in us, we’ll be increasingly growing in acts of kindness. If you’re not growing in kindness, then it should cause us to question our union with Christ, for kindness is a fruit of the Spirit.

The word for kindness in Scripture is chrestotes, which not only refers to our external behavior, but also incorporates the the idea of something inside us that is flowing out through our behavior.

Pastor Shannon pointed out that many external acts of kindness are driven by wrong motives. Biblical kindness is uncontaminated by internal selfish motives. In Ephesians 4:32 we see that Christ’s kindness toward us, an undeserved favor from God, is to be a pattern we exhibit toward others. In addition, our kind actions are to be motivated by a moral rightness.

The definition of Biblical kindness then is: “I show kindness to others because Christ showed kindness to me, and it’s the right thing to do.”

Using this as a springboard, we returned to Old Testament stories from the life of David to illustrate this additional facet of love.

In I Samuel 20:14-16 we see David’s covenant commitment to his friend Jonathan. In review, we note that many years pass before David, who had been anointed for kingship at age 16, can assume the throne as king of Israel at age thirty.

All this is a setup to paint the backdrop for the story of Mephibosheth in II Samuel in chapter nine.

2 Samuel 9
David and Mephibosheth

1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"
2 Now there was a servant of Saul's household named Ziba. They called him to appear before David, and the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" "Your servant," he replied.
3 The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet."
4 "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."
5 So King David had him brought from Lo Debar, from the house of Makir son of Ammiel.
6 When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!" "Your servant," he replied.
7 "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table."
8 Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"
9 Then the king summoned Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. 10 You and your sons and your servants are to farm the land for him and bring in the crops, so that your master's grandson may be provided for. And Mephibosheth, grandson of your master, will always eat at my table." (Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.)
11 Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's [a] table like one of the king's sons.
12 Mephibosheth had a young son named Mica, and all the members of Ziba's household were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet.

Pastor Shannon drew our attention to several highlights from this passage. First, that David initiated the act of kindness (vs. 3). So, too, Christ pursued us, even while we were running from Him. Christ’s kindness, as was David’s here, is proactive and intentional.
Next, it is noteworthy that Mephibosheth was unworthy of this kindness. He had been hiding out in a place called Lo Debar, which means “place of no pasture.” He was lame and useless. David’s kindness was shown while expecting nothing in return. Mephibosheth had nothing to give in return anyways. David was aware of this.

So it is that we are to extend our own kindness to those who are undeserving, far from God and have nothing they can give back in return.

Biblically, our kindness flows out of our commitment to show devotion to Christ. It’s not based on how we feel at this moment or that, but is a commitment based on the reality of his kindness toward us.

In David’s case, kindness was exhibited in three ways. First, he saw to it that Mephibosheth’s daily needs were met. Second, Mephibosheth received his inheritance. And most significantly, third, Mephibosheth was given a seat at the king’s table.

In other words, I am to give my best, not leftovers.

Later in his life, there had been a rebellion in the kingdom. David learned that Mephibosheth had purportedly betrayed the king, revealing the truth that sometimes kindness backfires and is not always rewarded with reciprocity. Nevertheless, we are to show kindness anyways. David did not abandon his commitments.

In a re-statement of the original definition, Pastor Shannon once again said, ““I show kindness to others because Christ showed kindness to me, and it’s the right thing to do.” He then expressed his own gratitude for our capacity for God, and encouraged us to do still more. Christ has offered each of us a seat at His banquet table.

In closing he asked who our own Mephibosheths were. Think about it… and show kindness.

Why Pray?

Pastor Brad began by noting that we are closing our 5 week series on James. Do we need something? We are to pray for it. Re God’s word, we should drink it in and live it out. Don’t just hear the Word but DO what it says.

Today’s Sermon: “Why Pray?”

Can we change the mind and heart of God? Can you actually get through? We’ve all experienced the sort of calls when trying to get through to a person we get messages to push one button after another and get left on hold. Sometimes we try to send an email And it somehow gets lost in cyberspace. Sometimes prayer feels like “a spasm of words lost in a cosmic chasm of indifference."

The truth is that everyone prays. We pray because we cannot help it. In any given week we pray more than we work out, drive, or clock in on our job. Nine out of ten people say that they pray regularly. Even atheists pray. It seems to be hardwired in us. We long to connect even when we don’t believe in God. We pray for healing, for peace, strength for someone else to be healed. When there’s turbulence in a plane everyone on it is praying.

Jesus always snuck away to pray. He made himself unavailable to people so as to make himself close to God. He embraced it as his absolute lifeline. His disciples didn’t ask Jesus to teach them how to walk on water. They asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. They saw that it was a life giving connection to God and they wanted that.

Prayer gives us better focus instantly like lasik surgery.

Job prayed “My world is falling apart. Couldn’t you at least show up God?” Then God does show up and asks questions of Job and suddenly brings everything back into focus.

Prayer helps us reverse roles and gives us awareness of God’s hugeness. It brings reality back into focus. We can come down from our CEO office and find better ways to define success. When we pray we can vacate our mind. The word “vacate” is related to “vacation”. Prayer is like a vacation, a time when we can change our perspective.

I am not the center of the universe. I am a small player in the epic story of God. Life is about His story, His greatness, His plan.

Is anyone sick? We can invite God into the process to help us. Pastor Brad then noted that sometimes there are healing miracles, and sometimes not, but that if people are not healed of physical illness it does not mean that their faith is too small. Sometimes prayer for healing brings us spiritually to a place of peace with God by confessing our sins. There also is a natural aging process we all go through.

Why pray? Because Jesus told us to pray. When our children ask us for things we always want to answer them, but we also want what is best for them.

In Revelation 8 all of heaven shut up to listen to our prayers.

There are certain things that we do not tell others about ourselves but God always knows what is really true about my heart. Go into your closet and pray and be alone with God. Prayer restores the reality of God’s grace and His longing to lavish it upon you. Prayer is keeping company with God. Come to Him in respect and awe, but also in confidence.

Prayer is an ongoing relationship and conversation with God. Sometimes my prayer is like a country music song. It just is telling what is going on in my life. Other times it is more like a rock and roll song. It has a constant and persistent beat that just keeps coming. Other times it’s like jazz. It goes in different directions and you don’t know what’s coming next. Then there are times when it is very much like the blues.

At this point in the sermon Darlene played a few chords of blues style on the piano while Pastor Brad sang some of David’s words from Psalm 22. “My God, Why have You forsaken me? Why are you so far from the words of my groaning? I cry out but You do not answer.” We can get out our feelings of disappointment, anger and frustration to God, He invites us to pray like that. After expressing his feelings to God, David then says “You are faithful”

Prayer is ultimately a love song. Stay connected to the lover of your soul.

Blessed Are You

After a very special time of worship Brian Muecke, executive director of Covenant Park Bible Camp, shared with us about the good things that God has done at the camp these past years. “Faith in Action” is the theme for 2008 at Covenant Park, based on verses from James 2:14-17.

Cheryl Borndal led several youth in an entertaining skit on why kids go to camp. Eric Borndal stated it was his desire and goal to see 50 young people from our church participate in camp this summer. For a relatively small church, we sent an impressive 38 kids to camp last summer.

Scripture readings were from Psalm 121 and John 3:1-17

Pastor Brad Shannon delivered a message on The Beatitudes this morning beginning with a story about an incident which he witnessed in a restaurant on a Sunday afternoon while he was in college. A waitress had the misfortune of accidentally spilling a gallon of thousand island dressing onto the head, face and chest of a man in a suit. Being dressed up on a Sunday, one could infer that this man and his family had just come from church, but his behavior resonated anything but Christian character. His rage included cutting and belittling insults, and the demand that the restaurant purchase him a new $350 suit.

Pastor Brad underscored that we, as Christians, are supposed to be different.

In Matthew 5:1-10 Jesus begins his first recorded sermon with the qualities that distinguish a follower of God.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs in the kingdom of God.” Happy are you when you discover you are spiritually bankrupt. This is the starting point. As Isaiah declared upon seeing the Almighty God in Isaiah 6, “Woe to me! I am undone.” When pride has been stripped away, we can only then begin to recognize our need of God.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” This is the second internal reality. When our hearts are broken, we can begin to be instructed of God. As David wrote in Psalm 51, God cherishes “a broken and contrite heart.”

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Meekness is not passive, is not weakness, Brad said. He compared the meek to bridled horses. It is an attitude of heart that is fostered in a manner very different from self-help books. It involves absolute surrender to God.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.” This is also an inward matter. Sooner or later we must all learn that the things of this earth cannot satisfy this deep hunger. We are to hunger for the things of God. Only when we have this hunger will our lives truly begin to make a difference.

Christianity is not behavior modification, it begins with internal renovation.

The first behavior change that others see is revealed in this fifth beatitude: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

This is followed by “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Purity of heart means “what you see is what you get.” Again citing David, “What God desires is truth in the inmost parts.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” There is a difference between thermometers and thermostats. Thermometers adjust to the room. Thermostats, on the other hand, change the temperature of the room. They adjust the room. As Christians, we are not called to be like the world, reflecting the world. Our presence here is intended to change the world.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of God.”

We have been blessed. And it is our privilege as God’s people to be part of the fellowship of the unashamed.

Jesus’ Magnificent Kingdom Courage

Our church is blessed with many unsung heroes who make contributions and personal sacrifices behind the scenes, or with faithfulness that is not always given its due. Darlene Vanderscheuren’s music and accompaniments have provided a wonderful backdrop as we enter into worship each Sunday. This morning’s introit, “Be Still My Soul,” helped set the tone for a very special service.

The Trio – Ken, Chuck and Darlene – also performed twice during the service. They sang The Lighthouse during the offering and a moving rendition of Come to the Waters in the early part of the service.

The chorus, if you are not familiar with it, goes…

And Jesus said, “Come to the waters
stand by my side
I know you are thirsty,
you won’t be denied.
I felt every teardrop
when in darkness you cried,
and I strove to remind you
that for those tears I died.”

Our Scripture readings this morning were from Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Luke 23:33-43.

Pastor Brad’s message today was a continuation of last week’s message on Jesus’ Magnificent Kingdom Courage. After a recap of last week’s highlights (see below) Brad spent much of the sermon bringing new insights to some familiar passages in the Gospels by sharing some of the historical background on events of Jesus’ time.

The passage in Luke 14:28-33 is well known for its challenge to believers regarding the cost of being a disciple. But in the days when Jesus presented this challenge, it was also fraught with political meaning that his hearers well understood.

Herod Antipas, of the three sons of Herod and ruler of Galilee, had a well known set of marriage problems. Like many rulers through history, alliances are formed with rivals by marriages. Herod Antipas married the young daughter of a king of a neighboring adversary. This situation became increasingly complicated when he fell in love with a woman named Herodias for whom he built a large palace. This was a very public affair which was consummated in marriage. Added complications included the fact that she two was married to someone else, who happened to be his half brother and the daughter of another half brother.

When Antipas divorced his first wife, it did not set well with her father, the neighboring king, who proceeded to send an army of 20,000 men to teach the scoundrel Herod Antipas a lesson. Herod sent ten thousand men against this much larger army and got whipped.

When Jesus talked about the cost of discipleship, he used two illustrations to make his point to “sit down and consider” rather than doing things impulsively. The second illustration, however, was clearly understood in the light of the these events. “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able…”

Essentially, Jesus was highlighting the foolishness of the king, a public action that had real risks involved.

In Luke 7:24 we read another familiar passage. At this point John the Baptist was in prison for his speaking out against Herod’s adultery. John had sent messengers to Jesus in a moment of doubt seeking reassurance the Jesus was indeed the Messiah. After the Lord sent these messengers back with a reassuring passage from Scripture, he turned to the crowds to endorse the ministry of John the Baptist, which he did in this manner.

“What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.”

What was the meaning of the “reed swayed by the wind”? The following illustration is about Herod, his fine clothes and palaces, which contrast profoundly with John’s primitive attire.

In those days, rulers often imprinted coins which were used within their sphere of influence and commerce. No one could put his own likeness on a coin that would compete with Caesar, and for a Jewish ruler there was the additional prohibition against graven images. For this reason, many rulers used a symbol which served a similar purpose. The symbol imprinted on coins for Herod Antipas was a reed swaying in the wind.

The point Jesus makes here is that these people did not go into the wilderness to see kings in palaces. He encouraged them in their true quest, as if to say, “You are seeking a different kind of kingdom.”

In another familiar passage, Luke 8:2-3, we see that Jesus’ entourage was not just the disciples, but included women as well, from various walks of life. One of these included Joanna the wife of Cuza, manager of Herod’s household. These woman, Luke notes, “were helping to support them out of their own means.” How interesting. Money from Herod was being used to support the subversive activities of the kingdom.

With these and other stories Pastor Brad noted how radically confrontational Jesus was toward the powers of his time. In Luke 13:31-33 some Pharisees told Jesus that he should leave and go somewhere else because “Herod wants to kill you.” This was not a veiled or ambiguous threat. Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox ‘I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.”

Even though today the fox has come to represent cunning, as in “sly like a fox,” in those days the fox was a symbol of a lion wanna-be. That is, lions killed and the foxes would clean up after, wishing they were the ones who could have the power to kill. Herod was called a fox because he was a Caesar wanna-be.

Jesus was essentially saying, “I will fulfill my purpose. I will accomplish my goal.” At the same time he was showing Herod’s true colors.

One lesson we can take from these stories and this message: Opposition is not a sign of failure. There will be people who do not like it when you share the truth in love.

At the end of this same passage in Luke 13, Jesus expresses his sorrow for Jerusalem and then chooses a very interesting metaphor. “I have longed to gather your children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wing.” In a striking contrast to the fox, a hen has no means of self defense, and saves her chicks by sacrificing her own body.

There were others in this period of Jewish history who stood up against the powers of Rome (Acts 5:33-37) so that Jesus knew what the ultimate consequences would be for his stance against the powers. Those who stood up and spoke against the king were killed. But Jesus did not step down. When he spoke of the true kingdom of God, he knew it would be a death sentence for him.

May we ourselves with courage likewise be kingdom bringers.