Easter: Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 19:1-8

The Lord didn't say in the text that we could be holy if we felt like doing it, rather He said be holy because He is holy. That is one reason why we see so much in the Old Testament about holiness. God was raising up a people for Himself, and sense He is holy, they must be Holy. If they were going to be His people, they must be Holy, they must be different, they must be set apart. They must be who God wants them to be.

But, that is the Old Testament and the Law. We as Christians don't have to worry about all that, do we? We live under grace, not the law. Well, that's not really what Jesus said. Matthew 5:48

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

In the Methodist tradition Holiness and perfection are seen as the same thing; both are seen as being totally devoted to God and living for Him. Today, this is not something that we can ignore, but one that is commanded for all of us.


New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

We see in this passage what that holy life looks like. Doing good to others. Helping those that are in need. Helping the weak. Listening to God's spirit. Doing right. Today, you are called to something great, but great things start with simple acts of obedience to God. Today, be obedient to God, and that greatness hat He has for you will come.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:19-24

Today, you cannot serve two masters. You will serve God or the world. You will serve God or money. You will serve God or the devil. There are not two choices about it. We all have a master, we all serve someone. If you are not serving God will all that you have, you are serving to the devil and the evil today. Ttoday, who are you serving?

Easter: Tuesday, May 16, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 16:20-34

There are two important concepts we see all throughout scripture. We see first that we as people are sinful. We see it in the garden, we see it in Noah after the flood, we see it in Abraham, in Moses and in the people. We also see it in Peter, Paul, and all the others in the New Testament. And, we see it in ourselves. We see it in our world. It was once written that original sin is the only doctrine that can be proven by anyone; you teach a child to do right, they already know how to do wrong. Sin is a reality

But, in the same manner, we see through out the Bible that God longs to forgive sin. God longs to restore us, to make us whole again. Through Christ, those that believe are make whole. We see here in this text the ritual that the Israelites went through to receive that forgiveness on the Day of Atonement. Likewise, we have our own ritual of forgiveness, confession and repentance. We must confess our sin to God, and we must repent, or turn from it. Today, let us remember than we are born in sin and must constantly be searching our lives and our actions for the sin that is there; but let us also remember that that our God has made a way whereby we can be set free.

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

So many worry about the return of Christ and the judgement that comes through it. We see in this passage that as Paul said,

God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

For the Christian, there is no reason to live in fear of the return of our Lord, in fact, we should live in hopeful awareness. Awareness that hits world is not our home. Awareness that there is more to this life than the world we see here. Awareness that we should be encouraged and joyful for we will one day be with the Lord.

This awareness of the return of our Lord should free us to live with abandon here. We should live sold out lives from Him, for what do we have to fear? Why should we be afraid of this world or its judgement. The only judgement we should fear is that of our Lord. Today, life in hopeful awareness of the coming of our Lord!

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:16-18

Today, we see Jesus teaching us that when we fast, we should not call attention to ourselves, but do it in quite. Two points. First, we see once again that our action of righteousness are not done for the sight of others, but rather done for God and are done to strengthen our walk.

Secondly, notice Jesus didn't say, "if you fast." He said "when you fast." When was the last time you fasted? Now, some of us have health conditions that will not allow us to give up food. Most of us do not, though. When was the last time we fasted? And, if we are unable to give up food, when was the last time we gave up something as an act of self denial. There too many references within the Word to the notion of "dieing to yourself" for us to ignore. Each week, we should have some day of self denial; to strengthen our walk with God and to really see how much we are controlled by other things. So, when you fast, or deny yourself, don't call attention to it. But, when you do, do it for God to know and for His glory. When you do.

Easter: Monday, May 15, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Leviticus 16:1-19

The thing that scripture takes so very seriously is sin. There is no way that we can take the Bible seriously and negate the concept of sin. We see in the Old Testament. We see it in the New Testament. We see it all throughout the Word. Today, in this this text, we read of the Day of Atonement, the day when the sins of the people are atoned for. As Christians, not too long ago, we went through the season of Lent, where we reflected upon what out Lord did for the atonement of our sins. Sin is a serious, serious business

If that is so, then why do we take it carelessly? Why do we act as through sin is not a big deal? Why do we allow sin to exist in our lives? Why are we content to allow sin to remain in our lives? How can we willingly and carelessly engage in actions that we know are sinful? Our Lord takes sin very, very, very seriously. Do we?

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

So often we get so confused when it comes to the Lord's return, we can get even scared and worried when thinking about it. Notice what Paul says today in the text, though. We should encourage each other with these words of Christ's return. This is not going to be a long and drawn out through ton the return of Christ, it will be short. God wins! The victory belongs to God and through Christ, each of us that that believe! We have nothing to fear. We have nothing to worry about, provided we are in Christ. If we are not a disciple,then we need to make sure that we are ready for that coming day.

Now, I don't know when that day will be, no human does. It may be before you even receive this email. When the day does come, we will share in that victory of Christ. There will be no more suffering, death, or pain. No more tears. No more of any of these things. So, be encouraged! If you are in Christ, then you have a great, great hope. You have nothing to fear.

This should encourage to make sure that we are in Christ and do all that we can to help others to come to Christ. For, in Him, there is no fear, only hope. Today, we have much to hope in!

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 6:1-15

We see in this passage one thing that is to be greatly sought after is humility. When we do good deeds, we shouldn't be the first to point them out. We should be happy in the knowledge of doing good; that is all the earthly reward that we need. We desire the praise of God, not the praise of man. And, when we pray, we should remember that we are praying not the ears of other people, but to God. Former White House press secretary Bill Moyers was once called on by President Lyndon Johnson to say grace at a meal for visitors. When he was unable to hear Moyers’ prayer, President Johnson said: "Louder, Bill, we can’t hear you."To which, Moyers said to Johnson: "I’m not talking to you, Mr. President."

That is prayer. That is also good deeds. We don't do them for other people to see or hear, we do them to the glory of God. Today, are you doing good? Are you doing it merely so others can see? Or are you doing to do good? Friends, as Christians, we are to all these things not drawing attention to ourselves, but to the God that saves.

Easter: Friday, May 12, 2006

Just a Gospel Lesson. It's Mother's Day weekend. If your mom is still with us, be sure to spend time with her, and if she has gone on to be with the Lord, be sure to remember her fondly and the the Good Lord for her.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:27-37

We see in this teaching that for Jesus, our heart must be right above all. Our salvation does not come from what we do, but rather who we are. Jesus tells us again and again that it it is not just enough to not do wrong, we must be right on the inside.

And notice, this isn't something Jesus said that we might want to do it. He said this is what we must do. Sometimes folks read these words of Jesus and think they are merely suggestions, they are mere an unattainable set of goals. It is not so. He sets forth for us in these passages on in Matthew that Christian morality must look like.

Morality is not just about our actions, it is about growing in grace. It is about become more and more each day what God wants you to be. We cannot be satisfied think that we have arrived, that we are what we should be. No! No one is what they should be. We all have room to grow and change and be more holy. This side of heaven, we have room to grow.

Today, does your morality come from your outward actions, or does it come from the heart? If is from the heart, it will shape our actions, but if our heart is dirty, then our actions don't mean much at all.

Easter: Thursday, May 11, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 34:1-17

We see in this passage as God is getting the people to go forth into the land He is giving them, He warns them that they should be different from the people that they are going to see. They must not worship the pagan idols, they must not partake in those evil things, they must not allow their children to become intertwined with the other nations.

Why is God doing this? Why can't Israel become friends with these new folks? Aren't we encouraged to be in the world, but not of the world? The reason why God says this is knows that they are prone to wander away from Him, and if they allow these idols to stay in their presence, then they too will engage in pagan worship. And if we look a couple of of books down in the Bible, we see that is what happened. The only way they could stay true is to get rid of the idols and sin in their lives.

So it is for us as well. We are as they were. We are pone to wander away from God. We give into temptation, we do things that are wrong. We commit sin each day. And because this sin destroys us, we must drive it out. We must not allow it to stand. We must allow God to search within us and drive out all sin. Because if we don't we will fall into that trap of sin again and again. The great hymn of the faith Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing puts it like this

O to grace how great a debtor
daily I'm constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here's my heart, O take and seal it,
seal it for thy courts above.

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

As a parent, there really is no greater joy than seeing your child achieve something great. I've had more joyous moments the past 2 years watching my daughter grow than I have had in all my life before. It is such a sense of joy, of pride, of all these things rolled into one.

We see Paul today say that the Thessalonian church gives him that same feeling of joy, for they have grown from what he has taught them. They have become more mature they have moved on to the deep things of Christ. We as Christians have the same ability that Paul did. We can pass on this faith to our children and grandchildren, our nieces and nephews, to our children in church.

And if we think we get a sense of pride watching our children grow, imagine the sense of pride we will feel when our children grow in Christ. And it doesn't' have to be a child, but someone new in Christ. Are we taking the time to teach and enjoy fellowship to those that need to learn of the Lord? Are we taking advantage of that gift the Lord has offered? Thing of the joy that we rob them of by not sharing Christ with them, and think of the joy that we rob ourselves of.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:21-26

We see in this passage what Christian righteousness looks like. It is not just about the actions, but about the heart. It is not just enough not to murder someone, but in our hearts, we must not hate. It is not just enough to "act right." Now, we should act right. Our actions must conform to what God wants us to do, but if we act right but have hate in our hearts, we haven't accomplished anything.

God wants to transform us, but he must first start with the heart. Today, are you actions right? What about your heart? Today, do you hate someone in your heart? It is not enough to not just murder. We must not hate in our hearts. Today, how is your heart? The Word says before we bring our offering to God, we must make things right with our neighbor. Before you go to church Sunday, is there someone you need make right with? The Word says that we must.

Easter: Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 33:1-23

The Word says that the Lord spoke with Moses as a man speaks to his friend. What a great image of what prayer should be like. You know what it is like when you spend time with a dear friend, how you can speak and laugh and cry together? How you can have such a sense of peace and of joy? That is what prayer should be like.

Prayer is not as much about the words we pray as it is about spending time with our Lord. It is about coming into God's presence and bowing before Him.

But, you don't become best friends with someone the first time you meet. It takes a long time to know someone that deeply. Prayer is the same. The first time you pray, it may be hard and challenging and worrisome. But, keep praying. No one prays as they should. We are all learning and striving and praying. Is your prayer life not what you want it to be? Keep praying. Don't give up. The more time we spend with God, the more deeply we know Him and the more our friendship grows. Today, even when you might not feel like it; keep praying.

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

The Gospel is good news to those that believe, but it is not always received well by the world. It will face opposition. The church is to be different that the world and is not conform to the values of the world. And, if we live and preach the Gospel, we will face opposition. But, we must not be discouraged by this, for it shows we are being faithful.

And while the Gospel may not be received by all, it is needed by all. And we must be faithful. While we present the Gospel for the sake of those that are in need, we also present it to the glory of God. While we may be opposed by the world, God will be with us. The one that we seek to please in life is not the world, but God.

Today, are you living more to please the world? Or more to please God? He must be the one we are most concerned with, and we we face such opposition for the Gospel, know that He is with us.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:17-20

Jesus tells us today that while we live by grace, grace is not an excuse to sin. Our righteousness must surpass that the Pharisees. What did He mean by that? It means that not only must our actions be right, but our heart must be right. You can do the right thing with wrong motives. That wrong motives invalidates the right action. For the Christian to be righteousness, it is not enough just to "do right," we must "be right." Like wise, our heart, our motives, they are worthless unless they produce a righteous life? What is a righteous life look like?

Matthew 22: 36-40

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

Love of God and Love of neighbor. Today, friends, do you love your God will all you have? Do you love your neighbor as yourself. As Christians, that is what we must be doing.

Easter: Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 32:21-34

We see here in this text a couple of things. First, we see that Aaron did not do a good job of leading the people when Moses was gone. Why? He was afraid. He didn't believe that God would be with him and help Him to lead the people. In short, instead of faith, he had fear. That is a choice we must make as well each day. Will we have faith, or will we be afraid. Do we believe that God has called us to this place, that God has called us to this mission only to leave us here? If God had called you to something today, He will not leave you there. He will give you the grace and the strength to finish whatever task He has called you to. Today, do you have faith, or do you have fear? The Word tells us in 1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Second, we see that sin has consequences. Many people were killed in this passage as a result of their sin. While we should not fear circumstances, we should fear what sin can do to us. Sin is not a toy, it is not something to be played with. It will destroy us. Jesus did not come to earth and endure what He endured for us to remain the same. Today for the people, sin had consequences. Today, our sin has consequences for us, our church, and our family.

New Testament Lesson

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

John Wesley, when starting to send Methodist ministers out into America put forth a statement as what was required to be a "Methodist." He said the only thing required was this, “A desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins." Today, Paul reminds us in this text of the very same thing, that Jesus will save us from the coming wrath.

To speak of being "saved," means that we would be saved from something. If you are in a burning house and the fire trucks arrive in time to save you, you would be saved from destruction. In the same way, Jesus came so that we might be saved from something, that is the wrath of God. While God is love and God is mercy, He is also a Holy God that will not allow sin in His presence. Through Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be saved from this wrath that is going to come.

Today, do you desire to flee the coming wrath? If, so, according to Wesley, you'd make a good Methodist! But in all seriousness, if you desire to flee that coming wrath, cling to Jesus.

Gospel Lesson

Matthew 5:11-16

Jesus calls us today to be salt and light, to be different, to stand out. Salt adds much to food, it gives us an added taste. Light drives out darkness and allows good to be done. We are to live in that same manner. We are to be as salt, adding life and joy to life. We are to have the joy that can't explained, that joy that comes from deep down, that only comes from God. I read an article recently be a minister that said that Christians should not always laugh so much, we should be more serious. I don't' agree. I think we are to laugh, to live, and to glorify God. As salt, we are to bring the life and joy of Jesus where ever we go.

Likewise, we are to be light. Light drives out the darkness. Our lives should be about driving out darkness in this world, in our community, in our families, everywhere we go. But first, we must allow God to drive out the darkness in our own lives. Today, are you walking in God's light? Today, is the darkness being driven out? Today, are living as a Child of light?