Keeping It Simple
July 3, 2009
I’m taking my time going through the Gospels to study the greatest leader of all time. How did Jesus do ministry? How did he raise up leaders? How did he not allow busyness of ministry not consume all his time? I’ve read through 3 chapters so far and have been blogging notes about the journey. One thing that keeps coming up is the constant war between man-made rules and Jesus’ principles.
Pharisees had taken the Law that God gave Moses and turned it into a ball and chain for the Jewish people. There is no salvation in the law, but Pharisees took it to a “whole nutha level” in a bad way. They had created a “tradition” of how ministry should be done. Jesus came and destroyed that very idea.
In Chapter 1, Jesus started preaching and people immediately noticed a different method of teaching. He wasn’t simply quoting law. There is no text from his sermons but I’m guessing, based on parts of his messages that are in later chapters, he was more relational and life-applicable. In short: he met people where they were. This was how Jesus did ministry so I fully expect his teaching was the same way. He didn’t simply read the OT scripture, he took God’s truth and put it on everyone’s level. People were drawn to this as it was fresh method of teaching and non-traditional.
In Chapter 2, Jesus is teaching to a packed house (literally) and some guys drop their paralyzed friend in through the roof to get him closer to Jesus. Jesus, seeing the dedication of his friends, forgives the man’s sin. This causes a stir with some teachers of the law in attendance. They thought some not-so-nice thoughts and Jesus calls them on it. Then one of the coolest things happens! Jesus asks which is easier to do: say your sins are forgiven or rise up and walk? Then he heals the man on the spot! That is so cool and he once again shatters the box that was holding their small, limited God.
Later in the same chapter, Jesus is having dinner with new followers who happen to be quite a motley crue (by man’s standards). More teachers of the law chastise Jesus for the company he’s keeping, but they come pointing fault to Jesus’ disciples. But Jesus is quick to answer with his mission to come for sinners not the righteous.
Towards the end of Chapter 2 and in Chapter 3, Jesus breaks the rule of the sabbath. Again, the Pharisees took one command “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” and wrapped it around countless rules and regulations used to beat people down rather than enjoy the gift of rest that God gives. On one sabbath, the disciples pick wheat and on another Jesus heals a man with a shriveled hand. Pharisees leaned on their man-made rules of what is and is not ministry. Jesus asked a simple question: is it better to do good or bad on the sabbath?
God made things simple. Man took things from God and made it complex. Jesus came to tear down the sacred cows and simplify. He got down to the root of the issue, stripping away the layers of complexity.
CrossPoint wants to keep things simple because that’s what Jesus did. “Simple” will be a word you’ll hear more and more over the coming weeks and months. But it’s not a new idea. It goes back over 2000 years.
Mark 3: Doing Good On the Sabbath
July 2, 2009
Continuing journey through the Gospel of Mark.
Mark 3:1-2 – Jesus returns to the synagogue and meets a man with a shriveled hand. The Pharisees have their camera phones and recorders ready to catch Jesus every move. They are just waiting for him to do something to break their rules. They want to limit how Jesus can do ministry because he doesn’t fit in their traditions.
Mark 3:3 – Jesus, knowing the paparazzi that is following him, asks the man to stand up where everyone can see.
Mark 3:4 – Jesus asked the crowd a question that gets to the heart of the issue. What was God’s intention for the sabbath? Is it ok to do good or evil on that day? No one tried to answer.
Mark 3:5 – Jesus, now angry because of the stubborness of the people, heals the man’s hand.
Mark 3:6 – And this is when the Pharisees wanted to find help in eliminating Jesus. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” The Pharisees (religious group) wanted to seek help from the Herodian (government rulers) to get rid of Jesus as they both saw him as a threat to their power.
Mark 3:7-10 – Jesus tries to withdraw from the crowd but a crowd follows him because they have seen his miracles.
Mark 3:11-12 – Demons would testify of who Jesus was. But he would shut them up because he was not ready to be identified yet. Note the difference: Pharisees believed Jesus was blaspheming while the demons who came in contact with Jesus would, in fear, openly proclaim him as the Son of God.
Mark 3:13-19 – Jesus chooses the twelve. This growth group of future leaders would eventually turn the world upside down. Their message still being spread over 2000 years later.
Sunday Recap
June 28, 2009
Wrapped up OnePrayer series today with one of my favorite speakers: Perry Noble from NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC. I found out about NewSpring early in 2008 and have been following them and Perry since then. Perry has a great blog that you should check out. He writes some great posts that enlighten and challenge. He’s real, I think that’s why I like him so much.
- Mixed things up for worship today. Went unplugged.
- Thought the band did a fantastic job! They totally went with it when I threw out the suggestion. I love that!
- It’s not something we’ll do often, but it’s good for a change. We’ll do other weeks differently as well just to keep from getting stagnant.
- With the quieter music, you could really hear the crowd singing even more.
- Revelation Song is a beast! That’s a song that just seems to have God all over it! Hope you like it because it’s coming back, bigger than ever!
- Loved Perry’s message today. Often we forget that God is here when we take our eyes off of Him and focus too much on ourselves/our circumstances.
- Jesus came to earth, died, rose again to conquer the grave and death. He promised to never leave or forsake us. That’s a promise you can bank on, so let’s continue to focus on that each day.
- I’ve really enjoyed the OnePrayer series. It’s a very good project that helps us focus on the big “C” Church and not just our local body. It was also a good experiment in using video teaching. I’d say it went well at CrossPoint.
- Total 5 adults came to know Christ through the series. That makes it all worth it right there!
- 9 children accepted Christ today. That class uses video teaching each week. Lives are being changed even though the teaching itself is coming through video.
- My God won’t be limited by a method or “how we used to do it” syndrome!
- Luau was fun tonight. The weather held out for a dry and (a little cooler) evening.
- Thanks to all those who helped with food, setup and clean up. It’s very much appreciated!
- Had a great crowd come out and get to know each other more.
- It’s been an eventful day. Time to get some rest.
- It’s the last week before vacation. So you know what that means: alot of deadlines to meet before I leave town.
Mark: Jesus breaks more “rules”
June 26, 2009
Continuing in Mark 2
Mark 2:18 – The Pharisees would fast, as would John the Baptist’s disciples. Curious as to why Jesus’ disciples did not, some people questioned Jesus.
Mark 2:19-20 – Jesus likened it to a party. Who goes to a party to fast? While Jesus is on earth, it is a time to celebrate and enjoy the company. Once we goes away, then it will be time to fast. Obviously, Jesus believes in fasting as he did it while in the desert prior to beginning his ministry. But at this time it was not the most important thing since they had Jesus with them.
Mark 2:21-22 – Jesus compares his teachings on faith and the Pharisees’ legalism to pouring new wine into cracked bottles. It would never work. You can’t compare the two teachings nor can you try to line them up. Jesus was raising the bar and making things a heart issue rather than just a list of things to do or not do.
Mark 2:23-24 – The disciples are continuing on their journey and they walk through a field of wheat. This was on the sabbath, and as they walked they picked some fields of wheat. The paparazzi of Pharisees’ jumped out and accused them of working on the Sabbath.
Mark 2:25-26 – Jesus throws some scripture at them, using David as an example. The Pharisees’ knew their scripture so they knew exactly what Jesus was talking about.
Mark 2:27-28 – Again, the Pharisees had taken something that was a blessing (the sabbath) and turned it into a burden through legalism. The sabbath was given to man, by God, as a day of rest but the Pharisees’ had turned it into a curse because of the rules and regulations they added. Jesus reminded them that he was bigger than the sabbath and was lord over it.
Mark: Crowded House
June 25, 2009
Mark 2
2:1-2 – Jesus was in town and a crowd gathered. Our churches should be crowded. This house was packed when Jesus was in the house. Churches should be packed on Sunday as well when Jesus is in the midst.
2:3-4 – It’s some good friends who will take a man paralyzed to Jesus. They knew who could change the man’s life and so they did what they could to get him inside to where Jesus is.
2:5 – Jesus, impressed at the friend’s dedication and the man’s faith that Jesus could heal him, forgave the man’s sins. This just set up what was to come next.
2:6-7 – The teachers of the law immediately started whispering to themselves accusations that Jesus blaspheming. When you’re doing great things for God, people are going to attack. Bank on it.
2:8-12 – Jesus knows what they are thinking and shows them that they haven’t seen anything yet. Not only will he forgive the man’s sins, but he’ll heal him. Jesus demonstrated that you cannot put God in a box. Just forgiving sins is one thing, but healing a paralyzed man and seeing him walk right in front of your own eyes, now that’s a miracle!
2:13 – Once again, Jesus continues on his journey, preaching to all those who would listen.
2:14 – Jesus calls on a tax collector to follow him. A tax collector was not liked by other Jewish people because of their involvement with the Roman government. It was a Jewish person, in collaboration with the Romans to fleece other Jewish people. They were despised, yet Jesus calls Levi while he’s working one day.
2:15 – That evening Jesus is having dinner with what the Message translation calls a “collection of disreputable guests” because, don’t miss it, many had become followers. The world sees a collection of undesirables, Jesus sees friends and now followers. Who do we want in our church?
2:16 – The teachers of the law came running again complaining to the disciples about the company that Jesus was keeping.
2:17 – Jesus speaks up again, proclaiming that these are the people he came to help: those far from God not the righteous. Today’s church can get the same accusations thrown at it: you don’t know the kind of people you have coming to your church. That’s ok, let them keep coming and we’ll keep sharing Jesus with them.
Mark: Jesus heals the leper
June 24, 2009
Continuing my journey through the book of Mark with focus on Jesus’ leadership and discipleship.
1:35 – In the middle of the night, Jesus withdraws to pray. This is already becoming a trend early in his ministry. He withdraws to spend regular time with God the Father.
1:38 – Once the discples found Jesus, he asked that they go to more towns so he can preach. “That is why I’ve come,” he states. There is no mention of miracles being a reason he came. (more on this below)
1:40-41 – A man with leprosy approached Jesus begging him for healing. Lepers were looked down upon as cursed. The man had faith that Jesus could heal him, he just asked if he was willing. And Jesus was moved with compassion and healed him.
1:43-44 – Jesus strongly instructed the man to not tell anyone about the healing. In this early stage of ministry, Jesus may have not wanted a crowd looking for miracles but instead wanted to teach. After all, verse 38 states that Jesus had come to teach and preach.
1:45 – But like any life-change, this man could not keep quiet about it and he told everyone. Jesus was left hiding out away from the crowds. But they soon found him.
Mark: The start of Jesus ministry
June 22, 2009
Reading through the Gospels to really study how Jesus did ministry and made disciples. I am blogging the journey. I’m starting in Mark.
1:9-10 – Jesus followed in baptism before his ministry officially started.
1:12 – “At once, the Spirit pushed Jesus out into the wild.” (MSG) After baptism, Jesus’ next step was to go into the wilderness for 40 days to prepare. He had to have alone time with God before he started teaching and gathering disciples. He faced temptation from Satan while there.
1:16-18 – Jesus found Simon and his brother Andrew fishing. He immediately asked them to join him and he would make them fishers of men. Verse 18 says: “They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.”
1:19-20 – Jesus found James and John and made the same offer. Without hesitation, they accepted and followed. They left behind their father, their job, the boat, and employees to follow Jesus. They were committed to following Jesus above anything else.
1:21 – Jesus became involved and teaching.
1:22 – People noticed how Jesus spoke in comparison to the scribes and teachers of the law. Jesus spoke with authority rather than just quoting the law. How can this apply to us? Do we just quote scripture to those around us or do we try to live the Gospel and be the Gospel to those that are far from God?
1:23 – Jesus has his first critic.
1:24 – The demon proclaims who Jesus is and what he has come to do. “I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!” (MSG) And Jesus tells him to be quiet. He’s not ready for it to be known. Why would a demon try to publicly announce Jesus? Maybe out of fear or to appear like they are working together. Whatever the reason, the demons knew Jesus eventual reign would mean their eventual destruction.
1:25-26 – Jesus promptly casts out the demon.
1:27-28 – People starting texting each other, blogging about it, and posting twitter updates. News spread quickly about Jesus’ actions. When things are happening in a ministry, word will spread quickly.
1:29-31 – Jesus meets Simon’s mother-in-law and heals her of her fever. She immediately begins serving them.
1:32-34 – Later that night, Jesus saw more sick and afflicted people. Again, he would not allow the demons to speak since they knew who Jesus really was. Can you imagine the line of people coming to see Jesus? That’s exactly how our church’s should be. It should be traffic problem coming in and leaving our church. When lives are being changed, it will attract those in the community to come and see for themselves.
Sunday Recap
June 21, 2009
Awesome day at CrossPoint! Craig Groeschel spoke via video in week 3 of the OnePrayer series.
- The weekend was a little different in that we didn’t have to setup after Thursday’s night event. We really only had to move some equipment and turn on the power and have church.
- It was nice not having to setup but it was a little weird without the setup time. Felt like something was missing. Not in a bad way, just different.
- Another great time of worship today.
- I’m loving that I can worship with the band and audience. I’m babysitting the third projector during OnePrayer so I get to sit in the audience and worship along with my favorite band.
- Today was a loud, upbeat worship set. We are intentional about our sets. Who says you have to slow down and end on a somber note? Sometimes we just love to end LOUD and still worship at the same time.
- Another great experience with video teaching. Our people laughed at the right times and even responded back when Craig asked for audience participation. That is so cool!
- Craig’s story of the father and son and punishment is one of the most powerful illustrations of forgiveness I’ve heard. Wow, what a God we serve! If you haven’t heard it, watch the video (which is on our website: http://www.crosspoint4u.org)
- Video teaching is working at CrossPoint. Two more crossed the line of faith and dozens raised their hand that the message spoke to them about their relationship with God.
- The word of God isn’t limited by the medium or method it is preached. Lives can be changed through a video if God’s truth is taught. That seriously pumps me up because it opens up so many possibilities!
- Had a good afternoon hanging out with my parents and grandparents at Goose Point.
- Sheridan is spending part of the week with my grandparents camping at Goose Point. So we’ll be kid free until Wednesday. I loved camping with my grandparents as a kid so it’s cool that she loves to do that as well.
- Got a little nap today. Overall a great father’s day! I love my wife and little girl.
- Already looking forward to next week. One of my favorite speakers will be teaching as we wrap up OnePrayer.
Size Doesn’t Matter
June 16, 2009
I’m a student of the church. I love to read about processes and systems that are working in other churches. I try to keep up with the blogs of church leaders and follow many on Twitter. Sometimes church leaders can try to emulate other churches that are growing because we want to grow like that. “If we get fancy lights, people will come.” or “If we have this ministry, it will bring people in”. Just like I wrote about here, at times I struggle with what Perry Noble calls “inspiration but no revelation”. What he means by that is we can go to conferences and bring up alot of notes of different programs and eye candy and try to put them all in place in our church without ever trying to find out what God wants for us to do. In reading Luke 9 today I find that I’m not the only one who can think like that.
They started arguing over which of them would be most famous. When Jesus realized how much this mattered to them, he brought a child to his side. “Whoever accepts this child as if the child were me, accepts me,” he said. “And whoever accepts me, accepts the One who sent me. You become great by accepting, not asserting. Your spirit, not your size, makes the difference.” Luke 9:46-48 (The Message)
Jesus uses a child as his illustration. Jesus was a creative teacher, so we like to use him as our model at CrossPoint to make the message come to life. But that’s another blog post.
The disciples were becoming preoccupied with their fame instead of Jesus’. Churches and church staff can do the same. Who’s fame is it about? Mine or Jesus’? The disciples wrestled with it and so can we. The flesh is definately weak when it comes to pride. Jesus reminds all his followers that it’s only by being fully devoted to Jesus, serving him and others that we can truly be successful in whatever we do.
Daddy Days Part 3
June 11, 2009
God has taught me so much through my daughter. He speaks to me through our relationship has father-child and also through her childlike faith.
For a while now Sheridan has reached that (sometimes obnoxious) stage of saying daddy ALL THE TIME. At first it’s cute, but it has become the beginning of every sentence. I can be looking straight at her and she will still say “Daddy” and I have to acknowledge her before she will continue. There was a time I loved hearing her say “da-da” or “daddy”. Sometimes she even just calls me “dad”. (What 4 year old says that?) I know she’s a four year old but after the 234678 time you hear it, it becomes like fingers on a chalkboard. So I’ve been trying to train her to just talk to me and not say “daddy” all the time.
It was during one of these talks that God spoke to me about this. I may get tired of hearing daddy, daddy, daddy but He desires that kind of relationship with us. He wants us to call on Him as our Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6-7 says:
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
If we’ve come to know Christ, then we have the Holy Spirit within us. If we have the Holy Spirit within us, then that spirit communes with the Spirit of God as our Father, our Dad. We are His sons and daughters. And He desires us to call on Him at all times. It’s a constant communication.
I’ll be honest, there are times I desire peace and quiet from the 1001 questions Sheridan asks. As much as I love her, I’m human and it can get under my skin. What I’m learning is that God never desires that in our relationship with Him. All throughout the gospels, Jesus withdrew for prayer time with God. You know, I don’t think God ever sent Jesus away. Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 8:28:
“When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the one I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.
There has to be face time for this kind of instruction from God. So while I have some things to work on as a parent, we serve a God who wants us to crawl up in His lap and just talk with Him.
