Part 1
“On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
John 20:19-22
From the very moment Jesus breathed upon His disciples, God ordained there to be a special relationship between “You & I” and the Holy Spirit. A divine partnership, in which, we become minister’s together with Him of the very great and precious promises found within the New Covenant. God’s intention, here in John 20, is clear. He is sending us out to be His witnesses on the earth, but He is not sending us alone. He has given us a partner (precisely as Jesus explained it):
“If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever- the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”
John 14:15-17
Together with the Holy Spirit we have been given the task of spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and proclaiming the coming of the New Covenant established in Christ’s blood. This is the ministry of the Holy Spirit:
“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses, because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious.”
2 Corinthians 3:7-8
It is a rare and unusual partnership, one in which the Holy Spirit does not simply come alongside us, but comes within us and upon us to accomplish the will of God:
“Whoever believers in me, as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified!”
John 7:38-39
The partnership we share with the Holy Spirit is not a silent partnership. I describe this type of partnership as: one where “you” purpose to work alone and the Holy Spirit is there only if you should need Him. Our partnership with the Holy Spirit is also not a hostile takeover. I describe this type of partnership as: one in which the Holy Spirit takes you by force to accomplish God’s work in the earth. Partnership with the Holy Spirit is one of cooperation as we willfully submit our will to God’s will.
If then we have become partners with Him in the “Ministry of the Holy Spirit” we should be familiar with the Holy Spirit’s mission!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Missed Opportunities
“Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
2 Kings 13:18-19
Have you ever got that sick feeling in your stomach whenever you realized you just missed an amazing opportunity? I wonder if that is how the King of Israel felt the moments after Elisha the prophet spoke those words. Israel had been oppressed by Hazael, king of Aram, for many years. Hazael, along with his son Ben-Hadad, had taken land and captured cities in the northern regions of Israel. During this time, Elisha the prophet, became ill. It would be an illness from which he would eventually die. Jehoash, king of Israel, came to him and wept over him. As the king mourned over him, Elisha instructed him:
“Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”
2 Kings 13:15-17
From his death bed, Elisha prophesied victory for the King of Israel. A door of opportunity had been opened. A door to complete and total victory over the Arameans. There was an amazing opportunity there for Jehoash to do something remarkable. However, his heart was not fully committed to God:
“He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he continued in them.”
2 Kings 13:11
A door had been opened, once and for all, for Israel to be delivered from the threat of Aram, but Jehoash’s half-heartedness cost him! Elisha told Jehoash take the arrows and “Strike the ground.” Jehoash took the arrows and instead of striking the ground forcibly five or six times, he simply struck the ground three times and stopped. Elisha became angry and said:
“You should have struck the ground five of six times, then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
2 Kings 13:19
I can only imagine what King Jehoash’s face must have looked like when he heard the prophet’s pronouncement. Instead of completely destroying the Arameans, now he would only defeat them three times. Jehoash failed to make the most of the opportunity that had been given him. William James, a famous American philosopher, once said: “He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had failed.” Jehoash failed because he did not fully embrace the opportunity afforded to him by the prophet Elisha. Like, Jehoash, we are not held back by a lack of opportunity, but more often by our failure to make the most of the opportunities that have been afforded to us. As we move into 2010, let it be our fervent desire to make the most of every moment that God opens a window to our victory!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
2 Kings 13:18-19
Have you ever got that sick feeling in your stomach whenever you realized you just missed an amazing opportunity? I wonder if that is how the King of Israel felt the moments after Elisha the prophet spoke those words. Israel had been oppressed by Hazael, king of Aram, for many years. Hazael, along with his son Ben-Hadad, had taken land and captured cities in the northern regions of Israel. During this time, Elisha the prophet, became ill. It would be an illness from which he would eventually die. Jehoash, king of Israel, came to him and wept over him. As the king mourned over him, Elisha instructed him:
“Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.”
2 Kings 13:15-17
From his death bed, Elisha prophesied victory for the King of Israel. A door of opportunity had been opened. A door to complete and total victory over the Arameans. There was an amazing opportunity there for Jehoash to do something remarkable. However, his heart was not fully committed to God:
“He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he continued in them.”
2 Kings 13:11
A door had been opened, once and for all, for Israel to be delivered from the threat of Aram, but Jehoash’s half-heartedness cost him! Elisha told Jehoash take the arrows and “Strike the ground.” Jehoash took the arrows and instead of striking the ground forcibly five or six times, he simply struck the ground three times and stopped. Elisha became angry and said:
“You should have struck the ground five of six times, then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
2 Kings 13:19
I can only imagine what King Jehoash’s face must have looked like when he heard the prophet’s pronouncement. Instead of completely destroying the Arameans, now he would only defeat them three times. Jehoash failed to make the most of the opportunity that had been given him. William James, a famous American philosopher, once said: “He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had failed.” Jehoash failed because he did not fully embrace the opportunity afforded to him by the prophet Elisha. Like, Jehoash, we are not held back by a lack of opportunity, but more often by our failure to make the most of the opportunities that have been afforded to us. As we move into 2010, let it be our fervent desire to make the most of every moment that God opens a window to our victory!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Disease of Idleness
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6
The church in Thessalonica was a young vibrant church, birthed through persecution. It was familiar with suffering and patient in trials. Paul called them a “model” for other churches. Their faith in God was evidenced through their perseverance in facing hardship. However, Paul recognized a weakness in his fledgling congregation that he warns them about in 1 Thessalonians 5:14:
“And we urge you, brothers warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
Paul cautions them regarding our tendencies to drift into idleness. A message that they did not heed as Paul has to expound upon his warnings again in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ’If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy, they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.”
According to Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, this disease called idleness manifests itself in two strains. One is just outright laziness (slothfulness). This strain of the disease is pretty straight forward. It is knowing what needs to be done, but choosing not to do it. Paul calls his brothers and sisters in Christ to task instructing them that if they do not work, they do not eat! There is no place for laziness in God’s Kingdom. The second strain of the disease is equally as devastating. It is called “being a busybody”. People who are busybodies occupy their time with many things that have no bearing on their responsibilities. They are busy, but their activities are not useful. They fill their day with so many things that they neglect to accomplish the most necessary tasks. They don’t appear lazy, but they are accomplishing no more than the man who puts his hand to nothing.
It is a “disease”! It is habitual and contagious! In his letter to Timothy, Paul instructs him to encourage the younger widows to remarry for two reasons: one is that their sensual desires may overcome their dedication to Christ, but secondly it is to keep them from becoming idle:
“Besides, they get into habit of being idle and going from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”
1 Timothy 5:13
We must be aware that idleness can very much develop into a lifestyle habit! A habit that robs us of our productivity. Idleness is also contagious, that is why Paul instructs the Thessalonians to “keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” We must separate ourselves from those people who have no desire to move forward. If you yoke yourself to a man who will not plow, you too will not plow! Let us then expose and avoid the temptation to eat the bread of idleness. No one ever accomplished anything great for God by embracing it!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
2 Thessalonians 3:6
The church in Thessalonica was a young vibrant church, birthed through persecution. It was familiar with suffering and patient in trials. Paul called them a “model” for other churches. Their faith in God was evidenced through their perseverance in facing hardship. However, Paul recognized a weakness in his fledgling congregation that he warns them about in 1 Thessalonians 5:14:
“And we urge you, brothers warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
Paul cautions them regarding our tendencies to drift into idleness. A message that they did not heed as Paul has to expound upon his warnings again in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12:
“For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ’If a man will not work, he shall not eat.’ We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy, they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat.”
According to Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians, this disease called idleness manifests itself in two strains. One is just outright laziness (slothfulness). This strain of the disease is pretty straight forward. It is knowing what needs to be done, but choosing not to do it. Paul calls his brothers and sisters in Christ to task instructing them that if they do not work, they do not eat! There is no place for laziness in God’s Kingdom. The second strain of the disease is equally as devastating. It is called “being a busybody”. People who are busybodies occupy their time with many things that have no bearing on their responsibilities. They are busy, but their activities are not useful. They fill their day with so many things that they neglect to accomplish the most necessary tasks. They don’t appear lazy, but they are accomplishing no more than the man who puts his hand to nothing.
It is a “disease”! It is habitual and contagious! In his letter to Timothy, Paul instructs him to encourage the younger widows to remarry for two reasons: one is that their sensual desires may overcome their dedication to Christ, but secondly it is to keep them from becoming idle:
“Besides, they get into habit of being idle and going from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.”
1 Timothy 5:13
We must be aware that idleness can very much develop into a lifestyle habit! A habit that robs us of our productivity. Idleness is also contagious, that is why Paul instructs the Thessalonians to “keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” We must separate ourselves from those people who have no desire to move forward. If you yoke yourself to a man who will not plow, you too will not plow! Let us then expose and avoid the temptation to eat the bread of idleness. No one ever accomplished anything great for God by embracing it!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
Monday, January 18, 2010
Prayer of Faith
“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Mark 11:20-24
Here in Mark 11, Jesus brings the matter of prayer and faith into perspective. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Bethany, Jesus became hungry. He saw a fig tree in the distance and he went to it to see if it had any fruit:
“When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard him say it.”
Mark 11:13b-14
The next day, as they left Jerusalem for Bethany, they were shocked to find that the tree Jesus had cursed had withered overnight! It is here that Jesus reinforces the nature of the relationship between prayer and faith. The disciples had overheard Him speaking to the fig tree. When they saw the tree, the very next day, withered from the roots, Peter exclaimed: “The fig tree that you cursed has withered!” Is it possible that Jesus could simply speak something and it come to pass? Can “our” words carry that kind of power? The answer is yes, but not without faith!
Jesus tells his disciples that if you have faith in God, you can say to the mountain ’Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt and believe (that’s faith) it will be done for you. Faith is the catalyst! A catalyst is defined as something that makes a change happen or brings about an event. Once Jesus was speaking to His disciples after they had repeatedly tried to drive a demon out of a man’s son. His disciples came to him in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”:
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move, Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
Without faith nothing moves! We must have faith if we are going to ask God to do the impossible. If we leave out faith, our words are devoid of power. They may be heartfelt, well-meant, and even passionate, but if they are not housed in faith they are ineffective. It is the prayer offered “in faith” that heals the sick! It is the prayer offered “in faith” that raises the dead! It is the prayer offered” in faith” that moves the mountain! When your prayers are housed “in faith”, nothing will be impossible for you!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
Mark 11:20-24
Here in Mark 11, Jesus brings the matter of prayer and faith into perspective. As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Bethany, Jesus became hungry. He saw a fig tree in the distance and he went to it to see if it had any fruit:
“When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And his disciples heard him say it.”
Mark 11:13b-14
The next day, as they left Jerusalem for Bethany, they were shocked to find that the tree Jesus had cursed had withered overnight! It is here that Jesus reinforces the nature of the relationship between prayer and faith. The disciples had overheard Him speaking to the fig tree. When they saw the tree, the very next day, withered from the roots, Peter exclaimed: “The fig tree that you cursed has withered!” Is it possible that Jesus could simply speak something and it come to pass? Can “our” words carry that kind of power? The answer is yes, but not without faith!
Jesus tells his disciples that if you have faith in God, you can say to the mountain ’Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and if you do not doubt and believe (that’s faith) it will be done for you. Faith is the catalyst! A catalyst is defined as something that makes a change happen or brings about an event. Once Jesus was speaking to His disciples after they had repeatedly tried to drive a demon out of a man’s son. His disciples came to him in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”:
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move, Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20
Without faith nothing moves! We must have faith if we are going to ask God to do the impossible. If we leave out faith, our words are devoid of power. They may be heartfelt, well-meant, and even passionate, but if they are not housed in faith they are ineffective. It is the prayer offered “in faith” that heals the sick! It is the prayer offered “in faith” that raises the dead! It is the prayer offered” in faith” that moves the mountain! When your prayers are housed “in faith”, nothing will be impossible for you!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Tis' the Season of His Coming
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:6-7
It is no secret that my favorite time of year is Christmas. When I was a little kid my heart brimmed over with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the arrival of that glorious day. As a child, I was captivated by the various sights and sounds of the season: Christmas Muzak would fill the air outside the shops downtown, the giant snowflakes would light up the town square, mom would make a various assortment of cookies, Santa’s Shed would sit nestled on the Courthouse lawn, my dad and I would haul the Christmas tree from the attic and my sister and I would fight over who put the star on top. However, the true meaning of Christmas was lost on me, until I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. At that point the Christmas season took on a whole new wonder for me! It is the same “wonder” that captured the attention of the world 2000 years ago. The season that preceded Christ’s birth was marked by many wonderful attributes that characterized the times leading up to His coming. They are also reflective of the season that will precede the Lord’s return. So often when we think about the season of the Lord’s return, we choose to reference Matthew 24:6-8:
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
Similarly, the days preceding Christ’s first coming were ones of severe oppression, heavy taxation, and intense moral failure. Nevertheless, the season was also marked by some other wonderful characteristics that are just as pertinent today as they were then.
It is a season marked by God’s favor towards His people:
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:26-28
It is a season of encouragement:
“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:29-30
The angel of the Lord encouraged Mary as he explained to her that the Messiah was going to come and God was going to use her in His divine plan.
It is a season of possibility:
“How will this be, “ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”
Luke 1:34-37
It is a season of leaping and rejoicing:
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
Luke 1:39-42
There was joy at the prospect of His coming!
It is a season of praise:
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is His name.”
Luke 1:46-49
Finally, It is a season of expectation:
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
Luke 2:4-5
The season was not lost on Mary and Joseph, because they were expecting Him to come! As we enjoy the signs of the season I wonder how many of you, as we see that day approaching, are expecting His coming. May your Christmas be filled with God’s favor, encouragement, possibility, leaping/rejoicing, praise and expectation!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
Luke 2:6-7
It is no secret that my favorite time of year is Christmas. When I was a little kid my heart brimmed over with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the arrival of that glorious day. As a child, I was captivated by the various sights and sounds of the season: Christmas Muzak would fill the air outside the shops downtown, the giant snowflakes would light up the town square, mom would make a various assortment of cookies, Santa’s Shed would sit nestled on the Courthouse lawn, my dad and I would haul the Christmas tree from the attic and my sister and I would fight over who put the star on top. However, the true meaning of Christmas was lost on me, until I came to know Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. At that point the Christmas season took on a whole new wonder for me! It is the same “wonder” that captured the attention of the world 2000 years ago. The season that preceded Christ’s birth was marked by many wonderful attributes that characterized the times leading up to His coming. They are also reflective of the season that will precede the Lord’s return. So often when we think about the season of the Lord’s return, we choose to reference Matthew 24:6-8:
“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.”
Similarly, the days preceding Christ’s first coming were ones of severe oppression, heavy taxation, and intense moral failure. Nevertheless, the season was also marked by some other wonderful characteristics that are just as pertinent today as they were then.
It is a season marked by God’s favor towards His people:
“In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”
Luke 1:26-28
It is a season of encouragement:
“Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:29-30
The angel of the Lord encouraged Mary as he explained to her that the Messiah was going to come and God was going to use her in His divine plan.
It is a season of possibility:
“How will this be, “ Mary asked the angel, ‘since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”
Luke 1:34-37
It is a season of leaping and rejoicing:
“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”
Luke 1:39-42
There was joy at the prospect of His coming!
It is a season of praise:
“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me- holy is His name.”
Luke 1:46-49
Finally, It is a season of expectation:
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.”
Luke 2:4-5
The season was not lost on Mary and Joseph, because they were expecting Him to come! As we enjoy the signs of the season I wonder how many of you, as we see that day approaching, are expecting His coming. May your Christmas be filled with God’s favor, encouragement, possibility, leaping/rejoicing, praise and expectation!
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com
The Hard Truth
(Part 2)
“He said this while teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
John 6:59-60
Jesus’ method of weeding out the “insincere” and the “religious” takes a new direction as He turns to the crowd and begins to teach. The crowd squirms in their seats as Jesus declares that those who do not eat His flesh and drink His blood have no life in them. He declares that He is the bread from Heaven, and whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. All of a sudden the celebratory atmosphere evaporated as the crowd became increasingly uncomfortable with Christ’s teaching. They began to grumble among themselves to which Jesus responded:
“Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”
John 6:61-64
Following Jesus is easy when the truth is convenient for us. However, once it becomes hard to swallow, the depth of our commitment is revealed. The problem is that not all the truth that God desires for us to obtain is easy to accept:
“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.”
John 6:66
This unwillingness to accept “hard truth” is why many “believers” walk away from their faith or at the least fail to embrace God’s fullness. It is ultimately why many refuse to embrace the Holy Spirit:
“But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”
John 16:13
The Holy Spirit’s job, like it or not, is to lead us into ALL truth. How we respond to that truth reveals and exposes the true motives of our heart. What “truth” are you unwilling to accept that is hindering your walk with God? Are you honestly willing to walk away from God because you don’t like what He has to say about forgiveness, bitterness, gossip, adultery, poor stewardship or marital issues? What truth will stop you from pursuing Him? Will you still stand firm, when everyone else walks away? As Jesus watched those who were unwilling to accept the “hard truth” walk away, He turned to the remaining disciples and said:
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
John 6:67
It response Peter declared:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy one of God.”
John 6:68-69
True followers of Jesus Christ; do not abandon their faith when they don’t like what they hear! The truth may be hard to swallow sometimes, but they are the words of eternal life to all who will believe.
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
“He said this while teaching in the synagogue at Capernaum. On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
John 6:59-60
Jesus’ method of weeding out the “insincere” and the “religious” takes a new direction as He turns to the crowd and begins to teach. The crowd squirms in their seats as Jesus declares that those who do not eat His flesh and drink His blood have no life in them. He declares that He is the bread from Heaven, and whoever feeds on this bread will live forever. All of a sudden the celebratory atmosphere evaporated as the crowd became increasingly uncomfortable with Christ’s teaching. They began to grumble among themselves to which Jesus responded:
“Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”
John 6:61-64
Following Jesus is easy when the truth is convenient for us. However, once it becomes hard to swallow, the depth of our commitment is revealed. The problem is that not all the truth that God desires for us to obtain is easy to accept:
“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him.”
John 6:66
This unwillingness to accept “hard truth” is why many “believers” walk away from their faith or at the least fail to embrace God’s fullness. It is ultimately why many refuse to embrace the Holy Spirit:
“But when He, the Spirit of Truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.”
John 16:13
The Holy Spirit’s job, like it or not, is to lead us into ALL truth. How we respond to that truth reveals and exposes the true motives of our heart. What “truth” are you unwilling to accept that is hindering your walk with God? Are you honestly willing to walk away from God because you don’t like what He has to say about forgiveness, bitterness, gossip, adultery, poor stewardship or marital issues? What truth will stop you from pursuing Him? Will you still stand firm, when everyone else walks away? As Jesus watched those who were unwilling to accept the “hard truth” walk away, He turned to the remaining disciples and said:
“You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
John 6:67
It response Peter declared:
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy one of God.”
John 6:68-69
True followers of Jesus Christ; do not abandon their faith when they don’t like what they hear! The truth may be hard to swallow sometimes, but they are the words of eternal life to all who will believe.
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The Hard Truth
Part 1
“Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the sea of Galilee (that is, the sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.”
John 6:1-2
The gathering of the multitudes on the far shore of the sea of Galilee set the stage for one of the greatest miracles found in scripture- the feeding of the five thousand. Because of it’s miraculous nature, it is remembered as a highlight of Jesus’ ministry. Thousands sat captivated by His teaching and were fed by His disciples after He had blessed the two fish and five loaves. However, as often as we have study this passage, we fail to remember the controversy that followed within hours of this amazing event:
“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
John 6:66
Within 24 hours of the last morsels of food being collected, Jesus went from having a “crowd” of followers to a “handful” of disciples. After His encounter with the multitudes Jesus returned to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Realizing He was gone the people went in search for Him. Upon finding Him in Capernaum, Jesus told them:
“I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”
John 6:26
It is here that Jesus begins to expose and weed out those people who are following Him from wrong motives. The first group that He identifies are those who followed Him simply to have their needs met. There were those who came looking for Him who were not as concerned about “seeing God” as they were about getting their next meal. The spiritual component of what took place the day before was lost on them. They only hungered after Him because they had a need. He told them:
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
John 6:27
After exposing the this crowd another group then emerges from among them. This group didn’t come seeking food, but rather they came in search of another miracle:
“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ So they asked him, ‘What miraculous sign will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?”
John 6:28-30
In other words, “If you don’t do anything ‘visible’ in my life, I won’t believe. I won’t follow you.” For these people, as long as God is answering their prayers, working supernaturally in their church services, and acknowledging their spiritual giftings…they are eager to follow. However, if that dries up, they are off to greener pastures. Jesus described them in John 4:48 this way:
“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “ you will never believe.”
However, the most difficult group Jesus had yet to confront were those who appeared to be closest to Him. They were not there to be fed or to see another miracle, but would they still follow when the truth was no longer easy to swallow?
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
“Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the sea of Galilee (that is, the sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.”
John 6:1-2
The gathering of the multitudes on the far shore of the sea of Galilee set the stage for one of the greatest miracles found in scripture- the feeding of the five thousand. Because of it’s miraculous nature, it is remembered as a highlight of Jesus’ ministry. Thousands sat captivated by His teaching and were fed by His disciples after He had blessed the two fish and five loaves. However, as often as we have study this passage, we fail to remember the controversy that followed within hours of this amazing event:
“From this time many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
John 6:66
Within 24 hours of the last morsels of food being collected, Jesus went from having a “crowd” of followers to a “handful” of disciples. After His encounter with the multitudes Jesus returned to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Realizing He was gone the people went in search for Him. Upon finding Him in Capernaum, Jesus told them:
“I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”
John 6:26
It is here that Jesus begins to expose and weed out those people who are following Him from wrong motives. The first group that He identifies are those who followed Him simply to have their needs met. There were those who came looking for Him who were not as concerned about “seeing God” as they were about getting their next meal. The spiritual component of what took place the day before was lost on them. They only hungered after Him because they had a need. He told them:
“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
John 6:27
After exposing the this crowd another group then emerges from among them. This group didn’t come seeking food, but rather they came in search of another miracle:
“Then they asked him, ‘What must we do to do the works God requires?’ Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ So they asked him, ‘What miraculous sign will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do?”
John 6:28-30
In other words, “If you don’t do anything ‘visible’ in my life, I won’t believe. I won’t follow you.” For these people, as long as God is answering their prayers, working supernaturally in their church services, and acknowledging their spiritual giftings…they are eager to follow. However, if that dries up, they are off to greener pastures. Jesus described them in John 4:48 this way:
“Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “ you will never believe.”
However, the most difficult group Jesus had yet to confront were those who appeared to be closest to Him. They were not there to be fed or to see another miracle, but would they still follow when the truth was no longer easy to swallow?
Pastor Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
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