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Surrender to Love (Luke 15:1-32)
The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is memorable because of the reckless living of the younger son and the obstinate nature of the older son, but especially because of the lavish love of the father.
If there’s no condemnation for us because of Christ - like we heard from Romans 8 last week - what then is left for us?
Love.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Tim
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
- Luke 15:1-32
Once You Were, But Now You Are (Romans 6:15-23)
Baptism Sunday!
I hope you’re able to join us this Sunday. It’s a special day as we’ll be baptizing 13 people throughout our morning services. Baptism is a powerful and meaningful picture of what Jesus has done for us through faith. As we heard in Pastor Bob’s message last week:
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:4-5).
We can think of this Sunday as sort of a ‘Show and Tell’ of the gospel. Baptism shows what Jesus has done and the sermon tells what Jesus has done. Speaking of the sermon, keep reading.
Romans 6
This Sunday we’ll continue our series in Paul’s letter to the Romans as we work our way through Romans 6:15-23 (see below).
This passage uses some strong language to communicate our relationship to sin and death, but also our relationship with righteousness and God.
Sometime before Sunday, I’d encourage you to read and reflect on Paul’s words - what does he say about life before grace and life after grace?
The change is staggering. I hope this Sunday will encourage us to even more staggering-ness!
15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Counted Righteous Apart From Works (Romans 4:1-12)
When I was in Bible College, a long time ago, a friend of mine recited a little ditty about the difference between works and faith. I’ve never forgotten it.
Here it is:
Work, work, the Law demands
But gives us neither feet nor hands
A sweeter sound the gospel brings
It bids us fly, and gives us wings
Read through Romans 4:1-12 before Sunday and come ready to hear the difference between what we can do and what God has done.
Blessings,
Tim
What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered;
8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.
- Romans 4:1-12
Blessed are the Neighborly (Luke 10:25-37)
Through the Parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus is, in essence, asking an expert in the Jewish law what the Bee Gees have been asking since 1977 – “How deep is your love?”
To find out how he answers, as well as considering your own response, join us on Sunday.
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25-37)
See you soon,
Pastor Tim
Why Worry? (Luke 22:22-34)
Rollover minutes. Aren’t they great? Whatever minutes on your cell phone plan you didn’t use last month, you get to carry into the next.
You know what’s not great to carry over from one month to the next? Or, considering when we are, one year to the next? Worry.
Who wants to rollover their worry? To keep accruing it, to bank it, to have it stick around so that you always have enough?
Answer: no one!
Then why do we do that? Why do we worry, and worry, and worry some more?
The truth is, there are good reasons to worry. But, more importantly, there are better reasons to not worry.
Come Sunday and hear Jesus (in Luke 12:22-34) tell us why this is so.
See you soon,
Pastor Tim
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
- Luke 12:22-34
He Has Risen...Just As He Told You (Mark 16:1-8)
As Andy Williams sang, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” And it is, isn’t it? For many, myself included, the Christmas season is the best of all seasons. The lights. The sounds. The smells. It’s cold enough in California to have a fire, but not so cold that you need Long Johns (a.k.a. thermals). For these reasons, and more, it’s the most wonderful time of the year.
But Easter is pretty darn hard to beat, right? I mean, the birth of Jesus is miraculous and awe-inspiring, but the death and resurrection of Jesus is the high point on the Christian calendar. In John Irving’s A Prayer for Owen Meany, we read: “Anyone can be sentimental about the Nativity; any fool can feel like a Christian at Christmas. But Easter is the main event; if you don’t believe in the resurrection, you’re not a believer.”
Easter…Christmas…Easter…Christmas. So difficult to choose between the two. They both are needed. And both have so much to commend themselves as the “most wonderful time of the year.” What are we to do?
How about an Easter message during the Christmas season? Done. Come this Sunday (the 3 rd Sunday of Advent) to hear about Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. 2 And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. 3 And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” 4 And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” 8 And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
- Mark 16:1-8
He Loved Them to the End (Mark 14:12-25)
Do you remember that mid-90s family drama called Party of Five?
It was about 5 siblings (ranging in age from toddler to 20-something) who lost their parents tragically and were on their own. Their party of 7 became a party of 5. It’s not a super compelling connection but in our story (Mark 14:12-25) we have a party of 13 which, as the story unfolds, will become a party of 12, then a party of 11, then a party of 1. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, read Mark chapters 14 and 15.
Though none go with him, still he will follow!
Let’s meet together this Sunday and, corporately, be in awe of the one who “loved them to the end” (John 13:1).
See you Sunday,
Tim
12 And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” 13 And he sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.” 16 And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.
17 And when it was evening, he came with the twelve. 18 And as they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me, one who is eating with me.” 19 They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one after another, “Is it I?” 20 He said to them, “It is one of the twelve, one who is dipping bread into the dish with me. 21 For the Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.”
22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
- Mark 14:12-25
3 Audiences, 1 Message: Be Ready! (Mark 13:14-23)
You probably remember, at some point in your education, the mention of The 5 Ws. Or, perhaps, the 5Ws + 1 H. When seeking to better understand something whether a story or an event (or a biblical passage) it’s helpful to ask: Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?
Using these questions, read Mark 13:14-23 (and what comes before and after in chapter 13, as needed) and see what sort of progress you can make before we do more of the same, together, on Sunday.
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
Until then,
Pastor Tim
14 “But when you see the abomination of desolation standing where he ought not to be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter his house, to take anything out, 16 and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. 17 And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! 18 Pray that it may not happen in winter. 19 For in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created until now, and never will be. 20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days. 21 And then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23 But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand.
- Mark 13:14-23
Do You See This Woman? (Mark 12:38-44)
Peacocking
noun
/ˈpiː.kɒk.ɪŋ/ behavior by men that shows they are very proud of their appearance, for example wearing clothes that make people notice them: Peacocking is something men do to highlight their strong points and stand out from their competition.
When you consider the focus on outward appearance and attention-grabbing in the above definition (The Cambridge Dictionary), it seems to fit our passage pretty well.
The Scribes were all about the show:
“Look at me”
“Laud me”
“Note my status”
Do you who’s not impressed? Jesus!
He directs his disciples’ attention away from the self-righteous and onto the truly righteous.
To hear more, join us this Sunday!
- Pastor Tim
38 And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces 39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, 40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
41 And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. 43 And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. 44 For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
- Mark 12:38-44
Who Do You Think You Are (Mark 11:27-33)
Do you remember these bumper stickers? When I’d pull up behind someone and see this, I’d start asking questions. Questions like…
Who’s authority?
All authority?
Just bad authority?
The authority of people over 30?
Whose authority, exactly, are we talking about?
“Be more specific with your bumper stickers!” I’d yell in my head and maybe out loud.
Authority is a tricky thing because it’s power, it’s influence, and that can be used for good or for harm. In the gospels we see examples of both.
Thankfully, the one who wields the most authority is Jesus. And he uses it to heal, not to harm.
Hope to see you Sunday when we’ll continue our study of Mark (11:27-33).
- Pastor Tim
27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, 28 and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” 29 Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” 31 And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. 33 So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
- Mark 11:27-33
The Glory of the Son: 3, 2, 1 (Mark 9:2-13)
[Disclaimer: I’m pretty sure the following story is true. I Googled it and, as you know, the internet is rarely misleading]
For the 2000 BIOLA commencement speech Christian author, Josh McDowell got up, said one sentence 3 times, and then sat down.
In the spirit of short communications: “Read Mark 9: Shine, Jesus, Shine.”
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.” 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead might mean. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 12 And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”
- Mark 9:2-13
When Losing Your Head is Worth It (Mark 6:14-29)
Sometimes when I’m reading the Old Testament I can’t really relate to what I’m reading and I find myself thinking, “this seems really odd” or “what in the world?” Whether it’s Abraham’s polygamy (one spouse is plenty…can I get an amen?) or Abraham’s nephew, Lot, who offered up his virgin daughters to a lusty mob, why? Because ancient people had different standards of hospitality? I read these stories and think, “what the…” Maybe you have a similar response.
When reading the Old Testament I expect some discontinuity between their day and ours. But when reading the New Testament, even if there are some hard-to-understand parts, I sort of get it. I could imagine the things I’m reading happening today. Mostly. [insert dramatic pause]. Well, not so much when it comes to Mark 6 and the beheading of John the Baptist. Not only was he beheaded. It was followed by his bloody head being passed around on a platter. And at a birthday party! I’ve been to some weird and awkward birthday parties, but as far as I recall there have been no “hot potato” with human heads as party games.
I don’t mean to make light of John’s gruesome end. In uncomfortable situations, I lean on humor and I hope that if I can bring some levity in this email there will be less to share on Sunday. Now I did title the sermon “When losing your head is worth it” and I wasn’t intending to be funny. If you find it funny, just be careful to not laugh your head off. Apologies. I’m trying to get it out of my system before Sunday.
If you read Mark 6 and find yourself asking, “what the…” come this Sunday and we’ll try to help make some sense of it all.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, “John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” 16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” 17 For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” 19 And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22 For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” 23 And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” 24 And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28 and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
- Mark 6:14-29
What a Testimony! (Mark 5:1-20)
You’ve undoubtedly seen those Before and After pictures where a person’s transformation is awe-inspiring. Someone loses 200 pounds and they’re shown holding up pants that are 10 sizes too big for them. Or, going the other direction, a 98-pound weakling becomes a competition-level body-builder. You see them Before and After and you can hardly believe it’s the same person.
Well, when we consider the Before and After of the demoniac in Mark 5, it’s hard to believe it’s the same person. The screaming, self-mutilating, naked, out-of-his-mind demon-man is pictured sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind. It’s incredible that this is the same person. And it wasn’t a long, arduous diet and exercise regimen or countless hours pumping iron at the gym that led to this change. It took just one encounter with Jesus for the awe to reach the level of inspiring.
To hear more about this man and his incredible testimony, join us on Sunday.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 2 And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
- Mark 5:1-20
Jesus, the Storm Stiller (Mark 4:35-41)
“There’s more than meets the eye.”
This is so often true in our experience and is also true when it comes to Jesus and his fellow-travelers on the Sea of Galilee in Mark 4:35-41.
Imagine you’re in a boat that is following theirs. You see a storm descend on their part of the sea. It’s not uncommon but it seems especially vicious. You’re too far away to hear what’s happening, but you can see the disciples scrambling on deck. You’re worried for them, but unable to help.
Then, suddenly, Jesus appears. Not long after, the storm calms as quickly as it raged. The disciples sit down and embrace each other. They’re just glad to be alive.
When you arrive at your destination, you make your way to their boat and ask, “what happened out there?” Andrew points to Jesus and says, “he happened.”
Join us Sunday to hear more of the story as we focus our attention on the one “who even the wind and the sea obey.”
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
- Mark 4:35-41
What's the Catch? (Mark 1:16-20)
“What’s the catch?”
I’m sure you’ve used this phrase before.
You’re buying a car and the salesperson tells you about their zero interest, no payments for a year, best deal anywhere in town program and you ask, “what’s the catch?”
Or a beautiful, intelligent, wonderful, accomplished woman agrees to marry you and your close friends look you up and down and then ask, “what’s the catch?” ☺
Or…you get the point.
This question assumes that there must be something hidden that’s not being disclosed. Another way to say it is, “what are you not telling me?”
Imagine you’re on the shores of Galilee and you see Jesus talking to some fishermen. You watch as they drop their nets, say their goodbyes, and head off with Jesus away from the Sea. You intersect them on their journey and, wondering what’s happening, you ask, “what’s the catch?”
The fishermen, in unison, reply: “people.”
To hear more of the story, join us this Sunday at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 AM as we continue our study of the Gospel of Mark. If I could lure you to read ahead, it’s Mark 1:16-20.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
- Mark 1:16-20
The World We All Want: New Creation in the Garden City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-5 & 22:1-6)
This week we conclude our Garden Tour titled, “A Tale of Three Gardens.”
Our first stop was in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-3) where we witnessed God’s great power and creativity in all that He made. This, unfortunately, was followed by our horrible fall.
Our second stop was in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26) where we heard our Savior cry out to God in anguish as he contemplated having to drink “the cup” of God’s wrath. Because he did, we don’t have to. Because of Jesus, we can make our way to the third and final garden.
The Garden City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22) is unlike any place we’ve ever seen. It’s almost too good to be true. Almost.
You won’t want to miss this Sunday as we’ll be spending time reflecting on where we’ve been and anticipating – with great joy – our final destination.
Also, it’s our final service on the lawn (at 9:30) before we head back inside and kick off Advent. I hope to see you at one of the services.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.”
- Revelation 21:1-5, 22:1-6
He Gets Us: Redemption and the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46)
I’m not much of a garden-type person.
I don’t like Olive Garden. I mean the breadsticks are great, but that’s about it.
I’ve not been to Madison Square Garden. I like basketball, but not enough to travel to the other side of the country.
I’ve been to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at CSULB, but only because I officiated a wedding there one summer.
Like, I said, not much of a garden-type person. But there are 3 gardens which have all my attention:
1) The Garden of Eden, 2) The Garden of Gethsemane, and 3) The Garden-City of New Jerusalem.
We spent some time in the Garden of Eden last week, where we witnessed God’s glorious Creation (and we thought to ourselves, “what a wonderful world”) and also humanity’s terrible Fall. That was Genesis chapters 1-3.
Next week, we’ll land in the Garden-City of New Jerusalem where God’s New Creation (Revelation 21-22) shows us what the original creation ought to have been like forever, that is, before we got involved.
This week, in the Garden of Gethsemane, we’ll see Jesus wrestling with the will of God as he does what is necessary to get us all from Garden #1 to Garden #3.
Read ahead (Matthew 26:36-46) for your own instruction and appreciation of Jesus.
There are 3 departure times for our Garden Tour – 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 AM. No reservations are necessary. Hope to see you soon.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”
- Matthew 26:36-46
It was Paradise…Until it Wasn't: Creation and Fall in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 31)
Even if you’ve not read it, you’ve probably heard of the book A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The story is set in the late 18th century against the backdrop of the French Revolution. London and Paris are the Two Cities Dickens writes about. I’ve not read it, but according to the peer-reviewed, award-winning, surely in the running for a Nobel Prize - Sparknotes.com - we read: “Dickens asserts his belief in the possibility of resurrection and transformation, both on a personal level and on a societal level.”
That’s a big claim. “The possibility of resurrection and transformation” of both persons and society? Sounds familiar, don’t you think? In fact, the very first line of the book sounds familiar too.
“It was the best of times” sounds like Genesis 1-2.
“It was the worst of times” sounds like Genesis 3.
Isn’t it amazing how all good stories have elements of The Great Story…The Story of God in the Scriptures?
This Sunday we’ll begin a 3-part series called, A Tale of Three Gardens. Yes, I stole and modified for the title.
We’ll start in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 1-3)
Then we’ll join Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26)
Finally, we’ll end in the Garden-City of New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22)
I hope you can join us this Sunday at our first stop on the Garden Tour!
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
- Genesis 1:1, 26-27, 31
Unity and Generosity: The Macedonians, the Messiah, and Me and You (Acts 20:1-6, 2 Corinthians 8 + 9)
This Sunday, as we continue our study on the theme of unity in the book of Acts, we’ll be considering how generosity toward our brothers and sisters in Christ promotes the cause of unity.
Do a little exercise with me.
Let’s take 2 minutes of uninterrupted time and think, “how might generosity promote unity in the body of Christ?” It’s not immediately obvious, I don’t think, so let’s think hard together for the full 120 seconds.
Are you ready?
The clock starts…now!
[2 minutes of uninterrupted thoughtfulness]
Alright. What did you come up with? What’s that? I can’t hear you. I have an idea. Join us on Sunday and you can tell me then.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Pastor Tim
1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.
- 2 Corinthians 8:1-5
Maintain What God Has Made (Acts 2:1-11)
In his great book, One Blood: Parting Word to the Church on Race and Love, Christian minister and civil rights leader, John Perkins, writes: “There is no institution on earth more equipped or more capable of bringing transformation to the cause of reconciliation than The Church.”
The Church is to lead when it comes to unity. In fact, because of God’s empowering we are, in the words of Perkins, more equipped and more capable than any other institution on earth. What a high calling we have.
This Sunday, as we continue in our series on unity, we’ll be spending some time at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-11), then we’ll jump back 2,000 years or so earlier to consider a high tower that caught God’s eye in a place called Shinar (Genesis 11:1-9) and then we’ll jump forward, past Pentecost, to the city of Ephesus (Ephesians 2:11-22). We’ll be covering a lot of ground so read ahead if you can. My hope is that God will use this Sunday, and our whole series on unity, to fulfill the prayer of Jesus in John 17:20-23. That we might be one.
Looking forward to our time together!
Pastor Tim
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”
- Acts 2:1-11