Just one thing - Part 1

Notes from today's message preached at The Oak Community Church.

Audio can be downloaded from:

http://www.oakchurch.co.uk/podcasts.htm

JUST ONE THING

INTRODUCTION – MATTHEW 28:18-20

• What one thing that is the focus of your Christian walk?

• If you could ask God for one thing what would it be?

• What would you consider is the one thing this church focuses on?

• What is the one thing the bible calls us to do?

o Truth is it’s hard to limit this to one thing

A JOURNEY

• Remember the movie “Fantastic Voyage” or “Inner space”

o Closer to the heart - you would hear its beat as you got closer

• Two week journey to the heartbeat of the church

THE WHAT

• The church has one great commission

• This is our mission - the what

o Make disciples / Baptising them / Teach them

WHAT ABOUT THE HOW?

• The bible provides a few 'one things' – Six ‘one things’

o All important to OCC

o Each gets closer to the heart of the church

• Not exclusive but complementary

o Not just ‘one thing’ but not equal either

DIFFERENT SORT OF MESSAGE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

• A bible study

o Take us on a journey to the heartbeat of this church

o Examine 6 different focus areas for churches

• Purpose of this preach

o To draw you closer and closer to the heartbeat of this church

o This is corporate vision – Vision leaks!

1) A FOCUS ON ESCHATOLOGY - 2 PETER 3:3-15

• Churches with a focus on eschatology

o Doctrines related to the 2nd coming and end of the world

• The Bible is both historic and prophetic

o All the events relevant to man are contained in the bible

o Basis Instruction Before Leaving Earth? Maybe!

THE DANGER ZONE

• Obsessing - We are the bride

o We should anticipate the wedding – not obsess

• Fixated with interpreting the signs

o More attention to ‘The beast' than the savior

o Stories of the antichrist – Prince Charles

• Bogged down in doctrinal disagreements

• Scare Tactic Evangelism based upon ‘The end of the world is nigh'

ESCHATOLOGY AT THE OAK

• Stand on the very clear parts

o Jesus is returning

o He will come back to judge the living and the dead

o He will come when we least expect it

• Don't speculate the ambiguous

o Order of events and timing is not central – He’s coming back!

• Feel free to have a view but don't be dogmatic or obsessive

o Podcast of 3 very different views

• Spend your time on what matters

o Are you ready?

ONE THING

o God's timing is perfect - He longs to save people

THE GREAT COMMISSION

• Share the gospel - Jesus is returning

• Have hope - a new world order (and earth is coming)

2) A FOCUS ON THE MIRACULOUS – JOHN 9:24-25

• Churches with a focus on healings/miracles

o God is a miracle working God

o Many experience God's healing hand upon the body

• Miracles are a reversal of the natural order of creation

o Red sea, Blind eyes, water into wine–cars without a carburetor!

THE DANGER ZONE

• Chasing the miracle not the source

o Focus on the spectacular

• What can God do for me culture

o Quick fix culture

• The reality of God is directly link to existence of miracles

• The power of God is directly linked to the size of the miracles

MIRACLES AT THE OAK

• We believe in miracles

o happened in the past

o And can and do happen today

• By their nature miracles are rare occurrences

o We haven't seen many

• We should pray in faith believing

• We take a mature approach to welcome God to develop us

o Bring glory to him through the absence of a miracle

ONE THING

• Experience doesn’t always lead to conversion

o Some don't know Jesus despite experiencing his healing power

THE GREAT COMMISSION

• Show your faith in God to others even when miracles don't come

• Be confident to pray for others

o Don't exaggerate God's hand

• Make space for power of the testimony

• Look for personal commitment beyond personal experience

3) A FOCUS ON TEACHING – LUKE 10:38-42

• Churches with a focus on teaching

o A centre for teaching

o Maybe a bible college attached

o A programme of bible classes

• A TV ministry

THE DANGER ZONE

• All head knowledge and no heart/character

o Teaching knowledge induces unteachable character

• TV ministry becomes bigger than the church mission/community

• Individuals isolate from church and focus on independent teaching

• All Mary no Martha - 'One thing' of teaching excuse for not serving

TEACHING AT THE OAK

• To equip you as best as possible to grow in your relationship with Jesus

• To remain relevant to everyday life

• To empower personal growth in your own personal study

o Great resources – podcasts, blogs, everyday with Jesus

• To learn together how the word of God relates to our lives (Kairos)

ONE THING

• Being busy without Jesus is wasted effort - sitting at Jesus feet

THE GREATE COMMISSION

• Our message is that good works won't save you, only Jesus

• Conversions must develop into disciples/learners

CLOSE

TWO PARTS

• Next week continues to our final destination the heartbeat of the church

o Look ahead of what 'one thing'

• For now

o Remember these are not exclusive but also not equally important to us

• These are all how's to the what

o We have a great commission

o Matthew 28:18-20

Who turned the light off?

Psalm 119:105-112

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.

107 I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised.

108 Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.

109 My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.

110 The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.

111 Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.

112 I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.

When life gets really busy, I miss out on quality time with my family and especially my wife. It's not a contract that we must spend at least an hour of quality time each day with each other. It's a relationship. When it doesn't happen it's often for good reasons. We both understand why. It's not a guilt trip. But we both miss that time. We both long to get back to a routine where we get that regular time together. If we see life slipping into a pace where we don't get that quality time for a series of days we know the balance is lost and we need to get back to a right pace of life.

I try to read the word of God every day. It's not legalistic. I don't feel guilty if it doesn't happen. But in the same way I do miss it. That same warning bell goes in my head that says "need to get some time back in the day for the word of God". This week has been one of those!

The Psalmist said "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." When I miss out on the time for God's word, the lamp isn't guiding me and the pathway looks a little dimmer. When this was written the Psalmist must have been in great personal danger. "My life constantly hangs in the balance" he would say, and "the wicked have set traps for me". I cant say I experience it as severely as that. But I have my own pressures, struggles and hinderences.

Looking at Psalm 119:105-112 I wrote my own paraphrase that fits my life well:

The Bible guides my choices and shows me how to live. God, Your way is the right way and I'm committed to follow it. Yes I've suffered, but you've promised to keep me safe. So, I'm going to continue praising you. Teach me more of You. Life has its dangers, but I wont forget your word. Some have it in for me, but they wont sway me from doing things your way. Your words are mine forever, they're my greatest treasure. My commitment is to stick with your plan

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I do this because I love you

John 11:5-6 (NKJV) Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.

I always remember my mum and dad telling me "we only tell you off because we love you". Whenever they did things I didn't like that were apparently for 'my good' they would roll this line out. When I couldn't have the sweets I wanted, when I received some punishment for being naughty, when I couldn't go and play on the motor bike that other kids were (I was only 9!), the response was "it's only because we love you". As a child it wore thin. But I know it wasn't just a line. It was a reality. To give way on these things simply wasn't the way of showing love. To say 'no' many times was the best way to show love. Maybe you have to become a parent to fully understand most of things your parents did.

The story in John tells us that Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus. It also explains that it was because He loved them that He didn't rush to see Lazarus when he was sick and dying. Some translations wrongly use the 'but' word. Jesus loved Lazarus, but, he stayed where he was for two days. In any conventional understanding it would make sense. The NLT says 'although Jesus loved Lazarus he stayed' like we was doing something wrong. However, as shown by my parents, doing what would seem at first detrimental is sometimes the best way to show love.

It was because Jesus loved Mary, Martha and Lazarus so much that He waited to return to them. He knew that the delay would mean He would arrive well after Lazarus's death. Had He arrived in time He could have healed him. Had He arrived soon after Lazarus death many would have said "he wasn't really dead, just very ill, or sleeping". By Jesus waiting two extra days He made sure He arrived when Lazarus was well and truly dead.

Yes, Mary and Martha would have gone through some pain in mourning. But what joy they would have gone through in seeing the resurrection. How greater was their trust in Jesus through this event. How more indisputable was their testimony with Lazarus being dead so long. What greater opportunity would this have given all three to testify to God's greatness.

When Jesus' way seems strange to you. When the timing is off. When you go through pain before great joy. Realise it's because He loves you that He does this. It's not "Jesus loves me, but, He did this." It's really "Jesus loves me, so, He did this."

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Have you seen my kingdom?

Mark 9:1, Luke 9:27 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

Luke 17:20-21 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

Matthew 21:31 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

If you've been to my house you will have seen a piece of my kingdom. I cant say I have complete dominion over this place as my wife and 3 children place their own mark on it. However, there are many things the way I want them to be. The guitars are hung on the wall where I want them. The lounge is laid out how I like it. My T-Shirt draw is organised in the way I want them to be organised! It's probably easy to think of this house as my 'kingdom' (if you stretch your imagination a bit!)

If you come to my place of work you may also get a glimps of my kingdom. As with the house many other people have influence over how my team runs. But some of the culture, the values, the behaviours and the practices have my stamp on them. It gives you a glimps of how I would like the world to be. Although the physical office space is not my kingdom, how some of it operates is a part of my kingdom. It's not physical but observable nonetheless. It's imperfect, just like me.

The concept of the Kingdom of God is one of the most empowering and exciting concepts in the New Testament in my opinion. It's also the most commonly misunderstood. I'm not an expert on the subject and recognise that many have written and preached volumes on the subject. However I do see that many substitute the words "Kingdom of God" with the word "Heaven" when reading the Bible. If that's true we have a problem with some of the passages. Both Mark and Luke tell us that some who stood with Jesus would not taste death before seeing the Kingdom of God. Did that mean they would visit heaven first? In Luke 17 Jesus said that people cannot say "here it is" or "there it is" because the Kingdom of God is within you. Is Heaven really found inside of us?

To quote Dallas Willard, the Kingdom of God "is the range of God's effective will, where what God wants done is done." I like this definition. If that's the definition then I want the Kingdom of God within me. I want to pray "Your Kingdom come, your will be done". I want to sing "Lord, we want to see Your Kingdom come". When I look around me and see injustice, oppression, cruelty, poverty and sin, I can say "God's Kingdom is not here and needs to be". Best I bring God's Kingdom to those places! It would appear that Tax Collectors and Prostitutes are moving into the place where God can truly have His way before the religious leaders ever let Him have a say!

Oh, and when I see the faults in my life, the sin, the mistakes, the poor character and the ego I can also say "God's Kingdom is not here and needs to be", time to let the true King rule on the throne of my kingdom. He's probably not too bothered about the T-Shirt draw but there's no harm in asking anyway!

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Did God really say that?

Hebrews 2:1 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.

Remember playing Chinese whispers at school? I don't know if they still play this game, or even if it's politically correct to use that title. There is certainly no evidence to suggest that the Chinese are any better or worse at passing on messages whispered in the ear! If you've never played the game its simple. A collection of kids stand in a line. One person at the start of the line whispers a message in the ear of the person next to them. They in turn pass the message onto the person next to them. No-one is allowed to ask for clarification, you must simply repeat what you think you heard. The last person in the line speaks outloud what they heard and everyone laughs at how the final message could ever have derived from what was originally spoken. Some sermons can be like that!

When you were not at church that week you ask someone who was "what did tne Pastor speak about on Sunday". The person then attempts to repeat what they think the Pastor said to those absentee. They then tell someone else "I hear the Pastor said such and such on Sunday". There is of course no guarantee that this retelling is now anything like what the Pastor said.

This happens with our own memory too. We hear something once said and store it in the memory bank one day. On a bad day the devil tries to play these words back to us - "didn't the preacher say such and such, you are not a very good christian are you". It's ironic how the devil did this in the garden of Eden with Eve. The devil questioned "did God really say you must not eat the fruit" and Eve replied "we must not eat it or touch it". God never said anything about touching and the Devil's business was to cause doubt and use good words to bring trouble.

The warning in Hebrews is that we must listen very carefull to the truth we have heard. This doesn't only mean we must listen carefully to what is preached but listen to the source of the truth - the word of God. After all the preacher is still the 2nd person in the chain of chinese whispers. The source is still the infallable word of God. So lets hold fast to the truth. Our memories will fade. Our enemy wil twist words to condemn, confuse and generally cause trouble. Our preachers will all at some point make a mistake in their preaching (I speak as one who does!) But the word of God never fails. 1 Peter 1:23 says his word endures forever.

So listen carefull to the truth of His word or we may drift away from it!

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I could never make a difference!

Matthew 14:19-21 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Matthew 15:35-38 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. The number of those who ate was four thousand, besides women and children.

How often do I see an impossible challenge which I can do nothing about. The scale of the problem seems so big that its overwhelming. I know a miracle is the only thing can change the situation and hope and pray for God's amazing power to be shown. In fact it can be a very passive waiting for God. As if He will pluck out of thin air the resources and solutions to this huge challenge with no effort on my part. Of course He can do this, but so often works in a different way.

I tell myself that I can do nothing about the situation but in reality what I mean is the little I could do would make little difference. Since I can't do enough I won't do anything. God's challenge to us is to bring what we have, no matter how small, and play our part.

Matthew contains two different accounts of multitudes being fed from a very small amount of bread and fish. We often think of this as a single instance but it would appear this may have been a more regular occurrence. The great thing about seeing at least two examples is we can see a common thread in both accounts.

Firstly, the resources available for the problem were vastly insufficient but Jesus still wanted to use these. Secondly, Jesus gave thanks for what was available. Thirdly, the multiplication happened in the disciples hands as they started to use the resources available. Fourthly, God provided more than enough than was ever needed. (My wife would remind me that lastly the disciples tidied up the mess afterwards but I'm not convinced there is a spiritual principle here!)

So when I see the challenge of a project with insufficient funding, a harvest field with insufficient workers, broken community with inadequate expertise for the complex issues, it's best I remember these principles.

Give and use what little I have.

Thank God for these resources no matter how insignificant.

Start doing the work and let God do the multiplication.

Watch and see God's abundance at work!

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Did Jesus grieve?

Matthew 14:9-13 Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. So John was beheaded in the prison, and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns.

We have all known someone who has died. Its a sad loss and is often associated with some form of grieving process. For people we know little of it may prompt a moment of thought. We may think of the brevity of life, the good memories of the person or how they will be missed. For those closer to us this may be a significant grieving process that takes a long time to work through. When Jesus heard than John the Baptist had died he appeared to go through some form of grieving process. He withdrew for some solitude.

At first glance this seems perfectly normal. "Jesus the man," feeling human emotions, identifying with our frailties and mourning the loss of a family member and good friend. But when you think about it there may be something different going on here.

Jesus knew how and when John would die. He holds the keys to life and death and is sovereign in all things. Jesus may have missed John but knew with complete confidence that He would see him in glory. Jesus also knew the truth of the words that John said 'he must increase, I must decrease'. Jesus knew John's ministry was to diminish and His was to come to forefront. So why did Jesus seek a solitary place and wish for some time alone?

We can only speculate but nonetheless let's speculate. Perhaps He thought of John's beheading and considered His own suffering that lay ahead of Him. Perhaps He considered the last days of John and what he would have gone through. He may have thought of the fear John may have felt when he knew he would be beheaded. Jesus may have considered the feelings of John's family and his disciples and the pain they would no doubt be going through. Either way I strongly suspect Jesus was not grieving for His own loss but for the thoughts and feelings of others.

What comfort to know that Jesus shared our humanity. Jesus had human emotions. But what greater comfort to know that His thoughts are towards us. He knows our pains and suffering. He suffered too.

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How long is this going to take?

Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

This a favourite verse of a good friend of mine. It came to mind today on the early Monday morning commute to work. Who knows why? You wouldn’t think that doing good would be a tiresome thing. However the Bible recognises this is often the truth. Doing the right thing is not always doing the easiest thing. The pressures of life push us so often towards “the path of least resistance”. The easy route, the short cut, the ‘microwave solution’ all seem very enticing but don’t often find the route to the right outcome. At work there is often talk of the “quick win”. In my experience the quick win leads to the long term loss. Jesus said “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13). It would appear that many choose the easy route and few take “the road less travelled”.

But why is “doing what is good” wearying. I think its because the main reason we often do “what is good” is to obtain a good outcome. This isn’t necessarily a good outcome for us personally. We share the gospel with a friend in the hope that they will come to faith themselves. We help the alcoholic in the hope that they will discover a life free from the stronghold of drink. We coach the staff member in the hope they will reach their own potential. The wearying part is that the outcome we often hope for seems to take forever to arrive.

But Galatians teaches us to not give up hope. We are assured that the “harvest of blessing” will be reaped at the right time. This right time is God’s timing. This is not always our timing and probably isn’t as soon as we would like it to be. But God sees the bigger picture. He’s not only working in the situation but He’s working on us. He’s shaping our character, building our trust in Him and working through the situation to demonstrate His glory and love.

So on my tired Monday mornings, I remind myself to not take the quick easy option, but to keep choosing the narrow path. At the right time the harvest will come.

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Did anyone see that?

Matthew 6:1-3 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

I don’t know how rewards work in heaven. You would think that being in the presence of almighty God would be enough reward in itself. But there is enough scriptural references to “rewards” or “crowns” for us to accept there is some form of reward system in glory. However this reward system works, I am resigned to the fact that there won’t be many waiting for me. It’s not because I don’t play my part in “doing good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” as Ephesians puts it. But it would appear most of the things I do are in public. You get the thanks here on earth!

The Bible paints the clear picture that good works done in private, purely to serve God and please him, are the ones with the greatest rewards in heaven. Those of us in the public eye appear to have the “greater role” to some on earth, but in reality it’s the not the place that God secretly smiles on the most. I could claim some independence to the public nature of my good works, as God’s sovereign plan. In reality, it’s a place I’m very comfortable, probably too comfortable and too enjoyable.

However, you know about the wonder of those who do amazing things in private when you have the privilege to be close enough to them to spot it. These people don’t shout about the good things they do. They don’t unsubtly drop hints about what great exploits they did when no-one was looking. You get those rare glimpses of seeing them in action by being close enough. In God’s great balance he has coupled me with a wonderful wife who does so many things for God that most never see. But what a reward awaits her in heaven! I wonder how many others are daily blessing others and blessing God without ever being seen?

So let’s all look for the times where we can bless others when no-one is looking. Let’s fight the need to be thanked and noticed. Let’s be reassured by knowing that the Father sees, smiles and says “thank you, there’s a reward waiting here for you”.

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This place is awesome!

Genesis 28:16-17 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it." He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."

When you feel the presence of God it is amazing. That awareness that God is truly “in this place” leaves you still but active, at peace but in reverent fear. When we hear God speak, even just a faint awareness that God is speaking to us, it’s deeply comforting and an amazing grace of God. I have been in meetings with other believers, often worshipping God, and known that “God is in the house”. The Holy Spirit is moving in His amazing gifts through people and it’s an amazing blessing. It doesn’t have to be in a Church even. Sometimes it’s in someone’s home, in a school hall you’ve borrowed, or even in a tent!

For the past few years I have attended a Christian camping holiday that has been a real blessing. Some of the regular attendees have the expression “when God speaks, he speaks at camp”. I have to say God has used this camping holiday to provide an opportunity to really speak into my life some things maybe I wasn’t as open to listen to at other times. So I know what they mean.

When Jacob heard God speak in his dream about the ladder and the angels his reaction was a fascinating insight into our human nature. He declared “God is truly in this place, this must be the house of God.” I have some friends from Cornwall who call it “God’s country”. The strange thing is my friends from Scotland say that is “God’s country” too! So between Jacob and my Cornish and Scottish friends someone has got it wrong. Truth be told, Jacob missed the point like many of us. What God was saying was important. The fact that God, the maker of all things, was speaking to Jacob was important. But the place where He spoke was the least of the issues.

We so easily focus on where God speaks, or who He speaks through. The real focus is God wants to meet with us, listen to us, and speak to us. So maybe, as in my case, God speaks at camp because that’s where I am listening. He could have said the very same thing at the kitchen sink, if I were ready to hear.

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What do the words really mean?

^{Matthew 12:7 If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned the innocent.}

Hosea 6:6 For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matt Redman says in one of his songs "I have heard so many songs, listened to a thousand tongues". We have all probably heard so many sermons, read so many verses. But the question is do we really get what was meant by the words in the Bible. We can remember and recite as many verses of the Bible as our brains can manage but that wont help us if we fail to understand what it really means. Do we need get ourselves in the Bible more, or more of the Bible in us?

Jesus spoke to the Pharisees in Matthew and told them if they really understood the words of Hosea they would not be condemning the innocent. Their sacrifices may well have been there to pay the penalty of their sins, to give them right standing again with God. But that did not place them in the position of judge for others, to condemn the innocent. They failed to see that God's heart was based upon forgiveness, mercy, grace, long-suffering. Instead they took their self righteous position of judge, jury and executioner.

What about me? Do I really understand the verse in Hosea 6:6? When I fail I want to 'pay God back' to somehow earn his love. But His desire is mercy. He puts relationship above repaying. I couldn't repay God if I tried! When others fail me or let me down, do I expect them to repay me, or do I show the same mercy that I have received in abundance. Do I condemn the innocent? Maybe I should try letting God be the judge, or the mercy giver!

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His choice is His love

Ephesians 1:4-5 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—

I used to struggle with the doctrine of predestination. I know the worldwide church is not in complete agreement on the matter. I also know that whether you believe in predestination or not isn't core to your salvation. But for me, my faith and understanding of the word of God has only got stronger and clearer since exploring this issue, reading the word, listening to teaching, and settling on a very strong conviction that God chose me long before I ever chose Him.

Whatever your view on this subject we can't escape this verse in Ephesians. Whether you accept that God predestined us for salvation or explain this away with a view of God's advanced foreknowledge that we would in fact choose Him this is not the point. The issue is that 'in love' He predestined us.

Because everything God does is 'in love'. It is His very nature. This gives us a confidence even when we can't as yet make sense of God's actions. I rejoice that God chose me. But I lament He hasn't chosen others. Matthew 11:25-27 shows Jesus praising God for hiding the gospel from some. I can't say it makes sense to me yet.

Romans 9:13 shows us another choice of God's. His love of Jacob and rejection of Esau. In all honesty Paul doesn't give a great explanation of why God chooses. His main defence is God is the potter and we are the clay. He gets to choose. But our confidence is not in God's almighty power and right to choose. But our confidence is that 'in love' He makes these choices.

His choice is His love. Even if we don't like or understand God's actions. We can be sure both His motives and the outcome are an expression of His love. He works everything together according to the counsel of His will. The same will that purposed Christ to die on a cross. A choice that made little sense to His followers at the time. But His choice to die was in love. His love for you and me.

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Seeing is believing

1 Peter 1:8-9 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.

Not many people have had the privilege of seeing Jesus in the flesh, face to face while on the earth. Across the population of the world for the last 2000 years this must constitute a tiny percentage. Even fewer had the opportunity to speak with Him. Only 12 people in the history of time had the opportunity to walk and talk with Him almost continuously for 3 years of his life. To hear Him teach publicly and discuss privately. To see the power of His miracles, the gentleness of His approach, the strength of His resolve, the compassion of His heart and the devotion of His life. To see Him beaten, tried and executed. To meet Him in His resurrection body and see the holes in His hands. To see Him ascent to heaven. What a privilege.

Peter did all these things. He couldn't mistake the reality of who Jesus was. "You are the Christ the son of the living God" was his confession. Peter knew this reality because of what he saw, what he experienced, what he heard. He had received the great commission. How could he not believe? No wonder he speaks specifically to commend those of us who were not in this privileged few. "Though we have not seen him we love him. Though we don't see him now we believe in him."

Hear Peter's commendation to us. His wonder and his praise of our faith. Not to make us big headed or proud but as an eternal brother saying "Wow! You haven't even seen Jesus, but you love him and believe in him". And in that belief we receive a great reward. The salvation of our souls. The thing even Angels long to look into.

Angels cannot be saved. Its a process they can never experience. They have nothing to be forgiven of. And those that fell, that do need God's forgiveness, will never experience His grace. That's why Angels long to look into this. In a similar way although we will never experience Peter's physical encounter with Jesus on this earth I sense he was in awe of our experience. To never see Jesus and still love Him. To never see Him and still believe. What a faith! What a reward!

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Did I really say that?

Romans 3:8 (NLT) And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

Ever been misquoted? Someone comes to you angry because of something they heard that you said. A friend of a friend who lives next door to someone who overheard something you may have said under your breath while walking past talking to someone else. Nonetheless the reported words were so upsetting this person is now very angry with you. And you never said anything like it in fact!

Maybe you've been the angry one. Not clear of your facts but ready nonetheless to give this person a piece of your mind.

Paul was often misquoted it would seem. People were reporting he was telling people to do more evil that good may come. Having had this rumour spread others now joined in and confirmed this was true.

'The internet is pure truth' according one of the characters in the latest Transformers movie. How easy do false chain mails get sent around. When you read a quotation from someone on some website - did they really say that? We need to both make sure we quote people correctly and tread carefully when reading or hearing a report on someone else. Especially something less favourable.

Romans 12 tells us to not think too highly of ourselves (v3) but to give preference to one another (v10). We need to think the best of each other, say the best about each other and believe the best from each other.

When we hear someone may have said something and we don't have all the facts. Let's think the best of them. And when we are misquoted remember we're in good company. So was Paul!

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Don't be a Pharisee!

Matthew 8:5-13

Who gets the greatest revelation of how God works? It's so often the ones we least expect. The gospel is in fact quite simple, and we so often over complicate it. God is more than capable of doing the impossible, and with just a single word. But I often make it more complicated than that.

What a blow it must have been to hear Jesus say he hadn't seen such faith in all of Israel. They were God's chosen ones! Mathew says Jesus turned to face those following him. They were probably mostly Jews, the people of Israel. Jesus was literately saying "this guy understand this stuff far more than you lot ever have". This centurion was a Roman. He wasn't God's chosen people, was he? He was seen as the enemy by many. But in fact, he had been given a revelation of how God works to a far greater extent than the Jews ever understood.

We often give the Pharisees a hard time. They were super religious, strict in the law, judgemental and self righteous. But maybe a bit of Pharisee slips into my character when I think God couldn't possibly speak to "that person" before speaking to me. Or judging that someone's greater faith in God's ability to move mountains is just simple naivety. "If they really knew how God worked they wouldn't see it so simply". In fact maybe Jesus is saying "greater faith have I never seen in all your life son". I need to watch out for that bit of Pharisee that slips in every now and again.

God used a donkey. God used a Roman centurion. He can use me, but in fact, He can use anyone.

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Justified by faith alone?

Matthew 25:31-46

"When you die what's the one thing that will decide whether you go to Heaven or Hell?"

It's not an uncommon question in Christian circles. While people may use slightly different words, with different scriptural references, anyone who has read the Bible and in particular the New Testament will probably say something like "whether you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord and saviour".

Romans 10:9 says "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:13 says "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Ephesians 2:8 says "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God"

We truly have been justified by grace through faith. But lets not stop there. We may be justified by faith alone but our faith does not stand alone. Matthew 25:31-46 gives us a fuller picture of what it means to be saved. How does salvation change us? What does it drive us to do? If salvation is a work of the heart how would you spot it on the outside?

How sobering a thought it is that although the work of God happens in my heart the moment I pray for him to come into my life, if it doesn't turn into action maybe they were just empty words? All these good works in visiting the sick, clothing the naked, feeding the poor can never save me. Only Jesus can do that. But they can demonstrate that has saved me. Look at the verses in Matthew. I could actually be feeding Jesus, or clothing him. What a privelidge!

"I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Matt 25:40

On YouVersion

Why on YouVersion?

I like the idea of Blogging. But looking at other's I'm not sure I would make a good blogger. Maybe one day!

But I do like YouVersion. YouVersion is an online Bible where you can add your own Bible commentary. If you want to check it out go to www.YouVersion.com. If you want to see all the entries I have made on YouVersion go to www.youversion.com/search/contributions?q=trevoroakchurch

But I know that some people will have difficulty using it. I think it's a very cool way of connecting using the Bible. However it doesn't allow for commenting like this Blog does.

So my plan is to post any entries on YouVersion on this blog too. Who knows, I may one write something meaningful! But at least you can comment here if you want.