I was just thinking about some of the things Jesus never said.
"Close enough."
"It's not really a sin, it's just a__________"
"I quit."
"I can do that if I want, it's my money."
"I should do this! Don't you want me to be happy?"
"I hate that person."
"Politics are the key part of the Kingdom of God."
"That's impossible."
"I can forgive most sins, but not yours."
"They're not really commands… they're more like strong recommendations."
"Only be part of the Body of Christ when you're not too busy."
I'm kind of captivated by what Jesus didn't say. Reality is - for each of the above things He didn't say there is a direct opposite that He did communicate or live.
The sad thing is over the years I've heard stuff like the above list said by believers… at times I've said or thought some of them, or something close to it. What does it say about our faith or walk with the Lord if we say or live what is contrary to who He is?
So, I'm thinking it would be a good study to look at what Jesus did say and why. Here's a sample of what you'd find.
Matthew 4:10
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mark 1:17
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Luke 7:48
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
Luke 8:50
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."
Luke 12:22
Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
John 8:31
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;
John 20:21
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
What's your favorite "Jesus quote?"
Be Blessed this Labor Day Weekend,
Pastor Dave
Friday, August 29, 2008
Friday, August 22, 2008
Five Things I Love About You
About 10 years ago a movie came out titled “10 Things I Hate About You.”
[Pastoral Caveat: I haven’t seen it, am not recommending it, don’t know who acted in it or their lifestyles, know nothing about the language or morality, and don’t know the plot - the title is just interesting to me.]
So, if I were to sit in a heavenly drive-in and watch a movie God made (for some of you that’s a stretch for your imagination that may feel like heresy) eating popcorn that’s good for me, and candy that tastes like Snickers but has the nutritional value of broccoli, while drinking a gallon of soda that doesn’t have sugar, NutraSweet, or Nansturfulictoudous2 in it – what would God’s movie be?
How about “5 Things I Love About You.”
1. God’s movie would tell me that He loves the fact that I am needy.
Weakness that results in a need for a holy hand to hold me together is not a flaw - it’s a blessing. Neediness is seen as a weakness to humans and a requirement for God. I didn’t make me. I can’t save me. I can’t fix me.
“God, I’ll admit it – I need you.”
2. God’s movie would tell me that He loves the fact I look familiar.
God has never seen a complete stranger. He has tattooed His own likeness on my spirit so he looks at something he recognizes. Granted, many of us have deformed God’s intent to the point where he may have to squint to see his fingerprints, but they are there.
“God, thank-you for making me part of your family.”
3. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I have skinned knees.
While riding my non-motorized two wheeled pedal machine the other day I was watching a couple of boys try some stunts on their skateboards. The one I saw transplanted most of the skin from the boy’s knees to the eager cement. Do you know what he did? The red kneed boy retrieved his four wheeled pain-accomplice and got on it to try again…
“God, thanks for not giving up on me because I have fallen.”
4. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I don’t know everything.
In fact – I’m not supposed to. Growing knowledge of my world and my God are part of his design for me. God will never judge me for not knowing, but he’ll never miss the opportunity to scold me for ignoring what I know (note: please don’t tell my wife, my kids, or grandkids that I don’t know everything).
“God, thanks for being the perfect teacher.”
5. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I’ve got reservations.
Jesus said he was going to prepare a home for me that was eternal (John 14:2). I’ve made reservations in that home. I did that through confession and repentance. I have welcomed God’s offer of grace with all that I am. God has given me the confirmation number and I’m set… I’m in no hurry – but I’m ready.
“God, thanks for the future.”
Applause.
Roll closing credits.
Play out takes.
Saving a Chair for you Sunday,
Pastor Dave
--
Kara
MFMC Admin. Ass't
[Pastoral Caveat: I haven’t seen it, am not recommending it, don’t know who acted in it or their lifestyles, know nothing about the language or morality, and don’t know the plot - the title is just interesting to me.]
So, if I were to sit in a heavenly drive-in and watch a movie God made (for some of you that’s a stretch for your imagination that may feel like heresy) eating popcorn that’s good for me, and candy that tastes like Snickers but has the nutritional value of broccoli, while drinking a gallon of soda that doesn’t have sugar, NutraSweet, or Nansturfulictoudous2 in it – what would God’s movie be?
How about “5 Things I Love About You.”
1. God’s movie would tell me that He loves the fact that I am needy.
Weakness that results in a need for a holy hand to hold me together is not a flaw - it’s a blessing. Neediness is seen as a weakness to humans and a requirement for God. I didn’t make me. I can’t save me. I can’t fix me.
“God, I’ll admit it – I need you.”
2. God’s movie would tell me that He loves the fact I look familiar.
God has never seen a complete stranger. He has tattooed His own likeness on my spirit so he looks at something he recognizes. Granted, many of us have deformed God’s intent to the point where he may have to squint to see his fingerprints, but they are there.
“God, thank-you for making me part of your family.”
3. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I have skinned knees.
While riding my non-motorized two wheeled pedal machine the other day I was watching a couple of boys try some stunts on their skateboards. The one I saw transplanted most of the skin from the boy’s knees to the eager cement. Do you know what he did? The red kneed boy retrieved his four wheeled pain-accomplice and got on it to try again…
“God, thanks for not giving up on me because I have fallen.”
4. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I don’t know everything.
In fact – I’m not supposed to. Growing knowledge of my world and my God are part of his design for me. God will never judge me for not knowing, but he’ll never miss the opportunity to scold me for ignoring what I know (note: please don’t tell my wife, my kids, or grandkids that I don’t know everything).
“God, thanks for being the perfect teacher.”
5. God’s movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I’ve got reservations.
Jesus said he was going to prepare a home for me that was eternal (John 14:2). I’ve made reservations in that home. I did that through confession and repentance. I have welcomed God’s offer of grace with all that I am. God has given me the confirmation number and I’m set… I’m in no hurry – but I’m ready.
“God, thanks for the future.”
Applause.
Roll closing credits.
Play out takes.
Saving a Chair for you Sunday,
Pastor Dave
--
Kara
MFMC Admin. Ass't
5 Things I Love About You
About 10 years ago a movie came out titled "10 Things I Hate About You."
[Pastoral Caveat: I haven't seen it, am not recommending it, don't know who acted in it or their lifestyles, know nothing about the language or morality, and don't know the plot - the title is just interesting to me.]
So, if I were to sit in a heavenly drive-in and watch a movie God made (for some of you that's a stretch for your imagination that may feel like heresy) eating popcorn that's good for me, and candy that tastes like Snickers but has the nutritional value of broccoli, while drinking a gallon of soda that doesn't have sugar, NutraSweet, or Nansturfulictoudous2 in it – what would God's movie be?
How about "5 Things I Love About You."
1. God's movie would tell me that He loves the fact that I am needy.
Weakness that results in a need for a holy hand to hold me together is not a flaw - it's a blessing. Neediness is seen as a weakness to humans and a requirement for God. I didn't make me. I can't save me. I can't fix me.
"God, I'll admit it – I need you."
2. God's movie would tell me that He loves the fact I look familiar.
God has never seen a complete stranger. He has tattooed His own likeness on my spirit so he looks at something he recognizes. Granted, many of us have deformed God's intent to the point where he may have to squint to see his fingerprints, but they are there.
"God, thank-you for making me part of your family."
3. God's movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I have skinned knees.
While riding my non-motorized two wheeled pedal machine the other day I was watching a couple of boys try some stunts on their skateboards. The one I saw transplanted most of the skin from the boy's knees to the eager cement. Do you know what he did? The red kneed boy retrieved his four wheeled pain-accomplice and got on it to try again…
"God, thanks for not giving up on me because I have fallen."
4. God's movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I don't know everything.
In fact – I'm not supposed to. Growing knowledge of my world and my God are part of his design for me. God will never judge me for not knowing, but he'll never miss the opportunity to scold me for ignoring what I know (note: please don't tell my wife, my kids, or grandkids that I don't know everything).
"God, thanks for being the perfect teacher."
5. God's movie would tell me that he loves the fact that I've got reservations.
Jesus said he was going to prepare a home for me that was eternal (John 14:2). I've made reservations in that home. I did that through confession and repentance. I have welcomed God's offer of grace with all that I am. God has given me the confirmation number and I'm set… I'm in no hurry – but I'm ready.
"God, thanks for the future."
Applause.
Roll closing credits.
Play out takes.
Saving a Chair for you Sunday,
Pastor Dave
Friday, August 15, 2008
How would you describe Jesus?
Bold enough to be honest. Gentle enough to be loving.
Strong enough to believe. Aware enough to ask for assistance.
Humble enough to stay back. Wise enough to know when to stand up.
He was honest, but honesty can be as destructive as lies when it is not bathed in love.
He was strong, but he knew when to get alone with the Father and get filled.
He was humble, but that doesn't mean he sacrificed being holy on the altar of anonymity.
How would you describe your faith in Jesus?
"My faith is like my great grandpa's broken fiddle – priceless but useless."
"My faith is like my Bible – powerful but dusty."
"My faith is like hot fudge – enjoyable but unhealthy."
Too often faith is somehow detached from how we live as if what we do and what we think aren't related. Here's a life question to chew on – Shouldn't my description of Christ and my description of my faith be harmonious? The problem is I tend to underestimate Jesus and overestimate my faith. So, I misrepresent both.
May your next few moments be honest looks at both your view of Christ and the faith you are living.
Sunday is a call to have faith in the love of God that is shown through Christ. If you have time read 1John 3:11-24 and get a glimpse of God's love and that loves impact on me.
Loving the sunshine, wishing I was driving the east coast in a convertible, trying to concentrate even though I'm not, trusting that God can work through my distractions, asking God to increase my faith,
Pastor Dave
Strong enough to believe. Aware enough to ask for assistance.
Humble enough to stay back. Wise enough to know when to stand up.
He was honest, but honesty can be as destructive as lies when it is not bathed in love.
He was strong, but he knew when to get alone with the Father and get filled.
He was humble, but that doesn't mean he sacrificed being holy on the altar of anonymity.
How would you describe your faith in Jesus?
"My faith is like my great grandpa's broken fiddle – priceless but useless."
"My faith is like my Bible – powerful but dusty."
"My faith is like hot fudge – enjoyable but unhealthy."
Too often faith is somehow detached from how we live as if what we do and what we think aren't related. Here's a life question to chew on – Shouldn't my description of Christ and my description of my faith be harmonious? The problem is I tend to underestimate Jesus and overestimate my faith. So, I misrepresent both.
May your next few moments be honest looks at both your view of Christ and the faith you are living.
Sunday is a call to have faith in the love of God that is shown through Christ. If you have time read 1John 3:11-24 and get a glimpse of God's love and that loves impact on me.
Loving the sunshine, wishing I was driving the east coast in a convertible, trying to concentrate even though I'm not, trusting that God can work through my distractions, asking God to increase my faith,
Pastor Dave
What role does faith play in your life?
For some of us faith is an accessory for our religious wardrobe that we purposefully make sure is visible - even if it’s made of tin.
For others faith is the strategically placed dagger that is hidden by our left sock. When it is needed we will aggressively reach for it… but until then it’s best kept where it won’t attract attention.
There are those for whom faith is very public but embarrassingly hollow. If faith were air we wouldn’t have enough to blow out a birthday candle.
There may be those of us who would admit we have enough faith for salvation, but it seems to evaporate when faced with the dry arid reality of waking up and facing the day one more time.
But, there are those who have the kind of faith that;
isn’t shaken when someone disagrees,
doesn’t waver when faced with a storm,
won’t settle for being tucked away quietly,
and can’t seem to accept anything less than God’s will.
There are those who have a faith that is primed to be filled with the power of the Spirit as He waits to do what can’t be done without Him.
There are those who pray because they believe it makes a difference, read because they know there is something supernatural in God’s Word, and testify because what God is doing is nothing short of a miracle and talking about it can’t be stopped anymore than a tidal wave can be reversed with a box fan.
People can be saved.
Souls can be whole.
Bodies can be healed.
Needs can be met.
Giants can be decapitated.
Seas can be opened.
Hands can be raised.
Hallelujahs can be lifted.
Crosses can be carried.
Communities can be touched.
Marriages can be rebuilt.
Lost kids can be reached.
Sins can be erased.
Weakness can be built up.
Faith can grow.
Faith should grow.
Faith will grow.
I think August is supposed to be about faith.
Someone once told DL Moody that the world had yet to see what would happen if someone lived completely committed to the will of God. Moody responded, “I will be that man!” Faith made a declaration and God used that heart to touch the world.
What role does faith play in your life?
Come with me.
Believing,
Pastor Dave
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