forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead Philippians 3:12-14

 

https://www.gocomics.com/culdesac/2007/11/07

“Forget the former things;
    do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.   Philippians 3:12-14

D.L. Moody ~ From “The Prodigal Son” in The Gospel Awakening

There was a young man went off to California, and he left a kind, praying father. He went to the Pacific coast; and the first letter to his father brought the tidings that he was in bad company. The next letter told he had gone on from bad to worse; and every time he heard from that dear boy he heard how he was going on in sin. At last one of the neighbors was going out to California, and the father said to him: “When you get there hunt up my boy, and tell him one thing—that his father loves him still. Tell him my love is unchanged. Tell him I never loved him more than I do at the present time; and if he will come home, I will forgive him all.” The man, when he got to California, had hard work to find the boy; but one night, past midnight, he found him in one of the lowest dens in California. He got him out, and he said to him: “I have news from home for you. I have come from New England, and just before I left I met your father; and he told me, if I found you, to tell you that he loved you as much as ever, and he wants you to come home.” The young prodigal said: “Did my father tell you to tell me he loved me still? I do not understand that.” “But,” says the man, “it is true.” That broke the man’s heart, and he started back to his father. I bring the message to you that God loves you still. I say to every sinner in Philadelphia, I do not care how vile you are in the sight of your fellowmen, I want to tell you upon the authority of God’s word, that the Lord Jesus loves you, and loves you still.

Real Confession

There is a big difference between saying, “I’m sorry if I hurt you,” and saying, “I’m sorry I hurt you. I realize now that it was my insecurity that produced such bad behavior. I have really prayed about this, and I believe God is showing me how I can avoid doing that again. Will you forgive me?” Confession at this level is so countercultural for so many reasons that it is hard to know how to begin to talk about it; however, to stop short of confession is to stop short of the deepest levels of transformation.

Barton, R.Ruth. Sacred Rhythms : Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation. IVP Books, 2006.

Shall we go on sinning?

Quotation from James M. Boice:

We must never think that grace, wonderful as it is, either permits or encourages us to go on sinning . . . “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” asked Paul.  He answered, “By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?”  (Rom. 6:1-2).

This is why the ending of the story of Jesus and the woman trapped in adultery is so important, though it is often overlooked.  [Having forgiven her, Jesus] added, “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  This always follows upon forgiveness . . . . If we are saved, we must stop sinning.

At the same time, we can be grateful that Jesus spoke as he did.  For we notice that he did not say, “Leave your life of sin, and I will not condemn you.”  If he had said that, what hope for us could there be?  Our problem is precisely that we do sin.  There could be no forgiveness if forgiveness was based upon our ceasing sin.  Instead of that, Jesus actually spoke in the reverse order.  First, he granted forgiveness freely, without any conceivable link to our performance.  Forgiveness is granted only on the merit of his atoning death.  But then, having forgiven us freely, Jesus tells us with equal force to stop sinning.

--James M. Boice,  Amazing Grace (Wheaton: Tyndale, 1993), 41-42.  Quoted by John MacArthur in The Vanishing Conscience, Appendix 1 “Gaining Victory over Sin—A Closer Look at Romans 6”

Living Water and the Woman at the Well: A Sermon Outline by Keith Badowski

Living Water and the Woman at the Well
Sermon outline by Keith Badowski

1. Samaria—located between Galilee and Judea. Place to be avoided. Jewish origins, intermarried. Jews felt Samarians distorted Jewish faith. Samaritans believed Jews had compromised truth while in exile in Babylon. Jesus came for purpose, instead of going around. Messiah to the WHOLE world. ANOINTED one, sent by God—to the whole world.

2. Jesus’ method of conveying his message to be understood by ALL used objects at hand. Object lesson to reveal Spiritual Truth. Used Metaphor. Water = salvation, washed clean of sin. Thirst = yearning for connection with God. Sin breaks connection with God.

3. Deep down we all know Right vs. Wrong. We’re hardwired by the creator. C.S. Lewis quote from Mere Christianity, see Book One “Right and Wrong As A Clue to the Meaning of the Universe”.

4. Doing wrong, sin, breaks relationship with God and others. Notice that the woman comes to the well during the day to avoid others. Jesus knows she is lonely, i.e. thirsty for connection. Living water offer gets her attention.

5. Metaphor of Living Water is appropriate. Arid climate, daily need to draw water, worse task in daytime. Jesus tied his spiritual message to her actual physical needs and experience. She understood, paid attention.

6. Still had to overcome obstacles, but Jesus let nothing stop him.
a. the Jewish vs. Samaritan barrier
b. gender
c. need for food
d. her efforts to hide her core problem
How willing are WE to traverse obstacles to share living water with others?

7. Are WE willing to go to those people and places others avoid?
When we represent Christ to others we need to take more time.
a. build trust
b. no judgment
c. meets needs
d. patience to develop intimacy, willingness to admit hurts, regrets, mistakes
e. Intro Jesus, forgiveness. Our opportunity to offer Living Water.

8. Jesus persisted despite her side-stepping. “I have no husband.” Temple worship controversy. Like so many, she dodged admission of wrong doing. Some lie, web of deception to cover up. The woman is ashamed but didn’t outright lie or flee. She perceived his connection to God and power. Jesus knew her whole life, so he might also satisfy her thirst for release, a new start, connection with God.

9. Jesus did not berate or ignore her. He welcomed the opportunity to teach truth. Neither Samaritan nor Jew has lock on Worship style (contemporary vs. traditional), the correct building (temple) to worship in, or location. None of those details matter. What matters to God is TRUTH and SPIRIT. Holy Spirit and Truth of God, Jesus is the source. Do WE worship in truth and spirit here?

10. Woman doesn’t understand all Jesus says, at least not fully. But she understands the Messiah is coming. He will reveal TRUTH, explain everything. Jesus knows she is ready for BIG TRUTH that He is the Messiah.

11. Her response is VERY BIG. She immediately tells others. Come hear! He told me everything I did. In her JOY she wants others to receive Living Water too! Freedom from the burden of sin, reunited connection to God. As a result, many Samaritans believed in Jesus.

12. What had been your response to Jesus’ Living Water? Nearly as Joyful? Inclusive of others? Nearly as effective as this woman at the well?

“Let’s Get to Work”: Sermon Outline by Keith Badowski

“Let’s Get to Work”: Sermon Outline by Keith Badowski

Matthew 21:28-32 (NIV)
Matthew 5:41-42 (NIV)

1. So, does my title suggest I’m talking about “works theology”? Doing hard labor on earth to earn our way into heaven?

Once there was a company that put out an instant cake mix. You only had to add water. It didn’t sell. Market research showed that people thought it sounded TOO EASY; it couldn’t be any good. They reformulated the mix so the instructions were to add water and one egg. It sold fine after that.

Some people are tempted to believe that God’s plan of salvation is to easy too.

2. Ephesians 2:8-9 “By grace you have been saved through faith . . ., it is the gift of God, not of works.”

God’s formula is not about to be changed.

Works do not earn salvation. Works show gratitude, devotion, willingness to yield yourself to God who blesses you whether you work or not. (Of course, chances are if the message of Jesus’ free gift has penetrated your heart and you are grateful for his forgiveness of your sins, you’re going to WANT to work—to express your return of the love God first extended to you.)

3. Did it ever occur to you that if you trust Jesus for your salvation/ forgiveness of your sins/ eternal life . . . you ought to maybe trust him to direct the way you live now?

Isn’t it possible that what he asks (not demands) has your own best interests at heart?

4. Serving others, as many can attest, feels good! Nothing gives the same satisfaction.

Albert Schweitzer was quoted as saying, “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

5. Jesus wants WILLING workers who chose Him FREELY, VOLUNTARILY do His work in the world. He doesn’t resort to guilt trips or any kind of manipulation to get us up and out of our seats.

Well, sometimes He can light a fire under us to get us moving. . .

6. Once there was a member of a motorcycle gang who a couple days earlier became a believer in Jesus. The only thing he knew to do was to go to church. As he made his way to sit in the 2nd row, the people of the congregation stared at him as he passed. They whispered to each other about his burliness, his leather chaps, his nose ring. As he sat down, the pastor announced, “We need a helper in to work in the nursery this morning. Can I get a volunteer please?” No one came forward, so the pastor asked again, “We really need a helper in the nursery this morning. Please step forward if you can help out.” Meanwhile the biker was praying, “Lord, I don’t know if you want me to help out, but I will take it as a sign from you that I should if he asks a third time.” The pastor made the third request when no one responded to the first two, so the biker raised his hand, stood up and started walking to the front . . . followed by 50 mothers who suddenly rose to their feet.

7. God shouldn’t have to send a burly biker to get us involved and on our feet.

Why not a motive of gratitude? A desire to show the world in action who Jesus is—the one who acts to help others, who sets himself aside for our well-being.

8. Jesus calls us to enact his grace and love by how we respond to the needs of others.

He wants us to pay no mind to whether the recipient DESERVES love and grace. That’s hard to do at 1st.

Jesus always asks his disciples to do tasks that 1st seem hard, unpleasant.

9. Sacrifice time. As if it’s “OUR time.”

Hard effort, physical strain at times.

Outside our comfort zone.

If we see such difficulties ahead we might delay our choice to serve.

“If you choose not to decide you still have made a choice” –Rush

10.
"Did I ever tell you about the young Zoad,
who came to a sign at the fork of the road.
He looked one way and the other way too
The Zoad had to make up his mind what to do.
Well, the Zoad scratched his head,
and his chin, and his pants—
and he said to himself “I’ll be taking a chance.”
If I go to place One, that place may be hot,
so how will I know if I like it or not.
On the other hand, though, I’ll feel such a fool
If I go to Place Two and find it’s too cool,
in that case I may catch a chill and turn blue.
So Place One may be best and not Place Two.
“Play safe!” cried the Zoad.
“I’ll play safe, I’m no dunce.
I’ll simply start off to both places at once.”
And that’s how the Zoad who would not take a chance
went no place at all with a split in his pants."

--Dr. Seuss

11. Option: remain indecisive when Jesus calls us to serve.

Like the Second son, say “Yes” but do “No”.

Sit quietly and hope he’ll forgot the whole conversation.

Opportunity: be like the First son. He may have said “No” fearing it was too hard or just not for him. But 5 minutes or 2 years later, we can CHANGE OUR MIND.

12. . . . get to work, give the mission to serve our best try.

Realize that God supplies wisdom, power, resources, guidance—to accomplish what it is He asks. God acts through us—He must because what He asks is too HARD to do without Him.

13. Hard Requests:

Someone strikes you, insults, snubs, or criticizes you, FORGIVE THEM. Be vulnerable, risk another stab in the back, love your enemies.

Be GENEROUS, even when the world is take, take, take.

Someone pressures you to work for them, look for EXTRA things you can do for them, go beyond their demands, showing God’s generosity and grace by working HARDER and doing MORE.

14. Be open handed with your resources, not just your leftover pocket change, but your checkbook, your car, your skills, and know-how, your tools, any of your possessions. YOURS? They don’t actually belong to you. They’re on loan from the Creator. Use what you “have” to improve the situation of another person.

15. I know of 3 Christian men who have loaned or given vehicles to needy individuals who are unlikely to ever pay them back. I know 3. I wonder how many Jesus knows. I wonder how many Jesus wants?

16. Jesus has given us a free gift of salvation. Jesus demands no works, no payment. He sets us free because he loves us. He hopes we will seek his directions, his instructions to devote ourselves to working on his behalf.

Confession: a Devotion from the Upper Room June 4, 2008

Confession

Read James 5:15-20

When you realize your guilt . . . you shall confess the sin that you have committed.
-Leviticus 5:5 (NRSV)

WE know we are supposed to confess our sins and seek forgiveness. But imagine finding not a forgiving God but a judge who is about to sentence us to life in prison. How would that change our outlook on confession?

The answer to the question is: it doesn't have to. Having accepted Christ into my life six days after my arrest, I stood before the judge knowing that I could not both stand for Christ and lie on the witness stand. So, I confessed and, according to the penalty prescribed by law, was given a life sentence. Confessing was one of the most difficult things I have ever done, but ironically it was also the most rewarding. God took the small faith I had when I told the truth in court and began a work that has sustained me for over 20 years in one of the world's toughest prisons. I do not think this would have been possible had I refused to confess my sin and to live for God.

By confessing our sins before God and people, we also confess our total reliance upon God's grace and mercy. The measure of mercy we receive depends on our willingness to admit our shortcomings. Our reward is a closer, more intimate relationship with the One who someday will judge the world.

Richard Ryan (Ohio, U.S.A.)

Prayer
Lord, help us to lay our sins at the foot of the cross and to humbly seek your face. Grant us your loving mercy. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Even when we fear our sins, we can confess them and find forgiveness

Prayer Focus
For courage to confess our sins

from The Upper Room, June 4, 2008

Humility in Spiritual Leadership

When I first came to Mosaic, we were only attenders. I had no intention of ever becoming the pastor of this community of faith. We had been there about a year when we accepted the church’s invitation to replace the former pastor of twenty-four years.

The church had an annual leadership retreat where those who had accepted a certain level of responsibility would meet and plan for the future. Attendance was mandatory, and from all that I heard and read was not negotiable. The leadership guidelines clearly stated that any leader who did not attend would be released from his position. I have never been a big fan of policies and rules and always try to keep them to a minimum, but if they exist, I am pretty committed to fleshing them out. My view is that you shouldn’t have any policies that you are not willing to implement or back up. That’s why the fewer the better. But since I was entirely new to the process, I was trying to be careful to respect all the procedures that were in place.

As the meeting began and I stepped into my new role, I casually announced that it was good to see all of our leaders present and reminded them that any leaders who were not there would, of course, be removed and could pick up again the next year. It wasn’t really that big of a deal. I just assumed everyone was there. I didn’t know the history, so I was certain this was an annual leadership realignment.

Almost immediately after I stepped down, one of our staff members ran to me in a state of panic and asked me what in the world did I think I was doing. Confused, I asked him what he meant. He explained that they never removed leaders who do not attend. I reminded him that it was a written policy. He quickly corrected me with the unnerving clarification that it’s only said, never upheld.

Fortunately, it seemed I had caused no major damage until early Sunday morning when I received an unexpected phone call. It was one of the elders of the church. He had been newly elected and had been serving only as long as I had been lead pastor, but he was a long-standing member of the church. He had come in the ‘70s, and for nearly a decade had been personally mentored by the former pastor, who was still on the board of elders.

The phone call began with, “Pastor, we have a problem.” He quickly began to explain that he was not at the leadership retreat. His wife had been at the meeting and had called him to inform him he was no longer an elder.

My heart was in my throat, and my stomach was in knots. I couldn’t believe what I had done. I would have never knowingly dismissed an elder in such a public and trivial manner. Not only is it insensitive to the individual, but it’s really bad leadership.

I quickly moved toward damage control. I said, “Rick, I’m sure you had a good reason for not being there.”

He responded, “No, I just chose not to come.”

I countered, “No, Rick, I’m certain there was a good reason. Was there a family issue? A work-related issue?”

He said, “No, I went to a ball game instead.”

I wanted to scream at him and tell him, “Work with me, man!” but it was no use. I accepted his resignation over the phone.

Rick Yamamoto is genuinely one of the most humble men I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I didn’t know him well, but this experience fast-forwarded our relationship by years. After he resigned he asked what he could do to make amends for his error in judgment. He would be willing to watch all the tapes and insisted on going before the congregation and asking for forgiveness. From his perspective, he had dishonored my leadership as the new pastor and had not lived up to his commitments.

It was the next Wednesday night service when I invited Rick to step up to the podium and share with the congregation. He began with such contrition that it brought a deafening silence throughout the whole building. He spoke in terms of failure, sin, and repentance. His language carried the heaviness of a tragic, moral failure. As he began to speak, I realize what was happening. Everyone was rushing to judgment. The natural conclusion was that Rick had resigned his eldership as a result of a significant violation. I imagine either adultery or embezzlement came to mind.

After expressing the depth of his sorrow, he went on t explain that he had carelessly neglected his responsibility to be at the leadership retreat. You could almost feel the shock and relief in the air. At the same time, the genuineness of Rick’s humility and the determination of this man to live under authority established a level of respect for spiritual leadership like we had never known. Rick was not only one of our elders, but also a successful businessman who managed a two-billion-dollar investment firm. In his lack of pridefulness, the texture of his humility made him not only value but comfortable with spiritual submission. He became living proof that individuals of great power can live under submission.

Immediately after offering his resignation, Rick stepped down as the congregation watched in silence. I stepped to the podium and thanked Rick for his humility and his willingness to be a person under authority. I then asked the congregation if this wasn’t exactly the kind of person we wanted as an elder. I moved to immediately reinstate Rick as an elder. Through acclamation, we instantly recalled Rick to his position of spiritual leadership. Rick serves as an elder at Mosaic to this day and is one of my closest friends and partners in ministry. (p. 58 -60)

--From Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul by Erwin Raphael McManus

Faith to Move Mountains, Prayer to Move the Hand of God

“Have faith in God. Amen I tell you that whoever says to this mountain ‘Be raised and thrown into the sea’ and has no doubts in his heart but believes that what he says is happening, it shall be his. So I tell you all what you pray and ask for, trust that you get it and it shall be yours. And when you stand praying forgive if you have anything against anyone so your Father in Heaven may also forgive you your wrongs.” (112)

Jesus in Mark’s gospel, translated by Reynolds Price in Three Gospels.

The video below from the Charlie Rose show features Reynolds Price: