Ephesians 2:19-22

Ephesians 2:19-22 MES

Do you see yourself as a Christian or a member of XYZ Church? Is there a difference? Should there be a difference? Are you different because you came from a church background? Are you different because you have a background that isn't talked about in church?

It seems the bible sees one difference, christian or non-christian.
How much time do we spend on differences that don't matter? How often do we create differences that God never intended?

I know people are different from each other. What I think of as music to help me worship is a distracting noise to someone else. The path I followed to the church is not the path you followed. These are our differences not God's. We are each a different brick for God to use.

As I look out the window I can see a brick building. Each of the bricks are slightly different size and color. I have this picture in my head of the bricks fighting with each other because they are different. Then I see God shaking his head because we don't get it. Or maybe he is crying?

Matthew 13:45-46

Matthew 13:45-46

What value do you put on Heaven? Is it the most important place to go? Is there anything more important than getting to Heaven and sitting face to face with Jesus?
How often are you just too tired to "do the right thing"? How often do you try to make deals with God? How often do we try and figure out what is the least I need to do? How often do we try to purchase a pound of God?

What if you KNEW the numbers for the $900 million lottery jackpot that will be drawn next week Tuesday at 7pm? There is no doubt. These will be the numbers that come up.
What would you do? Would you say I'm too tired to drive to the gas station and buy a ticket? Would you try and make a deal with the lottery people? Would you sit and talk with your wife on how many correct numbers should you play?

Follow Jesus and your odds for Heaven are 1 in 1. The odds on winning the Mega Millions jackpot is 1 in 175,711,536.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Ephesians 6:10-20 MES

"..So take everything the Master has set out for you..."

Do you ever feel abandoned in your life? Have you ever wished God would provide you with the answer? I wonder how many times I have asked for help from God when the solution was at my finger tips. I wonder what "weapons" God had provided to me that I don't recognize. How many things God has given me that I don't understand their full value?

I didn't realize the full value of God's word until I really started studying the Bible. I have learned to see direct cause and effect relationships. This is what the world teaches us. You hit your thumb with a hammer and it hurts. This I can see and understand.

I am starting to see a non-direct cause and effect. I read my bible and I get the answer to a question that will come up next week. Or maybe I have an answer for a question that comes up in small group this week. I can't see how it all fits together, but God can.

I am not a bible scholar. I can't recite the books of the bible in order. I have had other small group leaders ask me questions about topics that have come up and it will be something I studied last week. The first couple of times when someone would ask me a question I would explain my limited knowledge of the bible. By the second or third time someone asked me a question and I know the answer or I could give an opinion, I stopped explaining what little I knew and just listened to the question.

Use EVERYTHING God has given you. You might not understand how it works or what it does until you use it.

Luke 8:11-15

Luke 8:11-15 MES

You are "good earth" and you have heard the Word of God and you are not letting it go. You have a friend who is in the weeds. What can you do to help him? How can we help enthusiasm run deeper? How can we keep the Devil away so the seeds can sprout?

The simple answer is to do something. It may not work, but I know sitting in my chair is not going to get me anywhere. I was talking to a friend about lukewarmness. It is very easy to see in the world in general. 3 out of 10 people vote, but 11 out of 10 people have an opinion on what the government is doing. I think the same is true for the church. We get so caught up in the "shall not's" we forget there are a bunch of "shall's".

Today instead of asking "What have I done against God?" ask "What have I done for God?" If we all start working for God we won't have so much of the "against God" (sin) going on.

John 21:15-17

John 21:15-17

Jesus is asking Peter to be a leader. He is asking Peter to teach and care for the new Christians. Why did Jesus ask him three times? Why didn’t he just say “Peter, you are in charge?” Why didn’t he give Peter a grand title? Why isn’t he known as President Peter?

Working for God is called serving. It is called serving because it isn’t about us. As a small group leader the important part is how my group is doing, not what study am I doing. It is like the electrical system in your house. The copper wire doesn’t light up a room. The wire has to be plugged into the power source and lets the electricity flow to the lamp. The small group members are the lamps, God is the power source and the leader is the copper wire.

So why did Jesus ask Peter three times? I think this provides a map for us to follow. A leader should make triple sure they are going to serve others and not themselves. It is too easy for people to get caught up and start doing for their own benefit.

Luke 15:11-32

Luke 15:11-32 MES

The Prodigal Son

Which son are you? Are you the son who left everything behind and went you own way only to discover what you left was better than what you have? Are you the son who always has done the right things and never strayed?

This is what I would say to the good son. Good job. You are #1 in my book. Keep up the great work and remember to be ever vigilant. It is easy to stray from the path. Remember your brother kindly. Even though he has made wrong choices, he has returned to us. As long as he is with us never hold his choices against him. Help your brother stay on the right paths as he will help you.

This is what I would say to the returning son. Good job. You are #1 in my book. Keep up the great work and remember to be ever vigilant. It is easy to stray from the path, but what is important is you have returned. Never let your wrong choices get in the way of doing what is right and never forget where you have been. Remember your brother kindly. Help your brother stay on the right paths as he will help you.

I think at times we are both of these sons. There are times I have strayed, but returned. There are things I have been steady on and have not wavered. I think too often we see in black and white. Are you the good son OR the returning son? I am both. There are areas where I have held true to God’s Word. These are the areas I should help my brother. There are areas where I have struggled with God’s Word. These are the areas I should help my brother.

Mat 6:25-34

Mat 6:25-34 MES

Focus

When I read these verses I think about focus. What is my focus? What is important to me? What are the top 10 things I am thinking about today? I have always had this fictional (and incorrect) agreement with God. "I will handle the little things if God takes care of the big things." So God you take care of the sun today and I will earn enough money to feed my family.

Now I can't say this has worked out badly. My family has food for every meal and I haven't burned the house down. But, could things be better? Would my job, my relationships, my house, my car, my pets, my family, my wife, my church be better if I had God's help with everything? If I asked for God's help in all parts of my life, I would be more effective in everything I do. As I continue to read and study God's word I am convinced the answer is "YES".

In verse 34 Matthew talks about the time element. We should live for today not yesterday or tomorrow. The question that always comes up is "We are not suppose to plan and prepare for tomorrow?" or "Hippies just lived for today and I am not a hippie!"

Again it comes down to focus. I am a planner. I have a planning business. The last family vacation I planned for over a year. Eight months before the vacation I had a packet for my parents and sisters. It had copies of things to do, maps of the campground, and directions. I plan, but I focus on today. The problems come when I start neglecting today to think about tomorrow. Sometimes there is a fine line and we have to be careful not to cross.

Luke 24:13-35

Luke 24:13-35 MES


How would you have felt if your 2nd grade teacher called you "thick-headed" and "slow-hearted"? How would you feel if you spouse called you "thick-headed" and "slow-hearted"?
How many times do you think God has called us "thick-headed" and "slow-hearted"?

There once was a man who had been standing for a long time. I think he stood for three days with out sitting down or sleeping. He was getting tired and asked for help. A friend brought a nice chair for him to sit in. It was a very nice chair. It was very soft and comfortable. When the man looked at the chair, he started asking questions about it. "Is it solid?" "Will it hold my weight?" "I don't think it looks safe." "This chair is facing the wrong direction." "I wanted to look over this way." "This chair is white, mom always told me chairs should be red."

How often do we treat God this way? He has given us directions on how to live in His Word and we don't believe. We would rather go on standing than to accept God's help and sit.
The real question is "Why do I not accept God's help?" Now I've got something to think about for the rest of the day.

1 Peter 5:1-3 (Again)

I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. 1 Peter 5:1-3 MES

When I read this passage yesterday I was thinking of people who are not in big leadership rolls. I was thinking of people who I have met over the years who will not step out into a leadership roll. I was thinking even people who are not in leadership rolls still are leaders. Your roll may be different than mine, but we all are leaders at some time.

I was talking with a friend about the roll of leaders. After talking for an hour I realized I skipped a word when I read this verse the first time. That word is "special concern". We are all leaders and we need to be aware of our roll and be concerned we are doing it correctly.
I think what Peter is saying is those who step out into visible leadership rolls need to be ready. It isn't going to be easy. This would be pastors, elders and ministry leaders. We get to be "in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory".

The people were beyond mean and heartless with Jesus and we get to be "in" on that. I don't know about you, but I am developing an allergy to crosses and nails. I believe Christ is leading me into larger leadership rolls. I am excited because I like to help people. I like to see people the overcome the problems in their lives and grow. This verse is saying I get to be more like Christ and the people turned on Christ. Are the people I like helping going to turn on me? Do I keep following the path I am on or do I turn back?

LOVE

Then I remember God's love for me. I was (and still am) one of the people who have sinned against God. I was (and still am) one of the people who have been mean and heartless to Jesus. I will continue to follow the path God has put in front of me. I do not know where it leads. I know the final destination is heaven, but I don't know what I will do on the way. I know people will miss understand what I am doing. I know people will call me names. I know people will leave a ministry because of something I will do. I know people will questions my actions. I know that in doing God's work I will make people uncomfortable and some will resent it.

I also know people will come to know God because of me. I know people will learn to make better decisions. I know people will see God's love through me. I know people will grow because of me. I know people will learn to love each other because of me.
So the question is "Is it worth it?". My answer is yes. I will continue to follow the path God has laid out for me. I know it will not always be easy, but I won't say no to God.

1 Peter 5:1-3

I have a special concern for you church leaders. I know what it's like to be a leader, in on Christ's sufferings as well as the coming glory. Here's my concern: that you care for God's flock with all the diligence of a shepherd. Not because you have to, but because you want to please God. Not calculating what you can get out of it, but acting spontaneously. Not bossily telling others what to do, but tenderly showing them the way. 1 Peter 5:1-3 MES

Are you a leader? I think all of us are leaders at sometime. Even if you are the poster child for following the herd, you will learn something you will want or need to teach someone else. This makes you a leader.

As a leader, you need to show love. You need to help those with you because you want to help not because it's a job. I think this is one reason I change ministries every couple of years. After two years my serving turns into work. Work is something I do because I have to or I am getting paid. What are some ways to keep your ministry from becoming your job?

1 Peter 4:12-13

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. 1 Peter 4:12-13 MES

I think it takes discipline to view life's difficulties as opportunities to grow. I have had some difficulties. When I lost my job after working 14 years, I didn't know what to do. I sat in my car and I didn't have a clue where I should go. It was only a month after I married Lisa. How was I going to provide for my wife? She was finishing up school and we had no money coming in. Lisa and I had to eat, keep the lights on and pay the mortgage. I had no idea how we were going to do this. It took me a couple of days to get over the shock of loosing my job. I updated my resume and started applying to jobs. The rule I used was: As long as it didn't involve food, I applied. I applied to a car lot, a toothpaste factory, soil engineer, sound and lighting company, hotel and several others.

The end result was I got the job at the hotel. I went from working 2nd shift to working mainly 1st shift with weekends off and I got a about a $5 an hour raise. I was very tempted to send a thank you note to my old job. It only took me two months to find another job. This really helped me understand difficulties make you grow.

I still don't like difficulties in my life. However, it is easier to see the possibilities in my difficulties.