Tag: Love them Anyway

“The Shout Down”

Date: 01-31-15

Text: — Nehemiah 2:19-20 — 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. “What is this you are doing?” they asked. “Are you rebelling against the king?” 20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.” [NIV84]

The Big Idea: Join me in eliminating the “Shout Down” method.

My Thoughts: 

In today’s culture, it seems to be very vogue among sophisticated pundits to ‘win’ an argument with someone they disagree by the “Shout Down” method. If I can’t get my point across to you or if you don’t buy my line of reasoning (if present), then I will just shout louder. This will win you over, right!?

Beyond the accusation of being sophisticated, I have found that shouting down an opponent is neither wise nor godly. And Nehemiah shows us how to respond to an ‘opponent’ in the above verses. He calmly, but most confidently, answers this slanderous accusation by merely stating the facts. Oh, he appeals to a higher authority than even the king (and remember he does have the king’s authority).  To Nehemiah, this project is by divine appointment. The Lord made a way for His people to be protected through the king’s hand. Nehemiah is confident of this, and feels not need to shout down his opponent.

Lifestyle worshipers, join me in eliminating the “Shout Down” method. Let us be wise as serpents, harmless as doves, and godly as our Lord Jesus, Who never felt the compulsion to  shout anyone down. Rather, let us speak the Truth in Love so we can be heard; and live it so it can be believed. Your thoughts.

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

— 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NIV84)

  Here is my servant, whom I support,my chosen one, in whom I delight. I’ve placed my Spirit upon him;and he’ll deliver his justice throughout the world. He won’t shout, or raise his voice,or make it heard in the street.

— Isaiah 42:1-2 (ISV)

  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

— 1 Corinthians 13:1 (ESV)

Lord Jesus Christ,  I put You on as my Belt of Truth and my Socks of Gentleness. May Your Love overwhelm me to speak the Truth in a gentle and kind manner so it will be clearly heard by all who will listen.  In Your Name, Amen.

Pastor Mike

“A Definition of Mature”

Date: 11-12-14

Text: — James 5:7-9 — 7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!  [NIV84]

The Big Idea:  Delaying gratification is a very large component of growing up and maturing.

My Thoughts: 

In this series through the Book of James, we have been focusing on “Families growing up in Wisdom.” But, what does it mean to grow up?  What does it mean to mature? Well, adding years to our age is definitely not one definition of maturing or growing up.

But, lifestyle worshipers,  have you discovered that delaying gratification is a very large component of growing up and maturing? I have, and another way to put this in a word is: Patience. The more patient we are with people, circumstances and ‘things’ the more mature we are. So, to me, the more patient I get the more mature I become….

But what is “patience”? What does this look like? Does drumming our fingers, tapping our toes and clicking our tongues need to be eliminated? I think there is a necessary element of calm in patience, don’t you. Let’s talk about what patience really is, and then maybe we can capture a little more what growing up is, don’t you think? Your thoughts?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But not a hair of your head shall be lost. By your patience possess your souls..

— Luke 21:17-19 (NKJV)

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

—Colossians 1:9-14 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, I put You on as Slippers of Patience, In Your Name, Amen.

“Passion for His People”

Sermon Title: “James: The Man We Thought We Knew”

Series: Families Grow Up In Wisdom: The Book of James

Date: 9-4-14

Text: James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. [NIV84]

The Big Idea: James always Loved his brother….

My Thoughts: 

Growing up with the Messiah must have been strange. Well, Jesus was the perfect son, but it probably wasn’t as noticeable until He launched out on His own and started gather crowds and doing miracles and teaching some rather intense and challenging lessons….

But what James did ‘get’ from Jesus was a passion for His people. And this is clearly seen in verse one above—and throughout his letter. I believe one author I read this week identified the truth: James and Jesus must have had a rather loving relationship; and though it was strained by Jesus’ teachings, James always Loved his brother…

Lifestyle worshipers, whether your family relationships are strained because of Jesus’ teachings—or even for some other reason, do not let this dampen or diminish the Love you have for them. Let the Love of Jesus flow through you to them. Your passion for them need not burn them, but it should definitely warm them, don’t you think?

Scriptures to Renew Your Thoughts

  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
 — Matthew 23:37 (NIV84)
I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit— I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen.

— Romans 9:1-5 (NIV84)

  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.
— Mark 6:34 (NIV84)

 Lord Jesus Christ, I put You on as my Belt of Love. May I Love my brothers and sisters all the more dearly even as we see that Day approaching.  In Your Name Amen.

Pastor Mike