Listening to the Word

Job 22; Mark 7-8   “…’You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’…Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.’” Mark 7:9, 10, 13 In what ways do our church traditions or practices set aside the commands of God? We have elevated the teaching ministry of the Word and commoditized it through podcasts and web access so that the ministry of the Body of Christ has been replaced by a single voice. Our covenant- community has been replaced by a privatized religious consumer. Church can be reduced to a sermon. Even Jesus’ example of family is relevant in an age where we ‘warehouse’ the elderly in lonely and forgotten homes. Jesus invites us, as the Church, to listen to the Word and obey. As the Body of Christ, we all function together, using our gifts on his mission, responding to his authority. When we together listen and ...

Job 2l; Mark 5-6 “…’Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed…’Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor.’” Mark 5:19, 20; 6:4 While Jesus sent the man freed from a legion of demons back to his own home, community, and people, to testify to the power of God to heal and deliver, Jesus knew this would be a challenging assignment. Our testimony seems to be appreciated more by those who don’t know us, than by those who knew us from before we met Christ. In particular, the first and essential place of witness is in our own homes, families, and communities. This is also the first place of accountability that our words and actions are congruent. While prophets might not be honored in their own home, they need the humility of being known as ordinary people, rat...

Job 20; Mark 3-4   “Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.’ Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger, and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand!’ He stretched it out and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.” Mark 3:1-6 At first glance, the urge to kill someone because they healed a person on the Sabbath seems absurd until we understand the importance of the Sabbath in Mosaic law and the cruelty of religious spirits. The Pharisees were the rule-keepers, representing a revival...

Job 19; Mark 1-2   “I know that my Redeemer lives; and that in the end he will stand on the earth. After my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27 Job’s tribulations heightened his anticipation of heaven. He longed to see God and he believed in the bodily resurrection of the dead. He believed that his Redeemer lived and that God would redeem his life from the grave. Is this living hope at work in us? Do these truths give us hope in the midst of our tribulations, sickness, tests, and trials? When life is good, we become distracted and maybe even forget that we need a Redeemer. If this earth becomes our home, our hope of heaven can fade. However, when sickness, disease, plague, or economic crisis comes, we remember this life is short. Are we yearning for God, for heaven, and for our eternal home? Are we anticipating the return of Jesus? Do we know that our Redee...

Job 18; Psalms 114; Acts 27-28   “Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had assembled, Paul said to them: ‘My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people…’…Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe.” Acts 28:17, 24 Paul deliberately allowed himself to be captured, arrested, and transported to Rome because he knew that was the will of God. Rather than hiding in Rome, Paul immediately called together the local Jewish leaders, telling them to clearly communicate the gospel. Paul took initiative and put the opposing powers of darkness on the defensive. Out of that first presentation “some were convinced” and a new church was birthed in Rome. How much spiritual fruit is robbed by fear? Not all will believe. Some will actively oppose us and the gospel. Are we more concerned with the acceptance of others, than that they have an opportunity to hear the gospel? What initiative in our area or context is the Lord inviting ...

Job 17; Acts 24-26 “When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: ‘I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.’…As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, ‘That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.’” Acts 24:10, 25 Paul’s life was at stake as he stood before Governors Felix and Festus, and later King Agrippa, and finally Caesar. Yet Paul was unafraid to speak truth to power. He boldly shared the gospel and its application to Governor Felix’ life in the areas of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. No one who fears for their life engages in these topics! Yet Paul’s love for these leaders and his concern for their eternal destiny was greater than his concern for his own life. How courageous are we in our conversations about the gospel in our family, friendships, and in conversations where the Lord...