tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52732231873509423622024-03-13T09:53:22.552-07:00Thousand Oaks SDA ChurchThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.comBlogger42125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-47908588070791638032013-04-29T23:22:00.004-07:002013-04-29T23:22:42.218-07:00Needed: A New Heart-1<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The turning
point, or major key, in getting to know God personally is the “new birth.” Jesus
said it is impossible to really understand God or have a close relationship
with Him until we are born again, or experience a spiritual heart conversion to
God. Until that time, we know <i>about</i>
God or about theology and religion, but we don’t know Him in a personal, saving
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The reason
for this is that we are born dead, spiritually speaking. The Bible teaches this
in many places. Ephesians 2:1 says we
are dead, but God resurrects us to new life when we trust in Jesus as our
personal Savior. Titus 3:3-7 describes this same before and after experience.
Baptism, Paul says, is the symbol that we have been raised from the dead to
live a new life just like Jesus was when he died and rose again. We don’t need
to be better; we need a resurrection, which is just what God promises to do for
us in the new birth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">The
heart of our problem is the human heart. When the Bible speaks of “the heart”
it means the core of who we are—our will, mind, and emotions. </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Solomon
wrote, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
Prov. 4:23<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since the
Fall (the entrance of sin into our world), we are born with sinful hearts.
David wrote, “I was born in iniquity; in sin my mother conceived me.” (Psalm
51:5). He means he was born naturally oriented toward sin and that sin was a
part of his nature. Later he wrote: </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Even from birth
the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward and speak lies.” (Psalm
58:3). Since all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious perfection (Romans
3:23), Ps. 58:3 applies to everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus described the heart this way: “Out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder,
adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what
make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him
‘unclean.” (Matthew 15:19).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The prophet
Jeremiah wrote: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who
can understand it? (Jeremiah 17:9) And Paul wrote “There is no one righteous,
not even one;<sup> </sup>there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God.
<sup> </sup>All have turned away. . . .There
is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What does this mean? One writer puts it this way:</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">
“It is impossible to change ourselves. Our hearts are evil, and we
cannot change them. "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not
one." "The sinful heart is at enmity against God: for it is not
subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." (Job 14:4; Romans 8:7).
Education, culture, the exercise of the will, human effort, all have their
proper place, but here they are powerless. They may produce an outward
correctness of behavior, but they cannot change the heart; they cannot purify
the springs of life. There must be a power working from within, a new life from
above, before men can be changed from sin to holiness. That power is Christ.
His grace alone can quicken the lifeless faculties of the soul, and attract it
to God, to holiness. (<i>Steps to Christ,</i>
p. 18).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How does
this happen? That is precisely the question a man named Nicodemus asked Jesus
one night: “How can a man be born again when he is old?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Nicodemus was a very religious man, a leader
in his faith and known for his generosity and good deeds. But with all of that,
he felt something was seriously missing in his life. When he heard the
teachings of Jesus, it spoke to his heart; and he decided to look Jesus up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus told
him that he could not truly know God or his kingdom unless he was first born
again. When Nicodemus asked how, Jesus said
it was something only the Spirit of God could do: </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“Flesh gives
birth to flesh, but the Spirit<sup> </sup>gives birth to spirit. You should not
be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it
pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where
it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:6-8).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
is the job of the Spirit of God to create new life in us when we trust in Jesus
as our Savior. God promises: “I will
give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your
heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. <sup> </sup>And I will put my
Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
(Ezekiel 36:26). David prayed, </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit
in me.” (Psalm 51:10). Paul wrote, “</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">God
saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he
poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior. (Titus 2:5-6).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt9J5eDZt7BOeX3N6FBul5rIuFq1EcNo8rNN3Wy5A_lRgCV_EqoOEmeaQhkrV7N0WROMiWn-PSlLVpDKZ14hgagdv73mz97p9qMMe7_qdq9i759dXry3kCC6bfw5_rIqE-TjD4S39NIeu/s1600/old-life-new-life-chalkboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbt9J5eDZt7BOeX3N6FBul5rIuFq1EcNo8rNN3Wy5A_lRgCV_EqoOEmeaQhkrV7N0WROMiWn-PSlLVpDKZ14hgagdv73mz97p9qMMe7_qdq9i759dXry3kCC6bfw5_rIqE-TjD4S39NIeu/s320/old-life-new-life-chalkboard.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is the work
of the Holy Spirit to draw us to God’s Saving Son Jesus. Jesus said, “No one
can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. . .</span> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">All that the
Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive
away.” John 6:44, 37. Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born again, but the original
word in Greek can be translated, “from above.” Jesus was describing the Source and
direction of the new birth. It is from God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The metaphor of
“birth” is significant. Birth takes place after conception and months of gestation.
In the same way, God speaks to our
hearts in many ways, sometimes over a long period of time, planting his truth
and revealing His character and love to us--all to prepare us for new birth.
When we consciously believe in and commit ourselves to Jesus as our Savior, we
are born again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus used the
metaphor of wind to describe the Spirit’s work to Nicodemus. One author
explains: “</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The wind is
heard among the branches of the trees, rustling the leaves and flowers; yet it
is invisible, and no one knows where it comes from or where it is going. So
with the work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart. . .By the Holy Spirit who is
as unseen as the wind, Jesus is constantly working upon the heart. Little by
little, perhaps unconsciously to us, impressions are made that draw the soul to
Christ. These may be received through meditating upon Him, reading the
Scriptures, or hearing a sermon. Suddenly, as the Spirit comes with more direct
appeal, a person gladly surrenders themselves to Jesus. By many this is called
sudden conversion; but it is the result of long drawing by the Spirit of
God,--a patient, protracted process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“While the
wind is itself invisible, it produces effects that are seen and felt. So the
work of the Spirit upon the soul will reveal itself in every action by a person
who has felt its saving power. When the Spirit of God takes possession of the
heart, it transforms the life. Sinful thoughts are put away, evil deeds are
renounced; love, humility, and peace take the place of anger, envy, and strife.
Joy takes the place of sadness, and the countenance reflects the light of
heaven. No one sees the hand that lifts the burden, or beholds the light
descend from the courts above. The blessing comes when by faith the soul
surrenders itself to God. Then that power which no human eye can see creates a
new being in the image of God.” <i>The
Desire of Ages, </i>p. 173<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Even after all
the explanation, Nicodemus was still perplexed about how this could happen, so
Jesus reminded him of a story he knew well: “Just as Moses lifted up the snake
in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,<sup> </sup>that everyone
who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After Israel
was delivered from their bondage in Egypt, they lived in the wilderness for
many years. Sometimes they rebelled against God, and He could not protect them
in their sin. During one mutiny, poisonous snakes, began biting them. These “fiery
serpents” were always there; but without God’s protection, the people were
dying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The people
turned in repentance and God told Moses to make a snake out of bronze and hang
it on a pole in the middle of the camp. Anyone who looked at the snake,
trusting God to heal them would be healed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Jesus said this
was a symbol of His death for our sins and how we are brought from death to
life. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake
in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,<sup> </sup>that everyone
who believes in him may have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">About three
years after Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus was crucified on a Roman
cross. Nicodemus remembered what Jesus said and finally understood that Jesus
was the Savior of the world—and his Savior too. He gave his life to Him, was
born again, and followed Christ the rest of his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nicodemus had believed
that God’s favor could be earned by good works. He had trusted that he was a
good person and did good things, so God would accept him. But acceptance with
God is purely an act of God’s mercy. God can only give us personal salvation
when we admit we cannot change or save ourselves. “Blessed are those who admit
their spiritual poverty; then the kingdom belongs to them.” (Matthew 5:3).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">As you have
read this, have you understood the problem of the sinful heart, and your need
of the new birth? Maybe you experienced this. On the other hand, you might not be
sure. So what can you do? Come to Jesus just as you are. Don’t depend on your good
works or religious practices. It is a new heart you need. Ask God to prepare
you and give it to you. He is the Divine Surgeon who loves to help us. Read
about Jesus, especially the story of His death for you. Ask God to open your
eyes to see what He did for you and to open your heart to receive Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He will,
because His Son died to do this for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37C2QvlalPTkzNnfXmqOC5skakWiAc4Pn0oExtTvD3xhyphenhyphen27HIpUnae5myxUdcStFLOJ0IUR83baAxm1lM1O-DtTcXw024uCWL7XKsVH2DygbICwrhzwqfEzwkvepKk6ERPkbNTFlbrCnt/s1600/heartnew2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37C2QvlalPTkzNnfXmqOC5skakWiAc4Pn0oExtTvD3xhyphenhyphen27HIpUnae5myxUdcStFLOJ0IUR83baAxm1lM1O-DtTcXw024uCWL7XKsVH2DygbICwrhzwqfEzwkvepKk6ERPkbNTFlbrCnt/s320/heartnew2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Michael
Brownfield<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-7700363284168158602013-04-23T10:19:00.002-07:002013-04-23T10:19:59.218-07:00Power to Help<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last
weekend after our worship service, a lady came up saying her new car (less than
100 miles on it) appeared dead. It would not start, and none of the electronics
were functioning. Everything was unresponsive. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of
our men analyzed the situation and concluded she had left something turned on,
draining the new battery to nothing. They recommended she get her car
jump-started and let the battery re-charge. Common problem. Probably happened
to most of us more than once. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hyphenhyphenEpJ4I_YFhdLnxUIJlqDklblKpKbTiv1yOKleiO4jhT9yX7l3xEJ2tOeLi3ljhrHvlfWVr9tTN2NPSpCBslISfhFep8s32vmw2LmAyXAziAcLDPQmGJ4s9alsioASoJAIcmd6zD3IgI/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hyphenhyphenEpJ4I_YFhdLnxUIJlqDklblKpKbTiv1yOKleiO4jhT9yX7l3xEJ2tOeLi3ljhrHvlfWVr9tTN2NPSpCBslISfhFep8s32vmw2LmAyXAziAcLDPQmGJ4s9alsioASoJAIcmd6zD3IgI/s1600/images+(1).jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p> </o:p>Sometimes
we feel like that spiritually. We might look good on the outside, but we feel a
little (or a lot) dead inside. We don't really feel much toward God. When we
try to focus on spiritual things or read the Bible, something like a low-lying
June fog clouds our brain. Doubts flit around our mind like flies on a sultry
summer day. We are tired, distracted, and unfocused. How can we connect with
God? Is there any help?</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The last
two days, I have been writing about the importance of God's word. Today, I want
to point out that power is available to help us know and understand God, and
really connect with Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing to the Ephesian Christians,
Paul told them he was praying that their eyes would be opened to see the power
that was available to them. The Greek word he uses for “power” is <i>dunamis.
</i>This is the word we get our English words dynamite, dynamic, and
dynamo from. Paul is clearly trying to tell us that a lot of power is available
to help us know God and experience his power in our lives. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are a few other verses about
the power available to us. Notice how many times Paul uses the word “power.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I
pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with <i>power</i> through his Spirit in your inner
being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you,
being rooted and established in love,<sup> </sup>may have<i> power</i>, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long
and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses
knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><sup> “</sup>Now
to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his <i>power</i> that is at
work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout
all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My
message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a
demonstration of the Spirit’s <i>power</i>,<sup>
</sup>so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s <i>power</i>.” 1 Corintians 3:4, 5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“I
want to know Christ and the <i>power</i> of
his resurrection. . .” Philippians 3:10 (When Paul says he wants to know the
power of Christ’s resurrection in his life, he is not thinking here about the
Resurrection at the Second Coming. He is saying He wants God’s resurrecting
power to be at work in his life <i>now</i>,
on a daily basis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That is
what he was saying in Ephesians 1:18-20 too. “I pray also that the eyes of your
heart may be enlightened in order that you may know (by experience). . .his
incomparably great <i>power</i> for us who
believe. That <i>power</i> is like the
working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him
from the dead.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What kind
of power does it take to raise the dead? The power God is offering to jump
start and maintain our spiritual life is the power of the Holy Spirit. (He is
very powerful. He created the world at God’s command, gives us new birth when
we trust Jesus as our Savior, and will someday raise us from the dead at the
Resurrection.) Actually, we don’t need a jump start; we need a resurrection or
new creation. That’s because the Bible describes us as being dead—as in dead,
dead. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">“As
for you, you were <i>dead</i> in your
transgressions and sins. . .but because of his great love for us, God, who is
rich in mercy,<sup> </sup>made us alive with Christ even when we were <i>dead</i> in transgressions—it is by grace
you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:1-5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our
spiritual deadness is why the writers of the Bible cry out to God to resurrect
them spiritually and to create a new heart in them. David wrote, “Create in me
a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me
from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” Psalm 51:10,11<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So
when we pray for God’s help to understand the Bible, we are admitting we are a
little (or a lot) dead and need His creative power to resurrect us. When we
admit our sin and our need, He can help us. In fact it is His <i>great pleasure</i> to help us. But first we
have to admit our need; because if we don’t see a need and think we can figure
it out on our own, He can’t do much to help us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">God
absolutely loves to help us, His children. Jesus died to make that possible.
All we have to do is admit our need, ask His help, and believe He will do it
(that’s faith). Chances are He is already at work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael
Brownfield<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Italics
Mine. Scripture quotations from the New International Version of the Bible;
1984 by the International Bible Society</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-53461135801293839112013-04-22T14:26:00.001-07:002013-04-22T14:27:16.985-07:00A Little Help from Your Friend<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #333333;">Yesterday
I wrote about "God's Word in Your Life--Why You Need It." (</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><a href="http://tosdachurch.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #7c93a1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">http://tosdachurch.blogspot.com/</span></a>) Today,
I am beginning a new blog site for this series. But here's a summary of what I
wrote yesterday: </span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><br />
God guided in the writing of the Bible so that all the elements for a
relationship with Him are available to us. Like food which digests into various
components for energy, repair, and growth, the Bible contains the building
blocks of spiritual life with God.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><br />
Beyond that, and even more important, the Bible makes God's supernatural power
available to us for this new life. It is a new life, not a natural one. It
takes the old life with its problems and starts a new and better life. Jesus
told Nicodemus he could be born "from above," that is, through the
creative power of God's Spirit working on the heart. The same power is at work
in us that raised Jesus from the dead, according to Paul. (Eph. 1:17-22)</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><br />
The Spirit works through the Bible. As we see God's character, read His
promises, and understand His redeeming plans for us, the Spirit speaks to our
minds. As we believe and choose these things for ourselves, the Spirit deepens
our understanding and writes the lessons on our hearts, weaving them into our
lives.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #222222;"><br />
So, what do we do if the Bible has not been interesting to us, or we feel to
busy to read it? Here are a few things that have helped me.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">Know that God is drawing you. If you have any desire to open the
Bible, it is because God Himself is leading you there. Recognize it is His love
at work in you.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">Ask God for the desire to read His word. That is a prayer He
loves to answer. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">Ask for His help each time you read. Jesus said, "Ask and
it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be
opened to you." (Luke 11:9-13). That's a promise from God! You can believe
it. He will send his Spirit to help you.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">David prayed that God would "open his eyes so he could see
wonderful things in His word." (Psalm 119:18). Paul prayed that our eyes
would be opened so we could know God better. I pray these prayers for myself;
you can too (Ephesians 1:15-23 and 3:14-21). We need God to "open our
eyes" because our natural heart doesn't innately know or understand God
without His help.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">If you lead a busy life (who doesn't these days?), Ask God to
help you find the time you can spend with Him. Be sure to take Him up on it
when he does. I've been asking God to wake me up when He wants, and He has been
doing it (</span><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">and I love my sleep!</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">).</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">Read the Bible to know God, not primarily for facts and
information. Jesus told the religious people of His day that they were
searching the Scriptures, but they were not coming into a personal relationship
with Him. (John 5:39). They studied to develop theories about God and to debate
theology but neglected to open their hearts to Him. And, yes we need think
carefully about what we believe.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">Keep a Bible close at hand, so when you have a few spare moments
you can read it; or install one on your cell phone or electronic device. </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">God will start showing you things. Bookmark them, write them out
on cards, or keep a journal of the things you are learning and what they mean
to you. I've found that when I write things down, I remember them better.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">Expect God will start teaching you. That's what the Spirit
specializes in. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will
send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I
have said to you.” (John 14:26).</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt; text-indent: 0in;">Remember how important this is. It is your life!</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.05pt;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 15.05pt;">Several years ago, I met an artist
who taught at liberal arts college. He was a very good artist and very
interesting to talk to. He had traveled around the world doing research for his
art projects. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.05pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.05pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">There was a time when he did not know
God personally very well, so he decided to start reading his Bible. He said
that at first, it was like taking medicine. Then he began to look forward to it
in the way he would enjoy eating a good meal. Then he said, with a twinkle in
his eye, "Now it is like desert!"</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.05pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.05pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #222222;">It may take time for the Bible to
become like desert to you. But if you begin and keep going, God will help you
get to that place. There is no alternative. Jesus said that if His words
are in us, we will have life, the new life He promised.</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.05pt;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.05pt;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Michael Brownfield</span></span></div>
Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-57659114662720738342013-04-21T16:57:00.001-07:002013-04-21T17:06:24.150-07:00God's Word in Your Life--Why You Need It<span style="font-family: inherit;">A young nephew of mine has had trouble for several months absorbing nutrients and gaining weight. He was born with Diamond Blackfan Amenia (inability to produce red blood cells), endured months of blood transfusions and then a bone marrow transplant at the age of two. My devoted sister has spent countless hours at clinics and in doctor's offices while specialists try to help. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The ability to absorb nutrients is absolutely essential to physical growth, and it is critical for spiritual growth as well. God's word, the Bible, contains the elements for our spiritual growth. In fact, it is what God has given us for supernatual life. Jesus referred to this when He said, "The words I have spoken to you, they are spirit and life." (John 6:63 NIV) </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Many see the Bible as merely a collection of history, beliefs, and rules; but it is so much more than that. It is a spiritual book designed to produce spiritual life in us. The same power God exercised in creation exists in the Bible through the work of the Holy Spirit. As we read His word, depending on God to teach and feed us, we are changed; and we grow.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Referring to his death for us and the meaning of that, Jesus said, "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you." (John 6:53). His listeners criticized Him for this strange saying, but he was referring to His death for our sins and the power of God's word and gospel as we believe and internalize it.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are born with defective natures, damaged by sin. Also, there is so much we don't know about God or the spiritual life. Jesus offers us a new spiritual birth and new life through His word. "You have been born again through through the enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:23). </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Paul wrote to his young student, Timothy: "There's nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. <i>Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.</i>" (2 Timothy 3:15-17 TM: emphasis mine). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">More than half of Americans (57%) read the Bible fewer than five times a year according to a survey report released by the American Bible Society on March 26, 2013. In the age category of 18-28, 57% read Scripture three times a year or never. How is it for you?</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If God's word is literally<i> life</i> for us,and we don't read or understand it, what is happening for my young nephew is occuring for us in a spiritual sense .We are trying to live without eating or absorbing what we do ingest. We fail to grow. We repeat the same mistakes over and over. We are religious, but not satisfied.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I understand many people find the Bible boring or hard to understand. They don't know where to begin. Finding time is also a big problem today. So in the next day or two I will share what has helped me over the years. God's word was created to help us thrive and grow--to be filled with love, goodness, deep happiness and peace. It is a banquet of good food. But we may not know how to enjoy it. Join me again tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
Pastor Michael Brownfield</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-83969191207127817112012-05-24T12:11:00.000-07:002012-05-25T12:23:01.380-07:00The Meaning of Jesus' Death and Resurrection - Intro After a week and a half without internet connection, I am finally back on line. In my last post I had finished writing about the events of Jesus' death and resurrection. It is time now to turn to their meaning. <br />
The last few days I have been reading John Piper's "The Passion of Jesus Christ: Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die" and have been tremendously blessed by it. <br />
Pastor Piper is a Reformed pastor and theologian who has writes passionately about the salvation we have in Jesus. While I cannot agree with every point (especially Piper's belief about our state in death and the nature of hell) my heart has been encouraged and my faith strengthened by the points he brings out.<br />
Like the man in Jesus' parable who discovered treasure hidden in a field he had leased to farm, Piper opens the box of priceless Gospel jewels and examines them one at a time: Forgiveness, Justification, God's Love, Jesus' Personal Love for Us, Righteousness by Faith, and forty-five more. I highly recommend it.<br />
As we begin to examine the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection, I want to begin with my own story.<br />
I grew up in a Christian home, and it was a privilege. Unlike some homes, the religious aspect of our family life was generally positive, at least in my experience. Dad had accepted Christ at the age of sixteen in a spiritually divided home (His father was a mean drunk who sometimes beat the family; his mother a devoted Adventist believer who took all four children to church regularly). <br />
At the age of sixteen my dad wanted to give his mother, who he described as his hero, a gift, so he asked the pastor for baptism. Dad was serious about his commitment and remained faithful to Christ until his death a few years ago. In my growing up years, Dad was the primary example of what a Christian was. He spoke often about the Bible and his love for Jesus. He read his Bible regularly, lead out in church, and (to my embarrassment) witnessed to everyone he could.<br />
But in spite of all that, I did not comprehend the good news of salvation until my junior year of college. Somehow, I drew the conclusion that to be saved meant to love God and obey Him the best I could. Looking back, I know the Gospel was clearly taught in my religious upbringing; I just didn't get it. <br />
Consequently, I struggled, because the truth is, we are not saved by "doing the best we can." There is no spiritual power in that. We are rescued from the power of our sinful, broken humanity only when we see that we need Jesus Who died for our sin and rose for our salvation. I will be looking at this in detail in coming days.<br />
In the Adventist academy (high school) I attended my Bible teacher was also our athletic coach. I admired this man a lot. He took a personal interest in us and was interesting as a teacher. So when I left to attend college, I enrolled as a ministerial student. I wanted to help young people like our teacher. But I did not know Christ savingly yet. Consequently, I struggled spiritually in college. I was religious, but not saved. I struggled with the temptations common to young adults who have left home, and was often miserable in my spiritual lostness. Indeed the struggles had begun in academy where sports and friends and the attention of others held far more interest than God.<br />
In my junior year, a great tragedy led me to the cross and to Christ. I was the eldest of five children in our family. My brother and I were followed by three sisters. In the summer of my junior year, my dad, brother and I were working seven hours from home, in construction. One evening we received a phone call that the oldest of my sisters had been killed in a car accident.<br />
The next few days were filled with deep grief for our family, the comfort of many friends, and services for my sister. In my sense of loss, I turned to the Bible for reassurance. I had only read it for class, never because of personal interest; but now I had to know if the things I have believed were really true. Was there really a resurrection? Was Jesus going to return someday and raise my sister from the dead? I had to know these things for certain.<br />
At some point, I found myself in the book of John reading the story of Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus. I continued reading through the Passion Story, and as I read about Jesus' trial and death, it was as if a flood light was turned on in my mind. I clearly saw for the first time how much God loved the world, and how much Jesus loved sinful humanity. Jesus' love and sacrifice were so beautiful to see. God must have known that I was open for the first time. In that moment, I knew I had a choice to make, and I knelt down and prayed a simple prayer: "God, this is so beautiful. I don't know how to follow you; but if you will accept me, I will." <br />
This was not a very complete "sinner's prayer," but in His amazing mercy, God accepted that prayer and the intention it represented. I know now that He accepted me that day through His amazing grace. In fact, I know He was preparing me to receive Him through His Spirit who takes every opportunity to reach our hearts. I felt I had been born again, and know that that I truly had been (John 3).<br />
The next few weeks and months were amazing for me. I suddenly had a deep interest to know everything I could about Jesus and the Bible. I read voraciously, and God began to open His word to my understanding. Jesus' sacrifice and Second Coming meant more than anything now, and I wanted to learn all I could. <br />
Like the disciples after Jesus' death, there were many things I still did not understand, but the journey had begun for me, and God was close.<br />
When I write again, I will begin exploring the meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection, from the first dawning of understanding the disciples had to the full blown confession of faith they share in their New Testament writings. These things are truly "priceless treasure" to those who are being saved. But I close today with the words of Paul to Titus which have become a favorite of mine, and my own testimony.<br />
"Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaved to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But--When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. . ." Titus 3:3-8<br />
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Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
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Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-21621978127183447572012-05-10T14:27:00.002-07:002012-05-10T14:27:50.020-07:00Jn. 20:24-31 - Thomas Struggles with Doubt, Believes<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
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Do you ever struggle with doubt or disappointment with God? Thomas, Jesus' doubting disciple did, for several reasons which I'll explore in this blog. But Jesus also gave Thomas a solution. </div>
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When Jesus appeared to His disciples on Resurrection Day evening, Thomas was not with them. Later, when they saw him, they excitedly told him, "We have seen the Lord!" (v. 24, 25). Rather than believing his friends, Thomas stubbornly said, "Unless I <i>see</i> the nail marks in his hands and put <i>my</i> finger where the nails were, and put <i>my </i>hand into his side, I <i>will not</i> believe it."</div>
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Why this demand for empirical evidence? Why not believe his fellow disciples? Why this stubborn "I will not believe, unless?"</div>
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A week after Jesus' first appearance to His disciples, He came again, but this time Thomas is with the rest. What will Jesus say to him?</div>
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Well, let's pause a moment. What was Jesus doing for the intervening week? What were the disciples doing? Why wouldn't they spend every day together after the joyful reunion on Resurrection evening? </div>
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Jesus always had a reason for His actions; this time is is not explained. Was He letting the reality of everything sink in? Did the disciples need time to reflect on what had happened for their own spiritual growth? Maybe repentance for their failures needed to deepen. Possibly Jesus wanted them to just think about the meaning of His life, ministry, death, and resurrection. Perhaps He wanted to let questions form in their minds so He could instruct them further in the days ahead. Quiet time is not wasted time. God's silence is sometimes for a good purpose in our growth--even in a "Thomas's" case.</div>
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Luke tells us that Jesus "appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Kingdom</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">God</placename></place>" (Acts 1:3). This does not mean He was with them constantly, but purposefully. He was growing their repentance, faith, and resolve.</div>
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John tells us that when Jesus appeared that day, "the doors were locked" but "Jesus came and stood among them" (v. 26). This was a miraculous appearing and substantiated again the supernatural character of the risen Christ.</div>
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As He appeared to them, His greeting, as always, was "Peace be with you." That is Jesus' greeting to us too. He wants us to have His peace in our hearts and lives. He wants us to <i>live</i> in peace because He is <i>for</i> us. As we saw earlier, this salutation of Jesus was about much more than merely calming the disciples' fears. He is teaching them how to live in peace by trusting the Prince of Peace.</div>
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Jesus' next words are to Thomas, and they show that He knows everything about us. He knows our thoughts, our struggles, our failures. He knows our whispered doubts and our disappointments with God. And He loves even us in spite of these. He tries to help our weak faith. Amazing grace!</div>
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"Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe'" (v. 27).</div>
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Jesus gave Thomas the evidence he had required. He accommodates our weak faith sometimes, but our trust must learn to rest on deeper things than miracles and empirical proof. Jesus' faithfulness to His word contained in the Scriptures, the self-authenticating nature of truth, the witness of His Spirit to our hearts--all these things are deeper bedrock for faith, though apologetics, evidence, and miracles have their place.</div>
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Then Jesus had a word of loving correction for Thomas: "Stop doubting and believe" (v. 27). Whatever motivated Thomas' demand--disappointment with God because Jesus hadn't fulfilled Thomas's messianic hopes, jealousy at having been left out of Jesus' first appearance, or just plain doubt, Jesus now gives Thomas a solution: "Stop doubting and believe."</div>
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There comes a time after enough evidence has been given, when faith becomes a choice. In fact choice is always the key element in believing. God never removes all doubt, but He gives enough evidence for us to choose to trust Him, and to trust His word.</div>
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"<i>Stop</i> doubting and believe." It is not healthy to remain in the land of doubt. It is an unstable, discouraging place. We may still have questions, but God invites us to trust the big things about Him, to trust <i>Him. </i>With trust comes peace, relief, joy.</div>
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"My Lord and my God!" This is enough for Thomas. In a moment, he makes his choice and leaps from dejected doubt to worship. Whatever was holding him back, He gives up and surrenders to faith. </div>
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Jesus' response was not congratulatory, but instructive. Thomas, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (v. 29). </div>
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Is it possible to believe only on the testimony of others? If it is not, then Christian witness is useless, and its mission is doomed. But Jesus is about to send His disciples out to witness to thousands who have never seen Him. The disciples must learn that a simple witness given in the power of the Holy Spirit--and backed up by the predictions/fulfillments of God's word, is enough for saving faith.</div>
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Jesus was making the success of His Church's mission dependent on the testimony of transformed witnesses, not scientific fact or personal observation, per se. Truth appeals to the mind and heart, and that is enough to make a saving relationship with God. People can believe without seeing. They can sense the Holy Spirit stirring their hearts through a believer's testimony. </div>
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Peter describes some of these believers: "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him: and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Pet. 1:8-9).</div>
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The Christians of India and <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Syria</place></country-region> tell us, backed by ancient history and tradition, that Thomas came to them in 52 A.D. to share the Gospel. Thomas, then, travelled further outside the bounds of <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Palestine</place></city> than the other eleven disciples. He preached to people groups who not only had never seen Jesus, but didn't know anyone who had. He share Christ with those who found it most difficult to believe and had great success even with the leading, high class Brahmin families of India, before he was martyred there.</div>
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To me it is so wonderful that Jesus takes us where we are, with all our weaknesses and foibles, and helps us. Then He sends as encouragers and witnesses to people who struggle with the same things we have. </div>
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Pastor Michael Brownfield</div>
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<br />Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-61282083507814368682012-05-08T11:30:00.002-07:002012-05-08T11:35:35.188-07:00Jn. 20:19-23 - Jesus Appears to His Disciples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"On the evening of the first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!'" (v. 19)</div>
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On the evening of Jesus' resurrection, the disciples were barricaded behind locked doors out of fear they might meet the same fate as Jesus. Their Leader had been killed and not only were they grieving the loss of their Friend and their dreams, they felt defenseless and in danger.</div>
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If God could allow Jesus to be killed, what would happen to them? It seemed to them they were at the whim of strange, dark, and unexpected circumstances.</div>
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Though Mary and the other women, and the two from Emmaus had come saying they had seen Jesus, the rest did not believe them (Mk. 16:1-13). Their hopes had been so thoroughly crushed and their faith so devastated, all they could think about was their loss and survival. </div>
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Jesus' first words to the disciples were "Peace be with you!" Thoughtful Savior that He was, He wanted to calm hearts and alleviate their fear. Luke reports that when they saw Him, they were "startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost" (Lk. 24:37). </div>
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But Jesus' statement is about more than the antidote for fear. It is the primary proclamation of the Christian faith. He would repeat these words over and over in successive appearances, just like He had in His days of ministry. You see, the Christian message offers peace to us because Jesus secured peace with God for humanity and can give each of us peace of heart when we choose to trust in what He did for us.</div>
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"Peace be with you!" This was the song of the angels at Jesus' birth, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to men" (Lk. 2:14). Jesus' Substitutionary death for our sins created an armistice between heaven and humanity. Not that God was at war with us. He loved us and provided salvation through Jesus while we were still helpless sinners and enemies toward Him (Rom. 5:6-10).</div>
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Together, the Father and Son had created the plan by which Jesus' death would pay the just penalty for the world's sin and provide grace to anyone who turned from sin to God, through His mercy. "For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Col. 1:19).</div>
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"Grace and peace be yours in abundance" (1 Pet. 1:2). This is the New Testament greeting, repeated constantly in Paul's letters. It is the Christian treasure: peace and grace (mercy and help) are ours in abundance through Jesus' death on the cross. Sins forgiven, God-accepted, covered by Jesus' perfect life, we have peace with God. As Paul says in Romans 5:1, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,<sup> </sup>through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." Forgiven and accepted, we rejoice (fear no longer) at the prospect of living in God's presence. </div>
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Because Jesus gave the greatest gift that could be given on the cross, His death for our sins, we have confidence that God will forgive us if we ask and give us anything we need in the Christian life. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom. 8:32). "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 Jn. 1:9). That gives us peace!</div>
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Jesus' parting promise to His disciples was, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (Jn. 14:27; 16:33)</div>
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Peace because God is in control. Peace because everything necessary for our salvation and assistance has been provided. Peace because Jesus took our sins and offers us God's acceptance. Peace because the Holy Spirit comes into our minds and hearts with supernatural peace.</div>
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Like the disciples in the Upper Room, we lose our peace when we forget that God is in control, that Jesus has provided everything we need for life and godliness. "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Pet. 1:2-3).</div>
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After Jesus calmed their fears and offered His peace, John says "he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw (it was) the Lord" (v. 20). "Overjoyed" almost seems to tame. They must have been ecstatic, amazed, overwhelmed. Their dead Messiah was alive!</div>
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When the disciples recovered their senses enough to listen, Jesus said again, as if they missed His intent the first time, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (v. 21). </div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Repeating the assurance of peace, Jesus now gives His first statement of their future work. In Matthew (28:18-20), we call it the Gospel Commission, but it is the life work of the disciples, the reason they were called to follow Jesus in the first place. He called them to be with Him to witness His life and teachings, His death and resurrection, and to share this great news with the world.</div>
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The disciples are to carry on the work of Jesus in this world. As the Father sent Him, He is now sending them--to give the message of salvation. </div>
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"With that He breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (v. 22). The Holy Spirit would officially be given at Pentecost, but Jesus wanted to impress them of their need of the Spirit at His first appearance to them. Knowing this moment would be riveted in their minds forever, He promises them help and Pentecostal power, the only power they could ever work in (Zech. 4:6). </div>
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Before His death, He had already promised the Spirit (Jn. 14-16), now He reemphasizes His promise and their need. </div>
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"If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven" (v. 23). This will be the core message of the Christian faith: forgiveness is available through Jesus' death. In these few verses, Jesus announces the disciples' work, their message, and the power they will work in. Why did Jesus live, suffer, and die? So humans could be forgiven, reconciled to God, and prepared for heaven.</div>
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Jesus words were not giving some magical power or authority to the disciples to forgive sin. The original language is: "If you forgive anyone his sins, they have already been forgiven." Jesus' death provides the forgiveness; we disciples only announce the good news and reassure people God will forgive them based on Jesus' work on the cross.</div>
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Their work is also ours. May peace, forgiveness, and mercy be yours as you trust in Jesus. And may you always share the good news with others.</div>
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Pastor Michael Brownfield</div>
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</div>Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-44405200664822696132012-05-07T16:33:00.000-07:002012-05-07T17:04:41.463-07:00Jn. 20:3-9 - Footrace to the Tomb<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peter and John Race to the Tomb (Painting by Dan Burr)</td></tr>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span> When Mary Magdalene realized on Sunday morning that Jesus' body was not in the tomb, she did what anyone in her place would do--she ran to find someone in authority, the men chosen by Jesus’ to be witnesses and leaders.<br />
She found Peter and John, though John refers to himself as "the other disciple, the one Jesus loved." The Greek translation is "the one Jesus kept on loving." Interpreters agree that John refers to himself in the third person out of humility, and is telling us that Jesus did not give up on him because of his failures. <br />
Both John and Peter were men who had faults, and it is an encouragement to us who follow Jesus that Jesus did not choose people who were perfect at the beginning. Peter failed Jesus often and John was nicknamed "Son of Thunder," along with his brother James. In the Gospels, John is pictured as quick tempered and swift to take offense. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Jesus welcomed anyone who wished to follow Him and they were transformed over time by His teachings, the work of the Holy Spirit in their hearts, and their association with Him.<br />
When Mary found Peter and John on Sunday morning, and urgently announced that Jesus' body was missing, the two men began running to the tomb. This news was as disturbing to them as it was to Mary. John reports that "Both were running, but 'the other disciple' (John) outran Peter and reached the tomb first" (v. 4), but did not go in. Then Peter arrived and entered the burial place. <br />
John was probably the youngest disciple, perhaps only in his late teens or early twenties, so he outpaced the older Peter. Why did John wait upon arriving at the tomb? Was he reluctant to go in without Peter present, out of respect for the elder disciple? Was he more squeamish, while Peter was braver? We don't know. But the way John tells the story with such detail shows again that the Resurrection narrative is a truthful one. Why would anyone include such insignificant details if it were made up?<br />
When the men looked inside, they saw "the strips of linen" that had been around Jesus' body lying on the ground, but the burial cloth that had been around his head "was folded up by itself, separate from the linen (v. 6-7). <br />
John does not tell us what this meant to them at the time. I am sure they were really mystified and were trying to understand what had happened to their Master’s body. Finding burial cloths without a body must have seemed very unusual. If someone stole Jesus' body, why didn't they take it wrapped in the grave clothes? A folded head cloth shows a sense of care, orderliness, and respect rather than hurried carelessness. If someone had relocated the body to another place, why did they leave the linen strips and the folded head cloth behind? <br />
"The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed" (v. 8). This doesn't mean John believed Jesus had arisen because he goes on to write in his Gospel that "They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead" (v. 9). It means that he believed Mary's report about the missing body. John believed that the tomb was empty, but beyond that, everything was still a mystery.<br />
Little by little, the story of the Resurrection unfolds--from first discovery and mystery to the dawning realization that Jesus is truly alive. At this moment it is still dark outside and Mary, John, and Peter are still very much in the dark about what all of this means. But Jesus is about to dispel their night with the shining truth of His Resurrection! <br />
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Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
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Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-29026575854196533642012-05-04T12:09:00.000-07:002012-05-04T12:27:07.255-07:00Jn. 20:10-18 - Mary, Apostle to the Apostles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The story of Mary Magdalene is one of the most touching in the New Testament. And this is likely why John focuses on her experience in his Resurrection account. <br />
In the Gospels we meet Mary as a woman who has been delivered from seven demons (Lk. 8:2; Mk. 16:9) and as one so deeply grateful for Jesus' forgiveness and liberating ministry to her, she spends all her savings to anoint Him as King, she supposes. Only, He explains, she has actually anointed Him for His death (Lk. 7:36-50). <br />
After that, Mary follows Jesus as a devoted disciple helping other women who have also been delivered or healed of disease, to care for his needs. <br />
Luke pictures her sitting in rapt attention at the feet of Jesus, drinking in His words as her sister Martha "slaves" in the kitchen and complains that Mary isn't helping her (Lk. 10:38). Jesus replies that Mary has chosen what is better, a devotional spirit and a hunger for truth which cannot be taken away from her. Food, clothing, and shelter can be lost, but a heart for God cannot be stolen.<br />
As I mentioned yesterday, Mary is a prime example of those Jesus came to help. Isaiah 61 describes how Messiah would deliver the captives of Satan and restore them to wholeness. When the Pharisees criticized His work, Jesus said the prostitutes and tax collectors, who felt their need of His grace, were entering the Kingdom before them (Mt. 21:31-32).<br />
Mary may have been one of those He referred to. She is always identified in the Gospels as Mary Magdalene, or Mary from Magdala, a town near the Sea of Galilee on the ancient Roman road, the Via Maris, which linked <country-region w:st="on">Egypt</country-region> to <country-region w:st="on">Syria</country-region> and <place w:st="on">Mesopotamia</place>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The population there was made up of many cultures and Roman soldiers who were garrisoned there. Like modern crossroad towns or tourist destinations, it would have been a place frequented by prostitutes and others seeking to lose themselves in pleasure. Interestingly, archeologists are currently excavating Magdala in Israel (follow at webblog: <a href="http://magdalaisrael.wordpress.com/page/2/">http://magdalaisrael.wordpress.com/page/2/</a><br />
Later in the Gospels, we find Mary living with her brother Lazarus and sister Martha in <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Bethany</place></city>. Had Jesus found her Magdala, freed her and restored her to her family? <br />
One more powerful story of Mary is told by John, which explain her devotion to Jesus. Her brother Lazarus had died, but Jesus traveled to <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Bethany</city></place> and raised him from the dead (Jn. 11), declaring, “I am the resurrection and the life!” No wonder Mary was a dedicated follower of Jesus! <br />
Mary is at the cross when Jesus is crucified, and she stays through His agony until He dies. After His death she accompanies His body with other women to the tomb and then goes home with them to prepare spices for his burial. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, in John 20, she is among the first (while it is still dark) to arrive at the tomb on Sunday morning.. <br />
When she and the other women (John mentions only Mary, but the other Gospels make it clear other women are with her), see the stone has been rolled away, and the body is gone, Mary runs back to the city to tell John and Peter, who race back to the tomb. They look in, but see only the grave cloths, the head covering folded up neatly by itself (clearly not the work of grave robbers).<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary cannot bear to be separated from her Savior and Friend either in life or death. After Peter and John leave, Mary lingers at the tomb, crying. The memory of His life and death overwhelming her, she weeps.<br />
In her grief and tears, she stoops over and looks in again at this place where she last saw her Lord. But this time sees "two angels in white seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot" (v. 12). They ask, "Woman, why are you crying?" <br />
"They have taken my Lord away," Mary answers, "and I don't know where they have put Him" (v. 13).<br />
Mary is not thinking clearly. If you have ever grieved deeply, you know the fog that settles over one’s mind. Though John mentions the men in white are angels that probably doesn’t dawn on Mary at first, just like what happened next. <br />
Turning, she sees another figure through her tears, who says, "Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" <br />
Thinking the man was the gardener, Mary answered, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him" (v. 15). At that, the unknown individual said, in a familiar tone, "Mary."<br />
Immediately, Mary recognizes that voice that had set her free and reassured her spiritually a thousand times. She cried out "Rabboni!" (Aramaic for Teacher) and fell in worship, clasping His feet in her hands" (see also Mt. 28:9). <br />
Jesus words are deeply meaningful: "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God" (v. 17).<br />
Mary was holding onto Jesus as if to never let Him go, but He explains He as to make a quick trip to heaven to see His Father Whom He had been separated from for so long. Then He would return again to take up ministry to His grieving disciples that afternoon.<br />
Through Mary, Jesus sends an encouraging message to His disciples: "My Father is also your Father. You abandoned Me and denied Me, but your sins have not caused Him to reject you; He still loves you. Do not despair and think you are discarded as too sinful for Him. Though you failed, you did not turn your back on me completely, and my death provided the grace that will cover your sins and keep you as God’s children. If you confess your sins, He will be faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 Jn. 1:9). His love is not easily turned away.” What a heartening message for those beleaguered disciples!<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friend, do you think your sins and failings cause God to reject you? Receive these words of Jesus as spoken to you too. <br />
Ancient Christian teaching called Mary "The Apostle to the Apostles." <em>Apostle</em> means "sent," and Mary was the first person sent by Jesus to announce His resurrection. It was her grateful devotion to Him that gave her that wonderful privilege. Because she refused to be separated from Him in life or death, Jesus revealed Himself to her first and then sent her to proclaim the good news of His resurrection. <br />
That is always the way the Christian message is carried. Those who receive it gratefully are the first to herald it to others, whether they are rich or poor, male or female, slave or free. Grace, gratefully received and motivated by love, makes one a witness for Christ.<br />
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Pastor Michael BrownfieldThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-83064777480625301712012-05-02T08:27:00.001-07:002012-05-02T08:52:28.389-07:00John 20 - Mary's Story of the Resurrection John loves to tell stories of individual people's encounters with Jesus. That is what He does all through his Gospel account--Nicodemus, Jesus’ calling of his disciples, the woman at Jacob's well, the healing of the blind man, the death and resurrection of Lazarus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John's book is composed of one story after another, laced with Jesus' teachings or John's insights about what has happened in each story.<br />
Even in the Passion Story we learn about Jesus' conversation with Pilate and Thomas' struggle with faith after the Resurrection. Then we read about Peter's restoration to the Apostolate by Jesus in John 21. <br />
Few if any of these stories are found in the other gospels, not because they didn't happen, but because John was deeply interested in people, how they experienced Jesus personally, and how they were changed by those encounters.<br />
So it is understandable that in telling us about Jesus' resurrection, John would focus primarily on the experience of one person, Mary Magdalene. It is not that others weren't present; they were. John is just letting us experience the story through Mary's eyes and heart.<br />
Mary is already a person of interest in John's gospel (12:1-8). She is a woman who has been deeply touched by Jesus, set free from the demons that controlled her life. She appears in chapter 12 as one who is so grateful for Jesus' forgiveness that she spends all she has to thank Him, unknowingly anointing Him for His burial beforehand. As Jesus said, "Those who have been forgiven much, love much."<br />
There may be another reason why John chose Mary. In a profound way, Mary represents the people who Isaiah said the Messiah would come to help, the ones who would be most open to His message, and thus most devoted to His service. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. . .to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair" (Isa. 61:1-3). <br />
But Isaiah doesn't stop there. The broken people who responded to Messiah Jesus’ grace would eventually be called "oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor" (v. 3). The oak tree is one of the strongest and most impervious to disease. These sinners who had been the sport of Satan would become so strong spiritually through the grace of Christ, they would be known as “oak trees.” And miracle of miracles, they "will be called priests of the Lord. . .(and) named ministers of our God" (v. 6).<br />
In Mary, we meet one of these ministers of God. But then, I am getting ahead of the story. . .<br />
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Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
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I love the account of Jesus' first post-Resurrection appearance in Luke where He appears to two lesser-known disciples who had left the Eleven and are heading to their homes in Emmaus, a small town about seven miles from <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jerusalem</place></city>. (Actually, this may have been Jesus' second or third appearance, since He appeared to Mary first (John 20) and possibly next to Peter (1 Cor. 15:5). However, Luke chooses to report this appearance first.)</div>
I love the story because these two Emmaus disciples are relative unknowns in the New Testament. Luke knows the name of only one, Cleopas. They have been with the Eleven, but they are not apostles. Yet Jesus takes time to reveal Himself to them early on Resurrection Day.<br />
I have mentioned before that Jesus seems to triage those who are in greatest need and appears to them first. These men are in deep grief and confusion. <br />
In my office, I have a picture of Jesus with these two Emmaus bound disciples. I purchased it during a time of loss in my life to remind me that Jesus really cared about me personally. From this story, we learn that Jesus comes to us, walks with us, comforts us, and reveals things that will heal our hearts and souls.<br />
As these two disciples walked along, they were tearfully discussing everything that had happened that Passion weekend, when Jesus caught up with them. Luke tells us "They were kept from recognizing Him" (v. 15). Mark tells us, referring to the same account, that Jesus "appeared <em>in a different form</em> to two of them while they were walking in the country" (Mk. 16:12).<br />
Jesus had a reason for hiding His identity initially. If He revealed Himself immediately, these men's grief would have flipped quickly to ecstatic joy, and they would have had a hard time hearing the Biblical evidence Jesus wanted to share with them--the evidence of the prophets that He was indeed the Messiah and that everything had happened just as God predicted in Scripture.<br />
Sometimes in life, Jesus' first effort is to help us focus on what His word says so our faith will be established. Sometimes He hides Himself while He points us to the Bible because God's word is the only true foundation for faith. <br />
Jesus entered the men's conversation by asking what they were discussing as they walked along. <br />
Luke says "They stood still, their faces downcast." Then Cleopas asked, "Are you only a visitor to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jerusalem</place></city></place></city> and do not know the things that have happened here in these days?" How is is possible you don't know what has happened?<br />
"What things," Jesus asked?<br />
"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied, "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and the rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified Him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Israel</place></country-region></place></country-region>. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place" (vs. 18-21).<br />
These disciples express the deep longing and belief all Jesus' disciples' had cherished, that He was the long looked-for Messiah. But, they say, their hopes are dashed.<br />
The two go on to report incredulously that some of the women had described seeing angels and other disciples had seen the empty tomb, but they didn't know what it all meant.<br />
Then come, in this narrative, some of the most powerful words in the New Testament: "He said to them, 'How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?' And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scripture concerning Himself" (vs. 25-27).<br />
Jesus' death and resurrection had been clearly foretold, He told them, in the Hebrew Scriptures. He had tried often to explain these this, but the disciples' minds were clouded with popular beliefs that contradicted the messianic prophecies, beliefs that turned the Messiah into a powerful earthly ruler who would conquer kingdoms and lead <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Israel</place></country-region> to national glory. <br />
So now Jesus gives Cleopas and his friend a Bible study. Beginning with the writings of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy), and continuing through the writings of the Hebrew prophets, Jesus points out the Scriptures that foretold His ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. <br />
I would love to have heard <em>that</em> Bible study! Later the men said, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" (v. 32). Can you imagine the earnestness in Jesus' voice as He took them, perhaps, through Genesis 3:15, Deuteronomy 18:15-18, Psalm 22 and 69, Isaiah 9:6-9, 53 and 61, and Zechariah 12 and 13?<br />
Isaiah 53 not only predicted the manner of Jesus' death, but clearly described His resurrection too: "After the sufferings of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied" (v. 11). "Though the Lord makes His life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand" (v. 10). <br />
Daniel said the Messiah, "the Anointed One," (v. 26) would be "cut off " (killed) in the middle of the final week (7 years) of the 70 Week Prophecy, but after His death, He would confirm the covenant with many" (9:27). In other words, He would die, then be resurrected to continue His covenant establishing work with His people.<br />
Cleopas and his friend had been mournfully nursing their dashed hopes, but as this Stranger helped them understand that what had happened was exactly what God predicted, they begin to feel an amazing hope.<br />
How long Jesus walked and talked with them, we don't know, but as they neared Emmaus, it was late in the evening, and concerned for their friend's safety, they urged Him to stay with them for the night. Luke says, "Jesus acted as if He were going farther. But they urged him strongly, 'Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them" (vs. 28-29).<br />
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Imagine their shock and amazement. They have just been walking and talking with <em>the resurrected Christ</em>! They can't contain their excitement and joy, and in the gathering darkness, they rush back the seven miles to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jerusalem</place></city></place></city> to tell the other disciples their story. <br />
There are many lessons in this beautiful story for us today. Jesus cares for all His followers. There are no "insignificant" disciples to Him. Never feel you are unimportant to God or Heaven. He gives equal care to all His children, and special care to those who are in greatest need.<br />
Jesus wants to ground our faith in His word, the Scriptures, even more than giving us the emotions of joy. An old children's song says, "Feelings come and feelings go and feelings are deceiving. Trust alone in the word of God; nothing else is worth believing." Real happiness is based on God's word. Jesus may reveal Himself to you in special ways, but never contrary to what His word teaches.<br />
Lastly, I wonder what would have happened if the two disciples from Emmaus had not urged Jesus to stay with them. Would they have missed the opportunity to know it was Jesus who had been talking to them? Jesus agreed to stay only when they urged Him to do so. Do we need to urge Jesus to be with us more than we do? Not because He is unwilling, but because He never forces Himself on anyone? How many blessings have we missed because we haven't been more serious about seeking God, because we haven't urged Him to stay with us?<br />
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Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYERHUAXVDdjcAbGWNpIv_c_xdENi9PzQbwdv0M9AE8ES3IQdrdUhA9mm3MGdlOJIqppD1O7pDKpJf2LGiy6QsTM3SQIgGRZY1DxcMKOxP0ix54_ZBoZe0cy3hfs0Kv5i1V2lx1driwxd1/s1600/small_road-to-emmaus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-8768429439305283782012-04-27T10:12:00.000-07:002012-04-27T14:57:14.920-07:00Lk. 24:1-12 - "Why look for the living among the dead?" As we saw earlier, the women among Jesus' followers had gone with Nicodemus and Joseph when they mournfully carried Jesus' body to Joseph's new tomb for temporary burial. It was Friday afternoon, and the Sabbath was nearing, so the ladies went home to prepare the spices for Jesus' final entombment. They had hoped to complete their sad, loving task of preparing Jesus' body, but as the Sabbath neared, they realized they could not finish. It would have to wait until Sunday morning.<br />
Jesus' followers kept the Sabbath as the Fourth Commandment taught. Jesus had always practiced this, and they followed His example. Jesus ignored the human, man-made traditions about the Sabbath, even flaunting them at times; but He followed God's commandments in letter and spirit. After all, He had created the Sabbath for humanity (Mk. 2:27-28; Gen. 2:1-2), and His purpose for it had not changed. In the New Covenant God's Law is not changed; it is written on the heart (Heb. 10:16), which was always His plan.<br />
Now it is early Sunday morning, and Luke tells us they are up early to complete their plan. "Very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb" (v.1).<br />
Of course they found the stone rolled away and Jesus' body gone, which greatly frightened and bewildered them. "While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them" (v. 4). Another Gospel simply said there were two men in white garments, but Luke has investigated the story carefully and interviewed the witnesses. He tells us their clothes "gleamed like lightning." They were angels!<br />
"In their fright, the women bowed down with their faces to the ground. . ." (v. 5) Then the angels speak to them, and the message they give is more detailed and significant than the other Gospels: "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" <br />
These words have become the Christian proclamation exclaimed at every Easter, and they contain the validating fact of our faith. Jesus not only died, but He rose from the dead! <br />
It is wonderful that Jesus died for our sins, but if He had remained in the grave, it would have proved Him a liar and faker. His resurrection confirms His identity as Son of God and Savior and substantiates His predictions that He would lay down His life for us and take it up again by His own power (see Jn. 10:14-18).<br />
That is what Paul means when he writes, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep" (1 Cor. 15:17-20). <br />
I love how the angels announce Jesus' resurrection to the women. In essence they say, "Why are you coming to a graveyard to look for someone who is living? Nobody goes to the cemetery to look for a walking, breathing human being. Jesus isn't dead; He is fully alive, filled with His energetic purpose and plans. Death didn't stop Him. The grave can't hold Him. He is alive! <br />
Then they begin the word of "re-membering," reminding them of Jesus’ words:<br />
"Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in <place w:st="on">Galilee</place>: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again'" (vs. 6-7). Remember? He told you so many times, but you didn't want to believe it. Your concepts of an earthly Messiah didn't let you believe it. But "remember" because what Jesus said was true. "Then," Luke says, "they remembered His words" (v. 8) <br />
They remembered, but in their surprise and shock, they still didn't fully get it. It would take many hours to fully grasp and believe He was truly alive, and many days to re-learn everything Jesus had tried to teach them about what the prophecies said.<br />
The women rushed back to tell the Eleven, but <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they</i> didn't believe it either. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb" (v. 12). I love Peter's enthusiasm; He is always first to jump--into the water, into conversation, even into trouble. I think that's partly why Jesus chose him. He saw a curiosity, an eagerness, a warm-heartedness, and an impulsiveness that would help Peter do great things for the Kingdom someday, when truly surrendered to Jesus. <br />
"Bending over, he (Peter) saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what happened" (v. 12). If someone stole the body, it is likely they would have taken it still wrapped in the linen wrappings. But why were they still there, Peter wonders. <br />
To jump ahead, John describes the arrangement of the burial cloths in more detail in his Gospel. He writes that Peter "saw the strips of linen lying there,<sup> </sup>as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen" (Jn. 20:6, 7). That explains Peter's curious puzzlement even better. What grave robber would stop to fold up the face cloth? Oh, thinks Peter, that would be so like Jesus to do! He was so neat and orderly in everything He did. Could He really be alive, he wonders?<br />
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Pastor Michael BrownfieldThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-63213874379055538932012-04-26T08:31:00.000-07:002012-04-26T08:33:30.217-07:00Luke 24:1-12 - Investigative Report of the Resurrection It has been a few days since I last wrote. My intention was to write daily, but the press of pastoral ministry doesn't always make that possible. So I have decided to write as I am able.<br />
Today we begin looking at Luke's account of the Resurrection. Yes, we are well past Easter now, but the Gospel records are so rich, I am going to continue to explore them with you. After all, the death and resurrection of Jesus are the greatest events in earth's history so far, followed certainly by the beginning of Earth's Judgment and the Second Coming of Jesus. Confining our thinking about Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection to a time of year isn't necessarily good anyway. We can and should think of the Cross and the Resurrection all year long, because that is where our hope lies.<br />
I love Luke's account of the Resurrection because it is a <em>carefully investigated</em> account. Luke was not part of the Twelve and therefore did not have the privilege of seeing Jesus' ministry and Passion personally. He became a disciple later, probably. So, before he wrote his Gospel, he had to research everything carefully. He interviewed eye witnesses one by one, and as a physician with highly trained skills of observation and analysis, he wrote his investigative report. <br />
He tells us how he researched his Gospel before writing it, in Luke 1:1-4: "Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were <em>eyewitnesses</em> and servants of the word. Therefore, since <em>I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning</em>, it seemed good also to me to write an <em>orderly account</em> for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know <em>the certainty</em> of the things you have been taught" (Emphasis mine).<br />
Luke investigated everything about the story of Jesus very carefully from beginning to end, and only then wrote out his Gospel account. This means that when we read Luke's story of the Resurrection and the events surrounding it, we can have a high degree of certainty that he paid attention to the details and made sure that his report was orderly and certain. <br />
This does not mean the other Gospel accounts are less inspired; not at all. It also does not mean they are less trustworthy. Each writer emphasizes the things the Spirit impressed on <em>their</em> heart at the time of writing. It just means that Luke's report was constructed especially with an interest in completeness and order, because that was the purpose of his written account to Theophilus, who, though unknown outside the Biblical account, was probably an important Roman official. <br />
It is with that assurance that we will begin our study of Luke's Ressurection account in our next writing.<br />
<br />
Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
<br />Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-85961245681578583532012-04-22T22:35:00.000-07:002012-04-22T22:37:25.052-07:00Mk. 16:9-14 - Struggling with Doubt "When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it.<br />
"Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them (disciples) while they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either" (Mk. 16:9-13).<br />
Mark's point in these first two appearances by Jesus is the struggle with doubt and unbelief His disciples had. At first, we might not want to blame them. After all they had been through; after seeing Jesus killed the way He was, we sympathize with their struggle to believe He was really alive. But Mark's point is that we must not excuse them, and we must learn from their failure.<br />
When Jesus finally appeared to the eleven that afternoon as they were eating, "He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen" (Mk. 16:14).<br />
Why did they doubt and stubbornly refuse to believe? Because they failed to stay focused on Jesus' teachings and on God's word; because they failed to pray and gave into sleep in the Garden; because they let the trauma of the weekend overwhelm their faith; because they had forgotten all Jesus had taught them during His ministry--every evidence for faith He had given.<br />
Faith is a gift, but at some point it is also a choice. We have to take the evidence and assurances of faith God gives us and anchor them in our hearts. This will keep us through life's storms. <br />
On Resurrection morning, Jesus sent two three messengers to His disciples with the good news He was alive. The first was Mary Magdalene. Broken, sinful, cleansed Mary. The Mary delivered from the demons of immorality that had controlled her life. <br />
How did the disciples view her? Perhaps as an emotional, broken woman. Remember her anointing Jesus' feet and weeping at Simon's house? <br />
How did Jesus see her? As a precious, redeemed daughter; a child of God; a woman reclaimed from the land of the enemy and restored to sanity, purity, and nobility. <br />
In her great gratitude and love, she stayed by the tomb on Resurrection morning. She couldn't bear being separated from her Savior. And so she had the privilege of being the first to herald the Resurrection. <br />
Jesus appeared first to Mary because Mary needed Him most. This was so like Jesus. Isaiah said His mission would be to restore the broken and needy. Why wouldn't Jesus appear to Mary first? Were the eleven men offended because a woman, a woman like Mary, brought the message? <br />
Jesus appeared next to two lesser disciples. We know the name of only one, Cleopas. We'll tell their story another day, but were the disciples offended again because lesser disciples then they (or so they may have thought) brought the news?<br />
If they had remembered Jesus' teachings, if they had remembered God's word, they would have received the good news no matter who brought it.<br />
God doesn't always work in the way we expect or through the instruments we think He should. I read recently of two Adventist women pastors in China, Godly, humble women who pastor churches in the tens of thousands. We should celebrate that God chooses His own instruments to do amazing things through.<br />
Jesus' Gospel Commission in Mark (16:15-18) is given against the backdrop of the disciples' unbelief. I believe this is for two reasons. Mark wants us to see that the Resurrection story is not made up. Jesus own followers didn't believe it at first. Secondly, we all struggle with faith at one time or another. The remedy is to remember the teachings of God's word and anchor our faith there.<br />
<br />
Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
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Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-43574903234291770952012-04-18T10:42:00.003-07:002012-04-18T10:58:15.120-07:00Mk. 16:1-8 - Resurrection 2, Mark's Story<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #333333;"> "When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body" (Mk. 16:1).<br />
They have not slept much again, this second night after Jesus' death. <br />
When you are grieving deeply, you hardly sleep. Your heart and mind won't let you. If you are with others, you talk and weep. When you finally go to bed, you toss and turn and your mind won't shut down. Finally, sometime in the wee hours you fall into a fitful doze, but your heart wakes you again too soon.<br />
Your first thought might be, "Why do I feel so terrible?" Then the reality hits again, like a bad dream--only this dream is real.<br />
These women had not just lost a dear friend, one who had always been there for them, especially in their deepest need; they had seen Him beaten repeatedly. They had heard their trusted religious leaders cry out with the mob for His crucifixion (How could they?). They had watched in agony as Jesus allowed Himself to be flogged and then crucified, writhing in pain on the cross.<br />
They were not just suffering loss; they had been traumatized to the depths of their souls. Hardly having slept, they were up early to do their last and loving service for their Friend--these women who had cared for His needs: washed His clothes, prepared His meals, whatever He needed (God bless all serving women--wives, mothers, church leaders and helpers).<br />
Yes, they would care now for His needs one last time, by preparing His body for burial. What a sad, heart breaking chore.<br />
Mark's list of the women is a little different from Matthew's--and Luke’s, "who investigated everything carefully" (Lk. 1:3). John only tells us about Mary Magdalene's experience. Who can blame these men for not remembering everything exactly, or the women either?<br />
Interview witnesses of a traumatic crime or accident, and they will tell you their recollection; but each story may be different. The human mind under duress can't remember everything. The Bible is inspired, but inspiration is not dictation by God. Inspiring a writing, the Holy Spirit brings out a message. The details may be different, but God guides the message and the main points.<br />
The main points of this story are the surprise, bewilderment, and fear of the women and disciples, contrasted with the truth of the Resurrection. Real, honest, gut-level story telling. The ring of truth.<br />
The characters report their questions, their hesitation, their fears, and their joy. The ladies ask, "Who will roll the stone away?" It is very large and placed in a groove that slopes downward to prevent easy opening, even by strong men. <br />
But the stone has been rolled away! And they see a young man dressed in white sitting on the right. They were alarmed, Mark reports. You go into an open tomb where there is supposed to be a deceased loved one and instead see a young man in white clothes. A tomb is a place of death, not life. Crashing thoughts! Violated expectations! <br />
If I think my wife is one place in the house and she appears in another suddenly, I jump. She does too! A couple of weeks ago, I left the master bedroom for an adjoining room and returned momentarily. In that minute, my wife had come from another part of the house and entered the master bath which was dark. When I returned to the bedroom a minute later, "Someone" was moving in the dark master bath! My heart jumped, if not my body.<br />
In our story, the angel is attuned to the women's emotions and soothes their fears, speaking words that orient and focus them: "You are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here" (Mk.16:6).<br />
Can you imagine their thoughts? Their bright hopes that Jesus was their Messiah had been crushed forever, one unjust sentence, one blow, one whip lash, one mocking scoff, one crucifixion nail, one agonizing breath at a time. And then, "My God, My God! Why have you forsaken Me?" And death.<br />
They saw the spear thrust into Jesus' side and blood and plasma flow out. They were there, these women, when Joseph from Arimathea and Nicodemus took His mangled, bloody, limp body down. They had followed them to the tomb to see where He was laid and watched as the stone grated and ground down its channel to a thudding close. Yes, Jesus was dead. They would not see Him alive again--not in this lifetime. They would make many sad trips to His tomb, but see Him alive? It didn't even cross their minds.<br />
"He has risen!" He has risen? How could that be? He was very dead, killed by certain means.<br />
"Risen?"--Oh that would be wonderful! But He was so dead just last night!<br />
"Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid." (Mk. 16:8)<br />
Do you ever wonder if Jesus really rose from the dead? This report does not sound like a lie. It has the emotional ring of truth, doesn't it? You live the story as you read it, it is so real.<br />
"He has risen!" This is the joyful keynote of the Christian message. Three words that say so much:<br />
Jesus is alive, no longer dead! The One whose life and deeds and words blessed so many. Death stopped His living, but He is alive. Now His love, His deeds may continue.<br />
He is living! Death steals our loved ones from us. We were made to love and live, but death interrupts our relationships. Now, if they could only find Him, they could resume their precious friendship.<br />
He is alive! If He is, everything He said must be true! It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must </i>be true!<br />
He is alive! He is Who He said He was, then: Son of God, Savior, King of all!<br />
<br />
Pastor Michael Brownfield</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><br />
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</div>Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-66955091157771453782012-04-16T11:51:00.001-07:002012-04-18T11:01:58.715-07:00Mt. 28:1-15 - Resurrection 1, Matthew's Story The Resurrection of Jesus is one of the most glorious and meaningful events in all of Scripture, rivaled only by the Second Coming of Jesus and the final destruction of Satan and sin and securing of God’s Kingdom rule after the Millennium.<br />
While we look to the cross for assurance of sins forgiven and the re-assurance of God's love, the Resurrection uniquely establishes and validates what happened at <place w:st="on">Calvary</place>.<br />
Over the next few days, we will look at the four gospel accounts of Jesus’ resurrection. Our first goal will be to see what the disciples and other participants experienced. Later we will try to understand the meaning of this great event.<br />
Matthew's report of the Resurrection is interesting because it is difficult at first to sort the elements of his story out. Like a person who has just witnessed a traumatic event, the Matthew’s description is jumbled, making the logic hard difficult to follow. <br />
Did the women actually see Jesus raised and the guards fall like dead men from fear? It sounds like it at first. Reading more carefully one realizes the Resurrection must have happened as the women were on their way to the tomb, not at it. <br />
Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary," probably "Mary the mother of Joses," or John, (Mark 15:47) and James (Mark 16:1) are the first to arrive at the tomb after Jesus is raised. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mary Magdalene's devotion, so deep and loyal because of how much Jesus had done for her, will shine out throughout the Resurrection story. James and John's commitment to Jesus is reflected in the devotion of their mother who left all to help care for Jesus' needs and now comes first to the tomb with Mary of Magdala. <br />
I love Matthew's description of the moment of Resurrection. A violent earthquake. An angel who's "appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow." The powerful Roman guards, trained to be tough as nails and fearless in battle, shaking with terror and becoming "like dead men." <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one can stand when God decides to act. The effort of the priestly leaders and Roman governor to make the tomb secure only serve to spotlight the weakness of human authority when confronted by the power of God.<br />
It is the same angel who calls Jesus from His tomb who is still present when the women arrive. He considerately calms their fears at finding an empty tomb and reminds them of Jesus' promise: "He is not here; he has risen, just as He said." Then he invites them to examine the evidence of the empty tomb and sends them on their way to announce the resurrection to the disciples.<br />
Matthew says the women "hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy (Mt. 28:8)." I can imagine their confused thoughts and emotions at that moment. They had seen Jesus tortured and killed, and had watched as His dead body was taken from the cross and placed in the tomb. Jesus was dead, and over the Sabbath, they had tried to come to terms with their dashed hopes and dreams. Now, in an instant, a stranger reverses all this and tells them Jesus is alive. (Mark says the angel looked like a "young man dressed in white," so he had significantly dimmed his brilliance out of respect for the women. Mk 16:5). Still, who can blame them for being afraid?<br />
Then Matthew reports, "Suddenly Jesus met them. 'Greetings He said.' They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him." It is clear to them that Jesus is more than a man. He is God, and they worship Him.<br />
Throughout the Resurrection stories, Jesus appears to various people. It seems to me that He chooses who He goes to based on their level of need. Like a first responder at the scene of an accident, Jesus triages His grieving disciples and goes first to those who need Him most. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So He appears first to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary because they are grieving so deeply; then to the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. That is so like Jesus, isn't it, and it is reassuring to us. When we are in great need, He will come to us too. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Ps. 34:18). "The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything" (Phil. 4:5, 6).<br />
The guards have finally recovered their senses, and trembling, they flee back to <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jerusalem</place></city> to report everything that had happened to the chief priests. I can imagine those priests’ faces turning white as they hear the guards' emotion-filled report. One more chance to repent, but instead they concoct a lie and promise to keep the guards out of trouble: Tell everyone that "His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep." <br />
Like most lies, this one didn't hold together. If the guards were asleep, how did they know it was the disciples who stole the body? And why weren't the guards disciplined, or even executed, as Roman military regulations required? How did the whole detachment fall asleep in the first place, knowing the penalties for doing so? It is highly unlikely that every last soldier would doze off. Matthew is clearly answering questions about the Resurrection that existed in his day when he reports, "And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day."<br />
<br />
Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-88224336995491099172012-04-12T15:40:00.000-07:002012-04-12T15:40:35.063-07:00Mt. 28:1 - Crucifixion Sabbath "After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb" (Mt. 28:1).<br />
Luke tells us why they went--to finish preparing Jesus' body for burial (Lk. 24:1). Friday afternoon, after Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus removed His body from the cross and carried it to Joseph's new tomb, the ladies had just enough time to see where Jesus was placed and perhaps spend a few minutes grieving and weeping together. Then "they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Lk. 24:56). <br />
The people who loved and followed Jesus kept the Bible Sabbath, the seventh day of the calendar week. Jesus had created the Sabbath (Gen. 2:1-2; Jn. 1:1-3) and wrote it into the Law which He and the Father gave on <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Mt.</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Sinai</placename></place>. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When He came to this world, Jesus also kept the Sabbath (Lk. 4:16) and did His best to restore it to its original purpose by protesting the man-made restrictions that kept His people from enjoying God's plan for this special day (Mk. 2:21-3:6). <br />
Luke tells us the women "rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment" (Lk. 24:56). Nothing in Jesus' teaching or practice led His followers to think He was changing or abolishing the Sabbath. They followed His perfect example and kept the Sabbath in the same spirit He did, avoiding legalism, but keeping it according to the commandment (the fourth of the Ten Commandments given on <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">Mt.</placetype> <placename w:st="on">Sinai</placename></place>: Ex. 20:8-11). This included not doing any ordinary work. That was the reason they prepared the spices for embalming, but didn't have time to do the work until Sunday morning.<br />
What a sad, sad Sabbath that must have been for Jesus' followers. It was a day spent in grieving and asking "Why?" I'm sure none of them slept much Friday or Saturday nights. It was not just their hoped-for Messiah who had been crucified, but their dear Friend who had helped them each so much. For them it was a Sabbath of crushed hopes, grief-stricken loss, and wondering what the future held now.<br />
But for heaven it was a Sabbath of tremendous rejoicing. They knew the end of the story. <em>They</em> had not forgotten Jesus' predictions that He would rise again. In fact, they were making preparations for it! When Jesus died, His followers grieve, but heaven exploded with cheering. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'll bet the Resurrection angel was waiting like a champion runner at the start line to dash to earth at God's command. His accompanying angels who were going with him to push back Satan and His angels must have been so eager for their assignment to begin.<br />
Heaven was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">also</i> rejoicing because they knew Jesus' death had conquered Satan. Jesus' cry of victory and last breath were Satan's death knell. Christ had conquered God's foe (Col. 2:15), and now it was only a matter of time until Satan could be destroyed (Heb. 2:14; Rev. 20:10).<br />
While heaven celebrated in joyful praise and worship, Jesus spent the Sabbath sleeping the sleep of death in Joseph's tomb. I believe it was in God's eternal plan that Jesus died on a Friday and rested in the tomb over Sabbath. By God's arrangement Redemption was repeating the cycle of Creation.<br />
In Creation week, Jesus presided over bringing God's new masterpiece into existence (Jn. 1:1-3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2). When He finished (Gen. 2:2), He ceased His work by resting on the seventh day and spending a day of blissful fellowship with His new children, Adam and Eve. Then He "Blessed" the Seventh Day and "made it holy," designating it a sacred day (Gen. 2:1-3).<br />
In Redemption week, Jesus moved through the week very deliberately, calling attention to His forthcoming work on <place w:st="on">Calvary</place>. Then, just before He died, He shouted "It is finished!" and breathed His last.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The epic plan was now complete, to come to this world, reveal the Father's character, defeat the devil, and pay for humanity's sin. Now our Creator-Redeemer rested again on the same day He rested on in Creation. In saving us, He honored the Sabbath He created and set apart at Creation week, by again resting on it.<br />
On the First Day, He would take up His work of ministry again. But for now, He slept the restful sleep of death, waiting for His Father and glorious angels to call Him to life.<br />
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Pastor Michael BrownfieldThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-47694400918784391192012-04-11T10:41:00.000-07:002012-04-11T10:41:37.263-07:00Mt. 27:57-61 - Two Rich Leaders Bury Jesus Matthew tells us, "As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him" (vs. 57-58).<br />
John adds that "He (Joseph) was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night (Jn. 3). It is interesting how the four Gospel writers add different pieces of information, which fills out the story for us. In some cases it is difficult to reconcile their facts, but our confidence in Biblical inspiration does not rest on the authors' perfection of memory or reported detail. It is the message that is important, and differences in reporting or even occasional discrepancies of fact need not trouble us at all.<br />
The Bible was given in the language of men. God did not dictate the Scriptures, He moved on the hearts of the men who wrote each book, and they communicated His message in their own words, language, style, and literary mode. The Bible was written by inspired men, but everything human is imperfect. It is not God as a writer that is portrayed in Scripture, but human beings who are telling us about God. If a writer forgets, or misreports a detail or story, it does not detract from God or His message at all. God hasn't placed Himself on trial in the Bible--in its words, logic, or rhetoric. The writers were His penmen, not His pen. (See <em>Selected Messages, Vol. 1, </em>p. 20-21)<br />
Joseph and Nicodemus were both wealthy, influential men, who had secretly come to believe in Jesus. John says Joseph "was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because He feared the Jews" (Jn. 19:38). Nicodemus had believed in Jesus ever since his secret night visit recorded in John 3. From then on, he watched and followed Christ from a distance.<br />
Each man belonged to the Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council. Mark tells us that Joseph was a "prominent" member of the Council, who was waiting for the <place w:st="on"><placetype w:st="on">kingdom</placetype> of <placename w:st="on">God</placename></place>" (15:43). Both had used their influence to protect Jesus (Jn. 7:50-52)--until finally the Council simply went around them to get rid of Him. Joseph "had not consented to their decision and action," Luke tells us (23:51).<br />
Over time, the conviction had grown in each man's heart that Jesus <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> the Messiah. Imagine the consternation and grief they felt as they saw their leaders rejecting Jesus and plotting His death. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was it like for them when Jesus was crucified? Did Nicodemus remember Jesus' prediction that "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life?" (Jn. 3:14-15). As he helped to remove Jesus body from the cross, did He believe on Him as His Savior, the Lamb of God sacrificed for the sin of the world? Or as with the disciples, did it take a while for that truth to register in His mind and heart?<br />
Despite appearances, God is at work in human hearts, in all classes of society. These two rich and influential men came forward at the death of Jesus and did what the poor, infant church could not do. They secured Jesus' body from the governor, purchased burial spices, and laid Jesus in one of their own tombs. God always had means of providing for His church. If a church group is poor and struggling, but is following Jesus faithfully, He will provide for them when it is needed. After all, the Kingdom and the power and the glory all belong to Him.<br />
<br />
Pastor Michael Brownfield<br />
<br />
<br />
Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-584063581992022202012-04-09T22:19:00.000-07:002012-04-09T22:19:29.347-07:00Mt. 27:54-56 - Unlikely Witnesses at the Cross In addition to the ancient holy people who were resurrected to declare Jesus the Messiah, Matthew lists other unlikely witnesses--the Roman centurion in charge of the crucifixion and his soldiers.<br />
They had watched Jesus from the time they took charge of Him for execution, and quickly noticed how different He was. Jesus was not cursing or swearing like the two other men scheduled to die that day. He did not seem angry, or afraid, or demeaned. He carried Himself with a God-like dignity, even while suffering the greatest pain.<br />
The soldiers heard when Jesus prayed for them as they nailed Him to His cross, "Father, forgive them; for they don't know what they are doing."<br />
They heard the Jewish leaders and common people mocking Jesus, but in the taunts, they pieced together Jesus' claim to be the Messiah and Son of God.<br />
They listened to Jesus answer the dying thief's request for salvation and provide for His grieving mother. <br />
They saw the supernatural darkness cover the land Jesus’ last hours of suffering. Then they heard His cry of abandonment, followed only a short time later by His shout of victory. And then immediately an earthquake.<br />
Suddenly, just like for the repentant thief, it all became clear--Jesus was Who He claimed to be! He was the Son of God." <br />
This tough commander and his men, battle hardened though they were, still had hearts open to evidence, while the religious leaders and teachers rejected it all. Scripture says, "When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, 'Surely He was the Son of God!" (Mt. 27:54).<br />
All through His Gospel narrative, Matthew loves to show how it is unlikely people who accept Jesus for who He is. The religious leaders reject Him, but tax collectors, Roman soldiers, prostitutes, lepers, the demon possessed, and centurions accept Him. Those who realize their need of God seem to find Him better than the religious ones who depend on their goodness and knowledge. God seems very open to the broken and unreligious.<br />
Another group of unlikely witnesses are the women who followed Jesus to His crucifixion. Matthew describes them: "Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from <place w:st="on">Galilee</place> to care for his needs. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons" (Mt. 27:55-56).<br />
In many cultures women have been degraded in one way or another, but Jesus always treated them with honor and respect. He welcomed the tired mothers who brought their children for blessing, when the disciples wanted to send them away. He forgave and restored to dignity the woman caught in adultery, used as a sexual pawn to trap Him. Women play a prominent role, not a lesser role in the Gospels.<br />
Creator of woman, Jesus comes also as Redeemer and liberator to her, and women sensed His deep respect and compassion for them. He let them minister to Him and for Him. He elevated them above the cultural norms of the day and they responded in gratitude and service. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
"Many women followed Him." I've noticed through the years how often women fill the church and carry the ministries. They come in larger numbers to prayer meetings and linger for spiritual conversation while men often are absent or not connected. Is this because women feel their need more or are more used to acknowledging their need of God's help while men are more self-dependent? <br />
I don't know. But Jesus welcomes women and Roman centurions too. All who come to Him will be received and blessed.<br />
<br />
Pastor Michael BrownfieldThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-47606711611720907322012-04-08T21:26:00.001-07:002012-04-09T15:16:13.270-07:00Mt. 27:51-53 - God Makes a Statement God made some powerful statements when Jesus died. "At that moment (the minute of Jesus' death) the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people" (Mt. 27:51-53)<br />
The curtain that separated the holy and most holy place was ripped from top to bottom by an unseen hand. It is significant that Matthew says it was ripped from above since it was very tall, and the top was much higher than a man could reach. It was clearly a divine act. God was showing two things by this. <br />
First, He was demonstrating His grief. It is customary in Eastern culture to tear one's garment as an outward act of sorrow. God's Son had just died, and the temple veil represented His covering--the covering of His presence. God grieved at the death of His Son. Although it was necessary and part of His eternal plan, He loved Jesus very much and mourned His death.<br />
Second, God was showing the sacrificial service was now at an end. The One to Whom it all pointed had died. <br />
From the time of the Wilderness Sanctuary, built by Moses from God's blueprint, the temple had been a symbol of the plan of salvation. The daily sacrifices, the ministration of the priests, and the yearly Day of Atonement, symbolized God's way of saving humanity, His way of dealing with sin.<br />
The Most Holy Place contained the Ark of the Covenant, a golden box which contained the Ten Commandments. Its cover was called “the mercy seat." Together, the commandments and mercy seat showed God's justice and mercy. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Wilderness and Solomon Temples, God often manifested His glory above the Ark of the Covenant, so the Most Holy Place was considered very holy. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one but the high priest could look into or enter the Most Holy Place; and He could enter only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This room was where God revealed Himself to His people, personally or through the high priest. <br />
Every aspect of the temple and its services pointed forward to Jesus and the salvation He would bring. So when God's Lamb (John 1:29-36) died, there was no more need for the symbolic system. The real Lamb had been sacrificed for the world's sins and how His ministry would shift to the heavenly temple where Jesus would minister as our true High Priest. (See Heb. 9:11-15, 24-28; Heb. 7:24-28; Heb. 4:14-16)<br />
God also made a statement with a resurrection. Jesus had provided the sacrifice for all sin and conquered Satan (Col. 2:15) and death. Now God had the right to raise people from the dead.<br />
As a sign of His victory and a herald of that great Resurrection Morning when Jesus returns again the second time, God resurrected some of the saved from ages past and made them living witnesses to Christ's resurrection.<br />
Imagine walking down the street of <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Jerusalem</place></city> on Sunday morning and seeing a group of people from all previous ages and then hearing from their lips that Jesus was truly the Messiah and had been raised from the dead. How amazing that would have been! Who made up that group we don't know. Was the great sufferer Job part of it? What about John the Baptist who gave his life as the forerunner of Christ? Would Abel the first martyr have been raised? We don't know.<br />
What happened to those special people? They likely were taken to heaven sometime later as a "first fruits" sample of Christ's resurrection power. Some think the twenty-four elders of Revelation may be from that group. They certainly worship Jesus and the Father with great gratitude and passion. It would make sense.<br />
<br />
Michael Brownfield<br />
Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-2600304270025998242012-04-08T18:29:00.000-07:002012-04-08T18:29:51.603-07:00Mt. 27:50 - "It is finished!" Jesus' final words on the cross reveal an amazing truth. Comparing the gospel writers' record of Jesus' last words (John 19:30 and Luke 23:46) we discover Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "It is finished! Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Then He bowed His head and died.<br />
What was "finished?" And what happened in Jesus' heart and mind between His cry of abandonment, "My God, why have you forsaken Me?" and His final shout of conquering faith?<br />
Before the foundation of the world, sometime way back in eternity, Father and Son had made a covenant that if sin should ever arise (and of course they foresaw it on this blue planet), Jesus would offer Himself as the Bridge between the Justice and Mercy of God. He would take the place of sinners and suffer for their sins (Rev. 13:8; Tit. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:9, 10) to bring us back to our Father.<br />
In the Psalms it was written prophetically about Jesus, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you have prepared me; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart’” (Ps. 40:6-8). Now, through His infinite suffering, Jesus had accomplished this.<br />
Jesus had made the sin offering for our salvation. "Christ's sacrifice on behalf of humanity was full and complete. The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled." <em>Acts of the Apostles, </em>p. 29. Jesus was "the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 Jn. 2:2).<br />
But again, what happened in Jesus' mind between feeling forsaken and conquering by faith? We can learn a vital lesson about the power of Scripture to anchor our souls in suffering from these final moments of His experience. <br />
Andrew Hodges, M.D., a Christian psychiatrist, made a study of Jesus' thought processes by comparing the record of Scripture with what is known about human experience. He reported his study in his book, <em>Jesus, An Interview Across Time </em>(Village House, 1986). <br />
His narration of Jesus' suffering on the cross is especially moving and enlightening. <br />
"By now my thirst was so great that finally I said aloud, ‘I thirst.’ They offered me some wine to kill the pain, and I refused. As much as I wanted relief, I refused because I was God and I was accomplishing salvation not by numbing the pain but by accepting the pain.<br />
"My chest was heaving. The pain was now wearing me down more than ever. And I was constantly short of breath and so thirsty.<br />
"It was extremely dark. It was past three in the afternoon by then, and I had been on that cross for more than three (actually, six) hours. Everywhere I turned, there was no relief. There was no relief even in thinking about all the memories--the Last Supper, the Transfiguration, the miracles, or even my Baptism. I could no longer hear the words "My beloved Son." They all seemed too far away, as if they had never happened. It was so hard to concentrate. Thinking about my future glory seemed too far away. I felt suspended in time as if I had been there and would be there forever. The pain was unbelievable. The staring and mocking never let up. "So you trust the Lord. Why? Is He really looking after you? Healer, heal yourself." "Why don't you come on down, Prophet?"<br />
I was defenseless. My mother and John my friend were too far away to comfort me. I looked at the man on my right, and at that point he wasn't any help. He was in as much pain as I was. It was like looking in a mirror. Frighteningly, my Father's words had no comfort for me now. ‘The Lord is my strength.’ But I had no strength. His words seemed as dry as my mouth. That had never happened before, and I felt a terrible panic. I waited a minute and went back over His words. But it was only worse.<br />
"It became blacker and blacker for me. I was squirming like a worm on the end of a hook with all of my enemies watching me squirm and enjoying it. I was totally alone. And now my Father was gone, too. I was nude, dangling there disfigured. Gasping for air, writing in pain, I was totally helpless. Time was standing still. The oppression was horrible. . .I did not believe this much pain was possible. Every time I would try to get back up that mountain, 'Think of your glory, think of why you are doing it, the Lord is my strength'--nothing--I would just fall back again. No comfort from His words. I wanted to run, to get down--but He was still my Father--but now He was gone. My head was pounding, blood and sweat were in my eyes, my back and legs were rubbed raw, my hands and feet were on fire, my joints were throbbing, all out of place; I was constantly short of breath and I was suffering incredible thirst. I couldn't take it anymore. Suddenly I screamed: 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'<br />
"When that came out of me something happened. I was back at the beginning of the 22nd Psalm, and almost reflexively, I began to quote it from memory. Now I was back home. First that Psalm went through all my experiences on the cross. My strength poured out like water. My bones out of joint. My dry mouth, the mockery, and the gambling for my robe were all part of it. Then the Psalm comes to that great part, 'I will declare your name to my brethren. . .'<br />
"There they were. I could see some of them. My spirit began to life, and then came the next part of the Psalm as though He were reading my mind: 'For He has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; He has not hidden His face from Him, but has listened to His cry for help.'<br />
My Father had heard me and His voice was getting louder. 'All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and He rules over the nations. . .posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn--for He has done it.'<br />
"He was telling me that I had done it. When I got to that place I began to feel an ecstasy. Good was greater than evil. I had done it! I had accomplished my task! I had given every last ounce of strength I had and the fight was over. I was the winner, the champion: Son of God, reign forever! <br />
"I looked at the crowd. I knew I'd taken their evil away from them and not given it back. Justice had been done. I had conquered fear. I had conquered hatred. I had overcome all evil.<br />
The fight was over. I was still very thirsty. . .In fulfillment of prophecy, someone offered to quench my thirst. Typical of the world, all they could ever offer me was bitterness. I drank sour wine vinegar. They passed the vinegar up to me on a sponge and I drank it. It was one final way of saying, 'I take into me your bitterness.'<br />
Appropriately, that prophecy was from the 69th Psalm. That bitter Psalm which had haunted me all my life, the Psalm which had told me that I was so suffer unmercifully as a child and even more unmercifully as an adult on a Roman cross, that Psalm whose every painful word I knew completely and had carried with me for years, now I could finally lay to rest. By drinking that cup, I was also saying on more time for everyone to hear, 'Thy will be done. In the face of all the world's bitterness, to God be the glory.'<br />
"Then I looked at the crowd and said, 'It is finished."<br />
"I suffered not one second longer. With the power of the Son of God, I showed them that I gave my life, and nobody took it from me. I chose the moment of my death. For a few seconds, I intentionally paused and held my head particularly high as I looked out over the crowd to let them know I had conquered their shame. Finally, I looked up towards my Father in heaven, took as deep a breath as I could, and shouted that glorious verse from the 31st Psalm that I had waited for all my life, 'Into Thy hand I commit my spirit.' . . .It was over."<br />
Friend, God used His word to help Jesus conquer by faith, and He can help us in the same way. In your daily life and in your challenging moments He will lead you to just the promises and help you need. But take time to store His word in your heart now, so you will have it when you need it.<br />
<br />
Michael Brownfield<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span> Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-37290776744429241722012-04-08T16:45:00.000-07:002012-04-08T16:45:07.352-07:00Mt. 27:46 - "Why have you forsaken me?" <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jesus was not calling for Elijah as some thought. This was a cry of dereliction, feeling abandoned. He felt utterly forsaken and rejected by God in His sufferings.<br />
At the Passover meal Jesus introduced the "cup" to His disciples and established the Lord's Supper. He said, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Mt. 26:27-28).<br />
This was also the cup Jesus prayed for deliverance from in his Garden prayer: "Father if it be possible for this cup to pass from me. . ." (Mt. 26:39)<br />
Jesus began to drink that bitter cup in the Garden when He said "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death" (Mt. 26:38). As we saw earlier, it was not just fear of suffering that forced bloody sweat from His pores (Lk 2:44). He was in fact becoming the divine Substitute for every person. <br />
He was beginning to die the death that was ours. "God made him who had no sin to be a sin offering for us. . ." (2 Cor. 5:21). "It was the Lord's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, He will see His offspring. . ." (Isa. 53:10). "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified (declared innocent, exonerated) freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:23-26).<br />
In the Garden He began to drink that cup of Divine Judgment (the sacrifice He had offered in heaven far back eternity), and now on the cross he was drinking it down to the last dregs for us (Ps. 75:8-9). <br />
"Upon Christ as our substitute and surety was laid the iniquity of us all. He was counted a transgressor, that He might redeem us from the condemnation of the law. The guilt of every descendant of Adam was pressing upon His heart. The wrath of God against sin, the terrible manifestation of His displeasure because of iniquity, filled the soul of His Son with consternation. All His life Christ had been publishing to a fallen world the good news of the Father's mercy and pardoning love. Salvation for the chief of sinners was His theme. But now with the terrible weight of guilt He bears, He cannot see the Father's reconciling face. The withdrawal of the divine countenance from the Savior in this hour of supreme anguish pierced His heart with a sorrow that can never be fully understood by man. So great was this agony that His physical pain was hardly felt" <em>The Desire of Ages, </em>p. 753).<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can never understand this side of eternity what Jesus endured for us, but if we let Him, He will win our hearts.<br />
<br />
I’m forgiven because You were forsaken,<br />
I’m accepted, You were condemned.<br />
I am alive and well, Your spirit is within me,<br />
Because You died and rose again.<br />
<br />
Amazing love,<br />
How can it be<br />
That You, my King, should die for me?<br />
Amazing love,<br />
I know it’s true.<br />
It’s my joy to honor You,<br />
In all I do, I honor You.<br />
<br />
"Amazing Love" by Chris Tomlin<br />
<br />
Michael BrownfieldThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-53708334713621878082012-04-08T16:08:00.000-07:002012-04-08T16:08:15.849-07:00Mt. 27:46-49 - "Will Elijah rescue Him?" "About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"--which means ''My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?'"<br />
Matthew reports that "When some of those standing there heard this, they said, "He's calling Elijah. . .Let's see if Elijah comes to save Him."<br />
It is likely that Jesus’ suffering and fatigue, combined with his extremely dry mouth and larynx made his words hard to understand by the crowd. In the Jewish Passover Seder, Elijah comes before Messiah. Malachi also says that God will send Elijah before "that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes" (Mal. 4:5). Perhaps some thought Jesus was calling for Elijah's help in His dying hours.<br />
The truth is these prophecies had already been fulfilled in two distinct ways. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, during His ministry Jesus announced that John the Baptist was the fulfillment of Malachi's Elijah prophecy (Mt. 11:14). John the Baptism had come in the spirit and power of Elijah to call <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Israel</place></country-region> back to God before the Messiah's appearance. <br />
Second, just a week before Jesus' crucifixion, Elijah had literally come to earth, along with Moses, to encourage Jesus as He faced His sacrifice (Mt. 17:1-17). "Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on"><place u2:st="on"><city u2:st="on">Jerusalem</city></place>" (Lk. 9:30-31).</place></city><br />
These two men had suffered so much for Jesus in their earthly life and ministries. Elijah served during a time of great national apostasy in <country-region u2:st="on"><country-region w:st="on">Israel</country-region></country-region>, and after confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and calling <country-region u2:st="on"><place u2:st="on"><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Israel</place></country-region></place></country-region> back to God, he momentarily lost his courage at Queen Jezebel's death threats. <br />
Fleeing to the desert, he complained he was no better than his "fathers" and asked God to take his life. But God had better plans for Elijah. He comforted, fed him, and revived his faith. Later God whisked him to heaven in a fiery chariot. And now He sends this hero of faith who had endured discouragement and victory to encourage His Son. <br />
Moses was God's chosen leader for an often stubborn and unbelieving people for forty years, temporarily losing his grip on God when <country-region u2:st="on"><place u2:st="on">Israel</place></country-region> complained about their desert experience and blamed Moses (as they often did) for their troubles. Moses lost his temper and spoiled an important salvation lesson God wanted to teach. Because of his failure he was not allowed to lead <place u2:st="on"><country-region u2:st="on"><country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Israel</place></country-region></country-region></place> into the Promised Land (Num. 20:1-13; Deut. 1:37). He died and was buried by God but later resurrected and taken to heaven; (Deut 34:5-7; Jude 9). <br />
Who better could God send to hearten His Son than these two men who understood what it was like to depend on God in times of trial and rejection? They could support Jesus even better than God or angels could. Can you imagine what their conversation with Jesus must have been like? I would love to have heard their encouraging words.<br />
Plus, they were in heaven now only on the basis of Jesus' coming atonement. If Jesus failed, they had no right to be there.<br />
<br />
Michael BrownfieldThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-48839882540926646302012-04-08T15:00:00.000-07:002012-04-08T15:00:02.659-07:00Mt. 27:45-56 - Final Hours This blog is late. I was hoping to write it Friday night, but after a meeting, I sprained my ankle badly. When it happened there was a loud "pop!" followed by blinding pain. Dear friends carried me to their car and drove to the ER where x-rays showed, thankfully, that nothing was broken (an MRI this week will reveal if there was soft tissue damage).<br />
In the bed next to me, shrouded in a curtain, was an elderly gentleman who was delirious and incontinent. He kept moaning loudly and calling for the doctor. A little further away was an elderly woman who often shrieked in pain. A nurse would rush in to help and comfort her.<br />
The whole experience made me think more vividly about Jesus' suffering on the cross, surrounded on each side by the moaning, cursing thieves and in intense agony Himself--not that my discomfort was anything close to his! <br />
Matthew tells us "From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land" (Mt. 27:45). As Jesus entered His final suffering, a supernatural darkness spread across the land. This was a symbol of divine judgment. God's judgment was falling on His Son, but it would also come eventually on those who rejected Him. Also the Father was shielding His Son's last sufferings.<br />
Amid the darkness, Jesus' perfect character shines out. He sees his mother Mary grieving next to John and provides for her by asking John to take her in. Himself dying, He ministers to the dying thief who asks for forgiveness and acceptance and is assured of eternal life.<br />
Many ancient prophecies were fulfilled in those last hours of Jesus' death to strengthen Jesus' faith and the faith of His followers. His clothes were divided by the soldiers who also cast lots for His undergarment, fulfilling Psalm 22:18. The exact words of His mockers were accurately predicted in Psalm 22:8. Verse 15 of the same chapter foretold he would become extremely thirsty and Psalm 69:21 that vinegar would be given him as a drink.<br />
His suffering by crucifixion was clearly described: "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd (a piece of broken pottery), and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me; they have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me" (Ps. 22:14-17).<br />
The prophets even predicted that not a bone of His body would be broken, but instead His side would be pierced (Ex. 12:46; Ps. 34:20; Zech. 12:10).<br />
We too are comforted as we see how accurately Jesus’ suffering was predicted. If there can be meaning in our suffering, it reassures and soothes us. And Jesus’ suffering was providing salvation for lost humanity. As we will see, Jesus was anchored by the Scriptures Himself.<br />
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Michael BrownfieldThousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5273223187350942362.post-36046316986879043862012-04-06T11:33:00.001-07:002012-04-08T13:59:09.557-07:00Mt. 27:26-44 - "Pilate handed him over for crucifixion" <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The crucifixion story is so full of meaning and detail, I will comment today by the verse. I invite you to open your Bible and follow along. Jesus had said to the mob who arrested Him, "This is your hour--when darkness reigns" (Lk. 23:53). <br />
He had also prayed that God's glory would be revealed through His suffering. (“Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.<sup> </sup>Father, glorify your name!” (Jn. 12:27-28)<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we study the crucifixion, we see both Satanic darkness and the glory of God. The latter encourages us that God's glory can somehow be known and experienced in our worst trials or the world’s greatest evils.<br />
Mt. 27:26 - Freeing Barabbas and condemning Jesus was a double injustice, but also a picture of the Gospel. Barabbas was a notorious criminal who had led rebellion and committed murder. Jesus, the sinless One, was repeatedly pronounced innocent by Pilate. The Righteous, Uncondemned One took the place of all the "Barabbas's" of the world and died in their place. "We are convinced that One died for all; therefore all died," wrote Paul (2 Cor. 5:14). <br />
"He had Jesus flogged." Flogging was torture in itself. It was done by the Romans to inflict maximum pain and suffering so as to hasten death at crucifixion. The flogging whip was designed with multiple leather thongs to which were tied jagged pieces of bone or metal. Flogging literally ripped the flesh and underlying muscles to shreds causing copious bleeding and bruising. When you compare the various gospel accounts, Jesus actually may have been flogged twice. <br />
Mt. 27:27-31 - "The governor's soldiers. . .gathered the whole company around Him." Is there any doubt that Satan orchestrated all the torture--emotional, psychological, and physical that Jesus went through? It was designed in the minds of demons to cause Jesus to doubt who He was, distrust His Father's heart, and take things into His own hands, which is the basis of all temptation.<br />
The soldiers were easy pawns in Satan's hand. They had often been attacked by Jewish radicals and assassins. They had lost friends to the zealot dagger or Jewish uprisings. Now these soldiers vent their resentment and rage on Jesus as an example to any "would-be messiah" who would try to throw off Roman occupation. <br />
In cynical mockery they dressed Jesus as a king (the scarlet robe), jammed a crown out of 2-3 inch thorns on his head, and handed Him a staff for a "royal scepter." Placing the staff in His right hand (the hand of kingly authority), the knelt before Him and mockingly jeered, "Hail, king of the Jews!" Then they rose to spit on Him. Repeatedly they snatched the staff, hitting him on the head and driving the long thorns into and under His scalp, along the skull.<br />
What made this so difficult was not the pain, but that Jesus was the King of <country-region w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Israel</place></country-region> and King of creation. He could have vaporized His tormentors in a flash or felled them convulsing to the ground in exquisite pain. But He probably never even thought such a though. His great heart of love longed to save them all. It was part of God's plan to receive everything sinful man an demons could do to Him. Throughout His torture Jesus maintained His composure with God-like nobility, saying and doing only what would reveal His Father's character. <br />
Mt. 27:34 - "They offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it." Jesus did not want to drink anything that would decrease His ability to think and resist temptation. In this final showdown with the forces of darkness, He must have a clear mind. How many crimes are committed, how many temptations given into, even by Christians, because of alcohol or drugs. Jesus' example from the cross is a moral lesson for us today. <br />
Mt. 27:35 - "When they had crucified Him. . ." The statement is so brief; but nothing more needed to be added for Matthew's audience. His readers would all know about every bloody, excruciating detail of this form of capital punishment. In existence since ancient times, the Romans had perfect it as the worse form of torture and death known to man. Crucifixion was death by slow degrees. Nailed through the wrists where an movement would cause fiery pain to spike through the limbs, yet positioned in such a way that to breathe the victim must push up on nailed feet and rotate his wrists around the square nails, caused hours of excruciation (a word meaning "out of the cross"). <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">Rome</place></city> often crucified rebels or criminals on trees or crosses along well traveled roads as an example and deterrent to crime or uprising. <br />
Yet Jesus spoke no word and thought no thought but that glorified God.<br />
Mt. 27:39-44 - The mocking. Matthew says Jesus was mocked by three groups, three classes of people, representing the whole human race: those who passed by, the common people; the religious leaders; and the criminals.<br />
Those who passed by - "You who were going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, saved yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!" The masses would rather have their rituals, traditions, and temples than Christ. Superficial, ritual religion quiets the conscience but doesn’t satisfy the heart. Jesus had been speaking of His death when He said this, but they didn't understand. <br />
Can you hear echoes of the devil's wilderness temptations in this jeer? "If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread." The "If" was a temptation for Jesus. Would God allow His Son to suffer this much?<br />
The chief priests, teachers of the law and elders - "He saved others: but He can't save Himself." Meant as a statement of scorn, it was nevertheless true. Jesus could not save Himself and at the same time save us. He was the divine-human Substitute for sin, paying the price broken Law and violated Justice, and receiving the wages sin pays, death. I'm so thankful He persevered, aren't you?<br />
"Let Him come down from the cross and we will believe in Him." It must have been so hard for Jesus to hear those words, no doubt born in the mind of Satan. He longed for them to believe in Him. That had been His prayer through sleepless nights and laboring days. These leaders who should have led the people in receiving and worshiping Jesus now mock Him in His pain.<br />
"He trusts in God. Let God rescue Him now if He wants Him." These words attacked the very core and center of Jesus heart. The only way He could make it day to day was by trusting God. Now, as Substitute, dying under the sins of the world, feeling separated from God, He so much wanted to know His Father loved and accepted Him. <br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"If He wants Him." Satan knew that Jesus was dying for humanity and He attacked his psyche and emotions at a very vulnerable point.<br />
Near the end of His agony, one ray of light pierced Jesus' heart. One of the crucified thieves trusted Him as Savior. At first both had joined in heaping insults on Jesus, but under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, one of them began to piece things together and saw in Jesus the Lamb of God dying for His sins. "Lord, remember me, He cried," and Jesus responded immediately, "You will be with me in paradise" (Lk. 23:43)<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> Friend, Jesus knows your heart and mind. Do you believe in Him as your Savior, dying for your sin? Ask Him to forgive and accept you, and to remember you when He comes. He will, because He died to do so. </span> Thousand Oaks SDA Churchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328797513157976716noreply@blogger.com0