Week Five: Dig Down Deep

Lent 2012: Week FIVE

Dig Down Deep

Luke 6:46-49

Objective: To motivate followers of Christ to "dig down deep" during the process of relationship-building with Christ.

Just last week, we began self-examination in the process of "shifting from fellowship to followship". What we discovered is that our believing in Christ does not automatically qualify us a "disciples," but we must decide to develop a true relationship with Christ and become a follower. As we continue on this daily shift from fellowship to followship, we must be mindful of what Jesus says about those who hear His word but does not DO His word!

Breakdown of the Scripture:

In order to magnify the importance of Jesus' sermon, He concludes it with verses 46-49:

(verse 46) We should not call Jesus our "Lord" (ruler, master, God, one who has power and authority over us) if we are not willing to actually do what He tells us to do. Jesus says "why do you call me Lord, Lord and not do what I say". This suggests that Jesus is declaring to us that the two do not match--calling Jesus our Lord and not following Jesus' example is an oxymoronic in nature.

(verse 47) Jesus desires for us to hear His word and "put it into practice". When we do, this is what we are like:

(verse 48) When we DO the word of the Lord, then we are like a wise builder who chose to build his/her house on a foundation. The result is the house survives the most violent types of storms.

(verse 49) If we do not DO the word of the Lord, then we are like a builder who simply lays their home on top of the ground without digging a foundation. When the storm comes, the house is COMPLETELY destroyed.

APPLICATION: Jesus urges us to "dig down deep"!!! There is no room for wandering or confusion--if we want to survive life's storms and trials....if we want our relationship with Christ to last....if we want our faith to withstand the most challenging circumstances...We MUST DIG DOWN DEEP! As followers of Christ, we recognize the need to not simply show up in the crowd and listen to the word of God. We see in these last verses that compile Jesus' sermon that there is a reward for doing God's word. When we DO God's Word, then we place a foundation underneath the faith that we profess. When we DO God's Word, then we place a foundation underneath the love that we are compelled to show towards others. It's time to DIG DOWN DEEP!

CHALLENGE: I challenge us as individuals who strive to serve Christ as true followers to DIG DOWN DEEP this week and DO the word of the Lord. Re-read Luke's account of Jesus' sermon (Luke 6:20-45) then DO IT!!! We need to examine ourselves and whether or not Jesus is pleased with the things we say...the things we think...the things we do...Each of us should DIG DOWN DEEP this week. So that our relationship with Christ and our faith in Christ will withstand any torrent that may come our way. Come on...let's put our faith on top of a full basement!!!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, your mercy is truly new every morning. We can never say thank you enough for the ways your forgive us and make ways for us over and over again. We acknowledge on this week that we have fallen short as Christians and often are simply fellowshipping with You-we want to be followers! Help us to do what You have instruct us to do...to live and love the way You instruct us to...Help us to dig down deep and place a solid rock foundation underneath our faith in You and our relationship with You. We thank You for the ability to seek this aspect of wholeness in Christ Jesus' name, Amen.

Shifting From Fellowship to "Followship"

Lent 2012: Week FOUR

Shifting from Fellowship to "Followship"

Luke 6:17-19 (Further Reading: Luke 6:20-49)

Objective: To discover that the benefits of consistent "followship" are far greater than temporary fellowship with Christ.

Throughout this Lenten season, there are many of us who will come into fellowship with Jesus. There is nothing wrong with that, right? Of course not. There may be someone who has never fellowshipped with Jesus so closely than you have during these last three weeks. However, on this fourth week, I believe there is something that must become clear to all of us--the benefits of consistent "followship" are so much greater than temporary fellowship!

Let's be honest. Although the job market is pretty bad right now. If we had a choice in the matter, most of us would choose a permanent position over a temporary position. What we find is temporary positions do not have as great of benefits as permanent positions. The "Package" that comes along with a permanent position usually includes benefits that far outlast your daily need of finances. In the same way, our "followship" of Christ is a permanent relationship with Christ that comes with a "package" that temporary fellowship with Christ cannot even measure up against. This week's scripture gives an amazing description of God's "Package".

Breakdown of the Scripture:

We are peeking into Jesus' famous "Sermon on the Mount". After choosing his 12 apostles who would be in close "followship" with Him, Jesus delivered these words (verse 20-49) that I believe can help us discover the need to become a true disciple of Christ instead of simply being members of the crowd. However, before He even opened His mouth, Jesus teaches us a lesson from the people around Him:

(verse 17) There is a distinction between the members present during Jesus' sermon: "crowd of his disciples" and "a great number of people"-this shows us that our presence does not qualify us as a follower/disciple of Christ. Are we a follower or a "fellowshipper"? In other words, are we present in the church/observing Lent/reading the Bible because we desire to be in true relationship with Christ or are we just paying a visit to get what we can from Christ?

(verse 18) There were individuals present who came to hear Christ (to perceive with their own ears) and to be healed by Christ (to be made sound/healthy again). Also, individuals who were troubled (beset by problems, conflict, distress or anxiety) were cured (set free). When we come before Christ, we must enter with expectation.

(verse 19) The people were trying to touch (come into contact with) Christ because His power was healing everyone! If we desire to truly experience a move of Christ, we must actually come into contact with Him.

APPLICATION: Jesus desires for us to be in true "followship" with Him although He heals even the "fellowshipper". These three verses demonstrate the move of Christ before the WORD was even spoken. In other words, Christ will prove His word before He speaks His word. However, we must enter into Christ's presence with expectation. Verse 19 says that everyone began to try and touch Jesus because His power was "coming from him" and "healing them ALL". Isn't that amazing? Christ's power is so great that it can come from Him and heal us all! However, we must be willing to come into contact with (touch) Christ!

The immediate benefit of fellowship sometimes appears the same as "followship". What is the point of me being consistent if Christ was healing and setting free his disciples, as well as the "number of people" who were present? We must read on! After this miraculous moment occurred, Christ explains (verses 20-49) that the consistent "followship" of Christ is what brings about the eternal reward. When we are poor, the kingdom of God is ours...when we love our enemies...when we choose not to judge...when we bring out the good that is stored up in our hearts... Yes, these are the characteristics of a follower of Christ-one who Christ proudly claims as a disciple. So, which one are you?

CHALLENGE: I challenge each of us to make every effort to shift from fellowship to "followship". This can be done and seen through our walk, our words, and our worship. As disciples, we must go where Christ leads us and speak as Christ directs us. As we do so, our very lives become worship unto God. Come on...let's become disciples! We are not here for the temporary benefits (money in the bank or a fancy meal), but we are seeking that which truly pleases and brings glory to God.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, help us to become true followers of Christ. When You look at us, we do not want to be seen as a part of the "great number of people" looking for temporary fellowship/benefits from you. Help us to foster and nurture our relationship with you in a way that we exude Your Word through our very pores- that everything we do is pleasing unto You. Bless us in our walk and our words so that our very lives will be worship unto You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

NOW HIRING

Lent 2012: Week THREE

Now Hiring

Matthew 9:35-38

Objective: To "apply" ourselves to the call God has for us while obtaining the wholeness and healing Christ has promised us.

During this economy, we rarely see the bold-print black and orange signs that contain only two words: NOW HIRING. Although we do not see those signs around Atlanta and other cities/communities as often as we would like, I believe that God never removes that sign from His spiritual job site. Because we declare to be children of God, we also take on the "workload" of the Kingdom of God...or at least we should. In this third week of Lent, I believe we hear Jesus' message ringing loud and clear" "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few".

Breakdown of Scripture:

(verse 35) Doesn't this verse sound familiar? Just a few chapters later, Matthew records Jesus doing the same thing we witnessed him doing during last week's study. Jesus is going through the towns and villages, Jesus is teaching in their synagogues, Jesus is proclaiming the good news, and Jesus is healing every disease and sickness. Jesus is ultimately demonstrating again that through Him, we can experience wholeness and healing. Jesus is demonstrating that if we get in Jesus' presence, then we can experience His promise!

So, what is so different about this scripture than last week's. If you didn't read last week's lesson...stop now and review it first. We must be clear (FIRST) that our witness is of utmost importance!!! Now that we have that settled, what else does this week's scripture teach?

(verse 36) Jesus sees, Jesus has compassion, Jesus cares about our needs.

SEES-In this scripture, there was a crowd of people. In spite of their being a crowd, Jesus "SAW" the crowd. He did not walk past or look past the individuals.

COMPASSION-To have compassion suggests that you do not simply care about the afflictions of someone else, but you also desire to alleviate that affliction.

CARES-Jesus had compassion because the people "were like sheep without a shepherd". Jesus knew about their afflictions and cared that they did not have the love, protection, and guidance of a shepherd.

(verse 37) Jesus speaks to his disciples and declares "NOW HIRING"! (God needs workers because there is already a harvest that is ready...there are people who are ready to come to Christ, but God needs workers/witnesses to God's word and the truth of God's promise)

(verse 38) We must seek the Lord for the workers in the harvest filed.

APPLICATION: No matter how crowded life seems. We know that there are so many people who need something from God and oftentimes we may even wonder if our concerns are important to God. We can be encouraged that no matter what our concern is...no matter how great or small...God SEES us within the crowd and desires to show COMPASSION on us. In other words, God knows, cares, and will do something about it. However, this Word is not just meant to be a moment of celebration over the fact that God will be a shepherd to us...no, this Word is also a call to action. If we are observing Lent, then we have some type of relationship with God. Therefore, we can also see ourselves in verses 37 and 38...as Jesus' disciples. Jesus speaks to us this week and says: "NOW HIRING"!!!

CHALLENGE: Get to work this week!!! On this journey towards wholeness and healing, I challenge you to get to work! Your application has already been approved and the harvest is already set to be received. However, God needs us to do the work....God will send the workers out! Will we be in the number? It is time for us to not simply observe Lent and pat ourselves on the back for the sacrifices that we are making to gain a closer walk with God. It is time out for us "wearing our religion" instead of "working our relationship". Come on...join me...let's get to work!!!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord-thank you for another week to experience this Lenten season. We ask that you continue to walk with us throughout this journey so that we will be able to serve and please you in all that we say and do. We know that you have led us here, so we thank you for guiding our future steps. In Jesus' name-Amen.

Lent 2012: Week TWO (The Proof)

The Proof Is in the Proclamation

Matthew 4:23-25

Objective: To Realize that it is the evidence of our wholeness and healing that "proclaims" the truth of the Word of God.

As we embark upon our second week of the Lenten season, we must realize that this journey through the Lenten Season for "Wholeness & Healing Through Christ" is not about us. I know this seems so cliche--"it's not about us;" however, this sentiment needs to be at the forefront of our minds. I believe that many of us seek after God for the wrong reason...oftentimes, we are selfish in motive because we are asking God for what "I need"...what would be good for "my family" and so on...Well, what is the point in that?!?! If we truly believe God to be the God that we declare Him to be, then we come to realize "the proof is in the proclamation".

I recently discovered the original saying: "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" (we know it more popularly and simply as "the proof is in the pudding"). This phrase basically means that you only know the taste of something after you've tried it or experienced it. Can I borrow this sentiment for our second week of Lent?

Others can better KNOW the Word of God if they can SEE the Word of God in you and me! "The Proof Is in the Proclamation"!

Breakdown of the Scripture:

(verse 23) teaching in the synagogues--If we seek to be a display or "proof" of God's goodness, we need to start in God's house. The scripture tells us that when Jesus began his journey of wholeness and healing, he began by TEACHING in the SYNAGOGUES. (If we are not present for the teachings of Christ then it is difficult to experience the miracles of Christ)

proclaiming the good news--Before the experience of wholeness and healing, we will hear the "good news". Many times we search for a source of good news (whether it be through comedy shows or on the phone with our friends) but the source of the good news lies in the proclaiming of the Word of God.

healing among the people--It is after we sit under Christ's teaching and listen to the preaching of the good news that we open ourselves up as candidates of "proof". If we desire to be the "proof of the proclamation" then we must be present with the proclaimer. This portion of the verse says that Jesus did His healing "among the people". Are we among the people or are we in our own worlds waiting for Christ to come to us?

(verse 24) When we become of "proof of the proclamation" (when we open ourselves to experience wholeness and healing through Christ) then the NEWS SPREADS! After Jesus began to heal among the people, the news spread so much that others brought people to Jesus. If we desire growth among the body of believers, then we have to allow spiritual and miraculous growth to take place within our own body.

When people are brought to Christ, then we begin to witness the wholeness and healing of Christ:

severe pain--emotional healing

demon possessed--spiritual healing

seizures--mental healing

paralyzed--physical healing

(verse 25) As a result, "the proof is in the proclamation". When we are the proof for the world, LARGE CROWDS will come from all over to follow Christ!

APPLICATION: Although we may experience moments of discouragement within our church family and spiritual community, we must stay connected to the "teaching" and "preaching" of Christ and the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven if we want to fully experience wholeness and healing through Christ. That which we desire of God is readily available "among the people". God begins with those who are "among the people" so that we may be the "Bible someone sees". As we become the "proof" of God's Word, then others will come to Christ and experience wholeness and healing as well. We must not be selfish in our pursuit of wholeness, but we must stay within the body of believers in order to demonstrate the need of God to others.

CHALLENGE: Live in front of people!!! When I was serving my first appointment as pastor, I became so excited when the people began to consistently come to Bible Study. One lonely ride home, I called my grandfather and shared the great news with him. He responded, "Sugar, just keep living in front of them". That simple statement blew my mind...that was it! Although I am not perfect, "living in front of them" demonstrated the truth of the Word of God. During this Lenten Season, particularly this week, pay special attention to how others see Christ if they are to see Christ through you. At 9:05am...who would Christ be to me if I had to see Him in you? At 9:05pm...who would Christ be to you if you had to see Christ in me? Come on...let's live in front of them!

PRAYER:

All wise and most powerful Lord, help us to be better witnesses of Your glory and the truth of Your Word. As we continue to seek our individual wholeness and healing through Christ, please do not allow us to be selfish in our process. Remind us that someone is watching and needs to see Christ in us. Someone is ready to give up and our living in front of them could change their life. Hear us O' Lord when times are the most difficult to follow You and the temptations of doubt seem to be stronger than our faith. We desire to be the proof of Your goodness, glory, and grace. We thank You because we acknowledge that we are unworthy but You still use us and love us anyhow. Strengthen us for this week's journey. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Day 7: Only Believe

During this Lenten journey, we will ask God for what we see as our needs and even some desires. If it is in God's will, we shall receive-Only believe!

Lenten Daily Tidbits

Day 6:

On this sixth day of Lent, recommit yourself to a dream God gave you already. You can achieve it! Amen.

Day 5:

Rejoice. This is a day of rejoicing!

Day 4:

Choose to relax! On this fourth day on Lent, things could worry you or get under your skin. However, I believe in God's word-Stand Still & know that God is God!!!

Day 3: Gratefulness

Day 3: On this third day, stop everytime you can and just tell the Lord "thank you". We should always have grateful hearts!!! (Remember even that which the enemy means for bad, God is working for your good-thank God!)