Those of us who have been on long trips know that they can wear on us. The longer the trip, the more likely that our patience will grow thin and the more likely it is that we will start complaining about everything. In the case of the reading from Numbers 21:4-9, it was the lack of food and water, and the nature of the food they had that caused the Israelites to complain. The Israelites, upon their escape from Egypt, were in the wilderness between Egypt and God’s promised land. They complained to Moses about the lack of food, water and all the amenities they remembered in Egypt. These memories were false. In reality, the Israelites had to make bricks without straw, while they longed for the food they never really had.

The Israelites were ungrateful. There are only so many ways that quail may be prepared, and although manna is very nice in its way, it presented little variation for the educated tastes of God’s chosen people. They were tired of manna and quail. They wanted something different. We are supposed to side with Moses and God in this matter, but we can also sympathize with the Israelites. If we were on a similar journey with obstacles and that never seemed to end, we would also complain.

Nothing is wrong with being discouraged, but discouragement can lead to something worse. The Israelites first murmured against God and against Moses, and then they began to complain about everything, especially the bread that came from God, and this became outright rebellion. Many Israelites died because of this faithless attitude.

The Israelites needed a sign from God. They needed a reminder that God still cared for them in spite of their wandering in the wilderness. Through the Israelites we see a God who is big enough to hear our prayers and act with mercy, even when we don’t think to bring God into the situation ourselves.

Like the Israelites, when we are tired we are tempted to complain to God and ask, “Why?” The Israelites’ memories were short. They forgot that they were God’s chosen people and the recipients of God’s promise. Something similar happens to us when we find ourselves in hard times with a difficult desert to pass through. We must not forget who God is and what He has done for us, because when we do, we suffer the consequences.

Mark Twain said, “Don’t complain and talk about your problems. Eighty percent of the people won’t care and the other twenty percent will think you deserve them.” But complaining is far worse than just ineffective. It is wrong. Complaining reveals that we are not thankful for the multitude of blessings that we have received. The way God sees complaining is illustrated by the poisonous snakes God sent among the Israelites when they complained. God freed them from slavery, took them across the Red Sea and fed them with manna from heaven, but they still complained.

The dead Israelites and the nasty biting snakes were more than enough to convince people that their demands went too far. They asked Moses to pray to God to take the snakes away from them. When Moses prayed, God told him to make a bronze serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who was bitten could look at the bronze serpent and live.

The bronze snake had power because God gave it power. The Israelites were healed because by turning to the snake they were also turned in faith to God. They trusted God would continue to care for them. Consequently, they did what they were supposed to do-live in relationship with God.

When I was doing the research for this message, I found out how bronze is made. Bronze is an alloy that consists of about 90% copper and 10% tin. Starting out with added arsenic (which is a poison that can kill), as it is heated in the furnace, the fumes become toxic. When the furnace reaches a certain heat, the copper and the tin become a completely different material. The copper and tin can never be separated again, and bronze is a material that can’t be found naturally.

Copper represents Jesus as the divine Son of God, but that isn’t enough by itself. Tin represents Jesus as the Son of Man, who became sin for us. Jesus endured the furnace of affliction on the cross, and from that moment something changed forever as the ‘copper’ and the ‘tin’ came together. Something eternal happened, symbolized by the ‘bronze’ of Jesus on the cross. When people look to the cross they no longer die as a result of the snake bite of sin.

Jesus was also lifted up on a pole in the midst of the people. It was an offensive sight. It made no sense. The image of death proclaimed the gift of new life. The image of Jesus on a cross became His main purpose. Everything He said and did pointed to the cross and His victory over sin and death. His victory made us right with God and blessed us with new life.

In Jesus, we learn about the heart of God-a heart that is filled with justice and mercy. He calls for our obedience and lavishes us with the gift of forgiveness. From Jesus we receive the call to hold the same purposes at the centre of our lives. Everything we do, say and think becomes a chance for us to point to the cross and proclaim that in this symbol of death and destruction can be found the source of forgiveness, the gift of new life and the hope of eternity.

This story shows two aspects of the nature of sin. On the one hand, in the fact that the Israelites were bitten by serpents, Jesus means to tell us that sin is like the bite of a poisonous serpent. It causes terrible wounds on our souls. Sinners have an urgent need to be healed. With snake bites, time is critical if a life is to be saved. This calls forth the compassion and pity of God and the tender care of the Great Physician. On the other hand, in the fact that the serpents were sent to Israel as a punishment for their murmurings and rebelliousness, Jesus means to tell us that sin is a revolt against God and His good and perfect will.

The snake was a symbol of all that repelled the people of Israel. As such, the bronze serpent on top a pole was a dramatic, horrific symbol. Yet only those who would look at it would live. The serpent on the pole was a symbol both of God’s judgment against the Israelites’ sins and of His loving mercy for all those who repented. Like the cross, the bronze serpent was for all but effective only for those who truly believed in Him. In Jesus, God became the earthly material of flesh. From this earthly material He became the source of our problem (sin). Now, when we look upon this flesh, which had taken on sin to such a degree that He became sin on our behalf, we are healed.

The snake on a pole has the effect of Christ on the cross-visually horrible, but the only means of salvation. Moses kept the bronze figure as a reminder of the people’s sin and God’s provision. Eventually, however, in 2 Kings 18:1-4, Hezekiah destroyed the serpent because the people had turned it into an idol.

Even in the wilderness God responded to the needs of the Israelites. Their protests were answered and their cries were heard. There was a gift of healing where the pain experienced was the sharpest. Deliverance came in the very presence of the enemy. The death-dealing forces of chaos were nailed to the pole.

The bronze serpent was carried to Jerusalem and placed in the temple. The snakes were gradually domesticated. As I mentioned earlier, the pole was destroyed. It had to reappear in another godforsaken place, high on a hill overlooking the holy city. God himself took to the pole. Once for all, so that all those who know that they are dying in the wilderness called sin-filled lives can be healed.

By looking at the bronze serpent, the people lived. They were healed. They were saved. By believing in Jesus, who was lifted up on the cross, we receive eternal life. It isn’t magic. The cross isn’t a totem. Both the bronze serpent and the cross of Jesus are signs of healing. In both cases, the result is life. They bring healing, wholeness and life itself. When we lift our eyes to the cross, we see our salvation. In him, we are healed. In him, we find the source of patience in the midst of challenging times.

Times of trouble may be difficult to bear, but they are temporary. They call for trust that the God who provided in the past is more than able to get us through the times of trouble while we travel to the promised future. The cross reminds us that God is in charge and has a plan for our ultimate well-being. We can trust the God who has made a promise to us. Through the cross He guarantees that this promise will be fulfilled.

We may look down at ourselves and become hopelessly discouraged or choose to look up and live. If we are worried that like the Israelites our promises have been ropes of sand and we’re afraid that God will turn a deaf ear to us because our words of repentance seem hollow, we should remember this Proverb: “Years of repentance are necessary in order to blot out a sin in the eyes of men, but one tear of repentance suffices with God.” All we have to do is “look up and live.”

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 202)
2. Philip, J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 4: Numbers (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.’ 19897; pp. 215-218)
3. Dr. Randy White, “The Bronze Serpent.” Retrieved from www.randywhiteministries.org
4. Dr. Paul Chappell, “Stop Complaining.” Retrieved from daily@dailyintheword.org
5. Pastor David J. Risendal, “Jesus: A Life of Purpose.” Retrieved from www.OneLittleWord.org
6. “Look Up and Live.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
7. Sarah Bane, “Numbers 21:4-9” Retrieved from communic@luthersem.edu
8. John C. Holbert, “Of Snakes and Things: Lectionary Reflections on Numbers 21:4-9.” Retrieved from www.patheos.com/progressive-christian/of-snakes-and-things-john-c/holbert
9. Terrence E. Fretheim, “Commentary on Numbers 21:4-9.” Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org/preaching.aspx?commentary_id=264
10. “The Meaning Behind the Bronze Serpent.” Retrieved form info@seedsofthekingdom.net  

Who likes getting gifts? I certainly do.

Let me ask you this. Is something a gift if you have to pay for it? If you have to pay for it or do something for it, it isn’t a gift. When someone gives you a gift, it doesn’t cost you anything. All you have to do is accept it. What is the one thing you should not do when someone gives you a gift? The one thing you should never do is ask “How much did it cost?”

What do you think is the greatest gift anyone can receive? It is the gift of eternal life. Jesus talks about this gift in John 3:1-17

Let me tell you a story that will explain why Jesus gives us the gift of salvation. It’s a story about Mia, Rafael and a dog. As Mia and Rafael walked down Main Street with their father, Rafael noticed an unusual display in a shop window. “Hey, Dad!” he exclaimed. “There’s a real dog in that cage!” Rafael stooped and looked at the small, brown dog. A large hand-lettered sign was attached to the cage.

Mia read it aloud. “Death row! Without your help, this animal will have one more day to live. Call the local animal shelter and make arrangements to adopt this puppy.” She looked at her father. “What does that sign mean, Dad?” she asked.

“It’s a new program the animal shelter is trying,” said Dad. “They can’t take care of all the stray animals they find, so by letting people know about the problem, they give the animals a better chance to be adopted out. If no one takes this dog, they’ll have to put it to sleep.” The kids stared in dismay at the little animal. “I’ve heard that the program is very successful,” Dad assured them. “I’m sure someone will claim this cute little puppy.”

“But, Dad! What if nobody does?” wailed Mia. “Can’t we take him home with us? Look-he likes us already. He’s wagging his tail!”

“Yeah, and he needs us, Dad!” Rafael pleaded.

“Well . . .” Dad hesitated. “Let’s wait till this evening, and I’ll call and check on him. If nobody rescues this little guy by then-and if Mom agrees and you kids promise to take care of him-we’ll come back and get him tomorrow. Okay?” Mia and Rafael nodded eagerly.

When Dad called the animal shelter, he learned that the dog was still waiting to be rescued. Since Mom had agreed, they went the next day to get the puppy. As they drove home, Mia looked up at Dad. “It’s kind of like what Jesus did, isn’t it, Dad?” she murmured.

“What do you mean?” Dad asked.

“When we had devotions yesterday, the verses you read from the Bible said that before Jesus saved us, we were condemned,” explained Mia. “In a way, that’s like being on death row, isn’t it? But Jesus died on the cross to take our punishment. When we trusted in Him, He rescued us-kind of like we rescued this puppy.”

Dad smiled. “Good thinking,” he approved.

“The puppy will be a reminder that we’ve been rescued by Jesus,” Rafael added.

God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to earth to die on the cross so that we could have the gift of eternal life. Can you imagine how much Jesus loved us to be willing to die on the cross so that we can have eternal life in heaven? Jesus paid the price so we could receive the greatest gift of all.

Let’s bow our heads for a moment of prayer. Dear God, thank you for the greatest gift of all. Thank you for Jesus, who loved us so much that he paid the price for our sin to give us the gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN.

Bibliography

• “The Greatest Gift of All.” Retrieved from www.Sermons4Kids.com

• “Rescued.” Retrieved from newsletter@cbhministries.org.

• Real Life Devotional Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zonderkidz; 2008)

The minister gave his Sunday morning service, as usual, but this particular Sunday, it was considerably longer than normal. Later, at the door, shaking hands with parishioners as they moved out, one man said, “Your sermon, Pastor, was simply wonderful – so invigorating and inspiring and refreshing.” The minister of course, broke out in a big smile, only to hear the man say, “Why I felt like a new man when I woke up!”

Actually, I can understand if you do happen to fall asleep during my sermon this morning (and hopefully you won’t!!!!!!!) because the topic is very “dry” and hard to understand. We’re doing something a little different today. Instead of talking about Jesus and his parables or teachings, we’re talking about one of the key doctrines or teachings of the Christian church. Why talk about doctrine? Simply put, the doctrine of the Christian church is the substance of our faith. If we do not show any interest in biblical doctrine, then we do not show any interest in our roots.

The Trinity is a difficult concept to understand let alone preach about, and part of the reason is because the Trinity is not specifically mentioned anywhere in the Scriptures, even though the concept of the Trinity is mentioned throughout the Bible. There is always a danger when a man-made concept is introduced into something God has created. The early church introduced the concept of the Trinity to explain how God works in our lives to restore our relationship with him.

In essence, the Trinity is the belief that God is one in essence, but distinct in person. In other words, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are somehow distinct from one another, yet at the same time they are completely united in essence, will and tasks. God has a life in which all three members of the Trinity relate to each other, give to each other, and love each other.

This is the concept behind the Nicene Creed and the Apostle’s Creed. The intention of the creeds was to affirm these three core beliefs:

1. The essential unity of God
2. The complete humanity and essential divinity of Jesus
3. The essential divinity of the Spirit

Christians affirm the unity of all three members of the Godhead. We worship and glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The three members of the Trinity-God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit-are three unique “individuals” (for lack of a better word), but they are one in that they are part of God’s master plan to restore our relationship with him. God is dynamic and unpredictable, just like the wind, and just like the wind comes from all directions, sometimes God convicts us of our sin, sometimes God denounces us and our sinful nature, and other times God opens Christ to us, yet at all times God still loves us.

God created the plan of salvation, Jesus put the plan in place, and the Holy Spirit implements it in our daily lives. The Holy Spirit is the invisible force that allows us to accept Christ and what he did for us. The Holy Spirit allows us to walk with God along the straight and narrow path in our new relationship with God.

The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus did on earth. It tells us what God is thinking. The Holy Spirit is infinite and indefinite. It can be everywhere and with everyone all of the time. In contrast, Jesus could only be with a few people in one place and at only one time because of his finite, human form. Only through his death on the cross does he disclose what it means for him to have been the mind and will of God in human form.

Like Christ, we have to suffer a form of death and resurrection when we allow God to enter our lives. When we do, we die to our own sinful nature and rise again into a new life that is energized by the Holy Spirit. To be born again means that we see things in a new and different light and in a way that is broader and deeper than we can understand now, and to be energized by God’s power-a power that is greater than ours. The only way we can gain this new insight into God’s kingdom is to be born again with the Holy Spirit through God’s grace and truth. We receive the Holy Spirit through baptism and acceptance of Christ in our lives. The water of baptism washes away our sinful nature and allows the Holy Spirit to enter and teach us all about what Jesus said about himself and God the Father.

The transition to our new relationship with God can be painful and full of conflict. It involves letting go of our sinful earthly life, which can be difficult. After all, change can be uncomfortable. The status quo is like our favourite pair of shoes-it just feels so darn good! Change is sometimes necessary. We need to be shaken up if we want to walk with God. Just like we trade cars when they wear out, we have to trade in our old, sinful life for a new one modeled on the life of Christ. Faith heals our sinful nature when the Holy Spirit is born in us. It also heals the conflict that results from our change to our new life. It also heals our relationship with God, and relationships are the foundation of our lives.

God is so vast and so infinite that we can’t even begin to understand him on our own-the gap is simply too great. God bridged this gap by sending his son Jesus. In other words, God became human so that he could understand our human nature. Only by becoming human and by understanding our human nature could God bridge the gap between him and us and begin the process of restoring our relationship with him.

A good analogy is the trips our Canadian Prime Minister takes to visit foreign leaders who can’t speak English. When you see pictures of the two leaders sitting down and having a conversation, you often see more people with them, and one or more of these people are translators. They translate what our Prime Minister says in English into a language that the other leader understands and vice versa. When God became man, not only did he bridge the gap between him and us, he was able to translate the mind and will of God into terms that we can understand. That is also why Jesus often spoke in parables. He used ordinary experiences that his audience could understand to teach them about God.

We are never too old to accept the Trinity and what it offers. The Holy Spirit gives us a spiritual awakening. In John 3:1-17, Nicodemus thought that because he spent many years climbing to the top of the Jewish faith he could not change, but the encounter with Jesus changed him. How do we know this? It is because Nicodemus helped Joseph of Arimathea prepare Jesus’ body for burial after his crucifixion.

None of us can enter God’s Kingdom on our own, because we cannot measure up to God’s spiritual standards by ourselves. Why it that? It is because God’s spiritual standard is perfection. We need the help of all three members of the Trinity. We are and always will be sinners, but with the Trinity we become sinners saved by grace. Even though the Holy Spirit restores our relationship with God, and even though our sinful nature has been removed, we still have to accept the consequences of our past sins. God can’t overlook sin. Sin demands punishment. God took our punishment on himself as our substitute when he as Jesus died on the cross. When we accept him as out substitute, the Holy Spirit lives within us and reestablishes our relationship with God.

When we look upon the crucified Christ, like the Israelites who were bitten by serpents in Numbers 21 looked at the bronze serpent on the pole and lived, we are given a new life. In other words, we are born again. When we are born again, we receive the Holy Spirit. It encourages us to meet our needs in a way that honours God. It leads us to salvation, regenerates us, convicts us of our sinfulness, teaches us to live for Christ, and seals us for redemption. It also leads us in truth. The Spirit will guide us to remember the truth, reproduce the truth, receive the truth, act upon it and speak it.

God works at the highest levels of power and the greatest distance from us. He enters history uniquely identified with Jesus, who was fully human and fully God. God also personally encounters us in our ongoing history.

The most difficult truth for us to understand is that our sinful nature has made us spiritually dead to God. That is why we need to be reborn spiritually. Baptism is the sign of a new life in Christ. Baptism allows the Holy Spirit to enter us. Once the Spirit turns on the light in our souls, we can understand spiritual things. Our soul comes into union with God and gives us eternal life. God adopts us, makes us his own and promises to be with us forever. This is the heart of being born again.

When we re-establish our relationship with God, he becomes our Father by rebirth and adoption. God loves us because of his nature and he won’t stop loving us. The Spirit gives us rebirth and new life, and God gives us the Spirit because he loves us. God’s work in Jesus through the Holy Spirit is to save ourselves from our own foolishness and our destructive nature. In return, God uses the Holy Spirit through us as a voice of humanity in an inhumane world. We gain the confidence to speak out because the Holy Spirit has touched us like the fiery coal touched the lips of the servant in Isaiah 6:1-8. Life in the Spirit does not have the problems or temptations that exist in life in the world.

God is Father, Son and Spirit, co-equals united in mutual love and divine essence. When we remember this, we can understand what Jesus meant when he said that he and the Father and the Spirit are one. We can’t have one without the other. Jesus reveals God and reconciles us to God. He is the one through whom we are able to enter God’s kingdom, and the Spirit takes us there. The Holy Trinity is God (who is love) coming to us in whatever way we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. As a result, we become new people who express God’s love in everything we do, say or think.

Bibliography

• Lectionary Homiletics, Volume XXIII, No. 4 (St. Paul, MN: Luther Seminary; 2012; pp.1-9)

• Craig Condon, “The Three Musketeers-Father, Son and Holy Spirit”. Sermon on John 16:12-15

• Craig Condon, “No Greater Love”. Sermon on John 3:1-17

• Alan Smith, “Both Born and Adopted”. Retrieved from thought-gor-the-day@hub.xc.org

• Gerrit J. Bomhof, “Wind”. Retrieved from today@thisistoday.net

• John Piper, “The Free Will of the Wind”. Retrieved from www.desiringgod.org

• Richard Innes, “Do Good People Go Into Heaven, Part II”. Retrieved from www.actsweb.org

1. 1. Dr. Charles Stanley, “Why Did Jesus Have to Die?” Retrieved from www.intouch.org
   2. Steve Arterburn, “Never Too Late”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

• Anne Graham Lotz, “A Spiritual Implant”. Retrieved from angelmin.info@angelministries.org

1. Pete Briscoe, “Is It About Your Behavior or Your Being?” retrieved from crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
2. The Rev. Dr. Fred R. Anderson, PCUSA, “The Threefold Nature of God”. Retrieved from www.day1.org
3. Exegesis for John 3:1-17. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com
4. Dr. Charles Stanley, “Jesus Christ, the Seeking Savior”. Retrieved from In_Touch_With_Dr_Charles_Stanley@crosswalkmail.com
5. Jim Burns, “New Life”. Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
6. The Rev. Dr. David Lose, ELCA, “Like It or Not”. Retrieved from www.day1.org
7. Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Part of Lessonmaker 8 Bible software package.
8. ESV Study Bible. Part of Lessonmaker 8 Bible software package.
9. Albert Mohler, “Does Doctrine Matter?” Retrieved from Jesus.org@crosswalkmail.com
10. C.H. Spurgeon, “Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle”. Retrieved from Biblegateway@lists.biblegateway.com
11. Daniel Clendenin, PhD, “The Infinite God as Truly Intimate”. Retrieved from www.journeywithjesus.net
12. Roland McGregor, “McGregorPage #820, Trinity Sunday, 6/3/12”. Retrieved from mcgregorpage-bounces@mcgregorpage.org
13. The Rev. Dr. Thomas G. Long, PCUSA, “The Start of the Trail”. Retrieved from www.day1.org/3832-the_start_of_the_trail.print
14. John Shearman’s Lectionary Resource, Year B, Season after Pentecost, Trinity Sunday. Retrieved from http://lectionary.seemslikegod,org

The scene in Mark 8:27-38 is the climax of the first half of Mark’s Gospel. This first half focuses on miracles and gradually reveals Jesus as the Messiah. The second half explains the nature of that Messiahship and has far more teaching and far fewer miracles.

Caesarea Philippi was located well into the heart of Gentile Territory. Why would Jesus choose this location instead of Jerusalem to reveal himself as Israel’s Messiah? The most likely reason was to state that his followers were not to remain in Jerusalem, but were to go to the ends of the earth and proclaim the Good News of the Gospel.

Jesus did not want the disciples to reveal his identity right away because they did not completely understand what that meant, as Peter demonstrated when he rebuked Jesus. Peter’s reasoning was demonic. He was influenced by Satan, hence Jesus’ demand to “Get behind me, Satan.”

Three times Jesus mentioned that his death and resurrection were part of God’s plan, and each time the disciples misunderstood his meaning. They thought that the kingdom meant Israel’s return to power and the end of Roman rule. Christ’s way meant suffering and sacrifice, not political maneuvering. Jesus knew that the freedom people need the most is spiritual freedom from sin and God’s wrath, not freedom from political oppression.

Christ’s death represents atonement for sin, and the beginning of God’s eternal, messianic rule. Nothing can make up for the loss of our soul, but there are many times when we exchange our souls and our lives for worldly things instead of spiritual things. Worldly things do not lead to eternal life. Those who give up their lives for the sake of Christ and the Gospel will find eternal life. This concept was very evident to the readers of Mark’s Gospel because they faced persecution and conflict. They saw this as a challenge to be faithful. We have the same challenge today. The world is still hateful to both Christians and the Good News of the Gospel.

I read a news story some time ago about a group of young people who were arrested for trespassing and attempted burglary. They drove to a car lot late at night and removed a set of tires from one of the cars on the lot. Unfortunately for them, the lot’s owner saw them on closed-circuit television. While they were busy trying to steal his tires, he picked up their vehicle with his forklift and hid it inside a building. When they finished their dirty work and were ready to leave, they had no transportation.

Many people today are the same. They spend all of their time trying to get material goods that they think will make them happy, when what they really need for happiness is a personal relationship with God. That relationship will provide us with the transportation we need to get to heaven when we die.

We must not let anything or anyone worldly take control of our lives. Self-control is the fruit of the Spirit that the apostle Paul refers to in Galatians 5:22-23. When we have self-control, we can stand up to people and things who try to tell us what we should be and what we should do.

Jesus taught that being great in God’s kingdom means self-denial and sacrificial service. These values are opposite to the world’s values. Self-denial means letting go of self-determination and becoming obedient to and depending on Jesus. Happiness comes from service, and we need to practice service and generosity today. These two things will bring more happiness to our lives than anything else, and they also define what it means to be a Christian. Jesus is calling us to carry the cross of sacrificial living. Words come easy and living the life is more of a challenge, but in today’s world people need to see that sacrificial living leads to fulfillment and real life.

Sacrifice does not necessarily mean martyrdom. It also means doing small tasks such as giving food to a hungry person or a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty. It also means doing things in the church such as teaching a Sunday school class or singing in the choir. Our willingness to do the small tasks as they are needed is more important than our willingness to die for Christ when that is not needed.

We do not have to do this alone, and we can’t do this alone. We need strength, and Jesus will give us that strength. This strength will allow us to live a life that will bring us blessing and fulfillment beyond our wildest dreams.

If we become suffering servants like Christ was, there is a danger that we might assume that the saving work of Christ is automatic. Mark’s Gospel reminds us that this assumption is false. Christ’s suffering servanthood teaches us about the Incarnation, but the passion of his suffering teaches us about his redemption. Too much emphasis today is placed on the healing of human hurts, which reflects Christ loving care for us when we hurt. More emphasis needs to be placed on righting of human wrongs, also known as sin.

This might makes us uncomfortable in the short term. We like our worship to be comforting and uplifting, and while this is a necessary part of worship, it must not be the most important part. The main emphasis must be on redirecting our lives, our values and our priorities. This disruption in our lives is necessary if we truly believe that the heart of Jesus’s message is change or repentance. If we accept this, we have to let go of the lives we have now, no matter how painful the process will be.

Jesus’ message of self-sacrifice won’t always fit neatly into our earthly lives. Words like “Come die with us,” or “Follow Jesus no matter what the cost,” or “Called to sacrifice for the world” aren’t heard very often in churches today. These words are the heart of what Jesus taught. He wants us to follow him by giving of ourselves so that others may know his grace. Believers have resisted this call since it was first made over 2,000 years ago, so it isn’t surprising that the same call is resisted today. How do we as Christians see it?

Our attitude as children of God must centre on a life that is lived in him. In return for his sacrifice we need to make good use of the opportunities Christ sends our way. God wants to be an active presence in our lives, and it is because God has been an active part of the lives of men and women throughout history that the church has survived and thrived. If the church is to survive today, God needs to be active in our lives today. If more people made God an active part of their lives, the world would be a better place (and our churches and offering plates would be full to overflowing every Sunday!).

Bibliography

• Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013)

• ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.

• McKenna, D.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 25: Mark (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)

1. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
2. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006
3. Paul Estabrooks, “The Cross-Choosing to Follow Jesus.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com
4. Rick Warren, “You’re Happiest when You Give Your Life Away.” Retrieved from connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com
5. Exegesis for Mark 8:24-38. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org
6. Pastor Ken Klaus, “Let Us Follow Jesus.” Retrieved from lh_min@lhm.org
7. Steve Arterburn, “Will You Have a Ride?” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
8. Pastor Dave Risendal, “What does it mean to be a Christian?” Retrieved from donotreply@wordpress.com 

Have you ever noticed that Jesus often does things that we don’t expect him to do? Take the stories we read in Mark 7:24-37, for example. He does two things that we don’t expect him to do.

First, Jesus gave an uncharacteristically rude and abrupt reply to the woman’s request for her daughter to be healed. Jesus is often portrayed as a gentle, kind and caring person, but in this case he gave a harsh response. The woman made a bold move by approaching Jesus in the first place. At that time, women did not boldly approach men. She was also bold by continuing to engage him when he attempted to dismiss her because she was a Gentile.

There was a reason for his reaction. He wanted to encourage the woman to keep asking him to cast the demons out of her daughter. This should remind us that God doesn’t always answer prayer right away, and sometimes he doesn’t answer prayers in the way we want him to answer them. Sometimes he says, “yes’”, sometimes he says, “no,” sometimes he says “not right now,” and sometimes he says, “no, I have something even better in mind for you.”

The Jews hated the Gentiles and referred to them as “dogs.” In Jewish households at that time, people ate with their fingers and then wiped their hands with a piece of bread, which was given to their pet dogs to eat. Since dogs were considered to be unclean, Gentiles and dogs were on the same level in Jewish society. Dogs also ate any crumbs that were dropped from the table. When the woman referred to dogs eating the crumbs from the table, she meant that the Gentiles would accept any scraps from Jesus’s initial ministry to the Jews. Because of the woman’s faith, Jesus healed her daughter without seeing her or touching her.

Jesus was right when he told the woman that he was sent to minister first to the people of Israel, but there would come a time when his ministry of God’s salvation would be extended to the whole world. After all, Jesus was in Gentile territory, and even in Gentile territory his fame preceded him, so he could not move about in anonymity.

The woman with the demon-possessed daughter knew that Jesus’ first earthly ministry was to the Jews. She was willing to accept this, and she was willing to be called a dog, but her love for her daughter was so great that she was willing to endure Jesus’ harsh remarks. She did not give up, and neither should we. When we persist in spite of harsh treatment and ridicule, Jesus will meet us at our point of need and bless us richly. Everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord will never be turned away.

God sometimes tests our faith for various reasons, just like Jesus tested the woman’s faith with his rude reply. The reasons for these tests range from strengthening our faith to teaching us something. When Jesus was abrupt with the woman, he was testing her faith. Jesus and life can be hard teachers at times. They give the test first and then they teach the lesson. Our response to their tests influences our character, faith and future. By the way, the woman passed her test with flying colours!

Sometimes the life of faith doesn’t turn out the way we want it to. When this happens, we must continue to believe not only because we want to, but because we have to. Jesus is the only one we can rely on in our deepest sadness. Jesus is the only one we can hope in when all hope is lost. Jesus is the only one we can seek out, fall at his feet and ask for even just a small amount of help. Jesus can take our belief and call it faith.

Another way Jesus surprised the people was by healing the deaf man who had a speech impediment. He healed the man in a very personal way-by touching him. Such a miracle was expected of the Messiah, but the fact that this miracle would be done for a Gentile was a complete surprise. By healing the deaf man, Jesus’ popularity reached a new high. He told both the man and the crowd not to tell anyone about what happened (because it was not time for his ministry to be extended to the Gentiles), but they disobeyed him.

In Jesus’ time, sickness was thought to be the result of sin. When Jesus touched the deaf man, he touched someone whom many people considered to be a sinner. Jesus came a long way physically, religiously and socially to get to this man, open his ears and loosen his tongue. By healing the deaf man and the woman’s daughter, Jesus reached out to people who were eager to hear him.

Jesus is for everyone, but what really matters is our relationship with God. Part of that relationship includes regular prayer time with God. How we pray does not matter. For example, it is the custom today for people to close their eyes and bow their heads when they pray, but when Jesus healed the deaf man, he looked to heaven when he prayed. There are no standards or postures for prayer. Prayer is about a person’s heart.

Heaven was the source of Jesus’ power. If we want to see God’s presence at work, we must look at the power behind a miracle, and that power is God. All miracles are God’s blessings. If we meet the needs of other people, we can be a part of God’s miracles in their lives.

Jesus took the deaf man aside as an act of common courtesy. He does not want to embarrass anyone. People’s feelings were important to him. He was sensitive to the deaf man, just like he is sensitive to the cues of everyone he deals with. He reads the situation and acts accordingly. We need to follow his example when we deal with hurting people in our world.

When the deaf man was healed, the people saw God at work in Jesus. They confessed that Jesus was the Messiah. Mark uses this to lead us to the point where we will also confess that Jesus is the Son of God and his Gospel is the Good News of salvation for everyone.

There are a lot of similarities between the deaf man and the disciples. The man could not hear or speak properly, and the disciples could not understand what Jesus was telling them. Because they could not understand what Jesus said and did, their proclamation of the Good News was hampered. They needed Jesus’ touch so that they could see, hear and understand.

We also need Jesus’ touch so we can understand. The church often experiences the same failings. For example, many preachers proclaim the Prosperity Gospel by telling people that all they have to do to become rich is believe when they really need to tell the people to take up their cross and follow Jesus. The church also tolerates any divisions within its midst because crossing these dividing lines makes people uncomfortable. Jesus crossed all sorts of racial, religious and other boundaries during his ministry, and he calls on us to cross those same boundaries today. Jesus’ commitment to enter Gentile territory shows his commitment to those who are different, and he calls on us to share that same commitment.

Our worship agenda is too often “what we get out of it.” In other words, we are concerned more with God serving us that we are with us serving God. We need to recover our ability to be astonished, especially our ability to be astonished by the wonderful things Jesus does in our lives today. The miracles we read about in the Bible seem to be so remote to us, but Jesus still works miracles and changes lives. We need to open our eyes, ears and hearts to the wondrous things of God that are happening all around us. Then, we need to bring a friend to Jesus either in person or in our prayers.

The deaf man represents each and every one of us, and the miracle of his healing applies to each and every one of us. Just as Jesus opened the ears of the deaf man to hear physical sound, he opens our ears to hear the gospel message. Just as he opened the eyes of the blind, he opens our spiritual eyes to see by the light of faith. Just as he cast out demons, he casts out anything that would hinder our Christian journey. We are often deaf to the pleas of those around us, especially the pleas of the poor, the hungry, and the oppressed. We have to open our lives to everyone and listen carefully to what they have to tell us. Listening means that we do not plan our answers while they are talking. Listening means hearing them out without the obligation to give advice or provide them with a solution. When we hear God’s Word we must speak it plainly to a world that has turned a deaf ear to Christianity. When we do, we might just be pleasantly surprised by the reaction we will get.

Bibliography

• Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013)

1. Fr. John Boll, “First Impressions, 23 Sunday (B).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
2. ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.
3. McKenna, D.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 25: Mark (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)
4. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NKJV (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
5. Macarthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
6. Lucado, M: The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2010)
7. Exegesis for Mark 7:24-37. Retrieved from www.lectionary.org.
8. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 23^rd Sunday of Ordinary Time (B).” Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
9. The Rev. Janet Hatt, “A Young Man Named Pablo and the Syrophoenician Woman.” Retrieved from http://dancingwiththeword.com/
10. The Rev. Dr. Charlene Han Powell, “Desperate Belief.” Retrieved from http://day1.0rg/6783-desperate_belief.print.

We all have certain core traditions and beliefs that are important to us. They make us who we are, they define our own behaviours and the way we think other people should behave. That is what lies behind the Gospel passage from Mark that we heard a few minutes ago.

As usual, the Pharisees and Jesus were having a difference of opinion. The Pharisees were upset because Jesus and his disciples did not take part in the Jewish hand-washing ritual before they ate. To the Pharisees, Jesus and his disciples committed a “sin”.

The Pharisees were not the only people who get upset when traditions are not followed. We get upset when people do not follow our “traditions”. We sometimes have to part with our traditions, and that is not always easy for us to accept. That is one reason why in recent years some congregations have left the Anglican Church of Canada. They were not able to accept changes such as the introduction of the Book of Alternative Services or the blessing of same-sex unions. To them, the status quo is the only way to go.

One example is the belief that people who go to church have to wear their very best clothes. I can tell you that it is BUNK! Just look around at the people sitting next to you. Some are dressed up, but some are wearing casual, everyday clothes. Some also believe that ministers have to wear clerical suits and collars all of the time, even under their robes on Sunday morning. Well folks, I hate to disappoint you, but I know a lot of ministers who don’t even wear a suit and tie, let alone a clerical suit and collar. Even I don’t wear my “Sunday Best’ clothes under my robes all of the time, especially during the warm summer weather.

We must not think that the Pharisees are completely bad. They were dedicated to obeying and pleasing God, and that desire led to distinctive practices such as kosher food and circumcision. These practices helped them to keep their identity as God’s chosen people in a pagan world. Their traditions grew out of a need to keep their identity.

Even though the Jewish law was quite detailed, it left room for interpretation in many cases. The Pharisees used their desire to obey God to create rules to clarify the law in these situations. Over time these rules became so hard and fast that they became a surrogate law that the Jewish leaders regarded as being equal to Scripture. They lost sight of the difference between God’s law and their opinion. Jesus said that this was their sin. Jesus did not condemn all tradition. He only condemned those traditions that were elevated to sacred status. The church is responsible for preserving tradition, but it must make a clear distinction between essential scriptural teachings and non-essential traditions.

When he responded to the Pharisees’ question, Jesus went right to the heart of the issue. The Pharisees wanted to hold on to human tradition at all costs when they should have been more concerned with teaching God’s deeper requirements of love, compassion and justice. God is more concerned with a spiritual cleansing and purifying. If our hearts have been purified, our prayer and behaviour will be in line with what God wants. If we act out of good hearts we will know how to behave even if we don’t know the exact rule for a particular situation.

While a sense of tradition is desirable and necessary at times, a problem occurs when tradition is substituted for true worship or true faith. When the actions associated with our traditions become more important than the meaning of the traditions, we can get sidetracked. The Pharisees were more concerned with strict observance of Jewish laws than they were about true faith in God. The Pharisees were concerned about keeping God’s people distinct and keeping them from becoming assimilated with the larger culture. This effort to be distinct included rigid observance of rules, but the observance of rules covered up their lack of inward love and devotion. They were concerned about not letting germs and pollution go into their bodies, but Jesus said that they and we should be more concerned about the filth that comes out of our mouths-lying, cheating, etc. The Pharisees were concerned about the letter of the law including their rules and regulations, but Jesus emphasized the spirit of the law. We must beware of Christian leaders who appear to be very religious by their actions, but who are really glorifying themselves instead of glorifying God. We should never honour anyone above God. Only he is truly worthy of our praise.

Each and every one of us has a heart problem, and not just a physical one. The heart is a fountain out of which much that affects our lives flows. If the heart is affected by sin, it becomes deceitful and wicked. Therefore, the heart is a source of most of the evil that defiles man. The world is enticing, but for its pull to work, we have to want what it is offering. We do the stupid stuff that we do because it is our human nature. We have to be aware of our sinful nature. When we give in to temptation, we have no one to blame but ourselves.

What we eat and drink can’t hurt and defile us. Only what comes out of us-ungodly words and actions-can defile us. Jesus wants us and his disciples to see that the core issue always comes down to what is in the heart. Ritual external purity is not necessarily the same as genuine interior piety. We are being hypocrites if we vainly honour God with our lips while our hearts are estranged from him. The source of defilement is more internal than external. It is more about who we are than foods or filth we avoid. Jesus defined true piety as a commitment from the heart totally dedicated to loving service of God and for others. Listening and doing are two different things.

Some people who attend church are like that. They carry their Bibles, they bring their offering, they sing every hymn and they listen to every word the preacher says, but it doesn’t change anything in their hearts. They look good on the outside, but their goodness is only skin deep. Their worship is for appearance only and is not from the heart.

That does mean that we cannot be hurt by what comes into our bodies. The obvious sources are smoke, pollution and poor diet, but we can also be defiled from the outside by the environment that we live in. I’m reminded of the example our former Rector gave in one of his sermons a few years ago. He was talking about a discussion he had with his sons one day about how the choices they make can affect their lives. He said, “You are who you associate with” and that is true. For example, if you live in an area with a high rate of crime, chances are that you will either be seen as criminal or become a criminal if you are not careful.

When God looks at us, the first thing he sees is the state of our heart. God doesn’t care about what we look like on the outside. He’s more concerned about what’s on the inside. He has more sympathy and compassion for a poor beggar in rags who has true faith than he does for rich rulers who wear fine clothes but have rotten hearts and souls. If we don’t take time to have our hearts purified by God once in awhile, we won’t be able to receive his blessings.

Jesus argued that the observance of purity was not needed because the kingdom of God is for everyone-Jews, Gentiles, those who would observe the purity laws and those who could not keep them. Everyone is equal before God.

Those who are ‘holier than thou’ often have the belief that they can judge others. When that attitude is observed from afar, it is not pretty. It reeks of a superficial, survivalistic and hateful attitude. These people are often the same people who on the surface observe sacred rituals. They have no inward disposition towards God-hence Jesus’ reference to the filth that comes from the inside.

Jesus sets us free to look at ourselves and see our internal, sinful nature. We are free to accept the grace to choose God’s mercy, but we can’t admit that we need outside help. We need outside help to take in goodness and bear good fruit. If our hearts belong to God, nothing else matters.

When people equate tradition with the Law, problems come up. The Pharisees have made the Law more important than God’s rules, just like many of us have made our traditions more important than true faith in God. The Protestant reformation was fueled in part by the desire to break free from corrupt Roman Catholic traditions and rules and get back to true worship of God. Jesus argued that not all of the Pharisees’ rules had to be obeyed. All we have to do is love God with our hearts, not our heads.

We have to ask ourselves what the interests of God are, and what does God think about the way we live our lives. Does the way we live our lives reflect a way of life that is in sync with God and his plan for our lives? While our Christianity should shape our behaviour, it runs deeper than our behaviour. It has implications for how we live our lives, but it is also mysticism before it is morality, faith before it is action, the seed of a new life before it is the fruit of that new life.

Those who would serve the interests of God can do so by giving expression to joy in their lives. Those who feel God’s love have much to offer the hurting and disconnected in our world.

Bibliography

• Stanley, C.F, The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc; 2009)

• Bayless Conley, “Clean and Committed”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

• Les Lamborn, “Lip Service”. Retrieved from www.rbc.org

• Mark D. Roberts “Defiled from the Inside Out”. Retrieved from www.TheHighCalling.org

• Greg Laurie, “Frenemies”. Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

• Exegesis for Mark 7:10-8, 14-15, 21-23. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

• Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 22^nd Sunday (B)”. Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org

• Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Part of Lessonmaker 8 Bible Software package.

1. McKenna, D.L. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 25: Mark (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1982)
2. The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, “Why Don’t You Wash Your Hands?” Retrieved from www.day1.org
3. The Rev. D. Francis Wade, “What Matters to God?” Retrieved from www.day1.org
4. Matt Skinner, “Commentary on Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23”. Retrieved from www.workingpreacher.org/preaching_print.aspx?commentary_id=1381
5. The Rev. Beth Quick, “Lectionary Notes-Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost” Retrieved from www.bethquick.com/pentecost13bnotes.htm
6. The Rev. Beth Quick, “Being 7 Doing’. Retrieved from www.bethquick.com/sermon8-31-03.htm
7. John Shearman’s Lectionary Resource, Year B, Season after Pentecost, Proper 17 Ordinary 22. Retrieved from http://lectionary.seemslikegod,org/archives/year-b-season-after-pentecost-proper-17-ordinary-22.html
8. Daniel B. Clendenin, PhD, “Religious Faith” Worthless or Faultless?” Retrieved from http://www.journeywithjesus.net/index.shtml?view=print
9. “’Skin Deep’ or from the Heart?” Retrieved from http://sermons4kids.com/skin_deep_print.html

In the passage from James 1:17-27, James talks about the goodness of God. God doesn’t tempt us to do evil things, but he often uses life’s challenges to strengthen and perfect us. In the process we become more like God.

Instead of tempting us to do evil things, God gives us good gifts. The phrase “Father of lights” reminds us of God’s unchanging nature. The God who put the stars, sun and moon in their places faithfully presides over our lives and provides everything good, and we must thank him for these gifts. As the old hymn which we often sing on Thanksgiving Sunday says, “All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above…”

In order to receive every good gift from God, we must prepare ourselves to hear God’s Word, especially in times of trial. When we prepare ourselves to hear God’s Word, it will give us a fresh start in life. We prepare ourselves by concentrating our attention, controlling our tongues, containing our anger and cleansing our lives of sin. Wrath doesn’t promote the work of God or God’s righteousness. In fact, wrath violates God’s standard of conduct for believers.

Sin is not compatible with receiving God’s Word. It prevents God’s Word from reaching a person’s heart. God’s Word should be welcomed in the heart, received with anticipation like a love letter, and read with a desire to put its words and commands into practice. James warns his readers about the dangers of sin and deception. An unbridled tongue makes a person’s testimony useless. God will help us control our tongues and our anger. Our words reveal our true personality. Are we a person of God or a person of evil?

A good example of someone who could not control his tongue is the apostle Peter. He had no problem telling anyone what was on his mind or how he felt. That got him into trouble on more than one occasion. For example , in Matthew 16:17-23, he first spoke for God when he said that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, but moments later he spoke for Satan and Jesus had to rebuke him by saying, Get behind me, Satan!”

The world can easily deceive us. Many times when something is presented to us by sources that we believe to be reliable, we will believe it without asking any questions. This is especially true for the lies of Satan, and these lies often lead us into false beliefs. We must not be fooled by what the world says is true. We must focus on what God says is true and trust in him. We must actively study the Scriptures regularly to find God’s truths and then apply these truths to transform our daily lives, especially if we are called on to preach and teach God’s Word. God knows what we need, so when we study the Scriptures he will give us encouragement when we are struggling, rebuke us when we are rebelling, challenge us when we need to step forward in faith and warn us when we are heading down the wrong path.

Simply listening to God’s Word has no lasting value. When we open the Bible, we must plan to do what it says. The Bible is more than a book to carry to church. It gives its readers a way to follow the heart of God and the footsteps of Jesus. God wants us to go beyond merely hearing the word to obeying the word. Casual hearers simply glance at the highlights of God’s Word and continue on their way like tourists. Careful believers mine God’s Word and find new, life-changing treasures. The Bible must have a continuing effect on the life of a believer.

Many Christians within the church today have the same problem as casual hearers of God’s Word. They are spectators who enjoy hearing the Word of God preached and taught every Sunday. Their heads are filled with biblical knowledge and facts, but they fail to put that knowledge into godly living. Their spiritual heads get fatter and fatter while their spiritual bodies waste away because they are not being used, just like a human body gets flabby or wastes away when it’s not used. These people are spiritual freaks who are of little value to themselves, the church or the world. James refers to them as being deceived. They have deceived themselves by hearing the word but not applying it in their daily lives.

Pure and faultless religion is marked by personal ministry. We must respond to the needs of others as Christ did. Pure and faultless religion is also marked by personal purity. We must not be corrupted by the world. Pure and faultless religion is a delicate balance between the positive and the negative. Genuine faith denies the self, takes risks, loves others and always seeks to please God. Believers are enabled by the Holy Spirit to obey God’s law. They are freed from the bondage of sin and enabled to obey God. They can give thanks to God.

Jesus equates the treatment of people in distress with how people treat him. This is the true test of faith. We must conduct our earthly lives in such a way as to not be ashamed to face the Lord. We must be compassionately involved with the problems of the world while remaining holy at the same time. The world is the ordered system that is under Satan’s control. It is opposed to God’s purposes.

We as Christians must show our love to everyone— not just to those who can benefit us but also to those who can’t help anyone. We will be known for our love to those who have been hurt or who have had their hopes and dreams shattered. Christ’s love should encourage us to love God and love people. Our actions must be motivated by Christ himself and not by what we do, say, think or want. Our attitude towards others shows our true attitude toward God. Our actions speak louder than our words, and a relationship with a living God calls for us to do something. We need to get our hands dirty and get into the filth of human pain and sadness while at the same time not allowing that same filth to contaminate us. Failure to help those who need our help means that we risk becoming defiled and impure. Everyone God sends our way is really seeking his listening, compassionate heart at work through us.

If we want to be help others, we can start by being good listeners. Quick solutions seldom make people feel better. They need solutions that can only come by listening carefully with an open mind and an open heart. We must listen to others in the same way that God listens to us. When we are generous to others, our gifts are not based on the person’s actions. We reflect the love of a God who delights in giving to those he loves.

If we want to know if we are putting God first in our lives, we must ask ourselves where we turn when we have a decision to make, a problem to resolve or we need guidance. Do we turn to other people or our desires first, or do we turn to God, his word and his principles? God speaks of the riches of his mercy as shown through Jesus Christ. God broadcasts his forgiveness and his love. He proclaims the wonder of redemption and calls on us to repent and come near to him. He is available at all times to hear our prayers, to listen to our concerns and to be touched by the nonverbal communication of our feelings. In return, we must be increasingly acquainted with the voice of God. We must follow God each and every day. We are called on to live out God’s love for us and share that love with the world.

Bibliography

• Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible, NKJV (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013)

• ESV Study Bible. Part of Wordsearch 10 Bible software package.

• Cedar, P.A. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 34: James/1&2 Peter/Jude (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984)

• MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible, NASV (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)

• Pastor Ken Klaus, “Draw Us to Thee.” Retrieved from lh_min@lhm.org

• Billy Graham, “Can God Help My Depressed Sister?” Retrieved from www.arcamax.com\

• Pastor Rick Warren, “How to Get Better Reception of God’s Word.” Retrieved from connect@newsletter.purposedriven.com

• Dr. Gary Chapman, “Good Gifts.” Retrieved from Oneplace@crosswalkmail.com

• Dr. Neil Anderson, “Indiscriminate Expression of Emotions.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

• Michael Youssef, Ph.D.,” Dead Faith or Living Faith?” Retrieved from mydevotional@leadingtheway.org

• Michael Youssef, Ph.D., “Becoming Doers of the Word.” Retrieved from mydevotional@leadingtheway.org

• Dr. Neil Anderson, “Modeling Growth.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

• David Jeremiah, “Angry Birds.” Retrieved from turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org

• Bills Graham, “What Would You Tell a Foreigner About Thanksgiving?” Retrieved from www.arcamax.com

• Mike Pohlman, “Being Quick to Listen in a World of Talk.” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com

• Richard Inness, “Ask Not What God Can Do for You.” Retrieved from acts@actsweb.org

• Mary Southerland, “Do Wrinkles Make You Die?” Retrieved from Crosswalk@crosswalkmail.com 

Psalm 84 expresses the joy of a pilgrim traveling up to Jerusalem, then up to the temple to celebrate one of the feasts. The pilgrim focuses his attention especially on the thought of being in the very presence of God.

In Old Testament times the pagan gods had their palaces or temples where their lived. Their images could be seen and worshiped there. Their followers would go to these houses to visit them. Their priests cared for them and made certain that proper worship was offered in their temples on behalf of the people.

On the other hand, God didn’t really live in the temple in Jerusalem. He granted the gift of His presence in the temple, but that presence could be removed. Moreover, when Solomon dedicated the temple, he said in 1 Kings 8:27, “But will God indeed dwell on earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of the heavens cannot contain you. How much less this temple which I have built!”

Nevertheless, when the Jews prayed they prayed facing Jerusalem. Jesus called the temple “My Father’s house” in John 2:16. To go to the temple was to seek the presence of God. While it couldn’t contain Him, It was a place where He could be found. The temple was a copy of heaven itself where all who believe will be home forever. Thus the earthly sanctuary reflected the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus went after making the final sacrifice upon the cross for our sins.

It’s inspiring to read a psalm like this that celebrates being in God’s presence. Although we may not always recognize it, we all feel that longing for connection with God. The writer of Psalm 84 longed for God’s house, delighted in God’s house and blessed the pilgrimage to God’s house. The temple was not an end. It was a means to the end of being in the very presence of God. Thus his longing for God’s house became a longing for God. It was a longing for the God who lived there.

Jesus loved the temple, His Father’s house. He was upset and longed for its purity and holiness. At the same time, He spoke harsh words of judgment upon it and knew that His resurrection body would be the living temple through which we would have access to the Father.

The psalmist possessed a deep-seated longing to experience more of God’s glory, more of God’s presence in his life. The phrase, “My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” is not an artificial excitement but the joyous reality of living in God’s presence.

If the psalmist had only one day to live, he would rather be the lowly doorkeeper in the house of God than enjoy all the wealth and luxury of evil. He would rather be found serving the Lord than serving himself. The psalmist spoke of a set of values that is totally the opposite to the world’s values. The world values success, riches and status. A doorkeeper has none of these. But the psalmist has the joy of serving, pouring out life to help others in God’s name.

The phrase “My God” implies a sense of devotion to God. It is the quality of life before God, rather than the quantity of life, that fulfills us. It isn’t the beauty of the place that attracts the psalmist but the beauty of the person. In this case, the psalmist was attracted to the beauty of God. Similarly we were made for an intimate relationship with God. Anywhere with Him is better than anywhere else without Him. We find deep and ultimate satisfaction only in Him.

God’s blessing and the response of praise are not merely reserved for this life. They characterize heaven too. To be in the temple is to experience God’s blessing. To be on the road to the temple there is to be similarly blessed. The same blessing is given to any one whose strength is in the Lord.

When was the last time you longed to go to church with the same intense desire that the psalmist had to go to the temple and worship God? As the church is being renewed today, Jesus’ grace and glory are especially being experienced in worship. Like Israel of old, as we gather in His name and direct our sustained praises to Him, His Spirit descends and His presence is in our midst. Jesus is here, and we are saved, healed and delivered from our enemies.

The person who trusts in the Lord throws his weight upon Him and rests in Him. To go to the temple, like going to God, is to find our whole selves, soul, heart and flesh, refreshed by the living God. Our true dwelling place is with God. Our homesickness is over. We are safe at last.

What is your default mode when life comes crashing down? What is your automatic response when confronted with a crisis too big to imagine, overwhelming grief or sudden loss? As Christians, our proper response is to go to God in prayer. We don’t belong here on earth. We are on our way to our heavenly home. If we want to reach our destination, we need a road map, a grid through which we push all of our decisions and actions along the way. We need a biblical worldview where we trust that the Bible has all we need to experience the peace and strength of the Lord in our journey. We also need to seek out guides who share our biblical worldview.

Real strength comes from weakness. When we come to God in faith, our hearts are changed. Our perseverance grows. Patience and trust allow us to wait on God. These traits are not created overnight. We become more like Jesus. That should be our measurement, not whether our circumstances are prefect or without pain.

When we repent of our sins and receive God’s forgiveness, we are cleansed and our walk is blameless. God wants to pour His favour and honour on us. If we feel that there is anything in our lives that we need to be cleansed from, we need to go to God today and confess to Him. He will make us new so that we can receive the good things He has in store for us.

God wants to bless us even more that we want to be blessed. Often the reason we pray is because we have a need or a crisis. We need a healing. We need direction. We pray because we are in trouble. God will allow conflict in our lives so we will see our own weaknesses and then see the greatness of God as we depend on Him. It is not as though God simply gives us everything we have ever wanted and our lives are free of problems or conflicts. If He can pour his blessings on us, we can walk in victory all the days of our lives. If we run away from him, we leave our shield. If we walk faithfully under His Lordship, we can’t be taken from the world until He says it’s time.

Do people see a difference in our lives just by looking at us? If we have been touched by the light of Christ, people should be able to tell. No longer do we walk selfishly and in sin. Through Christ, we walk upright, and God shines forth through us.

Would you describe yourselves as being passionate for God? Do our hearts and flesh sing for joy to the living God? Who can we lead to Jesus today? Our sphere of influence may be large or small. It doesn’t matter. What matters is our faithfulness to lead like Jesus where He has placed us. In God’s kingdom, every person matters and every act matters. It is our Christian duty to plant a strong desire in other people-the same desire the psalmist had-the desire to know God and have a close, personal relationship with Him. The Bible tells us to look forward to His coming and to long for His courts. One day we’ll hear an angel call our name and say, “Good to see you here. Welcome home!”

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p.762)
2. Williams, D. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 14: Psalms 73-150 (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1989; pp. 101-108)
3. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
4. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
5. “Default Mode.” Retrieved from 9
6. “Unbolted from My Love Affair with This World.” Retrieved from dailytreasure@markinc.org
7. OS Hillman, “Listening to the Father’s Heart-February 3, 2018.” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org
8. Joel Osteen, “He Withholds No Good Thing.” Retrieved from devotional@joelosteen.com
9. “Who Needs You?” Retrieved from support@leadlikejesus.com
10. David Jeremiah, “Welcome Home.” Retrieved from turningpoint@davidjeremiah.org
11. “Passionate for God.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
12. Dr. Ed Young, “You’re Invincible Until You’re Done.” Retrieved from ministry@winningwalk.org
13. John North, “Psalm 84:10.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
14. Pastor Greg Laurie, “Revival in Our Time?” Retrieved from www.harvest.org
15. “Psalm 84:11.” Retrieve from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com

In the beginnings of the early church, the disciples saw God move in mighty ways. The disciples found themselves preaching the word of God all over the region. However, practical needs arose among the people that the disciples were tending to. Due to their preaching, these needs were not being met adequately. One of these needs involved food distribution to widows. There became an issue as to whether the needs of all the widows were being cared for. This brought pressure upon the disciples who felt their primary focus must be to preach the gospel. They now realized they could not do both adequately. This led them to appoint seven men whose lives qualified for service as leaders to serve these needs.

The first man named to fill this responsibility was Stephen. He was described as a man full of faith and the Holy Ghost; with a strong faith in Christ. He was full of courage, gifts and graces. He was an extraordinary man and excelled in everything that was good.

Stephen was the first Christian martyr. His remarkable death occurred soon after the events in the passage we heard from Acts chapter six occurred. His death was the first in a series of persecutions against Christians that filled the church with blood and that cost the lives of thousands, perhaps millions, in the great work of establishing the gospel today. This trend continues today, with reports of persecution in countries such as Iran and North Korea.

The world today is largely hostile towards the Gospel. It charges the Gospel with falsehood, oppression, limiting moral freedom, meddling where it doesn’t belong, and much more. Our secular age is the source of lies. It oppresses our generation with false truths that destroy morality in the name of license. It demands to control and rule every area in our lives with help from governments and schools.

Stephen’s name in Greek means “crown.” This crown could be one of regal power or a crown used as a symbol of triumph in the Greek games. Stephen’s parents didn’t know when they gave him that name that he would become a disciple of One who wore a crown of thorns. Through Jesus the deacon won a far greater crown than his given name intended.

Faith, wisdom, grace and power were the personal qualities that equipped Stephen for the ultimate witness he would soon bear. They led him to perform signs and wonders among the people.

Stephen was likely helped by the Holy Spirit. He had a zealous spirit that the Jews could not overcome, because it convinced them that he was right. The evidence of sincerity, honesty and zeal in a public speaker will often go further to convince people than the most able argument that is delivered in a cold and indifferent manner.

During the Babylonian captivity, when Jews were cut off from worship in the temple, they began meeting in groups of 10 or more to read the Scriptures and worship. These meetings developed into synagogues. It was the custom in this particular synagogue in Jerusalem to have debates over religious issues. Stephen went there to tell the Good News of Jesus Christ as Messiah, crucified Saviour, risen Lord and indwelling Spirit. Needless to say this caused more than a pleasant exchange of ideas.

The Jews disagreed with Stephen over the issue of whether Jesus was the Messiah. It was not an angry dispute at first. The discussion likely began as a fair and impartial inquiry. When the Jews were overcome by Stephen’s arguments, they resorted to accusations and violence. Like Jesus, Stephen did not defend himself against his accusers. They found his message offensive because he insisted that a relationship with God depends on repenting from all sin and believing in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.

In contrast, the Jews believed that a relationship with God depended on one’s heritage, associations, attainments or efforts. Their worship and devotion were misplaced to a place and a set of customs, so they missed a relationship with God through Jesus. Similarly, we can get caught up in religion over a relationship with Jesus. Our devotion can become a place such as the church building and a set of customs rather than a daily and personal walk with Jesus. When this happens, our “religion” is equally as burdensome as the Jewish desire to fulfill the Law. It becomes burdensome both to us and the people around us.

The Jews used Stephen’s own doctrines and teachings against him by perverting them. They coerced some men to make false accusations against Stephen. The accusations brought against Stephen-that he had insulted both Moses and God-had also been brought against Jesus in Matthew 26:59-60. Jesus never spoke against the Mosaic Law. He brought out its true intent and He exposed how the external obedience pushed by the first century Jewish leadership missed God’s intent in the Law.

Such claims, although not true, inflamed the passions of the non-Christian, Jewish people. In their minds, speaking against Moses was blasphemy. If reports are made of what men say, their very words should be reported. We should not report our own explanations of what they actually said.

When Stephen was put on trial, Jesus was also put on trial once again. Stephen was faithful in his witness to the teachings of Jesus. To reject the testimony of Stephen was ultimately to reject Jesus.

A description of what Stephen’s face might have looked like is found in Exodus 34, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai. Those who are filled with the Spirit of God usually reflect something of that reality in their faces. Stephen’s face was pure, calm and unruffled. It reflected the presence of God.

Can we describe our lives as being full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, full of grace and power? Are we people who do great wonders and miraculous things? If not, we must begin asking God today to accomplish these things in our lives. When we start talking about the things of the Lord, do we go along with what other people say, or do we stand against the opponents of the Gospel, radiant and bold and even a bit fearsome as we open our mouths to defend the faith of Christ against the foolishness of unbelief?

Bibliography

1. Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1497)
2. Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament. Part of Wordsearch 11 Bible software package.
3. Polhill, J.B.: Acts, Vol. 26 (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers; 1992; pp. 184-186)
4. Ogilvie, L.J. & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 28: Acts (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1983; pp. 135-138)
5. Stanley, C.F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
6. MacArthur, J.F. Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
7. Os Hillman, “Stephen: A Marketplace Minister.” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org
8. T. M. Moore, “Guilty, As Charged.” Retrieved from www.ailbe.org/tmmoore
9. T.M. Moore, “The Message, Not the Man, the Offense.” Retrieved from www.ailbe.org/tmmoore
10. Dr. Randy White, “Serving Religion.” Retrieved from Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
11. Dave Wyrtzen, “False News.” retrieved from www.truthencounter.com
12. Os Hillman, “Stephen: A Marketplace Minister.” Retrieved from tgif@marketplaceleaders.org  

When you were children, did you ever play a game called “Follow the Leader”? Well, for those of you who didn’t, or for those of you who have never heard of the game, let me explain how it is played. First, you choose a leader. Then you follow him wherever he goes and do whatever he does. You stomp through puddles, climb over fences, or swing from a tree—all to stay in the game because no one wants to be a quitter.

The Gospel passage we heard from John 6:56-69 a few minutes ago is an example of people who did not want to play follow the leader. The passage marks the end of the “bread of life” discourse that we have heard for the last several weeks. Today, it reaches its climax. Jesus tells his followers that if they abide in him-that is, live in him and believe in him-he will always be with them. Jesus is the source of our life and our sustenance. We need to stay connected to him to be fruitful. Just as God gives Jesus life, Jesus in turn gives his followers eternal life if they believe in him.

The choice to accept Jesus is a difficult one. Godly people will still face difficulties in life, including persecution. God’s ways are not our ways, and that is why the Gospel message is hard to accept. It is costly because in order for us to accept Christ’s death and resurrection as the way to eternal life, we also have to experience our own form of death and resurrection. We have to die to our worldly way of life and rise to a new life in Christ. There are times when our faith in Christ will be harder than we expected. Each of us must answer the question, “Where can we go?” Jesus promises us eternal life. We face troubles in this life here on earth, but they pale in comparison to the joy of Christ revealed in us as mentioned in Romans 8:18.

Worldly life and godly life are always in conflict because they are so different. Worldly life always tempts us with the sinful desires of greed, envy, jealousy, sex, drugs, alcohol and other things. The Christian life calls us to live godly lives now in exchange for a heavenly life later-even if our present worldly life is full of pain and persecution.

Jesus wasn’t interested in whether he was causing offense or not. That does not mean that he did not care for the people he was talking to. On the contrary, he deeply cared for them. Because he cared for them, he preferred to speak the truth instead of speaking what was pleasing. Jesus wanted his hearers to know that what he is saying is the truth, even though it is hard to hear. In other words, Jesus used tough love, in contrast to some preachers who want to “tickle the ears” of their congregations.

Jesus did not try to talk unwilling disciples into staying with him, nor did he try to make things easier so that they would reconsider their relationship to him. He wants eager followers who understand the cost of following him. The Gospel message is not easy to hear and accept. The church is often tempted to soften the impact of the message by removing the offending parts or by preaching something similar to the Prosperity Gospel. Most people do not want to hear this message because it calls on them to change their way of life. It calls on them to give up the world’s ways in favour of a life that will lead them to heaven. The truth is so confronting and so painful that we are often hell-bent on hanging on to our sinful way of life. That does not mean that everyone will refuse to accept the message. Some, like Peter and the disciples, realize that Jesus is the key to eternal life. In return, he will give us the strength we need to be strong in our walk of faith. That strength will mean taking a stand for Christ and being counted. It will make a difference both in us and in the lives of everyone we come into contact with.

The picture that this portion of John’s Gospel paints is not a pretty one, but it is a realistic one, especially when our Christian walk of faith is difficult. The picture is also one of belief and faith, especially when we keep our eyes on Jesus. It produces love, joy, peace, hope and eternal life.

The purpose of the Gospel message is not to convince detractors or turn the hearts of rebels. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel message is the means by which our hearts respond to God. The disciples who left heard what Jesus said as a threat—a threat to their way of life, their accepted notions and their grip on reality. Those who stayed heard what Jesus said as a challenge to their way of life, their accepted notions and their grip on reality.

The disciples who continued on with Jesus might not have completely understood what he said, just like sometimes we can’t completely understand what he says. We, like the disciples, might not even be completely comfortable with it, but we are intrigued by what he said. In the Bible, faith is a verb. It is an action by which we consent and act. It is also a process. Peter and the others, like us, need it to grow stronger.

If the disciples-the great heroes of the faith-had doubts, it should not be surprising that we will have doubts. What we can do is embrace them and take them to the one best source for answers-Jesus. Jesus provides the spiritual power that we need in our lives. Without it, we will be overwhelmed by the spiritual and mental challenges we will face. We will be too tired to serve in ministry and will be too weak to engage in spiritual warfare.

If we have faith in Jesus, we have to spread the Good News. We have to be public witnesses for Christ. Sometimes our witness will be in the form of words, but mostly it will take the form of our actions, especially the choices we make in life. If our actions, words and deeds contradict our Christian faith, we are being hypocrites.

If Jesus walked into your dining room tonight to have dinner with you, how would you answer two questions he might ask?

1. Are your goals in life God-centered goals?
2. Are you putting as much energy into loving others as you do in living for yourself?

The Spirit brings forth spiritual fruit in us, equips and deploys us with gifts in service to others, and gives us strength to witness for Christ every day. Our thoughts, feelings, priorities and daily practices are changed to match what Jesus would feel, think and do if he was in our place. We become like Jesus and in turn we love and serve others as Jesus would.

There will be times when our faith is tried and tested. At times like these we must remember that to abandon the faith of Christ will lead to desolation, ruin and death. We must fall back on our personal experience of a living God in which the truth is wrapped up and made flesh for our benefit.

I’m going to close this message by telling you a story about a little girl named Inga. Inga had two older sisters and the two older sisters were in Girl Scouts. Inga watched her sisters go to Girl Scout meetings and she wished she could go and be a part of that real important stuff that they did. She asked her mother if she could go and her mother said, “But, Inga, you’re not old enough to go.” Inga said, “Well, when will I be old enough to go?” And Inga’s mother said, “Soon.”

Finally the day came and Inga joined Brownies. She got a little brown skirt jumper and a little brown hat with a little brownie and she got little half socks with a little brownie on it. Her mother even bought her some brown shoes and she dressed up and went to her first meeting and it was just wonderful.

Well, much later when she and her mother and father and sister were coming to church, she asked her mother this question: “I heard about belonging to Jesus. How do I know that I belong to Jesus? We don’t have a uniform like the Brownies. I know I belong to the Brownies because I have a uniform. How do I know that I belong to Jesus?”

Her mother replied, “Well, where do you go on Sunday morning?” Inga said, “I go to Sunday school to learn about Jesus.”

Her mother continued, “What’s that book in your hand?” Inga said, “It’s the Bible and the Bible is the stories of Jesus.”

And her mother said, “How else do you know that you belong to Jesus, Inga? What do we do always before we go to bed?” Inga replied, “We talk to Jesus every night before we go to sleep.” “And Inga, where do we go after Sunday school?” “We go to the big church.”” And what do we do in the big church? We learn about God and we sing about Jesus.”

Then Inga got this big smile on her face and she said, “I belong to Jesus.” And her mother said, “That’s right.”

When we come to the Lord’s Table to take part in Holy Communion, we know that we draw near to Jesus when we eat the bread and drink the wine. We, like Inga and her mother, also understand that Christ lives in us in a new way, and that we abide in Christ and he abides in us. The Holy Spirit gives us the assurance that we are believers. As Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”. Only then can we have the inner conviction and witness of the Holy Spirit that we are children of God.

Bibliography

• Stanley, C.F., The Charles F Stanley Life Principles Bible, NASB (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 2009)

• Swindoll, Charles; Swindoll’s New Testament Insights on John (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Inc.; 2010)

• Exegesis for John 6:56-69. Retrieved from www.sermonwriter.com

• The Rev. Dr. David Lose, “Words of Eternal Life”. Retrieved from www.day1.org

• Dr. Bill Bright, “A Communist Youth”. Retrieved from Insights_with_Bill_Bright@crosswalkmail.com

• Charles H. Spurgeon, “Sustained by Feeding”. Retrieved from www.christianity.com/devotionals/faiths-checkbook-ch-spurgeom

• Berni Dymet, “Believe in Which Jesus?” Retrieved from www.christianity.com/devotionals/christianity-works-berni-dymet

1. Michael Youssef, PhD, “Bearing Fruit”. Retrieved from mydevotional@leadingtheway.org
2. Greg Laurie, “The Witness of the Holy Spirit”. Retrieved from Greg_Laurie_Daily_Devotions@crosswalkmail.com
3. T.M. Moore, “The Holy Spirit & Affections”. Retrieved from www.colsoncenter.org
4. Sergei Sosedkin, “The Right Diet”. Retrieved from today@thisistoday.net
5. Leslie Snyder, “Where Would I Go?” Retrieved from Homeword@crosswalkmail.com
6. Christopher J. Harris, “Power Outages”. Retrieved from www.stramingfaith.org
7. Jude Siciliano, O.P., “First Impressions, 21^st Sunday, (B)”. Retrieved from www.preacherexchange.org
8. Jim Penner, “Spirit-Filled Living”. Retrieved from positiveminute@hourofpower.cc
9. The Rev. Beth Quick “Offended”. Retrieved from www.bethquick.com
10. The Rev. Charles Hoffacker, “The Flesh God Has Married”. Retrieved from www.sermonwwriter.com
11. Jamieson-Fawcett-Brown Commentary. Part of Lessonmaker 8 Bible software package.
12. “No Turning Back”. Retrieved from www.sermons4kids.com
13. Roland McGregor, “Children’s Sermon for Pentecost 13, 8/26/12”. Retrieved from childpage@mcgregorpage.org