Author Archives: soulsurfer
What to do With the King
Here is the opening to what I’m sharing this Sunday:
Imagine if you will for a moment a scene in Afghanistan, where you are the U.S. Commander of an outpost and you’re confronted with a mob of Afghan people who are dragging a prisoner to the gates of the U.S. Military base….and spokesman for the mob is shouting in broken English that the man they have captured is an insurgent, guilty of plotting against the presence of American troops in their country.
You recognize the person who is making the accusations against the prisoner…he’s the imam of the local mosque, a well respected man in the town.
The mob is calling for the immediate execution of the prisoner – they are asking you to do this in deference to the presence of our troops…they don’t want to be mistaken as insurrectionists themselves.
You call for a translator and try to get to the bottom of what’s happening here. Why should this prisoner be executed? The answer comes back that he has blasphemed Mohammad and declared himself as the rightful leader of the region who will bring a new jihad against your military base.
You try to ask the prisoner what he’s done, but he just stays silent.
As the commander of the base, you’re on thin ice. You’ve been reprimanded by a brigadier general and a major general for the way you’ve mishandled diplomacy with the locals…one more write up and you’ll probably be transferred and busted down a rank….or worse, face a court martial.
You don’t know if the prisoner is guilty or not. You know virtually nothing about him except that he’s at the center of a growing crisis.
The imam is getting hysterical, demanding the prisoner’s death. You don’t know why they consider him worthy of death.
You don’t understand his religion, the culture is alien to you, the mob is growing in size and volume teetering on the verge of a riot….and you’re job, you’re FUTURE is on the line.
What will you do? Sacrifice this one insurgent whether he’s guilty or not…. or defy the mob and risk a riot and the loss of many lives? (Not to mention your career)
Execute one potentially innocent man in order to save a lot more lives who are potentially guilty?
We will be reading about the trial of Jesus in Luke 23:1-25. Pilate is under the extreme pressure of the world and religion as he decides what to do about Jesus’ claim to be king. As you read his story, think about the pressures life has put on you at times – and think about Christ’s claim as king over your life. What did Pilate try to do, and what did he ultimately do, and what can we learn from observing his actions?
Small Group leaders, your leader’s guide can be found here: leaders guide 23-1-25 - note that the title of the message has been changed.
See you Sunday!
Author Ronnie McBrayer
This Sunday Author and speaker Ronnie McBrayer is going to be sharing with us. Ronnie is a friend of mine, whose writing always challenges me to consider what I really know about Christ and how to live out this faith I have in Him. Trust me, you will want to hear Ronnie. Among those I’ve met who are wandering in search of authentic faith, Ronnie is one I feel a deep, kindred appreciation for. Check out this video he made, and check out his website to get to know him a little better!
Home Group leaders…you’re on your own this week. My suggestion would be to have a discussion by asking people to share their own thoughts about what Ronnie shares with us. If not that…have a hang out night just for fun. We will be returning to the regular schedule from your leader’s guides next week.
Hope to see everyone Sunday!
God in the Hands of Angry Sinners
Have you ever dealt with a really obstinate person – a person whose mind is made up and no amount of reasoning or arguing will ever change it? How do you feel when faced with that kind of exchange…what do you do?
In our study of the Gospel of Luke this week we’ll be reading chapter 22:63-71. It’s the account of Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish authority of the time.
Much is revealed about the nature of who Jesus is in this account, yet surprisingly Jesus says very few words. He’s beaten by soldiers and interrogated by religious leaders – both groups doing their best to provoke a desired reaction from him, both failing. What IS revealed is that there are actually two courtroom scenes in this section, one seen and one invisible to the naked eye. In a masterful literary setup, Luke presents the irony of one group assuming a position of power over One who is actually judge of all. Jesus makes the statement in v69 that identifies him as one holding equal power and right to rule with God, and that seals his fate in their minds. Its a strange scene where God is in the hands of angry sinners (with apologies to Jonathan Edwards).
Hebrews 12:3 says “ Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” - in other words, look at Jesus’ example of how he behaved when faced with closed minded, intolerant people, and learn how you can handle people like that. As you look at Jesus’ behavior during this unjust trial, what do you observe about him and how he did or didn’t react? Who’s opinion of him does he point to as having ultimate importance? – that is, who’s opinion of him matters most? What can we learn from that when people don’t like us or misunderstand us or have a low view of our worth?
It should prove an interesting discussion for the home groups this week. A leader’s guide for this week can be found here: leaders guide 22-63-71
Stuff to think about. Hope to see you Sunday!
Falling Down and Lifted Up
Have you ever felt really confident about your ability to do something, only to find yourself unable to do said thing under pressure and be humiliated as a result? One event from my childhood sticks out in my mind as I ponder this subject.
When I was in 7th grade, my parents sent me to a private Christian school (ugh…long story). It was a small school, but wanting to provide opportunities for sports participation they formed a basketball team and joined the circuit of other private schools who played each other. As I said, ours was a small school and among the young lads who were thrown into this situation, I found myself to be one of the tallest of my peers. We had been playing basketball during lunch break and I had started fancying myself as a decent player…A contender with height and skills to be a star for our burgeoning team. When our uniforms came I wore my jersey over my t-shirt just so everyone would know that I was a basketball player. I talked loudly about our new basketball team to the neighbor kids, speculating on how our team was going to own the other teams and imagining myself being carried off the court by my fellow players because it was my three point shot which clinched our spectacular win.
At our very first game, when I arrived at the gymnasium it was held in, I had no idea how nervous I could really be. I felt cold and immediately self-conscious in front of all the strangers that were there to watch the game. I started trembling (I assumed from the cold) and my hands started sweating. Our coach told us to take the court and start warming up. We formed up in lines to do lay ups. My hands were getting more and more sweaty, and my teeth started chattering – and suddenly, the ball was thrown to me and it was my turn for a lay-up. I can still see it all in slow motion. I dribbled the ball as I ran toward the basket – took one step and started to launch and lift the ball toward the backboard – that’s when I noticed that the other team had cheerleaders who were practicing behind the basket on our side of the court, and they were watching me.
I wish I could tell you that I performed the most graceful and stunning lay-up in the history of lay-ups, and that the cheerleaders swooned at the sheer magnificence of my athleticism.
Did I mention that my hands were sweaty?
Just as I began to lift the ball toward the backboard and launched off my left foot – the ball slipped off my moist palm and shot straight into the huddled squad of cheerleaders, who screamed and scattered like swans being shot at by a drunken hunter. The confusion of losing the ball so suddenly caused me to stumble off my hop and I came down hard on my ankle and I fell as a tumbling mass of humiliated, pre-teen angst. I got up quickly and laughed and tried to shake it off, but I had twisted my ankle and was having trouble putting weight on my foot. From a lay-up. During warm ups. In front of Catholic cheerleaders and everybody. I’ve since come to realize that I have zero skills at basketball, and take my rightful place in front of the TV to watch other people play.
That’s sort of like our story in the Gospel of Luke this Sunday. Sort of. We’ll be reading Luke 22:54-62, the account of Peter denying Christ.
Why do you think Peter denied Jesus, and do you relate to that at all? Have you ever felt like you’ve denied what you know about him, or denied his plans for your life?
How do you react to falling down like that? What do you do? As you think about Peter’s story later on, what do you think Peter did with this failure – and what can we learn from that?
That’s what we’ll be exploring this Sunday – and what the small groups will be discussing this coming week. If you’re a small group leader, here is the study guide for this week: leaders guide 22-54-62
Facing Our Betrayer
Have you ever been deeply let down by someone in your life? Ever felt betrayed and experienced the pain of that? It’s as near a physical pain as any I think we could endure. There’s something to our connection with fellow human beings that sort of gives us a sense of completion…and when that gets severed, the fallout can sometimes be crippling.
Jesus was no stranger to betrayal. Neither is God for that matter; one only has to think back to the Garden of Eden and a tree God’s precious image bearers were not to eat from.
We’re going to read Luke 22:47-53 this Sunday.
We know he anticipated it, but how do you think Jesus felt when he saw Judas’ face with all the people who had come to arrest him? You can tell by their reaction how the disciples felt. Suddenly there is shouting and screaming and an ear spinning through the night air.
The disciples were ready for defense…but what was Jesus’ reaction to that? How does that square with your normal reaction to being betrayed or mistreated?
In contrast to lashing out to do harm….what action did Jesus do, and to whom? Do you think this becomes an example for us – why or why not? How difficult is it for you to follow this lead? Are there ways you’ve learned to be forgiving and do good to those who abuse you? If so, share them with us.
This should be a good topic to consider Sunday morning…and then discuss at a home group later on!
Home group leaders – here’s your guide for this week! leaders guide 22-47-53
Praying When We’re Tested
This Sunday we’re going to read about one of Jesus’ most famous prayers – as he prays in the Garden of Gethsemane. We’ll be reading Luke 22:39-46.
As you read this – what are your thoughts about Jesus’ emotional state? Compare this description of his agony to some of the ways Jesus is portrayed in movies or religious art. Are you able to connect with the humanity of Jesus?
Jesus struggled in prayer before facing the harrowing hours of the cross. He found his disciples sleeping, and he warned them that they too should be praying in order to avoid “entering into temptation“. What does that mean to you? How does prayer defend us during times of trial, trouble or temptation?
Do you have a story of a time when communing with God kept you strong in the face of a difficult time? If you want to, share it in the comment section.
Don’t forget that small groups have started – don’t be shy or give in to isolation…get connected with one of these groups and allow yourself to grow in grace! You can find a list of groups here: small group flyers (am I spelling “flyers” wrong?)
Discussion Group leaders: Here is the discussion guide for this week: leaders guide 22-39-46
Great Hope for Screw-Ups
Well, the holidays are over and somehow it really feels good to get back into our routines. One of those routines being our study of the Gospel of Luke.
Have you ever messed something up royally…I mean, done something that you wish everyone would just forget forever, including yourself? I know I have a huge file labeled “cringe” that every once in a while a folder will slip out of and I have to be reminded of how very prone I am to messing things up. In the passage we’re going to look at this Sunday, Jesus is going to preemptively point out a huge failure that Simon Peter is going to experience.
As you read the passage, how do you imagine Jesus saying these things…that is, how do you read his emotional response; angry, sad, irritated, or what? Imagine that YOU are the one who’s going to screw up (like Peter), and then imagine that Jesus’ words are being spoken to you. How does that read – do his words leave you hopeful or condemned? Is this different from how you imagine God’s response when you fall short and sin? What can we take away from this?
v35-38 have always been somewhat troubling. Jesus’ meaning is not very clear on the surface. Does reading the Message Paraphrase add any insight for you into what Jesus may be trying to say? Do you find any connection between Jesus’ identification of an Enemy (Satan) and his warning in v35-37?
The Small Groups are going to launch after Sunday, and group leaders may want to pull some of the questions posed here to supplement the questions already provided to you. If you don’t have a leader’s guide, you can download the PDF for this week’s passage here: leaders guide 22-31-38
Please make the commitment to get involved in one of the home groups that are starting – it is vital for our church to make deeper community connections. Remember, everything about the Christian life is expressed in the context of community – to grow with God we MUST grow closer to other people. If you need to know what home groups are available, you can download the PDF of the home group list here: small group flyer
Livin’ Large
Greatness.
Most people wouldn’t admit to trying to be great, unless they are Muhammad Ali in the 60′s, but most people are trying to find greatness if we define it as the best life we can live. For us as American consumers, if we were to ask people what the best life we can live looks like, it would most likely be described as one where we have all the possessions we want and are free from discomfort. I could guarantee that nobody would exclaim that the best life results from doing extra work for somebody else for no immediate rewards.
Yet oddly enough — that’s exactly what Jesus described as the pathway to greatness. We’re going to be reading Luke 22:24-30 this Sunday. It is still Luke’s account of Jesus observing the Passover meal with his disciples, and the final words he gives to them.
In this passage, an argument breaks out about who is the most awesome of Jesus’ disciples, right on the heels of Him explaining how he’s going to be betrayed and sacrificed for everyone. It’s downright cringe worthy. Ever do that? Ever find yourself fixated on your own self-centric interests even in the face of someone else’s greater dilemmas? I have, way more often than I’m willing to admit to.
Jesus corrects his disciples by inviting them into a “descent into greatness”. He points toward a focus that is others-centered as the means of true satisfaction. Jesus pointed toward himself as our example for this kind of life. In what ways was Jesus a servant – and how can we use that as a template for our own lives? When is it most difficult to BE a servant, and how can we change our attitudes about that?
I love how Jesus finishes off the section by commending his disciples, promising them that they’ll be sharing his kingdom with him. It gives me such great hope. Here these goons have been vying for the disciple of the month award, in the face of Jesus’ great sacrifice – - and yet….THESE are the same guys he’s been longing to eat this meal with. These are the guys he likes, and wants to hang with. I’m encouraged by that. God’s grace super-abounds in spite of our human frailties. Pretty cool, huh?
Hope to see you Sunday!
The New Table
There is nothing quite like getting together with friends over a meal, is there? Somehow, the process of sharing food and sharing conversation blend together in a way that seems to enlarge life. Sharing meals is a big part of the Biblical narrative. In the gospel of Luke, there are more accounts of Jesus having meals than in any other record (something like ten in all).
In our passage this Sunday, we’ll be looking at Luke 22:1-23, where Jesus shares the Passover meal with his disciples.
The first few verses provide the backdrop for our story…the wicked scheming that occurs behind the scenes on the eve of Israel’s celebration of national salvation. You get the feeling of chess pieces being moved on a board, as this cosmic conflict unfolds between God and “satanas” – the enemy.
When I get to v15, it really strikes me. Jesus expresses such a strong desire to share a meal with his disciples. It’s the strongest word he can use, and he literally says “I have desired with desire…”. When you imagine your relationship with Jesus, do you ever think of him longing to be around you? How do you react internally to the idea that Jesus wants to hang out with you — that Jesus likes you?
During the observance of the Passover Seder, Jesus took two elements and refashioned them into what amounts to a new table - we could say, a new way in which God and man relate and have relationship. He used the afikoman bread and the cup of redemption as new symbols of how salvation occurs. Did he point to anything else as the means of salvation? How do you think Christ feels about any attempt we make to set something else on his table – like our efforts or our good works?
This new table is a table of grace set by a God who invites us because he wants us. He wants us – as we are, not as we should be. What sort of response does that inspire in your own heart?
Share your thoughts about this passage, I’d love to read them. See you Sunday!
The Good Ending
“And they lived happily ever after.”
That was the commonly expected end line to any given fairy tale read to us when we were growing up. All good stories come to an end, and the stories that warmed our hearts and sparked our imaginations as children always had a good ending. I know that there is a more jaded view of life that seems predominant in story telling lately, but still the most popular of stories resolve with a good ending. For all the loss and pain that built during Harry Potter’s time at Hogwarts, the final ending was one of peace and hope and love. In fact, it was the darkest moments of Voldemort’s successes in his return that made the light shine that much brighter when he was finally defeated for good.
All the best stories have a good ending.
The Bible is no different, and this Sunday as we continue our study in Luke, Jesus will give us a glimpse of the good ending God has in store. It’s just that, before we get to that end, things will get pretty dark. We’ll be reading Luke 21:20-38.
Jesus describes things that, if they happen literally, would be very frightening – signs in the sky and panic on the earth. But v28 tells us what response God is hoping for from us, and why. What is the response, and why would we give that response?
Redemption is the end goal. Rescue is what God’s big plan is all about. The problem is, if life is pretty good and our own little kingdom is doing pretty well, its sort of hard to want God’s kingdom to come, isn’t it? Redemption sounds like really good news to people whose lives have gotten really bad. That sort of brings a new understanding to some of the dark times faced on earth, doesn’t it? Light dawning is always sweet for those who sit in darkness. When Pharaoh took away the straw to make bricks, the wilderness looked pretty good to the Israelites as a path to the promised land of freedom.
Still, it’s been 2,000 years since Jesus made this promising prediction. 2,000 years is a long time to sit on the edge of your seat without settling back and trying to get comfortable. That presents us with a danger which Jesus alerts us to. I am certain that Jesus’ words were not meant to inspire a fear that we might miss the rapture if we misbehave, but rather, inspire a HOPE that would bring out what’s best in us while we wait for him. If we live with a certainty of hope – if we live right now believing that the world will one day be set right, how might it change the way we live? What does life look like when lived with a sure belief that justice, peace, kindness and grace will one day prevail? What kind of life emerges from the unshakable conviction that love will win the day?
I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on this passage. Hope your Thanksgiving weekend is all you had hoped it would be – and I pray that grace surrounds you always! See you Sunday.
