Category: By Rob Woodrum

The Truth in Love

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truth-consequences-FB

We will be starting a new study this coming Sunday – a series exploring 2nd and 3rd John , as well as Jude. They are three of the shortest books in the New Testament and we’re lumping them into one study because they all three carry the same theme. Each of them is commending us to the truth, and warning us of the consequences of wandering away from the truth.

Pilate asked Jesus a question that still echoes in the air to this day; “What is truth?” Ours is a world that has learned to be wary of some who declare they have the “truth” because so often they are, in reality, making a power-play. “This is the world as I see it and want it to be, and I will force you into that mold whether you want it or not”. A lot of damage can and has been done in the name of truth.

There are so many different kinds of truth – subjective, propositional, experiential, objective….and with humans being so varied and complex, what qualifies as a universal, meta-truth for all of us?

More importantly, what were the New Testament writers referencing when they declared and rallied their readers around the truth? That’s something we will explore and consider. As you think about what the consistent message of the New Testament writers is, how would you summarize the truth they declared?

We’ll begin our study in 2 John 1:1-6.

Count up how many times the word “truth” appears in the first four verses. What does this frequency intimate about John’s emphasis?

What connection does John make between truth and love? In v3 John is greeting his readers, but he drops a ton of theology in that “hey ya’ll”. What does v 3 tell us that we receive from God by truth and love?

What is the importance of love in relation to truth? What is the importance of truth in relation to love? Do you believe it is possible to have one without the other? Why or why not?

Not to scare you – but come prepared to think this Sunday, we have some fascinating things to consider! Hope to see you then!

 

God is Love

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As I mentioned today, here is 1 Corinthians 13 with God replaced for the word “love”, and ourselves inserted into the text. This is a good starting place for gaining a new perspective on the source of love in our lives.

 

 GOD is patient and kind with me.

God is not jealous, God does not brag,

and is not proud.

 GOD is not rude towards me, is not selfish,

and does not get upset with me.

GOD does not count up wrongs that

 I have done.

  GOD is not happy with the

evil that happens in my life,

but is happy with the truth forming in me.

 GOD patiently endures all things in me.

God always trusts, always hopes,

and always remains strong for me.

 God’s Love never ends for me.

Also – some people had asked for a copy of the slideshow – so here is a PDF you can download: love actually

Cheers!

Love Actually

Rob Woodrum3 Comments

love actuallyWe are going to be starting a new series, but not until next week. This Sunday is Valentine’s Day and I thought I might extrapolate a few of the thoughts I presented last week concerning love as the Bible describes it compared to how our present culture seems to view it. What is love? Is it a good feeling? Is it some force of nature which we have no control over? Is love worth the risk we take to express it? How do we grapple with disappointments and disillusionment in love? How can we love those who don’t love us back?

I don’t know if we can answer all of those questions in full, but we certainly can begin to get our bearings about the nature of love and it’s source by going to the Scriptures.

This Sunday we’ll do a short foray into 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, reading Paul’s quintessential poem about the nature of love. Sadly, this section of Scripture often gets relegated to wedding services only, and we miss the depth of what’s revealed about the nature of agape love and how it must be foundation to any other expression of love. The words in this chapter certainly pertain to spousal relationships, but it also pertains to every other relationship we can know. 1 Corinthians 13 isn’t just for married people – it’s for human people, married, single or in-between and effects how we relate to anyone.

Our culture defines love primarily as romance. But romance is more about the dramatic words and experiences we have that heighten the emotional and physical draw between couples. We often think of love as only associated with good feelings. Yet, read Paul’s description of love. How many of his descriptors imply good feelings? How many imply negative feelings?

What does that tell us about the nature of love?

But if love is something that transcends our feelings, how do we muster the initiative to express it? What is the source of our love if it’s not the good feelings found in reciprocal love?

To answer that, we’ll need to look at what the “Apostle of Love” said (sounds like a funk band from the 70’s, doesn’t it?). John, in 1 John 4:7-11, clues us in on the source of love. If our love doesn’t find it’s source in the love returned to us from another human being…where does it come from and how is it sustained?

That’s some serious stuff to think about. We’re going to talk about love, brain secretions, and a bunch of other interesting things this Sunday as we consider what love is, actually.

Hope to see you then!

Tangibly Greater

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heb graph webThis Sunday we’ll be finishing up our study in the book of Hebrews, reading all of chapter 13 and the writer’s closing thoughts.

There is a lot packed into the wrap-up – but in many ways the author is restating in practical terms what’s been unfolding in the previous 12 chapters. We are given a framework by which the greater life that comes through Christ can be lived out. We have described for us how Jesus is tangibly greater.

in v1-6 we’re encouraged about where, how and who we give our love to. The word that the writer uses for “love” in v1 is “philedelphia“. How can a familial sort of love be encouraged within the church community? In what ways can a church community show hospitality to stranger?

The Christian has always been called to a counter-cultural view of sex and sexuality and materialism. How does our culture view sex, and how does that differ from God’s intent according to this passage in Hebrews? How can a love for money interfere with our love for God? How does remembering God’s care for us influence us away from loving money?

In v7-17 we move from love to faith. What leaders do you suppose the writer has in mind, and what do you think it means to honor them? Given all the other instructions found in the New Testament about discerning what’s being taught to us, this can’t mean that we follow people without question. What are some ways we can we question or even disagree with a leader and still be respectful of the calling?

Considering that Hebrews is written to Jewish believers who are feeling the pressure of claiming Jesus as Messiah – what comfort would it bring to them to remember that Jesus accomplished God’s great purposes outside of Jerusalem and away from the temple?

What sacrifices does the writer challenge us to bring to God? How are they different from the sacrifices of the Old Testament?

This has been a challenging book, that’s for sure….but also very rewarding. I hope it’s been that way for you too. See you Sunday!

Unshakeable

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What sort of things do you consider to be part of a stable life? What kinds of events or circumstances seem to threaten a person’s stability in life? This Sunday we’re going to consider some of the things that go into a stable, unshakable life as the book of Hebrews describes it. We’ll be reading Hebrews 12:14-29.

If I were to be honest, I’m not that crazy about what v12 commands of us. What sort of person do you find it most difficult to have peace with? The Greek word for “strive” is dioko – which means to run after something, as though to hunt it. What connection do you see between peace, grace and holiness?

The story of Esau is found it Genesis 25-27. What do you believe the moral of his story is? How can prioritizing eternal goals keep us from falling into sin and painful consequences they sometimes carry?

In v18-24 the writer of Hebrews comes to his stunning climax of the letter by displaying the intense contrast between Mount Sinai where the law was given to Israel, and the result of a faith in Jesus, which brings us into God’s welcoming presence, pictured as Mount Zion. Everything about it is better…greater, hence the theme of this whole letter. What did the blood of Able speak? What does the blood of Christ speak on our behalf?

The writer finishes off by reminding us (something consistently proclaimed in Scripture) that this broken world is going to be shaken out of it’s place, and a new, resurrected world will emerge. The point he’s making is a warning about who we ally with. The shakeable world will go into destruction – but those allied with Christ will not be shaken. V28 tells us what a stable response to this grace would be – what is it?

What are your thoughts about v29? Does it make you nervous, or stoked? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.

Really looking forward to this teaching! Hope to see you there!

The Story of Faith

Rob Woodrum1 Comment

My formative Christian years were spent embracing what has popularly come to be known as “the health and wealth” gospel. I was told that if I had the right amount of faith, I could get God to do my bidding and provide me fabulous toys and inexhaustible wellness. Hebrews chapter 11 was a go-to source for the teaching of this persuasion. Over and over again I would be challenged with the anthem: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen! By FAITH they obtained the promises!”, which by application meant that through the exercising of faith I would obtain the (presumed) promise of a new model automobile. If I was still driving a rusty Pinto, it was my fault for not having enough faith to bring my desires into existence.

How did we draw that conclusion from Hebrews 11? Very simply. We NEVER read it in one sitting. We never put it all together to get the sweep of the story, nor did we ever place it in the larger context of the whole book. We dunked into it like we were bobbing for apples, coming up with a prized proof text in our teeth and demanding God’s unconditional surrender to what we “discovered”.

Needless to say, I don’t read Hebrews 11 that way anymore. I certainly won’t teach it that way this weekend. Nor will I break this lengthy chapter up to provide bite-sized sermons about Old Testament Heroes. *You’re sounding a little curmudgeonly Rob.*  – Sorry. I don’t mean to. It’s just that I’m pretty passionate about getting at the heart of what the writer is communicating in this chapter. It’s really very cool, but not what many people suppose. I really believe this is a chapter that needs to be read in one sitting to get the sense of emphasis I believe the writer intends.

You should read Hebrews 11. As you do, remind yourself of the overall point of this letter: encouraging Jewish believers not to give up their faith in Jesus as the Messiah because Jesus is greater than the Old Covenant system they had known. They were discouraged because they were facing persecution (as we learned in chapter 10) and Jesus hadn’t yet returned  – so Hebrews 11 presents a case for holding on by faith.

V6 of this chapter gives us the primitive core of a life of faith. How would you paraphrase what the writer is saying? Describe what that would look like in your life.

In this long list of characters, what is the consistent situation that must be faced by those who are holding on by faith? V13,19,22 and 39 can give you a hint. What direction does faith look? What impact did their faith have on how they viewed this present life?

How was Moses’ faith expressed according to v24-25? How does that influence our understanding of faith as it relates to the choices we make in this present, fallen world?

Man….I’m sorta’ stoked about this chapter. Hope you can make it this Sunday as we explore it together!

Also, here are the songs we’ll be singing:

Divine Romance

Glory to God Forever

Spirit of the Living God

Whom Shall I Fear

Hallelujah What a Savior

Life With a New Heart

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Back in 2006, a study was conducted regarding people who underwent heart bypass surgery. The late Dr. Edward Miller noted that of the 600,000 bypass operations performed in a single year, only 10% of the patients cooperated with the lifestyle changes that were necessary in order to make the procedure effective. He is famously quoted as saying: “If you look at people after coronary-artery bypass grafting two years later, 90% of the have not changed their lifestyle. And that’s been studied over and over and over again.” Even though they were given another chance with their ticker, they didn’t cooperate with the fixes so they ended back up on the operating table or worse.

We have been given a new start by Christ. Our hearts have been renewed, that is, our inner person has been forgiven and cleansed. That isn’t the result of our efforts or abilities, it is solely the result of God’s grace through Christ’s sacrifice. Yet even though our salvation isn’t attributed to our own efforts, we still have to cooperate with that new heart we’ve been granted. We need to live from that new heart.

We’re going to be finishing up chapter 1o of Hebrews this Sunday, reading v19-39.

We see a lot of “let us”‘s in this section. What does it mean to you to “draw near to God”? What things keep you from following that instruction? What do you think the writer of Hebrews would say to that?

Why do you think the writer encourages his readers not to lose their hope in Christ? What sort of things discourage you in your walk of faith? How can you keep your hope in Christ alive and fresh?

How important is the church community to your life of following Jesus? The first readers of this letter were facing persecution and would easily be tempted to avoid meeting with other believers because it would be easier and safer to stay out of sight. The writer doesn’t seem to allow for that? What reasons do you have, or have you heard for not gathering with other believers? What can meeting with other believers result in according to the writer (v24-25). What encouragement do you get from meeting up with fellow faith travelers?

The last section of this chapter is possibly one of the harshest in all the New Testament. It’s caused a lot of consternation for believers throughout church history. His main point seems to be a warning about rejecting God’s means of providing salvation, namely, Jesus. To reject God’s offer and turn to something else doesn’t lead to life, just the opposite. The writer then points them to the bigger picture (v37) to encourage them to persevere.  In what ways can the promise of God’s restoration of all things help us to persevere during the hard times of life? How can we develop habits of looking towards a good ending when we struggle?

Prepare to be challenged but encouraged this Sunday! Hope to see you there!

The Single Sacrifice

Rob Woodrum1 Comment

There are some things I have to do every day, day in and day out. Brushing my teeth is an example. But there are many, many more things that I have to attend to or practice every day. All of us have those. I can’t brush my teeth once and assume that they are now clean and that work is done. I wouldn’t have teeth for very long if I thought that way.

But what if we had a problem with our car and we took it to a mechanic to have it fixed. Then the next day we had the same exact car trouble, and took it back to the mechanic again. On the following day, it is the same thing. Day after day we keep returning to the mechanic to attend the same problem. What conclusion would we draw about this situation?

In our text this Sunday we’ll be reading Hebrews 10:1-18. In this section the writer will draw some hard contrasts between the repetitive nature of the temple/sacrificial system of the Old Covenant and the once for all time sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf.

Why does the writer say that the old system was inadequate?  What remedy did God have in mind for these annual sacrifices? What did those repetitive sacrifices actually remind people about themselves?

The writer explains the effects of Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf in v14. To be made whole (perfected) and set apart as belonging to God (sanctified) is a powerful result for us to consider. How does being defined as belonging to God change your way of understanding yourself? Do you see that as a good thing or a negative thing, and why?

When the writer wraps up his case in v15-18 he repeats his quote of Jeremiah 31 where God was forecasting the kind of relationship he had in mind between himself and humanity. V 17-18 are powerful statements. What does not remember about you? What is it that is missing from you so that sacrifices are no longer necessary to perform? How does that affect your understanding of yourself and others?

How can we begin to live in a way that reveals our state of being forgiven and redeemed forever?

This is going to be an intriguing study – hope to see you this Sunday!

Christ, Our Reformation

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I hope everyone had a wonderful and peace-filled Christmas! Now we look forward to the New Year…and that time of great resolutions! If there were one thing about yourself that you’d like to reform, what would it be (you may not want to answer that publicly – heh)? What about in the world at large? If there were one thing you had the power to reform, what would it be?

What about the church and religion?What, if anything, would you love to see re-formed?

This Sunday we’ll be talking about God’s intention to reform us, and all creation, as we continue our study in Hebrews, chapter 9.

This section is pretty dense – it will probably make a lot more sense to you if you read it in The Message version first. Don’t let its complexity scare you off.

I sort of think that the argument the writer is making was probably more effective in the ancient world – but the main point he’s making is still wonderful truth nonetheless. He’s moved from contrasting the ancient high priest of Levitical Judaism with Jesus to the ancient sacrificial system and how it was simply a picture of Jesus’ death on the cross for us.

V5 is interesting to me. At the end of it, he either means he doesn’t have time to talk about all the different things that were in the holy of holies in the temple…or that he can’t. Can you think of a  few reasons why, at that period in time, he didn’t know how to describe the things in there in detail? What would they be?

This passage talks a lot about blood, which can be really offputting to modern readers. It’s quite understandable. What does the writer indicate that those sacrifices were standing in the place of?

The writer sets the stage for the “coming reformation” – God’s intent to make all things new. It begins, as the writer insists, with Jesus’ death on the cross which paves the way for a new covenant (a way of relating to God) and will conclude with a new world (v28). In what ways does the author argue that a greater reform is possible under this new covenant in Christ?

Hebrews is a challenging book – but our faith grows more robust as we take the time to explore it! Hope to see you Sunday!

 

The Greater Covenant

Rob Woodrum1 Comment

If you could see into the year 2050, what things that we consider necessities do you think will be obsolete by then? If you had the ability to make something obsolete…what would it be?

We’re going to be continuing our study in the book of Hebrews this Sunday, reading all of chapter 8.

As you read this chapter, you’ll find that the writer is trying to press home a point: Jesus is who the Old Testament levitical system was pointing towards. What Jesus provides to us is greater than anything that had been known previously. His readers were being tempted to return to the old patterns of obeying the Law of Moses in order to be a covenant people, but the writer is adamant that to do that is to go the wrong way.

When describing the superiority of our covenant through Christ, he draws some contrasts. Where does he say Jesus exercises his priestly duties in contrast to the priesthood of Israel. What about this makes Jesus superior in the writer’s mind?

He then quotes from Jeremiah 31 where God Himself forecasts that a new covenant is on the horizon for Israel…and all mankind. As he describes what this covenant would be like, what are the characteristics of it? How does it contrast with a covenant of compliance with a law? How do you think this contrast makes the new covenant superior?

V13 is an amazing verse to me. This should be everyone’s go-to verse if they are confronted by anyone who wants to require us to submit to the Law of Moses. What do verses 12 and 13 tell us about the nature of God’s intent for the human race?

This will be a very engaging passage of Scripture to explore – hope to see you Sunday!