Category: Faith

God’s Rule in Action

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I remember once when my wife and I were going to turn an enclosed porch area on the back of our house into an extra bedroom for our boys. We planned and considered how this could be accomplished and what it would take. We drew a lot of diagrams on napkins and contemplated this task – and then realized it was too big for us and had to be hired out. A friend from church did construction jobs like this agreed to take on our project. What I still remember was the great sense of satisfaction and even surprise when he set out to tear sections out and rebuild others, because there was a big difference between this project in theory and seeing it in action. It turned out much better than we had imagined.

That’s a lot like what’s happening in our study in Matthew. We’ll be reading the last part of Matthew chapter 4 this Sunday and we’ll finally see the start of Jesus’ ministry.

In v15-16, Matthew identifies Jesus’ work as a fulfillment of a prophecy given by Isaiah, 600 years earlier. Light dawning on people living in darkness is how the action of the kingdom of God is described. What is your impression of this metaphor? What do you think it means, and how does that inform your understanding of God’s purposes for humanity?

We then read about Jesus’ first disciples. We’ll be unpacking the dynamic of rabbis and talmidim (disciples) on Sunday morning – but succinctly put: if these guys were working in the family business, it was because they didn’t measure up for normal rabbinical activities. Yet Jesus chooses these fishermen to be his close associates who will set out to imitate him. What does that tell us about God’s rule in action? Who is it open to, and what action does he call his disciples to (v19)?

V23-25 provide a summary of the excitement that was building around Jesus. What is it that he is becoming famous and sought out for? What is this revealing about God’s rule in action – what is intended? In all three of these examples, what is it about this that makes it good news?

Looking forward to this study! Happy Father’s day in advance – and don’t forget it’s Surf-N-Grill this Sunday, and if you want to be baptized, follow this link to sign up online: sign up!

See yez’ Sunday!

Tempted to Evade

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If you’ve ever dieted, either to shed a few pounds or because of health reasons, what is the main thing you think about whilst denying yourself of some type of food? I can’t speak for you, but I know that most of the time all I see are visions of corn-dogs dancing in a chorus line singing “We taste great with MUSTARD!”. That’s a fascinating thing about the human experience: we have strong urges and desires for whatever it is that is that is generally not good for us.

In a theological framework we talk about sin, but sin is simply the determination to do what we want instead of what God intends. It is the evasion of God’s rule over our lives and we are tempted to evade God on a regular basis.

We’re coming back to our study in the gospel of Matthew, reading chapter 4:1-11 this Sunday. In stepping into the human experience, Jesus faces temptation to evade God’s rule as well. In fact, the account of his temptation in the desert is a sweeping overview of the nature of our temptations. Do you ever feel bad for being tempted by things you feel you should be beyond in your Christian walk? Remember this: Jesus was tempted too. What does that tell us about how we should understand our own temptations? There’s an old saying that we’re not responsible for the birds that fly overhead, only the one’s we allow to nest in our hair.

The first temptation that is presented to Jesus is found in v1-4. It wasn’t wrong or evil for Jesus to be hungry. He certainly was given power to do miraculous things with bread – he’ll supernaturally provide enough bread to feed thousands of people out in the desert later on in this story. Why was this suggestion to make bread from stones a temptation to sin? How do you think this would this be evading God’s rule? What clue does v4 provide for us?

Next Jesus is tempted to jump from the highest point in the temple (v5-7). Again, this is similar to something Jesus will do later on – he won’t walk on air, but he’ll walk on water, defying the laws of physics. The devil quotes scripture to back up the suggestion. That’s something to ponder for a while. When people say “God said it, I believe it, that settles it” – why would that not apply in a situation like this? Why would it matter who is speaking God’s word? What is the temptation to sin in this suggestion of stepping out in faith that God will rescue him? What clue do we get from Jesus’ response in v7?

The final temptation recorded in this account is in v8-11. Once again we have the contrast of human kingdoms with God’s kingdom. Worship me, the devil says, and you will be King of kings. Interesting, since that is ultimately what Jesus is called – and the last book of the Bible says in Revelation 11:15 that the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord. Why is this a sin if it’s the fulfillment of his destiny anyway? What happens before Jesus ascends to the right hand of the Father? What does Jesus have to go through in order to be exalted? Who’s will is he serving before he can be King of kings and Lord of lords?

In each of these temptations there is a forecast of something Jesus will ultimately do. The difference is by whom it is fulfilled. Where do we look for our fulfillment as human beings? A lot of things in this world promise fulfillment and wholeness – but Who holds the true source of wholeness? What has your experience been in looking for fulfillment in the things we can grasp for in this broken world? How can that instruct us?

Whelp – it will be an intense study, but comforting all in all. Hope to see you then!

People Get Ready

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It looks like our current hurricane season is going to be a tad more active than in the last 10 years. We’re already getting advisories about having our emergency supplies and evacuation procedures in place. There are a lot of things that take us by surprise in life, but hurricanes are not usually one of them. We have as much as a week to prepare in many cases. Meterologists give us the heads up; “Storm’s a comin’!” and it’s up to us whether we heed that forecast or not.

As we continue our study in Matthew this week we’ll be reading chapter 3.  We’re going to be introduced to a forecaster – John the Baptist, who will be announcing the arrival of the Messiah and the launch of God’s kingdom invasion.

As you read John’s message, what does his major theme seem to be? What is he calling people to do? What do you think his instructions meant to a Jewish person living in the first century? What does that mean to us, as 21st Century Americans? What sort of radical changes have taken place in your life as a result of embracing the Good News of Jesus?

The Pharisees and Sadducees show up too, and John doesn’t give them the greeting they are accustomed to. What does he seem to highlight as the problem with these religious leaders? Why does he call them snakes? What do you think it means to “bear fruit in keeping with repentance”?

John warns us that it wont all be rainbows and cupcakes when Messiah comes on the scene. He warns of an ax cutting the roots of a tree and of an unquenchable fire. Who was he talking to when using these metaphors? What warning would we personally take from his words?

When Jesus shows up he does something that surprises everyone, including John. He gets in line for his turn to be baptized. John is nonplussed. “You’re the Messiah, come to save us from sin…I need to be baptized by you…what do YOU need to repent of?” It’s a puzzling scene to this day. Jesus said he needed to do it to fulfill all righteousness. In other words – the righteousness, the setting things right that God intends comes through a Messiah who stands in the river with humanity, indentifying with them in their state; Taking their baptism onto himself. What other ways does Messiah identify with humanity to save us?

Hope to see you Sunday!

Kingdom Come – the Gospel of Matthew

Rob Woodrum1 Comment

matt FB web

This Sunday we’ll be starting a new study in the gospel of Matthew! We’ll be reading all of chapter one. I’m pretty stoked about this as it’s my second time through this gospel. I know it can be a disappointing shock when you begin to read this story and realize it begins with a long genealogy. Not the exciting start we’d hoped for, but an important one for establishing Jesus’ claim as Messiah. The expected Messiah was most certainly supposed to be Jewish, and from the family line of King David. The list of names that Matthew provides establishes just that.

Now, pay attention to the names of the characters in this list. Look up Tamar and Judah. Do some research on Rahab and her occupation; Ruth and her origins. What event launched David and the mother of Solomon in thier relationship? Explore the lives of all those descendants of Solomon and look at the epitaph that they left behind, including Solomon himself. Does this look like a squeaky clean list of characters? Do you spy, with your little eye, any skeletons in Messiah’s closet? What does that tell us about God’s kingdom and who it chooses to work through? How can that combat any shameful past we may have?

V 21 and v23 give us names that declare mission and the nature of the mission of Messiah. What do those names mean to you personally?

Hey – the Bible Project has done a set of WONDERFUL introduction videos that lay out and explain the structure and emphasis of Matthew’s gospel. Please take the time to look at them in preparation for this study! Hope to see you Sunday!

An Unsettling Grace

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Whoops! Got invited to go fishing and forgot to update Wonderwhat. Sorry about that. This Sunday we will be doing our final study in the book of Jonah. What a fun ride this has been! We’ll be reading all of Jonah 4.

Does a movie with really happy ending ever cause you to be furious enough to want to die? I’m going to suppose not. At least I hope not. That would be attitudinal behavior that would warrant some professional intervention, wouldn’t it? Yet that’s very much like what we’ll read about our prophet in this final installment of our study.

What reason does Jonah give for being so mad in v2? Why do you think God’s grace and mercy are  so upsetting to Jonah? Have you ever struggled with the idea that God really, really loves that person who did something terrible to you, and would forgive them if they repented? What ways do you find to reconcile God’s justice and mercy?

What does the vine God appointed represent to you? If Jonah built a shelter to get shade from the sun – why do you think God provided the plant? What does v6 say that God gave him the plant to save him from? The Hebrew word that’s translated “discomfort” in the ESV is “re’eh”. It appears 306 times in the bible and 112 times it’s translated at a different word. Follow the previous link to find out what it’s translated as 112 times. Does that change your idea about why God provided the plant?

If you were to summarize what God is trying to get across to Jonah as a stand in for all of  God’s people, what would that message be?

I hope you’ve like this study as much as I did! Hope to see you on Sunday!

 

Beginning Again, Again

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This Sunday we’ll be continuing our study of the little book of Jonah – reading chapter 3.

Have you ever felt like you’ve messed up too many times and it feels almost insincere to start asking God to forgive and set you a new path. I hope you haven’t, because I can tell you from my own extensive experience with those feelings that it’s not at all a fun place to be. The encouraging thing is, the Bible is filled with people who have experienced just that – people who mess up over and over again and yet God is quick and ready to turn their story around. Abraham, Moses, David, Jeremiah, Peter (and all the other disciples for that matter), Saul/Paul…and the list extends out from them to include a lot of the heroes of church history.

Jonah is a stand-out in that crowd. Jonah gets a chance at beginning again – again and again. If we’re right in reading this story as a satire and Jonah is a stand in for God’s people – there is something really comforting about chapter 3.V1-2 of chapter 3 are almost identical to v1-2 of chapter 1. They both start the same way – except the words “second time” are thrown into the mix. V3 of chapter 3 is where the real departure occurs – Jonah doesn’t run but instead obeys. If we started reading Jonah’s story in chapter 3, would we even know that Jonah had disobeyed the first time around? What is the tone of this opening? What does that tell us about God’s attitude toward our past failures? How often do you still hang on to past regrets that God has clearly no interest in reminding you of? What steps can we take to live with new beginnings in view?

V4-9 are funny and intentionally astonishing. How long does it say it took to walk Nineveh end to end? How long did Jonah walk? What does that indicate about him to you? What is missing from his message, in your opinion? It’s five words long in the Hebrew – and yet it gets results like nothing else ever recorded in scripture, or Israel’s own history…or even Jesus’ ministry for that matter. Jonah didn’t go far or say much – why do you think that was? If he was only half committed – how do we explain the powerful results? What does that tell us about the source of our ministry’s effectiveness?

V10 is supposed to read like a record scratch ending. God did WHAT? But…but, the Assyrians did so much evil and violence before…yet when they leave that and set out to sync up with God’s values, their future changes. Who is it that we consider beyond redemption? How does this verse challenge our understanding of God’s willingness to redeem?

I sure am enjoying the story of Jonah – hope you are too! See yez’ Sunday!

 

 

The Cost of Running

Rob Woodrum1 Comment

 

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;

I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways

Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter.

…From those strong Feet that followed, followed after.

But with unhurrying chase, 

And unperturbed pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat – and a Voice beat

More instant than the Feet –

‘All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.’

~The Hound of Heaven by Francis Thompson

This Sunday we’ll be continuing in our study of Jonah and we’ll be covering all of chapter one. Jonah has four main acts or movements. The first is in chapter one, where Jonah runs from God. In this part of the story we see Jonah’s determination to go as far away from God’s calling on his life as he can, and the cost of making that run. As the character from Thompson’s poem realizes – when we run from God, all the things we chase after for fulfillment will betray us. God won’t let them satisfy us. That’s not meanness on his part – it’s mercy.

In v 4-6 we see a contrast of actions. What are the pagan sailors doing? What is Jonah doing? Who is it that reminds Jonah what he should be doing? Compare the words of the ship’s captain to God’s original command to Jonah. What significance do you find there?

Jonah gets exposed as the epicenter of the storm in v7-10. When Jonah explains that his “occupation”, or job, is to fear (revere and serve) Yahweh we see a clear contradiction between his job description and his present way of life. The sailors catch it too. “You’re supposed to serve the God who made the sea, but instead you’re running from Him…….on OUR BOAT!?” When our culture tells us that what we do privately is our own business and has no bearing on others – do you believe that? Do you really believe that what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? What sort of ways can you imagine that our resistance to God’s way of life affects those around us?

In v11-16 scholars are divided about what’s happening with Jonah. Some believe he’s coming to his senses and repenting because he feels bad for the sailors he’s brought into this. Others see this as just another move away from God’s original calling, to go to Nineveh. What do you think – is he repenting or not, and why? Have you ever made a move to fix an immediate crisis without really dealing with the root problem? How well did that work for you?

In v 14 we have the first prayer offered to God. Who does it come from? What seems significant about that to you?

Finally, in v17 we get to the big fish! What do you think – is the fish a judgment or a mercy…or both? Remember the Hound of Heaven – “All things betray thee, who betrayest Me”.

Hope you’re liking this study – I’m really enjoying it! See you Sunday!

Jonah Introduction – Bailing on Real Life

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jonah webHey – this Sunday we’re going to start a short study on the book of Jonah! Fun! We’ll be concentrating on an introduction to the book, and then reading over v1-3.

What do you know about Jonah – I mean, without Googling it right away. Just off the top of your head, what do you automatically associate the book of Jonah with? We’re going to challenge the assumption that the fish is the the main point of this story.

Just to get ready for what we’re going to be discussing – you might want to get familiar with the Assyrians, whose capital city was Nineveh. If you actually took the time to watch that video – you saw some pretty gnarly details about these folks. Given some of that information – why do you think Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh? Have you ever found yourself at a crossroad where you recognized God’s design for your life was distinctly different from your own? What is the greatest temptation you face at a time like that?

Jonah was told to “get up and go” – and he did. Just not to the place he was sent to. He didn’t stay where he was, so he could say he was being obedient – but he still was doing his own thing. In what ways or circumstances do we try to put a spiritual veneer on our own self-interests?

Jonah is not just a children’s story – it is hard hitting and will get us fairly uncomfortable as we explore it. But in the end, we’ll discover a God who’s mercy is beyond our ability to comprehend and a world of second chances on the horizon.  Hope to see you this Sunday!

Aware But Not Afraid

Rob Woodrum1 Comment

This Sunday we’ll be coming to our last installment of our series Truth or Consequences. We’ll be reading the final section of Jude, v17-25.

The letter from Jude has been filled with harsh warnings and dire forecasts concerning false teachers and the outflow of their practices. It’s been an interesting journey through those caustic words. In fact, his warnings have been so intense one could almost start to get a little edgy – maybe even a little bit fearful about the dangers associated with the church and those who lead it.

I think Jude realizes that danger, so he concludes his letter on a very positive note. He leaves off of the warning phase and concludes with some very pastoral counsel about how we should respond to the hazards he’s described.

In v17-19 he wants us remember that the coming of false teachers and leaders was something predicted from the outset of the church. Why would that be an encouragement to them (or us)? What effect does knowing about a danger in advance have on you?

V20-21 prompts us to be proactive about how we respond. He describes “your most holy faith” as something we should be building our lives on. This is a phrase describing the Apostolic claim that Jesus is the Messiah and our means of salvation and restoration. How can we go about building ourselves up in that truth?

What does “praying in the Holy Spirit” mean to you? In what ways would you say you’ve experienced that? What do you believe the importance of prayer is in holding on to the truth?

“Keep yourselves in the love of God”. How does a focus on the gospel and prayer work to accomplish that command in our lives?

When it comes to how we should respond to those who are influenced or even propagating doctrines or practices that veer away from the truth, Jude takes a startlingly different direction in v22-23. He doesn’t tell us to go on the offensive or attack those heretics. What does he twice tell us to show to them? What does this inform us about how the truth is advanced in this world?

The letter finishes up in v24-25 – and if for no other reason alone, I’m glad Jude is included in the canon because of v24. Jude describes how we will be kept safe to arrive at a good ending? What is that attributed to? With all of the dangers he’s pointed out – where are we encouraged to place our hope when all is said and done? If fear isn’t to be our motive for staying the course – what is, according to v24?

I’ve really been challenged and encouraged by this series – hope you have too.  See you Sunday!

 

Community Prayers in Expectation of Easter

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holy saturdayTonight we will observe Good Friday at Eastgate – it will be a time of somber, reflective worship in contemplation of Christ’s sacrifice for us. We’ve been holding a Good Friday service for several years now as part of our lead-up to Easter morning.

Easter is one of the most important days for the Christian church – really, for the world. It was the day that changed everything. It was the day that poured all of the possibilities of God’s rule into this broken world. It was the day when Jesus stepped from the tomb with the promise of new life for everyone who will believe.

But Easter held in isolation loses something along the way. Easter Sunday isn’t meaningful without the cross of Friday. That’s why the Church tends to observe this holiday in stages – to reinforce the glory that’s revealed in an empty tomb. Maunday Thursday reminds us of Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. Good Friday challenges us to recall the horror and desolation of the cross. Holy Saturday forces us to acknowledge the tomb that swallowed up all the hopes which were buried with a murdered Messiah.

For the past several years we have commemorated Holy Saturday by inviting the people of Eastgate to stop three times throughout the day and pray in expectation of Easter. We have written prayers so that all of us are praying in unity. You’ll find the prayers at the bottom of this post.

For those who are able and willing to, we are also inviting all to a community fast. A fast (as we understand it) is the abstaining from necessary food for a given period of time – a meal, two meals, from morning till evening. However you may want to approach it. Why would we do this? For the disciples who followed Jesus, Saturday was a terribly dark day (it is also called “Black Saturday” in some church traditions). Everything they had hoped for concerning the anticipated kingdom of God had come to an abrupt and brutal end. They watched helplessly as the one they put their trust in was overwhelmed by the powers-that-be and executed. Saturday would have been a day of shock and bitter grief. Fasting is one way in which we can enter into that story with them.

The difference is, we know that Sunday is breaking in.

On Sunday we won’t be fasting. We’ll get up with the sunrise and welcome the day with songs and prayers. We normally have a Sunrise Service at the beach, but this year it looks as though the weather will move our service inside the Big Room (6:15 am). No matter, we’ll still be up with songs and prayers, rejoicing as we remember that glorious day.

At 10 am we’ll have a blow-out jam session expressing our exultant joy for all possibilities that are resident in word like resurrection! Then we’ll have a pot-luck lunch which reminds us of another feast we’re anticipating. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb – when heaven and earth will be united again forever.

This is how we do Easter at Eastgate! I hope you can participate.

Here are the community prayers for tomorrow:

COMMUNITY PRAYERS

IN EXPECTATION OF EASTER

Morning Prayer:

Lord for our sake You left the riches of heaven

And became poor.

You came within our reach.

May we be open to you, and to each other.

May we be open to you and to each other.

You did not hold on to even the little

You had left to call your own.

May we be open to you, and to each other.

May we be open to you and to each other.

 

Midday meditation:

Where there is love, there is no room for fear.

Where there is hope, every doubt disappears.

Where there is faith, mountains are cast away.

Where there is love, all things are beautiful

Evening prayer:

Lord, our prayers and hopes must bear the sign of the cross

And the weight of the stone which covers the grave

Some of us are never far from tears,

And some of us have forced ourselves not to cry.

Bring our tears into your captivity and direction,

That they respond to your voice.

You have the words of eternal life.

You have the words of eternal life.

A downloadable version can be found here:  COMMUNITY PRAYERS