Kingdom Come – the Gospel of Matthew

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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

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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

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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

Warning Signs

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Warning signs are very helpful in an environment where there is the potential for danger. Climbing on lions is an activity that, I believe, requires a bit of a heads up.

Often times in life we aren’t afforded written signs that alert us to possible hazards – and that’s especially true as it touches our journey of faith. I’ve said many times that church is a dangerous place. We put a lot on the line to join a faith community – we invest our trust and hopes in it and the potential for disillusionment, or worse, is always present. Beyond just being disappointed by the people of the community, we also have to pay attention to the leadership and guidance that is present in that mix. The dangers range from abusive tactics of overseers to the propagation of a warped believe system. None of these things have warning labels attached to them…but that doesn’t mean we have no means of discerning a problem.

We’re continuing our study called Truth or Consequences, and we’ll be reading the middle section of Jude this Sunday, v5-16.

Jude sort of sounds like an Independent Baptist in this section, doesn’t he? (no offense towards my Independent Baptist friends…but c’mon, you know I’m right)

In v 5-7 he uses three examples from Israel’s history and from rabbinical tradition to re-emphasize that the God who saves us is also the God who does something else? What else is at work in this mix besides God’s desire to save? How does that factor in as a warning sign about the result of following a false teacher?

The focus shifts in the following verses – narrowing in on what these false teachers are like. In V 8-10 there is a theme of rejecting authority – church, civil and even celestial. What sort of warning sign would we assign to leadership based these verses?

V 11-16 provides a dizzying string of metaphors that exemplify what Jude thinks of these teachers. Rain-less clouds, stars that don’t provide for a fixed position, fruitless trees; there’s a common theme to these images – can you think of what it is? Jesus provides a similar warning in Matthew 7:16-20. What is Jude saying here – what are the warning signs to look for?

When Judah started his letter he said he’d rather just talk about the wonders of our shared salvation – and I’m right there with him. This is not my favorite topic, but sometimes we have to stop and read the warning signs for the sake of our spiritual health. This Sunday will be one of those times. See yez’ then!

Hey Jude!

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This Sunday we will be starting the book of Jude in our study Truth or Consequences.  We’ll be reading v1-4.

We don’t know for sure who Judah, the author is – one main theory is that he is the half-brother of Jesus, because of his identification as the brother of James. We assume that James is the leader of the early church mentioned in Acts and he was also a half-brother to Jesus.

As we read the opening verses of this letter we see that Jude was intending to write just to talk about the awesome salvation we have in Jesus. In v1-2 he describes some of what the truth of the gospel has provided us. If you’re so inclined, underline the words that describe what we’ve received through Jesus (helpful tip – don’t use a Sharpie if you’re using a Bible app on your phone). How can the benefits he describes be foundational in our sense of identity? How does that inform us about the importance of the truth of the gospel in our lives?

In v3-4 Jude challenges us to contend for the faith. What are some ways we can “contend”…that is, guard the faith? Some have taken this passage as licence to attack or berate people who don’t share the same beliefs. How would you describe a difference between guarding what we’ve been given and attacking others who believe differently?

It’s been a long week – I’m looking forward to hanging with my church family and attending to God’s word. Hope to see you Sunday.

A Visible Truth

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A few years ago a neighbor came to my door to talk to me about how one of my sons had really hurt his son’s feelings. Now he was a big strong navy seal, not a doting mother, telling me how my son had hurt his son’s feelings so badly that he had come to him crying and beside himself about it. I knew it was serious. His son was a good friend of my kids, so much so that he was at our house on a daily basis. He was probably the most kind-hearted, compassionate child I have ever met and I loved him like my own. So to hear that my son had hurt him to the point of going to his father in tears broke my heart. Not so much because I expected perfection out of my son but because of my love for the other child.

It felt as if I had some part in causing his pain, because my son who is a part of me, a reflection of my heart had hurt him.

I got to thinking about that and was immediately convicted. How many times had I poorly reflected my heavenly father’s love for someone in my own less than compassionate interactions with people? God’s emphasis on us loving people suddenly become more clear. We are His children. We’re called to represent his values, his heart in our broken world When we hurt others it pains His heart as well.

In our study in 2 Chronicles this week we considered what people might think about God as a result of their interactions with us…It’s a great question to ponder, a good thing to remember as we walk out our lives professing Christianity..

We’ll be picking up in the epistle of 3rd John this week. It’s the second book in our 3 book series that discusses the importance of discerning truth. This week John will point out several characters who were actually really good at revealing the truth of God’s character. Their lives, in other words, reflected a visible truth.

How did Gaius reveal the truth of the Gospel in vs 5-6? In that ancient culture hospitality was considered almost a duty even on the secular side. Because of the lack of public accommodations, traveling ministers were dependent on the hospitality of others to house and feed them as they went around spreading the good news. Would you consider opening your home to help a traveling minister or someone in need? We certainly live in a different day and culture today. What might prevent you from doing so? How might we be able to be generous in this regard today?

Our next character isn’t so hospitable. He provides a sharp contrast with the goodness seen in Gaius. What does John suggest the church do in regards to his behavior in vs 11? It’s suggested that Gaius and Diotrephes were part of the same church there in Asia and that Gaius could have been a victim of one of Diotrephes’ excommunications. What does John do in vs 9-10 in light of Diotrephes’ obvious offenses? What doesn’t he suggest or do? In our prior epistle John had warned the church pretty seriously about allowing false teachers to share in their churches. Is it possible Diotrephes was just protecting them from that sort of thing? What do you think is the goal of John’s open rebuke? There was clearly some disunity developing there in the church. What do we learn from the way John handled this about maintaining unity in our own community? How can we rightly represent God’s character in community to a watching world ?

The third character introduced in our text is Demetrius. While the details we have of his life are brief they speak volumes. Who does he obtain a good report from in vs 12? Is there a person or persons or situation where other’s assessments of your character wouldn’t be so glowing? Why do you think it would be important that our character be consistent with everyone? Romans 5:8 says that while we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. In other words while we were still hating, resisting and cursing him he gave everything, his very life, to reveal Gods love to us. How hard is it to treat those who mistreat us with that kind of self giving love? What would it reveal if we were able to love in the face of hate?

It will be a challenging study for sure. Hope to see ya’ll there!!