“Then he added, ‘Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even more. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.’” v.24-25 (NLT)
Are you guilty of having “selective hearing?” Selective hearing happens when we are not totally present! We hear the things going on around us and we have either tuned them out, or we are trying to listen while we are doing something else as well. Sadly, I think we do this more than we want to admit. How many times have you been praying and other thoughts come to mind, how many times have you been in a church service and start to think of where you are going to eat afterwards, how many times have you been talking with a loved one while watching TV or on your computer … or better yet, trying to do all 3 at the same time.
If we want to be fully engaged, then we have to be fully present. We have to listen with a desire to engage. We have to read with a desire to fully learn. We have to pray with the desire to fully share. When we allow ourselves to be fully present in the presence of God, we will have a fuller understanding, a deeper conviction, and a stronger desire to know Him and Live for Him.
Today, the question really is this, “Do You Hear Me Now?” God want to talk to you, will you have selective hearing, or will you be fully present?
“A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.” v.24-25 (NLT)
How many times have we let little disagreements turn into large wars within families, friendships, and even the church? It’s not wrong to disagree, but how we handle the disagreement says a lot about our Character, Integrity, and Unity. Some people tend to always look for things to argue about and it limits the potential of the relationship, puts strife on the relationship, and eventually cause it to fall apart. However, learning how to disagree and still love each other through the disagreement, is the sign of strength and commitment to the relationship or vision. It requires Grace and Forgiveness not just in word, but in action.
Today, is there a relationship that needs to be restored? Are you letting a little thing become a big thing by not talking about it? Pray and ask God to help you resolve the issue by talking with the other person and begin the process of restoration.
“When Jesus heard this, he told them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.’” v.17 (NLT)
It is human nature to think of ourselves better than we are. I think we have all been in a situation that has left us saying, ‘that was harder than it looks’! Thus driving home the point that we tend to think we can accomplish more than we really can. But there comes a point where what we think and what we know have to collide. It’s in this tension that we either see the truth about ourselves or we begin to pretend to be something we are not. It’s hard for people to see the truth about themselves and the Truth of the Gospel, when they think they are better than they really are.
Today, where are you in this? Do you know who you really are, or do you think you are something your not?
“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” v.35 (NLT)
When was the last time you went to an isolated place to pray and talk with God?
I confess, if I don’t intentionally carve out time to pray and talk with God, it’s easy to get caught up in the day to day things that are beckoning my attention. But, Jesus had to deal with the demands of the day-to-day things also. Jesus knew what was at stake and He still made time to meet with God. He understood that this time was the most important time of the day for him. This was where he would talk with God and hear from God. He didn’t get caught up in doing the work of God, and not being with God. He understood the importance of having time alone with the Father and protected it, modeled it, and made time for it.
Today, have you intentionally set up times to meet with God? Are you protecting it, modeling it, and making time for it?
Happy Easter! What a great weekend we have had despite the rain and tornado’s. Today was filled with celebration and contemplation at FBC Harvester as we wrapped up our Triumph series. We celebrated the fact that Jesus has risen, and that we can find forgiveness of Sin only in Him, and contemplated the reality that one day we too will die. Death is one of those things that we don’t like to talk much about but it is something that everyone will face. However, as Christ Followers, we can Triumph over death because of the Cross of Christ and the Resurrection of Christ!
Here are my notes from todays Easter Service.
TRIUMPH Over Death Hebrews 9:27-28
“(God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
*The Good News of Easter is that Jesus is God, He died a brutal death on the Cross, and has resurrected Himself and now lives! That is what Easter is all about.
“And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:27-28 (NKJV)
TO REALLY CELEBRATE EASTER TODAY REMEMBER . . .
1. DEATH Is Unavoidable.
“. . . it is appointed for men to die once . . .” Hebrews 9:27a (NKJV)
*We live forever, our body doesn’t.
*We have to be careful not to confuse the body with the soul. The body will die, the soul will live forever.
*We live in a world that is fascinated with death but terrified of it. But it’s something we need to think about.
“A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.” Ecclesiastes 7:4 (NLT)
*It takes a death to have a resurrection. In order to get a new life, the old one has to die.
2. JUDGMENT Is Inevitable.
“. . . but after this the judgment. . .” Hebrews 27b (NKJV)
Sin -> Death -> Judgment
*Every person faces these three problems.
“When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Romans 5:12
“For the wages of sin is death . . .” Romans 6:23a (NKJV)
*We may be able to hide from others, but we cannot hide from God. He see’s everything.
“No one can hide from God. His eyes see everything we do. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done.” Hebrews 4:13
*One day we will face Judgement and have to give an account for everything we have done.
*On Judgement day, we will either stand alone and defend ourself, or be defended by Jesus work on the Cross.
3. SALVATION Is Available.
“. . . so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV)
*Jesus died for our sins, he rose from the dead conquering sin, and one day He’s coming again to eliminate sin and take those who have trusted Him as Lord and Savior Home.
“For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.” 1 Timothy 2:5-6 (NLT)
*Christ stands as our defender against sin, death , and judgement.
*Good people don’t go to Heaven … Forgiven people do!
“Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (NLT)
*The Question: Have you Surrendered your life to Him?
*If you would like more info on how to become a Christian, or what it means to be a Christ Follower simply click here.
THE RESURRECTION CHALLENGE
*Today, we have MET the resurrected Christ, we have WORSHIPED the resurrected Christ, now the challenge is for us to REPRESENT the resurrected Christ and SHARE the resurrected Christ with others!
This has been a great series as we learn to stand Triumphantly through the power of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. If you missed today, or simply want to hear/watch todays teaching simply click here and it will direct you to our online teaching resources.
We would love for you to begin serving with us by using your spiritual gift/s. We have created an on-line resource that allows you to see the various ministries here at FBC Harvester and we encourage you to take some time to see where you can serve and then contact the place that seems like a fit for you. You can see that resource by clicking here.
Make plans to join us next week as we start a brand new series titled, “Parent Trapped … Biblical Wisdom for Popular Pitfalls.”
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.’ And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. v34 (NLT)
Jesus asked God to forgive the people who were putting him to death – Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, by standards – and God answered that prayer by opening up the way of salvation. Even while Jesus was being nailed to the cross, we were on his mind. In the greatest expression of love, Jesus gave up his life as a sacrifice for me and for you! How have you responded to His sacrifice for you?
Today, have you surrendered your life to Jesus? He died for you, will you live for Him?
“But the mob shouted louder and louder, demanding that Jesus be crucified, and their voices prevailed. 24 So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. 25 As they had requested, he released Barabbas, the man in prison for insurrection and murder. But he turned Jesus over to them to do as they wished.” v. 23-25 (NLT)
Have you ever listened to the crowd? Pilate wanted to release Jesus, but the crowd loudly demanded his death; so Pilate sentenced Jesus to die. No doubt Pilate did not want to take the risk losing his position, which may already have been shaky, by allowing a riot to occur in his Provence. As a career politician, he knew the importance of compromise, and he saw Jesus more as a political threat than as a human being with rights and dignity.
When the stakes are high, it is difficult to stand up for what is right, and it is easy to see our opponents as problems to be solved rather than people to be respected. Had Pilate been a man of real courage, he would have released Jesus no matter what the consequences. But the crowd roared, and Pilate buckled. Often times I find myself like Pilate, knowing what is right but deciding not to do it. When we have difficult decisions to make, don’t discount the effects of peer pressure. Realize beforehand that the right decision could have unpleasant consequences: social rejection, career derailment, and or public ridicule. Then think of Pilate and resolve to stand up for what is right no matter what other people pressure us to do.
Today, who will you listen to, the crowd or Christ?
“At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.’” v. 61 (NLT)
BUSTED! Have you ever been caught doing something you 1. said you would never do? or 2. know that you shouldn’t be doing it? This is exactly what Peter felt as he was denying Christ that third time and heard the rooster crow and make eye contact with Jesus. However, this was the changing point for Peter. He would change from a halfhearted follower of Jesus to a repentant disciple, and finally to the kind of person Christ could use to build His Church.
Today, are you more like Peter before the roosters Crow, a halfhearted follower who denied Christ, or are you like him after the roosters crow, a repentant disciple that can be used for His Kingdom?
“But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.” v.26 (NLT)
Greatness is often defined by doing something that others look at as extraordinary. We use it to describe something that has value, influence, or that allowed us to have a positive experience. It’s the great dream we have as children to grow up and be great at what ever we do. When people describe us, we hope they say that we are great at what we do. The word great in our eyes = achievement!
However, Jesus turns the table here and say that real greatness is found in the way we serve. It changes our focus from us becoming great to us doing something great for others.
Today, will you spend the time trying to become great or will you do great things for others? Yes, they are similar, but very different.
“Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4 and he went to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5 They were delighted, and they promised to give him money. 6 So he agreed and began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him when the crowds weren’t around.” v.3-6 (NLT)
As we enter what is known as Holy Week. I’ll be posting readings from passages our staff are reading each day as we prepare for Good Friday and Easter. I want to encourage you to read the scripture here and then think about and pray through what you have read also. You can see my thoughts below.
One of the facts about Judas that has always troubled me was the fact that he was one of the 12 disciples. I’m not saying that in a legalistic way, I am simply saying that here is a guy, that walked with Jesus, learned from Jesus, saw the miracles of Jesus, and had every opportunity to Trust Jesus. However, the Bible says that Judas allowed Satan to enter him and lead him to betray the One he had spent the last three years with. The fact that Judas would trade all the things he had seen, heard, experienced, and promised, for a couple of earthly coins amazes me. It reveals that Satan is waiting for the perfect moment of attack. More than likely it will happen in these two ways.
First, Satan uses the lure of sin with a thought. Judas allowed Satan to manipulate his thoughts and Satan tries to do the same thing to us. If he can convince us to entertain the thought, we are likely to look at that sin in a way that is opposite of what God says about it. When this happens we find ourselves justifying our thoughts and actions as well as looking for reasons to support them.
Second, Satan loves to attack us when we are alone. Satan’s strongest pursuit came when Judas was alone. When we are alone, thoughts can wonder and actions can take place. It’s in moments like these that we find ourselves doing things we never thought we would do, or things we hope no-one will find out about.
Today, where have you traded truths for lies, sin over a Savior, selflessness for selfishness? What are you doing to protect yourself from Satan’s attack?
Dan Gould 