Author: Scott Lane

Scott Lane is the Executive Pastor of Ministry at FBCSA.

Thinking

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 1:10-17 (day five) “Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

It’s an old SNL quote, “It was my understanding there would be no math.”  References a lack of ability or desire to use the brain (the comedy is that you get to figure that part out). I wonder how many believers would have that same perspective. “I was under the impression that I wouldn’t have to think in order to grow my faith.”  Nothing could be further from the truth.  R.C. Sproul writes, “ It is true that what you think in your mind will never get you into the kingdom of God until it reaches your heart, but we have been created by God in such a way that the pathway to the heart is through the mind. We cannot love with passion that which we know nothing about.”

Peter is declaring that an active and engaged mind is absolutely essential for spiritual growth (in this passage it is hope). What we think, may be just as important as what we feel. Don’t check your brain when you come to church or open the scriptures. According to the scriptures using your mind is mission critical for spiritual growth (hope and transformation). “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Are We There Yet?

Re:Verse passage – 1 Peter 1:1-9 (day five) 

“to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”

It’s one of the most annoying questions ever asked of parents. Trips, errands, vacations, and simple excursions all give opportunity for that dreaded question, “Are we there yet?” While the question can reveal a lack of patience, what if it in fact, pointed to other concerns- Safety. Direction. Uncertainty. Unfamiliarity. All good reasons to ask that question. So, does the question focus more on the future, or the present?  (Might be an interesting conversation for a long car ride)

Peter addresses both those perspectives- an imperishable inheritance (future), and God’s protection (present). We face many of those concerns as believers. Peter helps us when we lose patience or get overwhelmed in our circumstances as he describes our future that will never crack or fade or be destroyed. He also helps us in our uncertainty, doubts, and troubles as he reminds us of God’s powerful protection presently in action.

Bigger God, Better Others

Re:Verse passage – Hebrews 10:19-25 (day five)   This week’s Re:Verse passage is fascinating. We are reminded and exhorted to draw near to God. Coming before Him in His holy place. Not intimidated, but rather with a humble and sincere perspective. As we experience God in His glory and His beauty, our faith and trust grow stronger and more resilient. Our hope becomes more tangible. As God’s beauty becomes clearer we begin to see and sense His faithfulness.

Then the remarkable happens: a personal faith becomes corporate. We gather with others. We encourage others. While our focus is still on the Lord, our desire for the spiritual growth and effectiveness of our brothers and sisters increases.

As we draw near to God (He becomes bigger) we also invest in and encourage others (they become better).

It’s Still about God’s Holiness

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 18:15-35 (day five)

 “If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private;”

Last week’s text pictured drastic metaphors that communicated God’s Holiness and tolerance of sin. When we learn about God (Holiness) and love Him more deeply, we begin to have the same perspective about our own sin (Romans 7).  Now, Jesus extends the parameters of addressing sin, to include fellow members of the local Body of Christ.

None of the prescribed conversations and confrontations in this week’s text seem pleasant. In fact, they seem awkward and uncomfortable. Yet, Jesus plainly and unapologetically gives guidance for dealing with the sin of another saint.  As we obey, He does grant authority, underscores power in unity, and promises His presence. Sin is a big deal to a Holy God. Addressing it, personally and/or corporately, reflects God’s grace, love, kindness, and Holiness.

It’s About God’s Holiness

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 18:5-14 (day five)

“it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned….  It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame… It is better for you to enter life with one eye…”.

This passage contains some of the most shocking language and images that Jesus ever uses. Amputation. Drowning. Gouging. I like what Jon Bloom says about this passage, “Extreme danger calls for extreme measures of escape. Yes, the mutilation imagery is a metaphor, but it is not hyperbole.  We know it is a metaphor because the literal loss of a hand or an eye doesn’t get to the root issue of sin. But radical and painful amputation of stumbling blocks out of our lives may be the only way to escape falling headlong into sin’s insidiously deceptive snare.”

So, how do we acquire this same perspective that Jesus has. What would help us feel and think this same way about sin and temptation?  Start with an understanding and reverence for the holiness of God. (Fear of the Lord) seeing and sensing God for Who He really is. Bloom continues, “For the Christian, the fear of the Lord does not compete with our joy in the Lord.”

And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:3).

The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10)

Wrong Question, Right Answer

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 18:1-4 (day five)  

“Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Jesus seemingly doesn’t answer the question the disciples asked Him. Unless you realize that they have asked the wrong question. So, Jesus teaches them by giving the right answer to their wrong question.

What is Jesus teaching them?  What is He desiring for them to “see” and grasp?  Humility. A child’s status in that day??  A nobody. A child is to be “looked after”, not “looked up to”. (Better Together)

I’ll end with a quote from CS Lewis about humility:

“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays: he will not be a sort of greasy, smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody.
Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him.
If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”

Evidence

Re:Verse passage – Luke 19:1-10 (day five) 

Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”

The gospel requires faith AND obedience. Believing and behaving. Conviction and repentance. They go together. When we trust and follow, the Lord will call us to take the first step and then He will call for the next step and then the next step. We read about Zaccheus’ first step in Luke 19.

Steps of obedience are evidence of eternity entering the human heart. As we obey the Lord, life in Christ becomes clearer and compelling.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”

Powerful and Personal

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 28:18-20(day five)  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth… and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus’ last words on earth are mind blowing.  God’s Kingdom is to include disciples from all nations.  Outside the box. Different than first thought. Daunting. Intimidating. Revolutionary.  The largest vision and mission. What would you think?  What would you feel?  What questions would you have?

Jesus wants His disciples to know 2 things as they process His command. First, He wants them to know “How big He is” (authority). Only a powerful and sovereign God could make this demand. We will never be on mission in a location outside His authority. Second, He wants them to know “How close He will be” (intimacy). We will never be on this mission alone.  God won’t be just near us, He promises to be with us.  Only a personal and relational God could make this demand.

Loving and Serving

Re:Verse passage – John 13:3-17 (day five)

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God,”

I marvel at the burden of knowledge that Jesus constantly carried.  All that He knew and understood about Himself, this world, and others.  He knew who He was. He knew how much authority God had given to Him. He knew what God had sent Him to earth to do. He knew His time on earth was drawing to a close. He knew that one of His own disciples was betraying him. Yet, none of that knowledge kept Jesus from loving, leading, and serving by example.

It’s very humbling to admit that I often use circumstances, knowledge, and yes even burdens as excuses not to serve or lead or encourage others.  Jesus didn’t. Neither should we!  So today, in the midst of our circumstances, burdens, tension, uncertainty will you join me in following Jesus’ example of Loving and Serving others?

Every Day, Everywhere

Re:Verse passage – Acts 2:42-47 (day five) 

“And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Make no mistake, in this early church, it was the Lord who was at work. It was the Lord who was adding “saved” people to the church. Yes, the people were engaged and actively worshipping, giving, praying, and sharing their faith. Yet, Luke rightly gives the credit and glory to the Lord.
Also, take note, it was happening every day and everywhere. In the temple and in homes. Not just Sundays. Not just weekdays. The gathered church has the same mission and ministry potential as the scattered church. Discipleship. Worship. Evangelism. Fellowship. Ministry. There is significant opportunity when we gather. There is just as much potential as we “scatter” across the city. Every day. Everywhere. It will be the Lord who is at work!