Success

Re:Verse passage – Hebrews 10:19-25 (day two) …and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, vs. 24

We spend a good deal of time thinking how we can motivate others to success. We do this with our children, students, and those who work with/for us. We want people to succeed, right? It is good for the family, school, business, etc. No one would likely dispute that statement, and success is a worthy goal. This, however, is not what the writer of Hebrews is asking us to consider. We are to think about how to motivate people to love, and make good choices. Beyond your children when was the last time you considered that for your fellow believers? Imagine also the tangential impact of such an action. If others love and do good, it is likely their idea of success will alter considerably. It will often be less self-motivated and more kingdom-minded. The idea of love and right thinking should be our new concept of success.

Re:Verse Blog – 8/22/22

Re:Verse passage – Hebrews 10:19-25 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Hebrews 10:19-25 in our Summer Re:Verse Series: “Better Together.”

Incalculable Debt

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

When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. vs 24

How much is 10,000 talents. One talent was approximately 20 years wages for a working class citizen. Just for fun, let’s see how much that is in the U.S. Dollar. Twenty years working $15 an hour for 2,000 hours per year is $600,000. That’s just one talent. This individual owed 10,000 talents: $6,000,000,000 in todays economy. That is 6 Billion with a “B!”

Why would anyone allow such a debt to accrue? That just seems like bad management. Why would the king even let it get to that point? It seems absolutely ridiculous until you realize what Jesus was saying. We have a debt on our hands that is incalculable.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

The wages of our sin has accrued a debt we cannot pay back. Yet, Jesus absolved it all. We are debt free. God tells us we are Better Together when our relationships are in order. We can find forgiveness with one another, because God has already forgiven us all.

Mercy

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

Jesus is introducing a new kind of community to the disciples. He is answering the question, “How should we relate to one another?” No longer are they to pursue personal greatness through jockeying for position, but through mutual care for one another; the kind of care that goes to great lengths to preserve the other through accountability, forgiveness, and restoration.

Peter was intrigued. “How many times should we forgive each other? Surely, there is a limit?”

Jesus responds with a question of his own, “Is there any limit to God’s mercy?” There is no limit, save for the person without mercy.

Our merciful care for one another is fueled by God’s limitless mercy towards us. Our mercy should have no end, because his doesn’t.

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.

Better Together

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

Our theme this summer has been Better Together.  Now we see the truth of our theme played out in Scripture.  Verse 20 says, “For where two or three have gathered together in my name, I am there in their midst.”  When we join together in prayer, there is power…God is with us.  God inhabits our prayers as an individual, but there is special authority when our prayers are joined with others.  It is for this reason that we have a prayer list at church.  We join in concert to lift up the needs of others to a loving God…knowing that He will hear and answer us.

Isn’t it amazing that we can pray here in Texas, others can pray in Indiana, or in England, or on the other side of the world in Thailand, and God hears us in unison.  Time zones are no barriers to an infinite, omnipresent God.  Our theme is more than just a slogan…we really are Better Together!

Bolt

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

“Whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven.”

How much weight do the decisions and actions of the community of Jesus’s disciples carry? Jesus says that these decisions and actions invite heaven’s presence and power into circumstances, or they close off the channels of heaven’s presence and power into circumstances. Jesus once told the Pharisees that they shut the door of the kingdom in people’s faces – that “you yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.” This is of a piece with what Jesus says here. The stumbling blocks, the barricades, the willful blindness to heaven’s activity in the lives of people – these indicate a hellish conspiracy and collusion to prevent lost people from finding life. A church can represent the kingdom of God on earth. A church can also bolt the door.

In Our Midst

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 18:15-35 (day two)  For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” vs. 20

What an incredible testimony for togetherness. When we gather together in the name of the Lord, the Lord is present. Not a passing acknowledgment of the gathering, present, in their midst. I would hasten to add the the passage doesn’t add the disclaimer “wherever two or more are gathered in a sanctuary…” Jesus simply says “wherever.” What an encouragement and challenge this should be to each of us. We are to be on mission at all times, claiming the name and presence of Jesus and expecting him to lead, guide, challenge, and correct. This constant companion, in the form of the Holy Spirit, is the promise and a hallmark of our faith. Are we actively invoking his presence outside the church? Are we behaving like the Lord is in our midst?

Re:Verse Blog – 8/15/22

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

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty, and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Matthew 18:15-35 in our Summer Re:Verse Series: “Better Together.”

Temptations

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

For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come. vs 7

When initially reading this passage, it really makes you stop and think. Why would Jesus want me to cut off my foot and gouge out my eye? After a period of trying to figure out if you could survive like a pirate with an eye patch and a peg leg, you then begin to think about the root of what Jesus was really saying. He was saying that:

  1. Temptation will come.
      • It is a part of human nature that we will be tempted. Even Jesus Himself endured temptation. There is nothing new about the temptations of today. The vessels may change, but the fight remains the same.  1 Corinthians 10:13 
  2. Temptation is necessary.
      • Just as Jesus was able to overcome temptation, so can we. Not only can we overcome it, but when we do, it will make us stronger. Romans 5:3-5
  3. Temptation needs to be removed.
      • In order to fight these battles effectively, we need to cast aside the sins and weights that are holding us back and fix our eyes on Jesus, and He will help (perfect) our fight. Hebrews 12:1-2