*Romans 8:18-28
18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. 24For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
26In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
I know it has been a really long time since I have posted, and to anyone who is still a faithful follower of this blog, I sincerely apologize for the long absence. School has been a bit troublesome.
I was working on Outlines for NT Survey when I ran across this section. Taking a class on the book of Job has really showed me how everything in the Bible is connected to God's plan for Salvation, and it has caused me to look at this particular passage in a whole new light.
Suffering and evil in this world aren't just things that we have to put up with until our hope is fulfilled at Christ's second coming, they are part of God's divine plan to exact that inheritance. They aren't just called "pains of childbirth" (v. 22) in this passage to indicate the suffering of creation, but also to demonstrate that these sufferings are bringing about God's ultimate plan for Salvation, which is why we can be assured that absolutely EVERYTHING works out for the good of all those who love God and are called by Him!
If that isn't something to get up and dance around the room about, I'm not really sure what is...
*[Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible]
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Small Gifts
John 6:8-9
One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?"
Even though neither Andrew or this little boy understood how this small gift would help, Andrew made sure it was brought to Jesus anyway. If you know the rest of the story, you know that Jesus took those five loaves and two fish and fed a crowd of 5,000 men along with the women and the children that were there. Jesus took that small gift given in faith, and it was used for great things.
The same is true of our gifts given to God, which come in so many different forms, including service, money, time, anything you can think of. God uses them even when we see them as insignificant. He uses them when we can't see how He will use them. So don't be discouraged when you feel like your service to God is not enough, because that is when God somehow uses it the most! That doesn't mean that we shouldn't also be led to serve more and in other ways, because we are clearly commanded in Hebrews 10 to "stir up one another to love and good works" (v 24).
Even though neither Andrew or this little boy understood how this small gift would help, Andrew made sure it was brought to Jesus anyway. If you know the rest of the story, you know that Jesus took those five loaves and two fish and fed a crowd of 5,000 men along with the women and the children that were there. Jesus took that small gift given in faith, and it was used for great things.
The same is true of our gifts given to God, which come in so many different forms, including service, money, time, anything you can think of. God uses them even when we see them as insignificant. He uses them when we can't see how He will use them. So don't be discouraged when you feel like your service to God is not enough, because that is when God somehow uses it the most! That doesn't mean that we shouldn't also be led to serve more and in other ways, because we are clearly commanded in Hebrews 10 to "stir up one another to love and good works" (v 24).
What I am trying to say can be clearly summed up in 2 Corinthians 12:10:
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Paul had a "thorn" in his flesh, a weakness that kept him humble. We are all human, and thus we are all imperfect. Through these imperfections God uses us for his glory. So don't be discouraged by them, but instead be encouraged and thank God for them!
-All Scripture taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).
Monday, September 14, 2009
Jesus Weeps
I am aware once again at the size of the chunk of scripture that I've posted. Fear not, this is not an in depth exposition of the whole passage verse for verse, but this is merely to provide context.
Before further explanation, let me say that I am going to come back to the parable of the prodigal son, but right now I'm kind of busy studying the Scriptures to have time to study the Scriptures. In other words, after personal devotions and classwork for my Bible classes and other classes, I haven't had time to do any more studying of the prodigal son. This passage and insight is in fact something that I stumbled across while working on my Biblical Interpretation homework, and I felt that it would be good to share.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
17Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Jesus Weeps
28When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35Jesus wept. 36So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
Most of us probably know about how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and we've probably heard some teaching on the profound nature of His claim in verses 25 and 26: "I am the resurrection and the life."
What I would like to focus in on is verses 33-35. I'll repeat it so your eyes don't have to find it again in the bigger passage:
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35Jesus wept.
In verse 35, Jesus wept. In verse 36, the Jews say, "See how he loved him!" and there is some validity to that remark, but I think also that Jesus was weeping not for Lazarus, but for the suffering that he saw Mary going through.
There's a cliche that goes, "I know what you're going through," or "I know how you feel." Jesus Christ can actually say that, and have it be absolutely, 100% true in every way. Until verse 33, this passage says nothing about Jesus being troubled or mourning, but when He sees Mary weeping, that is when He was "deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled" (v 34).
As Christians, it seems that when we are going through struggles, it may be hard to remember that God is sovereign over our circumstances, and that all things work for the good of those who love Him, but at least we know these two things from an intellectual standpoint. And those are good things that are encouraging to remember.
What we see of Jesus in this passage is something that we don't necessarily think of as often. We see Jesus' compassion. He knew that soon, Lazarus would be raised again, and Mary would rejoice in that, just like he knows that our sufferings on this earth are temporary. But this doesn't change the fact that He truly feels compassion and mourns WITH us. He cries with us. He actually cares about what we are going through on a personal level, and we can cling to that when this world brings us pain. What a great and compassionate God we serve!
Before further explanation, let me say that I am going to come back to the parable of the prodigal son, but right now I'm kind of busy studying the Scriptures to have time to study the Scriptures. In other words, after personal devotions and classwork for my Bible classes and other classes, I haven't had time to do any more studying of the prodigal son. This passage and insight is in fact something that I stumbled across while working on my Biblical Interpretation homework, and I felt that it would be good to share.
I Am the Resurrection and the Life
17Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb four days. 18Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles off, 19and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother. 20So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. 21Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 25Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”
Jesus Weeps
28When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.” 29And when she heard it, she rose quickly and went to him. 30Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. 31When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 32Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” 35Jesus wept. 36So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” 37But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man also have kept this man from dying?”
Most of us probably know about how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, and we've probably heard some teaching on the profound nature of His claim in verses 25 and 26: "I am the resurrection and the life."
What I would like to focus in on is verses 33-35. I'll repeat it so your eyes don't have to find it again in the bigger passage:
33When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. 34And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to him, "Lord, come and see." 35Jesus wept.
In verse 35, Jesus wept. In verse 36, the Jews say, "See how he loved him!" and there is some validity to that remark, but I think also that Jesus was weeping not for Lazarus, but for the suffering that he saw Mary going through.
There's a cliche that goes, "I know what you're going through," or "I know how you feel." Jesus Christ can actually say that, and have it be absolutely, 100% true in every way. Until verse 33, this passage says nothing about Jesus being troubled or mourning, but when He sees Mary weeping, that is when He was "deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled" (v 34).
As Christians, it seems that when we are going through struggles, it may be hard to remember that God is sovereign over our circumstances, and that all things work for the good of those who love Him, but at least we know these two things from an intellectual standpoint. And those are good things that are encouraging to remember.
What we see of Jesus in this passage is something that we don't necessarily think of as often. We see Jesus' compassion. He knew that soon, Lazarus would be raised again, and Mary would rejoice in that, just like he knows that our sufferings on this earth are temporary. But this doesn't change the fact that He truly feels compassion and mourns WITH us. He cries with us. He actually cares about what we are going through on a personal level, and we can cling to that when this world brings us pain. What a great and compassionate God we serve!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Disclaimer
Sorry it's taking so long for this next post to happen. Unfortunately, this still isn't it. I'm just starting college Monday, and I've been pretty busy with the Week Of Welcome, or WOW at my school. Hopefully, the next part in the series will arrive in the near future.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Prodigal Son (Part 3)
Sorry for the long delay, but I was gone for a week on a missions trip, and then I kind of got side-tracked. If you're lost, follow one of these links:
Part 1
Part 2
Otherwise, let's continue with part 3. As mentioned last time, the audience of the parable means that the parable has two focuses.
First of all, we're going to concentrate on the "prodigal son" which represents the repentant sinner.
To begin with, we're going to see the sin that this son committed.
Luke 15:12-13
12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. [ESV]
The younger son was definitely greedy in asking for his inheritance while his father was still alive. Proverbs even warns against such behavior in Proverbs 20:21:
"An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end." [ESV]
After greedily requesting his inheritance prematurely, the son went out and squandered it all in "reckless living." 1 Peter 4:3-4 sums up this reckless living rather well:
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; [ESV, emphasis added]
The emphasized word here: "debauchery," contains the same root as "reckless" in Luke 15:13. The younger son asked for his inheritance, and then went out and spent it all on liquor, partying, and, as we learn in verse 30 of Luke 15, prostitutes. While not guilty of all the same sins, we as humans are all guilty of some form of sin that separates Us from God, our Heavenly Father; just like this son's sin separated him from his father in the parable. We take the free will that God gives us and "spend" it on sinning against God. But as we go on to learn further in the parable, the son's father, representing God, is always willing to forgive a repentant sinner, but that's for next time.
Part 1
Part 2
Otherwise, let's continue with part 3. As mentioned last time, the audience of the parable means that the parable has two focuses.
First of all, we're going to concentrate on the "prodigal son" which represents the repentant sinner.
To begin with, we're going to see the sin that this son committed.
Luke 15:12-13
12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. [ESV]
The younger son was definitely greedy in asking for his inheritance while his father was still alive. Proverbs even warns against such behavior in Proverbs 20:21:
"An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end." [ESV]
After greedily requesting his inheritance prematurely, the son went out and squandered it all in "reckless living." 1 Peter 4:3-4 sums up this reckless living rather well:
3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; [ESV, emphasis added]
The emphasized word here: "debauchery," contains the same root as "reckless" in Luke 15:13. The younger son asked for his inheritance, and then went out and spent it all on liquor, partying, and, as we learn in verse 30 of Luke 15, prostitutes. While not guilty of all the same sins, we as humans are all guilty of some form of sin that separates Us from God, our Heavenly Father; just like this son's sin separated him from his father in the parable. We take the free will that God gives us and "spend" it on sinning against God. But as we go on to learn further in the parable, the son's father, representing God, is always willing to forgive a repentant sinner, but that's for next time.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
The Prodigal Son (Part 2)
If you are wondering why this is part 2, follow this link and read part 1 first:
Part 1
Okay, now that that's cleared up, let's get to the good stuff.
My apologies for the next part taking so long. I've been doing something every night for the past week. But, anyway, here goes.
For starters, we're going to look a little bit at the verses that come before the parable.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Chapter 15
1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3So he told them this parable: 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The first key point to consider is the audience of these three parables (the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son). In verses 1-3, we see that Jesus tells these parables as a response to the Pharisee's outrage. The Pharisees were upset because Jesus was hanging out with sinners. He was eating with tax collectors and others that had a bad reputation for the period. Jesus is using these parables to point out that he has come to save the sinners who need saving. That is not to say that the "good people" don't need Jesus. Verse 7 tells us that when one sinner comes to salvation and repents (they are closely connected), there is much happiness, just like in the first parable with the sheep. But it also compares that event to 99 righteous people that don't need any repentance. Now it is obvious from the teaching of God's word that no one is righteous enough on their own. Everyone needs repentance and everyone needs Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
It seems to make the most sense then, that this verse is a sarcastic remark referring to the Pharisees' exalted view of themselves as righteous. The parable of the lost coin has the same meaning as the lost sheep, but the repeated metaphor is to emphasize the fact that a sinner, like the ones Jesus was with, coming to repentance is a great and joyous event in Heaven. But the Pharisees couldn't see past the fact that all these people were "worse" sinners than they were. It is obvious of course from Romans, and the rest of the Bible that all sin is deserving of the same end punishment in God's eyes, and so the Pharisees weren't any better.
Well, I guess the application for this section is that God is willing and waiting to receive a repentant sinner who will accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Another application would be more of a warning. Be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that you are more righteous than anyone else, and always be willing to forgive them.
As a preview of what's to come, the Parable of the Prodigal has two focuses. There is the story of forgiveness and acceptance of the repentant sinner, but there is also a message to the Pharisees, which is also an invitation for Salvation and forgiveness. It would make sense that Jesus would involve the Pharisees in the parable since they were the primary audience of all three parables. I think the next two parts of this set are going to focus on these two aspects of the parable of the prodigal son. But that's for next time, and the time after.
Part 1
Okay, now that that's cleared up, let's get to the good stuff.
My apologies for the next part taking so long. I've been doing something every night for the past week. But, anyway, here goes.
For starters, we're going to look a little bit at the verses that come before the parable.
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Chapter 15
1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3So he told them this parable: 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The first key point to consider is the audience of these three parables (the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the prodigal son). In verses 1-3, we see that Jesus tells these parables as a response to the Pharisee's outrage. The Pharisees were upset because Jesus was hanging out with sinners. He was eating with tax collectors and others that had a bad reputation for the period. Jesus is using these parables to point out that he has come to save the sinners who need saving. That is not to say that the "good people" don't need Jesus. Verse 7 tells us that when one sinner comes to salvation and repents (they are closely connected), there is much happiness, just like in the first parable with the sheep. But it also compares that event to 99 righteous people that don't need any repentance. Now it is obvious from the teaching of God's word that no one is righteous enough on their own. Everyone needs repentance and everyone needs Jesus.
Romans 3:23-24
23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
It seems to make the most sense then, that this verse is a sarcastic remark referring to the Pharisees' exalted view of themselves as righteous. The parable of the lost coin has the same meaning as the lost sheep, but the repeated metaphor is to emphasize the fact that a sinner, like the ones Jesus was with, coming to repentance is a great and joyous event in Heaven. But the Pharisees couldn't see past the fact that all these people were "worse" sinners than they were. It is obvious of course from Romans, and the rest of the Bible that all sin is deserving of the same end punishment in God's eyes, and so the Pharisees weren't any better.
Well, I guess the application for this section is that God is willing and waiting to receive a repentant sinner who will accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Another application would be more of a warning. Be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that you are more righteous than anyone else, and always be willing to forgive them.
As a preview of what's to come, the Parable of the Prodigal has two focuses. There is the story of forgiveness and acceptance of the repentant sinner, but there is also a message to the Pharisees, which is also an invitation for Salvation and forgiveness. It would make sense that Jesus would involve the Pharisees in the parable since they were the primary audience of all three parables. I think the next two parts of this set are going to focus on these two aspects of the parable of the prodigal son. But that's for next time, and the time after.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Prodigal Son (Part 1)
Before I begin, let me explain what I am beginning. A while back, I read the parable of the prodigal son in Luke. Now that I'm out of school I've decided to do a more in depth study of the passage. Because it's a rather large chunk of scripture, this is going to be more than a one part blog. How many parts, I don't know. For tonight, we're gonna have sort of an introduction.
Here it is--
Luke 15:
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3 So he told them this parable:4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” (ESV)
I am aware of the fact that this is a huge passage. But please read the whole thing. The context is especially important to truly understanding what this parable is talking about. And yes, I am aware that all of you are capable of taking a reference and going to look it up yourself. But, on the other hand, if it were me, I would tell myself, "go look it up later," and later would probably never happen. So now you are all without excuse. I think just the passage is enough for tonight. After all, it is rather long, and I don't want you all to lose patience with me. More to come soon.
If you followed a link to get here, you're probably going to want to go here next:
Part 2
Here it is--
Luke 15:
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”3 So he told them this parable:4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” (ESV)
I am aware of the fact that this is a huge passage. But please read the whole thing. The context is especially important to truly understanding what this parable is talking about. And yes, I am aware that all of you are capable of taking a reference and going to look it up yourself. But, on the other hand, if it were me, I would tell myself, "go look it up later," and later would probably never happen. So now you are all without excuse. I think just the passage is enough for tonight. After all, it is rather long, and I don't want you all to lose patience with me. More to come soon.
If you followed a link to get here, you're probably going to want to go here next:
Part 2
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
My Graduation Party
This last Saturday, I had my graduation party. It went pretty well with only a couple of mishaps, but it was a lot of fun and the mishaps weren't a big deal. Okay, a few. Anyway, thanks to everyone who was able to make it; thank you cards are on the way, so if you read this, you should feel privileged to receive 2 thank yous (just kidding, unless you do feel that way). Special thanks to all the people that showed up early for music and other preparation. Also, special thanks to mom and dad for all the organizing, set-up, and food prep. It couldn't have happened without you. Thanks.
So as for the mishaps:
Number 1: the cake.
We ordered two sheet cakes, both white and blue. The first round, they both came out neon yellow and purple. Needless to say, they got to redo the cakes. After redoing the cakes, one came out white and blue, and the other came out yellow and purple. We put the white and blue one out and hid the other one. on the positive side, the white and blue one was the chocolate cake. On the negative side, I didn't get a piece of my own chocolate graduation cake. We have a whole yellow and purple vanilla cake leftover. Anyway, it all worked out okay and I got a piece of chocolate cake today, so it's all good.
Number 2:
I claim full responsibility for this one. So we all decided to try out the long jump. Unfortunately, I was a bit of an overachiever and jumped over the long jump sand pit. In case you aren't keeping score, that's a bad thing. It means that instead of landing in the nice soft sand, I landed on the nice solid ground. My ankle still hurts a little bit, but the limp is just about gone. The dirt streak up the back of my shirt rubbed off fairly easily.
Number 3:
During the party, the weather was great. It was warm, but not too warm, and it was sunny. After the party, it started to rain. This wouldn't have been a problem, except for the sound equipment that we had to get home in the back of the truck. A quick trip over to Wal-Mart and the purchase of a jumbo sized tarp later, we were on our way home safe and dry (thanks mom).
To sum it up, it was a great party, and I wouldn't change a thing (except maybe the long jump incident; see Number 2).
So as for the mishaps:
Number 1: the cake.
We ordered two sheet cakes, both white and blue. The first round, they both came out neon yellow and purple. Needless to say, they got to redo the cakes. After redoing the cakes, one came out white and blue, and the other came out yellow and purple. We put the white and blue one out and hid the other one. on the positive side, the white and blue one was the chocolate cake. On the negative side, I didn't get a piece of my own chocolate graduation cake. We have a whole yellow and purple vanilla cake leftover. Anyway, it all worked out okay and I got a piece of chocolate cake today, so it's all good.
Number 2:
I claim full responsibility for this one. So we all decided to try out the long jump. Unfortunately, I was a bit of an overachiever and jumped over the long jump sand pit. In case you aren't keeping score, that's a bad thing. It means that instead of landing in the nice soft sand, I landed on the nice solid ground. My ankle still hurts a little bit, but the limp is just about gone. The dirt streak up the back of my shirt rubbed off fairly easily.
Number 3:
During the party, the weather was great. It was warm, but not too warm, and it was sunny. After the party, it started to rain. This wouldn't have been a problem, except for the sound equipment that we had to get home in the back of the truck. A quick trip over to Wal-Mart and the purchase of a jumbo sized tarp later, we were on our way home safe and dry (thanks mom).
To sum it up, it was a great party, and I wouldn't change a thing (except maybe the long jump incident; see Number 2).
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