Luke 14:7-11
7 And He {began} speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor {at the table;} saying to them,8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him,9 and he who invited you both shall come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place.10 "But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you.11 "For everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be exalted."(NAS)
This passage is actually closely related to my last blog. The message of this passage goes far beyond good manners at a banquet. If I do something for my own benefit, or my own glory, I am going to be fail-sauce (don't ask). In other words, the ending is not going to be good. Proverbs talks about the fate of a prideful man often. And I would say there's a major connection between those exalting themselves and those that are prideful.
Prov 11:22 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.(NAS)
Prov 16:18 Pride {goes} before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.(NAS)
Prov 29:23 A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.(NAS)
All three of these verses are really saying similar things. And they all have similar messages to Jesus' parable in the passage from Luke. Pride and self-exaltation come before dishonor. The way to gain honor is to show humility, not seek honor. In human terms, it all seems a little backwards, but that's how it works.
Here is another passage from Proverbs with a slightly different emphasis:
Prov 8:13 "The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverted mouth, I hate.(NAS)
In this passage, the one speaking is wisdom (see Prov. 8:12). To be wise and fear God includes hating pride and arrogance.
The bottom line of this post: we all, especially me, need to eat some humble pie every once in a while. And if I may make a suggestion: learning about how amazingly awesome God is by reading His word is a great way to culture humility.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Greatest Prophet Among Men
Luke 7:27-28
27 "This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'28 "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."(NKJ)
This is a great example of how God's kingdom works. Jesus actually said that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet on earth. But right after that, he balances it out by saying that one can be greater than John the Baptist simply by being the least. By humbling themselves and becoming nothing, that is how a person becomes greater than the greatest prophet among men.
Jesus is an excellent example of this. He is THE greatest because he lowered himself further than any man ever could.
When He came to earth as a man, He gave up some of the power that He had in heaven. He was still God, but He was also a man, with an imperfect body. He came not as a conqueror, but as a servant. He said so Himself:
Matt 20:26-28
26 "It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."(NAS)
He took on the sins of the entire world on the cross, becoming separated from God the Father and bearing a punishment that we can't even begin to imagine. The punishment was so severe that the actual physical pain and humiliation associated with Crucifixion doesn't even begin to compare with the separation from the Father that He felt when He took on our sins.
So, how does this relate back to the passage about John the baptist? To be great in the Kingdom of God, one must be a servant. And the greatest example of a servant is Jesus Christ. He is the model that we look to for a servant's life, a man who was truly capable of keeping the greatest commandment: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and the second: love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus did both. He died on the cross to bring absolute glory to the Father. He loves the Father enough that He gave up His life for the Father's glory to be shown. And He loved His neighbor because it gave us the opportunity to become children of the most high God through the same sacrifice.
27 "This is he of whom it is written: 'Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.'28 "For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."(NKJ)
This is a great example of how God's kingdom works. Jesus actually said that John the Baptist was the greatest prophet on earth. But right after that, he balances it out by saying that one can be greater than John the Baptist simply by being the least. By humbling themselves and becoming nothing, that is how a person becomes greater than the greatest prophet among men.
Jesus is an excellent example of this. He is THE greatest because he lowered himself further than any man ever could.
When He came to earth as a man, He gave up some of the power that He had in heaven. He was still God, but He was also a man, with an imperfect body. He came not as a conqueror, but as a servant. He said so Himself:
Matt 20:26-28
26 "It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant,27 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave;28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."(NAS)
He took on the sins of the entire world on the cross, becoming separated from God the Father and bearing a punishment that we can't even begin to imagine. The punishment was so severe that the actual physical pain and humiliation associated with Crucifixion doesn't even begin to compare with the separation from the Father that He felt when He took on our sins.
So, how does this relate back to the passage about John the baptist? To be great in the Kingdom of God, one must be a servant. And the greatest example of a servant is Jesus Christ. He is the model that we look to for a servant's life, a man who was truly capable of keeping the greatest commandment: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and the second: love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus did both. He died on the cross to bring absolute glory to the Father. He loves the Father enough that He gave up His life for the Father's glory to be shown. And He loved His neighbor because it gave us the opportunity to become children of the most high God through the same sacrifice.
"Busy"
To any of you that haven't abandoned my blog by this point, I apologize for the long lack of posts. I've been "busy" lately. For those of you in my youth group, you'll understand the reason for the quotation marks. For those of you not in my youth group, the quotation marks mean that I have been "busy" but that I have not been productive. I've been a bit of a procrastinator in many areas including: Bible study, prayer, schoolwork, chores, making important telephone calls, blogging, and anything else I'm responsible for. The order that these areas in is not an accident. They are in order of importance, and unfortunately, it's very similar to the order of neglect, with the exception of course being blogging since this is the first time in a long time I've done that at all.
Basically, I need prayer. I am in need of perseverance to plan out a little more, get the most important things done first, and very important: maintain my prayer life.
Basically, I need prayer. I am in need of perseverance to plan out a little more, get the most important things done first, and very important: maintain my prayer life.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Prayer (again)
Luke 6:12 And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.(NAS)
This was part of what we talked about in Sunday school yesterday. It's something that I've noticed before, but it's a really good reminder. Whenever Jesus had any major praying to do, where did he go?
He went off to a mountain, or into the wilderness, away from people; in other words, he went off by himself. Sometimes it is necessary to get away from daily life to just talk to God. I know I don't always take the time that I should to talk to God. I guess I need to pray for the perseverance to pray.
This was part of what we talked about in Sunday school yesterday. It's something that I've noticed before, but it's a really good reminder. Whenever Jesus had any major praying to do, where did he go?
He went off to a mountain, or into the wilderness, away from people; in other words, he went off by himself. Sometimes it is necessary to get away from daily life to just talk to God. I know I don't always take the time that I should to talk to God. I guess I need to pray for the perseverance to pray.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Be Bold
John 20:19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first {day} of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, "Peace {be} with you."(NAS)
This takes place just after Jesus' tomb has been found empty, and Mary has seen Jesus, alive again. It is amazing that this same group of men who were hiding out in a room with the doors shut, afraid of the Jews, would eventually be so bold as to spend the rest of their lives sharing the gospel to all peoples, no matter what the cost. Nearly all of them would suffer terrible deaths for the sake of the gospel. This is an amazing testament to the changing power of the Holy Spirit, and proof that the God we serve truly is alive and truly is all powerful!
This takes place just after Jesus' tomb has been found empty, and Mary has seen Jesus, alive again. It is amazing that this same group of men who were hiding out in a room with the doors shut, afraid of the Jews, would eventually be so bold as to spend the rest of their lives sharing the gospel to all peoples, no matter what the cost. Nearly all of them would suffer terrible deaths for the sake of the gospel. This is an amazing testament to the changing power of the Holy Spirit, and proof that the God we serve truly is alive and truly is all powerful!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Concert
Last night I went to the Rock and Worship Roadshow. It's a tour that a few Christian bands are doing now. The tickets are 10 dollars at the door. They plan on making them even cheaper next year, and eventually free. 7th Avenue North, Addison Road, Hawk Nelson, Jeremy Camp, and MercyMe were all there.
MercyMe and Jeremy Camp were both amazing shows. And they were both worshipful; to me that's what makes a Christian concert really good.
MercyMe and Jeremy Camp were both amazing shows. And they were both worshipful; to me that's what makes a Christian concert really good.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
An Explanation
John 12:23-28
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
This verse is very similar to another verse found in Matthew:
Matt 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.25 "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.(NAS)
There is a reason the saying goes: "accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior." Sometimes we forget that it involves a surrender. In John 12:23, Jesus is referring directly to the cross that he is about to endure for our sins, but He also relates it to us. When we accept Salvation, we are taking God's gift, but we are giving a life of service in return. As Believers, we can't be stuck in what this world has to offer. The goal is at the end of the course, not off to either side. As Paul tells us repeatedly, that goal is to become like Christ. That is often accomplished through suffering, which is what Matthew 16:24 means by "take up his cross."
I know I personally do a better job of surrendering some days more than others. I think it has to be a daily task. Something we're always working for. And prayer is a big part of it.
At the tail end of the passage in John, it even says that we will be honored for our gift of service. It's not entirely clear what that honor will be, but if it's something God wants to give us, it's got to be good. I feel like going on and on, but I think I'm a little scattered already, and it's past my bedtime, so I guess that's it for the night. No wonder I postponed this explanation.
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
This verse is very similar to another verse found in Matthew:
Matt 16:24-25
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.25 "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it.(NAS)
There is a reason the saying goes: "accept Jesus Christ as LORD and Savior." Sometimes we forget that it involves a surrender. In John 12:23, Jesus is referring directly to the cross that he is about to endure for our sins, but He also relates it to us. When we accept Salvation, we are taking God's gift, but we are giving a life of service in return. As Believers, we can't be stuck in what this world has to offer. The goal is at the end of the course, not off to either side. As Paul tells us repeatedly, that goal is to become like Christ. That is often accomplished through suffering, which is what Matthew 16:24 means by "take up his cross."
I know I personally do a better job of surrendering some days more than others. I think it has to be a daily task. Something we're always working for. And prayer is a big part of it.
At the tail end of the passage in John, it even says that we will be honored for our gift of service. It's not entirely clear what that honor will be, but if it's something God wants to give us, it's got to be good. I feel like going on and on, but I think I'm a little scattered already, and it's past my bedtime, so I guess that's it for the night. No wonder I postponed this explanation.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
A Great Passage and No Time to Explain Tonight
John 12:23-28
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
23 And Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.25 "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.27 "Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, 'Father, save Me from this hour'? But for this purpose I came to this hour.28 "Father, glorify Thy name." There came therefore a voice out of heaven: "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again."(NAS)
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