Author Archives: PastorAndy

Sunday May 12, 2013, Mother’s Day: Et Tu Mommy?

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May 12, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Mother’s Day 2013: Et Tu Mommy? from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

It is very easy for many to speak in glowing terms about their mother’s especially on Mother’s Day. But what about those who see Mother’s Day as a painful reminder? How does the young woman who has had an abortion or the young man who has know idea of what a father looks like because so many men have passed through their home because his mother’s immorality celebrate Mother’s Day? Jesus offers to call everyone who believes into a new family, a closer family, than any earthly experience we may have. Join us this week as we look at Jesus teaching on who is His mother and who are His brothers and sisters from Matthew 12 verses 46 to 50.

Word On Worship – May 12, 2013 Download / Print

Matthew 12:48-50
“But Jesus answered the one who was telling Him and said, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”   And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, “Behold My mother and My brothers!   “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”

Every news story we read or see on television seems to hinge on morality. Whether the issue is over homosexual marriage, immigration reform, health care, or even taxation (even sugary drinks and obesity are now issues of morality in our state), there are denomination and special interest groups which have become very visible and very vocal in promoting their agendas. Even evangelicals have become active in proclaiming morality, patriotism, and fidelity to traditional American values. And so everyone, from the left to the right, is trying to grab the ear of a legislator to turn the morality of the nation in a direction they approve.

As Christians, we must be concerned about moral and ethical issues. God’s Word is unequivocal in its standards of righteous living, justice and social responsibility and we should reflect that same standard. But morality cannot be separated from a right relationship to God. In fact the Scriptures give us many examples of the dangers of morality separated from right relationship from God such as the Pharisees. They were committed to the highest human standard of religion and ethics and were so convinced of their self-righteousness that when God Himself lived amongst them they rejected Him and crucified Him. Their acts of morality only cleaned the outside of the cup, but never brought regeneration or redemption of the soul.

Being rightly related to Christ, however, requires more than self righteousness or a verbal promise of loyalty to God. Jesus warned the disciples in the Sermon on the Mount that “not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)  In fact many of these same people will point to incredible deeds and miracles they may even attribute to God. But these works of righteousness were not accompanied with a right relationship to the Lord. A saving relationship with Jesus Christ only comes from a submitting to Him and receiving the gift of salvation He offers.

Morality changes the outside of a person, in its best sense, but in some cases, it is barrier to the changes required of the heart. A right relationship with Jesus Christ brings about new life, both inside and outside. The central truth of the Scriptures is that Jesus Christ came to the earth to save sinners, which requires transformation not merely reformation. The message of the gospel, and also of the church, is not a call to clean living for the sake of morality, but a call to deliverance from sin through the atoning work of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday – May 5, 2013, “Promises, Promises”

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May 5, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Promises, Promises from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

We are often told about the faithfulness of God and the promises He has made to the believer, but how certain are you about these promises made to you. It is one thing to believe these promises made to the church from a generic sense, but it is another to realize these promises were given to you. Join Elder Ken McAuley as he examines the faithfulness of God and how that is pictured in the marriage relationship from his study on Matthew 19 verese 1 to 12 and Jeremiah 6.

Word On Worship – May 5, 2013 Download / Print

Gal. 3:21-22
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

I promise. What does that mean to you?  Does it have built-in conditions or provisions that one is supposed to expect?  Or, is it unconditional and you intend to keep it no matter what?  Usually it is something in between. You intend to keep it, but there might be circumstances that might keep you from fulfilling it. It’s like a handshake. It might mean that your word is for sure, but if it isn’t in writing, it might not hold up in court.

It seems as though we don’t care about our promises anymore unless it’s convenient. It used to be that we would fight if someone called into question something that we said. It’s sad that our word can’t be taken at face value anymore. Jesus told us that our yes should be yes and our no, no. In other words I think we should give more thought to what we say so that we don’t have to go back on our word so easily.

Our marriage vows are like that. We promise to love and to cherish, no matter what, until death. But prior to saying our vows we make prenuptial agreements that look forward to the failure of our marriage for any reason at all. What a sad commentary on today’s society. Why don’t we make plans to stay together and nurture our relationship in every possible way? If we did, our children wouldn’t have to go through counseling the rest of their lives because they imagine that somehow they were the cause of our breakup when it was only because of our own selfishness. The reasons for divorce may sound good at a given time because one or both parties have been hurt or angered, but there is nothing that can’t be remedied if divorce wasn’t so easy and commitment so weak.

What if Jesus had told His Father, God, that He didn’t want to go through the pain and suffering of the cross because we, the people whom He had created with whom to have fellowship, had no integrity? They couldn’t keep their promises so why should God keep His? His Father would have simply reminded Him that they, we, needed someone to be the example and show the way. After all, He created us, not the other way around. He promised to redeem us from death that leads to Hell, and He kept His promise even though it cost the death of His only begotten Son. Have you received the Gift that He has provided at such great cost? That is the only way to have fellowship with Him in His Heaven. We are incapable of getting to that place by our own efforts, no matter how good we are.

Sunday – April 28, 2013, “How Do You Understand Old Testament Prophecy?”

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April 28, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

How Do You Understand Old Testament Prophecy? from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Everyone seems to have a opinion when it comes to the Scripture. Depending on where they went to school or what denomination they come from, opinions run all over, especially when it comes to Old Testament prophecy. So how do you know who is right? Even more, how can you understand for yourself what oes the Bible teach? Elder Thom Rachford takes us through Zechariah 12 breaking down the text so everyone can see for themselves what God is foretelling and explains simple questions you can ask for yourself as to the meaning and the purpose of God’s plan for His people.

Word On Worship – April 28, 2013 Download / Print

 II Timothy 16-17
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Often we can read God’s Word and come to certain conclusions about what it says and what it means to us. The process of looking into God’s Word to reach conclusions about His plans is the natural process the Lord has set up. He has given us the inner desire to know him and he has chosen to reveal himself and His plans for us through His scripture as we spend time in it.

We know the Lord usually does not reveal everything in only one section of scripture. He usually does not outline His plan or spiritual principle by listing step one in detail, then step two in detail, step three in detail, and so on. Frequently the steps or concepts are found in various portions of scripture and the whole of scripture has to be studied to fully grasp what the Lord is saying and what he wants in response from us.

This is good. For as, humans in this time in history, we tend to want it all wrapped up in one short package that we can consume in a very short time. In His wisdom the Lord has placed portions of His plans in various places. This requires us to fully study the complete message of God if we want to understand His communications.

Sometimes we approach God’s Word with pre-conceived ideas about His plan. These ideas may come from well-meaning counselors or even false teachers who want to make their comments sound good. More often preconceived ideas come from our own desires, fears, or human “wisdom.” We like what makes us feel good or seems to be an easy way or builds up pride in our own abilities or deeds. Then it is easy to find those passages or individual scriptures that support our view or seem to support our foregone conclusions. When we don’t find specific passages to support these conclusions we may distort or misquote the scripture to make them appear to support. Once we think we have the answers, human nature prompts us to not seek any further scriptural truth about the subject. This is the way heresy, false teaching and apostasy gain prominence and control. And in turn, the heresy, false teaching, and apostasy lead further away from studying the totality of scripture. It is a downward spiral.

The antidote to the downward spiral of erroneous views or incorrect interpretation is daily study of God’s word accompanied by prayer. Daily study has some conditions. First, ask the Lord to clear away our misconceptions and to reveal His truth in the scriptures even when the revelation does not agree with what we had made up as truth in our mind. Second, the daily study must eventually include all the scriptures, even those that seem boring or dealing with Old Testament actions or less than interesting genealogies. Third, we must take God’s Word as literal unless it is clearly allegorical or symbolic. We must take scripture literally even when the scripture seems to defy the rules of nature. Our God is the creator of nature and nature’s laws and can and does overrule them when it suits His purpose. He is, after all, the God of miracles. Daily study of the Word will lead us to a right view of God, His plan for relationship with man, our salvation, growth and blessing.

Sunday – April 21, 2013, “Remember, Obey and Be Thankful”

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April 21, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Remember, Obey and Be Thankful from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Does it seem like your walk with the Lord is a boring repetition of that actions day in and day out? It certainly must have felt that way for Israel during their 40 years in the Wilderness. For 40 years they ate the same food, worn the same clothing that did not wear out and followed the same commands of God. It was so easy for them to forget why they were doing the things they were doing. And it is the same with you and I. We fail to remember the faithfulness of God and then begin to disobey thinking all we have is from our effort and innovation only to fail to be thankful for the grace and provision of God. Join Elder Ken McAuley in this insightful journey through Deuteronomy 8 and take this important reminder to heart.

Word On Worship – April 21, 2013 Download / Print

Deuteronomy 8:1-2
“All the commandments that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore to give to your forefathers.  “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 

God wanted to know whether or not His people would pay attention to Him. He is still doing the same thing today. He leads us into and through tough times to see if we will turn our attention to Him. He promised to lead them into a rich land full of milk and honey if they would keep His commandments. They didn’t pass the test and spent 40 years wandering around in the wilderness. He used those 40 years to try to get their attention so that they would teach their children to do what they refused to do, trust in the Lord their God.

How many years will it take the Lord our God to get our attention as He takes us through rough places in our lives until we realize that we can’t always do on our own what it takes to provide for our families, make our business successful, win that tournament, etc. Sometimes even our friends can’t help. He only wants us to acknowledge Him so that He can give us His blessing. It may not be what we want and how we want it, but it will be better than we could have imagined in the long run.

God provided water out of a rock (unexpected), clothing that did not wear out (unexpected), manna and quail for food (unexpected). What do you suppose He could do for you in your circumstance? Does it have to be what you would expect?  He doesn’t have to operate within the box. All He wants you to do is keep His commandments. Jesus said, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)  That sums up the 10 commandments for us today if we will listen to Him.

God provided His sacrifice to provide redemption for us who don’t even know we need it. The wanderers in the wilderness needed it and offered sacrifices for their sin as the Lord their God demanded so that He could deal with them. Without those sacrifices He would not have been able to even look upon them because of His righteousness. It is the same today. We need to realize that we need salvation from the wilderness of Hell that we are doomed for if we don’t acknowledge that God has provided the only way that works for Him. And He is the God of Heaven. Jesus Christ is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him” (John 14:6). If you can accept this, then your hope is to dwell with the Father in Heaven (our promised land) for Eternity. This message is for the people of God. Are you included?

Elder Ken McAuley

 

 

Sunday – March 31, 2013 – Lessons from the Empty Tomb

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March 31, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Easter 2013: Lessons from the Empty Tomb from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

It is very easy to read the story of the women at the tomb of our Lord and to expect a very different message from the angels. When I consider my shortcomings and lack of faith, I hear the angels prepare a word of rebuke at why these women failed to take Jesus at His word at rising again on the third day. How many other things has Jesus spoken to us in the gospels that we acknowledge as Scripture but still fail to truly take Jesus at His word?
Join us this Resurrection Sunday at we “Learn From the Empty Tomb” lessons on taking Jesus at His word for life and living from the Gospel of John 20 verses 1 to 18.

Word On Worship – March 31, 2013 Download / Print

John 20:11-13
“But Mary was standing outside the tomb weeping; and so, as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had been lying. And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”

It is very easy to read the story of the women at the tomb of our Lord and to expect a very different message from the angels.  When I consider my shortcomings and lack of faith, I hear the angels prepare a word of rebuke at why these women failed to take Jesus at His word at rising again on the third day. How many other things has Jesus spoken to us in the gospels that we acknowledge as Scripture but still fail to truly take Jesus at His word?

This is a teachable moment in the lives of these women, just as you and I have teachable moments when the Lord calls us closer to look and see, testing for ourselves that the validity of His promises is sure and not to throw away our confidence which yields great reward. Jesus is no longer in the tomb, but the evidence remains — the linen wrappings lying there with the face cloth rolled up to the side. No disciple has come to remove the body or any enemy to pillage the tomb. Jesus has yet again kept His word.

There is a time to believe the promises of God as a child believes a parent when told to be ready for school in the morning. But there comes a time when each one of us must learn by faith to believe the Word of God is unfailingly true. We will experience the prick of our doubts, just as the women must have felt when the angels reminded them in Matthew 28:6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.” This resurrection Sunday is the day for us to move forward, past our previous doubts and failures, into the realm of faith. Not understanding how God will do what He has promised, but believing He who has promised is faithful, and will bring it to pass for our good and His glory.

For the church to believe Jesus rose from the dead is fine, but it is not enough. We need to personally understand what kind of Savior rose from the dead. He is the same loving Redeemer who healed the sick, comforted the mourning and died for the sinner. That is the Savior who now calls us to share with others  — the news Jesus Christ has risen — just as He said. He laid down His life so we could share in the inheritance as members of His family, if we believe as John did that first morning when he entered the tomb and saw and believed.

Sunday – March 24 2013, “How to Ruin a Dinner Party”

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March 24 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

How to Ruin a Dinner Party from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Do not let the Lord’s Table become more of an opportunity to examine your watch than your heart. We are more focused on schedules in our hurried lifestyles than we are concerned about how we may have betrayed our Lord this past week or how we might betray Him next week. Each of us should humbly contemplate our lives and consider all the ways, big and small, we have betrayed the Lord and confess such weakness. If one of the twelve who spent three years with Jesus could betray the Lord, every Christian has that potential.
Join us tomorrow as we continue our study of the Gospel of Mark 14 and see “How to Ruin a Dinner Party”.

Word On Worship – March 24 2013 Download / Print

 Mark 14:22-24
“While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”

The eating of the bread and the drinking of the cup is not a magic ritual. Its consumption brings no automatic guarantee of salvation. If Judas participated in the meal, and there is no indication in the passage that he did not, then eating the bread and drinking the cup must be internalized for it to be of saving value. The new covenant must be written on the hearts of God’s people, not completed by ritual in a stain glassed building. This is not the food of immortality, but a public proclamation of the Lord’s death until He returns.

When we come to this table, we are to examine ourselves just as the original disciples did. The Last Supper was not a sacrament of blessing, but a night of high tension and sweaty palms. Jesus had told them one who sat at the table would betray Him. The gathered disciples did not single out Judas as the guilty party, but rather looked to themselves and asked if it were them. Self examination, not cross examination, is Paul’s exhortation to us in 1st Corinthians 11:27-29 when we gather to partake in this meal. We are only worthy of the Lord’s Supper when we recognize how unworthy we are. Its power is seen when we recognize Jesus has died for us and accepts us in spite of our unworthiness.

Yes, Judas was the one at the table guilty of treason, but none of the disciples are above reproach. Each of them will prove themselves to be an unfaithful servant before the night is done. In truth, the remaining eleven were concerned about themselves. We are no different in our egocentric approach to the table. Our separation and isolation from each other stands revealed before the bread and the cup. The Last Supper calls us to imitate Christ’s self-sacrificing love and should be a moment when we look to heal the breaks in our fellowship.

Do not let the Lord’s Table become more of an opportunity to examine your watch than your heart. We are more focused on schedules in our hurried lifestyles than we are concerned about how we may have betrayed our Lord this past week or how we might betray Him next week. Each of us should humbly contemplate our lives and consider all the ways, big and small, we have betrayed the Lord and confess such weakness. If one of the twelve who spent three years with Jesus could betray the Lord, every Christian has that potential.

Sunday – March 17, 2013

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March 17, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Working Like the Devil to Serve the Lord from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

They say no good deed goes unpunished. That was certainly true of Mary’s good deed done to Jesus. I have noticed we are very keen at counting the things we value, and yet completely miss the true value the Lord places on what He calls important. Jesus previously pointed out to the disciples in the temple courtyard the greatness of the widow’s glad gift of all her copper mites, when compared to all that was given by the rich with fanfare. Even after all the teaching by Jesus about serving and humility, not one of the disciples challenged Mary’s washing the feet of Jesus with her hair. They only challenged the extravagance of her act of love that used such a valuable gift on Jesus.
Join us Sunday morning as we continue our study of the Gospel of Mark and “Working Like the Devil, Serving the Lord” from Mark 14 verses 1 to 11.

Word On Worship – March 17, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 14:4-5
But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her.

The disciples of Jesus are very adept about counting the cost of things, literally. In Mark 6, when Jesus tells them to feed the crowd waiting on the hillside, their mental cash registers ring up a 200 denarii estimate for bread cost alone. The average wage of a Roman soldier was 300 denarii a year. And when Mary opens the alabaster jar and pours out its contents on our Lord, the disciples count the cost of all that was lost to them. How well does your mental cash register work as you see others use the resources God has given them?

I have noticed we are very keen at counting the things we value, and yet completely miss the true value the Lord places on what He calls important. Jesus previously pointed out to the disciples in the temple courtyard the greatness of the widow’s glad gift of all her copper mites, when compared to all that was given by the rich with fanfare. Even after all the teaching by Jesus about serving and humility, not one of the disciples challenged Mary’s washing the feet of Jesus with her hair. They only challenged the extravagance of her act of love that used such a valuable gift on Jesus.

Money does matter and we are all called to be faithful stewards of the gifts God has given us. But have we allowed our mental calculations to shortchange our devotion and love of the Lord? Have we become afraid of doing something extravagant for the Lord because we are afraid of how others will respond to such an over-the-top expression of gratitude? I think Mary understood this was going to be the last time she would be with Lord once He left Bethany for Jerusalem. This was her opportunity to demonstrate her devotion regardless what the others in the room thought of her pouring out such an expensive perfume over our Lord’s feet.

And there is a subtle warning in the attitude of the disciples for us all. Yes, Judas was upset as he saw the money he would not be able to pocket for himself, since the costly perfume would not be sold to fill the purse. But why were the disciples more closely aligned with Judas than they were with Mary? Let us examine our own motives as we see other people serve the Lord with complete abandon and not question or cast dispersions upon their motivation. In what ways has the Lord called each of us to be completely committed to him in our love and devotion by not saving something in reserve for ourselves but allowing all of our hearts, minds, souls and strength to be an offering to the One who saved us in His mercy.

Sunday – March 3, 2013

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March 3, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

The Abomination of Desolation from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

Many are fascinated with what Jesus said about the last days. The Olivet Discourse has all the elements of a great action movie: the tension of the saint’s persecution by those who hold earthly power set against the working of the Holy Spirit and the Jesus’ coming to gather His own, complete with cosmic fireworks. A series of sermons on the Great Tribulation and the identity of the Antichrist will usually draw far more interest from people than the ethical demands of the Sermon on the Mount. And while some view our passage a litmus test on certain views of the end, I think Mark 13 was intended to turn down the flame on apocalyptic fever because the passage contains far more puzzles than answers.
Mark’s message is far more subtle than fill in the blank answers for our “end of time” charts. Mark’s message for the saints of every generation, from first to last, is: God’s way, God’s Messiah and God’s people will be vindicated is such a conclusive way that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ to the glory of God. We should not be ignorant of the last days, but God has made it clear that we are to learn to cope with the last days.
Join us this Sunday as we explore what Jesus has to say about “The Abomination of Desolation” in Mark chapter 13 verses 14 to 23. Join us at 8:45 AM to show God is worthy of our praise!

Word On Worship – March 3, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 13:21-23
“And then if anyone says to you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ’; or, ‘Behold, He is there’; do not believe him; for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect. “But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.”

Mark wrote his gospel at a time when the world appeared to many to be falling apart, especially if you were a Jewish Christian. Tacitus, the Roman historian of the first century, documented three civil wars, the assassination of four emperors, numerous earthquakes and natural disasters all of which took place after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The warnings of Jesus in our passage provide a guide for the saints of every generation to make sense of what has happened and will happen in the course of human history.

Many are fascinated with what Jesus said about the last days. The Olivet Discourse has all the elements of a great action movie: the tension of the saint’s persecution by those who hold earthly power set against the working of the Holy Spirit and the coming of Jesus to gather His own, complete with cosmic fireworks. A series of sermons on the Great Tribulation and the identity of the Antichrist will usually draw far more interest from people than the ethical demands of the Sermon on the Mount. And while some view our passage as a litmus test on certain views of the end, I think Mark 13 was intended to turn down the flame on apocalyptic fever because the passage contains far more puzzles than answers.

Mark’s message is far more subtle than fill in the blank answers for our “end of time” charts. Mark’s message for the saints of every generation, from first to last, is: God’s way, God’s Messiah and God’s people will be vindicated in such a conclusive way that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is the Christ to the glory of God. We should not be ignorant of the last days, but God has made it clear that we are to learn to cope with the last days.

The question for us to answer is how shall we live in such difficult times, with the persecutions, suffering and trials as we wait for the blessed return of our Lord and Savior? The drama of the last days will play out according to God’s plan, scene by scene. The actors on the stage can estimate where they are in the play, but only the stage director knows exactly where they are. He has given the actors instructions on what they are to do and what they are to say as they see certain events and cues take place. The actors know how the play will end, but they still do not know when the curtain will fall.

Sunday – February 24, 2013

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February 24, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Setting Our Expectations for the Last Days from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

What happens when real trouble comes your way, despite the promises of hope and change, if you have unrealistic expectations about what the future holds? When the promises fail to arrive on our timeline we are going to start asking questions. When reality does not meet our expectations we will question our reality before we question our expectations. Jesus cuts through the disciples’ expectations with perspective to the temptation is to look for an escape because your plan does not include suffering, trials and persecution. Without Godly perspective, the heart of man is directed to find someone whom they can trust to get us out of our present reality, instead of trusting the One who will see us through the trials of our reality.
What are your expectations for life? Is your expectation a honeymoon or is your expectation reality? What is your expectation of the church? Whether you are speaking of the pastor or the attitude of those who occupy the pews, our expectations need to be realistic. (You may want to read 1st & 2nd Corinthians to get your expectations in a reasonable zone.) Is the gospel we preach a realistic gospel, or do we only speak of the blessing and omit the cost of discipleship? Jesus never went light on the cost of following Him, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:25). If we have the right expectations, we will not become disillusioned when God’s timeline differs from our time line.
This Sunday we continue in our study of the Gospel of Mark and look to what Jesus has to say about setting our expectations for the last days. Join us Sunday morning as we look at Mark 13 verses 1 to 13 and “Setting our Expectations for the Last Days”.

Word On Worship – February 24, 2013 Download / Print

Mark 13:1-2
“As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!” And Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down.”

As Jesus departs the temple, the disciples are in awe of the magnificence of the construction around them. Many of us have seen models of the temple or read descriptions and marveled at engineering it would take to construct a building with such huge stones inlaid with gold. This structure went beyond civic pride; it gave the Jews a sense of security because it was the place where God lived. The psalmist wrote of the temple in Psalm 132:14 “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” How could the Lord abandon such a magnificent structure or allow it to be destroyed by an occupying enemy?

Just as the great harlot of Babylon mesmerized John in Revelation 17, the temple’s awesome majesty enthralls the disciples with its size, beauty and the power of its economic engine. What they need is perspective to see through the gleam of the gold and to realize this was not going to stand forever. God is no longer blessing this building which must come down stone by stone. The temple belongs to the old order, whose builders will reject the stone who will become central to God’s new temple. If there is one thing Jesus always gives people, it is perspective.

Despite the promises of hope and change, what happens when real trouble comes your way if you have unrealistic expectations about what the future holds? When the promises fail to arrive on our timeline we are going to start asking questions. When reality does not meet our expectations we will question our reality before we question our expectations. Jesus cuts through the disciples’ expectations with perspective to say the temptation is to look for an escape because your plan does not include suffering, trials and persecution. Without godly perspective, the heart of man is directed to find someone who they can trust to get us out of our present reality, instead of trusting the One who will see us through the trials of our reality.

What are your expectations for life? Is your expectation a honeymoon or is your expectation reality? What is your expectation of the church? Whether you are speaking of the pastor or the attitude of those who occupy the pews, our expectations need to be realistic. (You may want to read 1st & 2nd Corinthians to place your expectations in a reasonable zone.)  Is the gospel we preach a realistic gospel, or do we only speak of the blessing and omit the cost of discipleship? Jesus never went light on the cost of following Him, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:25). If we have the right expectations, we will not become disillusioned when God’s timeline differs from our time line.

Sunday – February 17, 2013

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February 17, 2013 – Read the Word on Worship

Less is More from Sunrise Community Church on Vimeo.

How different are God’s ways when compared to the ways of men? The Pharisees loved riches and considered their wealth as the evidence of God’s reward for their piety. In their minds, God would be pleased with the size of their contributions. Yet in our passage we see Jesus condemn the “rich and famous” for their faulty thinking and elevate the insignificant gift of the widow. The rich were only focused on how much their gift was. Jesus was focused on what the gift meant to the giver. That small donation was her life and all she had to live on. In making this gift, she gave evidence of her faith in God, not her money, to provide for her needs.
I am not here to tell you or myself how much to give. I do not see in Scripture where Jesus was ever impressed with how much was given. But I do see Jesus is very impressed with how much was left after we give. How much faith do you have that God is Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord Will Provide)? With all the corruption going on, the widow’s gift was an act of faith. When those coins left her hand, she had totally entrusted herself to God. But she did what she believed God had for her to do. The question is what will we do as stewards with the limited time, talent and treasure He has given us?
Join us Sunday morning as we continue our series in the Gospel of Mark in Mark 12 verses 38 to 44 and see “Less is More”

Word On Worship – February 17, 2013 Download / Print

 Mark 12:42-44
“A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

How different are God’s ways when compared to the ways of men? The Pharisees loved riches and considered their wealth as the evidence of God’s reward for their piety. In their minds, God would be pleased with the size of their contributions. Yet in our passage we see Jesus condemn the “rich and famous” for their faulty thinking while elevating the insignificant gift of the widow. The rich were only focused on how much their gift was. Jesus was focused on what the gift meant to the giver. That small donation was her life and all she had to live on. In making this gift, she gave evidence of her faith in God, not her money, to provide for her needs.

It is easy to use the widow and her two coins as an example of sacrificial giving. Clearly this is a woman who loves God with all she has and stands in stark contrast to the rich in light of her poverty. She also stands in contrast to the scribes who go to great lengths to highlight their piousness for personal gain and attention. She is just another person fallen through the safety net of society and holds no honor in this community of alleged faith. Yet she still loves God and will sacrifice all that she has in service to God as she responds to Him.

The so-called “little gifts,” which count as nothing in human circles, eclipse the gifts given from excess from God’s perspective. Religious institutions cannot build great temples with their massive stones from the meager gifts of widows. But then God is not looking for stone buildings to call His home. God is looking to occupy people’s hearts. But He can only do that with disciples willing to submit themselves to Him and to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

I am not here to tell you or myself how much to give. I do not see in Scripture where Jesus was ever impressed with how much was given. But I do see Jesus is very impressed with how much was left after we give. How much faith do you have that God is Jehovah-Jireh (the Lord Will Provide)? With all the corruption going on, the widow’s gift was an act of faith. When those coins left her hand, she had totally entrusted herself to God. But she did what she believed God had for her to do. The question is what will we do as stewards with the limited time, talent, treasure and breath He has given us?