Devotional Message for Sunrise Assisted Living (elderly)

Sometimes we have the experience of seeing somone or meeting someone, and not recognizing who they are. That has happened to me a few times recently, and it can be kind of funny. Because I still live and work and go to the store around the same area I grew up in. Sometimes I'll see someone and they will recognize me and I won't recognize them, and it will turn out we went to grade school together. I know sometimes especially as we get older it can be a sad experience to not recognize people.
One of the most tragic happenings in all of man's history is that when Jesus came so many people didn't recognize him. Even the people that should have known him; the pople that had been waiting for a the Messiah most of them did not recognize him. So today I want to talk to you about Jesus and recognizing who he is and one specific thing about him.
Read John 14:7-9A
"If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him."
Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
In the first Chapeter of John it also says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And then later: the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
There is only one main thing I want to tell you today and that is that Jesus is God.
It would be tragic if we miss this point. If we don't know this we haven't recognized JEsus for who he is.
The first reason this is important to us is because. You can know God. You can know the same God who created you and me. The same God who spoke the sun and the stars into existence. The God who holds all things together you can know him. You can know him in Jesus.
The second reason it's important for you to know God is to know that he is strong to save. God is powerful we call him The Almighty. There is nothing that can stop him from accomplishing his purpose. Nothing can stop him from saving those who look to the Son and put their faith in him.
Nothing can stop him from saving those who have believed that Jesus died for their sins and rose again from the dead.
Nothing can stop him from saving, and no one can escape his judgment.
Again like Jesus said to Philip, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me?"
Philip had probably been with Jesus for about 3 years following him in his ministry. Some of us have been hearing about Jesus for years all our live. If we haven't recognized Jesus as God he could ask us the same question: Have I been with you sol long and you still do not know me?

Eyewitnesses of his Majesty Matthew 3:13-17

When Jesus came to John to be baptised, John would have prevented him. John was humble. He knew he wasn't even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals, but Jesus told him something that changed his mind quickly, and without argument. Jesus told him, "it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." This was God's purpose. This was God's work. This is why John had been called to baptise in the first place for the fulfillment of God's kingdom and his righteousness. John loved God's Kingdom, and he was honored to be apart of bringing its fulfillment. Jesus included him in God's work "it is fitting for us." Like John we also have the honor of joining in God's work.

But how was John baptising Jesus fulfilling all righteousness?

In baptizing Jesus John was consecrating Jesus for service. This was an act of righteous obedience to God. In the Old Testament the consecration of the Priest and Levites had included a baptism (Lev. 8, Num. 8).

Jesus ministry certainly eclipsed that of all the Priests and Levites of the Old Testament this act of obedience by John and Jesus was the beginning of a ministry that would fulfill all righteousness.

The significance of Christ's ministry is demonstrated in the event of his Baptism. The heavens opened and the spirit descended. Consider the source of the Spirit. The Spirit descended from heaven. It came upon Jesus, and would later be poured out on his Church. Jesus himself also descended. Long before he came from Galilee to the Jordan he came from heaven to earth. He is the one who comes down from heaven and brings life to the world. Heaven is the source. Righteousness does not come from the ground up, and it never could. Jesus says the same of his Kingdom,"My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36) The Kingdom, whose subjects we are, isn't from this world; it is from heaven. In Jesus, in the Holy Spirit, and in his Kingdom heaven is opened and comes down. God's will is done on earth as in heaven.

The Father Loves the Son. and is well pleased with him. The Father loves the Son because the son lays down his life that he may take it up again. (John 10:17) The Father loves the Son's obedience, The Son's sacrifice, and the Son's authority.

In this event we see Jesus has come; he has entered the scene to begin his ministry. He has come to fulfill all righteousness. As we see him we must ask: does what pleases the Father please us as well? Do we love him for his crucifixion and for his resurrection? Do we love his authority, and give our allegiance to it? Do we love his righteous Kingdom? Is God's will done in our lives as it is in heaven?

When we love the son, and we obey his word then we like John do our part.

"it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

Not Consumed (poem from Mission Coffee Open Mic Night)

I just did this poem at the Mission Coffee Open Mic Night in Fremont. It was fun. Tere were a lot of really talented people there.

Not Consumed

You my God are a fire consuming but not consumed

Moses saw you on the mountain

And you are not consumed

You give bread and life to the multitude

And you are not consumed

You make the blind to see

And you are not consumed

You raise the dead to life

And you are not consumed

You suffered and were crucified

And you are not consumed

You died and were burried

And you are not consumed

With your blood you bought men for God

And you are not consumed

From every tribe and tongue and nation

And you are not consumed

You burn the affections of my heart

And you are not consumed

'til all I desire is to look upon your flame

And you are not consumed

To stand before your light is life

And you are not consumed

To fear you is pure joy

And you are not consumed

You resist the proud

And you are not consumed

You give grace to the humble

And you are not consumed

The imaginations of man are nothing before you

And you are not consumed

Your enemies will fall you consume them all

And you are not consumed

Your steadfast love never ceases

And you are not consumed

Your mercies never come to an end

And you are not consumed

You love me

And you are not consumed

You my God are a fire consuming but not consumed

Some simple thoughts on Ground Zero

I've heard a lot recently about Ground Zero and the proposed Mosque there. I have some pretty simple thoughts on the subject.

First of all I want to state clearly:I don't want there to be a Mosque at ground zero. I actually don't want there to be mosques any where. Since every square inch of this universe belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ I don't want to see any part of it used for religious gathering that does not worship him. I don't want there to be any part of God's creation used to shakes a fist at the creator. And that would include Mosques, Budhist and Hindu temples, apostate Churches, strip clubs, abortion clinics and a lot of other sorts of places.

However on the matter of the mosque, and the matter of whether it should be legal to have a mosque there, we have to remember the kind of government our nation has. I don't think that this is the kind of government we should have (although it has certainly been a blessing in many ways). We do have a government and a constituion which has never, from the inception of the nation, recognised the crown rights of Jesus.

And when it comes to the constitution I think it is pretty clear that the Governemtn has no right to stop any group from using their land or purchasing land for whatever sort of assembly they please.

So I don't want there to be a mosque on ground zero, but I also don't think that our Government as it is currently constituted (and I also don't support a violent revolution) should stop them from building one.

I don't think that Christians should expect the Government to stop this. I don't think that Christians should want this Government to have the right to stop this. What else would we be giving them the right to do then?

It is probably too late now, but if Chrisitans and conservatives are so concerned about ground zero being sacred maybe they should have raised money and bought the land in question.

Eyewitnesses of his Majesty Luke 2:41-51

What strikes me in the narrative of the boy Jesus at the temple is Jesus' purposefulness.

His parents were astonished by his actions. His mother rebuked him "Why have you treated us so?"

Throughout his ministry well meaning people would be astonished at him. They didn't understand what he was doing, and would rebuke him. Later his own family thought he was crazy (Mark 3:21). Peter told him "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you."

Jesus rebuked Peter saying, "For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

But Jesus' mind was always on the things of God. In his thoughts and actions he was focused on pleasing the Father.

In our narrative he had to be in the temple about his Father's business. He knew that God had given him works to accomplish, and that at that time his work was to listen to and enlighten the teachers of his people.

Jesus said, "I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me."(John 6:38)

He is the ultimate example of submission. He gave himself up completely to the Father's will: Not my will, but your will be done.

Let us have this same heart. Let us have the same action. Totally submitting ourselves to God's will loving him with all our heart, soul, and mind.

If we do this we will have purpose. If we do this the world will be astonished.

Luke 8:21 But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Are you a grumbler or a groaner?

When you are in trouble, or trial, or pain do you grumble or do you groan ?

To me these terms sound synonymous. I think maybe a groan sounds like uuummrrgg and a grumble sounds like hurmghurmghurmg.

But in fact there is a great difference between being a grumbler and a groaner. I will explain what this difference is. This difference, and which side you're on, has considerable ramifications in your life. It's a difference between living a life in the blessing of God's mercy or the curse of God's judgment.

God loves groaners. In both the Old & New Testament God is for the groaners.

Exodus 2:23-24 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Romans 8:23
And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Groaning is something people do when they are in a painful situation.

In our example from Exodus the people are oppressed slaves.

In Romans it mentions believers who believe and have the spirit, but are still dealing with the corruption of this world and this body not fully resurrected.

In each case there is a hope in God's mercy. In Exodus they cried out for help. They would not have cried if they didn't believe that God could help for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Heb 11:6).

The verses following Romans 8:23 describe a believers hope and patience.

Romans 8:24-25
For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

God loves to be gracious and merciful to those who hope in him and call to him in the midst of their trials.

Grumbling is also something people do when faced with painful situations. Some translations use the term murmur for grumble.

Exodus 17:3
But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

This is the passage that got me thinking about the whole subject. The Bible states clearly, as I will demonstrate more, that these people were in the wrong. In fact they were in grievous sin. When I read this last night it got me wondering: Why does God love the groaners in Exodus 2 and hate the grumblers in Exodus 17?

The difference when we look for it is clear. It is the difference between doubt and hope. It's the difference between giving up and persevering.

A few verses later the attitude of these people is described further.

Exodus 17:7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

These are the same people who months earlier had walked through the Red Sea on dry land. They had seen all the mighty plagues on the Egyptians. Yet they asked, "Is the Lord among us?"

Later passages in the Bible look back to the grumbling Israelites in the dessert in judgement, because of Exodus 17 and other episodes:

1 Corinthians 10:9-10 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.

Psalm 78:21-22 Therefore, when the Lord heard, he was full of wrath;a fire was kindled against Jacob;his anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.

Doubt is a serious sin. God's anger arises against those who do not trust his saving power. It isn't enough for us just to believe the right facts about God. God actually wants us to trust him and will judge us if we don't. James says, "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." (James 1:6-8)

But I know that I have been like the Israelites. I can relate to those people. How would I react if I saw my daughter without water in the dessert?

Just the other night I was grumbling to God. The difference between me and the Israelites is my life and my child's life weren't in danger. I just wasn't getting what I wanted. "God why are you doing this to me? Why can't I have ____?" As I said this I knew in my heart that God was not pleased with this whiny grumbling.

After everything that the Lord has done for me I like the Israelites was wondering if he was really with me.

God despises this grumbling and doubt.

Let us repent of our doubting and ask God to give us more faith to trust in him.

God calls us to trust his saving power. The good news is that God can be trusted.

Romans 8:31-32 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

If we are believing in God and trusting in his promises God is for us.

Just like all who have trusted in God before us we will groan. God calls us to groaning. Our groaning (when we can put it into words) should sound something like this:

Lord I don't like this trial, but I know that you work all things together for my good, and I will hope in your mercy

Lord I don't want to face this nevertheless let your will be done.

So be a groaner. call out to God in faith. Don't grumble and give up in despair.

"With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Jesus (Matt 19:26)

Eyewitnesses of his Majesty Luke 2:40C

Luke 2:40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

The favor of God (or the grace of God) was upon the boy Jesus.

Evangelicals tend to think of grace in terms of forgiveness. We are sinners and we are forgiven and given eternal life (even though we don't deserve it) because of God's grace. Jesus' death on the cross purchased God's grace for us.

This concept of the grace of God is true, and it is beautiful. It gives us hope. We deserve the wrath of God not his favor and the good news that Jesus died so that we can be forgiven is indeed amazing.

Yet God's grace can not be limited to just the one aspect of forgiving sinners. God's grace is far greater than that. Jesus had no need whatsoever for forgiveness, and yet the grace of God was upon him. The Father was pleased with Jesus, he favored him, as we can see in his pronouncement, "You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

When we look at Psalm 90 we can get a good picture of the favor of God.

Psalm 90:13-17
13 Return, O Lord! How long?Have pity on your servants!

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,and for as many years as we have seen evil.

16 Let your work be shown to your servants,and your glorious power to their children.

17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,and establish the work of our hands upon us;yes, establish the work of our hands!

Moses the man of God wrote this psalm to entreat the Lord's favor. It was written at a time when the Israelites were afflicted by God. Maybe in the trying days prior to the Exodus or in the long years in the dessert Moses called out to God.

We can see what the Favor of God is by seeing what Moses asked for. There are three aspects to what Moses wanted for his people: To have joy in God, to see God's powerful work, and to have their own labor be established by God.

We can see each of these aspects significantly in the life of the Lord Jesus.

1. Joy in God

Luke 10:21

21 In that same hour he [Jesus] rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.

2. See God's powerful work

Romans 1:4

4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,

3. His labor was established

John 19:30

30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Jesus finished work on the cross was for us. The work of his hands which was established was him saving all of us who have trusted in him through the centuries and into the future. He rejoiced at God's will to save us, and God's power was displayed in the act which saved us.

The favor of God was upon Jesus. He experienced that favor in his life death and resurrection.

He brought the good news that the favor of God was also upon us who believe. He came to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor had come (Luke 4:19). And it has come for us who believe because of what he has done.

We should have the same hope and experience because the favor of God is upon us: We will rejoice in him, we will see his power, and our work will be established.

Psalm 22:27-31
27 All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord,and all the families of the nations shall worship before you.28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,and he rules over the nations.
29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;before him shall bow all who go down to the dust, even the one who could not keep himself alive.30 Posterity shall serve him;it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,that he has done it.