Total Trust
“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’”
A few years ago I had the opportunity to attend one of Topol’s last performances as Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. I’d seen him in the movie, but it was a treat to witness the live show. I don’t know of a musical that has a greater number of memorable quotes. So when I think of the rich man in Mark 10, I remember Tevye’s conversation with his future son in law, Perchik.
Tevye: May the Lord smite me with it! And may I never recover!
If money is a curse, it seems we all would like to be smitten.
The event of Mark 10 is shocking. A man runs to meet Jesus, falls on his knees, and eagerly asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. In the end, Jesus tells him he must give all that he has to the poor, then come and follow. Note, Jesus doesn’t say to give all you have to “me”, he says to give it to the poor. Jesus didn’t need cash, but the man needed to get rid of it.
So, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” I must put all my trust in Jesus. I have nothing to contribute to the project.
The evidence that I have put my trust in Jesus is that I have ceased to trust in anything (or anyone) else.
The problem we face is that we find our security in what we have, not in Jesus. In that sense our “things” keep us from Jesus. The proof of this is that we cling to what we have as if it were our security blanket.
The Heidelberg Catechism says it this way:
What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ;
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress,
Helpless, look to Thee for grace:
Foul, I to the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die.
The story that preceeds the account of the rich man is a complete contrast. Little children trust Jesus! They come. They rest in Jesus’ arms. “Of such is the kingdom of God.” Unlike the little children, the rich man sorrowfully goes away.
I will see you at 10:00.
S.S. – Congregation and its Leadership
This week, we will discuss the role of elders in the church. What are their responsibilities? What are their qualifications? Is there a difference between Pastors and Elders.
Divorce
“Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, ‘Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?’”
The Pharisees wanted to get rid of Jesus once for all, so as Jesus entered the territory of King Herod they asked him to declare his position on divorce. They thought that their clever question would cause Jesus to state his position, incur the wrath of Herod, and end up like John the Baptist. (headless)
It seems divorce was a sensitive topic 2,000 years ago. Nothing has changed.
Divorce is painful to discuss because it is personal. It is emotional. It is the formal ripping apart of relationships. And it won’t get any better by pretending it doesn’t happen, or didn’t happen.
You will want to read through the text before Sunday. (Mark 10:1-12)
In the Law of Moses (first 5 books of OT) concession was made for divorce. Why was that concession made?
The Pharisees gave the teaching on divorce, Jesus then taught them about marriage. From the beginning of creation God’s plan for marriage was not that it be a temporary relationship. We can’t understand the implications of divorce until we understand the purpose of marriage. What can we do to keep our marriage strong? What is our future if divorce is in our past?
Marriage is a gift from God. It is His loving provision for our benefit. It is important that we recognize our own hardness of heart and find our hope where it can only be found, in the Gospel.
Like all of life, the joy cannot be fully enjoyed by hardened sinners – and so as we began our walk with Christ, we continue. Not in hardness of heart, but in daily repentance and faith. Finding our joy not just in the gift (of marriage or a mate), but in the Giver.
I will see you at 10:00.
Richard Glenny
S.S. – Congregation in Church Government
This week, we discussed the role of the congregation in church government. Next week we will learn about the role of elders, and on the 20th our topic will be about deacons. Each lesson will be important as we move forward as a church.
Testimony – David Williams
As most of you are aware, with strong recommendation from the deacons, David Williams has been presented to the congregation as the candidate for the position of Associate Pastor. In this role, he will oversee the children’s and family centered ministries, as well as provide assistance to Pastor Glenny as needed. This past Sunday, he gave his testimony to share with us how God has worked and is working in his life in regards to his salvation and ministry. This coming Sunday, May 6th, we will be voting on accepting him in this role of Associate Pastor. Please take a listen to his testimony if you were not present to hear it on Sunday.
Kid Stuff
“He took a little child and had him stand among them.”
Imagine…it’s judgment day. You are about to appear before God and give account for your life. What will you be asked? How will you answer? You review your accomplishments, consider your sacrifice, and prepare to give an answer.
The preacher considers, “I’ve preached 3,000 sermons, written articles for the newsletter and spent countless hours in deacon’s meetings.”
The conference speaker thinks of the thousands that have attended her seminars.
The CEO considers his success and the tithes he has dropped in the offering plate.
Oh yea, and I put a Bible verse on Facebook.
You are ready.
Here come the questions.
How much time have you spent in the church nursery?
What was your contribution to AWANA and Sunday School?
How often did you play games with your neighbor’s kids?
Did you read the Bible and pray with your children?
Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Jesus said that.
What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus? It’s kids stuff. Mark 9:30-50
I will see you at 10:00.
Everything is Possible
“Everything is possible to him who believes.”
Picture Jesus on the Mt of Transfiguration. Moses and Elijah appear. The voice of God is heard declaring, “This is my Son.” It doesn’t get any better than this!
But the next day Jesus, Peter, James, and John come down from the mountain and instead of witnessing the glory of God, they encounter the depravity of man. Nine disciples are arguing with teachers of the law. A boy suffers under demonic power. They are all powerless to help.
Then Jesus says, “Everything is possible to him who believes.” And the boy is set free.
What are we to make of this? Do I have cancer because I don’t believe? Did the bank foreclose on your house because you didn’t have enough faith?
A proper understanding of this text is essential. We all have heard of Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyer, and countless others who tell us to “name it and claim it.” Is that what these verses are teaching?
This text has been twisted to present a false gospel that is being preached by false teachers around the world. Bring your Bible as we look together at Mark 9. And it would be a good Sunday to bring a friend, for many have been influenced by heresy.
I will see you at 10:00.
I was Glad
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” Psalm 122:1
It is good to come together and worship our God. This Sunday, Jon Pratt, a professor at Central Baptist Seminary and elder at the Eden Baptist Church will be preaching at Northwest.. His text will be Hebrews 11. Jon is a scholar with a shepherd’s heart and we welcome him to our church.
As for me, I’m writing on Tuesday and it has been an extremely busy day. I determined to clean off the top of my desk before leaving town, and if you have ever seen the top of my desk you understand the size of the task. We look forward to seeing family members for a few days, visiting some old friends and worshiping at the historic Park Street Church in Boston.
God’s blessings as we all worship, I am ready to get back to the Gospel of Mark next week.
I won’t see you at 10:00
Good Friday – Resurrection Sunday
Our community pauses and much of the world reflects on the mystery that God should so love the world that he would give his only Son. That Christ died for our sins. Greater love has no man than this, than a man should give his life for his friends.
For the true Christian who trusts his soul to the crucified, risen Savior, this is good news. It humbles us, it saddens us, yet it saves us. He died for me. O the depth of the mercy and love of God.
I have observed three common and unique reactions to the observance of this day.
First, there is the annual Newsweek response. Their feature article this year is by an author who tells us that “Christianity is in Crisis.” All I need to say is that the Christianity of the author ought to be in crisis for it is no true Christianity at all. It is a secular interpretation that denies the supernatural power of God in flesh, Christ crucified, and Christ risen from the dead. This perspective leaves one proud in their worldly wisdom and totally unchanged by the Gospel.
Then each year we read standard interviews with representatives of well known, but dying, denominations. This year I read an interview with the leader of the Episcopal Church in America. Her perspective was close to Newsweek’s. This is a time of contemplation and celebration. At the same time, there is a practical denial of the historical and supernatural events.
Finally, the believing Christian offers a response. I was concerned to read the attempts of one preacher to make the crucifixion “comprehensible.” Is the cross a form of Divine child abuse? Can it be explained as an honor killing as the “tainted” Christ bears our sins? How are we to understand the mystery of the Son of God bearing the sins of the world and experiencing the wrath of God in our place?
We should seek to understand and explain Good Friday. We should proclaim it in detail and call on the world to repent and believe this good news. Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 God has revealed that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
Search out the mystery. Go to the depths of the doctrine. Wonder at the love of our God. Just don’t expect the unbelieving world to “buy into it” apart from repentance and faith on their part. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 That will always be true. And it doesn’t matter what Newsweek thinks. Or what some dignitary thinks. Or what the world thinks. We will glory in the cross. It is Good Friday.
See you at 10:00
Richard Glenny
See the King
Some people see things that others miss.
I’m sure the best known example is, “How do you like my new hair style?”
Answer: “Uh, oh, yea, it really looks nice.”
Interpretation: I didn’t even notice. (But I really knew something was different.)
Every good artist sees the details before she paints them. Every great composer hears the melody before he plays it. Every accomplished novelist is a careful observer of human nature. They see what others overlook.
Bartimaeus was a blind man who begged for aid outside Jericho. Pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem would hear his calls for mercy and help. But, of course, Bartimaeus didn’t see anything. He was blind.
He was blind until Jesus came and gave him sight. Then he saw Jesus. And then he followed Jesus to Jerusalem to observe the Passover.
Note what happens next. King Jesus enters Jerusalem. It’s “Palm Sunday.” They cry out, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” They are proclaiming that Jesus is Messiah. Their eyes are open. They finally notice. They can see.
Do you “see” the significance? Do you come as the King requires? By repentance and faith? Is He high and lifted up in your sight? Does He rule?
This is a dangerous time of year. We hear familiar stories and we speak of holy events. Are we paying attention to detail?
Bartimaeus was not content to be blind. He begged to see. And Jesus says to us, “Look and live.”
See you at 10:00
Richard Glenny
