Terrified and Amazed by Jesus
They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey him!”
Now that’s an unconventional thought. To be terrified by the presence of Jesus. But imagine yourself in that boat with the disciples. My sailing experiences have been tame in comparison. (Although I did watch ”A Perfect Storm”.)
A boat filling with water. Every effort to gain control is futile. Jesus sleeps. I think they woke him to pull an oar or help bail. But instead he shouts at the storm.
You try that strategy. See were it takes you. Yell at the wind. Shout at the rain. Just give that old storm a piece of your mind. R C Sproul tells the story of the film “The White Cliffs of Dover.” Jimmy Cagney is a WW2 pilot coming back to England. He approaches the chalky cliffs and his crippled fighter plane cannot rise above them. So he spits at the cliffs through his shattered windshield … and crashes to his death. That is the power we have over the forces of nature.
But Jesus tells the storm to “hush” and all is calm. Immediately calm. As comforting as it sounds to us, it was scarey.
Let Jesus do the talking and experience the “terror” of being in the presence of the One who spoke the worlds out of nothing.
Is your boat rocking? It will. Is the storm raging? It will. Does it look like you’re sunk? Sometimes you will feel that way. Just make sure Jesus is in your boat. Let him do the talking. He will bring you out of what seems to be the perfect storm.
“Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the Lord on high is mighty!” We will begin our service by reading that Psalm on Sunday.
Calming the storm is just the beginning. Read all the text for this week. Mark 4:35-5:20.Jesus then shows even greater power by bringing calm to a suffering soul.
See you at 10:00.
(The 9:00 topic is “A Biblical Understanding of Leadership”.)
Richard Glenny
While We Were Sleeping…
This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.
We all know about planting seeds. Green beans in the garden. Corn in the field. Grass seed for the lawn. We’ve all done it. We stick that seed in the soil and wait for it to grow. In a garden or yard we can add water and try to make conditions favorable, but at the end of the day it is out of our hands and beyond our power. You might think you are a better farmer if you worry a lot, but even worry won’t make it work. Seeds sprout even while we sleep. We really have nothing to do with it. You don’t get a pat on the back for seed germination!
Jesus is calling a new people. He is creating a new family. (remember last week) This kingdom of his is a mystery. As Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, unless we are born again we can’t enter the kingdom. The new birth is the way in. So what is our part in growing this family of Jesus’ disciples? What is our part in this great expansion? We spread the seed. Proclaim the Word. Tell the good news. Preach the gospel. Go, and teach all nations. We are planters. We take the seed of the Word, and we put it in the soil of minds and hearts. That is all we can do. That is what we must do. That is what Jesus did. Remember what he said. “Repent and believe the good news!”
Be faithful spreading the seed. Then go to bed. God will create life. God will raise the dead. When the seed is applied to the soil, God will do what only God can do. He will bring life to the spiritually dead. God can make seed grow even while you sleep.
And when you see the blessing of God, don’t act like you did it. You may have planted the green beans, but you didn’t make one of them grow! You can count the beans, but don’t pretend you created them.
This week we will look together at the parables of Jesus in Mark 4:1-34.
Jesus explains how this people of his will grow. And the family will grow. And this same Jesus, this Servant King, will reign as King of kings and Lord of lords forever. “This is the beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” See you at 10:00.
(The 9:00 topic is “A Biblical Understanding of Discipleship and Growth”.)
Richard Glenny
Was Jesus Crazy?
A young woman has her first child. She and her husband raise the boy along with other children that are born to the couple. It is a family that is a part of the Nazareth community. Three decades pass. The children all grow up. Mary is in her 40′s, and we don’t know what happened to Joseph. Certainly the family members work together and support one another.
But, the 1st born son was different. We would say he was the perfect son. The obedient son. The boy who grew in wisdom as he grew in height. He gained the respect of his neighbors and he grew in favor with God. Then he left home, was baptized by John at the Jordan, and his life became a whirlwind of events. He taught. He healed. He delivered the oppressed from deomons. He trained disciples. They traveled constantly from one community to another.
What is a mother to think? He’s 30 years old, but he is still your son. He is so obsessed with his work that he skips meals, doesn’t get his proper sleep, has no home, and no “job”. If he doesn’t have sense to care for himself, then out of compassion it is time for someone to take charge and help him.
Mary was a good mother. Mary was not a perfect mother. In the history of mankind there has been only one perfect son. There has never been a perfect mother. (point being that if you are not God, you are not perfect)
Even those who loved Jesus sincerely did not understand him completely.
What will it profit if we gain the whole world and lose our soul? Jesus said that we are to take up our cross and follow him. What will it profit if we get 3 square meals, always sleep 8 hours in our own bed, and even grow up to be all that our mama hoped we would be – and lose our own soul?
There is a connection that binds God’s people together that is greater than blood. Jesus is building an eternally connected family and he calls us to be a part of that forever fellowship.
We gather as the family of God at 10:00 this Sunday. Our text is Mark 3:20-34
(The 9:00 topic is “A Biblical Understanding of Church Discipline”.)
Richard Glenny
He appointed 12
How many people were following Jesus? Consider this: the disciples were instructed to prepare a boat as an escape so that they would not be crushed by the crowds. That doesn’t sound like the average church during fishing season.
- Jesus is there with the growing multitude. Then Jesus is away from the crowds on a mountainside.
- Jesus teaches a crowd gathered from every direction on the compass. Then Jesus spends time with only those he chooses.
- Jesus is with them. Jesus is away from them.
- Jesus has a growing group of followers. Jesus has a limited number of disciples.
- The focus of Jesus’ ministry moves from the crowds to the 12. Until finally in the upper room there are only 12 (only 11).
Who were these 12? It doesn’t seem that they were the brightest men in Israel. When I consider the women who followed Christ and remained at the cross, I wouldn’t even make the case that they were the most committed. What sets them apart? They were chosen by Jesus. God’s calling and election are not earned. God in his wise plan chose them so that the Gospel of Christ might be proclaimed and the Church of Christ might be built.
In the ministry of Christ we learn that 12 trained disciples will do what 12,000 groupies could never do.
Read Mark 3:7-19. Consider the calling of the disciples. “Chosen to be with Him.” Consider the promise of Jesus to us. “I am with you always.”
We gather as disciples of the King at 10:00 this Sunday.
(The 9:00 topic is “A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership”.)
Changing our World
Sometimes we refer to the Gospel accounts as biographies of Jesus. In a way they are for they give us a written record of the life of Jesus. But, don’t be misled. The Gospel writers had no intention of giving us a full account of the life of Jesus. John admits as much when he concludes by saying in his final sentences, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”
Mark’s purpose is not to tell us everything Jesus did. Instead he gives us a summary of events in the life of Jesus that powerfully make a point. I’ve tried to put that theme into a sentence. “The Servant King calls us to be His faithful disciples in a rebellious world.” So Jesus comes preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, but we learn that He is no ordinary king. He has come to serve and give His life as a ransom. Jesus is constantly interacting with his disciples and it is almost comical how slow they are to understand what it means to follow Jesus. (It would be comical except it mirrors our experience so precisely.)
Now make no mistake, this Good News all happens in the context of a world in rebellion to the king. You see, if Jesus rules, everything is going to be different. Everybody is going to have to adapt. Things are going to change.
We are in Mark 2 this week and we find that Jesus is bringing change. (To make this clear and simple, Jesus is confronting us with the reality that we must “repent and believe the good news.” 1:15)
Read chapter 2. Then follow this collection of encounters to its conclusion in 3:6. Christ has come. Believe or rebel. Jesus makes it very clear.
Come as we worship the King together at 10:00 this Sunday.
(How did Jesus evangelize? How should we? Come at 9:00.)
Regime Change
It’s about time we had a change in government. Put someone new in power. Get rid of the corruption. Straighten out the budget. Serve the people instead of the politicians. End world hunger. Provide affordable health care. Keep the temperature year round at 72.
Clearly I’m not talking about anything that Democrats, Republicans or Libertarians can do. There is only one regime change that will bring world peace and that will take place when the Prince of Peace arrives. Or should I say, “comes back.” For the Prince of Peace did walk this earth, He gave us a sample of his plan for health care, a brief display of his supernatural power, a glorious view of his compassion, and a clear explanation of what must happen if we are to experience the glory his righteous reign.
In our country, we say the problem is with the government – the leaders. So we throw them out (justifiably) and we vote in someone else (whom we will justifiably throw out at a later date). In the kingdom that Jesus promised, there is no problem with the government. There is no failure on the part of the king. The problem lies with us. The king and his kingdom are perfect, therefore sinners are excluded. Before the kingdom comes, sin must be judged.
So, Jesus proclaimed, “Repent and believe the good news.” And so, “what is the good news?” The compassionate king comes to bear the judgment we deserve so that we might be cleansed of sin and made worthy to enter his kingdom. That is good news.
This week we meet the king and get a sample of his kingdom. Our text is Mark 1:14-45.
Here’s a verse we need to know by heart. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” That’s the kind of government I’m looking forward to.
Come and worship with us at 10:00 this Sunday.
(Hear Cory Vance explain the meaning of conversion in the 9:00 lesson.)
The Good News is Here
Yes, the “good news” is here. The gospel isn’t a book in the Bible, it isn’t the story of Jesus, the gospel – the good news – is Jesus Christ the Son of God.
This week we begin a spiritually journey (or a spiritual fitness program) that is going to last 31 weeks. Of course, there will be interruptions along the way. Sunday you will get an outline for the sermon on Mark 1:1-13. You will also get outlines for the next 30 weeks. You will receive 10 verses to memorize that will be key to your understanding of the life of Christ.
It is my desire that we all know well the good news that is Jesus Christ.
This Gospel According to Mark was first written to a church living in perilous times. They needed to understand that Jesus Christ is King of Kings, and yet at the same time He is the greatest of Servants. Christ is the Servant King. This great King is now calling out disciples who will be faithful to Him. The difficulty is that they (and we) live in a world that is hostile to the King.
“The Servant King calls us to be His faithful disciples in a rebellious world.”
This week we meet the King. The King who would give his life that we might enter the kingdom.
Come and worship with us at 10:00 this Sunday.
(The 9:00 lesson is particularly appropriate this week as Dave Williams will explain the meaning of the Gospel.)
Run for your life!
You should read the story in 2 Samuel chapters 15-16. David is running for his life. He is running from his son, Absalom.
How does that make you feel? Read Psalm 3. Then show up for church on Sunday.
This week Richard Glenny is in Guyana, unless he missed his flight, and Ed Glenny is preaching on the topic, “Trusting God When Your World Falls Apart: David’s Faith in God.”
We’ve all had times or are having times when our world is falling apart. Come here this timely sermon.
See you at 10:00. Sunday School is at 9:00.
A Super Power
The first book ever written on the subject of church history is in the Bible. We call it “Acts” and it has been our focus for the past year. Now it is time to look back and get the big picture. The book begins with a discussion about the “kingdom”. It begins with the subject of the ultimate super-power. God’s reign over all the earth. Jesus was speaking “about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3) The disciples ask, “are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Here they were, living in the 3rd world, a colony of Rome, and they were asking when they would become a super-power.
Jesus doesn’t tell them when the kingdom would come. Instead, He tells them to go. Go to the neighborhood. Go to the nations. Go to the world. Just as the kingdom is for the world, so the Gospel is for the world. And that is the story of the book. That is Acts. The Gospel goes to the neighbor, the nations, and the world.
Last year we started out in Jerusalem. This Sunday we are in Rome. To the first readers of Acts, Rome was considered the center of the world. From Rome you can go to the ends of the earth.
That is a simple story line. Of course, if you know the details this all happens in a very unlikely manner. But it happens just as God said it would. And please take note of of what is taught in Rome for the history book ends as it begins. The final sentence of Acts says, “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Paul is telling them about the coming “super-power”. He is telling them about the King. The kingdom is coming and there is only one way to prepare. There is only one way to enter this righteous kingdom. It is through the way provided by the King. That is the Good News.
Come and worship the King with us this Sunday.
See you at 10:00. Sunday School is at 9:00.
Richard Glenny
Tough Questions
Here are some questions you may be asked.
- Do you believe in space aliens? Do you talk to beings that live outside our earth? (in other words do you pray to Jesus?)
- Do you believe in a literal Adam and Eve who were the parents of all living? (this means you reject all “serious science and verifiable history”)
- Do you accept the Bible as an authority higher than the laws of our nation? (“desiring to exclude fellow citizens from rights and protections our country promises”) I think you know what that implies.
These are just some of the questions that Bill Keller of the New York Times says need to be asked of our presidential candidates.
I would like to put all political considerations aside. Forget the presidential race. You and I aren’t running for office. But, what if the teacher down the hall asked you these questions? What if this conversation came up in a job interview? What are you going to say?
In Acts 24 the Apostle Paul was placed in a similar spot. He was not running for office, he wasn’t even trying to change the government. He was preaching and living the Gospel.
In the text we have accusations, Paul’s defense, and the consequence of the confrontation. To sum it up, the accusations are false and misleading. No surprise there. Paul’s defense is firm. First, he is not a law breaker. Second, he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. He believes in the resurrection of the dead.
So what comes of these “confrontations?” What possible good can come from a pagan like Keller taunting those who believe? (and we have to qualify because here Keller attacks people of all types of faith, not just Christians)
In Paul’s time this absurd attack brought the name of Jesus into the conversation of the governor and his wife. It would eventually bring the Gospel to all of Caesar’s palace. And Paul would remain in prison.
So, it doesn’t really matter what questions you are asked or what accusations you face. What matters is your faith in the Gospel and your consistent and godly life. Of course, we must come to the place where our comfort and our popularity are not our priority. Then Jesus can be proclaimed.
See you Sunday at 10:00.
Richard Glenny
