Sermon Snippets - Mark 15

Many times when studying Scripture and preparing a sermon, I learn interesting information and new things that I can't always fit into the sermon. For this week's sermon preview, I thought I'd share some of those tidbits from Mark 14:32-15:21:

• The Garden of Gethsemane is an immediate chance for the disciples to back up their claims of loyalty to Jesus (cf. 14:26-31)
• The term "Abba", which Jesus uses in praying to His Father, isn't really a 'childish' term, but is one of endearment and intimacy. Not exactly like "daddy" but more like "dad".
• "The God who wills to move the mountain does not always take away the cup." S.E. Dowd
• While a kiss, like Judas gives to Jesus in the garden, is a normal social greeting. For a disciple to initiate it to his rabbi is a stark break with cultural norms.
• Interesting contrast -
• Jesus stands firm against false accusations.
• Peter cowers against true accusations.
• While the Sanhedrin take offense at Jesus spiritual claims, they present him to Pilate as a political rebel (compare 14:61-64 and 15:2, 'King of the Jews').
• One reason why Jesus is mostly silent towards Pilate is that had he defended himself, he would have likely convinced Pilate of his innocence and been released.
• The soldiers in charge of his pre-crucifixion scourging and mockery were not likely Romans, but auxilirary soldiers from the surrounding countries. These would have been even more racist towards a Jewish prisoner.
• While he was dressed to carry his cross (out of respect for townspeople), Jesus would likely have been stripped naked when put on the cross.

Sermon Snippets - Mark 14

I went into the study of this week's passage figuring the overarching theme would revolve around Jesus' betrayal.

The word 'betray' keeps popping up all over the sections that comprise vs.1-31 (see 10-11, 18-19). Jesus isn't actually betrayed at this point in the story, but the set up is described in bits and pieces.

And yet, the betrayal didn't become the overarching theme the more I studied. Jesus' courage and unyielding devotion to His mission was what really came through. Despite the frantic mix of antagonism, ignorance, and betrayal that is swirling around him, He stays focused on God's Will and preparing for what's ahead.

This can make a profound impact on us as disciples. Obviously it secures our salvation, but it also will affect how we interact with our Creator on a daily basis. Come Sunday to see how.

Music Mondays

David Crowder might win the all-time 'strangest appearance of a worship leader' award, but even his amazing beard can't distract from his profoundly worshipful music. The band that bore his name has retired, but he's coming out with a greatest-hits album titled "All This For A King".

This song from that album might be the quintessential Crowder song. It's not tailor-made to sing in churches, like many of his songs, his lyrics and music often have unusual "pace" (for lack of a better term). But the lyrics are stunning in their perspective and profundity.

What I personally appreciate about his music is that he consistently uses creative ways to describe his high view of who God is.

Sermon Snippets - Mark 13

This week's passage on Mark 13 turned out to be more complex than I initially believed it would be. That's what happens when you are using really good commentaries by really good scholars.

Thankfully, the key point remained straightforward enough, even though plenty of details regarding how to interpret the passage were in flux.

It boils down to being ready.

Ready for whatever God has in store.

Being ready means we are constantly alert and pursuing God's will as his disciples. We are wisely viewing the world around us through the prism of His Word and what He's told us.

At the height of my basketball career, I was a bench player. Not the first sub in, but I had a particular set of skills that earned me playing time if and when the starters weren't getting the job done. Coach wouldn't always play me consistently, but I used that to make sure I was always in tune with the game and would be ready to go whenever my number was called.

It did make a big difference at least once. We were hosting our rival Bethel in a key conference game. Bethel had several lightning quick guards, a match-up that wasn't favorable for me and Coach often didn't play me much when the other team was especially quick. This particular game developed strangely though. We built a big lead, but they came back and made it a tight ball game midway through the second half. About that time several of our players got into foul trouble. By the end, we had 5 guys foul out. I didn't see the court until a minute or two left in regulation and the game went into overtime. The back-and-forth contest continued to be so in the first part of OT and I was able to score the only two buckets not scored by our All-American center as we pulled away and won by double digits. It was awesome. And it wouldn't have happened if I'd been sulking about not playing or if I'd been taking it easy assuming I wouldn't play.

Be ready.

Music Mondays

Twenty-One Pilots are an up-and-coming group that really don't fall into a music genre from what I can tell. Comparisons do come to mind when I think of them and who they sound like, but I'll let you come to your own conclusions.

For purposes of this blog, they would fall into the "Christians playing non-Christian music" category like Lifehouse, The Fray, Owl City, and others I've mentioned in the past. I do have it on good great authority that these are solid Christian guys. I'm not sure I totally 'understand' what all their songs are about per se,  but their stuff is definitely intriguing.  I for one, am thoroughly entertained by them.

Sermon Snippets - Mother's Day Edition

I've often heard parents and leaders quote 3 John 1:4 when describing their children and/or followers:

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Well, in honor of my mom and the upcoming Mother's Day, I'd like to flip that around. I have no greater joy than to know that my mom has taught and guided me in the truth. My father died when I was 11, so I primarily grew up in a single-parent home. My mom gave me a great example of what it looks like to walk with God and seek Him.

Godly mothers deserve so much praise and admiration and we need to honor them on Sunday. It has come to my attention though that moms can often feel deflated or discouraged by sermons that are meant to extol biblical motherhood. Sometimes the message conveyed implicitly sets up unrealistic expectations. Sometimes the message fosters guilt, not encouragement within the heart of mothers.

My first attempt at a Mother's Day sermon will attempt to avoid these pitfalls by focusing on the wonderful impact a godly mother can have when she simply seeks to honor and glorify God.

Hannah in 1 Samuel 1-2 is one such mother. Her personal relationship with the Lord of Hosts teaches us profound truths about who God is. And there's no greater joy than to reflect on an example such as hers, to see godliness shine brightly from this mother, this woman of God.

Music Mondays

This music video came out last week. It's off of Lecrae's latest album "Gravity".

Lecrae's been featured here before and he continues to bring it. Love the video and this album, though I gotta confess I've only listened through it twice on my iPod.

And just cause I'm feeling generous (cause you can't just find these on youtube or anything), he's another of his video's of one of my favorite songs.

Sermon Snippets - Mark 11-12

Our passage this week records the first three days of the last week of Jesus' life (pre-Resurrection that is).
He knows what's coming and the Gospel of Mark makes clear references to the growing opposition that is developing (see 11:18, 11:27, 12:12).

So as the pressure rises, what does Jesus do? Where is his focus at as the day of his death draws near?

• He presents himself as the promised Messiah (11:1-11, cf. Zech. 9:9, Ps. 118:25-26).
• He condemns the fruitless religious establishment and removes from the Temple that which was distracting and inhibiting worship (11:12-19).
• He summarizes the situation in a parable and deftly responds to overt challenges from his opponents (11:27-12:37).

There are a million interesting little nuggets to dissect within these two chapters. But I am drawn to the larger theme of Jesus' strength, steadfastness, and boldness during this time. Jesus was never a victim, he was the victor - courageously and dependently embracing the will of God.

When the pressure rises in my life, my reactions naturally lean towards survival, escape, complaining, and worry.

This is why Jesus is the perfect example of faith and faithfulness. He's more than just an example, but he stands as the example to follow when the heat rises.