“More than a Story” – 1 Cor. 15:1-11

1 Cor. 15:1-11
“Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.”


“Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy, I knew Jack Kennedy, Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no Jack Kennedy.” Loyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle in a 1988 Vice Presidential debate

There’s nothing like a first-hand witness to stop an opponent in their tracks. The Bentsen quote above is one of the most iconic “mic drop” moments among political debates. Dan Quayle never recovered politically from that verbal kill shot, and certainly never compared himself to Jack Kennedy again.

Paul used a similar technique to encourage the believers in Corinth. He reminded them that the gospel they had accepted was far more than just a philosophy or set of religious beliefs. The gospel was a man, that walked the earth, taught eternal truth, died to pay a debt that we couldn’t, and defeated death by rising again three days later. The gospel hinged on the God/Man, Jesus, not an idea. And because of this, Paul was able to point to the historical Jesus and to the many people still alive that had witnessed firsthand all that had been told them. 
Our enemy has done a good job in the current culture of relegating Jesus to a holiday mascot on par (but not as fun) as Santa, or the Easter Bunny. We are tempted, because it was so long ago, in such a foreign place, and such an unbelievable story to allow Him to shrink in status and relevance. 
When April and I got the opportunity to go to Israel a few years back, one of the thoughts that kept occurring to me (embarrassing for a minister) was, “Wow! This is a real place, not just a setting for some stories in an old book.” That’s not exactly what I thought, but it might as well have been. As we sat and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, walked along the Via De La Rosa, kneeled on the very cobblestones where the Roman soldiers would have whipped Jesus, and stood in the tomb where he rose from the dead, there was no getting past the actual history of this place. Men and women witnessed these things and many died for their testimony to the fact. 
This year as you focus on the Passion Week and what Jesus did for you, know that you are part of a movement that at its core celebrates the Eternal God, stepping into history to show His unfathomable love for us.

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s passage: 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Jon Price, Associate Pastor 

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“How to Party with the Father” – Luke 15

Luke 15:1-2 

“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 15:22-24

 
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

Luke 15:31-32


“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Do you ever struggle with getting jokes or finding the point of a story? Most of the time, knowing the background helps, so I want to give context for this passage before we look at it further.

The Pharisees were upset because Jesus ate with sinners and they didn’t believe that God the Father would approve. Yet, Jesus gave three examples of the value of those who are lost. He further demonstrated the Father’s joy in the return of the lost son.

In the end, Jesus compared the older brother to the Pharisees. The brother was mad because the Father celebrated the prodigal’s return while he had been “the good son” remaining at home. But the Father told him to get over it and celebrate with them.

The point is, the Father wants the lost to be rescued and restored. The Father wants the whole house to celebrate the prodigal’s return. So, follow the Father’s lead. Don’t follow the son into the far country, but be there when he returns. Be a place for the lost to find help when they have spent all and come to the end. Celebrate their return as God celebrated ours.

I Thank God that He didn’t throw me away. He cleaned me up and organized a party with His people to celebrate my salvation.

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s passage:  
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Pastor Stephen Williams 

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“Hanging with a Rough Crowd” – Luke 15:1-10

Luke 15:1-10

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with the above passage today: 
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

 

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“Joshua: Leadership Qualities”

Joshua became the leader of the Israelites after Moses’s death. How did he rise to this position? He became Moses’s aide when he was a young man, appointed as a representative of his Israeli tribe to spy out the land of Canaan. Joshua later led the Israeli army into victory in the battle against the Amalekites. Joshua accompanied Moses to Mount Sinai to receive the ten commandments. When the time came to choose a leader to take the people to the promised land, Joshua was the chosen one.

Who does God call to lead his people? How do we know when we are being called into leadership? Let’s look at Joshua’s example.

It was Moses who followed God’s command to appoint Joshua as his successor.

So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Numbers 27:18

God’s calling may come to you through another person, someone who has witnessed your loyalty, humility, trust, faithfulness, obedience. This person has had a nudge from God to choose you. Or, perhaps no one asks you. Perhaps you read about the need in the weekly bulletin. Or you sense that there is a need for leadership in an area of the church in which you’re involved. Or it’s announced, you hear it in passing, you feel you have a talent that could fill it. Any of these may be your Joshua call. We need to then respond.

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • Do you have the qualities needed for leadership: loyalty, humility, trust, faithfulness, obedience?
  • What can you do to enhance these qualities in yourself?
  • When is okay to say no to a perceived calling?
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Today’s devotional is a guest post by Bill Reveal

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“A Good Reason to Run From Sin” – Joshua 7:18-26

Joshua 7:18-26

“And he brought near his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the Lord God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the LordGod of Israel, and this is what I did: when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was hidden in his tent with the silver underneath. And they took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. And they laid them down before the Lord. And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor And Joshua said, “Why did you bring trouble on us? The Lord brings trouble on you today.” And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones. And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the Lord turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.”

What a sad event! In this passage, a man named Achan took some things from previous battles that God had said to leave alone. He hid the loot and went on like nothing had happened. Yet, God would not let the people go forward as long as sin was in the camp. 

Therefore, the whole nation lost the next battle and Joshua stoned and burned Achan, his family, and his possessions. It seemed harsh, but God made Achan an example to Israel of what would happen if they were disobedient.

The point for us is not that God will stone us if we are disobedient. No! The point for us is how the actions of one man affected everyone around him.

May we always know the grace of Christ when we fall, and just as important, may we not take advantage of His grace at the expense of others. Our sin causes damage around us. So, instead of always leaning on God’s mercy and forgiveness as a free pass, we must desire and strive for holiness to reduce the poisonous  wake of our poor choices. Our desire should be to not have to ask for forgiveness.

A family I know has recently had to close their business because of the marred reputation of their father. Families are hurt by lies. Kids are hurt by adultery. Parents are hurt by kids’ choices. Churches are hurt by gossip or fighting.

Can you imagine Achan’s son or daughter looking up at him, asking, “Daddy, why are these people holding rocks, and why are they mad at us?” What could he reply?

Johnny Cash sings a song titled, “Hurt” that is attached to this devotion. I know it is a secular song, but listen to how it encapsulates the regret and pain that Achan might have felt in that moment. 

Watch Hurt video

God, forgive us when we sin, but just as importantly, help us run from sin for the sake of those we love.

While using the HEAR method (see below) consider the following questions: 
  • Have you ever suffered the consequences of someone else’s sin? 
  • Can you think of a time when your sin affected those around you? 
  • What were the results of each of these instances? How would have the avoidance of sin been better than simply forgiveness for the sin?  
Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Pastor Stephen Williams

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“You Choose” – Joshua 24:14-15

Joshua 24:14-15

“Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Alexander the Great, one of the greatest military generals who ever lived, conquered almost the entire known world with his vast army. One night during a campaign, he couldn’t sleep and left his tent to walk around the campgrounds. As he was walking he came across a soldier asleep on guard duty – a serious offense. The penalty for falling asleep on guard duty was, in some cases, instant death; the commanding officer sometimes poured kerosene on the sleeping soldier and lit it. The soldier began to wake up as Alexander approached him. 
Recognizing who was standing in front of him, the young man feared for his life. Alexander barked at the young man, “Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on guard duty?” 
“Yes, sir,” the soldier responded in a quivering voice. 
“Soldier, what’s your name?” demanded Alexander the Great. 
“Alexander, sir.” 
The great ruler repeated the question: “What is your name?” 
“My name is Alexander, sir,” the soldier repeated. 
A third time and more loudly Alexander the Great asked, “What is your name?” 
A third time the soldier meekly said, “My name is Alexander, sir.” 
Alexander the Great then looked the young soldier straight in the eye. “Soldier,” he said with intensity, “either change your name or change your conduct.” 
We choose what we eat, where we go, how we speak, and who we follow. Most times life choices are difficult. And choices have consequences. Some choices we can’t take back.
Walking with Christ is a free will proposition. We choose to believe, we choose to trust, we choose to obey, and we choose our level of discipleship – our conduct (Holiness). It is not forced upon us. The impact we have on the world around us is greatly influenced by the choices we make – how we live and love like Jesus. 
Are we going to be perfect in our choices? Certainly not. We are broken people living in a broken world. I cannot do all the good the world needs… but the world needs all the good I can do.
In a span of 11 years, 115 people died in a weightlifting accident at the gym. In the same 11 years, only one person died eating a doughnut.
Make good choices!


Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s passage: 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you? 
Explain – what does the passage mean? 
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today? 
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?
Jim Sellers, Minister of Music and YAH Director

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