September 6, 2010

Before the Throne of God

Posted by Kristy-Lee

Yesterday we sang this old hymn during service at the Herndon campus. The words really struck me and I wanted to share…

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is “Love,”
Whoever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart;
I know that while in heav’n He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb,
My perfect, spotless Righteousness,
The great unchangable I Am,
The King of glory and of grace!

One with Himself I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood;
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God,
With Christ my savior and my God.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

August 30, 2010

SIGHT UNSEEN: WEEK 2

Posted by Michael

Learn:
Mark 8:22-27
27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29"But what about you?" he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 34Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

References:
Matthew 5:13-16

Main Idea:
The most important question you can ever ask yourself is, “Who do I believe Jesus is?” The way you answer that question changes everything. Saying that Jesus was a super nice guy who had some good ideas is not a viable option. He was a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. In Mark 8, Peter makes the claim that Jesus is the Christ. He was absolutely correct. The problem was that he had a wrong view of what that meant. He expected that Jesus would raise up an army and restore power to Israel. So when Jesus began to talk about suffering, Peter did not understand. He wanted Jesus to have the crown without the cross. Jesus, however, willingly carried His cross, and commands us to do the same. We don’t get to choose our burdens, but we do get to choose our crosses. A cross is something that we choose to do, just as Jesus chose to go to Calvary. To pick up your cross is to choose to serve the needs of others and thereby to serve God. If we are to truly follow Jesus it means that we must surrender our selfishness to God.

Know What: To acknowledge the truth that “Jesus is King” is not enough; we must also understand the way He has decided to usher in His Kingdom.

So What: Although Jesus was King, he chose to pick up His cross instead of a crown and wants us to do the same.

Now What: Pick up your cross by dying to yourself everyday and surrendering yourself to Jesus.

Discuss…
1. Have you ever tried to fit Jesus into what your idea of a Messiah should be? How does this view differ from the things Jesus says and does in Scripture? Are there any false expectations about Jesus that you are still holding on to?

2. Why are people so quick to accept Jesus as “good teacher”, but not as the Christ? Do you believe Jesus can fit into any other category besides “Liar, Lunatic, or Lord?” If so, what are they?

3. Peter wanted Jesus to attain His crown (rewards) without picking up His cross (suffering). Jesus could have easily done this, but chose not to. Why do you think Jesus decided to pick up His cross before attaining His crown?

4. What is the difference between a burden, a thorn, and a cross? What are some burdens and thorns in your life? Are there any crosses?

5. Is there any situation you are currently dealing with where you are trying to attain a crown before picking up a cross? How can you pick up your cross in this situation?

Next Steps…
This week, look for opportunities to pick up your cross. Remember that picking up a cross is a deliberate choice of something that could be evaded. It is the act of denying yourself to serve the needs of others when you are not required to, as Jesus did. As you pick up your cross this week, pray that you would get a clearer image of who Jesus is.

August 23, 2010

SIGHT UNSEEN: WEEK 1

Posted by Michael

Learn:
Mark 8:22-27
22They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?” 24He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.” 25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t go into the village” 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?”

References:
Mark 8:14-21
Mark 10:46-55

Main Idea:
This passage of Mark shows Jesus healing a blind man. Jesus performs a genuine miracle, which in itself is incredible. But there are a few of other things we can learn from this story. First, the blind man’s friends brought him to Jesus. It is important to have people in our lives who will bring us to Jesus when necessary, and we must be that person for others. Second, we must be willing to allow Jesus to lead us wherever He wants. Jesus takes the blind man by the hand and leads him outside the village. The man was willing to be led by Jesus. When you follow Jesus you can be sure that you are on the right path, whether you can see the path or not. Finally, we all have blindness in certain areas of our lives. Sometimes the healing process is gradual. The first time Jesus touches the man’s eyes, he still has blurry vision. When Jesus does it again the second time, he is healed fully. Did Jesus mess up the first time? Of course not. The man had a part to play in the healing process and stuck with it. Jesus never gave up on the blind man. He never gave up on His disciples when they didn’t seem to get it. And He won’t give up on you, so don’t quit halfway through the healing process.

Know What: Jesus has the power to heal all kinds of blindness in our lives.

So What: We must be willing to follow Jesus even when we can’t see where we are being led.

Now What: Healing is a process. Don’t quit before Jesus has fully healed the blind spots in your life.

Discuss…
1. Who are the people in your life who help bring you to Jesus when you can’t get to him yourself? Is there anyone you help lead to Jesus when they are unable to get to Him?

2. Why is it so hard to surrender and allow Jesus lead us? Would you rather be led by Jesus (even if you don’t know where you’re headed) or sit on the sidelines and be angry/frustrated? Why?

3. Has anyone recently pointed out a “blind spot” in your life (told you about an area of your life that you need to work on)? How did you react? Did you get angry and defensive? Or did you see merit in what they were saying? Maybe both?

4. Is there anyone in your life who has a blind spot that needs to be pointed out? Do you feel convicted to have a conversation about it with them? If so, how can you do it in a graceful and loving way?

5. Why is it so hard to acknowledge blind spots in our life, even when we start to see them?

6. Are you frustrated over a recurring blind spot in your life that just won’t seem to fully heal? Do you feel tempted to quit halfway through the healing process? What can other members in your group do to encourage you to stay the course?

Pray
This week, pray for the strength to stay with Jesus through the healing process of whatever situation you are in. Pray for other members in your group that they would also see the healing process through. Remember that the Great Physician will never quit on you.

August 16, 2010

BY POPULAR DEMAND: CHRISTIANITY & POLITICS

Posted by Michael

Learn:
1 Samuel 8:4-21
4 So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. 5 They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” 6 But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.” 10 Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king. 11He said, “This is what the king who will reign over you will do: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots. 12 Some he will assign to be commanders of thousands and commanders of fifties, and others to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and still others to make weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. 13 He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers. 14 He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. 15 He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants. 16 Your menservants and maidservants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use. 17 He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves. 18 When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.” 19 But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. 20 Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 21 When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the LORD. 22 The LORD answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.” Then Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Everyone go back to his town.”

Main Idea:
Politics is a broad topic and when you add Christianity into the mix it doesn’t get any simpler. However, the bottom line is this: no system of government, no matter how good it is, will ever produce what we most long for. If every political policy was implemented exactly the way you think it ought to be, would it magically make you the person that you know God has called you to be? No. That does not mean we shouldn’t engage in the political process. It simply means that we put our hope in Jesus, not in a political system. The people of Israel wanted a king to rule them instead of God. They forgot everything He had done for them. And while we can’t compare ancient Israel to current America, there is a lesson to be learned. We can’t remove God from politics. We, as a nation, are accountable to God. When we disagree with others on political issues, we should put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. A difference in political thinking is never an excuse to be hateful. There is a wrong way to be right.

Know What: We should be a good citizen and be actively involved in the political process, but not put our hope in any system.

So What: Our hope is in Christ. Therefore, we should aim to be Christ-like in every area of life, including politics.

Now What: Assume the best of people who have different political views from you. Never let the passion of your opinions prevent you from loving others.

Discuss…
1. How politically knowledgeable would you consider yourself? Do you enjoy reading up on the daily political news, or are you content with just knowing the name of the current president?

2. How important do you think it is to be knowledgeable in the political arena? Have you always felt this way? How has your opinion of this changed over the years?

3. How passionate do you get over political issues? Do you find yourself getting “fired up” over certain issues, or are you more apathetic?

4. What do you think the phrase, “there is a wrong way to be right” means? Have you ever gotten so passionate about a political issue or campaign that it prevented you from treating people in a Christ-like way?

5. Have you ever been tempted to think that if just the right person was elected or the right policy was passed, it would give us a perfect system? Why is this idea so appealing? Why will this idea always lead to frustration?

6. Has there ever been a time when God has given you what you thought you wanted in order to help you figure out what you really needed (like when He gave Israel a king)? What did you learn from this experience?

7. Do you assume the best about people who have different political views from you? If not, what can you do to start putting on a “heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” when it comes to politics?

8. Does the current state of politics, and the affairs of the world in general, ever make you nervous or afraid about the future? Does having faith in Jesus help to subside these fears?

Pray
As Christians we have the responsibility to include Christ in every area of our lives, including politics. This week, pray for President Obama, Vice President Biden, all the senators, men and women in Congress, and all the people in local offices. Pray for a heart that assumes the best in everyone, and remember that Jesus is the ultimate hope for this world.

Click here for additional weeks:
Week 3: What’s Unique About Christianity?
Week 2: Discerning God’s Will
Week 1: God’s Plan for Marriage

August 9, 2010

BY POPULAR DEMAND: WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT CHRISTIANITY?

Posted by Michael

Learn:
John 3:16-18
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Acts 17:22-31
22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 24”The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28’For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29"Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. 30In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

Colossians 1:28-29
28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

Main Idea:
When you boil it all down, doesn’t every religion basically say the same thing? Aren’t there many ways to God? No. Christianity, at its core, is not based on a set of ideas to help us live good lives. It’s based on the person of Jesus, the Son of God, who came to set broken people free from their own sin. No other religion claims that, so it’s impossible to agree with them all. One reason that people are tempted to “pick and choose” from different religions is because they don’t know (or don’t want to face) how broken and sinful humanity is. If we are to effectively share the message of Jesus with people, we must not do so arrogantly. When Paul came to Athens, he found the people involved in many different religions (even more than we have today). He did not condemn them. He came in humility, learned about their religions, and affirmed common ground. Then he boldly proclaimed the message of Christ. When Paul preached his message, two people converted. It wasn’t about numbers to Paul. It was about sharing the truth that Jesus is the only hope for a broken world.

Know What: The thing that sets Christianity apart from every other religion is the person of Jesus and the manifestation of Grace.

So What: Jesus said He was the light of the world. Deciding whether that is true or false is the most important decision a person will ever make.

Now What: Christ followers have an incredibly significant responsibility to humbly share the Light of Jesus with the world.

Discuss…
1. Have you ever believed (or been tempted to believe) the argument that all religions basically say the same thing? What makes this argument so appealing? How would you respond to someone who attempted to brush off Christianity using this argument?

2. What is the danger the church faces if it is looked upon as “another way to better yourself” or as some kind of “5 Steps to Happiness” program? How can we keep the person of Jesus at the center of Christianity and not simply a set of ideas?

3. Why do you think some Christians have become “arrogant, smug, simplistic or judgmental”? How does this go against the example that Christ set for us? How can we begin to reverse this stereotype?

4. Why is it so offensive to claim that Jesus is the only way to God? Why do you think people prefer to do religion “a la carte” (picking and choosing ideas from all different religions)?

5. Why do we sometimes refuse to acknowledge how broken and sinful we are? How does refusing to acknowledge this downgrade our need for a true Savior? What is the danger of having a generic faith that is based all around you?

6. How can we begin to share the Gospel as Paul did – boldly yet with humbleness? How can we learn from other religions around us and find common ground, so that we may begin to share the truth of Jesus in love?

Pray
Jesus, and who He claimed to be, is what makes Christianity unique. If you are not a Christian, ask Jesus to reveal who He is to you. Deciding if Jesus is who He said He was is the most important decision you’ll ever make. If you are a Christian, ask Jesus to help you meet people where they are and share the Gospel boldly, yet in love.

Click here for additional weeks:
Week 2: Discerning God’s Will
Week 1: God’s Plan for Marriage