brennan kicks ass and takes names in this one... bottom line. period. done... this is what i love about jesus. period. that He loves me. period. done... "."
Friday, December 26, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Leaven of the Pharisees
We've had some good conversation around the Scriptures on Sundays concerning the "Leaven of the Pharisees", lately.
Recently, someone asked me to define it...
Here it is: "Hypocrisy"
That is the leaven of the Pharisees.
You know what I like about the Pharisees of the Bible? a LOT.
They believed in the Resurrection, Angels, the Judgment, an actual Messiah...
They were fervent believers in the authority of Scripture, but not in a way that confronted their HEARTS.
In their hearts, they were devoid of love and fully devoted to the things of this world, albeit religious forms of those things...
They loved money.
They loved to look good to others...
They lied about God.
They oppressed people...
They were full of death (dead men's bones)...
But in their practise! They were great! They set up a GREAT temple, with benevolence and worship and sacrifice and deep symbology, all in accordance with what Moses commanded the Israelites in the desert... At least as long as you didn't REALLY look at what they did... their symbols, wardrobe, words... all very full of bible and piety... but they cheated the poor widows and didn't really love God or their neighbors, or even their parents, by the time you get to all Jesus said to them...
They were terrible. They were great! Why both? Because they were hypocrites! It is impossible to argue with a hypocrite. They get to believe whatever they want to, about themselves.
Jesus told us to watch out for this. Not to allow hypocrisy to get the upper hand on us. He also told us to leave the Pharisees behind. Who calls the shots in your heart, head and life? Wack religious leaders whose practise doesn't match their teaching?
Check for it! I've been in so many church board meetings where Jesus just isn't loved or honored... decisions to withold truth or help from the poor, or needy saints... decisions to spend all the money on US and not on Jesus!
Wow. gotta rest...
Recently, someone asked me to define it...
Here it is: "Hypocrisy"
That is the leaven of the Pharisees.
You know what I like about the Pharisees of the Bible? a LOT.
They believed in the Resurrection, Angels, the Judgment, an actual Messiah...
They were fervent believers in the authority of Scripture, but not in a way that confronted their HEARTS.
In their hearts, they were devoid of love and fully devoted to the things of this world, albeit religious forms of those things...
They loved money.
They loved to look good to others...
They lied about God.
They oppressed people...
They were full of death (dead men's bones)...
But in their practise! They were great! They set up a GREAT temple, with benevolence and worship and sacrifice and deep symbology, all in accordance with what Moses commanded the Israelites in the desert... At least as long as you didn't REALLY look at what they did... their symbols, wardrobe, words... all very full of bible and piety... but they cheated the poor widows and didn't really love God or their neighbors, or even their parents, by the time you get to all Jesus said to them...
They were terrible. They were great! Why both? Because they were hypocrites! It is impossible to argue with a hypocrite. They get to believe whatever they want to, about themselves.
Jesus told us to watch out for this. Not to allow hypocrisy to get the upper hand on us. He also told us to leave the Pharisees behind. Who calls the shots in your heart, head and life? Wack religious leaders whose practise doesn't match their teaching?
Check for it! I've been in so many church board meetings where Jesus just isn't loved or honored... decisions to withold truth or help from the poor, or needy saints... decisions to spend all the money on US and not on Jesus!
Wow. gotta rest...
Dangerous God...
God IS love. Period. All that he does is done in, by, love, Himself...
Like when Jesus personified Way, Truth, and Life, God (of whom Jesus is the perfect view) is LOVE.
Many of us have trouble integrating what we feel to be polar opposites in the grace and wrath of God.
Blessing on that trouble... but understanding Father is our great joy and boast in this sojourn! Look at Jeremiah 9:23 where it says that!
We truly can understand that grace and wrath are not separate at all, but both expressions of the great personality of our Father!
We may be horrified at the extent of His wrath, and we may dare to be stunned at the depths of His love, but they are both from Him.
He is good. He is love. and he is God.
Fearing him is a doorway to wisdom. That is, knowing how dangerous He is will calm our hearts at the myriad lesser fears that surround us.
A person captivated with the grace of God in Christ is not cowed by the majesty and danger of Father, the King of the ages. They are lifted by relief, being secure in the rescue that Jesus has wrought in his own flesh on the cross...
"Fear not...I have inscribed you on my palms..."
Isaiah's scroll...49:16
Like when Jesus personified Way, Truth, and Life, God (of whom Jesus is the perfect view) is LOVE.
Many of us have trouble integrating what we feel to be polar opposites in the grace and wrath of God.
Blessing on that trouble... but understanding Father is our great joy and boast in this sojourn! Look at Jeremiah 9:23 where it says that!
We truly can understand that grace and wrath are not separate at all, but both expressions of the great personality of our Father!
We may be horrified at the extent of His wrath, and we may dare to be stunned at the depths of His love, but they are both from Him.
He is good. He is love. and he is God.
Fearing him is a doorway to wisdom. That is, knowing how dangerous He is will calm our hearts at the myriad lesser fears that surround us.
A person captivated with the grace of God in Christ is not cowed by the majesty and danger of Father, the King of the ages. They are lifted by relief, being secure in the rescue that Jesus has wrought in his own flesh on the cross...
"Fear not...I have inscribed you on my palms..."
Isaiah's scroll...49:16
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Something Dangerous
Danger.
Danger is the key word when it comes to dealing with fear and God.
-- Post From My iPhone
Danger is the key word when it comes to dealing with fear and God.
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
What's the deal with fear, again?
First and last, check out Psalm 85. This is a prophetic marriage of truth and grace.
Think about how Jesus Himself is our peace. (Eph.2:14)
Hear Jesus call His disciples "friends" in John 15:14.
...and hear the old apostle arrive at "...perfect love casts out all fear" in 1 John 4:17.
What a marvel that the holy God of all creation and beyond has called us to Himself as His own beloved children!
-- Post from my iPhone
Think about how Jesus Himself is our peace. (Eph.2:14)
Hear Jesus call His disciples "friends" in John 15:14.
...and hear the old apostle arrive at "...perfect love casts out all fear" in 1 John 4:17.
What a marvel that the holy God of all creation and beyond has called us to Himself as His own beloved children!
-- Post from my iPhone
So do I still have to fear God?
Short answer? "You sure will."
Have to? What is this a choice thing? Maybe it is. Maybe that's what's behind Jesus telling us what he does in Matthew 10... That is to disciples. You and me. Period.
But it is only a choice thing for a little while. One day everyone is going to stand before Him.
First peter five talks about the impact that knowing this has on us. That we consider this life a pilgrimage and walk it in that kind of fear that keeps on track.
And check out Hebrews three and four to see how afraid we ought to be of getting off track.
Period.
-- Post From My iPhone
Have to? What is this a choice thing? Maybe it is. Maybe that's what's behind Jesus telling us what he does in Matthew 10... That is to disciples. You and me. Period.
But it is only a choice thing for a little while. One day everyone is going to stand before Him.
First peter five talks about the impact that knowing this has on us. That we consider this life a pilgrimage and walk it in that kind of fear that keeps on track.
And check out Hebrews three and four to see how afraid we ought to be of getting off track.
Period.
-- Post From My iPhone
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