Category: Teaching

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Discovering Jesus: A Retrospective from those who walked with him

So we’ve been trying to figure out ways to connect people with Jesus (whether a seeker or curious or already believing), His Word and our new faith community – Circles Of Grace! Tonight we did a Discovering Jesus event where we used the “artist motif” of a “retrospective” to string together 9 “portraits” of Jesus throughout his life in our “Art/Story Gallery.”   It was creative and insightful!

The definition for a retrospective is:

“an exhibition or compilation showing the development of the work of a particular artist over a period of time.”

Discovering Jesus -Powerpoint with explanations and setting the table for people to engage with Jesus (PDF)

So we took 9 chronological vignettes from the writings about Jesus of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John and read them together and made some comments. We called them “Portraits of Jesus.”

We actually photocopied the pages out of a Bible so that everyone had the same words.  Below you can see the packet we put together with all the 9 stories/portraits:

DiscoveringJesus-2019-07 Packet of 9 portraits

Here is the list of the 9 portraits we picked as well:

1) Birth – Matthew 1:18-25
2) Baptism – Matthew 3:13-17
3) Teaching – Mark 4:21-25 & 30-34
4) Healing – Mark 5:21-43
5) Transfiguration – Mark 9:2-10
6) Teaching – Mark 9:33-37
7) Murdered – Matthew 27:1-66
8) Resurrection & Appearances – John 20:1-31 (Matt. 28:1-15)
9) Ascension – Acts 1:1-10

I know that the Word has the power…and we saw Jesus in a powerful way tonight through His Word. I trust that some of this might help you as you seek to help connect people to Jesus, His Word and your faith community!

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Growing Daily in Your Relationship with God… Free Classic Book

Today I came across a free download of the letters captured in the book:

THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD: THE BEST RULE OF A HOLY LIFE
Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence

One of the things I seek in my own life and champion to others is the life of living WITH God. Not under Him, not over Him, not just from Him or for Him, but living our lives WITH God.

Now Brother Lawrence was from a more high-church tradition more than four centuries ago (yep in the 1600s!) but his letters and conversations have been captured for us.  At a variety of points over the decades of my walk with God, they have resurfaced for me to re-read and be challenged. They are a sample, a model even of living out a life WITH God…being in His presence.

So today again, God broke into my life and re-surfaced the stories and conversations of Brother Lawrence. I thought I would share them with you! As an example of some of the nuggets, here is one quote from Brother Lawrence in his 5th letter:

There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with GOD: those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it; yet I do not advise you to do it from that motive; it is not pleasure which we ought to seek in this exercise; but let us do it from a principle of love, and because GOD would have us.

So I post here this free PDF of only 22 pages to engage with someone from a bygone era who might have much to teach us about living with God everyday.

THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
THE BEST RULE OF A HOLY LIFE
Conversations and Letters of Brother Lawrence

Thanks to PathsOfLove.com for posting and sharing!

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Worship God–His Transcendence & Imminence in Two Verses

For our time of worship and in the Word on Sunday, we spent time in these couple of verses in Jude (vs. 24-25). They are from the conclusion of an itty-bitty book at the end of the New Testament (think “intro to Revelation” haha).

As we talked about these couple of verses, we were able to see GOD’s TRANSCENDENCE ( Big-ness, Over-all-ness, Superiority, etc.) and HIS IMMINENCE (Close-ness, Personal-ness, Near-ness etc.). You can see BOTH in this expression, and it’s a beautiful balance of truth!

We honored our God through His Word…and I invite you to contemplate this Scripture and our God for yourself:

“To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”
‭‭Jude‬ ‭1:24-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/111/jud.1.24-25.niv

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A Peek into Peter’s Important Vision

As our church plant continues to plug away in the amazing book of Acts, after the murdering of Stephen the story explodes in many directions.  Persecution is breaking out on the emerging church.  The author of Acts follows three key people and corresponding movements of the Gospel:

1) Philip (Acts 8) who shares the Good News about Jesus the Messiah with a leader from Ethiopia who carries the news to Northern Africa.

2)Then Saul who is met on the road by Jesus in Acts 9, who goes from killer to convert to chosen instrument to take the Good News to all the non-Jewish nations (and later becomes the Apostle Paul).

3) Then Peter (Acts 9:32 – chapter 10) who was part of the inner circle with Jesus, and has already created a stir in Jerusalem with his healings, prison escapes and preaching. We honed in on Peter as that is our spot is in the story.

Peter had followed God devoutly all his life in all the Jewish traditions, and over the time of Jesus’ ministry had followed Him with devotion as well.  Peter was a leader in the burgeoning church and understood that Jesus was His Messiah…and the Messiah for the entire Jewish Nation.

Continue reading “A Peek into Peter’s Important Vision”

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What do you mean by “spiritual family”?

I was just asked a good question, and thought I’d re-post my answer here:
What do you mean by “spiritual family”?
 
Here was my reply:
The primary metaphor for church in the New Testament is FAMILY— not hospital, not army, not organization and not school. So often we will refer to the emerging of a new local church as a “spiritual family.” Not a physical family, but the new brother & sisters who are spiritually joining together to follow Jesus.

Jesus actually uses this kind of language about his new “spiritual family” in Matthew 12:46-50:

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.  Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”
 
He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”
 
A few Bible verses which use this language about the church in the New Testament:
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:10 NIV)
 
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)
 
“And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.” (1 Thessalonians 4:10 NIV) 
 
“In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”(Hebrews 2:10-12 NIV)
 
Hopefully that helps if you had the same question!
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Go Further Together Message at Rittman Grace

Mission Day

I had the privilege to go back and share at my home church on Sunday March 10 a missions message on a special “Mission Day.” It’s a special day for all of us to turn our hearts toward the nations, to pray for cross-cultural workers, and to explore our calling to participate in the Great Commission.

Rittman Grace

What a joy it was to share with the good folks at Rittman Grace Brethren Church in Rittman, Ohio!

One of the items we defined in this message was what we mean by missions:

Missions is the task of crossing barriers of language, geography, cultural differences and even prejudice to invite the nations to
become true worshipers of God through Jesus Christ. (From the book Discovering Global Missions.)

It was a joy to share with them, and they recorded the message that is posted below (and here is my Powerpoint) to bless you and encourage you!

Continue reading “Go Further Together Message at Rittman Grace”

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Two Challenging Mission Messages

On March 9, 2019 in Wooster, Ohio, I was able to help coordinate the Connect & Equip missions conference by Encompass World Partners. It was a great day of connecting and equipping!

With nearly 100 people gathered together for the challenge of mission and among them were the leaders of 16 different workshops, electricity was in the air during this day. We had two main sessions and each of those speakers are men I deeply respect for their passion for the Lord, His Word and the Nations. Find out more and click through to these messages below:

Matthew Ellison is the co-founder of Sixteen:Fifteen, author of When WhenSafetyisSatanic coverMissions Is Everything  and was given the assignment to challenge the conference around the topic of Risk.  He nailed it from the Bible with the message “When Safety Is Satanic- Mark 8:31-35.”

 

Dr. Dave Guiles, Executive Director of Encompass World Partners and author of Discovering Global Missions & Mobilizing The Mobilizers, shared a challenging message about the disruption of destinies.  The messageDestinyDisrupter DaveGuiles ConnectEquip2019 “Destiny Disrupter: God has always been disrupting lives” is a clear call to be open to God and what He might be stirring up in our lives and those we influence.    

 

 

 

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Jail, an Escape, Sharing about Jesus and Suffering

Our icebreaker question for our spiritual family gathering today caught some people off guard:

Share with us your name and who you would call with your one call if you were in jail?

As we continued in the book of Acts, being thrown in jail was a common theme for the the early church leaders.  By chapter 5, some of the apostles have had two overnight stays in prison!

The first time, the apostles were released with a tongue lashing telling them to stop talking about Jesus.  The apostles vowed to obey God, and not the religious officials.

In Acts chapter five, the officials have had enough of being accused of murder (Jesus) and hearing about the Messiah’s resurrection, so they imprison the apostles again.  Yet in the middle of the night, an angel secretly releases the apostles without anyone knowing:

This picture was colored today by one of our church plant kids as we were talking through the story.

But an angel of the Lord came at night, opened the gates of the jail, and brought them out. Then he told them,“Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!” (Acts 5:19-20 NLT)

The apostles obey and begin teaching about Jesus in the Temple in the morning. The officials convene for court, send to the jail for their prisoners and they can’t find them! Finally the officials discover that the apostles are teaching in the Temple the same message that has cause such an uproar!

The apostles were seized and brought before the officials who grew so angry they were desirous to kill the apostles!

 But one member, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, who was an expert in religious law and respected by all the people, stood up and ordered that the men be sent outside the council chamber for a while.  Then he said to his colleagues, “Men of Israel, take care what you are planning to do to these men!  Some time ago there was that fellow Theudas, who pretended to be someone great. About 400 others joined him, but he was killed, and all his followers went their various ways. The whole movement came to nothing.…
“So my advice is, leave these men alone. Let them go. If they are planning and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown.  But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God!” (Acts 5:34-39 NLT) 

The advice of Gamaliel was heeded (after a body beating), and even today we see that the officials couldn’t “overthrow them” and the message has spread all over the globe about Jesus the Messiah.  They were fighting against God…and lost!

The story concluded with this:

 The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 5:41-42 NLT)

What an example from the apostles:
– They were bold to follow God and not conform to human pressure.
– They had joy in suffering for Christ, the Messiah.
– They continued to follow Jesus and share about Him everyday, everywhere!
Wow…may we live this for our King Jesus the Messiah today!
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How to go from Ordinary to Extraordinary

A huge problem loomed in Jerusalem for the early followers of Jesus, namely they believed in their Messiah’s resurrection from the dead. As we read in the beginning of Acts chapter 4, the resurrection was why the Jewish religious officials were so incensed at the Jesus followers (verse 2).

These disciples or followers of Jesus were a band of misfits: fishermen,  zealots, tax collectors and commoners. This handful of men were unrefined in scholastic and educational pursuits and very ordinary. These disciples followed Jesus throughout His earthly ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and through His fifty days on earth after the resurrection. And this band were humble and true believers that Jesus was the Messiah sent from God to be worshipped and followed as the one Way, Truth & Life. 

The power of God was on these disciples, and God used Peter and John to heal a forty year old man who everyone recognized back to full and immediate health (chapter 3). This healing drew a crowd, and Peter shared from the ancient Scriptures about Jesus and how He was the Messiah, how He died and rose back to life and that all should follow Him. Many responded to the truth of Peter’s explanation and pledged their allegiance to Jesus the Messiah!

The Jewish officials wanted to put a stop to this message, so they had Peter and John arrested and they spent the night in jail (4:3-4). What would you think about if you were (like Peter and John) sitting in jail overnight waiting for trial?

I think that the Gospel of Mark gives us a hint. They were WORRIED!

Many believe that Mark wrote his Gospel along with the apostle Peter who was coaching him as an eyewitness about the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry.  We have this teaching from Jesus to his disciples captured in Mark 13:9-11:

“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.  Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)

We see that Jesus said “don’t worry beforehand” because He knows us! He also counts the Holy Spirit into the words of witness!

I think this teaching was remembered well by Peter who actually endured the trials, floggings, witnessing and worry!  I believe this teaching is vital to us who follow Jesus many years later, because we need to remember don’t worry, and that the Spirit is able to give us what words to say of witness to Jesus!

Back to these ordinary guys–Peter & John–who are standing trial for causing all of the city to be in an uproar. As they stand in front of the officials, Peter with power and persuasiveness shares that the resurrected Jesus is their Messiah and the only Way for salvation!

They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is

   ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

So how do you go from Ordinary to Extraordinary? The officials at the trial saw the transformation and they took note that these men had been WITH Jesus!

We can be transformed the same way today from ordinary to extraordinary by being WITH Jesus!

Listen to the recorded message  “How to go from Ordinary to Extraordinary – Acts 4“

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Fishers of Men…with Nets!

The Gospel of Mark tells us about Jesus, but it goes far beyond that in showing us what it is to be a disciple of Jesus!

One of the eye-opening things that we miss about Jesus’ calling of the disciples is that He called them to follow him in “team.” In both occasions in Mark 1, Jesus calls a pair of brothers to follow Him.  So the calling of discipleship is to a new “family” and as a team!

Beyond that, Jesus’ calls them to be “fishers of men” as His disciple. Their perspective of fishing was totally different than ours. Immediately our thoughts go to a fishing pole that “I” use to go fishing.  These first disciples thought immediately of fishing with NETS…together!

One of the things we took time to do on Sunday at Los Altos Grace was ask the question:

Who can you invite to be fishing with you…as a team?

So who did/can you invite to fish with you?

Would you today start a conversation about a plan for how we can reach out to others TOGETHER?

Listen to the message online here >>

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Jesus’ Silence and Solitude

The priority of Jesus’ solitude and silence is everywhere in the Gospels. It’s how he began his ministry. It’s how he made important decisions. It’s how he dealt with troubling emotions like grief. It’s how he dealt with the constant demands of his ministry and cared for his soul. It’s how he taught his disciples. It’s how he prepared for important ministry events. It’s how he prepared for his death on the cross.

Jesus’ solitude is how he went deeper in his love-relationship with the God he knew as “Abba”.* Won’t you take a chronological journey through the Gospel of Mark and see where He stopped for silence & solitude?

Download/Print the Worksheet
Jesus’ Solitude & Silence

*Special Thanks to Bill Gaultiere who outlined most of this concept and content for us.  I did enhance the Bible Passages through the Gospels and made it a self-study worksheet.  You can see Bill’s article online at http://www.soulshepherding.org/2013/02/jesus-solitude-and-silence/ 

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Understanding Grief

Today, I did a heart wrenching funeral service. In preparation and in ministering to the family over the last week or so, I shared a booklet I wrote on Understanding Grief.  This outlines stages of grief, how to help those experiencing it (from the Book of Job) and also Bible Verses for Truth and Comfort.

In getting things together for today’s service, I realized I haven’t posted this helpful resource yet.  So, to remedy that, I’ve now posted it here. See below for a teaser…

UnderstandingGrief-MikeJentes

Understanding Grief by Mike Jentes (PDF)

Introduction

Two young children were trying to know how to cope with the death of their grandma. In the midst of the turmoil, the parents were trying to know how to care for their children. On the day of the funeral the whole family stood in front of the casket. Many preparations had been made with the children. Knowing they would be curious, the parents instructed them that they could touch her hands if they wanted, but grandma’s skin would be cold. The children’s mother was transported to another time when her mom cared for skinned knees, dinner preparations and broken hearts. Interrupting the memories, the four year old whispered, “Is she breathing?” The parents hadn’t anticipated this question. It certainly required more that a simple “No.” This business of explaining death became very difficult. Finally the mother said, “Well. . .” and nothing more would come. The oldest child then turned from his study of the casket and faced his sibling, “No, she’s not breathing. Remember? The breathin’ part’s in heaven.”…   …Read the Rest>>

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Top Ten Bible Passages on Satan

1) Job chapters 1-2 – Interaction & reality
Satan’s awful work, but still under the authority of God.

2) John 8:44 – Devious Description by Jesus
Jesus describes him as: devil, murderer & father of lies.

3) Revelation 12:9-10 – More Descriptions
Also named: satan, devil, serpent, dragon, deceiver.

4) 2 Corinthians 4:4 – “God of this age.”
Called the god of this age who blinds people from Jesus.

5) Mark 4:15 – Steals good seed
He snatches away the Gospel from “hard soil.”

6) John 12:31; 16:11 – “Prince of this world”
Called by Jesus the prince of this world.

7) 1 Peter 5:8 – Intimidator
He prowls around like a roaring lion.

8) 2 Corinthians 11:14 – Masquerade
He masquerades as an angel of light.

9) Revelation 20:1-10 – Final Deception & Destruction
He deceives nations and his final destiny of destruction.

10) James 4:7 – Victory is ours -Resist!
Resist the devil and he will flee!

*11) Possible descriptions of satan’s fall: Isaiah 14, Ezek 28:11-19

*somehow every top ten list has one I just can’t leave off.

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LOVE: My Top Ten Bible Passages on Love

1) 1 John 4:7-8 – God is Love
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God–for God is love.

2) Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus says Love God & Love Others
Jesus replies to a question about “What is the greatest commandment?” with this profound statement.

3) 1 Corinthians 13 – Love:What it does and what it doesn’t do
The “wedding” passage is beautiful because it is applied to all of life…not just matrimony.

4) Romans 8:35-39 – Nothing Can Separate Us From Jesus’ Love
The bottom line of Jesus’ love for us…nothing can get between us!

5) Psalm 136 – God’s Love Endures Forever
This Psalm repeats how “His love endures forever” after every phrase of the history it records. A powerful and repetitive lyric of how God’s love connects with our history.

6) Exodus 20:6 – God’s Love Lavished on a Thousand Generations
Packaged in the Ten Commandments (sometimes thought to be not very loving) this verse shows how much God blesses those who love and obey Him.

7) Psalm 23:6 – God’s Chasing Love
At the end of one of the most famous passages in the Bible, David finishes his poem with God’s “unfailing love pursuing him all the days of his life.”

8) John 15:12-13 – Jesus’ Love Leads to Laying Down Life
Jesus in this passage defines the greatest love as laying down your life for a friend. Then a couple of hours later, He dies on the cross.

9) John 13:34-35 – Love Proves Following Jesus
After the footwashing at the last Supper (where Jesus “shows the full extent of his love—see 13:1), Jesus says show the world you are my disciples through love.

10) Matthew 5:44-46 – Love Your Enemies
Jesus urges His followers to go beyond natural love to “supernatural” love…to choose to love our enemies.

*11) Luke 7:41-47 – Forgiven Much, Love Much
The immoral woman was forgiven much and she loved Jesus much. Jesus tells a story which links “much forgiveness” to “much love.”

*So many good LOVE passages in the Bible I had to add this one! 😉