Mission Minded: Certainty from Our Connection to the Past!
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 14, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Has Certainty!
Where did you come up with that idea?
I remember hearing someone say, “If you come up with one completely new idea in your lifetime, you are a genius.”
Not sure I qualify…yet! J
New ideas are often met with skepticism, until we understand their history and background.
Christianity can sometimes fall into this category. Individuals like to dismiss the message of Jesus as something “made up” by his disciples or fabricated in the first century. Some like to say it only had relevance for a period of time long ago and is outdated and irrelevant in the present.
So, how can we have any confidence in the faith we have in Jesus as Savior?
Perhaps we can in the same way that Jesus built confidence in Peter, James and John. He drew the connection between his life, ministry and person back to the ministry and message of Moses and the prophets.
Jesus seemed like “something new and different,” but really he was merely a fulfillment of the old and the same thread of history and promises that God had made from the very beginning the Garden of Eden.
Flanked by Moses and Elijah, Jesus discussed with them his upcoming death.
Mark 9:4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Moses represented all that was written in the first five books of the Old Testament. From Creation, to the promises to Abraham, to the family of Israel to the exodus from Egypt, to the worship habits, and the design and function of the tabernacle – all had a purpose fulfilled in the life, ministry and person of Jesus Christ.
Elijah represented all that the prophets wrote about the coming Messiah. God used these men to call people to repentance, away from false gods, and to faithful following of the Lord and his commands. They would tell of impending punishment, but also promise of restoration to come. Again, all of these messages of the prophets find their fulfillment in Christ.
Jesus wanted Peter, James and John to understand that he was intimately connected to all that Moses and the prophets had written about him. In fact, the purpose of these Scriptures were to testify about him.
Luke 24:44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
The promises and prophesies connected to Jesus have been around for centuries. Jesus wasn’t a fly-by-night rabbi that made a big splash in Jerusalem, he is the Son of God who is and was the one Moses and all the prophets spoke of. This connection to the past gives our faith credibility and certainty in the present.
Some may challenge it is too old to be relevant today. To which I would say, the fact that it has withstood the test of time, persecution and attempts to cancel, gives even greater certainty that what I believe is more credible and certain than ever.
Apply: As you think about the history you know of the Lord and his people, what is one consistent theme or promise you live by that people for centuries have found the same comfort and encouragement?
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the consistency and connection to the history of the past. We realize it is your story you have unraveled and now connected us to as well. Thank you! AMEN.
Mission Minded: Certainty from a Glimpse of the Future!
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 14, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Has Certainty!
One of my favorite trilogies of movies was the “Back to the Future” series starring Michael J. Fox. The second movie in the series took the characters from 1985 to 2015 where there were hovering skateboards, self-tying Nike Shoes and the Chicago Cubs winning the world series (which ironically they did in 2016!)
The fascination was a glimpse into the future. What would happen? What would it be like?
Having a clear vision of the future makes a difference to our effort in the present. All the hard work and effort one undertakes to start a business, build a building, or develop an organization start with a vision of what this could do and be in the future. When times get tough, the vision of what will be keeps energy high and hopes alive.
Jesus knew he and his disciples would be going through a tough period of time. Their image of a Messiah who would be victorious and even perhaps a world leader would be shattered when they see him beaten and hung on a cross. They would find themselves afraid and uncertain of the future as they locked themselves in after the crucifixion.
So Jesus wanted at least the three key leaders of the disciples and the future church to have a glimpse of the future in their minds. So he took them to the mountain of transfiguration and showed them his glory.
Mark 9:2-3 “After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.”
This glimpse of Jesus’ future would create an image in their mind of something greater and more glorious than the suffering Jesus would go through. Did they fully understand it at the moment? Probably not, but later after his resurrection they would. (Which is probably why they were told not to tell anyone until after Jesus had risen from the dead.)
Jesus wants us to have the same glimpse of what is to come as we go through the challenges and difficulties of life. Satan loves to tempt us to give up our connection to Jesus and being part of his mission, lying to us that it’s too hard, not worth it, or a hopeless cause.
Just the opposite. Jesus wants us to stay encouraged, engaged, and excited about our connection to him and the work he has given us to do. How does he do that? He gives us a glimpse of the future to give us clarity of what is to come. The Apostle Paul captures it in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Don’t lose heart. Following Christ is tough, but eternally worth it.
Apply: What changes about your current struggle/challenge if you focus on where Jesus is ultimately leading you versus the challenge you are currently involved in?
Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on where you are leading me so I don’t give up and get discouraged in the present challenge I face. Especially Lord, don’t let me become discouraged of the mission you have given us to bring the Gospel to the world, even when the work is challenging. AMEN.
Mission Minded: Find Certainty
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 14, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Has Certainty!
Certainty.
We all want to have it.
Today in Central Texas we are supposed to have record low temperatures. For the last week or two people have been looking for certainty…
- …what is the weather going to be like?
- …what should I do to protect my pipes?
- … what should I do to protect my car?
- …are the roads ok to drive on?
Certainty. People were looking on Facebook, to friends, to weather people, to friends who have been through cold snaps before. They wanted credible information to act on to navigate record low temps.
Not only in things of weather, but for all aspects of life inside we are yearning for certainty. Certainty comes at a combination of three things:
- Credibility – advice comes from an expert or has expertise.
- Consistency – what is being suggested has worked in the past.
- Capability – what is suggested, can be done.
The same is true for our faith. We want to know our faith is in the right person. We want to know what we believe is true. We want certainty on which our soul can rest.
So does Jesus.
He wants your heart to be certain and has given everything we need to have certainty. This week we will look at the Transfiguration of Jesus, a moment in time where he appears in white brilliance with Moses and Elijah. At first glance a rather peculiar event, but when you take a step back as Peter did, it is an event that gives certainty to every follower of Jesus.
2 Peter 1:16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
This week we will unpack from the Transfiguration account in Mark 9, the reasons we have to have absolute certainty our faith is in the right thing and the right person.
Apply: What questions do you have about your faith in Jesus? What would help bring more certainty to your faith? (Email pastor@crossandcrowntx.com to begin a conversation!)
PRAYER: Thank you Lord for giving me everything I need to be certain of my relationship with you. Help me with your Spirit to use all you give to bring complete certainty to every aspect of my faith.
Mission Minded: Have a Caring Heart…Both…And.
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 7, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Has a Caring Heart!
To neglect the ministry of compassion communicates a callous heart.
To neglect the ministry of salvation communicates an empty Gospel.
Jesus has given us a mission: Preach the Gospel…Make Disciples.
An important part of that mission is caring for the physical needs of people. However, it must never become the priority of the mission.
I have seen the dangers of the Church seeing their main purpose is end world hunger, injustice and suffering in the world. No doubt this communicates a noble cause, but the only end to human suffering is entry into heaven. The only way to enter heaven is through the power of the Gospel message. If all I/we do as individuals or as a church is solve the issues of human suffering, we have done good, but we have failed the mission God has given to us.
I have seen the dangers of the Church neglecting the care and compassion of others who are physically suffering. The church comes across as cold, unloving and hypocritical. This charge is rightly given. To have the love of Jesus and not show that love IS cold, unloving and hypocritical. For if we are unwilling to show we care, the audience and reception of the Gospel is hindered.
So caring for the physical or spiritual of people is not an “either/or” proposition, but a “both/and.”
At the heart of it is a heart that cares. That’s what Jesus has been teaching us this week.
When the Spirit gives me a heart that cares, these two things happen:
- As we have ability and opportunity we will care for the physical needs of people.
1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth
- As we have ability and opportunity we will care for the spiritual needs of people.
Mark 1:38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”
Jesus did both.
Matthew 9:35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
But he never lost sight of his priority: Saving souls.
Apply: Is your “care” meter out of balance? Do you tend to always care for physical needs and neglect spiritual? Or care for spiritual and neglect physical? Ask the Lord for a heart that cares and wisdom to keep a balance of both with a priority on meeting spiritual needs.
PRAYER: Lord, Jesus thank you for a perfect caring heart that cares for both our physical and spiritual needs. Help us to do both as we carry out your mission. AMEN.
Mission Minded: Have a Caring Heart…Prioritize Spiritual Needs.
Daily Devotions based the Sermon from February 7, 2021
THIS WEEK: A Mission-Minded Person Has a Caring Heart!
Jesus could have spent his whole ministry healing the sick, feeding the hungry or driving out demons.
But he didn’t.
It wasn’t that addressing these needs wasn’t important, it was. Jesus spent a good part of his ministry doing just that…healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and driving out demons. Jesus was concerned about human suffering.
But Jesus knew behind human suffering was a spiritual issue. Directly or indirectly suffering in this world is caused by sin. We are broken people living in a broken world and live in the consequence of that.
So Jesus knew what people really needed was not just PHYSICAL healing, but more importantly SPIRITUAL healing.
Early in Jesus’ ministry, he showed this priority. The setting is Capernaum, on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus and four other disciples are staying there. Peter’s mother-in-law (did you know Peter was married?) was sick with a fever. Jesus was coming off a long day, but he took time to bring healing to Peter’s mother-in-law.
The whole town found out about it and that evening this is what happened:
Mark 1:32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.
Jesus saw the opportunity to show his love in a physical tangible way. So he did.
But here’s what happened next.
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39 So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.
Jesus could have gone back to town and spent the day…the week…the month taking care of the physical needs of the people. But he didn’t. His priority was caring for the spiritual needs of the people. He could have spent his entire three plus years of ministry caring for physical needs and never getting the good news to others. So he did the one without neglecting the other. He solved physical problems, but had a priority to solve spiritual problems.
This priority is important for us to have as well. We could spend all our time, energy, and effort seeking to solve human suffering and challenges and miss the priority of the mission Jesus has given to us: Share the good news that our sins are forgiven.
Jesus was a great healer. He had power to drive out demons. He could feed 1000s with just a little bread and fish. But he didn’t want to be known primarily as the “Great Physician” or the “Master Exorcist” or the “Bread King.” He came to be known as Savior. That was his priority.
Apply: Do you know someone disconnected from Jesus? Maybe there is a physical need you can help fill as you pray that by caring for that need, God will open a door to fill the greater spiritual need.
Prayer: Lord, there are many ways to solve physical problems, but there is only one solution to spiritual problems, and that is you. Help me always keep that as my priority in my own heart and my interactions with others. AMEN.