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Thoughts Archived > He Didn't Wait


24 Jun 2012

                                                                                               

 

June 24, 2012

    He Didn't Wait    

Luke 7: 18 - 35

 

Luke

The disciples of John the Baptist told John about everything Jesus was doing.  So John called for two of his disciples, and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?"

At that very time, he cured many people of their various diseases, and he cast out evil spirits and restored sight to the blind.  Then he told John's disciples, "Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard - the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.  And tell him, 'God blesses those who are not offended by me.'"

After they left, Jesus talked to the crowd about John.  "Who is this man in the wilderness that you went out to see?  Did you find him weak as a reed, moved by every breath of wind?  Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes?  No, people who wear beautiful clothes and live in luxury are found in palaces, not in the wilderness.  Were you looking for a prophet?  Yes, and he is more than a prophet.  John is the man to whom the Scriptures refer when they say, 'Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way before you.'  I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.  Yet even the most insignificant person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is!"

When they heard this, all the people, including the unjust tax collectors, agreed that God's plan was right, for they had been baptized by John.  But the Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism.

"How shall I describe this generation?"  Jesus asked, "With what will I compare them?  They are like a group of children playing a game in the public square.  They complain to their friends, 'We played weddings songs, and you weren't happy, so we played funeral songs, but you weren't sad.'  For John the Baptist didn't drink wine and he often fasted, and you say, 'He's demon possessed.'  And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!'  But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it."    

 

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Thoughts.....

 

I don't know about you, but I'm tired this morning.  I think it has to do with the fact it is overcast, so I feel like it is not quite time to wake up yet.  Even though I've been awake for hours now...albeit I did wake up later than usual.  I guess I'll have to insure the Son is shining within.  How do I do that?  Ask him in.  Don't be left out by not asking Jesus into your heart today.

Todays scriptures are lengthy, and though I say I will try not to 'go long' in 'Thoughts', I don't always achieve that.  So, although I really will try and not keep you 'all day', expect length.

In looking at the first 2 paragraphs, it seems confusing that John would now ask if Jesus was indeed the Messiah.  Didn't we learn that he pointed to him as the Messiah upon his baptism? WE may have learned he's the Messiah, but did Luke miss that part?  And if so, how can he be quoting Jesus thus?  Does it matter? 

Well, number 1, John never called him the Messiah when he baptized him.  Check all the Gospels.  Jesus was called great, he was called 'the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world', he was pointed at as the one who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him."  Even 'the one' John was looking for.  Number 2, it was not the baptism that 'made' him the Messiah.  So, number 3, Luke didn't miss anything at that point.  Luke does not indicate at this point that Jesus IS the Messiah, nor does Jesus.  Yes, it matters ultimately that Jesus is indeed the Messiah, but not at this point.  All that may confuse you, but it is not my intention. 

The point is that John is seeking and Jesus is not quite answering....he can't....yet.  Mistakenly, folks believe he was found to be the Messiah at his baptism from John.  It was when people's eyes were opened upon his resurrection that we will learn he is for sure the Messiah.  And....big AND....maybe the baptism of Jesus had not taken place yet at the point of this bit of documented history.  Could it be that the Bible is not chronologically correct....it was put together by men looking at thousands of documents in an attempt to ascertain chronology as well as verification of facts by comparison.  Could it be NOW that Jesus decides to go get baptized?  He has crowds following him, but could this be out of sync and he have been baptized after this discussion and THEN called the apostles chosen?  Hmmmmm.  This doesn't matter either.  Because of what Jesus goes on to say.

Jesus tells Johns' disciples to go back to John and tell him what they have seen and heard....he healed the blind, the lame, lepers, the deaf, dead are given life and the Good News is preached to the poor....and cast out evil spirits.  Oh, and that God blesses those who are not offended by him.  Hint to John maybe....don't make waves...we're in this together? 

Then Jesus began to question those around him about John and give insight.  He also provides the necessary information for fulfillment of prophecy.  He's saying, who is this guy, how did you perceive him?  What/who were you looking for?  He tells them, John is indeed a prophet, but not any prophet.  THIS John is the man whom the Scriptures refer when they say, 'Look, I am sending my messenger before you, and he will prepare your way before you [Jesus]'.  See Malachai 3:1.  Also correlate to Isaiah 40:3, Matt 3:3,  Mark 1:2-4, Luke 1: 76, 80, John 1:23.  Wow.

Then Jesus says, "I tell you, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John.  Yet even the most insignificant person in the Kingdom of God is greater than he is." 

Why is this?  Why is the most insignificant person in the Kingdom of God greater than he is?  Because they didn't wait. 

They didn't wait for someone to prophesy over their lives.  They weren't greeted womb to womb with the Lord.  They didn't wait to see miracles to believe.  Like John, they won't wait for the Messiah to be physically present to go forth sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Will you? 

The Kingdom of God has arrived!  If you are a Christian, you are in the Kingdom of God.  Will you be a messenger and prepare the way for the Messiah to enter the hearts and minds of all those who seek him?  As a Christian, you must...say MUST....help others receive Jesus....help them get to know him and invite him to be spiritually present in their hearts and minds. 

Luke goes on to share......

When they heard this, all the people, including the unjust tax collectors, agreed that God's plan was right, for they had been baptized by John.  But the Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God's plan for them, for they had refused John's baptism.

Ok.....so those who had been baptized knew the Lord's voice, and knew that God's plan was right for them.  They answered God's call.  But those 'experts' in religious law....well....they weren't very happy.  It took them out of control...their comfort zone....to have people answer God and not them.  The Pharisees and experts in religious law....say law.... wanted to have control over the people.  They wanted the people to be submissive to them, their laws, rules, regulations, traditions.  But John, well, he just wanted to point the way to God, and Jesus, who was God's son, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, and who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and with fire.  'Lotsa' difference.  Hmmmmm.....bow down to man with stringent rules or bow down to God directly who would uplift you to heavenly heights?  No showdown here.  Incomparable. 

Now the Scriptures get scary.  Jesus talks about 'this generation'.  But 'this generation' is still THIS generation!  Let me remind you what he says.

"How shall I describe this generation?"  Jesus asked.  "With what will I compare them?  They are like a group of children playing a game in the public square.  [Sounds like most church folk IN church to me.]  They complain to their friends, 'We played wedding songs, and you weren't happy, so we played funeral songs, but you weren't sad,'  For John the Baptist didn't drink wine and he often fasted, and you say, 'He's demon possessed.'  And I, the Son of Man, feast and drink, and you say, 'He's a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!'  But wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it." 

Hmmmmmm.  If you've ever wanted to pastor a church, do expect these same types of thought from the majority of the congregation.  But press on, because it matters not what they think, so much as what God KNOWS about you.  After all, YOU are answering to God.  YOU have a relationship with God proven by the fact you are following him....'wisdom is shown to be right by the lives of those who follow it'.  If you are preaching, you are following him.  How wise!  Be wise.....be wary, too!

If you are 'merely' an insignificant person in the Kingdom of God, how great thou art!  Welcome to the family!  If you follow God, you will hear complaints.  'Nothing' you do will be right....to others.  Some things might even be scary....trust God, Jesus and Holy Spirit more.  You may hear God's, Jesus' and Holy Spirit's voice [you should] and others will think you are crazy by the world's standards.  But hold fast, be strong.  Do not be bullied by the world.  Or by the politics in the church or the folks in the church either....this note to pastors as well.  Stand for God! 

Live your life as if it matters to God....because it does! 

Some churches have rules, doctrines, dogmas, covenants, traditions, etc.  Do not get lost.  Remember not what, but WHO is important.  GOD, JESUS, HOLY SPIRIT. 

I, as a Pastor, am nobody....an insignificant person.  All I do is answer his call to share the Gospel.  It's what we are all called to do.  Every single one of us.  To not do so negates the reason he came, but not why he died.  Jesus came to live among us to show us how to live our life.  What we are to do.  Who we are to reach out to.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, John the Baptist, Luke, Paul, and many others believed that all should turn to the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  But it is absolutely clear that our responsibility, the gift he gave us, doesn't stop there.  Like John, who didn't wait, we must not either.  We must not wait for an educational degree from a bonafide university, or a paper that tells us we are ordained......God ordained us when he gave us utterance by the Holy Spirit.  We must not wait until a leader in the church gives us permission or lays hands on us, or breathes on us.  GOD has, JESUS has, HOLY SPIRIT has.  We must not wait for a sign.....the fact that you've accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior should be enough.  At that moment, you received God's Word.  That should be all that matters.....God's word.  Do not sit around and wait for a sign.  Trust God's word.  At your birth you received life, at rebirth you received the WORD.  And the word was life.  LIFE! 

Someone said a gift isn't a gift until you give it away.  Give the gift of life.  Give Jesus today.  He IS the Messiah.  Don't wait. 

Be wise.   

Oh, by the way, rebuke anybody who gets in your way.   

And, if you are not a Christian.....please consider accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today!   You will be so glad you did!  He's wonderful.......                  

                                                     

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Let Us Pray

 

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, lesson learned today....thank you.  Sometimes it seems easier to let the other people do your work.  But your work is my work and I can no longer shrink from doing your work.  It's hard when there are days I feel beaten down to rise up and be the one others look up to or should.  It's difficult to be pushed around by the politics of life...or the church....or the folks in the church, or the world, who think they know you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit more than I do.  Maybe they do.  But I should not look to them to do what you want me to do.  I should only get my direction from you.  Maybe the fussing is because you are calling me out to rise above and start my own 'on the ground' church, or assist someone else in the community to raise up a stronger church.  But in no way are you taking me out of the ministry you called me to when I said I accept you as my Lord and Savior.  It is not your way, if I am living wise and trying to do what you've called me to do.  But you know, Lord, you did tell me to brush the dust off my feet if you are not accepted.  And since you are in me, if they do not accept me, then they are not accepting you.  So maybe you are telling me to brush off the dust and move on to the next task you will show me.  Wow....that's pretty exciting.  A little scary, since I don't know how it will all happen, but I must trust you with the essence of my whole being, that you will see it all through to fruition so not a hair on my head....or those of my loved ones....is harmed.  And, Lord, please do not bring about a scenario whereby my loved ones and I are separated.  Thank you, Lord.  I'm ready now.  Whether you need me to go back through a door and rise up, rebuke, set folks straight or move on, I'm ready.  Let's do it!  Thanks for your Word that reinfuses me with strength....ignites the fire within.  I've had some hard times....life hasn't been easy, and, I find sometimes I listen more to those around me than to you.  I have let them lead, instead of you.  Shame on me, Lord.  Please forgive me, Lord.  I am only human and sometimes I do lose sight.  May I now better 'press toward the mark for the prize if of the high calling of God'.  And Lord, help me to not wait.  Make me wise, Lord.  Make me wise.  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen.  

 

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

 

More love.... 

  Benediction....Blessing

 

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

 

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

 

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

 

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

 

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  Our Current Cause

 

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and God's....and may God richly bless you!   

 

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In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

 

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    One last thing....

 

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

 

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

 

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

 

And the people said,

"Amen."

 

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided. 

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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Bible Authors and Minister