Sunday, November 29, 2009

How the Grinch Stole Christmas... or Reflections and Bible Study of Psalm 46



The Hebrew word Selah, meaning, “Stop and think” appears three times in Psalm 46. Psalm 46:1-3 describes who God is, “God is our refuge and strength…” The second Selah follows a declaration of where God is, “The Lord Almighty is with us.” (46:7) The final Selah follows a declaration of what God does, “Come and see the works of the Lord…” (46:8).

Read Psalm 46

1. A.W. Tozer wrote, “What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us…” Do you agree with Tozer? Why or why not?

2. Two times in Psalm 46 God is referred to as, “The LORD Almighty”. The Hebrew word is “Yahweh Sabaoth”, a title emphasizing the sovereignty of God. Take a look at some of the other times this title is used for God. What can we learn about who God is from these scriptures?

1 Samuel 1:3—

Psalm 24:10—

Isaiah 2:12—

Jeremiah 39:16—

Malachi 1:14—

3. Read Matthew 1:18-25. Matthew 1:23 reads, “The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”—which means, “God with us.” What is the significance of Jesus being called “Immanuel”?

4. What do the following scriptures reveal about what God does?

Exodus 17:15—(this title for God emphasizes that God is like a warrior who takes up his people’s cause—a title that has significant application to the writer of Psalm 46.)
Genesis 22:14—

Isaiah 55:10-11—

John 5:17—

5. In response to who God is, where he is and what he does; the God commands us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10a). How do you intend to obey this command, especially during this holiday season?

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Operation Christmas Child



Two weeks ago Zion responded to the call God has placed on us to be a "priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9) representing Christ to our world, collecting over 175 shoeboxes of Christmas gifts to be distributed through Samaritan's Purse . Here's a short video highlighting Operation Christmas Child. A big thanks to Joe and Evie Gourley who have championed Operation Christmas Child at Zion for many years.

Here's how you can be praying for Operation Christmas Child--

Today (Sunday): Pray for the children and their families who receive a shoe box, that hearts will be opened to the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Monday: Most children who receive shoe box gifts live in desperate circumstances. Pray that God will meet their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Tuesday: Pray for our ministry partners in countries around the world, especially that the shoe box gifts and follow-up discipleship programs will be effective evangelism tools.

Wednesday: Pray that doors will be opened, so the Good News can be shared in countries that are not receptive to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Thursday: Pray for those who fill shoe box gifts this year, especially for children, that they will see that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.

Friday: Pray for those involved in collecting, processing, transporting, and delivering shoe box gifts, including the tens of thousands of volunteers.

Saturday: Pray for the Samaritan's Purse staff located throughout the world as they handle the logistics of Operation Christmas Child.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!



"Our prayers for you are always spilling over into thanksgivings. We can't quit thanking God our Father and Jesus our Messiah for you!" Colossians 1:3 (the Message)

Sherrill and I are grateful for your friendship and partnership. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of team Zion. Happy Thanksgiving!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Operation: Restock



In November, Zion's food ministry-- Jesus Pantry, provided over 170 families with groceries. In addition to the second Monday of the month when people gather at ZCC for the food pantry, one of our life groups partners with Jesus pantry by taking groceries to shut-in widows. Because demand has increased we're looking to restock the shelves of Jesus Pantry in time for the Christmas holidays.

On Sundays November 29th and December 6th we're collecting non-perishable food items for Jesus Pantry at both campuses. Why not take time over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend to do an on-mission project with your family and fill a grocery bag with non-perishable cans and boxes that will be used to bless needy families in our region.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Community is ALWAYS messy.



Here's another clip from the Group Life conference, this time with Heather Zempel who spoke on the topic, "Flawed is the new perfect." In her presentation she discussed three types of "messes" small group leaders are called to address: sin messes, relational messes, and life messes (job loss, death in family, illness). She challenged us to view mess as a catalyst for growth. Read 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. How can we as life group leaders "maximize" mess in our groups?

Monday, November 23, 2009

David's Uneasy Faith-- 1 Samuel 22

And David went from there to Mizpeh of Moab. And he said to the king of Moab, “please let my father and my mother stay with you, till I know what God will do for me. 1 Samuel 22:3

The writer of Hebrews describes David as a man of strong faith, “… David—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises…” (Hebrews 11:33). Yet the David we read about in the Bible was very much, well… human. I don’t mean by “human” prone to sin. That after all is not truly human as God created us to be, but rather the “sub-human” result of our rebellion against God. By this definition, David’s humanity shows itself in a big way through his uneasy faith.

At times David’s faith is bold and sure—like his offer of protection to the murdered prophet’s (Ahimelech) son, Abigthar, “Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safe keeping” (1 Samuel 22:23). However, earlier, when his own parent’s lives were on the line he sought protection for them from the king of Moab.

Nowhere in Scripture is David criticized for his uneasy faith. In fact, occasions like this one then to bolster our trust in the Scriptures because they portray even the faith’s heroes in a realistic light.

David’s past and future would be characterized by great feats of faith… as well as some big time failures and sin. Even when his faith was uneasy his life remained anchored in the hope, “till I know what God will do for me.”

What about you? Are you delaying obedience in some area of your life because you are holding out for a romanticized perception of a “perfect” faith? Set out and resolve to do what you know and don’t waste energy on what you do not know as Romans 14:23 reminds us, “everything that is not of faith is sin.”

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Chapter 7: The Dearest Place on Earth



Read John 21:15-19 and Acts 1-4.

1. How does Jesus' admonition to Peter in John 21 affect you and your thoughts about the church?

2. Josh Harris writes, "Loving what Jesus loves is important for the believer." How so? How can you put your love for Christ into action?

3. Do you agree with Harris that resistance to passion and commitment really cheats everyone out of God's best? Explain.

4. What is your role in Zion and how can you humbly fulfill it?

5. What does it mean to commit to the local church? Does this idea of committing or recommitting frighten you? Why or why not?

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Prayer Focus



THE CHURCH IS HIS BRIDE
Read: Ephesians 5:25-27
Pray: Take time to individually confess and seek God's holiness. Pray that Zion would be a holy Bride ready for Christ.

THE CHURCH IS HIS TEMPLE
Read: 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Pray: Take time to worship Jesus. This is a moment of thanksgiving and praise, not a time for requests.

THE CHURCH IS HIS BODY
Read: 1 Corinthians 12:27
Pray: Take time to pray for Zion's ministries and those serving.

THE CHURCH IS HIS FAMILY
Read: Galatians 6:10
Pray: Pray for personal requests and needs.

THE CHURCH IS HIS FLOCK
Read: John 10:4,11
Pray: Pray that Zion would continually hear from Jesus.

THE CHURCH IS HIS PRIESTHOOD
Read: 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Pray: Pray that Zion would represent God ot the lost by reflecting his holiness and offering sacrifices that please Him.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Our Role: Serve God



To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and had made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:6

Throughout the Old Testament, priests had a special calling, they were charged with the responsibility of mediating between God and his people, ensuring proper worship, and caring for the spiritual needs of the people. Priests led the nation Israel by their role as teachers, judges, advisors and role models.

Hebrews 8:1-2 reveals that Jesus is our great high priest in whom is the fulfillment of the Old Testament priesthood, “In essence, we have just such a high priest: authoritative right alongside God, conducting worship in the one true sanctuary built by God” (the Message). As the great high priest, we understand that Jesus alone is our mediator or “go between” between us and God, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

With Jesus as our great high priest, what emerges in the New Testament is the idea that all Christ-followers can be seen as priests. Revelation 1:6 states that Christ by his blood made us, his church, “priests to his God and Father” and Revelation 5:10, “you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God.”

What is our mission as “priests to our God”?

First, it is to worship. Hebrews 13:15 reads, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name.” Love and faithfulness to our families, hard work toward our employer, ministry at church and in our community, even the energy given to our recreation all have the potential of being worship for the Christ-follower who understands that worship is to be our everyday lifestyle. Yet there is something special, even priestly that occurs when we gather for worship corporately singing and proclaiming the greatness of our God. This is what the writer of Hebrews calls a “sacrifice of praise to our God” that results from the “fruit of (our) lips” acknowledging Christ.

Our second mission as “priests” is intercession. Christ-followers are called to pray, not only for their own needs, but also for the needs of others. This type of prayer is called intercession—God directed prayer on behalf of others. 1Timothy 2:1 instructs us, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.”

How are you exercising your role today as a “priest to our God”? For whom are you interceding in prayer? How will you live today as an act of worship?

Read Colossians 4:2-6.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

A People Loved by God



By Julie Hartley

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

Someone once asked me the question, “If Jesus Christ were to walk through the door right now, would you gladly give up the Holy Spirit to have Him remain on earth?” What a hard question! Jesus Christ, Lord of all Creation; King of the Universe; the “Great I Am” enters a room and I can touch Him, see Him, hear the timbre of His voice and you ask me to choose between Him and the Holy Spirit? Tell you right now, my flesh would like Jesus to stay right here! Think about it, how cool! “Jesus, our finances are kind of tight right now, would you mind moving that mountain?” Or how about this, “Jesus, my child/friend/spouse is really struggling with ______ right now, would you mind following them very close? I think if they could just see you in person, conviction would come.” Finally, how about this, “Jesus, I know you say that you have a plan and a purpose for my life, a plan to prosper me and not to harm me, a plan to give me a hope and a future... but my life has been hard and I have been hurt, it’s no wonder I am such a mess! So rather than walk by faith, I would rather you just show me each step and we will discuss whether I have the courage to follow.”

You get the picture, Jesus knew he had to accomplish what he set out to do: shed His innocent blood on the cross, overcome death and Hades and ascend again into heaven to seat Himself at the right hand of the Father as a righteous judge and intercessor for you and I. It was because of mercy that he left us so that the Holy Spirit would come and fill our spirit. He would then wash us with new life and refresh our minds. The Holy Spirit would be our counselor and friend, speaking not His own words, but only what He hears the Father speak. Then and only then, since we have already been justified by the grace of Christ, he would help us to look a lot more like someone in the family of God by cultivating in our lives His fruit... you know, a little love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control... gives us a whole lot more to rejoice about in eternal life!

Ah Lord God, you knew that there would be nothing about me that resembled you when you chose to save me, yet because of your great love you redeemed me anyway and filled me with your amazing Holy Spirit! All I am asking for today, is that somehow, in some way you give me the opportunity to look a whole lot more like YOU to somebody. People are hurting all around me. Renew me by your Holy Spirit. I desire to do your will, O Lord! In Jesus name, Amen!

Read Titus 3:1-15.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A People Called by God



By Pastor Paul

And you also are among those who are called to be saints… Romans 1:6

Sinner, it is cold outside. Come out of darkness. Come out of night into Jesus’ House. Come out of the cold death into the warmth of Jesus’ life. Your feet are bruised, tripping over rocks. Your hands are cut from falling hard. Your face is smeared with years of filth. So was mine. You are naked. Jesus will clothe you. You are hungry. Jesus will feed you. Please, sinner, come inside. Come inside…ah, now isn’t that better. Welcome to Jesus’ House.

Saint, isn’t it warm inside. Eat your fill at the table. Look. Jesus washed your cuts. He cleaned your wounds. You might have scars for a while but in time they go away. I still have some scars too. Look. He washed you. Put these robes on. They fit perfectly. Smile, you are home. We look like family. Here, Jesus left us a note. He will be back soon but before we see Jesus come to the door and help.

Priest, call to the cold outside. Call the lost from darkness. Call out into night from Jesus’ House. Call out to the cold dead. Call them into the warmth of Jesus’ life. Their feet are bruised, tripping over rocks. Their hands are cut from falling hard. Their face is smeared with years of filth. So was ours. Jesus will clothe them. They are hungry. Jesus will feed them. Please, Priest, call outside. Call outside…Welcome them to Jesus’ House.


... Sinner, it is cold outside.

Read Romans 5:1-21.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Priesthood of All Believers



By Pastor Joe

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

In my early days of following Christ, there were two terms I did not fully understand. The first one was saint. What do you mean I’m a saint? Where’s my statue then? I learned later that all believers are called saints in the New Testament because they are set apart for God. The second word was priest. Ok, saint I could buy, but now I can’t get married because I’m a priest? How does that work?

Priests are very common in the Bible. Yes, our meaning of the word has changed over the years. In the Bible, a priest was someone who would act as a go between God and the people. They would teach about God, officiate the prescriptions of God, and judge between the people for God. At their best, a priest always knew and understood that before he can do anything on behalf of the people, he had to be right with God. This is a solemn and frightening proposition. At their worst, men like Nadab, Abihu, Eli, and many of the priests in Jesus’ day did not take the responsibility seriously. Too bad…God does.

So, 1 Peter 2:9 says that we are not only priests but members of a royal priesthood. This is a very common term in the Bible. It is closely related to the words we use for king or kingdom. In the whole chapter, Peter is referring to the position Jesus gives his believers. As his ROYAL priests (and not merely your everyday, run of the mill priests), we represent him. People should come to us when they have questions about God. This presupposes that we act like it. And, we should endeavor to be right before him first, and then we are in a position to speak his words and represent him. Nothing has changed regarding God’s opinion of his priests either. We need our High Priest, Jesus Christ, to teach, train, and set the example for us; we cannot fulfill this role on our own. Hmmm…I think my old idea of priesthood sounded easier.

Read 1 Peter 2:9-25.

Monday, November 16, 2009

The Chief Cornerstone


By Pastor Trent

(The church) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:20

Everything has consequences! Intuitively we understand this to be true. Every choice, every thought, every word, every action…all have specific consequences in our lives. In Ephesians 2:11-18 the Apostle Paul tells us that before Christ saved us we were “separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenant of promise, without hope and without God in the world.” (verse 12). That is a bleak picture of the reality that we all lived with before we met Jesus. Then, in verse 13 Paul shifts gears dramatically and declares, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” Those are tremendously positive consequences. Then in verses 19-22 Paul shares three more positive consequences we get to enjoy because of Jesus’ blood:

• God has made me part of a new kingdom. (verse 19a)
• God has made me part of a new family. (verse 19b)
• God has made me part of a new building. (verses 20-22)

In verse 20 Jesus is described chief cornerstone. Paul was undoubtedly thinking of the cornerstone which formed the base of Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem. It was the size of a railroad box car, weighing 570 tons. That cornerstone was the most important stone in the building. It established the point from which the rest of the building would be constructed and in a sense it held the whole building together.

But Jesus is more than just the cornerstone. He is the means by which all of the individual stones are being joined together in this building. Peter also described this process when he wrote, “As you come to him, the living Stone - rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him - you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4, 5 (NIV)

It’s interesting that Peter uses passive verbs to describe this process. In other words, we can’t make ourselves into a building. It is Jesus who is doing all the work. Peter and Paul also use a present tense verb to describe the process – “we are being built” into a spiritual temple.

Look at any brick building. The individual brick, alone, are not that impressive. I can take one brick and kick it up and down the street without much effort. The individual bricks are only strong and secure as they are “connected” with all of the other bricks in the building.

That’s exactly what Jesus does when He builds His church. He takes a bunch of blocks that aren’t much good on their own and he fits them together as a master builder. Although Jesus is concerned with the individual blocks, His overall purpose is to create a building that will bring glory to himself. That is what makes the church beautiful and strong!

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-15.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Week Six: Priesthood (Questions for reflection and discussion)



What are some of the unique characteristics about the call to priesthood in the New Testament? 1 Peter 2:9

Based on this weekend’s message, Capturing God’s Image of the Church: Priesthood, what are the priestly activities to which every believer is called?

1 Peter 1:15—

Hebrews 10:10—

1 Peter 2:5—

Philippians 4:18—

Hebrews 13:15—

1 Timothy 2:1—

Revelations 5:8,10—

2 Corinthians 5:20—

Read Ephesians 3:7-11. This is how the apostle Paul expressed his mission as a priestly representative of Christ to his world. How might God be calling you to represent Christ to others? Be specific.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Stop Dating the Church Chapter 6-- Rescuing Sunday



1. Read Psalm 19:1-14 and James 1:21-25. What do you and your family do to prepare for Sunday?

2. Why is it that we should never allow Sundays to become "routine"?

3. Why do we assume that we can show up on Sunday with no spiritual preparation?

4. Did this chapter reinforce or challenge the way you approach Zion's corporate gatherings?

Friday, November 13, 2009


By Pastor Trent

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3

[Adapted from John Piper, www.desiringGod.com]
Today’s text is about how to shepherd a suffering church. Read I Peter 4:12-19 for context.
Then Peter begins chapter 5 with the word "Therefore"—in the light of this suffering in the church and in the light of the judgment of God that is purifying the church before it punishes the world—in the light of that, here's how to shepherd the suffering flock.
In one sense the elder-shepherds are just sheep like every other Christian, with Christ as the Chief Shepherd (verse 4). But by virtue of their calling they have a responsibility that is different than the rest of the sheep. The Chief Shepherd will hold them responsible—he will call them to give an account someday for exercising oversight. The rest of the sheep will not be called to give an account for oversight. Only the elders, the shepherds. Did they see the big picture? Did they act accordingly? Did they "exercise oversight"?
Sometimes we think that seasons of suffering are automatically purifying for the church and its leaders; and in general they are. But Peter makes it plain here that it is not so simple. He was writing into a season of suffering. And instead of assuming that danger and difficulty would automatically cleanse the eldership, he warns that even when men have lost the heartfelt desire for the great work of shepherding the flock of God, and even when they may face danger and difficulty in it, some might hang on because of money and power (vs. 2-3).
O how discerning the church needs to be. Elder-shepherds need to "take heed to ourselves" as well as to all the flock (Acts 2:28)! And search ourselves and test ourselves and see if there be any wicked way in us.
What then can sustain the love expressed in the words: Exercise oversight "with eagerness." That is, want to! Love to! Delight to! Here is real love for the flock—eagerness to shepherd, not motivated by money or power.
What can sustain that kind of love? Peter tells us in verse 4: "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."
I am in touch with a good number of pastors. I don't know any today who would say that their job is easy. But the ones I know best are good men. What keeps them going is not the love of money or the love of power. What keeps them going is that when the Chief Shepherd comes he is going to call us to account and say, "Did you feed my sheep? Were you vigilant over the souls of my sheep? Did you seek my lost sheep? Did you guard the deposit of my truth? Did you stand watch against the wolves? Did you love my flock?"
And when the Chief Shepherd comes, with him will be his everlasting reward: the unfading crown of glory. And that will be enough for the elder-shepherd.

Read 1 Peter 4:12-5:11.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Pleased to Give


By Pastor Brandon

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32

As a father of three beautiful children, my favorite holiday is Christmas. The reason I look forward to it is because I get to see the expression on my children’s face when they open the gifts that we have given them. As a father, Christmas to me is all about giving to those who you love so much! Last Christmas we were able to get the perfect gift. You know the gift… that gift that makes or breaks their Christmas. If they get that one special gift there will be a spontaneous explosion. When they opened the package, all they do is scream. You know the gift that is worth it just by watching their reaction.

Can you imagine what God was filled with when he gave the world that gift the very first Christmas? God our Father, who because his very nature is to give, sent his only Son as a gift to us. He sent the gift when there was no hope on our own. We were desperate and helpless.

In Luke 12:32, Jesus talks about the nature of God. In this verse he reveals what kind of heart God has and what makes God glad—not merely about what God will do or what he has to do, but what he delights to do, what he loves to do and takes pleasure in doing.

Luke 12:32 says, "It is God's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." In other words, God is not acting in this generous way in order to hide some malicious motive. He is not saying, "I will have to be generous for a while even though I don't want to be, because what I really want to do is bring judgment on sinners."
When he gives his flock the kingdom, he is acting out his deepest delight. This is what the word means: God's joy, his desire, his want and wish and hope and pleasure and gladness and delight is to give the kingdom to his flock.
To know that we have a Heavenly Father who in his nature is to give and when he gives it pleases him should make us take comfort in him. My children don’t worry about what they are going to eat, they don’t fear if they will be able to sleep in a bed. Their father has given them all that they need.
Jesus knows that the flock of God struggles with fear. The Lord wants to free us from this fear by telling us the truth about God. He has chosen every word for our comfort and joy and peace.
Read Luke 12:22-34.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Keep Watch Over Your Souls


Pastor Mike

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28

What saddens me most is seeing someone who was once passionate about following Christ now living either complacent or rebellious toward the things of God. This sadness is compounded when it is someone who once held leadership in the church.

Several years ago, I interviewed a young woman who wanted to volunteer at the youth center I directed. When she was in high school she committed her life to Christ and for a season followed strong after him. Like the rocky soil Jesus describes in Mark 4:5 her devotion was not long lasting. Now in her twenties, she recounted the years she lived drifting away from Christ with great lament.

Then she said, “I could never again walk away from Christ.”

While I applauded her resolve I cautioned her. There is not one of us who is beyond drifting away from Christ. Even the apostle Paul wrote, “No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

This is the message that the church at Ephesus, especially its overseers, needed to hear and it’s a message you and I need to hear as well. Pay careful attention to yourselves! The most important thing you have to offer anyone is your walk with Christ.

Take some time today to evaluate your soul. Is there any area that needs attention?

How are you and God doing?

How and when are you taking time to listen to God by spending time in the word and prayer?

Does your family and those closest to you see you as self-reliant, or dependent upon God?

How your family’s spiritual needs are being met?

What is one area in which God is calling you to grow?
Read Romans 12:1-21.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

The Good Shepherd


By Josh Pie’

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:14-16

In English class I learned that where two phrases are separated by a semicolon, we can understand that the second phrase is explaining the first. So I’d say that the first sentence in today’s scripture has Jesus explaining two of the reasons why he is a good shepherd:

1. He knows his sheep and His sheep know him.

2. He lays down his life for his sheep.

That Jesus laid down his life through crucifixion should never cease to evoke praise. But today we will focus on the reason why we as Christ-followers are given a barometer for gauging their earthly shepherds; that is, anyone believing they are called to shepherd, ought to compare himself to the shepherd Jesus. If, after considering these verses he finds that his flock does not follow him, because they do not hear the voice of Christ in him (John 10:5) then he is not a shepherd, he is a stranger. He can’t know any flock anywhere because he isn’t called to shepherd. Similarly, as a member of a flock, ask yourself whether you recognize the voice of Christ in your shepherd-leader? If you don’t, then ask yourself Why? If it’s unresolved sin in your own life then don’t blame the leader or pastor or second guess his calling. Instead, repent and clean out your ears so that you can recognize Jesus voice and properly follow as a good sheep should.

Here’s another thought:

We don’t always grasp the gravity of Jesus multifaceted mission on earth. In a large sense He came to offer a way for sinners to be reconciled to a sinless God. But in a very real way Jesus also came to represent the Father to us (John 1:14). Now, it’s arguably common knowledge that there is this mysterious fact about there being only one God represented in three persons...so it make sense that each of the three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) would be in cahoots with each other, knowing each other pretty well. But what strikes me is that in the Scripture for today, Jesus (the Good Shepherd) tells us (His sheep) that we can know Him as He, (the Son) knows God (the Father). Wow! When I think about this, I am overwhelmed, but also convicted of my own failures - I am the reason that I can’t seem to hear what God is saying about a certain matter. Jesus says we can know His heart on any issue we wrestle with, just as He knew the Father’s heart as He walked around the streets of Israel. But we have to listen (John 10:3) and follow His lead (John 10:4). As you seek to gain experience in recognizing Jesus voice, look back over your life as a Christ-follower… where have you prayerfully made decisions that you look back on as being good, or right? It was the voice of the Lord that led you then. It will be the same voice in the future. Recognize it.

Lastly, this passage notes other sheep not of this sheep pen, which I believe is referring to the fact that this knowledge of Jesus that I have been talking about is meant for everybody, not just the Jews that Jesus was directly speaking to in John chapter ten. For a closer look at this concept, see the October 27th entry by Pastor Paul on Ephesians 3:2-6.

Read John 10:1-42

Monday, November 9, 2009

Old Testament Anticipates the Church as God’s Flock

The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. Zechariah 9:16

One of the best tools to give a young child is a magnifying glass. Yes, he may spend some time tormenting ants, but he will spend hours looking at things close up. He will see the ridgelines of his own fingerprints and let others know how deep their pores really are. While he is on the road of discovery, he is only seeing things that have existed all along. The same is true for the Old Testament when it comes to Jesus. When we look at the OT through NT magnifying glasses, we see what has always been there. Others may call this 20-20 hindsight.

The book of Zechariah is about giving comfort to Israel. They were just coming back from exile. As one of the most “messianic” Old Testament books, it’s a great one to break out the New Testament magnifying glass. Zechariah 9:16 says, “The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.” The promises about Jesus in this book come in two forms: those about Jesus’ first coming or those about his second coming. Zechariah 9:16 tells of his second coming. Obviously, we are waiting for this coming. We can then draw some parallels for ourselves.

Israel limped along trying to recover from the exile. They had just been under the heavy hand of God. People would be trying to take advantage of them. Their government would be in disarray. In short, they need help like the coming of a shepherd. So, how do we feel in times of despair? We need some guidance and instruction. When things seem confusing especially when it comes to the future, we need shepherding. We need to know that God is there with his shepherd’s staff guiding us to the place we not only need to be but where he wants us to be. The shepherd has it in control. Just wait…he’s coming. So, those wolves attacking you or the flock had better watch out! The shepherd is on his way!

Read Zechariah 9:1-10:12.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Week Five: Flock (Reflection and Discussion Questions)



When we think of Jesus as the Chief Shepherd and the Church as His sheep we will see the need to follow His lead in our lives! Jesus as Shepherd…cares for the lost… Jesus as Shepherd… comforts those who are distressed…. Jesus as Shepherd…gives direction to those who are wandering. This week we want to paint the picture of Jesus as our HEROIC SHEPHERD! Because He is our Shepherd we should never fear…



What insight, principle, or observation from this Sunday’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye opening, or convicting? Explain.



What can be learned about the identity of God’s people as his flock from the following scriptures?



Psalm 95:7—



Psalm 77:20—



Psalm 100:3—



Isaiah 40:11—



Zechariah 9:16—



Luke 12:32—



John 10:16—



Acts 20:28-29—



1 Peter 5:2-3—



Read 1 Timothy 3:16-17 and Ephesians 4:15-16. How are you listening to God?

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Chapter 5: Choosing Your Church



1. Read Matthew 18:15-20 and 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5.

2. What are some of your "preferences" when it comes to church? How do you respond when your preferences are not fully met?

3. How is Zion consistently teaching the gospel? What are some example of this being done creatively without being overly simplistic?

4. Of the attitudes Josh Harris lists on pages 58 and 59, which do you tend toward most easily? How can you combat them?

5. What was corrected or reinforced in your mind with regards to the necessity of the local church in chapter five?

Friday, November 6, 2009

Never Give Up


By Pastor Trent

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

In June of 1955, Sir Winston Churchill, near the end of his life, was asked to give a commencement address at a British university. He was so physically weak he had to be helped to the podium. He held on to the podium for what seemed an endless amount of time. He stood with his head bowed down but finally looked up. Then the voice that years before had called Britain back from the brink of destruction sounded publicly for the last time in history: "Never give up. Never give up. Never give up." With that, Churchill turned and went back to his seat. The crowd rose as one to applaud him because here was a man whose life and words were in sync. During the darkest days of World War II when country after country was being swallowed by the Nazis, when German planes were bombing English cities into piles of rubble, when the threat of invasion seemed imminent, Churchill never lost hope and never gave up.

As we finish thinking about the church as family, sometimes it can be a real challenge to love everyone in the family. We have all experienced disappointment in our lives because we have extended ourselves to others only to have them NOT return the same level of care or concern. At times, it makes us want to forget about what Paul says in Galatians 6:9-10. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of God.” Paul clearly communicates that doing good should be done, specifically, toward our church family. The good we do may appear to be unimportant or without notice, but, if we continue to sow good in the lives of others, we will see the harvest in time. How much good we reap is dependent upon our willingness to continue sowing.

I’ve had the following relationship commandments in my office for years. They have encouraged me more than once to Never Give Up doing good to others:

1. People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered.
-Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish motives.
-Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies. -Succeed anyway.

4. Honesty and frankness makes you vulnerable.
-Be honest and frank anyway.

5. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
-Do good anyway.

6. The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest people with the smallest ideas.
-Think big anyway.

7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
-Fight for the underdogs anyway.

8. What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight.
-Build anyway.

9. Give the world the best you'll get kicked in the teeth.
-Give the world the best you've got anyway!

Read Galatians 6:1-18.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Keep Your Elbows Off The Table


By Trish Olkowski

… you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 1 Timothy 3:15

“Keep your elbows off the table, use your napkin ~ not your sleeve, chew with your mouth closed, say excuse me.” Why do we keep instructing our kids over and over again? It’s with the hope and intention that when they are out in public or a guest in somebody’s home they will behave appropriately. We see their behavior as a reflection of our home, our family. It’s the same with God’s family. Our behavior and actions matter. They are a reflection of God and His family. That’s why Paul writes in I Tim 3:14-15, “I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God.” Paul is giving instructions to the people so that we know how we are to behave as children of God, members of His household.

We are all in process- all on a journey to be more like Christ. None of us have arrived. Paul makes it abundantly clear. We are not saved by doing good or “behaving ourselves”. We are saved by grace. (Ephesians 5:8, Titus 4-5) But as members of God’s household we are to do good. Paul writes to Titus, he is “to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives” and “as for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.” (Titus 1:1, 2:1)

So when I fail to conduct myself like a member of God’s household, I do more than just “break a rule”. I embarrass my Daddy’s family name. And that should break my heart. I know that I can never add to the amount of love God has towards me by doing good, but I want to live in such a way as to make my Daddy proud and bring honor to the family name.

Read 1 Timothy 3:1-16.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Free Indeed


By Ray Doolittle

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

One of the most important roles of a parent - of any mommy or daddy - is to help their children know that they are safe, secure, and loved. It is hard to describe the mix of frustration, resentment, fear, and longing that arise in a young person when the parents do not fulfill this responsibility.

When I first became a guidance counselor, I expected to hear the
stereotypical high school complaints about parents: "My parents stink!
They took away my cell phone because I got two D's," or, "I can't believe my parents grounded me for that!"

What completely surprised me was the number of young people who come to me -- not to complain about their parents -- but to lament the fact that their parents won't be parents! What do I mean by that? Well, it seems like there is an epidemic sweeping the family these days. Perhaps it is the fact that the parents themselves never grew up, never "matured," for whatever reason. But many kids come to me, frankly, because they do not feel loved. And it's not because a "cell phone was taken away." In fact, many kids out there would welcome a mom or a dad who would even notice two D's on a report card. In reality, the kids do not feel loved because even at a tender young age, they realize that life is about choices, and day after day, year after year, they watch their parent choose something or someone other than them. Maybe it's alcohol or drugs; maybe it's mom or dad's newest "significant other"; maybe it's hobbies; or a hundred other things like friends or the bar or simply lying on the couch. Sometimes, it's even a seemingly responsible pursuit like a career. Nevertheless, it is heartbreaking when a casualty of these things is the tender young heart of a child, wanting so desperately to be noticed and loved, yet feeling like little more than an inconvenience in their parents' lives.

Sometimes the effects of this "neglect" are easily noticeable, like a young person weeping over the fact that he is sinking seriously into drug addiction, yet his parents are too wrapped up in the same lifestyle to stop him. Other times it's less visible, like the young girls who turn to boys and promiscuity to find the love that Dad never provided. In addition, there are those times when the effects are almost invisible, like the young person who leads a seemingly picture-perfect life of good grades, sports, and extracurricular activities, and yet there is that inescapable voice in the back of their head saying, "You're not loved; you're not worth it; you're not good enough; you have nothing to offer."

It's not hard to imagine why many people want little to do with "God the
Father." In so many cases, their earthy representation of a "Father" or a
"parent" has let them down time and time again. And not even necessarily through the horrible physical or sexual abuse situations that make the news. Years of feeling unloved -- as if they were a nuisance in their own house -- has locked their hearts in a prison from which they are trying to escape. And the kids are searching for whatever "key" will set them free: the "key" of getting drunk or high to escape the pain for a little while; the "key" of finding the right boy or girl to "love" them; the "key" of being so successful that they will finally prove their worth to someone...

But those keys never work.

Jesus said in John 8:36, "If the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." There is the key for all of us. Nothing in this life or in this world will ever fulfill us -- will never "set us free" -- like the love of Christ. Certainly not the sins of drugs or illicit sex, but even "good" things like success or the love of a parent or spouse are only pale representations of the pure, perfect, holy love that Jesus Christ has in store for us when we allow him to free our minds and souls from these earthly trials and heartaches -- nothing can take the place of soaring with him beyond these prison walls. He is the key -- the only KEY.

Read John 8:31-47.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Welcome Home!


By Julie Hartley

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. Ephesians 2:19

Just let that thought rest on your soul for a few moments. Consequently... or as a result of... you belong. You as a gentile believer are IN! You no longer are the stranger, the foreigner who looks on from the outside because you are not born a Jew. Jesus Christ provided a way for YOU through the cross, and because you humbled your heart to receive the gift of salvation, you have citizenship in your Heavenly Father’s home. Citizenship with all of its rights and protection. Citizenship that cannot be taken away. You are now a member of God’s household.

Several years ago, we as a family had what we lovingly refer to as our ‘Season of the Borrowed Children’. Through no fault of their own, we had a series of children who needed a safe place to stay while their parents got their lives straightened out. WE were blessed to give them a home where they felt a sense of belonging, knew that they were wanted and cared for, where no one would say hurtful things about their loved ones. The impact of those years has had a profoundly positive effect on all of our lives. My boys learned to share a whole lot more than their toys while Dave and I learned to trust a Savior who knew just what we truly needed and when. There is not a single day of those few years I will not treasure in my heart always, however it was just that, a season where we borrowed. Never was the intention to be that we would keep the children. We did feed them, pray with them and for them, do their laundry, rock them and held them close for a little while, but those children were never ours. They belonged to another household.

All except for one very special little boy named Bowman. Because of circumstances that have been covered in Jesus Christ, the courts decided to grant us full custody of a child who had been in our home, but not of our home. The rules and laws of man which once separated him from citizenship in our household and all of the rights and protections that come with being a member of our family were removed. Bowman by that earthly judge’s decision became our little boy, our son. Dave and I became Dad and Mom. The atmosphere in our home, while busier and louder than ever, became oneness and peace.





Read Galatians 3:26-4:7.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Amos' Expectation: God’s People as Family


By Pastor MikeThe prophet Amos, speaking for God, addresses both Israel and Judah as the “family” (God ) brought up out of Egypt. While Amos himself never uses the word “covenant”, he uses “covenant language” throughout his writing. When he writes “You only have I known” he is not merely speaking of God’s knowledge about the people of Israel, for certainly that would not be limited to Israel, he is using covenant relationship language. He knows them intimately because he is in a covenant relationship with them. As he writes to the family of Israel he anticipates a future family of God— a family where God’s people would be known fully as God’s very own sons and daughters.

I have a friend who has built a successful business employing several hundred people in three countries. He tells the story of how his daughters, when they were younger, would visit him at work. While he was in meetings, they would sit in his office and rummage through his desk drawers, play tic-tack-toe on his whiteboard, and draw pictures on his calendar. There are employees who have been with him from the start and worked hard to make the company what it is today, yet not one of them would be comfortable sitting at his desk doing the things his daughters do. Why? They are employees, and not daughters!

Because of Christ, we receive an invitation to God’s family—to actually become his sons and daughters. What was merely anticipated by prophets of old is now fully realized in Christ. The Apostle John wrote it like this, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).

The message of Amos is a message of punishment and judgment for sin. Amos remembers that it was God who called the family of Israel out of slavery in Egypt (3:1). Now, because of their unwillingness to repent and return to God they are to be punished for their sin, humiliated and sent into exile. Despite this message of judgment, Amos offers hope. Hope because there will come a day when God will “bring (his) people Israel back from exile” (9:14).

The message we have been entrusted with is also a message of judgment for sin. Only our message is that judgment for sin was made by Christ, who “himself bore our sins in his body on the tree (cross), that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:4). This is why Romans 8:15 can declare, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’”

Spend some time today thanking God that he has adopted you into his family as his son or daughter.

Read Romans 8:1-39.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Family: Week 4 Bible Study/Discussion Questions



How did your family name affect other’s impression/expectations of you when you were growing up? (For example, if an older sibling excelled in math, were you expected to do the same?)

In addition to the name, “I AM,” by what name did God instruct Moses to identify the God of Israel in Exodus 3:15-16? Why is this significant?

The Bible states that when God adopts us into His family through His Son Jesus Christ, we become changed people (2 Corinthians 5:17). We now have the identity of sons and daughters of God (Romans 8:16). We take on a new name that is higher than any other name. The name or identity that we had is now gone replaced by a new nature and family.

Read the following scriptures. Before Christ, the Bible teaches that we were “enslaved” to many things in this world. From what has Jesus freed us? What are some of the privileges we enjoy as sons and daughters of God?

Romans 8:14-17—

Galatians 3:22-4:7—

Hebrews 2:10-15—

Hebrews 2:11 states, “Both the one who makes men holy and those whoare made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.” What sense of responsibility do you feel knowing that you have been accepted into God’s family?

Read Galations 6:10. In light of this scripture, what responsibilities are we to have toward each other?