Word (Elementary #1)
29
Feb-1 Mar 2020, Christ Mountain Top
Feb-1 Mar 2020, Christ Mountain Top
Praying
the Scripture, Psalm 32, p 766
the Scripture, Psalm 32, p 766
Children,
Genesis 2.15-17, 3.1-7 (Adam & Eve, command and temptation)
Genesis 2.15-17, 3.1-7 (Adam & Eve, command and temptation)
Message,
Matthew 4.1-11 (Jesus tempted)
Matthew 4.1-11 (Jesus tempted)
Today
we begin our Lent message series, Elementary. Elementary because we are looking
at the weekly texts through the lens of a very basic and central image. This
week, our image is Word. It shows up in the story of the first humans, who
receive a Word from God that they go on to ignore. It shows up in the Jesus
story and he and the Devil both quote from the Word.
we begin our Lent message series, Elementary. Elementary because we are looking
at the weekly texts through the lens of a very basic and central image. This
week, our image is Word. It shows up in the story of the first humans, who
receive a Word from God that they go on to ignore. It shows up in the Jesus
story and he and the Devil both quote from the Word.
Each week, we’re going to try to have
some kind of visual display that fits the theme. This week’s display is a set
of Bibles, some of them quite fragile. I encourage you to take some time to
look at them before you leave.
some kind of visual display that fits the theme. This week’s display is a set
of Bibles, some of them quite fragile. I encourage you to take some time to
look at them before you leave.
Upcoming weeks will see the themes of Wind,
Water, Light, Life, and Death. Then, Easter!
Water, Light, Life, and Death. Then, Easter!
So,
I go to the drug store to get some saline nasal spray. Only, it isn’t where it
should be. It’s on the very bottom shelf so that you have to see unnecessary
and more expensive remedies before you ever notice the simple thing.
I go to the drug store to get some saline nasal spray. Only, it isn’t where it
should be. It’s on the very bottom shelf so that you have to see unnecessary
and more expensive remedies before you ever notice the simple thing.
And, when I finally do find them, the
traditional squeeze bottle is out of stock. Instead, I find weird looking
dispensers that look like a mini Reddi Whip cannister. And I’m supposed to
stick that up my nose? Then, you read the ingredients and it’s not plain
saline. It’s saline with some extra drug, some enhancer. But I really didn’t
come to the drug store to get drugs, just plain old saline nasal spray. Then I
discover, for the naturalists, there’s saline with grapeseed extract. Nope. Not
for me. I’m not the essential oils “type,” if there is a type.
traditional squeeze bottle is out of stock. Instead, I find weird looking
dispensers that look like a mini Reddi Whip cannister. And I’m supposed to
stick that up my nose? Then, you read the ingredients and it’s not plain
saline. It’s saline with some extra drug, some enhancer. But I really didn’t
come to the drug store to get drugs, just plain old saline nasal spray. Then I
discover, for the naturalists, there’s saline with grapeseed extract. Nope. Not
for me. I’m not the essential oils “type,” if there is a type.
I know, I know. If you add some lemon
balm oil and essence of nard to that grapeseed extract and rub it on your
temples it will cure your headaches. Nope. Not for me. So I pass up the
grapeseed extract and finally find pure and simple saline nasal spray. Only
it’s in this weird cannister that looks like a soda can mated with a turkey
baster. And that’s just what you get.
balm oil and essence of nard to that grapeseed extract and rub it on your
temples it will cure your headaches. Nope. Not for me. So I pass up the
grapeseed extract and finally find pure and simple saline nasal spray. Only
it’s in this weird cannister that looks like a soda can mated with a turkey
baster. And that’s just what you get.
More
seriously, though … the world wants you to believe it knows what’s wrong with
you (even if you don’t), that it has exactly what you need to be healthy,
happy, wise, successful. You may never know you needed it, but now, at last,
you’ve seen the light. I never noticed my dandruff, but the Head and Shoulders
stuff on TV is just what I need. I never thought my life was dull until I saw
that ad for a new sports car. I never realized how unhappy I was until I saw
that beer ad. And that’s just what you get when both the problem and the
solutions are all defined by our world.
seriously, though … the world wants you to believe it knows what’s wrong with
you (even if you don’t), that it has exactly what you need to be healthy,
happy, wise, successful. You may never know you needed it, but now, at last,
you’ve seen the light. I never noticed my dandruff, but the Head and Shoulders
stuff on TV is just what I need. I never thought my life was dull until I saw
that ad for a new sports car. I never realized how unhappy I was until I saw
that beer ad. And that’s just what you get when both the problem and the
solutions are all defined by our world.
After
forty days and forty forts without food, Jesus undoubtedly needs bread. But he
needs the WORD more.
forty days and forty forts without food, Jesus undoubtedly needs bread. But he
needs the WORD more.
· “When
your words came, I ate them. They were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah
15.16).
your words came, I ate them. They were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah
15.16).
· “I
have food to eat that you know not of. My food is to do the will of the one who
sent me and complete his work” (John 4.32, 34).
have food to eat that you know not of. My food is to do the will of the one who
sent me and complete his work” (John 4.32, 34).
Why
is it that the Spirit of God leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil? Don’t we pray, “Lead us not into temptation”? Yes, we do. And, while
temptation comes from the devil, it also comes from our own desire. There is
nothing unusual about the temptations Jesus is given, except the extreme way
they appeal to his desire.
is it that the Spirit of God leads Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by
the devil? Don’t we pray, “Lead us not into temptation”? Yes, we do. And, while
temptation comes from the devil, it also comes from our own desire. There is
nothing unusual about the temptations Jesus is given, except the extreme way
they appeal to his desire.
· He
needs some bread, just to survive. We all do. That’s why eating disorders are
so difficult. We’ve got to eat; we can’t abstain completely!
needs some bread, just to survive. We all do. That’s why eating disorders are
so difficult. We’ve got to eat; we can’t abstain completely!
· Jesus
needs recognition and love. “Throw yourself down.” That miracle would get him
plenty of recognition and love. And we all need some of that.
needs recognition and love. “Throw yourself down.” That miracle would get him
plenty of recognition and love. And we all need some of that.
· Jesus
needs some power. “All the kingdoms of the world.” Think of how you could make
the world a better place if you just had a little more power. Put an end to
global pandemics. Put an end to child abuse. Put an end to war. That’s what
some power can do for you.
needs some power. “All the kingdoms of the world.” Think of how you could make
the world a better place if you just had a little more power. Put an end to
global pandemics. Put an end to child abuse. Put an end to war. That’s what
some power can do for you.
Don’t
we all need some of that? About as much as a soda can turkey baster. We need
the WORD more.
we all need some of that? About as much as a soda can turkey baster. We need
the WORD more.
There’s
lots of things we think we need, only a few things we actually need – like
food, clothing, and shelter. But even for those legitimate needs, as much as we
may need them, we need the WORD more.
lots of things we think we need, only a few things we actually need – like
food, clothing, and shelter. But even for those legitimate needs, as much as we
may need them, we need the WORD more.
Adam and Eve decided that what they
really needed was a taste of something new and exotic. They wanted a life with
something forbidden on the menu. They deserved it. They worked hard for it.
They really needed it. They needed fresh knowledge. They needed to be more like
God. Don’t we all?
really needed was a taste of something new and exotic. They wanted a life with
something forbidden on the menu. They deserved it. They worked hard for it.
They really needed it. They needed fresh knowledge. They needed to be more like
God. Don’t we all?
So, they forgot the WORD and they lost
everything.
everything.
We
think of temptation coming in a recognizable face. We see it. We know its
sinister power and appeal. But, no. Most of the time we barely notice it. Most
of the time it hardly registers. Its appeal is significant and tied in with
what is obviously good. Shouldn’t we want to have some knowledge of good
and evil? If we don’t have some knowledge of evil, how can we appreciate the
good? The problem with our question is that we are thinking only of
intellectual knowledge, but the Hebrew term is about an intimate knowledge, a
knowledge gained only by experience. And that kind of knowledge of evil is not
worth having.
think of temptation coming in a recognizable face. We see it. We know its
sinister power and appeal. But, no. Most of the time we barely notice it. Most
of the time it hardly registers. Its appeal is significant and tied in with
what is obviously good. Shouldn’t we want to have some knowledge of good
and evil? If we don’t have some knowledge of evil, how can we appreciate the
good? The problem with our question is that we are thinking only of
intellectual knowledge, but the Hebrew term is about an intimate knowledge, a
knowledge gained only by experience. And that kind of knowledge of evil is not
worth having.
We
think of temptation coming in a recognizable face. But even the devil can quote
the Word. Temptation is always well-dressed. It looks better than the stories
told and the fantasies sold by advertisers.
think of temptation coming in a recognizable face. But even the devil can quote
the Word. Temptation is always well-dressed. It looks better than the stories
told and the fantasies sold by advertisers.
And nothing against marketing! We use
marketing in our mission! It is just a reminder that temptation comes to us in
very appealing forms.
marketing in our mission! It is just a reminder that temptation comes to us in
very appealing forms.
We
think of temptation coming in a recognizable face. If I met a talking serpent,
I’d know something was off, for sure. If I knew I was talking with the devil,
I’d start out by ignoring him. “Get behind me, Satan!” But, no. Most of the
time we barely notice we are being tempted. Most of the time it hardly
registers.
think of temptation coming in a recognizable face. If I met a talking serpent,
I’d know something was off, for sure. If I knew I was talking with the devil,
I’d start out by ignoring him. “Get behind me, Satan!” But, no. Most of the
time we barely notice we are being tempted. Most of the time it hardly
registers.
No affair happens by accident. First, we
find ourselves feeding fantasies. Then, we find ourselves attached to the
memory of an old flame or fulfilled emotionally by someone other than our spouse.
No murder happens in a moment, even crimes of passion. We must first nurture
resentment, bitterness, jealousy, and anger before the moment presents itself
for our violence to manifest. By the time the moment is upon us, we have taken
so many preliminary steps that the next one seems hardly as dreadful as it
truly is. No wonder the Psalm tells us (Psalm 32):
find ourselves feeding fantasies. Then, we find ourselves attached to the
memory of an old flame or fulfilled emotionally by someone other than our spouse.
No murder happens in a moment, even crimes of passion. We must first nurture
resentment, bitterness, jealousy, and anger before the moment presents itself
for our violence to manifest. By the time the moment is upon us, we have taken
so many preliminary steps that the next one seems hardly as dreadful as it
truly is. No wonder the Psalm tells us (Psalm 32):
Happy
are those whose transgression is forgiven,
are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose
sin is covered.
sin is covered.
That’s
why the story of Jesus’ temptations includes the devil quoting the Scripture.
It’s not easy to see temptation for what it is. It requires discernment. It
requires honesty, an internal honesty, not the simple “being true to your self”
that our culture teaches. It requires that brutal confession that our friends
in recovery make in the first step: “We admitted we were powerless over
alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” As the psalm says, “Happy are
those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no
deceit” (Psalm 32).
why the story of Jesus’ temptations includes the devil quoting the Scripture.
It’s not easy to see temptation for what it is. It requires discernment. It
requires honesty, an internal honesty, not the simple “being true to your self”
that our culture teaches. It requires that brutal confession that our friends
in recovery make in the first step: “We admitted we were powerless over
alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” As the psalm says, “Happy are
those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no
deceit” (Psalm 32).
In addition, that discernment requires a
new mind, a mind that only comes as a gift of God through discipline or
spiritual practice.
new mind, a mind that only comes as a gift of God through discipline or
spiritual practice.
· And
do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your
mind, so that you may approve what is
the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. [1]
(Romans 12.3)
do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your
mind, so that you may approve what is
the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of God. [1]
(Romans 12.3)
· [God]
might sanctify her [the church] by cleansing her* with the washing of water by the word[2]
(Ephesians 5.26)
might sanctify her [the church] by cleansing her* with the washing of water by the word[2]
(Ephesians 5.26)
A
Bible inscription (from one of our families):
Bible inscription (from one of our families):
The
best heritage I can leave you is the Bible (God’s Word). It will guide you into
all good in your life.
best heritage I can leave you is the Bible (God’s Word). It will guide you into
all good in your life.
When
in trouble come back to it and it will help you, and keep you and teach you
what is good for you. It will teach you in the way you should go.
in trouble come back to it and it will help you, and keep you and teach you
what is good for you. It will teach you in the way you should go.
Believe
in it, and you will meet me in Heaven at the last day.
in it, and you will meet me in Heaven at the last day.
Mother
The
good news in all of this is that, though we may fall to temptation, Jesus did
not. As the apostle Paul wrote, “through the obedience of the one, many were
made righteous” (Romans 5.19). And, in the language of Lamentations, a book of
grief for sin and destruction, we have not a glimmer, but a full-on bonfire of
hope right in the middle (Lamentations 3):
good news in all of this is that, though we may fall to temptation, Jesus did
not. As the apostle Paul wrote, “through the obedience of the one, many were
made righteous” (Romans 5.19). And, in the language of Lamentations, a book of
grief for sin and destruction, we have not a glimmer, but a full-on bonfire of
hope right in the middle (Lamentations 3):
21
But this I call to mind,
But this I call to mind,
and
therefore I have hope:
therefore I have hope:
22
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases,
his
mercies never come to an end;
mercies never come to an end;
23
they are new every morning;
they are new every morning;
great
is your faithfulness.
is your faithfulness.
24
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore
I will hope in him.”
I will hope in him.”
[1]
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer,
J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English
Bible (Ro 12:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer,
J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English
Bible (Ro 12:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2]
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer,
J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English
Bible (Eph 5:26). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Harris, W. H., III, Ritzema, E., Brannan, R., Mangum, D., Dunham, J., Reimer,
J. A., & Wierenga, M. (Eds.). (2012). The Lexham English
Bible (Eph 5:26). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.