What if God is sending us “distractions from mission” strategically? What if he is sending them to reveal his glory, to advance his kingdom, and to lead us to partners on mission? Today, you are invited to put yourself in the place of one of his disciples and pay attention to what Jesus does. (14 minutes)
Two announcements:
Annual Meeting: Our annual meeting is on Sunday, 3/21 at 2pm on Zoom. Send a request for an invite if you’d like to attend.
Good Friday Worship Gathering: We are gathering before sunrise at the Mickler’s Landing for fellowship and worship as the sun comes up. Sunrise is at 7:13 am. It’s a good idea to get there about an hour early. This year, it’s bring your own breakfast.
As Jesus calls us to meet people in their places of deep pain, loss, and grief, as he sends us as his representatives to those places, we are confronted with some real challenges. What do we say? What can we do? How will it be helpful? How can we keep it from being awkward.
It’s often more than we can handle – but with some love, courage, and preparation, we can move into those places and represent Jesus well. Moreover, if we go as he sends us, we go to places where we are more likely to enjoy the great privilege of seeing Jesus at work.
This is the second message in a series on helping people in places of pain. This one is very practical and was the Sunday Message sent out to Love First Coast on Feb 21, 2021. It’s about 11 minutes long.
Have you ever considered the prospect of being with the poor to be a huge opportunity? But what does it mean to be poor? And how does that connect with being present with Jesus? You may want to try it to find out! (10-1/4 mins)
If discipleship is about learning from Jesus how to live like Jesus, life on mission is learning to represent Jesus faithfully. It’s not easy to stay on mission, but it’s worth it and the stakes are high. James makes it clear: it’s about life and death! He encourages us to choose life! James challenges us to persevere through trials while giving insight regarding the temptations that will take us out! One leads to a crown. The other to death.
(15 Minutes)
God has placed you strategically to influence the lives of your neighbors, friends, and family. Could you use more wisdom for this assignment? Of course! No matter where we are, what role we play, or how wide our influence may be, God calls us to represent him wherever we go – and for this, we need to grow in wisdom!
James offers good insight for understanding the kind of wisdom we need and for gaining this critical resource! (About 16-1/2 minutes).
(Loosely based on the Lectionary)
Date Lectionary Selections
“Begin with the end in mind”. That’s good, common sense. Playing on that idea, the Bible ends with the beginning in mind. What was lost in the Garden is made new and better in the New Jerusalem. And our future and our home is there… but we can’t drag our pride in with us. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Get a Bible and work through the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.
— Praise God with Me: (1)
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven spirits who are before his throne,
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead,
and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood,
and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father,
to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
—Revelation 1:4-6, NRSV
— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
A little background: Revelation 21 and 22 are the last two chapters of the Bible. The work of God is wrapped up and Jesus declares, “Behold, I am making all things new!” Much of the imagery here is pulled from Genesis 1 – 3 with references to the gospels and prophets. The curse reverses. God’s people are comforted. What was lost is made new. Things will be set right in our relationship with creation, with others, with ourselves, and with God. It is a picture of shalom restored. Read and reflect on who God is and what God will do and look for our part in the on-going story!
Come Holy Spirit, help us to accept who we are. Remind us who you are!
Revelation 21:1-11,21:22-22:5
— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?
— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
God is King! Let the earth be glad!
Christ is victor; his rule has begun. Hallelujah!
The Spirit is at work, renewing the creation.
Praise the Lord!
— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
Perhaps it seems rather crude to describe glory as the fact of being “noticed” by God. But this is almost the language of the New Testament. St. Paul promises to those who love God not, as we should expect, that they will know Him, but that they will be known by Him (I Cor. viii.8) It is a strange promise. Does not God know all things at all times? But it is dreadfully reechoed in another passage of the New Testament. There we are warned that it may happen to any one of us to appear at last before the face of God and hear only the appalling words: “I never knew you. Depart from Me.” In some sense, as dark to the intellect as it is unendurable to the feelings, we can be both banished from the presence of Him who is present everywhere and erased from the knowledge of Him who knows all. We can be left utterly and absolutely outside—repelled, exiled, estranged, finally and unspeakably ignored. On the other hand, we can be called in, welcomed, received, acknowledged. We walk every day on the razor edge between these two incredible possibilities. Apparently, then, our lifelong nostalgia, our longing to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on the inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside, is no mere neurotic fancy, but the truest index of our real situation. And to be at last summoned inside would be both glory and honour beyond all our merits and also the healing of that old ache. – CS Lewis
— Let us surrender this day to God who blesses us and calls us to be a blessing: (4)
You go no where by accident. Wherever you go, God is sending you. Wherever you find yourself, God has a purpose for you being there. Christ Jesus, who lives in you by the power of the Holy Spirit, wants to do something in you and through you wherever you find yourself. I encourage you to believe this. And as you go forward, may the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine on you. May the Lord be gracious to you, and give you peace. Amen!
Sources:
(1) From Revelation 1:4-6 NRSV as found in The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(2) From Our World Belongs to God, st. 2 as found in The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
(3) From The Weight of Glory by CS Lewis.
(4) From the Halverson Benediction by Dick Halverson combined with the Aaronic Benediction from Numbers 5.
Who is like our God? This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Get a Bible and work through the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.
— Praise God with Me: (1)
God, in chorus with the most magnificent creatures, we declare
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,
Who was, and is, and it to come.”
With the greatest of mankind, we proclaim
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory, honor, and power.
For you have created all things, and by your will they have existed and were created.”
Be glorified in our study this morning!
— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
A little background: Revelation 4 and 5 provide a scene of on-going worship around the throne of heaven. (Sorry for the long read, but the chapters are relatively short.) Keep in mind that Revelation is apocalyptic literature filled with images and symbols. In today’s reading, Jesus – the Lion of Judah – is depicted as the Lamb who has been slain. Don’t get lost in the number 7. That number plays a major literary role in the letter. Just pay attention to how this worship service unfolds. Notice where Jesus is and consider where we will be in the congregation. Finally, notice what the text says about the work of humanity.
Come Holy Spirit, help us to accept who we are. Remind us who you are!
Revelation 4 and 5
— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?
— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
Lord Jesus, this text says you were slain, and by your blood you have ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. Oh Lord, let that include us, and let us never forget who we are called to represent. Let us represent you faithfully.
— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
The shepherds of the Alps have a beautiful custom of ending the day by singing an evening farewell to one another. The air is so pure that the songs can be heard for very long distances. As the sun begins to set, they gather their flocks and begin to lead them down the mountain paths while they sing, “thus far has the Lord helped us. Let us praise his name.” Finally, as is their beautiful custom, they sing to one another the courteous and friendly farewell “Goodnight! Goodnight!” The words then begin to echo from mountainside to mountainside, reverberating sweetly and softly until the music fades into the distance.
Let us all call out to one another through the darkness until the night becomes alive with the sound of many voices, encouraging God’s weary travelers. And may the echoes grow into a storm of hallelujahs that will break in thundering waves around His sapphire throne. Then as the morning dawns, we will find ourselves on the shore of the “sea of glass” (rev 4:6) crying out with the redeemed hosts of heaven, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power for ever, and ever!” (Rev 5:13). “This my song through endless ages, Jesus led me all the way.” “And again they shouted “Hallelujah!” (Rev 5:13)
— Let us surrender this day to God who blesses us and calls us to be a blessing: (4)
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
To receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!
To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
Be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!
Amen!
Sources:
(1) From Revelation 4:8 and 4:11
(2) From Revelation 5:9-10
(3) From Streams in the Desert by LB Cowman, published in 1925
(4) From Revelation 5:12 and 5:13
Who has the right to tell you about yourself? Our culture celebrates the individual, encourages us to find our identity in ourselves and to work toward things like self-actualization, self-esteem, and self-expression. It feeds our pride. The house it builds inevitably collapses. But what if there’s a better way? This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Get a Bible and work through the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.
— Praise God with Me: (1)
God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
You are the Sovereign God who holds our future.
You are the Suffering God who knows our pain.
You are the Creator God who made us. You know who we are.
You are the Covenant God who claims us. You bring us into your family. You call us by a new name. You give us a hope and a future.
Father God, by the power of your Spirit, speak to us we pray through Christ, Amen.
— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
A little background: The Book of Revelation is apocalyptic literature filled with images and symbols that brought hope to the early church in a difficult time. It was written to seven church, one of which was in Laodicea. Revelation 3 tells us they had the wrong idea about themselves. A lot has been written about the image of cold, hot, and lukewarm. But note that Jesus wants to share a meal with them. Imagine you want to serve a cold drink and hot soup, but keep your guest, Jesus, waiting at the door until everything is room temperature. We are encouraged to stop resisting fellowship with Jesus. Let him in. Don’t delay. Then humbly let the one who is faithful and true tell us who we really are.
Come Holy Spirit, help us to accept who we are. Remind us who you are!
Revelation 3:14-22
— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?
— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
All who thirst, come to the water and drink deeply of these living streams.
Come, all who are weary; come, all who yearn for forgiveness.
Our gracious God beckons and blesses us.
Let us give praise and thanks for new life in Christ.
God, lead us in to walk in the grace, truth, and light of your love.
— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
The Heathen says, “The man that prospers is favored by the gods; the man who is unsuccessful is obnoxious to the Most High.” They do not know any better. Tose more enlightened easterners who talked with Job during his affliction got but little further. They believed that all who serve God have hedges around them and that God multiplies their wealth and increases their happiness. They saw in Job’s affliction a sign that he was a hypocrite. Thus, they thought that God had quenched his candle and put out his light.
Unfortunately, even Christians have fallen into the same error. They have been apt to think that if God lifts one up there must be some excellence in him. If He chastens and afflicts, they generally think that it must be an exhibition of wrath. Listen to the text and the riddle will be unriddled. Listen to the words of Jesus speaking to His servant John and the mystery is all unmysteried. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent” Rev. 3:19) – Charles Spurgeon
— Let us surrender this day to God who blesses us and calls us to be a blessing: (4)
May the light of God’s love push back the darkness.
We come to the light from the four corners of the earth,
We come from the north, from the south, from the east, and from the west.
We come from many nations and many cultures.
We come seeking the light that guides us to life.
Lord Jesus, let us walk with you today, for where else will we find the words of life.
Sources:
(1) Original
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources, modified.
(3) From “Sacrifice” in Answering God by Eugene Peterson
(4) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources, modified.
What is your heart telling you today? Culture tells us to trust our hearts. The Bible warns us that our hearts can be deceptive. We want to feel things are right in our heart. If we feel the tension, if our hearts are restless, we struggle and seek to put our hearts at peace. What can we do to get our hearts right? This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Get a Bible and work through the prayers, scripture reading, questions, and devotional reading below. May the Lord bless you as you do so. And may the Spirit of God work in each of us to shape us to be a little more like Jesus, today.
— Praise God with Me: (1)
God of light and truth, you are beyond our grasp or conceiving.
Before the brightness of your presence the angels veil their faces.
With lowly reverence and adoring love
we acclaim your glory and sing your praise,
for you have shown us your truth and love
in Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen
— Let us read and reflect on Scripture:
A little background: Most of us know that Jesus taught us love our neighbors. Moreover, he told his disciples to love one another as he had love them, as he loves us. But how? This section of John’s first letter contrasts the way of the world with the way of Jesus, and gets very practical: It calls us to laying down our life beginning with humble generosity.
Come Holy Spirit, help us to accept who we are. Remind us who you are!
I John 3:11-24
— Answer these four questions:
What does this passage say about God?
What does this passage say about people?
As a result of this reading, what is one step God is inviting you to take?
Who is one person you will tell about that step today?
— With a Heart of Prayer, Let us Respond: (2)
God, shape us to be faithful stewards of the time, talents, and money you’ve given us.
Make us thankful, that we might give in gratitude and joy,
Make us prayerful, that we might serve in sacrifice and love,
Make us hopeful, that we want grow weary.
Through Christ our example we pray, Amen.
— Let’s Gather Wisdom from One Who Walked with Christ before us: (3)
The work of God begins while we are asleep and without our help. He continues to work through the day in our worship and obedience. A sacrifice is the material means of assembling a life before God in order to let God work with it. Sacrifice isn’t something we do for God, but simply setting out the stuff of life for him to do something with. On the altar the sacrificial offering is changed into what is pleasing and acceptable to God. In the act of offering we give up ownership and control, and watch to see what God will do with it. With a deep awareness that the God who speaks life into us also listens when we speak, we put into words the difficulties and delights that we foresee in the hours ahead. We assemble fears and hopes, apprehensions and anticipations, and place them on the altar as an offering: “I prepare a sacrifice, and watch”. (Psalm 5:3b).
— Let us surrender this day to God who blesses us and calls us to be a blessing: (4)
God of all creation, your love endures forever.
You bring forth bread from the earth and fruit from the vine.
Nourish us with these gifts, that we might live in the light of your love and
be in this world signs of your gracious presence in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Sources:
(1) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources, edited.
(2) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources, edited.
(3) From “Sacrifice” in Answering God by Eugene Peterson
(4) From The Worship Sourcebook, 2004, Faith Alive Christian Resources.
LoveFirst Coast 