10/05/04

Find out what the New Testament says about war. When is war necessary?

 

 

2 Cor. 4:1

    And so, since God in his mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.

·       To reflect Jesus is our ministry.

 

Looking at Jesus’ character.

 

   

Philip. 2:1-11

    Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? [2] Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.

    [3] Don't be selfish; don't live to make a good impression on others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. [4] Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.

    [5] Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. [6] Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. [7] He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. [8] And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. [9] Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

• Verse 7 is the true character of Jesus.
• Fully God yet Fully Man: a mystery. He had no RIGHTS.
• When give up our RIGHTS we become very, very weak.
• People want to be liked and loved and think that it is through physical appearance.
• God didn’t screw up making me.  I am beautifully and wonderfully made.
• I do nothing, only what the Father tells me to. – Jesus
• Jesus started is His life poor.
•    

John 13:1-17

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He now showed the disciples the full extent of his love. [2] It was time for supper, and the Devil had already enticed Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to carry out his plan to betray Jesus. [3] Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. [4] So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, [5] and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him.

    [6] When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, "Lord, why are you going to wash my feet?"

    [7] Jesus replied, "You don't understand now why I am doing it; someday you will."

    [8] "No," Peter protested, "you will never wash my feet!"

    Jesus replied, "But if I don't wash you, you won't belong to me."

    [9] Simon Peter exclaimed, "Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!"

    [10] Jesus replied, "A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you are clean, but that isn't true of everyone here." [11] For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, "Not all of you are clean."

    [12] After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, "Do you understand what I was doing? [13] You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and you are right, because it is true. [14] And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. [15] I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. [16] How true it is that a servant is not greater than the master. Nor are messengers more important than the one who sends them. [17] You know these things—now do them! That is the path of blessing.

 

• This was a cultural thing to do for guests.  It was very common and normal to wash feet.  Jesus live a normal life.  The task of washing feet was done by the lowest of lowest slave.  Jesus gave us an example of what to do.  We have been called to serve.

 

Luke 22:24-27

    And they began to argue among themselves as to who would be the greatest in the coming Kingdom. [25] Jesus told them, "In this world the kings and great men order their people around, and yet they are called 'friends of the people.' [26] But among you, those who are the greatest should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. [27] Normally the master sits at the table and is served by his servants. But not here! For I am your servant.

• Disciples argue among themselves.
• Jesus affirming that He is our servant.

Matthew 20:20-34

    Then the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with her sons. She knelt respectfully to ask a favor. [21] "What is your request?" he asked.

    She replied, "In your Kingdom, will you let my two sons sit in places of honor next to you, one at your right and the other at your left?"

    [22] But Jesus told them, "You don't know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink?"

    "Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!"

    [23] "You will indeed drink from it," he told them. "But I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine. My Father has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen."

    [24] When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. [25] But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. [26] But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. [28] For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."

• We have a call to serve.
• Jesus didn’t go up and up to be the high priest in the synagogue, but went low and low as an individual who was naked on a cross and crucified.
• God’s purpose for John the Baptist was to prepare the way of the Lord and have his Head on a Plate.
• Ghandi was passionate about the Beatitudes.
• St Francis threw it all away to follow Jesus.
• The Father gives a support group when ministering.
• Do we share everything?
• Relationships and serving are how we are to represent the Father.
• Day by day lifestyle of discipleship.

 

 

What is Jesus like and what is the truth of who He is?

• Jesus is the church planter, and we are his servants and laborers.
• Church of the West is poor in Spirit.
• The most important thing in life is OBEYING God.
•  

 

Psalm 103:1-22

A psalm of David.

 

    Praise the Lord, I tell myself;

        with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.

    [2] Praise the Lord, I tell myself,

        and never forget the good things he does for me.

    [3] He forgives all my sins

        and heals all my diseases.

    [4] He ransoms me from death

        and surrounds me with love and tender mercies.

    [5] He fills my life with good things.

        My youth is renewed like the eagle's!

    [6] The Lord gives righteousness

        and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

    [7] He revealed his character to Moses

        and his deeds to the people of Israel.

    [8] The Lord is merciful and gracious;

        he is slow to get angry and full of unfailing love.

    [9] He will not constantly accuse us,

        nor remain angry forever.

    [10] He has not punished us for all our sins,

        nor does he deal with us as we deserve.

    [11] For his unfailing love toward those who fear him

        is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

    [12] He has removed our rebellious acts

        as far away from us as the east is from the west.

    [13] The Lord is like a father to his children,

        tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

    [14] For he understands how weak we are;

        he knows we are only dust.

    [15] Our days on earth are like grass;

        like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

    [16] The wind blows, and we are gone—

        as though we had never been here.

    [17] But the love of the Lord remains forever

        with those who fear him.

    His salvation extends to the children's children

        [18] of those who are faithful to his covenant,

        of those who obey his commandments!

 

    [19] The Lord has made the heavens his throne;

        from there he rules over everything.

    [20] Praise the Lord, you angels of his,

        you mighty creatures who carry out his plans,

        listening for each of his commands.

    [21] Yes, praise the Lord, you armies of angels

        who serve him and do his will!

    [22] Praise the Lord, everything he has created,

        everywhere in his kingdom.

        As for me—I, too, will praise the Lord.

 

 

Psalm 145:1-21

A psalm of praise of David.

 

    I will praise you, my God and King,

        and bless your name forever and ever.

    [2] I will bless you every day,

        and I will praise you forever.

    [3] Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!

        His greatness is beyond discovery!

 

    [4] Let each generation tell its children

        of your mighty acts.

    [5] I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor

        and your wonderful miracles.

    [6] Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;

        I will proclaim your greatness.

    [7] Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;

        they will sing with joy of your righteousness.

 

    [8] The Lord is kind and merciful,

        slow to get angry, full of unfailing love.

    [9] The Lord is good to everyone.

        He showers compassion on all his creation.

    [10] All of your works will thank you, Lord,

        and your faithful followers will bless you.

    [11] They will talk together about the glory of your kingdom;

        they will celebrate examples of your power.

    [12] They will tell about your mighty deeds

        and about the majesty and glory of your reign.

    [13] For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

        You rule generation after generation.

 

    The Lord is faithful in all he says;

        he is gracious in all he does.

    [14] The Lord helps the fallen

        and lifts up those bent beneath their loads.

    [15] All eyes look to you for help;

        you give them their food as they need it.

    [16] When you open your hand,

        you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.

 

    [17] The Lord is righteous in everything he does;

        he is filled with kindness.

    [18] The Lord is close to all who call on him,

        yes, to all who call on him sincerely.

    [19] He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;

        he hears their cries for help and rescues them.

    [20] The Lord protects all those who love him,

        but he destroys the wicked.

 

    [21] I will praise the Lord,

        and everyone on earth will bless his holy name

        forever and forever.