Memorial Day Monday:
Jesus instructed his disciples as he sent them out with the Good News: “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.” Matthew 10:8 Those two sentences outline a huge task for the disciples. Let’s look inside.
Since Jesus starts his instructions with, “as you go,” we are not to limit our message to one place. We are to GO! Now, some people are called to go and preach, while others are called to send people with the message, to facilitate those who do go. Nowadays missionaries in the field wouldn’t survive too long without support from a home church, and God needs each of us to hold up our part of the missionary deal, as we are called.
Jesus tells us to preach. When people are languishing spiritually, they’re willing to listen to a messenger with Good News. Jesus tells us to not just council them. We are to preach! Preach not only to an individual seeker, but also preach to several people, a small group, or even a large group, again as each of us is called. 2000 years ago, preaching was accomplished through oration, by making a speech in the Synagogue.
“The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” places a timetable on the “repent and return” message, preached ever since mankind fell from grace. Today is the accepted day to return to the LORD.
Jesus also empowers his disciples to follow in his footsteps, performing sign and wonders just like he did. Jesus taught the laying on of hands to heal the sick and cleanse those with skin diseases. And you can cast out demons by invoking the holy name of Jesus. But raising the dead? I don’t know…
Raising the dead seems like a wonder best left to the messiah; and yet Jesus himself told his followers to do this. The concept was foreign to many at the time, and certainly controversial. The Pharisees believed in some kind of resurrection and afterlife, but the Sadducees did not. Most Jews were uncertain. However followers of Jesus were totally convinced of an afterlife, since they had seen Jesus return from the dead, rising in three days just as he said he would.
Raising the dead was later fulfilled in both Acts 9 where Peter resuscitates Tabitha (Dorcas), and in Acts 20 when Paul raised Eutychus. It doesn’t seem to be common, but the Bible doesn’t say that the authority to raise the dead has been withdrawn either. Therefore it is wise for us to believe in God’s power to do such miracles through His people.
Through Him all things are possible!
Norton Lawellin
Monday, May 31, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
May Monday:
Christians celebrated Pentecost this past weekend, and most of us know the story by heart. “Open your Bibles to Acts chapter 2…” We know about the sound like wind, the descending tongues of fire signifying the arrival of the Holy Spirit for each person, the believers speaking in tongues, foreigners hearing the message each in their own language, Peter giving his best “Christ crucified” message, people becoming believers, and over 3000 baptized that day. Hallelujah!
But Acts 2 begins, “When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” It worked out well that they were all in one place, all in the same room, praying. But why were they there? What caused them to all gather on that particular day? The answer: Shavuos.
Shavuos (sometimes Shavuot) remembers the day God gave the Torah to His people on Mount Sinai. It is significant that the Torah was given following the Exodus from Egypt, not before. God had rescued His people; now He was teaching them His ways. Similarly, after Jesus died to rescue us from our sins, we were given the New Testament. Our celebration of Pentecost now seems to overshadow Shavuos. I wish we could have both.1
Obtaining the Torah was no small thing. God had to serve it up twice! The first time Moses brought the tablets down the mountain, he found the Israelites had built a golden calf to worship, forsaking God. Exodus 32 In his anger, Moses threw the tablets, smashing them into smithereens. He then challenged the people: "Whoever is FOR the LORD, come to me." Those FOR the LORD were armed with swords, and then put to death those who were NOT for the LORD. That day, about 3000 people died.
Finally, Moses had to return to the mountain and (hopefully) atone for the sin of God’s people. In the end, the LORD said he would punish the people when it was time, but He would not abandon them. He told Moses to make new stone tablets, and He, God, would write on them the words that were on the first tablets. Exodus 34
Since then, the history of the Hebrew people, wisdom, worship and prophets were combined with the original Pentateuch. Christians then added Jesus’ time on earth (Gospels), the beginning of the church, letters of instruction and encouragement to the new congregations, and the apocalyptic Revelation.
Christians believe that ALL scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching and correction. The Bible is our history, the instruction manual for how we are to live now, and how we are to teach our children to live in the future. Be thankful that God equips us for His work, by giving us His Holy Word.
Norton Lawellin
1. A day of thanksgiving. Shavuos also celebrates the firstfruits of the new harvest.
Christians celebrated Pentecost this past weekend, and most of us know the story by heart. “Open your Bibles to Acts chapter 2…” We know about the sound like wind, the descending tongues of fire signifying the arrival of the Holy Spirit for each person, the believers speaking in tongues, foreigners hearing the message each in their own language, Peter giving his best “Christ crucified” message, people becoming believers, and over 3000 baptized that day. Hallelujah!
But Acts 2 begins, “When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.” It worked out well that they were all in one place, all in the same room, praying. But why were they there? What caused them to all gather on that particular day? The answer: Shavuos.
Shavuos (sometimes Shavuot) remembers the day God gave the Torah to His people on Mount Sinai. It is significant that the Torah was given following the Exodus from Egypt, not before. God had rescued His people; now He was teaching them His ways. Similarly, after Jesus died to rescue us from our sins, we were given the New Testament. Our celebration of Pentecost now seems to overshadow Shavuos. I wish we could have both.1
Obtaining the Torah was no small thing. God had to serve it up twice! The first time Moses brought the tablets down the mountain, he found the Israelites had built a golden calf to worship, forsaking God. Exodus 32 In his anger, Moses threw the tablets, smashing them into smithereens. He then challenged the people: "Whoever is FOR the LORD, come to me." Those FOR the LORD were armed with swords, and then put to death those who were NOT for the LORD. That day, about 3000 people died.
Finally, Moses had to return to the mountain and (hopefully) atone for the sin of God’s people. In the end, the LORD said he would punish the people when it was time, but He would not abandon them. He told Moses to make new stone tablets, and He, God, would write on them the words that were on the first tablets. Exodus 34
Since then, the history of the Hebrew people, wisdom, worship and prophets were combined with the original Pentateuch. Christians then added Jesus’ time on earth (Gospels), the beginning of the church, letters of instruction and encouragement to the new congregations, and the apocalyptic Revelation.
Christians believe that ALL scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching and correction. The Bible is our history, the instruction manual for how we are to live now, and how we are to teach our children to live in the future. Be thankful that God equips us for His work, by giving us His Holy Word.
Norton Lawellin
1. A day of thanksgiving. Shavuos also celebrates the firstfruits of the new harvest.
Monday, May 17, 2010
May Monday:
This coming Sunday is Pentecost, one of my favorite days on the church calendar, a day when many things happened that make me say, “That is SO cool!” So let’s put on our red shirts and look into Acts 2 this week.
Pentekostē or hēmera (50th day) celebrates the Holy Spirit descending upon the original group of believers. Pentecost is 7 weeks after Easter, but Jewish tradition counts both the beginning and the ending days as full days; hence the 50th day tradition. God’s people would be giving thanks for both firstfruits of the harvest and the day God gave Torah to His people (Shavuos). The believers would have been gathered for worship, prayer, and for these thanksgivings, when God showed up in an unusual way. (It is SO cool when God shows up!)
There was a strong sound from heaven, a sound like wind. But the Bible makes no mention of actual wind – only the sound. Next little flames or “tongues of fire” flitted down and settled on each one of them. And, (verse 4) “everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit.” They had been told to wait for the Holy Spirit, and now He had arrived. It was that simple.
The super-loud wind noise was audible to everyone, and many in Jerusalem came to check it out, both residents and visitors to the city. The visitors were astonished that they heard the believers in their own languages. Some Christians think the disciples were supernaturally speaking in different languages. But my opinion is that their speaking didn’t change – I think those listening were given supernatural hearing, an instant Holy Spirit translator, so that everyone could understand the Good News. Just my opinion - what do you think?
The Holy Spirit story continues with Peter preaching his “Case for Christ” sermon, which led to 3000 being baptized that day. Given Jerusalem’s pools and cisterns it was entirely possible, which also would have been so cool! With the Holy Spirit, the apostles performed miraculous signs and wonders, and each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. And really, isn’t that what Jesus wants us to do?
Norton Lawellin
This coming Sunday is Pentecost, one of my favorite days on the church calendar, a day when many things happened that make me say, “That is SO cool!” So let’s put on our red shirts and look into Acts 2 this week.
Pentekostē or hēmera (50th day) celebrates the Holy Spirit descending upon the original group of believers. Pentecost is 7 weeks after Easter, but Jewish tradition counts both the beginning and the ending days as full days; hence the 50th day tradition. God’s people would be giving thanks for both firstfruits of the harvest and the day God gave Torah to His people (Shavuos). The believers would have been gathered for worship, prayer, and for these thanksgivings, when God showed up in an unusual way. (It is SO cool when God shows up!)
There was a strong sound from heaven, a sound like wind. But the Bible makes no mention of actual wind – only the sound. Next little flames or “tongues of fire” flitted down and settled on each one of them. And, (verse 4) “everyone was filled with the Holy Spirit.” They had been told to wait for the Holy Spirit, and now He had arrived. It was that simple.
The super-loud wind noise was audible to everyone, and many in Jerusalem came to check it out, both residents and visitors to the city. The visitors were astonished that they heard the believers in their own languages. Some Christians think the disciples were supernaturally speaking in different languages. But my opinion is that their speaking didn’t change – I think those listening were given supernatural hearing, an instant Holy Spirit translator, so that everyone could understand the Good News. Just my opinion - what do you think?
The Holy Spirit story continues with Peter preaching his “Case for Christ” sermon, which led to 3000 being baptized that day. Given Jerusalem’s pools and cisterns it was entirely possible, which also would have been so cool! With the Holy Spirit, the apostles performed miraculous signs and wonders, and each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. And really, isn’t that what Jesus wants us to do?
Norton Lawellin
Monday, May 10, 2010
May Monday:
Let everyone who hears this also say, ‘Come!’
If you are thirsty, come!
If you want life-giving water, come and take it.
It's free!” Rev. 22:17
Let everyone who hears this also say, ‘Come!’
If you are thirsty, come!
If you want life-giving water, come and take it.
It's free!” Rev. 22:17
Jesus called us to make disciples of all nations, and this verse is the ultimate implementation thereof. The Holy Spirit opens minds and prepares hearts for the Good News. The Spirit influences conscience and character, so that the sinner can instinctively make the correct choice.
The Bride of Christ, the whole church on earth and in heaven, also says, “Come and share our happiness.” The church is the arms and legs of this invitation. The church is growing stronger each day, since everyone who hears the call is to also be included with those saying, “Come.”
Jesus is the living water, and if life has left you parched, you’ve come to the right place. There’s plenty of life-giving water, and it’s free! You can’t pay – it’s a gift. Just come and take. This invitation is both an opportunity and a responsibility. If we decline this invitation, we have only ourselves to blame. Today is the accepted day to repent and return to the Lord.
“All the prophets of the Bible, all the apostles of the Bible, all the threatenings of the Bible, all the promises of the Bible, gather themselves up, and focus themselves into this one burning ray, ‘Come to Jesus. Come, and take the water of life freely.’” (Spurgeon)
Norton Lawellin
Monday, May 3, 2010
May Monday:
Last week I questioned how the cross, the Roman instrument of torture and execution, had become the “logo” for Christianity. I know the answer, but wanted to hear everyone’s thoughts on the matter. Laura Compton, a longtime Monday Message reader, sent an explanation straight from her heart. It’s a fantastic justification for the cross. I liked it so well that I posted it to share with all of you. Check it out:
http://www.mondaymessage-norton.blogspot.com/
Jesus: " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give." John 14:27a On Sunday mornings, many of our congregations take a moment to share the “peace.” Usually we shake hands and say, “Hi, how are you?” But what should “peace” really look like?
Shalom, which we translate as “peace,” implies three things. The first is what you might expect from peace: calmness, a sense of security, knowing that in the end everything will be all right. Therefore, worrying is unbiblical. If we have God on the throne in our lives, and we’re following in the footsteps of Jesus, nothing can derail the master plan. We may not always understand what’s going on, but if we believe God is still in charge, then everything will turn out OK.
Shalom is also a prayer for “good health.” Again, God is still on the throne. Sometimes He heals on this side, sometimes He heals on heaven’s side, but He always hears our prayers, He always answers our prayers, and everything will always be all right in the end.
The third part of shalom is a prayer for prosperity or abundance. Don’t confuse this with wealth, but believe it: God can and will provide all you need. He can drop manna into your life any time you come up a little short, often when you least expect it. If YHWH is your shepherd, then you shall not want. There will come a time in your life when all your needs are met and you just don’t need a thing. It all works out in the end.
As good as Shalom sounds, I’ve been describing “worldly” shalom. Jesus takes it to the next level. His peace is more complete, more in-depth, and stands on a more firm foundation. The character of Jesus is like God, not like the world. So when Jesus offers us peace, he says, “I do not give to you as the world gives. So do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27b We may not understand the whole thing, because Jesus is not of this world, but He has given us the peace that surpasses our understanding, the shalom of heaven.
Norton Lawellin
Monday Message is also available at
http://www.mondaymessage-norton.blogspot.com/
Last week I questioned how the cross, the Roman instrument of torture and execution, had become the “logo” for Christianity. I know the answer, but wanted to hear everyone’s thoughts on the matter. Laura Compton, a longtime Monday Message reader, sent an explanation straight from her heart. It’s a fantastic justification for the cross. I liked it so well that I posted it to share with all of you. Check it out:
http://www.mondaymessage-norton.blogspot.com/
Jesus: " Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give." John 14:27a On Sunday mornings, many of our congregations take a moment to share the “peace.” Usually we shake hands and say, “Hi, how are you?” But what should “peace” really look like?
Shalom, which we translate as “peace,” implies three things. The first is what you might expect from peace: calmness, a sense of security, knowing that in the end everything will be all right. Therefore, worrying is unbiblical. If we have God on the throne in our lives, and we’re following in the footsteps of Jesus, nothing can derail the master plan. We may not always understand what’s going on, but if we believe God is still in charge, then everything will turn out OK.
Shalom is also a prayer for “good health.” Again, God is still on the throne. Sometimes He heals on this side, sometimes He heals on heaven’s side, but He always hears our prayers, He always answers our prayers, and everything will always be all right in the end.
The third part of shalom is a prayer for prosperity or abundance. Don’t confuse this with wealth, but believe it: God can and will provide all you need. He can drop manna into your life any time you come up a little short, often when you least expect it. If YHWH is your shepherd, then you shall not want. There will come a time in your life when all your needs are met and you just don’t need a thing. It all works out in the end.
As good as Shalom sounds, I’ve been describing “worldly” shalom. Jesus takes it to the next level. His peace is more complete, more in-depth, and stands on a more firm foundation. The character of Jesus is like God, not like the world. So when Jesus offers us peace, he says, “I do not give to you as the world gives. So do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27b We may not understand the whole thing, because Jesus is not of this world, but He has given us the peace that surpasses our understanding, the shalom of heaven.
Norton Lawellin
Monday Message is also available at
http://www.mondaymessage-norton.blogspot.com/
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