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PASTOR BOB’S SERMON SERIES — “IN THE BEGINNING” WEEK 1: GOD SPEAKS

The 7 Necessary Lessons from Week 1: God Speaks

  • PRE-HISTORY: Before God speaks creation into existence in Genesis 1:1, God exists as the sole undivided and unchangeable truth. Then God speaks, and there is light, and the “other” (darkness) becomes part of existence.
  • IN THE BEGINNING, GOD: Before all else, God existed. And then God moved, and creation was set into motion. God is the first mover by which all other things in existence came into being.
  • 6 DAYS: The 6 “days” of creation are not about 6 24-hour periods of time, but rather are our best human attempt to describe how creation happens. There are no mistakes or accidents in God’s design, and “in the beginning” all things were perfectly made according to God’s perfect purpose.
  • PROMISE: God, who created all that ever was and will be, made a promise to all of creation that God will never abandon the created world and its creatures. Therefore, all our hope should rest with God alone, and all our comfort comes from God alone.
  • COVENANT: The other side of God’s promised relationship with creation is defined as “covenant.” Just as God will never abandon creation, so too God will never coerce or impose our response to God’s promise. Human beings are given free will to be self-determined in God’s creation, and the tension that all peoples possess in their relationship with God is between their obedience to their creator (God) or the assertion of their self-will for their own purposes. The nature of God’s promise to us is set and firm. The nature of our promise to God is not. But even when we break our “promise,” God’s side of this covenant relationship never changes.
  • GENESIS 1:27: Humans alone among God’s creation carry the “thumbprint” of God on their soul. We are uniquely made “in the image of God” and thus among all of creation can choose to reflect what God is like in the world that God created. God has shown us, through Jesus Christ, that it is God’s will for humans to choose to live in a community that reflects God’s will, and for each of us to become selfless and sacrificial servants of God and others, which is our true God-given nature.
  • REST: The stories of creation teach us that God is the performer who carries out the work of creation. Not humans. In the beginning, the world is secure in God’s hands, and the life we are given is a gift from God intended as a blessing for life. God created the Sabbath not as a one-day respite from hard work, but rather as a way of life for humans. God desires that we be obedient to God’s will and rest in peace and harmony with God’s design.

LOOKING AHEAD: This coming Sunday we will learn, from the 2nd story of creation, why we as humans are not living in peace and harmony, but rather find ourselves working hard and “laboring” through life.  For Sunday, September 15th, READ GENESIS 2:4 – 3:24. Pay close attention to the 4 different “scenes” that are portrayed in this 2nd creation story: 1) Man is placed in the “garden”; 2) A new creation happens – woman – intended as man’s helper; 3) The “serpent” appears … and speaks!; and, 4) The humans choose.


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ATTENTION ASPIRING DISCIPLES: NEW SERMON SERIES STARTS SUNDAY — “IN THE BEGINNING”

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Last Sunday in our morning worship service, we had multitudes of people raise their hand and make a commitment to become a true disciple of Christ. They have decided that being a “Christian” in our culture is not enough for Jesus, and they want to live up to the call from Him that asks us to “do the hard stuff” and live up to the “commands” of the Sermon on the Mount. This Sunday we begin that journey to discipleship together by initiating a new sermon series. For the next 8 weeks, we will be going back to the beginning of The Bible and walking through the first 12 chapters of The Book of Genesis.  This is a walk intended to enlighten us about the work of God in our lives and the eternal reality of Jesus Christ – from before the beginning to this very moment. Many “Christians” have read the Book of Genesis in a manner that does not teach the eternal and universal truths that it contains. Genesis is not a book of history that tells us when the world began. Genesis is not a book of science that tell us how the world began. Instead, Genesis is a book of truths that are “bigger” than either history or science can contain. The authors of the Genesis are teaching us the eternal and universal truths about God, God’s creation, and the relationship between the two. This Sunday – Week 1 of the “In the Beginning” series – we will be walking through Genesis 1:1 – 2:4a together. I encourage you to take some time this week and read through this text. Spend some time with it. Think about what it is really teaching us about God, ourselves, and the relationship between the two. Try not to read with any preconceived notions about what it says and what it means. Go into this as a blank slate that God can fill with new insights. Leave your urge to interpret the text to your silent prayer and meditation after you have read it all.  As you go through this scripture, here are 7 concepts from the text to focus on or think about as you prepare for the message this Sunday:

  • PRE-HISTORY – Who is telling us this story; how could there be any witnesses, especially before there were any people; what is the point of this first creation story?
  • COVENANT RELATIONSHIP – As God creates, what kind of relationship is God establishing with God’s creation; what are the expectations God has for the relationships and what are the obligations; and finally, what are the consequences for breaking the terms of the relationship?
  • PROMISE – is there an unqualified promise from God to God’s creation; is there a way to completely break free from God?
  • IN THE BEGINNING, GOD – What was there before “the beginning”; What was God doing before God created; and why did God create anyway?
  • 6 DAYS – How did “creation” actually happen; what was it like; was it perfect – or were there imperfections or mistakes?
  • GENESIS 1:27 – what does this verse say about human beings; how are we supposed to live; and what is our purpose in this world?
  • SABBATH – If God supposedly gave us a “day of rest,” whatever happened to it; how can we rest when we live in this world of chaos, violence and fear; aren’t people depending on me to get some more work done?

So, disciples in training, this is your homework: READ GENESIS 1:1 – 2:4a And come to church this Sunday ready to learn about the 1st book of the Bible as if you’ve never learned about it before!  Peace & Grace, Pastor <>< Bob


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YOU MAY CALL YOURSELF A CHRISTIAN ~ BUT ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?

In an article that appeared in “Christianity Today” in 1980, author Dallas Willard claims that the New Testament “is a book about disciples, by disciples, and for disciples.” And since our denominational label professes that we are not just a Christian Church, but actually a Christian Church of Disciples of Christ, it seems appropriate, perhaps even necessary, to ask ourselves if we truly are both. Willard says that the Christian church in the West has not made being a disciple a condition of being a Christian. In fact, he says, becoming a disciple of Jesus is an option that one has, but few choose. And this situation seems to have existed ever since Constantine embraced Christianity in the early 5th century. Being a member of the church became more important than being a follower of Jesus.   Think about it: when you think of the Christian Church, what are the things that pop into your mind: a building; worship services; rituals like baptism and Communion; membership and ministries; pastors and boards; and so on. Do you agree? Funny thing is, I didn’t even mention Jesus or His disciples. Let’s just face the facts: being a Christian today (even in the “Christian Church – Disciples of Christ) is a lot more about attending church and participating in its worship, programs, and business, than about following Jesus “in his example, spirit, and teachings.” These are the characteristics of a disciple, Willard claims. Today’s Christian church does not even make this a requirement of membership. Not only that. I’ve noticed that placing ANY requirement on church membership can get a pastor in a whole lot of hot water really fast! Jesus, we have a problem! It looks like we have a whole lot of churches with your name on the front of them in one form or another … filled with undiscipled disciples. Those millions of “members” of Christian churches may be disciples of many things, but for most of them, it would be hard to make the case that they place imitating Jesus all the time as the most important priority in their lives.        As Willard admits, when Jesus actually walked among us, the decision to become a disciple was simple (but not easy). Think of Peter and Andrew, James and John, on the beach. Think of Matthew in his tax collector’s office. Think of Phillip and Nathaniel encountering the Messiah for the first time. They all become disciples of Jesus. We know that because for each and every one of them, it was an immediate compulsion to drop everything, leave it all, and follow him.  People saw it. They were astounded by it, but they saw it. Think of Zebedee, James’s and John’s father, when his 2 sons suddenly dropped the nets of the family business and followed a man they had never met before.  I’m not saying it was easy to drop it all and follow Jesus. But I am saying it was a whole lot more simple than it is today. Today, to be a disciple, we have to find new ways to drop it all and leave everything to follow Jesus. But it is still a hard decision. Choosing to be a disciple means, more than anything in the world, wanting to be like Jesus. All the time. Everywhere you go. It means to take your current life, and devote everything in it to God, and in all that you do, to imitate Jesus. Deciding to be a disciple is a systematic and progressive process of transforming your entire life toward this one exclusive goal. And while we might say that Jesus never told us exactly how to do it … that would be a denial of the truth. Read the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Matthew. That will tell you how to be a disciple. The truth is, it’s right in front of us … we just aren’t ready or willing or able yet to abide by it.  So you might wonder: where does that leave me? Am I more “Christian” or more “Disciple?” I say, look at your ultimate desires and intentions – the ones that are deep in your heart and soul. I say look at your specific responses and choices you make to situations you find yourself in every day. That’s the best place to start, because if we’re honest, those things will show us what’s most important in our life. To be like Jesus … or something else.  God has gifted us all with one human life on this earth. Obviously, there are many ways to spend that precious time we have here. For me, it’s the “greatest opportunity in the world” to have the choice of being a disciple of Jesus. I know, as Dallas Willard knows, that it’s the only thing that will fulfill the deepest longing of my soul, and the greatest needs of the world I live in.  Which leads me to wonder … why would I choose any other way of life than to follow in the steps of Jesus. It’s the only way to complete my full potential, and the only way, as Jesus would say, the live the abundant life.  So what do you say Christian Church – DISCIPLES OF CHRIST … anybody else want to try to live up to our name?  Aspiring to become a “Devoted Follower of the Radical Gospel of Jesus Christ” – I am,
Pastor <>< Bob

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THE JESUS REVOLUTION: EITHER ALL IN … OR NOT IN AT ALL

On June 21, 1971, this cover appeared on Time Magazine. It immediately became my favorite cover! Even though I didn’t attend church and had never read the Bible, I was becoming captivated by the person named Jesus. Until this cover appeared, I had never considered that there could be a revolution in his name that would change the world.  But from June 1971 till this very day, I do believe in that revolution.  I believe that it is happening every day, and I believe that one day it will completely consume the sinful and egotistical ways of the secular world and establish a new “kingdom” that will lead us straight to God.  The only question that really remains is what part I will play (and you), if any, in the revolution. Because the way I see it – either you’re all in … or you’re not in at all.  This is a reprint of an article I wrote a few years ago in Dry Ridge, KY. It’s called:  “THE FOOLISH AND RIDICULOUS REVOLUTION OF JESUS CHRIST” Saint Francis of Assisi was noted to have said, “The Lord said he wished me to be a fool, the like of which was never seen before.” I believe, as I know many others do, that the Jesus revolution that the world is waiting for will come gently from a small band of Christian fools who are willing to overthrow the established order by rearranging their lives around the life of Christ. And their lifestyles will be shaped by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I aspire to be one of those “Fools for Christ!” To the fool, Brennan Manning once wrote, Jesus Christ is not a sage or a starry-eyed reformer; He is author of a new creation: “I am making everything new,” He said. (Rev. 21:5) He did not come to tidy up the world or to refashion us into nicer people with better morals, but to re-make us into brand new creations. (2Cor. 5:17) I know such foolishness leads to havoc in the church because I witness the fear that is aroused, the rumors that are circulated, and the advice that is given to “settle down a little,” Some even use the term religious “fanatic.”  And that’s all A-OK with me, just so you know. Jesus was known as the master offender of the religious order of His day, and if “Christians” aren’t offended by the “Fools for Christ” then we must not be being very revolutionary – and that would be a bad sign for us! Perhaps you may be, or aspire to be, a “Fool for Christ” as well, and become part of the foolish and ridiculous revolution of Jesus Christ. To that I say, welcome aboard! But … if there is ANY other priority in your personal or professional life more important than the Lordship of Jesus Christ – then you are automatically disqualified from serving as a witness to the gospel and from membership in this gentle revolution.  You see, with Jesus, it’s either “all in” or “not in.”     Not a just a fan today … but a follower, and a fool, for Jesus Christ,
Pastor Bob 

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Your Money ~ A Spiritual Force for Good!

If a Pastor wants to get in “quick and deep” trouble with the congregation, let him or her preach about the evil nature of money and the call from Jesus to “sell all that you own” and “give all your money to the poor.” The truth is that Jesus knew the perils of money in our lives and its power to lead us astray from a life of faithfulness.                                                                                                                                                                   And because he knew that, he showed us a way to turn that danger around and instead teach us how money can indeed by a spiritual force for good in our lives – a concept I call “blessed money.”  If you read the Gospels closely, you will discover that Jesus talks about money a lot! He brings it up in his teachings, in his parables and in his commands. He understands the power that money can have over us, but he also knows that the power can become “kingdom” power when we learn to approach our money and its use in a spiritually led way.  As people of relative abundance, imagine the spiritual power we could muster up if we all dedicated our wealth to God’s use instead of our own use. Instead of thinking of the money we possess as something we own, think of the money we have been gifted with as something God owns. The truth is, God really does own it, just as God owns all things.  To make that leap from “my money” to “God’s money” requires us to do something that we have a really hard time doing: seeing the world from outside of ourselves. When Jesus commands us to put God and neighbor first, he is essentially telling us to move over and make ourselves less important as we make God and others most important. This is a fundamental aspect of personal conversion, and Jesus teaches this lesson over and over again in many different ways in the Gospels: deny yourself; be born again; become a servant of all; love God with all your heart and soul and strength and mind – and love your neighbor as yourself.  Once we accomplish this, then we have one more step that is required: seeing our lives as extending beyond this world. Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God has come – and it’s all around us. He is telling us that eternity has broken into this world and we can now live the eternal life of abundance that God had planned for us all along. With this understanding, we are freed from the urges to use our money for temporal things for ourselves, thinking that this life is all we have and we should buy as much stuff as we can before we die. Instead, Jesus teaches us to use our money for eternal purposes, for things that don’t get eaten by moths, and to store our treasures in heaven. Imagine if we used our money solely for eternal purposes – for things like love, compassion, justice, healing, and comforting. And that doesn’t necessarily mean that we don’t buy stuff or own possessions, but it does mean that in all the things we spend our own money on – each and every one of them either has or is used for an eternal purpose of God. Examples: the new boat becomes the venue for the Sunday afternoon adult Bible study; the new kitchen appliances become a way to gift the used ones to someone in need; the new van gets used for transporting seniors to and from church every Sunday; the new clothes means I can donate some gently worn clothes to shelters or halfway houses; the restaurant bill provides a way for me to help assist a single mom working 2 jobs to make ends meet and raising 3 kids by matching the amount of the bill to the tip I leave; and on and on it goes. Turning money into “blessed money” becomes a way of life.  Imagine if a church decided to turn all of the congregation’s money into blessed money. Just think of the impact that would have – and not just on those who would be the beneficiaries of the gifting, but even more so, the spiritual impact that would have on the individuals in the church who surrendered their need to own and control “their” money and instead gave it all away to God, and used it all as blessed money for kingdom purposes.  That, my friends, is what Jesus teaches us to do. And in so doing, money gets transformed from being one the greatest dangers to our faith lives into one of the most powerful spiritual forces for good in our lives.  Think about it. Definitely pray about it. And then start. Do something blessed with your money once a day. Get into the habit of seeing the money that you have as God’s money. And then see the blessings begin to flow. And follow God’s lead to new ways to bless your money every day!

If you do, the day will come when you wake up and realize that you’ve become the richest person you know!       In His Name & By His Way <>< Pastor Bob

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2 STEPS TO FREEDOM!

<>< In the 12th Chapter of the Gospel of Luke, as Jesus is laying down some pretty specific teachings about the challenges of living a life according to His Way, He reminds us all of this eternal and universal principle: From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”   <>< When we hear Jesus pronounce this as His truth, we are compelled to stop and reflect on our own life. It’s safe to say that most of us are indeed blessed in our lifestyle – with the means and resources we have to live safely and comfortably. And while tragedy and disappointment continue to plague our lives as it does all lives, some of us have a much easier path to walk on a daily basis.  And because of that, we certainly can be counted among the ones that Jesus was directing his comments to in this scripture verse. Even though we always want more … it’s obvious that we have more than enough. Indeed, much has been given to us. And likewise, we have much that we are responsible for. God has entrusted us with many precious possessions and relations in our lives. So, Jesus tells us that even more will be demanded of us.  So, here’s the bottom line of this teaching: God is requiring more from us and demanding more from us. The question then becomes, are you up for it?  The problem with those of us who live in a relative position of abundance is that we become blinded by our attachments and possessions. Our vision grows more and more limited, until finally all we can see is our self and our things.  But recognizing this as our primary hurdle to living in the freedom that Jesus is offering to us is the first step to moving beyond our limited vision and acquiring the sight to see the reality of our situation.  There are 2 conditions that must be rectified if we are ever to emerge from our self-absorbed life: 

  • The vision to see beyond ourselves, and
  • The vision to see beyond this world.

If the message of Jesus could be summed up in 2 challenges, these would be the challenges.  First Jesus calls us over and over again to learn to see beyond ourselves. He teaches all kinds of people in all kinds of situations one consistent truth – the “other” is always more important to you, and you are here to serve them.  Of course, the world we live in teaches us the exact opposite message. Every day we are taught that it is all about us, that the world revolves around our values and priorities (or at least it should!), and that we deserve to “have it our way.” Instead, Jesus asks us to reject that self-centered way of life and embrace His “Way” in which we love God with all our being and we love our neighbor as ourselves. That’s the first step. Then Jesus calls us to extend our vision even further. Just when we gain the sight to see beyond ourselves, He asks us to see beyond this world. It’s not all about this world! Jesus tells us that a new world has come – one He calls the Kingdom of God. It is for this world that His followers are now asked to live for … and in.  Again, over and over, Jesus urges us to disdain the ways and things of this life and attach ourselves to the things that our eternal. He teaches us to pray that God’s Kingdom will come, and that God’s will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  In effect, Jesus is saying that everything we have and all those we love should be dedicated to God in heaven and our Kingdom life ono earth. If we can do that, then the Kingdom begins to take shape in our lives, and we can see God in all the things around us. That is the second step.  If you’re looking for 2 serious but necessary spiritual principles to adopt in your faith life, try this: Fall on your knees and ask God to give you the vision to clearly and consistently see beyond yourself – and to then give you the vision to clearly and consistently see beyond this world.  If you pray this prayer in the name of Jesus, and you pray it sincerely on a regular basis, then God will begin to work in new ways in your life and give you the vision that you ask for – which is the vision Jesus had and the vision he tells us we need in order to be truly free.  To those who are much blessed … let us share a new vision that extends beyond us … and this world … so that we can see God in everybody and everything around us. On that day, we will all proclaim together: Welcome to the Kingdom, sisters and brothers!  All for the glory of God <>< Pastor Bob <><


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