Church

Mary’s baby.  Born over 2,000 years ago in a small town known as Bethlehem.  He entered the world not in a palace – not even a Marriot – but a stable. Much has changed over the last 2,000 years. Many of us drive more miles in an average month than Mary or Joseph traveled in their lifetime.  Back then, breaking news was spread from person-to-person, from town to town. Today, we know within seconds when an earthquake strikes Asia.  Our cell phones allow us to talk with people the next state over while looking up directions to the restaurant across town. On the other hand, not much about human nature has changed at all. We still battle selfish behavior.  We wrestle with the weight of poor decisions.  We long to be accepted, to feel like we belong. And most of all, we still need a Savior. Which connects Christmas to…

Last week I bought a new Bible (New Living Translation, center reference edition, faux leather) and have begun reading through the gospels.  I finished Matthew this morning and started the book of Mark.  Through the first four chapters, I noticed how often Mark describes people's reaction to Jesus: Mark 1:22 ... "The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law." Mark 1:27-28 ... "Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!”  The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee." Mark 1:33 ... "The whole town gathered at the door to watch." Mark 1:37 ... "When they found him, they said, 'Everyone is looking for you.'" Mark 1:45 ... "But the man went…

After Christmas I will be preaching a two-part series at Mountainview called "Under New Management."  The basic premise is this: When you invite Jesus into your life, be careful.  When he takes up residence, he likes to change things around. The first message will be "Closed for Remodeling," picking up on this idea that salvation and transformation go hand-in-hand.  God loves us as we are ... but has no intention of leaving us there. The second message will be "Casting Nets or Casting Stones."  This is the one I'm currently ruminating (!) over.   As Christ-followers, we can choose to be a person who casts stones -- like those in John 8:1-11.  To those who felt "holier than thou" Jesus offered this challenge: ""If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Too many Christ-followers are stone throwers.  It's easy for…

When we enter into a relationship with Jesus, we give him the right to go through our spiritual closet and add new items, as well as throwing out a few things.  I can just imagine Jesus saying, "These pants really don’t match that shirt any more.  Throw them out." That's one of the reasons that salvation is also referred to as conversion or transformation.  It's not just about "being saved."  It's about being transformed into the likeness of Jesus.  No small task. What gets converted?  For one thing, Jesus has given us a new way of conducting ourselves in our relationships.  To be thrown out are things such as selfishness, greed, conceit, envy ... those old clothes that endanger our relationships.  It might have been comfortable to wear selfishness on a cold winter's day, but it's not appropriate anymore. We also take on new goals as part of this conversion…

One of my favorite chapters in Primal by Mark Batterson is called "The Tribe of the Transplanted."  It begins by discussing the topic of heart transplants and how the recipients are changed.  Those who received new hearts spoke of having new desires, new passions.  They spoke of having a sense of responsibility to the men and women who donated their hearts. Taking it from physiology to spirituality, Batterson then writes, "When you give your heart to Christ, Christ gives His heart to you."  We become a part of the tribe of the transplanted.  Having the heart of Jesus within us should move us to act and feel differently. Unfortunately, many Christ-followers are often viewed as heartless.  And this is where Batterson talks about approaching our culture heart-first instead of head-first.  He calls compassion the "ultimate apologetic." "If you are in Christ and Christ is in you, you cannot be okay…