 The church has been celebrating Christmas since December 25th 336
Other cultures had winter festivals around this time, The Jews had the festival of Lights - The church took the season over with the celebration of the birth of Christ. No one knows the exact date when Jesus was born, but the church used the last part of the year, the darkest part of the year - to celebrate that the LIGHT has come. It’s around 450 AD that the church introduces Advent to mark the beginning of the church liturgical year. It’s the celebration of Christ’s coming to the world, His coming to the hearts of men. The 8th century English missionary, St. Boniface, Apostle to Germany, is supposed to have held up the evergreen as a symbol of the everlasting Christ. By the end of the sixteenth century, Christmas trees were common in Germany. Some say Luther cut the first, took it home, and decked it with candles to represent the stars. When the German court came to England, the Christmas tree came with them. Around the thirteenth century, Christians added one of the most pleasant touches of all to Christmas celebration when they began to sing Christmas carols. Now before you start thinking - Hey, Jesus never instituted Christmas, why should we celebrate it? Think about this: Hanukkah (also known as the festival of lights) was not instituted by God. It commemorates the victories of Judas Maccabeus in 167 BC and the re-institution of temple worship. Jesus showed up the at the temple during this holiday (John 10:22 called the feast of dedication). He announces that He and the Father are one. God used a holiday that He didn't create that celebrated a deliverer to announce that The Deliverer is HERE. Man created this Holiday, But God brought GLORY. They were celebrating the festival of lights and Jesus - The Light of the World shows up. Christmas / Advent is a man made holiday that Christ is revealing himself through - If we Celebrate it!!! John 1: 1-5 Passion Translation 1 In the very beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God. They were together—face-to-face, in the very beginning. And through his creative inspiration this Living Expression made all things, for nothing has existence apart from him! Life came into being because of him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom the Light that darkness could not diminish John 1:12-14 Passion Translation But those who embraced him and took hold of his name were given authority to become the children of God! He was not born by the joining of human parents or from natural means, or by a man’s desire, but he was born of God. And so the Living Expression became a man and lived among us! And we gazed upon the splendor of his glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the Father overflowing with tender mercy and truth! He dwelled among us - Immanuel (God With Us) The Word became flesh and made his home among us. Look at the definition of the Greek word “among”. Among: 1722 en (a preposition) – properly, in (inside, within); (figuratively) "in the realm (sphere) of," as in the condition (state) in which something operates from the inside (within). John 1:12-14 Mirror So, the Word (Logos/Logic of God) was made flesh and dwelt among us so that we could experientially know that He dwells WITHIN us! He has made us his address! Acts 17:28 NLT For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ The Beloved Son, stepped out of eternity into history to be THE point of meeting, THE point of union, THE connection between the Trinity, on the one side, and humanity on the other. The Son became human to be THE place where the life of the Trinity intersects with and flows into human existence, and human existence is taken up into the life of the Trinity, now and forever. The Great Dance By C. Baxter Kruger The Word, the expression of God, the exact representation of God became flesh! This was no half-hearted attempt by which God simply disguised Himself in a human body. This was a permanent commitment by which God forever joined Himself to humanity – His eternal destiny bound up in the destiny of man. He became man in the fullest sense possible. The authentic Creator, the true light that enlightens every man came into this world. His mission was nothing less than shattering our illusions, exposing the unreal, unoriginal and fake identity that we embraced outside of Him. He came with the clear message to darkness that it’s time was up. Darkness has had all the opportunity it needed and failed to fulfill man, failed to provide a viable alternative. The incarnation reveals that our true selves, our true humanity can only be found in union with God. Jesus brings the final and thorough judgement that the law failed to bring: judgement on the ignorance and lies that man so desperately embraced. The emptiness and futility of separation is exposed by Christ. Simultaneously He introduces us to our true substance, to our existence in Him. The Creator became part of creation to redeem it from the grasp of corruption. In the incarnation He draws His creation back into the significance and value for which He created it. He reveals our true significance, our eternal origin and destiny in Him. There’s a reason why Jesus continually referred to himself as THE son of man. Jesus came to unveil the truth of what had always been. He says it 30 times in Matthew - 31 times in Luke - 16 times in Mark and 15 times in John Son (hwee-os) - of those whom God esteems as sons, whom he loves, protects and benefits above others Man (Anth'-ro-pos) - a human being, whether male or female - generically, to include all human individuals The word for man is mankind. Jesus could just have easily said “I am mankind. I am humanity.” In the beginning God breathed out of Himself into mankind the breath of life and we became living souls. The Bible says God chose us In Christ before the foundations of the world. Ephesians 1:3-11 Mirror Translation He came to unveil the truth of our origin, our genesis in him, our identity, our authentic original blueprint, to show us who we really were. Born from above. In eternal oneness with the Father. Sharing the same nature as the Father. Resembling his character and essence. Inheriting all that he is and all that he’s already given Us in him before time and space began. He said: I (mankind) and the Father are one. We’ve always been in Christ. This is the message of ADVENT - He has come to reveal this to mankind - WE ARE IN HIM!!! Nothing can separate all of humanity from this truth. It’s bound up in the body of Christ
Nothing can change what is already objectively true from heaven’s perspective.
You possess eternal Zoe life right now. What do I do with this? How does I even respond to all this revelation? The good news is that the hard work has already been done for you! Jesus defeated everything that stood in the way of you being you!
Here’s a simple suggestion to give expression to this faith. Turn your focus inward. Become aware of the One who made you and united Himself with you … within you. In your own thoughts and words respond … something like: “Thank you for who You are and what You have done for me. As You gave yourself in love to me, I give myself in love to You. You made me in Your image and likeness. You made me to be loved, Thank You” This is the Celebration of Christmas. This revelation will jumpstart your heart! You’ll put as many lights as you can on your house, tree, car - You will want all to see this LIGHT. You will realize that there is no war on XMAS because you can’t defeat this! You can’t stop it.
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 This coming Halloween offers a great opportunity for many to engage in new relationships with those around us or to revisit some old relationships with new intentionality. Regardless of what you think of the holiday and it’s roots, the culture we have been sent by Jesus to reach is going to celebrate Halloween. We all have in front of us a wide open door for engagement in our neighborhoods. I want to encourage you not to miss out on the opportunity.
If you are looking to be more intentionally engaged this year, I want to present you with a few ideas for how you can more effectively walk through the open door that Halloween presents to us. BE HOSPITABLE Don’t just give out candy: 1. Give out the best Candy - Please, don’t give out tracks or toothbrushes or pennies…kids are looking for the master loot of candy. Put yourself in their shoes. 2. Think of the Parents - Consider having some Hot Apple Cider and pumpkin bread or muffins out for the parents who are bringing their little kiddos around the block. Make your entry-way inviting so they want to come closer and hang for a bit if possible. 3. Be Present - Don’t hide out all night. Come out to the door or hang out on the porch and if they stop to have some cider, get to know their names and where they live in the neighborhood. 4. Be EncouragingTell the kids you love their costumes and to have a great night. Practice building others up with words. 5. Party - If you’re really into it, you may want to throw a pre-Trick or Treating party. Provide dinner and drinks. Then, send the dads out trick or treating with the kids while the moms continue hanging with some hot apple cider, coffee or tea. Then reconvene with the parents and kids together to examine all of the loot (kids love to show their parents and other kids the loot). 6. Learn the Stories - If you are out Trick or Treating with the kiddos or staying back with the other parents, ask questions…get to know their stories. Pay attention to their hearts and their felt needs. Look for opportunities to serve them later. This is how I first got to know Clay (while Jayne was hanging with Kristi and the other moms). I learned his story while we were with the kids and Jayne got to know hers. This led to both of them eventually coming to faith in Jesus. GO TO THEIR PLACE Join what is happening elsewhere: 7. Attend the Party - If others are throwing parties, you may want to join them. If so, bring drinks, food or whatever is needed. Then, serve by helping to clean up. 8. Join the Community - If your community has key events, join them and invite some neighbors to go with you (then get to know their stories along the way). Our area has a trick or treating event on a main street where all the businesses give out candy, the firemen give tours of the fire engines, etc. We go with a group of friends to this each year and consistently meet more people to reach out to. 9. Head to the “Watering Holes” - If you do not have kids or are not going to engage in the Trick or Treating activities or events, consider going to the local pubs, restaurants or clubs near you for their events and get to know the people there. Make it your goal to learn the story of at least one person who needs Jesus and walk away with some next steps on how to serve them. You will want to do this with others so that you don’t go it alone. BE PRAYERFUL Ask for the Spirit to lead, guide and work: 10. Pay Attention - Ask the Spirit to open your eyes and ears to the real needs around you. 11. Stay Dependent - Ask the Spirit to help you listen, care and serve those around you. 12. Open Doors - Ask the Spirit for open doors for new relationships and gospel conversations. 13. HAVE FUN - That's right - Have fun - it's ok So often we find ourselves confused or unsure as we walk through life. Maybe you’re confused RIGHT NOW about something. Maybe you’re not sure what is right or wrong in a situation…. Maybe you have decisions to make, and you’re not sure what is best….Maybe you aren’t sure who you are supposed to be, or where to invest your time, or even how to respond to a text message. Whether it’s something big or small, I want to remind you what 1 Corinthians 14:33 says: “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace”. God gives peace, not confusion. He also directs our steps, like Psalm 37:23-24 says. He delights in EVERY detail of your life. You can be confident that even if you’re confused about the smallest detail of your life, God cares and He will direct you! 
James Chapter 4
VS 1) Global Identity Crisis - When you don't live from your own identity found in Christ you live from LACK - Lack puts you under the law of works again VS 4)Stop flirting with who you used to be - The Father yearns for us to see us as we are intended to be Self effort in the law sabotages - Yield to the Christ Mindset - It overcome the "devil" {Broken Mindsets} VS 7 VS 10) Get face to face with the Father and see who yo really are Gossip is not a part of your new identity -it insults grace God is Judge (Father) and Salvation - He renders performance irrelevant Chapter 5 VS 1-6 James is speaking to a specific scenario (This is the second time he has brought up bad leadership in his letter) He's not slamming those with wealth but actually warning those in high positions of power with in the Jewish religious system at the time. He is continuing the warning that Jesus gave when he said - "This generation will not pass away". They were both warning of the end of the old system through the destruction of the temple in 70 AD. One thing we can take from these verses is that If we are in positions of authority we should do everything with integrity and grace. VS 7-9 If we are going through stuff we need to remain passionate about the presence of the Father - Religion and control thrives on 2 lies 1. That God is distant 2. That God is slow (Delay) Jesus cancelled both of those as the Christ - He said the Harvest is Ripe VS 10 -11) James is writing mostly to Jewish Christians so he is reminding them of the heroes of faith they learned about when they were younger - Father was with them and He came through! VS 12) Integrity - Yes be yes - No be no VS 13) PMA even in the tuff times Sing - Worship Live from ZOE not negativity VS 14) you are not in this alone - Open up/ Talk about it Depression should not be a taboo subject in the church VS 15) The Prayer of Faith Prayer (Yoo-Khay) personal conversations - to fall in with/ meet with Faith (Pistis) trust in the father Talking with the Father about who you are restores Identity He will revitalize - Quicken with Zoe - Forgive the stupid stuff we do sometimes VS 16) Walk in forgiveness - (NO BAD VIBES) Walking in unforgiveness blinds you of your true self. It causes you to forget your right standing with the Father - Which makes conversations with the Father fall flat because you think you're unworthy BUT Our right standing fuels effective prayer. VS 17-18) Elijah shows us the Prayer Works - Super naturally VS 19-20) If your friend forgets who they really are - GO TELL THEM
Notes On Chapter 2
Faith = Trust Trust in who the Father says you are - revealed through the mirror Jesus. When you discriminate, you not only mistrust those your discriminating against but you're mistrusting what the Father says about you. Trusting in the Real You is the True measure of Wealth Our hearts should be that everyone find that real measure of wealth VS 9) Sin (harmartia) anything that robs you or anyone else of their true identity (What the Father says about them) VS 10-11) The old way [ the law] isn't going to fix this - We need the Law of Freedom/Law of Grace - We have to let GRACE set the pace for life not the law Judgement was the old way of doing things - But mercy is Christ's Way Mercy > Judgement VS 14-18) Faith in Action is LOVE (AGAPE) To not love reveals a dead FAITH We do not trust the Father but judgement - We trust judgement over what the Father says about us and others - We are not walking in our true Identity Without Action we will never see who we really are! All talk and no action is demonic - All bark and No bite Abraham - Friendship w/ Father is the fruit of our Right standing we received through the Christ - This changed our Lifestyle - We started living like we are loved = We trusted the image we saw reflected back to us- The Real Father & The Real Us!!! [ The story of Abraham and Isaac is not one of God asking someone to sacrifice his son but an illustrated story to show that The FATHER AND SON were in this together reconciling the WORLD - The Father did not despise the Son and leave Him - The Trinity was at the Cross!] VS 25) The actions of Caleb and Joshua opened Rahab's eyes - She acted on the message they shared and her whole household experienced salvation. Rahab's picture of the Father was that of the 36 gods the canaanites served. All of them demanded some sort of sacrifice from their subjects - Either blood or body. She was probably a prostitute in one of the courts of these gods. Caleb [means Faithful devotion, wholehearted, bold and brave] and Joshua [means Yahweh is Salvation - Father Saves He Doesn't Destroy] show up and show Rahab what God is actually like - This picture Radically Changes Her Life. NOTES ON CHAPTER 3 You don't know it all so stop arguing - Stop trying to 'mansplain' or talk down to folks Stick to the things that encourage you and others in your true identity Your tongue can be a DUMPSTER FIRE (hell = Gehenna - The trash pile outside Jerusalem that was constantly burning) When we insult others we are insulting the Image of God that they are created in. You can't produce Bitter and Fresh water - It has to be one or the other Humility shows the quality of your conversations - it sets you apart from all the noise. It shows that you have wisdom and skilled understanding. Your hidden agenda (one who wants to dominate someone else's identity) delivers you over to demons or daimon (greek) - Not speaking of "demons" but one who is like a gambler - that might win sometimes at a casino but eventually they will lose everything - Self Destruct. What we should aim for in our interactions:
NOTES
Background: James was actually called Jacob (There was no greek name for James) One of the first letters written to the early church (AD 45-47) Jacob is the oldest of Jesus' younger brothers. He wasn't a follower of Jesus until after the resurrection. He became the presiding the apostle over the Jerusalem church. He was called "Old Camel Knees" because of how much time he spent in prayer. He was stoned to death in AD 62 Major Themes - Wisdom from above - Seek it out - Testing and Trials - You can do it - Law of Freedom (Grace) > Law of Moses - We express our faith through our good works James 1 (Read in Passion Translation and Mirror) Joy in knowing who you are leads you out triumphantly every time Joy in who you are (identity) - Leads to victory Lead - Postion of authority Joy of who you are in Christ puts you in control - You don't have to fake joy (no mask/no front) Joy is the fruit of what your faith knows to be true about you! So what is your fait? Where is it pointing to? Do you see yourself seated with Christ or seated with who you used to be? This is why James (Jacob) says to ask for Wisdom (VS 5) A faith that points to a correct view of the Father and the Father's view of you is stabilizing - It's a solid foundation to build life. Faith in the wrong view of Father and yourself leads to a poor foundation and anything that is built on that foundation will fall and crash on top of you. VS 12) Temptation: anything that would entice us to see the Father a different or us in a different way. Our true identity is as a crowned victor - Our lives prove the currency (wealth) and character (announcement of true identity) of our design. The Father is not the author of temptation because he would never bring anything to you that would taint your picture of him or the true you He does not tempt to teach us a lesson - We are the ones who wander What the Father gives is good gifts from above (the same place we originate from) He has no hidden agenda - He is Good! VS 19) Ponder the Word (Jesus) - He reveals our true identity When we believe in any other origin it frustrates us - Like trying to put on clothes you use to wear when you were a baby - James calls that EVIL (Rebellion) and that we need to get rid of it. Meditate on this verse - Let it marinate in your heart VS 22) "Give the word (Jesus) your undivided attention: do not underestimate yourself. Make the calculation. There can be only one logical conclusion: Your authentic origin is mirrored in the Word (Jesus). You are God's poem: Let His voice make poetry of your life." So which life are you going to live: One of a spectator or a participator Spectator: Life in Grace is to good to be true Forgets who Jesus is as soon as they walk away from the mirror Like the narrow way - Easy Way Participator: Mesmerized by what you see Captivated by the law of true freedom Reflection sets you free to be the real you Real life begins - The poetry of practical living VS 26) What is meaningless conversations? The viewpoint of a spectator - It sounds safe but since when was Jesus safe? Your tongue - Conversations should be attached to what your heart knows about you The Father is the purest form of practical living - It's one of love and overflows with generosity That's why James says the "Purest religion" is the one that restores Orphans and Widows - WHY? because those to groups of people forget who they are and who the father says they are due to the circumstances they find themselves in. We should be ones to reach out to the Outcast and Forgotten!  "Let me be clear, the Anointed One has set us free—not partially, but completely and wonderfully free! We must always cherish this truth and stubbornly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past." Ephesians 5:1 Passion Translation Christ has set you free: - Free from being without - Free from lack - Free from being mistaken - Free from missing the mark Being without and missing the mark is living according to the "Sarx" or the flesh. The Sarx means substance, flesh and bears an animal nature - This is who we think we are before Christ. It's developed by our surroundings, our parents, neighbors, friends, our environment. All of these things have a positive and negative impact on how we see ourselves. The choices we make also have a huge affect on how we see ourselves as well. Those positive and negative consequences based on our choices can have a huge impact on identity. So Paul tells us in verse 16 of Ephesians 5 to yield freely and fully to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit and we will abandon the cravings of the flesh (the sarx) - who we think we are based on outside voices. "I conclude: let the Spirit be the dominate influence in your daily walk and see how it defeats the cravings of the flesh" Ephesians 5:16 Mirror Translation The difference between a Sarx mindset and a Spirit Mindset Paul pits these two mindsets against each other
Legalism, the law - the mindset of the sarx, can neither match nor contradict the mindset of the spirit. It cannot create the same outcome because there is no law against LOVE. If you understand that your right standing is in Christ and that it does not come as a reward from your ability to keep some set of rules, you will see that your sarx has been co-crucified with Christ.
So heres the deal - Jesus defines who we really are - not the flesh - not who we think we are. We now take our lead from the Holy Spirit. There is now authority in the steps we take in life because we have found out who we are in him. The Christ life is now the most dominate lifestyle in the universe - The Lifestyle of Agape! "So if the Son sets you free from sin, then become a true son and be unquestionably free!" John 8:36 Passion Translation You have been set free to be a true son and daughter so take his word to its complete conclusion about you! You find real freedom in that truth. The fruit of the Spirit (Tree of Life mindset) now resides inside of you not the fruit of the sarx. Wake up everyday determined to live from the spirit.  "Jesus explained, “I am the Way, I am the Truth, and I am the Life. No one comes next to the Father except through union with me. To know me is to know my Father too. And from now on you will realize that you have seen him and experienced him." John 14:6,7 Passion Translation If we want an accurate picture of God we don't need to look any further than Jesus Christ. Through Jesus we meet God as God really is. Jesus said "If you've seen me, you've seen the Father." He is the perfect revelation of the Father. "No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor except the uniquely beloved Son, who is cherished by the Father and held close to his heart. Now he has unfolded to us the full explanation of who God truly is!" John 1:18 Passion Translation In Jesus' own words and actions, we hear and see what really matters most to every human being - That the Father loves us unconditionally. Jesus came out of the immeasurable love unbending commitment of the Father to all of us. To know Jesus is to know God which means what we believe about Jesus is our theology. The Genesis of our understanding has to start with Jesus. Our study of the scriptures has to start with Jesus. He is the Word - The Logos and the Rhema. The Word interprets scripture not the other way around. Jesus has to be the lens we interpret scripture thru. When we read about God we have to see him through Jesus - If our picture of God we read about does not look like Jesus we need to reinterpret how we see Him. My Thoughts On How To Read Scriptures 1. Be Boldly Honest
Don't be afraid of questions. Keep asking and seeking. It's ok if you don't understand everything. 2. Be Eagerly Hopeful Read as an act of faith and hope. With out hope and faith, asking questions is just cynical and irritating. 3. Be Relentlessly Jesus Centered Stay focused on Jesus and His teachings when you read scripture. Here's my advice when studying scripture is to really dig into the gospels and get a grasp on Jesus and His teachings then tackle Acts and tackle some of the Torah (the first 5 books of the OT). With a clear picture of Jesus you can really see the unconditional love and wisdom of God the Father, Son and Spirit towards us. Walking through scripture with clear eyes on Jesus really fills your heart.  ADVENT WEEK 3 - A Seat At The Big Table Isaiah 9:2 NLT “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.” Isaiah 9:6-7 NLT “For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!” Isaiah 60:1-2 NIV ““Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” John 1:1-5 NLT In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:12-14 Mirror Translation “Everyone who realizes their association in him, convinced that he is their original life and that his name defines them, God gives them the assurance that they are indeed his offspring, begotten of him; he sanctions the legitimacy of their sonship. These are the ones who discover their genesis in God beyond their natural conception! This is not about blood lineage or whether we were a wanted or unwanted child: this is about our God begotteness. We are his dream come true and not the invention of our parents. You are indeed the greatest idea God ever had! Suddenly the invisible, eternal Word takes on visible form- the Incarnation on display in a flesh and blood person as a mirror! In Him, and now confirmed in us! The most accurate tangible display of God’s eternal thought finds expression in human life. The Word became a human being; we are His address; He resides in us! He captivates our gaze! The glory we see there is not is not a religious replica; He is the authentic begotten Son. The glory (we lost in Adam) returns in fullness! Only grace can communicate truth in such complete context” John 1:16-17 Mirror Translation “ He is the source of our completeness. Everyone may now realize his or her own completeness as evidenced in Him. This was grace were no grace was due. The law was given through Moses; Grace and Truth have their genesis in Jesus Christ. Against the stark backdrop of the law, with Moses representing the condemned state of mankind, Jesus Christ unveils grace and truth! John 8:1-11 NLT Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd. “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8: 10-11 Mirror Translation “When Jesus stood up again, there was no-one there except the woman. So Jesus asked her. ‘Where are they?’ Has no one condemned you?’ She answered, ‘No one Lord!’ and Jesus said to her, ‘Neither am I condemning you- go and sin no more- never again believe a lie about yourself!” SIN (hamartia) from ha - negative or without and meros - portion or form; thus distorted a pattern - the root of sin is too believe a lie about yourself. Romans 6:14 in the Mirror Translation says: Sin was your master while the law was your measure; now grace rules. (The law revealed your slavery to sin, now grace reveals your freedom from it.) So Jesus didn't say to the lady go and sin less - He said go and sin no more. Jesus knew something about the life of our design that we had lost sight of. What He reveals He redeems! Sin consciousness is what empowers religion - It emboldens it. It’s Darkness! After this encounter Jesus declares He is the Light of the world - The light that pierces the darkness of religion (It pierces the LAW) John 8:12-20 NLT Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (Whoever journeys with shall not walk in darkness but will radiate the light of life! - Mirror Translation) The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.” Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.” “Where is your father?” they asked. Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come. What was the Temple Treasury?
Most of the activities recorded in the New Testament took place in the Treasury, also known as the Court of the Women. When, for example, we read that Jesus taught in the Temple, He taught here. The Treasury was a court that was located to the east of the Temple itself, just below the Nicanor Gate. This court is also called the Court of the Women, as that is as far as women were allowed to enter the Temple courts. It was in this court that the Presentation of Jesus and the meeting with Simeon and Anna the Prophetess (Luke 2.25–38) took place. During the Feast of Tabernacles, a water-libation ceremony took place every evening, that was watched by many people standing in this Court of the Women. When the water that was drawn from the Siloam Pool in a golden vessel was poured out on the Altar, Jesus said: “If any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink”. Golden lamp stands on high towers in the court were lit, casting light over the whole city. Again, Jesus was here when he said “I am the light of the world” in John 8. Continuing the tradition of Jesus’ teaching in the Treasury, the disciples taught here too on a daily basis. So Jesus is revealing who the Father is right in the midst of the one place in the temple that is inclusive Where all are welcome Not in the hidden chambers where only the select few can go
(As much as we were co-included in His death,) we are co-included in His resurrection. We are also elevated in His ascension to be equally welcome in the throne room of the heavenly realm where we are now seated together with Him in absolute authority. We are in Christ Jesus. We are seated with Him! Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. Who is David’s Enemy? - The Law - Religion - Darkness - It’s keeping him from seeing the Table - But Jesus prepares and reveals it - Setting a table was a sign of showing respect - God is inviting you to the big kids table “Lord, you give me all I need to be respected and victorious in the face of my enemies.”  You are valuable, you are loved, and someone knows you even better than you know yourself. There is an image and likeness imprinted upon your being that is the basis of your value … a value beyond your wildest dreams.
The one who invented and designed you, stamped you with His own image and likeness. He knows you better than you know you. He knew you before you were born. You might not know Him, but He has always known you. You might not be aware of Him, but He has always had you on His mind. You might think ‘why’ … why would anyone have such an obsession with me. Well, the creator of this universe sees a value and a beauty in you beyond anything else. When, Where and Why you began. Whatever age you are, you have a beginning that cannot be measured in time. You have the most awesome origin. In the beginning, before creation, before time as we experience it, before the existence of evil, there was a dynamic exchange of love, a relationship without boundaries. God- The Father, Son and the Spirit- in the very midst of their fiery love, at the core of their passion, the idea of you came into being! The God who is love planned to share this love with beings created in His image and likeness. This God, who is all-knowing and able to accomplish all of His purposes, planned a love-affair that would span over eons and conclude with a final victory in which His love conquered all – no contradiction; no evil. This good news is not some new idea, but the ancient, original thought of God. Let’s imagine this beginning, let’s allow the spirit of God to draw us to this place in which all things had their origin. Although no science can explain it, although the greatest minds have tried and failed to define it, God is confident that you are able to comprehend this; to appreciate the motivation that gave you birth; to remember where you began. In this place there is no space, no limit, no emptiness – there is only God in all His fullness. It is out of His fulness, out of the overflow of love that you are conceived. God did not imagine a pet that would simply entertain Him! You are His God-dream. You are a being who has the capacity to intelligently appreciate, to receive, to produce and to exchange the same quality of love that flows within God. His plan is not vague or speculative philosophy, but clear and specific. And so before the foundation of this world, He saw you in Christ. At this point, He made up His mind about you! No matter what detours, no matter what contradictions would come, He determined that you would be His treasure – blameless and innocent before Him in love. When did you begin? Before creation, before time itself. Where did you begin? In the very heart of love, a love relationship we call God. Why did you begin? To be loved, adored … and ultimately for that love to be awakened in you. "In the very beginning the Living Expression was already there. And the Living Expression was with God, yet fully God. They were together—face-to-face, in the very beginning. And through his creative inspiration this Living Expression made all things, for nothing has existence apart from him! Life came into being because of him, for his life is light for all humanity. And this Living Expression is the Light that bursts through gloom the Light that darkness could not diminish!" John 1:1-5 Passion Translation Man began in God. No matter how far man has fallen from his original place of innocence, God has never been confused about the true identity of man. Jesus Christ is the place, the event and the person in which God and man meet once again. In Christ Jesus, God has taken the initiative to reconcile man back to Himself – to restore man to blameless innocence. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, and as such does not only represent God’s initiative, He also represents man’s perfect response of faith to God’s initiative. Jesus reveals the heart of God more than any other story ever told or any scripture ever written. In Him God reveals that He does not want to be God apart from us. He does not want to be a distant or unknowable God. The only way in which He wants to be God, is with man, in man, and as a man. Jesus reveals the truth about man more accurately than any other story, or even the factual history of man. In Him we see that the only way to be fully man, the only way to be fully free, is in union with God. This passion of God to restore man to that place of union, would drive Him to pay any price, to go to any depth to see it accomplished. And so in the act of becoming man, He places Himself in a position of conflict. Everything that has ever stood between God and man, every obstacle and every form of separation (called sin in the Bible) would meet and come to a final conclusion in this God-man, Christ Jesus. When your timeless Creator became a man, He mystically united Himself with you, so that He could bring an end to everything that stood between you and release you to be fully and truly yourself again. In this unity He faced everything you faced … and conquered! In His death, you died! That old state of being, separated from Him and united with sin, was brought to a final end in Him. He has wiped your slate clean, forgiven you of every wrongdoing. In His resurrection, you were resurrected to newness of life – that original life that God imagined for you from the beginning. In His ascension, you were raised to the most glorious place of honor – a place where God delights in you! The only thing that has ever kept you from enjoying these realities, is blindness. Not seeing what He sees, keeps us from enjoying what He enjoys. But these very words you are reading now, are reminding you of your union with Him. "As for me, because I am innocent I will see your face until I see you for who you really are. Then I will awaken with your form and be fully satisfied, fulfilled in the revelation of your glory in me!" Psalm 17:15 NLT What should I do? What do I do with this? How does I even respond to all this revelation? The good news is that the hard work has already been done for you! Jesus defeated everything that stood between you! Gratitude … love awakened, is all that’s left to do. Gratitude unleashes FAITH! Here’s a simple suggestion to give expression to this faith. Turn your focus inward. Become aware of the One who made you and united Himself with you … within you. In your own thoughts and words respond … something like: “Thank you for who You are and what You have done for me. As You gave yourself in love to me, I give myself in love to You. You made me in Your image and likeness. You made me to be loved, Thank You” |
Hope is hereAt Hope Community Church, we believe that when you see Jesus without the religious baggage you’ll find someone undeniably life-changing and worth following. We hope you see and experience Jesus through these thoughts, videos and messages. Archives
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