Sunday, April 21, 2013
HE IS RISEN – ALL THINGS NEW (Part 3)
What Happened after Jesus was Crucified?
Pastor Dan Burchett
Written by Lance Paul Fisher

John 21:7-9 (TNIV)
7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

In continuation of the “All Things New” sermon series, we continue to see how affected the disciples were following the crucifixion of our Lord and Savior and what our Lord did to gather them again to rejuvenate their spirit and set them off on the right path. The disciples did not know what to do with themselves and went off to do the things that were familiar to them. Often times, it is helpful to immerse ourselves in the material things that are familiar following a tragic incident. In the example of Peter for instance, he went fishing with the others and sat in the boat with not a single bite. All of the sudden, they heard a man from the shore telling them to throw the net over the other side of the boat where they will surely catch fish. Logically, Peter knew it was ridiculous, but went ahead and did it anyway. All of the sudden the nets were filled to the brink and it immediately clicked within Peter that this man on the shore was the Lord. He jumped out of the boat and swam about a hundred yards to reach him.

The higher message here is that “man cannot live on bread alone.” Bread, in this case, is all things material. That there are supernatural circumstances from the Lord we must pay attention to…even when it defies logic. Those people that understand NOT to rely on the material world, reap much success through faith and listening for the Word of God at every crossroad. Just today, I received disappointing news about a business prospect. Historically, I would heed into the distraction, perhaps wallow in my misery, but instead, I decided to practice what I preach. I ran to God and those disparaging feelings went away by the time I finished my session with Him and here I am with my hands to the plow as if nothing happened. This is the miracle of God. When we run to Him for everything, He quickly heals us so that we can carry on with His plan. We are not much different than the people of those ancient times following the crucifixion. Paul tells us in scripture that our natural tendency is to look at the natural and ignore the supernatural. Unless we are looking for the spiritual answers, we will not find them.

1 Corinthians 2:13 (TNIV) 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.

After they reached the shore, they had breakfast together. Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him and initially, Peter responded in the material world way that he loved him like a brother, warmly – with affection using the word “Phileo.” Jesus ended up asking him three times, the same number of times Peter denounced ever knowing Christ, following the events immediately after the crucifixion. He kept asking him until Peter responded with a word from the ancient Roman times: “agape” meaning self-sacrificial love – a love so dear, you would die for it. Peter did end up dying for the love of Christ as he moved away from his material world position of a fisherman and on to an evangelist in the ultimate expression of love following such traumatic times. But Christ rewarded Peter in response to his demonstrated love, as Christ deemed him the rock that all churches would be built upon. And as Pastor stated during the sermon, “never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light.” One can never doubt themselves if they have given themselves fully to Christ…but, because we are human, we sometimes do. Never let your doubt define you…don’t get hung up on the mistakes of yesterday …forward is good, forward is God, forward is love.

IN SUMMARY
• Don’t be limited by human reason
• Miracles can happen in the margins
• Illogical instruction + the divine= the miraculous
• Spiritual reality is beyond human reason
• Never let your doubt define you
• Do you love “agape” (self-sacrifice) or “phileo” (warm affection)

Let us know if you have any questions or would like to discuss this message more!
Hope to see you all Sunday!

Sunday, April 14, 2013
HE IS RISEN – ALL THINGS NEW
What Happened after Jesus was Crucified?
Pastor Dan Burchett
Written by Lance Paul Fisher

Colossians 2:6-7 (TNIV)
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

As we continue to develop our relationship with God, we are continually transformed: from guilt to forgiveness, from inadequacy to meaningful purpose and from fear to confidence. In the 40 days following the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, everyone was fearful and uncertain of their fate. They felt as though they lost their identity before He reveasled himself. This all changed as He worked with His disciples before His ascension to abandon the old and begin with the new way of life He gave them. A life possible of thankfulness and unconditional love. We have become recreated into loving and productive beings.

We are not reformed, rehabilitated or reeducated and need not fear our life experiences. We experience joy and strength in our recreation. This is an internal work that works itself out over time for the engaged follower of Christ. In our relationship with Him, He works with us from the inside out. With this in mind, He asks each and every one to stop studying the subject and start living it through life experiences. All too often we get caught up in the words and forget the application to life.

Therefore, don’t boast or be thankful for the miracles and the gifts He gives us, be thankful that your name is written in the book of life and do not adopt an air of superiority when sharing your gifts with others. Live it and demonstrate it. People will see the wonderful things growing in your life.

When moving from where you are now to where He will guide you:
• Stay on the journey – never ever walk away from God…your troubles will get worse as you will not be under His protection.
• God is loving, gentle, and patient with our transformation process –remember we ARE being transformed and transformation is never easy.
• All of life is the process…be patient with yourself in your journey and you cannot help but grow in wisdom and all things good.

Our faith is constantly tested and when we persevere we end up on the road to spiritual maturity.

Summary:
• we have encountered the living Christ
• respond with an “all things new” faith
• Don’t be afraid…
• We are recreated not rehabilitated
• Live what you have learned
• Take the path of persistence and maturity -never give up…

HE IS RISEN – ALL THINGS NEW
What Happened after Jesus was Crucified?
Pastor Dan Burchett
Sunday, April 7, 2013

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (TNIV)
[14] For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. [15] And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

In the 40 days following the Resurrection of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, prior to His ascension, we find numerous documented scenarios where Jesus touched the lives of Mary, Cleopas and all of the disciples during this time period. It was this 40 day period where Jesus helped His followers experience and see that His crucifixion was not in vain. That His crucifixion was a time to rejoice, as His job was completed in dying for humanity and offering the Holy Spirit as the person and power that would help His people serve God in ways that were not possible prior to His arrival. He turned their confusion into confidence and the Apostles’ passion and belief paved the way for billions of people later. All things became new in Christ and the Apostles sought out to help Christians in their journey to this day. What did not change:
· Human needs addressed through prayer
· Keeping human desires in check
· Receiving His navigation through conflict

Easter comes around every year with the opportunity to discard the old and embrace all things new. As we move toward unconditional love and selflessness in our walk, ensure we use our relationship with Christ to help us avoid falling back. This is the beauty and inexplicable love we receive from Christ setting us off on a path to the good that awaits us as Jesus guides us continually.

Takeaways:
· Move on from the past, so you might live.
· Recognize and utilize the gifts from Christ to help us in our journey to set all things new.
· Work toward eliminating confusion in your life and embrace the confidence given to you by Christ.
· Help other believers see and use the gifts He left for us.
· Strive toward selflessness in your journey.
· Practice unconditional love in all situations.

We were so blessed to have Kathy Baldock, executive director of CanyonWalkerConnections.com visit with us this weekend. Her main work and focus is to help educate the conservative church on God’s truth and love for all people. And, to be a resource of God’s love for Gay youth and their parents. Truly a most exciting and energetic straight ally for LGBT inclusion.

For many years she was a part of the conservative Church’s homophobia. Everything changed when she was challenged with an encounter she had with a lesbian while hiking in the canyon near her home. She was prepared to give her all the judgement and condemnation she had grown to know. However, she stopped short when she realized that with many failed straight marriages including her own, it would seem odd to say that she understood the “ways of God”. She could not ignore the pain inflicted from the church and saw how profoundly wrong it was to see what the church has done to the LGBT community.

She challenges the gay Christian community to consider that often conservative Churches are not being hateful, but are simply uneducated. Kathy is trying to educate them and she needs our help too. Most important – remember how we are called to treat strangers, with grace, forgiveness and all the things God is really about.

We hope to continue to work and partner with Kathy and her outreach to our community. We hope you will be able to join our effort in sharing God’s love.

Discontent

Deuteronomy 15: 10-11: “ 10Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.  11There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward those of your people who are poor and needy in your land.”

On March 10th, we learned the benefits of living our lives in joy through being content with what God has done and will continue to do for us as we remain faithful to Him.  We know through history, it is not a good thing to be discontent about not having material possessions or a coveted career or whatever other earthly things we can attain.  When we hold onto “things” too tight, God sometimes removes them from our hands if our desires distract us from serving His plan.  On the flip side, if there is something bad that is getting in the way of God’s plan, we should indeed be discontent about those things and use the feeling of discontent God gives us to fight for what is right.  It is challenging to fight for what is right when the vast majority are doing wrong.  God calls us to stand up for what is right as Christians and therefore there are several things to be discontent about.  Be discontent about:

·        Civil Rights:  The church must stand up for the minority and speak for those who are needy.  In Proverbs 31:8-9 (TNIV) it is said: “8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  All too often the Church does the opposite and we should work with fellow Christians to help change this perception.  Whether it is race or women’s equality, the Kingdom of God has no hierarchy and we need to ensure we work toward ending bigotry, racism, etc.

·        Unfair Courts:  There should never be the case that someone wealthy receives a better defense than someone who is needy.  We need to fix our adversarial system so that more lawyers fight for what is right vs. just winning the case.  As in Leviticus 19:15 (TNIV) it is said, “15Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”

·        The Poor:  In our society the poor are kept poor by squeezing what little money they have on high interest rates, poorly funded schools in depressed areas prevent children in need from getting a good opportunity to get a good job, etc.    There are ways we can help make the change one person at a time.  God chastens those that do not serve the poor or needy.

Our journey is quite simple as Christians when we ask ourselves, “what can we do to help someone in need?”  If the Church worldwide, at every corner of the globe, was asking this question daily…we would be transforming scenarios rather than perpetuating the negative perceptions that still exist today.  So, go out today and seek someone to help – you’ll be forever glad you did.

Contentment

1 Timothy 6:6-8 (TNIV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

We must lighten up and enjoy God as Jesus intended. We must realize God wants us to be joyful during our time on earth and not in fear. Being content and having faith that God has our back in all circumstances is all we need. Things we think we want are as a result of repetitive multi-media advertising that brainwashes us to buy more and more things. We are made to think we need certain things when in all actuality…we don’t. Thinking we need things beyond our means can harbor negative thought patterns through a feeling of discontentment. Lacking contentment robs us of living a life through joy in Christ. We must remember all eyes are on us as people look for the way we react to the world’s problems. When we react to tragedy or discomfort with joy, having faith we will get through – we further Jesus’ ministry. Christ followers know that every challenge is an opportunity to learn. Everything we experience, good or bad, is a gift from God. The good things provide hope and comfort, while the bad things present an opportunity to learn.

It is not a sin to have nice things or enjoy the fruits of this planet, it becomes a problem when we put our focus on the material things vs. the eternal gift of our salvation. Material things can distract us from doing God’s work, so we need to be careful to not let these things get in the way of our journey. Contentment is not laziness or complacency, it is simply knowing we have all we need. Acquisition of earthly gifts can motivate us to work harder and sometimes working harder also delivers God’s plan, but we need to keep these scenarios in check. If we say we will not be happy unless we get________, we need to rethink our lives.

Takeaways:

· Realize everything we experience – good or bad is a gift from God.
· Bad things are good if we recognize that the bad things are teachable moments.
· Realize we have been brainwashed by the marketing world we live in – to buy things we don’t need.
· Wanting things is ok, it sometimes drives us to work harder, just make sure it does not become the center of your being.
· Keep Christ at the center of your being.

The Believer’s Destiny

Hebrews 12:11 (TNIV)
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Today, Christians have the comfort to know that as long as we believe in Jesus and form our own personal relationship with Him, we need not worry about the ancient rituals and traditional ways of serving God in our human history.  There is no more need to follow fear-induced practices to serve God as was the case during the early times when our ancestors walked with God in the absence of Jesus.  The writer of Hebrews contrasts the experience of Israel with Moses on Mt. Sinai with Jesus that ushered in the arrival of “the Kingdom” represented by “Mt. Zion” the dwelling place of God.  (Hebrews 12:18-22)  The difference is following the message of love in Jesus Christ our savior as an evolving “living soul” which yields joy vs. the laws that inevitably induced fear in the Israelites. Thank God He sent us Jesus.

Thanks again for Jesus as we live a protected life with training through His love.  We now know that even before we were formed, God had a unique plan for all of us and He knows what steps we will take and when our last day on earth will be.  Instead of spending time and energy trying to figure out His ways, we need to trust His way and pay more attention to listening for the steps we need to take each day as He guides us.  He is here to train us through the Holy Spirit as He provides loving, fatherly discipline.  His discipline and teachings may deliver temporary discomfort for our own good, but believers know through experience – the discomfort is short-lived and the lesson is quite obvious after these moments occurred…if we are paying close attention.

In our relationship with God, including His perspective is paramount.  Distractions, confusion, missing the point are all products of a life void of God’s influence even if you wear the label “Christian.”   The eventual “shaking” mentioned in chapter 12 of Hebrews will separate all that has been added that is not God.  Hebrews 12:27 states,  “The phrase ‘one last shaking’ means a thorough housecleaning, getting rid of all the historical and religious junk so that the unshakable essentials stand clear and uncluttered.”

Takeaways…
·        God has made you a LIVING SOUL
·        God designed you as uniquely YOU
·        TRUST God through His discipline
·        You are the object of His GREAT LOVE
·        Hard times are TRAINING not punishment
·        Be GENEROUS as God is with you
·        God’s gift is more precious that short-term gain

God Possibilities

Psalm 1:1-4 (TNIV)
1 Blessed are those who do not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,2 but who delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on his law day and night. 3 They are like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will be destroyed.

Matthew 19:26 – “Nothing is impossible in God.”  God has proved this to me hundreds of times in ways I could never imagine in the more than three years since I found Christ. In my early Christian walk, I remember reading (in disbelief) the story of Abraham and his wife Sarah.  The one wish that Abraham had was to have heirs and God promised him that his heirs would be as many as the stars in the sky.  Sarah laughed in disbelief when she learned of the Lord’s promise of bearing a child as a near centenarian.  However, as impossible as it sounded, Abraham’s wish was fulfilled!  There must be thousands upon thousands of similar stories that non-believers chock up to chance or being fortunate.  However, God’s presence and blessings are very real and all He wants from us is to acknowledge Him and honor Him and praise Him.  God calls us to do this daily in whatever way possible.

I love all of the Psalms because they were written mostly by David.  It was his love for God and his constant expression of his love for God that made me so connected to him as one of the great people of our human history.  As I continued my walk, I wanted to be just like David and still to this day strive to match the love I have for God in the same way David did.  Pastor Dan’s Dad knew this too and encouraged him to memorize Psalm 1…which says it all as paraphrased and blended with the New Testament:  Those that follow God through His son are inevitably blessed and those that do not are subjected to the world’s problems with no defense.  God plants our feet so firmly with strength that no one can move us.  We are like a tree with an expansive root system – difficult to blow away.  He makes us productive beyond our own earthly means.  He powers us with words, actions and the ability to experience true spiritual prosperity directly by His hand.  This hope is not empty as non-believers see it.  Believers live out their lives in joy under all circumstances because of the promise of God’s delivery and He shows Himself from time to time to remind us.

Jesus spoke of the “law” being written on the hearts of all true believers.  Jesus searches our hearts and if we live in His love…this is living according to the law.  The Apostle Paul was also a pragmatist and with roots as a persecutor of Christians before he came to Christ.  My path to Christ was very similar to Paul’s and can relate to his frustration in his writings – with people that were unable to see the light of God’s ways.  What a heavy veil that is cast upon non-believers and it is our job to help God,when we are called to help, lift the veil of those around us.  All we need to do is let God be God and follow Him with no fear of the unknown path ahead.   We cannot take the wrong path if we walk with God.

Takeaways
 
-Plant yourself on the right path by walking with God daily…
-Remember God is on the path with you always
-God has all power to direct and sustain
-Be inspired by God possibilities