http://www.sevenmileroad.org/ en-us no http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/31 2009-07-05 Audio from KidSermon and calling of pastors Brent and Justin...Audio from KidSermon and calling of pastors Brent and Justin... http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-07-05 Dissatisfied with his rebellious wife, King Ahasuerus organizes an empire-wide beauty contest to select a replacement. An orphan girl named Esther, who somehow manages to keep her Jewish heritage secret, cannot hide her supermodel looks, and ends upDissatisfied with his rebellious wife, King Ahasuerus organizes an empire-wide beauty contest to select a replacement. An orphan girl named Esther, who somehow manages to keep her Jewish heritage secret, cannot hide her supermodel looks, and ends up becoming Ahasueras� new queen. The king then unknowingly issues a decree that will result in the slaughter of her people. In a captivating moment of truth, Esther chooses to risk her life for the sake of her people. Joyously, her sacrifice succeeds, fortunes are reversed, the nation is saved, and everyone rejoices with a feast. Esther, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the anonymous Jewish illegitimate child who would one day become king. Jesus, too, would face His moment of truth, in Gethsemane�s garden, choosing to give his life for the sakeof His people. On Calvary, Jesus� sacrifice succeeds, sinners� fortunes are reversed, and God�s people are saved. And one day we will celebrate it all at a magnifi cent feast. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-06-28 Living in exile far from home, Daniel remains faithful to the Lord. Jealous of his fame, his enemies hatch a corrupt plot to arrest him, and do so while Daniel is at prayer. The king reluctantly sends Daniel to certain death in a den of lions, ominously sLiving in exile far from home, Daniel remains faithful to the Lord. Jealous of his fame, his enemies hatch a corrupt plot to arrest him, and do so while Daniel is at prayer. The king reluctantly sends Daniel to certain death in a den of lions, ominously sealing the tomb. To everyone�s surprise, the lions don�t devour Daniel, and when, at dawn, the stone is rolled away, Daniel is restored to the living and a proclamation goes out to the nations of the glory of Daniel�s God. Daniel, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the faithful One who would be falsely charged by jealous enemies, arrested while in prayer, and sent to his doom by a reluctant official. Unlike Daniel, Jesus is torn apart but the lions. But when the stone is rolled away, Jesus, too, emerges alive, and the Gospel is declared to the nations. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/31 2009-06-19 Here is the audio from our June 19, 2009 Member Forum. I know, it a little weird to listen in to a Member Forum and not be there, but hopefully you will get the feel for what is up at this time in the covenantal community/local church called Seven Mile RoHere is the audio from our June 19, 2009 Member Forum. I know, it a little weird to listen in to a Member Forum and not be there, but hopefully you will get the feel for what is up at this time in the covenantal community/local church called Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-06-14 Refusing to turn from their idolatries, Judah earns for themselves a date with Babylonian exile. Unfortunately for Jeremiah, God selects him for the thankless task of warning a nation that was spiritually deaf and blind, delivering, with tears in his eyesRefusing to turn from their idolatries, Judah earns for themselves a date with Babylonian exile. Unfortunately for Jeremiah, God selects him for the thankless task of warning a nation that was spiritually deaf and blind, delivering, with tears in his eyes, a grim sentence condemning a city that he deeply loved. His unpopular message inevitably throws him into a mess of clashes with the powers-that-be, who don�t want to hear a word Jeremiah has to say. Although his story is one of persecution and apparent defeat, by faith Jeremiah buys a field for silver, readying himself for the homecoming that God would give to His people. Jeremiah, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, whose prophetic ministry would look and sound so much like Jeremiah�s that onlookers would naturally equate the two. Jesus the prophet, too, would confront the religious powers with impending doom, weep over the city He loved, and undergo intense persecution. Eventually He would even be crucified, His betrayal arranged for thirty pieces of silver, which would buy the blood of the Messiah, which would buy salvation for the world. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-05-31 Alone against the world, Elijah, the wild-eyed, firebrand prophet stands toe to toe with the false leaders of his day. After going to a Gentile widow and raising her son from the dead, he calls Israel back to covenant faithfulness by exposing Baal aAlone against the world, Elijah, the wild-eyed, firebrand prophet stands toe to toe with the false leaders of his day. After going to a Gentile widow and raising her son from the dead, he calls Israel back to covenant faithfulness by exposing Baal and his false prophets. Before ascending to heaven, Elijah interrupts Elisha�s life and calls him to follow, a disciple who will receive a double portion of Elijah�s Spirit and do even greater works. Elijah, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the fiery prophet who would confront the false leaders of His day, extending grace to Jew and Gentile alike, dying, rising, and ascending to heaven. Like Elijah, Jesus would call disciples from their work to follow Him, pouring out His Spirit upon them that they might do even greater works than their Lord. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-05-24 Israel experiences her most glorious days when King Solomon sits upon the throne. Solomon possesses it all: unrivaled wisdom, a thousand wives, international mines, vast fleets, extraordinary wealth, and global fame. Solomon even builds the Temple. The naIsrael experiences her most glorious days when King Solomon sits upon the throne. Solomon possesses it all: unrivaled wisdom, a thousand wives, international mines, vast fleets, extraordinary wealth, and global fame. Solomon even builds the Temple. The nations flock to Jerusalem to seek Solomon�s wisdom. Even the adversarial Queen of Sheba, who arrives expecting to expose Solomon, is so taken with his wisdom and worship that she leaves town a believer. Sadly, Solomon drifts into sin, multiplying wives, horses, and gold in disobedience to the Lord, making Israel�s glory days brief indeed. Solomon, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the greater Solomon whose wisdom would make Solomon seem like a 5th grader, whose possessions would include the ends of the earth, and whose inheritance would be the nations. Unlike Solomon, the glorious reign of this King would be without sin and without end. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/31 2009-05-17 An update from Ajay on Seven Mile Philly year 1.An update from Ajay on Seven Mile Philly year 1. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-05-10 http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-05-03 http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-04-26 Ten minutes into Samson�s life, everyone was sure that he was the Messiah. His bir th is miraculous and attended by angels, the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, and he soundly defeats every enemy in his path. Sadly, Samson�s sin catches up to him and he fiTen minutes into Samson�s life, everyone was sure that he was the Messiah. His bir th is miraculous and attended by angels, the Spirit of the Lord is upon him, and he soundly defeats every enemy in his path. Sadly, Samson�s sin catches up to him and he fi nds himself betrayed into the hand of his enemies, who gouge out his eyes and make him their enter tainment. A repentant Samson, however, gets the last laugh, destroying his enemies in his death, with his arms outstretched. Samson, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the true Messiah, whose miraculous bir th would be attended by angels and whom the Spirit of the Lord would be upon. Although sinless, he too would be betrayed with a kiss and taunted by his enemies, only to win the victory with his arms spread wide on a cross. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-04-05 Having had enough of Israel�s idolatry and prophet killing, God anoints a new king named Jehu, one with a zeal for His glory, to execute judgment on the sins of the house of Ahab. At his coronation, Jehu�s subjects do something peculiar: they lay down forHaving had enough of Israel�s idolatry and prophet killing, God anoints a new king named Jehu, one with a zeal for His glory, to execute judgment on the sins of the house of Ahab. At his coronation, Jehu�s subjects do something peculiar: they lay down for him a carpet of their garments to walk over. Jehu does so, and then promptly begins his assault on the false worship that has infi ltrated God�s land, culminating with his destruction of the temple of Baal. Jehu, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the anointed one who too would make His triumphal entry over a carpet of garments, and then, mad with zeal to defend the honor of His Father, head directly for Jerusalem�s temple to preenact its coming destruction. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-03-29 Fearing an uprising from the rapidly growing community of Hebrew slaves, an Egyptian Pharaoh orders mass infanticide of all Jewish boys. One Levite mother protects her son by hiding him in a basket in the Nile. That son would live to become Moses, the manFearing an uprising from the rapidly growing community of Hebrew slaves, an Egyptian Pharaoh orders mass infanticide of all Jewish boys. One Levite mother protects her son by hiding him in a basket in the Nile. That son would live to become Moses, the man called by God to lead Israel out of Egypt. He would also be the man who would instruct Israel in the requirements of their covenant relationship with God, spoken to him by Yahweh, �as a man speaks to his friend.� Moses, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, who would also survive a deranged king�s murderous intentions, and ultimately lead his followers out of exile into the promised New Kingdom. Jesus brought with him a New Covenant with God though; one that brings righteousness and life, and is offered to people of all nations. This new covenant mediator was not just a friend of God � he was God himself. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-03-22 Favored by his father because of his impeccable character and leadership capacity, Joseph is despised by his brothers who plot against his life. Although righteous, Joseph is sold into slavery, and eventually thrown into prison. And yet God does not forgeFavored by his father because of his impeccable character and leadership capacity, Joseph is despised by his brothers who plot against his life. Although righteous, Joseph is sold into slavery, and eventually thrown into prison. And yet God does not forget Joseph, and, in a remarkable turn of events, he is exalted to second in command of Egypt, where he uses his power to provide bread for the world� even for his brothers who sent him to certain death. Joseph, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the righteous Son who would be plotted against by his brothers, suffer false accusations, and eventually wind up in a grave. But God would not forget Jesus, and, in a sovereign turn of events, Jesus is resurrected from the dead and graciously offers the bread of life to a world of sinners who sent him to his death. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-03-15 After miraculously providing a promised child to Abraham and Sarah, our dangerous God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. Reasoning resurrection, Abraham hikes the mountain with wood, matches, and Isaac, who lays on the altar, as good asAfter miraculously providing a promised child to Abraham and Sarah, our dangerous God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, his only son. Reasoning resurrection, Abraham hikes the mountain with wood, matches, and Isaac, who lays on the altar, as good as dead. Just before Abraham�s knife finds its mark, God suddenly intervenes, providing a substitute, and Abraham receives his son back. Isaac, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the only begotten Son, miraculously virgin born, fastened to a wooden cross on a hill and pierced by a blade, a sacrifice for sin. Gloriously, like Isaac before him, Jesus would also be received back by His Father, risen from the dead. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-03-08 Having created, fl ooded, and scattered humanity as a whole, God commences with His redemptive intentions by zeroing in on one man, who would be the father of one nation, through whom all the world would be blessed. God covenants with Abraham, promiHaving created, fl ooded, and scattered humanity as a whole, God commences with His redemptive intentions by zeroing in on one man, who would be the father of one nation, through whom all the world would be blessed. God covenants with Abraham, promising him countless descendants, sweet land, and a great name. Abraham believes, leaves his home behind, and dots the landscape with altars of worship to the living God. Abraham, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the One who would leave His heavenly throne in obedience to His Father and journey to a cross, where all the covenant promises made to Abraham and his seed would be gloriously fulfi lled. In His death and resurrection, Jesus would redeems the nations, multiply the descendants of Abraham, secure an eternally good land, and receive a name greater than any other. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-03-01 Once a really good place, the earth is corrupted in God�s sight. Humanity insists on spoiling His beautiful creation, allowing their sin to reach unprecedented heights. A holy God determines to undo what has been done, unleashing just judgment on mankind�Once a really good place, the earth is corrupted in God�s sight. Humanity insists on spoiling His beautiful creation, allowing their sin to reach unprecedented heights. A holy God determines to undo what has been done, unleashing just judgment on mankind�s rebellion through a flood. But God remembers Noah, and on account of one righteous man who walked with Him, he recreates the world. Noah, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, a perfectly righteous friend of God, who would obediently assume God�s judgment in our place, defeating sin, and a fashioning a new and final creation. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-02-22 Having formed a magnifi cent universe, God completes His creative fl ourish with a crowning achievement: humanity is fashioned in His image. Adam, born of earth and Spirit, is placed in a garden paradise and called to delight in love for and oHaving formed a magnifi cent universe, God completes His creative fl ourish with a crowning achievement: humanity is fashioned in His image. Adam, born of earth and Spirit, is placed in a garden paradise and called to delight in love for and obedience to his Maker. Sadly, sin and death enter the story as Adam falls into disobedience, beneath a tree, and is expelled from the garden. Even worse, Adam represented all of us that day. As the Puritan primer so eloquently puts it, in Adam�s fall, we sinned all. All of except one of us, that is. Adam, of course, was getting us ready for Jesus, the second Adam, born of woman and Spirit, who, too, would act on our behalf, only with infi nitely better results. Wherever Adam failed, Jesus would succeed, most ultimately through His obedience on a tree. Three days later, the crucifi ed Christ would rise from the dead, in a garden, reversing the curse of Adam, securing eternal life for all who would believe. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/35 2009-02-15 Introduction to The Jesus Biographies series.Introduction to The Jesus Biographies series. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2009-02-01 Broad is the best way to describe the entrance toward the cities of this world. In Rome, much like in Boston, every religion was seen as equal. In Jerusalem, the Pharisees, as Israelites, had received the grace of knowing the true God, but had wandered ofBroad is the best way to describe the entrance toward the cities of this world. In Rome, much like in Boston, every religion was seen as equal. In Jerusalem, the Pharisees, as Israelites, had received the grace of knowing the true God, but had wandered off his path and onto the wide interstate with everyone else. Different cities, same story: everyone thinks they are blazing their own trail, but they are all on the same exact downhill road, because there are only two paths. Jesus city is laid out differently. There is one gate, and it�s a narrow one. There is one foundation that stands, and it�s obedience to the commands of Jesus. Jesus� preach- ing always leaves us at a crossroads, and our call is to press through the narrow gate and build on the solid rock, or else. Thankfully, although judgment coming, a great Savior has come. Envision� a people pressing though the narrow gate and persevering along the tough road toward life. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2009-01-25 Anything religiously went in Rome, as long as Emperor worship was a part of your agenda. The Pharisees were a little more discriminating, but were blind enough to get things exactly backwards, accusing Jesus of being on satan�s team. In the religious climAnything religiously went in Rome, as long as Emperor worship was a part of your agenda. The Pharisees were a little more discriminating, but were blind enough to get things exactly backwards, accusing Jesus of being on satan�s team. In the religious climate of our city, the idea of a �false prophet� no longer exists as truth is revitalized and everyone is �right� regardless of the content of their teaching. In Jesus� city, truth exists, and liars do, too. And so the lookout is on for false proph- ets. Rather than rendering wowed applause at the cleverness, uniqueness or flair of the latest teacher, really close inspection is given to �fruit�. The terrifying fate of false prophets is a sober reminder that Jesus is not playing when it comes to those would lead His people astray. Envision... a city where false teachers are seen for what they are. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2009-01-18 Father hunger marks the cities of this world, Rome, Jersualem, Boston, all of them. As sons of their father Adam, dads fail all the time in their roles of loving, shepherding, providing and leading like they should. Any concept of the glory of the FatherhFather hunger marks the cities of this world, Rome, Jersualem, Boston, all of them. As sons of their father Adam, dads fail all the time in their roles of loving, shepherding, providing and leading like they should. Any concept of the glory of the Fatherhood of God is therefore muddied by a million stories of neglect, passivity, abandonment and abuse. We don�t even know what a good dad is, and many of us wouldn�t mind ridding our vocabulary of the word �dad� altogether. Jesus� city, on the other hand, is place where fatherhood is foundational, because there is a really good dad leading things here. He is the original Father, the kind who dad who loves His children and is always working for their good, aware and generous, the dad we always wanted. Envision� a city where God is a loving Father, pouring out blessing on His children. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2009-01-04 Rushing to judgment is a skill developed by people in every city. Whether it be the Roman masses believing Emperor Nero�s accusation that the Christians burned their city, the Pharisees� instant condemnation of the many actions of Jesus� disciples, or theRushing to judgment is a skill developed by people in every city. Whether it be the Roman masses believing Emperor Nero�s accusation that the Christians burned their city, the Pharisees� instant condemnation of the many actions of Jesus� disciples, or the speed with which heroes become goats on WEEI in Boston, humanity loves to ca- reen judgments 11 seconds after gathering the �facts�. In Jesus� city, judgment is passed really slowly and double standards don�t exist. A re- alistic understanding of our own limitations and faults, combined with the awareness that our manner of judgment circles right back to us, tempers the speed with which judgments come. And so all the rash bombasticness of talk radio goes quiet as a quiet and patient humility emerges. Envision� a city where patience, forbearance and grace mark all our judgments. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/ 2008-12-28 http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-12-14 Every city gets riled up when the economy goes bad. As unemployment stats, mort- gage foreclosures, interest rates and gas prices rise, so does everyone�s blood pres- sure. Since our hope and joy lies in our ability to keep material pace with �the Jone- sEvery city gets riled up when the economy goes bad. As unemployment stats, mort- gage foreclosures, interest rates and gas prices rise, so does everyone�s blood pres- sure. Since our hope and joy lies in our ability to keep material pace with �the Jone- ses�, any threat to that secure financial future freaks us out. Consequently, the main concern in the cities we build revolves around maintaining the health of the market at whatever cost. In Jesus� city, nobody sweats latest financial report from MSNBC. We have a heav- enly Father who knows all about how to gloriously provide the material necessities of life for His own. And so an unhealthy obsession with personal economic security is replaced by a different primary concern: the doing of justice (including economic justice) in the city. Envision� a city where people are more concerned with working toward justice than analyzing their portfolios. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-12-07 Every earthly city is all about the benjamins. Economics was everything in the Ro- man empire, with the powers-that-be showcasing their wealth with massive bashes, opulent palaces, and wardrobes 5th Avenue would die for. The Pharisees clutched at money inEvery earthly city is all about the benjamins. Economics was everything in the Ro- man empire, with the powers-that-be showcasing their wealth with massive bashes, opulent palaces, and wardrobes 5th Avenue would die for. The Pharisees clutched at money in their own way, throwing back on God the responsibility for poor so they could keep some more pennies in their piggy banks. Here in Boston, the explosion of the storage industry is evidence enough to our mammon love: we have mastered the art of laying up treasures on earth by paying someone thousands of dollars to allow our stuff to sit in their 100 degree 4 x 4 storage rooms until we die and our kids it all for a quarter in a garage sale. To the dismay of moths and thieves everywhere, money is seen with quite different eyes in Jesus� city. Money here exists to make known to the world the incomparable glory of the treasure of God. Rather than loving money for what it can get us now, money is employed to showcase a much grander love: the love of God in the Gospel. And so padding bank accounts, populating closets and endlessly upgrading televi- sions is replaced with simplicity in living and generosity in giving, both to the work of God and the care of the poor. Envision� a city where money is merely a tool for showcasing the worth of Jesus. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-11-30 Go to any city, big or small, old or new, and regardless of economics, demographic makeup, technology, industry, geography, etc. there is one thing that will be hard to find: Forgiveness. In Boston, forgiveness is as hard to come by as it is anywhere. AftGo to any city, big or small, old or new, and regardless of economics, demographic makeup, technology, industry, geography, etc. there is one thing that will be hard to find: Forgiveness. In Boston, forgiveness is as hard to come by as it is anywhere. After all, we have a lot of rights: parking spots, money, friendships, love, opportuni- ties, etc. And when those rights are violated, anger abounds, threats linger in the air and lawyers are called. We give it lipservice when we want it, but forgiveness is rarely considered option a when our rights are violated. Yet, in Jesus� city, citizenship comes only because King Jesus forgives sinners. And not only does the king forgive, but he treats each former rebel as his own. Contrary to all the other cities of the world, forgiveness is a mark of life for everyone in the city, no exceptions. Having experienced the forgiveness of the king, each citizen is eager to forgive when they are wronged. Rights are forgotten as forgiveness has become the natural and immediate response to misdeeds. Envision�a city where all are quick to forgive. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-11-23 Prayer in the cities of this world is all about the volume. The Romans strove for word volume, praying to many gods with many words, rambling on and on and on and on and on, hoping to earn a response in their favor. The Pharisees were more about a volume Prayer in the cities of this world is all about the volume. The Romans strove for word volume, praying to many gods with many words, rambling on and on and on and on and on, hoping to earn a response in their favor. The Pharisees were more about a volume of attention, waiting until the spotlight was on, and then offered up pious, preening prayers designed to show the world how great of prayers they were. In Jesus� city, prayer is not about being loud or long. Instead, it is a quiet, simple, trusting endeavor. Familial intimacy is assumed, God�s will (and not necessarily our wishes) is the theme, and straightforward petitions are made, all with the assurance that God knows what going on and intends for His answers to come in response to our prayers. Envision� a city where people talked to God like they would to dad. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-11-16 Rome was legendary for vain glory� its pomp and circumstance, its coliseums packed with adoring throngs and its poets commissioned to write history in a way that made the Emperor look good. But it was the Pharisees of Jerusalem who took playing to the croRome was legendary for vain glory� its pomp and circumstance, its coliseums packed with adoring throngs and its poets commissioned to write history in a way that made the Emperor look good. But it was the Pharisees of Jerusalem who took playing to the crowds to its religious extreme, practicing their righteousness in ways that would ensure that they would make the 6:00 news. Public relations drives Boston culture as well, all of us desperately seeking the glowing reviews and standing ovations of the critics and crowds. In Jesus� city, the secret place replaces the stage and there is only one onlooker whose opinion matters: the Father. His reward is the only one sought, and trading that re- ward in for the fleeting, fickle, ridiculous, shallow, hollow, petty praise of the crowds is unthinkable. Envision� a city where everyone finds their joy in the applause of God. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-11-09 In Rome, if you had political enemies you took them out, plain and simple. In Jerusa- lem, the Pharisees showed us all we needed to know about their treatment of enemies in the way they handled Jesus, whose life ended with his crucifixion and their tauntsIn Rome, if you had political enemies you took them out, plain and simple. In Jerusa- lem, the Pharisees showed us all we needed to know about their treatment of enemies in the way they handled Jesus, whose life ended with his crucifixion and their taunts. Here in Boston, we follow suit, as seen in our Yankees tee-shirts and George Bush bumper stickers. This is the way of the world: love your friends, hate your enemies. Jesus� city, however, is a place where Batman seeks the good of Robin and the Joker. Here, it�s not just friends and family that are loved, but enemies as well. God is our model for this, and the kind of unconditional grace that He extends to all, even those who hate him, must inform our treatment of our enemies. Envision� a city where hope is held out for and worked toward for everyone, enemies included. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-10-26 Truth is a slippery thing in the cities of this world. In Rome, truth was what the Cae- sar needed it to be. In Jerusalem, the Pharisees had devised several creative schemes for not really having to mean what they said. And in the newspapers, blogs, courtTruth is a slippery thing in the cities of this world. In Rome, truth was what the Cae- sar needed it to be. In Jerusalem, the Pharisees had devised several creative schemes for not really having to mean what they said. And in the newspapers, blogs, court- rooms and press conferences that mark our post-modern city of Boston, truth is a non sequitur to words. In Jesus� city truth, and therefore the truthfulness of words, is a really big deal. Swear- ing on Bible here is totally unnecessary. �Say it and mean it� is the norm, with no crossing of fingers behind backs, no ulterior motives, and no arguing over the mean- ing of the word is. Envision� a city where people can always take one another at each other�s word. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-10-19 In Rome, marriage was seen as being a freely dissolvable union. Jerusalem�s Phari- sees knew it was more intense than that, but spent more time searching our accept- able divorce loopholes than they did seeking to honor the institution. And in our city ofIn Rome, marriage was seen as being a freely dissolvable union. Jerusalem�s Phari- sees knew it was more intense than that, but spent more time searching our accept- able divorce loopholes than they did seeking to honor the institution. And in our city of Boston, marriage has fallen so far from its God-ordained beginnings that we struggle to even comprehend the biblical view of marriage. As a result, in all these cities, divorce statistics soar, as does the fallout for everyone involved. In Jesus� city, marriage is seen in a totally different light. As a brilliant display of the promise making and promise keeping covenant love of God for His own, marriage is meant to last until death intervenes. While there are times when divorce happens (and hope is available for those who experience its ugly reality), exit strategies are shunned, divorce lawyers go extinct and marriages endure, to the glory of God. Envision� a city where wedding ceremonies outnumber divorce proceedings 1o,000 to 1. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-10-12 In Jerusalem, while the physical act of adultery was a legally triable offense, the courts could not try someone for mere intent, and so �look but don�t touch� became the word on the street. In Rome, it was even worse, as wives were encouraged to just accIn Jerusalem, while the physical act of adultery was a legally triable offense, the courts could not try someone for mere intent, and so �look but don�t touch� became the word on the street. In Rome, it was even worse, as wives were encouraged to just accept a husband�s wandering eyes� and whatever else might wander. Boston molds both of these strategies: the �good guys� get all Jerusalemish, saying �just because I�m on a diet, doesn�t mean I can�t look at the menu�, while the �bad guys� posit that adultery is acceptable as long as I don�t get caught. But in Jesus� city, sin is a really big deal at all levels, and so when it comes to sexual- ity, purity is demanded� 100 percent, with no loopholes. Sin is dealt with in this way because this city�s occupants have seen Jesus and know that joy is found not in letting flesh run wild, but in honoring Him. Boundaries are not tested, technicalities are not explored, and anything that leads toward sin is dealt with, because Jesus is worth it. Envision� a city where sin is taken as it needs to be, with deadly seriousness. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-10-05 Whether it�s Rome, Jerusalem or Boston, actual murder is prohibited and punishable by law. But as long as you refrain from murdering people, �hating their guts� is just fine. Harboring anger, insulting a brother, cursing someone or refusing reconcilia- tiWhether it�s Rome, Jerusalem or Boston, actual murder is prohibited and punishable by law. But as long as you refrain from murdering people, �hating their guts� is just fine. Harboring anger, insulting a brother, cursing someone or refusing reconcilia- tion are within your rights. You can even worship God freely with all that going on... as long as you don�t kill anyone. In Jesus� City, things are different. It�s a place where reconciliation trumps any kind of anger, and simply �not murdering� is not the point. God has reconciled us to Him- self, and that loving reconciliation needs to overflow the banks of our relationship with Him and flood our relationships with each other. Reconciling love, not distanc- ing anger, marks relationships in this city. Envision� a city where people always respond to relational conflict not by embracing anger but by pursuing reconciliation. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-09-28 Whether you are talking Rome, Jerusalem or Boston, righteousness in these cities is only skin deep. For Romans and Bostonians, morality is what you make it, and God�s law is ignored altogether in favor a Jello morality that bends in the winds of culture. Whether you are talking Rome, Jerusalem or Boston, righteousness in these cities is only skin deep. For Romans and Bostonians, morality is what you make it, and God�s law is ignored altogether in favor a Jello morality that bends in the winds of culture. But Pharisees (who swear they do) score no better, giving God�s Law �lip service�, but then obeying it in a way that massages away its true intentions. Jesus� City, however, is a place where neither disregarding God�s law nor obeying only its letter makes the cut. Righteousness here needs to exceed that of the Romans, Bostonians, and even Pharisees. God�s law is the standard, but it is the heart of the law must be obeyed, and that obedience must come from the heart. External piety and religious performance is never enough for acceptance with God: letter and spirit must go together. Envision� a city where everyone is obeying the deepest intentions God�s law from the heart. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-09-21 A CITY WHERE UP IS DOWN, POOR IS RICH, AND GETTING PUMMELED FOR JESUS BRINGS JOY Text: Matthew 5:1-12 Rome, Jerusalem and Boston are built for best and brightest. Blessed are those with the killer resume, the highest IQ, the prettiest face and the best laA CITY WHERE UP IS DOWN, POOR IS RICH, AND GETTING PUMMELED FOR JESUS BRINGS JOY Text: Matthew 5:1-12 Rome, Jerusalem and Boston are built for best and brightest. Blessed are those with the killer resume, the highest IQ, the prettiest face and the best last name. Whether it be Rome�s places of power, Boston�s prestigious universities, or the elite schools of the Pharisees, true blessedness is reserved only for those who have it all together and are determined enough to get ahead. Everyone else (and that�s mostly everyone) is left on the outside of joy looking in. In Jesus� City, things are exactly backwards. It�s a totally upside down place where the poor are rich, mourners are comforted and the guy who just got his head kicked in is wearing a grin. Blessed are those you never thought would be blessed. The normal rules of preference for pedigree, intelligence, looks and ability are irrelevant here. None of us could ever earn entrance into Jesus� city. And yet all of us, because of God�s free grace, are invited in. Envision� a city where everyone recognizes their poverty, and so have become rich. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/34 2008-09-14 Our next series is going to be entitled A City That Lights Up The World. We'll be in the text of Matthew 5-7 and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We are hoping to allow that text to shape our vision for what life in Jesus� community should look like as we seekOur next series is going to be entitled A City That Lights Up The World. We'll be in the text of Matthew 5-7 and Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. We are hoping to allow that text to shape our vision for what life in Jesus� community should look like as we seek to become a distinctive and redemptive �city on a hill� here, just north of Boston. A CITY THAT LIGHTS UP THE WORLD INTRO Life was really dark for the thousands of Jews who lived in the cities of Galilee in 30AD. First, there were the Romans. In the name of almighty Caesar and by the sharp edge of the sword, the empire dominated everything through sheer power, establishing its political legacy on the backs of many, including Galilean peasants. Whether is was the burning of villages, the enslaving of entire towns, the hiking of taxes or the horror of mass crucifixions, Rome had a vision for its own glory, and God�s people suffered terribly in the darkness of its shadow. Second, there were the Pharisees. These religious leaders were supposed to serve God�s people by instructing them in the beauty of the Law. Instead, they deepened the darkness by burdening the people with legalisms, twisting God�s law for their personal benefit, seeking personal glory and carving a comfortable niche for themselves within the life of the empire, all at the expense of the people�s souls. And so every day was a dark one for the Galileans. Poverty threatened, diseases went untreated and Roman occupation grated. Where the empire didn�t darken things, the religious elites did, making God feel even more distant than ever. Like a Galilean hillside on a cloudy midnight, light was nowhere to be found. But then, like a flash, a man called Jesus burst onto the scene. An uneducated, nobody, carpenter�s son from peasant-filled Nazareth, Jesus took the Galilean world by storm. He healed the sick, cast out devils, calmed storms and fed the people. Hope was kindled. But Jesus was more than a wonder worker. He was a preacher whose ideas were wonderfully different from anything the people had ever heard before. He spoke with authority, casting a vision of a counter-cultural way of living life, distinct in every way from the norms of the empire. And in his Sermon on the Mount, he invited people to live as a part of that distinctive and redemptive community, to become a city on a hill that would light up the world. 2000 years later, Jesus� offer still stands. For the next few months, we at Seven Mile Road are going to listen to Jesus preach. The vision that he cast for those Galilean peasants in his hillside sermon needs to be heard again. We don�t live in the Roman Empire or under the religious authority of the Pharisees, but the darkness of empire and religion continue to threaten. What would it look like if we threw off the darkness and embraced Jesus� call to become a city that lights up the world? Let�s find out. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/29 2008-09-07 Special: Dedication of Callie Kruse. Theme: Where is God in the Suffering of Infertility?Special: Dedication of Callie Kruse. Theme: Where is God in the Suffering of Infertility? http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/33 2008-08-31 In August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a chIn August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a church. Why we send young families to foreign continents : Global missions @ Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/33 2008-08-24 In August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a chIn August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a church. Why we love people just north of Boston : Local Missions @ Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/32 2008-08-17 In August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a chIn August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a church. Why we do soulcare communities : Discipleship worship @ Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/33 2008-08-10 In August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a chIn August, we�ll be preaching a super-mini series orienting us to some of the essentials of church life at Seven Mile Road. These four sermons will give us a chance to get everyone on the same page with some of the foundational commitments we have as a church. Why we don�t walk labyrinths on Sundays : Gospel-centered worship @ Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/32 2008-08-03 From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential pastors in the church at Ephesus. Since we have spent a year thinking about what it means to lead Jesus� church, we�ve asked each guy to pick a verse/trait that has resonated with them through the year and to preach from that text. We are hoping that you will not only receive much from the exposition of the Scripture on these points, but get a window into the souls of these men who are working toward a pastoral call in and through Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/32 2008-07-27 From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential pastors in the church at Ephesus. Since we have spent a year thinking about what it means to lead Jesus� church, we�ve asked each guy to pick a verse/trait that has resonated with them through the year and to preach from that text. We are hoping that you will not only receive much from the exposition of the Scripture on these points, but get a window into the souls of these men who are working toward a pastoral call in and through Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/32 2008-07-20 From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential pastors in the church at Ephesus. Since we have spent a year thinking about what it means to lead Jesus� church, we�ve asked each guy to pick a verse/trait that has resonated with them through the year and to preach from that text. We are hoping that you will not only receive much from the exposition of the Scripture on these points, but get a window into the souls of these men who are working toward a pastoral call in and through Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/32 2008-07-13 From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential pastors in the church at Ephesus. Since we have spent a year thinking about what it means to lead Jesus� church, we�ve asked each guy to pick a verse/trait that has resonated with them through the year and to preach from that text. We are hoping that you will not only receive much from the exposition of the Scripture on these points, but get a window into the souls of these men who are working toward a pastoral call in and through Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/32 2008-07-06 From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential From July 6 � August 3, the guys who participated in our �08 Pastor/Planter Track will be preaching a mini-addendum to our Timothy's Inferno* series. Chapter 3 of I Timothy lists out some of the character traits that were of huge importance for potential pastors in the church at Ephesus. Since we have spent a year thinking about what it means to lead Jesus� church, we�ve asked each guy to pick a verse/trait that has resonated with them through the year and to preach from that text. We are hoping that you will not only receive much from the exposition of the Scripture on these points, but get a window into the souls of these men who are working toward a pastoral call in and through Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/31 2008-06-29 Audio from our Seven Mile Road Philadelphia Commissioning. Listen as a handful of Seven Milers share stories of grace received through the friendship and ministry of Ajay and Shainu Thomas. Audio from our Seven Mile Road Philadelphia Commissioning. Listen as a handful of Seven Milers share stories of grace received through the friendship and ministry of Ajay and Shainu Thomas. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-06-22 Ajay Thomas preaches his last sermon as a pastor at Seven Mile Road before embarking on a church planting adventure in Philadelphia, reflecting on the nature of 'leaving' as essential to God's mission for the salvation and blessing of many.Ajay Thomas preaches his last sermon as a pastor at Seven Mile Road before embarking on a church planting adventure in Philadelphia, reflecting on the nature of 'leaving' as essential to God's mission for the salvation and blessing of many. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-06-15 Grace is the thread that binds this whole letter to Timothy together. Paul begins and ends commending Timothy to God�s grace. For a timid, young pastor called to extinguish raging fires and confront difficult firestarters, this was especially important. TGrace is the thread that binds this whole letter to Timothy together. Paul begins and ends commending Timothy to God�s grace. For a timid, young pastor called to extinguish raging fires and confront difficult firestarters, this was especially important. Timothy had not been chosen because he was super strong, but because God loves to work with weakness. It is His grace that makes this possible. Grace is the beginning, middle and end of any life centered on the Gospel. We are not chosen because of some inherent strength in ourselves. It is grace. We do not accomplish Christ�s work in our souls or our world on our own. It is grace. And whether we succeed or fail, we rest, because grace is with us. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-06-08 Being confessional is unpopular these days. We are post-modern, and so we hesitate to ever draw a line in the sand and say that we really believe anything to be true. We�ll talk, we�ll dialogue, we�ll converse, we�ll finger paint: just don�t ask us to conBeing confessional is unpopular these days. We are post-modern, and so we hesitate to ever draw a line in the sand and say that we really believe anything to be true. We�ll talk, we�ll dialogue, we�ll converse, we�ll finger paint: just don�t ask us to confess. Paul reminds Timothy that it was Jesus who made the original good confession before Pilate, and that he is to follow in his footsteps, fearless in the face of the world, freely confessing the truth of the Jesus� gospel. Today, several of our church family make the good confession and are baptized, publicly identifying with Christ the King. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-06-01 The story of redemption would make the 300 proud. It is an epic battle from beginning to end, and that means there is some intense fighting involved. Sadly, the Ephesians were fighting all the wrong battles in all the wrong ways. Instead of fighting againThe story of redemption would make the 300 proud. It is an epic battle from beginning to end, and that means there is some intense fighting involved. Sadly, the Ephesians were fighting all the wrong battles in all the wrong ways. Instead of fighting against sin, they were scrapping with each other. Instead of advancing the Gospel through spiritual conflict, they competed for personal glory. Instead of combating satan and his wolves, they became wolves themselves. Paul calls Timothy to fight right, to wage the good warfare, to fight the good fight of faith. While this does include silencing his wolfish human adversaries, there are four places in the letter where Paul names the real enemy. The battle that commenced in the first garden rages on, and Jesus� undershepherds need to be good soldiers. Pastors, and their people, must know how to fight. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-05-25 Confusion reigned at Ephesus when it came to understanding the role of a pastor� and the role of a congregation in response. Some thought the pastor was an untouchable Messiah figure. Others treated the office with contempt Still others wanted their buddiConfusion reigned at Ephesus when it came to understanding the role of a pastor� and the role of a congregation in response. Some thought the pastor was an untouchable Messiah figure. Others treated the office with contempt Still others wanted their buddies to be pastors, and fast. And the false teachers added to the confusion by filling the office in a way that was worthy of no honor at all. Paul challenges Timothy to call the people to an appreciation of the intense call that a pastor has and to the need for godliness in their dealings with them. Pastors should be honored, loved and compensated well for their work. Accusations against a pastor should be received with care, remembering how easy of a target any pastor is. And if it should be determined that a pastor is caught up in intentional, Christ-disgracing sin, he needs to be corrected in public because as role models for everyone else, in and out of the church. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-05-18 Many of the fi res in Ephesus were started from the pulpit, plagued with pitiful preachers and poor preaching. The result was a church fi lled with doctrinal errors and immature Christians. Putting out the fire meant that Timothy was to silence these falsMany of the fi res in Ephesus were started from the pulpit, plagued with pitiful preachers and poor preaching. The result was a church fi lled with doctrinal errors and immature Christians. Putting out the fire meant that Timothy was to silence these false teachers and keep them from speaking in the life of the church. But in the long run, a silent pulpit would no better serve the church than a false one. Timothy must �preach the word.� Paul charges the young pastor, and with him, every pastor, to devote himself to the Scriptures and to the faithful communication of them. What�s needed is not or cute stories, or clever punch lines, or enthralling oration. What�s needed is the faithful proclamation of the Gospel week in and week out. If the Church is to remain healthy, it will need a steady diet of God�s word. If the Church is to have a steady diet of God�s word, its preachers must preach well. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-05-11 What images come to mind when you think of a godly person? Upturned eyes, folded hands, bended knees? While these may have their place, Paul tells Timothy that godliness is closely associated with the image of an athlete. Legs that are sprinting in trainiWhat images come to mind when you think of a godly person? Upturned eyes, folded hands, bended knees? While these may have their place, Paul tells Timothy that godliness is closely associated with the image of an athlete. Legs that are sprinting in training, arms that are straining to do another rep, and lungs that are grasping for air, all come to mind as Paul considers what it looks like to pursue godliness. Paul uses words like train, labor, and strive. It�s as if the metaphor for sanctifi cation fi ts more with a sweaty gym than a quiet chapel. The believer is to pursue his sanctifi cation like a disciplined athlete. While sanctifi cation is ultimately a work of God, it is not without the disciplined, joyful, participation of the believer. If the Church is to remain healthy, it must call its members to train themselves in godliness that they might sanctify well. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-05-04 1943 years separate Massachusetts and Ephesus, but both cultures share at least one thing in common: a super low view of marriage. For the Ephesians, an over-realized eschatology meant dismissing marriage as obsolete. For Bostonians, spiraling divorce rat1943 years separate Massachusetts and Ephesus, but both cultures share at least one thing in common: a super low view of marriage. For the Ephesians, an over-realized eschatology meant dismissing marriage as obsolete. For Bostonians, spiraling divorce rates and confusion about gender threaten to remove the biblical vision of marriage from our cultural consciousness altogether. In both cases, Jesus� church suffers terribly because of the collapse of the home. Paul sees marriage as something God-ordained and glorious. He had already written to these Ephesians about marriage once before, announcing to them the stunning Gospel realities that are displayed in the relationship of husband and wife. He now calls upon Timothy to silence those who would disparage marriage and to encourage both men and women to take it seriously so that the covenant promises of God can be known today and passed on tomorrow. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-04-27 The story of redemption would make the 300 proud. It is an epic battle from beginning to end, and that means there is some intense fighting involved. Sadly, the Ephesians were fighting all the wrong battles in all the wrong ways. Instead of fighting againThe story of redemption would make the 300 proud. It is an epic battle from beginning to end, and that means there is some intense fighting involved. Sadly, the Ephesians were fighting all the wrong battles in all the wrong ways. Instead of fighting against sin, they were scrapping with each other. Instead of advancing the Gospel through spiritual conflict, they competed for personal glory. Instead of combating satan and his wolves, they became wolves themselves. Paul calls Timothy to fight right, to wage the good warfare, to fight the good fight of faith. While this does include silencing his wolfish human adversaries, there are four places in the letter where Paul names the real enemy. The battle that commenced in the first garden rages on, and Jesus� undershepherds need to be good soldiers. Pastors, and their people, must know how to fight. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-04-20 It seems that licenses to preach in the church at Ephesus were arriving in the proverbial Cheerios box. As happened often in the early life of Jesus� church, chaos was the norm, and in the beautiful but wild infancy of the Ephesian church, certain men fouIt seems that licenses to preach in the church at Ephesus were arriving in the proverbial Cheerios box. As happened often in the early life of Jesus� church, chaos was the norm, and in the beautiful but wild infancy of the Ephesian church, certain men found themselves inheriting the title of pastor who should not have. While the role of elder is an honorable one, appointing dishonorable men to the task will mean disaster for a church. Paul challenges Timothy to be really slow and really careful before appointing anyone to serve as an undershepherd to Jesus. The nature of the call necessitates that only qualified men with solid character and broad shoulders be affirmed. Paul�s famous bullet trait list of character traits contrasts sharply with what we know about the false teachers and paints a clear picture of what kind of a man a church should be looking for to serve as pastors. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-04-13 Women and men are equal, but different. In both culture and Church, those are fighting words. They can be stated with fists clenched, as often marks the conversation between complementarians and egalitarians, engendering the feel of a 15 round prizefi ghtWomen and men are equal, but different. In both culture and Church, those are fighting words. They can be stated with fists clenched, as often marks the conversation between complementarians and egalitarians, engendering the feel of a 15 round prizefi ght where both sides come out bloodied and bruised. Or they can be stated with blushing cheeks, sheepish grins and voice that�s shaky and unsure, insinuating that we wish the Bible didn�t insist on gender roles, but hesitantly and apologetically go along with it. But perhaps there�s another way to state those words. Perhaps you can carefully, humbly and confi dently declare that God has made men and women equal in standing, but different in calling, celebrating the wisdom of God, resting in His design for gender, and realizing that if men and women are to flourish in the Church, they must learn to compliment well. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-04-06 The list of overt, intentional sinfulness in the life of Timothy�s church could have filled an episode of Access Hollywood. Pastors and parishioners alike, while confessing the name of Christ, were caught up in a cycle of sin that threatened to shipwreck The list of overt, intentional sinfulness in the life of Timothy�s church could have filled an episode of Access Hollywood. Pastors and parishioners alike, while confessing the name of Christ, were caught up in a cycle of sin that threatened to shipwreck their faith and the witness of their church. And no one was doing anything about it. In steps Paul, challenging Pastor Timothy to discipline the church back toward holiness, even if it means excommunicating some of its members. Intentional and unrepentant sin in the lives of baptized Christians must be addressed with clarity and courage for the sake of their souls and the sake of the Gospel. And yet to see church discipline as inherently negative is to miss the point. Taking sin seriously, having mechanisms in place for loving discipline, and engendering a culture of transparency and confession is fireproofing that will lead a church to maturity and joy. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-03-30 Osama Bin Laden applying for U.S. Citizenship. Impossible? Well, that�s the closest thing to the Jewish terrorist once named Saul becoming a Christian Apostle named Paul... through the Gospel of God�s grace. Just mentioning �the Gospel� sends Paul on a thOsama Bin Laden applying for U.S. Citizenship. Impossible? Well, that�s the closest thing to the Jewish terrorist once named Saul becoming a Christian Apostle named Paul... through the Gospel of God�s grace. Just mentioning �the Gospel� sends Paul on a theologically loaded, doxologically dripping tangent where he recounts Jesus� profound impact on his life. To him, the Christ-hating, Christian killing, chief of sinners, was extended undeserved mercy and unlimited patience. And there�s only one response to such a reality � praise. Right theology always leads to exuberant doxology. If the church at Ephesus is going to get back on track, it needs to get the Gospel right. If the Church of Jesus is going to stay on track, it needs to get the Gospel right. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-03-23 The false teachers in Timothy�s church were so busy posting blogs, preaching heresies and cashing love offerings that they had completely neglected to pray. And when they did get around to prayer, it was probably done with the same narrow elitism that marThe false teachers in Timothy�s church were so busy posting blogs, preaching heresies and cashing love offerings that they had completely neglected to pray. And when they did get around to prayer, it was probably done with the same narrow elitism that marked the rest of their ministry. �We don�t pray much, and when we do, it�s just for those who we like.� This lack of fervent, missional, faith-marked prayer started fires rather than save souls. Paul challenges Timothy to get everyone back to basics, beginning with prayer. In doing so, he casts a beautiful vision of prayer as a God-pleasing activity by which God�s good intentions for the salvation of all kinds of people can be enabled in the life of a church. Pastors, and their people, must, first of all, be people of prayer. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-03-16 If you walked around the streets of Ephesus, and you didn�t know better, you might think you were here. Like Boston, Ephesus was a metropolitan city where a ton of people had good jobs, lived in nice homes, wore expensive clothes, and maintained an upscalIf you walked around the streets of Ephesus, and you didn�t know better, you might think you were here. Like Boston, Ephesus was a metropolitan city where a ton of people had good jobs, lived in nice homes, wore expensive clothes, and maintained an upscale lifestyle. Money wasn�t a problem for many of the folks in Ephesus, but materialism was. Instead of banking their lives on God and His Gospel, they trusted in their wallets and their wealth. Paul had some great advice for Timothy. And that�s because his advice was rooted in the words of Jesus. Timothy was to charge the Ephesians to focus their energy on storing up treasure in heaven by being rich in good deeds on earth. Their pride and self-reliance was to be replaced with a humble dependence on God. And their stinginess was to be replaced by generosity and a willingness to share. By using their treasure in this life righteously, they would ensure treasure in the life to come. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-03-09 The Gospel turns everything inside out and upside down. In the new humanity that has come in Christ, there is neither slave nor free, man nor woman, Greek nor Jew, Bostonian nor New Yorker. We are all saved through the work of Christ on our behalf, and noThe Gospel turns everything inside out and upside down. In the new humanity that has come in Christ, there is neither slave nor free, man nor woman, Greek nor Jew, Bostonian nor New Yorker. We are all saved through the work of Christ on our behalf, and no one is excluded because of gender, age, ethnicity, finances or zip code. We are one in Christ. Unfortunately, some in Ephesus were misunderstanding this glorious redemptive reality and using it as a license to act disrespectfully toward one another in social context of Ephesian life. And so Timothy is charged to extinguish the disrespect by teaching the old and young how to get along, and by reminding the Christian servants that, whether their masters are believers or not, Jesus has amazingly put them in a place where they are now the ones with something to offer: to the unbelieving master, the truth of the Gospel, and to the believing, the gift of Christ-like service from one brother to another. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-03-02 The church at Ephesus has a widow problem. Younger widows were getting on 'the rolls', making a pledge to serve Jesus and His church, but the quickly reneging when the first handsome bachelor strolled by. On top of that, these desperate housewidows had toThe church at Ephesus has a widow problem. Younger widows were getting on 'the rolls', making a pledge to serve Jesus and His church, but the quickly reneging when the first handsome bachelor strolled by. On top of that, these desperate housewidows had too much time on their hands and were providing a platform for the false teachers, gossiping up a storm, and basically joining sides with satan. Paul tells Timothy to put some rigorous guidelines in place for just who gets included on the widow roles of the church. In doing so, he praises godly widows for the beautiful lives of faith they have lived and challenges younger widows to live up to that standard. Until they do, they should not be given the privilege of serving as a church widow but should be encouraged to be about the work of building a home to the glory of God. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-02-24 We've heard of deadbeat dads, but what about deadbeat kids? In the Ephesian church, it was the children who dropped a bundle off at the doorstep, and that bundle was their aging parents. Instead of caring for those who had cared for them, the Ephesians shWe've heard of deadbeat dads, but what about deadbeat kids? In the Ephesian church, it was the children who dropped a bundle off at the doorstep, and that bundle was their aging parents. Instead of caring for those who had cared for them, the Ephesians shirked their responsibility towards their relatives and abandoned their widowed mothers. As a result, the church was burdened with footing the bill for these folks at the expense of helping the widows who really had no one to care for them. Paul points out that failing to provide for ones relatives is irreconcilably inconsistent with the Christian Gospel and Christian faith. To claim allegiance to Jesus and simultaneously to disavow mom and dad doesn't make sense. And so, in keeping with the Gospel, Timothy is to urge the Ephesian children to provide for their parents and thus repay their many years of kindness and care. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-02-17 Vince Macmahon would have loved Sunday mornings in the Ephesian church. Instead of lifting holy and unified hands together in prayer, violent men were inciting fistfights in the pews. Instead of dressing with modesty and participating with humility, ignorVince Macmahon would have loved Sunday mornings in the Ephesian church. Instead of lifting holy and unified hands together in prayer, violent men were inciting fistfights in the pews. Instead of dressing with modesty and participating with humility, ignorant and obnoxious high-status women were dressing like WWE divas and clutching at the microphone. The result was chaos in gathered worship of the church and a noticeable absence of good works. Paul charges Timothy to call the men and women in the church toward a proper love and respect for each other, their leaders, and Christ when they come together for worship. Brawling men and spotlight-seeking women needed to repent, and everyone needed to display the teachable spirit and good works that are fitting for those who profess Christ. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-02-10 The Ephesians didn't have cable, but their false teachers were sure acting like they were on t.v. The allure of fame and fortune had caused these leaders to proclaim a false gospel designed to attract more followers and more financial benefits. Their concThe Ephesians didn't have cable, but their false teachers were sure acting like they were on t.v. The allure of fame and fortune had caused these leaders to proclaim a false gospel designed to attract more followers and more financial benefits. Their concern was not for the building up of the Ephesian church or for the redemption of the city, but for the building up their buddy list and bank accounts. Their love of popularity and prosperity was dragging them and their hearers toward spiritual ruin and bringing shame to the name of Christ in their eyes of their culture. Paul puts himself forward as an example of a properly motivated pastor: content with whatever food is on the table and clothes are on his back, as long as the Gospel is going forth. His concern was not with fat pockets, fancy threads or front page headlines, but with the health of Jesus' church. Jesus' name was the one he wanted in lights. He pleads with Timothy to see that love of money is extinguished by the godliness and contentment that come through the Gospel, for the sake of their church and their mission. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/ 2008-02-03 "No Food & No Sex." That's the sign that hung over the door of the Ephesian church. Under the guise of piety and in the name of religion, certain teachers imposed man-made restrictions upon the church. Instead of receiving God's good gifts with thanksgivi"No Food & No Sex." That's the sign that hung over the door of the Ephesian church. Under the guise of piety and in the name of religion, certain teachers imposed man-made restrictions upon the church. Instead of receiving God's good gifts with thanksgiving and calling others to do the same, these guys banned marriage and prohibited feasting. They had bought into the lure of legalism, seeking to earn favor with God rather than receiving grace from God. Paul didn't mince words when it came to legalism. He called the teachers insincere liars whose consciences had been seared and exposed their teaching as the doctrine of demons. Paul calls Timothy to expose the lies of legalism with the truth of the Gospel. Timothy was to teach the believers that it was not by rejecting God's gifts and grace, but by receiving it that God would be pleased. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/ 2008-01-27 Bloggers have become the bane of the Internet. These self-styled experts, hiding behind their keyboards and rambling endlessly on, specialize is stirring up controversies that go nowhere but down into an unending spiral of angry posts and counterposts, wiBloggers have become the bane of the Internet. These self-styled experts, hiding behind their keyboards and rambling endlessly on, specialize is stirring up controversies that go nowhere but down into an unending spiral of angry posts and counterposts, with nobody happy and nothing resolved. The Ephesian church was being torn apart by its version of first-century blogggers: ignorant, unqualified, self-appointed false teachers who were more interested in sounding hip and engendering arguments than in building up believers. The result was a church divided, confused, and miles away from the Gospel. Paul's immediate and overarching charge to Timothy was to silence these counterfeit leaders and their divisive, slanderous, fire-starting teachings. Rather than engaging them in a shouting match or debate, Timothy was simply to command the false teachers to hush, and then turn his attention to proclaiming the true apostolic teaching that Paul had handed down to him, teaching that is evidenced by pure hearts, good consciences and sincere faith. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/25 2008-01-20 It was 65AD, and things weren't going really well in the life of the church at Ephesus. Corrupt leaders were leading people astray with their false teaching. Ascetic legalists were insisting that nobody get married, have sex, eat meat, or drink wine. FirsIt was 65AD, and things weren't going really well in the life of the church at Ephesus. Corrupt leaders were leading people astray with their false teaching. Ascetic legalists were insisting that nobody get married, have sex, eat meat, or drink wine. First-century televangelists were pursuing fortune and fame at the expense of the gospel. Violent men and obnoxious women were reeking havoc in the worship service. Sons and daughters were neglecting to care for their widowed moms. Younger widows were dividing the church with their gossiping and gallivanting. Relationships were a mess between servants and masters, men and women, the young and the old. Rich Ephesian converts were disdaining generosity and holding onto their cash with tight fists. It was a veritable inferno... an 8-alarm fire, threatening to burn the Ephesian church out of existence. The church's one hope was a timid, young pastor named Timothy. Timothy had worked alongside the Apostle Paul on many a mission, and had seen his share of troubles, but never had he encountered anything like this. And now he was alone, lungs filling with smoke, unsure what to do next. Thankfully, although alone, he was not forgotten. When the Paul heard about the situation facing the Ephesian church, he immediately composed a letter in which he encouraged Timothy to dig in, grab an axe and a hose, fight the fires, and rescue the church. That letter has survived for 2000 years and found its way into our Bibles where it is now known as the First Epistle of Paul to Timothy, or I Timothy. For the next 5 months we are going to immerse ourselves in the text of this letter and the story of this church and see what we can learn together. Modern theologians are always arguing back and forth about the proper way to read the letter. Some insist it is nothing more than an ad hoc document to be interpreted only within the context of first-century Ephesus, having no normative value for Jesus' church today. Others see it as the Apostle Paul's intentional blueprint for the ecclesial life of every church ever. Rather than picking sides, we are going to embrace the wisdom in each of these approaches by splitting our preaching series into two parts. Part 1 is entitled firefighting. In these 8 weeks we are going to watch as Paul challenges Timothy to extinguish each of the situation-specific fires that were burning. To do this well we will have to get the local context right and see how Paul's charges bring the Gospel to bear on the problems that Timothy and the Ephesian church faced. Part 2 is entitled fireproofing. Throughout I Timothy, Paul weaves together many threads of beautiful, godly, pastoral wisdom how Timothy and the Ephesian church should do church, wisdom that that every pastor and every congregation in every time and place should embrace. We love our church as much as Paul and Timothy did theirs, and so in these final 13 weeks we are hoping to respond to the timeless truth of this letter and work diligently to keep any future fires from ravaging the life of our church. And so, grab your helmets and hoses (careful sliding down the pole) and find your place on the ladder truck as we head off to fight the eight-alarm fire that is Timothy's Inferno, and see what lessons we can learn that will help us fireproof our life together along the Seven Mile Road. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2008-01-13 Look at yourself in the mirror. Now look away. Do you remember what you look like? Of course you do; how could you not? Well James says that those who hear God�s words and fail to do them are like those who stare at themselves but forget what they look liLook at yourself in the mirror. Now look away. Do you remember what you look like? Of course you do; how could you not? Well James says that those who hear God�s words and fail to do them are like those who stare at themselves but forget what they look like. And that kind of amnesia can be devastating for your soul. The Bible pleads with us to be a people who are hearers and doers of the voice of God written. If the Bible is all that we have been saying that it is, then only one response remains. Do what it says. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2008-01-07 Alone. That is how our culture prefers to read the Bible. High literacy rates, affordable Bibles and ample free time, coupled together with our fiercely independent spirit, have birthed a generation who engages Scripture in isolation. Rather than situatinAlone. That is how our culture prefers to read the Bible. High literacy rates, affordable Bibles and ample free time, coupled together with our fiercely independent spirit, have birthed a generation who engages Scripture in isolation. Rather than situating ourselves in a place of accountability when reading, interpreting or applying Scripture, we sit on a couch, open our Bible, and determine for ourselves what it means and what we should do with it. Christians from centuries past would shake their heads at our foolishness and arrogance. In the early church, Bible reading was necessarily done �as a people�, and that was a good thing. The Gospel is about community, and that reality should birth in us a desire to humbly invite the saints, past and present, to come to the text with us. Although this may seem inconvenient, it is the grace of God that compels us to read our Bibles together. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-12-23 A Magic 8 ball. For a large part of my life, that�s how I viewed my Bible. I sought simple answers to life�s toughest questions on a verse by verse basis. Whether it was by selecting random passages or thumbing through a book of Bible promises, I wanted tA Magic 8 ball. For a large part of my life, that�s how I viewed my Bible. I sought simple answers to life�s toughest questions on a verse by verse basis. Whether it was by selecting random passages or thumbing through a book of Bible promises, I wanted truth and guidance on demand in the form of simplicities like �the outcome is favorable.� I missed the bigger picture. Above the scope of the many verses, many chapters, many volumes and genres is a story. Indeed, the Bible is a book. It tells the story of redemption through God�s perfect revelation, Jesus Christ. Jesus himself proclaimed, �These are the scriptures that testify about me.� Understanding the unity of scripture in God�s perfect plan is known as Biblical theology. This bird�s eye view allows the reader to appreciate the beauty of God�s words pieced together in the mosaic that is the Gospel. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-12-09 Near. You wouldn�t think it, but that�s where God is as you read His word. In fact, in this gracious and mysterious way, the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible comes alongside to help you read the Bible. God gets involved in the reading of His Word. And sNear. You wouldn�t think it, but that�s where God is as you read His word. In fact, in this gracious and mysterious way, the Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible comes alongside to help you read the Bible. God gets involved in the reading of His Word. And so, the Holy Spirit illuminates the text, helping us to understand and convicting us to believe the Scripture. He also pierces our hearts through the Word and shows us how to apply its truth to our lives. The author of the Bible will be your teacher as well. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-12-02 Perspicuity. Now there�s a word that you throw around if you are ever on the campus of Gordon Conwell. In a striking paradox, the word perspicuity means that the Bible is understandable, simple enough for anyone to read it and get the point. Once upon a tPerspicuity. Now there�s a word that you throw around if you are ever on the campus of Gordon Conwell. In a striking paradox, the word perspicuity means that the Bible is understandable, simple enough for anyone to read it and get the point. Once upon a time the Church considered it a highly dangerous enterprise to allow common folks to actually own and read the Bible for themselves, instead insisting that the church was the infallible guardian of truth and alone to be trusted with access to the Scriptures. Thankfully, neither pope nor professor are necessary for a person understand the message of Scripture. And yet perspicuity doesn�t mean that every passage in the Bible is cheesecake to exegete. While there is a sense in which the Bible is understandable to anyone, there are also places where it is a mystery to everyone, including certain texts that no one can nail down with certainty. Our paradoxical God is at it again, this time fusing simplicity and difficulty, and calling us to engage and believe. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-11-25 Dust. That is all the remains of the original parchments that the Scripture was written on. Even the very earliest manuscripts of the Bible that exist today are copies of copies of copies of copies� all handwritten by human scribes. And so it was inevitabDust. That is all the remains of the original parchments that the Scripture was written on. Even the very earliest manuscripts of the Bible that exist today are copies of copies of copies of copies� all handwritten by human scribes. And so it was inevitable that mistakes would be made in the transcribing process. Textual critics guesstimate that hundreds of thousands of inadvertent or intentional variants exist among the surviving manuscripts. There are even some places where no one knows exactly what the original text said. These realities have caused many to abandon any belief in the inspiration or authority of the Bible. But the same textual criticism that uncovered the variations enables us to get back to the original renderings with all the certainty we need, allowing us to be aware of any alterations that were made along the way, and comforting us with the truth that not a single doctrine of our faith is affected by manuscript uncertainties. And so we can marvel at and rest in the truth that we really do hold the Word of God, written. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-11-18 Picture walking through a field littered with landmines with a great treasure on the other side. That�s sort of what we�ll be doing today as we consider the claim of that the Bible is true. Many in our culture would say that the Bible is fraught with incoPicture walking through a field littered with landmines with a great treasure on the other side. That�s sort of what we�ll be doing today as we consider the claim of that the Bible is true. Many in our culture would say that the Bible is fraught with inconsistencies, contradictions, errors, and the like. Using some of the more puzzling and peripheral details, many build an argument for the whole book to be labeled errant and tossed. Is that valid? Or perhaps would it make more sense to consider the weight and validity of the whole book as a foundation for examining peripheral details. Even with such an approach, we�ll still need to navigate through issues like, what do we mean when we say the Bible is true? What do we do with all the apparent discrepancies and mistakes? Are the theological claims of the Bible true, but the historical facts flawed? Can the Bible be trusted, and if so, some of it, most of it, or all of it? Strap on a helmet as we walk through these questions because the truth about the truthfulness of the Bible is on the other side. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-11-11 Both. That is the mysterious, difficult, messy and beautiful answer to the crucial question, �Is the Bible the Word of God or the words of men?� The Bible was written in different cities and cultures, at different times in redemptive history, by differentBoth. That is the mysterious, difficult, messy and beautiful answer to the crucial question, �Is the Bible the Word of God or the words of men?� The Bible was written in different cities and cultures, at different times in redemptive history, by different human authors with different concerns, personalities and literary abilities. And yet each of these diverse authors was providentially prepared and supernaturally inspired so that the words they wrote were not only theirs, but God�s. This does not mean that God violated the authors� minds, agendas or writing styles by sending them into a trance and dictating verbatim what was to be recorded. �God-breathed� is the way that Paul describes God�s partnering with people to give us Scripture, revealing Himself to and through humanity. In the words of men, God has spoken. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-11-04 Sixty-six. That is the number of books in our Bible. Prevailing wisdom insists that the process by which these books, and only these books, reached canonical status was all about power. Human power. A few church leaders, driven by personal agendas and polSixty-six. That is the number of books in our Bible. Prevailing wisdom insists that the process by which these books, and only these books, reached canonical status was all about power. Human power. A few church leaders, driven by personal agendas and political motivations, invented orthodoxy by arbitrarily selecting what books would make the cut into the realm of Scripture. The Gospels of Thomas and Judas (on sale at Costco right now) and many other writings should be in your Bible, but were ruled out, not based on content, but on politics. In fact, it wasn�t until Athanasius, the politically powerful bishop of Alexandria, wrote his annual pastoral letter to the Egyptian churches that we even have evidence of a canon. The church made the whole thing up. Or did they? There is another power at play in the process of canonization, one that supersedes all others: the power of God. Our canonical books have been infused with divine authority, not by a backroom council, but by virtue of their Author. His �fingerprints� are on these texts. And so canonization is not a process of selection but of recognition. It is the power of God, not of men, that has providentially and beautifully delivered to us our Bible. QUESTIONS TO ASK: Why aren�t all the book that have ever been written included in the Bible? How can we trust the reliability of the Scriptures when councils of men were the ones who chose which texts were included? What are the unique �fingerprints� that are on the Canonical books? Did the church choose that Canon or receive it? http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-10-28 Take away the three-piece suit, the in-your-face smugness, and the huge leather carrying case, and Jesus was a Bible thumper�the good kind. If we�re going to investigate the nature and worth of this book, it would only make sense to explore how Jesus viewTake away the three-piece suit, the in-your-face smugness, and the huge leather carrying case, and Jesus was a Bible thumper�the good kind. If we�re going to investigate the nature and worth of this book, it would only make sense to explore how Jesus viewed it. As a people looking to Jesus, we�re asking, how did Jesus look at the Bible? You�ll discover that Jesus loved, read, obeyed, memorized, quoted, taught, and believed the Bible. He clung to His Bible tightly as the revealed word of God. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-10-21 Propaganda. That�s what our culture considers the Gospels to be. The working assumption goes as follows: the early Christians thought Jesus had risen and was coming back real soon, and so they freely expanded the �Jesus tradition� to meet their community�Propaganda. That�s what our culture considers the Gospels to be. The working assumption goes as follows: the early Christians thought Jesus had risen and was coming back real soon, and so they freely expanded the �Jesus tradition� to meet their community�s needs, leaving the historical Jesus far behind. Decades later, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, heavily influenced by their own theological interests, penned fiction bearing little resemblance to reality. As the Jesus Seminar concluded, we might as well have had Pinocchio write the Gospels: very little of what we read there about Jesus can be trusted. But perhaps it is our assumptions with the long noses. The Gospels just don�t read like fictitious propaganda, but like eyewitness, apostolic testimony written by or compiled from those who spent years following Rabbi Jesus, men who saw themselves as authoritative guardians of the truth about Jesus� life, death and resurrection. Four times over we have inherited historically reliable, theologically brilliant accounts of the real Jesus and His Gospel that really can be trusted. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-10-14 A light that guides the path. A sword that pierces the soul. A hammer that breaks the heart. These are just some of the many metaphors and images the Bible uses in describing itself. Read it and you�ll find that the Bible has a really lofty view of�well, A light that guides the path. A sword that pierces the soul. A hammer that breaks the heart. These are just some of the many metaphors and images the Bible uses in describing itself. Read it and you�ll find that the Bible has a really lofty view of�well, the Bible. Today we walk through the pages of Scripture and listen to its witness concerning itself. After all, if so many have staked their lives on the importance of this book, it would only be appropriate to consider what the book says about itself. But be careful. You may find that exploring the Bible leaves your path lit, your soul pierced, and your heart broken. And that�s a good thing. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/27 2007-10-07 Surrounded by enemies, with the brokenness of this world pressing in on him, the Psalmist writes a 176 stanza poem extolling the wonders of� His Bible. Nailed to the cross, moments from his death, Jesus lifts his head and quotes from� His Bible. Chained iSurrounded by enemies, with the brokenness of this world pressing in on him, the Psalmist writes a 176 stanza poem extolling the wonders of� His Bible. Nailed to the cross, moments from his death, Jesus lifts his head and quotes from� His Bible. Chained in prison, with his execution imminent, the Apostle Paul pleads with Timothy to bring him� his Bible. Locked in a jail cell of his own 1500 years later, with his death also looming, William Tyndale begs his lordship to allow him access to� his Bible. These and countless stories like them give us a glimpse into the spiritual intensity of the Bible. This is no ordinary book sitting on a shelf, reserved for casual reading in a library. Nor is it a religious text to be subjected to dispassionate analysis in a seminary class. The Bible is the voice of God written, speaking redemptively to the realities of the human experience. And so, as we commence on a study of the origin and nature of the Bible, we do so aware this is not a mere intellectual exercise. Scripture necessarily engages both mind and soul, and here neutrality is never an option. We come to the Scriptures humbly, longing to know truth and to hear God, dependent upon grace, fully aware that as we read study the Bible, it is the Bible that studies us, and that life can be found in the story that it tells. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/29 2007-09-16 Audio from the dedication of Timothy RosellAudio from the dedication of Timothy Rosell http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-09-09 In his role as a judge on American Idol, Simon Cowell gets off on flame-throwing potential idols, pointing out their every flaw, gladly expelling them from the studio. Much of our contemporary culture sees Jesus the same way: He's a heavenly watchdog, gleIn his role as a judge on American Idol, Simon Cowell gets off on flame-throwing potential idols, pointing out their every flaw, gladly expelling them from the studio. Much of our contemporary culture sees Jesus the same way: He's a heavenly watchdog, gleefully recording every mistake we make so He can one day condemn us to an eternity in Hell and be laughing when He does. And yet throughout John we see Jesus forgiving and not condemning, as He does when a group of Pharisees set up an adulteress and then drag her before Him in hopes of 'getting' Jesus. Jesus response is to condemn only the condemners, teaching us the heart of God to forgive. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-09-02 Think of Grandma and fuzzy-warm feelings emerge, like memories of big hugs, wet kisses and hot chocolate. Grandma would never hurt your feelings, even if you were doing something wrong. We assume that Jesus is like that, just wanting to forgive and forgetThink of Grandma and fuzzy-warm feelings emerge, like memories of big hugs, wet kisses and hot chocolate. Grandma would never hurt your feelings, even if you were doing something wrong. We assume that Jesus is like that, just wanting to forgive and forget real fast so we don't feel too bad about our sin. We're wrong; just ask Peter. He had boasted that he was willing to be imprisoned or even die because his love for Jesus was so strong, but then denied Jesus three times. John takes us to Peter's last conversation with Jesus, where Jesus takes Peter back to that vain proclamation by questioning three times his love for him. Is Jesus rubbing Peter's nose in his sin, gleefully furthering the humiliation and shame that Peter must have felt already? No. Jesus is restoring Peter, and the condition of his soul here is more important than the hurting of his feelings. Because of His intense love for us, Jesus is never content to gloss over our sin, He gently but firmly persists with His gracious discipline in our lives until we are truly restored. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/28 2007-08-26 Audio from the August 26, 2007 bapsitms held at Upper Mystic Lake.Audio from the August 26, 2007 bapsitms held at Upper Mystic Lake. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-08-19 Elvis is dead, but don't tell his fans that. From shopping at a Walmart in San Francisco to using the men's room at a Fuddruckers in Florida, there have been Elvis sightings in nearly every corner of the country. Believers will swear to you that the king Elvis is dead, but don't tell his fans that. From shopping at a Walmart in San Francisco to using the men's room at a Fuddruckers in Florida, there have been Elvis sightings in nearly every corner of the country. Believers will swear to you that the king of rock 'n' roll is still alive and well. For much of our culture, faith in the resurrection of Jesus works much the same way. Sure, Christians claim that Jesus is alive, but they're witness is as reliable as the Elvis followers. And yet John compels us to resurrection of Jesus as historical fact. He even includes the story of a skeptic named Thomas who comes to see the truth and reality of Jesus' bodily resurrection. Is Jesus dead, or has He risen from the dead? How you answer that makes all the difference in the world. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-08-12 "The death of Jesus was a great example to the world." Make that statement, and you'll have most people nodding their heads. "The death of Jesus was an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world." Make that statement, and you'll have most people shaking "The death of Jesus was a great example to the world." Make that statement, and you'll have most people nodding their heads. "The death of Jesus was an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world." Make that statement, and you'll have most people shaking their fists. So which is it? Was Jesus' death ultimately no different than that of Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr.? He was a good man, great teacher, and moral example whose life was tragically cut short. Is that it, or is there something more to the death of this preacher from Nazareth? John contends that there is. The death of Christ is so important, not because by it we are offered a great model, but because by it we are offered forgiveness of sins. John sees Jesus not as just another martyr, but as the "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-08-05 Everybody loves Raymond. How could you not? He's funny, witty, friendly, understanding, easy going and likeable. We think the same of Jesus. Who wouldn't love a kind, caring, fascinating teacher who was always looking out for woman and children? And yet JEverybody loves Raymond. How could you not? He's funny, witty, friendly, understanding, easy going and likeable. We think the same of Jesus. Who wouldn't love a kind, caring, fascinating teacher who was always looking out for woman and children? And yet John presents a Jesus who is welcomed at times more like Robert than Raymond, with derision, scorn, and even venom. And then He was crucified. Not everybody loves Jesus, because not everybody loves the Father. As followers of Christ, we cannot expect the full acceptance of the world if we are in Christ. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-07-29 The Carthusians were an order of Christian monks in the Middle Ages who retreated from the world into a single residence, sleeping each in his own cell in a stone coffin (to remind him that his time on earth was short, and that it was the life after in HeThe Carthusians were an order of Christian monks in the Middle Ages who retreated from the world into a single residence, sleeping each in his own cell in a stone coffin (to remind him that his time on earth was short, and that it was the life after in Heaven that mattered) and speaking to each other not at all, unless to say 'memento mori' ('remember death'). Is this the height of Jesus-living, getting together with other believers, wardening ourselves off from the world, and trying hard not to be led into sin until Jesus' returns? Not according to John, who gives us Jesus' prayer for His Disciples that they fulfill His mission of being in the world and for the world, although unlike the world. Jesus is not Lord of the bunker but Lord of all, and we are called to put Him on full display before the nations. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-07-22 Is there anything worse than a 'deadbeat' dad? He skips town and abandons those closest to him. When the going gets tough, he gets going. As you keep reading John, you come across a scene where Jesus looks like he's going to do the same. He gathers the diIs there anything worse than a 'deadbeat' dad? He skips town and abandons those closest to him. When the going gets tough, he gets going. As you keep reading John, you come across a scene where Jesus looks like he's going to do the same. He gathers the disciples around Him and tells them that He's going away. What's worse, they can't go with Him. The disciples are greatly troubled. After all, they had left everything to follow Jesus, and now Jesus was going to leave all of them. Yet Jesus assures them that it's a good thing that He goes away because He will send the Holy Spirit. Jesus will be closer to His people than we could have ever imagined. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-07-15 Arriving late to Spring Training, faking a family illness, demanding to be traded, whining about the Boston media: Manny Ramirez is concerned with one person and one person only: Manny. For many, this is the Christian life. Faith is a solo pursuit. Our loArriving late to Spring Training, faking a family illness, demanding to be traded, whining about the Boston media: Manny Ramirez is concerned with one person and one person only: Manny. For many, this is the Christian life. Faith is a solo pursuit. Our love for Jesus doesn't really extend to Jesus' church. And yet John insists with us that it must. Jesus demands that we love one another with the same humble, selfless, sacrificial love that He has given to us. There is no way to claim that we love Jesus if that love is not evidenced by our love for Jesus' family. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-07-08 Robots don't have feelings, They can know that something is true, but they can't be moved by the fact. Being a Christian for some is merely a robotic matter of the mind. The arguments for the Christian faith are deemed true and insurmountable, and intelleRobots don't have feelings, They can know that something is true, but they can't be moved by the fact. Being a Christian for some is merely a robotic matter of the mind. The arguments for the Christian faith are deemed true and insurmountable, and intellectual assent is given to Christianity. Or, cultural pressures mandate that we confess Christ, and so we do with a yawn. And yet the reality of the Gospel demands so much more than this. It requires a response of our soul, our affections, our passions. John presents to us a Christ who is aware of His infinite worth and the glory of His Gospel and applauds His followers when they recognize and respond to Him with fitting affection. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-07-01 Achilles was almost a god. He was the greatest of the Greek warriors, and his mom even bathed him in the River Styx, divinely protecting him all the way down to his heel. Of course, an arrow from Paris quelled any doubt about Achilles' divinity and immoraAchilles was almost a god. He was the greatest of the Greek warriors, and his mom even bathed him in the River Styx, divinely protecting him all the way down to his heel. Of course, an arrow from Paris quelled any doubt about Achilles' divinity and immorality. But what about Jesus? Throughout John's Gospel we see Jesus equating Himself with God, to the confusion of the crowds and the consternation of the religious leaders. Was Jesus God? John's glorious and mysterious answer is yes: He was. And is. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-06-24 What could be an easier life than being a hippie? Our easygoing, tie-dye wearing friends have carefree living down to a science. For many of us, the idea of following Jesus has the same basic premise. He will make life easy... no sickness, no struggles, lWhat could be an easier life than being a hippie? Our easygoing, tie-dye wearing friends have carefree living down to a science. For many of us, the idea of following Jesus has the same basic premise. He will make life easy... no sickness, no struggles, lots of stuff, comfort and ease.Yet the Gospels describe following Jesus as a call to lay down your life, take up your cross, sacrifice everything, and surrender all. That sounds anything but easy. But Jesus promises that ultimately what you gain is incomparably and infinitely greater than what you give up. Is following Jesus easy? No. Is it worth it? Yes. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-06-17 The Wizard of Oz was faking it! What Dorothy and pals thoughts was an all-powerful, miracle-working wizard was really an overwhelmed midget frantically pulling levers behind a green curtain. His 'miracles' were a hoax. But what about the supposed miraclesThe Wizard of Oz was faking it! What Dorothy and pals thoughts was an all-powerful, miracle-working wizard was really an overwhelmed midget frantically pulling levers behind a green curtain. His 'miracles' were a hoax. But what about the supposed miracles of Jesus? John recounts for us 7 signs Jesus performed, some of which were miraculous, including changing water into wine, performing 3 healings, walking on water, multiplying the loaves and raising Lazarus from the dead. Did Jesus really work miracles or did His well-wishing followers conjure up these mythical exploits to paint Jesus in a more heavenly light? John insists that these miracles were real, and that we are to see the miracles and believe in the miracle worker. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-06-10 Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, Janet: take your pick. They're all Jacksons, and they all can sing and dance. Whichever you choose, you'll end up in the same place. Our culture thinks this way about God. Whichever religion or religious figure youJackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael, Janet: take your pick. They're all Jacksons, and they all can sing and dance. Whichever you choose, you'll end up in the same place. Our culture thinks this way about God. Whichever religion or religious figure you choose doesn't really matter because they'll all eventually lead you to the same reality. God's at the top of the mountain and there's endless paths you can take to get to him. But John presents to us a Jesus who claims uniqueness. Seven times we hear Him say "I am." Not me and a host of others. "I am." The Way. The Gate. The Shepherd. The Vine. Just me. No one else. What sounds initially like an intolerant and impossible doctrine is actually a glorious and necessary reality. Jesus, alone, is. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-06-03 Jesus is my homeboy. Have you seen the tee-shirt? Is that who Jesus is? A buddy to help you along, sort of like Tonto for the Lone Ranger? You're the star, and Jesus is fine riding shotgun. Sounds about right if you're watching TBN, And yet John the BaptiJesus is my homeboy. Have you seen the tee-shirt? Is that who Jesus is? A buddy to help you along, sort of like Tonto for the Lone Ranger? You're the star, and Jesus is fine riding shotgun. Sounds about right if you're watching TBN, And yet John the Baptist had a drastically different view. He saw Jesus as someone whose sandals he wasn't even fit to untie. John celebrated the fact that the spotlight belonged to Jesus and not to him and rejoiced at the idea that Jesus was to become greater and he lesser. John didn't see Jesus as a sidekick, but as Lord. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-05-27 Clark Kent was just another guy. Sort of. Beneath his black-rimmed glasses and reporter's tie were those blue and red tights with the yellow big S on the front. No need for a jack: he can lift the car. No need for a car: he can fly. No need for a bullet pClark Kent was just another guy. Sort of. Beneath his black-rimmed glasses and reporter's tie were those blue and red tights with the yellow big S on the front. No need for a jack: he can lift the car. No need for a car: he can fly. No need for a bullet proof vest: he'll just outrun the bullet. Clark Kent wasn't just a man; he was Superman. Is this how it was with Jesus? He looked like a regular Galilean peasant, but under that robe were blue and red tights with a big G on the front: Godman, impervious to hunger and thirst and pain and temptation? John goes out his way to remind us that Jesus was fully human, like us. Jesus hungered, thirsted, wept, slept and even felt pain, fully identifying with us so that he could fully save us. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-05-20 "Don't go there. Don't touch this. Don't do that." C.S. Lewis' fictional character, Mrs. McCreedy was the queen of following the rules and calling others to do the same. If she lived in Jesus' day, she would have loved the Pharisees. And at first, you wou"Don't go there. Don't touch this. Don't do that." C.S. Lewis' fictional character, Mrs. McCreedy was the queen of following the rules and calling others to do the same. If she lived in Jesus' day, she would have loved the Pharisees. And at first, you would have thought Jesus would too. These guys are the kings of dotting their i's and crossing their t's when it came to God's law. But Jesus saw the Pharisees for who they were - men who knew the law but failed to love God. In fact, as you read John's Gospel, you can't help but notice that Jesus and the Pharisees were always at each other's throat. Jesus cuts the idea that God's kingdom is about keeping laws and performing well. Instead, it is about a new birth and a new heart that comes not through performance, but through faith in Jesus. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-05-13 There is a church-turned-bar in New Orleans whose interior is adorned with an interesting mural of Jesus. He is portrayed as emaciated and pasty-white, dressed in open-toed sandals and a pink robe, and sporting massive Paul Mitchell product in his long, bThere is a church-turned-bar in New Orleans whose interior is adorned with an interesting mural of Jesus. He is portrayed as emaciated and pasty-white, dressed in open-toed sandals and a pink robe, and sporting massive Paul Mitchell product in his long, blonde hair. I guess it's not surprising that this church died and became a bar. And yet this is the Jesus who exists in many of our minds: an effeminate conflict-avoider who preferred the safe company of children and sheep. John portrays a very different Christ: a blue-collar, hammer-swinging carpenter-turned-rabbi who flips over tables, challenges corrupt religious authorities, confronts powerful politicians and ultimately conquers satan, sin and death. As believers, we are not asked to worship a dude we could beat up, but to follow a King of kings. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-05-06 You remember Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh? He was the sad looking donkey with the gloomy face, drooped head, and depressing voice. You'd rather get a root canal hang out with Eeyore. For a lot us, the idea of following Jesus is no different. Jesus is assocYou remember Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh? He was the sad looking donkey with the gloomy face, drooped head, and depressing voice. You'd rather get a root canal hang out with Eeyore. For a lot us, the idea of following Jesus is no different. Jesus is associated with words like boring, dull, dry, and dreary. Yet John shows us Jesus not as a party pooper, but as the life of the party. He and his friends were the sort of guys you'd find celebrating at a wedding. In fact, that's where He performed His first miracle, turning water into... wine. Jesus life and ministry was marked by joy, and He is not out to steal our fun, but to give us joy unspeakable. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-04-29 In his book Why Christianity Must Change Or Die, Bishop John Shelby Spong pleads with us that "Jesus as Rescuer" is an "image that has to go." This is because there is no personal God, there was no creation, no imago dei, no fall, no sin, and therefore thIn his book Why Christianity Must Change Or Die, Bishop John Shelby Spong pleads with us that "Jesus as Rescuer" is an "image that has to go." This is because there is no personal God, there was no creation, no imago dei, no fall, no sin, and therefore there is no need for a Savior. If only we could only come into the post-modern light of Sagan, Freud and the Jesus Seminar we would see that there is no one to be saved by and nothing to be saved from. Only those of us who are stuck in an archaic world view continue to feel the need to look to Christ as a hero-savior who rescues us from the 'curse'. And so Jesus is a crutch, embraced by the weak-minded masses, but unnecessary for the more enlightened souls who realize that we don't need a hero. And yet John insists that that Jesus is more than just another arbitrary religious figure reinterpreted to meet our heroic appetites. He is the long-awaited Messiah of the Jews and Savior of the World. We all need a Savior from sin, and Jesus is the One. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/26 2007-04-22 If you've ever seen Edward Scissorhands, there's one thing you can't help but notice. The guy never talks! He never says a word. He doesn't speak. And so the whole time, you never know what he's thinking, or who he is, or what he's like. Is God like that?If you've ever seen Edward Scissorhands, there's one thing you can't help but notice. The guy never talks! He never says a word. He doesn't speak. And so the whole time, you never know what he's thinking, or who he is, or what he's like. Is God like that? Has He ever spoken? Can you really know who He is or what He's like? Many have concluded that God is a grand enigma: as much as we want to, we simply can't know Him. Yet John insists that this is not the case. God can be known because it is in His nature to reveal Himself. What's more, God has made Himself known ultimately through Jesus. From its first verse, John's Gospel declares that when you get to know this man named Jesus, you are actually getting to know God. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/30 2006-05-14 Back in Genesis, God had promised childless and homeless Abraham that He would give him descendants as numerous as the stars� and a sweet land to boot. As the curtain draws on the book of Exodus, things are looking good on the child-front as the Hebrews aBack in Genesis, God had promised childless and homeless Abraham that He would give him descendants as numerous as the stars� and a sweet land to boot. As the curtain draws on the book of Exodus, things are looking good on the child-front as the Hebrews are multiplying like rabbits in Springtime. The land-front? That one�s not so hot. In fact, it�s terrible. Not only God�s people living in a land that is not their own, the new Pharaoh has enslaved them, and now has intentions of wiping them out altogether. Egypt has suddenly becomes a dark place marked by oppression, pain, and helplessness. Wasn�t God the one who had led His people into Egypt? Yes. And although He seems to have forgotten His people, he hasn�t. The same God who lead them into Egypt is preparing to lead them out. And in doing so he is going to tell the greatest story there is. A story that can only hit home if you�ve been through a dark place like slavery. The story of redemption. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/29 2006-02-26 Today we consider the magnificent grace of God: not only does He promise to extend His grace to our children and their children downstream 1000 generations, but He allows parents to participate with Him in seeing our children experience that grace. Woah.Today we consider the magnificent grace of God: not only does He promise to extend His grace to our children and their children downstream 1000 generations, but He allows parents to participate with Him in seeing our children experience that grace. Woah. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/29 1973-03-02 Dedication of Hannah Joy Thomas, March 3, 2008, Seven Mile Road Church.Dedication of Hannah Joy Thomas, March 3, 2008, Seven Mile Road Church. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/ 1973-03-02 God in His grace saves souls and knits them together into a body, a family, a community, a new humanity. This is audio of our calling of those members who jumped in April 2008.God in His grace saves souls and knits them together into a body, a family, a community, a new humanity. This is audio of our calling of those members who jumped in April 2008. http://www.sevenmileroad.org/page/Media/29 1973-03-02 Dedication audio for Derek Cordova from May 25, 2008.Dedication audio for Derek Cordova from May 25, 2008. nonadult