Missions Paul

God uses the ordinary.

Luke 1: 8-9

“Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, ⁹ he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.”

Yesterday I was alarmed that already at the beginning of November Costa are selling their Christmas coffee. I opened my eyes a little more as I walked around the town and realised that Christmas is definitely coming soon. Though I think it ridiculous that the UK are already bombarded with the urgent message of getting ready for Christmas, I also know my friends in the Philippines have been singing Christmas songs in their shopping malls since September!

But I do acknowledge we need to be ready.

Let’s look at God’s preparation for Christmas.

In the time of an evil king who had not accomplished anything to note, whose Temple rebuilding programme had already taken 16 years and would have another 30 years to complete; in the time of having gone through 400 forgotten, silent years of no revelation from heaven, let us announce something good is about to happen, “I think the conditions are just perfect for me to come.”

God will move into His world at a time that He decides not us. God will answer a cry when He decides not the person who calls. But the way you conduct yourself will be instrumental in you receiving His good will and purpose for your life and in you being instrumental for the will of God in other people’s lives.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful. 2 Samuel 22:26

Luke has commenced his gospel with a married couple, old in years, but who knew how to do the right thing. Little did they know they would be the parents of the one who was to prepare the way for the Messiah.

Zechariah was chosen that day to burn incense. In the temple he would sprinkle frankincense on the fiery coals and a fragrant cloud would rise. He would prostrate himself on the floor and pray for the peace of Israel and give thanks for previous blessings. He had studied how to do this though this was most probably his first time.

It was a special day for him. He was just a priest, not a High Priest, just an ordinary one and yet the dice rolled in his favour apparently because out of at least 20,000 other priests he had been chosen. Luck? Miracle? Or indeed chosen?

For decades, Zechariah served God in a way which was ordinary, yet he did the right thing. He and his wife had a social stigma, they were childless. But their silent God did not prevent their commitment to Him. Their God was far more than what He could give them.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were indeed ideally placed for God’s preparation of Christmas.

Lack

Luke 1: 6-7

“Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. ⁷ But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.”

Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful, obedient and people who followed God’s ways. BUT …

• They were righteous but the desires of their heart were not being met.

Deuteronomy 7: 14 “You will be blessed more than any other people; none of your men or women will be childless, nor any of your livestock without young.”

People took this further and said if an individual was barren it actually showed the disfavour of God.

This couple were both very old and they had accepted things as they were, Elizabeth was unable to conceive and they didn’t know why.

Can you be trusted to carry a heartache?

The true assessment of character only happens when there is lack.

It doesn’t matter how dark it gets …

Luke 1: 5 “In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. ”

In the time of “evil” there was a man named “Jehovah has remembered” who belonged to the priestly division called ‘worshipper of Jehovah’. His wife was called ‘the absolutely reliable one’ or ‘God is my promise’. Like her husband she too traced her priestly ancestry but all the way back to the founder of the Israelite priesthood.

In the time of a murderer of 2 of his sons, nearly all his wives and his father in law there lived a couple who believed that God remembers His promises.

In the time of one of the wicked, self-absorbed, ambitious, and jealous (even to the point of massacring innocent children) rulers there lived a couple who had built their whole life on worship. The foundation of their family tree was one of praise and sacrifice. Their family stories were that of hosting the presence of God within the Holy of Holies, where hurts and offences against each other were sins against God and the liturgy constantly worked towards reconciliation and forgiveness.

It matters not how dark the world can get nor who rules the land we live in. In the midst of fear from the threats of man and the lies and manipulation of selfish people there can live lights shining bright, waiting and available to the story of God. Faithful names holding on to a much more faithful God. People of God who hold worship as the foundation of their life.

Lessons from Luke

Luke 1: 1-2

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, ² just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. ³ With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

 

The Gospel is more important than the Gospel-writer. His name never appears in the book but because of who it is written to and the strong connections in Acts it is accepted as being Luke. May our name continue to stay hidden that His Name be seen more.

Luke was a credible person. He had experienced life as a doctor. He became a team member on Paul’s 2^nd missionary journey and who continued to stay alongside him even when he was under house arrest. May we prove ourselves in the world, gaining credibility for our achievements but also the loyalty we give.

Luke wrote to someone specific, Theophilus. The name means a lover of God. But Luke calls him ‘most excellent Theophilus’ which is the title Paul gives to the Governor Felix in Acts. This indicates that Luke’s friend is a person of prominence, at least a Roman soldier but maybe higher. May God grant us more friends in higher places who can become greater influencers for the gospel.

Luke personally investigated the life of Jesus from the beginning, not just relying on other people’s experiences or what they had written, he dug further. May we all continue to dig further and pursue harder.

Luke provides a full account from the birth of Christ to his ascension. His main focus is salvation and who Jesus is as Messiah. May we not dodge anything but study and share the full gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

This has been talked about for 2,000 years!

Mark 16:

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

[The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20.]

⁹ When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping. ¹¹ When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not believe it. ¹² Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while they were walking in the country. ¹³ These returned and reported it to the rest; but they did not believe them either. ¹⁴ Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. ¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” ¹⁹ After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. ²⁰ Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Footnotes:

1. Mark 16:8 Some manuscripts have the following ending between verses 8 and 9, and one manuscript has it after verse 8 (omitting verses 9-20): Then they quickly reported all these instructions to those around Peter. After this, Jesus himself also sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal salvation. Amen.

I’ve been sat thinking this morning about the ending of Mark. What I remember from my Bible college days is this. If I am wrong, it is my memory loss!

The original gospel is lost.

There are 2 copies of the gospel which are the oldest that end after verse 8 and several hundred copies that are a little later that contain v 9-20.

Abrupt ending v nice ending and in line with the other gospels added by a well-meaning author.

That’s it.

What do I think?

If Mark ended at v8 then he finishes on an interesting cliff-hanger. They are afraid to witness that the tomb is empty and that Jesus is alive. Do they find their courage? More to the important, will we?

If Mark ended at v 20 then we have a God who does perform signs and wonders through the Church!

I am sure Google is full of articles of the debate of the ending of Mark. It will reveal that scholars have studied this since the 1^st century. It will show how the early Christian writers quoted verses 9-20 and how some ignored them completely.

But what is my over-riding thought this morning?

The Bible that is in my hand today and the one that is in easy reach of you or maybe it is on your tablet or even your phone has been read, quoted, discussed and debated for 2,000 years. It has inspired, changed, transformed millions. It is sought after all over the world. People are killed or imprisoned for just having one copy. These are powerful words inside the Bible that is in your hand.

May we all read it more!!

WITH GOD THINGS ARE NEVER AS THEY SEEM.

Mark 16: 4-8

“But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

⁸ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.”

 

All that they were hoping for was to enter a tomb, but on that day they entered a resurrection experience!

Do you remember that day when all you were doing was entering a resurrection experience? It was just a conversation with a Christian. You may not have expected what would happen to you.

The women had come to the tomb to honour the past, to share their memories of what had been and what could have been. Their walk was a walk of defeat.

BUT WITH GOD THINGS ARE NEVER AS THEY SEEM.

There was a time when all we knew was defeat and sin, but “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:1).

When you have been raised to a new life you no longer want to be dead again.

When Jesus has rescued us from the trauma of the grave there is a new reckless love for Him.

Women and men of the resurrection are unstoppable.

We know:

Whatever has hindered in the past need not hinder anymore.

The broken-hearted can find healing.

Those locked in a prison sentence of the past can find joy again.

Those who mourn can find comfort.

Those living in darkness can come into the light.

Why?

BECAUSE WITH GOD THINGS ARE NEVER AS THEY SEEM.

The costly new tomb was given for a costly life.

The rock that was cut held the solid rock.

The big stone sealed the living stone.

The question ‘who will?’ was answered by a God who rolls stones.

They ran to the rock but by the end of the day the rock was sending them out.

They had hoped to enter the tomb but on that day they entered into a resurrection experience.

Alarmed … Terrified … Bewildered … Fleeing … Silent … Afraid.

Is this the enemy?

No, it is the effect after God has done the greatest miracle in history!

God disturbs everything because He loves everyone.

BECAUSE WITH GOD THINGS ARE NEVER AS THEY SEEM.

 

Don’t worry God moves stones!

Mark 16:1-3

“When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

On Friday at 3pm they had courageously witnessed Jesus’ death, it was real, it actually happened, there was going to be no recovery. Your Good Friday could contain the results of Jesus’ Friday. Your career over, marriage ended, health will never recover.

Look again through the window of the empty tomb and you will see it in a different light. The empty tomb brings a new perspective on life that says everything will be alright. It will be okay.

Man and nature possess the power to put people to their death. Powerful that we are it is limited – we do not have the power to raise anyone from the dead. You may know the frustration of limitation. You are trying your best, giving your hours and energy to make everything right, repair that relationship, manage your budget, get healthy, recover from bereavement, but you just never seem to break through. It can be done. You can do it by believing in a God who is all-powerful. He can do what cannot be done.

Who will roll the stone away?

How will we cope?

When we get there who will help us?

How will we get in?

What they didn’t realise was that there was still a way for someone to get out!

When asking the question they had no inkling that the stone had already been rolled away, that God did it and He did it so that they could enter the tomb and discover that Jesus had risen.

That stone says:

You will never do anything again. You will never recover. You will always remember what you once had is gone.

At the right time God rolls the stone away.

God always does more than what you were worried about.

Descent from the Cross

Mark 15: 42-47

“It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. ⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. ⁴⁵ When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. ⁴⁶ So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. ⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.”

 

There are no details, except that Joseph and Nicodemus (according to John) took the body down from the cross.

How did they do this?

Nails had to be pulled from his feet and his hands. They would have needed ladders. Ropes would have to be untied. The thorns removed from his head. Blood wiped away.

We don’t know how they went about it. Christian icons and art forms have emerged throughout the centuries exploring what might have happened, for example, the early 17^th century Rubens painting, ‘Descent from the Cross’ which you can see online.

Joseph was a disciple (according to Matthew), a secret one (John), a prominent member of the Jewish Council (Mark) but who had not consented to their decision and actions with Jesus (Luke). Nicodemus (John) was the one who had encountered Jesus at night and had been taught on being ‘born again’ (John 3). John the closest disciple was there and so were the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee (Luke) including the 2 Mary’s mentioned in what we have just read.

These disciples led by Joseph and Nicodemus all help in some way with the descent of Jesus’ body from the cross. They would all have their own thoughts and emotions. Grief was obviously there but numbed after all the wailing and tears. A poignancy based on the realisation that this is the last time they will see Jesus before he is placed in the tomb forever. Thankfulness for how he had changed their lives even for a short time. Awe and wonder at his determined self-sacrifice which none of them could have prevented even though they had longed to do so.

If you pause and look at any of the paintings or even if you meditate on the words, “So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen …” then you will see an amazing truth.

It will cost you (bought some linen). You will have to act (took down the body). You will have to go carefully (wrapped it in linen).

Your journey to the cross can be one of struggle as you surrender and learn obedience. Your journey from the cross has to be worship, you have nothing left; there is no other way.

Authentic worship is when you have nothing to gain.

Maybe you can describe your situation today as descending from the cross. Death and disappointment are in your hands. However, you still have choices. Dignity is still in your grasp. Worship is still in your heart. Love is still consuming you. Jesus may be silent. It may feel like He has gone from you. But don’t forget, He always returns! So descend well, choose right; don’t give up.

Women and tea-making

Mark 15: 38-41

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” ⁴⁰ Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. ⁴¹ In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

 

Each Gospel writer mentions different women (though there is overlap) depending on who their readers know. Mark says there were many women, they had been followers of Jesus and had cared for his needs.

Apart from John, all the men were gone.

If I needed someone to teach me endurance, who would I ask? Would I ask the official disciples? No. I would ask these women who had endured watching 6 hours of the most cruel and horrific deaths imaginable, this was no place for a woman, but they were there out of their love for Jesus.

If I needed someone to teach me to have the courage to keep near to the cross of Jesus even risking my very life, who would I ask? Would I ask the official disciples? No. I would ask these women who endangered their own lives knowing that women along with men were crucified.

If I needed someone to teach me how to move ‘from a distance’ to as John would write ‘near the cross stood his mother …’ then who would I ask? Would I ask Peter? No. I would ask these women.

If I needed someone to teach me about the cross but restricted that to only men then I would know nothing of the cross (or even the Resurrection for that matter!).

Before we start complaining that there are no men in the church let us be extremely grateful that women are leading the way in church commitment.

In the early 1980’s my parents began to lead a church which had been wrecked by the Pastor leading the church out of its denomination ties into a new network. There were 4 people left behind when my parents took on the leadership of it. Guess who they were? Yes, women and all the men had left the Church and there were just 4 women who believed God had plans for that Church, they were right.

Of course not every women in the church are ardent followers of Christ. However, maybe today we can be thankful for every woman who shows us how to walk with God, how to hold up our faith at a time of church decline and how to be committed in the place of surrender.

Maybe also men should do more to protect them from those who want to side-line them, cut their ministry opportunities to tea-making and to have them as pew-filling listeners not leaders.

The power of the Bible

Mark 13: 33-37

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. ³⁴ And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). ³⁵ When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” ³⁶ Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said. ³⁷ With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

 

All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the Lord,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the Lord
and he rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the Lord.
They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it!

 

The above was what was in the mind of Christ as he hung on the cross.

We have just read how Jesus said the following:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish?

He wasn’t calling upon Elijah obviously. And in a sense though the pain of the judgment was the wrath of the Father he wasn’t even calling upon Him.

So why did Jesus say what he did?

 

It is because as he went through hell the power of the Word of God held him.

Just as he had done on many occasions where he would quote one verse from an Old Testament passage and the lesson wasn’t in what he quoted but the rest of the passage that he had been silent on. The religious people knew their Scriptures better than some of us know our Bibles.

What was Jesus saying? Maybe this:

“Though I feel abandoned and am going through hell, I still trust Him. And I know later in this Psalm that I am quoting, a Psalm that speaks of me, that vindication will come after the suffering.”

God’s written Word is at the centre of the cross.

Psalm 22, the Messianic Psalm, was in the mind of Christ. He was being held together by the Word.

Maybe someone today is going through their own personal hell or you know someone who is. Let the Bible speak at these times. Memorise, meditate and speak it out. Jesus needed the Word and so do we.