Based on Steve's sermon

The people in the New Testament who loved Jesus were often sinners. Today, those are the ones who reject Him. Jesus surrounded Himself with unholy people. His disciples today try to turn the unrighteous away. The Jesus the world sees is not the Jesus who truly is.

Jesus used parables to get the audience to agree and become likeminded (Luke 15:1-10). He understood His audience and spoke to them in ways they understood, not over their heads.

It's always been easy to recognize the significance of the cup that represents Jesus' blood. The Bible is clear that through the shedding of Jesus' blood we have forgiveness. But I did not understand the importance of the body. Yet, now I do not think we are called to remember His physical body, but the body that is the church. When I eat of the bread I acknowledge my part in the body of Christ and my place in the kingdom of God, just as in taking the cup I acknowledge that Christ has forgiven my sins.

Was Paul able to preach so well in so many various circumstances because of a miraculous power of God or because his faith prepared him for every situation? In some cases, he may have prepared what he was going to say along the way. But in others, such as with the jailer, the words he spoke were not prepared, yet he still spoke the word of the Lord and all were saved.

1 Peter 3:15 says that we should all be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks us to give an account for the hope in us. This means that in any situation we should be prepared to speak on the topic of Christ. The example of worship in 1 Corinthians 14 shows that it was not about having prepared sermons but about speaking as God inspired them. I think often times we are so concerned that we say the right thing that we rely too much on our own ability and not enough on Him.

Last night I dreamed that there was a buffet banquet. I'm guessing at Creation, since Denise, Jenny and Gretchen were there. The cost was $8, and I at first did not want to pay, since there was not much for me to eat. But then they brought out several huge lobsters, so I decided it would be worth it to get that, plus the few other sides I could have. So I went and paid and got a plate. But by the time I did that and put one or two sides on, I discovered all of the lobster was gone. I was disappointed, but I had already started filling my plate so I couldn't change my mind, and had to settle for only the quarter of a plate worth of food.

My interpretation of what I should get out of the dream is that the way others worship may seem enticing, but it is not enough to fill me up. It may look good from afar, but in the end it is incomplete and leaves me still hungering.

My afterthought to this revelation is that anything man presents is incomplete. I can not count on any church organization to have all the answers. This is why we need each other. To show the areas where we're lacking and to help them make those parts of their life full. The food I saw was not fake. It was the real thing, there just wasn't enough. Instead of criticizing those who do not have absolute truth, we should help them gain more truth. True, many may become insulted and turn you away. But as long as what we bring is not junk, then we've done all we can. And by sharing, we may learn something from them as well.

I imagine there were three reactions to God parting the Red Sea. Each reaction says a lot about the relationship that person has with God.

the first reaction is of thankfulness and joy. Those people saw the waters parted, recognized God was providing and quickly ran through and accepted God's gift. Those people understood the power of God and had no doubt.

The second reaction is one of stunned awe. They stopped and marveled at what had happened, but they were so surprised that they didn't think to start running. Those people did not recognize that God's power was limitless. They were so busy trying to understand God's gift, they did not accept it.

The third reaction is one of fear and disbelief. Not reverent fear, but distrustful fear. They timidly approached the water and walked through, but constant eyed it with suspicion, waiting for it to come down over them. These people doubt the power of God and His love for them. They are always looking for a catch in God's love and because of that, they can never fully receive it.

How do I react to the work God does for me today? Do I doubt Him? Do I question His power? Or do I fully accept it with humility and thanksgiving? I need to make more of an effort to recognize that not only is God all-powerful, He loves me unconditionally and would never do anything to me outside of love.

Matthew 9:9 - "As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man called Matthew, sitting in the tax collectors' booth; and He said to him, 'Follow me!' And he got up and followed Him."

Matthew was in the midst of work, in the midst of living his life, when Jesus came and called him. He was not concerned with what his friends would think, or what would happen to his job when he walked out. His earthly status was not as important as his spiritual status.

There are many things I do that I feel are necessary. It is important to have a job, as it is scriptural to be good stewards of our money. I need to work to provide for myself and pay off my debt. But do I rely on my job to allow me to do that or am I relying on the One who provides? If I lose my source of income, would I worry about where my next meal, next car payment will come from? More importantly, would I be willing to leave on my own volition or would it take a circumstance that forces me out? I have been in difficult situations with finances and have trusted in God. But I still have a hard time leaving when God says go.

Matthew had the privilege of having Jesus there and knowing for certain that it was His voice calling him. I must learn to recognize Jesus' voice so that I know when it is He who calls me.

Matthew 9:29 - "It shall be done to you according to your faith."

God answers the prayers of the righteous. The righteous shall live by faith (James 5:16, Romans 1:17). Our faith determines the measure of our blessing. If I have faith only enough to believe I will receive little, little will be given. But If I have faith enough to believe I will receive much, much will be given.

Based on Steve's sermon

Mark 10:17-27

The young man went to the right source. he wanted eternal life, and to feel full. Instead of going after greater riches or looking at others for comfort, he went to Jesus to find the answers.

The man calls Jesus "good teacher." He recognizes the authority of Jesus as God.

vs. 17 - Jesus was about to leave town. The man did not delay, but ran up to Him and knelt before Him. even though he was a wealthy ruler, he humbled himself before Jesus.

It's one thing to know the commandments (vs 18-19, btu this man has kept them all from his youth. He had a great dedication to serving God. Salvation always is achieved by doing. We must obey (Hebrews 5). We must make an effort to keep Jesus' commandments. If we are ambivalent about the commands of Jesus, we are not serious about our love for Him.

Jesus was willing to tell the man the truth and risk him walking away because He loved him. Far too often we take offense when people reject the gospel. We take it personally, and want to find a way to make it seem more appealing.