prayer

Work…the place of Worship, Service, and Purpose

mikej2013 1 Comment

If work is just the place you earn your living, you’ve lost your way. If you think differently about time spent at work than time spent at church, you’ve lost your way.

Work is Worship!

Most likely, work is the place where the Lord grants you the most opportunity to influence others. On average, people have the widest network of relationships and invest more time with co-workers than neighbors and extended family.

Would you believe work is all about God and relationships and your pay-check is simply an “add-on”?

I think Jesus had this very idea in mind when he taught us not to be anxious about anything…

Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. (Luke 12:31) 

Please watch the following video produced by Chick-fil-A and think about your relationships at work:

 

 

 

Synopsis and Homework Week 5

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The author of the book of Hebrews is speaking to the church when admonishing with the words…consider Jesus. It is a catalyst for self examination. Our hope must rest in this Jesus who is greater than Moses. It allows the option of listening to the heavenly calling and sharing in all that it has to offer. We have Jesus, Apostle and High Priest, bringing God to us and us to God.

Confidence comes not from making life choices that seam to work well, but making choices that come from time spent with the Lord. Confidence comes when we know this Jesus as… in history past as the once-for-all perfect sacrifice; in times present as the Ambassador of God the Father; and in the future as one who keeps all of the promises made to the church.

Consider Jesus is not just an evangelistic term used to present the Gospel to unbelievers, but a life long requirement for every believer.

HOMEWORK:

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-23 and answer the following questions:

In Paul’s example to the Corinthian church who is the building (those who plant) and who is the builder (the one who gives growth)?

What will be the difference between building on the foundation with wood, hay and straw or gold, silver and precious stones?

What is the main idea in regards to receiving the offered rewards?

 

Got Confidence?

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A key to having Joy in Responsibility is confidence. If you see the future as hopeful it is much more common to experience joy in that which you are responsible.

Therefore, if you lack confidence, the joy of which we speak will be missing from your life. The problem may be as simple as misdirected hope. Placing your hope in the next big business deal, our nation’s economy, or your own intelligence and abilities, could be the source of your lack of confidence; and rightly so. None of those things are perfect.

Along with the author of Hebrews, I am asking you to CONSIDER JESUS. Can’t find joy in this season of joy? Consider Jesus! Lack confidence in your future? Consider Jesus!

Redirect your hope. Consider Jesus. That’s why we study the Word of God together.

Join us each Wednesday at 11:45am or 6:00pm. Or visit our blog site and watch the recorded study sessions. www.patriarchproject.com

We will continue our in-depth study of the book of Hebrews and seek to find the Joy in Responsibility!

Synopsis and Homework Week 4

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The Bible goes to great lengths picturing Israel under the rule of its kings. 1 & 2 Samuel, Kings and Chronicles detail the victories and ultimate failures of each monarch. Most of the kings were so wicked that it’s difficult to see any good in their reign. 

To think that Israel began with only God as it’s King, and because they desired to be like other nations, they rebelled against the Lord’s Kingship and adopted earthly sin-filled kings. Each king led the people from bad to worse with short periods of revival toward God few and far between. 

After reading these accounts I found myself wondering, “God why did you do it this way? After all, You were King! Why allow mortal man to take over the rule of your people?” 

It wasn’t until I heard one of my favorite teachers speak on the matter that I understood. It’s so simple that often times Bible students miss the main reason why the Bible goes to such lengths to tell us the accounts of the kings. It’s easy to get lost in the details of these remarkable stories. 

After reading through 1 & 2 Samuel, Kings and Chronicles one should walk away with one main point in view; NO EARTHLY KING WILL DO. That’s it. It’s that simple. The reign of the kings of Israel was a litmus test. Its result; REJECTED! Proof that sinful man cannot be the Messiah. 

Hebrews 2:17 says,  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

As we studied yesterday, we see Jesus in His humanity being tested through suffering just like us. This was His litmus test. Its result; ACCEPTED! Proof that the God-Man Jesus Christ is the Messiah. 

He is not ashamed to call us brothers! What a great salvation! We are loved and accepted in a family made perfect by our Victorious Older Brother, namely Jesus. What a great salvation! 

HOMEWORK: 

Read John 13:12-20 and answer the following questions: 

How did Jesus identify himself to the disciples? 

How did Jesus’ act of washing the disciple’s feet reflect his mercy and faithfulness toward them? 

Would Jesus do, and does Jesus do the same for you?

 

Teaching Outline Week 4

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The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews) 

Commentary

Perfect!

Hebrews 2:10-18

Outline

Verse 10:

Complex sentence – A/For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist,/ B/in bringing many sons to glory,/ C/ should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering./[1]

A[God the Father said “it’s fitting”]

B[God the Father’s children are being lead to glory]

C[He makes Jesus, the founder of the children’s salvation, perfect through suffering]

How was it fitting?

What kind of leader is Jesus?

How can the perfect be made perfect?

  1. How was it fitting – 

Christ fully shared human nature, as v. 11a stated, vv. 11b–13 confirmed, and vv. 16–17 will reaffirm.

The purpose of Christ’s incarnation and death was to benefit (glorify, v. 10; sanctify, v. 11; liberate, v. 15; purify from sins, v. 17) his people.

  1. What kind of leader is Jesus – 

Servant-Leader:

Sympathetic High Priest – Verse 17

Victorious Older Brother – Verses 14, 18

  1. How can the perfect be made perfect – 

Means of perfecting:

Tested and proven

Already perfect (4:15; 7:26; 9:14)

Learning Obedience (5:8-9)

Result of perfecting:

Unity and Family (Connection between verse 10 and 11)

LIFE APPLICATIONS:

We are understood.

We rest in a perfect finished work.

We are loved and accepted in a perfect family.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Heb 2:10.

The Profound State of Being Understood

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Being understood is profound. For example, in a marriage when your spouse understands you, despite all your shortcomings, the relationship thrives in many areas. And, being understood, the rough areas of the relationship prove to be a launch pad for improvement. My wife and I have been married for over 33 years. That’s a long time to study each other.

In recent years I have noticed how my wife makes adjustments in our relationship based on my many shortcomings. She can make these adjustments and avoid consequences because she understands the areas of life in which I don’t do well. Seeing her do this alerts me to the troubled area and allows me to consider making a change for the better. (sometimes I do better than others)

Most people have a fear of the unknown. We don’t know where change will lead, so we struggle to stay where we’re most comfortable.

However, being understood, and knowing we are understood, releases us from fear. Think about it; what if my wife asked me to make a major change in life. Knowing that she understands me empowers me with a confidence to move toward change. I believe it is as powerful as knowing she loves me and wants what is best for me.

Now, take this idea of being understood and apply it to your relationship with Jesus. As we continue our study of the book of Hebrews we are introduced to this same concept in our relationship with the Savior.

Hebrews 2:10 reads,  “For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.” (ESV) 

We are going to see, as our study continues, that God the Father saw it fitting that Jesus suffer just as we do. In this verse it states that Jesus is leading us to glory. He is not leading us as one who doesn’t understand the way we suffer with sin and fear and doubt. However, He does lead us as one who was perfectly victorious over the things in which we fail daily. Jesus understands us! He is sympathetic to our plight and at the same time victoriously leading us through it.

I find great Joy in the Responsibility that is mine when my Benevolent King, my Sympathetic High Priest, my Victorious Older Brother, namely Jesus, leads me to glory with an understanding heart.

I look forward to our time together next Wednesday December 4th. Have a Happy and Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Synopsis and Homework Week 3

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Our Value System

It’s easy to dispose of a spork. Yes, a spork, the mutant half spoon, half fork you get from many fast food restaurants to eat your meal on the go. The spork only holds value to us for a short time. Once the meal is over, all value the spork once held diminishes to the point that we easily toss it in the trash.

Contemplating the value of plastic utensils is easy; things we hold more precious are difficult. When Scripture requires us not to neglect it, what it’s really saying is re-value what you’ve heard.  The bottom-line of our study in Hebrews through chapter two verse nine is this:

Jesus, the highest value in the universe, has spoken the Gospel to us, the highest value to humanity, and promises us joy, the highest value spiritually. Everything else, no matter how precious and good, pales in comparison.

Every Thanksgiving families verbalize the things for which they are thankful. Often times its things like family, health, home, employment, etc.; all things that are good and given as gifts from God. It’s right to be thankful for such.

However, the question remains, how do we value them?   In the “not neglecting so great a salvation” life, what are the pitfalls of placing the wrong value on the temporary and the eternal?

In Scripture, Jesus’ teaching is more concerned about the good things in life causing us to neglect our great salvation than any of the normal sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll choices we make.

Read Luke 14:15-24 The Parable of the Great Banquet

Focus on the excuses offered for neglecting so great a salvation. (I am saying that each of the invited guests were saying to the banquet host [God], “please excuse me from your banquet [heaven, kingdom], my heart is really elsewhere.”)

Answer these questions:

What are the objects of the excuses offered by the invited guests?

Are these objects generally considered good or evil?

What happened when the invited guests placed a value on land [home], oxen [cars and things with wheels], wife [family] higher than banquet attendance [salvation]?

This Thanksgiving, as you give thanks for precious family, home, and dining room table filled with bounty, never grant these things so much value that you treat so great a salvation like a spork.

Teaching Outline Week 3

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The Joy in Responsibility

(An In-Depth Study of Hebrews) 

Commentary

Inheritance

Hebrews 2:5-9

Outline

 

Hebrews  1:1-14                                              Set the scene painted by chapter one:

The central theme of chapter one…

Jesus is Superior; this Jesus, the “Son of God” is the final Word spoken in these last days.

 

Vs 2:1-4                                                          Therefore, listen!

God has spoken by His Son, listen, listen very carefully.

You’re either listening or drifting…

You either believe or you don’t…

It is suicide to neglect such a great salvation.

God has given us enough to respond. (no excuses)

 

Now pick up in verse 5 this week…

Vs 5                                                                 Look to the future

Who rules the world to come?

Our salvation is an inheritance (1:14)

Our salvation is past, present and future.

Vs 6-8                                                             Man rules the world to come – Psalm 8

This is too exciting to neglect!

Vs 8b                                                               Big problem at present…

Death reigns and man is subjected to it.

Vs 9                                                                 Good News

Jesus conquered death and established a Co-Heir and Co-reign in the world to come.

(Romans 8:17)

LIFE APPLICATION:

Don’t live out your salvation as if only a past event.

Believe (find joy) in your future.

Say to death – Psalm 8 is my destiny!

The future is too great to neglect; just believe!