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Jump Start # 244

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 244

Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

  This is Christmas week. It is time of family, sharing, holiday music and movies and precious memories. Children of all ages, big and small, love Christmas time. Shopping can be painful and stressful. There seems to be tons to get done in such a short time, but some how it all comes together. Christmas has many traditions associated with it. Some are good, some are fables. This week our Jump Starts are going to be focused upon the birth of Jesus—probably the greatest tradition associated with Christmas. It is common to find slogans such as, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” of, “Let’s keep Christ in Christmas.” Our Jump Starts, from day one have tried to be Biblically accurate. Our interests are in what the Bible says and following the Bible as God has revealed it.

  Only two of the four gospels tell us about the birth of Jesus. Nowhere in the Bible are we told when Jesus was born. Later in the week, I’ll share some conclusions that we can draw from the Bible, and they indicate that Jesus most likely was not born in December. The biggest thing we find missing from the pages of the Bible is any celebration of Jesus’ birth. The early Christians, the apostles, the early church left us no examples of any observance of Jesus’ birth. More so, every significant day that God wanted His people to observe, He always told them: when, where and what to do. This is true of the Sabbath, the day of Atonement, the Passover, Pentecost and even the Lord’s Supper. God details what He expects and wants done. For the birth of Jesus, God didn’t say anything. What day? What are we supposed to do? Further, the world gets excited about the babe in the cradle, but they ignore the Lord upon the cross. The baby in the manger may be cute, but it’s the crucified Savior that changed the world.

  So this week we will be looking at verses about the birth of Jesus. Stay with us because there are many things we have grown up hearing that are really different than what the Bible teaches. This will be enlightening and eye opening for us.

  Our verse today tells us that Jesus was sent and He was sent when God was ready. Before Jesus was born in Bethlehem, He already existed. He is, was and continues to be God. John 1:1 tells us that. Philippines 2 tells us that He is equal with God. The birth of Jesus meant that God came to earth. God became one of us—not for a moment, not for a weekend, but for more than thirty years. He walked, ate, felt and was us—yet He never sinned.

 Why was Jesus born in the first Century? Why not come in the days of Moses, or Noah, or Jeremiah? Why then? Our passage answers that. “When the fullness of time came…” Certain things happened, spiritually, politically that was right. God needed the centuries of the prophets, Judges and Old Testament history to prepare us for Christ. The story of redemption began in Genesis. It is seen in the punishment of Adam and Eve when God promised that the seed of woman would crush the head of the serpent. It is seen in the promises God made to Abraham, that through his bloodline all the nations of the world would be blessed. There were other promises and prophecies. Many, many. God allowed man to sink deeper and deeper into sin. Mankind was a mess. Centuries of failures proved that. God sent Jesus.

  But there were some political things that shaped the time of Jesus coming. Daniel had prophesied a kingdom not made of hands, divine, that would be established during the fourth kingdom, beginning first with Babylon. When Jesus was born, the Romans, that fourth kingdom was in charge. They controlled the known world. Basically, it was one nation. That allowed universal travel from place to place. The majority spoke Greek, a carryover from the third kingdom, the Greek Empire. That allowed ease of speech.

  How convenient and easy this was for the apostles to take that message about Jesus into all the world. Not restricted by warring nations, not burdened with different laws, languages, and powers, they could preach God’s word into all the world.

  God sent. Jesus came. And the world has never been the same since.

Roger

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Jump Start # 243

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 243

Genesis 2:24 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”

This is dedicated to Jordan & Holly

  Weddings are wonderful occasions. Friends and family gather, mothers cry, dads burst with pride. Food, smiles, music and snapshots are all a part of the joyous times found at weddings. The first miracle Jesus did was at a wedding. Weddings are beautiful, whether they are simple affairs or the event of the year. But behind all weddings is a marriage. Some tend to forget that. They arrange a fabulous wedding but forget the life they are supposed to build after that.

  Marriage is sacred to God. He used marriage to illustrate his divine principles. When describing the relationship of the saved to Jesus, the Holy Spirit used marriage as a picture we could visualize. In the book of Revelation, Jesus referred to His saved as “the glorious bride.” God loves marriage. Marriage is God’s idea not ours. It is sweet, sacred and a reflection of Him.

  Folks get married for all kinds of reasons. Some get married simply to escape a dysfunctional home. Some get married because they found a person that makes them laugh and be happy. Others get married to make their future mate happy. Love is the foundation of marriage and together a couple glorifies God through their lives. That is the best reason for marriage. It’s about glorifying God. If you get married because someone makes you happy, what happens when you are no longer happy? The very reason you got married is gone. And that’s what happens, they go to find someone else who will make them happy. Current statistics in America show that people trade marriages more often than they trade cars. Unbelievable. God intended marriage to be a lasting relationship—much like our relationship is with Him. When anyone within the marriage quits walking with God, the marriage takes a hit. The closer and closer each walks with God, the closer and closer they will become to each other. Books about marriage are flying off the shelves. Marriage counselors have a thriving business. Some how we’ve found a way to get to the moon, blast kidney stones in a body, email across the world, but we don’t know how to stay together. God is not pleased with this. Marriage is not about staying together for the sake of the kids, it is having a powerful, meaningful, and godly relationship that mirrors the character of God. Is it possible to have such a relationship? Yes. It’s a work. It’s a journey. It can be done. It begins with giving up self, and putting God first. Marriage is not about us, it’s about God. You don’t hear that much these days. Marriage is to be pure, holy, loving, just as God is. All that God makes is wonderful. Consider this world. Consider the Bible. Consider, also, marriage.

  Often, people spend so much effort trying to find the right person, instead of becoming the right person them self. A couple who have embraced Christ will find the very essence of what makes a relationship soar—love, grace, forgiveness and thoughtfulness.

  Marriage is a new beginning. This is what our passage today indicates. It is not extending the life with mom and dad, but leaving and establishing a new home, new traditions, and new hope. Marriage is good.

  This evening my son gets married. He has found and chosen a wonderful, godly woman. Together they walk with the Lord…one in name, one in aim, one in a happy destiny together. Weddings are a time to look at your own marriage and to reflect. Sometimes we forget. Some time we take things for granted. Weddings remind. They help us to put the sparkle back into our hearts and the focus back into our lives.

  God bless our marriages.

Roger

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Jump Start # 242

Posted on December 16, 2010 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 242

2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”

  Losing heart is the New Testament’s way of expressing discouragement. When a person’s heart is not into it, they simply go through the motions. Their effort is less than stellar. Some one whose heart is not in his work will find the day seems terribly long. His mind wanders and his boss fumes. When the heart has gone out of the marriage, a couple becomes room mates who simply share expenses and closet space, and very little else. I’ve seen folks whose heart were not into worshipping. They look so pitiful, it’s almost funny. They fidget, watch the clock, look bored and do everything but worship. Losing heart is a sad place to be. It’s hard to get it back sometimes.

  Paul uses this expression, “lose heart” twice in this chapter (v. 1, 16). In our verse, Paul is saying, even though we are aging and falling apart, we do not lose heart. We are not discouraged. The inner man, the soul of a person, is getting richer and better every day. Here is a couple of contrasts: inside man and outside man; decaying and being renewed.

  Life can be discouraging, especially as you get older. As a person ages, he finds he can’t do what he once did. If he tries, he’s in bed for the next three days, hurting in his back, knees and ego. After so many miles the body needs work. Surgeries, medical tests, and pills are the regular routine for many senior citizens. And most, hate it. You also find as you age, that society is geared toward youth. The older crowd is passed and pushed aside. I know the clock is ticking for me. Churches aren’t running over each other to hire old preachers. Such is life. But it’s enough to make one depressed and discouraged. Paul says to all this, NO. We do not lose heart. The reason, the inner man, our soul, is getting renewed day by day.

  Renewed… means to make new or fresh. This is done through prayer, study of God’s word, hope and living with the Lord. Jesus is the difference here. A person doesn’t have to become an old grump, not while he is walking with Jesus. Years of prayer, experience and Bible knowledge has a way of making the spirit soar. I see that among older Christians. Younger people are running too fast through life. They are always going somewhere and never have time for anything. Their schedules are full and about all they can get are tiny bites of life here and there. Stressed and tired are lifestyles of younger people. I know, I’ve done it. Still am, even though I’ve passed through the land of being young already. Ever just notice folks coming into the church building? It is a sight to see. The older crowd is there early. They visit, catch up and have a sparkle about them. The young crowd squeezes in at the last second, coats, book bags, car seats, diaper bags, Bibles all being juggled and dropped as they hustle in. I have to sit down and catch my breath just watching them. Now I’m not thumping on anyone, just observing. Young children pull you thin. It’s hard to talk to anyone with the little ones tugging on your pant leg, interrupting every sentence you try to say. My only words are, hang in there. It’ll get better and you’ll be able to breath some day.

  Renewed in the inner man. Fresh. Inviting. Joyful. Christ-like. Not, grumpy, complaining, nor bitter. Jesus is the difference. When the outer man is decaying there is much to be worried about, complain about and lose heart about. But Paul said, “we do not” do that. It is a matter of choice. Pain is inevitable, misery is optional. You can’t control what will happen to you, but you can control how it will affect you. That is your choice. Some age gracefully, and others just get old. Some are a delight to be with, and some are a real pain. That renewed spirit is what Paul talked about in Romans 12 when he told the brethren not to be conformed to the world. Instead, they were to be renewed in the mind. Same thing here.

  Can’t teach an old dog new tricks—that’s not how Paul saw things. That’s just the way I’ve always been—Paul thinks you can be better, every day. It takes some work and some thinking and a whole lot of walking with Jesus. The outer man doesn’t last anyway, it’s the inner man that matters. Some spend too much effort trying to renew the outer man. That won’t last. And the inner man, they just let it go into decay.

  Renewal comes from working at it. Let’s do it.

Roger

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Jump Start # 241

Posted on December 15, 2010 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 241

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”

  In this section of Corinthians Paul is brings up the subject of sorrow and repentance. The word “sorrow” (or “sorrowful’) is found seven times in three verses (8-10). The subject of sorrow doesn’t excite us. I know it doesn’t me. If you were to ask me, “What makes you sad,” UGH! Now, ask me what I’m passionate about..what thrills me, and I can talk you legs off. We try to hide our sorrows. We want to bounce back from sorrow as fast as we can. Many deny they are sad, when asked. Not Paul. He wants to talk about it and he does.

  Paul has a specific sorrow in mind. In fact, he realizes that he caused the church to sorrow. He said in verse 8, “For though I caused you sorrow by my letter…” He is referring to 1 Corinthians and specifically,  his rebuking the church for not practicing discipline upon a wayward brother. But that sorrow led the church to change. It eventually led to the sinful Christian to repent of his sins. Sorrow can do that.

  Paul is careful to qualify what he means. Sorrow that is according to the will of God leads to changes, or repentance. Sorrow itself, may not do that. Sorrow without the word of God can lead to drinking, drugs and even suicide. Case in point is Judas. He was sorry. He returned the money he was given for betraying Jesus. His sorrow wasn’t founded nor supported by the word of God. It ate him up. Guilt, shame, and sorrow led him to desperation and then death. Those same steps are followed by some today. This kind of sorrow can bring changes, but they don’t last. These changes are not based upon God and are not true. A guy in jail may have stopped using drugs. But he hasn’t really changed. He just can’t get to his supply. A person may be sorry that they got caught and got in trouble. But if they weren’t caught, they wouldn’t be sorry. Some have stopped bad behavior because a mate or a parent threatened to leave or kick them out if they continued. So they stopped, not because of God, but for fear of having to sleep on the street.

  The sorrow Paul has in mind is based upon the will of God. This person is sorry because He has disappointed God. It matters not if anyone else found out about it, God knows. He doesn’t stop because he got caught, he quits before he gets caught because it’s not right with God. This sorrow brings lasting changes. It is the truest form of repentance. It is a change without regret.

  I like that expression that Paul uses, “without regret.” You live long enough, there are plenty of regrets. But one you don’t have is repenting and turning to God. Living without regret. Not viewing the old sinful days as the glory days—no you changed and you are glad you changed. No bragging about the sinful days of college. Those were wrong. You changed, and boy, you are so glad that you did. You wouldn’t do those things again in a million years. God reigns in your heart and you love the Lord too much to view those sinful actions as fun. They weren’t. It’s by the grace of God that you didn’t die that way.

  It seems that this spirit is missing some these days. Folks are glad to be a Christian but they seem to be missing that godly sorrow. Wrong isn’t really all that wrong to some. Well, it is to God, and always has been. According to the will of God is just how we ought to be living our lives. It’s more than going to church, it’s having God’s will become my will. God’s way becomes my way. Not only does a person love God, but they learn to love what God loves and hate what God hates. They become filled with God and His ways. Looking back over one’s life, the regrets you have is that you didn’t come to Christ sooner.

  A good dose of godly sorrow can do us much good.

Roger

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Jump Start # 240

Posted on December 14, 2010 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 240

Matthew 25:8-9 “The foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.”

  The verses I’ve selected for today are part of a conversation between the wise and foolish virgins—commonly known as the Parable of the virgins. Matthew 25 sets forth a series of parables about the coming of Jesus. The first parable, the wise and foolish virgins, has Jesus, as the groom, gone and everyone is anticipating his return. The second image is that of a master who has given his servants some money, or talents. Upon his return he wants to see what they have done with that money. The final picture is of the glorious shepherd who gathers all the sheep around him.

  Three parables and three lessons.

  • The groom, Jesus, is gone but he is returning. You don’t know when, so be ready.
  • The talents, the Master, Jesus, is gone and is returning. You are going to be judged for the way you handled his things.
  • The shepherd, Jesus, is the judge. He will separate the sheep from the goats. Live righteously.

  Jesus is coming. That is certain. Don’t fall for these movies and books that tell you when, because we don’t know. That is the point of this first parable. They knew he was coming, they just didn’t know when.

  Let’s give some thought to the parable of the virgins. First of all, we must realize that the American concept of a wedding is so different than what happened in the first century. I have a son who is getting married this week. The date and time and place has been set for months. Invitations have been sent out and everyone knows when it will be. In the first century, the day of the wedding would be chosen and people would be invited, but the exact hour would not be set. It took a long time to prepare the food. So those invited knew the day, not the hour. The bride and all her friends, in this case there were 10 young ladies, would be waiting at the home of the bride’s  parents. The groom and all his people were at his parents house, busy getting things ready. Finally, when everything was ready, the groom and his people would walk to the in-laws house. It was often a parade—with drums beating and a big fan fair. They would meet and everyone would return to the groom’s parents house where the wedding feast would take place.

  That is the setting. The girls are waiting. The groom is busy getting things ready. It’s taking a long time, longer than most expected. Longer than 5 of the girls anticipated. The oil runs out. They all sleep. Then at midnight, a shout. He’s coming. Ten girls jump up. I can only imagine the hair brushes being passed around, everyone getting ready. It’s dark. They must use oil lamps. Five of the girls now have no oil. They can’t see. They can’t get ready. They panic. The groom is coming. They can’t go as they are. They beg the others for oil, there’s not enough. Some things just can’t be shared. They hurry off to buy oil—at midnight? We’re not talking about a 24-hour Walmart, this is the first century. While they are gone, the groom came. All leave and go to the wedding feast, except these five, who are out looking for oil. The show up at the place of the wedding, late. The doors are shut and will not be opened. They missed it.

  Have you noticed the similarities between the wise and foolish virgins? Both were ready at first. Had the groom came earlier, all would have made it. The foolish were not clueless that this was the wedding day. They were ready at first. Next, notice they all went to sleep, the wise and the foolish. There seems to be no rebuking the girls for sleeping.

  The difference lies in that the foolish did not prepare for a long delay. They didn’t have any extra oil. The wise did.

  Now, what’s the point of all this? Jesus is coming. We know that. Not everyone does. Not everyone even knows who Jesus is. But His disciples know. He is coming—the Bible says so. Among His people, those who are invited, those who want to come to the feast, those who have already made plans to be there, some of those, some of us, may not be ready when He comes. We’re ready at first, especially soon after our salvation. We’re excited, we love to praise the Lord. But time passes. Life happens. We get busy. Our oil runs low, our flame flickers and then goes out. We sleep spiritually. We are unaware. We don’t notice. Then comes a shout and then it’s too late.

  Have you ever noticed how many times the Bible says, “Be alert.” It’s the idea of being ready. Don’t let your oil go out. Have you checked your supply? How much do you have left? Enough to get through today? Do you have enough to get through the holidays?

  Many commentators have suggested what they think the oil represents. Some think faith, some say love, some say dedication. I’m not sure it was intended to mean anything other than be ready at all times.

  The five foolish were no different than those who were not invited in the first place. They missed it. They are left standing outside the door.

  Good story for us to remember. Keep the light burning…keep an eye on your supply of oil.

Roger