Week 30 Day 4

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 30 Day 4

Introduction…It is the responsibility of a leader to set an excellent example for those watching, and since there is always someone observing our actions, we are all responsible leaders. Realize that what we think, say and do matters. Our first priority should be to do the right thing. Next we must do the right thing, the right way. Our actions must be trustworthy and based upon consistent integrity. When we honor the Lord in our words and actions, our lives become one of positive influence. Titus 2:7-8, “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.”

Read John 18:12-14, 19-24 “The company of soldiers and their commander and the officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound him and led him first of all to Annas. He was the father in law of Caiaphas who was High Priest in that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was better that one man should die for the people…The High Priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly in the world. I taught at all times in the synagogue and in the precincts of the Temple, where all the Jews assemble and I spoke nothing in secret. Why do you ask me questions? Ask those who heard me what I said to them. See! These know what I have said.’ When he had said these things, one of the officers who was standing by dealt Jesus a blow. ‘Do you answer the High Priest like this?’ he said. Jesus answered, ‘if I have spoken ill, produce evidence about the ill, if I have spoken well, why do you strike me?’ So Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the High Priest.”

Bible Study

• Jesus was a Servant Leader who set an example for us of selfless living. Giving up His rights for a higher calling, a higher good…to obey God, take up the Cross, die for our sins and thereby save us.
• Annas, was self serving leader. He had the position of great influence. He was the power behind the power. Yet his life choice was to purchase power and live for it. History tells us Annas was the High Priest, a position his 4 sons held as well, and now Caiaphas, his son in law, was the High Priest in power.
• Historians documented the notorious corruption, bribes and power behind the choices and direction of Annas and his family.
  • Keeping in line with the Roman government instead of God’s ways.
  • Not leading people by example or towards God and His ways.
  • Overcharging and profiting from the people for payment of sacrifices. Remember that Jesus came against all this when He cleared the Temple.
  • Making merchandise of worship and the things of God for personal gain.
• Jesus, contrary to selfish acts and greed, taught the truth of God’s Word which says, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul,” Matthew 16:26
• So earthly focused and driven by power, money and prestige, were the family of Annas, that the High Priests missed the Messiah, disobeyed God and lost their soul for eternity. What a tragedy!

Application

• We are 1 choice away from changing our life forever. Joshua of old while leading the people of Israel knew he couldn’t chose for them, but said as a leader, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
• Life for us today is what our choices have made it to be. But with the opportunity to choose the right direction starting this very moment, it offers hope for a better tomorrow.
• “We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.” With God’s strength we can do all things. He gives us the blueprint for living an abundant life, free from the guilt of yesterday’s mistakes. If and when we get it right on the inside of us…Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
• Our prayer could be, “Dear Father, help me to pattern my life after Your example. I want to be a positive influence in the lives of those around me. Give me the courage to walk in Your way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”

Tags: Take 10

Week 26 Day 1

The Daily Take 10

The Gospel of John

Week 26 Day 1

Introduction…Making a lasting impression has always been so important. We hear speakers say, “if you only remember one thing you heard, let it be this!” What was Jesus’ last message to His disciples that needed special emphasis to be ‘burned into’ their memory? The message was as an object lesson with Jesus as the example. With His death just hours away and their time together slipping away, Jesus taught servanthood. Servant Leadership. Sacrificial love. Humbleness and selfless love that puts others ahead of yourself. The objects Jesus used to teach this life lesson was a basin of water and a towel.

Read John 13:1-17 “Before the Festival of the Passover, Jesus, in the knowledge that his hour had come to leave this world and to go to the Father, although he had always loved his own people in the world, decided to show them what his love was like in a way which went to the ultimate limit. The meal was in progress. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, that he should betray Jesus. Well knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come forth from God and that he was going back to God, Jesus rose from the meal and laid aside his outer robe and took a towel and put it round himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the feet of his disciples and to wipe them with the towel. He came to Simon Peter. Peter said to him: ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him: ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but you will understand afterwards,’ Peter said to him: ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him: ‘If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.’ Peter said to him: ‘Lord, if that is so, do not wash my feet only, but my hands and my head too.’ Jesus said to him: ‘He who has been bathed has need only to have his feet washed. After that is done he is altogether clean.’ So when he had washed their feet and when he had taken his outer robe again and when he had taken his place at the table, he said to them: ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and you call me ‘Lord.’ And you are quite right to do so, for so I am. If then I, the Teacher and Lord, have washed your feet, so you ought to wash each other’s feet, for I have given you and example, that as I have done to you, you too should do to each other. This is the truth I tell you, the servant is not greater than his master, nor he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things you are blessed if you do them.”

Bible Study

• Jesus knew all things had been given to Him by the Father, yet He laid them all down to come to earth and die for us. See Philippians 2:6-9 “Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God…took upon him the form of a servant…and became obedient unto death.”
• Jesus knew he had come from Father God and would return to be Him. See Matthew 26:53 and 64. “Don’t you know that I can pray to my Father and He will send 12 legions (36,000) of angels…you will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.”
• Jesus knew Judas would betray Him, but He washed his feet lovingly. Jesus was Crucified, not by the Jews or by the Romans, but because of our sin. That is what sent Him to the Cross. See Luke 23: 34 While on the Cross Jesus said of those who put Him on the Cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
• Peter was too proud initially for Jesus to wash his feet, but when Peter realized the significance, he submitted to Jesus’ plan and purposes.
• The ‘washing’ of water baptism is an act of obedience, symbolizing the washing away of sin, our sins being buried in baptism and rising clean in newness of life.

Application

• What are we using and doing to wash others feet?

• Whose feet do we need to wash today?
• How will we serve others today?
• What are the objects or tools we will use to serve others?

Tags: Take 10

March 22, 2010 – Favor, Part 6

It has been great these last few weeks to be talking about favor at Elevate and in my blog.  Growing in favor both with God and with man but today we wrap up the topic talking about the why.  Why favor – what is the purpose in God’s favor.  In everything that He give us there is purpose, His purpose.  The talents and giftings He has given us – they are His.  The resources, the time, our life, each breath He has given – they are His.  The favor that He shows us or is shown to us by others – is from Him and it is His for his purpose.  There is purpose in the favor we receive – God’s purpose.  As we pursue God’s favor on our lives and learn how to grow in favor we have to realize that God’s favor and blessing is not just for you it is for His purpose and others as well.

God is not only looking to bless you but what he can get through you.  The quickest way to stop up blessing and favor coming into your life is missing the opportunity to use it to bless others.  Everything God brings into your life including Him showing us favor we need to be quick to ask, “God what is your purpose behind this?”  What are you wanting to do through me now that this door has opened in front of me – now that this promotion, this platform has been given to me – now that this influential relationship has been made – now that this provision has come into my life?  What are you up to because I know that it is a blessing to me but help me get my eyes off of me and onto those around me?

Last week we talked about God’s favor often times coming through the relationships we have or are yet to have – people we don’t even know yet but flip it around for a second and ask what if I am supposed to be someone’s answer to a prayer?  What if you hold the keys to someone getting the break through they’ve been looking for and praying about in their life?

When we focus on growing in God’s favor like we have been it can very quickly and easily become about us but turn it around and realize that when it comes make the first thing we wonder about – what is God’s purpose in this – what does He want to do through me – how can I be an answer to someone’s prayer – how can I be used by God through this blessing He has brought into my life.  How wonderful if God’s Kingdom acted more like that – if we were attentive to other people’s needs the moment blessing comes into our lives.

Remember we are blessed to be a blessing,

Jonathan

Tags: Jonathan Spuler

March 15, 2010 – Favor, Part 5

We, like Jesus in Luke 2, can grow in favor with God and with man.  Favor with God comes when we obey His word and have faith in His word.  Last week we began talking about growing in favor with man (see last week’s blog).

My parents always taught me, and we all know this is true, if you look at the people you are in relationship with it will show you your future.  Who you are connected to relationally will determine where you go in life.  That applies in school with your friends and the choices that you make in those early years.  That applies in getting a job – its not what you know its often who you know and network with.  That applies on the job – who you connect with and strategically align yourself with.  That applies in life – your friends, who you do life with.  That is why we believe at Elevate relationally connecting in community is so vital to living this Christian life with authenticity and growing in your relationship with God.  God uses people to catapult you into the trajectory he is taking you.  He uses relationships, and opens doors to places and opportunities through the people He brings into your life.  He uses the people we are in relationship with to bring favor into our lives.  Countless times in the Bible we see a life changed by one encounter with someone else.  Favor with just one person changes everything – it’s a game changer.

Col. 3:22 says this, “Obey your earthly masters in everything; And do it, not only when their eye is on you to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.  23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Let me put this in modern day English – he is talking to those who have jobs – you need to win the favor of those who you work for.  Not just when they are looking but even when they are not with the same intensity, with the same integrity.  And to do that work for them as if you are working for the Lord because you should know that you are actually working in that job for the Lord.  He is the one who provided you the health, the skill and the ability to work.  He is the one who has provided the opportunity of that job.  And, the Bible is very clear about this, this is a message in itself, but He is the one who has put your boss in that position over you – every position of authority God has given.  When you work this way Colossians says you will win the favor of God and the favor of man (Prov. 22:29, Prov. 21:1).

Just remember that God uses the people in your life to bring you favor.  Many times that is the person that you are working for.  You are not working for that boss you are working for your master the King of kings and the Lord of lords who is interested in your life and working on your behalf.  In every story of the Bible where God showed someone favor they were working where God had positioned them (see the life of Joseph in Genesis 39).

Work as unto the Lord and you will win favor with man,

Jonathan

Tags: Jonathan Spuler

March 8, 2010 – Favor, Part 4

We have been talking about growing in favor with God and taking a key from what was said of Jesus in Luke 2 we too can grow not only in favor with God but also with man.  Proverbs 3:3-4 says “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!  Tie them around your neck as a reminder.  Write them deep w/in your heart.  4 Then you will find favor w/ both God & people, & you will earn a good reputation.”  You will find favor, you would win favor another version says both with God and with people.  If God’s favor on your life is such that He looks at you with grace and acceptance, wanting to offer you gifts and blessings, to look at you with pleasantry and beauty – wouldn’t it be wonderful if people you came into contact with would also treat you with favor?

Now here is the problem – we have been taught, maybe not specifically but we have carried the idea in our hearts that if we are going to have favor with God that we can’t have favor with man.  That they are somehow opposite or polarized – that there is no way that you can have favor with God and with people.  Maybe we’ve said it this way if you are going to be pleasing to man you must not be pleasing God or if you are going to be pleasing to God than automatically that means you can’t have the favor of man.  And we have picked up in tradition, or in church or somewhere along our Christian journey that if we have favor with people we must be compromising in our relationship with God.  That just is not true.  If you have favor with God many times that favor is shown to you through the relationships that you have in your life!

As God molds and shapes us and we are obedient to His word and live a life filled of faith we gain his favor but we also become more like Him - He changes us.  And as we change and as His spirit becomes more a part of who we are we do become more attractive.  People are drawn to us – not because it is us but because it is the fruit of His spirit.  What comes out of us as a by product of Him changing us and favor comes along with that.  People will want to know why you are different – they will want what you have and you will have the opportunity to explain to them that it is not I but Christ that lives in me.

Three practical ways to grow in favor with those around you…

First, live a life of humility.  Have you ever noticed that someone who has had some level of success in sports or politics or in any arena and they take the approach of recognizing others around them or it is their self depreciation that it draws you to them?  Jesus  taught His disciples if you want to be great in the Kingdom of God then humble yourself and be a servant to all.  The Bible says humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you up in due season

Second, live a trustworthy life.  Be a trustworthy person, be dependable, faithful, let people know they can count on you.  You know who the people are in your life who are always there for you.  I can list off a few friends that if I called them they would be at my door as quick as they can – they are dependable and because I know this of them I would do anything for them.  The parable of the master and his 3 servants is a great example of dependability.  Whatever God has given you He is looking for you to use to be dependable with and produce for Him faithfully.  To produce a return on the investment that He has entrusted to you and when you do you will win favor with Him.  The same is true when we entrust our time, our burdens, our needs to others and they are always there for you – they have your favor.  If you are dependable the same will be true for you and you will win the favor of those around you.

Finally, to win the favor of those around you live for more than yourself.  Jesus grew in favor with God and man.  Why, because His life was not His own, He laid down his life for others.  Any act of kindness toward others generates favor.  It can be a simple handshake or a smile – it can be coming an hour early to church to serve in kids ministry or help set up.  But any way you do it when you give you life away you gain favor.

We can have favor in our lives both with God and with the people around us and it starts with living with humility, living trustworthily and living a life that is more than ourselves.

Lets win favor of those around us this week,

Jonathan

Tags: Jonathan Spuler

October 11, 2009 – Organic Church 6

In this final discussion on what it means to be an Organic Church let me ask you a question. Can you love God without loving people? The obvious answer is NO! If you want to know what being a Christian is really about it is about love and you cannot love without serving – giving yourself away.

Jesus when asked to sum up the entire law in Matt. 22:36 said “Love God and love others…On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Every law given in the Bible hangs on these 2 statements made by Jesus. So let me ask you again – is it possible to love God & not love people?

When God loved us he sent his Son to die for us. When Jesus loved God his Father he gave his life. There is an inseparable action here that by Jesus loving his father he laid down his life. Loving God is a vertical expression and for many followers of Jesus this is the extent of their Christian experience but this verse says loving God is first but the 2nd is just like it you cant separate the two. When you love God he puts his love on the inside of you and God so loved that he gave to others making it a horizontal expression as well.

It starts by loving those in your home, goes to those on the job/classrooms, those you come in contact with throughout the day – even acquaintances, strangers. Jesus set the example of living his life serving others (you can read about this in Matt. 20:20-28). Jesus said if you want to be great in my kingdom – live like me – I came not to be served but to serve. Live not for yourself but for others.

If I love God I will love people? – NO – Jesus is saying if you love people you are loving me (Matt. 25). They are inseparable – if you are serving others you are doing it unto God – He takes it personally. It takes our vertical relationship with God & makes it horizontal. Organic churches live their relationship w/ God horizontally. (Phil. 2:5-9)

What if everyone in church tried to out serve each other what kind of place would that be – what kind of environment would that be. What if the organic church went out and was the church by doing things to the least of these. That is what going and being the church is all about. Serving others in love – showing God’s love to a hurting and dying world by being servants. If you love God you will serve others – more importantly you love God by serving others

Lets love God vertically and horizontally this week,

Jonathan

Tags: Jonathan Spuler