Yesterday was “Christ the King Sunday,” the final Sunday of the church year. Next week begins the season of Advent, in which we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Why does it matter that we remember Jesus Christ as king? What does his conversation with Pilate in John 18:33-38a have to do with our lives today? Click below to hear Pastor David’s message on this passage.
The End!
In Mark 13:1-13, Jesus says some rather dramatic things: the Temple will be destroyed, wars will come, and his followers will be persecuted. In doing so, he uses language similar to that used by the Old Testament prophets Daniel and Isaiah (among others). What in the world was he talking about? And what does this have to do with Thanksgiving? Listen to Pastor David’s message on this passage:
Was Jesus Ever Bullied?
This fall, I have the pleasure of working with a handful of fifth- and sixth-grade boys on a Boy Scout course entitled “God and Church.” The course focuses on who Jesus is, what the church is about, and how we can plug in to the life and ministry of the church through worship and service. So far, I have really enjoyed the time I’ve been able to spend with these boys and their parents on a weekly basis!
At our last meeting, we were talking about how much like us Jesus is – that is, how he is fully human and experienced things just like we do. (The next session is about how Jesus is fully divine: we believe both!) During the course of our conversation, one of the boys asked me a very insightful question:
“Was Jesus ever bullied?”
That question made me stop and think for a while. We often talk about how Jesus was tempted in every way, like we are, but never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). We remember how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). We remember how Jesus had real human emotions like anger (John 2:12-22), sorrow (John 11:32-37), love (Mark 10:17-21), and many others. But was Jesus ever bullied?
We don’t know much about his childhood; just a couple of stories survive about those years, and none of them apply to this particular issue. So we can’t say for sure that Jesus was bullied as a child. But certainly there were occasions when Jesus as an adult was ignored, made fun of, or treated unfairly by other people:
- During his ministry, Jesus’s own family – his very own mother and brothers – thought he was crazy and out of his mind. (Can you imagine? At least his mother Mary should have known better!) They tried to make him keep quiet, stop teaching, and stop performing miracles. He responded by reminding everyone that obeying God’s will is his highest priority. (See Mark 3:20-35.)
- Jesus instructed his followers to expect to be hated by others because of their belief in him. Being a Christ-follower makes a person subject to the ridicule of other people, just as it did for Jesus himself and all the prophets of God before him. Jesus responded to the world’s hatred of him by speaking the truth, trusting in God, and remaining faithful to his calling. (See Luke 6:22-23, Matthew 24:9-10, and John 15:18-27.)
- When Jesus had been sentenced to die by crucifixion, he was flogged mercilessly and was handed over to the Roman guards. They stripped his clothes away and began to mock him: they put a royal robe over his bleeding shoulders, and they made a royal crown – made of thorns, not gold – and forced it on his head. They made fun of him, spat on him, and hit him on the head over and over again. He responded by not saying a word through the whole affair. (See Matthew 27:24-31.)
- Even while he was hanging on the cross, in his final moments, Jesus was mocked by the soldiers, bystanders, and other criminals. All were saying that if he really was the King of the Jews, why didn’t he save himself? Jesus responded by asking God to forgive those who were hurting him and by speaking kindly to a dying man who asked Jesus to remember him. (See Luke 23:33-43.)
“Was Jesus ever bullied?” I think the answer is “absolutely, yes” – even if bullying looks slightly different today. Many young people today are bullied in school and in other places, for many kinds of reasons. This is an awful truth, and we as people of faith must stand up against bullies on behalf of the children in our community.
Jesus understands that terrible experience, too, on a personal level. What’s more, he shows us all how we should respond: by trusting in God, by remembering the truth about who we are as God’s children, and by relying on his strength for every day’s challenges.
–Pastor David
The Widow’s Gift
Jesus applauded a widow who gave all she had in the temple – an event which brings back memories of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17:1-16. What can these widows’ stories teach us about discipleship and outreach in service of our Lord Jesus today? Click below to hear Pastor David’s sermon on this passage from 1 Kings:
The Prime Directive
What are our marching orders as the church? What is the best summary of what God expects from us? Jesus answered this clearly in a conversation with a law expert in Mark 12:28-34. Click below to hear Pastor David’s sermon on this subject – framed in the language of Star Trek:
Election Time
You may have noticed that it’s almost election time here in the United States. Incredible amounts of attention, time, and money have been poured into this election season, and all of this will come to a climax on Tuesday, November 6. How should we, as followers of Jesus Christ, approach the elections – and their results, whatever those should be?
I’d like you to look up and read a few different Bible passages today. First, consider Romans 13:1-7. Paul is writing to Christians in Rome – the seat of the Roman Empire which persecuted early Christians. And yet he encourages them to understand the governing authorities as rulers who have been put in place by God; therefore, Christians are to pay taxes, give honor and respect, and submit to those who are in authority – even those who might persecute them for their faith. How blessed we are to live in a country in which power transfers peacefully and without threat of imprisonment or bloodshed for those who disapprove of those in power! How much more important it is for us to fulfill the call of Romans 13 as citizens of this country!
Next, look up 1 Peter 2:13-25. Here, Peter is writing to Christians in various places in southwest Asia, who again were being persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ. Like Paul wrote in Romans, Peter encourages his audience to respect, honor, and be subject to all types of human authority – even those that would cause them harm. Peter’s rationale for this type of behavior is that those who suffer for the sake of Christ are imitating Christ and are becoming more like Christ. After all, Jesus Christ suffered terribly at the hands of the government; he even died by capital punishment, and yet he never sinned but committed himself to God. How blessed we are to be free from the threat of bodily harm because of our belief in Jesus! Pray for those in our world today who do experience such harm! And put 1 Peter 2 into action in your relationship to those in authority over you!
1 Timothy 2:1-8 calls us to pray consistently – and to be thankful – for our local, regional, and national leaders. Jeremiah 29:1-7 calls us to work diligently for the good of our society, even if that society is foreign to us and is not our true home, as Babylon was for the Israelites in exile.
Friends, let me encourage you to do three things. First, make sure you are informed about all of the issues and individuals, local and national, that will be on Tuesday’s ballot (even if you are reading this after Election Day). Second, make sure you find time to vote, because voting is the legal, peaceful, authorized, and best way for us to make our voices heard. Third, and most importantly, once the elections have passed, pray for those who are or will be in authority over us. Respect those who are in authority over us. And give thanks to God that these decisions and transitions can be made in our society without threat of violence.
And pray for those places in the world where that last sentence is not true.
–Pastor David
November Youth Update
We are BLESSED! Today, as I watch the devastating destruction on the East Coast of our country, I feel very fortunate that we didn’t receive Super Storms off the ocean. We can deal with some rain, snow and wind. The GOOD news, we were able to complete the raking of Olive’s yard before the weather arrived. Took us three different days after school but the student turn-out to help was fantastic. Thank You kids- you were great and a job well done.
Our Prayer Partner recruitment is coming. With the addition of seven students (or maybe 5) this year, we are seeing the difference that prayer makes. We have had our largest groups this year (20 kids) and the 6th grade youth meeting is working out well. The 7-12 grades meet on Sunday nights and the 6th graders meet on Tuesdays @ 2:30. We are working our way through the 10 Commandments this Fall with both groups. Plugging along with Romans on Sunday mornings.
On November 1 & 2, Shane Mudd and Isabella Krolikowski are participating in their 2nd Year of the Michigan Student Leadership Institute in Clarkston, Michigan. I am the State Chairman of MSLI and we are anticipating almost one hundred selected students from churches across the state participating. A great event for our student leaders in Michigan.
Our 2012-2013 Medical Release and Permission Forms have been mailed this month. Students should have these forms completed to ride in the van plus attend all youth ministry activities. The forms run from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013. Once they are completed they are good for the year. I am again enclosing permission slips for students who have not turned in a form when you receive your monthly parent letter. PLEASE help us by completing these forms ASAP.
The Hayride at the Hyatt’s was fantastic. There were three wagons of people, campfire, good food, good conversation and a beautiful evening. Thank you Hyatt’s for another great Fall evening. We had a wonderful time at Grandma’s Pumpkin Patch as we bounced on the blow-up games, wandered the corn maze, fed the animals, rode on a hayride, sat by the campfire and watched the pigs race each other. Connie then treated us to a supper of sloppy joes, chips, and donuts. It was a great night as we finished it up with our weekly youth meeting.
We will be having a Bake Potato Bar on Sunday, November 11th to help raise funds for the Michigan CHOG Winter Retreat in December. It begins at 4:45 PM in the Fellowship Hall, and then the youth will have their weekly youth meeting. On November 18, our youth meeting that day will be a service project, packing Thanksgiving Baskets for families at the Aldersgate Methodist Church in town. There is an area Thanksgiving service that evening at the Midland Christian Church on M-20, so we will not have an evening meeting. On Sunday, December 9, we will be having a Christmas Party. Watch for details.
Our next BIG event will be Winter Retreat on December 28-30, 2012. This event is for all students grades 6-12 and costs $105. Registration is begins November 12 and has a $50 pre-registration due by December 8. The final $55 balance will be due by Sunday, December 23. Our guest speaker will be Pastor Mark Shaner and our worship leader will be John Tibbs. Both are from Anderson, Indiana. We will be continuing to do fundraisers in preparation for this great Church of God Winter event.
Also, you will be receiving in your church mailboxes (and, parents, through the mail) order blanks for our Gift Card Sale to benefit the Youth Ministry. Gift cards make wonderful Christmas presents, but they can also be used for your weekly family needs, such as gas, groceries, dining out or just purchasing Christmas gifts. Please consider purchasing gift cards through the Mt. Haley Youth Ministry to help you and us. The youth receive a percentage listed from each card sold. All orders are due with the money (cash, or a check made out to Mt. Haley Church of God Youth) by November 25. Cards should arrive back at the church by December 2.
Your prayers, support and encouragement are greatly appreciated and we look forward every week to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with your student through interaction, study, fellowship and relationship. Thank you for sharing your son or daughter.
Love God, Love People
Pastor Jerry
An Eye-Opening Experience
In Mark 10:46-52, Jesus heals a blind beggar named Bartimaeus. It’s a nice story, to be sure, but your perspective on the story – like your perspective on present-day life – makes a big difference. Walk with Pastor David through four different perspectives on this short Bible story, which is the text for this week’s sermon:
Justice and Mercy
I recently had the opportunity to see the inside of a Midland County courtroom – my first such experience as a pastor. This particular courtroom features a mural on the wall behind the judge’s bench; the mural depicts Native Americans coming together for a tribal council, a fitting scene to honor the history of the justice system in this part of the country.
What struck me the most about the courtroom, however, were the words that were emblazoned across the bottom of the mural:
Justice and Mercy – the Alpha and Omega of Human Attainment
As you may know, on Sunday evenings we are studying the Book of Revelation together while our high school youth group meets with Pastor Jerry. This study has been fascinating and challenging for us. (Remember, it’s never too late to try it out!) When I saw the courtroom’s motto displayed across the wall, I couldn’t help but think of Revelation 1:8 (NIV):
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet; they are like our English letters A and Z. To say that something is the alpha and omega means that it is before and after everything else in terms of its importance. Anything else must be understood in relation to the “bookends” of the alphabet. Nothing is more important than the alpha; nothing comes after the omega.
In Revelation, we read that Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega: he is before all things, and he is after all things. Nothing is more important than he; nothing will last longer than he. Everything that we do as Christians must point to the supremacy of Christ in the universe. Every one of our decisions, actions, reactions, and relationships should be influenced by the one who was, who is, and who is to come.
So back to the courtroom motto: can justice and mercy serve as the alpha and omega of human attainment? I like this as a slogan for our public justice system for a few reasons. First, we uphold justice as the “alpha” of our court system: those who have broken the law are to be held accountable for their actions. Second, we also uphold mercy at the end of the day: even though the verdict is “guilty,” the judge reserves the right to assign penalties (within the law) as he or she sees fit. This may very well include true acts of mercy from the judge. And third, holding justice and mercy together in dramatic tension with each other requires skill, patience, humility, and integrity.
I would suggest, however, that the tension between justice and mercy is not a human invention after all. We find the perfect and original example of this tension in the biblical God, who demands justice against sinful humanity yet provides mercy through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15)
–Pastor David
How to be Great
Have you ever asked for something truly ridiculous? Have you ever struggled for power and influence among other people? You’re not alone: James and John did the same thing in Mark 10:35-45. How should we live as grateful, thankful people in the kingdom of God, especially in light of how Jesus lived and died and rose again? Click below to hear Pastor David’s message on this passage.