10

Jump Start # 3717

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3717

Matthew 25:14-15 “For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves, and entrusted his possessions to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.”

 

Our passage today, the beginning to the talent parable, which is about responsibility and the coming of the Lord, also reminds us that our abilities are not the same. The way this is worded, it seems that all three slaves were gathered around the master. The ‘talent,’ was a coin. The master would look at each slave and understand what each was capable of doing. One got five coins. Another, two. And, the third slave got one coin.

 

The master didn’t practice equality among the slaves. He did not divide the coins up equally, giving them all a fair chance. Instead, he gave the first man the most. It was decided by his ability. He could handle five. The second man was given two. Why not five? The master didn’t think he could handle that. He was given two based upon his skill level. The one talent man was given one. He might have pouted, complained and believed that the master liked the others more than him, but that’s not the case. Each were given what their ability would allow. The master knew them and the master knew what they could do.

 

Consider which apostles wrote the books of the N.T. Wasn’t Andrew capable? Paul wrote more books, but by word count, Luke, a Gentile and not an apostle, wrote more of the N.T. than anyone else. Why was Andrew not included in the inner circle? He was Peter’s brother. James and John, another brother pair are in the inner circle. Was Andrew not as good as they were? Andrew missed the transfiguration. Andrew didn’t see Jarius’ daughter raised. Why were the brothers, James and John allowed, and Andrew couldn’t tag along with his brother Peter?

 

Here is something I see with this generation. It’s special. Days gone by, there were many brotherhood papers, but not a lot of books written.  A few sermons were complied in books. Debates were transcribed and a few commentaries were written. There wasn’t much outside the papers. Today, so many of our brethren are publishing books. Amazing insights. Great studies. From devotionals, to commentaries, to very deep dives into various topics. This generation is filling shelves with amazing tools to help us know God’s word.

 

Now, out here is a one talent disciple. He hasn’t written any books. He isn’t invited to crisscross the country to speak. Few know his name. This disciple quietly does what he can. He teaches. He encourages. He stays busy helping the people in his area know Jesus. When he considers what others are doing, he feels like he is not doing enough. He can feel like he hasn’t done much when he sees what others are doing.

 

Here are some lessons for us:

 

First, the one, two and five talent men were not in a contest or a race against each other. The Lord doesn’t compare. We do. The Lord knew what each was capable of doing. Standing next to a five talent man can make one feel intimidated and inferior. The Lord never saw it that way. The Lord never expected everyone to do what the five talent man did. Comparisons lead to jealousy and envy, which eventually leads to bitterness and thinking evil of someone.

 

Second, all three men in the talent parable were capable of pleasing the Lord and glorifying Him. Two of them did just that. So, you have never written a book. So, you have never broadcast a podcast. So, you have never written a blog. So. But, look at what you have done. You have taught little hearts. You have influenced co-workers. You have led the people of God. You have opened your home for others. You have encouraged preachers. All of those things are valuable and important. Most do not get much attention. And, if it is attention that we are after, then we need to sit down a moment and rethink what we are doing. It’s not about us. It’s about helping others walk closer with the Lord.

 

Third, what upset the Lord in the talent parable was that the one talent man did nothing. He had ability, that’s why he was given a talent. But he didn’t use that ability. He dug a hole in the ground and buried the talent. He didn’t lose it. He didn’t spend it. But, neither did he do anything worthwhile with it. The master expected more.

 

You may not be a James or John. You may be an Andrew. It was Andrew who found the kid with the snack that Jesus used to feed the multitude. It was Andrew who introduced his brother Peter to the Lord. Find what you are capable of doing, and then get busy. A cup of cold water given to a little one, Jesus tells us, is something that Heaven notices. No one else may. Others may be digging wells. Others may be driving water trucks. Others may be buying bottles of water by the case. You gave one cup to one disciple. Not much, you say. Not like what others are doing. Yet, Heaven saw and Heaven noticed.

 

We all have been given abilities and opportunities by the Lord. Do what you can. Do all that you can. Bring your best to the Lord.

 

Roger

 

 

 

09

Jump Start # 3716

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3716

 

Psalms 122:1 “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

 

We are just about to wrap up a year. We are down to just a few weeks left. Here we are busy working on all kinds of plans for next year. A new theme. New faces coming to preach to us. Planning summer activities, even though we are in the chilly days of December. At home, we preachers are busy pushing our current theme through to the end. Bringing the Best, has been looked about every way possible. Classes have talked about this. Sermons have hammered away at this. Guest speakers have talked about. And, as we get ready to turn the page to a new year and new theme, we are once more heavily talking about Bringing the Best.

 

In Leviticus 10, after the abrupt death of Nadab and Abihu for bringing strange fire before the Lord, God reminds Moses, “By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy and before all the people I will be honored.” Later, when the nation was thirsty, Moses did more than speak to the rock to bring water, he struck the rock with Aaron’s rod and declared, “Shall we bring forth water for you.” God was angry with Moses because he had not treated the Lord as holy before the people.

 

And, to be honest, there are times when we have not given our best to the Lord. Haven’t we found our minds drifting off to la-la land during some sermons? We’d never want to admit that, but hasn’t that happened? We can point fingers to the preacher and declare that he was just boring that day, but it’s not all his fault. Especially here at the holiday time, when there is so much to do and so many things racing through our minds, it’s easy to mouth the words of a hymn and not really praise the Lord. It’s easy to toss the bread and juice in our mouths and give little thought to the amazing sacrifice our Lord gave for us. Bored, we check our email and texts during worship. Some have nodded off to sleep. Indeed, are we treating the Lord as holy when we fail to bring our best before Him?

 

Our verse today states, “I was glad when they said, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” But, what about the times when I’m not so glad about that? Tired. Busy. Just feel like staying home, especially on those dark winter nights. They may have been times that we assembled out of guilt and not desire and passion. Assembling can become habit and lose the purpose and reason behind it.

 

So, what happens when we haven’t given our best? That was the topic of my sermon yesterday evening. God deserves the best. Bring the best, we have said. And, when I failed to do that???

 

Here are some thoughts for us:

 

First, unlike corrupt Judah in the book of Malachi, our intentions and motives are not evil and selfish, as they were. The nation had a serious faith problem. God was weary of their self righteous worship that accomplished nothing. Some go to church for every reason and any reason except for God. That’s a heart issue that needs to be fixed. Sitting in a pew doesn’t score you gold stars from Heaven, especially when your thoughts and heart are far from the Lord.

 

Especially on a Wednesday evening, when folks have worked all day and they are tired and beat up from the world, it’s easy to check out and not pay attention. Some are on their feet and on the go all day long. Sitting for any time puts them asleep. This is true at home, the movie theatre or the church building.

 

There are times when we have gone to church, as they say, but we haven’t worshipped. Not giving God our best ought to make us feel bad. It ought to bother us when our minds wander and we are bored during worship. If those experiences do not bother us, then we need to spend more time in God’s word. We need to understand the Lord and the nature of worship.

 

Two immediate things we ought to understand about worship. First, worship is something you give to the Lord. Our English word comes via the Latin, “worth-ship.” We are appraising value. If you want to know what your house is worth, you have it appraised. If you want to know what a diamond ring is worth, you get it appraised. In worship, we are saying, “What does God mean to me?” Worship is something you do. You are bringing a gift from your heart to the Lord. Worship is not like watching a movie on TV. You are not a spectator, but rather a participant. Second, our worship must not be defined or determined by someone else. This is a major problem for many of us. If the songs are sung slow. If the prayers drag. If the preaching is boring. We conclude, ‘What a waste of time this has been.’ But that spirit is saying I can only bring my best if others are doing their best. Your worship is not contingent upon how others conduct themselves in leading the congregation. You came for God. You came with a heart full of thankfulness.

 

Second, we need to ask God to forgive us when we have not treated God as holy. The solution is not finding a better song leader. That’s an external element. What you need to do is to change the way you approach God.

 

Third, make adjustments that will allow you to bring your best to the Lord. Preparation is the key. Psalms 100 was sung as people gathered to Jerusalem to worship. It was their “pre-game,” or “tailgate” routine of singing to ready themselves to come before the Lord.

 

If you have little ones in the home, get things ready Saturday evening so you don’t have to rush about on Sunday morning looking for shoes, Bibles and bookbags. Get to bed at a decent hour on Saturday evening. You are coming before the Lord in the morning. Tired. Stressed. Bothered. Worried. All those things will impact the way you worship. Begin Sunday by reading some verses. Sing some hymns as you head to the church building.

 

Don’t compare yourself with others. You can only do your best. But work hard at this. Don’t be satisfied with substandard hearts and spirits. And, the more you work at this, the more times you will leave worship, uplifted, encouraged and satisfied that on that day you gave the Lord your best.

 

These are things we all can chew on for a moment. Reflect. Consider. Do better.

 

Roger

 

 

 

 

06

Jump Start # 3715

Posted on December 6, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3715

Micah 6:7 “Does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams, in ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

The book of Micah can be viewed like a courtroom drama. The people of God are on trial. God is the prosecutor. The nation is in trouble. Idols, empty hearts and complaining lips have brought them to this contention with the Lord. They were weary of the Lord. And, as the sixth chapter opens, the Lord states, “Plead your case.” Defend yourself. “…the Lord has a case against His people” (6:2).

Knowing the righteousness of the Lord, the prophet recognizes the guilt of the nation. God is right. He ponders, “With what shall I come to the Lord” (6:6)? How do we make things right? As Peter’s audience asked in Acts 2, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Our verse presents three wild ideas. They are extreme and even impossible. Do we offer God thousands of rams? Do we offer ten thousand rivers of oil? Do we sacrifice our firstborn child?

What to do? Underlining these three suggestions in our verse today, is what is commonly known as “Balance Theology.” The good must outweigh the bad. There is no suggestion of repentance or change. There is no suggestion of tearing down the idols. There is no thought of renewing the heart. Instead, offer rams, rivers of oil, or a first born child. Amazing sacrifices. But, as long as wrong continues, what good is all of this?

Balance theology assumes evil is ok as long as there is more good than bad. Like the scales of justice, as long as the balance tips in favor of good, bad can be tolerated. Just make sure that there is more good than bad and everything will work out. It also assumes that evil can be overcome by goodness. The more good you do, that somehow eliminates the bad that you have done. And, worse of all, this gives license to continue doing evil. One doesn’t have to stop wrong, as long as one does more good.

Most don’t know this as balance theology, but most practically live this way. Party hard on Friday night, drinking and doing things that are not right, but be sure to get down to the church house on Sunday morning. Make a contribution to some charity, volunteer at some organization and all will be fine. One doesn’t have to stop the drinking. One doesn’t have to change their lifestyle. Just do more good than bad. One can cuss now and then, as long as they sing hymns in worship.

Rivers of oil will cover idols and hearts that are no longer interested in God. Just do more good than bad. Seems logical. Seems like advice someone would pass along to us. The problem is, balance theology is just not biblical. It’s not from God. The Lord is interested in YOU. A broken and contrite heart God will not reject. Sins are not wiped away by goodness. Multiple good people needed the saving grace of God in the N.T.

The prophet reminds the nation what God really wants. “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (6:8).

Notice:

First, it wasn’t just go and do something nice and God will overlook all the wrong that you are doing. The Lord was requiring a heart change in the people. Three words: justice; kindness; and, humbleness. Not rivers of oil. Not a child sacrificed. Don’t stay in your lane of wrong. Exit off. God was interested in character. God is always interested in heart.

Second, justice, kindness and humbleness are demonstrated towards others. We are kind, not to ourselves but to others. We are humble, not to ourselves, but towards others. Treat others the right way. This happens when you are lead by your heart, which has embraced God.

Third, these three qualities of the heart, justice, kindness and humbleness are demonstrated by actions. The passage places qualifiers before each of these words. Do justice. Do it. Do what is right. Do what is fair. Love kindness. Show kindness. Kindness in your words. Kindness in your actions. Walk humbly. Walk is more than just a step. It’s a direction and a path one takes.

When people are not good, they need to become good. Here, God defines what is good. Good is not offering thousands of animals. Good is not bringing thousands of rivers of oil to the Lord. Good is not offering your child to the Lord. Good is justice done. Good is kindness loved. Good is humility walked.

This is what God was looking for. This is what God was wanting.

And, for us, taking the Lord’s Supper doesn’t cleanse our souls. Just sitting in a pew on a Sunday doesn’t amend the wrongs we may have done. God has told us what is good. God has shown us what He wants.

It’s time to put the balance scales up and start opening our hearts to the kind of people that the Lord wants us to be. God has told us what is good. That’s what we need to follow. That’s what we need to become.

Roger

05

Jump Start # 3714

Posted on December 5, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3714

Matthew 6:28 “And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin.

  Our verse today, coming from the middle section of the grand Sermon on the Mount, deals with the threat of worry. Many translations use the term “anxious.” And, what the Lord says about this repeatedly, is do not be anxious. At least four times in this part of the sermon Jesus tells us “do not be anxious.”

We might think, “that’s easy to say,” and it is, but dealing with worry is a major battle for so many. We worry about the kids. We worry about our jobs. We worry about aging parents. We worry if we’ll run out of money in retirement. We worry about prices. We worry about bad weather. We worry about a scheduled doctor tests and if there is something serious looming deep within us.

Worry has a way of sidetracking us and making us lose our focus. We tend to look at the problems rather than the Lord. The disciples did that often. When told to feed the multitudes, they saw the situation but they never saw the solution. The solution was standing right beside them, the Lord. When storms battled their boats, they saw problems, but no solution. Jesus was with them. He was the solution.

Our worry does the same thing. We see the problem but not the Lord who can open doors, fix things and do things that no one else can.

Interestingly, Jesus doesn’t just tell the disciples to stop doing that. He gives them a practical solution that will keep worry at a distance. Observe the lilies, the Lord says. Look. Open your eyes. Look at those flowers. The previous verse, the Lord tells the disciples to “look at the birds.” Seeing these things will remind you that God has taken care of them. Birds and flowers are not made in the image of God. Birds and flowers do not have angels to take care of them. Birds and flowers do not have a Savior as we do.

When troubles seem so great, look around. Look at the nature God created. Look at how the world is held together. Look at how God designed and takes care of things.

And, this is a great and valuable lesson for us. When we look with our spiritual radar we see lessons all around us. This week I wrote about a pickup truck with the sign, “We clean trash cans” on the tailgate. What a lesson that taught. When traveling in London, one sees “Mind the gap” signs at train and subway stations. There is a lesson there. At the London airport, on the people mover, a sign hangs down, “Face the direction you are going.” That’s a sermon right there. Many want to go to Heaven but they are facing the wrong direction.

I think open eyes is a gift. Two people can see the same thing and one never thinks anything about it. The other person is drawing great spiritual applications and lessons from what he saw. I wonder how many times the disciples walked through fields of flowers and thought nothing about it. I wonder how many times we have done the same. But after hearing these words, those disciples looked at flowers in a different way. Jesus opened their eyes to spiritual lessons around them.

Now, how can we develop observable eyes?

First, one never turns off the spiritual radar. Never. It’s like praying without ceasing, one is always thinking about spiritual lessons. Part of the issue with getting this type of observation, is the fact that we too quickly turn off our spiritual minds. We enter the church building talking about the weather, the Saturday games, food and such things. For a moment, we worship. And, as soon as worship is over, we go back to talking about the weather, Saturday games, food and such things.

There ought not be a switch that you flip in your mind and heart. Turn on your spiritual radar and keep it on all the time—all the time. Little things will remind you of blessings and care of the Lord. Big things will bring to your mind passages and applications. Later in Matthew, having described and defined why He uses parables, the Lord said, “Blessed are your eyes because they see” (13:16). Do we see?

Do we see opportunities to serve? Do we see the lost who need someone to show them Jesus? Do we see brethren who need to be encouraged? Do we see? Look at the birds. Observe the lilies.

Second, once one starts this practice, it helps them so much. You are reminded of the Lord and His ways constantly. All around you are lessons. All about you are the signs of God’s hands and God’s love. As you wash your hands, you think about the James passage, “cleanse your hands you sinners.” It leads you to quietly pray, “Lord, cleanse my heart as I wash my hands.” And, this endeavor lifts your heart to a new and better place. Rather than complaining about work, you become thankful that you have a job. Rather than feeling alone, you realize God has covered you with His comfort and care, just like a fuzzy blanket on a cold winter night.

Third, with all of this spiritual thinking, one begins to observe and see with their heart, rather than just their eyes. This will lift their spirits. Worry becomes less of a problem. Hope grows stronger. One realizes that God is ever taking care of you. The troubles of the world and the temptations of Satan seem less appealing when one has those spiritual eyes opened.

Look…observe…what wonderful lessons are all around us today. Lessons that will pull us closer to the Lord. Lessons that will make us stronger and better. Lessons that will push worry out of our hearts.

Do you see…

Roger

04

Jump Start # 3713

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3713

James 1:26 “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”

I was up in the attic the other day and ran across a box of frames that had some restoration pictures in them. I pulled the pictures out and took the picture frames to Goodwill. Didn’t need them anymore and didn’t want them anymore. They may hold some value to others, but not to me.

We hear of worthless investments. There are lists on social media sites reminding us that a majority of our cherished collectibles are of very little value any more. No one wants them and no one will pay what we bought them for. These things may have put a smile on our faces, but as for investment purposes, they are worthless.

That made me think of our verse today, a worthless religion. Have you ever thought about what makes a religion worthless? People pour time and effort into a religion. How would it be worthless? Places to assemble are built. Publications are printed. Typically, someone is hired to speak and lead.

There are two major factors that make a religion worthless.

First, if it is false. A false religion will not save you. Something that is wrong, can not be helpful. Wild ideas, wonderful speculations and dreams that many hold dear, all become empty smoke if they are not true. The standard must always be the Word of God. What God says matters, first and foremost.

Second, where our verse is driving at, a religion can be worthless if it does not change us. The principles of that religion may be right and true, but if it does not move us to a more righteous lifestyle, what’s the point? As in our verse today, here is a man whose religion has not changed the way he talks nor the way he thinks. Corrupt. Ungodly. Selfish. Immoral. Hurtful. Gross. He may sit in a church pew on a Sunday, but the way he thinks and the way he talks, you’d never know it.

Why would such a person even put the effort into a religion if does nothing for him? Why would someone pour money into an investment that will bring no positive returns? It may well be, that there is just enough religion to satisfy his conscience but not enough to accomplish any good in his life. Remaining unmoved and unchanged, he has deceived himself, as our passage states, into believing that he’ll go to Heaven because “he has religion.” He compares himself to those who have no religion. Although there are little noticeable differences, he is convinced that sitting in a pew on a Sunday scores points with God. His mind wanders. He is bored. He plays with his phone. He spends more time talking to others than looking into the Bible. A wonderful Christian is how others see him and it is how he sees himself. But is it the way that the Lord sees him?

Third, our tongue is a window into our hearts. The unbridled tongue is likely to say anything, and it usually does. The sins of the tongue, such as gossip, backbiting, slander, evil speaking, lying, boasting reveal a sick and diseased heart. The unbridled tongue, a sure sign of a worthless religion, is problematic of a much deeper and more serious issue, a heart that does not believe. Oh, one can go through the motions. One can “play church” with the best of them, but that empty and vain heart, that refuses to forgive and crushes those that disagrees, is part of a worthless religion.

Many miners, years ago,  were tripped up by what was called “fool’s gold.” The nuggets sparkled like real gold and looked like real gold, only it wasn’t. It was not gold. Some lost their life’s savings buying stakes in nothing but worthless rocks.

Paul warned Timothy about some who were always learning but never able to come to knowledge of the truth (2 Tim 3:7). He continues to describe them as opposing the truth and depraved in mind. They won’t make any progress, the apostle says, because their folly will be obvious to all. Maybe he had in mind tongues that remained unbridled and unchanged.

The opposite of a worthless or useless religion is one that is worthy. One that is worthy will honor and please the Lord by following His will. One that is worthy will keep you strong during the storms of life. One that is worthy will produce the fruit of righteousness. One that is worthy will change your insides and outsides. And, one of the easy ways to tell, is if your tongue has become bridled. Oh, you could say things, but you won’t. You could give someone a piece of your mind, but you know better. You know better and you do better, because of a faith that is worth something.

It is not only worth dying for, but it is worth living for.

Roger