15

Jump Start # 3678

Posted on October 15, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3678

Jude 9 “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, ‘the Lord rebuke you.’”

This verse is filled with intrigue and even mystery. Placed in a series of historical reminders about those  who received the wrath and judgment of God, including unbelieving Egyptians, angels that did not keep their domain, Sodom and Gomorrah, and Michael’s dispute with the devil. Michael would not pronounce a railing word against the devil. In contrast, the twisted false teachers were reviling the things that they did not understand. An angel wouldn’t, but these false teachers would.

Jude states, “Woe to them!” The false teachers are destructive, fault finders, grumbling, arrogant and creating division. They are worldly minded and following after their own lust, is how Jude defines them.

Our verse reveals something from long ago that there is no other reference to. Michael and the devil going at it over the body of Moses, is something that you can’t find anywhere else. God has shown something that no one knew anything about. I wonder if ancient Israel knew this story.

The expression, “the body of Moses,” sounds as if they were talking about Moses after he died. Who would get him? We remember that God would not allow Moses to go to the promise land. He allowed Moses to see the land and after that the Lord killed Moses. The end of Deuteronomy says that the Lord buried Moses. Nothing is said about this dispute. Who gets his body seems to imply more than just the physical body of Moses.

Moses was killed by the Lord. Moses was in punishment for not doing what God said. In that sense, it would seem that Moses was lost. The devil would get his soul. Yet, Moses’ name is listed in Hebrews 11 as one who gained approval.

It is interesting also that the dispute is between the devil and an angel. It’s not the Lord and the devil, like in the book of Job. And, in this argument, between the devil and an angel, Michael did not dare pronounce a “railing judgment.” Others word this as:

  • A blasphemous judgment (ESV)
  • Did not charge him with slander (CEB)
  • Did not utter a slanderous condemnation (CSB)
  • Did not dare condemn him with mockery (Phillips)
  • Did not himself dare to condemn him (NIV)

It seems that Michael understood roles, positions and authority. Here are some thoughts:

First, it is the prerogative of God to save or condemn. Michael got that. Wish we did. It is not our place to declare someone is in Heaven or is in Hell. Michael would not rebuke the devil. He allowed the Lord to do that. It is the Lord that will deal with the devil. It is the Lord that has a place prepared for the devil.

Second, Michael did what we can also do, and that is to quote the Lord. Michael said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Using Scriptures, instead of our “think-so” puts the discussion on a different level. When one is cross ways with God’s word, they are now arguing with God. The discussion is not about what you think, the church says, or how I feel. What does the Lord say needs to be brought to the front of the conversation. The Gospel is called the power of God. It is God’s dynamite!

Third, this simple little passage reminds us that there are so many things that we do not understand or even know about. Where did this conversation between Michael and the devil take place? How soon after Moses’ death did it take place? Why were others not included in knowing this until Jude? What else do we not know about?

And, thoughts like this leads us to Deut 29:29, where the secret things belong to God and the things revealed are for our learning. God doesn’t have to tell us everything. Transparency is something for us and not for God. There are some things that we don’t need to know. There are some things that if we did know, such as the date of your death, would bother us. What God has revealed is what we need to please Him, walk closely with Him and follow Him to Heaven.

And, no, when you get to Heaven, you won’t be bringing a list of questions that you expect God to answer for you. Nope, I don’t think that will happen. One reason is because God doesn’t owe us an explanation. But, more than that, I think we will be so joyous to be in Heaven that the questions we have simply won’t matter any more.

If Michael, an angel, wouldn’t condemn the devil, the worst spirit in creation, you and I ought to be careful with what we say. Words matter. Some things should not be said, even to the devil. Michael got it. He understood.

Roger

14

Jump Start # 3677

Posted on October 14, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3677

Acts 24:25 “But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find time I will summon you.”

It was a simple question that someone asked me the other day. It came from a man who visits our congregation a lot and attends some of the special classes I teach during the week. But, this question has been asked by others. “Just how do you find the time to do all that you do?” That’s the question. Most weeks are busy, but some are really packed full. When I think about all of it, I don’t know how to answer the question. A typical week involves recording three podcasts, writing five blogs, teaching two to four public classes, writing and preaching a sermon. There is writing class material, sermon notecards and building powerpoint slides for classes and sermons each week. That’s the stuff people see. Throw into that a visit or two to a hospital to see someone. Answering dozens of questions that come via email and texts. Finding material that someone needs. Zillion of phone calls. That’s what a typical week looks like. It gets busier when we have to record podcasts for future dates, preparing to preach for a few days at another congregation. I’m busy and I know that.

Felix, from our passage, bought into the delusion that somehow a person can find more time. “When I find time I will summon you,” was his words and thoughts. Does such a thing exist? Do you know anyone that found a way to get 26 hours in day? Is there such a thing as a “time bank,” where we can toss a few extra minutes here and there and then withdraw when we are really busy and need some more time? Paul would never be summoned, because Felix would never find the time. No one does. I don’t. I have the same amount of time as anyone else.

So, how do I get everything done each week? Here are a few insights into how Mr. Roger works:

First, be extremely organized and efficient. So much time is wasted looking for this or that, or chasing rabbits that do not matter. Before the day begins, I have in my mind an order of what needs to be done that day. Accomplishing those tasks fuels momentum and prepares you for the next day. My books are on the shelves that make sense to me. They don’t have to make sense to anyone else. My files, whether in file cabinets or on my computer screen, the apps on my tablet and phone, are just where I need them. At the end of each day, the waste basket is emptied, the desk is cleared off, and things are lined up for what needs to be done tomorrow. Now, not everyone is wired that way. But to get a ton done, one has to use time as a gift.

Second, I don’t try to do the whole week’s work in one day. What’s coming next? That needs to be done first. I write a Jump Start every day. Just one a day. I don’t try to write a whole week of these in a day. That’s too much. What class is next? Get done, what needs to be done.

Certain projects loom on the horizon. Those are running through the mind. Monday or Tuesday, I’m getting a good idea of what I want to preach the coming Sunday. I let those thoughts simmer, especially as I drive. I’ll take one morning and dive into deep research and writing of that sermon. It will be altered, polished and adjusted and in good shape by Thursday. Friday is typically, the finalizing of what needs to be done for Sunday. The powerpoints. The sermon notecards. The classes. By the time I leave my office on Friday, everything should be locked and loaded and ready for Sunday.

Third, use what you have to help you. I like the term, cross pollinating. Sermons become Jump Starts. Jump Starts become classes. Classes become Jump Starts. Find what works and find different avenues and ways to use those thoughts. This is not looking for short cuts. Rather, it’s reusing something that had a purpose and was helpful.

But, under the hood of all of this is the spirit of being driven. Paul told Timothy to do the work of an evangelist. It is a work and to the work we must go. And, we must give it our all. Paul was hungry, thirsty and homeless. I’m not. Our Lord gave His very life. I haven’t. A lazy preacher doesn’t fit the bill and he won’t go out of his way to do what he ought to.

There are days I’d like to just lock the door and spend hours deep diving into restoration history. Fascinating to me. But, more pressing and more important things need to be done first. I guess the answer to the question, “How do you get all this done,” is that I just do it. Do I have to do all these things? No. And, I have a wonderful team that helps me do what I cannot do. They do the big lifting of loading things on social media and pushing our material out. I couldn’t do it with these great servants.

And, at the end of the day, that’s all that I am, a servant of Christ. Each of us must find our gifts and talents and then excel in those areas. Get good at what you are good at.

And, that’s a little peak into my world. And, I’m not the only one. So many of you are doing amazing things in the kingdom. Busy people. Focused people. Dedicated people. Faithful people. That’s us and I’m happy to be a small part of that.

Roger

11

Jump Start # 3676

Posted on October 11, 2024 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3676

1 Thessalonians 5:14 “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”

  I write this on a Wednesday morning. It is a specular fall day in Indiana. The sky is a vibrant blue. There are no clouds in the sky. The leaves are beginning to turn color. The air is cool and very calm. It’s a wonderful day here in Hoosier land. But as I write this, a massive hurricane is nearing the Florida coast. It is already raining heavily in that state. By nightfall, the winds will howl and water will bring destruction upon the beaches and many homes in that state. I have many friends in Florida. It is amazing that things can be so nice here and so many are running for their lives there. Calm here. Destructive there. Wonderful here. Life threatening there. All of this at the same time.

And, that contrast in weather reminds us of a greater contrast that runs through our congregations. We walk into the church building, with a smile on our faces, feeling good and looking forward to praising the Lord we love so much. Calm and wonderful could describe our state of mind, emotions and heart. Someone else walks in, and they are not cheerful. Their heart is full of fear. A loved one lies in the hospital and the end is near. For someone else, it’s an intense and even angry look upon his face. He’s had it at work. He is so tried of being overlooked, mistreated and taken advantage of. In the morning, he will give his two week notice. How will he take care of his family, he contemplates. Numbers are racing through his mind and he is thinking about what options he has. A mother walks in on a Sunday morning, and she has the look of worry on her face. She doesn’t want to admit it, but deep inside she thinks her son is using drugs. There are too many signs and too many things that just don’t add up. How will she handle this, she wonders. Someone else walks in, and they are afraid of God. They have made terrible choices and they fear that they will not be welcomed. How could God forgive someone like me, this person thinks.

Calm and beautiful in Indiana and stormy and destructive in Florida. What an important lesson for us:

First, not everyone who steps into the church building on Sunday is in a good mood or even wants to be there. It’s easy to assume that everyone feels the way I feel. The weather in one part of the country is not the same in another part, at the same time. Later in the year, as we will be freezing our giblets here in Indiana, it will be short sleeve weather in Florida.

Some walk into the church building confused and uncertain about things. Some walk in with a chip on their shoulder. Some are scared. Some are happy. Some don’t feel well. Some hurt, in their joints and in their soul.

Bubbly, cheerful and over the top happy, can annoy and irritate those who are experiencing a storm in their lives. There can be some jealousy taking place. Be sensitive to the pains of others.

Second, be careful with what you say. Remember Job’s friends sat for a week and didn’t say anything. That’s one of the best things that we can do. Silence can be golden. Telling someone to “snap out of it,” is likely to get a snappy response in return. Just handing someone a verse doesn’t solve all the problems they are facing. For many of these situations, it is a journey and that journey can be long.

You can tell someone that you are glad that they are there. You can invite them to sit with you. You can ask them if they would like to go out to eat with you. Be ready to accept a decline in the offer and don’t pressure them to change their minds. Give them some space. If they accept, you pay their bill, because you invited them, and you don’t spend the meal talking about yourself or the problems you have had. Let them lead. If they want to talk about something else, follow that. If they want to talk about the issues in their life, listen, be kind, be helpful.

Third, remember the golden rule. The next time, it might be you who are the one who is not feeling so great. There may be storm clouds building in your life. What would you want others to do for you? Think about that. And, always pray.

Sunny in Indiana and stormy in Florida. I’ve never experienced a hurricane. We have tornados. They are destructive, but they move fast and most times, narrow in their paths. I’ve never had to evacuate. What to take, what to leave behind, what hard choices. I’ve never left, wondering if my house would be there when I returned. I don’t have hurricane experience to my repertoire. Likewise, I have never buried a child. I have never experienced a divorce. I have never been laid off. I may not understand the fear or the pain that someone else is going through. It may be hard for me to imagine. But I can and should care. I should listen. I should be there if they need me.

We may not experience the same weather, but we can sympathize, pray and be concerned for those who are enduring storms. This is true of our weather and it is true of life. Knowing that others are there is a comfort and a peace that helps. Knowing that the Lord is near, is the greatest peace.

Sunny and stormy…what lessons we can learn.

Roger

10

Jump Start # 3675

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

Jump Start # 3675

1 Corinthians 1:26 “For consider your call, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.”

We started a new series of Sunday classes back home. I leading a class called, “Profiles in Excellence.” I say, “leading,” because out of the twelve weeks planned, I will only be teaching two of them. The rest will be taught by a different person every Sunday. The concept of this class is looking at people throughout our Bibles who went above and beyond the call of duty. Those who understood, “bringing your best.”

I kicked off the series with a broad introduction looking at the general qualities among those who brought their best. And, one of the leading characteristics is that by in large the majority were common, everyday, nobodies. Here and there we’d find a king like David or Hezekiah, but most fit that description of just a plain, simple person.

Our verse reminds us of that. There are not many mighty or noble ones. Sure, there are a few sprinkled here and there, such as the Ethiopian who was the treasurer of the queen. There were some leading ladies of Thessalonica and some from Caesar’s household. But they were the few. And, trickled through history are some famous ones who had connections to the Lord’s church, such as President Garfield, Elvis, Janis Joplin, Pat Boone, Glen Campbell, Pat Sajak, Duck Dynasty Phil Robertson,  a few sports stars, but by and large the bulk of the kingdom is made up of everyday people like you and me.

Now, some thoughts from this:

First, the legitimacy of what we believe is not based upon who is in it. The credibility of our faith lies in the truthfulness of Scriptures and not some household name from Hollywood. The rich and famous have to walk the same path as the rest of us to please the Lord.  It’s the same for us as for them and the same for them as it is for us. Don’t get caught up in chasing the stars who once were believers. Follow the Savior.

Second, the bulk of the kingdom work is being done by common people like you and me. The kingdom grew because of the faith that everyday people had. They understood a responsibility was placed upon their shoulders. God was counting on them. If it was not them, then who? Who would do the work? Doing what they could, many being servants and slaves, they lived, taught and showed a world Jesus Christ.

Don’t be looking to hire a preacher to do what we ought to be doing. Unlike the old Westerns on TV, we don’t bring in a gunslinger to clean up the town. It’s our responsibility and our job. We can do this, because God has equipped us and God is working through us.

Third, these simple disciples understood that the glory belongs to the Lord. There are just a few names sprinkled here in there in Paul’s letters. But most of those first disciples are unknown to us. Tracing that through history, most are forgotten. Heaven knows. Heaven remembers. Serving the purpose of God in our generation, like David is said to have done, in Acts 13, is our calling and our mission. It’s not to make a name. It’s not to be remembered. We are pointing people to Jesus.

Mechanics, office workers, school bus drivers, nurses, house moms, teachers, lab techs, and, yes, even preachers, make up the kingdom of God. The work is in our hands. We must be diligent, careful, honest and passionate about the wonderful work God has entrusted us with. MacArthur in his book, Twelve Ordinary Men, describe the twelve apostles as: “perfectly ordinary, unexceptional men” (pg 2). Among them you would not find a rabbi, a priest, a scribe or an intellectual. Most had blue collar jobs. Fishermen, called to be the backbone and the voice of the kingdom. What God did in shaping those hearts, he can do to yours.

“I’m just a member,” I’ve had some tell me. Implied, “I’m not a preacher, deacon or elder.” I’m just a nobody. But, it’s those nobodies that did the work. It’s those nobodies that became somebodies. It’s those nobodies that are the backbone and heart and faith of most congregations.

One doesn’t need a title or a position to be busy in the kingdom. Find your talent and use it to the glory of the Lord.

There are no nobodies when you belong to the Lord. You are God’s son and daughter!

Roger

09

Jump start # 3674

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

Jump Start # 3674

Luke 9:57 “And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, ‘I will follow You where You go.’”

Our verse today introduces an interesting exchange and conversation Jesus had with three different people. A common thread running in all of these conversations is following Jesus. The first man and the third man initiate the conversation. They both begin by telling Jesus, “I will follow You.” I will—a declarative statement. An affirmation. This is what I will do. What wonderful words to hear. Most times we hear the opposite.

The second man was asked by Jesus. The Lord said to him, “Follow Me.” Both the second and the third man had a priority and perspective issue. They would follow Jesus, but first, they had to do something else. The second man had to bury his father. The third man had to say good-bye to those at home. First, let me bury my father. First, let me say good-bye to family. Their order of things was simply out of order.

The first man declared that he would follow Jesus, however, he did not know where Jesus was going. This is why Jesus said, “…the Son of Man ha sno where to lay His head.” Jesus was going to Jerusalem. Did he know that? Jesus was heading to a cruel death on the cross. Did he know that? Impulsive is what this first man was. And, impulse often leads to regret and buyers remorse. Our emotions get a head of us. We stop thinking with our heads and start following our feelings. This logic fuels pep rallies. Walk into a high school gym before the big home coming game. The band is playing loudly. The cheerleaders are jumping up and down. The team is high fiving each other. A lot of energy. A lot of emotion. A lot of feeling. This same idea is the outcome of mobs. Someone screaming in a meg-a-phone gets the crowd to chant a phrase over and over and people get excited, pumped up and ready to move to action, even if it is illegal and destructive. Impulsive. Not thinking things through.

I will follow You, Jesus. Will you? To the baptistery? To worship services? To godly and righteous living? To resisting temptation? To obeying the commands of the Lord? Later in Luke, Jesus talked about counting the cost. Salvation is free, but discipleship comes with a cost. Too many have been baptized never to show their faces again. They didn’t know where following Jesus would take them.

The second and third men had trouble with self. They would follow Jesus, but it was on their terms and in their timetable. First, I must bury my father. First, I must say good-bye to family. Both men failed to understand the core principle of following Jesus is to deny self. Deny self comes before taking up our cross. Deny self comes before following Jesus. Until we rid ourselves of self, we will only do what we want to do. We will only do what feels good. And, we will not make it very long with the Lord.

Now, some thoughts:

First, following Jesus is not always convenient, comfortable or to our liking. Do you think the apostles enjoyed going to Samaria or up into Gentile country? On their own, without Jesus, they would have never done that. Do you think apologizing is comfortable or easy? Do you think having a hard conversation with someone about the choices in their life is easy and to our liking? For Paul, following Jesus led to often being hungry and thirsty. He was homeless and defined his life as being the scum of the earth.

The world will not like you. Satan doesn’t like you. We must stop trying to package Christianity as something that gets along with everyone. It’s like those “Co-Exist” bumper stickers. A Jew and a Muslim? A Christian and a Hindu? Nothing in common. No starting point. No foundation to stand upon. Nothing agreeable to put on the table. Not in the same galaxy with one another. Christianity is counter culture. It’s light in darkness. It’s swimming upstream in a world that is flowing downstream. It is focused and has direction. Following Jesus is not comfortable.

Second, following Jesus has consequences. There are positive consequences, such as salvation and reconciliation with God. Positive consequences such as fellowship with God’s family. Consequences such as being engaged in the greatest work in the world, kingdom work. But there are negative consequences. You can’t do everything that others do. You won’t see every movie that is popular. You won’t go to every concert that your friends talk about. You won’t watch every sitcom on TV. And, the reason is you are following Jesus. He will lead you away from wrong. He will walk in righteousness. Following Jesus means there are choices greater than myself that must be made. There are thoughts about influence and impressions upon others. If I want to follow Jesus, I must walk away from the world. Jesus and the world are moving different directions. If I follow Jesus, I am walking away from the world.

Third, following Jesus is more than just a wish or something that I say. These three men in our context wanted to follow Jesus. Did they? Would they? Following Jesus means action. It means moving the direction that Jesus is going. It means making the right choices and changes in your life.

I will follow You…but first, I gotta watch the game on TV. I will follow You…but I don’t want to belong to a church. I will follow You…but the kids are coming over. I will follow You…but there are a bunch of us going out after work. I will follow You…but I don’t want to stop drinking. I like that. I will follow You…but don’t ask me to give any money. I will follow You…but I’m not interested in doctrine and things like that. I will follow You…but don’t talk about my marriage. I will follow You…but I have a few ideas that I want to share with You. I will follow You…but be sure and go the direction that I want to go. I will follow You…but I don’t want to have to do anything. I will follow You…but don’t make it on a weekend. That’s my day off. I will follow You…but can we stop and do some shopping along the way? I will follow You…if the weather is nice. I don’t like getting out in the cold. I will follow You…if the crowd is not too big. I’m not a fan of big crowds. I will follow You…if it’s not too early in the morning. I don’t like getting up early. I will follow You…but I have to do some housework first. I will follow You…but does that mean I have to read the Bible? I don’t like to read. I will follow You…but if a certain person shows up, I’m not going. I don’t like that person. I will follow You…but do You have to go so far? Can’t we stay near my house? I will follow You…but I’m expecting a phone call first. I will follow You…

…but wait, where has He gone?

Roger