07

Jump Start # 3305

Posted on April 7, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3305

Matthew 28:5 “And the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.’”

NOTE: Our Jump Starts are taking a break for next week. You can go to the Jump Start website (jumpstartsdaily.com) and find over three thousand previous Jump Starts to look at. You can search by date, passage or word from that site.

Sunday is resurrection day. Every Sunday is resurrection day for the disciple. But the world takes note of this one day in Spring to give thought to the empty tomb. Those early disciples kept that empty tomb near and dear to their hearts. This was something that was meaningful and life changing for them.

On that early Sunday morning, a few women gathered to the tomb of Jesus. They expected His body to be there. They even wondered how they would roll the stone back. They likely did not know that the tomb had been sealed and Roman guards were standing nearby. But by the time they reached the tomb, the seal had been broken. The guards were gone. The stone had been moved. And, our Lord had been resurrected.

The next verse states four powerful statements about the Lord’s resurrection. These are the words of an angel who was there:

  • He is not here
  • He has risen
  • Just as He said
  • Come and see

Within our verse today, are several interesting thoughts:

First, the angels knew what the women were doing. They knew that they were looking for Jesus. The angel was sent to assure the women. We remember that the angels know when a sinner repents, according to the Lord’s parables in Luke 15. If angels know, you can be certain that God knows.

Second, these heavenly messengers extended comfort to the women. Do not be afraid, they told the women. There are plenty of reasons why they may be afraid. Were Romans still around? How often does one talk to an angel? Fear and sorrow and confusion filled the hearts of all the disciples. The Lord was dead. What would happen now? What would happen to them?

Don’t be afraid. And, for us, the words of Scripture comfort us. Do not be afraid.  Don’t be afraid of death. Don’t be afraid of Satan. Don’t be afraid of trouble. Fear not, I am with you, is what the Lord assured the disciples.

Third, looking for Jesus is a profound value in our lives. We need to find Jesus. Some are looking, but they are looking in the wrong places. They want to find Jesus in their own ways. They want to find Jesus in unique places. Some want to find Jesus in sin, but He won’t be there. Some are wanting to find a Jesus that fits in with their thinking and that will approve of anything they do. They won’t find Him there.

Where we find Jesus is in the Scriptures. This is where His life story is told. A Jesus that is not like the Jesus of the Bible is artificial, a fake. Some want a Mr. Roger’s type of Jesus. Some want a Jesus of happiness. Some do not want a Jesus that has doctrine attached to Him. Some want to be able to worship Jesus in whatever way they feel like. Some want a Jesus that never mentions wrath, judgment or Hell. Some want a Jesus who is into having a good time. Some are looking for a buddy.

And, like these women in our passage, one is not going to find that type of Jesus. He’s not there. That Jesus has been made up in their minds. That Jesus won’t save them. That Jesus won’t change them. That Jesus won’t be of any help because that Jesus doesn’t exist.

It would shock some to know that Jesus said more about Hell than He did Heaven. It would shock some to know that Jesus isn’t so desperate for followers that He’ll bend the rules or give you a pass on some things.

The Jesus of the N.T. was demanding. He was the Lord. The Jesus of the N.T. had specific expectations. The Jesus of the N.T. offended some and He never came back and apologized or tried to smooth things over with them. The Jesus of the N.T. had people who walked away from Him because He would not cater to their whims. Jesus didn’t change for the people. He expected the people to change for Him.

The women came looking for Jesus. Many today are looking for Jesus. But many wouldn’t recognize Jesus if they saw Him because in their minds they have turned Jesus into someone who spends His time pleasing the crowds. That Jesus doesn’t exist.

May we come to know the Jesus of the Bible. May we see Him as the Lord. May we know Him as our Savior.

Looking for Jesus…that’s a great thought.

Roger

06

Jump Start # 3304

Posted on April 6, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3304

1 Corinthians 11:30 “For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.”

Our verse today comes from the powerful section in Paul’s letter about the Lord’s Supper. The Corinthians somehow missed what this was supposed to be all about. They were abusing it. Some were pigging out and eating it like a common meal and while they were doing that, they kept others from partaking. The divisions of the first chapter seem manifested throughout this book. Lawsuits in chapter six. Jealously about spiritual gifts in chapters 12-14. Accepting an immoral man in chapter five. And, now, making a mess of the Lord’s Supper. The deep undercurrent seems to be that some were not getting along with others.

Paul doesn’t hold back in this letter. Our verse plainly explains why they were in such a mess. Weak, sick and asleep—not physically, but spiritually. He called them carnal at the beginning of the letter. But never does he suggest closing the doors. Never does he tell some to start another congregation. Never does he say to just stay home. Problem by problem, Paul, like a skilled surgeon, removes the tumors among them and offers the spiritual medicine that they need.

Recently, in a class I listed several reasons why churches fail. Many that have closed their doors for the last time, probably shouldn’t have. Here was my list that I came up with:

  • Foresight and visionary planning were lacking
  • Habit replaces faith
  • The spirit of duty overcomes the spirit of joy
  • Serving stops
  • Maintaining becomes the focus
  • The attention turns inward rather than outward and upward
  • Monotony rather than excellence becomes the norm for worship
  • Everyone expects someone else to do what they should do
  • People drop out
  • The problem is obvious, but no one has the energy or desire to do anything about it

And, with that, a congregation floats into lukewarmness and then gradually dies. One, by one, the congregation gets smaller and smaller until finally, practical sense leads to locking the doors for good and putting a “For Sale” sign out in front of the building.

Why do we wait until the ship is going down before someone says, “We ought to do something?” Paul’s words to the Corinthians were to awaken them to the honor of the Lord. Getting our focus back is essential. The problems in a marriage fester until one finally has had enough and divorce papers are filed. Or, a troubled child is justified and excused until one day he is kicked out of school or arrested. And, with a congregation, the sinking ship syndrome continues until it is beyond hope.

Why do we allow things to get so bad and to the point that it’s too late to change things?

First, it may be an arrogance on our part. We don’t want to admit that our marriage isn’t the way God wants it to be. We don’t want to admit that our child needs help. We don’t want to admit that the congregation has problems. Denial will keep us on the same course. Denial will keep us from seeking any help. Denial will lead to problems that become so great that one will just throw in the towel and quit.

Honesty and humbleness will lead one to call upon the Lord. It will lead on to apologize and admit mistakes. It will look for help and solutions.

We love to say when we see each other on a Sunday morning, “Hi, how are you?” And, the expected reply is, “Just fine.” We say, “just fine,” even when things are not fine. We say, “Just fine,” even when we are scared and our lives are falling apart. And, “just fine,” is a beautiful mask that fits everyone’s face. Everything is fine even though I struggle spiritually, I’m dying spiritually, and I feel distant from the Lord and everyone else. “Just fine,” the language of denial. “Just fine,” likely the most said lie in church.

Now, if one of us was to say, “Terrible,” that would send shock waves through the building. Panic would take over. Some would try to talk us out of terrible so we can get back to being “just fine.” But maybe that honesty would allow some deep conversations, passionate prayers, genuine concerns and help.

It may be that we are just afraid to be honest with one another. Everyone expects me to be “just fine,” so I play that game. I go along with what is expected.

Second, we allow things to get so bad because we simply do not know what to do. What do I do with a troubled child? What do I do with a marriage that stinks? What can be done with a congregation that has problems? It’s one thing to recognize the ship is sinking, but other than jumping off, what can be done?

And, again our pride gets in the way. Why not ask for help? You may have to seek professional help for that child or the marriage. Brethren sometimes want quick and easy answers. I’ll toss you a verse and that will fix everything. Most times it doesn’t. In business, companies will bring in consultants to help. If the leaders in the congregation do not know how to turn things around, why not seek the advice and wisdom from a brother in another congregation? Someone who has experience, a heart and knowledge that would make a difference. Our pride tells us that we need to fix our own problems. And, if we don’t know what to do, we’ll try our best even though we may not have a clue.

The Corinthians were filled with questions and problems. Paul answers them according to the Word of God. Problems happen. The real question is, what do we do with them?

Roger

05

Jump Start # 3303

Posted on April 5, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3303

Ecclesiastes 11:8 “Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility.”

In the closing pages of Solomon’s journal that we call Ecclesiastes, he mentions remembering three different times. Here in our verse, “remember the days of darkness.” At the start of the next chapter, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth” (12:1). Then, later in that chapter, “Remember Him” (12:6).

We think of the words of Jesus, “Do this in memory of me,” or, as stated on many old communion tables, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Memory lane. Precious memories. Photo albums are a great way to bring back fond memories. Visiting the places where you once grew up, floods the mind with all kinds of memories.

Our verse today, is not something that most of us want to remember. In fact, if there was a list of things we’d like to forget, “the days of darkness,” as our verse states, would be high on the list. Who wants to remember darkness? And, worse, “days of darkness?” Not one day, but days.

Why would anyone want to remember days of darkness?

First, there are always lessons to be learned in the valleys of life. God uses suffering and trials as one of His greatest classrooms. We see things in the darkness that we never see in the bright sunlight of life. Character, hope and prayers become a big part of getting through darkness. And, found within that idea of remembering is the idea that the days of darkness are behind us. They are in the past. We got through them.

Second, one will see that God was with him, even in the darkness. That journey through the valley of the shadow of death, in the great Shepherd Psalm, takes place with the Lord leading us. It wasn’t a wrong turn. It wasn’t a mistake that he was there. He was following the Shepherd and that led him through those valleys. Remembering that will help one. You were not forsaken nor forgotten. God was with you.

Third, remembering the darkness will be useful when we help others who are in their darkness. We remember what worked and what didn’t work. What was good and what wasn’t good. And, the knowledge we learned and can share will help others from having such a difficult time. Maybe their darkness will not be as long because of the good that we share with them.

Fourth, remembering the darkness helps us to count our blessings and be thankful for the brightness about us. Some will only dwell upon the darkness. Others will only think about the sunshine. But both are a part of life and both are steps in our journey with the Lord. Life is not all darkness. But neither is it all sunshine. And, what we find is that God is there, always.

Car accidents. Surgeries. Times we had to apologize. Feeling alone. Hurt by others. Being blamed. The darkness can really be dark. Remembering can help us from making the same mistakes. Remembering can help us make better choices. Remembering can led us to being thankful for being on the other side of those valleys.

Remember when you were sick in bed with the stomach flu. Every minute seemed like days. You wondered if you would ever feel better again. Every commercial on TV was about food, which only made you nauseous. How many days, weeks, months have you felt great but you just didn’t think about that. You took that for granted. You went to bed expecting to feel fine the next day. Those days of darkness can help us appreciate the many more days of sunshine that there has been in our life.

Have you had some darkness in your life? I expect you have. Do you remember? Would you have done things differently? Did you learn anything? Are you any better because of those days?

That’s the value of remembering dark days. Our culture has no place for such talk. It’s all about happiness. And, in that one sided view of life, our culture is missing so much. Darkness comes whether you remember it or not. Darkness is hard to cover and pretend that it is not there.

Better is the one who walks by faith and understands the love of the Lord.

Roger

04

Jump Start # 3302

Posted on April 4, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3302

Philippians 2:2 “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.”

Did the apostles always agree with each other? Now that’s a thought. We know that Paul rebuked Peter to his face about shunning the Gentiles. Peter had sinned. Peter was wrong. Twice in Luke, once early and once late, the apostles argued about which one was the greatest.

After Jesus ascended to Heaven, did the apostles always agree with each other? Did Peter think that John was too soft on some issues? Did Andrew think that Thomas was too narrow? Did Matthew think that James was too aggressive? Did they like the way the others preached?

Our verse today, one of many passages throughout the N.T. that emphasizes the oneness or unity among believers. We are to be of one mind and one voice. Here, the verse states, “same mind,” “same love,” “united in spirit,” “intent on one purpose.” How can that happen when folks can’t even agree on what temp the auditorium ought to be on a Sunday morning? Some are freezing and others are burning up. So many ideas. So many opinions. So many backgrounds. Some have given up and surrendered to the idea that we’ll just agree on Jesus and all these other things we’ll agree to disagree upon. And, it seems through the years that the list of things that some say we’ll just  disagree upon seems to grow more and more.  Is it possible for us to agree upon things other than Jesus?

Now, back to our original question, “Did the apostles after the ascension disagree with one another?”

First, the N.T. never shows any disagreements other than the Peter/Paul hypocrisy and Paul and Barnabas not eye to eye on what to do with Mark. Even if there were accounts of disagreements among them, that would not be a green light for us to fuss, argue and be content with not agreeing. Overwhelmingly, the N.T. drives the idea that we ought to be one. One in mind. One in voice. One in spirit. Unity isn’t just a sweet idea, it’s something that God expects among His people.

The core foundation within the N.T. system is that we give up ourselves. We deny ourselves. Our thoughts and opinions are shelved as we follow the words of Jesus. We let God’s word guide us, lead us and teach us. When we start putting our thoughts and our ideas into the text, we jumble up the message and no longer are speaking the pure words of our Lord. God’s word as our standard and guide ought to lead us to the same conclusions.

God wants us to be one. We ought never to settle for anything less.

Second, there will be lines of conviction that I draw, conclusions I make, that are necessary for me, but I can’t compel others to agree with me or even do those things. You won’t find me wearing jeans to worship. Is it wrong to wear jeans to worship. NO. NEVER. But in my spiritual make up, it bothers me, so I won’t. Will I tell others to do the same? NEVER. Do I think everyone must agree with me? No. Do I think I am more spiritual than the guy wearing jeans? NEVER. However, one thing  we must agree upon is the excellence in worship and honoring our God as we bow our hearts to Him. Can a man wearing jeans worship the Lord properly? Absolutely. My spiritual makeup and what I need may not be the same as yours. You may pray to the Lord five times a day. I may pray three times. You may read three chapters of the Bible a day. I may read three verses a day. Your spiritual needs and your spiritual nourishment will not be the same as others.

The problems arise when we think everyone has to do what I do. Everyone has to like what I like. Everyone has to agree with me. When I start pushing me, that’s when trouble starts. Now, for a person to declare that one never needs to pray, that is not Biblical and there ought to be some voices raised in disagreement. For a person to say that one never needs to read the Bible, that’s simply not true.

I’ve been preaching long enough to know that some like long sermons and others like short sermons. Some like topical sermons and others like expository sermons. Some like illustrations and stories. Some don’t want any stories. Who is right in all of this? Everyone and no one. Everyone is allowed to have their own tastes and likes. But  no one is allowed to force, bully or pressure others to change just to agree with them.

So, did the apostles always agree with each other? I doubt it. Can you get twelve people to agree on anything? Bring up the topic of food and see what happens? Or, talk about sports? Or, even, what is the best hymn we sing? No, I doubt they fully agreed on everything. However, they spoke the one message of Christ. They stood united in faith and practice. They did not go separate ways teaching different doctrines. They would never allow their differences to come between them nor hinder their work. Christ was always first. Always.

And, maybe we can learn to stand shoulder to shoulder in our fight against Satan, realizing that in Christ we are one. You stand in your jeans and I’ll stand in my wild socks, but arm in arm, our faith, love, and devotion to Jesus runs strong. Like the old children’s game, “red rover, red rover,” and a child runs and tries to bust through the locked arms of others, we hold tightly to what we know and believe. Satan would like to knock us over. He’d like to break our bonds of unity. But together, we hold tightly.

Same mind. Same love. United in spirit.

Roger

03

Jump Start # 3301

Posted on April 3, 2023 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 3301

Psalms 39:4 “Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days.”

Our verse today is a prayer of David. He was recognizing the brevity of life. What follows are, “my days as handbreadths,” and, “my lifetime as nothing in your sight.” He continues, “surely every man at his best is a mere breath.” In James, life is pictured as a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes away.

Lord, make me to know my end. Now, just how would the Lord do that for David? What was David looking for in that prayer? And, how would knowing this help someone? It seems that with this thought looming in our future, one would walk around with a bag over their head and be gloom and doom all the time. “I’m going to die,” would come up in every conversation. But, that’s not the spirit found within the Bible. Solomon after he went through a long section about death in Ecclesiastes, tells us to rejoice, enjoy life and make the most of the blessings from God. Paul, sitting in a Roman prison, would write, “Rejoice in the Lord.”

Some thoughts for us:

First, all around us are reminders of “the end.” Every movie ends. Every book ends, even God’s book. Every sermon ends (though some may question that). Every pet has an ending. Trees dies. Shrubs die. Animals die. Every day in the news there is reports of death. We cannot escape that fact, that all living things have an end. Are these reminders from God? Has God placed these things before us so we will never forget that we too are coming to an end. Eat well, you’ll still have an end. Exercise hard, you’ll still have an end. Take you vitamins, you’ll still have an end. See your doctor on a regular basis, you’ll still have an end.

For, David, there were vivid memories of the end. Through his hands, a lion, a bear and a giant were killed. His hands had so much blood on them that the Lord would not allow him to build the temple. Within David’s own household, the end came for Amnon, Absolom and others. A little baby that was born to him and Bathsheba came to an end before he ever learned to walk or talk.

Ecclesiastes tells us that it is better to go to the house of mourning than the house of feasting, because that is the end of every man and the living take it to heart. Make me to know my end.

Second, this is much more than acknowledging that we are going to die. Knowing my end, makes me realize that I only have so much time to do good. There is only so much time to influence others. There is only so much time to help others. The sand is falling quickly through the hour glass. Making the most of our opportunities is something that ought to be burning deeply within us. It’s not about making a name so we won’t be forgotten. It’s about helping people see the Lord.

Third, knowing that I have an end, and what happens at the end, will keep me walking closely with the Lord. From our side of the cross, we know about the resurrection. We know about Heaven. We know that our end, doesn’t really end. We merely switch places. We switch rooms. Our work here is finished, but we are not finished. Through eternity we will live. Loving the Lord and walking in His grace, brings sunshine to the darkest days. All problems will end someday.

And, if our lives just came to a screeching halt one day, and that was it, most wouldn’t think it’s all that bad. But, there is an eternity. There is a Heaven and there is a Hell. There is a God that we must stand before. This is why our words, our choices, our attitudes, our worship matters. There is so much more than the here and now, there is the forever that one must remember.

Lord, make me to know my end. For many, today is that day. Their lives will end this day. Some will be shocked. Some who never thought about the other side, will be on the other side. Were they ready for their end? Had they thought about that day? Are they ready to see God?

Make me to know my end…powerful thoughts for us.

Roger