Sunday February 16, 2025
A Necessary Shift
Steven W. Schenewerk / General Adult
How does Jesus define ‘success’ in His Kingdom?
John – whose proclamation of Jesus set the stage for the
arrival and appearing of the Son of Man (See Luke 3) – is acknowledged as a significant person, yet Jesus defines the least in the kingdom greater
Luke 7:28 HCSB
I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John, but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Luke 18:9–14 HCSB
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and looked down on everyone else: “Two men went up to the temple complex to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee took his stand and was praying like this: ‘God, I thank You that I’m not like other people —greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of everything I get.’ “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, turn Your wrath from me —a sinner!’ I tell you, this one went down to his house justified rather than the other; because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
PRAYER –
Prayer requires an acknowledgement that there are a
multitude of kingdoms operating in our world. Primarily, we have our own ‘kingdom.’ All of us struggle with the concept that we and we alone are the star of our own life, the center of the world in which we live. Much like the first illustration Jesus used in Luke 18 we often pray focusing on our kingdom.
From time to time we might recognize another kingdom – like this Pharisee did – the kingdom of his peers. The Pharisees, the religious conservatives of Jesus’ day, had created a ‘rule of life’ by which TRUE Jews lived. Fasting. Praying. Giving. Sabbath Observance.
Over the centuries church has taken over a similar rule of
life. For the past several generations a genuine follower of Jesus is one who shows up regularly at church. The result of ‘attending’ is defined as ‘discipleship’ or ‘following Jesus.’
I often wonder what Jesus would say to our understanding.
The more often you attend, the closer you follow Jesus? Is that true?
In John’s gospel He is recorded as calling His followers to a hard to understand life:
John 6:57–60 HCSB
Just as the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread that came down from heaven; it is not like the manna your fathers ate—and they died. The one who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. Therefore, when many of His disciples heard this, they said, “This teaching is hard! Who can accept it?”
Food and drink sustain life, but Jesus’ flesh and blood
provide everlasting life. This is because anyone who partakes of Jesus wholly “remains in him,” and he remains in them. This is called “mutual indwelling” and is another key theme in John’s writings (cf. 14:20; 15:4–7; 1 John 2:24; 3:24; 4:15). The Father and the Son share completely in this way (10:38; 14:20; 17:11, 21), and when we become one with the Son, we share in that union. This produces a dynamic day-by-day union and fellowship with the Son that will always be at work in us.
(CORNERSTONE BIBLICAL COMMENTARY :The Gospel of John Grant Osborne 1–3 John Philip W. Comfort & Wendell C. Hawley GENERAL EDITOR,Philip W. Comfort).
One significant shift required- “Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:18–20, HCSB)
Nowhere does Jesus command His followers to fill buildings,
to create structures that sustain long-term growth. His command is simple: make disciples.
Let’s be honest before God
I’m not like others The Pharisee stands before God in self-congratulation, the tax collector stands before God in prayer.[1]
[1] James R. Edwards, The Gospel
according to Luke, ed. D. A. Carson, The Pillar New Testament
Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.; Nottingham, England: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos, 2015), 506.
Luke 18:11 HCSB
The Pharisee took his stand and was praying like this: ‘God, I thank You that I’m not like other people —greedy, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
The honesty for which Jesus commends the tax-collector, however is a a different kind. Instead of affirming all that he is, all that he does, he simply accepts that he is an unworthy one, deserving wrath but pleading for mercy.
Luke 18:13 HCSB
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, ‘God, turn Your wrath from me —a sinner!’
The Mercy of God
Tax collectors were independent contractors hired by Rome to assess and collect taxes and fees. Rome set the taxes and fees. The individual tax collectors added a surcharge to those taxes and fees to supply their own financial needs.
Luke 15:1–2 HCSB
All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!”
REFLECT AND RESPOND
Which Kingdom Do You Serve?
Each day we have opportunities to serve our own kingdom – to expand our plans, to further our own interests, to follow my own plans and purposes – most of which are good and decent.
Like the Pharisee we can affirm before God that we serve our kingdom well.
As Jesus clearly speaks God’s kingdom is ultimate. God is present, expanding His kingdom, revealing His presence, making His power known.
Is our ultimate purpose to advance His kingdom?
The Necessary Shift
Luke 9:57–62 HCSB
As they were traveling on the road someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go!” Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” “Lord,” he said, “first let me go bury my father.” But He told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.” Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
SUNDAY, February 23, 2025
Luke 15:11-32
When was the last time you were in a place where many different political opinions and/or many lifestyles were represented?
Luke 15:1–2 HCSB
All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to Him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!”
The Lexham Glossary of Theology Pharisee
Pharisee — A member of a prominent religious group in ancient Judaism, active in the first century BC and first century AD. Pharisees were lay leaders, part of an educated religious elite skilled in interpretation and application of biblical law to Jewish daily life. They are criticized in the NT for their narrow view of proper religious practice.
GOD’S WORD Translation Scribe
scribe an educated person who wrote down what people said or copied important writings, such as the Scriptures (2 Sam. 8:17; 2 Chron. 24:11; Matt. 8:19). In Jesus’ time, the scribes were experts in the Teachings of Moses and taught the people.
This third parable in Luke 15 is a direct challenge to anyone who would seek to claim that they and their behavior is THE standard for REAL followers of Jesus.
A Parable in Several Acts
Act One: A Devastated Father
In this case, however, the younger son expressed a clear desire to escape from his family. By asking for his share of the inheritance, he was expressing the thought that his father was dead to him.
One theologian writes
The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (Second Edition) 15:11–32: The Lost Son
In the traditional Jewish practice, apart from gifts designated before the father’s death, the eldest son was to receive a double portion (Deut 21:17); in this case, he would have received two-thirds of the inheritance (15:31) and the younger brother one-third.
Act Two: A Rebellious Son
Luke 15:30 HCSB
But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’
Act Three: A Repentant Son
Luke 15:17 HCSB
When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!
a). he ‘came to his senses…’
b). “I’ll get up and go to my father…”
Luke 15:17–19 HCSB
When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’
c). He ‘rises’ and goes to his father
Act Four: A Gracious Father
Luke 15:20 HCSB
But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.
The father ‘saw’ his son. He had been looking. According to the custom of the time the son should have been regarded as dead. The son had acted as though the father was dead – the father should have regarded his son as dead.
The father ‘ran’ toward his son. Picture an older man, wearing the typical robes of his era, running as fast as he could – (not very fast!) causing everyone in the area to wonder…What is happening?
The son begins his rehearsed speech – vs 21. The father interrupts and issues several instructions that make clear his intentions:
• bring the best robe – the robe represented being part of the family.
• put a ring on his finger – likely a symbol of the family’s authority,
• bring sandals for his feet – only slaves were barefoot. Family members wor shoes – when a homeowner hosted a dinner the guests removed their shoes – but not the homeowner and his family.
All these symbolize belonging, part of the family, being restored to what the young man had deliberately walked away from!
Luke 15:23–24 HCSB
Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
Act Five: A Resentful Son
The older son was ‘in the field…’ Why did he not hear about his brother’s return? As we heard, he was in the field because he felt more like a slave than a son (vs 28).
Indeed, the older son wouldn’t go into the house – he sent a servant to inquire.
Finally the father comes and begs him to join the celebration, to rejoice with the family.
The older son, filled with resentment, refuses. He expresses his resentment in vs 30.
The father reminds him that his sonship is secure, settled – vs 31.
REFLECT AND RESPOND
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When the End is Near
Steven W. Schenewerk / General Adult
September 7, 2025
While I am not an expert I can always tell when a Hallmark movie is about to end…the two romantic leads share a kiss. That is my signal to put down the book or magazine I’m reading and focus on the TV once again.
In football the two minute warning in the NFL and the two minute timeout in NCAA College ball indicate that the end of the half or the end of the game is near. In the NBA it seems that the nearer a game is to it’s end is when each team begins to take timeouts one right after another. One reason I enjoy baseball is that timeouts are limited, and until just a couple of years ago baseball truly had no timekeeping involved.
1 Peter 4:7 HCSB
Now the end of all things is near…
1 Peter 4:12 HCSB
Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you.
Matthew 24:4–8 HCSB
Then Jesus replied to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and they will deceive many. You are going to hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, because these things must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these events are the beginning of birth pains.
Peter and other followers of Jesus understood that with the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that a new era had dawned. This era, identified by John the Baptist and Jesus both is described in the words of Jesus:
Mark 1:15 HCSB
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near…”
Over the intervening centuries believers have lost that sense of anticipation. Certainly in our lifetimes the turn of the century - 1999-2000 was a time when our anticipation did grow, where we were surrounded by messages of the imminent return of Jesus.
1 Peter 4:7–11 HCSB
Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
PRAYERS
Prayer requires a clear and self-controlled mind. First, Peter is writing to a group of believers. He is stressing the absolute necessity of praying together - with clarity and self-control. Though many churches (like ours) no longer host weeknight prayer meetings for many reasons it doesn’t eliminate the need for believers to gather together for prayer!
CONSTANT LOVE
The kind of love Peter describes is more than greeting one another kindly on Sunday mornings. The kind of love Peter writes of is the kind of love that with arms open wide actively seeks to meet the needs of one another.
USING YOUR GIFTS
The days of a professional pastor running a church, managing the organizational needs and so on are done. Churches that thrive are gatherings where people use the gifts God has given them openly and freely. Those who are gifted don’t sit and wait, hoping and praying someone will notice.
God doesn’t bring believers together for a monotone expression of praise and service.
As long as some refuse to use the gifts they have been given the glory of God is dimmed. For Jesus to draw people to Himself, He must be magnified, not hidden!
1 Peter 4:12–19 HCSB
Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory. If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a “Christian,” he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name. For the time has come for judgment to begin with God’s household, and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God? And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? So those who suffer according to God’s will should, while doing what is good, entrust themselves to a faithful Creator.
IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES GOD IS TO BE GLORIFIED
Early in the wilderness wanderings of the escapees from Egypt the people committed a grievous sin. God spoke to Moses and warned him that the tangible presence of God would no longer accompany them.
Moses’ reply needs to be heard regularly:
Exodus 33:15–16 HCSB
“If Your presence does not go,” Moses responded to Him, “don’t make us go up from here. How will it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight unless You go with us? I and Your people will be distinguished by this from all the other people on the face of the earth.”
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
Those around us may only discover God’s presence as God pronounces judgment! And there are some within the fellowship that may be surprised when God calls them to account!
REFLECT AND RESPOND
The ‘suffering’ Peter’s readers experienced may be different than that which we experience.
The point Peter drives home is this:
Is God Glorified?
Is the distinguishing mark of our lives as individuals and as a congregation the powerful presence of God as Jesus dwells in us through the Holy Spirit?
Be Alert…
Prayer is not just a last resort. Prayer is the place where God meets us, where God’s Word can jump off the page and where the Holy Spirit does His transforming work.
Rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ
Matthew 5:12 HCSB
Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Trust God Completely
When the end is near…in the midst of fiery trials/ordeals our only hope is in God. He alone can protect, He alone can deliver, He alone can strengthen and sustain us.
Place your faith in Jesus - the very One whom we acknowledged earlier as having died for our sin, making it possible for us to be made right with God.
It’s never too late to develop a life-long habit of prayer!
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Sunday Morning Worship, November 2, 2025