“There’s a multitude of people who are ready to say our idea is crazy or irresponsible. Don’t let them steal the microphone in your life, and make sure you’re not the one speaking discouraging words over your friends. Next time you’re tempted to rain on someone’s parade remember that cynicism is just fear in disguise. Ditch the fear and go bold with a boatload of encouragement instead. The world is desperate for people who do this. Be one of them.” Bob Goth, “Live in Grace Walk in Love.” Thomas Nelson Pub.
We have been blessed to hear several good messages remotely from Cornwall Community Church, our church home here in Washington. They are part of a current series entitled “Kingdom Culture.” The sub-title is “The Kingdom of God brings heaven to earth. It leaves culture upturned and the Kingdom upright.” Primarily, they are based upon the best sermon of all time, the Sermon on the Mount.
I have read and reread my notes and the scriptures that were referenced throughout the messages. They focus on what Jesus is saying and how we can apply his teaching to all of the turmoil around us … primarily due to COVID 19 and the political situation. Below are “notes from my notes.” Below are also links to both YouTube and audio versions of the messages.
October 25 Message – “Anger” – Kip McCormick
Jesus’ standards are narrow, and we (self) are always trying to broaden it. Self vs. Jesus.
Matthew 5:20-24:
20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Murder
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Being a fanatic is fine. But, you better be loving, kind, forgiving, and non-judgmental. Matt 5:22 above
Jesus is not talking about cause and effect anger. He’s talking about bitterness and strife … righteous anger. Non-sinful fighting of battles (such as Saul) were in the Spirit of the Lord. This leads us to fight injustice.
The first Presidential Debate was disappointing. Our culture has lost the art of civility. This is not of God. Respect one another … and show dignity. Presidents Bush and Obama model civility in their interactions with one another. Civil discussion can create oneness without sameness. Lovelessness is murder.
Matt. 5:22a
“RACA” means to imply no worth (I know how that feels). Treat others with dignity and respect. Don’t “murder” someone’s character. RACA is about pride. Comments such as “you are a fool” come from hatred in your heart.
Neither political party is explicitly Christian or interested in continuing the message of Christ. Now this is something to keep in mind. We have to be united in Christ as part of the Lord’s Kingdom.
Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Some people are emotionally toxic. Sometimes you have to put up a boundary to protect yourself. The way we navigate anger is important.
James 1:19-20: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
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- Lengthen your fuse. Pray. Have a mind of Christ.
- Let God do the work.
- Learn to shut up.
- Love people well during this election time.
- Let it GO. Proverbs 19:11
- Look in the mirror!
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Purpose of the Sermon on the Mount: Deny yourself, pick up the cross, and follow me.
November 1 Message – “Tough Love” – Bryon Mengle
Book Recommendation: Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankel
Attitude is a choice. What is your reaction to suffering and inconvenience?
Character is ACTION. There is always an opportunity for kindness. Honor God one life at a time through Jesus.
Divisiveness has become normal, and our “new default.” In the Church, we are called to LOVE.
Jesus is bigger than our party affiliation.
Matthew 5:43-44 – You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies too. … He said we should love others and that means even loving those who are unkind to us as well as our friends.
Jesus’ alternative to “getting even.” Loving enemies is counterintuitive and counter-culture. Instead we are to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Luke 6:27-28 – But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Flip the script. Turn what’s normal on its head, and ACT DIFFERENTLY. Jesus was into kingdom impact and kingdom building.
Luke 6:29-30 – 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
Jesus is mixing the literal with the metaphorical. (Give us thicker skin to resist our impulses).
Luke 31: Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Luke 6:32-34: 32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
Don’t love like the world does. A tall order from Jesus! Don’t expect to get anything back!!! Learning this is the essence of the gospel.
Our Reward:
Luke 6:35-36 – 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Children are our most high.
The way you speak and act to an enumy is through Jesus, if in kindness. You are a force. Fight for a love of your enimies. “Kill with kindness.” Loving your enemies is not about you at all. It is about loving Jesus.
John 13:34 – 34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
We are called to be kingdom-minded. Turn to Jesus, not to yourself. “Risk loving your enemies is a life change. Treat all with grace and kindness. Lead in a way to shift the paradigm.
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- Not instant best friends
- Reaction toward enemies. No gloating
- Loss of ability for civility
- Politics are bad when its personal
- Love supersedes politics
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Example: Eva Kor forgave her Nazi doctor.
Enemies are crucial to our storyline. We are responsible because we choose our enemies. YOU determine your enemies.
Proverbs 25:21 – f your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Jesus calls us to a Hard Love.
Summary:
Matthew 5:43-44 – 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Pray and Do Good, and Repeat.
Lynn and I discussed how this all reminded us of the relationship that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg had with Justice Antonin Scalia.
November 8 Message: “Now What?” – Senior Pastor Bob Marvel
Bob’s message encouraged us to transcend the political environment, and reject idol worship and corrupt social and political messages and events … such as what occurred during the time of Rome.
Mark 1:15 – 15 The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!
The above scripture is not a political message. Rather, it is transcendant (note the word Kingdom). The United States and the Kingdom of God are not the same thing.
Luke 12:32 – Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
Do not be afraid! The news media are fear mongers, and have no place in the Kingdom of God. FEAR is mentioned over 200 times in the Bible. The words “little flock” relates to the smallness that we feel in our fear. “Flock” relates to us being part of the flock of the Good Shepherd. Being in the Kingdom is our confidence!
If our worst fear did actually occur, it does not change the Kingdom of God. It is never-changing! The Kingdom cannot be shaken! The sky is not falling! We are Kingdom citizens.
Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
Daniel 7:14 – 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
Hebrews 12:28 – 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe …
The Kingdom of God is within us.
Luke 17:20-21 – 20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
Our citizenship is in heaven.
Philippians 3:20 – 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 11:13 – 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
People in the Kingdom of God are expats on earth.
I can see that fear causes all of this rage, due to our concentrating on what is going on in the United States rather than in the Kingdom.
Our Kingdom citizenship and confidence doesn’t change, no matter what happens in this country.
1 Peter 2:11-12 – 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
We should strive to good lives among the pagans. They (Republicans, Democrats, and yes even Christians) … will see our good deeds because we are citizens of the Kingdom.
Kingdom Culture VS Cancel Culture
We current live in a “cancel culture.” Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.
Don’t retaliate! How we respond is what defines us (I really need to work on this).
What changes doesn’t need to change US. We should be a portrait of the desired destination.
Jeremiah 29:7 – 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
Psalms 145:13 –
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises
and faithful in all he does.
Live in confidence, NOT fear!
November 15 Message: “Secret Service ” – Lead Pastor Bob Marvel
The essence of the entire series:
Matthew 6:10: your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Surpass (in kind) different than their righteousness. Distinction should be within us and in contrast to the world.
Matt 5:20 – For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Contrast with the religious environment.
Matt 6:8 – Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Jesus uses the word hypocrite a lot when he refers to religious people. They “look” like something that they are not.
Posers: Presenting self as something your not. Religious posers are so “religious” but not living the life. (Those that “appear” Godly)
Matt 6:11 – Give us today our daily bread
Matthew 5 and 6 seem to contradict and can be confusing. Do in secret. Jesus is not saying “no one can ever know you give, pray, etc. Consider right things with wrong motives. Are you doing a good deed to be seen? This is a good thing to ask myself.
Matt 6:1 – Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
Avoid piety for personal purposes. Altruism can really be “me centered.
Matt 6:5 – And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Focus on words: “To be seen by men (others).”
Matt 23:5-7 – But they do all their deeds to be noticed by men; for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. 6“They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called Rabbi by men. 8“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10“Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. 11“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.
Note “Whatever they do is for men to see.”
We are so addicted to approval and accolades of others. Kingdom dweller: live a life for an audience of one. Let identity and value be pleasing to GOD.
Learn the discipline of secrecy. Do things for GOD. Do something for someone without them knowing.
Pray in private. Fast from something (food, social media, etc).
November 22 Message: “Anxious Days, Anxious Nights” – Pastor Kip McCormick
Anxiety during the day and during the night.
Matt 6:25 – Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
Need to always strive to build our foundation of faith. When we worry “what if” … we hyper-focus. We “marinate” on that. There is a difference between analyzing a problem and obsessing on it … “what if” …..
Even if the worst thing happens, I can trust the Lord. We need to remember we have a divided mind. We focus on the created rather than the creator. Focus on God’s provision.
Jesus was not here to shame us … he was here to heal us.
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Watch for unhealthy escapes. Don’t trust in escape route, rather than Jesus.
Matt 11:28-30 – Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30“For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Dissolve white noise by dissipating it. Yoke Into Jesus! Change “what if” to “even if.” Big events in your life reveal a faith.
Tools to fight anxiety:
Focus on God’s provision
Matt 6:33-34 – But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Don’t worry about tomorrow ….” Seek Jesus first in character and conduct.
Don’t conform to the pattern of the world (control). Transform by surrendering.
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Rooted Vision: scripture, prayer and service.
Eph 6:16-18 – in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints …
sword of the spirit … shield of faith
There is a darkness that divides our mind. Shelter of salvation guards our “thought life.”
Eph 6:16-18 – in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints ..
Helmet and sword are metaphors to fight against worry.
Step back from worry and serve others.
Matt 5:16 – In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Anxiety is not a sin; living with it is. Jesus came to heal, NOT to shame.
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
November 29 Message: “Do Not Judge!” – Pastor Scott Moon
Watch | Listen
Matt 7:1a – “Do not judge …..
Example: using his discussion with a neighbor regarding Black Lives Matter. Both “sides” judged. Judging inherently inhibits our ability to live in the Kingdom.
Judging builds barriers between us and others. We have cancelled/disregarded them that we judge. Judging hardens our hearts and minds.
Jonah 4 – reflects judgment at Nineveh. Jonah wanted them anhillated. When we judge, it distances us. I need to fight this. Judgment hurts our relationships.
Matt 7:1-2 – Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2“For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
When you look “down” they will do the same to you. Recall the Zaccheus story (tax collector). Jesus leans in, rather than distancing. TELL MYSELF: DON’T JUDGE.
Mark 5:25-34 – the bleeding woman.
Luke 17 – Lepers segregated outside the city.
Jesus didn’t judge, he pursued.
Eph 5:1-2 – 1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Reflect by radically loving others.
1 John 4:8 – Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Matt 7:3-5 – “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4“Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? 5“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
Speck of sawdust. Sawdust – sin (lying); plank – sin (murder). Don’t focus on the wrong things first.
We should NOT judge others when we have sin that is undealt with.
Galatians 6:1 – Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Approach others in a gesture of humility.
Matt 7:6 – “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
Be wise in who we seek to help. If they are not in a place to hear it, trust God and stop. Be wise in the when and how.
Judgment assumes, mercy is curious. As in: Judgment: “I Know, I Know” OR Mercy:”I’m curious.” Then asking a question.
Proximity breeds understanding. Distance breeds fear. Proximity leads to mercy. Distance to judgment. Be proximate to Jesus. Practice mercy. Flex the “mercy muscle.” Shift from “I know” to “I wonder.” Train self from assuming to being curious.
Get proximate with the person. Risk in order to love. We live in a culture where people are canceling each other! Respect even if we don’t totally agree. Choose MERCY not JUDGMENT.
November 15, 2020 Message: “Secret Service” – Pastor Bob Marvel
Watch | Listen
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