Sunday 7/10/2005
Mark 15.21-47-Jesus dies on a cross-not saving himself- but saving the world from death and sin
1 Kings 11-Solomon disobeyed God and worshipped the gods of his wives too
Hosea 13-I am the only God you know, the only one who can save.
Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23-The seed on different types of ground or soil-Jesus told many things in parables
1 Peter 2.4-6, 9-Come to him, a living stone
Psalm 84-How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!
While out car shopping-The car salesman said that the little Neon was a good deal. Yea right! – they all are a good deal when he can make some money- when he can gain some advantage- all the car salesman say they have good deals- it’s all the same that way- they all want to save me some money- they want to help me in some way- as long as they gain in the deal too—but that’s not how it was with Jesus death on the cross- he could have come down from that cross- he could have saved himself- it would have been a glorious miracle to have a legion of angels come forth and save Jesus from the cross—but unlike the car salesman – Jesus wasn’t interested in his own gain- he wasn’t interested in making anything from this – he was interested in all of the rest of us- Jesus was truly interested in saving the world something- saving all of us from sin and death – it was without a doubt a good deal for all the rest of the world- but not a good deal for Jesus- Jesus sacrificed himself in my place- he didn’t have to- he didn’t need to- but he did- how great a love is that!? – Solomon couldn’t even resist making his wives happy – and he built shrines for them to worship their gods- instead of worshipping the only God—Solomon in his later years turned away from God and his kingdom split- I can’t look at the world and see God in worldly terms- God is God- he must be the only God I know- the only God who can save- I must face this- the car salesman-myself- or anyone else can not save me- I must fall on that good soil of God’s grace and depend only on him for salvation- believe in his loving, saving grace and grow – grow with the solid foundation of what God has done for me- none of it is about me- I must not think of saving myself- or believing anyone but Christ can save me either—only then can I see the hope- the vision- the joy of a dwelling place so lovely – so wonderful – that maybe- just maybe- God will choose to dwell with me—so did God speak through that salesman yesterday? – well yea- but the good deal isn’t in the Neon—not even close- the good deal is in a God who chose to stay on that cross for all people- to take away death and sin- and to free all of us to a life of love, service and hope in the one and only good deal of God.
Prayer- Lord, you are the best deal ever- I thank you- I honor you – I praise you for all the blessings you have given me- and above all – I am eternally thankful for your decision to hang on that cross and die for me and all my friends- to stay up there to the bitter end- what a deal! – what an honor to worship you I have- hear my praise in song and prayer and words this day as I worship you- the one and only God of the Universe! -- Amen
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