Helping People Follow Christ

What a gripping story in Luke 7 where Jesus goes to a dinner at a Pharisee’s home. This lady who was a “sinner” pours perfumed oil on Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair while she kisses them. The Pharisees are offended. If Jesus were really a prophet, they say, he would know what kind of woman this is who is touching him, a sinner.

Jesus comes right back at them. He tells one of his classic stories about two debtors: one woes 500 and the other 50. neither could pay. The Creditor forgave both debts. Which will love him more? The one with the bigger debt.

Then Jesus drives the point home. Simon, the host, did not show mjuch love to Jesus, but this woman is over the top in her gratitude and love for Jesus. Why? Her many sins are forgiven, so she loves much.

People who have sinned greatly and often more keely aware of God’s abundant grace. When you have been forgiven much, you love much. Could some of the most ardent Christians be those with the worst pasts? Might those who love God the most be those who hated him the worst?

Church-people tend to hold forgiven sinners at arm’s length. Churched people tend to prefer other religious people who were raised in churches and lived more externally clean lives. I’m not so sure Jesus felt the same way.

 What do you think? 

Easter at McKinney Fellowship was awesome. Third service when I asked: “Who moved the stone?” I a little boy yelled out at the top of his lungs — “Jesus!” Everyone cracked up. I congratulated him and suggested he needed extra Easter candy.

A mom told me her daughter, decked out in an Easter dress, trusted in Jesus Christ for the first time! Mom was thrilled and so am I.

Many people every service walked through the door. We have a number of response cards to follow up with. Charlie Berry is taking the lead with follow up.

Pray that seeds sown will bear fruit

Send back your stories about how God was working on Easter 

Thanks for praying for my ski trip. I had a blast with my sons, David and Ben; along with three of David’s friends from Georgia Tech; and Daniel and Jake Hebert from McKinney Fellowship. Beaver Creek and Vail were great. I appreciate my friends in Denver the Kielys who allowed us to use their home. It was a real blessing.

The time was a true rest and renewal. That experience reminded me yet again of our need to move from times of intensity to times of rest. Our live our designed to be rhythmic. We will burn out if we try to keep going and going at the same pace. Jesus spent hours with the crowds and he also took time to be alone. He preached from mountains to lots of people and he prayed on mountains alone.

Bruce 

I’m heading out to go snow skiing with my sons Ben and David. Pray for safe times and good relationships. We are driving to Colorado this morning.

If I have email access I may blog.

God gave instructions to the future “kings” in Deuteronomy 17. They were to make a copy of the Word of God. Then here is my take away point —

“It must be with him constantly and he must read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and observe all the words of this law and these statues and carry them out.” 17:19

The same applies to us. To be effective for Christ we must keep God’s Word with us so we learn to revere the Lord and obey him.  

It seems so simple and yet we don’t do it enough. Today, I want to hold the Word of God in my heart throughout the day “constantly.” How do you practically keep the Word with you constantly?

Leaders,

The spirit you brought to the meeting was of the Lord. So many prayers were prayed in anticipation of our time. The Lord’s presence was strong. We are moving in step with him and it is thrilling. Our faith is being stretched and that is good.

This morning I read Mark 9:24 – the father of a boy demon-possessed asked Jesus to heal his boy if he is able to do so.

“If you are able?” Jesus replied

“All things are possible for the one who believes. Immediately the father of the boy cried out and said, “I believe, help my unbelief”

May we look to the One for whom all things are possible. May he grow our faith to believe in His power.

Bruce

Two quick clarifications:

• Our focus on community impact will not diminish our intent to touch the world for Christ in Global Missions. It is both/and, not either-or.

• Jimmie and Meredith King are continuing strong as our missionaries to the under-resourced in our community. In fact we are putting more energy and effort behind their ministries, hopefully in coordination with the new entity we have given birth to with First Baptist. The Kings are excited.

View the video from the March 1 Leader Rally