It was a very personal message about what God has been doing in my life the past 31 years and how Christianity is as simple as:
Here is the link below: haywardwesleyan.org/2013/04/21/repent-and-believe-the-gospel/
Check out this review of “The Big Picture Story Bible” over at WesleyanKids.org
For a while I had a netbook, an underpowered, small footprint sized laptop computer, because I wanted to spend less time on a computer and more time in ministry with students. This strategy sort of backfired after about 5 months because the machine was so underpowered, it took me SO LONG to get anything done on it.
Anyway, I now have a full powered laptop now, which works fantastic. The other downside of the netbook was that the user was not able to change the wallpaper background on it. On my current machine, I can change the background at will. I never used to care about this, but since I’ve had this new laptop, I change out the wallpaper about once a month. I go on the interwebs and try to discover some fun and creative designs. I usually uncover some great ideas for design in this process.
This month’s wallpaper comes from Paper Leaf Design. Enjoy!
“Here then, in conclusion, is the picture of the ministry of Jesus I have been trying to put before you.
“Jesus believed that Israel had been called to be God’s saved and saving nation, the agent through whom God intended to assert his sovereignty over the rest of the world, and that the time had come when God was summoning the nation once for all to take its place in his economy as the Son of Man.
“His teaching was something more than individual piety and ethics, it was a national way of life through which alone God’s purpose could be implemented. The nation must choose between the way of Jesus and all other possible alternatives, and on its choice depended its hope for a national future.
“For nothing but the thoroughgoing change of heart which Jesus demanded and made possible could in the end keep the nation out of disastrous conflict with Rome. If the nation would not listen to him, it must pay the consequences; but he at least, and anyone else who would share it with him, must fulfill the destiny of the Son of Man.
“But so deeply does he love his nation, so fully is he identified with its life, so bitterly does he regret what he sees coming upon it, that only death can silence his reiterated and disturbing appeal. He goes to his death at the hands of a Roman judge on a charge of which he was innocent and his accusers, as the event proved, were guilty.
“And so, not only in theological truth but in historic fact, the one bore the sins of the many, confident that in him the whole Jewish nation was being nailed to the cross, only to come to life again in a better resurrection, and that the Day of the Son of Man which would see the end of the old Israel would see also the vindication of the new.”
– George Caird, Jesus and the Jewish Nation
If there is one thing I’ve learned (or picked up) from N.T. Wright’s Jesus and the Kingdom of God, is that:
Could Jesus have come at a different time in history? Earlier or later than he did? After all, we often treat the ministry of Jesus as set of universalized principles, so what would it matter if Jesus came during the rise of the Byzantine Empire or early colonialism, or perhaps during a high point in Israel’s history like King Solomon’s reign?
No. We have to understand Jesus’ ministry as vitally important in its historical context. We must engage with first century Judaism’s national ambitions and hopes. Israel’s nationalistic pride was at its height. They wanted a militaristic Messiah who would restore Israel to her former glory. The Messiah would reinstate Israel’s preeminence on the global stage and protect and vindicate her from her enemies.
Jesus entered this theologically charged period of Israel’s history and redefined the kingdom of God. He had to reinterpret Israel’s current view of the reign of God and their eventual vindication. They wanted to be rescued. And God was sending his representative to do just that. However, it was done in a way that ran against the hopes and aspirations of Israel at the time, which eventually led Jesus to his death.
Ironically for Israel, but joyfully for those who believe, Jesus’ death was the true vindication of his people. Those who follow and believe in Jesus’ way, will be rescued and saved, not from the Romans (who Israel thought was the true enemy), but from Satan (who is the true enemy). Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection brought about a way of escape from the true enemy, and a way of living life according to God’s way which is by faith, administered through God’s Spirit.
Jesus’ vocation was specifically for Israel (not necessarily for the whole world). The whole world (Gentiles) benefit from Jesus vocation and vindication because he took on Israel himself. And if you know your Old Testament theology well you’ll remember that Israel’s vocation as the people of God was to be a light to the nations, a holy nation, a people who represented God to the world. So Jesus, by taking on Israel’s vocation in himself (that’s what Messiah means: God’s representative, the anointed one), is now God’s representative to the whole world. He is the light. Israel’s mistake, at the time, was holding the light for themselves rather than reflecting that light to the whole world.
“I just think [discipleship] has a lot more to do with following Jesus, and pulling some people close to you so they can follow Jesus, too.”
– Connie Patty
I was at a four-way stop sign, turning right. The vehicle across from me didn’t have their turn signal on, so I assumed they were going straight. I then proceeded to go through the intersection, but then the other vehicle started to turn the way I was going.
I wanted to be mad at this inconsiderate driver, but then he waived at me. It was one of my friends! A fellow pastor nonetheless!!
Especially when its someone I know!
This morning a driver ahead of me in line dropping off my daughter at school didn’t move forward and I was frustrated. Again it ended up being someone I know!
They believe in the kingdom of God by faith, and surrender/sacrifice their lives in pursuit of God’s kind of world. These students give and serve generously. They are humble. Ordinary, yet extra-ordinary. Natural, yet super-natural. These 1500 disciples depend on the Holy Spirit to guide their lives. They take up their cross daily and follow Jesus. They exude the fruit of the Spirit because of their daily repentance and belief: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control.
Forgiveness, prayer and a love for God’s Word is second nature. Not only do these 1500 students know God’s story from Genesis to Revelation, but they believe and live like they are an integral part in the redemption story God is telling through them. They desire to know God and make him known.
These 1500 disciples are parents, contractors, pastors, teachers, missionaries, business owners, factory workers, fast food restaurant employees… you name it. They are content with their station in life because wherever the Lord has led them that is their place of service and influence. Their workplace, neighborhood, community and circle of friends is their intentional mission field and where they are called to live the Gospel story.
During their time in Hayward Wesleyan Youth, these 1500 students have been intentionally surrounded by godly men and women who have poured the Gospel story into their lives. These disciplers and students have laughed and cried together as well as lived many adventures and experiences together.
On Wednesday nights at Hayward Wesleyan, these 1500 students have gathered for food, fun and friends. Food means the Word of God, the story of God’s people, and how this story impacts these students and their world, as well as supper and snacks. Fun means goofing off, being silly, and laughing. It encompasses the joy of life that God wants us to experience together. Friends means a community of people–our peers and mentors. They are the people we live life together, eat food, and have fun with.
21 years equals 3 cycles of 7 years in middle school and high school. 1500 students is 500 students per 7-year cycle.
“Men [and women] were to be his method of winning the world to God.”
— Steve Patty in Impact: Student Ministry That Will Transform a Generation (pg. 5)
While on Sabbatical, I wanted to study through the New Testament, in particular the Gospels and some Epistles. A number of years ago, I listened to a 13-part lecture by NT Wright on Jesus and the Kingdom of God, a course he taught at Regent College. However, I did not take copious notes during that initial run. This time around, I’ve got more space and time to focus, take notes, and reflect. I’m only into the 2nd lecture, but you can view my notes below.
Jesus and the Kingdom of God // NT Wright (Google Doc)
“Youth ministry exists to somehow get these church kids, these adolescent versions of scribes and Pharisees to be true disciples. That is its purpose. It has no other.”
“Youth ministry exists to somehow get these unchurched kids, these adolescent versions of sinners and tax collectors to be true disciples. That is also its purpose. It has no other.”
— Steve Patty in Impact: Student Ministry That Will Transform a Generation (pg. x)
