I was reading through this in preparation for the Rockford Rescue Mission ministry and I thought I would share a few notes.  Go read the passage.  I mean it.

The setting is Christ and his disciples coming back from the Transfiguration and they come down to see the other disciples and the crowd talking with the scribes.  After you get a little into the story you realize that the scribes were possibly mocking Christ’s disciples because they couldn’t cast out the demon that was in the boy.

There is so much to talk about in this story, the Disciples, the Scribes, the crowd, the dad, Jesus, the demon… so many things that we often overlook the boy. Maybe it is just me.  Maybe it is just that I have overlooked him.  After all what is the story about?

Look at this boy.  He has been this way since childhood, his arms have withered away, his muscles have tied into knots.  The child was in a frequent state of agitation and he was in a terrible position.  Christ looked at him and had pity.

The boy was lost.
The boy didn’t chose it, he was born into it.
The boy couldn’t change who he was.
The boy couldn’t cast out the demon.
The boy’s family couldn’t change him.
The boy’s synagogue couldn’t change him.
The boy’s school, home, sisters, brothers, magicians, priests NOTHING was working, even the disciples.

Then the boy met Christ.
Christ had compassion.
Christ cast out the demon.
Christ gave strength to stand.

verse 27.  “Jesus, took him up by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.”

The boy’s condition is our own.  We are lost.  We are hopeless to fight against our sin.  We have no hope.  It would be better to be sent into a fit and be tossed into the fire by demons.  BUT. through Christ.  Through Jesus’ death on the cross, His burial, His resurrection WE  have hope.  Only through saving faith in Christ Jesus can we have confidence to overcome sin.

Wondering if Greek will work in Word Press ?????????

Being from a more “fundamental” background I remember the days when I heard “If the KJV was good enough for the Apostle Paul, it is good enough for me!”  Said tongue in cheek, but more often than expected the very same principles came out in the sermons.  Pastors ignoring the Greek or Hebrew, perhaps blissfully unaware, rather than actually getting into the text.

I am enjoying scripture even more as I learn to read and translate Hebrew and Greek words, I am learning to love word studies.  As sermon preparation, to go beyond just comparing versions, but to dig down deep into the Word, WOW!  Words transform and make the scripture come alive … if it has been a while since you have gotten out your Strong’s and dusted it off, do your self (and your congregation) a favor and dig in.

I am having an interesting time in preparation.  When I filled a puplit I could take weeks to prepare… now preaching I am learning a different way to prepare.

Most of the time I end up with way to much to preach to our fellowship of believers… I know there is no perfect formula.    Just gotta find a good consistent use of my time.

6 Pages of notes for Sunday and my wife (thank you Lord for her) reminds me that it is Children’s Sunday, the Sunday they stay in the main service.  Gotta be conscientious of that. So now how to trim down 6 pages to 3 points (thanks for the tip dad) that allow folks to take home the message.

So much watered down doctrine in the church today, I am trying to ground us in the Bible as we set forthto become Living Stones.

Thesis One: Sola Scriptura
We reaffirm the inerrant Scripture to be the sole source of written divine revelation, which alone can bind the conscience. The Bible alone teaches all that is necessary for our salvation from sin and is the standard by which all Christian behavior must be measured. We deny that any creed, council or individual may bind a Christian’s conscience, that the Holy Spirit speaks independently of or contrary to what is set forth in the Bible, or that personal spiritual experience can ever be a vehicle of revelation.

In my studdies in preparation for this week I keep getting directed back to walking in Love and every time I get deeper in conviction for not following through with this basic principle in my life.  I had prepared  very basic outline based on Ephesians 5: 1-2

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Now this week I have been confronted with how far reaching love goes.  Walking in Love is much more confronting to my life than I ever imagined.   

I Corinthians 13 is much more than a “marriage verse” it has deeper meaning as we walk in Love.  

Love is … Patient, Kind.  Does not envy. Does not boast. Humble. Not rude. Not self-seeking. Not easily angered. Keeps no record of wrongs. Does not delight in evil. Rejoices with the truth. Always protects. Always trusts. Always hopes.  Always perseveres. Never fails.

We are to walk in Love even as we confront sin.  We are to walk in love even when our nature is to walk in the self.  We are to walk in love even when it is not “the right” thing to do.

VERY difficult.  I will go on preaching to myself.

I was asked for another “first” this morning… my first funeral.  This fits well with my recent study on “God light is” from 1 John.  I am amazed as “The light” catches the fog and exposes it for yet a brief second before it is gone.  A hard morning for certain.

I knew I had done it, just as the words escaped my lips.  I punished myself as I finished the sentence.  The crush, the hurt, the pain was obvious, I could see it on her face.  I said I was “sorry” but the damage had been done.

We speak them all the time.  Reckless words.  Scripture reminds us to be cautious with our tongues to hold silent when our nature is to speak.

I have done it, you have done it.  O be careful little lips what you say….

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent,
and discerning if he holds his tongue.