Author: pastorjonathan

Christian,Husband, Dad, Pastor, Mentor, Volunteer.

1 Kings 6

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

1 Kings 6 describes how the temple was built. To the modern reader it’s easy to get lost in the numbers and detail and wonder why these facts were even recorded (after all it doesn’t appear like this is super spiritual stuff)… But the numbers and details do remind us that these are actual events, this place was real. It’s not just a story, but history as well.

The Christian faith is built on the historical reality that the one true God of the universe interacts with mankind in such a way as to draw men after Himself. The reality of the temple that Solomon built (which is relatively small compared to some church campuses today) is that it represented God’s presence with His people. It represented the fact that God had fulfilled his promises and that Israel belonged in the land they were occupying. I find it no small coincidence that the Temple was built when Israel’s borders were as close as ever to the Abrahamic covenant.

This is a seal that God is with His people. He has delivered them from Egypt and has given the land completely over to the Israelites.

Application: Though Solomon builds an amazing temple, it is still a far cry from the way Adam walked with God in the Garden. Later Jesus would come and walk among us as God in the flesh. Now, for those who are Christ-followers, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God who allows us communion with God at anytime. There will come a day when we will be in the city of God and He will what illumines everything.

What does it mean that a God so holy and so just would choose to walk with a sinful people like us? What does that say about the character of God to love beyond measure?

God really loves us. We are made in His image. As one children’s Bible puts it, God is pleased to look at us and see a bit of Himself. He truly desires a relationship with you. Are you trusting Him today?

Do They Run When They See You Coming (Book Review)

On By pastorjonathanIn books, student ministryLeave a comment

I had a chance to read Do They Run When They See You Coming?: Reaching Out to Unchurched Teenagers (affiliate link) by Jonathan McKee this weekend. It was a great read full of practical insights and wisdom on reaching out to unchurched teens. Its well written, easy to read on non-threatening to people who struggle to read.

The first half of the book is great and you can tell that McKee is writing about his passion (reaching unchurched teenagers). It is full of pithy one-liners that are pregnant with meaning and carry the message of the chapter well beyond the initial reading. In the chapter entitled, “Youth Ministry in one word,” McKee states, “We don’t need to bring people to Christ; we need to bring Christ to them.” In the chapter with the same title as the book, he sums up Jesus’ message to the woman at the well, “I don’t care where you have been, I care where you are going.”

The later half of the book is more technical and will seem very familiar to those who have been around the student ministry world for any length of time. Though the second half is technical, it is practical and will serve as a great refresher for veteran youth pastors as well as a primer for volunteer workers and those who are new to the world of student ministry.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seriously looking to reach out to unchurched teenagers in today’s culture. The book is both passionate and practical, I just wish it had been around in the late 90’s when I began working with students. I would have learned quicker some of the lessons I have had to learn through experience.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Do They Run When They See You Coming?: Reaching Out to Unchurched Teenagers (affiliate link) the retail price is $9.99 (paperback), and is worth every penny. I purchased my copy at Amazon.com (affiliate link) in the used section for about $5.00. I gave it five stars.

1 Kings 5

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1 Kings 5 is about the contract that Solomon makes with the King of Tyre to secure lumber and labor in building the Temple. A few things jump out here.

1. Solomons intrest in building the temple seems to come from a genuine desire to worship God. At this point in his life, Solomon is seeking the Lord.

2. The negotiations with the King of Tyre proves that Solomon’s wisdom extends into the area of political influence as well.

3. Solomon divides up his workforce to be able to work in Tyre one month and tend their own fields 2 months. This is an amazing strategy that allows Solomons workers to take care of their own, while still providing the neccesary labor for the temple.

This strategy was so effective that centuries later the Christian King Alfred the Great would borrow on this tactic when trying to raise a standing army to fend off the Vikings. Thus allowing his men to care for their families, while maintaining a standing army prepared to fight at a moments notice. Though Solomons plan was practiced surfing an erra of peace, the solid principles worked dieting Alfred’s time to keep Britan free from Viking rule.

Application: Solomon is seeking to build the Temple fir the right reasons. Often we can get caught up in the disractions and fail to truly worship God. We become consumed with showing up at church or saying and doing the right things that we can forget why we are gathered together.

1 Kings 4

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Chapter 4 of 1 Kings contains the account of how Solomon organized and ruled the kingdom of Israel. Sometimes it is easy to get bogged down in a list of names, but names are an important indicator that these events really took place. This story seems like it’s getting better and better to be Solomon and some might be tempted to think that the editor of 1 Kings took a little liscence in painting the story, but the names assure us that these are real historical events.

A few things jump out at me as I read this text.

1. It apperars from how Solomon organized his leaders that he was possibly receiving advice from his Egyptian father-in-law. David and Saul had been kings focused on war and no real organization had been developed. Solomon is now administering a peaceful kingdom and has a chance to streamline the leadership and make things more effective.

2. The sons of Nathan. Some commentators are quick to acknowledge the rewarding of power and position here to the prophet Nathan’s sons. Yet, Narhan the prophet is not the only Nathan with access to the royal court. Indeed, Solomon had a brother named Nathan and given the proximity to the royal court it is likely that these two sons of Nathan were actially Solomons nephews (2 Samuel 5:14).

3. All the realestate (or almost all as opinions vary) promised to Abraham’s descendents is governed by Solomon (compare Genesis 15:18 & Joshua 1:4 with 1 Kings 4:21).

Things are looking good for Solomon. The empire he rules is wealthy, the land is at peace, and people from around the known world are seeking his wisdom. All this because Solomon is following his father’s advice and seeking God.

The story doesn’t end there…

1 Kings 3

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Chapter 3 begins with Solomon’s marriage to Pharoh’s daughter. This is most likely to strengthen ties between the two countries and encourage trade across the known world.

Solomon will later get into trouble later for marrying foreign wives. But a distiction mist be made here. Israelites were only forbiden to marry women from the land of Canaan (Exodus 34:16, Deuteronomy 7:3). They were free to marry foreign women given that the women would renounce the gods of their nation and worship God alone (this is the case with Rahab and Ruth who are both foreign women who married Israelites and are the direct ancestors of Solomon). Later when Solomon is married to women who do lead him towards idol worship, there is a distinction made between the Pharoh’s daughter and the other women (1 Kings 11:1-2).

At this point Solomon is honoring the pact he made with his father and seeking the blessing of God. He offers sacrifices and has a dream where God offers Him basically anything. Solomon humbly asks for wisdom. The great thing about asking for wisdom is that true wisdom ultimately comes from walking with God.

God answers Solomon’s request and gives him riches, fame, and peace as well. This is kind of similar to what Jesus said in the New Testament, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and then all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Solomon is off to a good start. His wisdom is confirmed as he arbitrates matters between two women.

Application: are you seeking God? Sometimes we are tempted to ask, beg and plead for small and temporary things. We imagine we have life figured out if we can just get that promotion, more money, etc. Stop and take time to really meet with God today. It’s okay to mention that you have needs, but seek to know Him. Ask Him what you really need.

What are your thoughts on chapter 3?

Last words and First steps (1 Kings 2)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleship1 Comment

The first part of chapter two holds the last words of David. His statements to Solomon can be broken up into 2 parts. First he is told to trust God, second he is told to clean house of those likely to cause a rebellion.

There is little doubt that these words or thoughts were new to Solomon. How great it is that David now only needs to remind Solomon of what he must already know. David has no new words to offer here, only reminders of lessons that have already been taught.

Application: Don’t wait till your deathbed to let your children (or those who count on you) know what is really important. Live it, speak it and let them know what’s important now. May your last words merely be reminders of wisdom that was already taught. Don’t wait to share the most important things in life.

Through the rest of the chapter Solomon consolidates his power. His brother makes a subtle attempt to regain power by asking to mary David’s nurse. Though David never slept with her, she would have been considered part of the former kings harem. According to some Ancient Near Eastern customs, taking a former kings harem would be a show of legitimate power.

Bathsheba isn’t aware that she is being used by Adonijah but Solomon sees right through the plan and has him killed. Solomon then removes Abithar the priest from his position of power and thus fulfills Gods promise that Eki’s line would be removed from the priesthood (2:27).

Application: God keeps his promises, but he uses people. God’s word never fails. It may take time before we see the end of a matter, but we can rest assured that God already sees the end from the beginning.

Finish Well sometimes requires a team effort (1 Kings 1)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, Family, leadershipLeave a comment

It’s not how you begin the game, it’s how you finish that counts. The L.A. Lakers proved that Tuesday night in game 3 of the finals. After an terrible start, they came back on a scoring rampage in the second quarter. At one point it looked like it was going to be a blow out, but it was still early in the game. The Celtics came back and at times in the 4th quarter it was a 1 point ball game. However the Lakers rallied at the end to hold their lead and win.

I think we get a similar picture of the life of David. David was hated by Saul. Then upon Sauls death he managed to unite an empire. Yet when he was supposed to be at war he was home sleeping with the wife of one of his soldiers. That among otherthings caused family problems and disputes among Davids children that often ended in bloodshed. At one point obe of his own sons marched on Jerusalem to depose him as king. Now at the end of David’s life another one of his sons is seeking to ignore his father’s wishes and make himself king.

By the kindness of God, David has some close friends and allies who will help make sure that his wishes are honored and that he doesn’t blow it in the final chapter of his life. Here is the deal, I wonder if David would have missed it if he weren’t surrounded by such a caring crew of individuals? Even near the end, they weren’t willing to see David lose a grasp on his kingdom. They stuck around long enough to make sure that his final act as king was to hand the mantle of leadership off properly.

You see David really could have blown it at this point. He could have remained ignorant. He could have forgotten to make the appointment of Solomon official. He could have done slot of things wrong, but he didn’t. David’s success in handing of the mantle of leadership rested in the hands of his greatest friends who were available to spur him on in his hour of need.

Application: Its not how you begin, it’s how you finish. David finished well, because he had great friends and allies who wanted to see him do the right thing.

Two Questions:

1. Who are you helping to finish well? Who are you investing in? Who can call on you when they need you?

2. Who will help you to finish well? Who knows you inside and out? Who will keep you accountable?

What did you get from 1 Kings 1.

Fear God and Keep His Commandment (Ecclesiastes 12)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleshipLeave a comment

So now we come to the final chapter.  Solomon has taken us on a journey.  He has pointed out the vanity of pursuing many things singularly to the neglect of others.  He has shown us the profit for work seldom actually satisfies.  He has told us that we long for eternity but live a few short years.  He has exhausted reason on why its better to be still born than to be under the oppression of others.  Finally we are ready for the answer.  And what is the answer?

Fear God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  This is what it means to be human.  This is how to live a fulfilled life.  This is how you keep yourself from destroying yourself.  An old Hymn writer put it this way, “Trust and Obey, for their is no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”  It wasn’t our first thought.  It didn’t come to us naturally.  We enjoyed small pleasures so much we thought we would pursue pleasure but it never satisfied.  Then we sought wisdom, but that increased our grief.  Then we thought if we could just own stuff, but then we realized we have to give it away when we die.  So we moved on to being better at something than others, but then we realized we were letting life pass us by.

Application: Fear God and keep his commandments.  Have you tried it?  It really does bring a peace and happiness that outlasts the current situation.  You were made to know God.  Are you trusting him and obeying his council in your life today?

The Stone the Builder’s Rejected (Sermon Brief)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional, discipleship, Ministry, Sermon1 Comment

Pastor was out of town on Sunday and I had a chance to fill the pulpit and preach in his absence.  As soon as I have access to the video file we will figure a way to get it up here.  In the meantime here is copy of my sermon brief.  If you are unfamiliar with a sermon brief, it is a strange creature that is more or less a cross between an outline and a manuscript.  Sometimes I use sermon briefs to make sure I have a grasp on the context and message of a passage. You can also get a PDF of the Sermon Brief by clicking here: The Stone the Builders Rejected

Luke 20:9-19 (ESV)

Introduction:

The setting for this parable takes place in the larger context of the Jesus’ preaching and teaching ministry in the temple the week of his crucifixion.  In the previous chapter Jesus cleansed the temple of money changers.  This action immediately draws the attention of “the elders, chief priests and the scribes” often a designation for the ruling body known as the Sanhedrin.  The Sanhedrin sends a delegation to ask Jesus, “under what authority are you doing these things” (Luke 20:2)?  Jesus in return asks them about the baptism of John and where he got his authority.  The refusal of the scribes and chief priests to acknowledge that John was acting as an agent of God ensures that they would not recognize his authority as their master.

Jesus then picks up with the parable of the wicked tenants in which the central issue is authority.  The question arises in this parable, who has the authority?  Is it the tenants or is it the land owner?  The obvious answer is the land owner and the implications are clear for all who are involved.

The Son the Tenants Rejected

Many of Jesus’ parables are set in the agricultural context of Palestine.  Farmers generally filled one of three stations; Landowners, tenants, and day laborers.  The difference between tenant farmers and day laborers, “Tenant farmers leased the land and sharecropped with the owner, while poorer people hired out as day laborers” (Brisco, 219).

The parable begins with a wealthy land owner who builds and cultivates a vineyard.  Historically the vine has been a symbol for the nation of Israel.  Indeed the temple in Jerusalem, where the whole dialogue was taking place between Jesus and his questioners, had a large golden grape vine displayed in a prominent location.  Many wealthy families contributed great deals of money to add a grape or a cluster of grapes to the vine.  Perhaps some of the men who stood there questioning Jesus had given money to purchase their own grape or cluster to add to the vine.

The scene of a wealthy land owner extending the use of his property to tenants and leaving for an extended period of time was common.  “The upper Jordan Valley, the western and northern shores of the Sea of Galilee, and even a considerable portion of Galilee itself, contained vast estates owned by foreigners, men who lived far away from their holdings” (Hendrickson, 891).  The financial aspect of the relationship between the land owner and tenants would settled at harvest time when a percentage or set amount of the vineyards fruit would be given to the land owner as payment (Straus, 472).

The land owner had a right to expect a portion of fruit “when the time came” (Luke 20:10).  However the tenants beat the servant sent to receive the fruit and they sent him away “empty handed” (Luke 20:10).  There is no indication as to why the tenants treated the servants so harshly other than, “they simply rejected the messengers” (Morris, 311).

At this point in the parable the tenants are in violation of a contract and have added insult to injury by mistreating three servants who have come on the landowner’s behalf.  The master has every right to send a hit squad after the tenants.  As the land owner he is operating out of a position of power, yet the tenants seem to think they can gain power over the master.

The sending of the son by the master is an exercise in self control and patience beyond the scope of expectation.  The sending of the son causes the landowner to appear extremely kind and generous. “Rich or poor, all hearers at this point would agree that the land owner is in the right, and that he was benevolent-indeed, strikingly, foolishly benevolent” (Keener, 244).

When they see the son coming they plot to kill the son.  The tenants murder the son, perhaps thinking they will gain the rights to the property (Luke 20:14). One commentator writes, “according to a then existing law, under certain conditions if the owner died, leaving no heir, whoever were the first to claim the estate, particularly the occupants, were allowed to have it” (Hendrickson, 892).  The Talmud notes, “Tenants were known to claim possession of land they worked for absentee landlords” (Morris, 311-312).  They simply presumed that either the landowner was dead or that with all the trouble they had caused, he would not press the issue.  The covetousness and lust for full possession of the land that has lead the tenants to mistreat the servants of the master comes to its climax in the murder of the heir.  This is an insult to the master that cannot be overlooked.

At this point the story escalates as Luke records that the people respond in terror, recognizing the aim of Christ’s parable.  The team sent forth from the Sanhedrin is amazed at the notion that the tenants will have to pay for what they have done to the master’s son.  They are quick to understand that this parable has been told against them and they are represented by the wicked tenants in this parable.  The notion that these religious men who have labored for the betterment of national Israel would be punished for their rebellion against God must have been a foreign concept to them.

The tenant’s motive for mistreatment and murder in the parable seems to be the prospect of gaining the property rights to the vineyard (Luke 20:14).  In a sense they wanted sole control over who enjoyed the pleasures of the vine.  Before this passage when Jesus cleanses out the temple he quotes a passage from Isaiah that mentions the prospect of the temple becoming a house of prayer for people from all nations (Luke 19:46, Isaiah 56:7).  After the parable Jesus makes a symbolic switch from talking in terms of the vine (national Israel) to the corner stone or foundation of a great building which is associated with church (Acts 4:11, Ephesians 2:20, I Peter 2:6-7).

Just as the wealthy land owner is patient to send messenger after messenger to receive the fruit of the vineyard so God had been patient with the leaders of Israel.  However, just as the wicked tenant reign of terror will be brought to an end by a vengeful father, so to was nation of Israel’s leadership expelled from their position a few decades later in 70 A.D. when Rome sacked Jerusalem and the temple was destroyed.  Israel ceased to exist and the vineyard had been handed over to a new group of tenants called the apostles.

The Stone the Builders Rejected

Jesus craftily turns the symbolism from a vine representing a national Israel to a stone representing the true temple of God.  Jesus changes the picture from a vineyard to a cornerstone.  He reminds the Sanhedrin that not only does he have the right as the founder but he also has the right of a judge.  ‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’?  (18) Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him” (Luke 20:17-18).

It is not the value to be places on the stone that is in mind, but the destructive nature of the stone against flesh and blood.  To fall on the stone or have the stone fall one in either case means destruction.  People may reject and oppose Jesus but it is they, not he, who will suffer.  The second part of the saying will refer to the future judgment.  IT will be their attitude to Jesus that will mean the final destruction of the people of his day.  The imagery here is derived from Isaiah 8:14 (Morris, 313).

The stone is also a stone of judgment.  It is not susceptible to destruction by its enemies.  All efforts against the stone shatter to pieces.  Furthermore, it falls in judgment on those who reject it.  The verb rendered crush means primarily to winnow, but early versions support the RSV translation (Tolbert, 154).

Conclusion:

The theme for Luke 20:9-19 is the authority of Christ to save Israel and the whole world.  The parable enters in context of the inability of the scribes and chief priests to recognize the authority of Christ.  In the parable the vineyard will be taken away from the wicked tenants, who killed the son and given to other tenants.  This represents Christ taking the light away from the nation Israel and temple worship and expanding it to the living temple of believers who place their faith in Christ.

Hear today the word’s of Christ.  Have you rejected the son?  God has a right to your life.  Are you glorifying God in your existence or have you rejected the authority of God in your life?

Bibliography

I took the liberty of Hyper-linking to all the books in my Bibliography.  I linked to the newest editions of the books while leaving the reference information from the older versions (The page numbers in the new editions are likely to be different because of updated content and more/ less comments throughout the book).

Brisco, Thomas V. Holman Bible Atlas (affiliate link). Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1998.

Carson, D. A., Douglas J. Moo, and Leon Morris. Introduction to the New Testament(affiliate link). Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1992.

Hendriksen, William. New Testament Commentary (affiliate link): The Gospel of Luke. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1987.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (affiliate link). DownersGrove:  Inter Varsity Press, 1993.

Lea, Thomas D., The New Testament: Its Background and Message (affiliate link), Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 1996).

Morris, C. Leon., ed, The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: Luke (affiliate link), vol.3, Revised Ed., Luke, by Leon Morris. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.

A Few Great Resources for Studying Ecclesiastes

On By pastorjonathanIn books, Devotional, MinistryLeave a comment

So we have been spending a little time reading through Ecclesiastes for the last week and a half and we will wrap things up tomorrow with Ecclesiastes 12.  Some of you may have had your interest piqued by the book of Ecclesiastes and want to go deeper.  Here are a couple of great resources I pulled off my shelf and have helped me get some meaning and application from the book of Ecclesiastes.

The first book I would recommend is A Life Well Lived: A Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes (affiliate link) by Tommy Nelson.  This book is written in a regular non-fiction book format and is an easy read for someone who isn’t used to using commentaries.  The author uses lots of great illustrations and packs in a great deal of application.  You can catch it at Amazon.com for about $11.00 (affiliate links).

The second book I would recommend is Ecclesiastes: Total Life (Everyman’s Bible Commentary)(affiliate link) By Walter Kaiser.  It is a great resource to get into the grit of what Ecclesiastes is all about.  Several years ago when I lead a college group through the book of Ecclesiastes I picked this book up.  Its no long in print and I think the only way you can get it now is from a used book seller.  I think I found my copy on Amazon.com (affiliate like) or maybe allbookstores.com (which is where I go to compare amazon against the other book retailers and get the best price or find an old book no longer out of print).