Dahhh…

I got to hear my buddy BT speak this weekend.  Two things really spoke to me from this message.  The first is the verse, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. The second was the lyrics he quoted from, from the song the “Wonderful Cross.”

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 2 cor 5:14-15

I think a lot of people believe that when they are saved, that’s it, we just wait around until we die and float up to heaven.  The truth is that life begins when we believe.  The song the Wonderful Cross sums it up life very well…

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of Glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride

See from his head, his hands, his feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown

O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the wonderful cross, O the wonderful cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless
Your name

Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all

When I survey the wonderful cross, I realize how far I miss the mark.  Jesus’ love is so amazing, it demands my all, yet my life doesn’t really reflect this…

This morning I went to a Korean Salvation Army church.  I did not know such places existed.  Anyways there’s kind of a long story about how I ended up at this church, but I won’t go into it here.

The message today was from 1 Samuel 13.  The one thing that stood out from the sermon was the pastor’s quote on courage.  Courage is not the absence of fear, courage is moving forward despite fear. Faith is moving forward despite not knowing the outcome.  Faith and courage are somewhat similar.  A lot of times we think faith and courage are something that people posess intrinsically, that is some people are born with strong courage and faith while some are not.  But actually, both faith and courage are built up over time.  They both require practice and discipline to improve and perfect.

At prayer meeting today Pastor Eric shared today from Luke 7 about the differences between John and Jesus.  I never really thought about the differences in their ministry before.  John basically lived somewhat like a hermit, living out in the desert, and baptizing and preaching those who came to him.  Jesus was sort of the opposite, he was sort of in the middle of all the action, traveling and preaching to crowds, but also building up a small group of disciples.

This was interesting to me because I feel like naturally I would be more like John.  I don’t like large groups all that much, so I would be happier in the ‘desert’ building up a select few.

Pgee’s sermon today was from a very familiar passage.

Salt and Light – Matthew 5:13-16

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

This passage from the sermon on the mount I’ve read many times and studied it many times in different bible study groups.  Pgee did a really good job of summing it up. Wherever we are, we should make such a positive impact that people will praise God. Well okay, it basically is just rephrasing the last verse of the passage.  But he made a point that really stuck with me.  He asked the question, are we sending mixed messages with the way we living our lives?  Does the message of what I say and the message of how I live my life both act together to cause others to praise God?

Our first bible study of the school year way back in September was about community.  We studied the famous passage on community in Acts 2.  It describes an amazing church community.  Tonight at Acacia we studied the ‘one anothers’ in the new testament.  I think if we practice these ‘one anothers’ we will be well on our way towards the amazing community described in Acts 2.

• Love one another: John 13:34-35
• Serve one another: Galatians 5:13
• Accept one another: Romans 15:7
• Build up one another: Romans 14:19
• Encourage one another: Hebrews 3:13
• Carry each others burdens: Care for one another: Galatians 6:2
• King/compassionate / Forgive one another: Ephesians 4:32
• Submit to one another: Ephesians 5:21
• Devoted to one another/ Honor one another: Romans 12:10
• Have fellowship with one another: 1 John 1:7
• Tolerant of one another / bearing with one another Be patient with one another: Ephesians 4:2
• Be interested in one another: Philippians 2:4
• Confess to one another: James 5:16
• Live in harmony with one another: / Be of the same mind toward one another: Romans 12:16
• Let no debt remain  -  don’t hold grudges Do not be conceited to one another: Romans 13:8
• Do not pass judgment to one another: Romans 14:13
• Do not slander one another: James 4:11
• Greet one another: Romans 16:16
• Admonish one another: Colossians 3:16
• Spur one another on toward love and good deeds: Hebrews 10:24
• Meet with one another: Hebrews 10:25
• humble/gentle/patient/bearing to one another in love: Ephesians 4:2
• Be at peace with one another: Romans 12:18
• Sing to one another: Ephesians 5:19
• Comfort one another: 1 Thessalonians 4:18
• Live in peace with one another: 1 Thessalonians 5:13
• Do not be consumed by one another Galatians 5:14-15
• Not be conceited/provoking/envying: Galatians 5:26
• Do not lie to one another: Colossians 3:9
• Do not grumble to one another: James 5:9