Wednesday, October 13, 2010
THANK YOU!
I want to express my sincere appreciation and heart-felt gratitude to my church family for your generous gift as part of Pastor Appreciation Month. It has been my honor to serve you and be your pastor. You are a wonderfully nurturing congregation and I truly appreciate your love and support. Thank you again and I pray God's blessings on you all!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
The Prayer of Jabez: Oh, That You Would Enlarge my Territory - Hebrews 6:13-20 and I Chronicles 4:9-10
Below is the sermon from today. You might recognize some of it and other parts were Holy Spirit infused. On days like today it is a tremendous thing when the Spirit moves and speaks. I hope you were blessed during worship today and had an experience with God!
___________________________________________
Introduction
Today we are continuing our preaching series on an oft-passed over piece of Scripture called the Prayer of Jabez. Last week we began with the phrase, “Oh, that you would bless me” as we looked at the appropriateness of asking God to bless us and what we are truly asking for in that endeavor. Today we are going to take the next passage, “that you would enlarge my territory” as we unpack the strength that is required for this type of petition.
I Want to Help!
I am a computer junkie. And I am a computer game junkie as well. I do not have time to indulge that part of my life anymore but it was very important for me to get back in that arena a few years ago. It had been many years since I had actually played any games on the computer but an opportunity arose for me play a bit with a guy I knew and his unchurched brother-in-law. The three of us began this weekly appointment to gather at my friend's house and we would play for hours. In the beginning the brother-in-law did not speak to me other than the usual hello and good-bye. But one week he look over at me and asked “Did God like computer games?” I had a feeling that this guy wanted to know more than just if God liked video games. It took several weeks but he knew this guy that was going to be a pastor was someone he could talk with. He felt a connection with me that he felt he could talk about God, wanted to talk about God.
I had asked God to give me an opening to talk about God. I was hoping for a chasm, but a crack would do. That is what we find Jabez doing in this second part of his petition to God as he asks God to enlarge his territory.
Understanding Jabez
With Jabez's father not listed in the genealogy found in I Chronicles 4 we can reasonably assume that his father had acted in way detrimental to his family. We can also reasonably assume that those indiscretions had brought heartache and poverty to Jabez's family. Jabez did not want to live his life with a sense of drudgery and dread. When Jabez cried out to God "enlarge my territory" he was looking at his present circumstance and concluding, "Surely I was born for more than this." (1) He wanted to begin "living large for God." (2) In biblical language we might say he wanted to live in "kairos" time--a time filled with the lively purposes of God, as opposed to "chronos"--time which simply watches the hands of the clock go round.
Jabez wanted more!
Am I Asking for More Land?
So Jabez asked God to enlarge his territory. So when we are asking for God to enlarge our territory are we asking for more land? Should we expect God to give us 1 acre rather than the 1/8 of an acre we already own? I do not think so
I think are better things we can focus on. Have you ever heard the phrase “sphere of influence”? All of us have one. It is those people that we can reach that no one else can. For instance, my sphere of influence includes those people that are between their mid-20's to 40's, married with young kids, that grew up in Florida, believe in God, and love sports. If someone falls into any of those categories I had an understanding that will help me connect with. I will have an easier time relating to what they are going through or feeling or dealing with. Now this is not to say I cannot interact with, enjoy, and help people that do not fall into my sphere, it just means it is not as natural for me. All of you have a group of people that it feels more natural for you to interact within. That is your sphere of influence. I encourage you to work on identifying your sphere if you do not know it. Because when you can identify it, then you can perceive it and work within it with greater ease.
Ok, I Asked, Now What?
Understanding that we all have a sphere of influence, what are we supposed to do with it?When we ask God to enlarge our territory I believe we are asking God to give us more responsibility, more opportunities for ministry, more of a role in bringing about the Kingdom of God. I believe that we are asking God to equip us and show us how to work within our sphere of influence.
This is the part where some people get nervous. Others may get down right obstinate. And some of us get scared. If people want to talk to me about sports, great! If people want to talk to me about computers and electronics, I can hold my own. If people want to talk to me about my faith, now the heart is racing. What am I going to say? How can articulate what it is I believe in my heart with words from my brain? What if I say the wrong thing and send them away from God, rather than too God? Dr. Robert Gray, a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary was once asked what is the one thing he is scared of most in this world. He said, “to ever find out that I was a stumbling block for another person coming to know Jesus Christ”. It was not death, it was not illness, it was not physical pain. It was ever knowing that he had done something to take someone away from Christ rather than to Christ. Folks, I believe that is a fear we can all relate with. Most of the time I think all of us would love to share our faith, but that fear of messing up, not having the right words, and doing more harm than good keeps creeping into our minds.
If you hear nothing else this morning, please hear this. If you are faithful to God, allow God to use you and guide you, that will not happen. If you ask God to enlarge your territory, if you ask God to give you more responsibility within your sphere, God will make sure you are equipped for the task. God will use you, work through you, and give you the words to say. I am not making this up, Jesus did it in Scripture. (Expound on passage where God gave peter and john the words to say). God will not abandon you when you do God's work. God will equip you, God will bless you, God will enlarge your territory.
Conclusion
God will use all sorts of events, “chance” meetings, or settings to enlarge our territories and give us an opportunity to impact people within our sphere of influence. Remember I had you that I had not played video games in several years? During our third get together is when he asked me the question about God and video games. As we played this man began to tell me that he never really understood church. He did not understand what all of the fuss was about to hear someone talk about stuff in a book that was written thousands of years ago and then ask you to pay them for it when those plate came around. I was given the opportunity to talk about what God meant to me, what Jesus had done for me, and how the Holy Spirit helps me on a daily basis. I got to talk about the fellowship I have with other believers and about those opportunities I had been a part of where God's love was realized and shown right before my eyes. I believe God put that past hobby of mine to use with my friend and his brother-in-law. When we began to set up these playing opportunities I had asked God to help me connect with these two young men. The one guy was my friend, but we were new friends and had only met a few months prior. We actually got to know each other through our wives. I had asked God to enlarge my territory, to give me more responsibility, to give me an opportunity to lead another person into a relationship with our Creator. I asked, God answered. Video games had provided that crack for me to reach him, for him to trust me, and for those seeds of God's love to be planted.
As we close out our time today I want to share a poem with you,
My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done;
Leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun.
This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray:
Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way.
All of you have a sphere of influence, all you have the ability to influence another person for God, all of you have territory that God is waiting to enlarge. I encourage you to ask for more territory, to ask for more responsibility, to ask to put in the path of someone who needs you. God has a plan, God wants you to be involved. All you have to do is ask.
___________________________________________
Introduction
Today we are continuing our preaching series on an oft-passed over piece of Scripture called the Prayer of Jabez. Last week we began with the phrase, “Oh, that you would bless me” as we looked at the appropriateness of asking God to bless us and what we are truly asking for in that endeavor. Today we are going to take the next passage, “that you would enlarge my territory” as we unpack the strength that is required for this type of petition.
I Want to Help!
I am a computer junkie. And I am a computer game junkie as well. I do not have time to indulge that part of my life anymore but it was very important for me to get back in that arena a few years ago. It had been many years since I had actually played any games on the computer but an opportunity arose for me play a bit with a guy I knew and his unchurched brother-in-law. The three of us began this weekly appointment to gather at my friend's house and we would play for hours. In the beginning the brother-in-law did not speak to me other than the usual hello and good-bye. But one week he look over at me and asked “Did God like computer games?” I had a feeling that this guy wanted to know more than just if God liked video games. It took several weeks but he knew this guy that was going to be a pastor was someone he could talk with. He felt a connection with me that he felt he could talk about God, wanted to talk about God.
I had asked God to give me an opening to talk about God. I was hoping for a chasm, but a crack would do. That is what we find Jabez doing in this second part of his petition to God as he asks God to enlarge his territory.
Understanding Jabez
With Jabez's father not listed in the genealogy found in I Chronicles 4 we can reasonably assume that his father had acted in way detrimental to his family. We can also reasonably assume that those indiscretions had brought heartache and poverty to Jabez's family. Jabez did not want to live his life with a sense of drudgery and dread. When Jabez cried out to God "enlarge my territory" he was looking at his present circumstance and concluding, "Surely I was born for more than this." (1) He wanted to begin "living large for God." (2) In biblical language we might say he wanted to live in "kairos" time--a time filled with the lively purposes of God, as opposed to "chronos"--time which simply watches the hands of the clock go round.
Jabez wanted more!
Am I Asking for More Land?
So Jabez asked God to enlarge his territory. So when we are asking for God to enlarge our territory are we asking for more land? Should we expect God to give us 1 acre rather than the 1/8 of an acre we already own? I do not think so
I think are better things we can focus on. Have you ever heard the phrase “sphere of influence”? All of us have one. It is those people that we can reach that no one else can. For instance, my sphere of influence includes those people that are between their mid-20's to 40's, married with young kids, that grew up in Florida, believe in God, and love sports. If someone falls into any of those categories I had an understanding that will help me connect with. I will have an easier time relating to what they are going through or feeling or dealing with. Now this is not to say I cannot interact with, enjoy, and help people that do not fall into my sphere, it just means it is not as natural for me. All of you have a group of people that it feels more natural for you to interact within. That is your sphere of influence. I encourage you to work on identifying your sphere if you do not know it. Because when you can identify it, then you can perceive it and work within it with greater ease.
Ok, I Asked, Now What?
Understanding that we all have a sphere of influence, what are we supposed to do with it?When we ask God to enlarge our territory I believe we are asking God to give us more responsibility, more opportunities for ministry, more of a role in bringing about the Kingdom of God. I believe that we are asking God to equip us and show us how to work within our sphere of influence.
This is the part where some people get nervous. Others may get down right obstinate. And some of us get scared. If people want to talk to me about sports, great! If people want to talk to me about computers and electronics, I can hold my own. If people want to talk to me about my faith, now the heart is racing. What am I going to say? How can articulate what it is I believe in my heart with words from my brain? What if I say the wrong thing and send them away from God, rather than too God? Dr. Robert Gray, a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary was once asked what is the one thing he is scared of most in this world. He said, “to ever find out that I was a stumbling block for another person coming to know Jesus Christ”. It was not death, it was not illness, it was not physical pain. It was ever knowing that he had done something to take someone away from Christ rather than to Christ. Folks, I believe that is a fear we can all relate with. Most of the time I think all of us would love to share our faith, but that fear of messing up, not having the right words, and doing more harm than good keeps creeping into our minds.
If you hear nothing else this morning, please hear this. If you are faithful to God, allow God to use you and guide you, that will not happen. If you ask God to enlarge your territory, if you ask God to give you more responsibility within your sphere, God will make sure you are equipped for the task. God will use you, work through you, and give you the words to say. I am not making this up, Jesus did it in Scripture. (Expound on passage where God gave peter and john the words to say). God will not abandon you when you do God's work. God will equip you, God will bless you, God will enlarge your territory.
Conclusion
God will use all sorts of events, “chance” meetings, or settings to enlarge our territories and give us an opportunity to impact people within our sphere of influence. Remember I had you that I had not played video games in several years? During our third get together is when he asked me the question about God and video games. As we played this man began to tell me that he never really understood church. He did not understand what all of the fuss was about to hear someone talk about stuff in a book that was written thousands of years ago and then ask you to pay them for it when those plate came around. I was given the opportunity to talk about what God meant to me, what Jesus had done for me, and how the Holy Spirit helps me on a daily basis. I got to talk about the fellowship I have with other believers and about those opportunities I had been a part of where God's love was realized and shown right before my eyes. I believe God put that past hobby of mine to use with my friend and his brother-in-law. When we began to set up these playing opportunities I had asked God to help me connect with these two young men. The one guy was my friend, but we were new friends and had only met a few months prior. We actually got to know each other through our wives. I had asked God to enlarge my territory, to give me more responsibility, to give me an opportunity to lead another person into a relationship with our Creator. I asked, God answered. Video games had provided that crack for me to reach him, for him to trust me, and for those seeds of God's love to be planted.
As we close out our time today I want to share a poem with you,
My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done;
Leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun.
This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray:
Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way.
All of you have a sphere of influence, all you have the ability to influence another person for God, all of you have territory that God is waiting to enlarge. I encourage you to ask for more territory, to ask for more responsibility, to ask to put in the path of someone who needs you. God has a plan, God wants you to be involved. All you have to do is ask.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Bible Challenge 10/10 - 10/16
Hello All
Here is you schedule for next week. We are moving again as we finish up Hosea, and move right through Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah, and finish up in Micah.
10/3, Sunday: Hosea 7 - 10
10/4, Monday: Hosea 11 - 14
10/5, Tuesday: Joel 1 - Amos 1
10/6, Wednesday: Amos 2 - 5
10/7, Thursday: Amos 6 - 9
10/8, Friday: Obadiah 1 - Jonah 3
10/9, Saturday: Jonah 4 - Micah 3
Be Blessed!
Here is you schedule for next week. We are moving again as we finish up Hosea, and move right through Joel, Amos, Obadiah, and Jonah, and finish up in Micah.
10/3, Sunday: Hosea 7 - 10
10/4, Monday: Hosea 11 - 14
10/5, Tuesday: Joel 1 - Amos 1
10/6, Wednesday: Amos 2 - 5
10/7, Thursday: Amos 6 - 9
10/8, Friday: Obadiah 1 - Jonah 3
10/9, Saturday: Jonah 4 - Micah 3
Be Blessed!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday Fives
Here are your Friday Fives....live from Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City!
1. Preaching Series - This week we are continuing our preaching series based on the Prayer of Jabez. We will focus on what means to ask God to enlarge our territory and what we are called to do when God does. Bring a friend and hope to see you there.
2. Pumpkins! – Our pumpkin wonderland has been delayed till Tuesday. However, there is still time to volunteer. This is a great time to fellowship with each other and show this community that we are here and we love them!
3. Bible Study – Have you ever wondered what it is that we as United Methodists believe? Would you like to learn more about our doctrines and traditions? If so, then join me on a five week study as we talk about how we as United Methodists understand:
Whether you have been a United Methodist your entire life or just a few weeks, this study is for you. We will meet on Thursdays at 11am and 7pm in Fellowship Hall. It will run for 5 sessions: October 14, 21, 28 and November 4, 11 and the cost is free!
RSVP by calling the office at 629-5688 or by filling out the form in this week's bulletin and putting it in the offering plate. Hope to see you there!
4. Salty Service - A few months back I asked everyone to consider joining up together in groups to venture out and visit some of the residents in the many assisted living and rehab facilities around our church. There are many people there that get no visitors, and we are so good with fellowship, I see a need and a spiritual gift that can easily be paired up. I wanted to give everyone an update on how this budding ministry is progressing. We have one member that has reached out and has began weekly visits and we have another that is in the process of beginning. We have several contacts at area facilities, all we need is volunteers. Many people make light work. If you are willing to spend just a few hours a month visiting with people and sharing the love of Christ please contact the office and we can help you get connected. Please consider reaching out to the people in our area and let them know we care and in the name of Jesus Christ that they are loved.
5. Flu Shots – Sunday October 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm we will host a flu clinic here at the church. This week's bulletin has all the information as to the type of shots offered, the recommendation for which shot to get, as well as the cost. Be sure to check it out and make sure you get what you need. This is a wonderful ministry and one we are happy to be able to offer.
1. Preaching Series - This week we are continuing our preaching series based on the Prayer of Jabez. We will focus on what means to ask God to enlarge our territory and what we are called to do when God does. Bring a friend and hope to see you there.
2. Pumpkins! – Our pumpkin wonderland has been delayed till Tuesday. However, there is still time to volunteer. This is a great time to fellowship with each other and show this community that we are here and we love them!
3. Bible Study – Have you ever wondered what it is that we as United Methodists believe? Would you like to learn more about our doctrines and traditions? If so, then join me on a five week study as we talk about how we as United Methodists understand:
- God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
- Salvation and our theology
- our role in society and how we view current issues as a church
- the makeup and organization of the United Methodist Church
Whether you have been a United Methodist your entire life or just a few weeks, this study is for you. We will meet on Thursdays at 11am and 7pm in Fellowship Hall. It will run for 5 sessions: October 14, 21, 28 and November 4, 11 and the cost is free!
RSVP by calling the office at 629-5688 or by filling out the form in this week's bulletin and putting it in the offering plate. Hope to see you there!
4. Salty Service - A few months back I asked everyone to consider joining up together in groups to venture out and visit some of the residents in the many assisted living and rehab facilities around our church. There are many people there that get no visitors, and we are so good with fellowship, I see a need and a spiritual gift that can easily be paired up. I wanted to give everyone an update on how this budding ministry is progressing. We have one member that has reached out and has began weekly visits and we have another that is in the process of beginning. We have several contacts at area facilities, all we need is volunteers. Many people make light work. If you are willing to spend just a few hours a month visiting with people and sharing the love of Christ please contact the office and we can help you get connected. Please consider reaching out to the people in our area and let them know we care and in the name of Jesus Christ that they are loved.
5. Flu Shots – Sunday October 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm we will host a flu clinic here at the church. This week's bulletin has all the information as to the type of shots offered, the recommendation for which shot to get, as well as the cost. Be sure to check it out and make sure you get what you need. This is a wonderful ministry and one we are happy to be able to offer.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Prayer of Jabez: Oh, That You Would Bless Me - Matthew 7:7-8 and I Chronicles 4:9-10
Introduction
Today we are starting a new preaching series on an oft-passed over piece of Scripture called the Prayer of Jabez. During the next four weeks we are going to break this prayer apart as we seek to understand what it means to ask God to bless us, to enlarge our territory, to be with us, and keep us from evil. Today we are going to begin with the phrase, “Oh, that you would bless me” as we look at the appropriateness of asking God to bless us and what we are truly asking for in that endeavor.
Fancy Meeting You Here!
Once there was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it would be a long trip to where God lived, so he packed a suitcase full of Twinkies and cans of root beer (his two favorite foods) and set off on his journey. He had only gone a few blocks when he passed an older woman, sitting on a park bench just staring at some pigeons. She looked sad and lonely, so the boy went over and sat down next to her. He opened his suitcase, took out a package of the Twinkies and offered it to her.
She gratefully took it and smiled at him. Her smile was so warm and wonderful that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a can of his root beer. Once again, she took it and smiled at him. The boy was delighted. They sat there all afternoon, eating the Twinkies, drinking the root beers and watching the pigeons, without saying a word to each other.
As it grew dark, the boy realized that he had better get started home and got up to leave. But before he had gone just a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the older woman and gave her a big hug. She gave him the biggest smile of all.
When the boy got home, his mother noticed how happy he seemed. So she asked him what he had done all day. He told her: "I had lunch with God. And you know what? She has the most beautiful smile that I've ever seen."
Meanwhile, the older woman had returned to her home. Her son also noticed how happy and contented she seemed, so he asked her what she had done that had made her so happy. She said to him: "I sat in the park and ate Twinkies with God. You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Each of those people were blessed. They were each given something that they desired and needed. Jabez was doing much of the same thing; seeking out God to gain what he desired. And those desires Jabez made known in these two verses in I Chronicles.
Jabez Who?
So who was Jabez and why is he mentioned in Scripture? Good question. I Chronicles 4 begins with a genealogy of people whose names you can hardly pronounce. It goes on for forty-four names, when suddenly the writer stops. And in verse 9 writes, "Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ''Because I bore him in pain.''"
My word, what a way to start your life. In this era names were important. How many of you know what your name means? In this culture, everyone knew. In fact your name was not picked by your parents after looking through dozens of baby name books. It was given to you based upon some event that happened at your birth or because of where you were born.
For example, Isaac means "laughter" because his mother bore him in her old age. Jacob means a “sup-planter or one who is cunning/clever/one who tricks”. We know Jacob tricked his brother right out of his birthright. Jeremiah means “God hurls or throws”. Jeremiah hurls himself right into the midst of the suffering and despair of his people and is known as the "weeping prophet." Naomi named her sons Mahlon and Chilion, which mean "Puny" and "Pining." Both died in early adulthood. Solomon means "Peace." He was the first king of Israel who did not go to war. And, of course, Jesus: God saves; Emmanuel: God is with us.
But here we have, because I bore him in pain. What an obstacle to overcome. But Jabez does just that. In verse 10, “Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!’ And God granted what he asked.”
And you know what happens after that? Neither do I. 1 Chronicles 4 immediately goes back to the genealogies and Jabez is never mentioned again. That is it. Jabez gets two verses stuck in the middle of an extensive genealogy. So what can we learn from these two verses. Plenty! And we will talk about a bunch of it over the next three weeks, but today I want us to focus on two things: is it okay to ask for blessings for ourselves and what is it we are truly asking for when we do.
Bless Me!?!
Some people may be uncomfortable asking for God to bless them; viewing it as selfish or self-centered. But Scripture tells us otherwise. Proverbs 10:22 tells us, “The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth; all our work adds nothing to it”. Blessings are good things, things we cannot do for ourselves, things we can only get from God. So how can we get these things? Jesus says ask. From our first Scripture lesson this morning, Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened”. James, Jesus' brother, echos those sentiments in James 4:2, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Asking is what we are called to do. It is what Jabez did and God granted it. God wants to bless you, God created you to bless you, God is eager to bless you. Ask. Ask today, ask tomorrow, and ask everyday from now on. And the way Jabez did it, it is not arrogant because of how he did it.
What Am I Asking for Again?
Jabez was not asking for money or power. He just wanted a blessing from God. He who was born in pain did not ask for specifics. He left it to God to decide the what, when, where, and how. Folks, that is trust. Jabez knew that the God of Israel, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, knew the best way to use him and the best way to bless him. Jabez understood that by leaving the request open, he was giving God the room to bless him in ways he could not imagine, to unleash miracles that he could not conceive by his own intellect.
Conclusion
We so often want to control God. We want to limit God and tell God what we think God needs to know. But here we have Jabez, he who was born in pain, that places all of his trust and his hope for the future in the hands of God and trusts him. My challenge for all of us is that we have that same kind of trust. We have spoken quite a bit about prayer lately; its importance, benefits, and models we can use. Now we are going into practical application. I encourage you to use these two verses as a reminder to ask God to bless you as God sees fit. Pray this prayer daily and consistently. And then watch what blessings come your way. I think you will be surprised and I know your cup will runneth over.
Today we are starting a new preaching series on an oft-passed over piece of Scripture called the Prayer of Jabez. During the next four weeks we are going to break this prayer apart as we seek to understand what it means to ask God to bless us, to enlarge our territory, to be with us, and keep us from evil. Today we are going to begin with the phrase, “Oh, that you would bless me” as we look at the appropriateness of asking God to bless us and what we are truly asking for in that endeavor.
Fancy Meeting You Here!
Once there was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it would be a long trip to where God lived, so he packed a suitcase full of Twinkies and cans of root beer (his two favorite foods) and set off on his journey. He had only gone a few blocks when he passed an older woman, sitting on a park bench just staring at some pigeons. She looked sad and lonely, so the boy went over and sat down next to her. He opened his suitcase, took out a package of the Twinkies and offered it to her.
She gratefully took it and smiled at him. Her smile was so warm and wonderful that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a can of his root beer. Once again, she took it and smiled at him. The boy was delighted. They sat there all afternoon, eating the Twinkies, drinking the root beers and watching the pigeons, without saying a word to each other.
As it grew dark, the boy realized that he had better get started home and got up to leave. But before he had gone just a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the older woman and gave her a big hug. She gave him the biggest smile of all.
When the boy got home, his mother noticed how happy he seemed. So she asked him what he had done all day. He told her: "I had lunch with God. And you know what? She has the most beautiful smile that I've ever seen."
Meanwhile, the older woman had returned to her home. Her son also noticed how happy and contented she seemed, so he asked her what she had done that had made her so happy. She said to him: "I sat in the park and ate Twinkies with God. You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Each of those people were blessed. They were each given something that they desired and needed. Jabez was doing much of the same thing; seeking out God to gain what he desired. And those desires Jabez made known in these two verses in I Chronicles.
Jabez Who?
So who was Jabez and why is he mentioned in Scripture? Good question. I Chronicles 4 begins with a genealogy of people whose names you can hardly pronounce. It goes on for forty-four names, when suddenly the writer stops. And in verse 9 writes, "Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ''Because I bore him in pain.''"
My word, what a way to start your life. In this era names were important. How many of you know what your name means? In this culture, everyone knew. In fact your name was not picked by your parents after looking through dozens of baby name books. It was given to you based upon some event that happened at your birth or because of where you were born.
For example, Isaac means "laughter" because his mother bore him in her old age. Jacob means a “sup-planter or one who is cunning/clever/one who tricks”. We know Jacob tricked his brother right out of his birthright. Jeremiah means “God hurls or throws”. Jeremiah hurls himself right into the midst of the suffering and despair of his people and is known as the "weeping prophet." Naomi named her sons Mahlon and Chilion, which mean "Puny" and "Pining." Both died in early adulthood. Solomon means "Peace." He was the first king of Israel who did not go to war. And, of course, Jesus: God saves; Emmanuel: God is with us.
But here we have, because I bore him in pain. What an obstacle to overcome. But Jabez does just that. In verse 10, “Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from hurt and harm!’ And God granted what he asked.”
And you know what happens after that? Neither do I. 1 Chronicles 4 immediately goes back to the genealogies and Jabez is never mentioned again. That is it. Jabez gets two verses stuck in the middle of an extensive genealogy. So what can we learn from these two verses. Plenty! And we will talk about a bunch of it over the next three weeks, but today I want us to focus on two things: is it okay to ask for blessings for ourselves and what is it we are truly asking for when we do.
Bless Me!?!
Some people may be uncomfortable asking for God to bless them; viewing it as selfish or self-centered. But Scripture tells us otherwise. Proverbs 10:22 tells us, “The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth; all our work adds nothing to it”. Blessings are good things, things we cannot do for ourselves, things we can only get from God. So how can we get these things? Jesus says ask. From our first Scripture lesson this morning, Matthew 7:7-8, Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened”. James, Jesus' brother, echos those sentiments in James 4:2, “You do not have because you do not ask.” Asking is what we are called to do. It is what Jabez did and God granted it. God wants to bless you, God created you to bless you, God is eager to bless you. Ask. Ask today, ask tomorrow, and ask everyday from now on. And the way Jabez did it, it is not arrogant because of how he did it.
What Am I Asking for Again?
Jabez was not asking for money or power. He just wanted a blessing from God. He who was born in pain did not ask for specifics. He left it to God to decide the what, when, where, and how. Folks, that is trust. Jabez knew that the God of Israel, of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, knew the best way to use him and the best way to bless him. Jabez understood that by leaving the request open, he was giving God the room to bless him in ways he could not imagine, to unleash miracles that he could not conceive by his own intellect.
Conclusion
We so often want to control God. We want to limit God and tell God what we think God needs to know. But here we have Jabez, he who was born in pain, that places all of his trust and his hope for the future in the hands of God and trusts him. My challenge for all of us is that we have that same kind of trust. We have spoken quite a bit about prayer lately; its importance, benefits, and models we can use. Now we are going into practical application. I encourage you to use these two verses as a reminder to ask God to bless you as God sees fit. Pray this prayer daily and consistently. And then watch what blessings come your way. I think you will be surprised and I know your cup will runneth over.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Bible Challenge 10/03 - 10/09
Greetings All!
This week we get some movement! We finish up Ezekiel, move through Daniel, and begin Hosea.
10/3, Sunday - Ezekiel 39-42
10/4, Monday - Ezekiel 43-46
10/5, Tuesday - Ezekiel 47 - Daniel 2
10/6, Wednesday - Daniel 3-6
10/7, Thursday - Daniel 7-10
10/8, Friday - Daniel 11 - Hosea 2
10/9, Saturday - Hosea 3-6
Read, pray, listen, obey, and be blessed!
This week we get some movement! We finish up Ezekiel, move through Daniel, and begin Hosea.
10/3, Sunday - Ezekiel 39-42
10/4, Monday - Ezekiel 43-46
10/5, Tuesday - Ezekiel 47 - Daniel 2
10/6, Wednesday - Daniel 3-6
10/7, Thursday - Daniel 7-10
10/8, Friday - Daniel 11 - Hosea 2
10/9, Saturday - Hosea 3-6
Read, pray, listen, obey, and be blessed!
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday Fives
Here are a five things that I wanted to bring to your attention.
1. Preaching Series - This week we are beginning a new preaching series based on the Prayer of Jabez. We will spend the next four weeks breaking this two verse prayer apart to look at what it means to ask God: to bless us, to enlarge our territory, to be with us, and keep us from evil. I hope to see all of you there!
2. Pumpkins! – It is quickly approaching that time where our side yard is transformed into a pumpkin wonderland. We are having a workday to get ready for the pumpkins on October 6th at 9am and then our first shipment arrives on October 9th. If you can help us at either time it will be greatly appreciated. By the way it is also a huge amount of fun! Hope to see you there!
3. Bible Study – Have you ever wondered what it is that we as United Methodists believe? Would you like to learn more about our doctrines and traditions? If so, then join me on a five week study as we talk about how we as United Methodists understand:
Whether you have been a United Methodist your entire life or just a few weeks, this study is for you. We will meet on Thursdays at 11am and 7pm in Fellowship Hall. It will run for 5 sessions: October 14, 21, 28 and November 4, 11 and the cost is free!
RSVP by calling the office at 629-5688 or by filling out the form in this week's bulletin and putting it in the offering plate. Hope to see you there!
4. Salty Service - A few months back I asked everyone to consider joining up together in groups to venture out and visit some of the residents in the many assisted living and rehab facilities around our church. There are many people there that get no visitors, and we are so good with fellowship, I see a need and a spiritual gift that can easily be paired up. I wanted to give everyone an update on how this budding ministry is progressing. We have one member that has reached out and has began weekly visits and we have another that is in the process of beginning. We have several contacts at area facilities, all we need is volunteers. Many people make light work. If you are willing to spend just a few hours a month visiting with people and sharing the love of Christ please contact the office and we can help you get connected. Please consider reaching out to the people in our area and let them know we care and in the name of Jesus Christ that they are loved.
5. Flu Shots – Sunday October 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm we will host a flu clinic here at the church. This week's bulletin has all the information as to the type of shots offered, the recommendation for which shot to get, as well as the cost. Be sure to check it out and make sure you get what you need. This is a wonderful ministry and one we are happy to be able to offer.
1. Preaching Series - This week we are beginning a new preaching series based on the Prayer of Jabez. We will spend the next four weeks breaking this two verse prayer apart to look at what it means to ask God: to bless us, to enlarge our territory, to be with us, and keep us from evil. I hope to see all of you there!
2. Pumpkins! – It is quickly approaching that time where our side yard is transformed into a pumpkin wonderland. We are having a workday to get ready for the pumpkins on October 6th at 9am and then our first shipment arrives on October 9th. If you can help us at either time it will be greatly appreciated. By the way it is also a huge amount of fun! Hope to see you there!
3. Bible Study – Have you ever wondered what it is that we as United Methodists believe? Would you like to learn more about our doctrines and traditions? If so, then join me on a five week study as we talk about how we as United Methodists understand:
- God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit
- Salvation and our theology
- our role in society and how we view current issues as a church
- the makeup and organization of the United Methodist Church
Whether you have been a United Methodist your entire life or just a few weeks, this study is for you. We will meet on Thursdays at 11am and 7pm in Fellowship Hall. It will run for 5 sessions: October 14, 21, 28 and November 4, 11 and the cost is free!
RSVP by calling the office at 629-5688 or by filling out the form in this week's bulletin and putting it in the offering plate. Hope to see you there!
4. Salty Service - A few months back I asked everyone to consider joining up together in groups to venture out and visit some of the residents in the many assisted living and rehab facilities around our church. There are many people there that get no visitors, and we are so good with fellowship, I see a need and a spiritual gift that can easily be paired up. I wanted to give everyone an update on how this budding ministry is progressing. We have one member that has reached out and has began weekly visits and we have another that is in the process of beginning. We have several contacts at area facilities, all we need is volunteers. Many people make light work. If you are willing to spend just a few hours a month visiting with people and sharing the love of Christ please contact the office and we can help you get connected. Please consider reaching out to the people in our area and let them know we care and in the name of Jesus Christ that they are loved.
5. Flu Shots – Sunday October 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm we will host a flu clinic here at the church. This week's bulletin has all the information as to the type of shots offered, the recommendation for which shot to get, as well as the cost. Be sure to check it out and make sure you get what you need. This is a wonderful ministry and one we are happy to be able to offer.
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