Amy J. Bennett

Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life

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Sunday Highlights: Outlaws: Honor Your Father and Mother

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I KNOW this is late.  Believe me, I know.  But I can’t seem to get past any other blog posts until I type this one up.

To be honest, I thought this sermon was going to be quite unrelated to me.  I’m not a child at home and I don’t have an issue with honoring my parents.  I ended up taking lots of notes though as it was directed towards parents and children alike.

Text is Exodus 20:12

* My heart toward my parents is important to God, my home and my community.  Strong families build strong communities, regions and nations.

Honor means to give weight to a relationship.  In Biblical times, value was determined largely by weight.  We should value the parent-child relationship.

Good parenting is not the easy thing to do.  It’s easiest to be popular and do things outside the home but most important inside the home.

Speaking to teenagers…it’s easier to be with people who don’t question us, think like us, dress like us.  Teenagers change tribes as their hearts turn away from their parents.  The parent’s lifespan goes from God, Hero, Friend to Idiot.  But it’s hard on teenagers.  Suddenly they have to make decisions without their parents input.  God put a chain of command to put wisdom in their lives and put order to the family.

Deut. 1 talks about the community having the ability to stone a rebellious, drunkard child.  It was treated like a capital offense.  The phrase live long in Exodus was literal.  If you were not a rebellious child, you would live longer.

Deut. 6 says to listen to your parents.  They are responsible for speaking God’s word.

There are 3 things parents are responsible for that can be likened to a traffic light:

  • Red – protection.  They are there to give rules to protect.
  • Yellow – correction.  They are there to say watch out, you need to make a change before you get hurt.
  • Green – affirmation.  Tell them they are on the right path.

Rebellious spirit is likened to the sin of witchcraft.  In Biblical times, parents could do what they wanted to their children so when Christ came and taught Ephesians 6:1-4, it was eye-opening.  Yes, you are responsible as a parent for not provoking your child to anger.

Take-aways:

  1. Make a ruthless inventory in your roles.  For me, daughter, wife and mother.  What is the next step for you?  Conversation?  Attitude change? Forgiveness?
  2. What’s the rebellion in your heart that Christ needs to capture?

Grace is the key to forgiving and healing homes.

 

What I love about this is I have a few things bombarding me in my quiet time…doing the hard things in life (ohAmanda has been hitting the nail on the head) and as I read the Five Love Languages for Children, I’m struck by how much effort and attention good parenting really takes. This was just another umph to take next steps to be a better parent.

Sunday Highlights: Outlaws: 2nd and 3rd commandments

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Today’s sermon was about the 2nd and 3rd commandments.  You shall have no other idols before me and do not take the Lord’s name in vain found in Exodus 20:4-7

God has always used people to show who He is.

The God you elevate with your mind and speech is the God people will see

We like to elevate things that are just above us: celebrity, power, ghosts, horoscopes, athletes, the cross, the Bible (paper and ink, not the message). There is nothing like Him so treat Him like nothing else.

God’s name is significant.  If you love Him, your speech will reflect that.  In the same way, Matthew says some will say Lord, Lord but He doesn’t know them.  They say one thing but their heart says another.  Our love of Him should come out of our heart and into our mouths.  The issue is hypocrisy.  How do we show who God is?  If you value Him so much, your words should reflect it.  We are priests and communicate who God is.  What name do you drop and what do people see?

Sunday Highlights: Outlaws: No Reason to Run

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Today was an introductory sermon for a series on the Ten Commandments.  He began by asking the question what is the purpose of the 10 commandments?

Some feel as if He’s setting us up for failure so why try?

Exodus 20:1-2 – God makes it clear that these commands are for His people NOT “I’m God and this is how I can be your God”.  The 10 Commandments show us our sin.  We can not ever meet these laws and it’s even worse when Jesus came along (i.e. murder is in your heart, not just an action).  It can feel like a hopeless situation and there’s no point on trying.  But..

There is no reason to run from God.

The purpose is to show people their sin and show how holy He is.  Shows us that not only do we need a Deliverer but a Redeemer. 

It’s not a condition but a confirmation!  If you are His, this is how you will look NOT act like this so you will be His.

Purpose is not to run from Him but to Him.  Laws are simply preparing us for our own exodus when we realize we need delivery from our own spiritual slavery.

I have to say this turned the law a bit on its head for me.  It’s so easy to be legalistic but God shows us what holiness looks like simply to show us how much we need Him.  He knows we can’t meet them and He’s not expecting us to be able to follow these rules but He does want to lay out what holiness is so we will see our need for Him.  He wants us to follow Him not rules, however obedience in our thoughts and actions will follow.

Glee, Could You Use Me?

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OK, I’m going to have to rant.  And I’m not really sure who this rant is directed toward…left-wing media or Christians.  Maybe both.

I took up watching Glee late in the season because people kept raving about it and I couldn’t be left out.  There are some mad talented people on there but yes, they aren’t shy about homosexuality.  There are no apologies.  But they are realistic about the struggles Kurt, the gay character faces from other male peers who obviously don’t agree with it.  I have no qualms in saying I don’t agree with homosexuality.  It’s no secret.  But I also can’t handle people being cruel to others for that. 

The other week on Glee, Finn, a very non-gay character that Kurt likes, began acting homophobic and went on a rant and ended up using derogatory names against Kurt and then Kurt’s dad went on to give Finn the “don’t talk to my gay son like that, you homophobic prick” speech.  The thing that infuriated me is that they make it seem like anyone that is against homosexuality is cruel and small-minded.  Look, I don’t agree with it.  But I’m not going to boast it up either.  I’m also not going to call names or make fun of them or beat them over their heads with a Bible.  Why would I expect someone who is not a Christian to act like it?  That’s their business.  And I resent Glee for furthering that depiction of conservatives.  Yes those people are out there but does that mean every single conservative on TV has to be depicted as cruel and hateful towards homosexuals?

And THEN.  Glee says they are now going to cast a Christian girl next season to represent conservative girls because if they’re going to be diverse, they have to cover that.  So yes, kudos to them for that.  But do you know what her main storyline is going to be?  To have an issue with Kurt and his homosexuality and protest the sexuality of the opposing choir’s dances.  Do people not see that Christians are something other than judgmental pricks??  I mean COME ON.  That’s what’s going to represent us?

How about they talk someone who like millions others are transformed because of Christ?

Or how Christ helps you forgive when everyone spits in your face?

Or the thousands of Christian volunteers that feed the homeless?

Or all the people that stepped in to help the flood victims in Nashville?

Or the Christian that gives their last dollar to help an orphan across the world?

Or the Christian family that brings in an orphan?

Or the Christian that risks their lives to rescue earthquake victims?

Or the Christian that pays for someone’s meal behind them just to be nice?

Why can’t she be represented as one of those caring, patient, sacrificing, grace-filled, loving people?  

You know why I think? 

Part of it yes, Christians will always be misunderstood and hated.  And yes, most media is left-wing and just as closed-minded about Christians as they accuse us of being about them.  But I also think it’s because Christians aren’t acting like Christians.  The only thing they (we) can be loud about is what everyone is doing wrong (I realize the irony of this post).  Or what politician they agree with.  Or why Glenn Beck is right.  For goodness sakes, people, can we not give them a loud and clear reason to represent us well??

I wrote this early this morning.  It actually had me in tears, mainly because I have PMS but a lot because I’m very frustrated in general of people’s view of Christians.  But I think a lot of my frustration is also directed internally.  I have to remember the only person I have control over is me.  So I’m taking a hard look at myself and asking this question:

Could the Glee writers use my life as a good example of a Christian to write this character?

Ouch indeed.

Sunday Highlights: Grow: Providential Relationships

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Luke 1:1-4 describes several critical relationships

1 – Relationship with Jesus

We know it’s critical but is it really or are we playing church?

You don’t need to be something you just need to be passionate.  We aren’t moving forward because of lack of knowledge or position but lack of passion.  We all have something we are invested in (couponing, baseball, video games).   We need to be that passionate about growing in Christ.

2 – Relationship with mentor or coach

You need someone ahead of you to pull you along.  Luke had Paul.  He saw what he was doing.

Pursue someone.  It’s not just going to happen.

3 – Relationship with a weaker brother

Luke takes the time to pull Theophilus forward.

If you have a transformation story, care enough for others to share it.

Are you leveraging everything for others to know Jesus or just you?

Book Review: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

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1249869129-51wwvzfh35l I don’t know how I missed out on reading C.S. Lewis my whole life.  I feel really, really behind in posting this but I must.  I am hoping there are others that are not familiar with him and his books in introducing him a bit.  He lived in England until the 1960s as an author and faculty member at Oxford and considered himself an atheist until his early 30s.  You will probably recognize The Chronicles of Narnia before you recognize any of his other works.

I had often seen and liked quotes from C.S. Lewis on Twitter, Facebook and even in other books so when Pioneer Woman had it on her recommended list at Joseph Beth’s during her signing, it seemed like the right thing to buy it.

I can’t begin to tell you how much I liked this book.  Lewis is witty and plain-spoken and easy to understand and even funny.  In a nutshell it is a Christian theology book walking the reader from understanding that there is higher power all the way to talking about a new life in Christ.  He talks about prayer and divorce and drinking and war and so many things that I think Christians mull over.  He seems to have a way of explaining them I think the way Christ would (and did).  He uses many metaphors and stories to explain his point in a way that turns on a light to the truth.  In some cases he has no answers and has no problem with admitting that and relying on faith to answer them one day.  He doesn’t push his point on the reader but simply offers them as a help and even suggests that they be thrown aside if they do not.

I particularly liked the chapter about Time.  If you read my two posts on Prayer and Predestination you will know why it meant so much.  In it, it seems we asked the same question and then he chooses as well to use a book to answer.  It was like this confirmation for me that I wasn’t off my rocker in my answer to my own question and I wanted to say, hey, we must be talking to the same God!  It was a very uplifting moment finishing the chapter.  I wanted to give a high-five to Lewis knowing all the while that God was and is the one that had revealed these answers to us.  He is so faithful to us with inquiring minds.

This book certainly goes down in my Top 10 favorite books of all time and I’m looking forward to reading more of his works.

So there, I am at least caught up to 1960.

Sunday Highlights: Grow: Practical Teaching

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Chris started out talking about practice for a game vs. the actual game.  It was funny and about NFL player interviews and I can’t really do it justice but he used it as a segway to say practice IS the game.  When God speaks, we listen and put it into practice.

Matthew 7:15  This is very practical teaching in Sermon on the Mount.  v24 says we hear AND act.

Big thing: Trust works

1 – Trust works in you

Trust that He will work in you and He will show you what needs changed or what needs done

2 – Put Trust in Practice

What He’s showing you, do it regardless if it makes sense.

3 – Trust works

The outcome may be different that what we thought but it works. 

Read Scripture, listen and put what He is saying into practice.  Be sure to write response steps down during your quiet time.

In corporate worship, go with eager expectation that God will show up.

Sunday Highlights: Grow: Big Trust

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This kicks off a new series Grow.  Today’s sermon can not be done justice in a few notes.  I hope it simply inspires you to listen to the podcast.  It truly can be life-changing.  I’m so excited about the next few weeks as Chris unpacks these ideas.

We often think maturity is an increase of knowledge or obedience but it is an increase in faith/trust.

Matthew 8:10 Jesus is astonished/amazed at the centurion.  Only time in Scripture that is used in a positive light towards another person.  The man had great faith.

One thing: It is not what you know or what you do, but who you trust that counts.

Are you trying to impress God or are you trusting God?  In one camp, some believe the more we know about God and the Bible, the more we impress God.  In another, we have a servant mentality: the more we serve, the more God is impressed. 

Adam and Eve failed not because of disobedience but because of lack of trust.  When trust is broken, sin soon follows.  God is trying to redeem His people – to get them to trust Him again.  Trust broke the relationship but trust also reunites it.

If we only grow in our knowledge, we become prideful and arrogant.  If we only grow in our obedience, we become judgmental and legalistic.

God is at work building our faith in 5 ways.

  1. Practical teaching.  Points out where we are and where we need to be.
  2. Providential relationships.  He places you around people to validate and encourage and for a purpose.
  3. Private disciplines.  We need alone time to point our hearts towards God
  4. Pivotal circumstances.  Will a bad circumstance only be bad or will it be pivotal?
  5. Personal ministry. Enables us to experience Him and trust Him again.

Check out the podcast this week at http://www.northrockhill.com