Embedded Files
Jesus said,
"I am the way, the truth and the life."
But is that actually how we read it? We get the "truth" part. At least we think we do. It's the bottom line - the content - the information we all need, right? And the life part . . . well, I guess that means something about our lives and Jesus' life. But the "way"?
But what if "the way" is the part we most need to get? What if the "process" is the real point? What if the "truth" and the "life" can only be understood when we understand the "way"? In fact, what if the way actually is "the truth" and the "the life"?
These are some of the questions that Pastor Jon explores as he invites us to continue to think about the implications of what it means to say that Jesus really is enough.
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Psalm 73:25-26 (TNIV)
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
Eugene Peterson in, Under the Unpredictable Plant, describes how things often are in congregational life like this:
The people in our congregations are, in fact, out shopping for idols. They enter our churches with the same mind-set in which they go to the shopping mall, to get something that will please them or satisfy an appetite or need. John Calvin saw the human heart as a relentlessly efficient factory for producing idols. Congregations commonly see the pastor as the quality-control engineer in the factory. The moment we accept the position, though, we defect from our vocation. . . Living in golden calf country as we do, it is both easy and attractive to become a successful pastor like Aaron. Pages 80-81.
Questions for Reflection
Is God really enough for you?
Do you find yourself gravitating more toward the need to get things done (quickly and efficiently of course) than the need to be a certain kind of person?
What do you think about Eugene Peterson's description of the stereo-typical American congregation?
Do tasks tend to take precedence over relationships (not in theory, but in the actually patterns of how we live)?
What sense of longing does all of this stir in you? What do you plan to do about it? When will you begin? Who will you share this with?
Philippians 2:1-11 (TNIV)
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance
as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death —
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him
to the highest place
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth
and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
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