Mark 4 (kind of)

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Posted by Rich Oster | Posted on 04-09-2006

Category : Bible, Bible Study, Mark

As you have probably heard Steve Irwin Died today. I have to say that I was really shocked at how much the news affected myself and Rach. We are both genuinely really gutted even though we have never met the guy. It could be because he is leaving behind a wife and 2 kids? Maybe because we own the Crocodile Hunter movie and love watching his shows? But I think it�s mainly because he is so passionate about everything he does and about life.

Now I know this is supposed to be a bible study on Mark 4 but as I was reading over the chapter and it really hit me that Jesus could of used Steve as an example instead of the lamp.

Jesus is talking about the Kingdom of Heaven, something that has been talked a lot about on this site. Is it hidden or visible? Well Jesus is saying that it is like a lamp, you wouldn�t hide a lamp you would put it on a stand so that it can light the place up. Now you could say the Kingdom of Heaven is a little bit like Steve Irwin, he wasn�t made to sit behind a desk filing paper work, he was made to live life to the max, to be out in the wild wrestling with huge crocs, making us laugh and do Aussie bloke impersonations. I�m sure I�m getting a little off the point and am in danger of never being asked to do a study again ;) However, I really feel as a Christian and as someone who has access to the greatness of God, I should have a passion for life that is contagious, like Steve.

I think people should be able to look at me and think ââ?¬Å?heââ?¬â?¢s a little crazy but man he loves life.ââ?¬Â

Now obviously we all have different personalities and characteristics but when Jesus is talking about a lamp; that must be you and me? We surely have to shine the love of Jesus on this dark place.

I have just finished reading an excellent book by Rob Bell called Velvet Elvis. There are tonnes of things that really spoke to be while reading it but one of them was the reminder that becoming a Christian isn�t about life after death, but life now.

Often I find myself caught, reminiscing about the past.

Often I can�t stop dreaming about the future and the possibilities.

What about the right now, how am I being a light to my work colleagues? How am I being Jesus to my neighbours? How am I being the best husband I can be? The best friend I can be?

I ask these questions of myself not to feel guilty about the bad job I often do but to get excited about the possibilities a life with God offers. I want to be as excited about Jesus as Steve was about crocodiles; I want to dedicate my life to sharing that passion with the people around me.

I pray that God is with Steve�s family and friends right now and that we can celebrate his life and use it to challenge and inspire us all. Rest in peace, crocs rule!

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X Factor

Posted by Jo Borley | Posted on 30-08-2006

Category : Society, Youth Bible Study

I love it when I know that a new series of the X-Factor is about to begin. I�m not interested in seeing who wins and who�s a great singer or performer. I�m just interested in watching the morons who can�t sing to save their life, but some how think they�re the best. What great entertainment! It makes me feel better about being a terrible singer, because I know I�m a terrible singer, unlike those stupid people who humiliate themselves on public television *smile*

Sounds harsh, doesn�t it? But at the end of the day, that�s what it�s all about. Entertainment!!!

The question I want to ask is why do I find other people�s misfortune and lack of talent funny?

The truth is as I�ve already said, it makes me feel good. Why does it make me feel good? Because I get to feel big. I feel better than those people. Because I�m not good enough to be a potential winner, it makes me feel good to be reminded that there are others in the world that I can think of as below me. How sad!!! But it�s the truth.

Now I�m not talking simply about the X-Factor. I�m not saying it�s wrong to watch the X-Factor. What is wrong is that feeling of joy that we all have experienced at some time when other people fail. This is where the system of popularity comes from. Cool or geek. Why do we do this?

We do this because we all desire to know that we are important, better than others, wanted, liked, loved� The reason we need this is because we are human. However, our identity needs to be found in Jesus, who loves each of us as we are, because God made each of us as we are. Those who fail the X-Factor first audition, those who go on to win and those of us who sit at home and watch.

Christ died for all of us. When God looks at each of us he sees his beautiful children. When we feel that we are better than other people it�s a lie from Satan. Satan wants us to feel this way because it disgusts God and separates us from him.

When we look down on other people we are looking down on Gods children. When we look down on other people we are also saying ââ?¬Å?God youââ?¬â?¢re not enough for me. I need to know that Iââ?¬â?¢m important to other people and Iââ?¬â?¢m willing to separate myself from you to win the approval of human beings.ââ?¬Â Itââ?¬â?¢s very sad and Satan loves this crazy process that so many of us fall into.

So next time we feel tempted to laugh at another person�s misfortune lets stop and thank God for creating that person in his image.

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Zechariah 4: Encouraged to Enquire

Posted by Rob Borley | Posted on 28-08-2006

Category : Bible, Bible Study, Zechariah

Zachariah 4 begins with a lead character being awoken by the same angel who has been delivering the messages thus far. Not giving him a chance the rest he gets straight into the next message.

This is primarily a message of encouragement. Zechariah is being assured that the temple will be finished. But there is a familiar sounding message here to for us post New Testament Christians.

Not by might, not by power but by my Spirit says the Lord.

It’s not human power or ingenuity that will get the job done, just a willingness for those things to be used by God; to allow His spirit to do His thing. It is always worth remembering our place when we have great plans. Our plans and skills are necessary but our willingness to let God work through them is the key.

Our Quest for Knowledge

What really leaped out for me in this passage is Zechariah�s persistent quest for knowledge. When the angel shows a vision Zechariah is not content with just seeing it but he seeks understanding of it too. When question by the angel in a very assuming way he wants to make sure that he has the understanding correct. It gets to the point in verse eleven that Zechariah becomes impatient and asks again for an answer. His persistence pays off and he gets the answers he desires.

Zechariah is not told to go away. He is not told that some things are not for his understanding. He didn’t get the information first time but his persistence did pay off. As any parent will know, God is clearly setting a precedent here. Zachariah is now very aware that if he keeps asking God will give him the answers he seeks.

God does not want us to be ignorant. We are designed to find things out. We are designed to learn. This is evident all around us. Science is the quest for knowledge and far from being at odds with Christianity we need to remember that God invented it. He put within us the desire to learn. He designed us that way and who better to give the answers we seek that the author Himself.

So, do you have a question? Do you not understand what God is doing or where He is taking you? Have you asked Him?

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