Down2Earth: 11. Having Everything.. and Yet Nothing

Posted by Larry | Posted on 01-12-2008

Category : Bible Study, Down2Earth

I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labour. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (NIV)

I usually make a point of watching/listening/reading the latest news. However, during the last few weeks, I haven’t worried too much about missing the occasional news report since so much of it has been extremely depressing and pessimistic. The dominating theme has been the state of the economy as we’ve seen it go from ‘credit crunch’ to ‘down-turn’ and now into full blown recession. That’s now all resulting in the tragic situation of people losing their jobs and homes.

Unlike arguments about climate change (where some people argue that the changes are, in part, as much a result of natural phenomenon as much as man-made activities), there are no similar arguments as to the causes of the current economic crisis. This is 100% man-made ââ?¬â?? bankers, eager to earn maximum commission, lending money to people who were in no position to pay it back; consumers, eager to take ownership of homes, cars and numerous other material possessions, borrowing amounts of money that was way beyond their means. Get now, pay later has been the dominant philosophy for many years with credit cards being so readily available. At the same time, while not a direct cause of the problems, the level of government borrowing in countries around the world has been eye-watering even before the bank bail-outs and this has set the tone for the rest of society. It was a mathematical certainty that, sooner or later, this bubble was going to burst.

A sad aspect of all this is that even when a person has everything in terms of material wealth, it can still leave a sense of unfulfilment. You only have to consider Solomon, a man known for his extreme wealth as well as his astounding wisdom. He had everything (read the verses that precede the above passage (Ecclesiastes 2:1-9)) he owned houses, vineyards, gardens, water pools, silver, gold, servants etc. Yet, though he could take some satisfaction from a sense of accomplishment, when he reflects on the real value of what he’d achieved, he concluded that it was meaningless and chasing after the wind. There was no real gain and it will ultimately count for nothing before God. I wonder how many of us relate to that feeling;  perhaps in the context of working really hard to keep up a certain standard of living but realising that the real cost comes in terms of stress, ill-health, having no quality time, poor relationships and subsequently not really being able to enjoy the fruit of all that hard work. Many people talk about the feeling of anti-climax at Christmas time once all the presents have been unwrapped and all the food has been eaten. Those material things seem to promise so much but, in reality, deliver so little.

Perhaps a silver lining to the economic clouds will be that people will reflect more on their lifestyles and set some new priorities. Already, many are restricting their spending to things needed rather than things wanted. But when the economy eventually recovers and the feel-good factor returns, will it be back to the cycle of spend and borrow again? My hope would be that during these difficult times, people will rediscover the simple but important things, for example, their health, their family, their friends, their local community etc. And above all, that there’s a spiritual dimension to life which doesn’t depend on owning material possessions. Solomon came to realise that, unlike everything man does that will ultimately come to an end, “..everything God does will endure for ever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it” (Ecclesiastes 3:14).

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Down2Earth: 10. Hardship within Blessing

Posted by Larry | Posted on 26-03-2008

Category : Bible Study, Down2Earth

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And it came to pass after these things that his masterââ?¬â?¢s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, ââ?¬Å?Lie with me.ââ?¬Â But he refused and said to his masterââ?¬â?¢s wife, ââ?¬Å?Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?ââ?¬Â
So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her.
Genesis 39:6b-10 (NKJV)

This could almost be the opening paragraph of a novel. A handsome young man left alone in the house of his boss and then along comes the seductive wife to tempt him into bed. He refuses her advances even though she tries it on day after day. So in her anger and rejection, she conspires to get back at him by making up a story that he tried to assault her and uses a piece of his clothing as evidence against him. Not only does he then get fired from his job but he also ends up spending years in prison for a crime he didn�t commit.

This was the second time that Josephââ?¬â?¢s clothing was used to bring a false report about him (see Gen. 37:31-33). In both cases he had been serving faithfully but ended up in bondage. Thereââ?¬â?¢s no doubt that Godââ?¬â?¢s blessing was on Josephââ?¬â?¢s life but within ââ?¬Ë?the blessingââ?¬â?¢, he had to endure some really difficult times. An example of this was the time he spent in prison which, especially in those times, would have been bleak and harsh. However, weââ?¬â?¢re told that: ââ?¬Â¦he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Josephââ?¬â?¢s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Josephââ?¬â?¢s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper (Gen. 39:20-23).

We sometimes get confused that ââ?¬Ë?blessingââ?¬â?¢ must involve everything going right for us and, conversely, when we hit difficult times, then we must be on the receiving end of punishment or some harsh discipline. The fact is that a look through the lives of numerous characters in the Bible shows very clearly that Godââ?¬â?¢s people often had to endure a great amount of suffering even though they were exactly in the place where He wanted them to be. Following the path of obedience will often result in facing some kind of opposition, if not in a physical way, then at least in the spiritual dimension.

In different parts of the world, thousands of people face daily persecution as a result of their faith and the faithfulness in which they follow God. It�s very sobering to read about very ordinary men and women and the sufferings they endure. I�ve no doubt that they will receive rich rewards when they get to heaven but meanwhile they can be assured how much God�s blessing is on their lives even in the midst of such hardship. Perhaps they can receive at least some small comfort knowing the plight of those in the OT that have gone before them on a similar journey.

Joseph�s life was full of highs and lows but at least his story ends on a high note. We see him reunited with his family who, in an emotional last scene, ask him for forgiveness. He does forgive and reassures them that while they meant evil against him, God meant it for good in order to bring about a greater purpose. Joseph died at the ripe old age of 110.

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Mark 10

Posted by John Roberts | Posted on 31-01-2007

Category : Bible, Bible Study, Mark

Well first of all may I apologise for my lack of postings on Three days over the last few months, with a move from Manchester, settling and finding a new Church and getting used to the politics of living and working in a boarding school things have been a bit manic. All I can say is Wow what a huge chapter to cover in one week, it would be quite easy to write 7 or 8 sermons on this chapter, let alone one single bible study but I shall try my utmost with a brief outline and a few thoughts for the 4 main sections

The first passage is all about marriage.

Mark 10: 1 -12

God doesnââ?¬â?¢t like divorce in fact he Hates it (Malachi 2:16), just the same as he hates any sin, as God can see how destructive sin can be to a person, the good thing is that God doesnââ?¬â?¢t hate the divorced, he loves us all the same. Letââ?¬â?¢s look at Jesusââ?¬â?¢ comments on marriage. The part about ââ?¬Å?a man will leave his father . . . one fleshââ?¬Â is one of the most often repeated verse in the Bible (four times). The Bible is clear and emphatic that Godââ?¬â?¢s design for marriage is between one man and one woman. There is not even a hint that any other combination is desirable. The Bible does have examples of polygamy, but the negative consequences are shown. It is never presented as something beneficial or positive. Remember that the Bible is a thoroughly honest book and a book that even though written over 1000 years ago is still highly relevant to how we live our lives today.

The second passage is about Children and The Kingdom.

(Mark 10: 13-31)

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ââ?¬Å?Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth; anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.ââ?¬Â And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ââ?¬Å?Good teacher,ââ?¬Â he asked, ââ?¬Å?what must I do to inherit eternal life?ââ?¬Â ââ?¬Å?Why do you call me good?ââ?¬Â Jesus answered. ââ?¬Å?No one is goodââ?¬â?except God alone. You know the commandments: ââ?¬Ë?Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.ââ?¬â?¢Ã¢â?¬Â ââ?¬Å?Teacher,ââ?¬Â he declared, ââ?¬Å?all these I have kept since I was a boy.ââ?¬Â Jesus looked at him and loved him. ââ?¬Å?One thing you lack,ââ?¬Â he said. ââ?¬Å?Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.ââ?¬Â At this the manââ?¬â?¢s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ââ?¬Å?How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!ââ?¬Â The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, ââ?¬Å?Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.ââ?¬Â The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ââ?¬Å?Who then can be saved?ââ?¬Â Jesus looked at them and said, ââ?¬Å?With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.ââ?¬Â

Peter said to him, ââ?¬Å?We have left everything to follow you!ââ?¬Â ââ?¬Å?I tell you the truth,ââ?¬Â Jesus replied, ââ?¬Å?no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fieldsââ?¬â?and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.ââ?¬Â

This story of the rich man has many important points. First, it shows that Jesus loved the man but gave him a choice whether to follow or not. Jesus did not run after the man and try to bargain with him, saying, ââ?¬Å?OK, you donââ?¬â?¢t have to sell all your possessions . . . just sell half and weââ?¬â?¢ve got a deal!ââ?¬Â If Jesus didnââ?¬â?¢t make the young man (or the Pharisees) believe, why should we think we could make someone believe? We should share the truth in love (not the pampering kind of love, but the kind that has othersââ?¬â?¢ long term best interests at heart), but whether someone follows Christ is ultimately between them and the Holy Spirit. Our duty is to obey Jesusââ?¬â?¢ command to share the Gospel.

Jesus is not saying you have to sell everything to follow him. He was pointing out to the rich young man that while he thought he was perfectly righteous his real ââ?¬Å?godââ?¬Â was money, not the Lord. Jesus wants us to make him the top priority in life. No one ever regretted trusting in and following Jesus.

The third section is Jesus predicting his own death again & the healing of a blind man

Mark 10: 32 ââ?¬â?? 45

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. ââ?¬Å?We are going up to Jerusalem,ââ?¬Â he said, ââ?¬Å?and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.ââ?¬Â

Jesus repeats this prophecy three times in total but why? Is it because when he is finally released over to the Gentiles the disciples will actually believe everything Jesus said was true?
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. ââ?¬Å?Teacher,ââ?¬Â they said, ââ?¬Å?we want you to do for us whatever we ask.ââ?¬Â ââ?¬Å?What do you want me to do for you?ââ?¬Â he asked. They replied, ââ?¬Å?Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.ââ?¬Â ââ?¬Å?You donââ?¬â?¢t know what you are asking,ââ?¬Â Jesus said. ââ?¬Å?Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?ââ?¬Â ââ?¬Å?We can,ââ?¬Â they answered. Jesus said to them, ââ?¬Å?You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.ââ?¬Â

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, ââ?¬Å?You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.ââ?¬Â

The request of James and John falls into the category of, ââ?¬Å?Be careful what you ask for.ââ?¬Â They thought they were asking for glorious, powerful positions in an earthly kingdom. But despite Jesus repeated warnings that He would be killed, they didnââ?¬â?¢t realize that to be at his ââ?¬Å?rightââ?¬Â and ââ?¬Å?leftââ?¬Â could have meant to be crucified with him.

It continually amazes me that the God of the universe came to earth not ââ?¬Å?to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.ââ?¬Â

The final and fourth section is Jesus� healing of the blind man.

Mark 10: 46-52

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, ââ?¬Å?Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!ââ?¬Â Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, ââ?¬Å?Son of David, have mercy on me!ââ?¬Â Jesus stopped and said, ââ?¬Å?Call him.ââ?¬Â So they called to the blind man, ââ?¬Å?Cheer up! On your feet! Heââ?¬â?¢s calling you.ââ?¬Â Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. ââ?¬Å?What do you want me to do for you?ââ?¬Â Jesus asked him. The blind man said, ââ?¬Å?Rabbi, I want to see.ââ?¬Â ââ?¬Å?Go,ââ?¬Â said Jesus, ââ?¬Å?your faith has healed you.ââ?¬Â Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

I think this final passage brings up some interesting questions about healing and our own faith, when we pray for healing do we really have the faith in that healing or are we asking prayers for the sake of asking prayers, do we need to start showing the same faith as that blind man, a faith that is true and trusting?

Well I have probably asked more questions than I have answered, but I don�t think that is a bad thing, I hope you spend time to start to unpack this huge chapter and get real personal revelation for yourself over the next week.

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