Asbury Church

Jesus’ words emphasize two points. First, Jesus brings a testimony. A good witness knows the subject in a personal way. They have knowledge and experience. They have credibility as a witness, too. Finally, they are willing to testify. A knowledgeable and credible person is not a witness until they speak up, act, and get involved. That is what Christmas is all about—the credible source, God Himself, came to speak into our lives so we might find the best gift ever offered—life, abundant and eternal, in Jesus Christ. We hear many testimonies about various products, people or experiences. It is easy to have “testimony resistance.” Not everyone who had exchanges with Jesus believed His testimony, either. Some say, “There must be a God because the universe is so finely tuned.” Others say, “I see truth, beauty, and goodness, so there must be a God.” Still others say something like, “God was real to my mother, so He must be real.” These responses point toward God but share something else in common—there is no personal relationship with God. Often, the thought of having a personal relationship with the Creator has never entered someone’s mind.

“How can these things be?” Being “born again” was a hard concept for Nicodemus because the Pharisees believed salvation came by keeping the rules. As the quote goes, “I get my religion the old-fashioned way—I earn it.” The term for this is “works-righteousness.” Many believe God will judge us favorably if our good deeds outweigh our bad ones and that we don’t have to be the best, but we just need a passing grade and God will love us. We believe we must establish our own righteousness. Like the Pharisees, our problem is we often think we must save ourselves. It is easy for us to become self-righteous. If we cannot earn salvation, how is it possible? Jesus said what is impossible with people is not impossible with God (Mark 10:27). Jesus reminded Nicodemus of Moses’ plan with the bronze serpent, Nehushtan, in the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites. Poisonous snakes began to bite the Israelites when they bitterly complained about their mistreatment. They had to look upon the bronze serpent to be healed (saved) of a snakebite. They dragged Nehushtan around for nearly 1,000 years and worshipped it as an idol. King Hezekiah finally destroyed it. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that He will be lifted up on the cross like Nehushtan. All who look upon Him (trust Him) will be saved. Like Nehushtan in the wilderness, Jesus will remove the sting of death from all who will look upon Him. He offers the best life ever— here, now and forever. - Pastor Tom Harrison

The Pharisees were conservative and traditional men who tried to live out how the scribes interpreted the Torah. Nicodemus was also a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling Jewish council. They were deadly serious about their piety. That could be a good thing, or not. Jesus told Nicodemus his accomplishments didn’t matter. To know God, he would have to start over. He would have to be born again. It seems we usually go the way of the prodigal son (outward sin, Romans 1:18-32) or the way of the elder brother (Romans 2:1ff). We sin with the flesh or with the spirit (actually, both). Many Pharisees became Jesus’ enemies. They didn’t like Him breaking the Sabbath and all the rules they strived to keep. They tended to be tough, judgmental, intolerant and proud of their own righteousness. But Jesus did not label people. He called individuals by name. This man was more than just a Pharisee; he was Nicodemus. Jesus was always searching for people to give them light and new life. Followers of Jesus get to have two birthdays: First, we are born of the flesh. Second, we are born of the Spirit. To enter the kingdom of God, we need birth (flesh) and rebirth (the Spirit). To be born of the Spirit is to say “yes” to Jesus and to His gift of life. - Pastor Tom Harrison

Life is more than winning. Alexander the Great supposedly wept when there were no more worlds for him to conquer. We are “more than conquerors.” Jesus more than defeated His enemies; He was exalted to the highest place of honor and is now seated at the Father’s right hand. When we choose to align ourselves with Jesus, we align ourselves with the greatest power that exists. All the promises of God find their “yes” in Jesus. He is more than everything we need. Review chapter 8 by completing the three-column list in the back of this journal of what God has done and what we receive. For example, in verse 2, it says God has set us free from the law of sin and death. That is a definite act of God. Our benefit is found in verse 1, where it says we no longer live with condemnation. We did not do this ourselves; it is the gift of God. However, we must receive and apply the gift. I counted 16 ways our Benefactor acted on our behalf. I counted 25 benefits. When I looked at my two columns, the obvious question was: “Who in their right mind wouldn’t want benefits like these: life, peace, freedom, no condemnation, adoption as children, etc.?” What God has done for us in Jesus is stunning. I cannot imagine why anyone would not want the Lord in their lives. Two possible explanations: Either they have not heard and understood this gift because we have not communicated the “Good News” in a winsome way; or they have a mind so completely set upon the flesh that they cannot comprehend how wonderful this gift really is.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” I don’t know what you’re up against, but we should never forget this verse. Memorize it. Internalize it. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This has been a political week. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” We’ve had cultural tensions. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Our health has been challenged. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Finances break down. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Relationships end through distance, divorce or death. “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Resolving the “IF” question is essential. That is the point of the incarnation – Jesus became human so we could know God is with us and for us. That is the point of His teaching – so we could know how to follow Him. That is the point of the Resurrection. He overcame everything, including death, so we could know Him in His triumph. That is the point of giving the Holy Spirit and the creation of the Church. EVERYTHING is different. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” The best news is, that God IS for us. What an incredible gift.

- Pastor Tom Harrison

Our text this week is amazing. We could do an entire series on these five verses. Many believers cling to verse 28 in particular, “All things work together for good.” That’s essential. It can be hard to believe that such awful things can happen. I can tell stories about some. I’m sure you can, too.

The key to a productive Christian life is the Holy Spirit. He helps us in our weakness. He prays for us with incredible depth. He searches our hearts and produces the mind of Christ within us. He transforms and conforms us into a follower of Jesus. He helps us live into the center of God’s will. He calls us in accordance with His purpose.

Our favorite part of verse 28, “All things work together for good,” is sandwiched between two other clauses: FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD and FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE. To win, I must be on the right (“winning”) team. If I choose not to be on that team, those promises (“all things work together for good”) may not apply. Remember WHO is in charge: God. Remember He justifies us through our faith.

- Pastor Tom Harrison

Suffering is part of life. The sooner we grasp this, the better. I recoil when I hear Christians accuse someone of being deficient in faith because they are not living with physical health and material abundance. We are so ignorant about the causes of suffering (Job 2, the blind man in John 9, Paul, etc.) that we must be careful not to tell more than we know. The idea of physical and material abundance bestowed on believers is rooted in the Old Testament when the concept of heaven was vague and not well-developed. The Old Testament was more existential – enjoy life “here and now” rather than the great benefit to come later. Heaven became THE destination when Jesus described it. Christians around the world celebrate “All Saints Day” on November 1. A “saint” in the Bible refers to anyone who is a follower of Jesus. We can learn from studying the biographies of Christians who have been especially holy or effective in ministry. Two things all saints have in common – they have suffered and when they die, they go to live forever in the glory of God. I am grateful for the example of the saints I’ve known in ministry in the churches I’ve served, including Asbury. It is always appropriate on “All Saints Day” to reflect upon their examples and influence. - Pastor Tom Harrison

Our readings this week include how Jesus was on mission to find the lost. He described three lost things – a sheep, a coin and a son. We experience anxiety, fear, frustration, disappointment and sadness when something or someone is lost. In particular, the story of the “Prodigal Son” creates a yearning for reunion. The son became a slave to his passions and emotions—what Romans 8:13 describes as living according to the flesh. He was as good as dead. He finally came to his senses and returned home where his father joyfully embraced him. We miss the point if we focus solely on the two boys in the story rather than the father. It really could be called, “The Prodigal Father” because a synonym of “prodigal” is “extravagant.” “Abba Father” is prodigious in His love, acceptance and forgiveness of us, His sons and daughters. It is terrible to be lost. It is wonderful to be found. Redemption is the theme of the Bible. From Genesis 3 to Revelation 22, God is seeking His lost and wayward children. Once found, He gives us His Spirit to enable us to live in a completely new way. We are never more Christ-like then when we are Helping Others Follow Jesus. - Pastor Tom Harrison

I had a professor who often said, “A text without a context is a pretext.” Failure to know what goes before and what comes after our current experience is often misleading. Context is everything. Paul’s conclusion in chapter 7 is bleak: “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (7:24) “Wretched” means “worthless, despicable, inadequate, shameful, vile, miserable, inferior and heartbroken.” John Newton used this word to describe himself in the hymn, “Amazing Grace,” “that saved a wretch like me.” Paul sounds like he is tormented by condemnation. “Sin, death, flesh and hostile to God” are not places we want to be. The law is good but is powerless to redeem. Paul suddenly made a profound shift in chapter 8. His “get out of jail free card” was based on the merits of Jesus Christ. No longer was he condemned. Continuing Newton’s song, “I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” Paul had a comprehensive view when it comes to “no condemnation.” Through God’s mercy, our poisoned cup of sin has been poured out and refilled with grace and the Holy Spirit. Paul mentioned the Holy Spirit only four times in the first seven chapters of Romans. In chapter 8 he references the Holy Spirit 27 times. The Holy Spirit appears more times in this chapter than in any other chapter in the entire Bible. - Pastor Tom Harrison

Our series on resilience begins and ends with a spiritual response. Here are four ways we can develop spiritual affections:

1. Genesis 1-2 describes our good and benevolent Creator. We must always start with God’s love. John 3:16, is the most cherished Bible verse because it begins with God’s love for the world He created.

2. When sin entered the world, it spread like a virus to all. Matthew’s Gospel quotes John the Baptist’s first word as “repent.” To repent is to admit we are stained by sin and we must make a U-turn and go in a new direction. Repentance is not a one-and-done thing. To develop our affections for God is a constant and vigilant realignment with the Lord.

3. Our Lord’s Prayer acknowledges not only are we forgiven but we must forgive others, too. A lack of forgiveness hinders resilience. Bitterness keeps us stuck in anger, depression, isolation and selfpity. It is toxic.

4. Generosity builds resilience. Being strong means learning to give to God and to others. Generosity must be learned. “Jesus, the Generous” gave us Himself. He is our helper, teacher, comforter, counselor, friend and advocate. He takes our anxiety and fear and gives us peace. The Holy Spirit is the empowering agent for a follower of Jesus.