Wisdom-Trek ©

Putnam Church Message – 03/24/2024

Today, we continue our five-week Lenten series ending on Resurrection Sunday, March 31st. Today, our message is “He Comes, Riding on a Donkey.”

Our Scripture passage for today is John 12:12-19.

see, your king is coming,

seated on a donkey’s colt.”

Ticker-tape parades are not as common today as they once were. There was a time when our country honored our heroes and heroines with colossal spectacles. Celebrities would ride in a convertible down massive canyons of steel and glass. Bands played rousing Sousa marches. Young ladies tossed batons and swirled pom-poms. Tons of confetti, streamers, balloons, and ticker tape cascaded upon them. Everybody was there. It was a time of great excitement. Let us climb into the Way Back Machine and travel 2025 years back to the heart of Jerusalem and watch the most significant parade in the history of humankind.

A mass of humanity was present. Perhaps as many as 2.5 million people crowded the narrow streets converging on the holy city of Jerusalem at Passover. From a distance, there came a noise - a kind of rhythmic, staccato chant that wafted in . . . now louder . . . and louder . . . from the southern gate of the city. People stopped talking to each other and turned their faces and their ears toward the sound. A recurring word could be heard: Hosanna. Hosanna. Hosanna. It was more like a cheer than a chant.

As the procession approached, people began to see the dust rising from shuffling feet. Men pushed and shoved to get closer to the street. The Hosanna's got louder and louder, reverberating against stonewalls.

A man came running ahead of the procession. He was saying something the people had to strain to hear: “Jesus of Nazareth is coming! The Prophet is coming! The man who raises the dead is coming! Hurry, Jesus is coming!”

The crowd began to inch closer and closer to the street. Dads hoisted their children to their shoulders. Teenagers climbed trees lining the streets for an unhindered view. Everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of this strange prophet they had heard about.

What they saw was strange - or, at least, totally unexpected. Jesus moved serenely on the back of a small white donkey, much like a man riding in a convertible. Jesus, the honored celebrity, was the center of attention, the eye of the hurricane. Around him, chaos, but in him, calmness. Rather than the sound of confetti and streamers ruffling the air, one could hear the slashing and whooshing of palm fronds as they were placed in front of the donkey's hooves. Other parade watchers took off their coats and cloaks and spread them before Jesus, much like a red carpet being rolled out for royalty. The coats made a mosaic of color. It was an incredible scene. I would have loved to have been there for that gala event, but I wouldn't have wanted to be the street sweeper.

You see, all segments of humanity were at the Palm Sunday procession for Jesus that day. Do you know how I know? I know by what was left on the streets. You can tell a lot about people by what they leave behind.

The innocent passers-by had never seen Jesus before and did not recognize him now, but they found themselves caught up in the procession. Many were travelers and pilgrims with their burlap bags in Jerusalem for Passover. Perhaps, they had come early that morning to the marketplace to shop. Or maybe they had planned a family outing to picnic on the Mount of Olives. They knew nothing of what was to come. They were at the right place at the right time. They simply got caught up in the historical moment.

Let me share this story I recently read. Several years ago, a family vacationed in Florida near Cape Canaveral while NASA was still using the space shuttle to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station. One daughter loved the space and rocket museums, and the family loved the NASA tour. After several days on the beach, they welcomed the change of pace.

The family departed early, anticipating arriving at the NASA visitor's center when it opened. When they turned off of I-95 onto State Road 528 and headed toward the Cape, they found themselves in bumper-to-bumper traffic. The last time they visited NASA, it was a breeze. On this day, it was different, "There must be a lot of people going to visit the space flight center, the father mentioned." They inched and crawled along for over an hour, wondering why so many people were going to the space center on that particular day.

As they slowly moved closer and closer, they noticed that many people were parking on the side of the road. Some were getting out of their cars. Still, others had spread blankets out on grassy knolls with blankets and picnic baskets. Others had cameras hanging from their necks. A few cradled binoculars. And then, in unison, it hit them. A shuttle launch must be scheduled that day. They asked someone, and he confirmed their suspicions. It was 9:53 a.m. At 10:00 a.m., the space shuttle was scheduled to be lifted off. So they pulled the car off to the side of the road and got out of the car. They watched as the shuttle majestically jettisoned into the heavens.

Like this family's serendipitous experience with the shuttle, many early pilgrims in Jerusalem for Passover were uninformed. They were innocent bystanders, caught up in the moment. They had not planned for this event. They just happened to be present when the parade came by.

The family in our story that summer day traveling to Cape Canaveral were unexpectedly surprised by the chance of seeing the space shuttle blast off into outer space. In the same manner, the uninformed people who were in Jerusalem that day were glad that their paths crossed Jesus' path. They were awed by the majesty of the moment. It was more than the crowds, the chanting, and the chaos. It was the man at the center of it all. It was The Christ. They see in Jesus the look of wonder, the countenance of compassion, the face of a friend. They are enthralled by his determined pace and his purposeful steps. And at that moment, they want what he has.

Far too long, they have wandered aimlessly and traveled meaninglessly. Now, they see what they have sought in the man on the donkey. They are caught unawares. And in an instant, they are changed. They drop their bags their few possessions therein, and follow Jesus.

The poor tagged alongside the Lord wherever he went. At the parade, it was the penniless who sang out Hosanna the loudest. They loved Jesus. And why not? Jesus had given them the one thing the world would never grant them - hope. The hope of a better today is studded with forgiveness, grace, and mercy. The hope of a brighter tomorrow is filled with an eternal home waiting for them.

That's what the poor of Jesus' day felt. They were outcast by their society, downtrodden by the wealthy, and despised by the ruling class. So when Jesus entered the city riding a donkey, a symbol of the lower class, they identified with him. The poor blanketed the road with their robes and coats to honor his gift of hope to them, even though they did not have a robe to spare.

They realized that one couldn't save themselves on their own merit. In lowering their worn and tattered cloaks to the ground, they humbled themselves, becoming poor in spirit, to reap the rewards of heavenly merit. They declared themselves spiritually bankrupt. Their pockets were emptied. Their options were gone. They stopped demanding justice; they begged for mercy. Only then, could they have the hope of salvation.

On the road to Jerusalem that day, the poor found hope, life, and all the riches of heaven.

The political class was present, too - the Zealots, who were hired Jewish Mercenaries. They were incited. "Despicable Romans," they thought. They despised the arrogance of the ruling Roman government. They hated their pagan practices and beliefs, their gods and goddesses, and their debauchery. They had a look of rage, like one preparing for battle. They carried sharp, razor-like daggers in their belts. And, if given a chance, they would slip behind a Roman and slice their throat, and disappear before anyone realized what had happened or who had completed the dastardly deed. They were the original terrorists.

The Zealots saw in Jesus the fulfillment of their desire to be free from tyranny. They saw Jesus, as a liberator whom they believed would lead them in a fight for freedom against occupiers and dominators. Jesus would be their conquering king, their ruling monarch. So they welcomed Jesus with palm fronds - an open invitation for him to be the restorer and ruler of Israel. They were ready to do battle, and with a single word from Jesus, they would have fought to the death against the hated Romans. They wanted to Make Israel Great Again!

But something that bothered these Zealots was that Jesus was riding a donkey. A conquering king would ride a stallion - a symbol of victory, not a donkey - a symbol of peace. Jesus was offering peace. They wanted war. These folks wanted a revolution, not redemption. They desired deliverance from the hated Romans, not freedom from sin. The orders never came, but instead, the realization that their destructive ways had not prompted the desired changes they sought. In an instant, they pulled their knives from their belt, falling from their hands to the hardened, packed dirt street below. They entered the procession behind Jesus. They were ready to fight, but not a war of hatred and violence, but a battle for love and peaceful nonviolence.

The powerful Pharisees stood back with their ever-watchful eyes glaring at Jesus. They were the narrow-minded, prejudiced, intolerant religious folks with their noses stuck in the air. |Jesus, by and large, throughout his ministry, avoided large crowds whenever he could. |He refused to take other contemporary leaders' dominant, power-orientated stance. But on this day, he put on the symbols of the Old Testament prophetic utterances. |By his posture and bearing, he declared in no uncertain terms, “I am the King.” He even picked the day - The Feast of the Unleavened Bread that celebrated the Jews deliverance from bondage in Egypt and marked the beginning of the wheat harvest. The exposure was evident.

Only one problem: He picked the day not so much to gain the crowd's admiration but to force the issue of his whole reason for coming to earth. His triumphant entry into Jerusalem sealed his doom. It was the catalytic agent that aroused the anger of the religious establishment to a frenzy, setting the stage for the most significant event in human history.

The Pharisees knew what Jesus was doing. That's why they commanded Jesus to tell his disciples to stop calling him a king in Luke 19:39. But Jesus' voice pierced the air and said in Luke 19:40, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” The stones were the size of baseballs - the very stones the Pharisees carried in their hands. The stones they used to stone people who did not keep the law or adhere to their doctrine. The rocks they caressed were the ones with which they wanted to stone Jesus, but didn't have the guts. The rocks they loved to hurl at anyone in whom they found fault.

Along the road were some stones. They were abandoned along the road Jesus traveled. These stones were not thrown at Jesus, though they were brought to the parade for that purpose. These stones had fallen gently from a few of the Pharisees as the message of Jesus pierced their hearts. They dropped their stones to follow Jesus. The stones cry out the power of Christ to change a life.

Dotted throughout the crowd in Jerusalem that day were people passionate about Jesus because of what he had done for them. For good reason, they cheered and screamed their praises. On one side was Bartimaeus, the blind man Jesus healed just last week at Jericho. He had no need of his dirty gauze patch. And ahead was the man who was lame for 38 years and lay by the Sheep Pool in Jerusalem, waiting for an angel to heal him. Then Jesus came. Because of Jesus' touch and wonder-working power, the formerly lame man had no need of his wooden crutches. And over there was the man with a withered hand, until Jesus came along and touched him. Now, he had no need of his bloody and puss-filled bandages. And yonder was Lazarus, tears of joy streaming down his face, because he was dead and now is alive. And beside him are Mary and Martha, friends of Jesus. No wonder they cry, dance, shout, sing, smile, and laugh.

The One who rides on the donkey before them is the Healer, the miracle worker. Their lives have been transformed forever. They cannot contain their joy, their excitement.

Have you felt the healing touch of Jesus? Has the wonder-working power of Jesus changed your life? If you have, you know what Bartimaeus felt, what the crippled man felt, and what the wounded man felt. If you have, by entrusting your life to Jesus, received the gift of eternal life, you know what Lazarus felt. For you, too, were dead and now are alive.

Hurry! The parade is coming. Hurry! You and I have a chance to be in the parade. Hurry! He who came as a man, who overcame death, who can heal the broken, restore sight to the blind, and raise the dead is on his way.

The church is the continuing procession. The parade that started just outside of Jerusalem continues to march throughout history, as the church does. You and I are a part of the parade. We meet Jesus each week. He is present now.

Jesus will take our coats, our palm branches, our daggers, our rocks. He wants our crutches, our bandages, and our patches. He'll take the brokenness of your life and put it back together again. He'll take the trash of your sin and make you clean and pure. He'll take your spiritual poverty and make you eternally rich. He'll take your lifeless today and give you a resurrected tomorrow. He is the hope of the world, and the hope of your life.

What will you give Jesus today? He is passing by. He is looking your way. Will you look him in the eye, take him by the hand, and make him your King and Lord?

Next week is Ressurection Sunday, and our focus will be on He Is Risen! in a message titled “Blessed Are You Who Have Not Seen, and Yet Believe.” Please read John 20:19-31.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2348 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll delve into Proverbs 31:1-9 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, we encounter the teachings of King Lemuel’s mother, who imparts wisdom concerning leadership, self-control, and justice.

Let’s dive into the rich wisdom found in Proverbs 31.

These verses convey the importance of avoiding distractions and maintaining self-control, especially in matters of relationships and leadership.

What can we glean from King Lemuel’s mother’s teachings?

Recognize the potential dangers of indulgence and distraction. Preserve your strength and focus for worthy pursuits, avoiding entanglements that may lead to ruin, especially in relationships and leadership roles.

Now, let’s explore verses 4-5.

These verses emphasize the importance of sobriety and sound judgment, particularly for those in positions of authority.

Practice moderation and restraint, especially in matters of consumption. Avoid excessive indulgence in alcohol or other substances that impair judgment and hinder the administration of justice. Maintain clarity of mind to fulfill your responsibilities effectively and uphold justice for the oppressed.

Lastly, let’s consider verses 6-9.

These verses underscore the importance of advocating for the marginalized and upholding justice, while also admonishing against rebellion and disobedience.

How can we apply these teachings to our lives?

Stand up for the rights of the oppressed and vulnerable in society, using your voice and influence to ensure fairness and equity. Cultivate a healthy fear of God and respect for authority, avoiding associations with those who promote rebellion and disobedience. Recognize that divine and earthly consequences await those who defy God’s laws and the authority of rulers.

And there you have it, my fellow trekkers, insights from Proverbs 31:1-9. These verses provide valuable guidance on leadership, self-control, and justice, as imparted by King Lemuel’s wise mother.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, let’s remember to apply these timeless principles in our daily lives. Until next time, keep seeking wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2347 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll be exploring Proverbs 30:17-23 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, we encounter vivid imagery and thought-provoking observations on the consequences of disrespect, the mysteries of life, and the instability of certain situations.

Let’s delve into the rich tapestry of wisdom found in Proverbs 30.

These verses serve as a stern warning against disrespect towards parents and introduce Agur’s reflections on life’s mysteries.

What profound insights can we glean from these verses?

Recognize the importance of honoring and respecting parental authority. Avoid mocking or despising parental instructions, as it leads to grave consequences. Embrace humility and obedience by valuing parental guidance and instruction.

Moving on to verses 19-20.

These verses delve into Agur’s reflections on the mysteries of life, drawing parallels between natural phenomena and human emotions.

What profound insights can we derive from Agur’s reflections?

Reflect on the marvels of creation and the complexities of human relationships. Consider the grace and power of an eagle in flight, the agility and stealth of a snake on a rock, the resilience and direction of a ship on the sea, and the depth and passion of love between a man and a woman.

And now, let’s explore verses 21-23.

These verses highlight situations that destabilize and challenge the order of society.

What insights can we glean from these observations?

Recognize Instability: Acknowledge the disruptive nature of certain scenarios, such as unexpected promotions, the success of the foolish, the resolution of bitterness, and the reversal of roles in hierarchical structures. Remain vigilant and adaptable in the face of changing circumstances.

And there you have it, my fellow trekkers, insights from Proverbs 30:17-23. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for honoring parents, contemplating life’s mysteries, and navigating the complexities of human relationships and societal dynamics.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, let’s remember to apply these timeless principles in our daily lives. Until next time, keep seeking wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 03/17/2024

Today, we continue our five-week Lenten series ending on Resurrection Sunday, March 31st. Today, our message is, “Take Up Your Cross.”

Bishop William Williamson tells the story of a recruiter from Teach America who came to Duke University in Durham, NC. Teach America places talented college graduates to work in some of America's hurting schools. The recruiter began her talk with these words…

And with that, the students got up all at once, pushed forward, and jostled to get a brochure for themselves.

Those students sensed they wanted something more in their lives than money and fame. They wanted to live for a more significant cause. |That's the kind of life Jesus means for us to have as his disciples as well.

Today's Scripture passage is Mark 8:34-35. Jesus gives his recruitment speech, his call to discipleship. It goes:

So here’s the straight truth. Jesus never promises us safety or security or perfect health. He does not promise us success by the standards of this world. He does not promise that we will always get what we want.

If we choose to follow him, he promises us times of sacrifice and hardship that could even include death in some countries. But he also promises us that, in the end, we will have a life worth living – an abundant life.

The problem is — when we present the Gospel to others — that we often fail to mention Jesus' recruitment speech. We tend to make things seem more palatable, by mentioning the promises of the Gospel but neglecting to point out the demands. This makes us sound bland and tasteless, not seasoned with God’s love.  We are not the salt and light that we need to be. The call to take up a cross and follow Jesus brings sharpness to our faith.

But to truly take up a cross, we must first settle three questions in our hearts.

The first question is, “Who owns my life?” Our knee-jerk response would be to say, “I own it. It's my life.” But to become a disciple of Christ, we must see things differently.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” Jesus paid for our sins with his blood. That means that we no longer have absolute rights to ourselves.

Acknowledging God's ownership of our lives involves being willing to listen to what God has to say to us about all the areas of our lives. There are real issues to grapple with: my time and how I use it; my money and what I do with it; my work and how I approach it; my sexuality and how I view it; my family and how I relate to them.

When we become open to listening to God about these things, |we gain a sense of gratitude for God as He grows within our hearts. Many years ago, someone rescued me from a certain death. To this day, I remain grateful to the person who saved my life. Gratitude is always our response to salvation. Once we truly believe that God has rescued us from eternal death, we will want to listen to and serve God, Which will happen naturally because we love our Savior.

When we become committed Christians, we find a new-found eagerness for God. God is not just something we tack onto our lives. He is a life-changing force.

To be a disciple of Christ, you become a student of His teachings. As with any teacher, Jesus has expectations of his followers, his students.

Being a disciple of Christ is more than believing a few things about God and then doing whatever you want. It involves turning over the ownership of her life to God. That is the beginning of a new life of true discipleship.

The second question we must settle in our minds to take up the cross is this: “Am I willing to suffer for Jesus?"

Crucifixion was the harshest form of execution practiced by the Romans. When Jesus mentioned a cross, his hearers would have immediately recognized it as a call to be willing to suffer.

Suffering has always been a part of discipleship. 1 Peter advises us to bear it patiently, trust in God, and not retaliate. But we live in a place where it is easy to be a Christian, and we can forget this and be unprepared for suffering when it happens.

On the other hand, if we lived in a place where it is difficult to be a Christian, when we suffer for Christ, we could forget the victory that Christ has already won and lose hope. There is hope. Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Let me share a story from about ten years ago about the Christians of Egypt. For the most part, it is a country that is antagonistic to Christians, and the church knows what it means to suffer for Christ. Many businesses, as a policy, will not hire a Christian. It isn't easy to have repairs completed on churches. Priests and pastors are frequently spat upon as they walk down the street. Church leaders were placed under house arrest for years. Every day, Egyptian Christians have to be prepared to suffer if it comes to that.

Even knowing there is potential for persecution and suffering, the churches are full of young people as well as older Christians. Even when over 50 churches were attacked or destroyed in 2013 and some Christians wanted to fight back, church leaders urged everyone not to retaliate but instead to trust God during their suffering. Their response defused the situation and earned the respect of many Muslim neighbors. While in many countries, conditions for Christians have improved, there are many places where Christians are persecuted for their faith daily.

We may not be used to thinking of faith as causing us discomfort, pain, or even inconvenience. Yet, we cannot be the kind of disciple Jesus means us to be unless we are prepared to suffer for him each day.

The third question we must settle in our minds is this: “Am I willing to go on an adventure?” That may sound odd, but Jesus asks us to follow him when we do not know where he will lead us. “Discipleship is being willing to follow Jesus without knowing exactly where he is going.” As we looked at last week, it's having Jesus come up to you and say, “Come, follow me,” and you drop your fishing gear right then and there, never to take it up again. It’s launching out with Jesus, little knowing what you will do or where he will lead you. It's the crazy excitement of going on an adventure.

The word serendipity means “making a surprising discovery.” The word is taken from the Serendip, a ship in a story about some people who set sail, not knowing their destination, but just experiencing each day's surprising discoveries.

Living for Jesus, at times, can be a serendipitous adventure. Every day may become a journey full of joy and sometimes surprises. You wake up. |How will God meet you this day? |How is God going to work through you? What people will you meet? Every day is meant to be a discovery and an opportunity to further God’s Kingdom. Once we let ourselves loose and set sail into the wind of God; there is no telling where God will bring us. Quite simply because it will give us a life worth living, an Abundant Life:

It doesn’t require a critical reading of the four Gospels to notice that the twelve disciples often missed the mark when it came to understanding what it means to follow Jesus. Even though they were bold enough to confess that Jesus was the Messiah (Luke 9:20), they still had little grasp of what that meant. Indeed, they seemed to mistakenly think that Jesus’ anointing would lead to the kind of worldly power that people have always sought (Luke 9:46). But Jesus taught that a critical part of being the Messiah was self-denial, death, and ultimately resurrection—and that to follow Him would mean the same for all of His disciples.

What does it mean to follow Jesus? As one continues in faith, it will mean a radical renunciation of self and an ensuing embrace of identifying with Christ and His suffering.

Jesus calls those who follow Him to become like Him in His suffering and self-denial. And this is not some “next-level” Christian living designed for those who want to be exceedingly zealous. No, conformity with the Lord Jesus Christ is the only standard of Christian living.

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” (Mark 8:34 NLT)

When Jesus told the crowd what it would mean to follow Him, He articulated it in two ways.

First, He said those wishing to follow Him “must give up your own way.” In other words, the follower of Jesus is to say, “My life is no longer all about me. It’s no longer all about the identity or reputation I’ve been establishing. It’s no longer all about my agenda.” Instead, we are losing ourselves in Christ. That doesn’t mean that our DNA is irrelevant or our personality is obscured—for it is only in Christ that our true self begins to shine. But when you follow Jesus, your life is given to His custody.

Second, in a parallel passage, Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” While Jesus is speaking metaphorically, this is a radical metaphor. His audience of people living under oppressive Roman rule—were very familiar with the scene of a condemned man walking to the place of his execution, carrying the means of his execution across his shoulders. Jesus is telling people that to follow Him means following Him even to Calvary. He is saying, “If you follow Me, it will mean your death to self.”

Even though many Christians do not die by martyrdom, especially in our Western civilizations, Christ and many of His apostles did. The words of Paul to the Galatians are true for anyone who is in Christ: “Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died,” Gal. 6:14. To follow Christ as Paul did and as He commands is to know that this passing world and its empty desires are forfeit and that God is all in all.

Following Jesus in self-denial and suffering means changing how a believer views life. Instead of doing everything we can to preserve our lives, we must be ready to let our lives go so that we can grasp onto eternal life. As we weigh the benefits of this world against the benefits of eternity with God, we must ask ourselves, “Do I want honor now with the world and shame when Christ returns? Or am I prepared to accept shame now and honor then?” And those who follow Christ will answer as Paul did in Phil 3:8, “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”

To follow Christ as Paul did and as He commands is to know that this passing world and its empty desires are forfeit and that God is all in all. All of this world’s apparent treasures will come out to nothing. All of the riches will be found in Christ.

When Jesus challenged the rich young ruler in Luke 18 to leave all and follow Him, the man turned away, unwilling to lose the worldly goods that made up his earthly life. In response, Jesus told His disciples, “‘In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?’ He replied, ‘What is impossible for people is possible with God,’” (Luke 18:25–27).

When Christ returns to finalize God’s Kingdom, establishing the Global Eden, and the bill comes due, only those who have walked the path to Calvary with Christ will find their lives profitable.

As we seek to follow Jesus in perseverance, we would do well to remind ourselves to trust in Jesus as a response to His initiative and grace in our lives. The same grace that brings us to faith in Him then sustains us and makes it possible—and enjoyable for us to follow Him. The strength both to believe and to follow are found in the grace of God alone.

As we hear Jesus’ most challenging commands, we must remember that obedience always follows faith; let me repeat, obedience always follows faith. The kind of transformation that Jesus calls us to is not a transformation that says, “Here are a few principles that I’m going to try and stick to myself,” or “Here are some concepts that I’m going to hang on the Christmas tree of my life.” No, the power to follow Jesus in the way of the cross emerges from a life that has been united with the Lord Jesus Christ by grace, through faith with the power of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit. It is in our union with Christ that the glory of the world begins to pale while the glory of God grows brighter. With God, it is possible to persevere in obedient faith as we renounce self-idolatry and embrace the suffering of Christ.

On this fifth Sunday of Lent, let us consider Christ's words, “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.’”

Let us follow Christ by taking up our cross, giving up our lives, and living for Christ according to the Good News.

Next week is Palm Sunday, and our focus will be on Preparing the Way in a message titled “He Comes, Rising on a Donkey.” Please read John 12:12-16.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2345 of our trek. The purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll be exploring Proverbs 30:10-16 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, we’ll uncover insights into the dangers of slander, greed, and arrogance and the importance of humility and contentment.

So, let’s embark on this journey through the wisdom of Proverbs.

These verses highlight the consequences of slander and disrespect.

How can we understand the impact of slander and disrespect in our relationships?

Recognize the destructive power of slander and disrespect in relationships, whether it’s in the workplace or within the family. Choose to speak with integrity and refrain from spreading false accusations or gossip about others. Show respect and gratitude to those who have helped and supported you, especially your parents. Avoid dishonoring your parents by failing to acknowledge their sacrifices and contributions to your life. Cultivate a spirit of gratitude and appreciation for the people around you, treating them with kindness and respect.

Now, let’s explore verses 12-14.

These verses warn against the dangers of arrogance, envy, and destructive speech.

How can we understand the pitfalls of arrogance, envy, and destructive speech?

Beware of the deceptive nature of arrogance, which blinds individuals to their faults and leads them to believe they are righteous when not. Guard against envy, which causes individuals to focus on what others have instead of being content with their own blessings. Avoid comparing yourself to others and coveting their success, knowing it leads to discontentment and dissatisfaction. Be mindful of your words and actions, ensuring they build others up rather than tear them down. Choose to use your words to bring life and encouragement to those around you, rather than causing harm or destruction.

And finally, let’s turn our attention to verses 15-16.

These verses illustrate the greedy nature of certain desires and appetites.

How can we understand the dangers of insatiable desires and the importance of contentment?

Recognize the dangers of pursuing insatiable desires, whether it’s for material possessions, recognition, or pleasure. Cultivate contentment by being grateful for what you have and avoiding the trap of always wanting more. Embrace moderation in all areas of life, including your desires and appetites, knowing that excess leads to dissatisfaction and emptiness. Choose to find satisfaction in God’s provision and His presence, knowing that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with Him. Live with the understanding that contentment is found not in the accumulation of wealth or possessions but in a heart that is at peace with God and His plan for your life.

And there you have it, my friends, insights from Proverbs 30:10-16. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for practicing integrity and respect, guarding against arrogance and envy, and cultivating contentment and moderation.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, let’s remember to apply these timeless principles in our daily lives. Until next time, keep seeking wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Putnam Church Message – 03/10/2023

Today, we continue our five-week Lenten series ending on Resurrection Sunday, March 31st. Today, our message is, “Come, Follow Me!”

The Bible tells us that when Jesus began his ministry, he went to live in a village by the Sea of Galilee called Capernaum, right on the shore. It's a beautiful place. Galilee is a freshwater lake 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. The lake makes the air around it humid, and since Galilee is also below sea level, the humidity and the compressed air produces a warm, tropical climate that is good for growing vegetables, dates, and figs.

Today, should you ever visit Capernaum, you can see the remains of some of the actual homes from the time of Jesus. Looking at those stones makes it possible to imagine Jesus walking those narrow streets and staying in one of those small, stone homes when he began his ministry by the Sea of Galilee. And there, on Galilee’s shore, Jesus first spoke those words, “Come, follow me.”

Listen to today's Scripture on Page 1552 of the Pew Bibles from Mark 1:16-20:

"Come, follow me." Such simple words, but what did they actually mean to those who first heard them? Let's consider six of the aspects and ramifications.

A Call to be Taught

Jesus' call, “Come and follow me," was an invitation to learn from him.

Jesus was a rabbi, a teacher. So, when Jesus said, “Come, follow me," he was inviting people to be taught by him as their teacher. It's the same as when he said in Matthew 11:28-30:

At that time, the Pharisees were also calling people to learn from them. But while the Pharisees taught a faith burdened with mind-numbing rules and regulations, Jesus instilled in his followers the knowledge of God as their Heavenly Father. That's why his yoke was easy and his burden light.

As a teacher, Jesus also purposefully developed close relationships with his disciples. He was not like the professor living in a world of lofty thoughts but lacking genuine relationships with students. The evidence suggests that James and John were Jesus' cousins. Those two shared a fishing business with Peter and Andrew. That meant Jesus already knew these men even before he called them. He understood their hearts.

In the same way, when we follow Jesus as our teacher, we do so with the certainty that he already knows everything about us. He is perfect; we are not, but he is patient with us and willing to help us step-by-step along the way as we grow as his disciples.

A Call to Recognize His Authority

Jesus' call, “Come, follow me,” is also a call to recognize his authority over our lives.

It would be like if I were to lead a group of out-of-town visitors to tour Marietta. I could say, “Come follow me” because I'm an authority on my city. I have long been here and know all the nooks and crannies. Similarly, in using those words, “Come, follow me," Jesus is claiming special authority. He knows the way.

We see his authority displayed on virtually every page of the New Testament. He commanded the storm to be calmed, and it immediately obeyed him. Jesus commanded the demons to come out of people, and they did. In John's Gospel, Jesus said, “I am the bread of life," (John 6:35) and “I am the light of the world," (John 8:12). And he said, “I am the resurrection and the life,” (John 11:25). And “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life," (John 14:6) No one has the right to talk like that except for a person with spiritual authority, someone who can satisfy the deepest hunger and thirst of a human soul.

Following Jesus is not merely liking Jesus. It is living under his authority as our Lord.

A Call to Leave Something

When Jesus says, “Come, follow me," he calls us to leave something behind. He called Simon Peter and Andrew to abandon their nets. He made James and John leave their boat and their father. The tax collector, Matthew, walked away from his table, which was crowded with money and tax records. He just stood up and left it all behind. When Jesus called these men, they left friends, family, and even their occupations. The call affected their time, their finances, and everything else.

The call of Jesus is never just a call to believe in some facts about him. It is always a call to follow him. And following Jesus always involves leaving something. That's what discipleship is all about. It's making choices. It's choosing this, not that. It's leaving one thing to focus on another.

In Matthew 19:21, one young man heard that call, but his money held him back. There is nothing wrong with having some money, but his money was poisoning his soul. So, Jesus told him to get rid of it:

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”  The young man had to leave something behind. Likewise, Jesus calls us to leave something to be his disciples. None of us can be a good disciple without choosing, committing, being serious, and getting rid of the things that get in the way.

Jesus is calling us to follow him. And anything, and that means anything that stands in the way of that call, is something we must let go of. Yes, that means there's a leaving part to Christian discipleship. We must take the leaving part of discipleship as seriously as the following. Do we have the courage to stand up, as Matthew the Tax Collector did, and walk away from something that we know will stand in our way of following Jesus?

A Call to Be Led by Him

Jesus also calls us to be led by him. The first disciples physically followed him wherever he went. When Jesus said, “Let's go to this or that village,’ they went with him. Discipleship was very personal and physical.

Things are different today. When Jesus calls us to follow him, we do not follow up and down the hills because he’s not physically here on earth. But for every true disciple, there remains a sense of being led by Jesus. Jesus leads us when we study his teaching and seek to live it out daily in every situation. He also continues to lead us when His Spirit influences us. In Scripture, the Spirit of God burdened, enabled, and empowered Christians to do various acts of service.

Another aspect of being led by Jesus is that we experience God's providence. Jesus and his disciples traveled through the countryside with little money, but God met their needs. Jesus taught in Matthew 6:31-33:

When we do God's will, we should expect God to provide for our essential needs. It's a trust walk with God. Just as young children must trust their parents to provide for them, Jesus calls us to trust God's providential care as we follow him.

A Call to be Transformed

Fifth, Jesus' call is an invitation for him to transform us. As we follow Jesus, he changes us from the inside out. Jesus told Simon and Andrew, I will send you out to fish for people.

Only certain people could hear Jesus' call to be transformed. Those who trusted in their own uprightness could not hear it, |only those who felt a sickness in their souls. That's why Jesus said: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners,” (Mark 2:17). The brokenness of our lives becomes the growing edge of our souls.

A Call to Obedience

When we follow Christ's call, we choose to live a life of obedience. Our lives will be built on a solid foundation that produces good fruit. We can see this in the teachings of Jesus in Luke 6:46-49.

The point Jesus is making in these words is that  building one’s life in obedience to  his teaching is wise and will sustain his disciples in the challenges they will inevitably encounter in life, |just as building one’s house on a foundation of rock will secure it against the forces of nature that will assault it. Disobedience to his Word is folly and leads to ruin, |as surely as building a house on sand will result in utter catastrophe when those same storms come. If we want to follow Jesus, we will certainly want to begin where the first disciples did, understanding and obeying the foundational teachings in this message.  And from there, study his teaching elsewhere in the Gospels.

Following Jesus, then, entails both obeying his teachings and imitating his example. But this is not the sum of the matter. For obeying and imitating are not ends in themselves but are means to a greater end. That end or goal of discipleship is to become like Jesus himself: to think as he thought, to feel as he felt, to act as he acted, and to desire what he desired. As John puts it, “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did,” (1 John 2:6). Because Jesus is the image of God in human form, as we become more and more like him, the image of God is increasingly restored in our lives.

Jesus lived a life of faith before his disciples and called them to live a life of faith. First and foremost, he called them to put their trust in him as Messiah and Son of God. But he didn’t stop there. He called them to an active, living faith in their heavenly Father in the affairs of everyday life. Whether for daily bread or power to heal the sick and cast out demons or to overcome the perils of nature, they were to live by faith and to grow in faith, as we are.

When we look carefully at the teachings and example of Jesus Christ, the call to “Come follow me” takes on much greater clarity and specificity. It is indeed a call to “walk as Jesus walked,” to live a life of radical faith and love. Once we truly grasp this, our first reaction will likely be dismay. If we are aware of the depth of indwelling sin and the dysfunctions that plague our lives, we know it is impossible for us to fulfill such a call. Yet this reaction is actually healthy, because it is based in reality. It is indeed impossible for us to live this way. And that is precisely the point. Jesus knows we cannot follow him without a power beyond ourselves. And that is why he sent the Holy Spirit to empower us.

Only through the indwelling Holy Spirit can we obey the teaching of Jesus and follow his example. He assures us of the Father’s love; he makes the things of Christ real to us; he makes the gospel precious to us; he convicts us of sin and assures us of forgiveness when we repent; he transforms us from glory to glory, into the likeness of Jesus (2 Cor. 3:16–18). That is why we are taught to earnestly seek to be filled with the Spirit each day (Eph. 5:18) and to be led by him in all our ways (Gal. 5:16–25). When we do, we will find that we can live in a newness of life. Not perfectly and not immediately, but progressively over our lives.

But daily, as we walk in faith and obedience, the Spirit will produce in us the character of Jesus: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23).

This Lenten season, as we reflect on those words, '‘Come, follow me,” may we be willing to be taught and to recognize his authority. May we forsake whatever hinders our walk with him. And may we be open to his leading and allow him to transform us. May we be obedient to his calling and His Words

Next week, we continue our theme of Prepare Your Heart in a message titled “Take Up Your Cross.” Please read Mark 8:34-35.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2343 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

 

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll be exploring Proverbs 30:1-9 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, we’ll uncover insights into the pursuit of wisdom, the dangers of arrogance, and the importance of relying on God’s Word for guidance.

So, let’s not delay any further. Let’s dive into the wisdom of Proverbs.

These verses express Agur’s humility and recognition of his limitations in understanding.

How can we understand the importance of humility in seeking wisdom?

Like Agur, recognize the importance of humility in the pursuit of wisdom. Humility acknowledges our limitations and dependence on God for understanding. Embrace a posture of humility before God, acknowledging our need for His guidance and wisdom. Seek wisdom not from human sources alone but also from God’s Word, which is the ultimate source of wisdom and understanding. Recognize that true wisdom comes from acknowledging our limitations and seeking God’s guidance in all aspects of life.

Now, let’s explore verses 4-5.

These verses highlight the greatness and sovereignty of God.

How can we understand the greatness and sovereignty of God in relation to our pursuit of wisdom?

Reflect on the greatness and sovereignty of God, who holds the entire universe in His hands. Recognize that God alone has the power and authority to govern the heavens and the earth. Acknowledge God’s role as the Creator and Sustainer of all things, including the laws that govern the natural world. Trust in God’s wisdom and guidance, knowing that He alone has the answers to life’s most profound questions. Seek to know God more intimately, through His Word and His Son, Jesus Christ, who reveals the fullness of God’s wisdom and love.

And finally, let’s turn our attention to verses 6-9.

These verses emphasize God’s Word’s trustworthiness and contentment’s importance.

How can we understand God’s Word’s trustworthiness and contentment’s significance?

Trust in the reliability and truthfulness of God’s Word, which serves as a shield and protection for those who seek refuge in Him. Avoid distorting or adding to God’s Word, knowing it leads to deception and falsehood. Pray for wisdom and discernment to live a life of integrity and honesty, free from the temptation to lie or deceive others. Seek contentment in God’s provision, knowing that true satisfaction comes from trusting in His provision, not material wealth. Pray for moderation and balance in life, asking God to provide just enough to meet your needs, neither poverty nor riches, so that you may live a life of contentment and gratitude.

And there you have it, my friends, insights from Proverbs 30:1-9. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for embracing humility in seeking wisdom, acknowledging God’s sovereignty, trusting in His Word, and seeking contentment in His provision.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, let’s remember to apply these timeless principles in our daily lives. Until next time, keep seeking wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2342 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

 

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll be exploring Proverbs 29:22-27 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, we’ll uncover insights into the consequences of anger, the blessings of humility, and the importance of integrity.

So, let’s not delay any further. Let’s dive into the wisdom of Proverbs.

These verses contrast the outcomes of anger and humility.

How can we understand the consequences of anger and the blessings of humility?

Recognize the destructive nature of anger, which leads to strife, conflict, and sin. Choose to respond with humility and self-control, knowing that it brings honor and respect. Avoid allowing pride to control your actions and decisions, knowing that it leads to humiliation and shame. Cultivate a spirit of humility, gentleness, and patience in your interactions with others, knowing that it fosters unity, peace, and harmony.

Now, let’s explore verses 24-25.

These verses highlight the consequences of dishonesty and the importance of trusting in the Lord.

How can we understand the dangers of dishonesty and the blessings of trusting in the Lord?

Recognize the dangers of being associated with dishonesty and deceit, as it ultimately leads to self-destruction and betrayal. Choose to live with integrity and honesty, knowing that it builds trust and credibility with others. Avoid allowing fear of man to dictate your actions and decisions, as it leads to bondage and captivity. Instead, place your trust and confidence in the Lord, knowing that He is faithful to protect and guide you. Live with the assurance that those who trust in the Lord will be kept safe and secure under His care.

And finally, let’s turn our attention to verses 26-27.

These verses emphasize the source of true justice and the distinction between the righteous and the wicked.

How can we understand the source of true justice and the distinction between the righteous and the wicked?

Recognize that true justice comes from the Lord, not from human rulers or authorities. Choose to seek justice and righteousness in all your dealings, knowing that it reflects the character of God. Stand firm in your convictions and principles, even if it means facing opposition and persecution from the wicked. Avoid compromising your integrity and values for the sake of gaining favor or approval from those in power. Instead, trust in the Lord to uphold your cause and bring about justice on your behalf. Live as a beacon of righteousness in a world that often despises and rejects godly principles, knowing that your faithfulness will be rewarded by God.

And there you have it, my friends, insights from Proverbs 29:22-27. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for choosing humility over anger, integrity over dishonesty, trust in the Lord over fear of man, and justice and righteousness over compromise and appeasement.

As we continue our journey through the pages of the Bible, let’s remember to apply these timeless principles in our daily lives. Until next time, keep seeking wisdom and make it a part of your daily trek.

 

 

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!

 

Putnam Church Message – 03/03/2023

Today, we begin a five-week Lenten series ending on Resurrection Sunday, March 31st. Today, our message is, “The Time Has Come!”

This is the season many refer to as Lent, when we spiritually prepare ourselves for Resurrection Sunday, more commonly known as Easter. This is a particularly appropriate season for remembering the Gospel stories about Jesus.

Although the distance of years and time may seem to separate us from the events back then, let us use our minds' eye to bring it all back to us. We will try to do that during these five Sundays by using five phrases from the ministry of Jesus.

First, imagine what it was like to be there as Jesus began his ministry with his resounding words, “The time has come!" Let us return again to Galilee and see before us the boat that Peter and Andrew and the sons of Zebedee used, with the gentle waves lapping against its side and Jesus coming up to them and saying, “Come, follow me!”

Let us walk along with the crowds as they surround Jesus, and one from that crowd, a desperate person, cries out, “Lord, have mercy!"  Let us listen in as our Lord talks privately with his disciples and tells them, “Take up your cross!" Let us see Jesus telling a story about the reward that awaits us in heaven for following him, as he says, “Enter into the joy of your master!"

During this Lenten season, let us use these phrases — “The time has come!" “Come, follow me!" “Lord, have mercy!" “Take up your cross!" and “Enter into the joy of your master!" — as we imagine what it must have been like to be a Galilean disciple.

Our Scripture reading for today comes from Mark 1:14-34. Let us open our hearts to the Word of God:

Let us transport ourselves to the maternity ward of Marietta Memorial, and we peek into a room where a baby had just been born a couple of hours earlier. The mother is sound asleep. The father is sound asleep. And the baby is sound asleep. Everyone, especially the mother, seems so exhausted now that the nine months are finally over. Nine months is a long time for a mother to wait, but that moment finally came when she knew her baby was coming. And when that realization happens for a young mother, that is when she turns to her husband and says, “The time has come!”

Now, a husband might want to ignore this news. He might deny it or argue with her, saying, “No, the time has not come.” He might want to go back to sleep. But when a baby decides it will be born, it will be born. There is no stopping that baby. So, when a husband hears those words, “The time has come,” he had better stop doing what he is doing and pay attention.

In today's scripture from Mark 1:15, Jesus announces, “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” When we hear those words, Jesus wants us to pay close attention to his words.

He does not use the ordinary word for time here — for tick-tock, chronological time. That would be the word, Kronos in Greek. But here in Mark 1:15, Jesus uses a different word, kairos. Kairos marks the arrival of an event, like the birth of a child, a high school graduation, or a harvest. Kairos time happens in its own time, when things cannot be held back.

When Jesus said, “The time has come!” he stated that a significant event had just happened in God's plan of salvation for the world. He was announcing to the world. He was not stating an opinion, or debating a point. No, he was stating a fact, like an announcer who reports the news or sporting event. And what was this important thing? “The kingdom of God has come near,” Jesus said. God’s kingdom has finally broken into the world in force.

In the time of Jesus, many Jewish people were waiting for the Messiah to arrive. They divided history into two parts. They called the first half of history the olam hazeh, which means the “Present Age.” It is the period before the arrival of the Messiah.

They called the second half of history the olam haba, meaning the “Age to Come.” It is the time of the Messiah, when the kingdom of God finally becomes established in its fullness on earth. They looked forward to the time when Messiah would end all oppression, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, cast out demons, and perform the perfect will of God on earth. The kingdom of God would rush in like an unstoppable invasion.

When Jesus said, “The time is come. The kingdom of God has come near,” he announced the arrival of the “Age to Come.” He was the Messiah. Through him, God was now invading Satan’s temporary realm.

 

That is why, immediately after Jesus made that announcement, we see him performing the signs that prove that the Age to Come has arrived. We see Jesus healing the sick and casting out demons.

Read the entire Old Testament, and we can find only a few scattered stories of exorcisms and miracles of healing. But when we open the pages of Mark's Gospel, the first Gospel written, we find a rush of miracles and exorcisms. God was invading Satan’s temporal realm through Jesus Christ.

One person who felt the power of God was Peter’s mother-in-law. She was sick in bed, with a high fever. Jesus came to see her, and he took her by the hand and drove out the fever from her body with his power. Word spread. That evening, everyone who was sick came to Peter's house to be healed.| I read a story about a doctor in Egypt. He said that before modern medicine arrived in his village, he would see many people walking around with horrible deformities and hideous diseases: growths, tumors, and injuries that healed improperly. He saw people bent over and suffering from chronic pain and some just crawling on the streets.

The sick in the village of Capernaum must have been just like those people as well. With no modern medicine to help, they must have had horrible diseases and deformities. Instead, they experienced the Kingdom of God through Jesus, filled with authority and power. Legs were straightened. Tumorous growths vanished. What joy must have filled their hearts when Jesus delivered them! How the suffering crowds must have wept for joy! Good news had come at last!

Today, the invasion continues. God is still invading the world, influenced by Satan. As God’s kingdom grows, Satan’s influence will slowly diminish. But the big question is, will we repent and believe this good news?

Most of us know of World War II only through others who are now past. Yet, there is a true story from that time that is genuinely relevant to what we are talking about — believing in the good news.

In World War 2, a group of soldiers were being held as prisoners of war. Among them was a captured chaplain named Murdo Ewan MacDonald, called “Padre Mac" by the men. Another prisoner who possessed a secret crystal radio used to listen to the BBC. One day, the announcement came through that D-day had come, and the Allied troops were victorious. The man turned to Padre Mac and said to him three words: "They have come." Padre Mac knew exactly what was meant. He then repeated those three words to other prisoners: “They have come.” Quickly, the news spread throughout the entire prisoner camp. And whenever a prisoner heard those three words, the response was electrifying. Men started laughing out loud and celebrating. The moment those men heard that announcement, everything changed for them because they believed what they heard.

Outwardly, their condition had not changed. They were still prisoners of war in a camp behind barbed wire. But inwardly, those prisoners felt hope for the first time. Padre Mac and the other men could have ignored the message from the radio and continued walking dejectedly around the camp. But they did not. They believed the good news, and it immediately changed their lives. For the first time, they knew that the end of their ordeal was drawing closer.

In the same way, Jesus wants us to believe the good news of the Gospel. God is invading this world, influenced by Satan, to set things right. But do we honestly believe in this Good News, or do we believe the news media and other sources? The problem is that we still live in an in-between time now. God's invasion of this world has started but is still ongoing. The will of God still is not being perfectly done. The kingdom of God is already here, but not yet completed. There is still disease, evil, and suffering. The hearts of many still do not belong to God. That is why Jesus taught us to pray, “May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” There is still work to be done, and we are called to this work by the power of God’s Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

Sometimes, we can get so discouraged by what we see going on that we stop believing in the power of the good news. We are tempted to live like there is no message of hope, no power to that message, and no Savior.

When Jesus said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” it is not repentance from sin that he is talking about. It is repentance from hopelessness. From despair. From the feeling that God is powerless or that God is not doing anything. From the idea that the Gospel cannot change lives. We need to repent from a mindset of defeat.

In that prisoner-of-war camp, Padre Mac and the other prisoners had been living without much hope. But when they heard the good news, “They have come,” it changed everything - it turned them around.

They were not the only ones. The news affected everyone involved in the war.

When the news of the D-Day invasion came to England, most people were at work. All across the nation, people stopped what they were doing and listened. In war plants, the announcement was read over loudspeakers, and men and women stood back from their lathes and sang, “God Save the King.” Then they returned to their jobs with renewed vigor because they knew there was still work to be done. The overall war had not ended.

In America, the announcement came at 3:33 am on the East Coast. Still, in a Brooklyn shipyard, under the harsh glare of arc lights, it is reported that hundreds of men and women knelt down on the decks of partially finished Liberty ships and said a prayer. Then, they went back to building their Liberty ships. The war was not over, but victory was in sight.

All across America, as some heard the news, they called friends. Switchboards were overwhelmed. Lights came on. Quiet streets filled with sound as radios were turned up. People woke their neighbors. In Marietta, Georgia, people filled the churches at 4 am to pray and praise God. Then they all returned to their ordinary routines, but this time with a renewed hope and more vigorous prayers for the invasion's success.

Jesus made his announcement, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near." But that is only half the story. The other half is believing in what he announced. Only then will the church feel the power of the Gospel. “Repent and believe the good news," Jesus said. “God's D-Day has come. Hear the announcement. And live as you have heard it."

So, why do we so often live like defeated prisoners of war who have yet to hear the announcement of a successful D-Day? Why do we commonly think and act like there is no power to our faith? Why do we give up on prayer, serving God, caring for those in need, or praying for people to come to Jesus?

I read another story about this young boy who would walk past a huge, mysterious brick building in his part of the city. There was no sign on it,>even though it was a large building. It had huge windows that were never opened, and he could not see through them. There was one small door, but he never saw anyone enter or depart. He never saw any delivery trucks. Yet, day after day, he heard a deep humming noise coming from within that building, a noise that never stopped day or night.

Then, one sweltering summer's day, this boy found the giant window open, and his curiosity got the best of him. He slowly walked up and peeked inside; he could not believe his eyes. In that building was a machine more enormous than any machine he thought possible. It nearly filled the whole of that vast building. It was a giant turbine generator. The building was a power plant that generated electricity for the entire city.

That is what we are as a church: a powerhouse. On the outside, we may look quite ordinary. We might feel ordinary and powerless. But within our midst, there is a giant generator at work, day, and night. That generator is the good news of the Gospel and God’s Holy Spirit in us. Jesus announces that God is invading the world through him. You and I are called to believe in that message and the power still at work in and through it. Even if we are small in number, we must never forget the power that lurks in our midst. It can suddenly call us, challenge us, and empower us to join in God's invasion of Satan's domain and build God’s kingdom until Christ returns to establish the Global Eden here on earth.

During this Lenten season and beyond, will you believe with fresh eyes in the good news? That Jesus is the One through whom God is invading this world? Will you reaffirm that prayer can bring a long-lost family member to God? That telling a person the simple story about Jesus dying on the cross for their sins can actually change their life. That the Gospel can penetrate into even the hardest, most resistant lives, communities, and nations? That demonic powers can be cast out with a word of command uttered in faith?

The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. As we prepare our hearts for Resurrection Sunday this season, may we repent and believe the good news!

Next week, we continue our theme of Prepare Your Heart in a message titled “Come Follow Me.” Please read Mark 1:16-20.

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Everyday! See you next time for more wisdom from God’s Word!

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2340 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

 

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’ll be exploring Proverbs 29:15-21 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, we’ll uncover insights into the importance of discipline, the consequences of neglecting instruction, and the blessings of righteous leadership.

So, let’s not delay any further. Let’s dive into the wisdom of Proverbs.

These verses contrast the outcomes of discipline and neglect in parenting and leadership.

How can we understand the importance of discipline in parenting and the consequences of wicked leadership?

Recognize the importance of discipline in parenting, knowing that it leads to wisdom and maturity in children. Discipline helps children understand boundaries, develop self-control, and make wise choices. Embrace the responsibility of disciplining your children with love and consistency, knowing that it brings honor and respect to the family. Choose leaders who govern with righteousness and integrity, knowing that their leadership promotes justice, fairness, and the well-being of society. Reject leaders who promote wickedness and sin, knowing their rule leads to corruption, oppression, and downfall. Support and pray for righteous leaders, knowing that they uphold God’s standards and promote the flourishing of righteousness in society.

Now, let’s explore verses 17-18.

These verses emphasize the connection between discipline, obedience, and joy.

How can we understand the relationship between discipline, obedience, and joy?

Recognize the correlation between discipline, obedience, and joy in life. Discipline helps children understand the importance of obedience and submission to authority, leading to peace of mind and gladness of heart for parents. Choose to accept divine guidance and follow God’s commandments, knowing that it leads to order, fulfillment, and joy in life. Reject a lifestyle of rebellion and disobedience, knowing that it leads to chaos, destruction, and misery. Embrace the joy that comes from living in alignment with God’s Word and His will, knowing that it brings peace, contentment, and purpose to life.

And finally, let’s turn our attention to verses 19-21.

These verses highlight the challenges of correcting servants and the dangers of speaking hastily.

How can we understand the challenges of correction and the importance of thoughtful speech?

Recognize the importance of exercising patience and thoughtfulness in correction and communication. Mere words are often ineffective in correcting behavior, especially when dealing with stubbornness and pride. Choose to respond with patience and grace, knowing that it requires time and consistency to bring about change. Avoid speaking hastily and impulsively, as it only leads to misunderstandings and conflicts. Take the time to listen, understand, and consider before responding, knowing that it promotes understanding and reconciliation. Avoid pampering and indulging others, especially from a young age, as it fosters entitlement and disrespect. Instead, cultivate a culture of humility, respect, and accountability, knowing that it leads to healthy relationships and effective communication.

And there you have it, my friends, insights from Proverbs 29:15-21. These verses offer us timeless wisdom for embracing discipline, choosing righteousness, practicing obedience, exercising patience, and speaking thoughtfully in all aspects of life.

 

 

If you found this podcast insightful, subscribe and leave us a review, then encourage your friends and family to join us and come along tomorrow for another day of ‘Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.’.

Thank you so much for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and, most importantly, I am your friend as I serve you through this Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal.

As we take this Trek together, let us always:

Live Abundantly (Fully)

Love Unconditionally

Listen Intentionally

Learn Continuously

Lend to others Generously

Lead with Integrity

Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

I am Guthrie Chamberlain….reminding you to’ Keep Moving Forward,’ ‘Enjoy your Journey,’ and ‘Create a Great Day…Everyday! See you next time for more daily wisdom!