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SILENCE #5: The Wrong Question

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“I wanted to address our culture, God wanted to address ME.”

Luke 20:41-44
”Then Jesus presented them with a question. “Why is it,” he asked, “that the Messiah is said to be the son of David? 42 For David himself wrote in the book of Psalms: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit in the place of honor at my right hand 43 until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.’ 44 Since David called the Messiah ‘Lord,’ how can the Messiah be his son?”

What Jesus shows ME here, is that there is a higher goal than just being right--but there is also a higher goal than just peace.  The Higher Goal is Jesus

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The Political Landscape of Jesus’ Time

Zealots - The Zealot movement took the revolutionary option. It advocated outward violence, even armed rebellion, to rid Israel of Roman oppression. Nothing else, they figured, would bring final liberation to the Jewish people. Depending on the point of view, Zealots were looked upon as freedom-fighters or terrorists.

Sadducees - The Sadduccees were the great pragmatists of the day. As wealthy lay-nobles, priests and aristocrats, they sought to conserve their wealth and power through comprosmise with Rome. Politically speaking, this was the most realistic option. Most of the members of the Sanhedrin were from the Sadduccee group. Moreover, as the people at the top of the pecking order in the Jewish society of their time, they were much more concerned with present-day affairs than speculation on the life-to-come. In the Gospels, it is evidently the Sadduccees who are the main opponents of Jesus at the time of his trial and death. They rightly saw that Jesus' radical brand of religion threatened their power and status.

Pharisees - The Pharisees were in many ways the idealists of Jewish society. Most of the Scribes (the 'theologians' of the day) were Pharisees. In general, despite their 'bad press' in the Gospels, the Pharisees sought to live a life of spiritual purity by a meticulous following of the torah (Jewish law). They did not believe in compromise with the Romans (as did the Sadduccees) nor in revolutionary activity (as did the Zealots). No doubt their emphasis on the law could result in legalism which may, in turn, become a pretext for hypocrisy. Nonetheless, many Pharisees were highly committed and deeply spiritual people. They believed in the resurrection of the dead. From their perspective, Jesus seemed to relativize the law which explains their anger towards him.

Essenes - solved the problem of Jewish identity in a Roman-occupied Israel by withdrawing to a monastic-like setting. They were, if you like, the hippies of the day insofar as they completely opted out of mainstream Jewish society.

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Jesus asks them a rhetorical question to help them refocus on Him! He didn’t even answer the question! Anyone notice that detail yet?  His goal in that moment wasn’t to prove himself right...or to fully explain an idea...but to pose a question for them to THINK about.

I think his goal in the moment was two-fold: 

  1. To refocus the minds of the prideful religious leaders who thought they knew everything, to the REAL MESSIAH.

  2. To show the average person, beat up by religion, that maybe, just maybe, they were closer to the Kingdom, than those prideful leaders wanted them to believe.

To the zealots, He said, “love your enemies.”

To the Sadduccess, He said, “Give to ceasar what’s ceasar’s, give to God what’s God’s.”

About the Pharisees, He said, “Obey everything they teach you, but don’t do as they do. After all, they say one thing and do something else.”

They were expecting a very spiritual King.  Someone to float down on the clouds riding horses of fire, or something, and save them.  They couldn’t see that he would be the SON of David.  That He is BOTH son, AND Lord. They didn’t expect the son of Joseph the Carpenter, from Nazareth. Born in a manger, in a BARN, for goodness sake.  

And they missed Him. 

“They were looking for a spiritual person to become a physical king.  And what they GOT was a physical person, becoming a spiritual king.”

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  1. Jesus’ silence in strategic moments made Him complicit in his own injustice, for the sake of you and I. It matters WHEN you say it. John 18:19-19:16

    1. Does this mean we shouldn’t stand up for injustice? No...but it should confront your sense of comfort, and your judgemental attitudes about paying the price for other people’s sin.

    2. TAKE IT FURTHER: Why did they want him to be the king? Could they have forced him? Most people would gladly accept more power…why didn’t Jesus?

  2. He recognized government as an imperfect tool for justice and organization. It matters WHAT you say. Luke 20:19-26

    1. In studying all of this, it struck me, how little Jesus speaks of Rome. He so rarely talks about it!  When that’s ALL ANYONE ELSE EVER SEEMS TO CARE ABOUT in his culture!  There are little moments, but overall, He doesn’t condemn them like everyone seems to want him to.

    2. TAKE IT FURTHER: Why was Pilate scared? Why do you think Jesus responded the way He did? Why do you think Pilate asked, “what is truth?”

  3. He resisted power, but used attention. (to show that it’s not POWER you need, to change the world, but love. It matters WHO you say it to. John 6:1-15

    1. Palm Sunday was a political move...the palms, the welcome into the city...but he didn’t come on a horse, which would have been basically a declaration of war...he came on a donkey..and he didn’t go to the governor’s mansion….he went to the temple….

    2. He USED the attention, but resisted power...even when it was THRUST upon Him.

    3. TAKE IT FURTHER: Why would that question have trapped Jesus? What do you think they expected his answer to be?

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SILENCE #4: Comfort Culture

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Matthew 26:36-46

36 Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

42 Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open.

44 So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”

“They chose physical comfort over spiritual work assigned to them by their creator. And even more interestingly, they chose physical proximity, over spiritual proximity. They were physically there with Jesus, yes, but miles away from his heart. ”

John 8:3-11

3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?” but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. 6 They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him 7 They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” 8 Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

9 When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. 10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

“All we have to do is surrender. Surrender to Jesus. That’s the quote. That’s the tweetable hashtag, the lifestyle motto, the code to live by. Sacrifice short-lived comfort...surrender to purpose. Start practicing physical proximity AND spiritual proximity. Jesus isn’t asking too much. Just surrender. ”

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SILENCE #2: The Aftermath

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1 Kings 19:3-18

The Victim Mentality

“Never underestimate the spiritual power of a nap and snack.”

He can work with honest.

“God uses object lessons way more often than he uses words.“

Joy in the aftermath

“I think God was trying to teach Elijah that it’s not just about the show. The fire, the wind, the ravens, the kings & queens. That this is about something so much bigger….but so much smaller too.“

Dharius Daniels: “When God takes you to school, you only know you’re in school, when class is dismissed.”

Read all of Elijah’s story right from the Word: 1 Kings 16:29-19:21

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SILENCE #1: The Childlike

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This sermon series was supposed to be about how our culture is right now screaming: “Silence is complicity”.  That silence is complicity in the injustice happening in the world, you have to speak up and SAY SOMETHING.  The problem is: everyone disagrees on what to say.

And that. is. exhausting.

“I’m convinced that it's nearly impossible to be properly compassionate while exhausted.”

Matthew 11:25-30

1. Remain Childlike

Pride hides things from you. God reveals things to the childlike that he doesn’t reveal to the prideful.

“I learned that I had to renew my sense of WONDER. I let life become very heavy. My world seemed so small. And yes, it was something I DID, life did not DO to me. It’s a CHOICE whether to let it become heavy or not.”

2. Shed the heaviness

We’re all carrying stuff around with us that puts a dam in the naturally flowing river of God’s grace. We’re the ones putting walls up between us and God, not God.

3. Soul-rest in Jesus

We don’t have to be perfect, because HE IS.

What if life seems so heavy right now because you’re not giving enough of it to HIM to carry?

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

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FIERCE #6: Eran Holt

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Acts 27:21-26

Things seem to be going the wrong way for Paul. But “I have faith in God” he says. Faith allows us to think beyond our own human reasoning.

1. Faith moves from Reason to Revelation

What if right now God is trying to move us as the American church into a fresh revelation of who He is?
Both fear and faith ask you and I to believe in something that you cannot see. Many times it doesn’t matter WHY. It matters WHO. That’s the place of revelation.

Acts 28:1-8

People will assign purpose to your situations for you. But people are fickle.

2. Faith Moves from Misery to Mission

Generally, as people, when looking back, we remember the peaks and the valleys. The really good and the really bad. Don’t be too quick to judge your ‘Malta’—2020. We get stuck in our Malta, because we don’t know where it ends. But God does.

3. Faith Moves from Pain to Provision

Maybe you thought this was the WORST shipwreck of your life, but God was positioning you for a revival. My faith is not gonna allow me to be a victim in Malta, but a victor.

Acts 28:9-10

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FIERCE #3: The Results

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Philippians 2:3-13
”Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”

  1. Thinking of others as better

    1. “faux-fierce”: A fake, phony, outward imitation of being fierce or living fiercely.

  2. Equality with God

  3. The results of your salvation

    1. MY FAITH ISN’T JUST ABOUT ME.

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FIERCE #2: The Privilege of Suffering

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Philippians 1:20-30 20
”For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. 25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me. Live as Citizens of Heaven 27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”

  1. Full surrender

  2. A manner worthy of the Good News about Christ

    1. What is the Good News about Christ?

  3. One spirit & one purpose fighting together

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FIERCE #1: Fierce Focus

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Philippians 1:12-14
“And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.”

Philippians 3:5-16
”I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault. 7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 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 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! Pressing toward the Goal 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.”

I have been defining FIERCE this past 2 weeks by the following definition:

        1. Menacingly wild in our evangelism. 

        2. Savage in our love & forgiveness

        3. Hostile toward the religious spirits that oppose the Gospel.

        4. Furiously eager to see new souls saved

Religion & pride are WORTHLESS.

BELIEF + OBEDIENCE = FAITH. So, you can’t have faith that is ONLY a belief.  And you can’t have faith that is ONLY action. 

Focus on ONE THING. Fierce Fast

 “Stop allowing your past mistakes, regrets, and failures--or worse, someone else’s!--keep you bound, when Jesus went through SO MUCH to see you free!“

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BRAGGING RIGHTS #3: The Scattering

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Acts 7:51-8:4

1. Ears to hear.
2. Don’t charge them.
3. Wherever they went.

FIERCE:
Menacingly wild in our evangelism. 
Savage in our love & forgiveness
Hostile toward the religious spirits that oppose the Gospel.
Furiously eager to see new souls saved

God is real, God is good, and He loves you so much.

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BRAGGING RIGHTS #2: Lay Down & Die

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Luke 22:31-38
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” 34 But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you out to preach the Good News and you did not have money, a traveler’s bag, or an extra pair of sandals, did you need anything?” “No,” they replied. 36 “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one! 37 For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.” 38 “Look, Lord,” they replied, “we have two swords among us.” “That’s enough,” he said.”

Luke 22:47-51
”But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” 50 And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. 51 But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”

  1. He asked for Jesus input, but didn’t wait for the answer. (He let panic win)

    1. 1 Peter 2:16, “For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil.”

    2. Galatians 5:13, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

    3. 1 Corinthians 10:23, “You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.”

  2. He hadn’t been listening in the good times. (to Jesus’ many predictions & prophecies about what needed to happen)

    1. 1 Corinthians 13:12, “Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now.”

  3. He was still in an us vs. them mentality.

Matthew 26:50-54
“Jesus said, “My friend, go ahead and do what you have come for.” Then the others grabbed Jesus and arrested him. 51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. 52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? 54 But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”

Jesus didn’t ask him to STAND & FIGHT.  He asked him to LAY DOWN & DIE.

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BRAGGING RIGHTS #1: Why Are We Surprised?

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Read the story of Paul starting the Corinthian church, in Acts 18, here.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27
“Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.”

1 Peter 4:12-17
”Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?” 

  1. Don’t be surprised.

    1. 1 Peter 2:13-17, “13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.”

    2. 5 Functions of the Church: Evangelism, Discipleship/Learning, Fellowship, Service, Worship

    3. Is it more about my comfort, or my heart?

  2. Be very glad.

    1. “Being a partner of Christ has to go much further than the crowds.  It has to go to the cross.”

  3. The glorious spirit of God rests upon you.

    1. 2 Peter 2:19, “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.”

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HOLY GROUND #4: What's In Your Hand?

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Exodus 3:18
Exodus 4:1-2

What's in your hand?

“Some of us are asking God a question RIGHT NOW, and we feel like God isn’t answering. But maybe it’s because we’re asking God a question that either A) he’s already answered for us...OR B) we don’t yet have the faith to BELIEVE the answer when we hear it!

It might be counterproductive for God to answer your question right now, in the way that you’re asking it, and God does not do counterproductive things!

So, instead, He leads you, patiently, through a series of demonstrations, that will answer your question, in a way that you can hear it. ”

What if they don’t listen?

"I will pour out my spirit on all people..." Joel 2:28
“Don’t let anyone think less of you because..." 1 Timothy 4:12
“All SCRIPTURE is inspired by God and is useful to teach us" 2 Timothy 3:16-17
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear"...2 Timothy 1:7-8

“How many signs have I missed from God because I ran when I should have watched?”

Exodus 4:3-5

He is in control.

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HOLY GROUND #3: The Bloody Bridegroom

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Exodus 4:24-26 : 24 On the way to Egypt, at a place where Moses and his family had stopped for the night, the Lord confronted him and was about to kill him. 25 But Moses’ wife, Zipporah, took a flint knife and circumcised her son. She touched his feet with the foreskin and said, “Now you are a bridegroom of blood to me.” 26 (When she said “a bridegroom of blood,” she was referring to the circumcision.) After that, the Lord left him alone.

1. Leave the past behind.

2. Put God first.

3. Just do it.

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Holy Ground #2: The Turning Point

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Exodus 3:5-12

5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.6 I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God. 7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” 11 But Moses protested to God, “Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?” 12 God answered, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.”

  1. Remember who God is!

  2. Remember that God sees the oppression.

  3. Remember who is WITH you.

  4. Remember God’s signs still require faith.

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HOLY GROUND #1: Where God Lost His Shoes

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Exodus 3:1-5
”One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. He led the flock far into the wilderness and came to Sinai, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up. 3 “This is amazing,” Moses said to himself. “Why isn’t that bush burning up? I must go see it.” 4 When the Lord saw Moses coming to take a closer look, God called to him from the middle of the bush, “Moses! Moses!” “Here I am!” Moses replied. 5 “Do not come any closer,” the Lord warned. “Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground. “

There’s a few ingredients to this encounter with God. Moses was:

  1. Alone

  2. Amazed

  3. Drawn in

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