Mark 4:35-41, "Storms, Miracles and Faith"

A gushy reporter told Jack Nicklaus, "You are spectacular, your name is synonymous with the game of golf. You really know your way around the course. What's your secret?" Nicklaus replied, "The holes are numbered"- Ever feel lost? Like somebody moved the numbers? Uncharted waters? In the middle of a storm Let’s Pray- Jun 25, "Storms, Miracles, and Faith " Mark 4:35-41.
Today- this is a message of encouragement- we have a story from Jesus’ life here- a vivid- and action packed story- when we reduce action to words on a written page- we lose the visual- the audio and the original feel of the story- So here’s the recommendation- close your eyes or do whatever you need to do to imagine- this scene to picture it- hear the sounds feel the action
Let’s read- and put ourselves into the scene...
Mark 4:35-41 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown- [the word here is perish/die- not specifically drown]?"
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
Reflections on Text:The two questions of the disciples:
1. V. 38 - Don’t you care if we die? #2. V. 41- Who is this?
• God does care about our lives- Safest place to be is in God’s hands
• Their response to Jesus was one of resentment- out of fear- he was a great teacher/rabbi he had worked miracles- why was he not awake and telling them what to do
• Fear is natural to us- but it is not the best state of mind to live in- neither is resentment of God- they could have had other responses driven- by other states of mind- if they were had a deep concern- maybe they would have should shouted- “Jesus, wake up- we don’t want you to drown” but this is not what they said- no they were worried for their own necks
• If we allow fear to dominate us- whether it is fear of nature, fear of the unknown, fear of enemy, fear of terrorism, fear of poverty, fear of unpopularity, fear of aging, fear of uselessness, fear of death- whatever fear it is- God does not want our life to be dominated by fear we are to be people of hope
• Rom 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Rom 5:2-5And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
• God cares and God is with you
Question 2. V. 41- Who is this?
• The question of “Who is This?” Is still a real, relevant and central question for each of us today
• Who is Jesus to us? Is he just a guy on our journey- just another guy in the boat? He is a special teacher? Or is he something more- in charge of nature- Is he a savior who is offering a way of life beyond fear- a way of life that defeats death?
• My testimony- at the college desk- my big storm- lots of confusion- loneliness- not sure of my purpose- I cried “are you real God?” “Who are you God?” essentially- not unlike the disciples- “Don’t you care if we are drowning?” “God don’t you care about me?”
• My heart heard these words- “Corey I am real, and I am here and I will never leave you.”
• And fear started seeping out of my life- a gentle breeze of hope began blowing and I had a calm of hope in the midst of my storm And I knew I needed more and I grabbed my bible and began reading the New Testament- I read the gospel of Matthew over and over and I learned that the words God sent to my heart - were also in scripture- That God is real- that He came to us as Jesus and that he sent his presence to be with us always
• When we ask: Who is this? Who is this Jesus? The answer doesn't change who Jesus is- Jesus is who He is. The right answer will change who we are. Are you in a storm? Do you need a miracle? Friends God is real- God is with you in the storms and God will never leave you- If you are here today resenting God- I urge you to see+ believe that God loves you and is with you- God wants to save you from your drowning- and give you hope. Baptism is a reminder that God’s love surrounds us. If you haven’t been baptized- consider it, it is an act of faith. If you are here today and you are needing help in the storm- don’t let that urging be silenced- fill out the insert today- pray to God- talk with me or a Christian friend- pick up a Bible and read- if you need a bible to have at home come talk to me.

Mark 4:26-34- Kingdom Growth

Foundational belief- God loves everyone
Radical truth of Pentecost- The Spirit of God is in the world. people who believe in God’s son- have the very Spirit of God in their life
God is on a mission- the very identity of God is known by God’s action- Father, Son- Holy Spirit- the church is God’s chosen means of living out the mission of God- of redeeming the world.
Today we are going to look at how the kingdom of God- is real- and what it is- and what that has to do with how we function as individuals, families and as a church
Let’s Pray
Jun 18, Kingdom Growth, 1 Sam. 15:34~16:13. Ps. 20. 2 Cor. 5:6-17. Mark 4:26-34.
Mark 4:26-29
26 He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28 All by itself the soil produces grain (A better translation- rather than “all by itself” it is more literally translated, “automatically out of the earth- she gives life- fertility”- kapophoreo) -first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. 29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."

Basic points: The prevailing view of the kingdom of God in Jesus’ time [People often go wrong with Jesus’ parables- and try to make each element of the parable be symbolic of a greater truth, however, Jesus’ intention for most parables, including these two, is to tell a down to earth story with a driving main point.]- This is about the nature of KINGDOM and its GROWTH
• The kingdom of God grows- growth is incremental not instantaneous- but “automatic”
• In grows in ways that we cannot understand nor control- it will continue to grow
• The kingdom has a scattering nature- seeds are meant to be scattered
• The kingdom is HOLY DIRT- Spiritual Soil
• The kingdom of God’s threefold nature- Scatterer, Seed, Soil= spreading, realizing potential approaching destiny, surrounded by an environment of nutrients, liquid, warmth= KINGDOM of God is a system of life- not a machine- but a life giving process- individual and community, when it is really present- it fosters growth naturally
• All seeds destinies are linked with the soil- staying in the farmer’s sack isn’t the destiny of a seed.
• The kingdom grows- not just for growth’s sake- but in order to bear fruit- in order to harvest-
• This whole process is a process of meaning and destiny
• The only action of the person in this scene is the spreading of seed- awake or asleep- alive or dead and gone- the spread seed will react with the soil.
• So its not surprising that Jesus than teaches specifically about a seed and a plant...
Mark 4:30-34
30 Again he said, "What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade."
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.
Basic Points: This about the nature of the kingdom
• The kingdom of God is full of potential- which often appears small
• “planted-ness” is important for seeds
• A planted seed’s “DESTINY” has not to do with its original size- but IT’S actual Identity
• The plant can offer refuge- to other creatures
• In the kingdom plants don’t grow to push others out- but to welcome others in and offer shade or comfort

So having looked at these two parables- More than learning (we are not just here to gather information) how are we to be shaped by these 2 parables?
1. Am I growing? What is helping you to grow? What isn’t helping?
2. Am I growing the way God made me? [Pre-school Freckles story] God made you unique- with gifts and experiences- that no one else has in the exact combination- Do we appreciate this? Do we try to fully live into our created destiny? The calling/vocation you have in life- father, mother, farmer, teacher, artist, student, sales, design, secretary, service- Are we fully living into these as God given opportunities
3. Are you in the right soil? Is the soil of your time filled with opportunities for growth- or anti-growth? Are you filling your time non-nutritive sand-
4. Do you realize you are part of the soil for others?- your healthy presence can help people grow.How consciously do you act out being a source of growth for others- I hope you don’t think that is just the pastor’s job
5. How present do we make the kingdom of God through our local church? How much are we a place where people develop their purpose in life- where they can live out the seed potential- the life giving ministry that is given to them by God? How much do we help people reach their destiny?
• The kingdom of God is a system of life- a life giving process- the more a person, family, local church- anchors this process as the driving force in their life- the more life giving that will be available to that individual, family or local church
• A family or church does not have this process automatically by calling themselves christian or church- It happens by faith- believing in Jesus- and by the power of the Spirit- by letting the scripture, prayer, worship and service form you and help you grow


Good News and Good Challenge
When you are being who God created you to be, living in the Spirit as we say, your ministry should flows out of who you are- and your place in life
What is your ministry?- What is your part/nutrient in the soil? Some of you have time on your hands and a calling to pray for our community- this is a powerful ministry.
Some of you have been given creative gifts to help others see how much beauty God has given us in life
Some of us have been given and developed mechanical skills to help repair and fix stuff- showing kindness to others
Some of us can cook the best food around
Some of us are great listeners- and can listen to people with questions about God and faith
by being who you are- you scattered the seeds of God’s goodness and love wherever you go. You cause other people to ask questions- your prayers- your actions- seep into the lives of others- in ways that you never realize.
What if we all began to more intentionally or seriously take on the ministry God is giving each one of us- I hope you understand I am not talking about each of us becoming a pastor- yikes- or even coming and volunteering 10 hours a week at the church doing who knows what- I am talking about using your gifts and experiences- to on purpose- be a servant of God- out in the world
What is your ministry? Where is it? How are you soil for others? How are you like a full grown mustard plant- providing refuge for others? Sometimes people will know that we are “ministering” to them- and sometimes- people won’t care- and sometimes people will ask, “hey were you praying for me the other day?” And joyfully and humbly we say yes. Sometimes people will ask why did you help me with this, or give me that book, or why were so patient with me when I was terrible to you? And humbly and joyfully we say something like “Jesus’ love has changed my life- and I can’t help but share” or “God has blessed me to be a blessing to you” or “God loves you and I figured the best way to tell you was to show you.”
The church was created to help people become aware of their loved status by God- to help them become whole- to help them heal from pain- and help them grow andbecome what they were created to be a loving servant in the world. the local church was invented to help this process happen- the local church is not the Kingdom of God- but it can help usher in more of the kingdom of God- by connecting people to life giving soil- worship, scripture, prayer, learning together, serving together- growing together. AMEN

John 3:1-17, "Mission of God"

June 11th Mission of God (Trinity Sunday), John 3:1-17.
3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council (elite of the religious elite- powerful- a lot to lose if his reputation was tarnished). 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."
3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
4 "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
9 "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. [Nicodemus was asking a question of function- apparently the birth metaphor was not good enough for him and he wanted to know how the spirit was actually reborn- let’s look at Jesus’ reply]
10 "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? 11 I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things (or I gave you an “earthly” metaphor- of birth) and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven-the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert(in Numbers 21), so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Immediate reflections: This is a weird conversation- flesh, spirit, born again womb questions, snakes, eternal life- wowzers
Foundational Belief:
The foundational belief of biblical justice and evangelism- is that God loves everyone- and wants to be made known in all nations-
Radical truth of pentecost- God’s Spirit is loose in the world and is spread by people, we are the carriers of God- the very Spirit of God is in us by faith
I talked about the daily battle of self vs. Spirit
(what does this text say:) What is the mission of God-???
Points:
Birth (bios) and birth (zoe/pneuma) are different- one is a divider the other an equalizer [expound]
this text includes both birth and death
Spiritual birth includes having people get real about death- “look to the snake/cross”- that death and life are linked- we need to die to self to really live- therefore we look at something that levels and kills our selfish self
God is committed to God’s mission- what’s the level of commitment? This is particularly important to realize today- what we call Trinity Sunday. Giving up Godself in eternal reality- we can’t comprehend that completely, but we get that God has laid the very nature on the line. God’s very nature is mission- God the parent, God our Savior and God our power source- Father Son and Holy Spirit- his essence and nature is beyond our comprehension- but we can tell that we know God by how God relates to us- God is relational- God’s purpose of mission is to be in a whole relationship with creation that is seeking also to be whole- so God is one- but is known as three, not because there are three Gods- but because God is opening up himself- in order that we can be whole- its like when I open my arms to hug danny- he may feel one arm, and the other and eventually my chest- but they are all part of the same body- and they are all needed for a whole hug
...So what commitment do we have- with our mind, body, Spirit and church?-
Mind- I hear a lot of time “the Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it” a nice thought- but really? The Bible says sell all you have and give to the poor- turn the other cheek, love and pray for your enemy- challenging! Mark Twain’s quote “It’s not the parts of the Bible I don’t understand that scare me, it’s the parts I do understand.” Sometimes the truths are straightforward- but it takes putting our will or soul to work. Also Paul has challenging ideas of faith, forgiveness, justice, etc.- we have to use our minds- God wants us to- a retreat into “false” simplicity is usually an attempt to protect our SELF
God has invested in us- God’s Spirit- what do we do with the creativity and imagination we have available- we are Given God’s ability to see that the world, our family, our community- can always be more loving and kind- but sometimes it seems the church is where imagination comes to die- we do things the same at all cost! When our founder, Jesus Christ, and our power source- the Holy Spirit of God- are constantly calling us to be about the work of renewing- the church at times can seem to be about the work or re-old-ing, Now I love history- but at times I am reaching back in time instead of embracing the present and the future, we aren’t called to save the past but rather to make our present life whole, reaching in, instead of reaching out, turning off our God-given minds- instead of turning loose God’s gifts in us. Jesus had challenging words for Nicodemus and the religious folk of His day- and I think we need to listen to that advice.
God loves the world- God does not hate the world
Sometimes we talk ourselves into the idea that God is an “out to get us” God
Joke- children, apples and cookies
God loved the world so God gave up part of God’s very own essence-
Is the word “saved” a tired Christian word? Could it use a little freshening up? What does it mean? What does the message read? What does Dale Bruner say?
Soothee- sodezo= heal, preserve, make whole---- the whole world- kosmos
We don’t have a condemning God- we have a loving God- those who assume God’s all about condemnation and doesn’t love us enough to come to us and give us a creative, selfless example of humble and forgiving love- are just heaping the condemnation on themselves- thats verse 18 for yah
I mean I feel like Nicodemus a lot of the time- “Okay Jesus I know you are from God, but...” but how can someone like me start fresh when I have been this way my whole life
Jesus preached righteousness as an inward condition- and outward visible activities
He loved the fringes- he didn’t equate disabilites with sin, he touched people that were “ritually” unclean, he valued children as if they were people- he taught women as if they were equal to men= believing in Him, thought Nicodemus- would mean disbelieving in much of what I have known
But it came down to this for Jesus and Nicodemus- do you want to be part of saving/making whole the world or do you just want to be part of a righteousness club- that waits for the Messiah to come back and retrieve the priveleged elect from the earth.
The good news is that we don’t change- as much as the Spirit changes us- and when it happens you know it and when you see it in someone else- it is exciting- the Spirit blows like the wind and pushes you into a new direction- all we have to do is be available and willing to receive God’s nudgings-
Nicodemus was blown in to meeting with Jesus by the Spirit and he received some nudges that night- and the rest of his life followed, according to John 19 Nicodemus is one of two who handled Jesus’ body- and he bought 75 pounds or myrhh and aloe and other spices- his life was not about himself any more- something had happened to him
And that’s why we come to worship together- because we need the Spirit to happen to us- to move us in the right direction- to fill us- INSPIRE us- with a stronger will, with creativity, with hope and love- so that we can go out and be about God’s mission of loving this wonderful world
Our loving and living God is on a mission to redeem the world- we are called not as observers- but as participants- we are missionaries- May we seek Jesus in the night and in the light, may the Spirit of God blow us where she wills, May our lives be full of Spirit and less of self, may we commit our minds, our hearts and bodies to loving this world.- Amen

sorry this is late- "Scripture and Mission"

Pentecost 2006
Some of you may have left discouraged after last week’s sermon.
We talked about some of the world’s big problems- with all kinds of statistics
And I was encouraging us to be people with big prayers
As we pray To God and hear His Heartbeat for His world- we are called to action-
And that’s where frustration comes in- prayer is leading us to concern- how do we act on our concern- how do we love God’s world- how do we get power to confront the huge problems of starvation, violence, disease and billions not having a relationship with Christ- what can we do- whatever age we may be- what can we do here in the greater Palouse community? Today we celebrate the power of the Church - the Holy Spirit of God

Let’s Pray

Acts 2:1-21
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. (Fire is a universal reality) 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs-we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 "'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'
[men, women, young, old, every nation, poor and rich- EVERYONE- that is who God is trying to reach. Reach them with what?- with Good News (evangelism) and with Justice

The foundational belief of biblical justice and evangelism- is that God loves everyone- and wants to be made known in all nations- image of God- this was a most radical belief for the time (still is)- a Jewish sect claiming their God wanted to be worshiped by all people (coming back for ALL of creation)- even gentiles- A God who wanted his teaching and ethos to be in the hearts of all people- Love God and Love People

Radical Truth of Pentecost: The Spirt of God comes to dwell in people. People are the Temples of God. God has invested in us. We are the body of Christ. Wherever we go we are able to carry the Spirit of God.
Bruner says we should only have a mustard seed of faith so that there is room for the Holy Spirit to fill up the rest of us.
Daily we have a battle of self versus Spirit- we focus on self and become inward, less loving- more self - centered- but the good news is each day we can confess this reality and make room for the Holy Spirit to be in charge. When the Spirit is in charge and we are praying continually and discerning life- we are sensitive to the needs of others, we will want to be people who share our faith, who show love to others- because that is the nature of God’s Spirity
The Mission of the church is only partly human- show “Me Church Video”
Illustration (for communion): We need the power of God’s spirit- we need the direction of God- we need the forgiveness of God- Lawn mower being clogged up with grass. Doing what it is supposed to do. Just like we are living life and doing what we are supposed to do. But the other day my mower just stopped. I thought I hit something big. I turned it off and tipped it over to discover that I had grass built up- and it was clogged.
In just using the mower to do what it was built to do, it got shut down. The owner has to clean out the mower daily- So God’s powerful Spirit can flow through our lives. Everything seemed fine until that moment when I mowed just too much. God is always taking care of us- through the best and worst of times- weeds, drought and all
Mechanical metaphors- break down- because we are living and not machines with real feelings and struggles

I believer we are called to be a Great Community of faith. According to Christ- a the way to be great is obeying the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Great commission is rooted in the Great Commandment- Relationship with God and love of people leads us into obedience of the Great commission.

John 14:12- Jesus said we will do even greater things than He has done- Jesus left us and gave us the Spirit of God- we don’t have Jesus in just one place- everywhere believers go- they can take the power and presence of God- this is a deep and often disbelieved truth. Do we believe it- though we are Jars of Clay as the Apostle Paul says- we are the containers of a precious treasure- the Spirit of God- If you are coming to this belief recently I encourage you to embrace it and talk to me or a Christian friend-
Church we are loved- we are empowered by God- I am excited and having dreams of what Great things God has for us