Andover Calendar

SAVE THE DATES: April 18-19th for Compassion Weekend

Paul's First Missionary Journey

We will be taking a deeper look into Paul's first missionary journey. As we learned today from Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were set apart by the God for special service. The leaders at Antioch laid hands upon them and they set out from that place in 44AD. This missionary journey, the first of three, would last until 46AD when Paul would return to Antioch to preach and teach until leaving for Jerusalem in 49AD for an important meeting with the other disciples to decide about the implications of Jewish law on followers of Christ.

Acts 13 and 14 detail the journey from which we will be studying this coming week.

Because We Are Christians: Paul's Missionary Journey #1

The book of Acts contains the basic elements the Apostle Paul's life and ministry. Couple the book of Acts with Paul's letters and we have the foundation to explore Paul more fully. To understand Paul's journeys, we have to begin to understand his conversion experience (Acts 9:1-19) and the years of preparation he spent in Antioch in Syria (Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-3). The church in Antioch was a hotbed for Christianity and the homebase for Paul throughout his ministry. It was distinct because Antioch included Jewish converts as well as Gentiles. After being smuggled out of Jerusalem for fear of his life, Paul made his way to Tarsus via Ceasarea where Barnabas found him and took him to Antioch. It was in Antioch that Paul was mentored by Barnabas and others along with being nurtured in the faith in preparation for his time of ministry.

Ministry is a series of cycles: preparation, ministry, recovery. Each serves its purpose and must be maintained in order to be fully used by God for a lifetime. Jesus spent 30 years in preparation for 3 years of ministry. The disciples spent 3 years with Jesus preparing for what would be their ministry of building the New Testament church. Paul himself spent 3 years in preparation for his time of ministry as well. It was here in Antioch that God used the church and experiences to form Paul into the exact person God needed for the purpose of preaching to the Gentiles and planting new churches.

What season are you in? Preparation? Active Ministry or are you in Recovery mode?

NEW SERMON SERIES BEGINS MARCH 30TH

BECAUSE WE ARE CHRISTIANS...First Church Missions Campaign 2008

Our sermon series beginning March 30 launches a focus on mission and serving. The title, “Because We Are Christians,” tells us the church is called as the Body of Christ to reach out beyond ourselves in the name of Jesus. The simple children’s hand signals for “We are the church together…,” also link to our membership vows of commiting our prayers, presence, gifts and service in whatever ways necessary. What does the Bible say about mission and service? What does that mean for us today?

The apostle Paul embarked upon three distinct missionary journeys that spanned 16 years of ministry. These three journeys started from regions in and around Israel and made their way to Asia Minor and parts of what is now europe. Along the way, Paul planted churches, raised money for the struggling and persecuted church in Jerusalem, and mentored a host of church leaders who would become strong leaders in the regions where they lived. A close look at Paul’s journey shows us many principles from which to pattern our own missionary journeys.

March 30
What Now? From Easter to Eternity...
Matthew 28:18 – 20
Acts 1:8

April 6
Village Minded
1 Thessalonians 2: 1 - 12
1 Corinthians 12

April 13
Alongside
1 Corinthians 9: 19 -23

April 20
Defining Success
Acts 19: 23 – 41
2 Corinthians 4: 4 – 13
1 Corinthians 3: 6

April 27
Lifeline for a Lifetime
Phillipians 2: 7

Easter Thoughts...

I said yesterday during the announcement time that I felt as if we launched a worship service on October 7th, 2007 and we launched the congregation during Holy Week 2008. Beginning with worship services and Richard's concert on Palm Sunday and continueing right through the Maundy Thursday re-enactment, the Tenebrae service led by the Offerings Worship team on Friday, the Easter breakfast and egg hunt on Saturday and a full service of worship on Sunday in which over 190 people were in attendance. The entire week saw many new faces in leadership at Andover emerge as well as a can-do spirit evolve. It is times such as these that create true community from which to continue to grow deeper in our walk with Christ.

I can't say thanks enough to the tireless effort and countless hours put into pulling this past week off by so many people. Barbara Hull and her Upper Room cast was fabulous and we have already had requests to make this a new tradition along with the Good Friday service that Teddy Ray and Jonathan Powers from Offerings put together.

I am already looking forward to next year. See you Sunday as we continue this journey together.

Todd

Sermon Manuscript: The Women and Joseph of Arimathea

Text: Matthew 27:55 - 28:10

Were You There is the sermon series we are concluding with today's service. We have journeyed through Matthew 26 and Jesus' thesis statement, "as you know, in two days it is passover and the son of man will be handed over and crucified, 27 and the first part of 28 looking for people who played an instrumental part in the last days of Jesus' life. And we have sought to see what we can learn and apply in our lives. Where do we start?

The women in the story are fascinating in themselves. They are truly faithful on every front. Journeying with Jesus and the disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem, they were part of a group who actually ministered to Jesus. They would have been the ones who gathered and shopped for food. They would have prepared for the entire entourage. In addition to meals, they would have cared for Jesus' personal needs. And this ministering or caring for Jesus did not stop at the gates of Jerusalem, or with the arrest, or the crucifixion, and his death. At every turn, Scripture tells us that these were women with Jesus throughout his entire ordeal.

There was Mary Magdelene the one whom Jesus caused seven demons to leave. She of the DaVinci Code fame was seen as close to Jesus. I don't have time to go into all the points where the DaVinci code was wrong, but suffice to say, there is no conspiracy or cover-up that Jesus was married to her. But she does appear to be the ringleader of this group who cared for Jesus. And why shouldn't she be. When she met Jesus she was struggling mightily under the weight of seven evil spirits occupying her. Jesus changed all that and in the matter of a moment, she was freed from her encumbrance and freed to live a life of caring for others instead of being cared for. The power of God had brought her back to life emotionally and given her new birth spiritually. With a life changing experience like that, she was trying her best to give back.

Along with Mary Magdalene was Mary the Mother of James and John who are known as the Sons of Zebedee or Thunder. Jesus called Jesus to be his disciples while they were on a fishing boat with their father in Galilee. We gather that this was the family business. For whatever reason, not only did James and John follow, but their mother came along as well. They were not just any disciples, James and John along with Peter formed Jesus' inner circle. Jesus took them to witness the transfiguration and took them to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray with him before his arrest. Up to this point, she is best known as the mother who asked Jesus for the keys to his kingdom for her sons.

Joseph of Arimethea, a member of the Sanhedrin which was a group of 70 men who served as the Supreme Court for the Jewish people. This means that Joseph was influential. Joseph was a mover and shaker among the Jewish people and even had access to Pilate the Governor. We know from other gospels that he kept a low profile up until this point about being a follower of Christ. But for a time as this, he stepped up and went to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body. Pilate, who did not think Jesus deserved death to begin with, quickly

What do these individial have to do with one another? What is the common thread that ties them together? They were the unlikeliest and least believable witnesses to the resurrection. The role of women was to be seen and not heard. They were not considered valid witnesses in a court of law


In the marketing world, the latest rage is "viral" marketing. What it counts on is that people will talk with one another and that this will create a buzz via word of mouth. No TV or major spreads in newspapers and magazine, just simple one person speaking to another to inform. There is a show called "Quarterlife" that originated via on-line episodes that were not advertised, but instead used word of mouth. In a short few months, it has millions of viewers. Youtube is the ultimate viral marketing example. Who in their right mind has enough time to sit and look through the millions of uploaded homemade videos to find the good ones? No one I know I am sure, but if you are like me, you get a link or two per week sent to you by someone who says, "watch this, you won't be sorry." And most of the time, I do!

Philippians 2:5-11 says,
"a)Have this attitude (1)in yourselves which was also in (b)Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He (a)existed in the (b)form of God, (c)did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but (1a)emptied Himself, taking the form of a (b)bond-servant, and (c)being made in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, (a)He humbled Himself by becoming (b)obedient to the point of death, even (c)death (1)on a cross. 9 (a)Therefore also God (b)highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him (c)the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus (a)every knee should bow, of (b)those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is (a)Lord, to the glory of God "

Every tongue shall confess. How do we ever confess if we have not heard? And how do we hear unless someone tells us? And how does someone tell us unless they have been privy to the source? God could have chosen any way to spread the message of Salvation. He could have written it permanently in the sky. He could have had a speaking rock to retell it over and over. But instead of all the possible choices he had, he chose to use word of mouth. He said that the gospel story is to be known throughout the world one person at a time. Person to person, relationship by relationship.

And he chose to use the people we are looking at today as key witnesses to the resurrection. These were unusual choices to say the least. The first important witness, Joseph of Arimathea, could testify that , "yes, indeed, I placed Jesus' body in the tomb. And he was most definitely dead. I was part of the group who voted to put him to death. I was privy to the inner workings of what happened to bring this all about." It was his testimony that declared Jesus' death. And because of his access to the Sanhedrin and Pilate, he made a solid case. He was a natural person to uphold this part of the story.

But the witnesses to the resurrection are puzzling. We have a group of people who were considered by the culture of the day as second class as best. Their testimony was not allowed in a court of law. They were dependent on the men in their life to provide a livelihood, a legacy, and a homelife. In society's eyes, these would have been a very poor choice to give witness. It would have done more harm than good. And yet, here it was, that these disciples who had been following Jesus from Galillee caring for his needs were the ones at the tomb that morning.

And when you think about it, it makes sense from one point that they were the ones. They were faithful during his ministry, his arrest, his trial, and even his crucifixion. And now they were not done being faithful to the one to whom they loved so much. They had more work to do. And so it was at the crack of dawn the day after the Sabbath that they were on the way to the tomb. Never mind that they did not have a plan to get the stone rolled away, they were on a mission and would figure it out as they went along. There was no glory to be found in this task, no one would ever realize or know, it would just simply be done and they could place Jesus to rest. And it was here that they were rewarded with being the first to experience the gospel truth…all because of their faithfulness. "He is not here said the angel. He is risen, just as he told you. Come and see for yourselves that the tomb is empty."

God rewarded their faithfulness and decided that their faithfulness along with his power was sufficient to spread the word. God knew that they could be counted on to take the message to the places it needed to be. The women had already shown their faithfulness in the small things, now God was placing the message of the hope of the world squarely in their hands.

And the message is this…that God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son. That whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. That is the message we come to celebrate this Easter morning. God has a message for us this morning. And just as with Joseph of Arimathea, sometimes God uses the most obvious of ways to convey this message into our lives. Easter Sunday morning is an obvious way. It is the highpoint of the Christian year. You won't be able to turn on the TV without an easter story being told. Look, I understand that the church in many ways has lost its ability to be the moral authority in our society. We have lost our sense of direction at times and are more interested in getting our way than making a way, but the message is still powerful even when the church appears to not be. Because the message is about a risen Savior. We are an Easter people not a defeated group because of what Christ did for us. We also know that God uses other obvious ways to communicate the message to us as well. It might be a decision you are being confronted with that might help God get your attention. Or it might be a friend who speaks words of encouragement, challenge and wisdom to us.

God also uses the most unusual ways as well. God spoke to me through my poor career choices and failure in my life to accept his will instead of moving forward on my own. God has also spoken to me through times of personal loss and struggle. God has also spoken to many of us through the birth of a child or other joyful times that make us aware that there is more to this life.

Will you hear the message today? Will you lay aside the armor you and I put on to deflect the message and truly hear with your heart. Jesus died on the cross to show us God's love and to be the perfect sacrifice for our lives. But a cross without the resurrection leaves us with a God who loves us but is incapable of helping. The resurrection shows God's power to bring things from death to life. Beginning with Jesus' resurrection, the chains of death are gone. We too can walk in newness of life.

Hear the message again today. There is no past, no problem, no trial or temptation that God is unable to deliver you from. Receive the sacrifice of the cross as your lifeline and allow the power of God to transform your heart and minds in Christ Jesus.

Amen.

3.19.08 Were You There Study Guide Notes

Ephesians 2:1-10

10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them

We were created to walk in the good works that God prepared for us before the foundation of the world was set. These good works are based upon service and faithfulness which God utilizes to change the world around us. We live in a redemption meta-narrative which is to say a story that is unfolding around us which is seeing God re-create all things. God could have chosen any manner in which to make this happen. And God chose you and me to make it happen. God alone decided that we could be trusted with this special task. And we can be trusted because God Himself has decided to work through us for eternity.

This week...this week...this week is a time that we are made for. People are willing to hear an invitation to church for Easter. They are willing to take a chance this week to see if this time "it" might make a difference. Will we be faithful and make that ask? Will we make the effort and take the chance? I pray that it would be so.

3.18.08 Were You There Study Guide Notes

Text Romans 2:9-26

This passage makes clear that God is not partial to any person. God gives all people the opportunity for grace that brings about forgiveness and mercy. It is our choice to accept and appropriate God's grace in our lives. This passage also highlights that our actions need to meet our words. This is a very sensitive subject for me as one who speaks for a living. I am always cognicent of my actions in view of what I say on Sunday morning or any other time during the week. People may hear what I say...maybe, but they will always hear what I do...you too! I think that it is more important to walk a good walk verses talk a good talk. When people ask me about witnessing, my standard answer is that we are called to preach the gospel at all times, and if we have to use words (St. Francis of Assissi).

I know that we all have people in our lives that are watching us, listening to our actions, and asking themselves if they want to buy into the same spiritual life that we profess. My prayer is that we would be found faithful...not perfect, but faithful. God can and does use our faithfulness to change lives and reconcile the world unto Himself.

3.17.08 Were You There Study Guide Notes

Text: Matthew 20:20-28

The son's of thunder (ie. Zebedee) were better known as James and John. It appears as if they came from a family of some success and influence. That is why it is not too hard to believe that their Mother went to bat for them in this passage. She approaches Jesus and asks if her two sons might sit at the right and left hand of Jesus when his kingdom was established. What follows is a very familiar discourse from Jesus about serving instead of being served.

I truly believe that one of the most overlooked gifts is the gift of hospitality. We all know what it is like to be received warmly and our needs taken care of by a compassionate person. Perhaps it was a skinned knee or a fever? Maybe it was after a rough end to a relationship? Or just perhaps you were in a new situation without friends?

To reach out in friendship and love is an act of generosity in my view. We give of ourselves each time we look beyond our own personal comfort and help others. Jesus knew that his Kingdom was going to be built by a group of people who gave of themselves completely (ie. their lives.) And he also knew that it would be seen as an act done in vain because they would not see much of the fruit that they had planted.

My prayer is that during this final week of Lent that we would transcend our comfort zone with an act of generosity via kindness. That we would take it upon ourselves to act upon our hospitality impulses for others. And that we might take upon the mantle of a servant to al for God's honor.

Were You There Study Guide Notes

The Women and Joseph of Arimathea

Text: Matthew 27:55-28:10
When the going gets tough, the tough get going? If that is true then Jesus' disciples were anything but tough during Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. Except for two, the others completely deserted Jesus after his arrest. They scattered like mice in the cupboard when the door is opened. They all found their holes to hide in until the coast was clear. Well almost all.

The Gospel of Matthew 27:55 tells us that there were women who followed and ministered to Jesus throughout his public ministry from Galilee. These women were faithful through the good and difficult times. And when the going got tough that last week, these women remained strong. They were at the crucifixion, watching from a hillside and waiting. Waiting for his death so that they may follow his body to the tomb provided by Joseph of Arimethea who was another disciple who stood strong during this trying time. They watched, waited and followed because their caring for Jesus was not done. No, someone needed to prepare his body for its final resting place. There were spices to buy and final preparations to be made. They set out to perform this ministry at the earliest moment of that third day. What else would we expect of these faithful followers? And is it any wonder that these faithful disciples were the first to hear the good news of Jesus' resurrection?

Sermon Manuscript: The Centurion

Text: Matthew 27:27-54

Crucifixion was a most shameful way to die. Notice that I did not say most horrific or most painful.
That would probably be saved as a moniker for death by burning. It was not unusual for a crucifixion to be preceded by a brutal beating in order to prepare the body for the hanging. Death could take up to three days and was usually caused by organ failure as a result of suffocation and lack of blood flow. A place was chosen that was well traveled in order to maximize its effect. Crucifixion was the mechanism by which the Roman's controlled the masses that they governed. It didn't take too many of these public spectacles before the people within a region realized that the Roman's meant business. For this reason, crucifixion was the primary means of execution for insurrectionists and enemies of the state. Their very public and shameful death sent a cruel reminder to those who would think about following in their footsteps.

And so it was with Jesus. His charge that prominently displayed above his head on the cross was "king of the Jews" The official charge he was executed for was being an enemy of the state. There could only be one supreme ruler. And "he" must definitely be a Roman. And so it was under this backdrop that the Centurion guard was introduced to Jesus. Jesus was considered an insurrectionist like so many he had seen before. As a member of the praetorian guard, the Centurion was charged with guarding the political figures in Jerusalem that lived in the palace. It was an elite group of men chosen to be trained for the survival and benefit of the Roman empire. And in this case, the Centurion was part of the execution group. An execution that would shake his personal world and change his perspective and had him looking for meaning within these events.

First of all, this execution had a distinctly different flavor than all of those before. Jesus had been through four trials (Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate, Herod, and then Pilate again to complete). It was obvious that the Romans, his superiors, were not too interested in having this man Jesus put to death. For they did not arrest him and continued to pronounce his innocence in the face of great Jewish upheaval. With all the oppression by Pilate, why on earth would the Jewish people want one of their own, a popular teacher put to death? What could they stand to gain by all of this? What could this mean?

In addition to the issues surrounding his arrest and trial, Jesus himself did not intensely defend himself. Why would a man who appeared to be innocent of the charges leveled against him not put up more of a defense? What was his intention? How did he intend to escape or be freed? Surely this could not make any sense. What could this mean?

After scourging Jesus ,which entailed beating him with a whip that had metal ends, the guards led Jesus away to a place outside the city, a place called Golgotha, or the place of the skull for his execution. The Romans allowed the women of Jerusalem to prepare wine with gall for the prisoners. This was their chance to receive a bit of anesthesia against the hours of hanging to come. And yet Jesus, upon finding out what the potion was, refused to drink it. It was evident that he intended to go through the entire experience fully aware of the circumstance and the pain. What on earth could this mean?

There were two others with Jesus being crucified this day. Both robbers, deserving of their fate by Roman standards. They were placed on a cross and planted on either side of Jesus. They hurled insults at him. Hoping it appeared that if he were the Son of God, he would save himself and somehow in the process they would be saved. But Jesus would have none of this goading. He appeared almost content, to hang upon the cross. In fact, after a while, one of the robbers asked Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. And Jesus, rather than condemn him for his previous words, told him that 'today, you will be with me in paradies.' What could this mean?

The bizarre events surrounding this execution took a dramatic turn at noon. In the midst of daylight, the entire land turned dark and remained that way until three o-clock in the afternoon. Jesus himself described this event as his God abandoning him upon this tree. But where was the outrage? Where was the cry for mercy? Where was the cry for justice? What could this mean?

At three o-clock, Jesus gave up his spirit. Don't miss this, for it is important. Jesus gave up his spirit instead of his spirit being taken from him. After which the "earth shook, rocks split apart, the curtain in the Temple sanctuary split in two, and the bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead." What could this mean?

Here was a man, who by all outward appearances "lost" his struggle against the Jewish leaders. He lost his close group of disciples as wells as the large legion of people who followed him around the countryside. He lost the group who coronated him just five days ago. He lost all that he had, and then lost his life to a group of people who embodied the injustices that he lived his life attempting to stop. And in the face of all of this apparent losing, the Centurion had a sense, no not sense, a real assurance that this Jesus had won. His body was conquered, that was evident enough. But what was not conquered was his spirit and his will. JESUS HAD REDEFINED THE HUMAN STRUGGLE THROUGH HIS DEATH. HE WAS WILLING TO ACCEPT HIS FATE, BUT HE NEVER ACCEPTED DEFEAT. THE ROMANS HAD KILLED HIS BODY WITHOUT TOUCHING HIS SOUL. HE HAD OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOODNESS.

NAU Deuteronomy 21:23 (a)his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for (b)he who is hanged is (1)accursed of God), so that you (c)do not defile your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance.

Ironic that Jesus chose to hang on a tree and be accursed of God so that others would not be. Ironic that the evil that attempted to destroy him was left impotent out of his goodness.

Instead of the guards conquering Jesus, it was Jesus who in the end conquered them by gracefully accepting his fate and showing that the worst they had for him could not destroy him. And as a result of this entire experience, the Centurion and others around him FINALLY UNDERSTOOD WHAT ALL THIS MEANT. This Jesus was much more than simply King of Jews as it read above his cross; He was truly the Son of God.

It is easy to misunderstand or even underestimate the significance of this statement. Caesar Augustus considered and named himself the "Son of God" which was incorporated by Tiberius, his chosen successor, upon his death. For the Roman soldier to acknowledge that Jesus was the Son of God, he was in fact replacing his own ruler with this Jewish person who he just put to death. And ironically, he had just put Jesus to death for being the "King of the Jews."

Were you there? is the question we have been asking over the last six weeks. We have been looking at things we can learn from those who played an instrumental part in the last week of Christ. So, what can we learn from this episode? It matters how we suffer. I know it sounds awful to say this, but the world wants to see how we accept and deal with life when it is less than rosy. The world may listen to our words, but the world will definitely listen to our actions. Jesus had no conversation with the Centurion that we know about. He did not have a relationship from which to share the truths about God. His only interaction was a passive one in which the Centurion saw how Jesus died, and it changed his perspective.

We have looked at James 1:2-4 two times during this Lenten season. Let me remind you what it says,
James 1:2-4 says it like this, "consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Not wanting to be heretical, but let me add another statement to James'. God uses trials and temptations to not only grow us into maturity, and God uses trials and temptations to reach others. I want to encourage those of you who are in the midst of trials and temptations at this moment to carry on. For in the end, you are being made whole, and in the end, your witness is having a profound effect upon those around you. You may not see it. You may never know it, but believe me when I tell you it is so.

Secondly, with God, hindsight is never too late. This roman Centurion. This executioner. Felt compelled to speak the truth about Christ by saying he was the Son of God. Rather than feeling judged or condemned by Jesus, this statement shows that the soldier was brought closer to him. Close enough for him to know the truth and to utter it for all to know. Is this not just unbelievable? If you are here this morning having been a party to something against all morality, let me encourage you that it is not too late. Jesus died on the cross not to condemn you, but to give you the chance to live in victory. You too have the opportunity to utter the words that Centurion did, 'surely he is the Son of God.' And surely he will meet you at the point of your greatest need. With God, hindsight is never too late. With God it is better late than never. May today be the last of the later for you and for me!

3.11.08 Were You There Study Guide Notes

Text: Matthew 27:27-54

We are heading into the final two weeks of Lent. I pray that this has been a time of personal renewal for you. We are looking at the crucifixion scene through the eyes of the Centurion guard this week. Please refer to the study guide booklet for a detailed description of his role and viewpoint.

There is so much going on in this passage that it is easy to miss the transformation that takes place with the Centurion and those around him. From executioner to "seeker" was the progression of things for the Centurion. He saw the amazing things that took place over the course of a few hours and it made him begin to fear and think. All we know is that he made the proclamation upon Jesus' death, "Surely this was the Son of God." What an amazing thing perspective can do for you...

Sermon Manuscript: Pilate

Text: Matthew 27:11-26

Main Thought: Pilate was caught between a rock and a hard place. Rome wanted him gone because he could not control the Jews. His own conscience told him that Jesus was innocent. His wife told him to leave Jesus alone. And the Jews told him to crucify. Why did he end up listening to the Jews instead of his own conscience and someone who had his best interest in mind? We live in the midst of heat and pressure. It either forms us into diamonds or turns us into dust. Jesus was a diamond. Pilate turned to dust.

I can almost feel sorry for Pilate. He was caught between a rock and a hard place. But as is often the case in my own life, he had place himself securely there by his past actions. Let's take a closer look at the forces weighing upon him as he dealt with Jesus' guilt of innocence.

First of all, his own conscience could not condemn Jesus. For he did not see where Jesus had done anything wrong except to offend the Jewish leadership. Jesus had consistently been undermining them throughout the past three years, and in particular these past few days. The crowds coronated him with a triumphal entry procession. Jesus then went promptly to the Temple courts and drove out the money changers. He struck deeply into the heart of the religious leaders, and they had enough. But all this was not Pilate's concern, his concern was ruling from the judgment seat on Jesus' guilt or innocence. And from his perspective, Jesus had done nothing wrong to deserve death.

In addition to his own conscience, Pilate's wife was also advocating Jesus' innocence. As a matter of fact, she referred to Jesus as righteous. Not merely innocent of these charges, but one who was living in a manner above any approach. He was clean in her view. She had suffered a terrible dream due directly to Jesus. We are led to believe by her urgency that this was some sort of preminition about Pilate's fate being swayed by how he dealt with Jesus. It was not merely a quick warning, but a warning that carried with it dire consequences.

On the other end of the spectrum were the Jewish leaders who obviously were advocating the execution of Jesus. Not just advocating, but actively pursuing Jesus and manipulating the system to kill him. In addition to his arrest, they had raised up a hostile crowd of people toward Jesus. This crowd was firmly under the leadership's thumb as evidenced by their participation in Jesus' arrest and now outside of Pilate's court demanding Jesus' execution.

What made matters worse was the pressure Rome was putting on Pilate. Pilate was having a difficult time governing the Jewish people and Rome was not amused. This was partly due to his stealing from the Temple treasury for various projects including a water canal. It was also due to the insensitive way he governed the region. He had tried to make amends throughout the years. As a matter of fact, Pilate instituted an annual release of one Jewish prisoner that the crowd could decide upon. Each year, one individual was released Pilate could ill afford a riot by the Jewish people at this point. That would have sealed his fate with Rome and guaranteed his removal from power. In order to keep his position, he needed to figure a way to appease the Jewish people on this matter.

And so Pilate began to carefully work his way through this minefield. After the initial charges were presented against Jesus, we know from Luke's gospel that Pilate takes this opportunity to send Jesus to Herod, the ruler of Galilee of which Jesus is a part. He does this for two reasons, in my view. The first is to show respect and deference to Herod who Pilate was at odds with. History shows that from this point forward, Herod and Pilate had a much better relationship. The second reason for sending Jesus to Herod is for help. Maybe Herod will pronounce him guilty and take this off his hands. But when Herod sends Jesus back with a judgment of "innocent", Pilate is not backed into a corner. Do I release this innocent man and incur a riot which will bring down Rome and destroy my position? Or do I follow through with this man against my own conscience and the dire warnings of my wife. What ensues is a showing of his true colors. Let someone else make this hard decision. I will position myself as a mere instrument following the direction of the masses. It lets me off the hook personally, and it satisfies the crowd. A win-win all the way around. Right? We know how this turns out. The crowd chooses Barabbas over Jesus. The crowd also chooses crucifixion over another form of punishment. Pilate washes his hands of Jesus' blood, and the crowd willingly accepts it in return. Jesus is scourged and then handed over for crucifixion. A win-win all the way around. Right?

Do you remember high school chemistry? Jon Ed Ingham was my HS chemistry teacher. I took his daughter to the Prom my sophomore year when she was a Junior. Not sure why you needed to know that, but there you go. Free with the price of admission. It was my first introduction to a crucible. Not the date, but the chemistry class! A crucible was used to heat elements up to very high temperatures in order to change or reduce them. What goes into a crucible is forever changed when the heat is applied.

It is the same principle that makes diamonds. When heat and pressure are added to carbon-bearing materials, they are transformed. Their property becomes shiny and extremely hard. Too much pressure, or too much heat, and you get something very different.

I think we would all agree that, like the elements in a crucible or carbon-bearing matter beneath the surface of the earth, our lives are lived under the influence of pressure and heat. Each of us faces a unique set of pressures and heat from our lives. For some of us here, our career is a huge pressure point. Will we get ahead? Will we have a job in this current economy? Or maybe its our family. Marriages struggles or struggles with children can bring us to a boiling point quickly. Some of us are faced with overwhelming health issues for us or those close to us. Maybe it is grief. Perhaps loneliness and depression. We are faced with decisions in our life that affect who we become and what the life around us looks like. And it is the sum total of these decisions that dictate whether our life is transformed into something worthwhile for us and those around us, or if we are smashed into dust and scattered by the wind. Hyperbole intended.

James 1:2-4 says it like this, "consider it all joy when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Jesus also ways in on this matter in Matthew 10:22 by saying, "…it is the one who had endured to the end who will be saved."

Let's complete Pilate's story for a moment. I do not believe that this event was the totality of his undoing, but it did lead to his eventual demise. In AD 36, history tells us that Pilate used extreme force to stop a Samaritan procession. It so offended the morality of that day, which is saying much, that he was summoned to Rome and never heard from again. The sum total of his decisions made under the heat and pressure of his life did not transform his life into something worthwhile for him and those around him. The weight crushed him.


Jesus on the other hand was completely transformed by the weight of his life and the decisions he made that aligned with God's will. His endurance allowed him to be in the place to accept the punishment of the world for all of humanity for all time. It allowed him to be the perfect and complete sacrifice that allows you and me the ability to relate to God.

3/9/08 Sunday Services Announcement

Sunday services will go on as usual tomorrow morning starting with Sunday School at 9:45 and worship at 11:00. If you are not comfortable getting out in the snow and ice, please do not feel as you have to risk getting out. Richard Dwyer's organ benefit concert scheduled for tomorrow has been resheduled for next Sunday the 16th at 3:00pm.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO SET YOU CLOCKS FORWARD ONE HOUR TONIGHT! See you all tomorrow if you can make it.

Manuscript: The Crowd

So we are at the halfway point of our lenten season. Three more weeks to go after this Sunday. Our journey has been taking us through the Gospel of Matthew chapters 26-28. We know that this section of Scripture begins with Jesus' thesis statement, "as you know, passover is in two days and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified." We know that at that same time, the High Priest Caiaphas was meeting with some of the chief priests and elders plotting Jesus' arrest, but not during the festival for fear of rioting that may occur. We know that at least one of Jesus' followers "understood" what he had said and she anointed his body for burial while at a dinner in Bethany. We also know that this was the final straw for Judas. He had come too far to come away empty handed and his character flaw that went unaddressed rose to the surface and he agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The same amount a male slave would have been worth. We know that he was not the only disciple that would betray Jesus as evidenced by Peter, James and John in the Garden. And now we come to the crucial scene where Jesus goes from talking about his betrayal to living through it.

The religious leaders saw an opening to apprehend Jesus through Judas. At minimum, he could give them easy access to Jesus in moments that would not be so public as to enrage Jesus' followers. Judas also gave them some protection from Jesus' followers through him being one of them. Even his own thought he needed to be stopped would have been the spin put on this event. And so they put together a group of people who armed themselves with clubs and swords and headed to Gethsemane under the direction of Judas. Once at Gethsemane, Judas takes the lead. He instructs them that the one he kisses will be Jesus. Talk about injury to insult. Judas approaches Jesus, greets him with the respectful term "Rabbi" otherwise known as "teacher" and then leans toward him and kisses him on the cheek. The ultimate sign of respect and inclusiveness is used as the ultimate sign of betrayal. It is bad enough to be betrayed, but by someone who would feel close enough to you to give you that type of greeting is chilling. And if that is not enough, Jesus responds to Judas by calling him "friend". Even in the midst of betrayal, Jesus keeps the door open for Judas' repentance and return.

Jesus is quickly seized and demonstrates great restraint as he calls off his own disciples from entering into battle against his captors. The name is not mentioned, but we know from John that it is Peter who draws his sword and strikes the High Priest's slave. Jesus, in a great act of compassion, reaches out and heals one of his captors. Words from his first sermon must have been ringing in the disicples ears, "you have heard it said love your neighbor, but hate your neighbor, but I tell you to love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you." This will be a lesson in word and deed that will serve the disciples well in the near future. Jesus truly loves his enemies. So much so that he is unwilling to leave them in their current state without a word of warning. "Why are you out here with clubs and swords?" Jesus says. "Why didn't you arrest me in the Temple? I was there teaching everyday." Implied in this foray is that they were also there listening but not understanding. Jesus knew full well why they were here under the cloak of night fully armed to arrest a teacher. THE LEADERS WANTED HIM GONE FOR THEIR OWN CONVENIENCE AND SECURITY OF THEIR POSITION. And they did not care what Jesus thought about them or what arguments he made. But the crowd. That was another matter. What was their reasoning to be party to this arrest? For sure, some were mercenaries who were being paid. But what about the others? What could have driven them to this point?

The Milgram experiment was a series of seminal social psychology experiments conducted by Yale University psychologist Stanley Milgram, which measured the willingness of study participants to obeyan authority figure who instructed them to perform acts that conflicted with their personal conscience.

Milgram set up a simple experiment at Yale University to test how much pain an ordinary citizen would inflict on another person simply because he was ordered to by an experimental scientist. Stark authority was pitted against the subjects' [participants'] strongest moral imperatives against hurting others, and, with the subjects' [participants'] ears ringing with the screams of the victims, authority won more often than not. The extreme willingness of adults to go to almost any lengths on the command of an authority constitutes the chief finding of the study and the fact most urgently demanding explanation.


• The agentic state theory, wherein, per Milgram, the essence of obedience consists in the fact that a person comes to view himself as the instrument for carrying out another person's wishes, and he therefore no longer sees himself as responsible for his actions. Once this critical shift of viewpoint has occurred in the person, all of the essential features of obedience follow.
○ This to me begins to make some sense of what the individuals in the crowd might have been feeling. The religious leadership, who they looked up to and were beholden to understand the law and therefore their way of life said that Jesus was a bad thing for the society and needed to be arrested. They were simply carrying out the will of the leadership. Just instruments of the higher-ups. No need to think much about it, they had made the decision, we are just carrying out the details. We neither made this decry or accept its consequences. Call them the faithful.

• The first is the theory of conformism, based on Solomon Asch's work, describing the fundamental relationship between the group of reference and the individual person. A subject who has neither ability nor expertise to make decisions, especially in a crisis, will leave decision making to the group and its hierarchy. The group is the person's behavioral model.
○ The multitude reinforced the behavior. It was alright because so many people were involved in it along with the leadership. It has to be appropriate behavior, or someone would stand up and say something. That is why I believe Jesus' scolding had more effect upon the crowd than the leadership. He was standing up and saying what no one else was brave enough to say. "Why not arrest me while I was in the temple?" Why do it under the cover of darkness fully armed like I am a criminal? It is the age old question, "if everyone else was jumping off the bridge, would you?" Yes, as a matter of fact.

We have been asking the question throughout lent, "Were you there?" What can we learn from the crowd that might lead us further along our spiritual continuum? For me, it is important to remember that who we follow is important. Passion is not enough. Wanting to do right is not enough. Following with all your heart is not enough. I have used this example before, but it is worth repeating. It matters who you are following. We are what we eat in terms of our spiritual lives as well as our physical lives. We tend to follow those who have the strongest voice, those who we hear most often, those who we seem to identify with the most.

Who are we listening to? Elsworth Kalas says that preachers need to have one foot in the bible and the other in the New York Times, and you better know which is the most important. We are called to be in our culture, not of it. Rick Warren, from Saddleback, explains it like this. He loves Sea Bass. But even though it lives in saltwater all its life, he still has to put salt on the fish to make it palatable. Living in the world, not getting tainted by it. Easy to say, tough to do. But this is our task. Do we feed ourselves a balanced diet of sacred and secular? Are we out of kilter toward the secular? Does our devotion life manifest itself in a positive outlook for our life and hope for the future?



We see the effects that a negative influence can have upon a situation and lives. But I see a picture bigger picture for us today. A very positive picture of possibilities for this community, nation and the world. Let me build the case for a moment. The NYTimes and Dallas Morning News reported this week that a 2007 Pew forum survey identified the following trends.

1. More than a quarter of all Americans have left the faith of their childhood for either another religion, or no religion at all. If you count shifts between one Protestant Church and another over 44% of all Americans have changed faiths just in the last ten years or so. What this reflects is the erosion of brand name/denomination loyalties. 

2. Only 16% of all Americans say they have no religious affiliation at all (up from 5-8% in the 80s), and while this number is up over previous surveys, it shows just how very religious a country America is compared to European countries. The claims that America has a precipitous rise in the number of atheists is false. In fact, most of those who claimed they were unaffiliated, simply meant they were not aligned with 'any religion in particular', but most did not reject religion either.

3. The decline of Protestantism is especially notable. In the 1970 Protestants accounted for two thirds of all Americans, now it is close to 50%.

4. Evangelical Protestants now account for the majority of Protestants, but only slightly. What this reflects is the defection of mainline Protestants to more Evangelical Protestant denominations and individual churches.

5. It has been well documented that the United Methodist Church has lost approximately 40% of its membership from
1968 through today and that trend continues to get worse as each year passes.

Did I say this was a positive picture of possibilities? The interest in spirituality is at an all-time high. Atheism is not a major trend in the US. People are interested in what we have to say. We must start saying it! And that begins with you and me. Malcolm Gladwell demonstrates in his book The Tipping Point that it does not take a huge body of people to begin something. It takes some key influencers who are committed to spreading the message. We are all key influencers in our familes, work places, neighborhoods, and this community. Some in this room reach far into this geographic region, this country and even the world with your influence. But we have to start carrying our message and enthusiasm out into our Monday through Saturday places. We are a people with a message of hope and positivity in a world of negativity. We are people that can focus on solutions instead of joining the world's trend of pointing out the problems ad nauseum. I am not talking about beating people over the head or forcing them in some way. I am talking about being an infectious people who are quick to give a hand, slow to anger and impatience, and being good listeners. I contend that those three attributes are rare in our world and are lights in the midst of darkness.

The crowd in the passage was led to destruction. But they were led and willingly went together as a result of many influences. We, too, have the power of influence. Paul said that, "greater is he who is in the you than he who is in the world." God's influence is much greater than the worlds will ever be, IF IT IS CARRIED FORWARD. By you being here today, you are validating that God is important to those outside these walls. Your very presence is a witness to the world in a more powerful way than your or my words will ever be. Think about what you are saying to your neighbors when you leaving the house each Sunday morning and come to Sunday School and worship. We as a body of believers, by our very presence are encouraging those around us to perhaps live a better life centered on God, to think twice before making decisions that will leave lasting effects on their family and children and careers. Our very presence as a group sends the message to each other that we are not alone. There is strength in numbers. There is a group dynamic that God created and uses to draw more people to Himself.

But let us not stop with our attendance. In Acts 1:8, Jesus lays out how the message will spread. He says this, "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the world." We are the messengers. God has entrusted us with a great honor and responsibility. Are we ready to accept it and continue to grow God's kingdom? A few months back we wrote down names of people who we are praying for to come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Today, I want you to again take a moment to write down the name or names of someone(s) who God brings to your attention who you could invite to come with you Sunday morning. It is important to pray, it is also important to participate with God in something like this. Multiple studies have indicated that most people are willing to attend a church if they are not currently involved in one, IF THEY ARE ASKED.

The leaders in the Temple asked, and they gathered a multitude who were willing to destroy the one who came to save them. Today, our world is asking, that is for sure. Just pick up a magazine, turn on the TV, or listen to the radio. The world is asking for our souls to be super-sized with consumerism while we have sat back and hid under the shield of: there is two things you don't talk about, religion and politics. That is a lie from the pit of hell. People are interested. People want to know how your faith has impacted you. They just don't want you to tell them how it will impact them. Will we spread the message? Will we spread the gospel, and if necessary use our words along with our love? For the sake of the world, I hope so.