Indifference

And they crucified him.
Dividing up his clothes,
they cast lots
to see what each would get.
Mark 15:24

The soldiers at the foot of the cross were at the scene of the most significant event in all of history, but they missed it. They were close to the cross, but far from Christ.
 
Familiarity made them indifferent. Soldiers performed many crucifixions. It was just another day at the office. Has familiarity caused the cross to lose it's impact today? We see crosses everywhere; on top of buildings, on tomb stones, tee shirts, on our jewelry. Given enough time, everything will be taken for granted; no matter how valuable.

We took the old rugged cross and polished it to make it shiny turning an instrument of execution into a fashion statement. However, displaying the cross is not the same as being transformed by it.

Materialism made them indifferent. The soldiers wanted Jesus’ clothes. It was part of their benefit package. There is nothing wrong with working and making a living but the soldiers were so busy gambling for Jesus' clothes that they never looked up to see the savior of the world.

Busyness made them indifferent. The soldiers were too busy to notice whom they were crucifying. We can be close to the cross but too busy to notice. Even good deeds become bad if they distract us from God. Jesus told of man who was beaten, robbed and left naked and unconscious by the road. Two ministers passed by the man without rendering aid. They were busy.

People who get used to going through the motions of serving God can fall asleep spiritually.

The Unexpected Cross

Mark 15:21

Simon was in Jerusalem for Passover. He traveled a long way to fulfill lifetime dream but things did not turn out the way he expected. “And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear [Jesus'] cross.” (Mark 15:21)

Jesus was exhausted and the soldiers had the right to compel anyone to carry a load for a mile. Simon just happened to be in the right place at the right time. God had a divine appointment with Simon that day.

Simon's divine appointment had an eternal impact. Until that moment Simon had just been a nameless bystander but, once he carried Christ’s cross, his life changed. We can never encounter the cross and remain unchanged. If we accept Christ, we are transformed, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Simon of Cyrene's encounter with Jesus transformed him and his family. Mark names Simon's sons, Alexander and Rufus, because they were known to early readers of his gospel. Paul gives a shout out to Rufus in his letter to the Romans, “Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.” (Romans 16:13)

Simon took the Gospel back to Cyrene where he led both his family and the Jewish community to Christ. Lucius of Cyrene was one of the founders of the church in Antioch. (Acts 13:1)

Like Simon, you might encounter God unexpectedly. Most things we long for never happen but the greatest joys can come unexpectedly and, sometimes, disguised as hardship.

When Simon took up the cross, he left a legacy for the church. Simon was changed forever by one simple act. Join Simon in carrying the cross of Christ.

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Mocking Jesus

Mark 15:16-20

Jesus was turned over to the soldiers to be beaten and whipped. This was great sport for the soldiers who were allowed to do with the convict as they pleased. They dressed Jesus in a fake royal robe and forced a crown of thorns upon his head. “Hail, King of the Jews,” they would say as they struck him and spat on him.

The soldiers did not mock Jesus for what he did. He never spoke against the government nor called for riots or protests. Instead, he demonstrated compassion and concern for the poor and forgiveness to all who repented. He was mocked for the darkness revealed in their souls. They refused light, preferring to remain in darkness.

People still mock Jesus. “In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. (2 Peter 3:3)

The rich and famous continue to indulge in depravity and mock God. Justin Beiber's wild rampage is just one example among so many. Jesus is mocked on TV, in songs comedy routines and political speeches.

Jesus shows us how to respond. He did not retaliate when false charges were brought against him. He knew what was coming and he warned his disciples, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him.” (Mark 10:33-34)

Jesus used the hatred, the mockery, and the cruelty to bring God's will.

In America, the First Amendment allows you to speak your mind; even if your mind is full of immoral thoughts and blasphemy. On the other hand, God's Word is working against the mockers: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)

God can turn mockers into missionaries. A man named Saul of Tarsus persecuted the early church. A visit from Jesus turned persecutor Saul into Paul the missionary. He tells us in Romans 12:17-21, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

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What shall I do about Jesus?

Mark15:1-15

Many people were forced to make choices one fateful day in Jerusalem. Some bad choices were made. What choice would you have made? “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked. (Mark 15:12)

The religious establishment saw Jesus was disrupting their way of doing things. His views were a threat to political stability and the Pharisees control over religious opinion. They chose POWER instead of the PRINCE of PEACE.

The crowd was fickle. Once they backed Jesus but now they turn against him. Public opinion is easily swayed by those who know how to manipulate it. The crowd chose POPULAR OPINION instead of the PRINCE OF PEACE.

Only the Roman's had authority to carry out a death sentence, so, it was up to the governor, Pontius Pilate. Pilate tried repeatedly to avoid making a decision. He knew he was being set up but Pilate washed his hands and convicted Jesus to death. Pilate will forever be remembered because he gave in to the pressures surrounding him. He was not strong enough to stand up for what was right. He did not want to get on the bad side of the Jewish leaders. He chose POLITICAL EXPEDIENCY instead of the PRINCE OF PEACE.

What will you do about Jesus?

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve....

But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Joshua 24:15

Extreme Love 2

Here are the next three messages from the Xtreme Love series at Baptist Temple

Message from Sunday, March 7:

Loving God with all your mind (Romans 12:2)

To love God will all your mind you must have a biblical world view. In other words you must see the world through God’s eyes.


Message from Sunday, March 14:

Loving God with all your strength (Romans 12:1)

Loving God with all your strength requires sacrifice, service and recognizing that God is the source of our strength. Loving God with all your heart means setting your priorities around Him.


Message from Sunday, March 21:

Loving Your Neighbor (Luke 10:25-37)

Loving God means loving our neighbor. Jesus would have us ask “Have we been a good neighbor,” rather than, “Who am I obligated to help?”

You can get the previous 3 messages here

Extreme Love

Here are the first three messages from the Xtreme Love series at Baptist Temple



Message from Sunday, Feb 14:

The Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:30-31)

God requires total devotion from His followers and that includes that we love each other and those outside our faith.


Message from Sunday, Feb 21:

Loving God with all your heart (Mark 12:30)

Loving God with all your heart means setting your priorities around Him.


Message from Sunday, Feb 28:

Loving God with all your soul (Matthew 6:19-34)

Loving God with all your soul requires a single-minded devotion.

Kindness evangelism

We are celebrating 40 days of Xtreme Love at Baptist Temple. We started on Feb 14 with a sermon series focused on Mark 12:30-31 and a lunch served by our youth that also served as a fund raiser for youth summer ministries. Later that week we collected and sorted clothing for our thrift shop.

On the second Sunday we provided cards with love assignments to do an act of kindness for a church member (including homebound), relative, friend or neighbor. Most were free but some could cost up to $10. The cards were color-coded according to cost. Tasks ranged from a phone call to taking someone out to lunch. The goal is to accomplish your task during the Lenten season.

That evening we had training on Kindness Evangelism. This involves showing God’s love in a practical way through some small act of kindness or service. These include giving out bottled water, flowers on mother’s day or free gift wrapping at the mall during the Christmas shopping season with NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

A small act accompanied by the power of the Holy Spirit can change a person’s heart. It breaks down barriers because it offers grace without pressure. Remember, NO STRINGS ATTACHED!

“…Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42)

More on Kindness Evangelism

Everyone can celebrate Lent

Lent is not just for Catholics anymore. You don't need to be from a liturgical tradition or even high church to celebrate Lent. In the Christian tradition Lent, the 40 days that precede Easter, is a time set aside for spiritual growth, inner reflection, and service to others.

Many Christians see Lent as a time for sacrifice. No meat. No chocolate. No TV. No cigarettes. You get the drift. Lent can be so much more than that. It is a time for spiritual reawakening. It is a time to reconcile with God. Even as the earth prepares for spring's rebirth, we prepare to celebrate the greatest gift of all, the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

There are some ways we can celebrate Lent to bring spiritual growth:
• Improve your focus on God. Stop doing the things that keep you from God. Is it TV? Parties? Overspending? Or something else? Eliminate or cut back and spend that time productively.
• Forgive somebody. An ancient tradition in the church was that, during Lent, those who had been ostracized for notorious sins were welcomed back into the fold.
• Pray. Ask God every day during Lent to tell you what he wants you to do.
• Attend worship. If you have fallen out of the habit of going to church, start back up. You're still welcome. No need to wait for Easter.
• Give stuff away. Go through your closet and pass along some things you no longer use.
• Read the Bible. Start with the Gospel of Mark. Read it all the way through or just a few passages a day.
• Join a small group Bible study or start one with your friends and/or neighbors. You could even start one during lunchtime at work.
• Visit someone at a nursing home. It could be a friend or relative or you can call and ask if they have an adopt-a-grandparent program.
• Volunteer for PADS or at a local food pantry.
• Do a kind deed for a neighbor, friend, coworker or relative.