… we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
Do you know you can think God thoughts? We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 ) (yes that’s us together). Still, here’s how you can take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.
Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com Subscribe and set notifications on https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.
… we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (NIV)
The Word
Be in the Word. Read the Word. Let the Word read you. What does it say? How can I summarize each passage into two or three sentences? What does it mean? What does each passage teach me? What is the spiritual truths or principles in these verses? How can I apply this? What is the Lord specifically leading me to do in response to this passage?
Hear yourself
Step outside your thoughts. Think about what you think about - record it. Write it down.
Investigate
See what the Bible says about it. Write down the truth of what God says about the thoughts you think about. Here’s a tool we have for you - https://revtrev.com/realme
Narrate
Ask God what he thinks about your thoughts. Write down what His response is. Ask Him what you should do to get the truth into your thinking. Write down that response. Habakkuk 2:1-2 - Tune to flow. Be at rest. See Jesus. Record response.
Know
Get the truth inside you. Reinforce that truth in your mind. Find a memorable action to reinforce that truth seven times a day, 21 days in a row, in three sessions of 21 days.
Examples:
- Memorize scripture like "God shall meet all my needs..." and replace the worry with this each time you find your mind doing a "what if" financial worry. - Cultivate a strong awareness of saying to yourself, each time you worry, something like: "I don't need to worry; that's causing inflammation in my brain and making me worse." - Smile each time you feel yourself worry and imagine yourself looking into God's eyes as He carries you.
It’s scientifically proven this will reform your brain cells. This works on the physical level.
Challenge
Will you think about what you think about and line it with the truth of God’s word? Use this tool to help you do it.
Why Ancient paths? We are told to "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16) What if those paths are part of the Kingdom? What if they lay a brilliant route through whatever may still come our way? What if we can find rest for our soul?
TL/DL/DW Read the notes for Move Forward Following the Ancient Paths
Paul’s blessing for the church in Thessalonica resonates with so many people.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.
It’s not just people in the church that resonate with this. It’s anyone who watches the news. Anyone who spends time on social media. It’s anyone who wants all of this to be over and for normal to be normal again.
People want peace. Not just in the world around them, they want peace in their souls.
What I’ve learned throughout this season we’re all in is that is God’s will for you and me and all who call on His name - that we would have peace at all times and in every situation, not just for ourselves but for everyone we can share that peace with.
The problem is we are going to get tired, we are going to get frustrated, we will likely grow weary in doing good. We are going to doing things that cost us our peace.
How many of you can be honest and say,
“yes I’ve felt tired, frustrated and weary?”
If you’re watching online type in “Amen…not A-women just Amen” Facebook or YouTube Type Amen.
Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive.
Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem, before Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians.
In Chapter 6 he gives us the solution for when we feel we’ve lost our peace. He says…
Jeremiah 6:16 "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls."
When we are tired, when we get frustrated, when we grow weary in doing good, the ancient way will help us find rest for our souls.
We’re going to look at possible stones in foundation of the ancient path, that are still important to us today. We’ll discuss the problems we can have in living them out. We’ll understand our part and God’s part in each of them. And we’ll leave with encouragement and a challenge to find the rest we need for our souls.
Can I pray?
First Stone
The first stone in foundation of the Ancient Path I want to point out to you comes from the Prophet Micah. We can trace it in Scripture well before Micah, but Micah summarizes it beautifully.
Micah prophesied between 750 and 686 BC. Like Jeremiah, he was before the fall of Jerusalem. He prophesied the fall of Samaria. Samaria fell 722 BC. Jerusalem didn’t fall to Babylon until 587 BC.
In world history that places him the early part of the Greek Archaic Period.
The history of the Bible blows me away. The Kingdom of Israel began, split and fell before Greece became Classical Greece. Their statues in this period were stiff. What Micah prophesied pre-dates that.
This book is ancient. Treat it with respect.
Micah prophesied in Chapter 6
Micah 6:6-8 NLT What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
A stone in the foundation of the Ancient Path we need to follow is righteousness.
Definition:
Righteousness is doing right, loving mercy, walking humbly with God.
There’s a problem with Righteousness… what do you think it is? If you’re watching on Facebook or YouTube tell us in the comments.
What is the problem with righteousness?
Problem:
We think righteousness is all on us - if we think right, if we behave right - then we are right and we’re righteous.
That’s not what the Bible teaches. That’s not what God wants.
He hasn’t designed us to accomplish His will without him.
The Father doesn’t intend for us to become more and more like the Son without the help of Holy Spirit.
He hasn’t designed us to accomplish his will without him.
Does this really matter?
1. Righteousness is part of our identity
1 John 2:29 NASB If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness also has been born of Him.
2. God loves the ones who pursue righteousness
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves the one who pursues righteousness.
Righteousness matters BUT Righteousness is not all up to us.
We have a part and God has a part.
Our part:
1. Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16 NASB All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2. Faith (Our response to the revelation of God)
Philippians 3:9 NASB and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
3. Wisdom (That God gives wisdom to those who ask for it)
James 3:13 NASB Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behaviour his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
But he says before that
James 1:5 NASB But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Because Righteousness is not all up to us.
God’s part
1. His Name is Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6 NASB In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will live securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The Lord Our Righteousness.’
2. He became sin so we could be called righteous
2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
3. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness
2 Peter 1:3 NASB or His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence
Without Him, all our righteousness is filthy rags
Isaiah 64:6 NASB For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.
Our righteousness is not good enough.
The stone in the foundation of the ancient paths is righteousness. And God’s righteousness starts with what Isaiah tells us.
Isaiah 61:10 NASB I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
And it continues through what Paul reminds Titus:
Titus 3:5-6 NASB He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
We do right because we’ve been made Righteous. It’s not that we do right so we can be called righteous.
Does that make sense? It makes all the difference in this journey.
It’s a huge shift to live out. It takes wisdom to live righteous.
Don’t forgot God gives us wisdom when we ask for it. It takes Wisdom to have peace. Look at how James defines wisdom from above.
James 3:17-18 NLT But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere.And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness
This is all connected. These are the different stone in the same ancient pathway.
Second Stone
Peace is another stone in the foundation the ancient pathway. Let me show you how righteousness and peace fit together. Look at what Isaiah says about righteousness.
Isaiah 32:17 NASB And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
The psalmist tells us
Righteousness and peace kiss. (Psalms 85:10)
PEACE is another stone in foundation of the ancient path. It is bound together with righteousness in order to make the way to go.
Isaiah 54:10 NASB For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My favour will not be removed from you, Nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,” Says the Lord who has compassion on you.
How many of you can testify that’s true? Show of hands? If you’re watching online type “Amen” if you agree - not “A-women” or I’ll call you out.
Let’s do some more interaction. If you’re watching online type your answer in the comments.
What’s the problem with peace?
The problem with peace is that we give it up way too easily.
Does THIS REALLY MATTER?
If righteousness is part of our identity,peace is proof of our authority. Want proof?
I was an image on Facebook that said…
This year I want to be more like Jesus:
- Hang out with sinners.
- Upset religious people.
- Tell stories that make people think.
- Choose unpopular friends
- Be kind, loving and merciful
- Take naps on boats
The only thing I would change on that would be the last one. Instead of “Take naps on boats” I’d write “Sleep in any storm”
You know why? You have authority over any storm you can take a nap in.
Peace is proof of our authority.
Paul told the Philippians
Philippians 1:28 NASB and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.
Basically he’s saying your peace reminds your enemy where they are going.
Peace is proof of our authority.
The same thing with Righteousness, we have a part and God has a part. Let me show you what I mean..
Our part - Trust
Isaiah 26:3 NIV You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
God’s Part - Gives peace
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Peace comes from God. It’s not something you can force yourself to have. You can’t “fake it til you make it”.
Do you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding? If not, give up your right to understand.
Trust him. Do you want peace?
Don’t worry about anything
- use that energy to meditate on the good and the right and the pure and the trustworthy…Ask Holy Spirit to help, he will.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
- When you go to prayer, exchange your problems for His peace. Prayer is an exchange, it’s not a psychological soother. Prayer is an exchange where I bring my problems to Him and He gives me His peace….Ask Holy Spirit how to do that if you’re telling yourself right now you can’t.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
With thanksgiving.
Gratitude is the game-changer. We come into His presence with thanksgiving. In His presence we are changed.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
With thanksgiving.
…and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will be with you.
You and I need peace at all times and every situation, not only for ourselves for those we need to share our peace with.
Peace is an ongoing part of the journey. It is another stone in the ancient path we need to follow. Peace and Righteousness are cemented to another stone.
It’s the final stone in the ancient path we’re going to look at today.
Third Stone
Romans 15:13 NIV May 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.
Trust not only fills us with peace, with fills us with joy.
Guess what? Righteousness invites joy as well.
Proverbs 10:28 NIV The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
How many can testify about the importance of joy in you life?
Hands up if you're here. If you’re watching online type “Amen”….
Do you know the difference joy makes in your journey?
Let’s keep up this interaction. Type “AMEN” not “AWoman”
What’s the problem with joy?
Answer online I’ll mention what you say.
The problem I see with joy is I confuse it with happiness.
Happiness depends on what happens. Joy is our strength.
Does this matter?
Proverbs 17:22 NASB A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
When Nehemiah came back with the exiles to Jerusalem and rebuilt the walls to a defensible position in 52 days.
This happened probably in 444 BC. In world History Athens laid the first stone of the Parthenon in 447 BC. Jerusalem was being rebuilt the same time Athens was becoming Athens.
After the walls were rebuilt Ezra the priest read the scrolls of the law to the people and Levites instructed the people on what was being read. It become so overwhelming it says that all the people began weeping.
Nehemiah told them:
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Righteousness, Peace and Joy are three of stones in the ancient path.
Our part in following the ancient paths
1. Believe in God
1 Peter 1:8 NASB and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
2. Be in His presence
Psalm 16:11 NIV You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
(Remember we come into His presence with thanksgiving)
3. Listening and obeying the spoken word of God - Jesus said
John 15:11 NIV I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
4. Planting and Reaping - Jesus
John 4:36 NLT The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!
Philemon 1:6 NIV84 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
5. Recognize Other’s love
Philemon 1:7 NLT Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
6. Promote peace
Proverbs 12:20 NIV Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
All of these things and more will bring joy.
God’s part
I hope you noticed, none of those things you can do without God.
Joy is fruit Holy Spirit grows in us. He’s the one that empowers us to be
Romans 12:12 NIV Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Why do I say Righteousness, Peace and Joy are stones in the foundation for the ancient path we’re to look to?
Because in the middle of the discussion Paul is having about eating meat that was offered to idols he makes this revelatory statement.
Romans 14:17-18 NIV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Righteousness, Peace and Joy are the ancient path we need to follow through anything and everything that may still be coming our way.
When we walk in righteousness, peace and joy we will find the resting place for our soul.
But God gave a warning back in Jeremiah’s day and it’s still challenges us today.
Jeremiah 6:16-17 NASB This is what the Lord says: “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
God spoke through Isaiah (30:15) told them…
Isaiah 30:15 NIV This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
Rest for your soul… will you…?
Righteousness Peace And Joy in the Holy Spirit
Remember it’s not your work, it’s what Jesus has done.
The Kingdom of God is Righteous, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.
Righteousness
We do right because we’ve been made Righteous
Peace
We are given peace as we trust in Him
How do we show that trust? Worry about nothing, pray about everything with thanksgiving.
Joy
Enjoy His Presence and Practice His Presence
"Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)
Are you ready to find rest in Righteousness, Peace and Joy,
Can I pray for you?
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You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How Can I HELP?
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation. What I create always needs to HELP - Honour, Empower, be Life-giving and Pleasing to God
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I am a wisdom loving, knowledge sharing, God marvelling, life celebrating, kingdom living, soul healing, Lord seeking, gift imparting, Spirit flowing, grace knowing, irenic follower of the Way. I hold you capable and Holy Spirit trustable to finish the good work He's started in you.
What Am I working on?
Death and taxes… I had a funeral this week and I needed to file.
Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered TO having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
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In the message, "God is always with us. Will I be with Him?", we explore the omnipresence of God and the significance of our choice to walk with Him every day. We will dive into how we can recognize God's presence in our lives and the steps we can take to ensure we are aligning our path with His. Whether you're facing challenges, seeking comfort, or looking for guidance, this message will remind you that you are never alone. Join us as we uncover the beauty of God's unwavering presence and how we can commit to being with Him in the day-to-day of our everyday.
Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com Subscribe and set notifications on https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.
Listen to God is always with us. Will you be with Him?
Notes of God is always with us. Will you be with Him?
God is always with us. Will you be with Him?
When was the last time you read through Exodus?
You’ll come to a point where Moses is on the mountain and people make an idol and worship it. Tablets the finger of God wrote on were smashed. Levites went through the camp killing any worshipping the idol.
Exodus 32:30 - 34:6 30 The next day Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’ 31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, ‘Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin – but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.’ 33 The Lord replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.’ 35 And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. 33:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, “I will give it to your descendants.” 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.’ 4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, ‘Tell the Israelites, “You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.”’ 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb. 7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the ‘tent of meeting’. Anyone enquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. 12 Moses said to the Lord, ‘You have been telling me, “Lead these people,” but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, “I know you by name and you have found favour with me.” 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you. Remember that this nation is your people.’ 14 The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ 15 Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’ 17 And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.’ 18 Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’ 19 And the Lord said, ‘I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,’ he said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’ 21 Then the Lord said, ‘There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.’ 34 The Lord said to Moses, ‘Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. 3 No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.’ 4 So Moses chiselled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, ‘The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
Can we pray?
There is so much to unpack with what we just read, but to keep with what I want to focus on today, I’ll pull three keys from this package that teach us about the presence of God.
3 Truths Moses Teaches us about the presence of God
1. The presence of God is tangible.
Exodus 33:9 -11 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshipped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young assistant Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent.
2. The presence of God is identifying and transforming.
Exodus 33:15 -16 15 Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?’
”When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.“ Acts 4:13 NIVUK
3. The presence of God can be sought.
Exodus 33:18 18 Then Moses said, ‘Now show me your glory.’
”My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.“ Psalms 27:8 NIVUK
How often would you say that you’re in His presence?
I’ve got news for you. Jesus said:
"I am with you always, to the very end of the age," - Jesus (Matthew 28:20)
God is always with us. Will you be with Him?
The presence of God
In Biblical Hebrew, the word often translated as the "presence" of God is פָּנִים (panim), which literally means "face."
In Koine Greek, the term commonly used for the "presence" of God is παρουσία (parousia). It means presence or coming. It’s used for the 2nd coming of Jesus.
The Bible tells us there are things that happen when we’re in the presence of God. I think it’s why Joshua stayed in the tent, even when Moses was done talking face-to-face with God.
14 Benefits of His Presence
Peace: Philippians 4:6-7
Rest: Exodus 33:14
Strength and Courage: Joshua 1:9
Guidance: Psalm 31:20
Protection: Psalm 91:1-2
Fullness of Joy: Psalm 16:11
Love: Romans 8:38-39
Freedom: 2 Corinthians 3:17
Healing: James 5:14-15
Wisdom: James 1:5
Provision: Philippians 4:19
Hope: Romans 15:13
Refreshment: Acts 3:19-20
Holiness: 1 Peter 1:15-16
“We can ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God. The world is crowded with Him. He walks everywhere incognito.” —C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer
Imagine…
What would it be like to company with Jesus all day long? It could mean letting go of your need to manipulate, compete, and control. Maybe it would mean living as though the present moment has no competition and receiving each moment as sacred. You’d be abiding in Christ so that you see what he loves in those who would drain, irritate, and anger you. You would see yourself through God’s eyes rather than the eyes of others. Christ would be in your joy, sorrow, emptiness, and fullness. You’d remaining open and teachable all moments. You would growing in awareness of your constant need for God.
God is always with us. Will you be with Him?
Brother Lawrence was a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris in the 17th century, known for his profound spirituality and simplicity. His book was put together by Father Joseph de Beaufort in 1692, the year after Brother Lawerence’s death in 1691. “The Practice of the Presence of God” This work consists of his letters, along with records of his conversations and spiritual maxims.
“I make it my business to rest in His [Christ’s] holy presence which I keep myself in by a habitual, silent, and secret conversation with God. This often causes in me joy and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others.”- Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God
He got too happy around monks who wanted more proper proprietary. But he found a secret that all of need to live from.
How do we practically practice the presence of God?
That’s a great question, here’s a tool to help you do that.
The Rhythm of Presence Tool
WORSHIP
Biblical Hebrew, the word commonly translated as "worship" is שָׁחָה (shachah) It means "to bow down," "to prostrate oneself," or "to pay homage."
In Koine Greek, the word often translated as "worship" is προσκυνέω (proskuneō). This term literally means "to kiss towards" or "to bow down,"
It’s a position of my heart, even though it can also be the position of my body.
It’s a bowing down on my plans and agenda, my wants and desires, my offendability and propriety. Worship is recognizing He is God. It can the the slow part of our song service. It should be in the day-to-day of our everyday.
It can be moments, but it shouldn’t just be moments. You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. This tool will help you create a rhythm to that in the day-to-day of everyday.
What does WORSHIP help us remember?
WORSHIP
W - Work as unto the Lord
O - Orientate to His thoughts
R - Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading
S - Stop throughout the day and listen to God
H - Help those who need help
I - Insist on seeing others as God sees them
P - Pray always with thanksgiving
W - Work as unto the Lord
Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
We can work for the show, or the dough, or the worry or the hurry. Jesus told us in the sermon of the mount we shouldn’t be living that way. Instead, we’re to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us as well.
When we work as unto the Lord, we feel his pleasure on us in the day-to-day of everyday. The mundane becomes holy because He is there. Strife ceases and peace comes because He is there. In His presence is fullness of joy.
Does your work need some joy?
Whatever you do, work as if you’re working for Jesus and that it’s him you’re trying to please.
Do this knowing He rejoices over you with singing and he quiets you with His love.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Do I feel His pleasure on me?
O - Orientate to His Thoughts
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8 NLT
How do we get His thoughts? The best place is in His Word.
It’s more important I have God’s thoughts than I have my own thoughts.
His opinion is the only one that matters.
It’s not just the written word, it’s the spoken word. It’s His spoken word that brings life.
1. God’s thoughts are deep
Psalm 92:5 (NLT) "O LORD, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts."
2. God’s thoughts are higher
Isaiah 55:9 (NLT) "For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts."
3. God’s thoughts for me are precious
Psalm 139:17 (NLT) "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!"
4. God’s thoughts for me are too numerous to count
Psalm 40:5 (NLT) "O LORD my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them."
5.God’s thoughts for me are good and merciful
Psalm 144:3 (NLT) "O LORD, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them?"
6. God’s thoughts for me speak life.
John 10:10 (NLT) "The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
7. God’s thoughts are to all generations
Psalm 33:11 (NLT) "But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken."
8. God’s thoughts are personal
Matthew 10:29-30 (NLT) "What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered."
9. God’s thoughts are to prospers me and give me hope
Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
How do I think about Your thoughts in the day-to-day of everyday?
R - Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading
Galatians 5:22- 25 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
His word is a lamp to your feet and light for your path. Seek His will in all you do. Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading in your life.
Do you go when he says go? Do you stay when He says “stay”.
You know when you’re keeping in step with the Spirit and when you’re doing your own thing. You can tell right?
In the day-to-day of your everyday do you feel His presence? Do you have his peace and hope and joy?
Follow those little nudges. Follow those connections that occur. Sometimes He will shout. Often he leads through the path of peace. Follow the path of peace. That’s not the same as the path of least resistance. It’s trusting Holy Spirit when He leads to do the difficult or counter-intuitive.
Have you been avoiding his leading?
In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, Isaiah 30:15 Will you have any of it?
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
How can I regularly ask You what You want me to do?
S - Stop throughout the day to listen to God
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. John 10:27-29
Jesus had enough minutes every day. He wasn’t rushed (John 11:6) or influenced by other people’s schedules (John 7:3-6). He was never in a hurry and showed compassion with people’s intrusions (Mark 10:49). He took time with the Father (Mark 1:35) and time to recreate (John 2:2). He took time for meals, even after He died and rose again (John 21:13). He accomplished the work He was given to do (John 17:4).
Do you feel have enough time every day?
You can create rhythms that give you the confidence to know you’ve done everything He’s given you to do in a given day. Here’s three to get you started.
Abiding
It’s recognizing the rhythm of time spent and time sent.
It’s repenting from the thought of God’s time and my time.
All time is holy because I’m in His tangible presence and His presence is always with me. Do I spend time in His tangible presence?
Statio
It is recognizing God is everywhere present.
It’s repenting from the feeling of busyness as a lifestyle.
The best advice I’ve gotten as a pastor is to “walk slow”. Walking slow is a rhythm we should all embrace.
Statio is often meant to denote the moment between moments, or the pause between those times when you are doing things. You can think of it as a mini-transition. You already experience this several times a day, for example, when you are figuring out what to do next or when you take a momentary break to regroup. With statio you make the pause intentional. Rest in the now moment. Take a single mindful, desire-free breath and recognize that God is present HERE NOW.
When you’re waiting for your spouse or child, do you pull out TikTok, or do be still…and know…He is God?
Selah
71 times in the Psalms and 3 times in Habakkuk the word Selah occurs. We’re not quite sure what it means, but it probably means, “Pause to reflect and respond.”
Selah is different from Statio. Statio we recognize God is present. Selah we respond to His presence.
That could be praising Him 7 times a day. I might be… something we’re going to try today.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
What rhythms do You want me to follow?
H - Help those who need help
Matthew 25:34-40 ‘Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” ‘Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
When we help those who need help we are helping Jesus. It’s Him in us that empowers us to accomplish every good work prompted by faith.
Do you want to feel His presence? Help someone who needs it in His name.
As you refresh others, you are refreshed. As you bless others you are blessed.
Why is that? Maybe it’s because we get bless and we get refreshed in His presence and when we give a cold cup of water to someone we’re giving it to Jesus.
Galatians 6:7 -10 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Am I aware and attentive to those who need help?
I - Insist on seeing others as God sees them
1 Samuel 16:7 NLT "But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.'"
Did you know you can ask God what he loves about people? His answer gives you his perspective on others who can be giving you problems. Speaking His life into them changes the moment and can change their life, but will change yours.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
What do You love about them?
P - Pray always with thanksgiving
Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Prayer is the place where we bring our problems and exchange them for His peace. We decide to trust our worries to Him because He cares for us. Trust in Him brings us peace.
Romans 15:13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Peace and joy comes from trusting the God of all hope.
Jesus’ peace he gives us and leaves with us. (John 14:27).
We’re told by the Psalmist we’re to seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14)
Peace is proof of your trust in God and your authority in Christ. It’s the one thing we as followers of Christ can never be without. If we are ever without it, we know something is not right.
The question you can ask Holy Spirit:
Do I exchange my problems for His peace?
God is always with us. Will you be with Him?
WORSHIP
W - Work as unto the Lord
Do I feel His pleasure on me?
O - Orientate to His thoughts
How do I think about Your thoughts in the day-to-day of everyday?
R - Respond to Holy Spirit’s leading
How can I regularly ask You what You want me to do?
S - Stop throughout the day and listen to God
What rhythms do You want me to follow?
H - Help those who need help
Am I aware and attentive to those who need help?
I - Insist on seeing others as God sees them
What do You love about them?
P - Pray always with thanksgiving
Do I exchange my problems for His peace?
Challenge
Worship is bowing down to God. It recognizing He is God and I am not. It’s being aware of His presence and being changed in His presence so we can be more like the One we worship by His presence.
Will you WORSHIP Him in the day-to-day of your everyday?
God is always with us. Will you be with Him?
Psalm 27 a psalm of David
”The Lord is my light and my salvation— so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music. Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation! Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close. Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.“ Psalms 27:1-14 NLT
The Live LIGHT LOOP celebrates all things Live LIGHT - including the books, and courses, and resources, and community and coaching that can be found on https://livelight.ca/
You were created to walk with God in the garden in the cool of the day. Sin came into the world and you bore the consequences. Jesus came and reversed the curse and took your place and invited you to take His yoke that is easy and burden that is light. You are a child of God creation longs to be revealed. You are a living light. Don’t conform but be transformed, so you can have peace and joy and hope at all times and in every situation.
How Can I HELP?
Live LIGHT Academy has books and courses and resources and community and coaching to help you not conform but be transformed so you can have peace and hope and joy at all times and in every situation. What I create always needs to HELP - Honour, Empower, be Life-giving and Pleasing to God
How do I define myself?
I am a wisdom loving, knowledge sharing, God marvelling, life celebrating, kingdom living, soul healing, Lord seeking, gift imparting, Spirit flowing, grace knowing, irenic follower of the Way. I hold you capable and Holy Spirit trustable to finish the good work He's started in you.
What Am I working on?
Live LIGHT with your Whole Heart Course and setting up a message clip campaign on social networks
Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered TO having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Reflections and Devotional
Get the Live LIGHT Negativity Fast in Book form today. 47 days of reflections and devotionals to help you take thoughts captive and align with God's will for your life. https://revtrev.link/books
Do you ever find yourself caught up in the whirlwind of negativity, racing through life at a fast pace without taking a moment to pause and reflect? In our modern world, it’s all too easy to get swept away by the chaos and noise around us, leaving little time for introspection. But what if we took a step back and focused on remembering the deeds of the Lord?
This unique perspective offers a powerful opportunity for reflection, gratitude, and spiritual growth. Testimony is telling the truth about God. It invites Him to do it again and encourages us that since He’s done it before He will do it again. We’ve been through the fire and not been burned and through the floods and not been overwhelmed. Remembering those high points—that looked like low points—helps us to have patient endurance.
May this Negativity Fast Reflection - Remember The Deeds Of The Lord help you to remember to testimony of God and help you remember you will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Listen to Negativity Fast Reflection - Remember The Deeds Of The Lord
Read the Negativity Fast Reflection - Remember The Deeds Of The Lord
I remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I remember what he’s done in my life. Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He has redeemed my life from the pit and crowned me love and compassion.
What has God done for me on this journey?
Next Steps
Live LIGHT Above the Negativity Course - Move from being easily regularly frustrated, usually feeling busy, often afraid or easily angered to having peace at all times and in every situation. https://revtrev.link/bless
Live LIGHT Tips and Tools to fast from Negativity - Are you looking to make a difference in the attitudes and actions in your everyday world? Get these Tips and Tools to help you Fast from Negativity https://revtrev.link/tips
Live LIGHT Negativity Fast - Move from toxic negativity to life-giving positivity with 47 days of reflections and Devotional and Community. https://revtrev.link/fast
The Empty Tomb tells us Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen! In this enlightening message, we explore the profound significance of the empty tomb, a cornerstone event in Christian theology. Discover why the empty tomb is not just a historical question but a transformative moment that has impacted millions of lives across centuries. We'll discuss the historical, theological, and personal implications of this event, offering insights into how it continues to influence faith, hope, and understanding in our lives today. Whether you're deeply rooted in your faith, seeking answers, or simply curious about the historical contexts and interpretations, this video provides a thoughtful examination of why the empty tomb matters.
The Empty Tomb tells us Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!
The Story of the ressurection through the eyes of Luke, Matthew and John
Luke 24:1-8 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”’ 8 Then they remembered his words.
Matthew 28:8-15 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. ‘Greetings,’ he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’ 11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, ‘You are to say, “His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.” 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.’ 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.
John 20:3-9 3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped round Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)
Luke 24:13-35 13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognising him. 17 He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ 19 ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’ 25 He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going further. 29 But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognised him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognised by them when he broke the bread.
John 20:19-31 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’ 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’ 28 Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Can I pray?
I have a question for you that you might not have thought about for some time.
Why does the empty tomb matter?
Before you give your automatic response, I want you to think about a couple things that you might not have thought about before.
1. Crucifixion was common
2. Resurrections happen.
Let me explain.
1. Crucifixion was common
Crucifixion - though horrific - wasn’t that uncommon in the Roman world. From at least the 6th century BC until the 4th century AD when Emperor Constantine abolished it in reverence to Jesus Christ.
Crucifixions were applied for a wide range of offenses, including but not limited to acts of piracy, slave revolts, desertion by soldiers, treason, and other crimes considered serious by the Roman state.
The most notorious mass crucifixion was following the Spartacus rebellion (73-71 BC), where around 6,000 slaves and rebels were crucified along the Appian Way from Capua to Rome as a warning to others.
Given the extensive use of crucifixion for various crimes across different regions of the Roman Empire over nearly a millennium, the total number of crucifixions could be in the tens or even hundreds of thousands.
Jesus was only one of three who where crucified the day he died.
Crucifixion-though horrific-was fairly common.
2. Ressurection happen
Elijah raised the son of the widow in Zarephath. (1 Kings 17)
Elisha raised the son of the Sunammite Women. (2 Kings 4)
A dead man came back to life when we touched the bones of Elisha. (2 Kings 13)
Peter raised Tabitha (Acts 9)
Paul raised Eutychus (Acts 20)
Jesus never came early (Matthew 9:25), just in time (Luke:13-15) or late (John 11:43-44) to a funeral where the person wasn’t raised back to life.
When Jesus died tombs were also opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and they came out of the tombs after His resurrection, entered the holy city, and appeared to many. Matthew 27:52-53
Resurrections are amazing miracles…but they happened before Jesus and after Jesus. They are still happening today. We don’t start a new religion every time someone comes back from the dead.
Why does the empty tomb matter?
1. The cross proved He is human. The empty grave proved He is God.
Here are 8 Places Jesus Calls Himself the Son of God
1. Matthew 11:27 All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son desires to reveal Him.
2. Mark 14:61-62 But He kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are You the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” “I am,” said Jesus, “and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.
3. John 3:16-18 For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.
4. John 5:25 I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
5. John 9:35-37 When Jesus heard that they had thrown the man out, He found him and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” “Who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?” he asked Jesus answered, “You have seen Him; in fact, He is the One speaking with you.”
6 John 10:36 do you say, ‘You are blaspheming’ to the One the Father set apart and sent into the world, because I said: I am the Son of God?
7. John 11:4 When Jesus heard it, He said, “This sickness will not end in death but is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
8. John 17:1 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said: Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son so that the Son may glorify You,
And Jesus told people the sign He is who He claims to be is the sign of Jonah
Matthew 12:39-40 He answered, ‘A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
To my knowledge; every one else who ever rose again didn’t tell people they would rise again. Everyone I can think of who predicted they would rise again are still in the tomb.
The Jesus of History is the Christ of Faith.
He proved it to Thomas; he’s probably proved it to you in the past. The good news is he can prove it to you whenever you need it.
Will you ask him reveal himself to you? Will you put yourself in a place for greater revelation?
2. The empty tomb provides hope for us.
1 Corinthians 15:1-19 NIV84 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this
Our future hope is with us now. Eternity starts the moment we awaken to the reality of the Eternal.
Remember what Cleopas and the other disciple said when Jesus broke the bread.
Were not our hearts burning within us?
Will you awaken to the hope of the Eternal?
Hope - trust in God of all hope who fills you with peace and joy as you trust in him so that you will overflow with hope by the power of Holy Spirit.
Start with the prayer of the Father of the boy the disciples couldn’t deliver “Lord, I believe, help my unbelief “. Faith as small as a mustard seed is enough to move mountains.
3. The empty tomb shows us we have a job to do.
Video from NT Wright - New Testament Scholar, Pauline theologian and Anglican Bishop.
You can leave the old life behind…
Why look for the living from among the dead?
Repentance and Forgiveness of sins…
Romans 8:9-14 NIV You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
You have the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead in you. His resurrection power is resurrecting you.
Will you keep accounts short with God?
How do you…
Put yourself in a place for greater revelation?
Awaken to hope?
Keep accounts short with God?
Can I make a suggestion to you?
Regularly be in AWE of God.
How do you do that?
That’s a great question.
Rhythm of Awe
Study something that makes your brain hurt. It physically opens up you mind to learn and experience more.
A - Agree to be amazed
Decision - You need to decide to be stretched. You won’t get there without a decision.
What do you want me to see today, Lord?
W - Work what works for you
Action - Is it getting out in nature or reading something in theoretical astrophysics that puts you in a state of awe? Maybe it’s spending time with your children or grandchildren that connects with the Divine? The point is, work what works for you. Make space to be in awe because you enjoy it, not because it works for someone else.
What do you want me to do to be inspired by you, Lord?
E - Enjoy what’s simple and intentional
Emotion - The feeling of emotion is key for all rhythms to work. It’s not a cerebral exercise where I learn something new every day. It’s space for me to be in AWE of my Creator.
What’s the simplest way for me to be in awe today?
Schedule in 15 minutes a day for child-like wonder.
Will you make the time to recognize GOD is with you? Will you align your actions to His will?
