RADICAL - Why the world? (a blogpst for a sermon based on David Platt's book, "Radical", to be preached on January 25, 2015)

Do you see yourself as a "global Christian"?  The term has been thrown around for a few years now.  The idea is that we need to, not only identify with believers around the globe, but we must become involved in the work of the church around the world.  

I come from a tradition that is more interested in the church universal than the church denominational.  Our perspective is that we are all a part of God's church which is the company of believers on this planet, and that sub-dividing the whole church into smaller parts is only a sub-dividing of the whole.  What I mean is that the reality of God's church is found in pieces all around the earth.  Our connection will certainly be different with people on the other side of the world than with those we worship with, but we have a connection none-the-less.

I remember finding out a few years ago that I have more relatives in the metro Detroit area than I once thought.  I knew I had an aunt, uncle, two cousins and their children, but it wasn't until a copier salesman came into my office that I learned that I have many other relatives from my paternal grandma's side of the family.

I called my dad and asked questions I had never thought of before.  Could this salesman be related to be?  His last name was Hensley after all.  Is there family that is my age or my son's?  How close were they to my grandma?  Where do they live?  How have I lived here for almost 14 years and nobody ever mentioned this?  

Although I did not realize that I had family right next to where I lived, I did.  Even though I never thought about them, they existed.  Not seeing a connection does not mean there is not one there.

We have family all over this planet if we belong to the family of God.  We use that image a lot at Kenwood Church.  We see ourselves as close family members who love, serve, and care for one another.  We also need to see our brothers and sisters in faith as family as well.  Even if we have never thought about them, they are family still.  

I need to find the Hensley's in metro Detroit, and we need to find our Christian family scattered near and far.  Good hunting.

RADICAL - The Great Why of God (a blogpst for a sermon based on David Platt's book, "Radical", to be preached on January 25, 2015)

How did the God of the Jews become the God of the entire world?  Why did the nationalistic God of  Israel jump into the affairs of every person on the planet, for that matter, every person who ever lived?  How did the King of the Jews become the Savior of the world?  How did the anointed one become the special one of mankind?  How did the lion of Judah become the lamb of the world?

Why does this God who cares so much for people on the other side of the globe want me to love them as well?  Why can't I just worry about my neighbor next door?  Why?

RADICAL - Power (a sermon based on David Platt's "Radical" for a sermon to be preached on January 18, 2015)

How much power do you have available?  If you take my power and add it to God's power, we only have God's power.  I am a weak vessel, inefficient system, short circuit.  Any power that comes from me comes from Him.  I am, at best, a conduit for His power, and I am only that because he remade me that way.

We have, no more and no less, than the power that created the universe, destroyed death, brought Christ back from the dead, and gave me new life with us in the Holy Spirit of God?

Enough said.

RADICAL - Beginning at the End of Ourselves (a sermon based on the book "Radical" by David Platt for a sermon to be preached on January 18, 2015)

Do you get it yet?  Do you understand?  Do you know the answer?  Do you?

The question is "Why does life have to be so difficult?"

I believe the answer is very simple.  Life is difficult because I am usually doing it the wrong way.  I try to live life by my own power, and no matter how hard I try, committed I am, practiced up, improved, and prepared I am I still struggle.  I have successes . . . sure.  But the number of challenging moments overwhelm the victories.

The problem is that I try to live a life that I cannot because my nature is not able to accomplish what life demands.  I am, however, equipped to live above this life through the power of God living in me, the Holy Spirit of God.  "What is impossible with men is possible with God!" (Luke 18:27)  God takes the difficulty of living out of my hands and places His power within my reach so that He can live through me.

RADICAL - Too Hungry for Words (a blogpost for a sermon based upon David Platt's book "Radical" to be preached on January 11, 2015)

Do you really believe the Word of God?  Not, do you believe in the Word of God.  Do you really believe the Word of God?

This fundamental question gnaws at me all the time.  Do I really believe what God has said in scripture?  Do I trust that He will do what He says?

The revelation of God tells of His wonderful love for me that is willing to offer forgiveness to me and all of us at the cost of His son.  The Bible also tells us that we will be changed, reborn, renewed, given a new heart, become the righteousness of God, be a holy people, regenerated, cleaned, empowered, escaping sin, united, powerful, and victorious.

Why do we hold onto the first part but act like the second part "might" possibly happen?  As certain as God's salvation is for His children, our regeneration and sanctification are the byproducts of God's mercy and grace.  Why would God clean us up to send us back to our pitiful state?  Why would He spill His own son's blood to leave us in our depravity and sin?  Why would He offer purification that would not lead to purity?  Why would He give us hope that would only result in despair?  Why would He give so much to see so little change?  Why would He impart to us His Spirit and expect us to live by our own devices?  Why would He send us into the world without the power from on high?  Why would He?

Do you really believe in the Word of God?

RADICAL - Too Hungry (a blogpost for a sermon based on David Platt's "Radical" to be preached on January 11, 2015)

"Too hungry"?????????????????  I must admit that I have been too tired, sore, poor, slow, old, young, tall, but I don't remember many times that I could claim to be too hungry.  I have been hungry (actually I usually am).  I have been really hungry.  But, too hungry, I don't think so.

I don't think I have ever been at the point to where I couldn't go just a little bit longer without food. A few minutes or hours would not have made a real difference in my life.  My appetite has always been blessed with enough food to never get to the "too hungry" stage.

I have witnessed children in Mexico who were so hungry that they could not eat all that their bodies wanted.  The pain from the hunger was a real problem.  They had to eat a little so they could eat a lot.  I also remember these children at times getting food but without substance, and their little bodies were "too hungry" for what was served.

I wonder if I am not "too hungry" for God's word because I have so many other good things in my life.  A good house, car, job, friends, income, family, all keep me pretty satisfied.

"Too hungry for words" conjures the idea that words alone are not enough.  Platt is challenging us to get to the place where we desire God so much that words are not enough.  Is your spiritual diet so filled with words that you do not desire to move beyond them?  Are you prepared to make your meal from the actions of discipleship rather than the words of an acolyte?

RADICAL - Too Hungry for Words (a blogpost for a sermon to be preached on January 11, 2015)

Who do you know that has the greatest hunger for the Word of God?  For me, it is definitely my wife.  I thank God often that He had me go to Bible college for 4 years and seminary for 5 years just so I can answer most of her questions.  Her desire for God's revelation has become voracious.  She delights in what God has communicated to His people.  She longs to learn and become.  She is so hungry.

How does your hunger compare to that person in your life?  Why?  What keeps you from having the same craving?  Have you asked God to give you an appetite that cannot be quenched?  Have you ever asked that person how they got to where they are?  Would you ask God to open your heart to His Word?  Will you do that today?  Will you do that now?