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Hazardous Work!! by Pastor Chris Horsley

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Hazardous Work!!

Matthew 10:16–“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.”  The Message

What a promise, what a guarantee that Jesus gives us in this verse alone!!  He is sending us out like sheep among wolves.  The heading in my Bible for this passage is “Persecution will come.”  It’s hazardous work following Jesus.

Think about the picture Jesus paints: Sheep among wolves.  One wolf among a flock of sheep would cause considerable harm, and this is what Jesus says it will be like as He send out the 12, with a definite eye towards all who would choose to follow Christ.

If you are looking for a safe, controlled life, the conclusion is clear: Stay away from Jesus!  He is a lightning rod for “trouble”.

Keep in mind that sheep are one of the most helpless domesticated animals there are.  And they are not the smartest, either!

We sometimes have this misguided notion that following Jesus is always easy.  The above verse alone and those  that follow below that notion out of the water.

Go!!

He is sending  the disciples out to reach and save the lost!  He is sending us, too.  There is a harvest field for us to reach out to, and Jesus lets us know that it won’t always be easy.  The world can be a mean, unfriendly place.

Author, David Platt in his book Radical says it this way:

Jesus told them, “Go to great danger, and let it be said of you what people would say of sheep wandering into the middle of wolves.  ‘They’re crazy!  They’re clueless!  They have no idea what kind of danger they are getting into!

This is what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

The great news if you read on in this passage is that He will never leave you or forsake you!!

Yes, you may be facing hardships because of your belief in Christ, but you and I can take comfort in the fact that Jesus is with us…and will give us the words to speak.

This reminds me of one of my favorite stories, the story of Stephen.

Acts 6:8– Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.

Keep reading, and you will see that he was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin.

And there, he preaches! He makes such an impression that they rush him out of town and stone him to death.

Wow.  That’s not quite what you would expect. He was only doing what God would want, right?

Stephen was sent out like sheep among wolves.  Some may say he failed.

But look at the results.

Acts 8:4–But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.  

People had the Gospel preached to them.  Why?  Because Stephen “loved not his life even unto death.” Stephen had an eternal perspective.  He didn’t go looking for trouble; it found him.

In reading the story of Stephen, I am reminded of these verses in John 12.

John 12:23-25– I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. 25 Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity.

So, as we go on today, think about it.  Are you “dead” to yourself?  Are you and I ready to be sent into the harvest field…no matter the cost?

Let’s grab ahold of an eternal perspective and truly be like “sheep among wolves”.

Shake It Off by Pastor Matt

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Song: You Are Everything

Artist: Seeker & Servant

6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (ESV) Matthew 7:6

 

Pearls

At the heart of this pithy command is a foundational truth: the gospel of Jesus is precious. Something to be treasured. Valuable. Sacred. It’s really good news. Pearls.

Pigs

But, not everyone will receive it as such; some, in fact, will actively devalue it. In those moments, given its precious nature, Jesus says use caution. Be discerning. Or, as one translation puts it, Don’t be flip with the sacred. Don’t go willy-nilly throwing around the rich truths of the Gospel.

It’s similar to something Jesus tells his disciples a bit later. When sending them out, he reminds them that not everyone will respond the same way to their message. Some will accept it, others will reject it. And when that moment of rejection comes, he tells them to shake the dust of that place from their feet and move on.

What’s Jesus’ warning? Use discernment.

Piety

Which brings us to piety.

In the immediate context, Jesus has just warned against being judgmental. The flip side is that one runs the risk of embracing a wishy-washy faith that refuses to make any distinctions at all between right and wrong.

But, just when we’re tempted to play it soft with the truth, we bump into the command don’t be flip with the sacred. As disciples, we’re not to be judgmental, but neither are we to be indiscriminate.

Then there’s the even broader context, where this call for discernment is nestled tightly within an emphasis on love for enemies and righteous living.

And one quality of the truly righteous life – or piety – is discernment.

Not pious judgmentalism. The righteous life does not dismiss all gospel naysayers as dogs and pigs. It’s discerning. The command is not an excuse to give up my Christian witness. On the contrary, the righteous life, says Jesus, is marked by an ability to discern when to be patiently persistent in my witness to the gospel…and when to shake the dust.

This is just like Jesus. He rarely lets us off the hook with some simple, easy-to-follow formula that applies in all circumstances. Instead, he says follow me…and learn how to discern.

Full of Gladness and Glad Some More by Pastor Andy

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Matthew 5:11-16

11“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
Teaching about Salt and Light
13“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

JOY!

So I blog.

I’ve been blogging for a while – close to 10 years. It started as a way to promote my business. Eventually blogging turned into actual writing. Writing became a passion which turned into a hobby which I’ve pivoted back into a business a couple of times and ways.

Through this journey, my writing has shifted from business related to general life principles and now to faith.

To promote my blog, I occasionally send emails to a list I’ve collected over the years. Many of the people on the list aren’t followers of Jesus, so occasionally I get pushback on my more pointedly Christian material.

Every time I receive an email or an online comment or a Facebook message, my heart tightens. I think, “Someone doesn’t like what I have to say! How should I respond?” Interestingly, Not once have I ever thought, “JOY! I’m so glad! Someone is questioning my faith [smiley face]”

I just haven’t thought to do that.

Rejoice & be Glad!

Jesus commands me otherwise.

He says “Rejoice and be glad…” (literally, be full of gladness and be glad). That’s a lot of happy in a rough position – mocking, persecution, lies, various sorts of evil – all beyond a little push back, yet we are to be glad and then glad some more.

Let’s talk about the why. Why are we glad and glad a little more?

Let’s look at verses 13 through 16. If you’re bible is like mine, there is a section break between 12 and 13. All of Matthew 5 is from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. He didn’t preach this with a section break. Persecution and Joy flow right into Salt and Light.

We are glad in the midst of pushback because we are salt and light. Questions, persecution, pushback means we’re still salty; we’re still bright.

When people say things that make my heart tighten up, it means I’m still salty, my light still shines bright.

When was the last time someone questioned your faith? Think about it. These moments are a litmus test of your salt and light. We live in a culture where persecution is light and mile, but it’s happening more and more.

When you are questioned or even truly persecuted, rejoice! You are salt. You are light.

Better yet, rewards await you (vs 12).

Today, be blessed. God is for you, even when people aren’t!

Song of God | Cory Asbury

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THIS SUNDAY!  NO SERVICE HELD IN THE CROSS POINTS BUILDING!OSD_SuperFan_Screen

SERVICE BEING HELD IN OLD SHAWNEE TOWN THIS SUNDAY @ 10:30AM
Be a Super Fan!  This Sunday, Cross Points Church will leave the building!  Come out to Shawnee Town this Sunday, June 5th at 10:30am.  Please plan to attend and bring friends!  

Old Shawnee Town Main Stage
11501 W 57th St, Shawnee, KS 66203

*Be sure to bring your lawn chair or blanket and sunscreen.

We’re expecting a big crowd, arrive earlier for a good parking spot!
Parking for The Old Shawnee Days Sunday Celebration Service

OSD2016PARKING

*In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held at Cross Points Church.*

Let’s all pray for sunshine!

Fear, Memory & the Future by Pastor Matt

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Song: Even So Come

Artist: Kristian Stanfill

27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

John 14:27-29

Don’t fear

The command from Jesus today is don’t be troubled or afraid. But if we stop there, we’ll come up short every time. Fear’s a funny thing. It’s hard to control. Slippery. Feeds on uncertainties.

That’s what it was doing to the disciples in the passage, feeding on their uncertainty about the future. The disciples were afraid because they didn’t understand. What was all this chat from Jesus about leaving? Going away? Things were just starting to look up! We’re finally getting some traction. Now you’re leaving?! They couldn’t see how this was going to play out. They were afraid.

And so Jesus says, “Don’t be troubled or afraid.” Ok. Got it. Would that fear were so easily conquered in my life! Don’t be afraid. Power pose. Don’t be afraid. Power pose. Don’t be afraid. Power pose. Fear vanquished. Next.

Remember

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. It’s what he says next that carries the real weight in this passage:

“Don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you...”

And what did he tell them? I’m coming back.

It’s interesting how this passage brings together fear, memory, and the future. Our memory of Christ’s words has a direct affect on our fear of the future. Jesus makes a connection between what we do with His words and how we handle fear. Into the disciples’ uncertainty about the future, Jesus speaks a very certain word: I am coming back to you again. And, apparently, that knowledge – remembering those words – has the power to stave off fear. And open the door for peace of mind and heart!

I am coming back to you again, he says. You are not alone. Or rather, you are not left alone. The Father’s designs for this world – including your life and all of its details – will be accomplished. I will come back to you again.

Take a moment today to identify areas of fear in your life. Where might uncertainty over the unfolding of God’s plans be generating fear in you? Then, take that fear and place it alongside what Christ has said: I am coming back to you again – and pray that certainty into your fears.

How does this certainty about the future – this specific truth that Jesus is coming back – change the reality you face? What are the implications of Christ’s return for the situation you are facing today?

For the situation – personal, global, and everything in between – that might be sparking fear in you, remember (and pray!) these words of Jesus: I am coming back to you!