Heartbroken Q&A–Week 4

Posted: 27th January 2012 by Frank in Q&A
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You would think Obadiah was a short book or something! I received 2 great questions. Now as we move on, if you still have questions, shoot them at me, even if they are from previous weeks, I’ll be happy to answer them for you. On to Obadiah!

Obadiah

What’s significant about living “in the cleft of the rock” (v.3)?

The Edomites were known for living in a very rocky, mountainous area. The NLT translates this clearly in v 3 when it says, “because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the mountains.” One of the primary reasons the Edomites were so arrogant was that they thought their dwelling was impenetrable.

 

At the end of v. 7, who are the ones who “eat your bread”?

Great question, because no one knows for sure. Based on the context, Obadiah appears to be talking about Edom’s allies, those trusted people they would share their food with. Again, Edom’s arrogance will be unfounded when those people they should be able to trust the most turn against them in their time of calamity.

New Song Notes

Posted: 26th January 2012 by Frank in New Song
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Hey there New Song!

This week has flown by… in fact, this month has flown by. Do you realize February is almost here already?! Gentlemen, that means time to start making your Valentine’s Day plans. Seriously – start planning now, and be prepared.

Some reminders, announcements and other miscellaneous stuff for you today:

  • This Sunday, right after 2nd hour, the Banquet Ministry will be hosting a Spaghetti Fundraiser. The cost is $5 per person or $20 for a family.
  • Also this Sunday, we will have kid’s sermon notes in their worship baggies, and a few extras at the ushers tables. These are designed for 1st – 5th graders. That being said, if you are a parent of a 1st – 5th grader, and you have some ideas for those kids sermon notes, feel free to fire them my way.
  • Both of those announcements are a direct reflection of us working hard to stay on task this year – to fulfill our vision to be a church that is dedicated to making disciples. Please, continue to pray that we will be faithful to that vision, and sensitive to God’s leading as we try to figure out what it looks like.
  • Another reminder for you about our pictorial directory coming up. Each family that comes in and gets their pictures taken gets a free 8 X 10 portrait, and has the option to purchase more. I’d encourage you to get on the website (www.newsong-church.com) and schedule your portrait appointment now.
  • Don’t miss next week!!! February 5th, we will be going over the story of Jonah, and I’ve asked the children’s ministry to help me lead worship and tell the story of Jonah. Can’t wait!
  • Finally, this Sunday, we’re going to be looking at the prophecy of Obadiah together. If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for! Seriously, I think this update is longer than the entire book. So get to it! ;) The songs for this Sunday are below…

Looking forward to seeing you all… have a great rest of the week!

1-29-12 by Frank Taylor on Grooveshark

Is “religion” a bad word?

Posted: 25th January 2012 by Frank in Ramblings
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In Amos, God tells the Israelites He is sick of all of their empty rituals, and is no longer listening to their false worship. Their offerings no longer please Him. Their sacrifices are a joke. He then lays out the desire of His heart:

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

– Amos 5.24

That verse describes real religion. But in our culture, religion means something totally different. Real religion, true religion, biblical religion isn’t a 10% offering. Real religion isn’t what happens at church, or what happens in a small group. Real religion isn’t following a set of morals. Real religion isn’t listening to the right kind of music, or reading the right version of the Bible. Real religion isn’t based on how many times you go to church in a week, or a month, or a year. As shocking as this may be, real religion isn’t you not using “potty-mouth” words.

Real religion is when one lives a life marked by righteousness and justice. After all, that’s how it’s defined in James, isn’t it?

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

- James 1.27

Justice (fairness for the less fortunate; dignity and compassion for the needy, or those who cannot repay you) must happen, but it must be accompanied by righteousness. Without justice, you have Pharisees. Without righteousness, you have no justice, because it will always be tainted by our sinfulness.

So, is religion a bad word? No, but it is certainly a word filled with misunderstanding.

What is “religion?”

Posted: 24th January 2012 by Frank in Ramblings, Videos
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So, one of the main points in our message on Amos had to do with the fact that the people in Amos time thought that they could live any life they wanted Mon-Sat, as long as they hit their checkmarks on “Sunday.” I then explained my take on this word “religion”,” especially in light of the current “kerfuffle” about a video that has gone viral over the last 2 weeks. (As of right now, it has been viewed 16,300,000 times!!!! I’ll link to it and others below.)

Just as a reminder, my argumentation is that the word religion means something different to each person. I used the word “gay” as an illustration of how dramatically words can change in definition over time, whether we like it or not. (I was reminded that the beloved Flintstones use that word in their theme song… I am guessing they would choose another word if they were to re-write it today.) What may have been a positive word 50 years ago may very well have a completely different meaning today.

To many today, to be religious is to be a hypocrite, to place your trust in a system or a checklist, to be a legalist.

To others, to be religious is to be faithfully and radically following after Jesus, submitting to Him and His will for us.

No matter how you define the word, the Truth is that the finished work of Jesus on the cross is what gains us acceptance in God’s eyes, and to put your trust in anything else, or to think that by performing certain religious exercises you will garner His approval, thus causing Him to nonchalantly overlook your sin in other areas is a gravely serious error.

As to the “hubbub” over the video, I truly believe that it hits on some key areas that must be addressed. I also believe that some of the critics are right on. Let me point you to a couple of places that will, I believe, help in the understanding of what is going on. First, click here to go to Kevin DeYoungs blog. There, you will be able to see the video, as well as read a very well written, kind, fair and I believe honest evaluation of the video. Then, if you click here, you will be taken to another post, where the poet responds to Kevin DeYoung, and you can witness what it should look like for followers of Jesus to disagree. Finally, clicking here will bring you to the CBS morning show interview of Jefferson, the guy who did the poem.

More tomorrow!

Outline–Amos

Posted: 23rd January 2012 by Frank in Sermon Series
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Judgment is coming for the surrounding nations (1:1-2:5)

   Being judged for repeated sin…

   The surrounding nations repeatedly oppressed people in order to get what they wanted

 

Judgment is coming for God’s people (2:6-16)

   Israel would be judged for repeated sin, also oppressing the needy (2:6-8, 4:1, 5:10-13, 8:4-6)

   They are reminded that they were at one time the needy (2:9-12)

   The judgment is described (2:13-16)

  • Certain (3:3-8)
  • Significant (3:12)
  • Severe (4:2-3)
  • Fair (4:6-12)

 

Not caring for the needy is a big deal, but what it reveals is the bigger deal

   They are following after religion without following after God.

   Their religious activity became a substitute for righteousness

   5:21-24 – Justice cannot exist without righteousness, and righteousness cannot exist with justice

   The way people live and behave outside of church is as much a part of worship as the singing they do in church

   God is clear: your focus on the self-righteous legalistic lifestyle proves you don’t get it.

We must pursue pure religion, as found in James 1:27 – filled with justice (compassion for those who can NOT repay you) and righteousness (not a checklist, but living a life marked by faithfulness and integrity no matter what day of the week)

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