The Power Over "I Will..."

D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, in his book Studies in the Sermon on the Mount, used Matthew 5:27-30 to address the "exceeding sinfulness of sin." We too at Wakefield Valley Bible Church, have taken this opportunity to study the depth of sin. Yesterday we dived into a study on the depth of sin. This study began with the angelic origin of sin, namely the fall of Lucifer.
In that study I asked the body if they saw themselves in the person and sin of Lucifer? Many commented that they did, especially in the area of pride. A telling moment came when we looked at John 8:44. In John 8:44 Christ is talking to the Jews and the conversation has grown heated. They continue to claim, that first Abraham is their father, and then God is their father. Christ says "no" to both claims, and in verse 44 He points out who is their real father. He tells them that Satan is their father and because of this, they do what comes natural, what their father does.
This is a disturbing commentary on the state of unsaved man. Unsaved man, like his father the devil, makes the same claims found in Isaiah 14:12-14. Unsaved man moment by moment says, "I will ..."
Take some time this week and read through the "I will" statements of Lucifer. Lucifer longed to take over the highest heavenly position. He desired to rule over the angelic kingdom and over all the earth. Lucifer wanted all the glory of heaven. And finally he wanted to be like God, a lie he later told Eve in Genesis 3:5.
For unsaved man the "I will" statements are part of daily life. However, what about the believer? Next Sunday we will study the advent of sin in the human race and further understand the exceeding sinfulness of sin.
-Mark

What True Worship Isn't

In Matthew 5:20 Jesus says, "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." We can easily understand that as believers, God has given us His righteousness (Romans 3:22) but those listening at the moment might have found this statement troubling. However Jesus quickly follows up with six illustrations to help all understand.
The first illustration is found in Matthew 5:21-26. Jesus teaches that the one that is angry is guilty of the same sin as murder and deserves the same punishment. However, what really speaks to me is the point Jesus makes in verses 23-26.
In verses 23-26 Jesus teaches that true worship cannot include disunity. When one remembers that his brother has something against him, he is to cease in his worship and find his brother and make all things right. Jesus does not point out who is at fault. It makes no difference if it is the brother or the one attempting to worship. However, Jesus does put the responsibility on the one who remembers to repair the relationship. Later using the idea of a debtor's prison, Jesus teaches that the healing of the relationship should take place immediately, before God begins to judge the situation.
All this teaches me that true worship is about unity in the body. At Wakefield we have an organ. For years it has been broken and cannot be used in worship. I, and many others, miss the organ. However, the presence of an organ will not truly enhance our worship. What will? Unity in the body. According to many, over the last 18 months Wakefield has come a long way in this area. However, I feel that this is something that we can always be working on (as well as every other church).
This week examine yourself. Ask God to show you if you harbor any anger in your heart. If God exposes such, then seek out the players in the situation and make things right. Then you can begin to experience true worship.

-Mark

Taking a Detour

Once we arrived at John 6, I thought it best to study what occurred between chapters 5 and 6. John allows the synoptics to cover this peried. Therefore, we are now studying The Sermon on the Mount. This study will allow us to see and understand what Jesus was teaching during this time and to understand the full rejection addressed in John 6.
Once we finish Matthew chapter 7, we will briefly return to John, only to return to Matthew to examine Christ's parables. What is important for us, is to keep Christ in the center of our teaching, to focus our Sunday AM services around Jesus Christ.
Last week we started FAITH Evangelism training. Our first two students are Ricky and Zane. We had a great first lesson and also a great first visit. Next semester we hope to grow to 9 total team members. This will be harder to accomplish, but I am certain that God is already selecting those that He wishes to attend.

-Mark