Quote from Forum Archives on April 4, 2002, 9:31 am

Posted by: freewayfoundation <freewayfoundation@...>

e-pistle

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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation April 5, 2002

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In this Issue:
Sermon: Luke 19:41-44
Bible Study: Colossians 1:15-19
Personal Growth of the Minister
www.freewayfoundation.org

Who says, "Big Boys Don't Cry"?

Maybe "real men don't eat quiche," but genuine men of God do weep over sin. Jesus wept over Jerusalem; we ministers certainly need to weep over our cities.

In Luke 19:41-44, we note three examples Jesus set for us:

1. Jesus drew near Jerusalem. Too many of us flee from the city when it is
decaying and dying rather than staying to minister.
2. Jesus saw. Too many of us deliberately close our eyes rather than see
(observe) the hurt and the need.
3. Jesus wept. Too many of us despise (or ignore) rather than weep in prayer
over the chronic problems of our cities.

Why cry? For the same reasons Jesus wept:

I. BECAUSE EVIL (SATANIC) INFLUENCES WERE BESIEGING THE CITY

1. Enemies were building an embankment, encircling, heming it in. (Luke 19:43)
2. Siege! Surrounding troops were cutting off supplies so that starvation and privation
would break the will to resist and lead to surrender. Vicksburg, Mississippi was
under seige 47 days before it surrendered on July 4, 1863.
3. Our enemy, according to John 10:10 has only three purposes. He comes to steal
(take away our promised provision and heritage), to kill (death of conscience, spiritual
discernment, and love for righteousness), and to destroy (testimony and influence).

II. BECAUSE OF PEOPLE'S IGNORANCE (SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS)

1. Lost people don't know the true source of peace. (Luke 19:42)
2. Lost people don't have eyes to perceive spiritual reality. (Luke 19:42)
3. Lost people don't recognize God's presence and purpose. (Luke 19:44)

III. BECAUSE PEOPLE CONTINUALLY REJECT GOD'S MERCY (MATTHEW 23:37)

1. God's messengers were killed.
2. God's love was spurned.
3. God's protection was refused; His warning of danger and death ignored.

IV. BECAUSE THESE THINGS INEVITABLY LEAD TO DOOM

1. Death (Luke 19:44) Humanity: "dash you and your children to the ground."
2. Destruction (Luke 19:44) Society: "not one stone on another."
3. Desolation (Matthew 23:38-39) Spirituality: "house is left desolate . . .
you will not see ME again."

Notice what Jesus did after he wept over the city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:45-46). He immediately went into the temple:

1. Drove out the ungodly, greedy merchants.
2. Used Spripture to emphasize holy living.
3. Prioritized the practice of prayer.

The weeping over the city and the cleansing of the temple illustrate the two major traits of God: love and holiness. Jesus here exhibited compassion toward sinful people and confrontation toward sinful practices.

APPLICATION TO CHRISTIAN MINISTERS TODAY

1. We need to draw near, see, and weep over our flock, our city, our state, our nation, and our world.
2. We need to weep because:
* Spiritual enemies are besieging to steal, kill and destroy,
* People can't see reality regarding God's peace, presence,
and purpose,
* People reject God's messages and offer of love, mercy, and
protection, and
* Human suffering, societal destruction, and spiritual desolation are
the inevitable results.
3. After we have engaged in "liquid prayer", we need to take these actions:
* Boldly confront ungodly, greedy profiteers who make money peddling
deadly products and practices,
* Empahsize by word and deed the necessity and benefits of Biblical
holiness, and
* Engage in intercessory prayer (spiritual warfare) in behalf of our people
and our city.

This old gospel song summarizes these truths:

Resuce the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o're the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save,

Magnify the Lord of Glory!
(Colossians 1:15-19)

I. Concentration: on who Jesus is . . .

1. He is the image of the invisible God, v. 15.
2. He is the first born over all creation, v. 15.
3. He is the Creator, v.16.
4. He is before all things (in time; in importance), v. 17.
5. He is the force holding creation together, v. 17.
6. He is the head of the church, v. 18.
7. He is the beginning/firstborn of the resurrected ones, v. 18.
8. He is supreme in everything, v. 18.
9. He is the dwelling place of all the fullness of God, v. 19 (2:9).
10. He is the reconciler between God and man, v. 20.
11. He is the indweller within the believer, v. 27.
12. He is the hope of glory, v. 27.

II. Meditation: on Paul's continual prayer for the Colossians (vv. 8-14)

1. "Be filled with the knowledege of His will in all wisdom and spiritual
understanding," vv. 9-10.
2. "Walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him," v. 10.
3. "Bear fruit in every good work," v. 10.
4. "Be strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all
patience, long-suffering, and joy . . . with thanksgiving," vv. 10-13.

III. Revelation: Paul prays that these Christians may have . . .

1. An understanding mind.
2. Guided feet along life's pathway.
3. Serving and ministering hands.
4. A patient, long-suffering, joyful, thankful heart.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .

1. Be open to God's revelation knowledge for me.
2. Walk worthy of my name . . . "Christian."
3. Bear much fruit through faithful service and unselfish ministry.
4. Be filled with the Holy Spirit so that I may exhibit patience, long-suffering,
joy, and thanksgiving . . . to magnify the Lord of glory!

Personal Growth of the Minister
by: Dr. David Claybrook, Pastor, Christ Church - St. Louis

Dear JD (Jesus Disciple),

I have been thinking a lot about the concept of covenant. The reason is simple: I performed the wedding ceremony in which my youngest son, Jonathan, joined himself in covenant with Amy, a beautiful young lady whom we love dearly. Believing so strongly that marriage is a covenant, not just a contract, I used that concept as the basis for the entire ceremony. In preparing for this I was reminded how many of the aspects of the traditional wedding service are derived from very ancient covenant rituals. Here are but a few examples:

You know, JD, the Apostle Paul was right. (Go figure!) The marriage covenant is an ideal picture of the "mystical union between Christ and His church." God joined Himslef in covenant with the man through His (and our) representative, Jesus. He died to ever being independent again and will live throughout eternity with us as His companion. He has also bound Himself to providing for our needs and defeating our enemies. And He has given us His Holy Spirit as a sign of this great covenant. Of course baptism shows our death to self and the Lord's Supper is in celebration of these great realities. All of this is because of any unconditional love He has for us. Amazing!

The two companies, seated on opposite sides of the center aisle, represent the two
families being joined into one family by their representatives, the bride and groom.

The bride and groom facing one another and joining their right hands represents
full disclosure, consent and the complete trust they have in each other.

Of course the rings are used as the signs of the covenant. They are precious gifts
exchanged which are a visible sign to all that the individual persons are now
completely bound in covenant with another. In other words, "Be careful how you
treat me, I'm not alone in life's journey. My partner's resources, material and military,
are at my disposal."

Then there is the reception, the party, the celebration. The eating of cake and drinking
of the juice symbolic of the two becoming one flesh (cake) and the bloodlines
becomine one (juice).

I don't know about you, JD, but just being reminded of this encourages my love and faith. I am so grateful to be a part of this great covenant. Praise the Lord for His wonderful love. Oh yes, don't forget, we are the bride at the great marriage supper of the Lamb. What a blow out that will be! I wouldn't miss it for the world.

DM (Disciple Maker)

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Our quote this week comes from Helen Keller:
"I am only one; but still I am one.
I cannot do everything, but still I can do somehing.
I will not refuse to do something I can do."

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www.freewayfoundation.org

MISSION: to empower children, youth, and adults through character-building
and lifeskills development to make drug-free, addiction-free, and
violence-free choices for successful living, both in the public sector
(schools and secular orgainzations) and in the Christian community
(churches and homes).

FreeWay Projects: Resources for the Public Sector
(Services and products for schools and secular organization)

* Prevention Specialists available to teach drug & violence prevention in public school classrooms,
grades K-12

* "FreeWay" drug preventoin curriculum, grades K-12

* "Peacemaker" violence prevention curriculum, grades K-12

* In-Service Workshops for Public School Faculty Members

* Community Awareness Seminars

* "E-quipper" - weekly e-mail newsletter for teachers and school administrators

FreeWay Ministries: Resources for the Christian Community
(Services and products for churches and homes)

* Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity (graduate school for ministers)

* "Personal & Practical" Bible Studies (preaching and teaching notes and outlines
on all 1,189 chapters in the Bible)

* Fellowship of Christian Educators (for Christians teaching in public schools)

* Prevention Specialists available to teach drug and violence prevention (K-12) in
Sunday School Classes, Vacation Bible Schools, and Church Camps

* Family Enrichment Workshops (for parents and grandparents)

* E-pistle" - weekly e-mail newsletter for pastors and other ministers

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