Epistle for March 8, 2002
Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation March 8, 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this Issue:
Sermon: Luke 8:40-56
Bible Study: James 2:14-26
"Burnout"
Website
Twelve Long Years In A Small Town
I identify with small town life. I was born and raised in a small coal mining town in Southern Illinois. My father was a miner and my grandfather, who lived across the street, was a blacksmith. Aunt Fannie lived across the alley, and several other kinfolks resided in Benton or in the surrounding territory called Franklin County. Everybody knew everything about everybody else, and I couldn't sneeze on the west side of town without my mother hearing about it on the east side.
Luke, the beloved country doctor (Colossians 4:14), wrote many of the same stories as Matthew and Mark did. But Dr. Luke includes a number of extra, interesting details which the other gospel writers omit. Luke, for example, twice quotes Jesus' references to his profession: "Physician, heal thyself." (4:23), and "The well have no need of a physician . . . but those who are sick," (5:31).
In Luke 8:40-56, the good doctor records the account of two inter-locking lives as their paths intersect with the itinerant rabbi named Jesus of Nazareth. The story takes place in a small lakeside town called Capernaum, located about 20 miles northeast of Jesus' hometown.
Travel Back in Time 12 Years . . .
Before we focus on the events of that particular day, let's go back in time a mere twelve years. Jesus, about 20, is working in his father's carpenter shop in Nazareth. Meanwhile, not far away in Capernaum two events happen . . . one an occasion of rejoicing and celebration; the other an occasion of sorrow and pain.
On the affluent side of town, Jairus' wife gives birth to a beautiful daughter. And, "across the tracks" a woman receives the dreaded diagnosis that her body is afflicted with a chronic, incurable disease which involves perpetual hemorrhaging.
These two spend the next twelve long years living in the same small town. But their lives hardly could be more different. Notice the physical, economic, emotional, and spiritual contrasts between these two people.
RHODA AND PHOEBE
The young girl (let's call her Rhoda) is a picture of health. Her father, Jairus, is a wealthy, influential leader of the village. Her childhood is a happy one of enjoying the privileges of "upper class" living in New Testament days. She is actively engaged in Bible study and "church" activities, because her father is the ruler of the local synagogue.
The older lady (let's call her Phoebe) is an anemic-looking, old-before-her-time, barely-functioning invalid. Her chronic illness keeps her from participating in any of the annual events in her home town. She is poverty-stricken, because she has spent every penny she can scrape together to pay for medical care . . . but it's been like pouring money down a rathole. She's gotten worse, not better under the care of a number of physicians. What's worse, she is looked down upon by the towns-people as cursed by God, and her condition classifies her as a religious outcast, banned from the synagogue and shunned by everyone for fear of contamination. (See Leviticus 15:25)
STRIKING STIMILARITIES
Yes, the lives of Rhoda and Phoebe certainly are different. But there are striking similarities. The obvious one is found in verses 42 and 43 of Luke 8:
"an only daughter about twelve years of age . . .
a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years".
Notice the similarities as they come into contact with Jesus by divine appointment. Both are helpless and
hopeless. Rhoda is dead; Phoebe is a mere step away from death . . . desparate, discouraged, and depressed.
In both cases, we see faith in action. Jesus commends Phoebe's faith in verse 48. He encourages Jairus' faith in verse 50, urging him to "only believe" and Rhoda will be made well!
In both cases, they are religiously "unclean." But Jesus ignores the taboo and reaches out His hand to touch them. His miraculous power changes everything for both, bringing healing to Phoebe and life to Rhoda.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
The lessons learned by Rhoda and Phoebe that day in a small town are eternal and applicable to you and me
today in our own "small towns":
1. Disregard what the "crowd" thinks or says. They usually are a hindrance
to coming to Jesus, as in Phoebe's case. They also usually are wrong in
assessing a situation, as in Rhoda's case.
2. Trust in the timing of God; His delays are purposeful. Consider the
anxiety of Jairus, begging Jesus to hurry because his daughter is dying.
But Jesus delays, taking precious time to deal with a sick old woman.
She's been sick twelve years, and she'll still be around tomorrow! Then
imagine the crushing message: "Too late. She's already dead." (How
long was the delay? By the time they finally arrived, hired mourners
already were at work, wailing over her death.)
3. Nobody is too "unclean" for Jesus to touch. Which one was more
attractive? More "worthy"? By whose standards? Which one did Jesus
love more? The correct "spiritual" answer to these questions is very easy,
but the nitty-gritty application as we minister to others is much more difficult.
4. Nothing is impossible with God. Even if you're stuck in a small town where
some folks are suffering with a chronic 12-year, spiritual hemorrhage and
others are stone-cold dead with rigor mortis, the touch of Jesus can bring
life and health and hope. ONLY BELIEVE!
Faith and/or Works
(James 2:14-26)
I. Concentration: on faith without works
1. Mere profession of faith (saying you have it) is not profitable, vv. 14,16.
2. Mere confession that one has faith cannot save that person, vv. 14,24.
3. Mere mouthing of pious platitudes and good wishes does not benefit
either the speaker or the one in need, vv. 15-16.
4. Mere profession (or confession) of faith, by itself (without an inward change
which produces an outward expression of good works) is dead, just as the
body without the spirit is dead, vv. 17, 20, 26.
II. Meditation: on identifying "true" faith
1. True faith results in good works, v. 18.
2. True faith is proven by good works, v. 18.
3. True faith involves more than mere intellectual assent . . . the demons believe
in God, and tremble, v. 19.
4. True faith always operates in conjunction with good works, and good works reveal
that the faith is perfect . . . spiritually alive and growing.
Note James' illustration of true faith: Abraham and Rahab, vv. 21-25.
III. Revelation: on the principles of faith and works
1. It is impossible to show (verify; prove) one's faith without some sort of visible
activity (works), v. 18.
2. Good works done to honor and glorify the Lord, therefore, are visible evidence of
one's inner genuine faith, v. 18.
3. Abraham's faith was proven when he obeyed God and started to sacrifice Isaac;
Abraham believed God could resurrect Issac (Hebrews 11:17-19); this faith
was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. True saving faith believes in
God's resurrection power, His ability to bring dead persons, dreams, hopes,
and aspirations back to life, Romans 10:9.
4. Persons who have true faith, resulting in obedient good works, are called "friends
of God," v. 23. See John 15:14.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Make sure that my confession of faith is more than mere lip-service . . . that it
produces God-honoring good works.
2. Grow daily in faith . . . which itself is one of God's gifts, Ephesians 2:8.
3. Serve God faithfully by obeying His word . . .thereby demonstrating the sincerity
and genuineness of my faith.
4. Rejoice in my special relationship as a "friend of God."
Faith without works is hypocrisy; works without faith also is hypocrisy!
The Counselor's Corner
"Burnout"
by Dr. Bruce Morrison, Congregational Vitality Consultant, MBC
Have you every enountered a caregiver and immediately thought "This person needs a break!" If you know anyone who cares for elderly, homebound parents, or a physically handicapped child, and they do not have a support network established, then you have witnessed a burned out caregiver. Pastoral counselors fall into this kind of category as well. The pastoral counselor who does not take time to "refresh and renew" will soon be burned out and will become increasingly ineffective in the helping relationship.
In his "Maturity Continuum," Stephen Convey identifies seven habits that he says are common for every individual who functions in a highly effective manner. The seventh habit is entitled "Sharpen The Saw" and deals with this process of personal renewal. He identifies four areas that need daily renewal. They are 1) Physical (Exercise, Nutrition, and Stress Management); 2) Social/Emotional (Service, Empahty, Synergy, and Intrinsic Security); 3) Spiritual (Value Clarification and Commitment, Study and Meditation); and 4) Mental (Reading, Visualizing, Planning, and Writing). Covey's material was written for the secular world and you have to take his principles and convert them to a Christian World View. Acutally, this is not a difficult task to accomplish. The Bible tells us that ". . . Jesus grew in wisdom (Mental) and stature (Physical), and in favor with God (Spiritual) and men (Social/Emotional) (Luke 2:52). When we look at the life of Jesus we see a strong balance in all aspects of His life. As Pastoral Counselors, we need to strive for this same balance.
What are some practical things we can do to practice daily renewal? In the area of physical renewal, we need to develop a practical exercise program and then stick to it. Variety is one of the key ingredients to fulfilling our commitment to exercise. A mix of walking, aerobic exercise, and toning exercises will keep you from becoming bored with physical exercise. We need to devote a sufficient time to this process (three days a week minimum - five days a week maximum) to insure we benefit from the exercise. Social/Emotional renewal is accomplished mainly from the relationships we have established in life. Healthy relationships obviously enhance the renewal process, whereas unhealthy relationships tend to draw us down, decreasing the renewal process. This part of the renewal process is done in the public arena and is ongoing in nature. In the area of Spiritual renewal, a consistent commitment to be in God's Word daily and to have a time of prayer and meditation is a must! There are a myriad of excellent resources available to enhance this renewal process. Again, the key is to be consistent and to devote sufficient time on a daily basis to insure growth and renewal. Mental renewal can be accomplished in many ways. Reading in areas normally outside your mainstream interests is an excellent way to "stretch" your mind and create renewal and growth. Continuing education is another way to accomplish this process of mental renewal.
By practicing consistent renewal in the personal areas of our lives, we can insure that we won't become a victim of burnout.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with
a certain set of attitudes." Anonymous
WEBSITE
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT OUR WEBSITE YET! WE ARE STILL WORKING ON IT
BUT IT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT. JUST GO TO
http://WWW.FREEWAYFOUNDATION.ORG
LET US KNOW HOW YOU LIKE IT! IT SHOULD BE FINISHED BY THE END
OF FEBRUARY. HOPEFULLY!!!!!