Yesterday I encouraged the crossroads community to spend some time reflecting on the 5 qualities of a Jesus-follower (and of a dynamic church). I decided I should probably do this for myself. The first and foundational quality needed to be a disciple is… A deep awareness of our need for Jesus. Do I sense that I…
Author: Norm
vintage theological comedy
How about a little theological comedy. Check out this parody of an Abbott and Costello routine. These are great clips from belairdrama, part of the Bel Air Presbyterian Church, LA California (and a great source of video clips for sermons). Enjoy!
our brother in disguise
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 42 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ (Matthew 25:40) Jesus explain that on judgment day, we will be judged by how we responded to Him as He was invisibly…
invisible hand
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 41 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Then Jesus said, “You would have no power over me at all unless it were given to you from above. (John 19:11) In this pivotal stage of history when Obama is president-elect of the United States, we are reminded that behind what we see, there is God. God is the invisible hand guiding…
Jesus, the epicenter
Its cool when the Lord speaks to something I’ve been reflecting on. After writing “Jesus-shaped preaching”, I read this paragraph from Alan Hirsch’s “The Forgotten Ways”: I wish to briefly restate here what seems to be an obvious fact, but one that is often overlooked. For authentic missional Christianity, Jesus the Messiah plays an…
where He wants me to be
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 40 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” (Mark 5:18-29) Where would you be right now if…
Jesus-shaped preaching
I am planning to change my approach to my Sunday messages. Since I began speaking in church, I’ve focused on a text, wherever it was in the Bible. But what I noticed happening was that sometimes, especially in old testament passages, Jesus was brought in as an afterthought. Recently I forgot my Jesus connection altogether –…
with me in the wilderness
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 39 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” The Spirit then compelled Jesus to go into the wilderness, where he was tempted by Satan for forty days. He was out among the wild animals, and angels took care of him. (Mark 1:11-13) Why…
just like Judah
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 38 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham… Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. (Matthew 1:1, 3). How does God choose to make an entrance into the world? If He were human…
consequences
SCRIPTURE: Genesis 37 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: God is setting the stage for another prediction, unknown to Joseph or his brothers (Genesis 15:13-16). The Israelites, reading this, would know where this story is going. They might even be thinking, “don’t do it, sons of Israel, don’t send Joseph to Egypt, you will regret it!”.