Many years ago (2007), I wrote this “good news parable” to try to communicate why the message of Jesus is good news to me, and to everyone. I posted it then, and thought I would post it again… The kingdom of heaven is like… A man who left his wife for a younger mistress. Driven…
Good leadership?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 10:11-21 “The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) As a leader in a church, I often focus on different aspects of leadership. Casting vision, mobilizing believers, setting S.M.A.R.T. goals for success. Providing inspirational, helpful leadership through challenging situations. But Jesus reminds me of another important aspect of…
All nations under God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 117 “Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.” (Psalm 117:1) There is a God, but this God does not belong to just a few people. God is the God of all nations and all peoples. Our religions attempt to describe God, but they do not confine God. All…
Foolishly destroying ourselves!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Hosea 4-6 “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) We know so much more than they did back then. Think of the amazing scientific discoveries and insights into the universe. We are absolutely brilliant, and yet we are as foolish as they were then. “There is only cursing, lying and…
My cheatin’ heart!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Hosea 1-3 “Show your love to your wife again, though she is… an adulteress.” (Hosea 3:1) God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute as a sermon illustration. Their children’s names become reflect the consequences of cheating on God. She remains unfaithful in their marriage, and Hosea pulls away for a time. But now…
Maybe work at the beach today?
Whose voice is that?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 10:1-10 “His sheep follow him because they know his voice.” (John 10:4) Jesus speaks by His Spirit into our heart and minds. We receive spiritual words – thoughts or impressions or intuitions. Many do not recognize His voice in their head, though they do hear it. The problem is, we also hear…
Where am I blind?
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 9:35-41 “Now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (John 9:41) This blind man knows little, yet he knows that he knows little. The religious leaders think they know better, and this makes them blind. Even more, it makes them guilty of the sin of pride and folly. Being blind…
Ordinary, unschooled evangelists!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 9:24-34 “You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us!” (John 9:34) This uneducated blind man speaks truth from his heart, and is attacked for it. People are still looked down on for simple or inadequate lives or beliefs. Theologians look down on ordinary believers for their simple bible…
Fulfilling the law of love!
THE STORY OF JESUS: John 9:13-23 “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” (John 9:16) The original idea of the sabbath was to give workers a break from their work. It was a gift day, a bonus holiday, every week, for the body to be renewed. Jesus understood the value of…