The House You're Building

  Introduction   I am an avid hiker.  I am lucky enough to live in Washington state and am only a short drive away from oceans, mountains, and forests.  I love to be outside as it pushes me physically as well as gives me time to visit with my friends.  Most of all, I love being constantly surrounded by the beauty and majesty of God. When I think of heaven, the thing I am the most excited about is seeing the splendor and magnificent light of God first hand.    This week’s section brings a glorious conclusion to the journey Israel has been on as they have followed God.  Coming off of the idol worship and judgement of the golden calf, Israel now turns to obey God’s guidelines in worship.       Scripture Exodus 35-40  This is the final section of the book of Exodus.  As you read, note the similarities between this and the previous building instructions.  Also note the people’s willi...

    [11] Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—[12] remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. [13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit...

        Orient- Cleansing of the Temple This passage shows Jesus entering the public sector and engaging for the first time in conflict with the Pharisees as they question His authority.  Though He doesn’t perform a miraculous sign, He does display His identity as the Messiah by fulfilling the prophetic words of Micah 3:1 and Psalm 69:9.  As we will see throughout the book, Jesus’s explanations confuse many, as here He uses symbolism to explain how His body is the true temple, the place where God dwells with man and points to the ultimate sign of His deity—His resurrection.  The synoptic gospels record a 2 nd  temple cleansing near the Passover which immediately precedes His crucifixion.     Introduction When you think of the character of Jesus, what images come to mind?  A shepherd with a staff gently leading sheep?  A teacher walking with His disciples enlightening the mind?  A miracle ...

Recently, in preparation for some teaching I have coming up, I’ve been studying the book of Malachi.     Not a book people typically study this time of year, but why not?     It’s the last thing word for God to his people before angels announce a baby born in a humble stable.     This particular prophet was sent to a people who were weary of worship—why?  Because the presence of God wasn’t showing up as they expected.     They were the remnant who returned after the Babylonian captivity, a dark time where God allowed another nation to discipline them for their continual rejection of Him. Yet God is always faithful to His people and brought them back to rebuilt his temple, despite the presence of enemies who intended to put a stop to God’s people creating a place for God to be with them.     Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the othe...

To say life is challenging would be an understatement.  And the year 2020 has been a year of upheaval.  What do you turn to when you wake up to the fact that you need something to get by?  What we turn to to cope differs from each person but usually lies within the same broad categories:  food, entertainment, hobbies, exercise, substances, sex, work…Though I find myself reaching for the same things when life is too much, I’m trying to starting leaning into a who, not a what.    Though life is completely different than it was this same time last year, there are some good things that have come from it.  For me, it’s redefining community.  Like most people, I have a variety of connections in my life and was living at such a fast pace, that I didn’t really think how I was investing my time and which relationships mattered most.  Though I spent time with those who shared my Christian worldview, I missing out on f...