Solid Ground
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If the Ground Moves
If the Ground Moves
You know we’ve done some remodeling in our house here.
The lovely “Munds Park High/Low carpet in our living room was dated, dirty, and worn so we needed to replace it.
We checked around and liked the idea of ceramic tile.
I even have a friend who is the president of Dal Tile.
But we were warned that b/c our living room was on the second floor and the ground moves so much if we tiled it, in time the grout would crumble as the tile moved and we’d get dirt stuck between the tiles.
Lose the beauty of the tile.
So we moved away from tile and used a laminate. We love it.
If the ground moves everything has to be able to move w/ it. Flexible, shaky, and always changing.
You never know what you’re going to get depending on how it’s moved recently.
Like doors.
We have doors that won’t shut in the winter but will in the summer. And, vice versa.
It’s consistent in its inconsistency.
Should I plane them? Sand then? Leave them alone?
Knowing they will close next season.
It also depends on moisture in the ground. Rainy or snowy vs. dry.
We don’t have any cracks in walls or ceilings, but I do keep my eye out for them.
W/ things moving, cracks are a sign of a bigger problem.
Do you remember the earthquake we had 3 summers ago?
We’re watching TV and our old dog goes nuts.
I think there may be a raccoon on the deck, but no.
It was more like her thunder panic.
We didn’t feel it, but she did.
The next day we read about it. 3 point something.
The ground up here moves.
Also why we stay off ladders when we get older.
I have one stretch of gutter that I have to keep cleaned out of pine needles. It’s about 15’ long but 2 stories hight.
Finding some level ground to stabilize my aluminum extension ladder is a trick w/ the rocks and uneven ground.
But, then, as we get older, the ladder may be stabile but our balance gets shakier. The ground may not be moving but we feel like it is.
The ground moving, tile vs. laminate flooring, doors that may or may not close, climbing ladders. These may be dangerous in some cases. But, they are more nuisances and frustrations.
When it comes to important things like faith, belief in God and living a godly lifestyle it is so much more important for the foundation to be rock solid.
And it is.
Our faith is built on a rock solid foundation, proven sound over time so we can build a secure life on top of it.
God doesn’t change. Nothing moves except us. So when we move away we can always move back. We know where He is. He is right where He was before.
And, instead of our balance getting shakier, we grow steadier the deeper we go w/ Jesus.
The point:
The deeper we go w/ Jesus the higher we can climb in life b/c our foundation is rock solid.
It doesn’t matter what is going on around us. We are steady in our walk w/ Jesus.
We’re not trying to hit a moving target or adjust to a moving God. He is steady. So, when we’re close to Him, we are too.
is Paul and Barnabas’ 1st missionary journey.
The church is becoming more organized and focused. Jesus was serious when He said ‘Go’. So, they got serious, too.
There was an intentionality about who and where.
It was a divinely directed activity for a specific goal.
This was the first journey that took the church well beyond its current boundaries and comfort zones.
What would make them go and do this?
Maybe not what, but Who?
Mission
Mission
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
In the context of worship the HS communicates to them that He has a special job for Saul and Barnabas.
You know God speaks in our worship services. He speaks to all of us. Many of us have heard Him loud and clear.
In this case, 5 men worshiping, different backgrounds, but the same faith.
Niger, probably a black man from N. Africa.
Lucius, also from N. Africa but lighter skinned.
Manaen grew up w/ Herod. Their families socialized, ran in the same circles. Wealthy, powerful, influential, political.
These men came together to study and pray in the context of worship where God told them to commission the other 2 to go and continue the work Jesus started in Asia Minor.
Mission, missionaries have been a central part of local church planning and sending from the beginning of the church.
Some are called to stay. Some are called to go.
Mission has been part of the church’s DNA from the beginning.
So, they commission Saul and Barnabas and send them on their way.
Their first stop, Cyprus.
Cyprus; The Power of Light Over Dark
Cyprus; The Power of Light Over Dark
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”
Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
Quick note; John, also called Mark, was their helper.
It was his mother’s house where Peter ran after his escape from jail. Mark would get a lot of his material for his gospel from Paul, Barnabas and his experiences w/ them.
There is a significant event in his future that we will talk about when we get there. Just note, he starts w/ them here.
They start w/ what’s familiar, in the synagogues.
This is where Saul begins to be called Paul. So, from now on, Paul is his ministry name. And, right from the beginning he demonstrates that he has gifts from the Holy Spirit equal to Peter and every other believer.
Paul is not a second-tier leader. Even though he joined the leadership team later and was an admitted killer of Christians.
In a synagogue they meed a guy named Bar-Jesus. He’s an attendant to Sergius.
Obviously, Sergius knows something is ‘off’ about his teaching and advice. Paul quickly discovers the same.
Remember, the miracle is never the point, it points to the point.
Bar-Jesus didn’t even know he was spiritually blind.
God sometimes does something tangible for us to understand something intangible.
Bar-Jesus is in the dark so the Holy Spirit, thru Paul, puts him in a dark place for a time to expose him and the truth.
Jesus is light and has power over the darkness. Those of us who live in the light can see what others cannot.
We get wisdom from God and can make better decisions.
Believe in Jesus, choose to live in the light and avoid the trouble that’s inevitable walking around in the dark.
From Cyprus, they head to Pisidian Antioch.
This is where Paul laid out the historical soundness of the truth of the message of Jesus.
Pisidian Antioch; Historically Sound
Pisidian Antioch; Historically Sound
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us:
“ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.
Acts 13:44-
Here is the transition for Paul. He was called by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles. He started in the synagogues b/c it was familiar. But, w/ his rejection here he began to fulfill the calling Jesus gave him.
Rejected by the Jewish leadership but eagerly rec’d by the non-Jews.
What had he said that led them to reject him?
He reminded them of their history. Nothing had changed. Jesus was the fulfillment of thousands of years of history.
But, when they rejected Jesus, they rejected Paul and the solid foundation that had stood the test of time.
What did he say?
He went back 1600 years to Egypt and built his case for Jesus step by step.
And, they still rejected him.
God prospered Israel in Egypt.
God powerfully led them out w/ Egypt’s wealth.
God graciously endured their conduct in the wilderness for 40 years and still led them into the PL.
Over the next 450 years God conquered the occupying nations making it peaceful for Israel to live there.
God gave them judges, including Samuel.
And He gave them kings, Saul then David.
God made a promise to David that a descendant of his would sit on his throne forever as King of God’s kingdom.
He would be Messiah and Savior delivering the people from the bondage of their sin the way God delivered Israel from Egypt.
Jesus is the fulfillment of this promise from 1000 years earlier.
But the Jewish leaders killed Him. Then God raised Him.
This is the good news promised to their ancestors and fulfilled in their lifetime.
Whomever believes in Jesus as King, Savior, Deliverer, is freed from the bondage of their sin.
This was the message that upset them. It was consistent w/ their history but they rejected the security.
They were more concerned about their own popularity, power and position than they were the person, promise, and provision of God.
So, now God offers the life of grace to everyone. Anyone who receives the offer by faith is given a new life w/out the weight and bondage that they carried before.
This is why it’s possible to us. And, it’s historically sound.
While the church is nearly 2000 years old, the promises that it’s built on are 4000 years old. They are as solid and true today as they were the day God uttered them to Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David.
As a recipient of the promises, you are standing on solid ground.
From there Paul and Barnabas traveled to Iconium.
Here, the opposition intensified. It was irrational and unfounded. But, there are none so blind as those who refuse to see.
Iconium; Blind Opposition
Iconium; Blind Opposition
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel.
Many believed. Others, just refused.
History proved it. Their power proved it.
There was a real struggle between those who believed and turned control of their lives over to Jesus vs. those who maintained their own perception of control.
As it intensified, it became apparent that’s Paul’s life was in danger.
So, they didn’t stay long here. Soon, they moved on to Lystra and Derbe.
This is where more irrefutable truth was offered to anyone who would pay attention that the message Paul and Barnabas brought them was absolutely true.
Freedom for everyone who believes.
Lystra and Derbe; Proof of Freedom
Lystra and Derbe; Proof of Freedom
In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.
Acts 14:
Miracles are object lessons. Tangible illustrations of the message being presented.
Lame since birth. Never walked. Those muscles never developed. Bones never strengthened. Ligaments, tendons never used. Brain never processed walking.
He leapt up when called out by Paul.
No therapy. No gradual strengthening. Immediate and complete.
The Jews, as a nation, at one point in their existence had life. They rejected God and lost their life.
That’s like someone who once could walk and lost the ability sometime in their life.
The non-Jews, as nations, never had life. If any one of them wanted life they had to become Jewish first agreeing to keep the law out of faith.
They had never been able to walk w/ God. But, Jesus made it available and offers the opportunity. And, everyone who takes him up on the offer can leap to their feet and walk w/ Him for all eternity.
“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”
The good news is now available to everyone. God is trustworthy. He has proven it over and over. Every year the rain comes in season so the crops can grow.
Sure, there are exceptions along the way. But, over 4000 years this has been true. And, even in lean times God has provided.
God has been trustworthy to provide in this life. He is trustworthy to provide in the next.
The Person of Jesus fulfilled the Promise and is the Provision of God.
The faith we have today is based on these same age-old promises that have never changed or shifted.
You may feel the wind shift or the ground shake but your foundation of faith reaches bedrock and is rock solid.
God will prove it over and over as He has since He made these promises so many years ago.
The truths that Paul and Barnabas taught and planted these churches w/ are the same truths we hold to today.
The deeper we go w/ Jesus the higher we can climb in life b/c our foundation is rock solid.
It doesn’t matter what is going on around us. We are steady in our walk w/ Jesus.
We’re not trying to hit a moving target or adjust to a moving God. He is steady. So, when we’re close to Him, we are too.
Applications
Applications
Mission
Mission
One of the best gifts we can give our children and grandchildren is a solid foundation from which to leave the comforts of home and pursue their own journey.
God has done that for us. We are safe and secure to leave the comforts of the known to head into the unknown.
Be solid in your faith no matter how far those you love may wander.
They may wander to other countries. They may wander in their faith.
You be rock solid and steadfast giving them the security to return to their faith if they need to or remain on the other side of the country knowing the reunion in heaven is coming.
Recommit to God’s mission and the steadfastness of a faith built on solid ground.
Devotion
Devotion
Be devoted to the disciplines that take you deeper into your relationship w/ Jesus.
The disciplines are not the end. They are a means to an end.
Worship, study, pray, serve, fellowship. These take you deeper so you can climb higher and accomplish more in your life.
P’s
P’s
Don’t get caught up in your own popularity, power, and position so that you miss what God is doing in your life.
Freedom comes when we are forgiven by the Person who fulfilled the promises and provided keys that unlocked the chains and let us go.
I’m 58 years old.
MPCC is 35 years old (1983)
His old house is 1,885 year old (ad 33)
But the promises all this fulfilled are 4000 year old.
Our faith is based on these same promises. They are rock solid.
No matter if the wind shifts or the ground shakes, our faith reaches bedrock.
The deeper we go w/ Jesus the higher we can climb in life b/c our foundation is rock solid.
It doesn’t matter what is going on around us. We are steady in our walk w/ Jesus.
We’re not trying to hit a moving target or adjust to a moving God. He is steady. So, when we’re close to Him, we are too.