Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa

Asbury Church will enter a new season this Pentecost. Joshua 1:1-9 and 3:5 offer a powerful example of a new beginning in the Bible. John Wesley and Francis Asbury also offer models for strength and courage in the midst of changing circumstances. This sermon is a call to prepare and get ready for Pentecost.

In 1 Samuel 1 we meet one of the very few wholly positive characters in the Bible: Hannah, the mother of Samuel.Hannah is a model for the spiritual life. She brings her pain and sorrow to God, and then, when she receives the gift she has been desperately praying for, she puts that gift in God's hands.

As a boy, I thought of Samson as a biblical He-Man. But when I went back and read the Samson account (Judges 13-16) as an adult, I realized what a complete disaster his life is. The tragedy is that the Lord gives him a purpose, and Samson just wastes his life and strength.The Lord has given us a purpose, too, and for us to be faithful to it, we will need to raise up pastors to lead us on.It's like that jungle man and the spider monkey….

As a boy, I thought of Samson as a biblical He-Man. But when I went back and read the Samson account (Judges 13-16) as an adult, I realized what a complete disaster his life is. The tragedy is that the Lord gives him a purpose, and Samson just wastes his life and strength.The Lord has given us a purpose, too, and for us to be faithful to it, we will need to raise up pastors to lead us on.It's like that jungle man and the spider monkey….

Last week I went to Washington, D.C., to participate in a public reading of scripture. I was assigned what I think is the hardest passage in the entire Bible: Ezra chapters 1-3, and especially chapter 2!Sure, Ezra chapter 2 is no one's favorite passage and it doesn't appear on any bumper stickers or license plates.But, I've come to believe that what at first seems like the most boring passage of scripture is actually really beautiful and encouraging.

Last week I went to Washington, D.C., to participate in a public reading of scripture. I was assigned what I think is the hardest passage in the entire Bible: Ezra chapters 1-3, and especially chapter 2!Sure, Ezra chapter 2 is no one's favorite passage and it doesn't appear on any bumper stickers or license plates.But, I've come to believe that what at first seems like the most boring passage of scripture is actually really beautiful and encouraging.

One of the wildest parables Jesus tells involves a dishonest manager who is *praised* for his dishonesty!The point of the parable: God's people need to be more streetsmart, but not according to the world's values, but streetsmart according to the values of the kingdom.It's almost as if Jesus is saying, “You folks need to think like a kingdom mafia.”

One of the wildest parables Jesus tells involves a dishonest manager who is *praised* for his dishonesty!The point of the parable: God's people need to be more streetsmart, but not according to the world's values, but streetsmart according to the values of the kingdom.It's almost as if Jesus is saying, “You folks need to think like a kingdom mafia.”

There's this great encounter we read about in Joshua chapter 5:Joshua is about to lead the people into battle when he sees a strange figure with a drawn sword.Joshua asks “Are you on our side, or on the side of our adversaries?”The strange man's response: “No.”The question, it seems, is not “Is God on our side?”The better question is, “Am I on God's side?”

There's this great encounter we read about in Joshua chapter 5:Joshua is about to lead the people into battle when he sees a strange figure with a drawn sword.Joshua asks “Are you on our side, or on the side of our adversaries?”The strange man's response: “No.”The question, it seems, is not “Is God on our side?”The better question is, “Am I on God's side?”

Why does the resurrected Jesus have scars?The answer: because the scars are part of his glory!The scars tell us that God is working all things together for the good of those who love him.Life has many hard, difficult moments, but the scars are proof that if God can use something as evil as the Crucifixion as part of the glory of the Resurrection, there is nothing and no situation that is without hope.

Why does the resurrected Jesus have scars?The answer: because the scars are part of his glory!The scars tell us that God is working all things together for the good of those who love him.Life has many hard, difficult moments, but the scars are proof that if God can use something as evil as the Crucifixion as part of the glory of the Resurrection, there is nothing and no situation that is without hope.

Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecy of a victorious and humble king, but he did so in a way no one expected. We often want Jesus to push our agendas, stand for our causes, and represent our values. We want Jesus to be like us, but he wants us to become like him. Salvation means becoming more like Jesus.

Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecy of a victorious and humble king, but he did so in a way no one expected. We often want Jesus to push our agendas, stand for our causes, and represent our values. We want Jesus to be like us, but he wants us to become like him. Salvation means becoming more like Jesus.

Deuteronomy is Moses's farewell speech. The Israelites are gathered on Mount Nebo, ready to go into the Promised Land, and Moses tells them what they need to do to live well in the land:Listen.

Deuteronomy is Moses's farewell speech. The Israelites are gathered on Mount Nebo, ready to go into the Promised Land, and Moses tells them what they need to do to live well in the land:Listen.

In Numbers 13, the Lord guides the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land and sends twelve spies to explore the land He has promised to give them. When they return, ten of the spies focus on the challenges, the size of the cities, and the strength of the people. This causes fear to quickly spread through the camp. Only Caleb and Joshua trust that if God has promised the land, He will also give them victory. Instead of choosing to move forward in faith, the people let fear take over and refused to enter, missing out on the blessings God had prepared for them. This scripture challenges us to reflect: Could it be that sometimes we miss out on God's blessings or promises not because He is unwilling to give them, but because we find it hard to trust Him enough to step forward in faith? Where do you need to trust God today?

In Numbers 13, the Lord guides the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land and sends twelve spies to explore the land He has promised to give them. When they return, ten of the spies focus on the challenges, the size of the cities, and the strength of the people. This causes fear to quickly spread through the camp. Only Caleb and Joshua trust that if God has promised the land, He will also give them victory. Instead of choosing to move forward in faith, the people let fear take over and refused to enter, missing out on the blessings God had prepared for them. This scripture challenges us to reflect: Could it be that sometimes we miss out on God's blessings or promises not because He is unwilling to give them, but because we find it hard to trust Him enough to step forward in faith? Where do you need to trust God today?

I believe we are living in the end times. We have been since the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection.What does this mean? What do we need to do?In light of the fact that we are living in the end times, Jesus gave us a two-word command:“Stay awake!”

I believe we are living in the end times. We have been since the Day of Pentecost, 50 days after the Resurrection.What does this mean? What do we need to do?In light of the fact that we are living in the end times, Jesus gave us a two-word command:“Stay awake!”

Leviticus is about the sacrificial system, which is why what happens on the Day of Atonement is so striking—the culminating event on the Day of Atonement isn't a sacrifice, but a scapegoat.On the Day of Atonement, the goat that bears Israel's sins is sent away alive.This is the concept of the so-called “scapegoat”—the idea that one bears the sins of the many.

Leviticus is about the sacrificial system, which is why what happens on the Day of Atonement is so striking—the culminating event on the Day of Atonement isn't a sacrifice, but a scapegoat.On the Day of Atonement, the goat that bears Israel's sins is sent away alive.This is the concept of the so-called “scapegoat”—the idea that one bears the sins of the many.

Any modern person who has started to read Leviticus immediately wonders,“What's with all the blood?”The sacrificial system is strange… and beautiful, once you understand it.See, in the Bible, the sacrificial system was meant to teach Israel what it would take to come back into the presence and life of God.The answer? A blameless representative who would die on behalf of sinful people.

Any modern person who has started to read Leviticus immediately wonders,“What's with all the blood?”The sacrificial system is strange… and beautiful, once you understand it.See, in the Bible, the sacrificial system was meant to teach Israel what it would take to come back into the presence and life of God.The answer? A blameless representative who would die on behalf of sinful people.

“Ministry” is not something that just pastors or church musicians do.Ministry is for all Christians.The first person in the Bible said to be filled with the Spirit of God is not Abraham or Moses—it's a man named Bezalel.And in Exodus 31 we read that Bezalel is a craftsman! That is, the Holy Spirit gives him the ability to make things. It's the spiritual gift of carpentry, you might say.Now, because of the work of Jesus, the Holy Spirit has been poured out on the church. Which means every Christian has been gifted for ministry by the Holy Spirit.This means that ministry is not something specialized or “over there.” Your life is your ministry.How you live your life *is* the way you serve God.

“Ministry” is not something that just pastors or church musicians do.Ministry is for all Christians.The first person in the Bible said to be filled with the Spirit of God is not Abraham or Moses—it's a man named Bezalel.And in Exodus 31 we read that Bezalel is a craftsman! That is, the Holy Spirit gives him the ability to make things. It's the spiritual gift of carpentry, you might say.Now, because of the work of Jesus, the Holy Spirit has been poured out on the church. Which means every Christian has been gifted for ministry by the Holy Spirit.This means that ministry is not something specialized or “over there.” Your life is your ministry.How you live your life *is* the way you serve God.

Over and over again throughout the Bible, the same pattern occurs:The Lord offers Eden, people rebel and live in Exile, but the Lord continues to offer Eternal Life to those who trust him.Once you see the pattern, you see it everywhere.

Over and over again throughout the Bible, the same pattern occurs:The Lord offers Eden, people rebel and live in Exile, but the Lord continues to offer Eternal Life to those who trust him.Once you see the pattern, you see it everywhere.

The final section of Genesis (chapters 37-50) tells one of the most intricately-crafted, moving, and mysterious stories in the entire Bible—the account Joseph and his brothers.In the second to last paragraph of the entire book, Joseph says something remarkable.His brothers—who sold him into slavery years before—are worried that he will seek revenge.But Joseph says, “What you meant for evil, God intended for good.”And then Genesis ends.In some ways, that statement from Joseph sums up the entire rest of the biblical story.

The final section of Genesis (chapters 37-50) tells one of the most intricately-crafted, moving, and mysterious stories in the entire Bible—the account Joseph and his brothers.In the second to last paragraph of the entire book, Joseph says something remarkable.His brothers—who sold him into slavery years before—are worried that he will seek revenge.But Joseph says, “What you meant for evil, God intended for good.”And then Genesis ends.In some ways, that statement from Joseph sums up the entire rest of the biblical story.

The Bible is difficult.If you have ever read the Bible, you've encountered something puzzling or off-putting or mysterious.Why isn't the Bible easier? Why is the Bible so hard to understand?The disciples actually put this question to Jesus.His answer: God is trying to get our attention.Do you have eyes and ears? Use them.

The Bible is difficult.If you have ever read the Bible, you've encountered something puzzling or off-putting or mysterious.Why isn't the Bible easier? Why is the Bible so hard to understand?The disciples actually put this question to Jesus.His answer: God is trying to get our attention.Do you have eyes and ears? Use them.

Even if you've never read the Bible, you probably are familiar with its first verse:“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”The problem with that verse is that…it's *too* familiar. That is, we take it for granted.But what if we didn't have it? What If You Didn't Know Genesis 1 Existed?What If There No Creator?What If Those Pages Were Ripped Out?

Even if you've never read the Bible, you probably are familiar with its first verse:“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”The problem with that verse is that…it's *too* familiar. That is, we take it for granted.But what if we didn't have it? What If You Didn't Know Genesis 1 Existed?What If There No Creator?What If Those Pages Were Ripped Out?

What is the point of reading the Bible? What does it *do* for us?According to the Apostle Paul, the Bible makes us wise in a particularly important way: It teaches us of the inevitability of our deaths and the reality that Jesus saves.Paul calls this being "wise for salvation”.What could be more important than growing wise with regard to the most important facts of human existence, namely death and life?What else could possibly be worth spending our time on this year?

What is the point of reading the Bible? What does it *do* for us?According to the Apostle Paul, the Bible makes us wise in a particularly important way: It teaches us of the inevitability of our deaths and the reality that Jesus saves.Paul calls this being "wise for salvation”.What could be more important than growing wise with regard to the most important facts of human existence, namely death and life?What else could possibly be worth spending our time on this year?

It's so easy to be a conduit for negativity to spread. To encounter frustration or anxiety or hatred and anger, and then to spread it further.What's so moving about the account of Joseph, when he finds out that Mary is pregnant, is what he does NOT do.He doesn't make things worse. Rather, he just quietly makes his decision, and that action allows God to continue to work.In other words, Joseph acts like a spiritual firebreak.We could use more of that kind of thing these days.

It's so easy to be a conduit for negativity to spread. To encounter frustration or anxiety or hatred and anger, and then to spread it further.What's so moving about the account of Joseph, when he finds out that Mary is pregnant, is what he does NOT do.He doesn't make things worse. Rather, he just quietly makes his decision, and that action allows God to continue to work.In other words, Joseph acts like a spiritual firebreak.We could use more of that kind of thing these days.

"Are You Better Off Today Than You Were Four Years Ago?”That's the question politicians like to ask us.But, when's the last time you put that question to yourself, spiritually?As we see with Zechariah's unbelief in Luke chapter 1, God has more for everyone, even good, moral people.

"Are You Better Off Today Than You Were Four Years Ago?”That's the question politicians like to ask us.But, when's the last time you put that question to yourself, spiritually?As we see with Zechariah's unbelief in Luke chapter 1, God has more for everyone, even good, moral people.

The Tenth Commandment is against “coveting.”That's an old-fashioned concept that no one really seems to talk about any more.Which is a shame, because coveting is a sure way to be unhappy.This is because coveting is wanting something that isn't yours to have.Including someone else's life. And wanting something that isn't yours to have is a sure way to be miserable.It's like when Peter asked Jesus what the future held for the Apostle John.Jesus's response? “What's that to you, Peter?”It's the same for us—we are constantly allowing ourselves to covet things that aren't ours: other people's lives or bodies or families or bank accounts.The only solution to this is gratitude.

The Tenth Commandment is against “coveting.”That's an old-fashioned concept that no one really seems to talk about any more.Which is a shame, because coveting is a sure way to be unhappy.This is because coveting is wanting something that isn't yours to have.Including someone else's life. And wanting something that isn't yours to have is a sure way to be miserable.It's like when Peter asked Jesus what the future held for the Apostle John.Jesus's response? “What's that to you, Peter?”It's the same for us—we are constantly allowing ourselves to covet things that aren't ours: other people's lives or bodies or families or bank accounts.The only solution to this is gratitude.

How do you respond when the Holy Spirit prompts you to act, especially when the request feels unusual or unexpected? Do you obey? Do you hesitate? Do you try to reason your way out of it? What if God is calling you to take the first step in love toward someone who isn't like you, someone who may disagree with you, avoid you, or even hate you? When we realize obedience to the Lord is not ultimately about us, we open the door to unexpected and extraordinary opportunities. We never know what hangs in the balance, are you ready? 

How do you respond when the Holy Spirit prompts you to act, especially when the request feels unusual or unexpected? Do you obey? Do you hesitate? Do you try to reason your way out of it? What if God is calling you to take the first step in love toward someone who isn't like you, someone who may disagree with you, avoid you, or even hate you? When we realize obedience to the Lord is not ultimately about us, we open the door to unexpected and extraordinary opportunities. We never know what hangs in the balance, are you ready? 

The question I get the most whenever I talk about Love Goes First is this:What about when I go first and it doesn't seem to make any difference?I love this question, because it means folks are actually putting these ideas into practice.The interaction of Jesus and the rich young ruler gives us an answer.Jesus loves the young man by telling him something he doesn't want to hear.The result? The man walks away.And Jesus lets him go.There is a lesson there for us.

The question I get the most whenever I talk about Love Goes First is this:What about when I go first and it doesn't seem to make any difference?I love this question, because it means folks are actually putting these ideas into practice.The interaction of Jesus and the rich young ruler gives us an answer.Jesus loves the young man by telling him something he doesn't want to hear.The result? The man walks away.And Jesus lets him go.There is a lesson there for us.

The only way we are going to reach the people that don't think like us, vote like us, agree with us—maybe even hate us—is to go first toward.There is no other way.The problem is that going first comes with a cost.We can't say that Jesus didn't warn us.

The only way we are going to reach the people that don't think like us, vote like us, agree with us—maybe even hate us—is to go first toward.There is no other way.The problem is that going first comes with a cost.We can't say that Jesus didn't warn us.

How are we going to reach the people who don't vote like us, think like us, agree with, maybe even hate us?The first step, surely, is to actually *see* them.Many people go a long time without ever truly being seen.Take Zacchaeus, for example: a radical change in his life starts when Jesus stops and sees him.

How are we going to reach the people who don't vote like us, think like us, agree with, maybe even hate us?The first step, surely, is to actually *see* them.Many people go a long time without ever truly being seen.Take Zacchaeus, for example: a radical change in his life starts when Jesus stops and sees him.

That's what my mom used to say to me and my brothers when we were little boys and would complain about the snakes around our African house.I still don't think she was right about the cobras we complained about. But with regard to other people: she's dead on.Other people really are more scared of you than you are of them.In a world in which everyone is waiting to react to everyone else, the one who chooses to go first and act will fundamentally change the status quo and thereby open up new possibilities to walk into.In the episode with Jesus and the woman at the well, it starts with just a simple (and shocking) question:“Can I have a drink of water?”