Provision

One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, "Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. (John 6:8-13)

Jesus always stands ready to provide. His has unlimited resources, infinite power, and limitless love. His providence extends to the multitude - this is “common grace,” defined by Wayne Grudem as “the grace of God by which he gives people innumerable blessings that are not part of salvation” (Systematic Theology, p. 657). And his grace extends to his followers - it’s not a coincidence that the number of baskets of leftovers equaled the number of disciples. Without a word, Jesus told the Twelve that he was their provider, too.

This Sunday, Lord willing, we’ll take a look at another familiar story: Jesus walking on the water. This time, the disciples are the only audience. No big crowds, just Jesus and his closest followers, twelve men who’ve given up everything to be with him. Take some time to read and meditate on John 6:16-21 (if you have time, read the parallel narratives in Matthew 14 and Mark 6). What did Jesus communicate to his disciples through this miracle? What is he saying to you and me?

If you serve this Jesus, you have a provider - you have a Savior - “who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). Give thanks to him for his abundant, lavish provision for you, in this life and in the life to come.

Testing

Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?" He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, "Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little." (John 6:5-7)

Jesus did everything deliberately and purposefully. Even as he was preparing to meet the physical needs of thousands of people, Jesus saw a need in Philip, and he was prepared to meet it, too.

We first met Philip in the first chapter of John’s account, in verses 43-46. Philip was chosen by Jesus to be one of his disciples, and his testimony was pivotal in Nathanael’s coming to Jesus. Undoubtedly, Philip had true saving faith. But he was a prototypical disciple, wasn’t he? Brimming with confidence with Jesus at times, but often filled with doubts and uncertainty. In chapter fourteen, Jesus chides Philip, along with “doubting” Thomas:

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?” (John 14:1-10)

Philip needed to know Jesus. This was the essence of the test that Jesus had prepared for him. Testing is an essential part of every disciple’s formation. Read James 1:2-3. The word “trials” in this passage comes from the same root word as “test” in John 6:6. What benefits does the disciple derive from testing? Now read 1 Peter 4:12-14. What is the intended result of our trials and testing?

We’re just like Philip. We need to know Jesus; we need to know that he is able; and we need testing. We’ll never be everything that God intends for us to be without it.

Real Life - Part 2

“How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?” (John 5:44).

These words of Jesus summarize his indictment of the Jewish leaders. It’s a question, but it’s a rhetorical one. What he’s saying is this: “You can’t believe - you can’t have saving faith and real life - if you seek man’s glory instead of God’s glory.” This isn’t some trivial, inconsequential matter; your eternal destiny hangs in the balance.

God takes his glory very seriously. Read Isaiah 48:9-11 and feel the weight of God’s words. Read Isaiah 43:6-7 and ponder the reason that you exist. Read Revelation 4:11 and join in the worship around God’s throne. Read Romans 1:23 and 3:23 and consider the root of all sin and sinfulness. Read 1 Corinthians 10:31 and 1 Peter 4:10-12 and think about the proper motivation behind all actions and exercising of gifts.

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point. God’s glory, which includes everything revealed about him - his name, his holiness, his mighty power, his saving love in Jesus Christ, his mercy, his grace, and his righteousness - is the center of his universe and should be the center of ours. The chief end of all human existence, according to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, is to bring glory to God and enjoy him forever. We live to praise, worship, magnify, and bring glory to God.

As you prepare your heart for this Sunday, ask God to reveal the desires and inclinations of your heart that are motivated by the desire for glory from others, and not from and to him. Then, as you read John 6:1-15, ask God to display the glory of Christ in such a way that your heart is transformed and your whole being is filled with a passion for his glory.

Real Life - Part 1

Can I first apologize for my failure to get these posts out on time. I have found this harder to keep up with than I thought. Thank you for your patience.

On Sunday, Kenny reminded us that there are a lot of wrong places to find life, and that true life is only found in Christ. Jesus said, "I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). So Jesus said that his primary reason for coming was to bring life. That certainly includes eternal life, or life after death, but it seems to me that it must mean more than just that. What then, is abundant life?

Read the following passages of scripture that speak to the quality of life we might expect:

John 10:10
John 15:17-21
Gal 5:22-23
Eph 3:14-21
1 Pet 4:12

What do these passages indicate about the quality of life we might expect as Christ-followers?
What does the abundant life include?
What does Christ not promise as a part of the abundant life?
Would you characterize your life as abundant?
In what areas of your life do you feel that you are experiencing the abundant life?
In what areas of your life do you feel that you are not experiencing the abundant life?

In my experience, there are two primary reasons that I can feel I am lacking the abundant life. The first is that I perceive the abundant life incorrectly, that I assume God owes me something that he hasn't promised, or in a way he hasn't promised. For example, he promises to supply all my needs. Well maybe at times I am perceiving something as a need that isn't yet a need or he has supplied it in a way that I am not willing to take advantage of. The second reason, is because I am trying to find the abundant life in the wrong place. I am trying to find it in my job, or my family, or recreation, or food, or things -- but not in Christ.

Spend some time in prayer asking God to reveal areas of your life that he wants to invade to fill and to make abundant. Be willing to hear from him today.

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
2 Cor 3:18

Witnesses - Part 2

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." - Acts 1:8

Last week's passage was about witnesses. It made me think about what a witness is. Isn't a witness nothing more than a person who knows something about someone else that not everyone knowor has experienced something that not everyone else has? In the last blog entry, we discussed the testimony of the 5 witnesses in this passage and our response to those witnesses. Are we going to believe the testimony of these witnesses or are we not?

Today I would like to look at the idea of witnesses from a different angle. After Jesus' resurrection, and just before his ascension, he left the final instruction that we, his Church, his people, were to be his witnesses. If we are to be his witnesses, implying we know something or have experiences something uniquely and that we are to tell about it.

Read Acts 26:1-23

This story is just before Paul makes his journey to Rome to appeal to Caesar. He had been in custody, under house arrest for two years. He has a chance to speak to King Agrippa, a high ranking Roman Leader and this is his testimony recorded.

• In vv. 3-12 what is that Paul is sharing about his life?
• In vv. 13-18 Paul shares about his conversion. What do you notice about part of his testimony?
• In vv. 19-23 what does Paul share?
• How is your story similar to Paul's? What was your life like before you accepted Christ? What were the events that led up to your conversion? How has your life changed since?

Read the story of the Samaritan woman at the well - John 4:1-42.

• After having talked with Jesus, in vv. 28-29 it says she returned to the city, and in v. 39 it says that many were converted "because of the woman's testimony." What do you think her testimony was?

See here's the thing. I'm concerned that the modern church has turned evangelism into something very technical and very complicated. We have seminars and books and movies and tracts all designed to help people evangelize. None of these are wrong and can be excellent tools, but Jesus' final command to us was not to be evangelists, but to be witnesses. People can argue with you the truth of the bible, or the meaning of a particular passage. The one thing they just can't argue with you about, is your own story. You are a witness too! You know something or have experienced something that not everyone has!

At it's most fundamental essence, this is evangelism - develop relationships with people, then share your story.

If you've never done it, write down your own story. What was your life like before you encounted Christ? What were the circumstances surrounding that meeting? How has your life changed as a result of that meeting?

Then begin to pray for opportunities to share your story.

Witnesses - Part 1

Jewish law requires the testimony of at least two people to convict someone (Num 35:30). This principle remains today, that our courts will seek more than the word of a single person and reporters desire to corroborate a source before they print a story. In this week's passage, Jesus recounts a number of witnesses whose story bears witness of Him.

Read again this week's passage (John 5: 30-36).

• What are the five witnesses that are referred to in this passage?
  
• What is the testimony of these witnesses?
• What was the response that some had that Jesus was speaking against?
  
• What is the response that these witnesses desire to elicit?
• What is at stake with regards to the response to these witnesses?
• What is your response to these witnesses? Have you in some ways responded the way Jesus opponents did, unwilling to believe because the message wasn't the one you wanted to hear? Are there parts of Jesus' message that are difficult for you to hear? How would this passage call you to respond to those truths?

The truth of the message of Jesus is not made true by the response of people. It is true in an of itself. God does not need our response to validate His message. Spend some time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal to you areas where you may be slow to accept the testimony of witnesses about Christ.

On Wednesday we will look at our role, as Christ-followers as witnesses ourselves.

Witnesses

In preparation for this Sunday, read John 5:30-40. As you read, ask God to illuminate his Word as “lamp to [your] feet and a light to [your] path” (Psalm 119:105). In this passage, Jesus presents the testimony of a number of witnesses to support the extraordinary claims he made in the first part of the chapter. Consider each of the witnesses that Jesus points to, and feel the cumulative weight of the testimony on his behalf. What was Jesus’ purpose in putting forward this “great cloud” of witnesses? What does Jesus reveal about himself that demands a response? How is his glory displayed in the testimony of these witnesses? May God speak to us through the words of Jesus as recorded in John’s Gospel.

Whatever the Father Does - Part II

In this week’s message, Pastor Derrick mentioned that the phrase “eternal life,” which appears in v. 24, has already appeared six times so far in our study of John’s Gospel. In total, the phrase is repeated 17 times in the book.

• To see all of the references to eternal life in the Gospel, read John 3:14-16, 3:36, 4:13-14, 4:36, 5:24, 5:39-40, 6:27, 6:40, 6:47, 6:54, 10:28, 12:25, 12:50, and 17:1-3.
• Based on everything you’ve read, summarize Jesus’ (and John’s) teaching about eternal life in the Gospel of John.

The word “life” appears numerous other times in the book (at least 28 places besides the ones we’ve already looked at), so “life” is obviously a key concept in John’s Gospel and in Jesus’ teaching.

• To get an overview of the word “life,” read John 1:4, 5:21, 5:26, 5:29, 6:33, 6:35, 6:48, 6:51, 6:53, 6:63, 8:12, 10:10-17, 11:25, and 14:6.
• What do these verses add to your understanding of Jesus’ teaching about “life”?

John’s purpose statement for writing his Gospel is found in John 20:31. How is John’s purpose reflected in the passages we’ve studied today?

In John 5:28-29, Jesus declares his authority to resurrect: “An hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”

• When Jesus says “his voice,” whose voice is he talking about? How do you know?
• Is anyone who has died excluded from this statement? What key word gives you the answer to this question?
• We wholeheartedly affirm the truth that our salvation is by grace alone through faith alone apart from anything we have done - even the faith to believe is a gift from God (see Ephesians 2:8-9). With this truth in mind, how do you interpret Jesus’ teaching that the type of resurrection we will experience - to life, or to judgment - is based on what we have done - good or evil? Read Ephesians 2:10. Does this verse help to clarify Jesus’ statement? How?
• What impact should this teaching have on our conduct and lifestyle?

Take a few moments to pray, thanking God for the gifts of grace, faith, salvation, and eternal life. If you have a thought or an insight that you'd like to share, please add a comment to this post.

Whatever the Father Does - Part I

As you begin your time in God’s Word, prepare your heart by praying for wisdom and understanding through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Use a notebook or journal to record insights that you receive from the Spirit as you study. Read John 5:19-29 and consider these questions:

• In his discourse in John 5, Jesus says that he does “whatever the Father does” (vs. 19). What are the specific examples Jesus gives to back up this statement?
• According to verse 22, God “has given all judgment to the Son.” What was God’s purpose in doing this, according to verse 23?
• Two key words are repeated in this passage: life (vs. 21, 24, 25, 26, 29) and judgment (vs. 22, 24, 27, 29). What does Jesus teach us about life and judgment, and how does he relate them?
• In verse 24, Jesus uses the present tense to describe the condition of one who hears his word and believes: he “has eternal life” and “does not come into judgment.” The present tense indicates a continuous type of action taking place in the present time. How does this affect your understanding of Jesus’ statement?
• At the end of verse 24, Jesus switches to the perfect tense: the believer “has passed from death to life.” The perfect tense indicates that the progress of an action has been completed and the results of the action are continuing on. What is the significance of this distinction?
• According to 2 Corinthians 5:10, “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (see also Romans 14:10). What does this verse add to your understanding of Jesus’ teaching about judgment in our passage?

As you reflect on this passage, ask God to reveal ways in which your faith and practice can be transformed by this glimpse of Christ’s glory. Please share your thoughts and insights for the benefit of others by adding a comment to this post.

Jesus as judge

This week's passage deals with an aspect of Jesus' role that isn't as popular as other - Judge. Read John 5:19-29. Make a list of all the things that this passage says about Jesus. Make a second list of all the things this passage says about God the Father. Then spend some time thinking about the reality of that relationship - God the Father and God the Son. Ask God to reveal to you anything about your view of Him that needs to be expanded. Pray for me as I prepare for Sunday's message.

Take Up Your Bed and Walk - Wednesday

In our passage this week, Jesus displayed authority over a physical disability and over religious observance. As Pastor Scott shared with us this authority came from His deity, or His being God. It seems to me that the Church (not just theGathering, but all churches, and all Christ followers) suffer from both physical disability and empty religious observance (doing religious things out of rote or tradition with no heart). If Christ has authority over these things, why do his people still suffer physically, or closer to home, why do we suffer? Take a look at the following additional passages of scripture and see if we can fill in this picture a little bit more:

What methods or patterns does scripture lay out for healing?

• Psalm 30:2
• Proverbs 3:7-8
• James 5:14-16

What reasons does scripture lay out for people suffering from sickness or disability?

• Psalm 38:3
• John 9:2-3
• 2 Corinthians 12:4-9

If Jesus is able to heal, then why might you or someone you know be suffering from sickness or disability? What is it that God might be trying to accomplish in you or in them? What patterns should we follow? Is this a guarantee for healing? Why or why not? What should our heart attitude be toward these?


God, since the Old Testament, has never been a fan of empty religious observance. The grace of God, expressed from the beginning of the bible to the end, is more interested in the heart of a person, than their own attempts to be "religious." Look at the following passages and see what God's view is regarding religious practice:

• Is 29:3
• Matt 15:3-9
• Rom 3:20-25
• Col 2:20-23

What types of religious expression exist in the church today have been lost to tradition and lack the true expression of worship? Who is empty religious tradition and expression more concerned with, the worshiper or the worshipped? On the other hand, true heart felt worship has who as its center? How can we as the people of God practice religious things, like singing, or communion, or baptism, or prayer, without having them become empty religious practices? How have you allowed things that God intended as good, to become empty and heartless?

Spend some time in prayer. Seek God with a whole heart. Confess sin as the Holy Spirit reveals it to you. Ask boldly for healing, but be willing to submit and endure to the one who has authority if God has other plans or timing. Search your own heart for areas of church or life that have become empty religious practices without any heart reflection.

It seems to me, that if the Church, if theGathering Fort Mill were to pursue God this way, with prayer, an acknowledgment of the authority of the one we serve, a willingness to submit, a bold and confident prayer life, and a heart of true worship, we could experience a transformed life in a way that we may never have before.

Take Up Your Bed and Walk

• If you were not able to hear the sermon on Sunday, take the time to listen to the podcast. You can use the link on the right of this page to get to iTunes and listen or subscribe to the podcast of all of our Sermons.
  
• Take a couple of minutes to quiet your heart, pray and ask God to reveal Himself to you as you seek Him in His word.
• Read John 5:1-18
• Get a notebook to take some notes as you work through these scriptures and as the Holy Spirit speaks to you.
  
• Pastor Scott said that Christ has authority over physical disability, and over religious observance? Are there any other aspects to Christ's authority in this passage that you saw? What specific verses or words show Jesus' authority?
• How would Christ's authority be reflected in modern life?
• If the glory of Christ in His authority was a reality in your life, how might it change?
  
• Spend some time in prayer not only asking God to reveal His authority over physical disability, and over religious observance (religious rules and expectations in an attempt to obtain favor with God) in your life, but also listening to the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart.
• As you pray, and the Holy Spirit speaks to you, write down anything that He reveals.
  
• If the Holy Spirit reveals something to you, consider responding to this blog so that others might be able to see it.
  

Welcome to our blog!

The mission of theGathering Fort Mill is to form faithful Christ-followers who live in authentic community according to His teachings.

We have begun to ask God if our mission is to form faithful Christ-followers, what does a faithful Christ-follower look like. One of the many characteristics of a life that has been truly transformed is a passion for encountering God through his word. In order to help facilitate this among our community, we are going to be posting every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, additional scripture readings and questions to reflect on our Sunday message, as well as preparation for the next Sunday.