Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon: It’s Not About Me

Rejection is a very confusing experience. Assuming we have some form of self-esteem we love ourselves to some level. Even suicidal people have so much love for themselves that they would rather die than experience more pain. It is a warped self-protection. If we love ourselves that much, that we would die for ourselves, it [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon: Luke 10:10-16

Wipe the dust off your feet
As I read through this passage, what struck me is the harshness of it. What Jesus is saying, is taking nothing from these people, the people who reject Christ, not even the dust.
It seems to be the ultimate act of rejection. The passage doesn’t read as an “Oh well, at [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon: We are Not Afraid of Being Unwelcome

We are Not Afraid of Being Unwelcome
Again after the hate mail last night and as I opened my mail this afternoon, I realized I am afraid of being unwelcome. I wanted people to write encouraging comments, so far I have a couple questions, a couple of neutral comments and 2 rather stupid ones in one [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon: Peace Was Jesus’ Ministry

Peace Was Jesus’ Ministry
Peace has gathered some ugly baggage over the years. Peace has gone from an image of silence gathered around the newspaper, TV or radio whispering to each other “Have you heard? Did you hear?” to the image of screaming fanatics (think Code Pink), unwashed Hippies and groovy signs carried by protesters who [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon: What Is Shalom?

What is Shalom?

Most people understand shalom to mean “peace” in the sense of “the absence of conflict.” While correct, this reflects the end result of biblical shalom, not the substance. To get at the substance of shalom, we have to begin with the verb, since Hebrew is primarily a language of action, not of concepts, [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon Luke 9:56-62 (3)

3. Wild Enough to Surrender the Present
Extended meaning of “family” in v.61
= what I enjoy right now
= my comfort zone
= friendly environment
= I’m-in most-likely-welcomed circumstances
= my pleasant present
 
I don’t know if many of you will understand this. I am over 40 and single (but not for long J). I don’t often hear the [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon: Luke 9:56-62 (2)

2. Wild Enough to Let Go of the Past
Extended meaning of “funeral”
= the past that we mourn about
= The past that we feel regretful for.
V.60 can be seen like this: “Let go of the past and walk on the way of Jesus.”

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon – Luke 9:56-62

 Born Again to Be Wild
1. Born Again to be Wild
Following Jesus can’t be a comfortable lifestyle, because the teachings and commands of Jesus are something very uncomfortable and inconvenient in our viewpoint.

Is that an option?

No, for all believers are BORN AGAIN to be WILD enough to give up their comfortable environments and walk [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon II

3 R’s (Rejection, Rage, Rebuke)
Luke 9: 51 – 54
Do you remember your high school days? For some of you there is a giddy nostalgia as you remember your amazing catch at the big game, your prom night with the person who is now your spouse, knowing that every weekend was a dream date waiting to [...]

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Reflections on Pastor Nick’s Sermon

1. What Made the Disciples Uncomfortable?
They thought they had some sort of COPYRIGHT of the name of Jesus. Before claiming the copyright of Jesus’ name, they should have LISTENED to Jesus first.
“WELCOME people in My name (v.48).”
 
Copyrights are interesting things. Every time I hear the word I think of those EULA (End User Licence Agreement) [...]

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