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Obedience

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Have you ever sung the song, “Trust and Obey”? It’s a beautiful song that speaks to our submission to God. The chorus goes like this,

“Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.”

There is one word that will reveal if someone’s faith in God is genuine. And that word is obedience. In James 2:19, the Apostle James teaches that belief is not enough. For even the devil believes and fears God but will not submit to God’s authority.

The Apostle John said in John 14:15, ‘if you love me, you will keep my commandments.” It is not enough just to believe in Jesus, the bottom line with God is obedience. Those that keep His commandments are those that have come to know Him. (1 John 2:3-5).

Every single aspect of our Christian life hinges on our obedience to God. Our obedience is crucial to our spiritual happiness. It’s indispensable to our spiritual health. It is vitally critical to our spiritual holiness.

Obedience is taking up your cross daily and following close to Jesus (Luke 9:23). Without the cross there is no crown. There is no redemption without suffering.

The American church has forgotten about the cost. It has reinvented itself to appeal to our uncontrollable desires and our extravagant living. While the church has succeeded in making herself acceptable to many it has abandoned the cross.

This doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself every pleasure of life. Or to pledge to live in poverty. But it does mean that whatever you do, you must do it as you are working for God. Not for human gain, but to bring glory to God, and to His Kingdom. (Colossians 3:23-24). Let’s become a people, who put the cross back into the center of everything we do. And this is Jesse Walker with the Glenwood Church of Christ.

 

Toothless Christianity

Posted on by Jesse Walker

 

In John 12:3 we read, “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.”

Mary took a year’s worth of wages and anoints the feet of Jesus. When is the last time you gave a years’ worth of your wages in service to God? If the average wage in our country is fifty thousand, when is the last time you and I gave that much?

I know, you immediately run to remind me that giving is to come from the heart. You are absolutely right. When is the last time you gave joyfully from the heart a year’s wages? Oh, I know, you want to remind me of Mark 12:41-44 where the widow put in two copper coins worth only a few cents. You would be right, but remember Jesus said she gave out of her poverty. She put in 100% of her income. She gave “all she had to live on.”

In John 12:24-25, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

We want a deathless Christianity. A Christianity that allows me to assemble on Sunday mornings with no interference in my life. We argue over the furniture, the air conditioning, the carpet, woman’s roles, bible versions and the amount of alcohol in the water Jesus turned into wine. Why? Because our Christianity is toothless. Unless you die, and without Christ dying, there is no Christianity.

No amount of money, no amount of time, no amount of anything will replace the fact that you must die. It’s time for the church to stop talking about it and start living it. I ask you again, when is the last time you gave a years’ worth of your wages to God? But that’s not biblical preacher. Let me rephrase the question then. When is the last time you gave all, you had to Jesus? When did you give out of your poverty? Not knowing where your next meal might come from. When did you deny yourself a vacation? A trip around the world. Cut investment so that the Kingdom of God could be glorified. If you are still wanting to argue that it’s not about money preacher. Go back and reread this letter. You are right, no amount of money will meet the requirement. You must die. Then you can give all you have. I ask you again, when is the last time you gave every penny, every ounce of blood that flows through your body to God? When is the last time you denied yourself anything, so that the Kingdom of God could be glorified? I’m not talking about giving from excess. Like the widow, when did you give from your poverty?   Let me close with this, in 2 Corinthians 13:5 we read, “5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”

Doing Good to Others

Posted on by Jesse Walker

 

If we held a poll today, do you think most would say they believe American’s are angrier today than they were a year ago or three years ago? Those who study this subject say it’s true. And they cite three major reasons. The pandemic, social injustice, and financial instability. Then add in the millions who have become unsatisfied with our big government, and their distrust of the media, the wedge grows even wider.

If that is true, I’d assume you and I don’t have to look too far to have experienced someone who seems out of control. It could be we don’t have to look any further than the mirror.  Maybe it’s you and me that have become angrier.

So, what is the church to do? I believe the first thing we can do is to recognize that there is a problem and an even greater opportunity. When the world grows darker, it’s time for Christians to shine brighter. But how do we do that? I’d like to suggest we begin by modeling the love of Christ. In Galatians 6:10 it says, “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith”.

Let’s examine ourselves and see if we are the People of God who truly take capture every opportunity to do good to everyone. Especially to those who love God. Do we actually think about how we can help others. Do we ask God to show us how we can be an encouragement to others.

Let me ask you, when is the last time you purposely went out of your way to do good for someone? I’m not talking about when you were volunteered by someone else. Nor when you were backed into a corner and couldn’t find a way out. I mean, when was the last time you purposely sat down and planned away to do good for someone. Now is the time for action. The world needs you and me. Remember, the fields are ripe unto harvest.

God Put On Skin

Posted on by Jesse Walker

In John 1:14, Jesus becomes the visible expression of an invisible God. The message bible puts it this way, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.”

All the splendor of God was put-on full display for everyone to see. God’s love now beat in the human heart. His wisdom was now spoken from human lips. His grace was now available by the human touch. Jesus was God wrapped in human flesh.

Greg Laurie in an article called God with Skin on tells a story of a little boy who was frightened at night during a thunderstorm. He cried out to his father, “Help me.” From the other room, his Daddy shouts back, “Son, God loves you and will take care of you.” The storm rages on. Another bolt of lightning and the clap of thunder caused the boy to cry out again, “Daddy!” His Daddy gave the same response, “Son, God loves you and will take care of you.” The storm intensifies and the little boy screams out again, and Daddy’s response was the same. Then the little boy shouts back to his dad, Daddy, I know God loves me, but right now I need someone with skin on. As we face the struggles of life, I believe we all need a God with skin on.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but God came and put on flesh, to let you know there is nothing he cannot do. If you need mercy look to Jesus and see how he granted mercy to the woman brought before him to be stoned. If you need comfort, look at how Jesus was moved by the death of Lazarus. If you need forgiveness, look at how Jesus told the thief on the cross “you shall be with me in paradise” this day. Jesus stepped out of heaven and came to earth so you and me could see God.

Let me close with this. Maybe the saddest words of the bible are recorded in John 1:10. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” The creator was rejected by the created. Jesus came, to bring everyone light and life according to John 8:12. The question is, will you receive Him, or will you reject him? If you haven’t accepted him, can I encourage you this morning to do it before it’s too late. Jesus is coming back to gather all those who received Him, and to cast those who don’t into the darkness of hell. If you have questions, please leave me a note, I’d love to talk with you about the God who came to earth to carry away the sin of the world.

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Hello all.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families. As you take time to make sure the turkey is brined, that the mac and cheese is perfect, and that the dressing is ready, I hope you will remember to give thanks to God. There are many things we can all be thankful for. As you sit around the table this Thursday, I’d like to challenge you to share some of your favorite verses with each other.  Below are a few of my favorites as I think about being thankful. As you gather for dinner, maybe you can each read a verse, and discuss why it is your favorite. These are a few of my favorites as I think about being thankful.

  1. Because God created you.  Psalm 139:13-14 –  “13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
  2. God’s love is unfailing. Psalms 13:5 – “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.
  3. God is good and his mercy never ends. Psalm 100:5 – “ For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
  4. God answers prayers. Psalm 118:21 “I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”
  5. God guides me. Psalm 16:7 – “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.”

I know there are many, many more verses you can find for reasons to be thankful. I will close with this thought.  Psalm 69:30-31 – “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 31 This will please the Lord more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hooves.”   As you give thanks to God this week.  Know that God is wanting a people who will shout out to him in song and praise. God has done enough for all of us in one day to last us a lifetime. Let us be a people that never stop giving Him praise for all that he has done. For all that he is doing. And for all that he will do.

Grace Flows for All

Posted on by Jesse Walker

How would you feel if you worked all day for your employer, and at the end of the day, he paid everyone the same wage? Even those who came to work a little late that morning. Or even those who only came to work for a couple of hours. All received the same amount of pay.

Did you know, there is a story like this in the bible. In Matthew 20:1-16, Jesus tells of a farmer who hired workers at various times of the day. All of the workers who were hired early in the morning agreed to work for one day’s wage. While the others agreed to accept whatever the farmer thought was fair. In other words, they trusted the farmer to pay fairly.

At the end of the day, the farmer calls all of the workers together, and pays them all the same wage. You can imagine how this made the early workers terribly unhappy. By their calculations, they were do more. They had worked longer and harder than those who only worked a very few hours. They believed because they had worked longer, they deserved more money. Which I’m sure is what you and I would have done if we were in that same situation. But Jesus replies in Matthew 19:13-16, “I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?” “So, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

There are numerous messages we can take from this story. One is that we are not to be people who are jealous when others are blessed, and we aren’t. Are you mad that Jesus offers grace to those that you think are worse sinners than yourself? Are you angered that he accepts a thief’s request upon his death bed and promises him he will be with him in paradise? Are you mad when another church is growing faster than your own?

This story contradicts our thinking. It makes no earthly sense. But that’s the point. It’s not supposed to make earthly sense. Jesus isn’t telling a story about working and getting paid. He’s telling a story about grace. And how wonderful it is. And how it’s offered to everyone. Salvation is a gift. You don’t earn your salvation.

Jesus is still addressing the rich young rulers’ question in Matthew 19:16, “What must I do to be saved” and with Peter’s question in Matthew 19:27, “we have left everything to follow you, what will be left for us.” The answer is found in Matthew 19:29-30 where Jesus says, “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

What the rich young ruler needed to know, is putting Jesus first, not the perfect keeping of the law, is what made the difference. What Peter needed to know, is no one who has sacrificed for God, will go unrewarded. What the early morning workers needed to know, the midday workers and the late day workers, is salvation is a gift. You can’t earn it. No amount of work will ever pay our debt. That debt was paid in full by God when he accepted the sinless life of his Son.

I don’t know where you are today, in your walk with God. But the good news is, it’s not too late. If you’re listening to this message, then you can receive grace. Your age, your wealth, your efforts don’t matter. What matters, is do you know Jesus. If you need help, please leave me a message. And I will do all I can to share the wonderful message of salvation with you.

When God Has Spoken

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Have you ever been lied to by someone you trusted? By even someone in a leadership position in the church. In 1 Kings 13 there is a young prophet who was lied to by an old prophet. The young prophet is told to go to Bethel and proclaim that Josiah, the son of David, will one day sacrifice their false prophets on this altar.  And the young prophet did this very bravely. In fact, when King Jeroboam stretched out his hand to have him seized, his arm became shriveled up. When asked by the king, the young prophet prayed to God, and his hand was restored. Thus, the King invited him to his house to eat and drink and to give him a gift. But the young prophet refuses to go. In 1 Kings 13:9, he reveals why he would not go. “For I was commanded by the word of the Lord,” You mut not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.”

As the events of this day roll on, there is an old prophet who lies or misleads the young prophet. He tells him he was told by an angel to invite him to his house to eat bread and drink water with him. Weather the old prophet lied or heard from an angel we do not know. He may have heard from a deceiving angle. For in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 were told that Satan and his messengers can appear as angels of light.

There are several reasons I suppose that the younger prophet believed the older prophet. He may have respected the old prophet because he said he heard from an angel. He may have just respected him because he was older. He may have been physically tiered and hungry. So, what are we to learn from this story?

First, we must always remember to never turn back from the work of God. When God has told you to do something. We are to carry that out without letting others sidetrack us. This young prophet received a word from God directly. He should have listened to God and not a man. Today, we get our word primarily from the bible. And we are to be faithful to it. And not to let others lead us astray. Obedience is key in the life of a believer. Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

Secondly, we are to test every spirit. Just because someone says they are a preacher, a teacher, or a prophet, check out what they say. Make sure it aligns with God’s word. Not everyone who claims to be a Christian is a Christian. Not everyone who is in a leadership role is faithful. Matthew 7:15-23 warns all believers to “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” This young prophet may not have been a good fruit inspector.

Thirdly, no one is above the law. The evil, disobedient King Jeroboam will be judged, and the prophet of God will be judged. Disobedience has its own reward. According to Romans 14:12, “Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Your position, or title will not save you. In fact, those who are trusted with greater responsibility will be held to a higher standard. Luke 12:48 says, “To whom much is given, much will be required.”

Fourthly, when you are facing a tough decision. Always consult with God. No where do we see the young prophet asking God what he should do. Matthew 24:4-5, “take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many”. We need to be people who always drop to our knees before we make a decision that can cost us our salvation. God will always provide a way for those who are truly seeking his advice.

Let us all learn to be a people that trust more in the word of God than we do in the many words of men.

Stand Still – Let God Move

Posted on by Jesse Walker

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Can I ask you a question, are you good at doing nothing? I don’t mind telling you, this is not one of my strongest traits. I have to practice it. There is always the next project to complete. The next meeting to attend. The next ball game, practice, or school event to get to.

We get on the merry-go-round and around and around it goes. We get on, we get off, we get on and we get off. Never seeming to complete what we intended to complete. And the cycle repeats itself over and over. Sometimes, it’s as if we are sleepwalking through life. Always chasing the next promotion, the next career, the next season of our lives. We can’t wait for the kids to go to school. We can’t wait for school to be out. We chase after the bigger house, the nicer car, the better job. When do we just stop and stand still and enjoy the blessings God has given us.? To truly hear God’s voice, we must retreat from the chaos of life and enter a place of quietness. An example of this was recorded for us in Mark 1:35 where it says, “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

If you’re truly seeking a deeper relationship with God, or seeking solace, or seeking guidance, you must stand still. In Exodus 14:13-14, Moses told the Israelites to standstill and watch what God will do for them. This would be good advice for all of us today as well. We should all learn to standstill and watch the hand of God at work in our lives. If we’re truthful, there are many times when the hustle and grind of our daily lives, stop us from seeing the workings of God.

In Mark 10:49 we read, “And Jesus Stood Still.” This was on the occasion when Jesus being followed by a large crowd, heard a blind man named Bartimaeus, crying out “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stood still and healed Bartimaeus. If Jesus hadn’t stood still, Bartimaeus would not have been healed. Jesus was on a tight schedule. He had multiple events to attend before ascending up to heaven. Before his date with the cross. But Jesus in that moment of the day, found time to stand still.

My prayer is that we become people that are never too busy to hear the cry for help. That we are never too busy to stop and stand still. Isiaih 40:29-31 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tiered and weary, and young, men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” The truth is, we have all been tired. We have all needed our strength renewed. This is only possible when we take the time to do nothing.

John C. Maxwell said in his book “Think on These Things,” when pressures are pressing, schedules are screaming, and the world is whirling, don’t just do something -stand still.” May I encourage you today to stop and standstill. God knows exactly what you need, and He will renew your strength so you can soar on eagle wings.

Moving Mountains

Posted on by Jesse Walker

In Matthew 17:20, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” I have wondered for years just exactly how little is this kind of faith? I know the mustard seed is a tiny seed. But can a small amount of faith really move mountains? Can it be enough in the darkest moments of our lives? Can it keep us strong when we’re feeling so weak and vulnerable. When it seems we can’t even stand, can this tiny faith move mountains.

But I think I may have gained a little insight into this verse over the years. You see, it has little to do with us, and everything to with God. It’s God who is able to do more than we can ask or imagine according to Ephesians 3:20-21. It’s in our moments of crushing, that God turns our weakness into power. When we can no longer rely upon ourselves, or our strength, we must turn to God. And in that moment of mustard seed faith, He acts. He moves our mountains.

Yes, I believe that’s it. What we need is enough faith to trust in God. To turn it over to him even when our faith is as tiny as a mustard seed. When we have been crushed, we cry out to Abba Father. And our daddy hears our voice. And like our earthly father, He comes along side us to comfort us. There is a beautiful picture of this faith in the garden of Gethsemane, when Jesus cried out Abba Father in Mark 13:36.  While sweating drops of blood, Jesus took what faith he had, and cried out to his Father. Daddy, help me, take this cup from me. But if not, your will be done. In a sense, Jesus says to his Father, give me the strength to finish what I have begun. And He did. You talk about moving mountains. That night mountains were moved. And when the deed was done the Sky darkened, and the earth stood still. The faith of a mustard seed conquered death.

It is God, that can move mountains with the spoken word. It is God that parted the sea so his people could walk across on dry ground. It is God that gave his only begotten Son so we wouldn’t have to face the sting of death. How do we move mountains with tiny faith? Like John the Baptist said in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” We with our little faith, decrease, so God with his unlimited power can increase.

Do you have mountains in your life today that you need help with moving? Can I encourage you to take your crushing and allow God to turn it into power. Putting whatever little faith you have, into the hands of an Almighty God is the beginning of something big, like a mountain.

Supernatural Hope

Posted on by Jesse Walker

 

Life can be very tough. There are times when we feel all alone. The road seems long, and the burden seems extra heavy. You may be feeling that way this morning. Can I encourage you right now wherever you are, to know that in times like this you need to remind yourself of what God has said in Hebrews 13:5, “Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.”

The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Romans 15:13 and said, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy spirit you may abound in hope.”   This is a powerful statement of what God does for his children. God provides all those who believe in Him with hope and peace as they continue to seek Him.  But this isn’t an ordinary event. No, he does it through a supernatural power, his Holy Spirit.

In challenging times, it can become easy to shrink back. To withdraw and to close the world off. Or to think that God isn’t listening, or that God doesn’t see your pain. That is a lie the devil wants you to believe. Can I encourage you today, that if you are feeling hopeless that the God of Hope and Peace is standing nearby. He is ready and willing to supply you with supernatural hope through his Holy Spirit. We are remined in Matthew 19:26, that “all things are possible with God.” And in Ephesians 3:20, that God is “able to do more than we can ask or imagine.” I pray you will lean on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you with hope and peace that is beyond this world.