Arise and Abide Curtis Perea

This week’s passage is 1 Peter 4:1-19. The encouragement to continue to serve, even through suffering.  Circumstances don’t change because you start following Christ. Intimacy with God will have us share in Christ’s suffering. We will know God’s heart more as we experience the hurts Jesus felt ministering to the world and in His sacrifice on the cross. Being earnest and disciplined in prayer, serving others in that connection with God through prayer. You cannot really show people love until you are changed by the Love of God.  The cost of being disciplined in prayer requires redirection of your thoughts. Share what God has given you. Serving with your gifts brings glory to the Father. The coming of the Kingdom in our lives and on this earth is where God is glorified.  Love covers a multitude of Sin. Through everything we go through God has equipped us to reflect the Love of God. God is faithful to equip, and God will never fail you.

A brief overview of Romans 9-12:8 then reading from Romans 12:9-21. This scripture tells us what service looks like. To continue to serve enthusiastically with joy, we need to be in constant prayer. To really love others, we must surrender to the Holy Spirit. To truly hate what is wrong we must humbly ask God to change the way we think. To cling to God. Children of God must cling to the Father, in order to cling to God, we must let go of the things we hold onto. Letting go of desires to take revenge. God is righteous, we can trust God. Breaking the cycle of violence. Loving those who don’t deserve it. We play a role in conquering evil on earth. The evil in the world and the lies of the enemy. The people living in the darkness of the lies of the enemy need the light! We are transformed by the Truth breaking through the lies. We are on an awesome mission with God to grow His Kingdom.

A brief overview of Matthew 17-20 then reading from Matthew 20:20-28. The mother of James and John seeking places of honor for her sons. Their vision of God’s kingdom is distorted by the kingdoms of the world. The contract between the Kingdom’s way and the way of the world. The bitter cup of suffering, laying down one’s life. Shift the way we think about being a leader, serving God. Honor is given for service. Taking the time to count the cost. Letting our responses pass through a filter that includes scripture and submission to Jesus.  James and John trying to secure their place in the Kingdom, but that is the work of God.

Reading from John 12:20-32, Jesus is the picture of obedience. Jesus faithful and focused on the Goal. The kernel of life. The lone kernel’s death brings more kernels that were not there before. Laying down our life for the abundant life God has for us. If we want to serve Him we must follow Him.  The Holy Spirit is with you. The cost of being a disciple is laying down my life. Waiting for God’s timing to move. We go, we wait, and when God says, we do. Jesus’ disciples spent years with Him, God wants to spend time with you too. Jesus’ life is the kernel, we are to follow Jesus and likewise lay down our lives.  Follow Jesus, going into the dirt, bringing up new life, growing, and sharing in the eternal life. Living a life of Honor. Jesus draws people to Himself, we are to guide others in following after Jesus.

The recounting and remembering everything the LORD had done for Israel. Joshua reminds the people of the importance of following the LORD. Joshua looking back on His life, recognizes that it is all God’s goodness and strength. Remembering all God has done helps us remain in Him, it is part of relationship. We are unable to do it on our own, we need a savior, God knew it and wanted the people to realize it and ask Him for help. The prophetic message of Joshua. God brings the victory. We need to choose to serve God and allow Him to bring the victory. If you don’t choose to serve God, you will wind up serving another god. The cost of being a disciple, lay down your life and follow Jesus. Set up reminders for yourself that point you to Jesus, tear down the ones that lead you elsewhere.  Jesus sacrifice is part of our story to remember. We have the call to serve God, and Jesus our example to follow. God’s promise to bring victory, all we do is follow. The implied promise in verses 19 and 20, if you remain with God, God will remain with you, there is no better goal than remaining with God.  

God’s heart for humanity to move from what is good to what is better. The contrast from the old and the temporary and the new glory of Christ and the eternal effect of Jesus sacrifice. God’s law written on our heart vs. written on external stone tablets. Having rules, knowing what’s expected, gives me a goal to try for but the Spirit of God living in me is a far better way to live. Turning to Jesus is how the vail is removed. The price is the same we see throughout scripture, the call to repent and believe. The freedom we receive through Christ. God makes us more and more like Himself, its not something I achieve. It is in our nature to want to achieve something, but the effort we really need to make is to turn towards God and remain in Him. The promise of freedom and transformation.