Getting what we want

I was surprised to learn something new at church today when I've heard the story of Christ dying on the cross yet again, but I shouldn't be. Today it was a lesson of the heart. I would like to thank Noel Heikkinen for doing such a great job at opening my heart. The reason I have been unhappy over the last week is due to a feeling of failure I have put on myself to carry the spirit. I had a yearning to be closer to God, but I thought the only way I could do that was through going to Summer Project far away from home. My depression wasn't from displeasing Christ, but from feeling I have disappointed others and would also fail to show Christ's love without proper training. While part of these things are true, I also felt responsible for my family. I couldn't tell my father that I was going to do things my way in order to please God. My earthly family needs my assistance this summer, and to abandon them is a sin.

1 Timothy 5:8

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

Therefore, I should not feel guilt or feel overly apologetic for having applied for summer project and having to turn down acceptance. Instead, I should view it and the application process as a time of cleansing:

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

God does not make mistakes. I would like to recognize the kindness I received when I felt I was letting Chicago Summer Project down:

Thank you so much for letting me know, Emmie.  I'm sorry you won't be joining us but I do understand how something like this could happen.  I wish you the best and trust with you that God has something sweet in store for your summer.  Please be in touch if anything changes.

~nancy :)

My friend mentioned that her advisor said she was being vague with her life, not choosing something and sticking with it. While dedicating our lives to a passion, it doesn't mean we don't mistakes, and it doesn't mean we spending every waking hour on what we choose will make us any more fit to be successful. My boyfriend warned me of getting burnt out early. I wanted so badly to seek Christ first, and with one disappointment I became lazy and depressed. I missed class on Friday, was late to meet with a friend Friday night, was idle Saturday, and was late for church today. Laziness is a sin.

Proverbs 19:15

Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry.

What are we going hungry for? Is it a lack of working at a job that results in literal hunger? Is it carelessness in our homework resulting in poor grades? or is it an overall emptiness left by the absence of Christ who we ignore when we choose our way over His? What is satisfying us?

Matthew 19:25

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Though this verse makes a generalization about rich people, it also recognizes a satisfaction the wealthy have in their actions. They deem money the root of their success, not in their spiritual contentment found in relying on God.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

Ecclesiastes 10:18

Through laziness, the rafters sag; because of idle hands, the house leaks.

So, away from my tangent to key verses I'd like to reflect on in the sermon.

Just a reminder, Jesus knew the old testament well, so he knew what was coming even before his death.

Old testament- before Christ- prophesy of what would happen to Jesus
Psalm 22:14-15
I am poured out like water,  
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart has turned to wax;  
it has melted within me.
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd,  
and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth;  
you lay me in the dust of death.

New Testament-Jesus's crucifiction

John 19:28

Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. ³⁰ When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
One of Noel's comments was that most Christians view putting the sponge up to Christ's lips as an act of compassion or pity, but after speaking to his friend who knew more of the historical significance of a sponge on a stick, this action can be looked at as mockery or disgrace. In rich people bathrooms back in those times, perfectly shaped holes were made in a concrete slab for sitting on and a hole in the front of the concrete slabs - between the legs- allowed the person to access running water. This running water was used to clean oneself after going to the bathroom.Their long clothing covered them from exposure as all these people would sit in a row with no walls between them. The sponge on a stick was used with the running water by slaves to make a little extra cash by wiping the people's butts. Due to using the same sponge on many people, infection developed and they began using sour wine instead.
Since Jesus spoke I am thirsty to fulfill the prophesy and not to be quenched by mankind, how do you look at Jesus's sacrifice any differently? Noel related sin to taxes, and sin to death, both which are guaranteed by this world. Death is a punishment or tax for sin by God. But through sending Jesus Christ to die for us, we no longer must pay that tax. The bible calls this "Tetelestai" which means "it is finished," Jesus's last words in John 19:30. This was stamped on paid tax papers to show that the tax had been collected. "It is finished" was like Jesus saying "mission accomplished," once for all time. SO, do we represent this picture of Christ? choosing to live for Christ instead of our own desires? Where do we fall when our relationship with our families are analyzed? Do we speak truth at all times? Do we blame others for our own condition?

Deuteronomy 24:16

Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.

Colossians 2:13-15

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.



image:

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