Upper Room Daily Reflections of Nashville, Tennessee, United States - daily words of wisdom and faith “To Live Without Fear" for Sunday, 1 February 2015
Today’s Reflection:
WITH REMARKABLE FREQUENCY, the first word God speaks to individuals and groups poised at the edge of momentous decision or holy encounter is this: “Do not be afraid. Do not fear.” What is intended goes beyond an attitude adjustment on our part. What is intended are lives empowered by that decisive word, so that “do not be afraid” finds its fullest expression when we do not live afraid. Faith does not call us merely to live without fear inside the sanctuary. Discipleship calls us to confront appeals to fear in the world around us and to live our lives and bear our witness accordingly.[John Indermark, Do Not Live Afraid]
From page 11 of Do Not Live Afraid: Faith in a Fearful World by John Indermark. Copyright & copy; 2009 by John Indermark. All rights reserved. Used by permission. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question:
When do you encounter messages that promote fear in yourself or others?
Today’s Scripture:
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”
And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him.[Mark 1:25-26, NRSV]
This Week: pray for those who are grieving.
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This week we remember:
This week we remember: Prudence Crandall (January 28).
Prudence Crandall was born in Rhode Island in 1803, raised Quaker, and educated at a Society of Friends school. In 1831 she opened a private girls school in Canterbury, Connecticut. The school thrived until Crandall admitted Sarah Harris, a twenty-year old African-American woman who wanted to be a teacher. The community was appalled and parents twithdrew their white daughters from the school.
Undeterred from doing what she considered the right thing, Crandall recruited African American young women students for her next school, opened in 1833 solely for "young ladies and little misses of color." Local citizens used vagrancy laws against students to intimidate from attending the school. In 1834 Connecticut passed "the Black law," making it illegal to provide black students with free education. Crandall refused to close her school, was arrested and faced three trials. The final trial was dismissed for insufficient evidence, but when a mob attacked the school and her students were threatened, Prudence closed her school.
Prudence Crandall married Rev. Calvin Phileo in 1834 and left Connecticut, but continued teaching and championing equal rights for women and people of color. Prudence died on January 28, 1890 in Kansas. Her school is now the Prudence Crandall Museum.
If Prudence Crandall had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Sage. Prudence Crandall is remembered on January 28.
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Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Lectionary Scriptures:
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 111
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 1:21-28
Lectionary Text:
Deuteronomy 18:15 Instead, he will choose one of your own people to be a prophet just like me, and you must do what that prophet says. 16 You were asking for a prophet the day you were gathered at Mount Sinai[a] and said to the Lord, “Please don’t let us hear your voice or see this terrible fire again—if we do, we will die!”
17 Then the Lord told me:
Moses, they have said the right thing. 18 So when I want to speak to them, I will choose one of them to be a prophet like you. I will give my message to that prophet, who will tell the people exactly what I have said. 19 Since the message comes from me, anyone who doesn’t obey the message will have to answer to me.
20 But if I haven’t spoken, and a prophet claims to have a message from me, you must kill that prophet, and you must also kill any prophet who claims to have a message from another god.[Footnotes:
18.16 Mount Sinai: See the note at 1.1-5.
Psalm 111: Praise the Lord for All He Has Done
1 Shout praises to the Lord!
With all my heart
I will thank the Lord
when his people meet.
2 The Lord has done
many wonderful things!
Everyone who is pleased
with God’s marvelous deeds
will keep them in mind.
3 Everything the Lord does
is glorious and majestic,
and his power to bring justice
will never end.
4 The Lord God is famous
for his wonderful deeds,
and he is kind and merciful.
5 He gives food to his worshipers
and always keeps his agreement
with them.
6 He has shown his mighty power
to his people
and has given them the lands
of other nations.
7 God is always honest and fair,
and his laws can be trusted.
8 They are true and right
and will stand forever.
9 God rescued his people,
and he will never break
his agreement with them.
He is fearsome and holy.
10 Respect and obey the Lord!
This is the first step
to wisdom and good sense.[a]
God will always be respected.[Footnotes:
111.10 This. . . sense: Or “This is what wisdom and good sense are all about.”]
1 Corinthians 8:1Food Offered to Idols
1 In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others. 2 In fact, people who think they know so much don’t know anything at all. 3 But God has no doubts about who loves him.
4 Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one God. 5 Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and lords, but none of them really are gods or lords. 6 We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us.
7 Not everyone knows these things. In fact, many people have grown up with the belief that idols have life in them. So when they eat meat offered to idols, they are bothered by a weak conscience. 8 But food doesn’t bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don’t eat, and we are no better off if we do.
9 Don’t cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. 10 You know all this, and so it doesn’t bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. 11 Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. 12 When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 So if I hurt one of the Lord’s followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live.
Mark 1: A Man with an Evil Spirit
21 Jesus and his disciples went to the town of Capernaum. Then on the next Sabbath he went into the Jewish meeting place and started teaching. 22 Everyone was amazed at his teaching. He taught with authority, and not like the teachers of the Law of Moses. 23 Suddenly a man with an evil spirit[a] in him entered the meeting place and yelled, 24 “Jesus from Nazareth, what do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are! You are God’s Holy One.”
25 Jesus told the evil spirit, “Be quiet and come out of the man!” 26 The spirit shook him. Then it gave a loud shout and left.
27 Everyone was completely surprised and kept saying to each other, “What is this? It must be some new kind of powerful teaching! Even the evil spirits obey him.” 28 News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee.[Footnotes:
1.23 evil spirit: A Jewish person who had an evil spirit was considered “unclean” and was not allowed to eat or worship with other Jewish people.]
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for
Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Verse 15
[15] The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Will raise up — Will produce and send into the world in due time.
A prophet like unto me — Christ was truly, and in all commendable parts like him, in being both a prophet and a king and a priest and mediator, in the excellency of his ministry and work, in the glory of his miracles, in his familiar and intimate converse with God.
Verse 19
[19] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
I will require it — I will punish him severely for it. The sad effect of this threatning the Jews have felt for above sixteen hundred years together.
Psalm 111
Verse 2
[2] The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Sought — Diligently meditated upon.
Verse 3
[3] His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
Work — Either all his works, or that eminent branch of those works, his providence towards his people.
Righteousness — His justice or faithfulness in performing his word.
Verse 4
[4] He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
Remembered — By their own nature, and the lasting benefits flowing from them, which are such as cannot easily be forgotten.
Verse 5
[5] He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
Meat — All necessary provisions for their being and well-being.
Verse 7
[7] The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
The works — All that he doth on the behalf of his people, or against their enemies.
Truth — Are exactly agreeable to his promises, and to justice.
Commandments — His laws given to the Israelites, especially the moral law.
Sure — Constant and unchangeable.
Verse 8
[8] They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
Done — Constituted or ordered.
Verse 9
[9] He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.
Redemption — The deliverance out of Egypt, which was a type of that higher redemption by Christ.
Commanded — Appointed, or established firmly by his power and authority.
For ever — Through all successive generations of his people to the end of the world.
Reverend — Terrible to his enemies, venerable in his peoples eyes, and holy in all his dealings with all men.
Verse 10
[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
The fear — True religion.
Beginning — Is the only foundation of, and introduction to, true wisdom.
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Verse 1
[1] Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
Now concerning the next question you proposed.
All of us have knowledge — A gentle reproof of their self-conceit. Knowledge without love always puffeth up. Love alone edifies - Builds us up in holiness.
Verse 2
[2] And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
If any man think he knoweth any thing — Aright, unless so far he is taught by God.
He knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know — Seeing there is no true knowledge without divine love.
Verse 3
[3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
He is known — That is, approved, by him. Psalms 1:6.
Verse 4
[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
We know that an idol is nothing — A mere nominal god, having no divinity, virtue, or power.
Verse 5
[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
For though there be that are called gods — By the heathens both celestial, (as they style them,) terrestrial, and infernal deities.
Verse 6
[6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Yet to us — Christians.
There is but one God — This is exclusive, not of the One Lord, as if he were an inferior deity; but only of the idols to which the One God is opposed.
From whom are all things — By creation, providence, and grace.
And we for him — The end of all we are, have, and do.
And one Lord — Equally the object of divine worship.
By whom are all things — Created, sustained, and governed.
And we by him — Have access to the Father, and all spiritual blessings.
Verse 7
[7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
Some eat, with consciousness of the idol — That is, fancying it is something, and that it makes the meat unlawful to be eaten.
And their conscience, being weak — Not rightly informed.
Is defiled — contracts guilt by doing it.
Verse 8
[8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
But meat commendeth us not to God — Neither by eating, nor by refraining from it. Eating and not eating are in themselves things merely indifferent.
Verse 10
[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
For if any one see thee who hast knowledge — Whom he believes to have more knowledge than himself, and who really hast this knowledge, that an idol is nothing-sitting down to an entertainment in an idol temple. The heathens frequently made entertainments in their temples, on what hath been sacrificed to their idols.
Will not the conscience of him that is weak — Scrupulous.
Be encouraged — By thy example.
To eat — Though with a doubting conscience.
Verse 11
[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? — And for whom thou wilt not lose a meal's meat, so far from dying for him! We see, Christ died even for them that perish.
Verse 12
[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Ye sin against Christ — Whose members they are.
Verse 13
[13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
If meat — Of any kind. Who will follow this example? What preacher or private Christian will abstain from any thing lawful in itself, when it offends a weak brother?
Mark 1:21-28
Verse 21
[21] And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.
Luke 4:31.
Verse 26
[26] And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
A loud noise — For he was forbidden to speak. Christ would neither suffer those evil spirits to speak in opposition, nor yet in favour of him. He needed not their testimony, nor would encourage it, lest any should infer that he acted in concert with them.
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Upper Room Daily Reflections, a ministry of Global Board of Discipleship
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004 United States
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Sermon Story "The Prophet After Moses" by Gary Lee Parker with Sermon Test for Sunday, 1 February 2015
Scripture Texts:
Deuteronomy 18:15 Instead, he will choose one of your own people to be a prophet just like me, and you must do what that prophet says. 16 You were asking for a prophet the day you were gathered at Mount Sinai[a] and said to the Lord, “Please don’t let us hear your voice or see this terrible fire again—if we do, we will die!”
17 Then the Lord told me:
Moses, they have said the right thing. 18 So when I want to speak to them, I will choose one of them to be a prophet like you. I will give my message to that prophet, who will tell the people exactly what I have said. 19 Since the message comes from me, anyone who doesn’t obey the message will have to answer to me.
20 But if I haven’t spoken, and a prophet claims to have a message from me, you must kill that prophet, and you must also kill any prophet who claims to have a message from another god.[Footnotes:
18.16 Mount Sinai: See the note at 1.1-5.]
Psalm 111: Praise the Lord for All He Has Done
1 Shout praises to the Lord!
With all my heart
I will thank the Lord
when his people meet.
2 The Lord has done
many wonderful things!
Everyone who is pleased
with God’s marvelous deeds
will keep them in mind.
3 Everything the Lord does
is glorious and majestic,
and his power to bring justice
will never end.
4 The Lord God is famous
for his wonderful deeds,
and he is kind and merciful.
5 He gives food to his worshipers
and always keeps his agreement
with them.
6 He has shown his mighty power
to his people
and has given them the lands
of other nations.
7 God is always honest and fair,
and his laws can be trusted.
8 They are true and right
and will stand forever.
9 God rescued his people,
and he will never break
his agreement with them.
He is fearsome and holy.
10 Respect and obey the Lord!
This is the first step
to wisdom and good sense.[a]
God will always be respected.[Footnotes:
111.10 This. . . sense: Or “This is what wisdom and good sense are all about.”]
1 Corinthians 8: Food Offered to Idols
1 In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others. 2 In fact, people who think they know so much don’t know anything at all. 3 But God has no doubts about who loves him.
4 Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one God. 5 Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and lords, but none of them really are gods or lords. 6 We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us.
7 Not everyone knows these things. In fact, many people have grown up with the belief that idols have life in them. So when they eat meat offered to idols, they are bothered by a weak conscience. 8 But food doesn’t bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don’t eat, and we are no better off if we do.
9 Don’t cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. 10 You know all this, and so it doesn’t bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. 11 Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. 12 When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 So if I hurt one of the Lord’s followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live.
Mark 1: A Man with an Evil Spirit
21 Jesus and his disciples went to the town of Capernaum. Then on the next Sabbath he went into the Jewish meeting place and started teaching. 22 Everyone was amazed at his teaching. He taught with authority, and not like the teachers of the Law of Moses. 23 Suddenly a man with an evil spirit[a] in him entered the meeting place and yelled, 24 “Jesus from Nazareth, what do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are! You are God’s Holy One.”
25 Jesus told the evil spirit, “Be quiet and come out of the man!” 26 The spirit shook him. Then it gave a loud shout and left.
27 Everyone was completely surprised and kept saying to each other, “What is this? It must be some new kind of powerful teaching! Even the evil spirits obey him.” 28 News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee.[Footnotes:
1.23 evil spirit: A Jewish person who had an evil spirit was considered “unclean” and was not allowed to eat or worship with other Jewish people.]
We come to this week as we hear from God and relaize that the prophesy of God that there will be a prophet like Moses became fulfilled in the Presence of God coming to earth as the Messiah we know as Jesus. Yes, there is a description of what should happen to the false prophets who attempt to deceive the people, but this punishiment will come from God Himself. we recognize that as Jesus lived and healed, even the demons knew him, while the religious leaders had questions about His authenticity. We realize that even other leaders in non-Christian faiths point to who Jesus is, The Son of God, and the Savior of the world if we only believe and reopent of our sins. We see this in the writings of Paul where the meat that has been sacrificed to no-god idols is all right to eat because we Jesus' Spirit within us, but if this action would offend a weaker Christian we should partake of the meat that was sacrificed to a no-god idol. This even apply to the 21st century when we are free to do what continues to lead us closer to God and His Holiness in our life, but if a practice offends a weaker follower of Jesus we should partake of the event. This is why, for an example, is the conducting Faith on Tap is so important to reach people who would not step into a church for whatever reason, but we must be careful not to contribute to a follower or non-follower who has addiction problems with alcohol or drugs by either them coming or drinking the alcohol at the Faith on Tap. Yet, we cannot stop having Faith on Tap for those who are being reached with God's Grace and Love and/or growing in their journey of faith. This could also be in the exclusion rather than inclusion of people who have a different culture, language, or skin color or sexual orientation or even who are differently abled from fellowship with God's Church. What chararcters do you relate to in these stories? How does your faith fit into these thoughts and ideas? How will you reach people who do not know or even understand God's Grace and Love? may we sing this Hymn "O Worship the King all glorious above" by Robert Grant (1833)
1. O worship the King all-glorious above,
O gratefully sing his power and his love:
our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.
2. O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.
3. Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.
4. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!
5. O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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