Friday, February 27, 2015

First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States - Daily Devotions for Monday, 23 February 2015 to 1 March 2015 Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence by Craig Brown Text to read: Mark 8:31-38

First United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States - Daily Devotions for Monday, 23 February 2015 to 1 March 2015 Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence by Craig Brown Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
Scripture Text to read: Mark 8:31 He began teaching them that the Son of Man had to endure much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and that he had to be put to death; but that after three days, he had to rise again. 32 He spoke very plainly about it. Kefa took him aside and began rebuking him. 33 But, turning around and looking at his talmidim, he rebuked Kefa. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said, “For your thinking is from a human perspective, not from God’s perspective!”
34 Then Yeshua called the crowd and his talmidim to him and told them, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 35 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will save it. 36 Indeed, what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? 37 What could a person give in exchange for his life? 38 For if someone is ashamed of me and of what I say in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
Verse 31
[31] And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Matthew 16:21; Luke 9:22.
Verse 32
[32] And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
He spake that saying openly — Or in express terms. Till now he had only intimated it to them.
And Peter taking hold of him — Perhaps by the arms or clothes.
Verse 33
[33] But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Looking on his disciples — That they might the more observe what he said to Peter.
Verse 34
[34] And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
And when he called the people — To hear a truth of the last importance, and one that equally concerned them all.
Let him deny himself — His own will, in all things small and great, however pleasing, and that continually: And take up his cross - Embrace the will of God, however painful, daily, hourly, continually. Thus only can he follow me in holiness to glory.
Verse 35
[35] For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Matthew 16:25; Luke 9:24; Luke 17:33; John 12:25.
Verse 38
[38] Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words — That is, avowing whatever I have said (particularly of self denial and the daily cross) both by word and action. Matthew 10:32; Luke 9:26; Luke 12:8.

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Daily Devotions:

Monday, February 23, 2015

Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence
Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
  • Why does Peter not approve of Jesus' statement? 
  • What is behind it?

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence
Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
  • In what ways do we question the "mysterious ways" of God?

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence
Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
  • How are we to bring God's redemption to our fallen world? 
  • By what means?

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence
Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
  • What does Jesus' invitation to follow Him mean? 
  • How radical is this?

Friday, February 27, 2015

Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence
Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
  • How have we domesticated the call of Jesus? 
  • Made it too easy???

Saturday, February 28, 2015

Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence
Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
  • What might renew our sense of call to follow Jesus?

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Sermon theme: Just Let Go - Wordly Power and Influence
Text to read: Mark 8:31-38
  • Pray for those who are following Jesus at great price.
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First United Methodist Church
2111 Camino del Rio South
San Diego, CA 92108 United States
(619) 297-4366
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Sermon Story "" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 1 March 2015 Text to read: Mark 8:31 He began teaching them that the Son of Man had to endure much suffering and be rejected by the elders, the head cohanim and the Torah-teachers; and that he had to be put to death; but that after three days, he had to rise again. 32 He spoke very plainly about it. Kefa took him aside and began rebuking him. 33 But, turning around and looking at his talmidim, he rebuked Kefa. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said, “For your thinking is from a human perspective, not from God’s perspective!”
34 Then Yeshua called the crowd and his talmidim to him and told them, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. 35 For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will save it. 36 Indeed, what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? 37 What could a person give in exchange for his life? 38 For if someone is ashamed of me and of what I say in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.
On this Second Sunday of Lent 2015, we look at the Scripture where Jesus begins to ask His disciples who the people are saying who He is. The response is that He is The Messiah, Elijah come back, or one of the prophets, then Jesus asked them who they saay He is. Peter spoke up saying that He is The Messiah of The Holy God who has been promised to come to deliver the Jews. Jesus responds that what Peter has said did not come from human thinking but by the Holy Spirit of God. Now, Jesus goes on teaching His disciples that He must suffer, be arrested by the religious leaders, be found guilty of a crime, be beaten, then given over to the Roman government to crucify Him. Peter spoke up that this will never happen, but Jesus responds to Peter to get behind Him Satan because what is to happen has been planned and prophesied by the prophets of the Jews. Then, Jesus goes on to say that each follower of His must take up their own cross and follow in His steps. What character do you realte to? How would you have resoponded to Jesus with His question and teachings/ How do you respond to His question and teachings in today's world? How does this suffering go along with some of the preaching and teaching that says that a true follower or disciple of Jesus will be healthy, wealthy, and wise in today's church rather than suffering and maybe even being killed? How do you see that Jesus is more than a prophet and is trully God as The Messiah, The Son of God, and The Son of Man? How could we in the western world be too comfortable to take words to live by? I am reminded of a song that was written by Mike Crawford who is the Music Minister in Kansas City, Missouri, United States. As we come to receive God's Grace, Love, Mercy, and Power by eating the Eucharist, may we sing this song and Meditate on it"Words To Build A Life On" by Mike Crawford 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words how can they be mine 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words I want them to be mine 
Blessed are the poor 
Blessed are the weak 
Blessed are the ones 
Who can barely speak 
Blessed in your hurt 
Blessed in your pain 
Blessed when your teardrops 
Are falling down like rain 
Blessed when you’re broken 
Blessed when you’re blind 
Blessed when you’re fragile 
When you have lost your mind 
Blessed when you’re desperate 
Blessed when you’re scared 
Blessed when you’re lonely 
Blessed when you’ve failed 
Blessed when you’re beat up 
Blessed when you’re bruised 
Blessed when you’re tore down 
Blessed when you’re used 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words how can they be mine 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words I want them to be mine 
Blessed when you’re heartbroke 
Blessed when you’re fired 
Blessed when you’re choked up 
Blessed when you’re tired 
Blessed when the plans 
That you so carefully laid 
End up in the junkyard 
With all the trash you made 
Blessed when you feel like 
Giving up the ghost 
Blessed when your loved ones 
Are the ones who hurt you most 
Blessed when you lose your 
Own identity 
Then blessed when you find it 
And it has been redeemed 
Blessed when you see what 
Your friends can never be 
Blessed with your eyes closed 
Then Blessed you see Me 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words how can they be mine 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words I want them to be mine 
Blessed when you’re hungry 
Blessed when you thirst 
Cause that’s when you will eat of 
The bread that matters most 
Blessed when you’re put down 
Because of me you’re dissed 
Because of me you’re kicked out 
They take you off their list 
You know you’re on the mark 
You know you’ve got it right 
You are to be my salt 
You are to be my light 
So bring out all the flavour 
In the feast of this My world 
And light up all the colours 
Let the banners be unfurled 
Shout it from the rooftops 
Let the trumpets ring 
Sing your freaking lungs out 
Tell them Jesus Christ is King! 
Jesus is my Saviour 
Jesus is divine 
Jesus is my answer 
Jesus is my life 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words how can they be mine 
These are words to build a life on 
These are Your words I want them to be mine 
Give us ears that we may hear them 
voice that we may sing them 
life that we may live them 
hope that we may give them 
hearts that we can feel them 
eyes that we can see them 
thoughts that we may think them 
tongues that we may speak Your words 
Your words 
These are Your words 
I want them to be mine 
Be mine 
Be mine
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street
San Diego, California
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