Cleaning Up the Outside

I think one of the biggest problems in the church is that we have become too focused on cleaning up the outside of a person and in turn have forgotten the inside. Like the Pharisees, the church that focuses on teaching people how to clean up their lives (usually in the south than means “don’t drink, smoke, chew, or go with women who do”) instead of preaching Jesus Christ, misses the mark and can cost people their eternal salvation. (Matt 23:15, 27-28, 33)

Jesus teaches that we should not focus on cleaning up the outside, but should preach the message that can lead a man to Christ so the inside may be cleaned then the outside will follow.

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.” Matt 23:25-26

Where is your heart this week? Does the outside of your cup reflect the inside, or is it a false front?

Let Jesus reign in you and he will take care of the cleaning. I had a friend tell me once that when he received Jesus Christ. Then Jesus changed his “want to.” After that changing his life was easy he didn’t “want to” do the things he used to do anymore. Let Jesus change your “want to” today.

The Wings of the King

In Matthew 23 Jesus gives the Pharisees and teachers of the law one of the harshest beatings recorded in scripture. As I read this passage this morning I kept thinking, man He is FIRED UP!!

But then, after all that; then you see what Jesus heart is really like.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” Matt 23:37.

As wretched, worthless, arrogant, selfish, and sinful, as they were; Jesus still loved them. Under the hen’s wing is a place of protection, a place of warmth, and a place of love. Jesus wanted to shelter and hold Israel close, but they rejected him. As much as the King of Kings wanted to shelter, guide, and love his people their selfish ambition kept them away. They rejected his love because they wanted it their way and for their glory.

How often have I failed to come into the master’s wings, when he has offered them for protection? Why do I ever choose my way over His?

Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, but how often do you choose to do things your way instead of his.

Vacation Bible School 2009

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matt 19:14


Just some thoughts about Vacation Bible School

• This year VBS was AWSOME!!!

• It has taken me far too long to post this blog, but to be honest I have been crazy busy.

Why was VBS Incredible?

• We had a train station in the sanctuary.
• We had a cave in the fellowship hall.
• We had more kids present than at any event since I have been pastor here.
• God moved, nuff said.

• July 5, we had 4 baptisms in our evening service as a result of VBS this year. Did you catch that? 4 children crossing over from death to life because of VBS. God is Awsome and it never gets old seeing him work.

• Check out the Pictures here if the slide show isn’t working. Happy Hill VBS 2009