An inside job

In Chapter 1 of The End of Me, Kyle Idleman initiates his discussion of the Sermon on the Mount.  Pastor Idleman states Jesus begins to introduce us to the great paradox of God’s kingdom: “at the end of me, I find real life in him.”

The new kingdom, Kyle adds, has new rules.  Many of those new rules are a reversal of the old ways.  In fact, some New Testament scholars call the Sermon on the Mount the “Great Reversal.”  Pastor Idleman explains that Jesus is looking beyond superficial surface change:

“Jesus doesn’t want to talk about tangible rules or laws. . . . Nothing about the Romans here.  All that is on the surface of life, and Jesus wants to go a little deeper to what’s inside us- what make the surface the way it is.  The kingdom of God begins as an inside job.”

When Jesus says the poor in spirit are blessed (Matthew 3:5), the primary emphasis is not money- although the word Jesus uses for “poor” translates to “destitute” or “bankrupt.”  And it’s human nature to think a blessed life is defined by plenty of money, not poverty.

Jesus reverses such thinking here.  God’s kingdom begins in you when you come to the end of Me and you have nothing to offer.  Kyle concludes:

“Jesus says the kingdom begins with taking inventory and coming up with zero.  We have nothing to offer, and that means we’re making progress.”

Today’s question: What deeper, inside changes have occurred following your vocation loss?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Beautifully broken”

An inside job

A crown that will last forever

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the game goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”- I Corinthians 9:24-25

Today Bill Hybels discusses the second and third reasons for choosing a life verse (Chapter 8 of Simplify).

REASON #2: It calls out the best in me.  Bill Hybels stresses his life verse “minces no words; its marching orders for my life are blindingly clear.”  The late Dallas Willard put it this way: “A Christ follower’s motivation should come from within.”

REASON #3: It brings comfort.  Pastor Hybels states his life verse reminds him that every effort he expends to advance God’s kingdom in this world- whether big or small, visible or hidden- is not in vain.  This brings comfort.  God notices and appreciates what we do.  Ultimately, we do what we do is for and audience of One.

In Paul’s day, the author notes, the prize for winning an Olympic event was a crown of olive or laurel leaves.  By the time the athlete got home that night, the crown already was wilted.  Great energy had been expended for something that didn’t last a day.  What a comfort to know we have an eternal, imperishable crown waiting for us.  Pastor Hybels says it’s time for us to consider this assessment:

“Are you in the right race?  Or have you accidentally drifted into a race that is mostly in vain?”

Today’s question: Which of Pastor Hybels’ three reasons for choosing a life verse resonate most with you?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “Hats or hardware?”

 

A crown that will last forever