Day 13 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 8
Engaging Others: Culturally
Ramon Vielza, Campus Pastor | Southside

One of the reasons the life and ministry of Jesus is so powerful is His ability to include others when it comes to serving and influencing their lives. Matthew ch. 8 shows us this beautiful reality:

• We see Him involved in the healing of a leper, making a difference by touching an unclean man, rejected by the society. 
• We see Him addressing the plea of a Roman centurion, recognizing the great faith of the foreigner.
• We see Him healing a woman, Peter's mother-in-law, who was also marginalized in a society where women were seen as inferior to men.
• We see him freeing those possessed by demons, people feared greatly by their peers.

How did He do it so effectively?  He showed His love by revealing its power over disease and demons. Oh to see him showing his disciples his power over the forces of nature, I can almost hear the amazement of those followers of Jesus when seeing such power, they said: “Who is this man that even the winds and the seas obey him?”

TWEETABLE QUOTE: Jesus cleanses, treats, heals, frees and calms the storm...involving everyone in His great work of redemption.
 

Day 12 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 8
Engaging Others: Generationally
Truett Williams, Associate Pastor | Student Ministry

In this chapter we see Jesus encountering many different people with different yet significant needs. Jesus goes against the culture by engaging even touching a man with leprosy. He then demonstrates His power by healing the Centurion’s slave from a distance. Jesus was willing to go to the home but the Centurion’s faith impressed Jesus so much that He healed the man from a distance. Next Matthew records Jesus and his encounter with Peter’s mother-in-law. Jesus healed her. Jesus then pulls away with His disciples and encounters a storm that frightens his disciples and demonstrates His power over the weather. Finally, he has an encounter with two demon possessed men who recognize that He is the Son of God and Jesus cast the demons out. 

In this chapter we see Jesus encountering many people of many ages. He engages with them, listens to them and seeks to meet needs in their life. We see a compassionate Jesus, a powerful Jesus, a teacher, a healer, a savior that people are drawn to. Today as we encounter people may we been drawn to those who have needs different than our own. We don’t have the power to heal, but we do possess the love of Christ. We have the tool of prayer. We have the obligation to show compassion. Jesus used miracles to demonstrate His power, to satisfy claims that He was the Messiah, but also and most important was to reveal His saving truth to people.

My challenge for you today is to touch the young and old, your coworkers, your neighbors, your family. Meet a physical need for someone! Meet a spiritual need by proclaiming the saving truth of the Gospel with your words and deeds.

Tweet this:  Jesus always encountering people, touching lives and meeting needs. Imitate Him!

Day 11 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 8
Engaging Others: Economically
Kent Oviatt, Associate Pastor | Deaf & Multicultural Ministries

In the past 20 years, my wife and I have had the opportunity to serve with our Internationals and Deaf members - to engage others who are not like us. This is a focused ministry on people groups different than our own. A pastor friend reminded us once that because we were serving as missionaries to these people groups, we found ourselves constantly immersed in a different culture and language. His point at the time was to counsel us that we periodically needed a break from the strain of living outside our own culture. Then it occurred to me – in nearly every situation, whether serving as a missionary, a carpenter, a mechanic or a nurse, we will be exposed to people who are “not like us.”

In some way, as this passage in Matthew illustrates, we will cross paths with those of a different economic, generational, cultural or religious background.  So the question is not are we exposed to people who are different than us, as this is inescapable. The question rather is are we engaging these people. This is the bridge that connects us into the lives of people who are searching for the Truth of the Gospel. Engaging others is an intentional connection, a partnership between the believer and the Holy Spirit. As the Spirit leads us to people in need, we submit to this leadership with eyes to see the brokenness, and respond – engage them by speaking the peace of Christ.

Intentionally engaging others who are not like me is the bridge that the Holy Spirit can use to connect the Gospel into the lives of people who are searching for the Truth.

Day 10 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 17

Connect Up: Family Worship

Ryan Showalter, Associate Pastor | Family Ministry

Just as God the Father had a message for Jesus' disciples at the transfiguration, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him," so the Apostle Paul had a message for Jesus' followers in Ephesians 6:4, writing, "bring them (your children) up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." In other words, teach your kids to listen to Jesus! The words of our Father in heaven are echoed by the Apostle Paul as they point us to an inescapable fact: Jesus demands our full attention, and we are called to lead our children to give their full attention to Jesus as well. 

 But how do we lead our families to worship God together? Donald Whitney, Professor of Biblical Spirituality and Associate Dean of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, suggests a streamlined time of family worship in his article Simplify Family Worship at Reformation21: read, pray, sing. Whitney suggests reading a passage of appropriate length for your children, perhaps one chapter a day, prayer prompted by that passage, and a song or two together as a family.

With this format in place, you can effectively train your children (and yourself!) to "listen to him" throughout the normal ups and downs of day-to-day life in a fallen world. Sure, you won't always feel like it, and neither will your kids, but God's gracious commands transcend our emotions and point us to what is truly good for us--learning to love the ways of the Lord and walk in them together with your family.

If you have ever tried to start a family worship time and failed, God's grace is for you! If you have never tried to start a family worship time and are not sure how it will work, God's grace is for you! If your family already worships together regularly, God's grace is for you too! May we all be encouraged by God's grace and spurred on by one another as we seek to lead our families to follow God together!

TWEETABLE QUOTE: Jesus demands our full attention, and we are called to lead our children to give their full attention to Jesus as well. #RareElements 

Day 9 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 17:9-13

Connect Up: The Transfiguration (Part 2)

Richard Hardee, Associate Pastor | Head of School

Peter, James, and John had just witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus and the appearance of Moses and Elijah with Him. They were so awed that Peter immediately spoke up and proposed a plan to build three tabernacles on the mountain; one for Jesus, one for Moses, and another for Elijah. But in the middle of his proposal, a bright cloud covered them and God's voice spoke from the cloud. God redirected their focus back to His Son and commanded them to listen to Him.

All mountain top experiences, where we clearly see God move, hear His voice, and sense His Divine Presence must come to an end. We must eventually come down from the mountain. We have the natural tendency to want to linger there with God and not have to return to our normal routine of life. But an important truth we see from this passage shows that Jesus comes down with us. We are not left alone to make our way or carry out His work.

Another truth is found in verse 12 where Jesus explains to Peter, James, and John that Elijah had already come but the scribes did not recognize him. The disciples came to understand that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist, His forerunner, who came in the power and spirit of Elijah. The important message is that the scribes - the religious people of the day - did not recognize what was taking place right before their eyes. They had all the knowledge of what was to come, but their eyes and minds were closed to the Truth.

Let us not be guilty of failing to recognize God's plan unfolding before our eyes. May we have eyes wide open as we look up to Him and seek to carry out His work in our day.

TWEETABLE QUOTE: Let us not be guilty of failing to recognize God's plan unfolding before our eyes. #RareElements

Day 8 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 17:1-8 

Connect Up: The Transfiguration (Part 1)

Carmen Menser, Director | Journey Kids

Spurgeon once said that it is better to hear the Son of God than to see the saints or build tabernacles. When Peter, James and John joined Jesus on the mountain, they encountered Elijah and Moses. It was life changing; they were in awe. Peter was so moved to worship that he wanted to build tabernacles there to remember the experience. Then they heard the voice of saying “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him.” They missed it. They missed the point. They missed Jesus in the mountaintop experience. 

Worship is described as a feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. It is that sense of awe we get when we have been with God. We so often get caught up in that acts of worship, the raising of our hands, the signing, or even our giving of our time or resources—that we forget the awe, we forget Jesus, we forget that the point of worship is to listen to Him. This is what happened to Peter, James and John. They didn’t need the experience of worship, they needed to listen to "Listen to Him,” they needed Jesus. It is not enough for us to worship or the sake of worship, if we don’t listen and then act. We could waste our time on the mountain trying to remember the experience; instead, we must focus on hearing the Son of God and doing what He says.  

  

TWEETABLE QUOTE: It is better to hear the Son of God than to see the saints or build tabernacles. #RareElements

Day 7 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 17
Connect Up: The Gift of Worship
Larry White, Associate Pastor | Worship

Have you ever received a gift from someone and asked the question, “Who were they thinking of when they bought this?”

Many years ago, while traveling in Vermont, Pat and I visited a Teddy Bear factory. The bears were soft and cuddly therefore reminding us of the two sweet daughters we were missing while away. We were thrilled with the two that we chose for our girls.  After all, for years we had enjoyed buying stuffed animals for them as gifts of our love.

However, when we gave the bears to Stephanie and Brittany upon our return, we immediately realized that they had long ago out grown their appreciation of Teddy Bears.  These bears were a prime example of a gift being appreciated more by the giver than the receiver.

The term “authentic worship” is often used to help us describe our most effective worship to the Father.  It’s important that this describes our “gift” of worship and not our “experience” of worship.

Psalm 29:2 says, “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”

As we are worshiping God, whether it is during our quiet time or in church on Sunday morning, we must focus on our “gift” of worship to Him instead of our “experience” of worship.  Are we genuine in our love/worship of Him or are we only going through the motions?  Are we focusing on what we want to receive out of worship instead of what we are offering Him?  Are we truly adoring Him for who He is or are we focusing on what He can do for us? After encountering God in worship, do we serve Him?

When we worship, are we giving God a gift we enjoy and hoping He will like it?

Day 6 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 17 

Connect Up: The Need for Worship

Lee Chewning, Associate Pastor | Worship

You and I were created with the desire to connect. We all long to feel like we belong. God made us this way from the beginning of time. His design is and always has been for us to worship Him...to connect UP. From early on in Genesis, sin got in the way and broke this fellowship with God as man began to have eyes for and desire things other than God. Yet God's mercy reached out to reconnect mankind when He sent His Son to live a sinless life and die in our place so that sin could be forgiven, thus establishing a new connection...a forever connection. Our hearts were meant to worship God and He has pursued us relentlessly.

Worship, in one of its simplest definitions, means to adore. It is not difficult for us to consider the many things in our lives that compete for our attention and can become things we grow to adore, maybe even more than our relationship with God. When we choose to walk with God, admire His perfect love for us, and position ourselves to experience awe when we see His perfect love for us, our hearts find complete joy and we experience abundant life.

Today, I would ask that you read Psalm 100 aloud. Make a joyful noise today and celebrate the Lord's goodness to you. Worship Him today in your own way. In song, in prayer, in proclamation, or in generous deeds for His glory, ADORE HIM! 

Song Suggestion: "Made to Worship" by Chris Tomlin

TWEETABLE QUOTE: God's design is and always has been for us to walk with Him & worship Him...to connect UP. Find time to adore Him today. Ps100

Day 5 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 5 

Connect In: Christ-like Priorities

Gary Chapman, Senior Associate Pastor

As God works in us, He seeks to move us to become more and more like Christ. One part of this is adjusting our priorities. All of us have the same amount of time each day. What we do with our 24 hours depends on our priorities. The question is, do our activities reflect what we say are our priorities? Few of us would want to admit that our priority is anything less than serving God. However, a look at our schedule may reveal that we find little evidence of that.

We often hear that our priorities should be: God, family, service to others, and caring for our own well- being. When we look at Christ, it is clear that His priority was to “do the will of His Father.” That would ultimately lead to the cross. But on the way to the cross he gave himself to ‘helping people.’ 

Our priorities should be the same: “to accomplish all that God has in mind for me.” That means I must spend time talking and listening to God for direction. God has made it clear that family responsibilities are important. Reaching out to others in love with a desire to point them to Christ is also important. Then, I must care for my own physical, mental, and social needs in order to be all that God wants me to be. 

Our activities may differ on any given day, but our priorities do not change – we too desire to “do the will of our heavenly Father.” 

TWEETABLE QUOTE: If someone looked at your schedule last week, would they conclude that your priority in life is to “do the will of your heavenly Father?"

Day 4 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 5

Connect In: Christ-like Disciplines

Gary Byrum, Associate Pastor | Pastoral Care & Senior Adults

WWJD. You have undoubtedly seen colorful bracelets with these bold letters; first popular in the 1990’s, they are still present on many wrists today. “What Would Jesus Do?”

This is an admirable question, but, as we look at the “heart issues” that Jesus highlights in Matthew 5, perhaps a better question for followers of Christ to consider is “WWJB” or “Who Would Jesus Be?” in the particular situation confronting the faithful believer.

“Doing” may focus on the external, on the actions that people can see; “Being” more significantly focuses on the internal, the deeper motivations of the heart. And the deeper heart issues are Jesus’ concern in this chapter.

“You have heard that it was said . . .” and then a statement of law and measurement.

“But I say to you . . .” and then a statement of deeper meaning, deeper consequence, matters concerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

So as disciples of Christ, what disciplines can we develop that flow out of an understanding of who Jesus is and how Jesus’ heart motivates what Jesus would do?

Let’s look at just a few of the heart motivations and intentions that Jesus shares in the Gospels:

•  Most Important Commandments: Love God, love your neighbor (Matt. 22:36-40).
• Motivation: Moved with compassion (Matt. 9:36).
• Mission: To seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10).
• Model: Servanthood (John 13:3-17).

 Engage Jesus’ heart. How does His heart impact your walk, your disciplined life in Christ today?

TWEETABLE QUOTE: As disciples of Christ, what disciplines cn we develop tht flow out of knowing who Jesus is & how Jesus’ heart motivates wht Jesus would do?

Day 3 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 5

Connect In: Christ-like Righteousness

Ryan Showalter, Associate Pastor | Family Ministry

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). These are challenging words for those of us who are sometimes tempted to prove ourselves before God and others...tempted to show God and others how good and right we are. The apostle Paul, in describing himself as a Pharisee, said this, "If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless" (Philippians 3:4-6).

Paul, then Saul, was the epitome of Jewish righteousness. He did everything right. In fact, he did everything better than right. In a head-to-head challenge of righteousness and zeal, Saul was the winner every time. He had more reasons than everyone else to have confidence in the flesh. Perhaps you sometimes feel the same way. You maintain a carefully manicured public persona. You are at church at all the right times and serving in all the right places. Your kids say all the right things and when someone asks how you are doing, you are always ready with the right answer. When you look around at your peers, you may even notice with some satisfaction that your rightness exceeds theirs.

Unfortunately it turns out that your record of rightness (no matter how right you are) won't get you in to heaven after all. Paul's next words in Philippians 3 make that abundantly clear: "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes through the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith..."

If you want to enter the kingdom of Heaven, God's kingdom that is advancing throughout the world through the good news of the gospel, you must suffer the loss of your hollow & impotent rightness so that you can gain the comprehensive & effective righteousness of Christ. Christ's righteousness is the only righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, and it comes to you, from God, through faith...not by works, so that no man may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). God loves you, not because you maintain a Pharisee-like rightness, but because when you trust Christ and are found in him, you are given, free of charge, the very same righteousness Jesus earned through his sinless life.

THIS IS SUCH GOOD NEWS! I'M USING ALL CAPS BECAUSE I WOULD BE YELLING THIS IF WE WERE TALKING IN PERSON...BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH GOOD NEWS! You can stop trying to prove yourself right before God and others because God has gifted you a righteousness that is far better than anything you could muster up on your own. Now, instead of trying to impress God and others, you can focus your efforts on loving them through sacrificial service. This is the natural outworking of a heart that is being transformed by the good news of the gospel. 

TWEETABLE QUOTE: U can stop trying to prove urself right b4 God&others bc God has gifted u a righteousness that is far better than ur own. #RareElements

Day 2 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 5

Connect In: Christ-like Influence

Jim Boyd, Director | Support Services

In Matthew 5:1-16, we see a wonderful picture of what believers are to be as followers of Christ, the attitude of the world towards us as believers, and our reaction towards the world. 

In verses 1-9, we are to be poor in spirit, mournful and meek, thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure at heart, and peacemakers. Versus 10-12 are transitional; the world will hate and persecute us.

But even through the persecution, Christ says we are still to go out and be The Salt and The Light. These pronouns are emphatic. We are the only salt to influence a decaying world. We are the only lights to reflect the light of The Son on a dark world.

President Woodrow Wilson told this story. He said, “I was in a very common place. I was sitting in a barber chair when I became aware that a personality had entered the room. A man had come quietly in upon the same errand as myself, to have his hair cut, and sat in the chair next to me. Every word the man uttered, though it was not in the least didactic, showed a personal interest in the man who was serving him. And before I got through with what was being done for me, I was aware that I had attended an evangelistic service, because Mr. D.L. Moody was in that chair.” He goes on to say, “I purposely lingered in the room after he had left and noted the singular effect that his visit had brought upon the barber shop. They talked in undertones. They didn’t know his name, but they knew that something had elevated their thoughts. And I felt that I left the place as I should have left the place of worship.”

TWEETABLE QUOTE: Our influence should be the preserving salt and reflecting light of Christ. #RareElements

Day 1 :: Rare Elements

Matthew 5

Connect In: Christ-like Attitude
September 14, 2015
Tammy Priest, Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor

Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount with reassuring words about the struggles and aspirations of the human heart. Those who grieve will be comforted. The merciful will receive mercy.  The persecuted will be rewarded. The last will be first. These words still encourage weary souls today.

Yet Jesus' words bring more than just comfort. The Beatitudes teach what it means to have a Christ-like attitude, both in our posture toward God and our relationships with others.  The key is that each proclamation calls us to look beyond ourselves with an eternal perspective. 

The first Beatitude reminds us that, on our own, we are spiritually poor. Not one of us can save ourselves; we all need Christ's atoning redemption. The Beatitudes build from there, because we must not only look beyond ourselves for salvation, we must look beyond ourselves for perspective. We are blessed - right now, present tense--because of what God promises we will receive later.

When we embrace this eternal perspective, we are both freed and called to have an attitude that looks beyond our own circumstances to meet the needs of others. To comfort and forgive, to show mercy and speak peace. Just as Jesus, for the joy set before Him on the other side of the Cross, placed the deep needs of others above His own rights and momentary comfort.

As you contemplate the blessings Jesus proclaims in Matthew 5, consider how you might bless others in response, building community with the perspective of eternity.

TWEETABLE QUOTE: Eternal perspective frees & calls us 2 look beyond ourself 2 meet the needs of others. @tammy_priest @Calvary_Now @CalvaryWest #RareElements

 
 

New Devotions :: September 14th

Our new devotion series will begin on Monday, September 14th. Be sure to engage with us as our staff leads us through the scriptures and the life transformation of the Gospel.

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO CHRIST AND COMMUNITY