Pastor Brian's Article for 03/02/2008

At some time we have all fallen into the trap of self pity.  We may end up in the ash heap bemoaning our own act of stupidity.  We may have been there reacting to the actions and accusations of others.  In the first instance we may be beating ourselves up and wishing that we had done things differently.  If only I had said this and not that.  If only I had reacted in this manner and not as I did.  When we have acted foolishly, it is easy for us to beat ourselves up and think that we are less than the person God created us to be.  We think of other people and know they would have handled the situation differently.  Oh, how could we have been so stupid?

When we feel we are being falsely accused, self-pity can really set in.  Who do these people think they are?  They have no right to point their fingers at me.  Look at their lives.  My family is in better shape than his.  She can’t keep a job.  I work twice as hard as he does.  The anger of self-pity can boil over and the reality of a situation and our perception of the situation can go two different directions. 

When we begin to compare ourselves to others, we are fighting a losing battle.  Either we will never live up to what we see in others, or others will never attain what we see in ourselves.  Paul warned the Corinthians that such comparisons were foolish.  “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12). 

What we see when we lift our eyes to Christ is that we are all incomplete.  Our minds are to be conformed to the image of Christ, but they are not.  In the presence of Christ we stand before one who has no sin, and we are sinful.  In the presence of Christ we see everything we are not and everything we should be.  We are to be like Christ.  We don’t accomplish this by being ordered to behave ourselves and try to be better.  We are not beaten down with pain and sorrow so that we become humbled and whipped spirits.  No, Jesus places within us the hunger to become more like him.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matt 5:6). 

We are not-yet-beings.  We are like unfinished statues being chipped from stone.  Day by day the master chips away to reveal more of the work.  God uses the circumstances of our lives to carve out his image in us.  We do not know what we will be, but when he is finished, we know that we will be like Christ.  We may look at ourselves and wonder if all eternity would be enough time for God to make us over in the image of Christ.  Paul assured the Philippians that God would complete the work that he had started in them (Phil. 1:6), and he will complete the work he has started in us. 

When you are irritated or upset with other people, or pitying yourself, do these two things:  put your self-righteousness aside and remember that you and the person you are dealing with are both unfinished.

That Jesus May Be Revealed,

Brian

Taken from A Hunger for The Holy, Calvin Miller, chapter 4.

Order of Service:

Opening chorus “Come, Now Is the Time to Worship”

Welcome and Greeting  - Jay Davis

Hymn - “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” # 411

Hymn - “Victory in Jesus” # 426

Hymn - “For He Alone Is Worthy” # 427

Scripture and Prayer - Deacon

Sharing Time - Brian Holt

Chorus “The Potter’s Hand”  solo Becky Holt

Chorus “Forever”

Chorus “Open the Eyes of My Heart”

Offering - Psalm 8:4-6

Special Music -  Becky Holt

Message -Mark 10:46-52

Our Response "Amazing Grace" # 330

Announcements and Sunday School Report

Benediction

Hymn of Fellowship - “Victory in Jesus” # 426

Scripture References:

Psalm 8:4-6 – God created people just a little lower than Himself for a purpose. He put people in charge of the world. Christians reveal their management skills by the percentage of resources they use for themselves, for citizenship, and for Kingdom work

Mark 10:46-52 – Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the road. When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" And Jesus stopped and said, "Call him here." So they *called the blind man, saying to him, "Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you." Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!" And Jesus said to him, "Go; your faith has made you well." Immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.