Lenten Insanity of God | Clinging to Christ in Shadow of Death

 

This man's (Dmitri's) testimony of praising God in the midst of torture continues to arrest me ... + Matt Krieg, An Impossible Marriage

+ Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me. + Psalm 23:4   

Every level of suffering matters to each person experiencing it and to God. But perhaps today, this story below can help you think about another's suffering with Christ. Whatever you are going through is hard. God sees your pain. And if Dmitri can endure what he did with Jesus, then by the same Spirit of God that helped him, may you discover how to walk with Jesus in your suffering ...

 

Dmitri's Story: The man's name was Dmitri, and he was arrested for starting a house church in communist Russia. He said that what was worse than the physical torture he endured for 19 years in prison was his physical separation from the body of Christ.

He wanted and needed that oneness.

But God was faithful. Two spiritual practices kept Dimitri connected to God:

1) Every morning, he, the lone believer in a prison of 1,500 criminals, would wake up, face the east, and sing words of praise from his aching, longing heart to the One who delighted in him. The other prisoners would bang their cups on the iron bars in angry protest and throw food and human waste to try to shut him up. 

2) He also collected scraps of paper in his cell. On each one, he would write a verse or song he knew with a stub of a pencil or a piece of charcoal and place it high up on a moist concrete pillar in his cell as a love offering to God. Inevitably, the guards would find them and beat him severely.

These practices went on year after year until the guards almost broke him. When he was told his wife and sons were dead, he agreed to sign a false confession that he did not believe in Jesus and that he was working for the West to take down the USSR. However, the night before he was to sign it, God allowed Dmitri to hear the real, fervent prayers of his wife and sons while he slept. He knew they were not dead. They were alive and still seeking Jesus. "You lied to me!" he said to his captors. "I am not signing anything!" He continued singing with fervor and writing on scraps of paper as praise to the living God.

Soon after, he found a whole sheet of paper in the prison yard. "And God had laid a pencil beside it!" Dmitri said. Back in his cell, he frantically wrote as much of the Bible as he could and stuck the entire sheet of paper on the wet concrete pillar. When the guards saw it, he was beaten and threatened with execution. As he was being dragged to his death, something amazing happened:

Before they reached the door leading to the courtyard—before stepping out into the place of execution—fifteen hundred hardened criminals stood at attention by their beds. They faced the east and they began to sing. Dmitri told me that it sounded to him like the greatest choir in all of human history. Fifteen hundred criminals raised their arms and began to sing the HeartSong that they had heard Dmitri sing to Jesus every morning for all of those years.

His jailors, terrified, let go of him. "Who are you?" they asked. "I am a son of the living God," Dmitri responded, shoulders back and head high. "And Jesus is His name!" Dmitri was returned to his cell and released soon after his family ...

+ The Dmitri story above is a paraphrase of pages 153-158 in Nik Ripken's The Insanity of God: A True Story of Faith Resurrected featured in Laurie & Matt Krieg's An Impossible Marriage

More Prison Posts: Revival Comes to Angola; Humility & Hope; Felicity; The Breath of God; Drop the Stones; Stand; Compassion Between Equals; Knock a Chip Out of the Wall; Look at the Birds

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

CN | Facing the Fear Question with Jesus and Psalm 23

 

The feeling of fear is not the problem for human beings, even for those who believe they have a relationship with God. The issue is never just the fear; the problem is living in the "spirit of fear." Again, it is natural to be afraid, but living in the spirit of fear is like living in a spiritual prison. ... We will experience fear, but turning to God in fearful times and focusing on joy and gratitude can help us get through those times. + Christ in Crisis?: Reclaiming Jesus in a Time of Fear, Hate and Violence

The assurance of "do not be afraid" is the most often repeated command in the Bible: 365 scriptures command us to not fear or be afraid in reaction to the world, to people, to the events around us, to the storms on the sea or in our lives. That's enough for one reflection for every day of the year!

We are naturally afraid. Yet God is proposing a radical contrast to a life of fear, and the scriptures say that "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV). Paul also tells us that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Psalm 23 even says, "Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me" (NKJV). 

There are many valleys in this life with many dangers there, but we are encouraged not to be ruled by fear, because we are not alone.

On John 6, Rodney Witacre says this:

The story of Jesus' walking on water alludes to several Old Testament passages, which builds the case for Jesus' divine identity. It is said of God, "he alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea (Job 9:8). Psalm 107 speaks of those who "went out on the sea in ships" (Ps. 107:23) and were caught in a great storm. They should "give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love" (Ps. 107:31) because "he stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven" (Ps. 107:29-30). The poetic imagery of these passages is reenacted on a historical level in the actual event John is describing ... So John continues to witness to Jesus' identity and his gracious activity. The feeding (of the five thousand) shows that Jesus is able to provide even when our resources are very small. The rescue on the sea shows that he can protect and guide in the midst of great adversity, when we have no control over the forces of chaos. In both cases the physical realm reveals his identity and his loving care.

As a pastor, I have been beside many sickbeds and deathbeds, and Psalm 23 always comes to my mind, heart, and lips:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; 

He leads me beside the still waters. 

He restores my soul; 

He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil; For You are with me; 

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. 

Surely goodness and mercy shallow follow me all the days of my life; 

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (NKJV)

This Psalm became one of my favorite and memorized texts as a small boy and I keep going back to it, as it so often feels like the most needed thing to say—and the response from fearful persons and their families always confirms that. 

It is the promise of the presence of God that calms the spirit and the storm.

In each case (of people being afraid in the Bible), there were good and understandable reasons for all their confusion and for their fear, from a very human perspective. But in each situation, an assurance was offered—"Do not be afraid" and "The Lord is with you"—telling them not to fear because a relationship between the fearful person and God was being strengthened.

Fear is not wrong, it is natural. It is our response to fear that is most important and becomes a matter of faith. Let's be clear: it is entirely and necessarily human for people to fear. In fact, we are wired biologically to fear things that could harm us. Ever since our ancient days, humans have responded instinctually to real dangers that we confront and that do indeed threaten us. To react to those genuine dangers is built into us to protect us and is often integral to our very survival. ...

But living in a spirit of fear is not healthy and can actually dehumanize us if we submit to fear's control. Fear can lead us into saying and doing things to others that can be very destructive ... fear can create a "spiritual amnesia" where we forget God—forget who God is and forget God's promise to always be with us. That very presence of God seems to be what scripture promises us we can rely on to help overcome our fear, but fear can easily cause us to lose our trust in it ... whenever we humans enter into fearful situations, God doesn't cease to be God or fail to keep loving us. Indeed, it is often at those times when we most need to turn to God as we encounter fearful and sometimes genuinely dangerous circumstances. Our scriptures keep reminding us that God is indeed love and continues to love us in fearful situations.

Therefore, if fear is natural to us and not inherently wrong, the question is not how to avoid fear, because we literally can't as human beings. It is rather how we respond to fear that brings faith, life, common sense, and hope instead of dysfunction, despair, destruction, and even death. Faith is finally believing in love instead of fear, and believing that fear can be overcome by love—especially by the perfect love that Jesus teaches us.

Jesus's words "Be not afraid" therefore do not mean to be fearless. To be fearless may be a cultural goal, especially in societies that continually lift up violence to save us. But we can't and shouldn't try to be fearless ... Rather we can learn to respond to genuine valleys of evil with real dangers by being less fearful, having more courage, and having more faith. Fear may always be with us and around us, but fear does not have to consume or control us (see The Insanity of God: Praising & Clinging to Christ in the Valley of the Shadow of Death).

Timothy's second epistle describes the choices we have—of fear verses the power of love, and panic versus a sound mind and self-control. Fear itself is not sin, but it can lead us to sin if we lose control (a sound mind) and act out of fear in ways that hurt others. Fear is part of how we are made, but it must not be allowed to gain control of our hearts and minds, which is why we seek God and depend on God to be with us. In fact, when fear is in control, it pushes us away from God.

Could fear be a reminder, even a friend, when it causes us to trust and lean in to God?

+ The content above is from excerpts of Chapter 6: The Fear Question in Christ in Crisis?: Reclaiming Jesus in a Time of Fear, Hate, and Violence

Next post: CN | How to Be a Saint in the Darkness

Here are links to previous City Notes (CN) books: A Meal with Jesus; The Art of Neighboring; A Praying Life; Encounters with Jesus; The Rest of God; Letters to a Birmingham Jail; Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith; The Pursuing God; Yawning at Tigers; Gospel Fluency; Moving Towards Emmaus; Tattoos on the Heart; Drop the Stones; Magnificat Embodied; He Speaks in the Silence; A Beautiful Disaster; Glorious Weakness; Discovering the Freedom of Limitations; Bread for the Resistance; Ready or Not

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

Ever Ancient Ever New | Psalm 23: The Need Is Already Met

I have read many intelligent and good books in my life. But I did not find anything in them that would have made my heart so quiet and glad, like the four words from that 23rd Psalm: “You are with me.” + Immanuel Kant

Sermon Audio | The Need Is Already Met

Sermon Scriptures | Psalm 23

Sermon Quote

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me (and you). + Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Call to Worship | Psalm 27:4-5

4 I have asked one thing from the LORD;
it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the LORD
and seeking Him in His temple.
5 For He will conceal me in His shelter
in the day of adversity;
He will hide me under the cover of His tent;
He will set me high on a rock.

The Everlasting God (Psalm 27)
William Murphy, 2016 A.D.

The Lord is my Light and salvation.
Whom shall I fear?
Of whom shall I be afraid? (x2)

I will wait on You, I will wait on You.
I will trust in You, I will trust in You.

I will remain confident in this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord. (x2)

We set our hope on You,
We set our hope on Your love,
We set our hope on the One
Who is the everlasting God!
You are the everlasting God!
You are the everlasting! (x3)

In Tenderness He Sought Me
W. Spencer Walton, 1894 A.D.

In tenderness He sought me
Weary and sick with sin.
And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again.
While angels in His presence sang,
Until the courts of heaven rang!

Oh, the love that sought me!
Oh, the blood that bought me!
Oh the grace that brought me
To the fold of God!
Grace that brought me
To the fold of God!

He died for me while I was sinning,
Needy and poor and blind.
He whispered to assure me,
"I've found thee; thou art Mine."
I never heard a sweeter voice,
It made my aching heart rejoice!
(Chorus)

Upon His grace I'll daily ponder
And sing anew His praise
With all adoring wonder,
His blessings I retrace.
It seems as if eternal days,
Are far too short to sing His praise!
(Chorus)

House of God Forever
Jon Foreman, 2008 A.D.

God is my shepherd,
I won't be wanting,
I won't be wanting.
He makes me rest
In fields of green
With quiet streams.

Even though I walk
Through the valley
Of death and dying.
I will not fear,
‘Cause You are with me.
You are with me.

Your shepherd's staff
Comforts me.
You are my feast
In the presence of enemies.
Surely goodness will follow me,
Follow me
In the house of God forever.

No Longer Slaves
Bethel Music, 2015 A.D.

You unravel me with a melody,
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance from my enemies
'Til all my fears are gone.

I'm no longer a slave to fear.
I am a child of God. (x2)

From my mothers womb, You have chosen me.
Love has called my name.
I've been born again into Your family,
Your blood flows through my veins. (Chorus)

Woah, Woah ...

You split the sea so I could walk right through it!
My fears were drowned in perfect love!
You rescued me so I can stand and sing
"I am a child of God!"

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)
People & Songs, 2018 A.D.

The Lord is my Shepherd.
He goes before me,
Defender behind me, I won't fear.
I'm filled with anointing,
My cup's overflowing.
No weapon can harm me, I won't fear.

Hallelujah, I am not alone!
He's my comfort, always holds me close!

He always guides me
Through mountains and valleys.
His joy is refreshing, restores my soul.
Mercy and goodness
Give me assurance
That I'll see His glory face to face! (Chorus)

Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace!
Your Spirit lives within me,
My victory, my victory! (Repeat 3x)

Prayers of Confession and Assurance

One: King Jesus, today, we turn away again from our self-focused
solitary lives without You and join in sharing our
story in Yours until You return to make all things new ...
Congregational Prayers: "Lord, hear our prayer."

One: And now we pray together, Jesus, as You taught us to pray ...

All: Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil for Thine is the
Kingdom and the power and the glory
now and forever. Amen.

Pass the Peace | In the Story of God, Jesus declared, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you" (John 14:26) during humanity's darkest, most tragic weekend of His death. And then after Jesus was crucified and resurrected, defeating evil and death, He said, "Peace be with you ... Receive the Holy Spirit" (John 20:21-22). Somehow, with Jesus, peace is possible even in our darkest moments. During this time, we desire to share with each other peace that passes understanding, empowered by the Spirit of Christ.

The peace of the Lord by always with you.

And also with you.

Prayers of Preparation for Eucharist

Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Prayer Asking for Jesus' Help
Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. I want to see. Please reveal to me who You are. Give me ears to hear You, and understanding for the Good News You are saying to me today. Amen.

Prayer for Communion with Jesus and Each Other

Jesus, by Your Spirit, fill us with Yourself, the true Bread and Vine. We turn to You now to unite us, strengthen us, and empower us to be Your Kingdom family of servants and witnesses together until You return and make all things new. Amen.

Eucharist | Thanking God for Communion with Christ and His Church

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. 

Jesus, dying, You destroyed our death.

Rising, You restored our life.

Lord Jesus, come in glory! 

Our World Belongs to God Q&A 30 | 2008 A.D.

Q. How do we live by faith that the LORD is our Shepherd,
that we are not alone and have all that we need by the power of the Holy Spirit?

A. Anointed and sent by the Holy Spirit,
we the Church are sent into the world,
ambassadors of God’s peace,
announcing forgiveness and reconciliation,
proclaiming the Good News of grace.
Going before us and with us,
the Spirit convinces the world of sin
and pleads the cause of Christ.
Filled with the Spirit, we go
next door and far away into science and art,
media and marketplace—every area of life,
pointing to the reign of God with what we do and say.

Benediction Based on The Benedictus (Luke 1:67-79)

Go in the filling of the Spirit of the Lord and prepare the way for people to encounter Jesus in Worcester and beyond with the knowledge of His salvation and the forgiveness of sins. Because of our God’s merciful compassion, the Son breaks the grip of despair and will visit our city to shine His Light on those who live in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of His peace. You are sent out in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Next sermon audio + liturgy notes post: Psalm 4: The Midnight Prayer

Emmaus City Church is a local church made up of Micro City Groups.

A Micro City Group (CG) is a growing group that begins with 3+ people – children, women, and men included – who are befriending, serving, and loving a community together in Jesus' name in Worcester. Micro CGs start small enough that people can know you and value you, but seek to grow large enough (10-30 people) to make an impact in communities throughout Worcester. Each CG gets together throughout a month (i.e. dinners, times of prayer or learning from the Story of God in the Bible, acts of service, parties, etc.) to see Worcester become a city of neighbors and friends that showcase Jesus' love and compassion to all. Those who are cautious or curious to hear and see what it means to follow Jesus are just as welcome as those who believe Jesus is Lord and God and seek to follow Him in every area of life.

Current Micro City Groups: W.R.A.P. | Fellow Travelers | YMCA | Freedom City | Westside Welcome 

To connect with one of the City Groups above, please contact info@emmauscitychurch.com

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us

I Have All That I Need (Psalm 23)? + Sunday, February 24 w/ Avery Street CRC

When you are in the middle of a story … it's confusion. It's darkness. It's a lingering ache in the gut … "Each step is like a candle burning in the night. It does not take the darkness away, but it guides us through the darkness … through many small steps of love, we discover that we have made a long and beautiful journey" (Fr. Henri Nouwen). + Lisa Fenn, Carry On

Sermon Audio | I Have All That I Need

Sermon Scriptures | Psalm 23

Sermon Points | 

I Have What I Need … When Life is Full of Delight + Ps. 23:1-3: 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. 

I Have What I Need … When Life is Full of Disturbance + Ps. 23:4-5 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley (i.e. valley of the shadow of death, fear no evil), I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

I Have What I Need … When Life is Full of Deliverance + Ps. 23:6 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

Charles Wesley, 1738 A.D.

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise,
The glories of my God and King,
The triumph of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad,
The honors of Thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears;
'Tis life, and health, and peace.

He breaks the power of canceled sin;
He sets the prisoner free.
His blood can make the foulest clean;
His blood avails for me.

Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.
Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.
Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.
Sing your praise to the Lord all the earth.

Death Was Arrested
NP InsideOut, 2017 A.D.

Alone in my sorrow and dead in my sin,
Lost without hope with no place to begin.
Your love made a way to let mercy come in
When death was arrested and my life began.

Ash was redeemed, only beauty remains.
My orphan heart was given a name.
My mourning grew quiet, my feet rose to dance
When death was arrested and my life began!

Oh, Your grace so free washes over me,
You have made me new, now life begins with You!
It's your endless love pouring down on us
You have made us new, now life begins with You!

Released from my chains, I'm a prisoner no more.
My shame was a ransom He faithfully bore.
He cancelled my debt and He called me His friend
When death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Our Savior displayed on a criminal's cross.
Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost.
But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand;
That's when death was arrested and my life began! (Chorus)

Oh, we're free, free, forever we're free!
Come join the song of all the redeemed!
Yes, we're free, free, forever, amen,
When death was arrested and my life began!
(Repeat Bridge)

Before the Throne of God Above
Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1860 A.D.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great high Priest whose name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands!
My name is written on His heart!
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end to all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free!
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace.
One with Himself I cannot die,
My soul is purchased by His blood!
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God!
With Christ my Savior and my God!

Jesus Paid It All
Elvina Hall, 1865 A.D.

I hear the Savior say,
"Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray
Find in Me thine all in all."

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone
Can change the leper's spots
And melt the heart of stone.
(Chorus)

And when before the throne,
I stand in Him complete.
"Jesus died, my soul to save!"
My lips shall still repeat.
(Chorus)

O praise the One who paid my debt
And raised this life up from the dead!

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone)
People & Songs, 2018 A.D.

The Lord is my Shepherd.
He goes before me,
Defender behind me,
I won't fear.
I'm filled with anointing,
My cup's overflowing.
No weapon can harm me,
I won't fear.

Hallelujah, I am not alone!
He's my comfort, always holds me close!

He always guides me
Through mountains and valleys.
His joy is refreshing,
Restores my soul.
Mercy and goodness,
Give me assurance
That I'll see His glory
Face to face. (Chorus)

Your Spirit lives within me
So I will walk in Your peace!
Your Spirit lives within me,
My victory, my victory! (Repeat 3x)

My victory, my victory ...
(Chorus)

The Heidelberg Catechism 1&2

1563 A.D.

Call: What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Response: That I am not my own, but belong—body and soul, in life and in death—to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven; in fact, all things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to Him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him.

Call: What must you know to live and die in the joy of this comfort?
Response: Three things: first, how great my sin and misery are; second, how I am set free from all my sins and misery; third, how I am to thank God for such deliverance.

Benediction 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Christ is all,

Rev. Mike "Sully" Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us