Illuminate Community Church

3/31/19 - Be A Fool For Christ's Sake - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Is it possible to be considered "relevant" or "cool" by society's standards and be a Christian at the same time? It's not likely. Many people today do not respond positively to the gospel. Conversely, if Christianity becomes too popular, we had better check to make sure we have not so diluted it that the offense of the cross has been removed. Murphy-O'Connor offers us this reminder, "Any attempt to make the gospel palatable by bringing it into line with the tastes of those to whom it is preached distorts it, because in this case the criterion is made the expectations of fallen humanity." In so doing, it loses its power. This is the great temptation for Christians and churches today. User friendly, seeker sensitive models of church growth can and do sometimes affect the substance of the gospel. But the gospel itself is counter-cultural. The only path to accepting it is through God's choosing therefore there is absolutely no room for Christian boasting. Consider what you were before you met Christ. Not many of us were wise, mighty or lofty. So the fact that we are saved is proof that God loves us for who we are and not because of what we've done. So whether you’re feeling proud or insecure stop and think about this: God chooses the weak, the foolish and the low. This is the cure for the Corinthian's division. When we see ourselves and our brothers and sisters as sinners saved by grace our spiritual elitism dies and we learn to see each other as God sees us!

3/24/19 - Spiritual Cliques - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Have you ever walked into a church and felt alone or invisible? It's kind of crazy that as the church gets bigger it can become less personable. You would think that with more people comes greater connectedness. In fact the opposite is true. Sometimes cliques are formed unknowingly. We get wrapped up in being around the people we know. You know who thinks church is friendly? The people who already have friends, that's who! So we must remember that we exist for those who are not yet with us. We want more of them to become more of us so there are more of us to reach more of them. This requires us to recognize the things that prevent us from reaching out to others. The church in Corinth used favored preachers as a source of division. They found pride in the pulpit. It was a way of drawing attention to themselves. Sometimes the attitude of a churchgoer is this: "Here I am; ready to be loved and served!" But what if everyone who came through Illuminate's doors had this attitude: "There you are, how can I love and serve you!" No walls would be big enough to hold the number of people drawn to this kind of church. So let's give it a try. This Sunday take the time to meet someone you don't know and welcome them to church.

3/18/19 - Servant and Slave - Matthew 20:20-28

3/10/19 - Jesus Gives You All Of This! - 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

I would like to introduce you to the apostle Paul. No doubt one of the most influential men the world has ever known. He's the greatest church planter of all time. He has a long history of pastoral ministry. The scars on his body bear witness to his devotion to Jesus Christ. Now let me introduce you to the church he started in Corinth. It is a young, small and divided group. It wasn't uncommon to see some drunk, many arguing and most affirming what Paul rejects. So Pastor Paul writes them a letter and we get to read it. (I'm certain the Corinthian Christians would not have wanted this to be made public for the last 2000 years.) Reading someone else's mail can reveal a lot. Even though the letter is not written to us, we learn to read it as though it were. Here's what we notice from the very beginning - if our conduct does not match our calling then we're headed for trouble.

We have help. Paul tells us that Jesus has given us everything we need to live the life God has called us to live. We have the speech, knowledge and gifting. So then Illuminate is just like any other church in that our health depends on the alignment of our conduct and our calling. Can I ask you to do something as we begin this new study? Will you use this letter as a mirror and ask yourself this question - What is my part in making Illuminate all that God wants it to be?

Much appreciation to the following commentators: The First Epistle To The Corinthians; C.K. Barrett, 1 Corinthians; John MacArthur Jr., Conflict and Community in Corinth; Ben Witherington, 1 Corinthians; Richard M. Hays, The First Epistle To The Corinthians; Gordon Fee, The NIV Application Commentary by Craig L. Blomberg.

3/3/19 - Redeemed. Restored. Renewed. - John 21:15-25

I like seeing things through to completion. However, I write with a touch of sadness in knowing this is the last update from our study of John's gospel. It's been a year of personal growth and challenge for me. I know and love Jesus more than when we started this journey together. In my opinion, John puts the perfect bow on his biography of Jesus. For three years Jesus has been leading, teaching, and counseling his disciples. They have had many highs (casting out demons in his name!) and many lows (running away at his arrest). In the end, they get exactly what they need to become world changers. The love, grace and mercy from Jesus constantly flow. We see it in a conversation between Jesus and Peter. Peter has returned to fishing because he sees himself as a failure, but Jesus has not given up on Peter. Jesus gently guides Peter through the pain of his denial and then uses his brokenness to restore him to ministry. "Feed my sheep." There's a lesson here for us. If God only used perfect people nothing would get done. So let's own up to our sin. Let's receive forgiveness. Let's step into the act of loving others and show our love for the one who first loved us.

2/24/19 - Breakfast With Jesus - John 21:1-15

Most Christians are familiar with the "last supper". But did you know there was a "last breakfast"? A few weeks after his resurrection Jesus makes a third appearance to the disciples and once again he serves them food. These men are from very different backgrounds and yet they are bound together because of their association with Jesus. The church is to be the same today. Our view of Jesus is incomplete if it is not seen through the lives of other believers who are not like us. The church is a  diverse family yet we are unified in the gospel truth that Jesus came to save sinners - all of us!

During this breakfast the heart of Jesus is revealed through his interaction with Peter. Thomas developed the nickname, "doubting Thomas" but remember Peter could have just as easily been, "denying Peter". Yet Jesus is gracious, kind and always forgiving those who draw near to him. Do you struggle to be forgiven? Do you think you are too far removed from the outstretched arm of God? You're not. In fact, Jesus not only wants to restore you he wants to entrust ministry to you. Consider this: Peter is the one who preaches a sermon that gives birth to the church. Yes my friends, there is hope for me and you!

2/17/19 - Believing Thomas - John 20:19-29

Thomas has a bad rap. His name has become synonymous with those who doubt. In reality this man had the heart of a lion. When Jesus learns of his friend's sickness he travels to Judea - where he's wanted dead. The disciples warn him not to go; except for Thomas. He says, "Let us go back so that we may die with him!" Yet he is most known for his suspicion of the resurrection. Of all the disciples Thomas might be most relatable when he said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” What happens next? Jesus appears and says, "Touch my hands, place your hand in my side." Thomas doesn't do what Jesus says because he's already convinced. How so? Thomas is shocked that Jesus knows what he needs without asking. How did Jesus know? He's been listening the whole time. Thomas immediately exclaims,"My Lord and My God!" This is clear belief in the resurrection. Thomas is a Jew and the Jews were fiercely monotheistic. There's no other alternative for Thomas now. He has seen the resurrected Jesus for himself!


What does the resurrection mean to you? Jesus' own words are helpful:

"Peace be with you."
Resurrection peace brings security. What do you have to fear knowing that Jesus was raised so you can be raised? 

"Go and tell." 
Over and over again Jesus told his followers to spread the message. Are you looking for purpose? The resurrection gives it to you!

2/10/19 - The Tomb Is Empty! - John 20:1-20

There was a crescendo moment in all of human history and yes, it did occur in the past. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. What happened 2000 years ago has ongoing impact today. Millions of people the world over have come to faith in Jesus of Nazareth. The details surrounding John's account of this supernatural event are unexpected. You see, no one, not even the early followers of Jesus immediately recognized what happened. This is despite the overwhelming evidence of the empty tomb and not to mention the words of Jesus himself. Over and over again he spoke about rising on the third day. Even his enemies knew this and that's why the tomb was so well guarded. They didn't want anyone stealing the body and perpetuating a resurrection story. But something did happen. The heavy stone was rolled away, the body was absent and the burial cloths were folded. Folded. Thieves don't unwrap dead bodies before stealing them (unsanitary) and they certainly don't take time to do a little housekeeping. 

John and Peter observe the tomb and go home and think about it. The glorified Jesus appears to two disciples walking along the road to Emmaus. It isn't until Jesus offers them food that their eyes are opened and they recognize him. (Think back to the first time two people ate and their eyes were opened - Adam and Eve.) The empty tomb makes faith in Jesus rational, however, Jesus was not recognized by any of these men because they expected a messiah who would restore Israel to its former greatness. Instead they got a messiah who died. Could your preconceived ideas of Jesus be wrong? And then there's Mary Magdalene. All she needs is to simply hear the resurrected Jesus speak her name as he had done many times before and she believes. Remember her story? Demon possessed, homeless, begging, eating scraps of food and then she meets Jesus. Makes you realize that everyone comes to Jesus in a different way, so why would you compare yourself to others?

2/3/19 - Nicodemus is Born Again! - John 19:31-42; 3:1-8

"Religion is the opiate of the people." Karl Marx. 

Marx's view is shared by many to this day. A more modern take is to believe that religion is for people that can't handle the harsh realities of life. You're born, you die and that's it. I must admit that I agree with Marx…about religion. Religion is man's effort to please God and earn His favor. Religion is a form of control over God Himself. It's a way of retaining your power and this gives a false sense of comfort. Christianity is different than this. It rests on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Jesus himself spoke the words, "It is finished!" 

Christianity is for everyone including those who are religious. This is proven in John's account of two men: Joseph and Nicodemus. Both men are highly respected, wealthy, educated and belong to the Jewish religious ruling class known as the Sanhedrin. However, unlike their peers they are open minded and open hearted. In John chapter 3 Nicodemus comes to Jesus under the cover of darkness. He's sincerely interested in knowing more about this man from Nazareth. Jesus tells him, "You must be born again." We don't know how Nicodemus receives this until chapter 19. He and another one of his Jewish brothers are seen caring for the body of Jesus. They do this at great personal expense. They are now considered traitors to the Jewish faith. Nicodemus was truly born again.

Do you realize it was Jesus' joy to give you this new birth? Consider these words…

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. John 16:21

Moms, you know the feeling don't you? You're smiling just thinking about that moment. Your newborn child is handed to you for the fist time and you stare into that sweet little face. The joy of the new birth quickly replaces whatever pain you endured. Jesus takes the metaphor and applies it to himself. There is no birth without pain and Jesus took the pain so that you could be spiritually reborn. He says it was a joy for him. This is how he feels about you!

1/27/19 - The Cross of Christ - John 19:17-30

Who Is Jesus? For several months this is the question we've been asking and finding answers in John's gospel. Our text this Sunday contains the summary to all that can be said about Jesus. In fact, Jesus said it himself, "It is finished." What is finished? The restorative work God began in the Garden of Eden was completed on the cross. Do you remember why John writes his account? 

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31

How do you know Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? John is compiling the evidence for you. In this section John says specific crucifixion events happened, "according to the Scriptures." In other words, Jesus fulfilled the prophecies regarding the messiah. The words of Jesus while hanging on the cross also reveal his deity...

"Behold your mother, behold your son." The cross of Christ gives us a new family. 

"I thirst." Jesus experienced a spiritual thirst on your behalf. He entered the space of God's wrath upon sin for you. 

"It is finished." The plan of God has been accomplished perfectly and the work is done. He has built the bridge spanning the chasm between you and God. And you didn't have to lift a finger. This is grace and grace is the cure for your feelings of inadequacy and superiority.