Breaking in the New Year--Part Two. Mark 11 & 1st Corinthians 6:19-20

Mark 11:15-19

“And they came to Jerusalem. And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. And he would not allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. And he was teaching them and saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.” And the chief priests and the scribes heard it and were seeking a way to destroy him, for they feared him, because all the crowd was astonished at his teaching. And when evening came they went out of the city.”

The Temple in the time of Jesus was a complex structure with areas or “courts” designated for different people. The temple was a place where non-believers would come and contemplate the reality of God.  The area that this passage took place in is known as the “Court of the Gentiles”. This was the area open to all peoples, Jews and Gentiles, and was meant to be a place of prayer, meditation and worship. More important though, this was the only area of the Temple that Gentiles were allowed to enter and thus, was the only area of the temple that gentiles could enter to pray, worship and spend time contemplating the existence of God.

This passage also takes place during the Passover, a time of year when the population of Jerusalem swells from 80,000 to over 2 million and these people all are going to the Temple to worship and pray. Economically, setting up shop in the temple is absolutely genius. The money-changers, and those selling goods were taking advantage of the area most populated to sell their goods. They were taking advantage of and ruining the sanctity of the Temple. Even worse, the Priest was allowing it and profiting from the entire operation. Rather than encourage spiritual growth and contemplation, the Priest and the people in the temple were taking advantage of those in the “Court of the Gentiles”, the people coming to the Temple to contemplate the existence of God.

Jesus recognizes that his Temple had been turned into a “den of robbers” and he wanted restore the place of the LORD to its true purpose: “a house of prayer for all the nations”. Jesus drove out the sellers, and overturned their tables and began to preach the word. Jesus did not politely ask them to leave. Jesus came in, declared his authority, rebuked their actions and started throwing people out of the temple. Jesus restored the sanctity of the Temple.

1^st Corinthians 6:19-20

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

            This passage is one that has always served me as an encouragement to honor God in all areas of my life, outwardly and inwardly. The scripture tells us that the Holy Spirit is in us, that our body is a temple given to us by our LORD. We were bought with a price—the Son of God—so we should glorify God in our body. There are a number of ways to apply this passage but I want to point out the connection between these two verses from Corinthians and the Mark11 passage. The Temple in Mark11 was a place for people to pray, meditate, worship and spend time contemplating the reality or existence of God. Our “temple” can serve a similar purpose. Just as the temple in early times was a place for people to come and contemplate God’s existence, our bodies can serve the same role. When we serve others, share Christ’s love and live as a Christ-like example we become a light in the areas in which we live. We become a beacon of the gospel not just by word, or action but also by the Holy Spirit that is alive and active in us. The way we live, our actions not only portray the gospel but they can serve as a place for others to recognize the existence of God.

            In Mark11, Jesus entered the temple and performed a miracle. He established God’s authority over the temple and restored it as a “House of prayer for all the nations”. What if we invited Jesus into our hearts to drive out the sin, invited him in to overturn our pride and idolatry, and invited him to teach us his ways that we may live like him? I imagine our lives would look drastically different. I imagine our list of New Year’s Resolutions would look embarrassingly insignificant. My prayer for anyone who has read this far is that you would first have the desire to treat your body as a temple that adorns the gospel and secondly that God would place on you an intense burden and urgency to share the gospel.

“When we don’t look for God as our true life, our desire for him spills over into our other desires, giving them an ultimacy and urgency they were never intended to bear”—Journey of Desire

Breaking in the New Year--Part One

                  It’s the beginning of January and every year around this time we see lists of New Year’s Resolutions. People will make commitments to lose weight, rekindle friendships, focus on school, save money, give more, serve people more often, to read the bible more and maybe even pray every day. New Year’s Resolutions are a chance for people to start over, re-dedicate themselves and for the most part to turn the focus onto ourselves and essentially focus on “self-improvement”.  “This is the year that my life comes together, I take control and all is fixed.”  

            On New Year’s Eve I caught myself doing the exact same thing. I was in the middle of making a list of my goals for this year before I realized a much deeper implication of what I was doing. I recognized that my life is and has been messed up. I was able to recognize areas that I fail, identify things I want to improve, and choose a few new habits that I wanted to commit myself to. Many of these things were beneficial and even spiritual and faithful to what God has called me to. But my attitude and heart behind it was 100% wrong. I recognized that I am imperfect, that I have weaknesses and more than anything that I am without a doubt someone who struggles with all sorts of sin but I was making the decision to handle it myself. I was beginning to goal-set and come up with creative and smart ways for me to better myself and to be a better person. What I completely forgot to do was ask God for his input. I had 10 goals written down before I recognized God’s role in this year.  How could I ever defeat sin in my life without HIS provision, without HIS direction, without the strength, discipline, and commitment that only HE can supply? We cant. We can try, we can work hard, we can stay up late studying, we can spend hours in the gym, we can have great discipline and if we are somehow successful we failed to do what we are ultimately called to do—glorify God.

“Do not fear your weakness, for it is the stage on which My power and glory perform most brilliantly.”—Don’t remember where this is from but it is gold.

“Simply showing up on Sundays is not even close to worship. Neither does singing songs with religious content pass for worship. What counts is the posture of the soul involved, the open heart pouring forth its love toward God and communing with him.”—Journey of Desire

1st Corinthians 10:31-33                                                                                                                                                     “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved”

                  I vote we turn this mentality around. How about we make this the year that we finally commit ourselves to the LORD, commit ourselves to loving him and glorifying him? Let our love and passion for God change the way we live, give us reason to serve, energy to study, desire to be healthy. Let’s turn the focus off of ourselves and onto the LORD whose image we were created in, who we were created to serve and created to glorify. Keep your list of resolutions but instead of focusing on how you can be improved ask yourself, “Does this honor God’s plan for me? Does this glorify Him?” 

Romans 12:1-2

In Mark 12, Jesus was asked by one of his followers, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus replied that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. That is our greatest commandment. By following that instruction we submit ourselves to every biblical principle.

Mark 12:30

“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Romans 12:1 was one of the first verses I ever memorized and has always held a special place in my heart and mind. Paul is appealing to all believers, that in view of the endless mercy God has granted us, we should respond by offering our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. We are alive in Christ. 2^nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This living sacrifice is a life-giving sacrifice. It is meant to bring us life and joy through offering every aspect of ourselves to Jesus. This obedience and sacrifice is not rooted in a desire to follow the biblical law but should be a joyous response to the unconditional love poured out for us through grace. The hope and promise of eternal life spurs me on to love Christ more each day, and that daily reflection on God’s sovereignty and work in my life draws a spirit of worship out of me. Worship is bigger than singing, praying and praising. I am moved into worship when I acknowledge God’s authority and plan in my life. Worship is repositioning my heart to honor him through my actions and words. This “living sacrifice” is our “spiritual worship”. Paul presents the concept of spiritual worship as a broad, all-encompassing giving of ourselves.

“Simply showing up on Sundays is not even close to worship. Neither does singing songs with religious content pass for worship. What counts is the posture of the soul involved, the open heart pouring forth its love toward God and communion with him.”-John Elridge

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Paul recognized the growing “evil” in the world and that without close attention, our flesh-driven desires would take over and we would be conformed to this world. Paul sees this natural course and provides a solution: to “be transformed by the renewal of mind.” In order to fight this natural, fleshly inclination to conform to the patterns of this world we must be transformed.

 Paul lays out the process of spiritual transformation with two directives. This renewal of mind is not limited to the initial conversion of a believer in Jesus but refers to the continual growth and daily renewal of the mind. This renewal of mind can take many different forms but is just the first command of that verse and is quickly followed with “by testing you may discern what is the will of God”. It is a great and holy thing to grow in faith, to become more disciplined in spiritual matters and to grow intellectually with God but that faith must be put into action and will undergo trials and temptations of physical, emotional and certainly spiritual natures. Paul specifically chose the word testing. One of my favorite questions to ask people is “What makes your relationship with God special?” We all connect with God in a unique and individual way, which is one of the most incredible aspects of God. When I answer that question for myself there is no doubt that my desire to grow intellectually and to grow in knowledge of God’s word and to lean into that aspect of God is special to me. It is where I connect with Him. It is where I find peace, rest and comfort. That’s just the introvert and reflective side of me at play. But sometimes I struggle to put all of this growth into action. Learning, discussing, reading and studying the bible and meditating over biblical truth is a beneficial practice but what use is it if these are not put into application, or put into practice. We can be transformed by this renewal of mind but putting this faith, putting these truths into practice can help us discern the will of God in each of our lives.

So what now? If you have a desire to be transformed but don’t know how or you’ve tried time and time again but that sin keeps coming back, then make room in your life for God to move. Set aside time to connect with God in the way that is special to you and Him. Allow a place in your life for the Holy Spirit to step in and make plays. And if you don’t have the desire for transformation, pray for it. This renewal of mind is not a one time deal. It is a continual renewal. We are imperfect and will be imperfect, but it is through our awesome God that we can have healing, and that we can have faith and that we can have eternal life. Let’s continue to grow in faith. Let’s pray for a desire to grow in ways that we don’t desire to grow. Let’s pray for a desire to serve, for a desire to pray more, for a desire to love better or for a desire to grow in knowledge of the Lord. Continue to meet with God in the ways you connect with Him best. And continue to share the Gospel, and continue sharing the love of Christ. 

Romans 8:1-11, My testimony

         This is part of what God has revealed to me this summer as I have had time to reflect on the work He has done in my life

Matthew5:14-16

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.”

Throughout my time being part of youth ministry as a student I was blessed to be part of a ministry that valued community and mission work. I’ve been on the mission trips, and the church retreats and have experienced my fair share of the “Jesus Highs”. After my sophomore year in high school I went on a church retreat to South padre and felt a strong burden to get rid of all of the sin in my life. I knew that God’s plan for my life did not include falling into the temptations this world has to offer. I struggled with insecurities, a lack of confidence in who I was, lustful desires, and a desire to please others more than God. I came back from that retreat and was fired up to change my life. I was determined to make “this time different”, or to not “fall back into the ways of this world”. I had been on almost every retreat the youth group had to offer but still, every time I came home I had this determination to eliminate sin, and to live a life for god.

            But inevitably I ended up failing. And each time, it tore me apart more and more. I continued to fall into sin and I just felt a crushing weight that I wasn’t good enough, that I wasn’t holy enough, that I was doing something wrong, I thought my life had to be completely “fixed” in order to be a “solid Christian”.

                                                     

Romans 8:1-11

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The truth is, I was doing something wrong. I was not loving Jesus Christ as I was meant to love him. I wasn’t living for Christ like God intended for me to live. I was stuck living a life stuck under the weight of managing a life of sin and it was a weary life to live because I was not finding joy in my relationship with Christ. I was not finding joy in pursuing a relationship with Jesus.  

            After my junior year of high school I went on an 11 day long mission trip to El Salvador. While we were there we partnered with 4 different orphanages. That trip was one of many turning points in my walk with Christ. I didn’t realize it at the time, but after much reflection I have realized it was that trip when I truly started to walk with Christ for the purpose of spending time with the Lord and not for the sake of self -improvement, or fixing my life. It was an incredible turning point to recognize the sin in my life for what it was, and I slowly noticed that the more I focused on Jesus by seeking him through worship, prayer and the word, the less sin had roots in my life. The more I sought Jesus and a relationship with him, the less sin had an overwhelming, crushing weight on my day-to-day walk. It was like I had been released from the pressure to perform, the pressure to be liked, and the pressure to live a perfect life.

Romans 8:5-6

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace

What would our lives look like if our relationship with Jesus actually revolved around Jesus, and not the sin in our lives?

What I mean by this question is this:  So often we ask the question, “How is your walk with Jesus going?” My answer to that question has always centered around a checklist of some sort. Am I struggling with lust? Am I reading my bible a few times a week? Have I prayed every day?

            My answer when asked about my relationship with Jesus is never actually related to God or Jesus but my efforts in being a “good Christian”. But what if we made Jesus Christ the center of our spiritual efforts. I know if my relationship with Jesus revolved around him I would experience a life of joy. I would truly be living as though I were dead to this world and alive in Christ. I would truly be living on mission for God because I would be doing so with his Son right at my side. My acts of service, my prayers, my time spent in scripture, and all of my “spiritual efforts” would have a purpose: not to fix a life weighed down by sin but to develop an intense, passionate and fiery relationship with Jesus Christ, our creator, our caretaker, our lover, our stronghold, our refuge, our king and the Son of God.

Romans 8:35-39

“35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;


we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Richmond Howard