By using my caregiving gifts and giving my sister’s dogs a potty break since she’s in the hospital and her husband works. Then I’ll go visit her. It seems like she’s losing her cancer battle but she isn’t willing to give up. Another procedure today, and if that works and her billi gown down the. She may get her chemo on Tuesday. If the billi doesn’t go down enough, I’m afraid the doctor will call it quits. 😢 so I will continue to caregive.
To serve rather than be served. I can lead and make decisions, sometimes difficult ones, yet still project and serve and think and KNOW, what’s happening, is not what is going on!
After years in ministry and now a "retired pastor's wife," I know the stories, I know the bible, I've heard it all. I went to Bible college. I've been to conference after seminar after Sunday morning. And I was tired. I wanted to hear the words of Jesus and what He actually said, not what others said about what He said. So I read Matthew 5. For a year, daily, over and over, bit by bit. Then for another year. The next year I added in commentary. Then this year I continued on thru Matthew and have been working my way thru the gospels and have been feeling that old fatigue. It hasn't been really sinking in. And then I found this channel. Now I'm getting not the explanation offered by commentary, but rather insight. We have several of John's books, my favorite being "If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat." So I knew about him from the Willow Creek years, the conferences, etc. I knew there would be insight and there is. So thank you for more of Jesus words - I think He led me here and I am grateful. I am hungry for more, more, more. Embedding it into brain cells and letting it come out in action. More please. And p.s. - I'll pass some of this along on my own TH-cam channel.
Today's lesson reminded me of my time as the commanding officer of a Navy reserve unit many moons ago. I was at the peak of the pyramid... the one with the most power. Like the Centurion, I was a man under authority, however, I chose to use my power to help the folks who served in our unit. I realized early on that true power comes from those who serve others. So, my mantra was... if you take care of the team, the team will take care of you. When it was my time to turn the command reins over, I felt satisfied that everyone else in the unit felt fulfilled.
It’s been difficult not to be mentally and emotionally affected by the ongoing trauma in the world. This talk was such a gift for that reason. I curse and pray for those I oppose… Only our Father can make that work! Pray for me and I’m sure many others, on all sides, that we can continually find comfort when remembering Power is here, within us and for us. Amen
Hey, John. This series has been such an encouragement to me. For the last several years I have been deeply studying and longing to understand what Jesus’ teaching on ‘life in the Kingdom’ really is about, and what the life He is calling us to really looks like. I’m learning that it may often be a long way from what I’ve understood it to be. Thank you for the clarity and insights your teaching on the Sermon on the Mount has contributed to my journey! I have listened to many sessions over and over again, finding in Jesus’ teaching, as you’ve explained it, more and more of the freedom and life and love and grace I’ve been growing to understand. I’m praying that one of these days God might give us a chance to cross paths, to reminisce on our years of serving together, to process some of what we learned then and what we’ve learned since then, and to talk more about ‘life in the Kingdom of God!’ I think that would be an amazing conversation. Until then, huge thanks and love and blessings to you and Nancy and the family. - Joe
SO grateful you responded to the Holy Spirit to remind us of the ABSOLUTE TRUTH as opposed to our world’s thinking. WOW - I needed this right now as I shake my head over the 2024 election scene!! THANK YOU!!
Concerning politics and elections we seem to have to choose between the lessor of two evils. I am a combat veteran and I honor our nation but I pledge my allegiance to the Kingdom of God.
Good food for thought. It’s helpful for me to remember that rulers in Jesus’ day were capable of great evil and yet Jesus showed a more powerful way of love.
I appreciate this encouragement for an ordinary older person like myself. And love the question! I have a friend from out of town visiting today. She works faithfully, serves others , is very busy in her days. I want to use the power of prayer and am asking that God will help and provide so that she will be refreshed and somehow ministered to by God thru me.
What a profound message, deftly delivered in this season that we are in..... Whatever season we are in, Every season is the season of love, and love will prevail.
Great teaching. Never thought about temporary power some individuals have. So true. Can it help and hurt? Yep. Can it lift up or demean? Yep. But it’s only temporary. What a great teaching.
Asking a friend who has been deeply wounded and betrayed by someone who has turned away from God. Just listening and reminding her to still lean into Jesus and trust in Him to provide the discernment moving forward.
good morning ☀️ whoa, 😮 great food for thought to start an Aloha Friday! Learning, growing, and full of God’s goodness. Enjoy a fabulous President’s Day extended weekend everyone! 🙏🏻💕🍃
I will actively seek someone to serve. Who is in fact my husband with dementia. With grace and compassion and intention to build up. And others who will cross my path.
No one can be voted into greatness. I love that perspective. You can't buy trust. My heart can't be bought without my consent. Only in putting myself under God's control can I have victory over earthly desires.
Thank you for this series. The Sermon on the Mount is the Mt. Everest of scripture, and your insights have been illuminating. I've listened to the last one 4x and I hear something new each time. Blessings!
This may seem way off what you talked about today, but my immediate thought was about people protesting. And that no matter what they protest about, if it is not a peaceful protest it most likely won’t work. But twice in New Zealand there has been 2 peaceful, non-violent protests that achieved what they set out to. One was our anti-nuclear stance and our anti Springbok tour protest in the 80’s, which, I believe did have a positive effect on the anti-apartheid movement. Maybe a minor effect but any positive effect is good.
A dear friend and mentor told me years ago: “ What’s happening, is not what is going on”. Of course, back then she what helping to get unselfish and zooming out and change my view and thinking ( Romans 12:1-2) When John shared about how the so called leaders think they are in power, this is what came to my mind.
Until about 30 years ago, most elected officials did so to serve their constituents. Now they seem to serve themselves. Totally different than what Jesus taught.
Good message as usual. Were you quoting from Matthew 20:25-26? "Presumed is NOT in the text. So I'm confused as to why you slipped it in there. What translation are you quoting from or is it another text in Matthew? But the presumed insert is just not there.
Maybe Mark 10:42, which uses this word: δοκοῦντες / δοκέω Outline of Biblical Usage to be of opinion, think, suppose to seem, to be accounted, reputed it seems to me I think, judge: thus in question it seems good to, pleased me, I determined
I think he is actually quoting Mark 10:42-43 (John Ortberg prefaces by saying at a time when Jesus was with his disciples teaching them about the power of the kingdom): ”And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are CONSIDERED rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,“ Mark 10:42-43 ESV ESV and CEB translate : “Considered” CSB and HCSB translate: “regarded “
Matthew 7:16-20 KJV Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Trump must never come near the White House ever again for darkness, chaos, and destruction will reign if God allows Trump to be elected this November.
QUESTION FOR THE COMMENTS:
How are you going to use the power you have for good today?
By using my caregiving gifts and giving my sister’s dogs a potty break since she’s in the hospital and her husband works. Then I’ll go visit her. It seems like she’s losing her cancer battle but she isn’t willing to give up. Another procedure today, and if that works and her billi gown down the. She may get her chemo on Tuesday. If the billi doesn’t go down enough, I’m afraid the doctor will call it quits. 😢 so I will continue to caregive.
To serve rather than be served.
I can lead and make decisions, sometimes difficult ones, yet still project and serve and think and KNOW, what’s happening, is not what is going on!
This one took something I knew..in my heart and out words to it.. thank you!! So encouraging ❤
and.. I want to talk more about the brilliance of the greatest teacher who ever lived❤
After years in ministry and now a "retired pastor's wife," I know the stories, I know the bible, I've heard it all. I went to Bible college. I've been to conference after seminar after Sunday morning. And I was tired.
I wanted to hear the words of Jesus and what He actually said, not what others said about what He said. So I read Matthew 5. For a year, daily, over and over, bit by bit. Then for another year. The next year I added in commentary. Then this year I continued on thru Matthew and have been working my way thru the gospels and have been feeling that old fatigue. It hasn't been really sinking in.
And then I found this channel. Now I'm getting not the explanation offered by commentary, but rather insight. We have several of John's books, my favorite being "If You Want to Walk on Water You Have to Get Out of the Boat." So I knew about him from the Willow Creek years, the conferences, etc. I knew there would be insight and there is.
So thank you for more of Jesus words - I think He led me here and I am grateful. I am hungry for more, more, more. Embedding it into brain cells and letting it come out in action. More please.
And p.s. - I'll pass some of this along on my own TH-cam channel.
Your comments were a blessing to me. Thank you.
The power of serving from under… love love.
Today's lesson reminded me of my time as the commanding officer of a Navy reserve unit many moons ago. I was at the peak of the pyramid... the one with the most power. Like the Centurion, I was a man under authority, however, I chose to use my power to help the folks who served in our unit. I realized early on that true power comes from those who serve others. So, my mantra was... if you take care of the team, the team will take care of you. When it was my time to turn the command reins over, I felt satisfied that everyone else in the unit felt fulfilled.
It’s been difficult not to be mentally and emotionally affected by the ongoing trauma in the world. This talk was such a gift for that reason. I curse and pray for those I oppose… Only our Father can make that work! Pray for me and I’m sure many others, on all sides, that we can continually find comfort when remembering Power is here, within us and for us. Amen
Well said, Judy!
Only Jesus can change hearts.
Hey, John. This series has been such an encouragement to me. For the last several years I have been deeply studying and longing to understand what Jesus’ teaching on ‘life in the Kingdom’ really is about, and what the life He is calling us to really looks like. I’m learning that it may often be a long way from what I’ve understood it to be. Thank you for the clarity and insights your teaching on the Sermon on the Mount has contributed to my journey! I have listened to many sessions over and over again, finding in Jesus’ teaching, as you’ve explained it, more and more of the freedom and life and love and grace I’ve been growing to understand. I’m praying that one of these days God might give us a chance to cross paths, to reminisce on our years of serving together, to process some of what we learned then and what we’ve learned since then, and to talk more about ‘life in the Kingdom of God!’ I think that would be an amazing conversation. Until then, huge thanks and love and blessings to you and Nancy and the family. - Joe
Thanks for these words, Joe
Perfect message for the times we are living now.
SO grateful you responded to the Holy Spirit to remind us of the ABSOLUTE TRUTH as opposed to our world’s thinking. WOW - I needed this right now as I shake my head over the 2024 election scene!! THANK YOU!!
Concerning politics and elections we seem to have to choose between the lessor of two evils. I am a combat veteran and I honor our nation but I pledge my allegiance to the Kingdom of God.
Good food for thought. It’s helpful for me to remember that rulers in Jesus’ day were capable of great evil and yet Jesus showed a more powerful way of love.
Goodness and Character are two words that neither candidate of the two main parties can claim. Thank you God for having the true power.
I appreciate this encouragement for an ordinary older person like myself. And love the question! I have a friend from out of town visiting today. She works faithfully, serves others , is very busy in her days. I want to use the power of prayer and am asking that God will help and provide so that she will be refreshed and somehow ministered to by God thru me.
Great reminder that current politics have no power to limit my usefulness in God’s kingdom.
What a profound message, deftly delivered in this season that we are in..... Whatever season we are in, Every season is the season of love, and love will prevail.
Great teaching. Never thought about temporary power some individuals have. So true. Can it help and hurt? Yep. Can it lift up or demean? Yep. But it’s only temporary. What a great teaching.
So needed this perspective. Thank you for the writing of and delivery of this message and for the supporting team. ❤
Asking a friend who has been deeply wounded and betrayed by someone who has turned away from God. Just listening and reminding her to still lean into Jesus and trust in Him to provide the discernment moving forward.
Jesus is so revolutionary 🤯💕
good morning ☀️ whoa, 😮 great food for thought to start an Aloha Friday! Learning, growing, and full of God’s goodness.
Enjoy a fabulous President’s Day extended weekend everyone! 🙏🏻💕🍃
Great lesson today!
“You would have no power over me, if it had not been given to you from above.” We only think we know what power is
I will actively seek someone to serve. Who is in fact my husband with dementia. With grace and compassion and intention to build up. And others who will cross my path.
No one can be voted into greatness.
I love that perspective.
You can't buy trust.
My heart can't be bought without my consent.
Only in putting myself under God's control can I have victory over earthly desires.
Thanks, will think about how to refrain from argument and encourage both online and in-person with family and entire circle of influence
Loved the thought about not looking to the tyrants of history for inspiration.
Love is the ultimate power and Jesus was the perfect example of that. ✝️🙏❤️
It’s the little acts that make the biggest difference!
Something simple, prompted by the Holy Spirit today to check in with a friend who has been struggling in life. Thanks again John for the reminder!
Thank you for this series. The Sermon on the Mount is the Mt. Everest of scripture, and your insights have been illuminating. I've listened to the last one 4x and I hear something new each time. Blessings!
This may seem way off what you talked about today, but my immediate thought was about people protesting. And that no matter what they protest about, if it is not a peaceful protest it most likely won’t work. But twice in New Zealand there has been 2 peaceful, non-violent protests that achieved what they set out to. One was our anti-nuclear stance and our anti Springbok tour protest in the 80’s, which, I believe did have a positive effect on the anti-apartheid movement. Maybe a minor effect but any positive effect is good.
Bravo🙏🏻🕊
A dear friend and mentor told me years ago: “ What’s happening, is not what is going on”.
Of course, back then she what helping to get unselfish and zooming out and change my view and thinking ( Romans 12:1-2)
When John shared about how the so called leaders think they are in power, this is what came to my mind.
Until about 30 years ago, most elected officials did so to serve their constituents. Now they seem to serve themselves. Totally different than what Jesus taught.
interesting
❤
Good message as usual. Were you quoting from Matthew 20:25-26? "Presumed is NOT in the text. So I'm confused as to why you slipped it in there. What translation are you quoting from or is it another text in Matthew? But the presumed insert is just not there.
Maybe Mark 10:42, which uses this word:
δοκοῦντες / δοκέω
Outline of Biblical Usage
to be of opinion, think, suppose
to seem, to be accounted, reputed
it seems to me
I think, judge: thus in question
it seems good to, pleased me, I determined
I think he is actually quoting Mark 10:42-43 (John Ortberg prefaces by saying at a time when Jesus was with his disciples teaching them about the power of the kingdom): ”And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are CONSIDERED rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,“
Mark 10:42-43 ESV
ESV and CEB translate : “Considered”
CSB and HCSB translate: “regarded “
Yes, I see that in Mark 10:42. Thank you.@@ThePaulWilliams
Got it. Thank you!@@laurelschow4226
What translation says the word presumes? And you mentioned verse 42, but what chapter? 😊
Matthew 7:16-20 KJV
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Trump must never come near the White House ever again for darkness, chaos, and destruction will reign if God allows Trump to be elected this November.