Sunday May 19 , 2013

ESV Study Bible – Online now available for purchase

Pastor Bob
Mar 25th, 2009 | 10:43

For those of you who haven’t heard, the ESV Study Bible is now available for purchase for use for the online content by itself. This is for those who don’t want to buy the physical version, but would like online access to all the resources.

* As usual, all physical ESV Study Bibles purchases always come with the online content with it for free as well.
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Visit my personal blog by going to: http://www.PortageChurch.org/pastor

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Offended by Jesus?

Pastor Bob
Mar 7th, 2009 | 08:06

This morning I was spending my quiet time in Matthew 15. As I was reading I was amused by something. Jesus said something to teach His people, and there were some who were offended by it. What I found amusing was Jesus’ response to His disciples who told Him how offensive He was to some.

In Matthew 15.10-20, Jesus is teaching something that is very hard for the religious leaders of His time to grasp. Holiness is not what you eat and what you don’t eat, but it is your character and what you produce.
Now look at Matthew 15.12 – “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
It is comforting to know that I am not the only one who, when teaching God’s word, offends some. The Lord Jesus dealt with this issue all throughout His ministry on earth, and His words still offend people today. 1 Corinthians 1.18 tells us that “the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing”. I realize that God’s teaching will seem foolish or even offensive to some who cannot receive it.
What was more astounding to me though, was Jesus’ response to their offended status. The disciples here seem to take Jesus aside and try to soften Him a little. “Hey, you’re kind of hurting their feelings.” Jesus doesn’t soften His teaching. The funny thing is, He doesn’t even go over and try to clarify or pacify them at all. Look at His response to the disciples:
“Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” ~ Matthew 15.13-14
Ok, this is intense. What does Jesus say about those who cannot receive His teaching? They aren’t smart enough? They need more time? We don’t know their hearts? Nope, He tells us that they are not of our Heavenly Father. Keep in mind that He is saying this just 2 chapters after telling them “The weeds (planted with God’s children in the world) are the sons of the evil one, and the one who sowed them is the devil.” (Matthew 13.38-39). Jesus is referencing back to what He already taught His disciples 2 chapters ago. Those who cannot receive Jesus’ teaching and act upon it are not His. They do not belong to Him.
Look at John 6 and see that Jesus says this plainly. During the time when Jesus teaches “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” (Jn 6.44), Jesus keeps on teaching. He talked about how God gave Jesus to us and whoever feeds on this bread (Jesus), they will live forever. Well the people had some difficulty with this. “When many of his disciples heard it, they said ‘This is a hard saying, who can listen to it?’ (Jn 6.60-61).
But don’t miss Jesus’ response to them in John 6.61-65. Knowing their grumbling, says this: “Do you take offense at this?” He is challenging them and us today. Don’t ignore what Jesus is saying, even if it might be difficult, hard, or even offensive to you. Embrace and trust Jesus!
Jesus then tells us that this was the very purpose that He taught this doctrine to them in the first place – So they would understand why it would be so difficult to understand. “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it was granted him by the Father.” (Jn 6.65) These are the deeper things of God. That is why people started abandoning Jesus’ earthly ministry. It wasn’t all about them. The heart of man is so wicked that if God’s plan isn’t about me and my choice, I will refuse to listen or follow it (Jn 6.66).
The true message of the cross is offensive to our carnal minds, but if we will embrace the truths of God’s word, then the Lord Jesus brings great comfort to us who it is being revealed to, through His word. Jesus was never afraid to offend people. In fact, He didn’t mind it at all. “Let them alone” (Mt 15.14) It didn’t bother Jesus at all, in fact, He let them alone to struggle with it on their own. It was like Jesus was saying to the disciples “You keep following and learning from me, let them be confused on their own.” (Mt 13.11)
Can you embrace what Jesus and the Bible teaches? Or does it anger, confuse, or even offend you? I realize some teaching is hard or difficult. That is not the question, nor the point. The true question is, can you embrace God’s word and the doctrines taught within, without being offended to the point of not listening or growing? Concluding, I will quote what Jesus tells us, something I find very interesting: “Blessed is the one who is not offended by Me.” (Matthew 11.6, Luke 7.23)
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Visit my personal blog by going to: http://www.PortageChurch.org/pastor

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How To Be Like Jesus

Pastor Bob
Mar 6th, 2009 | 10:28

How to be like Jesus


1. Get baptized by the craziest guy in town.

2. Say and do things that are guaranteed to make religious people want to kill you. Repeat again, and again, and again, and again, and again and don’t stop unless forced.

3. Do amazing things for people and ask them to not tell anyone.

4. Hang out with the most despised, marginalized, looked down upon, and shunned people you can find.

5. When possible, forgive and restore people, even if they betrayed you.

6. Live in a way that provokes gossip.

7. Win the most grace competition.

8. Keep the party going.

9. Serve people (note: nose plugs may be required).

10. If you’re sad cry.

11. Empower people to do the extraordinary.

12. Act like a rock star in a hotel temple.

13. Radically simplify theology.

14. Break human-made religious laws. Repeat consistently.

15. Prioritize the most important over the important.

16. Let women with questionable backgrounds pay your bills.

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Visit my personal blog by going to: http://www.PortageChurch.org/pastor

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Try ESV Study Bible Online for FREE!!

Pastor Bob
Mar 2nd, 2009 | 15:14

Thinking of getting an ESV Study Bible? Want to check out the materials and study notes first? Crossway is now offering FREE online access! This is only valid through the month of March.

To check it out go to: www.esvStudyBible.org
enjoy!
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Visit my personal blog by going to: http://www.PortageChurch.org/pastor
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