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The Already But Not Yet
Today we took a look what theologians call, "the already but not yet"—an understanding of our currently place in spiritual history based on a tension we find all throughout the Scriptures...
The Gospel of Mark has been forcing me to preach on a lot of eschatology at church lately. Today we took a look what theologians call, "the already but not yet"—an understanding of our currently place in spiritual history based on a tension we find all throughout the Scriptures. A Biblical Theology of the New Testament puts it succinctly.
The already/not yet tension. The outworking of God’s salvation is seen by Hebrews in an already/not yet tension, as in the New Testament in general. The decisive era in the fulfillment of God’s promises has been reached or inaugurated in Christ, so that in some sense the fulfillment is already present. But the consummation has not yet come, and significant events in God’s program are eagerly expected in the future.
This topic is fresh on my mind as it's a section of the new book I'm working on, The Rest & the Rush. The topic becomes crucial for understanding our place as Christians in the world and our work under the Holy Spirit. Check out the podcast for this morning's message.
Sociology & the Cross
How on earth could an entire society approve of nailing a man to a cross?We think that in 21st century we're more civilized than that and that we would never do anything that resembled crucifixion. But then we look at history...
When we look at the society of Jesus' time, we're appalled. How on earth could an entire society approve of nailing a man to a cross? How could that kind of atrocity be considered just another day in the life? We think that in 21st century we're more civilized than that and that we would never do anything that resembled crucifixion.
But our thoughts are undone by history, because 1,900 years after the cross, Hitler rose to power and many in Germany (including some of the church) followed him into his darkness, treating his satanic ideologies as though they were gospel. Our thoughts are further undone by the Rwandan genocide some 24 years ago when Hutus were handed weapons by the government and told to go kill their Tutsi neighbors and friends whom they ate and talked with—and they did it!
It ends up that we are far more susceptible to sociology than we thought. It seems that if all of society is willing to submit to the darkness together, many will follow without question. The world around us is constantly trying to force us to kneel before it, and if we're living by the flesh and not by the Spirit, chances are we will do so whether we're aware of it or not—regardless of how dark it gets.
The Fourth Cup
There was a tradition at Passover in Jesus' time that speaks volumes as to what Jesus was communicating at the Last Supper...
There was a tradition at Passover in Jesus' time that speaks volumes as to what Jesus was communicating at the Last Supper. Scholars have done their best to reconstruct these traditions and in the light of them, everything from the Last Supper to the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross (to the end times?) comes into deeper understanding. We begin to see the things that the Jews of Jesus' time would have recognized in the Gospels and we realize that there's a lot to the story we've been missing due to 2,000 years of cultural separation.
Drawing from Brant Pitre's book, Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist, Jamin looks at the four cups Jesus would have drank at the Passover and why they are important to understanding our place in the story of God today.
The Delayed Return of Jesus
It's clear in reading the New Testament that the early church literally thought Jesus would be back in a generation. Even 2 Peter has to face the question: "What's taking so long?"
C.S. Lewis once remarked that Jesus saying he'd return within a generation was, "certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible." While Lewis' words are a bit brash, at least he was honest about his feelings. It's clear in reading the New Testament that the early church literally thought Jesus meant one generation. Even 2 Peter has to face the question: "What's taking so long?"
So if the early church had to wonder 90-95 years after Jesus, perhaps we too can wonder what's taking so long some 2,000 years later. I believe that the authors of, When the Son of Man Didn't Come: A Constructive Proposal on the Delay of the Parousia (which was beautifully written by an interdenominational group of believers), have a solution for the world. Their answer is not to interpret "generation" in some weird apocalyptic or symbolic light, but to simply understand how prophecy works. And it ends up that the Bible is quite clear: God can decide to change prophetic words depending on how his people interact with him.
In borrowing (almost entirely) from this book, my message today proposes that God changed his mind about when Jesus would return—and I don't think that's anywhere near as jarring as it sounds. Checkout the podcast to see how I get there.
Resurrection
For the modern day Christian, resurrection is a basic principle of belief, but in Jesus' time it was a hot topic, intensely debated between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
For the modern day Christian, resurrection is a basic principle of belief, but in Jesus' time it was a hot topic, intensely debated between the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Believe it or not, there is almost no reference to the idea of resurrection in the Old Testament. It seems the Jews just thought people died and that their spirit entered the afterlife existence of Sheol. The Sadducees didn't even believe that. They believed your spirit died with your body and that was the end of the conversation. With this in mind, our ears become wide open as Jesus engages in the topic.
Jesus & Taxes
Jesus' famous line to "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" is jam-packed with all kinds of implications...
Jesus' famous line to "Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" is jam-packed with all kinds of implications. To truly see what Jesus is saying we must unpack his lesson like a parable in order to find the prophetic meaning and conviction that is in his statement. We must also understand the culture of the time so that we can comprehend just how prevalent this hot topic was to Jesus' society.
Walking Boldly to the Cross
We often talk about God wanting to bless us, which causes us to rarely talk about how Jesus called us into persecution with him.
We often talk about God wanting to bless us, which causes us to rarely talk about how Jesus called us into persecution with him. But then again, maybe blessing and persecution are the same thing, seeing as how Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Today Jamin takes a look at three short verses in Mark 10 where Jesus prophesies about his upcoming flogging and death while walking to the place where it will all happen. Those following him are left both amazed and afraid.
Lowliness
Jesus calls us to live a life of humility and lowliness and to be a servant to all. Jamin uncovers this theme over the course of several passages presented in Mark.
Jesus calls us to live a life of humility and lowliness and to be a servant to all. Jamin uncovers this theme over the course of several passages presented in Mark.
The Syrophoenician Woman
Something completely unexpected and amazing happens when the Syrophoenician woman approaches Jesus while he's on break from ministry.
Something completely unexpected and amazing happens when the Syrophoenician woman approaches Jesus while he's on break from ministry.
Shake Off the Dust
Jamin pauses in Mark 6 to address a statement Jesus makes that at first glance seems a bit uncharacteristic of him.
Jamin pauses in Mark 6 to address a statement Jesus makes that at first glance seems a bit uncharacteristic of him. But upon further inspection, it actually lines up with much else he says. The key is his context.
A God as Big as the Multiverse
Jamin jumps into some theoretical science to make an extravagant analogy of how free will is seen clearly in light of Jesus' ministry.
Jamin jumps into some theoretical science to make an extravagant analogy of how free will is seen clearly in light of Jesus' ministry.
Desperation
Myisha preaches on the desperateness of the woman who was healed by touching Jesus' robe and reflects on her desire for more of Jesus.
Myisha preaches on the desperateness of the woman who was healed by touching Jesus' robe and reflects on her desire for more of Jesus.
Fully God & Fully Man
One minute Jesus is a slave to his body and passed out exhausted in a boat and the next he's commanding storms to stop. This creates an eye-opening experience for the disciples.
One minute Jesus is a slave to his body and passed out exhausted in a boat and the next he's commanding storms to stop. This creates an eye-opening experience for the disciples.
The Mustard Kingdom
The Kingdom of God isn't like the kingdoms of this world. Its strength isn't represented by walls, armies, or eagles—but mustard.
The Kingdom of God isn't like the kingdoms of this world. Its strength isn't represented by walls, armies, or eagles—but mustard.
The Seeds of the Kingdom of God
Here in one of Jesus' lesser known parables found only in Mark, is the hint that the seeds of the kingdom of God are strong seeds that God himself will take care of...
Here in one of Jesus' lesser known parables found only in Mark, is the hint that the seeds of the kingdom of God are strong seeds that God himself will take care of.
The Secret to the Kingdom of God
We often wonder why Jesus spoke in parables and come up with a lot of good ideas, all the while ignoring Jesus' actual answer to this question...
We often wonder why Jesus spoke in parables and come up with a lot of good ideas, all the while ignoring Jesus' actual answer to this question. Apparently he spoke in parables to intentionally hide things from people. To find the real meaning of these stories, we must use "the secret to the Kingdom of God." Jamin explains more in this message on Mark 4:1-20.
All Sins Are Not the Same
We've all heard it said before: "All sin is the same because it separates us from God"—but this statement is not actually biblical. While all sin is forgivable, the Bible has never communicated the idea that it is therefore the same...
We've all heard it said before: "All sin is the same because it separates us from God"—but this statement is not actually biblical. While all sin is forgivable, the Bible has never communicated the idea that it is therefore the same. If anything, the Old Testament clearly communicated to us that some sins were much worse than others—and even Jesus held that one sin in particular was worse than any other: the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Jamin jumps into Jesus' often ignored words on this topic in today's sermon.
Old & New
There are two analogies Jesus made that have always been a little confusing due to cultural differences in the world today...
There are two analogies Jesus made that have always been a little confusing due to cultural differences in the world today. The first one we generally understand, but the second one takes a bit more research. Jamin shares some insight on these ideas as we continue our series on the Gospel of Mark.
Life, Death and Tax Collectors
Recently, Jamin shed some light on the fisherman's place in society, seeing as how Jesus called several of them to be his disciples....
Recently, Jamin shed some light on the fisherman's place in society, seeing as how Jesus called several of them to be his disciples. In today's message, Jamin reflects on the despised tax collector's place in society since Jesus even made one of them a disciple.
Compassion and Fame
Having worked in radio for sometime, Jamin has noticed some of the agitation fame has caused some of the famous artists he's interviewed. Their job requires them to constantly deal with crowds and it has the ability to really wear them down....
Having worked in radio for sometime, Jamin has noticed some of the agitation fame has caused some of the famous artists he's interviewed. Their job requires them to constantly deal with crowds and it has the ability to really wear them down. Jesus had to deal with this more than anyone, yet time and time again the Bible tells us Jesus had compassion on the crowds. Jamin puts forth Jesus' example as an example for Christians to live up to with their own crowd, whether it be a crowd of 2 people or 2,000.