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Sunday, December 20, 2009

David -----> Jesus


David was a type, or foreshadowing of Jesus. The King of Israel as a two dimensional shadow of the three dimensional King of Kings. Like the guy in "Fu man chu's China Buffet" offering Princess Chicken on a toothpick as a sample of the entree to come, so David is offered as a sampling of the King to come. Check out the parallels:

David came from humble origins. He was just a shepherd boy born in a nowhereville town called Bethlehem.
Jesus came from humble origins. He was just a carpenter boy born in a nowhereville town called Bethlehem.

David was a shepherd, tending his sheep and keeping them safe from predators.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, laying down His life for His sheep.

David mystified his family by his anointing, effectiveness and power.
Jesus mystified his family by his remarkable teaching, claims, and resurrection.

David stared death in the face, in the form of a giant Philistine,
Jesus stared death in the face, in the form of a roman execution,
wearing nothing but shepherds clothes,
wearing nothing but a loin cloth,
carrying only a stick and stones.
carrying only two sticks in the form of a cross.

David spoke and led with authority, amazing people as a warrior, writer and musician.
Jesus spoke and led with authority, amazing people as a teacher, healer, and miracle worker.

David spent 10 years in the wilderness.
Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness.
He was running from Saul,
He was tempted by Satan,
protected by God,
protected by God
and writing God’s word.
and quoting God’s word.

David ruled a mighty political kingdom, expanding Israel’s territory during his 40 year reign.
Jesus rules a mighty spiritual kingdom expanding God’s territory during his eternal reign.

David had his 30 followers, mighty men of strength who fought for him.
Jesus had his 12 disciples, common men used by God to change the world.

David was the anointed one, chosen to be the King of Israel.
Jesus was the anointed one, chosen to be the King of…everything.

David was called the King of the Jews a title that he owned with pride
Jesus was called the King of the Jews, a title that hung over His head on the cross.

David was the savior of Israel, keeping the country free from foreign threats.
Jesus is the savior of the world, giving all men freedom from sin.

The prophet Nathan told David his name would be great, and many knees would bow to him.
At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

David was promised that one of his descendants would rule on his throne forever!
Jesus is the descendant who rules on his throne forever!

David cried out to the Father from the caves, asking “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus cried out to the Father from the cross, asking “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?”

David predicted “You will not let your holy one see decay.”
Jesus fulfilled that prediction by dying, and not decaying.

David, while being only human was used mightily by God to change Israel.
Jesus, while divine, became a human and was used mightily by God to change…everything.

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posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 7:49 PM 0 Comments

Friday, December 11, 2009

Listening to God

Sometimes God speaks to you well in advance, with long-range plans and careful articulation of dreams. Sometimes God interrupts those long-range plans and careful dreams. God does it easily both ways. The key question is 'are we listening?'. How do you hear God?

Well, answering that is alot like asking "How do you hear and understand your wife?" There is no formula, some trial and error...even failure. But in time, you will discover some principles that hold true.

Here are some principles that I have found to be true:
1) God is best heard by those adopeted as his children. This adoption happens when you place your faith in Jesus.
2) I try to keep my life as free from sin as possible. Sin blocks your ability to hear from God. When sin does creep in, confession is the best solution to keep clean before God.
3) Make time to listen. God is often speaking in a still small voice if we listen. Ask God to speak.
4) When you hear something, Obey. Immediately.
5) God's commands don't always make sense immediately. Often, you'll find out there is amazing wisdom after taking the risk. But it does not always fit the facts before you act.
6) If you have a strong emotive reaction (especially tears of joy) pay close attention. The world of emotion and the soul are deeply connected.
7) Kids often hear from God when adults are not listening. If they say they have, listen closely...they may be telling the truth.

When you align yourself with God and his purposes, your life impact is dramatically multiplied. Better to do one action prompted by God than a thousand nice things done in your own strength.

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posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 8:49 PM 0 Comments

Monday, October 26, 2009

Extreme Makeover


There is one show on TV that is a guaranteed cry every week. Extrememe Makeover Home Edition. But the emotion is not the only reason to love the show. Ty is an amazing leader, spokesperson, cheerleader, bleeding heart. Lives are totally changed when they encounter the big 'ol bus. It is amazing to see the community come together for a week to be all about the transformation of a single family.

It is also a brilliant picture of redemption. They take a family that is in chaos. From one angle or another, they have been a victim of sin and evil in this world. The stories of diseasses, sickness, tragedy, poverty, fires, economic disaster etc. are heartwrenching. But Ty swoops in with his megaphone and brings hope. Then he brings resources. The generosity of the community pours in and ba-da-bing, 7 days later you have a dream home. Often times you throw in the bonus of an old mortgage being paid, a college education set up, a visit from a celebrity or a really cool three-story doghouse in the backyard. Everybody watching cries - because we know that there is something beautiful and good and life-giving in these moment.

This is what God does with our lives. When we were all a wreck, he swoops in with Jesus and a megaphone giving us words of hope. Then he pours out the resources of the Holy Spirit, and the community of the church, and joy. There is a guarantee of a great big mansion that we will live in for eternity, with the ultimate joy of the knowledge of God himself, community that is pure AND the power of sin and death being eliminated. WOW! And everybody cries...but only for a moment. Because he will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more crying or death or mourning or pain.

Extreme Makeover is coming to Nebraska. You can submit names of worthy families this week at castnebraska@gmail.com. Include name, ages of kids, situation etc. If you know somebody worthy of this redemption, submit names by Friday.

The Kingdom of God is coming to Nebraska too. This week and every week. You are a key player. You bring words of hope, you bring kingdom resources. You bring the perspective of truth. You bring vibrant community. Be the kingdom for somebody... and everyone will cry...but only for a moment.

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posted by Mark Ashton, Lead Pastor at 6:28 AM 0 Comments