CONFUSING SIGNS
In a Laundromat:
Automatic Washing Machines: Please remove all your clothes when the light goes out.
In an office lunchroom:
After tea break staff should empty the teapot and stand upside down on the draining board.
Outside a secondhand shop:
We exchange anything - bicycles, washing machines, etc. why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?
Spotted in a toilet of an office:
Toilet out of order. Please use floor below.
Seen during a conference:
For anyone who has children and doesn't know it, there is a day care on the first floor.
Notice in a field:
The farmer allows walkers to cross the field for free, but the bull charges.
On a repair shop door:
We can repair anything. (Please knock hard on the door; the bell doesn't work).
Last week we talked about stop signs and how incredibly vital it is that we come to a stop at the start of a new year . . . Stop signs are places that God uses to help us evaluate and refocus our lives and we learned 1 week ago - stop signs are great places to change directions to make our lives a whole lot more effective as we move forward.
This week, gonna shift gears a bit, . . . . . . and talk about Yield . . . and what that sign might mean for our lives . . . . What do you do at a yield sign? Slow down - look both ways - (analyze) give other cars the right of way - in other words - you put someone else in front of you (you let them go 1st) . . . and then you proceed . . . but only after they have gone.
Yield - according to Webster means this: "to give up - to a superior power or authority - to relinquish."
Other words you could use are submit - give way to - second place - unselfishness - others 1st - servanthood...I got thinking this week about what Jesus would say about this series, on signs and I think he would say this... "nice - topics - creative approach - STOP was good and Rough Road Ahead - next week - very important stuff. But I think He'd say - this week Yield is the most vital sign to understand if your gonna follow me. "
Now here's why Jesus would say that . . . because YIELD was the cornerstone of Jesus life while he was on earth and it was the cornerstone of all the teaching he did to those who would follow him.
This week I did something a little bit unique in my 2 extended STOP sign mornings - like I said last week . . . (just 2-3 hours with me and God) during one of those I read - skimmed - read - the whole book of Matthew in the Bible - to get a sweeping big picture of Jesus life and ministry. Here's what I realized again and in a fresh way as I read . . . (and I think we'll talk more on this as the year goes on . . . ) I found that Jesus offered a new approach to life - He offered a new way of thinking and living that had never been seen or heard of before he showed up and He described it like this.
He called it, "The kingdom of heaven" story after story - lesson after lesson - over and over again - Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven. Now catch this - this kingdom he spoke about was not just some pie in the sky - someday - over on the other side - when we all get to heaven up there thought . . . no . . . . . it was more that that - see the Kingdom Jesus spoke about was available here on earth to anyone who wanted it . . . and it was an amazing picture. . . a picture of freedom and grace and life and adventure and peace and joy and the cornerstone of this kingdom He spoke about was the word YIELD.
Now if this kingdom He described was a physical place . . . the only sign you would see on any road in this new kingdom Jesus described - would be a YIELD sign. In fact Jesus went so far as to say . . . if you understand what Yield means you will understand the kingdom of heaven and what it is like even while you're here on earth. Let me read you some of the words that Jesus spoke to his followers . . . that best describe Yield - and the new kingdom he was establishing.
Matthew 5:1-11
"Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Jesus was saying - anything you have heard up to now I'm gonna change. . . because it's not quite complete. I 'm gonna add one big sign to everything you understand - I'm gonna add Yield - and His point was simple. The kingdom of heaven is not like any on earth - kingdoms on earth are built on power and authority and money and ambition and position and coming in 1st place (every) time and the kingdom of heaven is built on submission and love and servanthood and surrender and grace and yielded life. I believe the picture is best described in Matthew 20 where Jesus reminds his disciples of how position and ambition and power are not part of his plan.
Matthew 20: 26-28
"Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Jesus said to his followers - "that's the picture . . . of the kingdom I'm establishing" . . . and he said, "that's the clearest picture of heaven I can give you and it's exactly opposite of the way you're thinking". And folks it's exactly opposite of the way we think as well . . .so I wanted to bring this home a bit to you (practical) and I couldn't quiet figure out how to do that. See the concept isn't hard to understand at all - put others 1st - come in second - love one another all the time - no matter who it is or what they have done. Yield - submit - serve - surrender - 24 - 7 - 365 - and forever. That's the kingdom of heaven.
So I was at Fudd's Thursday morning and thinking about this and I started getting a bit of a picture of what the kingdom might look like in our world - and I started to imagine (big thoughts . . .). What would the middle east look like today if yield and submission were the operative words on both sides instead of hate and war. Do you think people would have to live in fear of the next car bomb or the next attack on innocent people . . .or would there be peace of mind as well as lack of war - and maybe there would be 2 groups of people who only desire to understand one another instead of putting up fences to keep those people out. Or what would Iraq look like today if yield and serve and love were the words used to describe that nation over these years as opposed to misused power and greed and terror . . . .or what would Kuwait look like or better yet what would the world look like if the U.S. put words like power and rights and position and money and authority on the shelf and replaced them with words like yield and submit and serve. Just a thought.
What would Canada look like and be like if those in authority were more interested in serving others then self promotion or if selflessness was what described our government. Take this a step further. What would your work/career or business environment be like - if everyone was looking out for somebody else's interests and not just their own - or if everybody was trying to get someone else promoted instead of themselves . . . or what would management meetings be like if the over arching agenda going into the meeting was to serve one another and to ultimately serve the customer, instead of just serve thier bank account. What would that be like?
I think a lot of us would find a whole lot more fulfillment and a whole lot more joy in our work and there is no question . . . We would all be a whole lot more successful (If yield described our business). Then I got thinking about our homes. Ready? Apply YIELD to home . . . what would families be like where mutual submission and serving were the primary roles we played instead of the "my" games that we play - you know . . .my rights - my role - my feelings - my position - my idea - my stuff - my money - my time.
Do you think winning a discussion or an argument would be nearly as important if we were focused on serving and yielding instead of "my"? In fact . . .don't you think so much energy would be spared because you're not fighting to lose your position or win an argument? Folks do you have any idea the amount of emotional and mental energy we use up making sure we are right or we keep up - or we win? And what kind of kids might we raise if they only saw serving/loving/yielded parents?
One more example . . . and what about our money - we have such self imposed pressure surrounding money in this culture we live in . . . we've gotta make more and more so we can spend more and more so we can be more stable, or more satisfied, or more ready to retire, or have more stuff or have more fun, or become happy and it's a huge trap that we get caught in, that just eats us up.
But Jesus said . . . be generous - be ready to give of what you have all the time - to anybody in need - because it is in the giving of money where freedom lies . . . not in the making of it . . . or the holding onto it.
Folks I think that picture might be the kingdom Jesus was talking about. And I gotta admit - I liked the picture I saw when I was at Fudd's early on Thursday. It made a whole lot more sense than the world we live in today. But then it hit me. The kingdom of heaven - yield isn't about the whole world, as much as it is about me - (or me and you as individuals . . . )
Here's the thing...
Jesus never said go make the world Yield and go get them to see this picture of the kingdom no . . . He just said, make sure you are living like you're in the kingdom - make sure you submit to others, make sure you yield and serve and love and give . . . to everyone you meet every hour of every day that God gives you life, because that's how to build the kingdom of heaven. Today each of us are gonna have an opportunity to participate in the practice of yielding (not necessarily yielding to one another) - but to God
Because it is in yielding to God and surrendering to Him where we 1st begin to understand the kingdom of heaven. The Bible clearly states that the clearest view of heaven is from our knees - and again I think the point is simple but not easy - (we will never yield to one another unless we 1st yield and surrender to God). And the very best way to yield to God is during these next moments where we participate in communion.
Right before Jesus died on the cross he gathered his followers friends to him and he took a loaf of bread and he broke it . . . and then he served it to them and said take and eat - this is my body which is given for you - and then he took a cup of wine and offered it to them and said drink from this - all of you. This wine represents my blood which will be shed for you and for the forgiveness of your sins. And then he said, "Do this often and remember me . . . "
But folks - communion is only for those who are ready to surrender - for those who desire to yield their will to God's - of give him the right of authority in our lives . . .
1. Before Jesus died, he simply said . . . . "Church, remember me. Remember my death and why I'm dying. Remember the sacrifice I am making to bring cleansing and forgiveness to you - Remember that I yielded my life for you . . . So when we take the Bread, it represents His body - which was beaten and bruised and broken so that we might gain life eternal . . . And when we drink of the cup, it represents His life blood - which was poured out for us so that we might be cleansed and washed clean so our souls could know forgiveness. Jesus said - Church, remember me and my death . . . and what I have done for you . . . that's the 1st reason we take communion . . .
2. The second reason why we take communion is that it is a sacrament - a means of grace. Very simply put, God meets with you in these moments. When you humble your heart in confession and choose to have Him forgive you . . . You will not go through that exercise without having your soul touched. It's as simple as that - touched by grace. Is it mysterious? Yes. But I know this - God longs to meet with His people . . . He longs to .
Hear this the invitation to take the Lord's supper is for all who are decidedly walking towards Jesus Christ - for all who desire to be forgiven and to walk closer with Him.
Now, if you're not there yet you have 2 options:
1. Decided to wait and watch (seek) or
2. Simply say "come into my life Lord Jesus. Forgive me - lead me - meet with me please."
Folks here's what I do when I take communion. I visualize what Christ went through on the Cross. His broken body , the whips, beatings, nails, blood. The thorns, the agony, the sacrifice. Then I simply say thank You as I confess any sin in my life that remains unconfessed. Then I just receive. I say "God meet me now in these moments. Change me. Make me new. Reveal Yourself to me." And as I kneel - I surrender my life to His will . . . I yield my life to His . . . .
So come and take the bread and the cup. The body, which was broken for you. The blood, which was shed for you. Come and receive. Come and be cleansed. Come and know forgiveness. Come and give Him your life.
Now we wanted to take some time today so I'd like you to hear this next song. It will bring you to a place of understanding and yielding.
"I Surrender All"
(Performed by Christa Shepherd (vocals), Chris Church (vocals) and Todd Peters (guitar) |
