DISCUSSION TIME

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE PEOPLE IN OUR AREA OF THE STATE?

ON AVERAGE, WHAT IS THE TOP THING THEY HATE?

WHAT IS THE TOP THING THEY LOVE?

This Sunday we are starting the PURPOSE DRIVEN series. And, I started my studies in a rather unique way. In the preface, Warren speaks of the waves of people who God is making receptive to the Gospel. And that gave me this inspirational idea. I combined this insight with a reality of the Midwest- life revolves around Wal-Mart. Sooner or later, everyone goes to Wal-Mart. –Since we were going to the store anyway, I thought, what better place to put a human face on this ‘wave of people.’

So as Kathy was in the store, I sat in the car reading my book with my trusty little camera beside me. And when I saw an interesting face, I’d discreetly slip up my camera- snap a shot, and then quickly go back to my book. Now, I realize this experiment was somewhat covert and socially disturbing. But, despite my dubious behavior, I was rewarded with two profound realities:

However, there is something we can do. In both cases- the human or the spiritual wave- we can choose to BE THERE when it happens. We can choose our response to what’s unfolding.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus and His band of followers traveled through a dusty backland called Samaria. It was known for its people who had a distorted view of God and the proper religious people loathed them. They were avoided in the name of God. But strangely enough, when God came in the flesh, He went directly to them. And as we follow His footsteps we find in essence, there are two Samarias.

Now, let me qualify that a little bit. It was the same Samaria- the same physical location, the same people with the same spiritual condition- but it was two Samarias in terms of response- to them.

51. As the time drew near for his return to heaven, he moved steadily onward toward Jerusalem with an iron will.

52. One day he sent messengers ahead to reserve rooms for them in a Samaritan village.

53. But they were turned away! The people of the village refused to have anything to do with them because they were headed for Jerusalem.

54. When word came back of what had happened, James and John said to Jesus, ``Master, shall we order fire down from heaven to burn them up?''

Samaria #1, begins with a human ACTION and ends with God’s REACTION. Those nasty little Samaritans responded pretty much as expected- rejection. The desired action of James and John was to simply give them what they deserved. “Lord, those people are going to hell anyway- let’s just send them there a little early.”

It’s one of those anomalies of human nature. We are so quick to wriggle out of what we deserve; but boy, do we love to see someone else get theirs. And that’s even true in spiritual things. In fact, it is especially true in spiritual things.

It’s not hard to empathize with James and John here- after all; there is a real sense of justice about it. These people are rejecting God, isn’t it- just right to reject them? Maybe it is! A certain way to tell is to look at God’s reaction.

WHAT GROUPS IN OUR CULTURE, DO CHURCH PEOPLE TEND TO JUDGE?

IS THE CAUSE OF JUDGMENT JUST?

Rebuked who, the Samaritans? No. He rebuked his own people for rejecting the rejecters. Why would He do such a thing?

In the Biblical Greek, there are four different words for rebuke- each has its own texture of meaning. The word used here is ‘epitimao’ ep-ee-tee-hah’-o. The meaning is to put honor upon," then, "to adjudge.” Think for a moment of what has happened here in ‘epitimao’. Those people following Jesus were ‘honored’, they were in the right. But somewhere, somehow- they crossed a line and now, were being judged for it. Older Bible versions such as King James, add a text that spells it out:

56. "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.'' And they went to another village.

The disciples had moved from a spirit of invitation to one of judgment- and Jesus called them on it. We are called to discernment, but not judgment. Why not? -Because it’s not our job. Spiritual judgment is a judicial act for someone in spiritual authority- and that is not us. And every time we pick up the gavel, it only leads to death- death of opportunity, death of love, and often to those who most desperately need it- and death of our own calling in purpose. Is it any wonder Jesus rebukes us when we become ‘James and John?’

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE, IF ANY, BETWEEN “DISCERNMENT” AND “JUDGING”?

WHY DID JESUS REBUKE HIS OWN PEOPLE?

WE BEGAN BY LISTING TYPES OF PEOPLE WE TEND TO JUDGE; WHAT IS JESUS’ AGENDA FOR THOSE PEOPLE?

IS OUR PLAN, JESUS PLAN?

HOW DO WE CARRY OUT WHAT JESUS WANTS?