James and John | Jack's Blog

We Are Able

October 23, 2015

SCRIPTURE

“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”

~Mark 10:39, NLT

QUOTE

Despair ruins some, presumption ruins many.

~Benjamin Franklin

You see James and John’s presumptuous answer above but what is the question? Jesus asked them, Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?” Without a moments hesitation, they replied, “We are able.” I’m sure Jesus just shook His head in unbelief. These guys who were a part of the inner circle {Peter, James and John} had committed to mistakes.

Their first mistake was that they were not paying attention to what Jesus had just said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.” Jesus had no more than got this out of His mouth when the two asked for seats of honor in His kingdom. Their second mistake is as bad as the first, it was ignorance. They had no idea what they were asking for or committing themselves to do. I don’t know which was greater: their arrogance, their ignorance or their insensitivity.

James and John did undergo Christ’s baptism and they did drink from His bitter cup. James was the first to die for Christ. They were able to drink the cup because Jesus made them able. Sometimes we allow our mouth to overload our ability. We are able only because His grace enables. Oh the needless grief we bring into our lives by our prideful presumption.

Talked to Noah yesterday evening: Michelle is still packing. They are planning to be here by tonight.
We got a lot done yesterday that we have been putting off. We have paper towel racks in the women’s bathroom in the FORTE. We also got the baptistery cleaned and filled with fresh water. Lord willing, we will baptize three this Sunday and we have one scheduled for November 1. I pray that we will baptize every Sunday between now and Christmas.
FELLOWSHIP Sunday night at 5:30–Hay rides at 6:15. Members bring a pot, not a bowl, but a pot of stew, soup or chili. If you do not bring one of the three then your option is two of the following items: homemade desert, cornbread, chips [Frito’s], cokes. We have crackers and Tea.
We had 28 in our COLLEGE BIBLE STUDY last night.
I’m probably going to have to get off of Facebook but I do enjoy the pictures: this one comes from Sandy Hendrix in Cherokee, Alabama. It was made at mile marker 375 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Trace runs less than a mile behind the first church I served out of Seminary. I would love to drive the Northern stretch [in a gentle rain], from Cherokee to Franklin, Tennessee. I got to do that a few years ago and I loved it.

Posted in Presumption | Tagged Arrogance, Fall, Ignorance, James and John, Jesus, Presumption, Pride, Seats of Honor | Leave a Comment »

What’s In It For Me?

August 18, 2014

SCRIPTURE

You just told that man to leave everything and follow You. Well, all of us have done just that, so what should we be expecting.

~Matthew 19:27, The VOICE

QUOTE

“The world spins, but not around you!”
― Jasper Comstock

MESSAGE

Jesus has just told the rich young ruler that He would convert his earthy treasure into heavenly assets if he would sell all, give it to the poor and follow HIM. After hearing this exchange, Peter asked the above question, “We have left all to follow YOU, what is in it for us?” I am shocked Jesus did not crawl his case for asking such a selfish question but it is the question that we fallen humans most often ask. One chapter further, Zebedee’s wife [the mother of James and John] brings her two sons and kneel before Jesus. Jesus says, “What do you want?” It was obvious that she wanted something and her request were purely selfish; she wanted her sons to have prominence in the coming kingdom. A few verses later, two blind men come to Jesus, “LORD, Son of David, have mercy on us.” Jesus said, “What is that you want?” Of course they wanted their sight. This is an ordinary day in the life of Jesus: everyone hitting on Him for something they want.

As Joe David pointed out in yesterday’s message: we have a tendency to despise the Jews for the very things that we are guilty of ourselves. We look at these N.T. characters like the wife of Zebedee and wonder, “How could these people be so self-centered? Jesus is on His way to a cross and all they think about is what they want.” What did you think about yesterday during in worship, were you totally focused on HIM or thinking about something you wanted? What are you thinking about today? Is it not something you want? There must come a time in our life when we give more consideration to what Jesus wants than what we want.

EXTRA

Another good day and another PTL Sunday night. Joe David did excellent yesterday morning and I had a ball last night. I love to preach and I am always delighted to have some one to preach to. I want to thank Noah and Sloan and the band for our music. I love our kids, they do a great job. We also had good attendance in both services and a great offering. Thank YOU Jesus!
Ben Blankenship’s grandmother {Elaine Winton} passed away on Saturday and visitation for the family is Tuesday night at Pecks…6:00-8:00.
Terry and Becky’s daughter Kassie Brenner goes in at mid-night [Sunday]. The baby is expected sometime today. Cassie is at Huntsville Women and Children.
It is hard to believe that summer is over for the kids, school is in session and we are getting ready for our fall session of AWANA. Shohn is hosting a training session Wednesday night [August 20] for those who did not get to go to the clinic. You will be beginning at 5:30 and supper will be provided. The GATHERING will take place at 6:30 in the sanctuary.
August 27th will be a picnic and fun night for entire church plus AWANA registration. The first night of AWANA is September 3. The first night of the Wednesday night suppers is September 10th.
Election Results: Jason Bowling elected to Personnel, Rickey Fields and Tracey Holladay to Budget, Beth Jones to WEE Care, Ashley Holladay and Jim Tanner to Nominating Committee and Trustees are Rickey Fields and Sam Anders, Deacons are Jeff Bass and Jeff Garner.