Month: August 2019

The right mountain for the right Kingdom

On By Aaron AllisonIn Devotional, SermonsLeave a comment

We learned on Sunday from Hebrews 12 that the Kingdom of God is no longer in the realm of fear, intimidation, and separation. The symbol of the Kingdom of God is not the first mountain, where even Moses was afraid.

“Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God (the heavenly Jerusalem), to myriads of angels, a festive gathering, to the assembly of the firstborn whose names have been written in heaven, to a Judge, who is God of all, to the spirits of righteous people made perfect (Hebrews 12:22-23).”

A festive gathering!

The Kingdom of God is enjoyable!

It is for everyone.

It is not too hard.

This joyful realm happens when we die to ourselves and let Christ resurrect within us.

Rules or People?

On By Aaron AllisonIn Devotional, SermonsLeave a comment
When Jesus healed a woman who had been sick 18 years, the leader of the synagogue (the Senior Pastor), was angry because of the breaking of sabbath rules. In that case, rules were more important than people.
 
Jesus demonstrates to us a different way of valuing individuals.
 
I hope we all keep looking to Jesus as our standard of care. While rules can be necessary, a useful one enhances the common good without restricting human flourishment.
 
The Kingdom of God is a renewing reality.
The Kingdom of God is about renewing people!

People of the present and future Kingdom

On By Aaron AllisonIn Devotional, SermonsLeave a comment
“The kingdom of God” is a big theme for Jesus.
In the ESV translation, “kingdom” is mentioned 126 times in the Gospels.
 
What is the Kingdom of God?
The Kingdom of God is the reign of God.
 
Through Jesus,
The kingdom is already here.
The kingdom is not yet fully here.
 
So as God’s people, we are what Michael Green wrote:
 
“…people of the future living in the land of the present.”
 
That’s us!

Drink in Scripture

On By Aaron AllisonIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Nothing gets you out of an emotional funk like the right Scripture.
There is nothing like it.

My Bible reading plan had me in 2 Corinthians yesterday, and the truths from those passages built my faith, corrected wrong thinking, and lifted me emotionally.

It was like finally drinking water after a binge on sodas.  I was feeling bad but did not crave the one thing that would improve my entire system.  So, find a New Testament passage or Psalm, and drink it in.

The God who teaches us to walk

On By Aaron AllisonIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Do you remember being taught to walk?   Of course not. But, you probably love the person who taught you to walk.  Social bonding occurs when a caregiver teaches life skills, even when we do not remember the experience.

One of the most revealing passages about God’s heart for us comes from Hosea:

When Israel was a child, I loved him…
It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the hand,
but they never knew that I healed them.
(Hosea 11:1, 3)

God grieves as a loving father abandoned by his child.

Let’s remember and honor the God who gave us everything we have.

A prayer for mercy instead of violence

On By Aaron AllisonIn Current Events, LiturgicalLeave a comment
I was honored to pray at the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce today, representing both Union University and CIL. Here is a portion of the prayer which speaks to the national conversation occurring in light of last week’s expressions of evil:
 
“Almighty God,
We take this moment to pause and acknowledge your greatness, power, and love.
 
Our nation is currently mourning the senseless loss of life manifested in mass killings.
We pray for comfort, strength, and wisdom to the communities of
 
Gilroy, California.
El Paso, Texas.
Dayton, Ohio.
We pray for protection over Hendersonville, Tennessee.
 
Root out the evil that lurks.
The evil in the shadows of our city.
And the evil in the shadows of our hearts.
 
We thank you that you are a God who loves all people.
We pray that we follow your example, Christ;
so, that prejudice and racism will eradicate from our culture.
 
Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”