Seeing as Jesus Sees (Luke 7, 36-50), January 27, 2008.doc

Seeing as Jesus Sees

Hillcrest Church, January 27, 2008

Text

" 36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." 40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. 41 "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." " (Luke 7:36-50 NIV)

Introduction

Healing the centurion's son, raising the widow's daughter had been mighty miracles, the greatest miracle of all was resurrecting this woman's life…! This passage illustrates the principle Jesus just mentioned, "Wisdom is proved right by all her children," i.e., the changed lives of the ones who were following Jesus were proof of His teaching. This is not the same event as his anointing at Bethany and this is not Mary Magdalene. Matthew places it right after Jesus' invitation, "Come unto me … and I will give you rest. (Matt.11:28-30)

The Pharisee did not receive Jesus as a prophet, so he did not receive the reward the prophet brought. a prophet brings…! Imagine that! He had Jesus in the flesh in his home, yet there is no record of any mighty miracle being performed there or any evidence that his life was changed in any way. Jesus confronted his wrong attitude and tried to make Himself real to Simon, but his unbelief hindered his blessing. (Deal with reality of unbelief – existed even in Jesus' day, even in the face of His mighty miracles.) Some people, like Nicodemus, were willing to move beyond their traditions and their history, to move into the fullness of what God was trying to send to them.

 

Luke perhaps includes this passage here to set the stage for what follows, including the description that Jesus was accompanied by women who provided for his material needs, and that this took place in complete purity…!

This story raises many questions, some of them simple, others quite profound, all of them penetrating and important…

·         Why did this Pharisee invite Jesus to dinner? Luke's wording makes it clear that the Pharisees did not consider Jesus to be one of them and His constant contact with sinners would have rendered Him ritually impure. Perhaps deep in his heart there was a yearning to know more about this preacher from Nazareth, this miracle worker that some said was a prophet and others had begun to believe was the Messiah. Maybe his motives were actually less noble than that. It was considered a good thing to invite a rabbi into one's home for a meal after he taught at the synagogue. Simon may have done it out of a sense of obligation, without really wanting Jesus there, as witnessed by his failure to provide even the most basic of hospitality (washed feet, oil on head, kiss on cheek). Simon's invitation may well have been self-centered since it was considered virtuous to invite a godly rabbi over for dinner, especially if they had just taught in the synagogue. Jesus not only accepted hospitality from the publicans, but also from Pharisees, because all of them needed Him.

Simon was proud to be a "son of Abraham," but he was behaving in a very different way toward his guests than his father Abraham, who welcomed angels (Gen. 18)

" Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:1-2 NIV)

Hospitality often sets the stage for ministry.

Simon was also guilty of hypocrisy. It was much easier for him to say, "She is a sinner," than for him to say, "I am a sinner." Jesus proved He was a prophet by His ability to supernaturally know Simon's thoughts…! The woman's sins were open, Simon's sins were hidden; Simon's sins involved the flesh, hers involved the heart. Cf. two sons in parable of the Prodigal. It is often easier for open sin to be confessed and renounced than for hidden sin to be confessed and renounced.

Jesus had the authority to speak of debt-cancellation because only He had the power to make provision for debt.

Simon accused Jesus of the very thing he himself was guilty of – spiritual blindness…! He was blind to his need; she saw her need. Simon saw her past, but Jesus saw her future…!

·         How did this woman know Jesus would be at the Pharisee's house? Did one of her customers tell her? Were they also there, perhaps reclining at the table while she hid in the shadows? Or did her righteous relatives tell her, hoping that an encounter with Him would change her life forever? Sexual hypocrisy is certainly nothing new. (cf. Czech pastor's friend in England who taught on sexuality across England, finding to his astonishment that the worst sexual sins came to the surface as he ministered in the strictest churches.) For special gatherings, low couches were provided for people to lean on. It was accepted practice for outsiders to hover around banquets so they could see and listen to the guests. In that day, women were not invited to banquets. Jewish rabbis did not speak to women in public, nor did they eat with them in public.

·         How could this woman afford such expensive perfume? Did she earn it with her favors? Was it the very one that she wore hung around her neck? This was such a common practice that even the rabbis said this was something a woman could "carry" on the Sabbath.

·         How did Jesus feel when this very sensual woman expressed her very pure love and appreciation for Him in a very physical way? Jewish people did not consider perfume sinful, but because this woman was sinful, its use would have been associated in their minds with her tools of the trade. Adult women covered their hair. For it to hang loose was considered sensuous and a sign of promiscuity. For Jesus to allow her to use her loose hair to wipe his feet was scandalous…! Her act involved a large financial outlay. Was it a means of redeeming her finances?

One of the most important parts of this passage is when Jesus confronts the Pharisee with his faulty "vision," as He did His disciples while in Samaria in John chapter 4 and the church at Laodicea in Revelation chapter three. In the same way, Jesus wants to help each one of us see others as He sees them!

Encountering Jesus opens our eyes to many things, changes the way we see them…!

Simon, do you see this woman? God sometimes uses the obvious to speak to us about the hidden.

Literally, her tears she "rained" on me…!

You did not anoint my head, but she anointed my feet (Extremely unusual to put something so valuable on the feet…!)

You did not even wash my feet with water, but she washed my feet with costly perfume…!

You gave me nothing, she gave me everything…!

Jesus knows the answers to our questions even before we ask them…!

Jesus is far more concerned with meeting human need than with satisfying human prejudice.

 

Let's look together at Jesus' response to this encounter. It tells us a lot about Him and a lot about what He wants every one of us to be…

1.    Jesus looked beyond her body and saw her soul.

·         He saw her in a way no other man had.

Jesus calls her, "Daugher." His relationship with her was pure. Somehow, this woman who had so long been a mere sexual toy in so many men's eyes sensed that. Ladies, in Jesus – and in men who are truly full of Jesus – you will find a value beyond anything you have ever known. This is the heritage of Christianity. In today's world, because Bible-believing Christians teach what the Bible says about divine order in the home and in marriage, some women have come to believe that Christianity oppresses them. Don't you believe it…! You can go into any culture around the world, whether it be Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, or whatever else you may choose, and Christianity elevates the status of women…!

Her life was centered around the erotic caress, but now, her heart being changed, she responded with a pure humility.

2.    Jesus looked beyond her act and saw her intent.

·         Repentance

·         True gratitude and worship.

By failing to provide for someone to wash Jesus' feet, Simon was actually soiling his own house…! (Jesus was walking on his floors with unwashed feet…!) Some sins are like that, including bitterness. They not only affect others, but they affect us, too.

Normally, to show someone special honor, you anointed their head. Perhaps this woman felt too unworthy to do that, so she anointed his feet. Her tears are indicative of her emotion. Jesus was concerned enough about her condition to not be offended by her emotion.

3.    Jesus looked beyond her sin and saw her faith.

·         Repentance and faith bring salvation…!

It was her faith that saved her, not her love…! When it comes to Christian virtues, love is premier, the greatest sign of true conversion, but there are loving people who will spend an eternity in hell…!

"4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7 NIV)

"8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)

"6 … in Christ Jesus … The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6 NIV)

We are not saved by works, but by a faith that leads to / results in works.

4.    Jesus looked beyond her past and saw her future.

Literally, "go into peace…"

Debts were to be forgiven every seventh year, but experts in the law had found a way around that. Priests could pronounce forgiveness at the Temple after a sin offering, but Jesus pronounced forgiveness without a sin offering. Only God could do that…!

Jesus receives sinners…!

"2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them." (Luke 15:2 KJV)

 

Notes:

Luke 7:37

A woman which was in the city, a sinner (γυνη ἡτις ἐν τῃ πολει ἁμαρτωλος [gunē hētis en tēi polei hamartōlos]). Probably in Capernaum. The use of ἡτις [hētis] means "Who was of such a character as to be" (cf. 8:3) and so more than merely the relative ἡ [hē], who, that is, "who was a sinner in the city," a woman of the town, in other words, and known to be such. ἁμαρτωλος [Hamartōlos], from ἁμαρτανω [hamartanō], to sin, means devoted to sin and uses the same form for feminine and masculine. It is false and unjust to Mary Magdalene, introduced as a new character in Luke 8:2, to identify this woman with her. Luke would have no motive in concealing her name here and the life of a courtesan would be incompatible with the sevenfold possession of demons. Still worse is it to identify this courtesan not only with Mary Magdalene, but also with Mary of Bethany simply because it is a Simon who gives there a feast to Jesus when Mary of Bethany does a beautiful deed somewhat like this one here (Mark 14:3–9=Matt. 26:6–13=John 12:2–8). Certainly Luke knew full well the real character of Mary of Bethany (10:38–42) so beautifully pictured by him. But a falsehood, once started, seems to have more lives than the cat's proverbial nine. The very name Magdalene has come to mean a repentant courtesan. But we can at least refuse to countenance such a slander on Mary Magdalene and on Mary of Bethany. This sinful woman had undoubtedly repented and changed her life and wished to show her gratitude to Jesus who had rescued her. Her bad reputation as a harlot clung to her and made her an unwelcome visitor in the Pharisee's house. When she knew (ἐπιγνουσα [epignousa]). Second aorist active participle from ἐπιγινωσκω [epiginōskō], to know fully, to recognize. She came in by a curious custom of the time that allowed strangers to enter a house uninvited at a feast, especially beggars seeking a gift. This woman was an intruder whereas Mary of Bethany was an invited guest. "Many came in and took their places on the side seats, uninvited and yet unchallenged. They spoke to those at table on business or the news of the day, and our host spoke freely to them" (Trench in his Parables, describing a dinner at a Consul's house at Damietta). He was sitting at meat (κατακειται ^[1]

 

---

^[1]A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol.V c1932, Vol.VI c1933 by Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, 1997), Lk 7:37.

How to Begin...Again II, January 13, 2008.doc

How to Begin…Again! (Part II)

January 13, 2008

Text

"16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again…" (Proverbs 24:16 NIV)

Review

Last week, we started the New Year off by looking at Proverbs 24:16. We noted that it does not say that a righteous person never falls, but it does say that when a righteous person falls, they always rise again.

A righteous person doesn't fall backwards, they fall forwards (like falling "up" the stairs…!)

God is able to keep us from falling. When we do, the fault is ours, never His…!

"25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen." (Romans 16:25-27 NIV)

"20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. 24 To him who is able to KEEP you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 20-25 NIV)

Here's the bottom line: In the life of a righteous person, failure is never final…!

"The Christian life consists of new beginnings." (St. Jerome)

And so, each one of us needs to learn the fine art of learning how to begin…again…! This is quite different than beginning for the very first time. It always takes longer and costs more to rebuild than to start from scratch

·         Clear away the rubble. (Resolution vs. release)

·         Examine the foundation. (Fill in the cracks and smooth out uneven places)

·         Gather the supplies (Prayer, Word, Fellowship, Service)

1.    Study the plans.

Know "God's plan for man" (the word of God)…!

·         What does God's Word tell you about His plan for your life?

Know "God's plan for you" (the will of God)…!

In building a life, it is important to understand that you are not just building a house, you are building your house…!

Story of man who was hired by his boss after many years of faithful labor to build him a "dream" house and given a certain amount of money to do it in. He cut corners everywhere so that he could pocket the difference. Then, to his astonishment, when the house was finished, his boss handed him the keys as a gift for his "faithful" service…!

·         What has the Lord already spoken to your heart about His plan for your life?

2.    Set your priorities.

Part of knowing God's Word involves understanding that He is a God of process. He is not just interested in the destination, but also in the journey…!

·         Example: Calling, character, credibility, commissioning (Acts 9, 11, 13– Eleven year process…!)

o        God revealed His plan to Paul in stages.

-          "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:6)

-          "11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."" (Acts 9:11-12 NIV)

-          "15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."" (Acts 9:15-16 NIV)

-          "2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off." (Acts 13:2-3 NIV)

When building a house, it really doesn't matter if you want to put the walls up before you put on the roof – one must come before the other.

 

" 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105 NIV)

"15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps." (Proverbs 14:15 NIV)

"9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

"25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25 NIV)

o        See Notes from TDNT…!

-          stoichéō [to be in a series, be in step with], systoichéō [to be in a series, correspond], stoicheíon [elements, elemental substances] In the NT the word is often taken to have the sense "to walk" (perhaps on the basis of "to be in step with"), but in all the instances it can have the usual sense. Thus in Acts 21:24 the point is to be in the ranks of those who keep the law, in Phil. 3:16 Paul wants his readers to remain in the same thing, in Gal. 6:16 agreement with the rule is at issue, in Rom. 4:12 keeping step is in view, and in Gal. 5:25 the Christian life is one of harmony with the Spirit.

-          4748 στοιχέω [stoicheo /stoy·kheh·o/] v. From a derivative of steicho (to range in regular line); TDNT 7:666; TDNTA 1087; GK 5123; Five occurrences; AV translates as "walk" four times, and "walk orderly" once. 1 to proceed in a row as the march of a soldier, go in order. 1a metaph. to go on prosperously, to turn out well. 2 to walk. 2a to direct one's life, to live.^[1]

"23 If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;" (Psalm 37:23 NIV)

"23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." (Psalm 37:23 KJV)

"23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23 NLT)

In life, there are many such principles. We may or may not like them, but we really do not have much choice in whether or not we will honor them. They are universal principles that govern life and we are forced to recognize them and to abide by them.

3.    Begin…and don't give up…!

"Many great books have never been written because the author was waiting until he could write the "last word" on the subject." (Anonymous)

"Life is but a sheet of paper white whereupon each of us may write his word or two and then comes night. Greatly begin…! Though thou hast time but for a line, be that sublime. Not failure, but low aim is crime! (Longfellow)"

Notes:

TDNT

stoichéō [to be in a series, be in step with], systoichéō [to be in a series, correspond], stoicheíon [elements, elemental substances]

stoichéō.

1. Outside the NT. This verb means "to belong to a series," "to be in rank," or, transferred, "to be in agreement," "to come to an agreement," "to remain in agreement."

2. The NT. In the NT the word is often taken to have the sense "to walk" (perhaps on the basis of "to be in step with"), but in all the instances it can have the usual sense. Thus in Acts 21:24 the point is to be in the ranks of those who keep the law, in Phil. 3:16 Paul wants his readers to remain in the same thing, in Gal. 6:16 agreement with the rule is at issue, in Rom. 4:12 keeping step is in view, and in Gal. 5:25 the Christian life is one of harmony with the Spirit.

3. The Early Church. The saying in Mart. Pol. 22.1 stresses the importance of harmony with the word of Christ, and Clement of Alexandria Stromateis 3.66.1 echoes Gal. 6:16.

systoichéō. Giving emphasis to the simple form, this compound means "to be in a series with," "to be in the same ranks." Gal. 4:25 presupposes two antithetical series of concepts: two women, two covenants, Mt. Sinai, and the two Jerusalems. Having equated Hagar with Mt. Sinai, Paul then says that she is in the same series with (i.e., corresponds to) the earthly Jerusalem.

stoicheíon.

A. Outside the NT.

1. A first meaning of stoicheíon is the "length of a shadow" in calculating time.

2. Another use is for a syllable, i.e., a sound as part of a word, then a basic word. Vowels have special importance, and letters understood as sounds play a special role in some circles.

3. Cosmologically the stoicheía are the four elements, Plato's original constituents of the world, the four elements of Stoicism in distinction from the eternal and imperishable archaí, the elements which form a basis of brotherhood in Alexandrian Judaism. The use of religious terms tends to divinize the elements, so that in early Christian works (cf. Aristides or Clement of Alexandria) their autonomy is resisted and stress is laid on their creation and their subservience to the lógos.

4. Other uses of the word are for the notes of music, for the number one in mathematics, for what is primary, e.g., in education, for first principles, e.g., in geometry or logic, and for the factors which are basic phenomena in dreams.

5. In philosophy, Gnostic speculation, and astrology the stars take on importance as stoicheía, whether as visible gods, as creatures that influence earthly events, as features on the heavenly journey, or as bodies that declare the will of the gods.

6. The use of stoicheíon alongside daímōn and pneúma shows that the idea of "stellar spirits" is present.

B. The NT.

1. In Gal. 4:3; Col. 2:8, 20 we find the phrase stoicheía toú kosmoú (and cf. Gal. 4:9). Outside the NT the term would denote the four elements or the basic materials of the world of which the whole cosmos, and humanity within it, is composed. Only the context can yield any other sense.

2. Gal. 4:3ff,, however, seems to number the law among the stoicheía, and 4:8-9 seems to include false gods. These references rule out such senses as the cosmic elements, the stars, stellar spirits, or simply spiritual forces. Building on thoughts of his age, Paul is using the term in a new way, describing the stoicheía as weak and beggarly. In a transferred sense, the stoicheía are the things on which pre-Christian existence rests, especially in pre-Christian religion. These things are impotent; they bring bondage instead of freedom.

3. In Col. 2:6ff. the stoicheía toú kosmoú are parallel to the parádosis tón anthrṓpōn (v. 8). Religious ordinances (2:20) are inadequate as a basis of human existence. It is a delusion for Christians to think that such things can sustain them. By dying and rising again with Christ they are freed from this delusion and the bondage it entails.

4. In 2 Pet. 3:10, 12 the reference has to be to the elements (or just possibly the stars). The use of terms and the idea of a final conflagration strongly support "elements" as the true rendering. As v. 12 points out, both the higher and lower elements will be destroyed, including the earth and all its works.

5. The meaning in Heb.5:12 is obviously "rudiments" or "first principles," with a slightly derogatory nuance in context.     [G. Delling, VII, 666-87]

stolḗ [robe]

1. The Greek World. This word first means "equipping," then "fitting out," and then specifically "dress," either male or female. The stolē becomes the long and flowing upper garment, and sometimes the special robe of priests and hierophants. Rarely stolē can mean the act of dressing. Paul's concept of vesting with Christ or the new humanity probably reflects the religious use of robes and religious ceremonies of robing.

2. The LXX. stolē occurs 98 times in the LXX, mostly for "clothing." All kinds of clothing may be denoted, especially the upper garment, but clothing can also have a particular significance (cf. Gen. 41:14, 42). Donning royal garments symbolizes kingship (2 Chr. 18:9). Clothing, then, shows what a person or a person's position is. Wisdom offers a robe of glory (Sir. 6:29, 31) that expresses the heavenly life. God will finally clothe the elect with good things (En. 62:15-16). The priestly robe is a holy one (Ex. 28:2) which goes along with the priesthood (40:13; Num. 20:26). Sprinkling with the blood of the altar sanctifies the priests and their robes (Ex. 29:21). Here again the idea is present that clothing expresses a given status.

3. The NT. In the NT stolē denotes only the upper garment. The robe that the father puts on the returning prodigal marks his restored status as one who was dead and is alive again (Lk. 15:22). Jesus in Mk. 12:38 warns against scribes who go about in long, flowing robes, thus claiming special status and expecting special honor. The white robe of Mk. 16:5 denotes the heavenly being of the messenger and the eschatological revelation contained in the message. The robes of Rev. 6:11 and 7:9 also have an eschatological color. The washing has a passive sense. The wearers have not washed them themselves by martyrdom but they have been washed by Christ (cf. the receiving of the robe of glory in 3:4-5). Entry into the new aeon is a robing with new garments (cf. also 1 Cor. 15:53-54; 2 Cor. 5:3). The garment expresses being, and investing with it expresses the gift of new being.^[2]

 

---

^[1]James Strong, The Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible : Showing Every Word of the Test of the Common English Version of the Canonical Books, and Every Occurence of Each Word in Regular Order., electronic ed. (Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship., 1996), G4748.

^[2]Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich and Geoffrey William Bromiley, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Translation of: Theologisches Worterbuch Zum Neuen Testament. (Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans, 1995, c1985), 1087.

How to Begin...Again, January 6, 2008.doc

How to Begin…Again!

January 6, 2008

Text

"16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again…" (Proverbs 24:16 NIV)

INtroduction

“The Christian life consists of new beginnings.” (St. Jerome)

It always takes longer and costs more to rebuild than to start from scratch

1. Clear away the rubble.

What are your unresolved issues from the past?

Relationally? Spiritually? Professionally? Spiritually? Emotionally?

Find closure wherever possible and profitable.

Contractors know that it is not profitable to pull every nail from every board or knock mortar off of every brick. Some things cannot be cleaned up, they just have to be cleared off.

Learn the difference between resolution and release.

Resolution is not always possible. Sometimes you must simply release.

2. Check the foundation.

Your past is the foundation for your future. Your future can be better, bigger, brighter than your past, but it will always be built on your past.

If you change relationships, the pain, the experiences, and the lessons you have learned from past relationships will go with you. You may choose to ignore your biological family, but you will still carry their DNA. If you change jobs, you will still carry your past job on your resumé.

The key is to know your past and to own your past.

This positions you to understand how it impacts you in the present.

Failure is a part of every life, so an important part of success is knowing what to do with failure.

“The formula for success is failure plus failure plus failure.” (W. Hill)

Learn how to learn from it and move beyond it.

Part of making sure that you have a firm foundation for your future is coming to the place where you understand the reasons behind your past failures.

In construction, there are two primary foundation issues:

· Cracks (“unintended fractures or divisions” in the concrete; places that are “open” that should be “filled in.”)

Cracks in a foundation will cause the structure to fracture and even topple later.

· Unevenness (“lack of balance,” sometimes a lack of “finishing” since concrete is never poured “smooth,” that takes intentionality, skill, and time.)

Two key foundation issues: Cracks (places that are open, that are not filled it, made whole) and unevenness (this can cause the entire building to be out of balance and can trip you up when you are walking across a floor. It will also tend to have a “drawing power,” i.e., be the place that water runs to, etc.)

Examples of a “cracked” foundation…

· Serving God and mammon.

"13 “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight." (Luke 16:13-15 NIV)

· Being “unequally yoked” together with unbelievers – whether different values or different vision

" 14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”" (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NIV)

· Failing to keep the main thing the main thing – “In life you can do anything, but you cannot do everything!”

3. Gather the supplies (materials).

Get back to basics and focus on the fundamentals…

· Prayer– me talking to God.

Worship helps set the stage for prayer.

· Word – God talking to me and God changing me by “reprogramming” me, i.e., “changing the way I think…” (Rom. 12:2) (Community Discipleship classes, etc.)

· Fellowship – living my life out in close, right relationship with others (LifeGroups, etc.)

Right relationship require healing from past hurts and also a true knowledge of self.

· Service – Living a “missional” life, i.e., knowing what world God has called me to and then targeting that world.