Generational Curses

QUESTION:

In Matthew 27:24-25 it sounds like the people ask for a “generational curse” to be put on them so they could kill Jesus… is that true?

ANSWER:

In verse 24, Pilate is trying to rid himself of guilt over the death of Jesus.  He has declared Jesus innocent, but will still condemn Him to death.  He mentions “innocent of this man’s blood.”

The crowd has in mind Leviticus 20:9-16 which uses the phrase “blood on their own heads” to indicate responsibility.

The people are willing to accept the responsibility for Jesus’ death and even extend that responsibility to their children… in the legal sense. 

All of the language and actions going on in Matthew 27 are legal in nature.  The trials, passing Jesus between governors and kings, and other leaders.  The Jews were stuck because of Roman law and could not put Jesus to death themselves.

They state that if Rome decides to retaliate because they have done something illegal, they are willing to suffer.

RT FRANCE, TYNDALE NT COMMENTARY, pg 392: “Jesus has been ‘convicted’ under Jewish law, and they will therefore be answerable for his death to Rome or to anyone else.  To read this Declaration as an eternal ‘curse’ on the Jewish race is therefore to press the language beyond its biblical context… Matthew perhaps had particularly in mind the fate of the Jews of ‘this Generation’ in the Jewish War of AD 66-70, a fate already foreshadowed in 23:35-39 as a result of the rejection of God’s final messenger.”

IVP BACKGROUND COMMENTARY, pg 126: “Matthew probably relates this cry of the crowd to the Pharisaic opponents of his community and to the judgment of AD 66-70 that crushed the Next generation; but he would hardly would have approved of the anti-Semitic use to which this verse was subsequently put.”

THE WORD BIBLICAL COMMENTARY, MATTHEW 14-28, pg 827: “It is certainly the Jews of that generation – and indeed, only some of them – who were responsible for the death of Jesus, not the Jews of later centuries.  And that generation could from Matthew’s perspective easily have been regarded as suffering God’s judgment in the fall of Jerusalem when it occurred.”

In my opinion, there is no such thing as generational curses… especially for believers.  Not from God anyway.  Such things are not a Christian belief that I have ever known about.  I would, however, think that the more charismatic flavors of Christianity might believe in such things.  Almost all of the articles on the internet that deal with “generational curses” come from denominations that have a charismatic background.  There may in fact be consequences for sins that are passed from one generation to another, but this is not from God, but a side-effect of our sinful world and our sin nature.  This is not from God. 

http://www.gotquestions.org/generational-curses.html

There is a trend in the church today to try to blame every sin and problem on some sort of generational curse. This is not biblical. God’s warning to visit iniquity on future generations is part of the Old Testament Law. A generational curse was a consequence for a specific nation ( Israel ) for a specific sin (idolatry). The history books of the Old Testament (especially Judges) contain the record of this divine punishment meted out.
The cure for a generational curse has always been repentance. When Israel turned from idols to serve the living God, the “curse” was broken and God saved them (Judges 3:9, 15; 1 Samuel 12:10-11). Yes, God promised to visit Israel ’s sin upon the third and fourth generations, but in the very next verse He promised that He would show “love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:6). In other words, God’s grace lasts a thousand times longer than His wrath.
For the Christian who is worried about a generational curse, the answer is salvation through Jesus Christ. A Christian is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). How can a child of God still be under God’s curse (Romans 8:1)? The cure for a “generational curse” is repentance of the sin in question, faith in Christ, and a life consecrated to the Lord (Romans 12:1-2).

Another article about this:

http://www.answers2prayer.org/bible_questions/Answers/deliverance/generational_curses.html

Troy Borst 

Christian Education Minister

If you have a question about Scripture, please email me at troy.borst@newbeginningscctampa.org

VISITORS INFO: FOR THE KIDDOS

What can you expect for children?

Children’s programs are a considerable part of the life of NBCC and so we thought we would highlight a few items to help you if you are visiting:

*  The nursery is in the education building and has a check-in/check-out procedure with adult background-certified supervision.  There are also often preteen and teen helpers in the nursery.  The nursery begins at 9:30am for Sunday School and runs until the conclusion of the 10:30am service.

            > This means if you come to the 8:00am service, keep your kiddos with you.

            > This means if you come for Sunday School you can drop them off and pick them up after church.

            > This means if you come to the 10:30am service, they can be dropped off as soon as you arrive.

*  The PreK & K class is in the education building and has a check-in/check-out procedure with adult background-certified supervision.  There are also often preteen and teen helpers in the PreK & K.  The PreK & K class begins at 9:30am for Sunday School and runs until the conclusion of the 10:30am service.

            > This means if you come to the 8:00am service, keep your kiddos with you.

            > This means if you come for Sunday School you can drop them off and pick them up after church.

            > This means if you come to the 10:30am service, they can be dropped off as soon as you arrive.

*  The 10:30am service has an activity which dismisses right before the sermon for 1^st-5^th graders called UpGrade.  It is held in the Family Life Center until the conclusion of the service.  You can pick up your kids there at the conclusion of the service or we can keep them and sell them on E-Bay.  Either one. J  We are proud that the UpGrade Service is led by our teenagers with adult supervision who do a wonderful job of relating Biblical stories and fun during the sermon time.

Where do you go for all these things?

We have a map available for you as soon as you enter the main entrance, but more importantly than that, we have greeters and other volunteers who will show you where you need to go.  In addition, if you choose to keep your kids with you… that is just fine! 

There also happens to be a “crying room” very near to the sanctuary that has full audio and visual displays of the service.  So if you need to step out, you don’t have to miss anything!

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister

Good Friday Week Thoughts

On Sunday, John’s sermon pointed out two very important passages as we think about Jesus, His Death, Resurrection, Ascension, Easter, and all of the other thoughts that come with this time of the year.  John pointed out Psalm 22 that is a prophecy from King David about Jesus.  It is amazing and truly something of God that His Word weaves together so perfectly!  David looked and saw in faith through God what would happen to his descendant… Jesus Christ.  John also pointed out the simple phrase from Luke 23:33, “There they crucified Him.” 

Did you know that Psalm 22 is not the only psalm to prophesy about Jesus?  Psalm 22 is the biggie… but make no mistake, Jesus was no accident and He was always the plan of God… even from Genesis 1:1.  The Psalms are a book of the Bible that relate directly to Easter.

First, there is a Psalm that is quoted by Jesus while enduring Easter Week and it must have been near and dear to His heart:

Psalm 31:5  Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

                                                                                                                                    

Second, there are several Psalms which describe some things that happened to Jesus during His last week of ministry:

Psalm 34:19-20  A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;  he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

Psalm 41:9  Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 69:20-21  Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.  They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Perhaps my favorite Psalm that points to Easter (other than Psalm 22) is Psalm 132 which speaks to us about Jesus Christ coming from the lineage of King David.  Jesus was the promised One!  David, in faith, was able to see that Jesus was coming and would be the “anointed one” (by the way… “Christ” means “anointed one”) for all people.

Psalm 132:11-18  The LORD swore an oath to David, a sure oath that he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants I will place on your throne--  ¹² if your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever."  ¹³ For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling:  ¹⁴ "This is my resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it--  ¹⁵ I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.  ¹⁶ I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints will ever sing for joy.  ¹⁷ "Here I will make a horn grow for David and set up a lamp for my anointed one.  ¹⁸ I will clothe his enemies with shame, but the crown on his head will be resplendent."

What do you see in Psalm 132 about Jesus?

What sense do you get about the Messiah Jesus?

What promises did David receive about Jesus the Promised One?

Troy Borst
Christian Education Minister

**Blogs from The Story will resume on April 8 when we jump back into Chapter 12.**

Get Behind Me, Satan!

QUESTION:

Matthew 16:22-23 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are astumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Jesus told Peter He must die and Peter told Him no.  Then Jesus rebuked Peter and said “get behind me Satan.”  I am guessing that anyone who stands in the way of God’s plan is Satan… is that right?  Peter had not grasped that Jesus was dying as part of God’s plan to save mankind. Is that close?  Another question about that verse is how was Jesus’ response to Peter an act of love?

ANSWER:

In pulling Jesus aside and rebuking/reproving Him, Peter was giving Jesus instructions on how things should go. This was very much a situation where the student was telling the teacher what was going to happen. In Peter’s case, the stakes or the situation was much higher. The disciple was telling the Master what should occur… the created was telling the Creator what should happen. In opposing the death of Jesus, Peter was advocating something directly opposite of the will of God and so was lining up directly with what Satan would have wanted. Satan was all about sidetracking Jesus from what God wanted (Matthew 4:1-11). Jesus would willingly go to the cross, but He did struggle with it (note the Garden of Gethsemane … “take this cup”). Peter, the Rock, was acting like a “stumbling block” instead and was attempting to tell Jesus what He should or rather should not do. Peter was neither Satan nor filled with Satan, but his attitude was the same as Satan’s and this was what Jesus was commenting on.

The command “get behind me” is a clearing away of the temptation/obstacle (Peter) so Jesus could focus on going to the Cross.

Jesus’ response to Peter was an act of love in that it undoubtedly crushed Peter and also shocked him to a right thinking and right belief about the mission of the Messiah. Knowing Peter the way we do from other Scriptures… Peter needed a harsh response to get through his thick head. Jesus DID have to die. He DID need to suffer and this was the path of the Messiah. Jesus could not let Peter keep his mind on the “things of men” or he would end up in a worse sinful situation (maybe like Judas Iscariot). Jesus’ harsh response was to shock Peter into right thinking. Jesus’ response put Peter on the right path of accepting Jesus’ role of the Suffering Servant and not the Conquering King.

I have always found it interesting that in Mark 8:32-33 which is parallel for this passage in Matthew, Mark does not report what Peter said to Jesus. Perhaps because Mark was Peter’s secretary and Peter was trying to block out what he said to the Savior of the World (maybe…my thought only). Mark wrote down Peter’s recollections of Jesus’ ministry which is why it is so action oriented. I wouldn’t want to admit what I said to Jesus either (my thought). Peter was a stumbling block for Jesus at this particular time.

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister

If you have a question about Scripture, please email me at troy.borst@newbeginningscctampa.org 

Naomi & Hannah

Romans 15:4 tells us For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 
So on Wednesday nights, I have the great privilege of studying the women of The Story with a great group of girlfriends to gain instruction, encouragement and hope. We have learned from Eve, Sarah, Zipporah, Miriam, Deborah, Naomi and, most recently, Hannah and Michal. We are examining these lower stories that are part of God's upper story and very often finding bits of our own stories.
They have all been rich studies but Naomi and Hannah have really gotten to me. Both are women of faith with great struggles. But they have very different attitudes toward the Lord.
Naomi's story is one of loss. She loses her home to famine, her husband and sons to death and her new home to hopelessness. She is angry, distraught and bitter. So bitter, in fact, that she wears the word as her name...Mara. What is so interesting is that she understands how sovereign the Lord is. She knows He is the giver of good gifts because she prays them over her daughters-in-law when sending them home. In the next breath, she shows she knows everything passes through His hand when she says the Lord's hand has turned against me (Ruth 1:13). She blames the Lord for her loss. She says He has afflicted her. Naomi also knows God's character. In the second chapter of Ruth, she says He has always been kind. This fascinates me because it is the only good thing Naomi has to say about God. I am shocked because something else we see about God in Naomi's story is His faithfulness. The Lord redeems her loss in abundance. He gives her so much, and she remains silent. The people around her praise God for His faithfulness to Naomi...but she never does.
Hannah's story is also full of sorrow. Hannah is barren and has been for years. She is dearly loved and favored by her husband but viciously taunted by her rival. Year after year, she travels to worship God in the tabernacle. Year after year, she prays for a child. Her prayer comes from the depths of her broken heart. When Eli questions her thinking she is drunk she says No, my lord. I am a woman with a broken heart...I've been pouring my heart before the Lord...I've been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment. (1 Sam. 1:15-16) Such honesty. Scripture tells us she is deeply hurt...Mara. After her time of prayer, she feels some relief. Scripture says she was no longer despondent. My favorite part of Hannah's story is that she woke up the next morning and went to worship the Lord again. Hannah worshiped a God who is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who's spirits are crushed. (Psalm 34:18) Our faithful God answers Hannah's long standing prayer request in a stunningly beautiful way with Samuel. 
What I love about Hannah's story is that BEFORE her prayers are answered she worships. Such a stark contrast to Naomi who we never see worshiping much less in her pain. Hannah offers her broken heart to the Lord worshiping the One who binds up the brokenhearted (Psalm 147, Isaiah 61).

When I am a woman with a broken heart...I've been pouring my heart before the Lord...I've been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment. Do I still rise to worship? When your heart is broken, do you trust it to the Lord? Praising Him before He answers...or when His answer is for your good but not what you wanted? In your Mara, will you let Him heal you?
I pray I am like Hannah.

Kelly Borst

Angels & the Temptation of Jesus

QUESTION:

The verse I have a question on is Matthew 4:11. Satan left and the angels came. Here’s the question: Why did the angels wait to come until after Satan left?

ANSWER:

Matthew 4:9-11: "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."  Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.”

We notice in verse 11 that at the end of Jesus’ temptations in the wilderness that angels came and helped Him.  We should notice two things about Jesus and the angels.  First, they came when He needed them and not before.  Jesus lived as 100% human being while on this earth.  He experienced life as you and I do and was tempted as you and I are (Hebrews 2:17-18, Hebrews 4:15).  The angels were not there to get Him out of a jam, He had to get Himself out of those situations.  Otherwise, Jesus would not have really been perfect and the Cross would not have been possible.  Jesus’ death on the Cross only takes away our sin because He was sinless… on His own… without help.

Second, notice that Jesus in charge and they come at His bidding.  In Matthew 26:52-54, Jesus tells the disciples that He has legions (that is a whole lot!) of angels at His disposal.  The angels let Jesus do His thing and fulfill Scripture and did not prevent events or attend Him when not needed.  They followed His lead!

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister

If you have a question about Scripture, please email me at troy.borst@newbeginningscctampa.org

VISITORS INFO: COMMUNION

What can you expect at communion during worship services?

Communion is a quiet time to remember Christ and His sacrifice for us on the cross.  Most churches do communion, but each church tends to do it a little bit different and that can be confusing!  We celebrate this time of communion each week as we meet together for worship services. This time is open to all who have begun a relationship with Christ; you do not have to be a member of NBCC to participate in communion.

If you are at our Drive-In Worship, you will be provided with the bread and juice when you arrive and pull into the drive-in lot.  You will be instructed when to participate during the service (it’s after the music and right before the sermon).  

For those at our Inside Worship services, the bread and juice will be passed to you at the appropriate time by servers. Please take the bread and cup and then partake when you are ready. When finished, you may place the empty cup in the seat back in front of you.

May we suggest that during this time you do the following…

… pray about the past week and think about your behavior and attitudes

… grab a Bible from the pew in front of you and read a passage or two from Jesus’ life

… reflect on the importance of Jesus Christ

At NBCC, there is no liturgy (church fancy word for “certain words we say at certain times”) during communion.  No one will talk to you and you need not confess your deepest darkest secrets or speak to anyone else.  It is a quiet time of reflection, prayer, and focus on Jesus Christ.  The communion time last about 5-10 minutes usually depending on the length of the communion meditation that is offered. 

If you are not a Christian, please feel free to watch and observe and reflect during this quiet time.  You do not have to participate… it is something that Christians do to remember Jesus’ death on the cross.

The Story Chapter 11 / Facing Your Giants When You Feel Small

Imagine the scene: a scrawny sixteen year old shepherd boy takes out a 9’9” tall giant with one rock and a sling.

You may not have a gigantic giant taunting you to come out and fight.  But you are probably facing a few giants of your own.  Giants like the stack of past-due bills glaring at you.  Like the divorce papers waiting on your signature.  Or the depression that looms over you like the Hulk.  It could be low self-esteem or insecurity or child abuse in your past.  But you have your giants.  And so do I.  And we would do well to learn from David.

He could face his “giant” because he had spent time in the quiet with God.  When he arrived at the place of the standoff between the Israelites and the Philistines, he talked about God.  He told Saul that “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1Sam.17:37). He did not hesitate to confront Goliath, saying he came “in the name of the Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel.” 

David was God-focused instead of giant-focused.  He mentions Goliath two times and God nine times.  He knew the giant was there and recognized his presence.  But his thoughts were twice as much on God. 

That focus led him to confront his giant rather than run away.  For forty days Goliath continued to challenge Israel’s army.  And for forty days everyone hoped he would just go away.  But giants don’t typically go away until we face them.  So David stepped into the gap and slung one well-aimed stone at him.

It helps to have someone in your corner that believes in you.  David had his Jonathan.  You need yours.  You need at least one person who believes in you and that also believes in God.  Someone who can encourage your faith—give you courage—when you most need it.

And you will need it.  Because after you slay one giant, there will be more.  You may wonder why David picked up five stones from the river bed.  Was he afraid he might miss?  Not likely.  He was skilled in his use of the sling.

2 Samuel 21:18-22 hints that Goliath may have had four brothers.  David was ready.  He could take on one giant.  You might say knew how to get a head of his giant.  And then he was ready for more.

And you can too.  Just follow the shepherd from Bethlehem.

VISITORS INFO: 10:30 SERVICE

What can you expect at NBCC’s 10:30am service?

We have 3 services at NBCC.  We have the 8:00am and 10:30am which are both inside the church building.  We also have the Drive-In Service (the only one in Tampa by the way).  The 10:30am service is the last and largest of our worship services.

Before you ever get in the front door, you will be greeted by our Outside Greeters whose sole job is to help you get where you are going.  They also happen to have breath mints so blow into your hand and check them out if you need to! 

When you walk in the foyer (main entrance) to the church, you will be greeted and handed a bulletin.  The bulletin outlines the latest information about the church calendar, events, and announcements.  Also in the bulletin is a page for you to take notes on during the sermon as well as a communication card.  Please fill out the communication card that comes in your bulletin so we can know your name and address and we will drop a note of welcome to you.  You can put the communication card in the offering plate when it comes by. 

The bathrooms are immediately to your left (you will see a sign).

The church office is to the right.

The sanctuary (where worship service takes place) is straight ahead.

The library is to the left of the sanctuary which is where you can meet the ministers after the service if you wish.

Once in the sanctuary, pick a seat any seat, they aren’t assigned!  This is our largest service so we recommend getting to the church at around 10:20am (if you did not hit Sunday School first).  The service will begin with live music, move to communion and offering, and then conclude with a sermon. There might also be a smattering of special music and videos depending on the week.  The service begins at 10:30am and is finished around 11:40-11:45am.  It finishes around 11:45am so you can beat the other church folks to the restaurant!

During the service, kids 1^st-5^th grades are excused to their activity which takes place in the Family Life Center (gym) right next to the sanctuary.  Kids in the nursery-Kindergarten have classes that begin at the start of the service.  A greeter can show you the way to the nursery and the PreK & K class.

You will find:

Blended (old and new) music for worship with words projected on screens

Bible-based preaching and teaching

Folks from all walks of life

People dressed from shorts to suits (wear what you like)

Friendly faces that are glad you are worshipping with us

If you are a first time visitor, the ministers would love to meet you right after the service in the library (there will be an announcement and signs). 

Troy Borst 

Christian Education Minister  

The Story Chapter 10 / Giving an Undistorted View of God

Ever since Peter Stuyvesant visited the Palace of Versailles the world has had a distorted view of itself.  Peter was the governor of New Amsterdam—later to be renamed New York City—beginning in 1647.  He was visiting France to discuss colonial land agreements.  While at Versailles he was awed by the Hall of Mirrors.  Peter was determined to bring a similarly amazing showcase to his city.  In 1651 he founded the Peter Stuyvesant's House of Mirrors.  He charged one Dutch gulden for admission.  This house of mirrors eventually morphed into what we know as a Fun House of Mirrors seen at many carnivals.  For a few tickets the fun begins by walking into a maze of mirrors, both convex and concave. We amuse ourselves by looking at distorted images of our figure. 

Today you don’t even have to go to the carnival for this experience.  A laptop with a webcam and a silly photo feature will allow you to take a picture of yourself that you can manipulate to look odd.  It’s all fun.  But sometimes distorted pictures can cause trouble. 

It did in Israel during the time of the prophet Samuel.  One of the major distortions was found at the Tabernacle, that portable place of praise for God’s people.  It was parked at Shiloh and was meant to be a clear picture of God’s holiness and grace.  A system of sacrifices had been established that foreshadowed the coming sacrifice of the Messiah.  Yet anything but holiness was found there.

Eli the priest had two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who dishonored God in their treatment of the sacrifices and also engaged in immoral sexual activity with women at the Tabernacle (1 Samuel 2:16, 22).  Because the picture of God they were giving was distorted, these two were killed in battle against the Philistines.  When news of their death reached Eli, he fell over in his chair, broke his neck, and also died.

            A dad shared this story: Once when my son Kris was three years old we were reading a bedtime Bible story.  He asked, “Daddy, what does God look like?”  Having no idea how to answer I resorted to a good teaching technique.  I threw the question back at him.

“You tell me.” 

He thought for a moment and then said, “He looks like you Daddy.”

Talk about a sobering moment!

Just like Eli and his sons we are representatives of God.  We represent Jesus to others.  You may have heard it said that you may be the only Bible those around you will ever ‘read.’  The question is, “Are you giving a clear or distorted picture of the One True God?”

VISITORS INFO: 8:00 SERVICE

What can you expect at NBCC’s 8:00am service?

We have 3 services at NBCC.  We have the 8:00am and 10:30am which are both inside the church building.  We also have the Drive-In Service (the only one in Tampa by the way).  The 8:00am service is the early morning option for worship that is low key and the smallest of all our services.

The 8:00am service is right for you if…

… you want a low-key relaxed service

… you don’t like crowds

… you are an early bird and want to get the say started off right

… you get off work Sunday morning and want to go to church before heading home

… you want to dress casual (actually, all our services are casual)

When you walk in the foyer (entrance) to the church, you will be greeted and handed a bulletin.  The bulletin outlines the latest information about the church calendar, events, and announcements.  Also in the bulletin is a page for you to take notes on during the sermon as well as a communication card.  Please fill out the communication card that comes in your bulletin so we can know your name and address and we will drop a note of welcome to you.  You can put the communication card in the offering plate when it comes by. 

The bathrooms are immediately to your left (you will see a sign).

The church office is to the right.

The sanctuary (where worship service takes place) is straight ahead.

Once in the sanctuary, pick a seat any seat, they aren’t assigned!  The service will begin with live music, move to the sermon, and conclude with communion and offering.  There might also be a smattering of special music and videos depending on the week.  The service begins at 8:00am and is finished around 9:15am.  It finishes around 9:15 so folks can head to Sunday School if they choose which begins at 9:30am.

After the service, you can head to the Family Life Center (its also a gym) which is down the same hallway as the bathrooms.  You want to go there… free coffee, juice, donuts, and fruit await.  From the FLC, you can exit to your car or you can stay for Sunday School.  There are two classes which meet in the FLC at 9:30am which are both designed for visitors and beginners.  Check them out!

Anyway, the 8:00am service is our earliest service, the smallest, and the most low-key of all our services.  If you want, come check us out.  We hope you will meet God in the service and we know He will change your life and lead you to a new beginning.

P.S. There is a not a nursery or children’s program at the 8:00am service.  Those programs start at 9:30am and runs during the 10:30am service.

Troy Borst

Christian Education Minister

The Story Chapter 9 / You Don’t Have to Wait to Be Accepted

A mother relates a story about her two boys:

Two sons, two rounds of college applications.  Most recently our younger son Taylor scoured the literature from several universities, finally narrowing his choices.  You know the routine.  Visit campuses. Choose a few schools to focus on.  Make applications.  Fill out forms.  Write essays. 

For anyone who hasn’t “been there, done that,” the filing of the application and financial aid forms is nothing compared to the waiting.  It’s like the first time you look at your girlfriend or boyfriend and say, ‘I love you.”  You’ve made the first move.  And then you wait.  You wait to see if they respond in turn.   

Finally the waiting was over.  In our mailbox was a letter informing him that he could enroll as a freshman.  Better yet, he received a T-shirt with the word “ACCEPTED!”[1]

We were relieved.  I mean, he was relieved.  We all have a desire to be accepted, don’t we?  In fact, that desire made it into Maslow’s well-known hierarchy of needs.  He theorized that acceptance is basic to our nature and to our psychological health.

Ruth had the same need as we do.  She was a Moabite living in Bethlehem who we meet in The Story.  She ended up there with her mother-in-law Naomi when her husband died.  And she found herself picking up the leftovers after the harvest in a field owned by Boaz.

Boaz discovered she was an outsider—a Moabite—the same people who would oppress his nation for eighteen years.  You’d expect fireworks when they met.  Instead, Boaz tells Ruth, “May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

His acceptance of Ruth goes a step further.  Ruth finds him asleep on the threshing floor and lies down at his feet.  When he awakens, Ruth asks him to “spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a family guardian.”  The word for “garment” is the same Hebrew word for “wings” in the blessing Boaz had pronounced over Ruth.  God’s acceptance came to Ruth through Boaz.

Your acceptance did too.  You see, Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David.  In Matthew’s genealogy the lineage of Jesus is traced through David.  Boaz is there too along with his mother Rahab (Matt. 1:5).   Yes, that Rahab.  The prostitute that lived in Canaan and sheltered the two spies Joshua sent into the land.

---

[1] Story told by Randy Frazee in The Story sermon, Chapter 9.