Ahhh summer!
Where I live, on the cool thumb of the mitten of Wisconsin, we wait for her all year long, grumbling when it is still snowing in early May. But finally she makes her entrance, and like a breath-taking woman late for a date, all is forgiven. This is my world right now:
And when Forget-Me-Nots blanket the earth, I always think of this verse from Hosea 2:13:
“She went after her lovers, but me she forgot,” declares the Lord.
We are not going to forget Him this summer, but help one another stay connected to Him. We need one another for that! I am more than a little excited to do this with YOU, for you are wonderful wise women I’ve come to love and who teach me so much. We’re going to do a series with the help of sermons from Tim Keller on:
They are either hard to understand or hard to swallow. Sometimes both.
Keller compares these hard sayings to hard candy. The way to enjoy hard candy is to savor it slowly, letting it melt in your mouth.
If you hurry and bite down, you just might have to go to the dentist.
So let’s take our time this summer. The passages are very short, but packed, so must be pondered, and yes, savored to get the wonder.
Some sermons will be free, some will cost 2.50, but I promise you, they will be so worth it. If you miss a week traveling, don’t worry. Each week stands alone.
If you are new, welcome! Getting started is easy. Just click here for directions:
https://deebrestin.com/getting-started/
Our hard saying this week is “I came to set the earth on fire.”
Keller says there is nothing gentle about this text. You’ll feel like you’ve gotten on a horse galloping away. I want to warn you these are hard sayings, and some of it will go over your head, but hold on during this ride, for even if you get just half of it, you will be so blessed.
Photo by Sergiu Valenas of Romania
God Hunt Sunday:
We’ve developed a habit I love here of sharing a way you “spied” God in the last week. It might be an answer to prayer, a passage becoming radioactive, unusual timing or circumstances, or what Brennan Manning called experiencing “the riseness of Christ.”
1.How did you experience God this last week?
Monday: “I Came To Set The Earth on Fire”
Read the hard saying in context in Luke 12:49-53. Ponder.
2. Take your best guess at what Jesus means when He says: “I came to set the world on fire.”
Because these are “hard sayings,” I suggest you take notes while listening instead of multi-tasking. You can listen all at once, and you may find that easier, for it is a little hard to find your place. Still, I’ll be going through the sermon more slowly over the days and will suggest stopping places. So you can either take it in bites or refer back to your notes for your answers.
Today, I’d like you to listen to about 15 minutes — to when Keller is done with Point 1, which has to do with Jesus’ teaching being “self-centered” and therefore divisive. For example, many do not like it that Jesus claims to be the only way to God, and that divides them from true believers who know He is the only way.
Here is the link: https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/i-came-to-set-the-earth-on-fire/
3. After listening:
A. How was the teaching of Jesus different from other teachers?
B. What might a date with Jesus be like? Why?
C. He said there are teachers who made claims like Jesus, but what happened to them?
4. What was your favorite or most impactful part? Why?
Tuesday: Why It Matters
Prepare your heart with this.
Of the story that’s been told us
Of the power that will hold us
Of the beauty, of the beauty
Why it matters
Why our thinking and creating
Why our efforts of narrating
About the beauty, of the beauty
And why it matters
Of this war torn town
And it’s protest of the darkness
And the chaos all around
With its beauty, how it matters
How it matters
The compassion and attention
Midst confusion and dissention
Like small ramparts for the soul
How it matters
How it matters
Many want to make Jesus such a good teacher or a prophet. But He came to set the earth on fire. You can ignore a good teacher or a prophet, but it is so important that you know who Jesus is and let His wisdom and His power rule your heart and every moment of your life.
5. Read Matthew 7:21-23 and explain why what you think of Jesus matters.
6. Consider:
A. What has Jesus done for you that makes your life free, meaningful, or hopeful?
B. How will you live today because of who Jesus is to you?
Wednesday: I have a baptism to endure.
7. What does Jesus say in Luke 12:50? What do you think He is talking about? Why is He in agony about it?
8. Read Matthew 3:7-12 and explain, from the text, why the “fire” of Jesus most likely has to do with judgment.
Listen to the 2nd point, beginning around minute 15 to 37.
9. After listening:
A. How does Luke 12:49-50 shatter the idea that Jesus was just a great teacher?
B. What did you learn about the agony of Jesus?
C. Why did Alex Huxley want the universe to be without meaning?
D. When James and John asked for high positions in heaven, what did Jesus tell them?
10. What else stood out to you and why?
Thursday: Why It Matters
Sovereign Grace has new lyrics for Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. Here are two of the verses to prepare your heart. I hope you know the tune so you can sing them:
VERSE 2
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embraced
There the Son of God gave His life for us
And our measureless debt was erased
VERSE 3
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the Lion awake
What a glorious dawn, fear of death is gone
For we carry His life in our veins
11. Read Revelation 6:9-11
A. What do the martyred souls under the altar ask of Jesus?
B. What does He tell them?
12. When you think of what is happening in our world right now, who do you think particularly longs for justice? Do you?
13. Why was Jesus the only One who could satisfy the requirements of justice and bring us mercy?
Friday: Application
14. Listen to the end of the sermon (about the last six minutes)
A. Fire will swirl around you in this life, like it swirled around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — but He will be with you in the furnace. How has that been true for you?
B. What else stood out to you and why?.
15. Read Matthew 10:34-39.
A. In what ways has loving Jesus divided you from some you love?
B. How God given you wisdom on the best way to live with this? If so, explain what you should do and what you shouldn’t do.
Saturday:
16. What is your take-a-way and why?
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11. Read Revelation 6:9-11
A. What do the martyred souls under the altar ask of Jesus?
“How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”
B. What does He tell them?
They were told to wait a little longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, and sisters,[e] were killed just as they had been.
12. When you think of what is happening in our world right now, who do you think particularly longs for justice? Do you?
Those longing for justice are from far and wide-who have been martyred, shooting victims and their families, the persecuted because of their stand for their faith in Jesus, victims of any type of atrocities-abortion, murder, and those who do not want to be PC (politically correct) and are bullied and their livelihood is taken from them, etc. I long for God’s justice. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
13. Why was Jesus the only One who could satisfy the requirements of justice and bring us mercy?
He was the judge who was judged (Keller). He is the perfect one. Jesus took the cup that was meant for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
He is our high priest. Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.
My laptop lost battery and went dead so I lost everything. However, I think I’ve listened to the Keller sermon at least 5 times!! God burn this in my heart for Jesus was bombarded, crushed, and seized by your wrath-He drank the full cup-Your wrath on sin and every evil thing imaginable fell on His Heart.
Here are a few jewels that stuck with me:
If the prospect of this eternal baptism was enough to get him down on his knees pushing blood out of his pours-a sign of severe shock. What must the experience of it have been? Whoa, I’ll stop right there and let that burn in my heart.
His love endured God’s wrath, how could I ever think His love can’t endure all of my sinful motives, and all the mistakes I’ve made. His disciples weren’t there for him in his time of need in the garden and yet He took on God’s wrath for them as well. I need to run to him not out of fear of the fire- no because this is the love I’ve been looking for-the love that endured the fire will endure for me! Look at what His love has already endured. that means’ it will be there for me because I’ve given myself to Him. I can’t wear out his love when I sin.
How could I ever not forgive anyone for I’m not the judge of their heart, Jesus is and either that person will pay the debt or Jesus will. Jesus already has what is just and unjust taken care of. I’m not qualified to judge. When you’re bitter, you’re saying I wish this person would get this or that. Either Jesus will pay the debt or that person will pay the debt.
Emotionally you’ll be devastated until you stop trying to be the judge. We walk around punishing ourselves for all the bad things we’ve done. We’re trying to be the judge. No wonder we’re down and crushed. We believe but haven’t appropriated it emotionally and psychologically. If you believe this doctrine you can forgive, walk with your head held high, and never worried if it’s practical to do good. It’s possible if we do good, someone may shoot us in the head. Oh well. In the end all accounts will be squared.
The people under the altar will say, Oh Lord, when will things be set right? Christians shouldn’t think it costs anything to do right in the light of eternity. God is the judge. I should be more passionate about the salvation of a person whose done me and/ or others wrong than worrying about righting a wrong. Therefore I should be walking in the freedom from guilt, boldness, joy, and love.
It’s so good to have our thoughtful passionate Rebecca back!
14. Listen to the end of the sermon (about the last six minutes)
A. Fire will swirl around you in this life, like it swirled around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — but He will be with you in the furnace. How has that been true for you?
He has always been with me in the worst parts of my life. Even in the little things. He has also always been there during the good times. I know that each of my jobs has been blessed by Him. Thank You Jesus!
B. What else stood out to you and why?.
I like the part Huxley said, “if there’s no judgment what hope is there for the world if there is no hope is there for you and me.” There is a third way is the right Way, Jesus!
15. Read Matthew 10:34-39.
A. In what ways has loving Jesus divided you from some you love?
Well they think you are crazy for starters. And then there are the Catholics (in the family) who think you don’t count because you’re not a Catholic 🤷🏻♀️.
B. How God given you wisdom on the best way to live with this? If so, explain what you should do and what you shouldn’t do.
You do what your supposed to do, no judgement. Continue to give the information they need for salvation, and live your life in accordance with God’s Way. The fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control.
Friday: Application
14. Listen to the end of the sermon (about the last six minutes)
A. Fire will swirl around you in this life, like it swirled around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — but He will be with you in the furnace. How has that been true for you?
I have had my share of difficult situations in the classroom where I was accused of wrongdoing in dealing with students. I knew I could have handled things differently but the aftermath of having to deal with angry parents was getting too much for me then. God provided a godly friend to help me see things objectively, administrators who supported me, and my husband who prayed with and for me. The fire did “swirl” around me but God was there with me in and through the fire. Isaiah 43:2
B. What else stood out to you and why?
Forgive others. Don’t flagellate yourself. You are not qualified to judge. Jesus is the only One who is the judge. Jesus paid the price so you will not go through the fire of judgment.
Thank you, Jesus, by Charity Gayle
I was a wretch, I remember who I wasI was lost, I was blind I was running out of time
Sin separated, The breach was far too wideBut from the far side of the chasm, You held me in your sight
So You made a way, Across the great divideLeft behind Heaven’s throne, To build it here inside
And there at the cross, You paid the debt I owedBroke my chains, freed my soul, For the first time I had hope
Thank you Jesus for the blood applied Thank you, Jesus, it has washed me whiteThank you, Jesus, You have saved my life, Brought me from the darkness into glorious light
You took my place, Laid inside my tomb of sinYou were buried for three days, But then You walked right out again
And now death has no sting, And life has no endFor I have been transformed, By the blood of the lamb
There is nothing strongerThan the wonder-working power of the bloodThe bloodThat calls us sons and daughtersWe are ransomed by our Father Through the blood
Glory to His name, Glory to His nameThere to my heart was the blood appliedGlory to His name
Dee, I submitted this yesterday and it is still marked “awaiting moderation”. Not sure what I did.
11. Read Revelation 6:9-11 A. What do the martyred souls under the altar ask of Jesus?“How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” B. What does He tell them?They were told to wait a little longer until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, and sisters, were killed just as they had been.12. When you think of what is happening in our world right now, who do you think particularly longs for justice? Do you?Those longing for justice are from far and wide-who have been martyred, shooting victims and their families, the persecuted because of their stand for their faith in Jesus, victims of any type of atrocities-abortion, murder, and those who do not want to be PC (politically correct) and are bullied and their livelihood is taken from them, etc. I long for God’s justice. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”13. Why was Jesus the only One who could satisfy the requirements of justice and bring us mercy?He was the judge who was judged (Keller). He is the perfect one. Jesus took the cup that was meant for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.He is our high priest. Hebrews 4:15-16 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.
I just approved it. My guess is the links flagged it. I don’t quite understand the computer brain, for sometimes links go through and sometimes they flag it. Good post though!
9. After listening:
A. How does Luke 12:49-50 shatter the idea that Jesus was just a great teacher?
Keller explained that when Jesus said that He was coming to bring fire to the earth, it meant judgment; that He comes to judge the earth. Fire in the OT always represented God’s wrath and judgment. A “great teacher” would have no authority to be the judge of the earth and of every person. Just a great teacher couldn’t be the one who brings the winnowing fork to separate the wheat from the chaff, to purify and cleanse the things that will last for all eternity.
B. What did you learn about the agony of Jesus?
Keller said that the Greek word used there in verse 50 means “I am under attack, besieged, bombarded, crushed.” The words fire, baptism, and cup all refer to the same thing. In the Garden of Gethsemane, when the Father set the cup before His Son, as it were, just facing the prospect of it made Jesus sweat tears of blood and endure almost unbearable horror and agony. Just the prospect of it. So it is unimaginable to think of what the actual experience was like for Jesus.
C. Why did Alex Huxley want the universe to be without meaning?
So that he could be liberated and free. Huxley said that he chose freedom, a way to escape being crushed under a load of guilt if there were a judgment, or to live under the feeling of existential despair if there were no judgment.
D. When James and John asked for high positions in heaven, what did Jesus tell them?
He asked them if they would be able to drink the cup that He was going to have to drink. They didn’t understand what Jesus was going to do, or the severe cost of following Him.
10. What else stood out to you and why?
Keller talked about the love Jesus has for us, for me. He said, “Here is a love for you that endured the fire of God’s judgment.” He said that we should run to Jesus; not out of fear, but in knowing that we are safe with Him.
Friday: Application
14. Listen to the end of the sermon (about the last six minutes)
A. Fire will swirl around you in this life, like it swirled around Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego — but He will be with you in the furnace. How has that been true for you? In the midst of a grevious trial my family and I went through, my son was unjustly accused and ended up in prison for 11 months. I was helping care for my Mother who had advanced dementia at the same time. The Holy Spirit spoke through her to me when I put her to bed at night. She didnt recognise me or know where she was any longer, but when I would pray, she would pray for my son by name and tell me “God is in control! It will be alright.”
B. What else stood out to you and why? The Huxley quote about how he wished that there was no accountability, so he could live his life the way he wanted to, without remorse or consequences. Doesn’t that sound like our American ideology at this place in time? My 16 year old Grandson said this same thing to me, when he came to visit at Christmas. Breaks my heart!
15. Read Matthew 10:34-39.
A. In what ways has loving Jesus divided you from some you love? Most of my marriage was based on the “agree to disagree” motto. It was so very difficult,but I learned so much about Grace. My Aunt and Uncle, who I admired most of my life (both have several doctorate degrees and have been involved in philanthropic organizations for many years.) When I went to visit them, they attacked me and my beliefs for the entire week of my visit and told me I was cut out of their will because of my ignorance. I continue to pray for them, but sadly acknowledge I will not go visit again.
B. How God given you wisdom on the best way to live with this? If so, explain what you should do and what you shouldn’t do. God has spoken to me very clearly to love at a distance and pray without ceasing. It is very important, as a Christian, to remain consistant in your values and in what The Word of God says…don’t compromise.
Saturday:
16. What is your take-a-way and why? Do I want to be the “wheat or the chaff”? Jesus is very serious about His Mission to Earth and I need to pay attention to His voice in my every day walk with Him. It’s so easy to get “caught up” in the moments that demand our attention. But so essential to invite Jesus into every moment of our lives and take His Word seriously…Lord make my life a prayer to You.
Oh Lydia, your mom praying for your son by name is definitely a God thing…so precious!!
Lydia, so special to hear of your Mo praying for your son. And the situation with your aunt and uncle-how sad.
Oh Lydia — you certainly have had some hard trials but how beautifully you have forth.
Yes Dee, I really needed His refining fire. I am so grateful every day for His Mercy and the closer walk I now have with Him.
15. Read Matthew 10:34-39.
A. In what ways has loving Jesus divided you from some you love?
Many of you know about our daughter who has been “deconstructing” her faith. We differ in our beliefs about the Trinity and the authority of God’s Word. Nevertheless, I am praying for my Ruth, to have a heart softened and her eyes opened by God. “He who has started a good work in you will complete it till the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 And I pray that God will let me see this “goodness in the land of the living.”
B. How God given you wisdom on the best way to live with this? If so, explain what you should do and what you shouldn’t do.
To believe His promises Philippians1:6 When my daughter seems closed to what I believe, I will remember to silently claim this promise as well as other Scriptures.
To be a good listener James 1 When she wants to talk about things I do not agree with, I need to listen sincerely and not be thinking of a comeback to prove my point.
To be steadfast and immovable and abounding in good works I Corinthians 15:58
When I feel like she does not “deserve” my love and good deeds because she is not toeing the line in regard to my faith, I need to continue loving her.
Saturday:
16. What is your take-a-way and why?
Jesus has received the baptism of fire, of the cup, of the wrath of God. I do not need to stand up on my own before God because Jesus has been judged for me.
There is no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus! Romans 8
Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!
Bing, your response is to your daughter Ruth reminds me of what my sister-in-law and her husband are going through with their son who is deconstructing his faith…anytime he needs their help, they drop what they’re doing and go to help. Just showing him love no matter how they may disagree with him.
Sharon, thanks so much for your thoughts. We do the same with our daughter. Showing her unconditional love just as Christ loves me.
I have such hope for Ruth with a loving and praying mother like you.
Amen! How blessed your daughter is to have a praying Mom!
14. A. Fire will swirl around you in this life – but He will be with you in the furnace. How has that been true for you? It is more obvious in hindsight than in current perspective. I look back and see times when I thought I was being burned up, the heat was real and the flames underfoot but I do not smell like ash. He sustained me. However, even though He shielded me from the destructive flame He did allow the heat to refine. I see the things that keep me from intimacy with Him falling away as I encounter furnace after furnace. There is a quiet “still” in my heart, a gift from Him….as in still walking, still breathing, still pursuing, still going forward, still in His Grace…
B. What else stood out to you and why? It is convicting to (again) be reminded that our faith is manifested in our actions. It is one thing to say I believe Christ is the only judge and read scripture about forgiveness but if I am not forgiving then I haven’t really understood …. I hope that makes sense. As the Gospel bores deeper into my stoney heart the more it produces new fruit because I am operating in its truth and not idol lies. And so I come to the cross again and again…repentance, beholding, changing…
16. What is your take-a-way and why? The song lyrics “world is on fire and it’s more than I can handle” juxtaposed with “how it matters…a single cup of water” have run the track in my mind repeatedly… the fall intermingles here on earth with grace but I am burdened by the hardship of all the souls stuck in the fall with seemingly not enough grace to go around (of course, I know there *is* enough to go around but it is heart wrenching to know of suffering ’round the world). And so I long for the judgement…for the fire to come and burn up what was never meant to be and to refine me and perfect me so that we all can be new again and truly fulfill His plan in the new earth and sing praises forever.
So glad those lyrics spoke to you, Jill. I loved them too — obviously!
11. Read Revelation 6:9-11
A. What do the martyred souls under the altar ask of Jesus?
They ask Jesus how long it will be before He judges the people who belong to this world for what they have done to us? When will He avenge their blood?
B. What does He tell them?
They were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their brothers and sisters had been martyred.
12. When you think of what is happening in our world right now, who do you think particularly longs for justice? Do you?
Right now, I believe the people of Ukraine long for justice, for being attacked unjustly and without provocation on their part, for all the innocent Ukrainians who have died. I also read about an attack on a Catholic church in Nigeria, where worshippers were murdered during their service. Then all the mass shootings in our own country. I do long for justice.
13. Why was Jesus the only One who could satisfy the requirements of justice and bring us mercy?
He was the only one who lived a truly perfect and sinless life, and in Him, God Himself was reconciling the world to Himself. He embodies both the justice and mercy of God.