People are God’s highest value. God treasures His creation. He gives us the power to change our character. How can we grow in character in order to better represent God? How can we live our life in a way that values others?
Everything God wanted to accomplish in this world was placed on Jesus’ shoulders. Jesus was a gift from God to us, bringing unending peace. So often, we act as if God isn’t here with us. How can we live in such a way to show the world around us God’s presence and peace?
Are there other insights you gleaned from this message of the passage of Scripture used? Are there other ways you plan to apply this message to your life?
Dec 13th, 2005 at 5:57 am
thaks for all your work in the Kingdom
Dec 15th, 2005 at 11:00 am
‘a government can’t make you treat your wife with respect (or care for the broken people around you etc)’ the essential nature of Christ’s kingdom is it’s eternal-internalness. The kingdom of God is either within us (Luke 17) or it isn’t. His rule reigns in us or it doesn’t. Trying to help other followers this week it helped me to remember that I must appeal to the Christ within them rather than trying to impose a rule upon them. Attempting to govern a human being created free in the image of God is not the same as attempting to unleash the rule of God within them. Thanks for stirring up images and ideas so Jesus can form them into life in me and our community.
Dec 17th, 2005 at 6:34 am
How amazing is technology? A mentor of mine gave me an early Christmas present… an iPod… and when I jumped on iTunes, for the first time, I was amazed to find the launch of Mosaic’s podcast. I’m really looking forward to listening in and sharing this with others. You guys rock! Thanks to Erwin for sharing God’s love in a way that is breaking through many religious barriers and a super huge THANK YOU to each and every one at Mosaic who helps make all that you do possible. I’m sure podcasting and the many other initiatives take a lot of very talented people whose contributions are so greatly appreciated. - Daniel Decker : Jacksonville, FL.
Dec 18th, 2005 at 4:45 pm
Just subscribed to this. What a tremedous resource.
“For to us a child is born…”. I’ve always loved that passage, and I don’t really know why. Perhaps it’s because there’s so much in it.
“A child is born” is such a simple statement. Children are born every day. In spite of the mystery and awe, it’s a very commonplace event. It happens in the most natural of ways. But this was the most fantastic of births. It is the greatest intersection of the spiritual and the physical. It’s as though the sword of God split time in two. A dissection of time into the old and the new, darkness and light, death and life.
But more significant is that this intersection needs to take place in our lives. Just as this birth happened at a specific point in time; so it needs to happen at a point in our lives. First with our decision to surrender all and follow this King of kings, then every day afterward as we make that conscious decision to live for Him and not for us.
Then we become the intersection in this world of the divine and the physical. Because we recognize and submit to this birth, we are the bearers of the light that brings life.
I need so much to be reminded of that throughout the day. I shouldn’t be, but I am so easily distracted from it. Pray for me, and I’ll pray for you.
Dec 18th, 2005 at 4:58 pm
I recently got a new IPOD and my hubby had been telling me all about podcasts and how we are going to get one going for our young adults ministry, i jumped online and was absolutely stoked that mosaic’s podcast had just started! Thankyou! It’s so great to be able to hear what you guys are teaching every week and it’s so inspiring! Thanks heaps
Georgie, Sydney, Australia
Dec 19th, 2005 at 2:01 pm
I’ve enjoyed greatly hearing the talks coming out of Mosaic. Thank you all for the hours of work and effort that goes into podcasting.
I really dug this last talk, and I think a further discussion of Jesus/government/Kingdom desperately needs to come out of it. I think this goes along well with things I’ve been reading from N.T. Wright, Richard Rohr, etc. on what Jesus really was trying to form when He intersected humanity.
thank you again, Mosaic, Erwin, and all involved.
peace of Christ to you-
casey tygrett
Dec 25th, 2005 at 4:07 pm
I use iTunes, but not for podcasts. Where is the RSS feed?
Dec 26th, 2005 at 5:17 pm
Ron - I love that language too. God’s idea of government/empire is NOT like i think of the terms, are they? “appeal to the Christ within them”…sure does raise the value of ‘ordinary’ people in my life.
Bill - “we become the intersection” That is fantastik. We are more than Christ’s ambassadors, we are now ambassadors of the incarnational Intersection.
a great forum for internalizing Erwin’s teaching…thanks for participating.
Dec 27th, 2005 at 10:26 am
Do you have a new podcast for this week? The last one I see is from Dec. 11th. Thank you for all you do to build up the Kingdom. These are excellent messages and I look forward every week to listening.
I know a little about web sites so if there’s anything I can help out with, please let me know. Maybe I can help you update your site if you are needing someone to help. I would like to volunteer my time to your ministry. E-mail me anytime.
I know the Lord will continue to bless your ministry.
Dec 27th, 2005 at 10:33 am
Due to the world travels of those who put the podcasts together each week. Our podcasts and discussion will continue in the new year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dec 27th, 2005 at 7:28 pm
Rare. You take that which has come to sound commonplace and make it extraordinary. God’s passion is flowing through you. Stay Motivated…
For The Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace!
Thanks especially for your authenticity.