Comments on: Christmas Series: Awaken Humanity http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/ A community of Faith, Hope and Love Mon, 8 Sep 2008 10:23:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Shepherd No. 12 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3252 Shepherd No. 12 Thu, 21 Dec 2006 03:52:44 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3252 Let us awaken humanity from its slumber and tell them of the Good News of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, born to be crucified and resurrected, that men may not suffer eternal death. The angels came to awaken the Shepherds tending their flocks and give them the Good News of the Messiah. The Magi, the three Wisemen from the East (most likely Persia or Parthia) were alert and awake as they had been looking for the Christmas star for many years which would lead them to the predicted Messiah. Let us not greet the Messiah with fear and envy like King Herod but with joy and adoration like the Magi/Wisemen and the Shepherds. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wisemen from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." St. Matthew 2:1-2 Merry Christmas. Blessings and Shalom Let us awaken humanity from its slumber and tell them of the Good News of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, born to be crucified and resurrected, that men may not suffer eternal death.

The angels came to awaken the Shepherds tending their flocks and give them the Good News of the Messiah.

The Magi, the three Wisemen from the East (most likely Persia or Parthia) were alert and awake as they had been looking for the Christmas star for many years which would lead them to the predicted Messiah.

Let us not greet the Messiah with fear and envy like King Herod but with joy and adoration like the Magi/Wisemen and the Shepherds.

“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the King, behold there came wisemen from the east to Jerusalem,
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.”

St. Matthew 2:1-2

Merry Christmas.
Blessings and Shalom

]]> By: Tiv M http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3223 Tiv M Tue, 19 Dec 2006 21:12:21 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3223 Thanks again. Isaiah 58 has me blown away...from Truly Human message. Mosaic: water is gushing thru ya all...thru your water garden..few oak trees around as well I imagine. Thanks. Thanks again.

Isaiah 58 has me blown away…from Truly Human message.

Mosaic: water is gushing thru ya all…thru your water garden..few oak trees around as well I imagine. Thanks.

]]> By: Craig http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3219 Craig Tue, 19 Dec 2006 18:11:37 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3219 I have been fasting and praying that God would give me some real direction on a ministry I have for highschool kids. It's funny cuz your message was so on time and even challenged my idea of what fasting really is. I was leaning towards doing another "youth night" for these kids, but after hearing your message...I'm not sure what is next BUT I believe it's not more consumption BUT more transformation...my prayer is that God would take these kids and me and start changing the world! I want kids who want to join Jesus, join me and who want to change the world...it's really out of the usual box for our church BUT my heart longs for it. Thanks for speaking so passionately and truthfully. I have been fasting and praying that God would give me some real direction on a ministry I have for highschool kids. It’s funny cuz your message was so on time and even challenged my idea of what fasting really is. I was leaning towards doing another “youth night” for these kids, but after hearing your message…I’m not sure what is next BUT I believe it’s not more consumption BUT more transformation…my prayer is that God would take these kids and me and start changing the world! I want kids who want to join Jesus, join me and who want to change the world…it’s really out of the usual box for our church BUT my heart longs for it. Thanks for speaking so passionately and truthfully.

]]> By: Ryan http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3216 Ryan Tue, 19 Dec 2006 15:49:29 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3216 I love getting the podcasts for Mosaic. I noticed, however, that the last episode downloaded was "#4" of the series, but it is only the third one from the series on itunes. Any help? I love getting the podcasts for Mosaic. I noticed, however, that the last episode downloaded was “#4″ of the series, but it is only the third one from the series on itunes. Any help?

]]> By: Geoffrey http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3121 Geoffrey Thu, 14 Dec 2006 02:57:01 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3121 Regarding Solomon's words "nothing new under the sun". I think that maybe Solomon had read Psalm 90 a lot before he composed those somber and serious words. Psalm 90 reads interalia: "A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, "Turn back, O children of men!" For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night..................Make us glad as many days as thou hast afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Let thy work be manifest to thy servants, and thy glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it." Maybe Solomon realized after reading Psalm 90 that the important things in our human lives, our limited human lives is not ourselves but God and the work God has given us to do. Psalm 90 shows us that the eternal God is the Creator of all things so there really is "nothing new under the sun" that we can create without God's power and God's help. Without God's infinite love for us as Psalm 90 points out we all die physically and are turned back into dust. But God in his infinite love for us, sent his Son, Jesus, into this weary and worn world, to introduce something brand new, redemption, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life through His Sacrifice for us on the Cross. In that small obscure village called Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, God turned the order of the world upside down by sending his Son, the Messiah, a newborn infant into the world. Sin, death and darkness were transformed by the Messiah into life, forgiveness of sins and Light. The star which guided the Three Wisemen guided them to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Our job today is to pray and ask God to reveal to each of us the job(s) "work of our hands" that God has for each of us to tell the world of his Son, Jesus Christ. As with Psalm 90's focus on God, the focus of our lives today should not be upon ourselves and our own personal human agendas but "the work of our hands" that God establishes for us to do in order to expand His eternal Kingdom. Merry Christmas. Regarding Solomon’s words “nothing new under the sun”. I think that maybe Solomon had read Psalm 90 a lot before he composed those somber and serious words.

Psalm 90 reads interalia:
“A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. LORD, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting thou art God. Thou turnest man back to the dust, and sayest, “Turn back, O children of men!” For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night………………Make us glad as many days as thou hast afflicted us, and as many years as we have seen evil. Let thy work be manifest to thy servants, and thy glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.”

Maybe Solomon realized after reading Psalm 90 that the important things in our human lives, our limited human lives is not ourselves but God and the work God has given us to do.

Psalm 90 shows us that the eternal God is the Creator of all things so there really is “nothing new under the sun” that we can create without God’s power and God’s help. Without God’s infinite love for us as Psalm 90 points out we all die physically and are turned back into dust.

But God in his infinite love for us, sent his Son, Jesus, into this weary and worn world, to introduce something brand new, redemption, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life through His Sacrifice for us on the Cross.

In that small obscure village called Bethlehem over 2000 years ago, God turned the order of the world upside down by sending his Son, the Messiah, a newborn infant into the world. Sin, death and darkness were transformed by the Messiah into life, forgiveness of sins and Light.

The star which guided the Three Wisemen guided them to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ. Our job today is to pray and ask God to reveal to each of us the job(s) “work of our hands” that God has for each of us to tell the world of his Son, Jesus Christ.

As with Psalm 90’s focus on God, the focus of our lives today should not be upon ourselves and our own personal human agendas but “the work of our hands” that God establishes for us to do in order to expand His eternal Kingdom. Merry Christmas.

]]> By: Scott http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3096 Scott Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:18:41 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3096 Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness A hint of purpose? A hint of newness? Without him (who is beyond the sun), who can eat or find enjoyment? Thanks for your ministry Erwin and Mosaic. There is no doubt that your ministry has shaped millions including me and those I shepherd. I also thank you for allowing us to share on this website as well. All for Jesus, Scott Ecclesiastes 2:24-26
24 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? 26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness

A hint of purpose? A hint of newness? Without him (who is beyond the sun), who can eat or find enjoyment?

Thanks for your ministry Erwin and Mosaic. There is no doubt that your ministry has shaped millions including me and those I shepherd. I also thank you for allowing us to share on this website as well.

All for Jesus,

Scott

]]> By: Scott http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3095 Scott Tue, 12 Dec 2006 22:11:10 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3095 I have a few thoughts about Solomon's words or ultimately God's word that there is "nothing new under the sun". Forgive me for I have the "Strength Finders" theme of "Self Assurance" as well, but I don't think, emphasis on think, that it is the case that Solomon is (i.e. God's word) is wrong in the ancient book of Ecclesiastes. Ahh!!! but there is so much beyond the Sun that is new! We, Christ Followers, are not under the sun. In other words, we are not subject to the laws that determine the meaningless/circular behavior under the sun. Eventhough we live in this world, we are not of it! We are enigmas that live under the sun, but are not subject to its laws that ultimately create futility. Rather, we are subject to the Son, whom is beyond being in bondage (under) by the sun and its cruel laws. So it is true that all who are under the some are subject to the cruel purposeless laws under the sun. It is true that nothing under the sun is new (purposeful). It is also true that everything under the Son is new (purposeful). I have a few thoughts about Solomon’s words or ultimately God’s word that there is “nothing new under the sun”. Forgive me for I have the “Strength Finders” theme of “Self Assurance” as well, but I don’t think, emphasis on think, that it is the case that Solomon is (i.e. God’s word) is wrong in the ancient book of Ecclesiastes. Ahh!!! but there is so much beyond the Sun that is new! We, Christ Followers, are not under the sun. In other words, we are not subject to the laws that determine the meaningless/circular behavior under the sun. Eventhough we live in this world, we are not of it! We are enigmas that live under the sun, but are not subject to its laws that ultimately create futility. Rather, we are subject to the Son, whom is beyond being in bondage (under) by the sun and its cruel laws. So it is true that all who are under the some are subject to the cruel purposeless laws under the sun. It is true that nothing under the sun is new (purposeful). It is also true that everything under the Son is new (purposeful).

]]> By: Geoffrey http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3061 Geoffrey Sun, 10 Dec 2006 20:27:13 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3061 I agreed with the part of Pastor Erwin's sermon on how a large part of the Christian Church is obsessively and overly focused on the "Tribulation", the "Rapture" and the "Second Coming". We must focus on helping people in spiritual need and material need now, not later. I am sorry to see many Evangelical churchs stuck in an "Abandonment theology" mode where they are focused on abandoning this world as soon as possible via the "Rapture" and avoiding the "Tribulation". Prophecy is important but we must also focus on being Good Samaritans now. Christ told us to be the Light of the world and shine our light. I agreed with the part of Pastor Erwin’s sermon on how a large part of the Christian Church is obsessively and overly focused on the “Tribulation”, the “Rapture” and the “Second Coming”. We must focus on helping people in spiritual need and material need now, not later. I am sorry to see many Evangelical churchs stuck in an “Abandonment theology” mode where they are focused on abandoning this world as soon as possible via the “Rapture” and avoiding the “Tribulation”. Prophecy is important but we must also focus on being Good Samaritans now.
Christ told us to be the Light of the world and shine our light.

]]> By: Bethany http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3040 Bethany Sat, 09 Dec 2006 15:34:21 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-3040 i was wondering if there was somewhere we could contribute to the effort to raise $100,000 on the mosaic web site, or if we could mail stuff in, or what... i want to be on board with what God is doing through this project. i was wondering if there was somewhere we could contribute to the effort to raise $100,000 on the mosaic web site, or if we could mail stuff in, or what… i want to be on board with what God is doing through this project.

]]> By: Dan Esparza http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-2977 Dan Esparza Wed, 06 Dec 2006 18:53:18 +0000 http://mosaic.org/2006/12/04/christmas-series-awaken-humanity/#comment-2977 Are there scripture references anywhere for this message? I love the podcast -- I listen to it at lunch (at work) and I'm always inspired. I love that Erwin tackles the tough questions ... he goes where I need to go to enrich my faith. Are there scripture references anywhere for this message?

I love the podcast — I listen to it at lunch (at work) and I’m always inspired. I love that Erwin tackles the tough questions … he goes where I need to go to enrich my faith.

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