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Hello Bridge family!
This week, we learned how Jesus stood up for God when he entered the temple and saw sacrifices being sold. He drove them out, saying, “My Temple will be called a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves” (Matt 21:13 NLT). The religious leaders, meant to represent true worship, had corrupted the house of worship. Those who were supposed to set an example of standing for God were not doing so. It’s a clear case of “do as I say, not as I do,” and Jesus called them out. I believe it’s easier to fall into that trap than we’d like to admit. We parents often set higher standards for our children than for ourselves. I’m not judging your parenting, but I encourage you to consider whether your standards for what you watch, say, and do align with those for your children—because our kids observe much more than we realize, even when we try to hide it. The behavior of those in the temple wasn’t new; it had been established for hundreds of years. The same applies to parenting; we learn a great deal from our parents. Therefore, as parents, we need to break the existing paradigm. Otherwise, when you reach my age, you’ll look back and think about what you would have, could have, and should have done. I suppose what I am trying to say is that if we are not living as if our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19), then we might need to consider some lifestyle changes because our children will end up doing some of the things we do, despite our best intentions. I’ve realized that one of the most significant ways we can “Stand up for God” is by leading our families, as the Apostle Paul proclaimed, desiring that they should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ (1 Cor 11:1). Wise words to lead a family by, don’t you think? Remember, as long as your child is at home, you have a great chance to share the Bible. Together explore its stories, discussing how they apply to daily life, and fostering deeper family conversations. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful journey. God bless, and I look forward to seeing your family on Sunday. Pastor Bob Hey Bridge family!
Can you imagine someone getting invited to the event of the century and tuning it down? Something so grand, so magnificent, unquestionably beyond wonder and amazement, and yet they say, no. To quote Vizzini, in the Princess Bride, that’s “Inconceivable!” Yet, it’s sadly not! That is precisely what we read about in our Bridge message this week as Jesus responds to the comment, What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God’ (Luke 14:15b NLT). To be clear in our parable, Christ is doing the inviting, Heaven is the banquet, and the Jewish people are the ones who decline. Maybe you wonder why? But if you think about it, is it really all that hard to imagine? You see, those declining the invitation are very much like the Rich Young Ruler, who feels that his lifestyle and position make him worthy, but Jesus says, ‘No, that is not the case; you need to respond when called.’ This is an incredible distinction that we need to ensure our children understand. Jesus will one day come to them and extend the invitation of a lifetime, and they will need to make a choice. Therefore, as parents, we need to make it clear that attending church, praying, and reading the Bible prepare our hearts to accept His invitation. They do not get us into Heaven. Share how you responded to Christ’s invitation with your family sometime. Chances are that if you ponder it for a while, you can easily share how you went from believing in your own abilities to get to Heaven to your gratitude in hearing His invitation. I can think of no better way to include others than by revealing how Christ included you in His Kingdom. Remember, it’s never too late to engage. As long as your child is at home, you have an excellent opportunity to share the Bible together. Focus on exploring its stories, discussing applications to daily life, and nurturing deeper conversations as a family. This makes faith an exciting and meaningful adventure. God Bless, and I hope to see your family on Sunday. Pastor Bob |
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