Time, How God Can Expand it - Growing Through God's Word
Someone asked me if I could do something. I had to say, “I’m sorry at the moment I have no time”. I even said that I wished God would give me another 24 hours in a day. But you know what, He answered me and showed me how to not be concerned with time.
We are continuing with week three of a Lenten study using The SIMPLE Method of Bible Study.
S – Say the passage out loud. Check other versions.
Today’s study is based on Mark 11:27-33
They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”
Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”
They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)
So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”
Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”
I – Interpret the passage – check footnotes, references, and commentaries. Find out all you can about the passage. When? Where? Why?
Jesus had just cleansed and cursed the temple. The religious leaders wanted to destroy Him. This is the first of 5 controversies in the temple. Tension is building on the way to the cross.
The temple courts were courts that surrounded the main temple buildings. There was the court of women, court of men (Israelite) and court of Gentiles.
What authority? Priest wanted to know why Jesus could perform an official act when He had no status.
“Heaven” was a common word for “God”.
M – Make list of thoughts, questions and ideas.
Those who called themselves “religious” should have understood Who Jesus was. But they didn’t. They were blinded by obstacles. I was too – See my faith testimony.
Submission to Authority:
The priests had become powerful. They had money and position. They saw Jesus as a threat to that. They reject His authority (28) – See Mark 1:22, Mark 1:27, Mark 2-10-11.
Who is our authority? Is it science, the world, the media, other people, ourselves?
Check out the Evidence:
I read A Case for Christ by Lee Stobel and books by CS Lewis, Max Lucado and of course The Bible to help me answer the question Who is this Jesus?
It’s a great question that Jesus posed. The evidence is seen in Malachi 3:1, Isaiah 40:3 and by John the Baptist.
But even with all this evidence the priests could not get over themselves and the possibility of losing control.
Fear God rather than man:
Fear of man is a common problem (See Proverbs 29:25). The leading Jewish authorities were afraid of the people. So they waffled and said, “We don’t know”. They wanted to stay safe and comfortable and keep the status quo.
P – Pray – after all your thoughts are expended – take time to talk to God and then to LISTEN to Him.
L – Life Application – Write down what you heard God speak (It might be entirely different than your thoughts – that’s okay)
I think it is amazing how God works. This is the passage suggested in the study I am following. And last Sunday it is the text that the sermon was based on. Our pastor, Rick Thiemke, if Via Church in Mesa, Arizona, explained the passage very well and many of my thoughts came from that sermon. I love this quote.
Science is a great description of what God already knows. (click to tweet)
Remember the burning question I had this week: How can I get more time?
I am learning to never say never. God is the God of the impossible. Being God-led means submitting to His authority. I was reminded of two old acronyms and one new one.
And my new one – TIME
T – Thankful: Be thankful for each moment of the day.
I – Interest: Show interest and understanding and watchfulness for events around you.
M – More: God gives us more than we need. He expands time, energy and vision.
E – Expansion: Our world expands when God is in control. I pray to expand my territory for God.
How do you see TIME? God’s version is different than ours.
Submit to His authority and see TIME expand. (click to Tweet)
The scripture to study for this week will be Colossians 1:17 because I think it encapsulates all the ideas of TIME.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
E – Exit the study with a written prayer of confirmation, forgiveness, praise or acceptance.
Oh Father, once again You amaze me of how You put things together – this day, this week, this year. The sermon, this Lenten study, Your words through prayer. You tie is all together. You hold everything together. You even expand time. Thank You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
CALL TO ACTION
Are you frustrated with your spiritual life?
Do you want to meet Jesus and talk to Him?
Do you need friends to pray and study with together in a safe place?
I have TWO opportunities for you:
