Ai wrote the summary,  but …. from my sermon which was written down.

It is interesting how they interpreted it.

Check it out and let me know how they did.

 

 

 

SUMMARY The meeting, led by Tom Sims, focused on the concept of gaining a 'bird's eye view' or 'God's eye view' of reality and eternity through scripture and prayer. Sims emphasized the importance of understanding the broader perspective of life, which helps make sense of smaller details and fosters a deeper comprehension of God's creation. He discussed the biblical vision of a new Heaven and a new Earth, where divisions between God and mortals are removed, and all things are made new. This vision is linked to the idea of God's presence among people, as illustrated by the New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven. Sims highlighted the significance of love and community, urging participants to live out God's love and reflect His glory in the world. He concluded by encouraging attendees to embrace this higher reality and let it transform their lives, while acknowledging the ongoing process of God making all things new.

DISCUSSION The Bird's Eye View and God's Perspective The speaker discusses the concept of a bird's eye view as a metaphor for understanding God's perspective. This view allows one to see the broader picture, understanding the unity and master plan of creation. The speaker emphasizes the importance of prayerful reading of scripture to gain this perspective, which helps comprehend the incomprehensible aspects of God's creation and plan. The bird's eye view is a good metaphor because the bird can soar into the clouds and yet swoop down to the Earth to harvest a worm. It sees big and it sees small at the same time. God does that over time and space and over history. The more time we spend immersing ourselves in the Eternal Word, the broader our view becomes. If you're perplexed about how things come together, ask God to stir up a fascination with his word and to do so in your soul to climb to a higher height. In prayerful reading of scripture will be a lifelong adventure for you. Space-Time and Reality The speaker touches on the concept of space-time, introduced by Einstein, to explain the relativity of space and time in understanding reality. This concept is used to illustrate how God's perspective transcends human understanding of time and space, offering a stable reality. The speaker encourages seeking a God's eye view of reality through scripture and prayer. The bird's eye view helps us make sense of the smaller details, and it creates within us a desire to zero in on some of the finer points from a new perspective. We begin to comprehend the incomprehensibility of God's capacity to gaze upon the fine points of his Creation with the larger perspective in view. The New Heaven and New Earth The speaker describes a vision of a new heaven and new earth from the Book of Revelation, where the first heaven and earth have passed away. This vision symbolizes the removal of divisions between God and mortals, and the establishment of a new reality where God dwells among people. The speaker emphasizes the ongoing process of God making all things new, offering hope and transformation. The new Heaven and the new Earth signify that everything is reformed. All of time, eternity, and infinity are redefined. There's a new Heaven and a new Earth, a new place where we plant our feet, and everything else has passed away, and there's no more gap. Inclusion of Gentiles in God's Plan The speaker references the Book of Acts, where Peter defends preaching to Gentiles, highlighting the inclusion of all people in God's plan. This inclusion is part of the unfolding vision of God's kingdom, where love and unity are central. The speaker underscores the importance of loving one another as a preview of the relationships in the new heaven and earth. The kingdom is coming, and love one another is a new commandment. Let the love of God, which is eternal, be a part of this unfolding vision, which is a part of what God is doing through the old Earth and in the old Heavens to bring about a new Heaven and a new Earth. God's Presence Among Mortals The speaker discusses the concept of God's presence among mortals, as described in Revelation. This presence signifies the removal of barriers and the establishment of a direct relationship between God and people. The speaker highlights the transformation from mortality to eternity, where God wipes away tears and removes pain, offering a new reality of hope and peace. The home of God is among mortals, and he will dwell with them as their God. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. In this new heaven, this new Earth, and this New Jerusalem, mortals and God are together. The Role of the Church and Community The speaker shares an experience of a church choosing to stay in its community despite challenges, emphasizing the importance of being present and serving the community. This decision reflects the church's commitment to being part of God's work of making all things new. The speaker stresses the need for the church to reflect God's love and presence in the world, embodying the bird's eye view. The church made a decision to stay in its community, knowing it would be hard and require major improvements and a change of strategy. But only from the bird's eye view can real success be measured. Living the Bird's Eye View The speaker concludes by encouraging individuals to live with a bird's eye view, understanding God's ongoing work of making all things new. This perspective involves seeing beyond immediate challenges and recognizing the broader reality of God's plan. The speaker calls for transformation through this understanding, urging people to live in love and unity, reflecting God's presence in their lives and communities. The bird's eye view gives us the Earth-bound view. It is the love of God among the people. It is the presence of God in Christ in his people, his church. The presence of God among his people and in the world today until this vision becomes a reality for us.

Now, the Sources:

 

My Notes

Bird’s Eye View

“Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens: praise him in the heights.” — Psalm 148:1

When I was a boy, I had a mild fear of heights.

To be truthful, it was more a fear of falling from the heights. I was fascinated by the view.

It can be disorienting, frightening, and overwhelming.

Most often, fascination won out over fear. The eyes longed to see what others were not seeing. The heart longed to soar. My whole body longed for a view that would take my breath away.

The higher we go, the broader our view.

We see less detail, but we exchange that limitation for a greater understanding of how things come together.

The longer view shows us more of the world as one whole. It unveils a panorama of beauty. It paints a landscape that proclaims a grand unity. It gives us a glimpse into a master plan.

It is part of the Master’s plan and we see, partially through the Master’s eye.

The big picture helps us make sense of the smaller details and creates a desire within us to zero in on some of the finer points. We begin to comprehend the incomprehensibility of God’s capacity to gaze upon the fine points of His creation with the larger perspective in view.

The bird’s eye view is a good metaphor because the bird can soar into the clouds and yet, swoop down to earth to harvest a worm. It sees big and small at the same time.

God does that over time and space and over history.

How do we gain more of a birds-eye view, or more important, a God’s eye view of reality?

When we read the holy scriptures with hearts enlivened by the Holy Spirit through prayer, they take us to a pinnacle we could not climb alone.

The more time we spend immersing ourselves in the Word of God, the broader our view becomes.

If you are perplexed about how things come together, ask God to stir up a fascination with His Word in your soul. Then climb to higher heights in prayerful reading of scripture. It will be a life-long adventure.

I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

(Johnson Oatman Jr.)

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. — Revelation 21:3

God does not identify with people lightly.

For Him, it is a costly and deliberate matter to say, “my people.”

And He willingly pays any price to bring those who are far off into fellowship with Him.

Paul also identified with the people of his nation and called them his brothers, mourning over their lost condition and expressing a willingness to be cursed for them if it would bring them to life.

Ruth adopted the people of her mother-in-law and said, “Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.”

Over and over again, the Bible shows us examples of identification with a people culminating with the greatest identification of all — the incarnation of Jesus Christ who came and pitched His tent with us according to John 1.

Nothing can be more authentic to the Kingdom of God than to declare that the people among whom God has placed us in time and space to minister are our people.

Incarnation means that Christ comes among people yet today, fleshed out in His church and in His disciples to demonstrate His love, compassion, and hope.

Some years ago, our church made a decision to stay in this community, though many were moving out of the city.

We knew it would be hard, and we knew that it would require major remedial improvements to our existing facilities and a change of strategy.

The road has not been easy.

We have had to pay a high price in some areas, but we are convinced of God’s hand in all of this.

It has meant that our congregation has been changing and will continue to change. Most of all, it has brought a new meaning to the way we say, “our people.”

For us to say, “our people” the definition has had to be broadened rather than narrowed.

We mean all the people who have been a part of this fellowship including their families and neighbors.

But we also mean the people who live, work, play, and study around us and it is these folks whose faces come increasingly to our minds as we say those words.

Our people are rich and poor; they have many different complexions and many different issues.

Among them are the broken who struggle with addiction, family break-ups, poverty, incarceration, abuse, violence, welfare, unemployment, absentee landlords, the feeling of being marginalized, and utter hopelessness.

Our people are also folks who have found hope and are trying to make a difference in their communities.

Our people are individuals who have lived here in their own homes for many years and want to see their community improve for their families.

And they are believers on mission, called of God, who commute to this church to worship, fellowship, and serve. And our people are those who are touched by any aspect of our ministry — like this magazine you are reading now … which makes you … our people.

More at https://pastortomsims.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8341c745453ef025d9b4480cd200c-800wi

Love One Another

Love One Another

John 13:34 — “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”

When we hear these words from Jesus and he calls them a new commandment, we might ask, “What is so new about it?”

Isn’t it in the Torah?

Hasn’t he already said this?

Yet, there is something new about it. It is embedded in these words, “as I have loved you.”

That is different, unique, and bar-raising in its profound expectation. It stimulates the question, “How has Jesus loved us?”

He has loved us with everything he is and all that he has. That is how he has loved us. And he has put our needs ahead of his own. He has laid down his life. That is major!

His love is practical and self-giving rather than selfish. It is a high standard. Maybe we have to start small.

I will offer you an entry point for practice. Let’s start with one day, one verse, and one question. How can I make someone else’s day today?

Proverbs 18:1 says,

“An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.”

Let’s try the opposite. Let’s be the friendly man or woman. Work on that for one day. Identify making someone’s day as an intention in your life. That kind of intentionality is a real key to accomplishment of loving.

To be friendly and to desire the good for someone else today will move you far down the road of being a blessing. Look for opportunities to lay down a bit of your life for someone else. Look for the chance to make a sacrifice that will add to someone else’s well-being and joy.

Make it almost a game where you can only win by losing.

When you wish someone well, it is communicated in your attitude, your words, and your deeds. you cannot help but be an encouragement to all who are receptive and in need. It is a start to loving one another.

 

Glorified

“Now is the Son of man glorified and God is glorified in Him.” — from John 13:31

You have to take it all as a package or there is no glory.

Jesus understood that these final days were one great redemptive event — from mingling with the crowds and teaching them, to provoking the Sanhedrin with His very presence, to the upper room, the washing of feet, the prayers in the garden, betrayal, denial, and on to the cross. It was the process of God glorifying Himself in His Son.

It was all part of the package: His life, death, and resurrection were one magnificent demonstration of the power of God.

Jesus had spoken similar words when some gentiles had come looking for Him. He responded that the coming of these men was an indication that He was soon to be lifted up from the earth and to draw all men unto Him. Lifting up could mean exaltation or crucifixion. In this case, it meant both. He moves from tragedy to triumph in a split second intersection of time and eternity.

This time he speaks of being glorified as he confronts the one who will betray him. This is strange to our warped thinking. But this is Jesus who donned the apron and wiped his disciple’s feet. This is the one who taught that the path to greatness is servanthood. This is the Master of great reversals.

Our Lord never lost sight of the big picture.

In John’s portrait of Jesus, contrasting in emphasis from those in the Synoptic Gospels, the Passion is about glory, being lifted up.

Jesus didn’t stop with cross in his panoramic view of his mission. He didn’t even end the story with rising from the dead. He taught his friends that he was going to the Father through this path of glory and that he would come to them in a new way to indwell them, that they might do even greater works.

He promised further that He would come again visibly to introduce a grand new eternal day.

It was about glory.

It is still about glory.

Look ahead to Sunday without missing today, its reality, darkness, and profound sadness.

Look ahead for perspective.

Take a walk in the garden this morning where there is an empty hole in a rock, a barren place where death once dwelt.

What do you notice but emptiness?

He is not there. He is risen!

The work of redemption is done. It was worth it all. The pain and the suffering have accomplished their ends. He is alive and we can live also. What name do you give to your pain of the moment, your struggle of this hour?

Call it suffering or call it glory. It all depends upon whether you view it from the present or from the resurrection.

Now is the Son of man glorified

It is is a path he has walked and a way he has built for us to follow. The degrees of difficulty vary from person to person and from season to season.

But this end of the game is glory.

 

On Acts 11

When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, “Then God has given even to the gentiles the repentance that leads to life.” from Acts 11

Now, the underlying theme.

It is the increasing awareness of the inclusiveness of God in drawing all people into His presence.

It is His utter disregard for human boundaries or exclusiveness in religion, culture, language, and ethnicity. In Christ, all are invited into His shelter. In Christ, He does not just call us to come, He comes to us. In Christ, the waters and Spirit of baptism are available to all.

Every wall has come down.

Every system of caste has been nullified.

Every obstacle has been removed.

Every vestige of racial, social, or economic superiority has been declared illegitimate.

Every human category for arranging people in groups has been confused and rearranged.

Every nationalistic border designed to separate people and make some more valuable than others has been prophetically obliterated.

Everyone matters and all are invited to the House of God.

We cannot close out the world. Geo-politically, it is impossible. Economically, it is disastrous. Technologically, it is absurd. More important, for the Kingdom-focused follower of Jesus, it is antithetical to the Missio Dei.

At any and every crisis, a crossroads emerges: perpetual isolation in fear or growing cooperation in hope.

The early church struggled with shaking the bonds and extending the boundaries created by nationalism, cultural-ism, racism, and religious chauvinism.

They built bridges and tore down walls.

In extending its own reach and embrace, there needed to be an accumulation of defining moments, lived-out stories, and expanding relationships infused by manifestations of the Holy Spirit at work among people groups that were outside the original disciples’ comfort zones.

The patience and systematic workings of God exceed ours by far, but this is how the church became an international movement, indigenous in every culture where it was planted.

We are still working on this, but there was a time and have been times when it really worked.

This is the missional movement and moment.

It was preceded by crisis and it created a crisis of its own.

Acts 10:46b-47:

“ Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’”

Peter sensed that racial, national, and cultural exclusivity, privilege, and chauvinism was not only an offence to humanity, but a hindrance to God and God’s purposes and mission.

“How could I?”

That was the awakened response of a man whose eyes were being opened to a mission that was much larger than his own context.

“ And he established them forever and ever;

he gave a decree, and it shall not pass away.

Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and mist,

stormy wind fulfilling his word!” — Psalm 148:6–8, ESV

I shall meditate on this phrase from time to time today, “fulfilling his word.”

Nature and nature’s creatures fulfilling God’s word: What might this mean?

What Word?

Does the singer mean that he sees and hears God speak about _______ (Fill in the blank) in how these things behave?

Have I given enough thought and time to observing and reflecting on the movements of creation?

Case Closed

Love One Another — Just Scripture 

Love One Another — Case Closed:

John 13:34 -“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

John 13:35 — By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Romans 12:10 -Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 13:8 -[ Love Fulfills the Law ] Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

2 Corinthians 13:11 -[ Final Greetings ] Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians 5:13 -[ Life by the Spirit ] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Ephesians 4:2 -Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

1 Thessalonians 4:9 -Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.

2 Thessalonians 1:3-[ Thanksgiving and Prayer ] We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.

Hebrews 10:24-And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,

1 Peter 1:22 -Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

1 Peter 3:8 -[ Suffering for Doing Good ] Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

1 Peter 5:14 -Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

1 John 3:11 -[ More on Love and Hatred ] For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

1 John 3:23

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 4:7 — [ God’s Love and Ours ] Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 4:11 -Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 4:12 -No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

2 John 1:5 -And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.

Matthew 22:36–40 -“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 7:12 -“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.