Waypoints: Growing Conflict and Controversy

I thoroughly enjoy days that are filled with laughter, kindness and relational productivity. I love being with people who build each other up even amid differences of opinion. The effectiveness of whatever we are trying to accomplish is maximized when there is a trust that none of the group members is trying to dominate the process or the people. I pray that this will be the tone of life at Oak Hill.
 
In our text for this upcoming Sunday [Luke 11:14-54] Jesus is encountering people who are anything but cheering Him on to be all that He can be. Jesus at this point has performed miracles, taught and loved like no other. But the attitude of the religious leaders is seen in the conclusion of our passage this week.
 
53When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, 54waiting to catch him in something he might say.
 
It is one thing for Jesus to do neat things and say beautiful truths but it is a different matter altogether when His truth confronts me. That is not as universally accepted and celebrated. What about each of us? I believe the same issues are needing to be addressed in our lives today. Just as in Luke’s day, we struggle with going through the motions of worshiping God, trying to be impressive, not loving like we should and not treating God’s Word as the source of life and faith that it is.
 
So, the words of Jesus come to me this morning and every morning just as they did to the original hearers. They come with the power to set free or the power to accentuate the heart of opposition. How will we react to God’s Word today? Jesus always connects to us in love and truth. Will we receive and enjoy or will we ignore, oppose and attempt to go at it in our own power and resources?
 
I also want to take a moment to encourage you to be a part of this upcoming Sunday’s update during the Sunday School hour and the worship service. We will be blessed to have the David and Sonja Narvesen family with us to hear about their upcoming ministry to the Fulbe people including the villages where Oak Hill built wells last year. Our Overflowing Hope campaign ties directly to what God is calling them to do in the future. During the worship service, we will also hear specifically how our funds raised last fall are being allocated for the ongoing Gospel proclamation in Chad, Africa.
 
In Grace and Truth,
Pastor Nick