Jesus & the Political/Militant Path

Some thoughts from my message today from Mark 6... A bit lengthy but I am sure it will capture a few people's interest. Jesus is not who we always think he is!

The disciples who have recently been overcome with amazement at Jesus’ power and have chosen to follow Jesus on his return to his home town are now commissioned to proclaim and demonstrate the coming of the much anticipated Messianic rule. The disciples receive authority from Jesus to uproot the demonic forces which resist the coming kingdom and are given specific instructions that require the disciples to trust Jesus’ words and be completely dependent on God’s provision. The disciples disperse in teams of two reaching many people with the message that people must change their way of thinking in preparation of a visitation of God. This appeal is reinforced by visible signs that the kingdom of God is “at hand” as the disciples cast out many demons, anoint the sick, and heal many people.

The account of the disciples’ mission is interrupted by the story of John the Baptist’s tragic death. Following the role of prophets before him, John’s message has penetrated the ears of those who do not want to receive it. John’s commitment to unashamedly speaking God’s prophetic word to him brings him into a confrontation with a ruthless, immoral King Herod. Herod arrests John for rebuking Herod for taking his brother’s wife. This adulterous second wife then manipulates the lusts and pride of Herod and his dinner guests to insure the death of John the Baptist. The story ends with John being beheaded and buried in a tomb. The reader is then returned the end of the disciples’ mission.

The result of the disciple’s mission is that many have heard out about Jesus including Herod. Many are coming and going as they seemingly prepare for the promised messianic coming of a victorious, militant shepherd king. The hustle and bustle of people’s expectations and Jesus and John’s interaction with Herod are pushing events quickly forward. Jesus attempts to leave the scene telling his disciples they need some rest. However, Jesus’ movements are misinterpreted by the masses and 5,000 men show up in the wilderness of Galilee known for its revolutionary gatherings. Jesus is moved by compassion by the scene understanding the people’s pressing desire for a shepherd. Thus, he puts off his personal retreat plans and begins to teach them. As a night approaches, the disciples decide the army needs to be fed and suggest that the masses return to the surrounding villages for the night in order to obtain food. Jesus take immediate action to shift the situation perhaps sensing events are beginning to spiral beyond God’s purpose and plan for his life. He commands the disciples to give the people something to eat. The shocked and disgruntled disciples ignore the intended source of provision (Jesus) and instead sarcastically ask how they could possibly afford to buy food for so many people. Jesus then takes control. He instructs the disciples on how to organize and distribute food to the people and then foreshadowing the Last Supper and the giving of his own body takes what little bread they have prays, breaks the loaves, and gives it to the disciples for the people.

Everyone is fed and satisfied, but Jesus is not done. He immediately forces the disciples to leave in their boat separating them from the crowds (quite possibly because they were no longer aligned with his purpose at that time). Jesus then dismisses the people quelling for the moment any hopes for the gathering of a revolutionary army. After this tumultuous series of events, Jesus returns to the place of prayer alone to spend time with his Father and possibly to receive affirmation of his actions. After this experience with God, a supernaturally empowered Jesus walks on the water towards the disciples who are caught rowing against heavy winds. The disciples are terrified, unable to distinguish Jesus from the ghost they think he is. Jesus joins them in the boat and the winds subside. The astounded disciples are then reported have not understood who Jesus is because of their hard hearts signaling that even those who go about Jesus’ work may not understand who he is.

Jesus then returns to his ministry of bringing salvation to the neediest of Israel’s people having resisted the plan’s of the masses and disciples to follow a political or militant path. Without saying much Jesus has deeply challenged his followers' world view, he reminds us also - "I'm not who you think I am!"

A Look Forward

The holidays and the approaching new year frequently put me in reflective (and festive!) mood. So far my reflections have produced some things I am looking forward to in the New Year.

1) Spending more time readying and studying the Bible. It's life, brother! And I ain't lying!

2) Practicing a (hopefully!) more dynamic personal and corporate prayer life. Prayer = not just talking to God but seeing and experiencing what he is doing! Word!

3) Doing the things Jesus did, including and not limited to: making lots of new friends, healing sick people, hanging out with people on the street, and learning how to love without wanting something back. That last one is definitely the trippiest and those who don't think so don't know what I'm talking about! Ponder...

4) Seeing small communities develop within and outside of Fenway Church who will do many of the following things: befriend the homeless, give genoursly, worship Jesus, eat food, love one another, learn from each other, experience the Spirit, obey the Word, have fun, and grow in relationships.

In the end, I feel more and more sure that we are on the edge of Jesus showing up in a very real way through his Church here in Boston. When he does... the religious won't like it, the scholars won't understand it, the poor will love it, the blind will see it, the rich will struggle with it, the proud will scorn it, the humble will receive it, the lovers will live it, and the media won't ignore it.

With expectation and faith working in perserverance.

A Look Back

Three months ago, our community opened up the doors and started its first public Sunday service in the heart of the Fenway.

Highlights for me included:

1) Several reports of immediate healings

2) A write up by the Weekly Dig called "Barstool Churches"

3) A festive Thanksgiving dinner with 45+ attendees (the food was amazing!!!)

4) The diversity of individuals within our growing community

5) The very real presence of Jesus as we gather each week

And... a smashing good time at our Christmas party @ the club we meet in every Sunday!

Probably the most amazing part about what I do for job (besides the knowing the manifest presence of God), is getting know so many people from so many different walks of life and cultural, relgious backgrounds. Boston is truly a diverse and dynamic city, and I am glad our church increasingly reflects that reality.

Finally, many thanks to all of you who have served so well over the last three months. Whether is was setting up chairs, cleaning up afterwards, or just your presence in our service, YOU make this growing church what it is.

Merry Christmas! Let's celebrate the day that Jesus moved into the neighborhood!

David W.

When God Speaks

Whenever we gather together as a church (God's people), we expect God to speak not just to the musicians up front or the preacher that day. We expect God to speak to all of us. This Sunday God spoke to someone in the audience during the first song, and it fit right into what I was speaking on that day. He came up and shared the words God gave him during the service during the worship time at the end. It was powerful. I have included the words below.

Why must I sit here and feel the rage of God within me?

Why must I sit still to the root of him as he roars within my heart?

Why must I allow this world to rule over me?

When I know that there is better within me of my master Christ.

For to be lazy is not of the flame of Christ.

I know that there is more inside of me.

That is not of me, but of Christ.

I know that if I allow this voice of God to rule in my life - I will stand in Him.

I cannot run.

I cannot hide.

Denying is useless.

Waiting is foolishness.

For in Christ must I stand.

Letting the Lion of Judah loose...

Is my goal and gold - to breath in pure fires of truth...

Of Christ.

Recap of Out of Hiding

Out of Hiding totally rocked the house. Even the club managers and staff were saying how they we were really rocking out. More importantly, Jesus really used them to touch many of our hearts. Justin had prayed the day before and felt that God had spoken to him about various habits or thoughts that Jesus wanted to set people free from at our service. It was great to see so many people come up to receive prayer as Jesus began to set people free from - gambling and pain killer addictions, pornography, worry and crippling anxiety, anger and bitterness towards a person's mother, and tendencies to curse others.

The prayer team met afterwards and for each of the issues that Justin talked about at least one person in that room of 50-60 people came up to get prayer for!

I am so grateful that God continues to show up and confirm just how real Jesus is, and I am looking forward to Out of Hiding coming back at some point next year.

Out of Hiding @ Fenway Church - Sunday Nov. 2

Join us as Out of Hiding's rock sound and passionate spirituality invade Fenway Church's Sunday service for a time of music, healing, and a life-altering message. Out of Hiding (formerly Holyfire) are some of my closest friends, and I strongly recommend taking the opportunity to experience them in person for yourself.

http://www.myspace.com/outofhidingmusic

Hosted by Fenway Church

Sunday November 2 @ 1pm

69 Kilmarnock Street Boston

Facebook Event

Below is one young man's encounter with God's healing power at a previous concert.

I attended a Holyfire Concert last Saturday (March of 2006) hosted by Fenway Church and experienced an amazing healing. I have played baseball my entire life and began to play catcher when I was ten years old. However, every time I catch I experience lingering pain and stiffening in my knees.

On that particular night, my left knee was especially stiff and in pain. During the concert, the lead singer had a prophetic word saying he believed God wanted to heal someone with problems in their left knee. Some people next to me prayed from me, and I was immediately filled completely with the Holy Spirit and healed. My knees have not hurt since that night. In fact, I even played two games as catcher in two days – one went for extra innings – and my knees are still fine.

DJ

Healing @ First Service

Here is a really cool report I received from one of our international visitors who was at our launch. At the end of the meeting, I had severe stomach and chest pains. I felt God wanted me to pray for anyone who needed healing specifically for stomach and heart issues. I shared my impressions during the service and prayed a general prayer for anyone who needed healing. Joanna is the second person who reported having a severe stomach issue that was in attendance that day.

Hi,
We visited the Church on the opening day and spoke to you and your wife briefly. We enjoyed the warmth and life at the church. We are back in Denmark now.
I felt I had to let you know that during the meeting you mentioned someone had a stomach ache. I have serious digestive problems. I was in Hospital twice last year. I had been having bad problem through most of the trip. I have had no stomach ache since that day. So thank you for your obedience and I hope this email will encourage you.

Blessing

Joanna

Jesus is real, and I am so grateful HE still speaks and heals today.