Steve Moore, Ten Mile Christian

it’s a matter of the heart

stevetmc — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:14:19 +0000

Two phrases are going to get our attention this week: “poor in spirit” and “treasures in heaven.” I’ll be making the statement, in the sermon this week, that Europeans and North Americans are so affluent that they don’t think they are affluent. If you are homeless in America and take spit baths in a restroom at the park, you have an option that many people in the world simply don’t have. The same is true if you eat on food stamps or at the Rescue Mission. People like me, with the wealth and possessions at our disposal, we have an enormous challenge to ever achieve and maintain poverty of spirit.

You know the saying, “The more you make, the more you spend.” This is a fair assessment of our culture. The average American gives about 2% of his income to charity. Coincidentally, the average churchgoer in American gives 2.3% of his income to his church. In other words, the unchurched are just about as generous as the churched; they both give about 2% to non-profit organizations. All this seems to explain why Jesus spent a considerable amount of time teaching His disciples about financial dangers and priorities. Those dismal statistics seem to fit Jesus’ warning about treasures in heaven verses treasures on earth. 98% of the time, Earth wins. When it comes to tithing (giving 10% of your income to the church), only 14% of American Christians tithe. Now that we have the statistics in front of us, the opportunity still exists for Steve Moore to be an exception. “Poor in spirit” is my choice; spending my treasures for heaven is my choice.

Those two phrases leave the Bible reader with lingering questions. How can God tell that I am desperate for Him? How can our neighbors and family tell that I am desperate for Him? Am I really desperate for God, or is that just a line in a song that we sing once in a while at church?

having happiness

stevetmc — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:14:40 +0000

The pursuit of happiness really is a phenomenal concept that we Americans have come to view as our right. It’s up there with life and liberty, both fairly sacred gifts. This week in worship we are hearing “The Beattitudes” (Matthew 5:3-12) as a whole. Preparing for that, I raised the question to myself whether Jesus would agree that an entire nation ought to guarantee the pursuit of happiness as a constitutional right. His answer might be found in the quality of happiness that one pursues. The fact that Matthew records this pathway to happiness first in his ancient summary of Jesus’ teachings leads me to the conclusion that even Jesus recommended happiness as an excellent pursuit.

When I check my own happiness gauge, I’ve noticed my happiness goes up and down. Reflecting more on that than usual this week with the help of Jesus’ words, I’ve concluded that when my happiness level is down it is because I’m pursuing something that will provide happiness only temporarily, at best. I’ll say it in the sermon, but here is a sneak preview: the happiness Jesus recommends is “untouchable.” When one pursues the happiness Jesus recommends, circumstances have little to do with that happiness. The more your happiness depends on circumstances the shorter its longevity.

Back in the day, I’ve preached some sermons in which I chastised Americans for setting such a high priority on pursuing happiness. I’ve changed my mind about that; those comments were superficial and short-sighted. I mean, is it realistic to expect anyone to pursue unhappiness? Philosophically, shouldn’t Christians be models of happiness? So, that’s my up-to-date conclusion. Pursuing happiness is a great idea; just pursue it the way Jesus advises. That happiness will last you a long time.

Bible readers have an advantage

stevetmc — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 22:23:25 +0000

This is the week we are starting that section of Scripture that has been named “The Sermon on the Mount.” It is in Matthew, chapters 5-7. You’ll hear me say that this is the most concise collection of Jesus’ teachings that have ever been found in the history of the world. It is unique; none of the 107 verses are words about Jesus or even an interpretation of what He said. No, this is a lengthy quote, without interruption, right from our Savior’s mouth. Matthew, the recorder, was there in person and history verifies how reliable his quote is. It is simply a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. I got to thinking about it and decided that a Bible reader who happens onto this much of the Bible is reading the best from the Best.

What we will be trying to do, in the coming weeks here at Ten Mile Christian, is take these profound words seriously. We will want to do what the parable at the end (Matthew 7:24-27) calls us to do. It’s a short story of two men who are general contractors of their own house. One builds on sand and the other on rock. You can guess what happens if you don’t know the story. One day a storm comes through, lots of rain and high winds. So, you know what happened to the house built on the sand.

It just makes all kinds of sense to take advantage of the opportunity to learn the best from the Best.

knowing vs believing

stevetmc — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:28:15 +0000

Reading the Christmas story in Luke 2:1-20, this year I was struck by the phrase in v:19 that reveals Mary “pondered” the events surrounding Jesus’ birth in her heart.

Theologians have speculated what that means. The Christmas time song “Mary, Did You Know?” underscores the situation.

My opinion is that Mary did not know that her baby would grow up and heal the sick, calm the sea, die on a cross or build what we now know of as the Church. If I am right, it would seem that Mary was a part of something much bigger than she realized. There is no evidence that she rebelled or was disappointed in how things turned out having to deliver her baby in an animal stable. I’m impressed with her model to follow God even though she had very little idea where He was leading her.

In Celebrate Recovery, we frequently talk to one another about giving up control. In fact, some of us participate weekly in Celebrate Recovery just so we will learn how to stop being “control freaks.” One major aspect of God’s call to live by faith is to accept an approach to life whereby one realizes he/she will not be in control of many outcomes. If we want to stay in control of all the circumstances that surround us, our world will be rather small. It will only be as big as we are. Mary relinquished control of her future to the will of God. She decided to go where He led even though much of it was beyond her experience and expectations. That’s a big reason why the world has forevermore honored her. Since I want to be a part of something bigger than me, I guess I won’t always know how things will work out. I’ll be better off to believe in God than to reduce my world to what I can control.

what’s it like in heaven?

stevetmc — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:38:13 +0000

Heaven is where we all want to end up; I sure do. This week in worship our focus turns from Ephesians to John 1:1-14. There is no other text in our Bible quite like it. Some of our most unique Christian ideas are supported by it. For instance, this is the text that clarifies Jesus was not a created being; Jesus is more than what humans could ever become. Aside from all that and more, the text reveals that Jesus was in heaven before He came to Bethlehem.

It’s hard for me to imagine that Jesus was jumping up and down about coming to earth. I don’t think that God was looking for an excuse to get Jesus out of His way. Jesus’ arrival at Bethlehem seems to be a calculated decision that would bring benefit to us humans. As I contemplate this text, I am reminded that my mental ability is finite. So, here I am trying to imagine how an infinite God thinks. A better source to understand what goes through the mind of God than my finite brain is the Holy Scriptures. The scriptures use the word “sacrifice” to describe what God decided to do.

Christmas, then, is the story of deciding to sacrifice your own comfort and well-being for the sake of someone else. Christmas is synonymous with unselfishness. Christmas does not happen by accident. It is calculated; it notices the needs of others and acts upon that. John 1:1-14 will clearly teach us that we are not God, but it might remind us that even humans can decide to sacrifice. What need to do you see this Christmas? What do you suppose the God who left heaven wants you to do about that?

bloom where you are planted

stevetmc — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:00:27 +0000

Several Bible scholars conclude that Ephesians is Paul’s most impersonal letter. Those scholars suggest that the letter might be addressed to Christians who live in the region surrounding Ephesus, not just the local church in that city. For me, as a disciple, it’s intriguing to think about the setting and realize that I can never know for sure the entire setting of this profound Scripture. If one expects everything in the Bible to be black and white, what intrigues me probably bothers such a person.

Anyway, the section we are looking at this week (Ephesians 5:21-6:9) is fairly specific. It’s not general doctrines which appear in so much of Ephesians, but specific instruction to husbands, wives, parents, children, masters and slaves. A legitimate question is: “What is this stuff doing in the book of Ephesians?” We won’t be dealing with it verse by verse, but rather gleaning from it another ripple-making idea. I will say the specific instructions to those husbands, wives, parents, children, masters and slaves are as radical for that society as anything anyone ever wrote in all the Bible. We won’t be analyzing all of that. We used a great deal of that information last spring when we had the relationship sermons that are still available on our website.

What strikes me this time about this section of Ephesians is how important my wife, my children, my co-workers and friends are to me. These are the people I rub shoulders with the most. The easiest place for me to make a ripple in my world is with them. Where’s the easiest place for you to make a ripple? Can you think of specific people who you know really well, who need what you have to offer? Now that you have that possibility in mind, are you going to do something about that?

easier said than done

stevetmc — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:40:06 +0000

The section of Ephesians 4:17-32, even on through Ephesians 5:18, seems a good deal different than the earlier part of Ephesians. Paul bears down; it is full of commands about the behavior of the Ephesian readers. That grabbed my attention.

Analyzing it, I came to the conclusion that the Christians in Ephesus were struggling with their pasts. Whether they will make it over the long haul as followers of Jesus is up for grabs. I mean, why warn people about something they aren’t likely to do anyway? The fact that the warnings are so strong suggests that the Ephesians are likely to relapse or, as we say in the church, backslide. Paul was trying to interrupt that likelihood.

To make it as a Christian, it is probably wise to keep reminding oneself how easy it is to quit behaving like Jesus. Holiness is a decision; it requires effort. Sinning happens without much effort at all. Since we at TMC are reading Ephesians this time for ideas about making ripples, it would seem that ripple-making requires effort too; it doesn’t just happen. Ripple-making is related to holiness. Holiness, Jesus-like behavior, creates credibility and integrity. There are some ripples that Steve Moore won’t make unless he walks his talk.

TMCC Welcome To Planning Center Online

stevetmc — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:13:14 +0000

Hello Blog Blog Update,

Welcome to Planning Center Online! Planning Center is an online system to help churches schedule team members, organize services and streamline communication. Russ Liddell wants you to be able to participate and as a result has just added you to the TMCC account.

Your username is:
To login and set your password, [click here]

When your church is ready, they’ll start to send you scheduling request emails, but you can login at any time and setup text messaging options, block-out dates you know you’ll be unavailable, and set scheduling preferences. Take a look at our Getting Started Video and Lessons to learn how to manage your schedule, update your information and view service details and files.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Once again, welcome to Planning Center Online!

TMCC Welcome To Planning Center Online

stevetmc — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:13:00 +0000

Hello Blog Blog Update,

Your username is:
To login and set your password, [click here]

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Once again, welcome to Planning Center Online!

one good deed

stevetmc — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:08:35 +0000

The amount of pain and poverty in the world overwhelms me at times. News reports of starving and displaced people in the continents of Africa and Asia are so unpleasant. When one hears how many million human lives seem doomed and destined, it is rather normal to think, “What’s the use?”

This week in worship we will hear one specific plan in the face of overwhelming injustice. We will actually hear from a person whose life was a statistic. If those tragic statistics have staggered you and overwhelmed you, I hope you will make it a point to be in worship this week. We are going to hear a plan to turn entire communities and countries around.

Our special guests can help you find a much better alternative to pain and poverty than ignoring it or accepting it as inevitable. I hope you have read the book (Too Small to Ignore by Wess Stafford) that we have been distributing at Ten Mile Christian lately. If you haven’t completed the book, any time you can give to that reading project will enhance your week of worship. Also in preparation for worship, read James 1:27. One of Satan’s most successful ideas has been to influence God’s people to believe that the mountains God calls us to climb are just too big.