ReCreate Church’s Podcast

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, November 26, 2023

What's Been Taking the Air Out of Your Prayers?

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about forgiveness and regular daily forgiveness, an essential part of any relationship that lasts.  And the big part here is the relationship of forgiveness to our prayers.

The main idea of the day is, “Unforgiveness takes the air out of your prayer!” 

If you realize there is something unforgiven between you and another, God can refuse to forgive you!

Michael’s “Top Six” Reasons to Forgive Someone Who Doesn’t Deserve It:

1. Jesus commands forgiveness.
2. Forgiveness is a witness to God’s grace.
3. Forgiveness reveals your heart.
4. Forgiveness sets you free.
5. Forgiveness is essential to healthy relationships.
6. Unforgiveness hinders your prayers.

The person you damage most with unforgiveness is you!

(CSB Study Bible Notes) 11:25 A second condition to petitions being granted is to forgive others. Standing while praying was the usual Jewish posture for public prayers (cp. Lk 18:9-14). If you have anything against anyone recalls Mt 5:23-24 (cp. Mt 18:21-35).

Verses can be found in Mark 11: 25-26.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

 

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, November 19, 2023

God Meets You Where You Are.

Today, Pastor Michael turns over the reigns to Billy Huneycutt, who is doing his “The Potter” sermon.  This, coincidentally, cannot be fully appreciated as audio only, so we’re linking to his sermon a year ago here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuBI82gXXkE; here, you can get a visual of what he’s doing. 

Verses can be found in John 8 and Jeremiah 18. 

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, November 12, 2023

Move the Mountain.

Today, Pastor Michael summarizes the sermon: “Prayer moves mountains, and the first mountain that must move is in me.”

Today’s story takes place three days before His crucifixion.  This is two days after the Triumphal Entry and one day when He ran the money changers out of the temple.  In that table-turning story, Jesus encountered a fig tree, found no fruit, and cursed the tree.  It seems the fig tree, the temple, and everything aren’t related, but they are!

Jesus pointed out that the true power to move mountains is faith. 

(CSB Bible Notes) 11:12-26 Matthew recorded the temple clearing (Mt 21:12-17) and the cursing of the fig tree (21:18-20) as distinct events. Mark divided the cursing of the fig tree (Mk 11:12-14) from its withering (vv. 20-21) and placed the clearing of the temple in between (vv. 15-19). Thus he meant for readers to see the connection between the barren fig tree (symbolic for Israel) and the barren temple. Jesus’s cursing of the fig tree was an acted-out parable of God’s judgment on Jerusalem and the temple.

Verses can be found in Mark 11: 22-24.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

 

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, November 5, 2023

The Fruitless Tree

Today, Pastor Michael discusses when you thought something would help you, but it didn’t. 

A time when Jesus found a fruit tree that didn’t grow fruit.  An obscure story that surrounds a famous story, but the fruitless tree withers whether it be a fig, a nation, or you and me.  

This is one day after Jesus entered Jerusalem, and He knew deep down that the folks therein did not understand why He was there, so he left the city.  Now, He’s on his way back to Jerusalem and spots a fig tree looking for figs.  Jesus knows (because he’s omniscient) that this tree will never produce fruit.  And this fig tree was a symbol of Israel.  

So they went to Jerusalem and came upon the temple, and Jesus stopped folks from conducting commerce in the temple; essentially, the folks had made the temple a den of thieves.  The temple was for worship, but many had turned the temple into a trading post of sorts.  The fruitless fig trees pointed to the fruitless temple, a connecting point of this story.  

This story isn’t about a tree; it’s an illustration.  This story is about a spiritually bankrupt temple and nation.

(CSB Bible Notes) Thus, he (Mark) meant for readers to see the connection between the barren fig tree (symbolic of Israel) and the barren temple. Jesus’s cursing of the fig tree was an acted-out parable of God’s judgment on Jerusalem and the temple.

Verses can be found in Mark 11: 11-21. 

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

 

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, October 29, 2023

The Expectation of Transformation

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about how disappointment can be rooted in expectations that weren’t matched with reality.  Having expectations rooted directly in the Word of God is central to a vibrant, joy-filled life with Jesus.  Picking up in Mark, Jesus is in a crowd following him, based on an expectation that did not rely on reality.

The right expectation is transformation, our learning nugget of the day.  Jesus and His disciples are almost to Jerusalem.  He tells two of His disciples to go into a little village, and they’ll find a donkey, untie him, and bring him to Me.  And if anyone asks why you’re doing this, say, “The Lord has need of it.”  The disciples did that very thing and were busted.  The owners let it ride and allowed the donkey to go.

Jesus now rides the donkey into Jerusalem.  One doesn’t usually think of a king riding into a city on a donkey, but in ancient Israel, a donkey was a sign of royalty, and Jesus came in peace, fulfilling a 500-year-old prophecy.  Onlookers carpet the road with palm fronds and their clothing, shouting for joy. 

Jesus went to Jerusalem, visited the temple, and left the city.  He leaves the city with the disciples to Bethany.  Jesus knew the welcome was not truthful; they believed in their concept of Jesus as a king on the throne, with his disciples occupying traditional roles.  They expected him to reveal His plan, eliminate the Romans, and reestablish Israel as a sovereign nation.  So Jesus heard the shouts of welcome but knew that by the end of the week, those same people would want him crucified.  Their expectations were theirs and did not match Jesus’.

Expectations that are real (real reasons to believe in Jesus supported by scripture).

1. Salvation and forgiveness.
2. Spiritual transformation.
3. Personal relationship with Jesus.
4. Guidance and direction.
5. Strength in trials.
6. Eternal life.
7. Spiritual gifts.
8. Joy and peace.
9. Purpose and calling.

Verses can be found in Mark 11: 1-11, and Zechariah 9: 9.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, October 22, 2023

God’s Plan for Church Leaders

Today, Pastor Michael’s subject is church leadership.  The New Testament calls these leaders “elders”.  Elders, shepherds, and overseers are our keywords today. 

Elders lead by wisdom, love, stewardship, and trust. A shepherd is someone who shepherds or cares for God's flock. In our churches today, we typically call them pastors. The overseer directs and guides. 

These categories are the qualities of church leaders.  Today, Recreate Church recognizes three men as church elders, and the ceremony is contained here in the podcast. 

(CSB Bible Notes) 5:1-4 Peter charged elders to be exemplary, responsible servants. The term elders refers to the office of pastoral leaders in the church. The word appears to be used interchangeably here with shepherds/pastors and elsewhere with overseers (Ti 1:5,7). Peter’s appeal was based on the fact that he was a fellow elder and witness to Christ’s sufferings. This helped him identify fully with the elders he was addressing and gave added support for his plea. He commanded them to be shepherds of God’s flock. In other words, they were to nurture, lead, and protect God’s people without lording it over them. Elders who have served faithfully, despite suffering while on earth, will receive glory in heaven from Christ, the chief Shepherd.

Verses can be found in 1 Peter 5: 1-5.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, October 15, 2023

The Scandal of The Cross (Lord’s Supper Service)

Today, Pastor Michael tells the story of Hosea, a prophet who married a prostitute.  This is, needless to say, an untenable situation for Hosea, yet he loved her and never gave up on his wife’s infidelity.  He loves and cares about her, always bringing her back home.  We’re used to the idea that love is conditional; one has to meet a certain standard to continue to be loved.  You have to have certain things, according to this world, that you have to have something to offer.  Normal love requires love in return.

However, the most impressive story of unconditional love is not Hosea and Gomer.  It is Christ dying for us. The cross is the most significant scandal, meaning Jesus took our sins upon Himself.  The sinless took on the sin of the sinful.  While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  He was mocked, spit upon, and hanged on the cross, not for people who are loveable, not for people who are basically good.  He was broken for broken people.

His love for us is not based on our character but His. His unconditional, scandalous love for us.

Verses can be found in Romans 5: 8 and the book of Hosea.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, October 8, 2023

The Freedom of Letting Go.

Today, Pastor Michael is covering the story of a man who had to let something go that was the most crucial thing he had.  Freedom is found when we learn to let go.

We are following Jesus as they make their way from Galilee in the north to Jerusalem in the country’s center.  They are going to celebrate Passover.  Nearly everyone went to Jerusalem and would go through Jericho to get to Jerusalem.  The distance between Jericho and Jerusalem is about 14 miles, and thousands of pilgrims would pass through Jericho on their way to Jerusalem.  Many beggars were on the side of the road during this time, and Jewish tradition heavily emphasized giving to the needy. 

So Jesus was passing along this route, and Bartimaeus, a blind man, reached out to Jesus, asking Him to have mercy on him.  Many warned him to be quiet, but he cried out more and more.  It’s important to note that Bartimaeus called him “Son of David,” a very important point.  This acknowledges Bartimaeus as recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, by calling him the “Son of David.”

Bartimaeus shed his outer robe, itself a significant act because in those days, outer garments were some of the most important things people owned.  By shedding it, Bartimaeus placed total faith in Jesus and “let go” in total trust.  He let go of a good thing to have a better thing.

Bartimaeus asked for his sight back, and Jesus told him, “Go your way, your faith has made you well,” and Bartimaeus’ sight was restored.

(CSB Bible Notes) 10:52 In contrast to his healing of the blind man in 8:22-25, Jesus simply announced your faith has saved you, and Bartimaeus could see.

Verses can be found in Mark 10: 46 - 52.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, October 1, 2023

Greatness is in Service

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about service.  Greatness is not in being served; it’s in serving.  During this time, Jesus’ expression has changed and is totally transfixed.  He tells his disciples that The Romans will kill him and that on the third day, He will rise.  Jesus prophesied both His death and resurrection.  James and John go to Jesus and ask Him to let them sit at His place of honor when he comes into His kingdom.  Jesus responds to them with grace.  Essentially, they didn’t know the depth of what they were asking.  He asks them if they can drink from the cup he drinks from and be baptized with which He is baptized.  Here, the cup is a metaphor for suffering, and baptism is a metaphor for being plunged into calamity. 

He asks them if they are willing to share His fate, and they indicate they are.  But here, the disciples fail to understand the further teaching by Jesus.  True greatness lies not in having a position over the authority of others but in being a slave to all.  The Son of Man himself came not to be served but to serve, and by implication, any follower of the Son of Man can do no less.

(CSB Study Bible Notes) 10:35-36 This is the only time in Mark that James and John acted on their own apart from the other disciples, and they did so selfishly. Most likely, they asked Jesus to grant their request even before they spelled it out because they knew they were being selfish.

Verses can be found in Mark 10: 32-45.

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, September 24, 2023

With God, All Things Are Possible

Today, Pastor Michael is turning over the reigns to Billy Huneycutt.  Billy reads from the Gospel of Mark, where a man runs up to Jesus and falls on his knees before him, asking, “What must I do, good teacher, to inherit eternal life?”.  Jesus counsels the man that no one is good but God alone and that he knows the commandments.  The man replied that he had done all that since he was a boy.  So, Jesus tells him further to sell everything and come and follow Him.  The man did not like that a bit; his face fell, and Jesus told His disciples and followers, “How hard it is for the rich to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

Here, Billy reminds us that all things are possible with God.  All of us have fallen short.  We have the commandments and the Bible and don’t always follow what we know we shouldn’t do.  Why?  Because we chose our own way.  We have free will to do so. 

Love Jesus and follow Him closer and closer, and you will have transformative change!

(CSB Bible Notes) 10:23 How hard it is refers to extreme difficulty. Rather than an advantage, possessions hinder entering God’s kingdom.

Verses can be found in Mark 10: 17-27 and John 3: 16. 

Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.