ReCreate Church’s Podcast

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, August 11, 2024

The Cross That Carries You.

Today, Michael is talking of denial and carrying your cross.  Simon’s (not Simon Peter) story is fascinating. 

At this point in the story, Jesus has been arrested, had a false trial, beaten until his back was shredded, and after all of this, they (the Romans) make Him carry the cross to the hill, Golgotha, the place of skulls.  Jesus, though God, took on the fullness of humanity so that He could feel things like pain and exhaustion.   At some point, He stumbles; the Roman soldiers pull a man out of the crowd, and his name is Simon.  Simon was in Jerusalem at the time of the feast of Passover. 

Simon is the father of Alexander and Rufus, who were known to Mark’s Roman audience.  Simon’s family was impacted by this for generations, by his carrying Jesus’ cross to the hill of execution.  Simon was the first to take up the cross.  For him it was literal, but it became spiritual.  Some believe that Simon became a Christian through this, but certainly his sons did. 

“When you carry the cross, the cross carries you,” is our core message today. 

(CSB Bible Notes) Condemned prisoners customarily carried the crossbeam, or patibulum, to the site of their execution, where it was attached to the vertical beam. The Greek biographer Plutarch wrote: “Every criminal condemned to death bears his cross on his back” (Moralia, 554 A/B). Apparently Jesus was too weak from being flogged and beaten to carry it all the way. Roman soldiers had the right to press citizens of subject nations into compulsory service (Mt 5:41), so they forced Simon to carry Jesus’s cross. Simon was a Jewish Cyrenian from the north coast of Africa. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus, indicating that readers in Rome probably knew these men (Rm 16:13).

Today’s verses can be found in Matthew 16: 24, Mark 15: 21, and Romans 16:13.

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, August 4, 2024

When Faith Feels Offended

Today, Michael discusses how believers should respond when they feel something important has been disrespected.  Today, Michael encourages some perspective.   

Should we be shocked when lost people act like lost people?  Yet we seem so surprised when folks who don’t understand God don’t respect the glory of God.  We shouldn’t be, potentially, as they truly don’t understand God.  It should shock us if believers disrespect God, but not so much when lost folks do.

So, what should we do if folks talk ill of God?  It should bother us, but how do we respond?  Jesus was mocked, beaten, spit upon, and could have called twelve legions of angels, but He did not. 

Roman soldiers crowned Jesus in mockery and robed Him in humiliation, yet he wore the purple robe of a king.  They bowed before him in pretense; someday, every knee will bow to Him.  They intended it in mockery, yet they unintentionally showed the truth in Jesus and His ministry.   You cannot devalue the truth in the Word of God.

No matter how much He is mocked, God is mocked; anything that suggests mockery, the misuse of it, is quietly a testament to the power of that name.

We get so torn up by outsiders not understanding or mocking our faith; but unbelievers act like unbelievers, only.

Today’s core statement is “Don’t be provoked by mockery; be motivated to pray.”

Mark 15:17-18 (CSB Bible Notes) The soldiers used makeshift substitutes for the robe . . . crown, and scepter of a king. Purple was a royal color. 15:18 Hail, King of the Jews was a mocking corruption of the greeting, “Hail, Caesar.”

Today’s verses can be found in Mark 15: 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.

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, July 28, 2024

Fighting the Black Dog

Today, Michael is talking about depression, the “Black Dog” as Winston Churchill coined it.

The theme today can be summed up as, “Praise is a weapon against depression” and Michael will drill down on it herein.

Not all depression is situational, though as we see in Psalms 102 we hear of ‘the day of his trouble”, a season of struggle, a deep disappointment, prolonged illness, a myriad of things.  

The author of this Psalm is wrestling with God, feeling he has been abandoned by Him.  Yet, He clearly has not!

Prayers prayed to God from human suffering can increase personal faith.  Sometimes it does seem, due to our human understanding of things, that God has abandoned us, but He never does and never will. 

Psalms 102:3-10 (CSB Bible Notes) 102:3 My days vanish like smoke, which immediately dissipates into the air (37:20; 68:2; Hs 13:3). Life passed quickly as the psalmist suffered physical pain (Ps 69:18; Is 33:14). The furnace could be a hearth or brazier (Jr 36:23). 102:4-5 The heart, or seat of morale, has been suffering as if by disease. Withered like grass shows the discouragement of the psalmist. He longed for death as the ultimate deliverance from a life of persecution and oppression (Pss 39; 90).

Today’s verses can be found in Psalms 102.

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, July 21, 2024

Peace

Today, Michael shares with us the story of Greg Boyle, a missionary whose experiences in Bolivia shaped his understanding of justice and peace. Upon his return, he found himself in East LA, a community scarred by violence.  Greg, who had officiated at the funerals of many young men, was approached by their mothers, seeking ways to bring peace. Greg prayed fervently to God for a way to help and Greg opened a bakery, Homeboy Bakery.  He hired kids who were trying to get out of gangs and gave them an opportunity.  From there it grew into work readiness, tattoo removal and legal resources.  

They provided an exit ramp out of generational violence.  Today, they are the largest gang rehabilitation facility in the world.  And Greg Boyle is motivated by the peace of Christ.  

Now, what we have in our world: Peace on earth will not come from earth. Peace within us will not come from us. Peace cannot be found in social media or even religion.

Peace is not a condition; peace is a person.  His name is Jesus.

Action Steps for Peace.

1. Stop looking for peace in the world.
2. Look to Jesus for peace. 
3. Spread peace. 

(CSB Bible Notes) John 14:27 The expression peace (Hb shalom) could serve as a greeting or announce blessing upon those who enjoyed a right relationship with God.  

(CSB  Bible Notes) Philippians 4: 6 - 7:  In this section, Paul approached peace from two perspectives—peace within troublesome circumstances (vv. 4-7) and constructing an environment of peace (vv. 8-9).

Today’s verses can be found in John 14: 27 and Philippians 4: 6 - 7. 

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, July 14, 2024

Choosing Barabbas

Today, Michael is talking about choices. Choices can fall into many categories: really important or seemingly trivial.  Every time we make a choice, it can impact our lives.  And choices shape character and destiny; one choice at a time.

In today’s lesson, two men were sentenced to death, and someone got to choose between two men; one got to be freed and one executed.  A group of religious leaders, a crowd of people, and a government official get to choose.  “Choices shape character and destiny; choose Jesus” is our core thought for today.

Religious leaders have captured Jesus and put him through a mockery of a trial, but they were not allowed to execute him without the approval of the Romans, which is why they brought him to Pontius Pilate.  Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea during that time, not a super popular fellow, but Pilate at this time was much more interested in keeping the peace.  So the Sanhedrin wanted Pilate’s cooperation, and Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” and Jesus answered, “It is as you say.” 

 

Pilate knew the charges were wrong but could not get Jesus to answer his queries, so he went with another tact.  Pilate asked, “Do you want me to release to you, the king of the Jews?”.  A Roman strategy in those days was to release prisoners to build cooperation with the Jews.  Barabbas, at that time, was a prisoner and a popular hero of the time. This allowed Pilate to offer the crowd and the religious leaders a choice between a popular hero and a suffering servant.

But the crowd and the Sanhedrin wanted Jesus crucified and loudly proclaimed it. So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be crucified.   

The religious leaders chose Barabbas because they wanted to keep control. 

Do not blindly follow any human leader, ever.  Choose Jesus and follow HIS example!

(CSB Bible Notes) 15:2 Pilate focused on whether Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews. Clearly the Sanhedrin’s condemnation based on blasphemy (14:64) had turned into charges of sedition and treason. This is the first use of this title in Mark’s Gospel, but Pilate repeatedly used it (15:2,9,12,26; cp. v. 32). The words recall the quest of the wise men at Jesus’s birth (Mt 2:2). Jesus’s reply, you say so, can be understood as either noncommittal or as an acknowledgment, but not as a denial.

Today’s verses can be found in Mark 15: 1 - 15.

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, July 7, 2024

12 Denials of Christ We Never Saw Coming

Today Michael is looking at one of the most famous denials in history. 

Jesus was carried to face the Sanhedrin, with Caiaphas leading the charge of trying to find something they could use to put Jesus to death.

The high priest asked if Jesus declared himself the Messiah?  To which Jesus answered, “I am.  And you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of Heaven”.  This was seen at this mock trial as proof positive that Jesus was making a clear claim to be God and they had the admission they needed to put Him to death.

Meanwhile, Peter is watching all this and his heart is breaking, though he is too afraid to do anything about it.  The servant girl, saw his face and asked him, “Don’t I recognize you, I’ve seen you with Jesus of Nazareth” to which Peter denied, very loudly, that she did not know him.  A rooster crowed in the distance. The servant girl stated this to the crowd and he denied it again.  Then finally a man saw Peter at the fire and recognized him, and others recognized Peter’s accent, as being from Galilee, and Peter denied Jesus yet again.  And a rooster crowed a second time. 

This time Peter remembers Jesus’ prediction that when a rooster crowed twice, he will have denied Jesus three times, which, of course, he had. 

We are in the same situation today; we deny Jesus through our actions but your lives say otherwise. 

The take home for today is, “Let your life declare I know Jesus”.  Sometimes our lips say it, but our life may not match it.  

The Twelve Denials of Christ We Never Saw Coming (or how we currently don’t live what we say we do, as Christians).

1. Compromising your integrity.
2. Neglecting to help. Run towards the messes.
3. Taking part in gossip or slander. See Ephesians 4 on this one!
4. Placing comfort over people.
5. Withholding forgiveness.
6. Neglecting to share your faith.
7. Conforming to worldly values.
8. Ignoring injustice.
9. Living hypocritcally.
10. Neglecting personal spiritual growth.
11. Not taking a stand, we have to be salt and light.
12. Failing to love like Christ. 

(CSB Bible Notes) 14:53-65 No single Gospel comprehensively records Jesus’s trials, and each emphasizes different perspectives and events. It is clear, however, that both Roman political authorities and Jewish religious leaders were involved in handing down Jesus’s death sentence.

Today’s verses can be found in Mark 14: 53 - 72.

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, June 30, 2024

The Moonlight Kiss of Betrayal.

Today Michael is still in Mark (we’re just about done!) and he is going to tell a story, like a story, not just reading.  True narrative format and it’s good!

Jesus is talking with His disciples, letting them know, that all ‘will fall away’.  Meaning, when the going get’s tough, the disciples won’t be so tough!

And this theme, with Jesus, His disciples and the message is about betrayal.  

Back on topic, the disciples hear Him tell them that they will bolt when it get’s tough and they are, of course, agast.  What, “US” leave you?  Are you kidding????"

Even Peter, a rock if there ever was one, cannot believe He is telling them that.  Naturally, Peter claims his undying loyalty to the cause and Jesus reminds him, even he will fall away.

So, twelve of them go to the Mount of Olives (one is missing; wonder where Judas is?) and they come to a lush grove, Gethsemane, and Jesus tells them to rest, sit and pray.  Jesus leaves them and prays three times.  Each time he comes back, the disciples are asleep.  During all of this, the disciples can see Jesus is in extreme anguish and knows something very foreboding, serious is coming His way.

Finally, a crowd appears to take Jesus away.  They drag him into the city and a trial will soon begin.

 

During all of this, Jesus suffers three betrayals:

1. Notably, Judas Iscariot.

2. The religious leaders and the system of the time.

3. HIs disciples.

 

Our central message this week, concerning betrayal is: "When you experience betrayal, and you will, trust God and choose better over bitter”.

Today’s verses can be found in Mark 14: 27 - 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, June 23, 2024

Dinner with Jesus

Today Michael is talking about the Last Supper.  

Jewish holidays, during biblical times, were in the spring and close together, starting with Passover, going into the Feast of Unleavened Bread and then the Feast of Firstfruits. 

So, this lesson is on the Passover meal and how Jesus asked His disciples to prepare the meal and trust in Him.  There are two key takeaways from this lesson:

1. Trust in Him.  Even if you cannot see what He’s doing or the results you may seek or expect, He IS working in your life. 
2. It might be that He is wanting you to prepare something for someone else; not you. 

Mark 14:12-16 (CSB Bible Notes) 14:12 Jesus decided where they would observe the Passover, but his disciples were responsible to prepare it. 14:13-14 Luke (Lk 22:8) identifies the two disciples as Peter and John. Go into the city indicates they were outside Jerusalem, probably at Bethany. Meet could mean either “encounter” or that the man was looking for them. The owner of the house was apparently acquainted with Jesus since they identified him only as the Teacher. 14:15-16 The “guest room” (v. 14) was a large room upstairs, probably the spacious roof chamber of a wealthy man. The room was ready to accommodate a large group. Found it just as he had told them stresses the exact fulfillment of Jesus’s words.

Today’s verses can be found in Mark 14: 12 - 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, June 16, 2024

Generation Shapers

Today, as we celebrate Father’s Day, Pastor Michael is kicking off with a dose of “Dad Jokes.” He humorously insists that these jokes are the comfort food of humor, but whether you agree or not, they’re sure to bring a smile to your face!  

Now, here are some Dad statistics that aren’t so funny: 

1. 25% of children grow up without a Dad.
2. These 25% represent:  90% of homeless and runways, 85% of behavioral disorders, 75% of substance abuse admissions, 71% of high school dropouts, 70% of juvenile detentions, and 63% of youth suicides.
3. Boys without a dad are twice as likely to be incarcerated.

Fathers Shape Generations.  

None of us can live up to what it means to be a truly great father, but we need to celebrate and support fathers who are doing their best for their families.  Our relationship with God teaches us fatherhood.  We view our world through the lens of God.  As fathers, we want to teach our children right from wrong and to honor God. And they do watch what you do; you must show and demonstrate; be a leader, not a boss.

Fathers are truly generation shapers; we influence and help our children learn worldview.  We’re called to be fathers even to the fatherless.

You have a father, always: Father God and He will never, ever leave you.  

Things you can do to shape generations.

1. Teach wisdom.
2. Model godliness.
3. Speak life. 
4. Be present. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
5. Build a legacy of faith.

Proverbs 4:2-4 (CSB Study Bible Notes) 4:1-2 These verses introduce a series of a father’s exhortations to his sons to pay attention to his instruction. 

4:3 Being a true son implies obedience, not merely being a male child. A tender child is delicate as well as teachable. Precious means to be treated as if an only child (Jr 6:26; Am 8:10; Zch 12:10).

4:4,6 To keep . . . commands is to listen attentively, retain, and obey them; it could also be translated “guard.” Those who keep their way in godly wisdom

Today’s verses can be found in Proverbs 4: 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, June 9, 2024

Jesus Is Worthy

Today, Pastor Michael is promulgating a story, seemingly unconnected in purpose and place, about parallels in why folks show up at places. Linking this to Jesus and His stories, the core idea here is “Jesus Is Worthy.”

Timeline-wise, this is about 36 hours before Jesus’ crucifixion. The next night would be the Passover meal. Jesus is not in Jerusalem at this moment but in Bethany. At this point, the scribes did not like Jesus at all; they saw Him as someone who would challenge the corrupt religious system and corrupt religious leaders, i.e., ‘their’ system.  So they plotted and worked with Judas Iscariot on how to plot against Him. 

If you understand how worthy Jesus is, there is no amount of giving of ourselves that is too much. 

Mark 14:1-2 (CSB Bible Notes) 14:1 The temporal clause—it was two days before—points to the start of the Jewish Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This means the Sanhedrin plotted to kill Jesus some time between sunset on Tuesday and sunset on Wednesday. 14:2 The Sanhedrin hesitated to act because of Jesus’s popularity among the people who had flooded into town for Passover.

Today’s verses can be found in Mark 14: 1 - 11. 

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.