ReCreate Church’s Podcast

Recreate Church, Pastor Michael Shockley—Service, September 17, 2023

His Performance, Your Acceptance

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about how “acceptance must be earned,” an idea that we pick up at a young age, teaching us that we must perform at a certain level.  Living in a world where our acceptance is based on our performance, most folks believe God must love us similarly: that we must meet the standards and the requirements.

God’s acceptance of us cannot be based on our performance!  The core of the message today is that acceptance rests on His performance, not yours.

Michael dives into the book of Mark, where parents brought their children for a blessing from Jesus, and the disciples stopped them.  Jesus was indignant and told the disciples to let the children come to Him and told the disciples that whoever didn’t receive the kingdom of God like a little child would never enter it.  

(CSB Notes) 10:15 Jesus’s second saying relates to how a person welcomes and enters the kingdom of God. A little child accepts what is given as a gift without asserting his rights or claims (cp. Mt 18:3). To enter God’s kingdom, a person must accept it as a gracious gift.

Verses can be found in Mark 10: 13-16.

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, September 10, 2023

The Subject I Wanted to Skip

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about one of the most painful experiences in life…divorce.  Hard topic to cover but Michael’s going there! 

Jesus is heading towards Jerusalem and telling his disciples he’ll be arrested and crucified.  The disciples still don’t get the overall picture, but the Pharisees are back with even more “not getting it.”  And they bring up the question of divorce.  They are trolling questions that would entrap Jesus, picking a controversial topic.  They were going through Perea at the time, an area headed up by Herod Antipas, a figure known for beheading John the Baptist, because of John’s views on divorce and remarriage.  So, the Pharisees were smart in picking the topic and the place!

In that day, there were two schools of thought on divorce, modeled after two rabbis: Shammai, whom taught divorce was only allowed by adultery by the woman (not the man) and was a more conservative view.  Rabbi Hillel, taught that a man could divorce his wife for, essentially any reason, a far more liberal view.  The Pharisees had hoped that Jesus would entrap himself, similar to how John the Baptist did and suffer a similar fate.

Jesus’ answer, however, quoted as “What did Moses command you?”, based on Deuteronomy 24: 1-4, did not command divorce only acknowledged it, protected the woman’s rights, and prohibited a husband from remarrying his original wife if he married another woman in between. Once again the Pharisees were misusing Scripture!

Divorce is so polarizing, but it doesn’t end you, God doesn’t stop loving you.  No matter your story, no matter your deal, we love you at Recreate Church!

Love endures, grace forgives and hope rebuilds.  Wherever you are, relationship-wise, give your situation to God, trust Him with it and He’ll work it out.

Verses can be found in Mark 10: 2-12.

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 3, 2023

Salt and Fire.

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about how Christianity isn’t always an easy path to follow.  God will bring good from the things that test us.  Michael’s memory jingle for the day is “Tribulation is transformation. Integrity is Influence.”  That’s what today’s message is all about!

Jesus mentions salt and fire in today’s verses in Mark, and it is said, “salted with fire”.  The fire here may mean the parallel of refining and purifying of salt and followers of Christ being persecuted in an “unsalted” world.  The “salt” is the distinctiveness of salt and the distinctiveness of being followers of Jesus.  So these two simple verses carry a lot of meaning, in a lot of ways.

And the fire does not destroy who we are; it destroys who we were pretending to be.  When you’re facing struggles, don’t assume that God doesn’t care.  Jesus didn’t come to rid the world of suffering; He came to redeem our suffering here and now.  It can be the catalyst for growth and maturity!

(CSB Study Bible Notes) 9:49-50 Jesus’s puzzling statement in v. 49 probably drew on the association of fire and salt in the sacrificial context of Lv 2:13. The first salt saying of Mk 9:50 occurs elsewhere (Mt 5:13; Lk 14:34) and focuses on the good uses of salt, which disciples must reflect on (Mt 5:13). Salt from deposits around the Dead Sea could lose its flavor since it was not pure sodium chloride. Disciples who lose their saltiness are no longer effective witnesses. The second “salt saying” of v. 50 draws on the OT custom of using salt in making covenants of peace.

Verses can be found in Mark 9: 49-50 and James 1: 2-4.

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 27, 2023

Cut Off What Cuts You Off From God

Today, Pastor Michael discusses Jesus’ teaching on cutting off (symbolically / hyperbole) things that cause sin and lead to spiritual separation.  Here, Jesus tells His followers to cut off limbs that lead to sin, for example, their hand, if it causes them to sin.  Jesus is not teaching mutilation; He is teaching that sin originates in the heart.  One can lose a hand or an eye and still be a terrible sinner!

The gist is that we must control anything that takes us away from God!  Cut off here is getting things out of your life that take you away from Him.

(CSB Notes) 9:43-48 The body parts and admonitions are figures of speech that warn disciples to guard their sight and actions against participation in evil, for recklessness here can lead to spiritual downfall (cp. Jb 31:1,5,7). This is the only place where Mark used the word for hell (Gk gehenna). The imagery for hell developed from the Hinnom Valley southwest of Jerusalem. This valley was used for pagan human sacrifice (2Kg 16:3; 21:6; Jr 7:31), hence the association with unquenchable fire and perpetual rot (their worm does not die).

Verses can be found in Mark 9: 43-48.

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 20, 2023

W-A-T-E-R

Today, Pastor Michael is departing from his study of the book of Mark and talking about baptism and its meaning.

We’re in Acts today, in the early days of the Christian movement, a few years after the Resurrection, when most of the believers were centered in Jerusalem.  An angel of the Lord comes to Philip, tells him to head to Gaza, and doesn’t tell him why. But he IS an angel, and Philip IS obedient, so he heads out.  About halfway there, he encounters an important Ethiopian man.  This was not purely a lucky meeting; it was why the angel sent Philip. 

The story continues with the two meeting and Philip discovering he is an important Ethiopian, reading the book of Isaiah and not understanding it completely.  He was having difficulty understanding whom the passage was referring to.  Philip explained that it was Jesus who was being referred to, not Isaiah.  The Ethiopian requested that he be baptized, and he was done so with Philip.  When the Ethiopian came out of the water, the Holy Spirit miraculously carried Philip away to his next appointment!

Water baptism is the outward symbol of inward transformation. 

WATER = Wash Away The past Emerge Renewed!

Verses can be found in Acts 8: 26-40.

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 13, 2023

Stumbling Stone or Stepping Stone

Today, Pastor Michael discusses good teachers and how they are stepping stones to learning, not stumbling stones.  A good teacher helps a learner step up, not stumble.

And along that line, as a Christian, you can be the reason someone steps up to the faith or a stumbling block to them.

We’re at the end of Mark and are discussing this idea with Jesus’ teachings in Mark. In chapter 9, verse 42, Jesus states, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away — it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”

We must be careful not to cause anyone to stumble in their faith, whether they are simply young people or young believers.

Michael adds some “Do’s” and “Don’t” on what we can do to help be a Stepping Stone, instead of a Stumbling Stone to someone’s faith journey.

DON’T be somebody’s excuse for unbelief.

DO set the example of a humble life that is pursuing God.

DON’T be the reason somebody’s spiritual growth gets stunted.

DO support and nurture those who are younger in the faith.

DON’T be the discouragement that derails a faith journey.

DO be the reason that somebody decides there is truth in Jesus because of what they see in your life.

DON’T influence anyone to trust their own morality or religion.

DO set the example of trusting in Christ!

You may impress people with your strength, but you’ll connect with them through your weakness!

(CSB Study Bible Notes) 9:42 To cause someone to fall away refers to hindering discipleship or causing someone to sin. Little ones refers to immature disciples. A heavy millstone was the one donkeys turned to grind wheat. As terrible as drowning was, Jesus said it would be better than suffering the punishments of vv. 43-48.

Verses can be found in Mark 9: 42.

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 6, 2023

Love Without Expectation

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about priorities and our number one priority in our faith:  People + Jesus.  We try to be that + sign (in the middle) as the core of who we are. 

Our second priority is serving people.  How are you serving people in your family, extended family, or even school?  How are you serving in the community and the marketplace?

After talking about priorities, Michael is looking at where Jesus was in Capernaum, his base of ministry, visiting for the last time.  The disciples don’t really catch that He will be killed soon, and they didn’t want to believe it.  He took a little child in His arms and said (in Mark 9:37 CSB), “Whoever welcomes one little child such as this in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me does not welcome me, but him who sent me.” 

Realize that in those days, children weren’t prioritized like they are today, so for Jesus to use this as an example is very important. He shows that we should prioritize even those that seemingly are not important.

This brings us to priority number three: love without expectation.  It’s only when the person doesn’t deserve to be shown love that the love can truly be unconditional.  If someone is being hurtful, mean, or just plain unfriendly: that’s the time to show unconditional love! 

Jesus set the priority for us to love without expectation.  This is the life He has called us to.  To do right by people who may not do right by you.

Priority Four: Unity with the brethren.  We can cooperate, even with those with whom we are not exactly on the same page.  We can do this because we believe in people plus Jesus, is our highest priority.

Michael leaves us with four challenges, one for each priority.

Challenge One for Priority One (People +Jesus) is being open about your faith in Jesus in a humble way.

Challenge Two for Serving People is to look for ways to serve.

Challenge Three for Love Without Expectation is to do right by people, even when they don’t deserve it.

Challenge Four for Unity With The Brethren is to put the message of faith in Jesus above the things that divide believers.

Verses can be found in Mark 9: 36-41.

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 30, 2023

People + Jesus

Today, Pastor Michael is back in the Gospel of Mark.  Today’s lesson is about how priority shapes destiny.

At this point in the story, Jesus is telling the disciples that he will soon be betrayed and die.  And after this, He will rise on the third day.  The disciples did not understand this, so that’s where we pick up the story.

This isn’t the first time that Jesus has talked about his impending death and also not the first time that the disciples haven’t asked or drilled down on what this was all about.  They did not ask.  But the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central port, the core, of Christianity.  So let’s look at our highest priorities here.

What is priority number 1?  People plus Jesus!  A relationship with Jesus: nothing else matters!  It has to be our number one focus.

Priority number 2:  Serving people.  How are you serving people? 

Our question for you: have you put your trust in Jesus?  That’s a life-transforming connection and central theme of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Next week we will cover more of the priorities that we did not have time for today. 

Mark 9:30-32 (CSB Study Bible Notes) 9:30 This is the last reference in Mark to Galilee until after Jesus’s resurrection (see 14:28; 16:7 and notes there).

9:31 Jesus’s second death prediction is the briefest of the three (see notes at 8:31; 10:33-34), and has much in common with the others. The new element in this prediction is that he would be betrayed.

9:32 Luke explains why the disciples did not understand: “It was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it” (Lk 9:45).

Verses can be found in Mark 9: 30-40.

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 16, 2023

Defining Moments of Our Lives

Today, Pastor Michael has turned over the reigns to Duncan Crook.  Duncan is talking about defining moments.

What is a defining moment?  A significant moment, such as success, failure, achievement, demise, talent, etc. The point at which the glory or character of a person or group is revealed or identified. 

Every single life is built upon a series of defining moments.

These moments can change a person’s personality.  Billy Graham’s defining moment was in May of 1934.  Billy Graham’s family were farmers, and Charlotte Christian businessmen wanted to hold an all-day prayer vigil at the Graham family, and a prayer was raised that the Lord would raise up someone from Charlotte that would preach the gospel to all the world.

“At that time, in 1934, it certainly wasn’t obvious that that someone might be me,” Billy Graham wrote later.

Let’s look at some of the defining moments in the Bible.

In John 2, Jesus performed the miracle of turning water into wine.  This was the moment that defined Jesus as a miracle worker.

The death and resurrection of Jesus is perhaps the greatest defining moment in the Bible. 

Another defining moment in the Bible is when the disciples crossed the sea with Him, and He calmed a raging storm.

This event was also a defining event for the disciples as it showed their lack of faith.

Job was stripped of his wealth and family, and he was tempted to curse God. This was a moment that turned Job’s life around, from wealth to poverty. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship golden images of King Nebuchadnezzar, and they were thrown into a fire, which did not burn them.

Two ways we can hinder others from encountering God in their defining moment: people cannot see God through our noise.  And people cannot see God through our sins.

In Mark 4: 37-41, the disciples reacted angrily to their defining moment.  Jesus rebuked them and challenged their lack of faith.  Do you blame God yourself or thank Him for deliverance?

Do you face your fears and build up your faith in your defining moments?

Do you lean on your own understanding during your defining moment?  Do you plan to celebrate your moment without involving God? 

The biggest problem with our defining moments is how to react when they occur. 

Proverbs 3:5 (CSB) Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding.

What did we learn here today?

1. In every moment, we can trust Jesus.
2. In every moment, Jesus is with us.
3. In every moment, we need Jesus.

Verses can be found in John 4: 1-26, John 4: 39, John 2: 1-11,  John 3: 16-18, Hebrews 9:22, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 6: 23, Mark 4: 37-41,  Job 2: 7-10, Daniel 3: 16-28, and Proverbs 3: 5-6 (plus more!).

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 9, 2023

Faith Makes All Things Possible

Today, Pastor Michael is talking about a man that had faith but not enough faith for what he was facing.

He wanted to believe that the Lord would help him in his struggles; it’s not about the Lord’s might but about faith’s height!

This story takes place right after the Transfiguration, where Jesus was revealed as He truly is.  So Jesus and the three disciples come down the mountain and find the other nine disciples, them arguing with religious folks, the Scribes.

This was 1,000 years before the printing press, so the Scribes were who made copies of the Old Testament.  And they took their work very seriously!  Perfectionists, indeed!

They knew the letter of God’s law but not so much the spirit of it.  So, the crowd sees Jesus coming and wanted to ask Him what was happening.  Jesus makes His way to the Scribes and wanted to ask what they were doing.

A person in the crowd offered up that he was there with his son, who was having terrible seizures and wanted Jesus’ disciples to drive the spirit out of his child, which was causing that.  

This man brought his son, hoping to find Jesus but found the other disciples.  He asked them to do the miracle, and they could not.

Jesus is deeply bothered by this.  He is frustrated because His disciples do not have faith, and faith is the thing they needed.  

This dad asked, “If you can do anything, please help us.”  

Jesus responds, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

The real question isn’t if Jesus can help…it’s if we can believe.

The father had both faith and doubt, which is a common occurrence.  This man had faith because he asked for healing for his son.  The disciples had faith because they tried.  

(CSB Study Bible Notes) At issue was not Jesus’s ability but the father’s faith—everything is possible for the one who believes (cp. 5:36; 10:27).

Verses can be found in Mark 9: 17-29.

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.